Portable inspection containers

A locking device for use in a portable security container wherein said container stores articles for passage through a scanning device and wherein said articles are carried by persons intending to enter into an area secured by said scanning device, comprising:

• a key having a head and a body wherein the body has a geometrically shaped cross-section;
• a housing defining an enclosure;
• and
• a lock mounted inside the said housing, the said lock having a keyway accessible from the exterior of said housing;
• wherein the lock is adapted to operably receive the body of said key in the keyway and to move between a locked state, wherein the key is insertable into and removable from the keyway, and an open state, wherein the key is not removable from the keyway.

A method for x-ray scanning a plurality of articles by storing them in at least one securable container, said container having a lid, a base, a lock, a keyway formed integrally with said lock, and a key lodged within the keyway, comprising:

• providing a plurality of containers proximate to an x-ray device;
• inserting said articles in at least one of said containers;
• closing the container by positioning the lid over, and in contact with, the base;
• moving the key in the keyway of the lock so that the lock comes to a closed state and the key can be withdrawn from the lock;
• placing the container on a conveyor belt leading into and through the x-ray device;
• removing the container from the conveyor belt after the container passes through the x-ray device;
• inserting the key in the keyway of the lock and moving the key so that the lock comes to an open state;
• and
• opening the container by moving the lid away from the base.