GB2351961A - Baggage tag - Google Patents

Abstract

A baggage tag comprises one (or two) information panel(s) 2, which is/are releasably attached to the surface of the baggage by its/their inner face(s) and is/are also coupled to means 8 for forming a loop round a fitting of the baggage such as a handle 10 to further secure the tag to the baggage. The outer face of each information panel is exposed to allow visual display of information. The information panel preferably comprises (a) pocket(s) for receiving (a) label card(s) 14, and the pockets may possess tuck flaps to secure the label cards inside. The means for releasable attachment to the baggage may comprise a hook and loop type fastener 38. The adjoining portion between the information panel and the loop may also have a pocket for a label card. The baggage tag may possess an electronic ID module.

Description

2351961 I

DESCRIPTION BAGGAGETAG

The present invention relates to baggage tags and is particularly, but not exclusively, suited to use in connection with air travel.

Various means are conventionally used for labelling baggage.

Self adhesive labels are for this purpose commonplace. For example, airport authorities apply pre-printed self adhesive labels during checking-in. A disadvantage of self adhesive labels is that they are typically difficult to remove after use and can leave an unsightly residue on the baggage surface. Baggage often bears several old self adhesive labels which can be unsightly and misleading.

Also well known are loose tags having a loop which can be secured around a part of the baggage such as a handle. A very simple type of loose tag is again applied by airport authorities during checking-in and comprises a paper strip with a self adhesive pad for securing one end of the strip to the other in order to form a loop around the baggage handle. A more elaborate type of loose tag is often used by the traveller to identify his/her baggage and comprises a flat pocket containing an information card visible through a transparent window of the pocket. Means such as a strap are looped through an aperture in the pocket and through a baggage handle to loosely couple the pocket to the baggage.

A problem arises in connection with conventional baggage labels and tags when the traveller comes to re-claim the baggage after a flight. At most modem -2airports the baggage is circulated on a carousel and the traveller must recognise his or her own baggage as it passes. Since it is not unusual for several bags of similar type to be on a given flight, the traveller may need to see the label or tag to positively identify his or her baggage, but the label/tag can easily be obscured, eg. because the baggage is positioned label side down, or the tag falls in an orientation such that its information bearing surface is obscured.

The problem is exacerbated when using a loose tag for identification because it may come to rest with its information bearing surface facing the baggage and so concealed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved baggage tag. More specifically, it is intended to provide a tag which is convenient to use, can conspicuously display information and can be securely attached to an item of baggage.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is a baggage tag comprising an information panel, having inner and outer faces, coupled to means for forming a loop around a fitting of an item of baggage such as a handle to secure the tag to the baggage, the inner face of the panel being provided with means for forming a releasable attachment to a surface of the baggage so that the outer face is exposed to display visual information provided thereon.

Such a tag can be conveniently but securely attached to baggage by means of its loop and, because the panel's inner face can be attached to the baggage surface, the information at the outer face can always be visibly displayed.

The information panel may comprise a pocket for containing a card bearing visual information and having at its outer surface a window through which the card can be viewed. The panel may comprise more than one such pocket, so that selected information can be changed (e.g. flight details) while other information is retained (e.g. traveller's name and address).

It is particularly preferred that the loop and the information panel are integrally formed of flexible sheet material.

In one such construction a single sheet is shaped to define the loop and the panel and a second sheet is positioned upon the first and selectively seamed thereto to form the pocket between the two sheets. The'sheet may be shaped to provide a neck portion between the loop and the information panel. The neck portion can accommodate relative movement of the loop and the panel. A pocket may be formed in the neck to maximise surface area available for information display. One of the two sheets is preferably transparent and so forms the window through which the pocket's contents can be viewed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the tag is adapted for use on a suitcase and comprises two information panels coupled to each other through a neck, such that with the loop secured to the suitcase handle the tag can be arranged with one information panel attached to each of the two main faces of the suitcase, the neck passing across the suitcase's upper face. The great advantage of this arrangement is that whichever of its main faces a suitcase happens to fall onto, eg. on a baggage carousel, one of the information panels will be uppermost for inspection.

Preferably the inner surface of the panel(s) bear(s) an attachment pad of hook and loop type for attachment to a pad of similar type on the baggage. The pad on the baggage is preferably self adhesive on one face and bears a hook and loop type fastener on the reverse.

Where the information panel forms a pocket, a tuck flap may be provided for closing the pocket, the tuck flap itself having an attachment pad of hook and loop type arranged to be exposed at the inner face of the panel when the flap is positioned to close the pocket and so to be attachable to the attachment pad on the baggage.

It is preferred that the tag further comprises an electronic ID module. This may be readable using infra red or radio technology.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. I is a perspective illustration of a suitcase to which a baggage tag embodying the present invention is attached; Fig. 2 is a perspective illustration of the baggage tag itself to a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a further baggage tag embodying the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of still a further baggage tag embodying the present invention.

Looking firstly at Fig. 1, the baggage tag is seen to have a pair of generally rectangular panel portions 2 which are removably secured to major faces of the suitcase 4 (in a manner which will be explained below) and linked to each other -5through respective neck portions 6 of the tag which lead up to and partially across the case's upper face to meet a central loop portion 8. By being secured around the handle 10 of the case, the loop portion secures the tag against unintentional removal. Each of the panel portions 2 defines three pockets for receipt of respective label cards 14 which are visible through a transparent outer skin of the tag. Further surface area for display of information is provided by the neck portions 6 which themselves contain cards 16 bearing printing which is visible through the transparent outer skin.

Looking now at Fig. 2, it can be appreciated that the tag comprises an outer layer 18 of transparent flexible sheet material such as PVC shaped to form the panel portions 2, neck portion 6 and loop 8. In the region of the panel portions 2 and neck portions 6, a double layered structure is formed by provision of an inner layer 20 attached to the inner face (that is, the face lying toward the suitcase) of the outer layer 18. Attachment of the two layers to each other in this exemplary embodiment is achieved by high frequency welding along seams 22,23 which are arranged to define, in each panel portion 2, the three pockets which have respective laterally open mouths 24 through which the label cards 14 can be inserted or withdrawn. A flap 26, formed by a portion of the outer layer 18 adjacent the mouths 24, can be folded into place over the mouths to close them and so prevent the label cards escaping from the pockets unintentionally.

The seam 23 extends around the entire periphery of each neck portion 6 but a pocket formed within this portion is nonetheless accessible through a slit 28 formed in the inner layer 20, enabling insertion of the cards 16.

The loop portion 8 comprises a circular band with overlapping ends which can be secured together around the suitcase handle. In the illustrated embodiment press studs 32 are provided at the overlapping ends, but for additional security there is also a self adhesive pad 34 (covered prior to use of the tag by a conventional low tack paper sheet, not shown, which is removable by the user) to adhere the ends together securely.

Inner faces of the panel portions 2 bear attachment pads 36 by which these portions of the tag can be releasably secured to the major faces of the suitcase. These attachment pads are of hook and loop type (of which VELCROTM pads are a well known example) and corresponding pads 38, whose edges are seen in Fig. 1, are adhered to both major faces of the suitcase. The pads 38 adhered to the suitcase can be self adhesive on one face. When the tag is supplied to the customer, each of these pads bears a low tack paper cover over its self adhesive face, its other face being removably attached to one of the attachment pads 36. By simply removing the paper covers and pressing the tag in position on the suitcase, the self adhesive pads 38 are adhered to the suitcase in their correct positions.

It should be noted that the attachment pads 36 do not extend into a region adjacent the mouths of the pockets 24. This allows the flaps 26 to be folded back to cover the regions in question and attachment pads 40 on the flaps can thus be coupled to the pads 38 adhered to the suitcase beneath, retaining the flaps in position.

The illustrated tag is particularly advantageous for use in air travel. The cards 14 have been left blank for the sake of clarity in the illustrations but in practice are -7to bear various items of information. Each set of three cards includes:i. a card bearing information identifying the luggage owner - name, address etc. - and a visually conspicuous symbol by which the owner can recognise his or her baggage easily (e.g. on a baggage carousel at an airport). This card also bears written flight details; ii. a card bearing the flag of the country of destination and the name of the country, to avoid confusion during handling of the baggage by airport staff and mis-direction of the baggage; and iii. a card bearing machine readable information such as a bar code to be read by equipment at the airport.

In Fig. 3 a further baggage tag embodying the present invention is seen opened out flat. This tag is in many respect similar to the previously described tag, having a pair of panel portions 52 linked through neck portions 54 and a loop 56 for secure connection eg. to a handle of an item of baggage. Note that while the tag is broken at 58 in the illustration there is in fact a second panel portion formed as the mirror image of the portion 52 which is seen.

The Fig. 3 tag differs from that seen in Figs. I and 2 firstly in that rather than serving to link two neck portions 54 to each other, the loop 56 is linked to the neck portions via a "T"' piece 60. This configuration prevents tension in the neck positions of the tag from being transmitted through the loop 56 (which could otherwise cause it to fail) and also accommodates an increased range of movement of the handle to which the loop is attached.

A further distinction of the Fig. 3 embodiment lies in the provision of a cutaway 62 which is formed through the inner skin of the tag (that is, the skin which is lowermost in the illustration) in a region adjacent the flap 64. This makes it possible to fold back and tuck the flap 64 between the two layers forming the panel portion 52 and yet to have an attachment pad 68 provided on the flap exposed through the cut-away 62. Hence the attachment pad 68, and of course the main attachment pad 70 provided on the body of the panel portion 66, can both attach to a corresponding pad on the baggage itself.

The tag illustrated in Fig. 4 is particularly intended for non-rigid bags such as rucksacks, sports bags and holdalls. It differs from the Fig. 3 tag in that only one panel portion 100 is provided, being linked to the loop 102 through a single neck portion 104.

Any of the above described baggage tags can incorporate an electronic identification module to facilitate processing of baggage by airport authorities. For example the baggage tag illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises a button shaped electronic identification module 72 readable through conventional infra red technology.

The ID module 72 may be pre-programed with a fixed identifier. In such a system passenger details would be held on a computer database and could be accessed by reference to the identifier via an on-line server. The computer would require an inventory of identifiers and passenger details name, destination, flight time etc.

Such a module could have a factory pre-set memory containing the identifier in a manner which prevents change of the identifier by the traveller.

An alternative, more sophisticated ID module 72 is programmable using a unique key, so that information such as flight details could be written to the module for each flight, either by the traveller (if he/she is provided with the key) or by airport authorities.

The module can utilise CMOS or bubble memory to store the necessary information. The key would be interplaceable to a computer for data transfer to the module. Reading of the module would again be by IR technology.

A computer would hold any relevant data in a secure database, which could be used to monitor the movement of the baggage, and to arrange for return to the owner in the event of loss or theft. The only way to alter the information stored on the central computer, or the ID module, would be to have the key and the bubble connected to a computer with an interface designed specifically for the system. Security staff on the airport could also hold the key, or a copy, if necessary.

A radio frequency ID module could be used in place of an IR readable module. Because of airport security, and the need to be aware of interference from equipment transmitting signals of any type, a dormant receiver/transmitter could be used which would only operate if the module and a reader were within a certain range of each other.

Claims (15)

-10CLAIMS

1. A baggage tag comprii sing an information panel, having inner and outer faces, coupled to means for forming a loop around a fitting of an item of baggage such as a handle to secure the tag to the baggage, the inner face of the panel being provided with means for forming a releasable attachment to a surface of the baggage so that the outer face is exposed to display visual information.

2. A baggage tag as claimed in claim I wherein the information panel comprises a pocket for containing a card bearing visual information and having at its outer surface a window through which the card can be viewed.

3. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 2 wherein the information panel comprises a plurality of pockets for containing respective cards bearing visual information, each pocket having a window through which a respective card can be viewed.

4. A baggage tag as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the loop and the information panel are integrally formed of flexible sheet material.

5. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 4 wherein a single sheet is shaped to define the loop and the panel and a second sheet is positioned upon the first and selectively seamed thereto to form the pocket between the two sheets.

6. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the sheet material is shaped to provide a neck portion between the loop and the information panel f6r accommodating relative movement of the loop and the panel.

7. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 6 ftirther comprising a pocket formed in the neck portion.

8. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 5 or either of claims 6 and 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein at least one of the two sheets is transparent and so forms the window(s) through which the pocket's (pockets') contents can be viewed.

9. A baggage tag as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tag is adapted for use on a suitcase and comprises two information panels coupled to each other through a neck, such that with the loop secured to the suitcase handle the tag can be arranged with one information panel attached to each of the two main faces of the suitcase, the neck passing across the suitcase's upper face.

10. A baggage tag as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner surface of the information panel bears an attachment pad of hook and loop type for attachment to a pad of similar type on the baggage.

11. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 10 provided with at least one pad for attachment to baggage, said pad being self adhesive on one face and bearing a hook and loop type fastener on the reverse.

12. A baggage tag as claimed in claim I I when dependent on claim 2, wherein a tuck flap is provided for closing the pocket, the tuck flap itself having an attachment pad of hook and loop type arranged to be exposed at the inner face of the panel when the flap is positioned to close the pocket and so to be attachable to an attachment pad on the baggage.

13. A baggage tag as claimed in any preceding claim further comp rigmig an electronic ID module.

14. A baggage tag as claimed in claim 13 wherein the ID module is readable using infrared or radio technology.

15. A baggage tag substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.