WO2019210970A1

WO2019210970A1 - Smart wrapping system for luggage protection and tracking

Info

Publication number: WO2019210970A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/061507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo ACOSTA FAVATI
Original assignee: Acosta Favati Eduardo
Priority date: 2018-05-04
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2019-11-07

Abstract

Current invention is a comprehensive system for luggage protection, tracking and search of equipment and lost objects that provides a high-resistance, flexible and impermeable material, die-cut in different sizes and formats and with a trapezoidal tensor that stretches the invention to achieve the tightest fit possible; at least one QR code placed inside and a software associated to a technological application which allows contact between the person who lost the object and the person who found it, creating a large sharing social network for the tracking of objects worldwide, and an smartphone application designed specifically for the system.

Description

SMART WRAPPING SYSTEM FOR LUGGAGE PROTECTION AND TRACKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to the technical field of devices and smart packaging for the tracking of luggage and users. More specifically, it is a luggage protection system and a device linked to identification and tracking technological applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Luggage transport is a high-risk area for users, both in the wear and tear of the luggage and also due to the risk of loss and theft. This problem occurs frequently in airports, and also in seaports, train and bus stations, hotels and taxis with the loss of luggage and other objects in said means of transportation and/or terminals.

According to data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 21.6 million bags are mishandled each year, which represents a cost of around 2.200 million dollars to the airlines in administrative expenses in dealing with claims by passengers. Moreover, the Airport Council International (ACI) claims that 3.5 million bags were damaged or pilfered (mainly due to lack of proper treatment by baggage handlers) and that 1.5 million bags were completely lost or stolen (by airport thieves or because the identification tag got loose and the airline could not identify the owner of the bag). Every bag or object that Lost & Found offices receive involves a challenge for them and a time and resource consuming quest to find the right owner, contact him or her and keep the inventory updated. Current Lost & Found offices use an old-fashioned and rudimentary management system that almost never works out and is almost independent from one country to another, making it extremely difficult to recover objects lost overseas.

Several attempts have been made in order to solve these issues during the past few years, but with no solution. Our position is that the solution lies in the combination of different physical, material and analog tools, in combination with a digital and computerized component. Thus, the present invention is a comprehensive luggage protection and tracking system that provides the solution to this problem; in other words, it converts a“dumb luggage” into“smart luggage” at a reasonable cost for world travelers.

Within the framework of current industry advances in the area of security and communications, technological innovations which are geared towards luggage transportation, handling and tracing, thrive. A great part of this improvement originates in the use of technological tools which speed up connectivity and texting, improving luggage and packages identification and the use of mobile devices to facilitate the operation.

Solutions and applications are continuously being developed with interfaces which enable the tracking of luggage, being integrated to smartphones and tablets with existing applications.

Several devices have been developed to facilitate the tracking and monitoring of luggage, from GPS technology to RFID, which is a remote data storage and recovery system that is used in devices called tabs, cards, transponders or tags. Some patent documents describe the use of RFID labels included in the wrappings. However, the majority of the tracking systems are planned and designed to facilitate the work of airlines and the staff responsible for handling the luggage and other objects during transportation and are not for use by the general public. Furthermore, installing RFID tracking technology in terminals represent a huge investment in infrastructure and hardware.

From the user's viewpoint, there is a need to have accurate and sufficient information regarding the location and preservation of their luggage. The user needs to know not only that the luggage will arrive at the correct destination, but also that the luggage and its main contents arrive in good condition and in the case scenario that gets lost or damaged, the user can file the official complaint through his smartphone.

Another problem, which is present, is standardization of bags. Around the world, more than 4.500.000.000 million bags are transported through airports each year. It is estimated that 4% of those bags are plastic wrapped as the sole means of protection system. This alternative is not only extremely expensive for the user but also uncomfortable when handling the luggage, and does not provide any means for differentiating the bags, which causes confusion between users. It is important to create an alternative means of security and identification for luggage, bearing in mind their frequent theft and loss which creates stressful situations for passengers; as well as high costs for transport and insurance companies, in addition to the time spent by the staff and customers involved in these situations.

Moreover, airports have become one of the most expensive places to pay for advertising, as they have segmented audiences that many brands desire to reach. However, most of the advertising options involve fixed billboards inside certain spots of the airport, which are not only expensive but becoming old and dull for passengers. Thus, it is important to create a new method of advertising in such old and expensive industry.

There is, therefore, a perceived need for a solution as provided by our invention, which has no precedents in the current State of the Art, as we shall see below. Furthermore, the use of such a universally held implement such as a smartphone makes our invention particularly user-friendly, attractive and accessible to the general public, not only in developed countries.

State of the art shows, for example, luggage protection and tracking systems which are different from the instant invention. In the first place, one of the main differences the systems of the prior art and the instant invention is the lack of usability of the wrapping. Users do not have good experiences when interacting with the product as there is needed more than one person to put on the wrapping to the luggage, which makes it inconvenient, because many passengers travel on their own.

In the second place, wrappings of the prior art do not adjust very tightly to the bag due to design issues that prevent the user to adjust the wrapping as needed. As a consequence, a space is generated between the bag and the wrapping that is enough for thieves and baggage handlers to put their hands in, open the zippers and take away its content. It does not fulfill its objective. Lastly, some of the prior art wrappings use materials such as high-density thermally bonded polyethylene with a surface layer of polypropylene, also known as Dupont Tyvek™, which is not a very flexible material, and makes it even more difficult for the user to tight up the wrapping to the luggage. In addition, despite of being recyclable, it is not organic.

With all those problems in mind, the whole wrapping system is re-designed and a novel solution is created that allows the user to wrap the bag by him or herself, with no further assistance and in less time, whilst allowing the user to easily adjust the wrapping to the bag to get a real tight look and fit that really protects the bag from thieves and other problems. The novel wrapping of present invention has a t-shirt configuration, that it is placed on top of the bag (as if the bag was the head and neck of a person), which is way easier to understand and implement by the user. Also, the novel wrapping has extra space (a pleat) to assure that the wrapping would fit any bag of its size and a plastic tensor (also referred as“dipstick”) to help the user to really tighten the wrapping to the luggage.

The materials used in the current invention are linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), which is more flexible than Tyvek™ so it can adapt better to the shape of the bag. Plus, the preferred material is "green linear low density polyethylene" which is made out of sugarcane and it is 100% organic and recyclable, instead of traditional carbon-fueled polyethylene. Moreover, as the material of the main body has to be more flexible than the one of the upper and lower tabs; and the one of the tabs has to be stronger that the one of the main body, the wrapping will have different chemical combinations to achieve this. The linear low density polyethylene used in the main body will have up to 20% more of linear in its formula than the one used for the upper and lower tabs. Having more linear offers a greater elasticity, while having less linear and more low-density polyethylene assures more resistance.

The invention provides a protection and tracking system where the wrapping is connected to a mobile APP, improving usability of the app compared to the prior art systems. The Ul (user interfaces) and the UX (user experience) are improved so that the system can be used by every traveler regardless of age. Plus, the current invention incorporates the use of a scanner that is installed in every Lost & Found office (both airports and airlines) and that helps notify the user as soon as its luggage or object is found. Another improvement of current application is the creation of a corporate user profile that is given for free to airlines, airports and handlers so they can interact and manage the Lost & Found objects through the app. Furthermore, after the process of connecting the finder with the owner and the lost object is returned to its owner, the APP will ask for a review of the other user and a short comment. This will bring more confidence to the whole system and reward even more to all those travelers that are really helpful and solidary. All of the above is of great benefit to the aeronautical industry.

Another prior art wrapping systems provide a product that can be used for wrapping any holding body (ie: box, luggage, container, loading truck, trailer, etc.) that must be secured and confirmed unopened, violated or modified between its place of origin and its destination. The material for wrapping the container includes a random distribution of stiff and/or flexible RFID or Rubee or Smart dot tags or equivalent tags on a flat wrapping material which may be polyethylene, plastic or any other material capable of containing such tags and being suitable for coating or wrapping a holding body. Any other similar tag devices being developed at the present time may also be used under specific application conditions as the case may be. One problem with this type of products is that while a wrapping with smart tags are used there is no system by which the owner of a lost piece of luggage may track it.

Other prior art products provide luggage covers with front and side panels which are joined by zippers, buckles or adjustment clips. Other products provide luggage covers with a panel, but joined by a fastener; while other solutions also provide an easy and quick removable system, meant to facilitate the mounting and removal of the covers. The mentioned solutions are meant to be reused, which means that almost anyone can take the covers off, showing that they are not a proper form of protection against thieves. Unlike those solutions, the current invention is a modern system of sealed wrapping without zippers or similar, which avoids opening the bag and increases the protection of the objects inside the bag. On the other hand, the present invention is disposable once the cover on the luggage has been used and removed. The fact that is disposable reinforces the objective of making the invention a mean of protection against thieves and transportation damage. Plus, it is easier to use and it is not necessary to add weight to the luggage or assign a specific place to transport or to put away the cover or even have to wash it to take away the bacteria and dirt from the trip. The present invention, aside from the resistance of the material it is made of, has an intelligent QR code system which facilitates the tracking of the bag in case of loss, as well as a varied array of designs which facilitate identification and differentiation of the luggage.

Prior art products also offer different forms of disposable covers for luggage but none of them has achieved a solution to stretch the cover up to a great extent. This lack of taut and tense is something present in all the prior art products, and compromises entirely the resistance and protection that the cover can offer to the luggage. Unlike any solution, the current invention provides a pleat with a trapezoidal shaped tensor to adjust the wrapping to its maximum capacity. Due to the flexibility of the material, the extra space given by the pleat and the pressure of the tensioner, the current invention can adjust the protective cover to its maximum capacity, leaving no space between the luggage and the mentioned invention for thieves to open the bag.

Many prior art embodiments solve the problem of luggage protection, but none of them emphasize in the real problem that is robbery and violation of luggage. Regular luggage covers are not made to solve this issue but to make them identifiable and protect from luggage handling and weather conditions. They are usually made with elastic materials that are meant to be reusable. Thus, 5% of the world passengers choose to purchase a wrapping service provided at wrapping stations by its staff, which cost $15-20 for a“dumb solution”. The covers of the current invention are intended to be bought or given for free by brands to passengers as a do-it-yourself solution in order to protect, track and retrieve luggage, therefore improving the passenger experience and the industries problems.

Furthermore, bags carried in the luggage compartment are often exposed, leading to their pollution, tear, chipping, scratching the outer surface of the suitcase, damage to locks, which spoils the appearance of a suitcase and can lead to an unusable state. In addition, while traveling suitcase can be influenced by environmental factors such as wind, rain, ultraviolet rays, dirt, etc., it is not always convenient to use devices for luggage wrapping stretch film. With increased travel of modern day society, there is a recognized need for covers to protect the outer surfaces of luggage during use, especially in dealing with commercial carriers. At present, luggage may be provided with custom tailored covers which are frequently very expensive. On the other end of the economic spectrum, some individuals have resorted to covering luggage pieces in plastic wrap and then taping the cover in place. Obvious problems exist with this latter protective technique relating to providing access to the interiors of the luggage during inspection procedures

Some manufacturers have provided less expensive covers designed for their particular kind of luggage. However, because there is no standard dimension of many luggage pieces, these covers could not be used for the luggage of other manufacturers. Furthermore, various suppliers of luggage covers or protectors find it inconvenient to carry a large inventory represented by different types, dimensions and configurations of luggage covers, thereby making it difficult to obtain an appropriate protective cover.

Over the years, luggage protectors have been developed to shield items of baggage and the like to protect them from the weather and from marring, scratching or other type damage which may typically occur on commercial carriers, as previously explained. As also set forth above, commercial availability of such protective covers is not common. This may be due to the complicated nature and/or the configuring or sizing of cover structures to accommodate various styles of luggage pieces. For example, when a passenger's luggage must be opened for airport inspection, as is currently required before boarding planes and other commercial carriers, access to the luggage piece may be required. However, the attachment and removal of conventional or make-shift cover structures to accomplish such inspection is difficult, time consuming and serves to delay the overall inspection process.

The above set forth problems are increased due to the fact that in recent years there has been a proliferation of luggage types, styles, materials and designs, specifically including mobile luggage. Purchase of luggage frequently requires significant investment due to the expensive materials and intricate construction. Luggage that meets the traveler's needs for lightweight construction and/or organized packing frequently is more subject to damage from handling during the traveling procedure. By way of example only, flexible material bags and other soft sided luggage are often caught, snagged or torn by automatic baggage handling equipment. All of the above noted problems have been compounded due to the fact that modem day society frequently uses the aforementioned“mobile luggage” wherein a luggage piece includes a wheel or roller assembly on one end thereof. The opposite end of such mobile luggage includes one or more handles, at least one of which is retractable to facilitate the pulling, pushing or other manipulation of the luggage piece during transportation over a supporting surface.

Therefore, in light of the above noted problems and disadvantages associated with self-made, conventional or commercially available luggage protective covers there is a need in this art for a luggage protection assembly which is readily usable with a variety of luggage types and designs. In addition, the versatility of such a proposed luggage piece should be such as to render it readily adaptable for protective retention of mobile luggage pieces of the type set forth above.

In doing so a preferred and proposed luggage protecting assembly should accommodate the rolling support such as wheels, rollers, etc., of a variety of different luggage styles as well as the location and structure of the handles thereof, while maintaining a secure retention and protection of the luggage piece on interior portions thereof.

Furthermore, the mounting and removal of such a proposed luggage protection assembly should be easily and quickly accomplished thereby enabling inspection of the luggage piece and its contents, when necessary by authorized personnel. Moreover, the material from which the luggage cover is formed can serve to protect the closed and retained luggage piece from damage of all types and be readily acceptable to x-ray and other inspection equipment through which luggage typically passes such as at modern airport facilities.

A further advantage may be realized by providing a piece of luggage having a luggage protection assembly attached thereto. The luggage protection assembly may be removably attached to the piece of luggage, or it may be integrally constructed with the luggage piece.

Thus, a dilemma has developed between fashion and protection with respect to articles of luggage. Many have attempted to solve this dilemma by placing a cover over fashionable as well as other articles of luggage. However, none of these products sufficiently address the problems of ease of use and expense, as well as a host of other problems. Therefore, there is a need for an improved luggage cover that can accommodate the various physical aspects of modern articles of luggage (wheels, extendable handles, etc.) while not interfering with aesthetics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

After having analyzed these existing systems, the instant invention is proposed. The protection system herein disclosed solves the existing problems of luggage loss and mislaid objects at airports, seaports, train and bus stations, hotels and taxis, both in means of transportation and in terminals, offering features which cover the need for safe and customized packaging, with QR codes printed on the product, which allow for identification by the owner and connect it to the person who finds the lost luggage. Also, the user is able to have control of their luggage during the travel from the point of departure to the point of arrival by using the app designed for this purpose. Each product is designed to have the measurements of international standard bag sizes. The users themselves adapt it to their luggage instead of spending waiting time at wrapping stations in terminals.

The product allows for individualization of each bag by having a printed design that is different from the rest, a space for each user to write what he/she wishes in order to help with identification and a mini wrapping added with different designs to be used as handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the detail of the wrapping for medium bags.

FIG. 2 shows the detail of the wrapping for large bags.

FIG. 3 shows the details of the wrapping with the location of the pleat, tensor (or “dipstick”), tape, hot-melt adhesive strips, QR codes and customizable blank space. FIG. 4 shows the trapezoidal shape of the plastic tensor used to stretch and tense the wrapping from 3 different angles.

FIG. 5 shows the wrapping procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows different QR codes that can be included in the packing of the wrapping to be placed on other objects.

FIG. 7 shows different examples of graphic designs to be used according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of the luggage tracking process according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the scanner installed at Lost & Found offices.

FIG. 10 shows the information flow for Lost & Found module with the QR Code system.

FIG. 11 shows the APP start-up screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows some of the screens for Object and bag registration procedure inside the module“My Stuff”.

FIG. 13 shows some of the screens for locating luggage and personal objects according to the present invention inside the module“Locate It”.

FIG. 14 shows some of the screens for reporting and accessing the“Lost & Found” Module.

FIG. 15 shows some of the screens when receiving notification status about luggage or objects.

FIG. 16 shows examples of different types of advertising media according to the present invention.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numbers and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like elements, components, portions or features of the illustrated embodiments. The subject invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in view of the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a comprehensive luggage protection, identification, tracking and tracing system, composed by covers or wrappings adapted to the different sizes of luggage, made of the latest technology materials and with an identification system linked to technological applications. It also has QR codes to be placed on other articles belonging to the traveler’s in order for them to be traced as well.

The present invention has the following advantages:

1. Provides care and protection of the bag or the packed object.

2. Provides bag security since it cannot be broken without a sharp object.

3. Allows for personalized identification.

4. The product is self-installed by the user ("Wrap it yourself").

5. It is a new advertising medium.

6. Provides object tracking. The product is associated with an application (“APP”) for smartphones which contacts people who have lost their belongings with people who have found them, creating a sharing social network which contributes to the recovery of lost belongings.

7. Includes a“Lost & Found” module inside the mobile APP that connects to the checked luggage database of the airlines, providing the official form to report delayed, lost or damaged luggage during the trip. This feature is created to simplify the current Lost & Found process at airports.

8. Provides an environmentally friendly product, as the material comes from sugar canes, it is organic and is 100% recyclable.

PROTECTION + CARE + SECURITY + IDENTIFICATION

The present invention is a one-time use, disposable intelligent packing protection system for bags and luggage, by easily placing a highly resistant and impermeable die-cut wrapping, that has a tensor or“dipstick”, to adjust and tight the wrapping to the bag and 2 ultra-strong self-adhesive strips, made of recyclable material, that can be wrapped over the bag by the passenger him or herself.

Specifically, the adhesive strips are positioned at the upper and lower tabs, so that said die-cut layer is attached, sealed and secured to said bag when said die-cut layer is wrapped around said bag. Once the wrap is sealed, the only way to open it is by tearing it as the adhesive strips cannot be removed. The tensor also contains an adhesive strip that helps to adjust and tight the wrapping around the bag. The material used in the present invention is impermeable, resistant, and recyclable and will only break with a sharp object. In a preferred embodiment it is made mainly of linear low-density polyethylene to ensure high resistance, or any other material having the aforementioned characteristics, such as coextruded polyethylene, conventional polyethylene, polyethylene reinforced with a layer of polypropylene or others. Differently from most luggage covers, the invention will have different material combinations, looking to achieve a more flexible main body and reach a tight fit to the bag and a stronger and resistant material in the tabs to assure that it cannot be open. The flexibility in the main body is achieved by using materials with around 70 microns of thickness and the higher rigidity of the tabs is due to the use of thicker materials of around 120 microns.

The wrapping appears as a die-cut layer to be assembled in individual packages, in the 2 standard formats of checked luggage available in the market, which covers the minimum variables which exist in the different models: [M:25”, L: 30”]. It can also apply to S:20” and XL:33” but these are not frequently checked in the airplane hold while travelling, because S is mainly used as carry-on-board and XL tend to be overweight when packed fully. Size and measures for model M and L can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively.

FIG. 3 shows the details of the wrapping with the location of its main novel characteristic that is its pleat (1 ) (additional/extra space) that comes with a plastic tensor (2) (or“dipstick”) attached to the wrapping, so the user can tighten and adjust the wrapping to the luggage to its maximum, making look and feel the wrapping as a real skin. The extra space given by the pleat (1 ) assures that the wrapping can adjust to all sorts of luggage.

In a preferred embodiment, the tensor or“dipstick” (2), has a trapezoidal shape of 52 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm for the M size and 62 x 3.4 x 2.2 cm for the L size, with the purpose to tight up the wrapping by folding the wrapping each time. Its shape is shown in FIG. 4. Most of existing bags are between 1 -2 cm wider in their lower part that the upper part, so whenever a wrapping or cover is put on a piece of luggage, the upper part gets less tight and more loose than the lower part. Thus, the current tensor or “dipstick” (2) has a wider measurement in its upper part than its lower part; so as to achieve that every time the user folds the wrapping, the upper part gets more tighten than the lower part, achieving an even tension. In most cases, the user has to fold between 2 to 4 times the wrapping with the tensor (2) in order to get the desired tension; nonetheless, the user can fold and tense up to his or her desired tension.

The tensor (2) comes attached to the wrapping and folded into half to reduce and save space for packing reasons. Once the wrapping is put to the luggage, the tensor (2) remains as part of the wrapping. In order to avoid that the tensor gets somehow loose, the user applies a tape (3) in the middle of the tensor (2) to assure that the tensor does not become detached and form a curve. The tape’s purpose is to reinforce the structure of the tensor (2) that is already sealed and maintained by the adhesive strip of the upper and lower tabs of the wrapping (4).

As shown in (5) instructions for wrapping are provided on the inner surface of the wrapping. Also, as shown in (6) at least one QR code is positioned on the external surface of the wrapping and a blank space is provided for customization by the user.

FIG. 5 illustrate the wrapping process according to the present invention.

The wrapping procedure is the following:

1 - Cover the body of the luggage with the wrapping, leaving the side with the upper and lower tabs to the front of the bag. Upper tab has to be passed through handle.

2- Laid down the bag with the front towards the floor. With the tensor, fold the wrapping until the wrapping gets tight to the bag. Fold as many times as needed.

3- Adjust and reinforce the tensor with the adhesive strip.

4- The upper and lower tabs are folded and adhered over the tensor.

5- Stretch and seal the lower tab.

6- Put the bag up again and stretch and seal the upper tab.

In this way the wrapping remains perfectly attached and tight to the luggage, avoiding getting moved, out of place or wrinkled. Thus, in comparison with all the known luggage cover protectors, the present invention reveals that this is the only wrapping that can be placed by the user without any help and that remains 100% tight around the luggage offering real protection.

The main advantages of the wrapping system of the current invention are:

• The adhesive material used in the adhesive strips is hot-melt type, which is organic, cheaper and more resistant than traditional double self-adhesive tapes. Plus, the wrapping design presents less adhesive zones that the wrappings known and mentioned previously, which facilitates the application of it.

• The main body of the wrapping is made of materials that provide great flexibility (so it can tense and adapt better to the bag) and the upper and lower tabs part have a greater strength (to resist more). Therefore, the chosen material which is low density polyethylene reinforced with linear. This linear low density polyethylene can be“green” as derives from sugarcanes or it can be used as well the traditional polyethylene that comes from fossil materials. It is also possible to manufacture with other materials such as hemp, bamboo or polypropylene, among others, but the low-density polyethylene with linear reinforcement has shown the greater resistance and durability, as well as cost- efficient.

• Great usability: the new design of the present wrapping surpasses thoroughly in intuition, usability and experience of installation to the already known wraps and methods, making easier the task for the user and enabling him or her to place it themselves, with no further help.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment illustrating various QR codes that can be included in the packing of the wrapping to be placed on other objects that may be found if misplaced. Different types and sizes are provided for different objects (e.g. mobile phones, tablets, computers, glasses, etc.)

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing mechanism has a pleat that provides extra space in case the bag or luggage is wider than usual. Said pleat has approximately 7 - 12 cm, preferably 10 cm, and is situated in the rear part of the wrapping. On the pleat it comes a folded trapezoidal plastic tensor, as illustrated on FIG. 4, that the user uses to stretch and make tense the wrapping to the luggage. A double-sided self-adhesive strip made of organic hot-melt will be placed on the rear side of the tabs of the duly identified product, as shown on FIG. 3, which makes it impossible to open just by hand and instead a sharp object is needed. Besides of being more resistant than traditional double-side tapes, hot-melt sealing is cheaper and 100% organic.

The present invention provides a quick procedure for a simple wrapping, as it does not require a machine or equipment for installation; it can be self-wrapped by the user without the need for third parties, unlike other products on the market. Moreover, wrapping can be done in less than 30 seconds, facilitating the operation for the user, as shown in FIG.5.

The wrapping has different visual indicia, image motifs and/or advertising space mainly provided for identification during the trips. The luggage can be customized endlessly since there are thousands of graphic designs that passengers can choose from, facilitating the location and identification of bags on the baggage belt, by means of an identification system using graphic patterns as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the wrapping will allow personalized identification by proving a blank space for the user to write (if desired) its contact information and a customized drawing on the wrapping.

LUGGAGE CONNECTED TO APP FOR TRACKING + OFFICIAL LOST & FOUND MODULE

An important aspect of the invention is that the system provides a technological application (“APP”) for smartphones, tablets and computer users that allows the registration of the wrapping in a database by simply reading a QR code or by reading the barcode given by airlines. The“APP” also allows users to report lost and found objects, effectively creating a social and sharing network that allows a user who reported an object as lost to contact another user who found it who may be either another passenger or staff from the airport or any airline. The aforementioned tracking and recovering system is shown in FIG. 8 and explained below:

REGISTRATION - Passengers will have to create a user profile with their personal information and log in their accounts.

After user registration, passengers can proceed to register all their objects through a simple QR code reading procedure as previously explained by using a smart mobile phone or a computer with a camera. The user/passenger is able to register the following objects at any time during their trip, whether at home, hotel or during check-in at the airport:

• bags including the wrapping and having the printed QR code;

• mobile phones, tablets, notebooks, books, glasses, etc., on which the sticker with the QR code included with the wrapping have been placed previously;

• luggage checked in at the airline front desk, by either scanning the barcode on the baggage identification tag or by scanning the barcode at the complaint luggage sticker located on the boarding pass. This allows the connection and access by the user to the checked luggage database of the airlines, enabling the user to report through the official channel if their luggage has been delayed, lost or damaged, avoiding long waits and queues at desks to fill in the complaint to the airline; and

• any other object that has the QR code installed.

The user downloads to the mobile phone the“APP” created for this purpose, registers the objects having the QR codes by means of a QR code reader that comes as part of the“APP” and then provides all the details of those objects into their personal account. The barcode reader also comes as part of the “APP”. All this information will be stored on a server for processing claims and reports from people who have found the object, and thus connect them for recovery purposes, while ensuring that the personal information is securely and privately maintained, as both parties will be anonymous and the overall information will be on the server as well as the courier service associated with the system.

Not only passengers will be users of the system, but also airports, airlines and mainly their Lost & Found office staff. As Lost & Found offices are the main finders of lost articles, they require to have a special corporate profile with more access than traditional personal profiles and a special device to facilitate the Lost & Found process, that will be explained below.

LOSS - The user/passenger, upon detecting the loss of the objects, submits a report to the system and a claim is loaded onto the server. In order to make a claim, the user/passenger opens the“APP” and searches on his/her list of registered objects for the lost item, select the object and the system will automatically load this information onto the server and waits for someone to find it and report it. The system will also share the claim and its information with the Lost & Found office staff, allowing them to identify the owner and contact him or her directly if case that object is found.

FINDING - When either a person or the Lost & Found office staff finds a bag or object, the person reads the QR code with any QR reader. If the person does not have a QR reader, it can be downloaded at no cost from any digital distribution platform for mobile applications. Once the QR code is read, the person will be taken to the“APP” for registration and advice that they have found the object.

The system will notify the owner, whether the object has been reported as lost or not, and in any case, the person may inform that he/she found the object or bag, and the“APP” will send a message to that effect to the server. The system will ask to the finder for their desirable address and its preferred time & date to pick up the recovered good. In the case that the user is a Lot & Found office, the address, time & date will be already known, making the complete process faster and easier. The system will calculate the shipping cost through a courier or express mail service associated with the system and will send the owner of the object a notification of the object being found along with the recovery cost (i.e., courier + recovery service).

As most objects are found by the Lost & Found offices, the system includes a device (“Scanner”) to help and simplify the current process of identifying the owner of the found item. According to an embodiment of the invention, the“Scanner” shown in FIG. 9 is plugged to a power outlet and will connect to the office Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. The“Scanner” has a QR reader to enable the reading of incoming objects. Currently, whenever a found object comes in to the Lost & Found office, the staff has to create a case-file, assign a number and try to identify its owner. However, with the “Scanner” of the present invention, staff only has to read the QR code and automatically the“Scanner” uploads the information to the system and therefore send an automatic notification to its owner, while showing the contact information to the Lost & Found staff. As a result, the user is notified in real time, the Lost & Found office simplifies its process and assures that they find the owner, so both parties will save up time and efforts to reach each other. The entire process is enabled by the system illustrated in FIG. 10 where the QR scanner in the Lost & Found office (or in the user’s mobile app) detects a QR code registered in the cloud services, it will automatically notify its owner through the mobile app; or in the case scenario where the object is not registered, it will deploy a message asking to deliver the object to the nearest Lost & Found Office.

NOTIFICATION, HANDOVER TO THE COURIER AND REWARD - The system always notifies the owner that an object has been found, even if they had not reported it as lost. The user will receive a notification that their object has been found and is also informed of the courier and recovery service costs depending on the domicile, time and date given by the finder. In the event that the user who lost the object accepts the courier and recovery service costs, he/she can also offer a reward to the person who has found their object.

Through the “APP”, if the user wants to recover the luggage or personal objects, he/she pays the amount due and the system automatically coordinates with the courier service to collect the lost object and deliver it to the domicile of the owner of the object, that was already given by the finder before.

Accordingly, the system informs the person who found the object whether the person who lost it is offering a reward or not and that the courier also let know the estimated time that for pick-up that was previously coordinated. Once he/she has handed the object over to the courier, the reward will be transferred through any convenient money transfer system or an international money order system. After the whole recovering process is finished and the owner gets its object back, he or she may be able to review the finder and leave a public comment and rating. Public reviews are very helpful to reward and distinguish those who are truly solidary and brings more confidence and security to the whole system. The entire procedure is illustrated in FIG. 8.

As can be appreciated, the present invention provides a comprehensive protection system for lost luggage and objects, which provides for identification of the owner from any part of the world. Moreover, the new application establishes a global Sharing Social Network through the“APP” which allows people to recover their lost objects in any part of the planet and help all Lost & Found offices to manage their inventory and find and contact the right owner.

The system of the present invention also provides the inclusion of an adhesive kit with QR codes for the user to place on other valuable objects such as computers, watches, smartphones, tablets, handbags, etc. This kit is provided as a complement to the packing so that these objects can be registered in association with the user as well as shown in FIG. 6.

This product helps the aeronautical industry (airlines and airports) by improving its luggage management systems because the more the system's user database grows the more collaboration they have for management of luggage handling. At the same time, the airport and airlines Lost & Found offices are able to identify the owners of misplaced objects in the plane and airport terminals and offer to recover their belongings. Accordingly, the present invention is an intelligent wrapping system, not only because it protects the luggage from theft, breakage and being broken into, but it also has a system or technological application that helps in its recovery if is lost.

The APP and its corresponding system is something that current passengers want and demand as they all require more information and control and the majority travel with mobile devices. By having a protection and tracking system that makes their dumb luggage smarter, passengers will have more peace of mind as they will have more control and information at their palm of their hands.

FIGS. 11 -15 illustrate some of the different screens of the“APP” that is part of current invention. As an example, it is shown how to register the wrapping or the desired object through the printed QR codes, report loss, report finding and access the bag system to report directly to the airline. FIG. 11 shows the“APP” startup screen with the different options available to the user. At this screen the user finds the three main modules of the“APP” which are the“My Stuff” button,“Locate It” button and“Lost / Found” button. The user will also be provided with a scroll menu (on the left upper side of the screen) with options to Login or create its user for the first time, access its preferences, read the terms and conditions of the“APP”. In addition, to ensure great usability, the app offers a“wizard” to guide and help the user through his or her first- time experience with the APP.

FIG. 12 shows some of the screens for the object and bag registration. When the user touches“My Stuff” button is redirected to the appropriate registration screens where he/she is able, without limitations, to:

• Register an item by using the QR code reader and providing a description of the item.

• Access the items list showing all the items previously registered into the system. The user can browse through the list or add a new item. Additionally, the user can send the information to their e-mail address.

• Receive a confirmation of the item addition with all the related information which could also be sent to respective e-mail address.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the “APP” associated with the wrapping system can also be used for tracking of checked bags (or any other checked objects) by consulting the airline luggage management database. Currently, airlines have systems and databases for all the checked luggage and objects they manage, so they know at all times where a passenger's checked bag or item is located.

The present invention provides a combined system (FIG. 13) that allows the passenger to access an airline luggage tracking database. By using the“APP”, a passenger is able to scan the barcode or QR code on the tag placed by the airline on the bag during check-in. The system links that tag to the bag wrapped with the product, and thus, the passenger is able to access the same information as the airline. In case the user detects that the bag has been either delayed, lost, or damaged, he or she can fill in the official claim to the airline, avoiding queues and long waits, while the airline saves time and avoids an angry customer at a desk. FIG. 14 shows some of the screens for reporting loss of an object and/or the found objects screens.

A person that finds an object is redirected to the appropriate screens where he/she is able, without limitations, to:

• Access the QR code reader to scan the QR code installed on the object found.

Alternatively, the person can use an external QR code reader and is directed to the appropriate screen showing the object’s related information.

• See information related to the object found including: the object’s owner username and description of the object. The rest of the information and personal data is stored by the system to ensure and protect the owner’s privacy.

• Through the“APP”, the person who finds the lost luggage can contact the owner through the app to coordinate the retrieval process. The“APP” requires the information regarding location and preferences for the courier to pick up the object from the person who finds, who is able to load it in this module.

The user that loses an object touches a “Lost” button and is redirected to the appropriate screens where he/she is able, without limitations, to:

• Select an item from the list of items previously registered into the system.

• Enter all the information associated with the object and the loss occurrence including: date of loss, the country and city of loss and the specific place the object was lost. A confirmation code shown in the screen also needs to be entered into a textbox area to confirm the lost report.

• Confirm the item reported lost, wherein a“Remove” button is also provided for allowing the user to remove the reported object from the list of lost items.

FIG. 15 shows some of the Notifications screens. A user touches a“Notification” button and is directed to the appropriate screens where he/she is able, without limitations, to:

• See a list of found items along with any information related to the object and location where the object was found. • See all the fees and costs related with the courier and the system service along with an option of providing a monetary reward to the person that found the object.

• Select a monetary payment service to pay the fees associated with the service.

As explained above, passengers must create personal users with certain access limitations to preserve their anonymity and protect their personal information. However, Lost & Found offices are provided a corporate special user, with more access to information in order to facilitate the identifying and recovering process. Their purpose is to help the Lost & Found office with their job. Corporate users are 100% transparent so the rest of users can see all their information, from address to office hours and contact information. On the other hand, whenever a corporate user finds a piece of luggage or objects and scans its QR code, the system immediately indicates the personal contact information of the owner as the system knows that the finder is a Lost & Found office trying to return an object. Corporate users cannot receive any monetary rewards but they receive public reviews from the rest of the users. Their job is finding and contacting owners. Corporate users are assigned to the Lost & Found offices and can be created as much as requested.

NEW ADVERTISING MEDIUM

The present invention provides a system that offers a medium for advertising as the wrapping can be printed in an offset quality or with flexography as well, as shown in FIG. 16.

It is an advertising medium which generates more points of contact than other static advertising media (conventional billboards) as the users travel in places where there are possible clients for those objects (segmented audiences), and without having to pay high costs at airports, seaports, train and bus stations and hotels for such media. As an advertising medium, it can be printed with different types of publicity as shown in FIG. 16 and provides a space for brands that want to be present all over the world at a low cost, as their brand will travel on every bus station, seaport, train, airport luggage collection band and hotel. The international impact potential is huge as international travelers can expose their printed wrappings through 2, 3 or even more different countries while travelling overseas. Plus, the fact that the wrapping has advertising on it can provoke that the brand pays for the wrapping and give it for free to passengers, democratizing the use of protection for all travelers who cannot afford current market wrapping prices.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS

The system of the present invention uses environmentally friendly materials such as: organic hot-melt adhesive, linear low-density polyethylene, coextruded polyethylene, bamboo fabric or hemp fabric and other materials with similar characteristics.

In a preferred embodiment it is made mainly of “green” linear low-density polyethylene that it is organic and 100% recyclable. This preferred material is produced from sugarcanes, a renewable raw material, while the traditional polyethylene uses fossil raw materials. Therefore, “green” linear low density polyethylene captures and fixes CO2 from the atmosphere, as sugarcanes absorb carbon gas from the air as it grows helping to decrease greenhouse gases emission.

The materials used in the present invention require low-energy consumption to be manufactured and the waste obtained in the production line can be 100% reused. The aim is to select manufacturers that have recycling management programs with collection systems, so that the materials used can be recycled and put into the manufacturing line again. These materials can be burnt safely, as their burning creates water and dioxide. When disposed down a drain they would not leave waste as they are chemically inert and they do not contain binders, so they cannot filter into underground water.

Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiment, this embodiment does not serve to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications are possible, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1 . A smart wrapping system for luggage protection and tracking comprising:

a break-resistant, adjustable, stretchable and impermeable layer having an internal surface and an external surface, said layer being die-cut to provide a central body part, an upper tab part, and a lower tab part, wherein adhesive strips are provided on each of said tabs and a pass-through opening is provided on the upper tab part; a tensor configured to tighten and adjust the wrapping to a bag;

a pleat situated in the rear part of the wrapping;

at least one QR code positioned on the external surface of said die-cut layer;

at least one label attachable to the external surface of said die-cut layer.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wrapping procedure comprises:

covering a body of the bag with the wrapping, leaving a side with the upper and lower tabs to the front of the bag;

laying down the bag with the front towards the floor and with the tensor, fold the wrapping until the wrapping gets tight to the bag;

adjusting and reinforcing the tensor with the adhesive tape;

folding the upper and lower tabs over the tensor;

stretching and seal the lower tab; and

putting the bag up again and stretch and seal the upper tab.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said layer and said label are made of recyclable materials.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said layer and said label are made of materials selected from: linear low-density polyethylene, coextruded polyethylene, conventional polyethylene and polyethylene reinforced with a layer of polypropylene.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said layer and said label are made of linear low- density polyethylene.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the linear low-density polyethylene used in the main body of the wrapping has up to 20% more of linear in its formula than the linear low- density polyethylene used for the upper and lower tabs of said wrapping.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strips comprise dual-layer adhesive strips.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strips are positioned at upper and lower tabs so that said die-cut layer is attached and secured to said bag when said die-cut layer is wrapped around said bag.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive elements are hot-melt type.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wrapping has a pleat that provides extra space between the wrapping and a bag or luggage.

1 1. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tensor has a wider measurement in its upper part than its lower part, so that every time the user folds the wrapping, the upper part gets more tighten than the lower part, achieving an even tension.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tensor has a trapezoidal shape.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an advertising medium provided on the external surface of said die-cut layer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said advertising medium includes customized designs.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein said bag is registered and associated with a user at a central server of a tracking system when the user registers said at least one QR code.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one QR code is registered into said central server by at one of: a smartphone, a tablet and a computer.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein an airline luggage tracking code is further registered into said central server and associated with said user.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said central server provides the user with real- time airline information for checked luggage.

19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of additional self-adhesive labels, each having at least one QR code so that said plurality of additional self- adhesive labels are adhered to other personal items.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of additional self-adhesive labels are registered into said central server and associated with said user.

21. A method for using the system of claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

wrapping the die-cut layer around a bag and securing the die-cut layer to the luggage with said adhesive elements; and

registering said at least one QR code into a central server by at least one of: a smartphone, a tablet and a computer.

22. The method for using the system of claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: reporting on said central server the loss of the luggage by at least one of: a smartphone, a tablet and a computer; and

reporting on said central server when said luggage is found by at least one of: a smartphone, a tablet and a computer, so that the central server allows communication and luggage delivery between a user and a person that found the luggage.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein a scanner with a QR reader is connected to a Lost & Found office network.

24. A method for using the system of claim 21 wherein whenever a found object comes in to the Lost & Found office, the staff reads the QR code and automatically the scanner uploads the information to the system sending an automatic notification to its owner, while showing the contact information to the Lost & Found staff.