Abstract:
An identification tag is provided that includes an elongate strip of flexible material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The identification tag further includes adhesive material and a label, the label being configured such that information may be added thereto. The strip of flexible material may be configured to wrap around about itself to produce a generally circular shape.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to identification tags and, more importantly, to identification tags that both disclose the identity of the owner of a particular piece of baggage and enable the owner to easily locate baggage, for example, on a baggage conveyor in an airport. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    Identification tags have been used to disclose information about the owner of baggage for a number of years. These tags are most helpful to identify the owner of the baggage if the baggage has been lost in an airport, train station, bus station or the like. Identification tags help to facilitate the quick return of the baggage to the owner. 
         [0008]    Although identification tags have been used with baggage for a number of years, there are drawbacks that exist with the present designs. Often the tags in use today are the type that fastens to the baggage by some elastic, plastic, or gluing means. These tags are secured to the bags in such a way that the tags are left to dangle off the handle or zipper of the bag. While these tags may be secured to the baggage rather easily, they can be removed just as easily. 
         [0009]    For instance, those individuals who travel by airplane must subject their baggage to numerous handling stations and often the bags travel long distances over conveyor systems. These handling stations and conveyor systems provide a number of opportunities for the tags to become caught or snagged and town away from the bags leaving the owner helpless to identify their bag or much worse, forever lose the bag if the bag is lost in any one of the transfers or sent on the wrong flight. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of today&#39;s baggage is that many of the bags are indistinguishable. Often individuals rely solely on the identification tag to spot their bag on a baggage carousel at an airport. Individuals may also rely on a colorful ribbon or string that has been attached to the bag for positive identification, however, as with the identification tags, the ribbon or string can be easily torn away from the baggage. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the identification tags often used to identify baggage are many times subject to moisture and the elements. Luggage often will spend several minutes in the rain, snow, or thrown water from a puddle, while traveling from the plane to the luggage carousel. Identification tags subject to this moisture become unreadable and useless. 
         [0012]    Therefore a need exists for an identification tag for use with baggage or luggage that provides an individual&#39;s personal information and provides a means for an individual to identify their baggage while at the same time being easy to attach to the bags without the chance that the tag could be torn away from the bag. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In accordance with the present invention, an identification tag is provided that includes an elongate strip of flexible material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The identification tag further includes an adhesive material and a label, the label being configured such that information may be added thereto. The strip of flexible material may be configured to wrap around about itself to produce a generally circular shape. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a piece of luggage; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  is an enlarged perspective view of an identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a piece of luggage; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is plan view of an identification tag according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side elevation views of the identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the identification tag according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the identification tag according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the identification tag according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the identification tag according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the identification tag according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings, a preferred illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail. Although the drawings represent an embodiment of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiment set forth herein is not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise to limit or restrict the invention to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
         [0028]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an identification tag  12  is shown attached and secured to a handle  28  of a suitcase  10  or any other type of luggage. In this particular embodiment, tag  12  may be configured in a manner and secured to suitcase  10  such that tag  12  may be easily readable and identifiable. Although identification tag  12  is illustrated with suitcase  10 , it is important to note, however, that tag  12  may be used to identify any object, animal or individual, the suitcase or piece of baggage is used merely to illustrate one such possible application of the identification tag. Tag  12  may be easily secured to any arm or leg or arm of an animal or person (see e.g.  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , in this particular embodiment, identification tag  12  includes a top surface  16 , a first end  18 , a second end  20 , and a bottom surface  24 . Top surface  16  includes a flap  22  for encasing an identification label  14 . Bottom surface  24  includes an adhesive strip  26  that is shown positioned at first end  18 . It is important to note, however, that the adhesive strip may be positioned at either first end  18  or second end  20  and may be positioned on top surface  16  or bottom surface  24 , the choice of position in this particular embodiment is for illustrative purposes. 
         [0030]    Label  14  includes an area for a user to enter identifying parameters pertaining to himself/herself such as NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER or the like. A user may either enter the information by hand with ink pen or pencil, or alternatively, label  14  may be configured in a manner such that the identifying parameters may be entered into a computer and printed directly onto label  14  by any printing media such as a laser jet printer, inkjet printer or the like. 
         [0031]    Once the identifying parameters have been added to label  14 , label  14  may then be secured to tag  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , flap  22  may be raised from top surface  16  such that label  14  may be positioned under flap  22  and onto surface  16 . After label  14  has been positioned onto surface  16 , flap  22  may be lowered back onto surface  16  to secure label  14  to tag  12 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate how tag  12  may be configured such that tag  12  may be secured around the handle of a piece of luggage, the arm or leg of an individual or animal, or any other object. Tag  12  may be folded upon itself such that a generally oval or round shape is produced when first end  18  meets second end  20 . First end  18  continues to fold over second end  20  such that adhesive strip  26  of bottom surface  24  engages flap  22  of top surface  16 . As adhesive strip  24  contacts flap  22  and top surface  16 , adhesive strip  22  adheres to surface  16  and flap  22  to complete the generally rounded shape of tag  12 . Furthermore, by securing flap  22  to surface  16  with adhesive strip  24 , label  14  is now secured to tag  12 . The adhesive used with adhesive strip  24  may be manufactured of any glue or adhesive material such that a strong bond may be maintained between first end  18  and second end  20  to maintain the generally rounded shape of tag  12  about the object, person or animal. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, a pocket  30  is used to capture label  14  to tag  12 . A user, in much the same manner as described above, enters the identifying information onto label  14  and slides label  14  into pocket  30 . As described above, first end  18  may be folded onto a pocket opening  32  at second end  20 . Adhesive strip  26  engages top surface  16  to create a generally rounded shape and pocket opening  32  to close pocket opening  32  and seal pocket  30  to prevent label  14  from slipping out of tag  14 . 
         [0034]    Tag  12  may be manufactured of any type of plastic or vinyl materials such that tag  12  may maintain flexibility while protecting label  14  from water and any of the other elements that may damage label  14  if not for the protection of flap  22  or pocket  30  and tag  12 . Tag  12  may also be manufactured of materials that are not easily torn, removed or destroyed to ensure that tag  12  remains intact and easily readable. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates one such manner where identification tag  12  may be manufactured in any design or colors to aid the user when trying to identify a piece of luggage on a luggage carousel at an airport, or for aiding to identify any object or individual. The particular pattern illustrated by  FIG. 8  is that of a zigzag. It is important to note, however, that any type of identifying design, picture or colors may be used to improve the identifying aspect of tag  12 . 
         [0036]    Identification tags may be manufactured such that individual tags and labels are produced. Individual labels may be configured for writing information long hand, with a typewriter, or for use with a computer and in a printer such as a laser jet or ink jet. Alternatively, labels may be manufactured such that a number of labels may be included on one sheet of paper. For example, ten labels may be printed onto one 8.5″×11″ sheet of paper. It is important to note, however, that any size paper may be used to produce any number of labels. The sheet of paper may be configured to be used with a computer and any type of printer (laser jet, ink jet, etc.). Information may be entered into a computer and easily printed onto the labels. Other methods that may be used for producing labels may include using a computer to access a website on the World Wide Web to enter information and use a printer to prepare and print the label. Also, software to prepare labels may be provided on a compact disc or other storage medium for use with a computer. Information may be entered into a computer and easily printed onto the labels. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. A microchip  34  may be added to tag  12 . Microchip  34  may include the personal information of an individual. That information may include: NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, FLIGHT INFORMATION, and the like. As discussed above, tag  12  may be used to identify individuals such as children (see e.g.  FIG. 11 ) or animals, other information may be included in microchip  34  such as medical information and names of parent or owners. Microchip  34  is shown attached to bottom surface  24  in  FIG. 9 , however, it is important to note that microchip  34  will work equally as well if secured to top surface  16 , or, alternatively, “sandwiched” between top surface  16  and bottom surface  24 . In this particular embodiment of the present invention, airport employees or any other person, may use any type of scanner to read the information to check the information versus that information written or printed on the tag and/or the identification carried by the individual. This level of information may be used to ensure that baggage is not stolen from airports, shopping malls, etc. or lost and any unattended baggage may be quickly identified. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, airport personnel may supply tags  12  and identification microchip  34  when a traveler presents their baggage for check in along with their personal identification (for instance driver&#39;s license or passport). Airport personnel may enter the information on the microchip/identification tag with a computer of the like and affix the tag to luggage. In this manner, airports will be able to ensure that the baggage is tagged with the correct identification for a particular individual. Thus making tracking and handling of the baggage easier at any point in the journey. 
         [0039]    Tags  12  including microchip  34  may be especially useful because microchip  34  may have a readable range that may allow tag  12  to be secured on the interior of suitcase  10 . Tag  12  with microchip  34  may be hidden and secured to the interior of bag  12  to aid in the preventing the theft of luggage from an airport, train station, bus depot or the like. Would be thieves would have a difficult time finding tag  12  on the inside of any luggage or not know tag  12  exists and may be deterred long enough for security and law enforcement to apprehend them or captured at a security checkpoint trying to leave the premises with a stolen piece of luggage. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, a bar code  36  may be included on label  14 . Bar code  36  may include the following personal information: NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, FLIGHT INFORMATION, and the like. As described above, labels  14  may be created on any computer and by using the World Wide Web to do so. This is especially useful today given that the World Wide Web is widely used to check in and print boarding passes for airline flights, bus travel, train travel, cruise ship travel or any means of travel requiring identification of the individual traveling. Labels  14  may be printed with boarding passes for travel and bar code  36  may include all the information contained in the boarding pass to identify the individual. For example, when using an online check in method prior to airline travel, labels  14  including bar code  36  may be printed with boarding passes. Bar code  36  may include all personal information for the individual as well as flight information such as time of flight, gate number, airlines, destination and the like. Labels  14  including bar code  36  may also be printed with boarding passes when printed at a check in desk or kiosk at the airport, bus depot, train station, dock and the like. Bar code  36  may be easily readable by any bar code reading device to identify the piece of luggage to ensure that the individual has his or her correct piece of baggage and to aid in preventing theft and abandon baggage. 
         [0041]    The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiment, which is merely illustrative of the best modes presently known for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiment of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method within the scope of these claims and their equivalents by covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combination of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.