Abstract:
A disposable strip of non-elastic, tear resistant luggage wrap material is provided that extends around the outer periphery of a piece of luggage and adhesively secures to itself. A plurality of disposable strips may be coupled end-to-end to accommodate large luggage pieces. The disposable strip may be removed by tearing along a plurality of spaced, inline apertures. The disposable strip includes several features, such as indicia that identify luggage as belonging to a group, organization or commercial carrier. The disposable strip also may include a security portion having an area for receiving the user&#39;s signature or initials to inhibit unauthorized tampering. A pocket may be provided on the disposable strip to receive user identification, a travel itinerary or other document. Furthermore, the disposable strip may be configured to receive an R.F.I.D. tag for electronic tracking.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED TOPICS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/851,076 filed Oct. 12, 2006. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
    
    
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Two million people pass through airports daily. With the demands on Security after September 9/11, new regulations have been imposed on the traveler. One demand requires luggage to be openable for inspection by security personnel, leaving travelers with less secure luggage while in transit. This new regulation has not only increased the burden on travelers, but on the carriers, hotels, luggage handlers, and the entire system. When luggage is compromised, because luggage is not locked, it is more difficult to fend off responsibility for theft claims, even when a carrier may not have been the party holding or handling the bags when the violation occurred. 
     The luggage industry has been successful in standardizing luggage to selected sizes, shapes and color. As a result, most luggage looks very similar, and the traveler must locate their luggage with the aid of small I.D. (identification) tags, attached to the luggage with string or straps. Unfortunately, these I.D. tags may be torn from the luggage during transit. Travelers have also been warned about placing too much I.D. information on a tag for fear a potential vandal will learn where they live. Some people are hesitant to use I.D. tags containing personal information. The identification tags are often difficult to read from a distance, or while the luggage is in route on a conveyor, resulting in confusion, mistakes, time delays, and lost and misappropriated luggage. In August 2006, the rate of mishandled bags rose to 8.08 per 1,000 passengers, according to airconsumer.ost.dot.gov. Since August 2006, when domestic airlines dramatically restricted what could be carried on board, the number of checked bags has soared. According to numbers released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in September 2006, some 183,234 bags were mishandled, up 92 percent from the year before. Globally, about 30 million bags go astray every year, of which around 200,000 are never reunited with their owners. 
     With 11 million people traveling on cruises annually, the cruise line or passenger carrier has to be able to quickly identify the luggage at the airport for the passengers riding thereon. They also have to be sure that, at the shipping ports, airports, and terminals, the luggage gets onto the correct carrier. One missed bag will not rejoin the passenger until their cruise is over. This can be very upsetting to the traveler. The I.D. tags can be torn off, while labels adhesively attached to the luggage leave a residue on the luggage fabric, which is not acceptable to many travelers. 
     The use of an electronic system for tracking and storing bags is the way of the future, and one system already gaining popularity is with the use of R.F.I.D. (radio frequency identification) tags, sometimes called sensors. R.F.I.D. tags may be built into new products, but the ability to safely attach the R.F.I.D. tags to existing travel luggage is a challenge, solved by this invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,365 and PCT WO 00/70587 issuing to Frances J. Caplan, discloses the use of labels and tags which include distinctive patterns or a combination of patterns which are attached to luggage with adhesive, string or straps to aid identification. The adhesive can leave residue on the luggage fabric, while the string or straps may be torn off during transit. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0144661 by Lucia Louise Burns, discloses a luggage hugger made of stretchable fabric forming a continuous band about the luggage. The luggage hugger is easily removable and replaceable about the luggage during transport. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,974 issuing to Tommie L. Mitchell and Juanita Mitchell discloses an elastic strap and lock with ring assemblies for luggage, wherein the strap may be placed beneath the luggage handle. The strap includes a plurality of holes through the elastic strap to adjust the size of the strap to fit the luggage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,768 issuing to Glenn E. Mann discloses an alarm strap for luggage, which emits an audible alarm when the alarm strap is broken. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,282 issuing to John C. Fore discloses an inelastic plastic tape which is wrapped around the lock on the luggage. The tape adheres to itself and to the luggage over the entire length of the tape, leaving an adhesive residue on the luggage, when the tape is removed. 
     U.S. Design Pat. 297,248 issuing to Victor M. Barr discloses an identification band for use on luggage and garment bags. The identification band has hook and loop type closure material on opposite ends and opposite sides of the band. The band may be easily removed, the luggage opened, then the band replaced, without subsequent observable detection. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,818 issuing to John P. Orwin discloses a pair of straps, which encircle the luggage and pass on either side of the luggage handle. An additional pair of cross straps are secured between the encircling straps to stop the device from being slid or pulled off the luggage. Hook and loop fasteners are used to secure and tighten the encircling straps, which may be removed during transit without subsequent observable detection. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,343 issuing to Warren R. Stumpe discloses a label system for package and baggage handling, which has printing on one side and the other side is at least partially coated with an adhesive. The label is affixed to the luggage on three sides for ease of identification. The adhesive is likely to leave an adhesive residue on the luggage after removal of the label, which is tacky. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,656 issuing to Albert A. Kashinski discloses an elastic cover and seal for protecting luggage, wherein the elastic cover seals the closure around a substantial portion of the luggage. An opening is provided in the elastic cover to receive the luggage handle therethrough. 
     U.S. Design Pat. 340,338 issuing to Scott C. Van Buren discloses a removable and reusable golf bag strap having a graphic design positioned thereon. The strap has hook and loop type fasteners on opposing ends and opposing sides to secure the strap to a golf bag. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,312 issuing to Louis Soltanoff discloses a label for baggage handling, wherein an encircling belt of heat-shrinkable plastic material is shrunk about the luggage, and a destination identifying indicia is printed on the plastic belt, which may be read by an optical scanner to determine the destination of the baggage. While these inventions provide selected improvements to luggage handling, they do not provide the protection, group and individual identification, low cost and convenience provided by the present invention. 
     Thus, what is needed is a disposable luggage wrap, which is easily installed about a piece of luggage, and which is adhesively secured to itself without damage to the luggage. The luggage wrap preferably passes through the luggage handle on the side of the luggage as shown in  FIG. 1A , or through the luggage handle and the extendable handle, as shown in  FIG. 1B . The luggage wrap assembly provides easy identification of the luggage, and can be personalized with the user&#39;s signature or initials, to ensure integrity during transport. The disposable luggage wrap can include indicia relating to identification of a group or organization, which can be very beneficial when traveling together in a group on commercial or private carriers. The bottom surface of the luggage wrap provides a convenient mounting location for securing an R.F.I.D. tag, and preferably includes a pocket for travel information or identification while traveling, which may be accessed without opening the luggage or removal of the disposable luggage wrap. Two or more disposable luggage wraps may be joined end to end to encircle larger luggage. The disposable luggage wrap is attractive, economical, and easy to transport or store until needed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable luggage wrap that addresses these needs. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable luggage wrap which has a pocket at one end suitable for receiving and transporting identifying indicia therein. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tear strip extending across the width of the disposable luggage wrap for ease of removal without requiring a knife, scissors, or other cutting implement. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a disposable luggage wrap suitable for use on various sizes of luggage, wherein the disposable luggage wrap is sized to fit beneath the luggage handle and to encircle the luggage and to adhesively secure to itself, to resist removal of the strap from the luggage during transit. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a disposable luggage wrap for systematically identifying luggage that permits groups of people to distinguish their luggage from that of all other travelers&#39; luggage, while simultaneously identifying each group members&#39; individual luggage. 
     A disposable strip of non-elastic, tear resistant material is sized to extend around the outer periphery of a piece of luggage to adhesively secure to itself. Indicia representative of a group or organization may be preprinted thereon to identify luggage belonging to the group. Individual identification is also provided thereon, for ease of individual identification. A space may be provided to include the user&#39;s signature or initials, to inhibit unauthorized removal and replacement of the disposable luggage wrap during transit. A pocket is preferably located at one end to receive user identification. A tear strip is provided for ease of removal of the luggage wrap. An R.F.I.D. tag may be secured to the underside of the luggage wrap for electronic tracking. The R.F.I.D. tag preferably includes information on the user&#39;s identification, the carrier or group identification, and destination information. More than one luggage wrap may be secured end-to-end to encircle larger luggage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the disposable luggage wrap installed horizontally about a piece of luggage. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the disposable luggage wrap installed vertically about a piece of luggage. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the disposable luggage wrap prior to installation about a piece of luggage. Note the tear strip may be located anywhere along the disposable luggage wrap. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the disposable luggage wrap showing a pocket at one end for receiving transport and/or personalized information, which travels with the luggage, yet is assessable during transit, without removing the disposable luggage wrap. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the disposable luggage wrap showing the pocket at a first end, and an R.F.I.D. sensor installed on the bottom surface, anywhere along the disposable luggage wrap, to suit user or manufacturing preference. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two disposable luggage wraps positioned end-to-end to accommodate larger luggage. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the disposable luggage wrap folded for transport or storage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The disposable luggage wrap  10  shown in  FIG. 1-6  comprises an elongated, disposable, non-elastic strip  22  of tear resistant flexible material  24 , such as a polyethylene film, or the like, and is sized to wrap about a standard sized piece of luggage  12 . Where larger luggage is used (not shown), two or more non-elastic strips  22  may be secured end  26  to end  28  to encircle the larger luggage, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the disposable luggage wrap  10  encircles the luggage  12  during use, and may overlap as it is drawn taught to secure to itself to provide for different sized luggage  12 . The width of the disposable luggage wrap  10  is preferably sized from about one inch to six inches, to fit beneath the luggage handle  14 , and to secure to itself with a suitable adhesive  30  located in proximity to the second end  28  of the luggage wrap  10 . The adhesive  30  provides a sufficiently strong bond to mark, damage or tear the disposable luggage wrap  10  during separation or removal. 
     Once installed about the user&#39;s luggage  12 , the luggage cannot be opened without marking, damaging or tearing the disposable luggage wrap  10 . A suitable signature space  42  is provided on the top surface  34  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 . While a signature space  42  is shown in proximity to the second end  28  in  FIG. 2 , the signature space  42  may be positioned at any selected position along the top or bottom surface along the elongated length of the disposable luggage wrap  10 . The signature space  42  is provided for the user to signor initial  20  the disposable luggage wrap  10  prior to installation. If a user&#39;s luggage  12  arrives without their signature or initials in the signature space  42  provided, the user is alerted that unauthorized access to their luggage  12  has occurred during transit, and the authorities may immediately be notified. If the luggage  12  arrives safely during transit, with the disposable luggage wrap  10  installed on the luggage  12  and the signature space  42  signed or initialed by the user, but subsequently arrives at the place of lodging with the luggage wrap  10  marked, damaged, torn or removed, then the user knows when the damage occurred, and thus may take appropriate action. This greatly helps to eliminate false claims. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the first end  26  of the disposable luggage wrap  10  is preferably placed in proximity to the luggage handle  14 , and the second end  28  of the luggage wrap  10  is wrapped about the luggage  12  to encircle the luggage  12 , and is drawn tight and sealed to the top surface  34  of the luggage wrap  10  with a suitable adhesive  30  at assembly. Note that the disposable luggage wrap  10  is sized to pass through the luggage handle  14  as shown in  FIG. 1A , or through the luggage handle  14  and the extendable handle  16  (when used) as shown in  FIG. 1B . This ensures that the disposable luggage wrap  10  cannot be easily removed, without marking, damaging, or tearing the disposable luggage wrap  10 . The disposable luggage wrap may further serve to cover the zipper tabs (not shown) when moved beneath the handle, to discourage unauthorized tampering with the user&#39;s luggage, while leaving the luggage open for inspection by proper authorities. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the top portion  34  of the luggage wrap  10  prior to assembly. Note the indicia  38  on the top portion of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , which serves to identify a group or organization traveling together on a commercial carrier, such as a boat, plane, train, bus or other public or private transport. The indicia  38  may be an image, picture, design, trademark, logo, brand name, slogan, advertisement, etc. in one or more colors which is preferably repeated to form a distinctive pattern thereon. Texture (not shown) may also be used on the disposable luggage wrap  10 , to aid identification by the visually impaired. The indicia  38  is intended to easily identify multiple pieces of luggage  12  used by multiple users while traveling as a group or organization, and is very helpful in identifying luggage  12  that has been misrouted or misplaced in transit. The disposable luggage wrap  10  is lightweight, inexpensive, attractive, and provides a means to identify the user&#39;s luggage  12 , as well as the collective luggage of a group or organization when traveling together. 
     Also note a plurality of closely spaced in-line apertures  62  extending across the width of the disposable luggage wrap  10  from the first side  22  to the second side  24 . The apertures  62  may be any shape or size to suit their intended purpose. The spacing between the in-line apertures  62  is selected to ensure that a reasonable force is required to intentionally tear the disposable luggage wrap  10  from the luggage, for ease of removal. A notch  64  may be provided at one or both edges  22 , 24  of the disposable luggage wrap  10  to reduce the force needed to tear the disposable luggage wrap  10 . A tear strip  60  may be positioned along the plurality of closely spaced, in-line apertures  62 . The tear strip  60  provides leverage to sever the space between the in-line apertures  62  when the tear strip  60  is pulled to remove the luggage wrap  10  from the luggage  12 . This eliminates the need for the user to locate a knife or scissors, which cannot be carried by the user in their carry-on baggage when traveling by plane. The tear strip  60  with the plurality of in-line apertures  62  may be positioned across the width of the luggage wrap  10  to extend from the notch  64  at the first side  22  to the notch  64  at the second side  24 . The tear strip  60  may be positioned at any selected location along the length of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , but is preferably positioned in proximity to the second end  28 , for ease of location during use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the disposable luggage wrap  10  also preferably provides a space  42  for signature or initials on the top or bottom surface  34 ,  36  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , at a convenient location. When placed on the bottom surface  36 , the signature or initials are not observable until the luggage wrap  10  is removed from the luggage  12 . The signature or initials ensure that the luggage  12  has not been opened during transit, and serve to alert the user when the disposable luggage wrap  10  has been marked, damaged or replaced during transit. The space  42  for signature or initials may be located on the top or bottom surface  34 ,  36  along the length of the disposable luggage wrap  10  to suit user or manufacturing preference. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , showing the adhesive  30  and peelable adhesive cover  32  extending across the width of the luggage wrap  10 , from the first side  22  to the second side  24 , in proximity to the second end  28 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3 , an optional pocket  40  is provided near the first end  26  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 . The pocket  40  provides a convenient location to place the user&#39;s travel itinerary and user identification therein. Upon retrieval of the luggage  12  from one transport carrier, the user may remove information from the pocket  40  regarding their recent arrival, and insert new information about their next leg of the journey, such as a hotel, stateroom, etc. This may be done prior to opening the luggage  12 . This ensures that the luggage  12  is not tampered with between the user&#39;s recent arrival and delivery of the luggage  12  to the user&#39;s stateroom or hotel room. 
     The pocket  40  is created by a fold line  44  formed when the first end  26  of the disposable luggage wrap  10  is folded over, and the first end  26  is secured to either the top surface  34  or bottom surface  36  of the luggage wrap  10 . The length of the pocket  40  may be any suitable length to accommodate the information to be stored therein. The pocket  40  may alternately be secured along one of the first side  22  or the second side  24  and along the first end  26  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , to form a three sided pocket  40  therebetween. Alternately, the pocket  40  may be formed between the fold line  44  and the first end  26  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , to form a two sided pocket  40 , to suit user or manufacturing preference. See  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The pocket may be secured by any known means, such as with adhesive, by sewing, heat sealing, etc. 
     Because the disposable luggage wrap  10  is inexpensive, lightweight, and may be folded or rolled up for transport or storage, as shown in  FIG. 6 , several disposable luggage wraps  10  may be placed in the user&#39;s luggage  12 , while traveling, and used for each leg of a journey, to ensure safety and integrity while traveling. Preferably, a separate luggage wrap  10  is used, each time the luggage  12  is accessed while traveling. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the disposable luggage wrap  10  prior to installation about a piece of luggage  12 . Note the location of a pocket  40  at the first end  26 , and the location of the adhesive  30  and removable adhesive cover  32  at the second end  28 . The optional pocket  40  is preferably located at either the first end  26  or the second end  28 , to suit user or manufacturing preference. 
     Also note the use of an R.F.I.D tag  50 . For purposes of this disclosure, the R.F.I.D. tag may be also called a sensor. The R.F.I.D. tag is preferably positioned and secured to the bottom surface  36  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , in proximity to the first end  26 . Alternately, the R.F.I.D. tag may be positioned and secured at any position along the underside of the disposable luggage wrap  10  to suit manufacturing preference. The R.F.I.D. tag  50  provides electronic tracking for rapid location and identification of a piece of luggage  12  while in transit when in proximity to a remote R.F.I.D. reader  52 . The remote R.F.I.D. reader  52  may be hand held, or remotely located, and can be used to identify the location of a piece of luggage  12 . The remote R.F.I.D. reader  52  is well known in the art, and thus not further disclosed herein. At least one R.F.I.D. tag  50  preferably includes information on at least two of the following: the user&#39;s identification, the trip itinerary, carrier identification, group identification, departure information and the user&#39;s destination information. 
     For example, if a piece of luggage is misplaced, it may be easily located in a room full of misplaced luggage by quickly scanning the luggage  12  with a remote R.F.I.D. reader  52  to identify the location of the R.F.I.D. tag  50 . Likewise, when the luggage  12  is placed upon a conveyor in a busy terminal, the R.F.I.D. tag  50  may be used to easily identify the user&#39;s luggage  12 , as the luggage  12  passes in proximity to a hand held or remotely positioned R.F.I.D. reader  52 . The R.F.I.D. tag  50  may also be used to aid a vision impaired user to find their luggage  12  in a busy terminal or other destination. Group identification is also preferably provided so that the luggage belonging to a group of travelers or a commercial carrier, such as a ship, bus or plane, may be easily identified during transit. This is especially valuable when a group travels to multiple destinations on multiple carriers, such as airplanes, busses and ships, and stays at multiple hotels or motels at multiple destinations during the journey. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , where two or more disposable luggage wraps  10  may be secured together end-to-end to encircle the outer periphery of a larger size of luggage  12 . The second end  28  of a first disposable luggage wrap  10  is secured to the first end  26  of a second luggage wrap  10  using the adhesive  30  provided. The end-to-end luggage wraps  10 ,  10  are then placed about larger luggage (not shown), and drawn tight, and secured together with the adhesive  30  located on the second end  28  of the second luggage wrap  10 . 
     At assembly, the disposable luggage wrap  10  is placed around a piece of luggage  12  with the first end  26  preferably placed in proximity to the luggage handle  14  as shown in  FIG. 1A  or beneath the luggage handle  14  and the extendable handle  16  (when used), as shown in  FIG. 1B . The second end  28  of the luggage wrap  10  is then wrapped around the outer periphery  18  of the luggage  12  until it encircles the luggage  12 . The disposable luggage wrap  10  is then drawn tight. The adhesive cover  32  is then removed, and the adhesive  30  is placed directly against the top surface  34  of the disposable luggage wrap  10 , effectively securing the disposable luggage wrap  10  about the luggage  12 , without damage to the outer surface of the luggage  12 . This places the disposable luggage wrap  10  beneath the luggage handle  14 , and beneath the extendable handle  16 , which keeps the disposable luggage wrap  10  from slipping or being slid off the luggage  12  during transport. 
     The luggage  12  cannot be opened while the disposable luggage wrap  10  is in place about the luggage  12 . Some luggage  12  includes a first handle  14  at the top of the luggage, and a second handle  14  at one side of the luggage  12 . Some luggage  12  also includes wheels  17  at the bottom or one side of the luggage. The disposable luggage wrap  10  may be wrapped about the luggage  12  between the wheels  17  and the handle  14  located opposite the wheels  17 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . Alternately, the disposable luggage wrap  10  may be wrapped about the luggage and extend between the handle  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . Of course, more than one luggage wrap  10  may be used to secure a piece of luggage  12  for transport or storage. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated in conjunction with a detailed description of the preferred invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the scope of this invention, or from the following claims. 
     DISPOSABLE LUGGAGE WRAP PARTS LIST 
     
         
           10 —disposable luggage wrap 
           12 —luggage 
           14 —luggage handle 
           16 —extendable handle 
           17 —wheel(s) 
           18 —outer periphery 
           20 —flexible, non-elastic, tear resistant material 
           22 —first side 
           24 —second side 
           26 —first end 
           28 —second end 
           30 —suitable adhesive 
           32 —peelable adhesive cover 
           34 —top surface 
           36 —bottom surface 
           38 —indicia 
           40 —pocket 
           42 —signature space 
           44 —fold line 
           50 —R.F.I.D. tag or sensor 
           52 —R.F.I.D. reader 
           60 —tear strip 
           62 —plurality of closely spaced in-line apertures