Device to aid in screening personal items

Abstract

A device to aid in screening personal items includes a spring-loaded reel mounted in a bag, an identification holder tethered to the reel, and a clip attached to the bag. A front portion of the bag defines an opening for viewing the identification holder, and the identification holder extends and retracts. The clip includes a generally concave handle configuration, allowing the clip to be ergonomically gripped or attach the bag to clothing. Portions of the bag are constructed of transparent plastic. Personal items are placed in the bag, and personal identification is placed in the identification holder. Security personnel may view the bag's contents through its transparent portions, and the bag may quickly pass through a metal detector. If separated from its owner, the bag is easily retrieved due to the visible identification holder. To present personal identification, the user easily extends the identification holder, which the reel automatically retracts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to a container for personal items. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for holding and transporting personal items as an aid to efficient security screening events. [0002] Transportation security, and especially airport security, has justifiably received a great deal of attention recently. Heightened fears at airports have translated into incredibly long waits to clear security screening. One of the most time consuming parts of this process is passing through a metal detector, which is complicated by the need to place change, keys, electronics, and other personal items into an open basket for inspection. A device that helps streamline this process would be greatly appreciated by passengers and airport personnel. [0003] Further, at least once, and perhaps two or three times, a photo identification item must be presented in order to board an airplane. This means that the identification will have t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In use, personal items are placed in the bag as desired and a personal identification item is placed in the identification holder. The user may carry the bag by the clip due to the clip's generally concave handle configuration, or the clip may be used to secure the bag to the user's clothing. When the user reaches a security screening event (such as airport security screening,) the clip easily releases the bag from the user's clothing. Security personnel may view the contents of the bag through the bag's transparent portions, and the bag may easily and quickly pass through a metal detector. Time is saved and the screening process is made more efficient because the personal items are already gathered for inspection. The time previously required to place the personal items into an open basket for inspection and then to retrieve the personal items has been eliminated. Since the personal identification item in the identification holder is visible through the opening in the bag's front portion, the bag is easily retrieved by its rightful owner once it has passed through a metal detector or is otherwise separated from the owner. When the need arises to present a personal identification item, the user may quickly and easily extend the identification holder from the retracted configuration to an extended configuration. Once the personal identification item is no longer needed, the reel automatically retracts the tether and the attached identification holder due to its spring-loaded configuration, returning the identification holder to the retracted configuration. It is anticipated that the present invention will be encouraged and promoted by airport and other security organizations due to its safety and efficiency benefits.

[0011] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a device to aid in screening personal items that is conveniently sized to hold personal items and be worn or carried.

[0013] Still another object of this invention is to provide a device to aid in screening personal items, as aforesaid, that provides an easily accessible and presentable identification holder.

[0015] A further object of this invention is to provide a device to aid in screening personal items, as aforesaid, that is comfortable and stylish to wear.

Problems solved by technology

Heightened fears at airports have translated into incredibly long waits to clear security screening.

One of the most time consuming parts of this process is passing through a metal detector, which is complicated by the need to place change, keys, electronics, and other personal items into an open basket for inspection.

It is not designed to aid in security screening, however, and it does not include transparent features.

It is not sized for or designed to aid in security screening.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,825 addresses security-screening concerns but is inappropriate for general airport screening.

The disclosed device is for transporting schoolbooks and supplies, and its size and shape simply make it too large and inconvenient for use in screening normal personal items at airports and other common security checkpoints.

While assumably effective for their intended purposes, none of the above proposals provide a device that aids in screening personal items that is conveniently sized to be worn or carried, includes a clip that also functions as a handle, provides a tethered identification holder, and incorporates transparent materials.

Indeed, none of the above proposals include a clip that also functions as a handle or provides a tethered identification holder.

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