WO2006123952A1 - Security seals for baggage - Google Patents

Abstract

A luggage seal and telltale for warning of tampering comprises a visible band to be closed around an item of luggage, or through pull tabs of zips on carry bags and the like, and sealed before it leaves its owner's hands. On restoration, if tampering is evident, the owner may disclaim responsibility for the contents. Versions include tough, irreversibly closable plastics strips bearing unique indicia (matching those on a card handed to the owner for separate carriage) and optionally also bear eye-catching distinctive indicia.

Description

TITLE SECURITY SEALS FOR BAGGAGE

FIELD

This invention relates to a distinctive, disposable, self-adherent luggage or bag seal or belt for placement around an item of luggage in order to indicate that tampering has or may have occurred during a journey.

BACKGROUND

"Did you pack your bags yourself, sir?" is commonly asked by Customs officials and others during air travel. The consequences of having replied "yes", should materials such as illicit drugs or terrorist items then be found inside your bags, can be fatal in particular countries. A person can confirm packing their bag(s) themselves but cannot guarantee that others have not interfered with the bags since. Yet it is assumed that the owner is responsible at all times. Further, theft from luggage during transit is not uncommon. ("Bag" as used herein includes suitcases, carry-on zipped bags and other carrying cases).

This invention relates to a rising need to maintain one's own security during travel. Agencies cannot be trusted. For example a person may be found guilty of smuggling drugs or other items if luggage handlers had broken into the person's suitcase during transit for the purpose of sending drugs and inadvertently failed to remove the items at the end of the trip before passing back into the possession of the owner. In 2005, the case of Schapelle Corby, an Australian citizen convicted in Indonesia of smuggling marijuana into Bali is an example of such a perceived risk; she denied all knowledge of the drugs found in her bag and there was some suspicion of illicit use of passenger bags for carriage of goods by airport baggage handlers. Accordingly it is desirable for a passenger to be able to determine, without opening a bag, that it has or may have been opened by others, and to distance himself or herself from the contents at least until inspected by an official person.

In general, an invention intended to provide tamper-evident protection should be able to cater for general traveller practice which at the time of writing is to ship one or more hard suitcases having locked-down lids in the hold of an aeroplane and, as well, have one or more zipped carry bags in the cabin. One should note that it would be impossible to rely on an invention such as this to fully prevent tampering, although it may act to deter or deflect tampering.

Previous attempts to provide such security have included a ratcheting band like a plastic cable tie placed around a bag to be protected. Cable ties are easy to disengage and open, and have no property of uniqueness. The transparent and possibly disposable luggage cover or shroud (US 20040206431

Metzig et al) is intended to (optionally) carry airline destination markers, would require someone to stock a variety of closely fitting covers to match various dimensions of bag, and does not provide the same extent of security. For example a bag could be entered from below. Further prior art comprises services at some airports for shrink-wrapping one's bag. One complicating problem is the growing rate of officially sanctioned bag searches carried out in the absence of the owner, such as in the

United States.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

The problem is that of ensuring that one's bag or bags remain in the condition in which the owner packed them and consigned them to the care of others during (for example) a journey by air. If they have been tampered with, this should be made evident in a manner that can be made clear to the relevant authorities. As soon as a traveller receives a bag in a clearly tampered state he or she should be able to seek the authorities to report the tampering and avoid repercussions such as being imprisoned for smuggling. (The seal cannot prevent tampering, but it can display that tampering has occurred).

OBJECT

It is an object of this invention to provide a seal for use with an item of luggage, the seal indicating if its integrity has been broken, optionally also providing the bag with ready identification means, or at least it is an object to provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In a first broad aspect the invention provides a disposable seal capable of indicating whether a sealed item such as airline luggage has been tampered with, wherein the seal comprises an elongated member of a flexible yet tough material, sufficiently long to encompass and irreversibly seal an openable portion of the item; thereby preventing access to the interior of the sealed item; the elongated member including means for irreversibly bonding with at least a part of itself, thereby forming a seal about the encompassed openable portion of the item, until deliberately fragmented and discarded after use; the seal including distinctive identifying means so that one seal can be distinguished from another; the seal being capable of undergoing a visually changed appearance that shows that an attempt has been made to tamper with the seal. In a second broad aspect the invention provides a disposable seal adapted for a luggage container or bag having a substantially fixed shape though generally as previously described in this section, wherein the elongated member is comprised of a flexible yet substantially tough strip of a sheet material sufficiently long to pass around the bag and cover a portion of itself; the strip bearing pressure-sensitive adhesive areas in one or more defined positions on an inner side; the adhesive material capable of forming a substantially irreversible bond on contact with itself; the strip of sheet material having sufficient durability to remain in place for a period during which transport occurs, so that after the bag has been transported the owner may verify before opening or perhaps even touching the bag whether or not the seal has been tampered with during the protected period and thereby whether he or she can be confident that the contents of the bag are likely to have been inter- fered with.

Preferably the elongated member or strip bears visually distinctive indicia on on an outer side, so that after the bag has been transported the owner may discover the bag more easily at a collecting point.

More preferably the elongated member or strip bears uniquely allocated indicia on an outer side, and a copy of said indicia is furnished to the owner on or near the time of placement of the seal, so that after the bag has been transported the owner may verify that the seal presently existing on the bag is the same seal that had been placed on the bag, suitcase, container, etc at the commencement of transport.

In a related aspect the invention provides that the person is provided with more than one copy of uniquely allocated indicia each upon a medium; at least one medium being provided with an irreversibly attachable adhesive backing, and the elongated member or strip lacks uniquely allocated indicia until said indicia, carried on the irreversibly attachable adhesively backed medium, are placed upon the strip by a person.

In an alternative aspect, the material of the seal is provided in a bulk form suitable for use within a 85 dispensing printer capable of applying information and unique indicia on to the outer surface at a time of use, and dispensing the printed seal ready for application as part of the process of accepting and labelling baggage.

Preferably the information is generally selected from a range including airline identification, flight numbers, times, and other identification.

90 In a third broad aspect the invention provides a disposable seal as claimed in claim 1, adapted for a luggage container or bag having a plurality of slideable fasteners each having a perforated pull tab; the fasteners serving as closures, wherein the elongated member of the disposable seal is comprised of a flexible yet substantially tough strip of a sheet material sufficiently long and thin to pass through more than one pull tab; including means capable when in use of irreversibly forming a closed loop

95 against a portion of itself so that, after application, the perforated pull tabs cannot be separated from each other until the disposable seal is destroyed.

Preferably the elongated member is provided with flexure means so that it may be brought back into a closed loop.

Preferably the elongated member is made of a plastics material.

100 In one alternative, the means for forming an irreversibly closed loop comprise a set of substantially inaccessible mechanically operative closures together capable of gripping and retaining a protrusion forming a portion of the disposable seal; typically carried at a free end of the elongated member.

Preferably the means for forming an irreversibly closed loop forming a portion of the disposable seal includes a weakened or frangible area, comprising a telltale to signify that an attempt to break the 105 seal has been made; the weakened area permitting the protrusion to come away from the seal and remain within the mechanically operative closures.

In another alternative, the means for means for forming an irreversibly closed loop comprise an irreversible adhesive material capable of forming a permanent bond with at least compatible materials.

110 Preferably the disposable seal for use with pull tabs or the like is provided with a display area capable of bearing visually distinctive indicia.

A disposable seal as previously described in this section, wherein the disposable seal is provided with a display area capable of bearing uniquely allocated indicia.

A set of disposable seals each as previously described in this section, wherein each disposable seal uniquely allocated indicia upon a medium is provided as a part of the set.

In a related aspect, the invention provides a method of making sets of disposable seals as previously described in this section, wherein the seals are formed as groups within a mould, and while still oriented as moulded, are are attached to previously aligned and previously printed paper labels as 120 groups, and are provided ready for use as sets of disposable seals.

Preferably each seal is provided with a tag having the effect of preventing separation from the corresponding adhesive paper label.

In an alternative aspect this invention provides a disposable luggage seal or telltale for a bag, wherein the seal comprises a substrate of a flexible yet substantially tough sheet material in the form

125 of a strip, long enough to pass right round the bag and meet at or near a handle; the strip bearing printed indicia on a first side; the strip also bearing pressure-sensitive adhesive areas in defined positions on a second side; the adhesive material capable of forming a firm bond on contact with itself and a reversible bond on contact with other surfaces, to remain in place for a period known as the "protected period" so that after the bag has been transported the owner may verify whether or not

130 the seal has been tampered with during the protected period and thereby whether he or she can be confident that the contents of the bag are likely to have been interfered with.

Optionally the adhesive areas are covered by a protective disposable cover prior to use in order to avoid inadvertent contact and premature sticking.

Preferably the seal is packed for sale and use in a folded or rolled-up form.

135 In a final aspect the seal may be used for assuring the integrity of any openable container subjected to a period of transport and/or storage where there is a perceived risk of interference with the contents during the period.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The description of the invention to be provided herein is given purely by way of example and is not 140 to be taken in any way as limiting the scope or extent of the invention.

DRAWINGS

Fig 1: is a diagram showing a suitcase sealed with the suitcase form of the invention (Example 1), forming a combination of a seal and identifying means. Fig 2: is a diagram showing part of the seal, prior to use, from the indicia side. (Length is a 145 variable factor, the illustration is of one example.

Fig 3a: is a diagram showing details of the seal of Figs 1 and 2 prior to use.

Fig 3b and Fig 3c: are diagrams showing components of an improved suitcase seal like Example Ia, prior to use.

Fig 4: shows one zipper seal (Example 3) in use, passing through apertures in two zipper 150 handles then about to be adhered to itself.

Fig 5 : is a diagram of a step during the manufacture of a set of Example 3 seals.

Fig 6: is a diagram of a finished set of Example 3 seals.

EXAMPLE 1

In its original form, this invention provides a strip of a flexible material 102 forming, when sealed in

155 place, a continuous band or belt right around around and reversibly adherent to a suitcase 100 having a strap handle 103 and wheels 104. The strap passes under the handle 101 and in use prevents the suitcase from being opened, or worst case, showing that it has been forced open. It is intended that attempts to open the suitcase by forcing the seal be made highly visible after the act or attempted act, because the seal or band, which attaches irreversibly to itself, will have been cut or broken. The seal

160 or band would be a single-use, disposable item although a user might elect to keep a decorated version as a souvenir of a trip. A brightly coloured souvenir pattern printed onto the outside of the band can provide a unique souvenir for the traveller. This is, of course, an option.

Conveniently, a strip of adequate length (which is the seal) to encompass a large suitcase together with one or two uniquely numbered tickets and instructions for use may be sold in a pack so that a

165 baggage owner can wrap and seal the baggage immediately before it passes out of the owner's hands. The tickets are carried with one's travel documents and are later used to verify that the seal is the same seal that the owner placed. In one version the security number on the ticket is also printed upon the seal itself (see below). Because it is proving technically difficult to have sequential-number permanent printing done on the plastic material, in currently preferred version, one of the unique

L 70 tickets is provided with a one-time adhesive backing and, when used, will be affixed over the join in the seal, while the other ticket, which has a matching number or code and which bears instructions on the back, is retained by the traveller in his/her passport or ticket wallet.

In its prior-to-use state as distributed or sold, the disposable band, belt or seal for suitcases is an elongated rectangle of a tough flexible plastic film. A similar type of film and corresponding

175 pressure-sensitive adhesive is widely used around the world in, for example, plastic single-use courier and mailing envelopes. The seal may be sold in bulk in a rolled-up form or as a zigzag folded package, with removable film covers 303A over the adhesive surfaces (such covers are commonly used in courier envelopes for example). A first side (Fig 2) shows a printed surface 200 optionally bearing a variety of indicia which may include decorative, appealing symbols 201 characteristic of

180 countries visited, and/or trade marks of travel organisers, conferences, names of sports teams, airlines, tourist venues, other companies, advertising, and so on. Alternatively the seal may be supplied without indicia. One accessory purpose of the invention is to allow speedy recognition of one's baggage on a carousel and an all-over brightly printed, highly ornamented decoration is helpful for this without detracting from the primary purpose of a telltale (tamper-evident) seal. The invention

185 may be given away by such as an airline company, hotel, or travel group as a promotional item. It is inherently disposable.

At one end (such as at the upper end of Fig 2 or anywhere or all along the seal) the inventor prefers to print a unique-per-seal code 202 at least once on the reverse side of sealing strip 303 for example. This code is optionally a machine-readable code such as a bar code, or a combination of a machine-

190 readable code and a human-readable code, or just a human-readable code such as "1747342" shown here. Other information could be written on this band by the traveller. Each seal or band would be provided with a small printed card sheet (203) bearing a second copy of the unique number, perhaps with instructions. The owner would carry the copy inside his/her passport or in his travel documents for example during an aeroplane trip, so that it could be compared with the number on the band on

195 receipt of the consigned bag, in case some miscreant had tried to replace the entire band with a different though perhaps superficially alike band one after breaking into the suitcase. By "unique" we mean that an individual number is sufficiently rarely repeated by the manufacturing process that it would be infeasible for a miscreant to have a duplicate to hand.

In case the security number cannot be printed upon the seal itself, in another version of the invention 200 sequential-number permanent printing of a unique number or code is instead applied on to both unique tickets. One of the unique tickets is provided with a one-time irreversible adhesive backing and is affixed over the join in the seal, while the other ticket, which has a matching number or code and which bears instructions on the back, is retained by the traveller in his/her passport or ticket wallet.

105 In one version of the seal, the adhesive is supplied partially covering the entire rear of the band. The adhesive is selected to be one that can be applied onto predetermined areas (301, 302, 303), such as by printing or by spraying, and to have the property of non-removably adhering to a selected surface made of the selected tough flexible plastic film or otherwise prepared, and at the same time forming a removable seal to any common surface. (The same adhesive as is used in sealing plastic courier envelopes would be suitable). This adhesive is deposited around the edges of the second side of the

210 seal 300 as shown in Fig 3, along the left length 301, the right side, 302, and the end 303. The gap 306 between 303 and 305 is about 75-100 mm in length. For this version, the end 304 does not require adhesive across the short edge. This end may be trimmed off such as with scissors and discarded if the seal or band is too long for the particular bag being sealed. In general the seal is oriented so that it will run through the handle, so that it cannot be slipped off for a tampering process

215 and replaced afterwards.

In another version of the seal, an area of adhesive is provided only at each end of the length of the seal, (at position 307 in Fig 3) which it is assumed will not be shortened by the user. The seal is assumed to be long enough to make at least one complete turn around the article to be sealed.

For use, the seal is obtained such as through retail services. Once the bag is packed, finally closed 220 and locked, the seal 101 is wrapped around the exterior to conform with the layout as shown in Fig 1, starting with the upper edge 303 draped over the closed opening of the bag at underneath the handle 101 but optionally not yet stuck down. (This end may be left unsealed now so that final sealing can be delayed to the last minute, for example in case opening or inspection of the bag is required when checking in, in which case this seal is not compromised).

225 This description relates to those versions of seal including lengths of pre-placed adhesive. The starting point 305 of adhesive strip 301 is placed about on the edge of the closed opening of the bag 100, using marker 204 (see Fig 2), opposite point 305, as an alignment guide. There may also be instructions adjacent 204. It may be convenient to expose only one side at a time of the adhesive edging by pulling the cover strip off just one side (either 301 or 302 first), to have better control of

230 the sticky material, then to press the band into contact with the bag starting at the handle and proceeding away from the opening of the bag through almost 360 degrees to meet with the starting point. The band is brought right up to the closed opening of the bag at underneath the handle 101 thereby closing a loop to the commencement of the band. Excess material can now be cut off with scissors or tucked into the interior of the bag. As the owner presses the band down preferably

235 without creases or folds, it will become reversibly, though preferably not permanently adherent with the underlying bag surface. This adhesive interaction is preferably reversible so it can be pulled off the bag without damage and realigned if necessary at the time of placement and can be removed cleanly after the trip. The other side (302 or 301) can then be exposed and neatly pressed down so that the material of the seal or band 102 lies flatly against the bag and will not tear off during transit, 240 which might cause a false indication of interference. Application can be done without any tools in the home, hotel room, ski hut, or wherever packing is done.

The cover strip 303A is left in place over the loose end 303 preferably until the last possible minute at check-in time. People sometimes find (for example) that their passport was packed, or a pre-travel security check may be requested. To finally seal the bag, the last disposable cover strip 303A is 245 removed and the free sticky edge 303 is pressed onto the top of the other end of the seal, thereby forming a non-removable adherent area. Subsequent attempts to dislodge it will stretch the plastic material and comprise obvious attempts to tamper with the bag. Note that if the band should be cut for any reason, it does not immediately fall off the bag but stays more or less in place because of the reversible adhesive strips 301 and 302.

250 EXAMPLE 1A

This later version is a less complex sealing tape; less likely to stick to itself and form a mess, yet remaining adequate as a seal and an indicator of interference with the suitcase. This version also overcomes a printing problem; it was found to be relatively difficult at the time of filing the application to print unique numbers on to separate items of the preferred plastics material.

255 Figs 3b and 3c illustrate this version. Fig 3b shows the underside (adhesive side) at each end of a seal, and Fig 3c shows the two uniquely numbered cards that are provided along with the unnumbered seal.

In the event of using this version 300A of the seal, the area 308, 310 of adhesive that is provided only at or near each end of the length of the seal is stuck into place by the user; first at one end by

160 removing the protective cover 309 and then in order to complete the seal, at the other end. The seal is assumed to be long enough to make at least one complete turn around the article 100 to be sealed. The seal is pulled tight, preferably passing through the handle 101, and then once the bag is ready for final sealing, the second area 307 of adhesive on the other end is also stuck down after removing the protective cover 311, usually onto the outer (decorative, exposed) surface of an underlying part of

.65 the band. Of the two tickets 312 and 313 bearing the same unique code or number, ticket 312 having an adhesive backing (shown at the folded-over portion 316) is now stuck down over the suitcase and on top of the exposed end of the seal, thereby closing the seal, and identifying the seal by means of the unique code or number 314 and 315. Later, the owner can compare the unique code on the baggage with the code on the card in his/her travel documents in order to ensure that the seal is the

570 same seal that was placed on the item before the journey. Preferably these cards would be printed in a manner that is relatively difficult for a miscreant to forge, at least given a time constraint, and devices such as inset holograms or the like (as are used in bank notes) may be used so that a forgery is difficult to do, and if done, is visible.

An invention of this type should cater for officially sanctioned opening such as by the TSA authority

275 in the United States. If an authority should require to open the bag for inspection during transit, then it would be preferred that they use their own official seal and tape to signify that the interference and opening was lawful. (The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States of

America, for example, has the powers to do this). One preferred form of official seal would be a second band according to this invention, but placed alongside this band so that the owner's band

280 remains in place for the purpose of subsequent at-carousel identification. Application of this type of band by a practised TSA individual (or by a machine) would take seconds only, and be of low cost.

Bands of this type can also be used on suitcases whose closures and locks or case structure have suffered mechanical failure and emergency closing is required. Such bands might include indicia to show that they had to be added as a courtesy by the airport or airline. It is preferable that extra, added

285 bands do not have the same indicia as the original band.

Bands of either the Fig 3a or the Fig 3 b and c type may instead be used as Customs seals or to show diplomatic or priority status or the like. A similar band (having a distinctive appearance in common but differing only in allocated number) may be used by all the members of a tour group in order to facilitate luggage organisation.

290 On receipt of one's recognised bag(s) at a carousel at the end of a leg of the trip, the owner should examine the band for disturbance. (This should include the possibility of there being a clean, hard-to- see knife cut made along the line of the opening of the bag or suitcase, as well as more obvious distortion resulting from forcing of the seal). The owner should check the unique number against his/her separately carried copy. If the owner observes signs that the bag has been forced, he or she

295 should immediately report this to the authorities and refuse at first instance to take responsibility for the contents, given the perceived risk that miscreants may have inserted illicit materials into the interior and/or removed some of the owner's property. This being a simple invention, the breaching- type situation will be immediately evident to any Customs or other responsible person who will then jointly endeavour with the owner to discover what changes if any have been made to the original

300 contents.

For opening at the right time and place, the inventor has verified that even a partially disabled person has sufficient strength to be able to rupture the seal in order to gain access to the contents of the bag. Scissors or a knife may be used to cut or fragment or destroy the seal. The remainder of the seal can be parted from the bag and either thrown away or kept as required if the printed indicia are suffϊ- 305 ciently attractive.

The inventor expects that the purchase cost of the disposable seal will be minimal, even with a unique numbering system.

This invention as described in example 1 does not attempt to take over any other baggage marking functions such as carrying destination tickets, airline flight numbers, or the like.

310 EXAMPLE 2

It would not be a difficult matter to have airline check-in operators provide and place such seals according to this invention out of bulk rolls carried inside or beside label printing machines; each band or seal being overprinted with identifiers, flight numbers, destination codes, airline logos, and other indicia as required and possibly dispensed to a determined length. The running cost would not 315 be significantly different from the present type of label and security would be greatly assisted to the reassurance of the passengers in particular. Again the owner can be given a copy of the unique number to carry separately with their travel documents. Each bag may come to have more than one such seal after a long trip. They are light in weight.

At some airports, a service of bag wrapping in a kind of shrink-wrap material is provided. Bulk rolls 320 of the long seal material may be provided as an alternative, particularly if the primary object is to demonstrate that the bag has not been opened, rather than to enclose the whole bag in order to compensate for defective locks.

EXAMPLE 3

The invention as described in Examples 1 and 2 is more particularly suited to luggage which has a 325 definite form, such as a rigid suitcase. Other luggage (such as cabin luggage) is relatively soft and the only fixed, sealable objects are the closing devices (such as zippers, or the like). Figs 4, 5 and 6 describe a variant of the invention suited for containing a number of zipper pull tabs 402, 403 within a closed loop. The plastic object shown at 501, and as one of a set of (for example) six items 505 as taken from an injection-moulding die, is a single zip seal according to the invention. In use, it forms 330 a closed ring made of the strip 404, passing through the holes in a brought-together group of zip pulls that form part of a bag or bags. A central cavity 409 within a button shape 408 includes catch members 401. These are moulded, according to techniques well-known in the injection moulding arts, to have dimensions capable of trapping the head of the pin 406 at the end of flexible strip 404 when the strip 404 supporting that pin is bent (as shown by the dotted line 412) in a half-circle and 335 pressed into the button. The narrowed portion of the strip at 411 facilitates bending even by relatively disabled persons. A trial version without a narrowed portion was unsuitable. Catch members 401 become inaccessible after the pin is pressed into the button (unlike the catches in standard electrical ratchet cable ties) so that the zip seal cannot be undone. Further, the head of the pin 406 is intentionally made frangible so that inadvertent efforts to open the closed zip seal result in

340 the head 406 coming away from the end of the strip 407. One example plastics material from which to mould these zip seals is "Nylon"(R).

Manufacture is convenient. Each set of (for example, six) items 505 as taken from an extrusion die is aligned with an already printed paper or toughened paper-like uniquely numbered adhesive label as shown in its open state in Fig 5. The paper label includes rows of perforations 503 for separating

345 particular zip seals off the bulk supply. It also includes holes 506 through which the "T" shaped termination 501 of each seal may pass, a technique selected because it is practically impossible to withdraw the seal from the paper afterwards. That label has been provided with a set of 6 identical indicia 401 - on the back as shown in Fig 5 but visible in Fig 6, in the state in which it would be sold, after folding along line 502F. The "T" terminations 501 are shown protruding slightly. A set of

350 identical indicia is provided on the grounds that one person on one trip needs only one unique code and many bags will require several seals. (The particular set shown (UNIQ123) is simply a non- limiting example). A card bearing the same unique code would preferably be provided for separate carriage, as previously described, along with the set of 6 marked tags. Colours and souvenir-type images may be included on the paper in order to render a particular zip seal more distinctive of a

355 single person's property. The scope of the invention also includes labels without unique codes.

For dispensing of large volumes it may be convenient to dispense these zip seals from a large roll, using the folded paper label end of the seals to form the roll (as is well known for electronic components, for example).

VARIATIONS

360 This invention may be used as a confirmation of integrity of any openable container to be held in storage, or transported, for a period of time during which period the owner cannot be certain that others may have attempted or succeeded in gaining access to the contents. While it does not identify the person who interfered with the container, it does allow the owner to raise the matter immediately on receipt of the container rather than perhaps not finding out until after the container has left the

365 premises of the person who undertook to store or carry the container. This could be used on foodstuffs, genetic material, materials held in bond stores, on stored evidence for a crime, on voting papers, or on boxes of valuables held in bank vaults, for example.

This invention may be contrasted with prior-art use of (a) a lock and key, which can easily be picked, or use of a long cable tie; a plastic strip a metre in length or more and about 5 mm in width, provided 370 with a ratchet closure placed around a suitcase and through the handle to bind a suitcase shut. The cost is approximately about the same but cable ties can easily be picked undone with a sharp nail or a small screwdriver, as is well-known, or can be replaced with another cable tie since they do not have unique numbers, along with a copy held by the owner.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY and ADVANTAGES

375 The invention was particularly made to enhance air travel security. It enhances the security afforded to individual items of baggage.

It allows a person to detect if there is a risk that a bag that is theirs has been interfered with while it was outside their control.

It permits easy recognition of an individual's bags from within a pile. It may assist with integrity if a 380 bag catches come undone by accident.

The identification number (at least for the example of Fig 2) ends up in a position close to the handle suitcase where it can easily be read. For the Example 3 number, it lies close to the seal.

The security device of the invention is of light weight and mechanically simple. It is cheap to make.

The invention can be sold in a "one size fits all" mode. In its folded, rolled, or planar state before 385 use the invention is quite compact and light in weight so that a traveller can carry a number of seals for later legs of a journey. Some versions could be used for first-aid bandaging of a person, or hospital bracelets. No equipment is required for application. Being a highly visible seal, its presence may act as a deterrence to thieves. Warnings may be printed on the seal.

Some people may choose to keep all or part of their seals after use as a souvenir of a trip.

390 Finally, it will be understood that the scope of this invention as described and/or illustrated herein is not limited to the specified embodiments. Those of skill will appreciate that various modifications, additions, known equivalents, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.

Claims

IAVE CLAIM:

395 1. A disposable seal capable when applied to an item such as airline or traveller's luggage of indicating whether the item has been tampered with, characterised in that the seal comprises an elongated member comprised of a flexible yet tough material, sufficiently long to encompass and irreversibly seal an openable portion of the item; thereby, at least while remaining intact, of preventing access to the interior of the sealed item; the

400 elongated member including means for irreversibly bonding with at least a part of itself, thereby forming a seal about the encompassed openable portion of the item until deliberately fragmented and discarded after use; the seal including distinctive identifying means so that one seal can be distinguished from another; the seal being capable of undergoing a change in visual appearance that shows that an attempt has been made to tamper with the

405 seal.

2. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 1, adapted for a luggage container having a substantially fixed shape, characterised in that the elongated member is comprised of a flexible yet substantially tough strip of a sheet material sufficiently long to pass around the circumference of the container and then cover a portion of itself; the strip bearing

410 pressure-sensitive adhesive areas in more than one defined positions on an inner side; the adhesive material capable of forming a substantially irreversible bond when placed in contact with itself; the strip of sheet material having sufficient durability to remain in place during transport, so that after the bag has been transported the owner may verify before opening the bag whether or not the seal has been tampered with during the

415 protected period and thereby whether he or she can be confident that the contents of the bag are likely to have been interfered with.

3. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 2, further characterised in that the elongated member or strip bears visually distinctive indicia on on an outer side, so that after the container has been transported the owner may discover the container more easily at a

420 collecting point.

4. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 2, further characterised in that the elongated

450 9. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 8, a characterised in that the protrusion forming a portion of the disposable seal includes a weakened area, comprising a telltale to signify that an attempt to break the seal has been made; the weakened area permitting the protrusion to separate from the seal and remain within the mechanically operative closures, so that damage is visually evident.

455 10. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 7, a characterised in that the means for forming an irreversibly closed loop comprise an irreversibly adherent adhesive material capable of forming a permanent bond at least between compatible materials.

11. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 8 or in claim 9, characterised in that the disposable seal is provided with a display area capable of bearing visually distinctive

460 indicia.

12. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 9 or in claim 10, characterised in that the disposable seal is provided with a display area capable of bearing uniquely allocated indicia.

13. A set of disposable seals each as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that each 465 disposable seal of the set is provided with the same uniquely allocated indicia and a further copy of the same uniquely allocated indicia printed upon a medium is provided as a part of the set.

14. A method of making a set of disposable seals as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the seals are formed as groups within a mould, and are attached to previously aligned

470 and previously printed paper labels as groups, and are provided ready for use as sets of disposable seals.

16 member or strip bears uniquely allocated indicia on an outer side, and a copy of said indicia is furnished to the owner on or near the time of placement of the seal, so that after the container has been transported the owner may verify that the seal presently existing on 125 the container is the same seal that had been placed on the container at the commencement of transport.

5. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 2, further characterised in that the person is provided with more than one copy of uniquely allocated indicia each upon a medium; at least one copy being provided with an irreversibly attachable adhesive backing, and the

430 elongated member or strip lacks uniquely allocated indicia until said indicia, carried on the irreversibly attachable adhesively backed medium, are placed upon the strip by a person.

6. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the material of the seal is provided in a bulk form suitable for use within a dispensing printer capable of applying

435 information and unique indicia on to the outer surface at a time of use, and dispensing the printed seal ready for application on to an item of baggage as part of the process of accepting and labelling baggage.

7. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 1, adapted for sealing purposes upon a luggage container or bag of a type having a plurality of slideable fasteners each fastenable by

440 means of a perforated pull tab; the fasteners serving as closures, characterised in that the elongated member of the disposable seal is comprised of a flexible yet substantially tough strip of a sheet material sufficiently long and thin to pass through more than one pull tab; including means capable when in use of irreversibly forming a closed loop against a portion of itself so that, after application, the perforated pull tabs cannot be separated

445 from each other until the disposable seal is destroyed.

8. A disposable seal as claimed in claim 7, a characterised in that the means for forming an irreversibly closed loop comprise a set of substantially inaccessible mechanically operative closures placed along the length of the seal, the set together being capable of gripping and retaining a inserted protrusion forming a portion of the disposable seal.

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