Patent Application
20060289612
In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a ticket envelope, especially useful for airline travel, having a pocket for placement of an airline boarding pass and a separate transparent pocket for placement of additional identification such as a driver's license.
With the advent of increased security associated with travel, in particular air travel, it has been necessary for passengers to pass through an inspection procedure prior to boarding aircraft. The same concerns and considerations apply to other modes of travel depending upon the country to which an individual may be traveling. Thus, a traveler typically needs a boarding pass plus additional identification such as a driver's license, a passport or other identification. Often, involvement in the security process, the handling of luggage and otherwise sheparding co-travelers results in some confusion in that the boarding pass and identification for each and every one of the travelers in a group may become difficult to maintain as easily available. Thus, there has developed a need and, in particular in airline travel, for the carriers to provide advice and means to facilitate the ease of passenger passage through security and inspection protocol. It is with this background that the incentive to develop the present invention occurred.
Briefly, the present invention relates to a ticket envelope which is sized to accommodate placement of a conventional airline boarding pass or other travel pass in a pocket on the inside of the envelope and which further includes a transparent pocket for receipt of further identification such as a conventional driver's license or other similar identification. The invention is exemplified by various embodiments. A common feature of the various embodiments is the inclusion of a generally rectangular sheet which may be folded to form a pocket so that it will easily receive and hold an airline ticket and further will easily receive a piece of identification such as a drivers license. By maintaining the ticket and the identification together, one can facilitate and speed the inspection process and security review process. It is contemplated that airlines and airline reservation systems may utilize such a pocket envelope to facilitate the travel experience by their customer.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a ticket envelope with a ticket holder that also includes means for incorporating identification documentation.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, yet compact and easily used ticket envelope.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ticket jacket with a transparent identification window which will facilitate maintenance of identification and help avoid loss of identification, such as driver's licenses.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ticket envelope which will enhance the speed and efficiency of security clearance operations.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
The bottom section 14 includes a pocket panel 30 attached thereto. The pocket panel 30 is affixed at the bottom edge 26 as well as to the first lateral side edge 22 and the second lateral side edge 24. Pocket panel 30 thus includes an opening or an open top edge 32. In this manner, a standard sized airline boarding pass, for example, boarding pass 34, may be inserted into the pocket panel 30 through the open top 32.
A transparent pocket 36 is affixed to an outside face 38 of the pocket panel 30. The transparent pocket 36 is generally rectangular in shape and sized to receive identification material, for example, a conventional driver's license 42. In the preferred embodiment of
It is possible to vary the shape and configuration of the envelope by adjusting the size and configuration of the sections formed from the sheet. Preferably, the envelope is generally rectangular in shape, and sized to have a size greater than a ticket such as an airline ticket. The envelope may be configured to be adaptable for receipt of any sized ticket and thus may be dimensioned on a customized basis depending upon the transportation service which is issuing tickets. The size and shape of the transparent panel may also be adjusted. However, the size of a standard driver's license or credit cards is preferred inasmuch as this is the typical type of identification information that is required for security inspections. The use of the customized envelope as described enables travel passengers to quickly and easily have access to security procedures. It is contemplated that the carrier, e.g. airline, will issue or distribute a ticket jacket or carrier as described as a courtesy to their customer in lieu of current ticket envelopes. Thus, while there has been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
