WO2015067324A1

WO2015067324A1 - A hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier to an object, and a tag assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2015067324A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/073485
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominicus Gerard David VAN HOYTEMA
Original assignee: Ec Solution Group B.V.
Priority date: 2013-11-11
Filing date: 2013-11-11
Publication date: 2015-05-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier, such as an electronic luggage bag tag, to an object, such as an suitcase. The hanging device comprises a holding member adapted to hold the electronic information carrier and comprising a display side for displaying information displayed by the electronic information carrier, and a hanging member adapted to hang the carrying device to the object, which hanging member is connected to the holding member. The hanging member comprising an aperture adapted to allow a part of the object to extend therethrough, when the hanging device is hanged to the object. Further, the hanging member is arranged such that the aperture of the hanging member and the display side of the holding member are directed in substantially the same direction.

Description

A hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier to an object, and a tag assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier, such as an electronic suitcase tag, to an object, such as an suitcase.

The invention further relates to a tag assembly comprising a hanging device according to the invention and an electronic information carrier inserted into the holding member .

BACKGROUND

To guide a piece of luggage through a baggage handling system of an airport, a paper bag tag comprising information about, e.g., the flight destination of the piece of luggage is attached to the piece of luggage. Such paper bag tag is mostly provided with a barcode which may be scanned with a scanner for providing the required information.

Further, companies such as airlines intend to replace the paper bag tags by digital bag tags displaying the same information as the paper bag tags, i.e. the barcode with information about the flight destination.

Both bag tags comprise the barcode, on both sides of the bag tag, since the orientation of the bag tag is

frequently changing during transport of the piece of luggage. Due to the constant changing orientation of the bag tag and therewith the barcode, barcode scanning systems might

experience difficulty scanning the barcode.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier, such as an electronic luggage bag tag, to a suitcase. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for an improved hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier, such as an electronic luggage bag tag, to an object, such as a suitcase.

According to an aspect of the invention a hanging device is proposed, comprising a holding member adapted to hold the electronic information carrier, wherein the holding member comprises at least one display side for displaying information displayed by the electronic information carrier, and a hanging member adapted to hang the carrying device to the object, which hanging member is connected to the holding member. The hanging member comprises an aperture adapted to allow a part of the object to extend therethrough, when the hanging device is hanged to the object and the hanging member is arranged such that the aperture of the hanging member and the display side of the holding member are directed in

substantially the same direction.

By providing a hanging device according to the invention for hanging an electronic information carrier, e.g., an electronic luggage bag tag, to an object, such as a

suitcase, the electronic luggage bag tag is prevented from twisting or rotating with respect to the suitcase, since the part of the suitcase to which the hanging device is attached is transversal with respect to the front and/or back side of the hanging device and thus of the electronic luggage bag tag.

An additional advantage of hanging the luggage bag tag to, e.g., a suitcase by means of the hanging device is that the holding member of the hanging device protects the luggage bag tag. It is after all conceivable that the suitcase may collide with another suitcase when in a baggage handling system of an airport .

In an embodiment a locking member is provided for preventing the hanging device from being removed undesirably from the object or person.

In an embodiment the hanging member comprises a first hanging element and a second hanging element, which first and second hanging elements are connected to the holding member at one end and are interconnected or interconnectable at another end. It is further advantageous that the locking member prevents the first and second hanging elements from being disconnected undesirably, when the first and second hanging elements are interconnected.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the hanging member may be hanged to a suitcase firstly and thereafter the loop formed by the first and second hanging elements is closed. It is therefore easy to hang the hanging device to the suitcase and thereafter it is difficult to disconnect the hanging device from the suitcase, since the locking member prevents the first and second holding element from being disconnected .

In an embodiment the locking member comprises a first locking element and a second locking element, wherein each of the first and second locking elements is provided at the other end of the first and second hanging elements, respectively.

In an embodiment the first locking element is a male locking element and the second locking element is a female locking element.

In an embodiment at least the male locking element is partly made of deformable material in order to deform

temporarily during insertion of the male locking element into the female locking element. In this embodiment the male locking element may be inserted into the female locking element easily, since the male locking element deforms during insertion. When the male locking element is inserted in the female locking element, it is harder to get the male locking element out of the female locking element, since it has to be moved in the opposition direction.

In an embodiment an additional locking member is provided, which is adapted to surround the locking member at least partly. The additional locking member prevents the first and second locking elements from being unlocked, since a movement of the locking elements opposite to a locking

direction is prevented. In an embodiment the additional locking member is moveable between a non-locking state, wherein the additional locking member is placed around one of the first and second hanging elements, at least partly, and a locking state, wherein the additional locking member surrounds the locking member, preferably the first and second locking elements.

In an embodiment the additional locking member is substantially C-shaped. It is an advantage of this embodiment that the additional locking member may be easily placed over the locking member, when the first and second locking elements are connected to each other.

In an embodiment the additional locking member is provided with a combination-lock.

In an embodiment a clamping element is provided, which is adapted to clamp the hanging device when hanged to an object. It is, therewith, advantageous that clamping element is adapted to extend from the holding member into the aperture substantially parallel to the display side of the hanging member. The clamping element clamps the hanging element with respect to the object to which the hanging device is hanged and, therefore, it is prevented that the hanging device changes orientation when the object, to which the device is clamped, is moved.

In an embodiment the clamping element is formed from a flexible, a resilient, and/or spongy material. When in a hanged state, the material molds to a part of an outer surface of the object, such as a handle of a suitcase. The hanging device is than clamped and held in a certain position. In particular, it is prevented that the hanging device flips over when attached to an object, such that the hanging device substantially stays in the orientation in which it is hanged.

In an embodiment pushing element is provided in one of the sides of the holding member, preferably one or more pushing elements are provided in one or more of the sides of the holding member, which pushing element is connected to or in abutment with a part of the an electronic information carrier, when the electronic information carrier is inserted into the holding member.

In an embodiment at least one side of the holding member is open at least partly, such that an electronic information carrier may be inserted in the holding member.

In an embodiment an aperture is provided in one of the sides of the holding member, such that, when an electronic information carrier is inserted in the holding member, the information carrier can be connected to a power cord, an adapter and/or a socket. It is advantageous to be able to charge the electronic information carrier and/or to provide data to the electronic information carrier.

In an embodiment the display side is at least partly transparent and/or open, such that, when an electronic

information carrier is inserted into the holding member, a user is able to see information displayed by the electronic information carrier and/or to touch the electronic information carrier directly.

In an embodiment at least one reinforcing element is provided in the hanging member, and/or at least one of the hanging elements. The reinforcing element reinforces the part in which it is provided, such that it is harder or rather impossible to remove the hanging device from the suitcase by cutting or clipping the hanging member, and/or at least one of the hanging elements. The reinforcing element may be made of, e.g., titanium.

In an embodiment the hanging device is made of a material selected from the group comprising thermo plastic elastomer and polyurethane, at least partly.

In an aspect a tag assembly is provided, comprising a hanging device according to the invention and an electronic information carrier inserted into the holding member,

preferably comprising a connecting member for connecting the electronic information carrier to the locking member.

The connecting member prevents the electronic information carrier from being removed from the holding member of the hanging device undesirable. The electronic information carrier may be removed only by a person who is able or allowed to operate the locking member. Therefore, the electronic information carrier is prevented from being stolen, due to the connection between the electronic information carrier and the locking member and, thereby, to the hanging device indirectly.

In an embodiment the connecting member is ring-shaped and may pass through a part of the electronic information carrier at least partly.

In an embodiment the hanging member of the hanging device is formed by the connecting member, at least partly.

In an hanging member the connecting member is at least partly coated.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail. It should be appreciated, however, that these embodiments may not be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the hanging device;

Figs. 2A-2B show another embodiment of the hanging device in an open and locked state;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the hanging device of

Fig. 2A;

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the hanging device of Fig. 2A according to line IV-IV;

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 1;

Figs. 9A-9C show an embodiment of a tag assembly during insertion of an electronic information carrier into a hanging device; and

Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Every day many people fly to a variety of destinations all over the world. The majority of the people takes luggage to the destination. The luggage needs to be checked at the airport and subsequently a luggage handling system transports the luggage to an airplane flying to a certain destination. All luggage is provided with a bag tag at a check-in point, such that the luggage may be sorted in the luggage handling system. Nowadays digital bag tags are getting introduced into the system, which digitals bag tags needs to be hanged to a piece of luggage.

Therefore, Fig. 1 shows a hanging device 1 according to the invention. The hanging device 1 comprises a holding member 2 for holding an electronic information carrier 12. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the holding member 2 is provided with a partly transparent and/or open side 8, i.e. the display side, such that information displayed by the electronic information carrier 12 is visible to a user from the outside. The holding member 2 is further provided with a pushing element 7, which might have the shape of a push button 7. The push button 7 is intended to provide the possibility to a user to push a activation button or part (not shown) of an inserted

electronic information carrier 12. It might for example be necessary to push a button on the electronic information carrier to, e.g., reset or activate the electronic information carrier 12.

It is noted that the holding member 2 may comprise two display sides, for example two opposite display sides.

The hanging device 1 is further provided with a first hanging element 3 and a second hanging element 4, which together constitute the hanging member. The first and second hanging elements 3, 4 are at one end thereof connected to the holding member 2 and substantially form aperture A, as can be seen in Fig. 1. The aperture A of the hanging member 3, 4 is substantially directed in the same direction as the display side of the hanging device 1, as may be derived from Fig. 1. When the hanging device 1 for example is hanged to a handle of a suitcase (not shown) , the handle of the suitcase will be substantially perpendicular to the display side 8 of the hanging member 3, 4.

It is noted that a reinforcing element (not shown) may be provided in for example the hanging element 3, 4, such that the hanging elements cannot get clipped.

The first hanging element 3 is provided with a female locking element 6 at another end thereof, and the second hanging element 4 is provided with a male locking element 5 at another end thereof. The first and second locking elements 5, 6 together constitute the locking member 5, 6. The male locking element 5 may be inserted into the female locking element 6 in order to connect the first hanging element 3 and the second hanging element 4. An example of a shape of the first and second locking elements 5, 6 is shown in Fig. 4, which is a cross section of the hanging device 1 according to line IV-IV in Fig. 3. The male locking element 5 might be made of a deformable material, such that the male locking element 5 deforms during insertion thereof into the female locking element 6. When the male locking element 5 is inserted

completely, the locking element 5 deforms back to the shape as before insertion. In this manner, the male and female locking elements 5, 6 prevents the aperture A from opening and, thus, the hanging device 1 from being removed from the suitcase.

It is noted that the first and/or second hanging element (s) 3, 4 may be formed of a resilient material, such as polyurethane or a thermo plastic elastomer. In this manner, it may be accomplished that the aperture A may be opened

temporarily by bending the first and/or the second hanging element (s), such that a handle of a suitcase (not shown) may enter the aperture A.

Further, an additional locking member 9 may be provided as shown in Fig. 2A and 2B. The additional locking member 9 is provided on one of the first and second hanging elements 3, 4 when the locking elements 5, 6 are in uncoupled state, as shown in Fig. 2A. When the locking elements 5, 6 are in a coupled stated, i.e. when the male locking element 5 is inserted into the female locking element 6, the additional locking member 9 may be moved to a second position as shown in Fig. 2B. In the second state, the additional locking member 9 is placed over the first and second locking elements 5, 6, thereby preventing the first and second locking elements 5, 6 from being uncoupled. As shown in Fig. 2B, a ledge 14 is provided on the other one of the first and second hanging elements 3, 4. When the additional locking member 9 is moved to the second position, the additional locking member 9 moves over the ledge 14 and thereafter the ledge 14 prevents the additional locking member 9 from moving out of the second position undesirable. It is also possible that both hanging elements 3, 4 are provided with a ledge 14 for holding the additional locking member 9 in place.

An alternative embodiment of the additional locking member 9 is shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment the additional locking member 9 is C-shaped, also called a cuff. The

additional locking member 9 may be clicked sidewards onto the locking member 5, 6. This embodiment may also comprise the ledge 14 on the first and/or second hanging element 3, 4 for holding the additional locking member 9 in place. It is further noted that the hanging device 1 may also be without the pushing element 7 as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the hanging device 1. In this embodiment, the additional locking member 9 comprises a combination lock. The combination lock prevents the locking member 9 from being moved out of the second position undesirable, since only the person(s) who know(s) the combination of the combination lock is/are able to move away the additional locking member 9. Thus, the hanging device 1 may be removed from the suitcase only by authorized people.

It is further possible that an aperture 10 is provided in the holding member 2. It is conceivable that an electronic information carrier 12 hold by the holding member 2 needs to be charged and/or to be provided with data. Due to the

aperture 10 in the holding member 2, it is possible to connect the electronic information carrier 12 to a charger, power cord, adapter, socket, etc. Further, it is shown that the bottom of the holding member 2 is at least partly open, which provides an opening 17. The opening 17 is intended for

inserting the electronic information carrier into the holding member 2. The opening may be provided at every side of the holding member 2. It is noted that the dimensions of the opening 17 may be slightly smaller than the dimensions of the electronic information carrier 12, such that it is difficult, or rather impossible, to remove the electronic data carrier 12 from the holding member 2.

It is noted that data may be provided to the electronic information carrier 12 by means of, e.g., NFC, RFID, Bluetooth®, GSM/GPRS, UMTS, LTE, etc.

An alternative embodiment of the hanging device 1 is shown in Fig. 6. This embodiment comprises additionally a clamping element 11. As shown in Fig. 6, the clamping element 11 is provided in the aperture A. When the hanging device 1 is for example attached to a handle of a suitcase, the handle pushes the clamping element 11 away. However, since the clamping element 11 is formed from a spongy material, the clamping element 11 wants to move to position as shown in Fig. 6. As a result, the hanging device 1 is clamped with respect to the handle of the suitcase (not shown) , thereby preventing undesired moving of the hanging device 1. Due to the clamping, an orientation of the hanging device 1 with respect to for example a suitcase may be determined and this orientation may be kept substantially. In particular, the hanging device 1 is prevented from flipping over, when attached to an object, such that for example the front side of the hanging device 1 is always visible to a user.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of Fig. 6. In this embodiment the clamping element 11 is formed from a flexible and/or resilient material.

Figs. 9A-9B show a tag assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It is shown that an electronic information carrier 12 is provided which is

connected to the locking member and the additional locking member 9 by connecting members 13, 18. The carrier 12 may be inserted into the holding member 2 through an opening at the top side of the holding member 2. The hanging elements 3, 4 are provided with an opening 15, such that the connecting elements 13, 18 may be inserted into the hanging elements 3, 4.

Figs. 9A-9C show the steps of inserting the electronic information carrier 12 into the holding member 2. It can be seen that the hanging elements 3, 4 are bent in order to insert the carrier 12. When the carrier 12 is inserted, push button 7 is lying above button 16 of the electronic

information carrier. When the tag assembly as shown in Fig. 9C is attached to a suitcase (not shown) , the electronic

information carrier 12 is prevented from being stolen, since the electronic information carrier 12 is also attached to the suitcase by means of the connecting elements 13, 18.

Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the tag assembly shown in Fig. 9. In this embodiment the hanging elements 3, 4 are formed by the connecting elements 13, 18. The locking member 9 is connected to the connecting elements 13, 18 forming the hanging elements. The aperture A of the hanging member is adapted to allow a part of a suitcase (not shown) to extend therethrough, and the connecting elements 13, 18 forming the hanging member are arranged such that the aperture A of the hanging member and the display side 8 of the holding member 2 are directed in substantially the same direction. When the tag assembly as shown in Fig. 10 is attached to a suitcase (not shown) the electronic information carrier 12 is prevented from being stolen, since the

electronic information carrier 12 is attached and hanged to the suitcase by means of the connecting elements 13, 18.

It is noted that the connecting elements 13, 18 may be coated with, e.g., a plastic coating, at least partly.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least

substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral .

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments, which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. It is, for example possible that the hanging device is used for hanging a mobile phone to a pair of trousers of a person.

Claims

1. A hanging device for hanging an electronic information carrier, such as an electronic luggage bag tag, to an object, such as a suitcase, the hanging device comprising:

a holding member adapted to hold the electronic information carrier, wherein the holding member comprises at least one display side for displaying information displayed by the electronic information carrier; and

a hanging member adapted to hang the carrying device to the object, which hanging member is connected to the holding member,

wherein the hanging member comprises an aperture adapted to allow a part of the object to extend therethrough, when the hanging device is hanged to the object, and

wherein the hanging member is arranged such that the aperture of the hanging member and the display side of the holding member are directed in substantially the same

direction .

2. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein a locking member is provided for preventing the hanging device from being removed undesirably from the object or person.

3. The hanging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hanging member comprises a first hanging element and a second hanging element, which first and second hanging elements are connected to the holding member at one end and are interconnected or interconnectable at another end.

4. The hanging device according to claim 3, wherein, when the first and second hanging elements are interconnected, the locking member prevents the first and second hanging elements from being disconnected undesirably.

5. The hanging device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the locking member comprises a first locking element and a second locking element, wherein each of the first and second locking elements is provided at the other end of the first and second hanging elements, respectively.

6. The hanging device according to claim 5, wherein the first locking element is a male locking element and the second locking element is a female locking element.

7. The hanging device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least the male locking element is partly made of deformable material in order to deform temporarily during insertion of the male locking element into the female locking element .

8. The hanging device according to any one of the claims 2-7, further comprising an additional locking member adapted to surround the locking member at least partly.

9. The hanging device according to claim 8, wherein the additional locking member is moveable between a non^¬ locking state, wherein the additional locking member is placed around one of the first and second hanging elements, at least partly, and a locking state, wherein the additional locking member surrounds the locking member, preferably the first and second locking elements.

10. The hanging device according to claim 8, wherein the additional locking member is substantially C-shaped.

11. The hanging device according to any one of claims

8 - 10, wherein the additional locking member is provided with a combination-lock.

12. The hanging device according to any of over the preceding claims, further comprising a clamping element adapted to clamp the hanging device when hanged to an object.

13. The hanging device according to claim 12, wherein the clamping element is adapted to extend from the holding member into the aperture substantially parallel to the display side of the hanging member.

14. The hanging device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the clamping element is formed from a flexible, a resilient, and/or spongy material.

15. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pushing element is provided in one of the sides of the holding member, preferably wherein one or more pushing elements are provided in one or more of the sides of the holding member, which pushing element (s) is/are

connected to or in abutment with a part of the an electronic information carrier, when the electronic information carrier is inserted into the holding member.

16. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one side of the holding member is open at least partly, such that an electronic information carrier may be inserted in the holding member.

17. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an aperture is provided in one of the sides of the holding member, such that, when an electronic information carrier is inserted in the holding member, the information carrier can be connected to a power cord, an adapter and/or a socket.

18. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display side is at least partly transparent or open, such that, when an electronic information carrier is inserted into the holding member, a user is able to see information displayed by the electronic information carrier and/or to touch the electronic information carrier directly .

19. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reinforcing element is provided in the hanging member, and/or at least one of the hanging elements.

20. The hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanging device is made of a material selected from the group comprising thermo plastic elastomer and polyurethane, at least partly.

21. A tag assembly comprising a hanging device according to any one of the preceding claims, and an

electronic information carrier inserted into the holding member.

22. The tag assembly according to claim 21, further comprising a connecting member for connecting the electronic information carrier to the locking member.

23. The tag assembly according to claim 22, wherein the connecting member is ring-shaped and may pass through a part of the electronic information carrier at least partly.

24. The tag assembly according to claim 22 or claim

23, wherein the hanging member of the hanging device is formed by the connecting member, at least partly.

25. The tag assembly according to any one of the claims 22-24, wherein the connecting member is at least partly coated .