Ticket envelope with identification window

Abstract

A ticket envelope especially useful for airline travel includes a pocket for placement of an boarding pass and a separate transparent pocket for placement of additional identification a driver's license.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention wherein the envelope is in the generally closed position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein an envelope is in an open condition;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a third alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view indicating utility and operation of the third alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front side isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a back side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. The ticket envelope of the invention, as represented by the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, is comprised of a sheet 10. Typically, the sheet 10 is comprised of a paper material. The sheet 10 has a generally rectangular shape and is divided into a first or top section 12 and a second or bottom section 14. The sheet 10 is divided into equal sized sections 12, 14. Thus, the top section 12 and the bottom section 14 are equally sized and folded one over the other along a center fold line 16. The top section 12 includes an inside face 18 as does the bottom section include an inside face 20. The faces 18 and 20 are in opposition to one another when sheet 10 is folded. The sheet 10 includes a longitudinal dimension extending from a first lateral side 22 to a second lateral side 24. A transverse dimension extends from a bottom side 26 to a top side 28. The top section 12 and bottom section 14 are thus congruent sections and fold over one over the other to provide a closed envelope.

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 FIGS. 1 and 2 the top and bottom side of the transparent pocket 36; namely, top side 44 and bottom side 46 are generally parallel to the bottom edge 26. In this manner, the pocket 36 is designed for alignment with the pocket panel 30 so that all of the items retained in the envelope are readable. It is to be noted that the pocket panel 30 is sized and dimensioned so that the transparent pocket 36 will fit on a section or segment 37 of the pocket panel 30. However, the pocket panel 30 includes a reduced sector 39 which enables access to and readability of a ticket, for example, ticket 34.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3 the top section 50 and bottom section 52 are substantially as previously described. Likewise, a pocket panel 54 is as previously described. However, a transparent pocket 56 is positioned on inside face 58 of the top section 50. Note again that the transparent pocket 56 is aligned so that the contents thereof may be easily viewed and inspected relative to a ticket 60 in the pocket panel 54. Likewise, the transparent pocket 56 is generally rectangular in shape and also is sized and shaped to receive identification, for example, a driver's license. Preferably, the transparent has one open lateral side 57 or one open top side 59.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention wherein a transparent pocket 70 is positioned on inside face 72 of a top section 74 above the bottom section 76 and in general alignment with the reduced dimension section or portion 78 of the pocket panel 80. Again, the configuration, size and shape of the transparent pocket 70 are as previously described.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. In these figures, an envelope is formed from a sheet which includes a back side element 80 and front side element 82. The elements or sections 80 and 82 are substantially identical in size and configuration. The sections 80, 82 include a transverse side 84 and a longitudinal side 86 and are joined about their periphery. A slot 88 is provided on the inside panel 82 for receipt of a ticket 90. The slot 88 thus is generally parallel to the transverse side 84 and positioned generally in the area adjacent the upper transverse side 85. Note that the size of the panels 80 and 82 is such that it exceeds the size of the conventional ticket 90 so that the ticket 90 may be inserted through the slot 88 into the envelope formed by the panels 80 and 82 which are joined one to the other around their peripheral boundary. A transparent panel 92 is attached to the outside face of the inside sheet 82. The transparent panel 92 is, as previously described, shaped and sized for receipt of identification such as a driver's license 94.

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.

Claims

1. A ticket envelope comprising, in combination:

a folded rectangular sheet having a first rectangular top section and a second congruent bottom section with a lower edge and opposite side edges, said top section foldable over the bottom section along a fold line, the top and bottom sections having a width dimension greater than the longer dimension of a boarding pass and having a height dimension greater than the lesser dimension of a boarding pass, said bottom section including a pocket panel joined to the lower edge and the opposite side edges to form a pocket with an opening adjacent the fold line for receipt of a boarding pass, said pocket panel further including an outside face with a generally rectangular transparent pocket thereon with an open side, the open side of the pocket aligned with the pocket panel opening, said transparent pocket sized and shaped to hold an identification card such as a generally credit card sized driver's license, said pocket panel including a first section of reduced dimension from the lower edge to allow observation of a boarding pass in the pocket panel pocket, and a second section having a greater dimension from the lower edge for mounting the transparent pocket.

2. A ticket envelope comprising, in combination:

a folded rectangular sheet having a first rectangular top section and a second, congruent bottom section, with a lower edge and opposite side edges, said top section foldable over the bottom section along a fold line, the top and bottom sections having a width dimension greater than the longer dimension of a boarding pass and having a height dimension greater than the lesser dimension of a boarding pass, said bottom section including a pocket panel joined to the lower edge and the opposite side edges to form a pocket with an opening adjacent the fold line for a boarding pass, said top section including an inside face foldable against the pocket panel, said inside face including a generally rectangular transparent pocket with a side opening, said transparent pocket sized and shaped to hold an identification card such as a generally credit card sized drivers license, said pocket panel including a section of reduced dimension from the lower edge to allow observation of a boarding pass in the pocket panel pocket.

3. The envelope of claim 2 wherein the transparent pocket includes a side opening generally aligned with the opening of the pocket panel.

4. A ticket envelope comprising, in combination:

a rectangular sheet, back side panel and a front side panel of equal dimension attached to the back side panel about the circumference of the panels to form a pocket having a longitudinal dimension greater than the larger dimension of a boarding pass and a lateral dimension greater than the lesser dimension of a boarding pass, said front side panel including a slot for receipt of a boarding pass, said slot extending intermediate the longitudinal dimension sides of the pocket, said front side panel further including a generally rectangular transparent panel with an open side affixed thereto, said transparent panel shaped and sized to receive and hold a generally credit card sized driver's license.

5. The envelope of claim 4 wherein the open side of the transparent pocket is generally aligned with the slot.