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.

1 . A device for holding and transporting personal items as an aid to efficient security screening events, comprising: 
 a bag having a bottom portion with front, rear, and opposed side portions connected to said bottom portion and defining an open top;    a flap attached to said bag for selectively covering said open top; and    an identification holder tethered to a reel for allowing said identification holder to move between extended and retracted configurations, said reel being mounted in said bag and including a spring-loaded configuration for biasing said identification holder toward said retracted configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said front portion of said bag includes an identification holder compartment for guiding said identification holder between said extended and retracted configurations, said identification holder nesting in said identification holder compartment at said retracted configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a clip fixedly attached to said rear portion of said bag for attaching said bag to a user's clothing.  
   
   
       4 . The device as in  claim 3 , wherein said clip includes a generally concave handle configuration for being ergonomically gripped by a person's hand.  
   
   
       5 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said bag is constructed of a transparent plastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said rear portion of said bag is constructed of a transparent plastic material and said front and side portions of said bag are constructed of an opaque plastic material.  
   
   
       7 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said bag includes a plurality of internal compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said front portion of said bag defines an opening for displaying said identification holder when said identification holder is at said retracted configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The device as in  claim 1 , further including means to secure said flap to said bag for securely covering said open top of said bag.  
   
   
       10 . A device for holding and transporting personal items as an aid to efficient security screening events, comprising: 
 a bag having front and rear portions, two generally opposed side portions, and a bottom portion, and defining a top opening;    a flap attached to said bag for selectively covering said top opening of said bag; and    a clip fixedly attached to said rear portion of said bag for attaching said bag to a user's clothing, said clip including a generally concave handle configuration for being ergonomically gripped by a person's hand.    
   
   
       11 . The device as in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a reel mounted in said bag;    an identification holder for holding a personal identification item, said identification holder coupled to said reel with a tether for movement of said identification holder between extended and retracted configurations; and    wherein said reel includes a spring-loaded configuration for biasing said identification holder toward said retracted configuration.    
   
   
       12 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein said front surface of said bag defines an opening for displaying said identification holder when said identification holder is at said retracted configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 10 , wherein said bag is constructed of a transparent plastic material.  
   
   
       14 . The device as in  claim 10 , wherein said rear portion of said bag is constructed of a transparent plastic material and said front portion of said bag is constructed of an opaque plastic material.  
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 10 , further comprising means to secure said flap to said bag for securely covering said top opening of said bag.  
   
   
       16 . A device for holding and transporting personal items as an aid to efficient security screening events, comprising a bag having a bottom portion with front, rear, and generally opposed side portions connected to said bottom portion, and defining a top opening, wherein said rear portion of said bag is constructed of a transparent plastic material and said front portion of said bag is constructed of an opaque plastic material.  
   
   
       17 . The device as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a reel mounted in said bag;    an identification holder for holding a personal identification item, said identification holder coupled to said reel with a tether for movement of said identification holder between extended and retracted configurations;    wherein said reel includes a spring-loaded configuration for biasing said identification holder toward said retracted configuration; and    a clip fixedly attached to said rear portion of said bag for attaching said bag to a user's clothing, said clip including a generally concave handle configuration for being ergonomically gripped by a person's hand.    
   
   
       18 . The device as in  claim 17 , wherein said front surface of said bag defines an opening for displaying said identification holder when said identification holder is at said retracted configuration.  
   
   
       19 . The device as in  claim 18 , further comprising means for securely closing said top opening.  
   
   
       20 . The device as in  claim 16 , further comprising means for securely closing said top opening.