Concealable device for discreetly providing confidential combination lock information to screening authorities at airports and the like

An article of luggage, comprising:

• an exterior surface;
• locking means for opening upon entry of a predetermined combination code;
• and
• a closable interior space accessible by the opening of the locking means, the interior space for receiving scanning radiation from a screening device, the interior space including:
• a pocket for receiving a card-shaped member;
• wherein the card-shaped member is composed of at least one layer of scanning-radiation-blocking material having a plurality of score-lines defining a section of the scanning-radiation-blocking material with at least a portion of the section capable of being readily and selectively removed by a user to form a user-customized aperture extending through the at least one layer of scanning-radiation-blocking material, wherein the user-customized aperture defines a user-selected numeral-shape;
• and
• wherein the card-shaped member, having the user-customized aperture therein, selectively blocks the scanning radiation from the screening device to display the user-selected numeral-shape on a display of the screening device corresponding to the predetermined combination code associated with the locking means.

A method of encoding a lock combination of a lock of a closable apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a card-shaped member associated with a closable apparatus and composed of at least one layer of scanning-radiation-blocking material;
• providing a plurality of score-lines in the at least one layer and defining a section of the scanning-radiation-blocking material;
• removing a selected portion of the section to form a user-customized aperture extending through the at least one layer of scanning-radiation-blocking material and defining a user-selected numeral-shape;
• directing scanning radiation from a screening device at the card-shaped member having the user-customized aperture;
• and
• selectively blocking the scanning radiation using the card-shaped member having the user-customized aperture, thereby causing the display of the user-selected numeral-shape on a display of the screening device corresponding to a hidden combination code associated with the closable apparatus.