GB2636802A

GB2636802A - Flexible access and packing suitcase

Info

Publication number: GB2636802A
Application number: GB2319827.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Selvi Sedat
Original assignee: IT Luggage Ltd
Current assignee: IT Luggage Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-21
Filing date: 2023-12-21
Publication date: 2025-07-02
Also published as: GB202319827D0; WO2025132114A1

Abstract

An article of luggage comprises a shell formed from a concave body portion 210 and a concave main lid portion 310 fastenable together to provide primary access to the luggage. The main lid portion 310 further includes a second lid (392, figure 4) to provide secondary access to the luggage. A lid divider 381 is deployable across the interior of the main lid 310. The second lid (392) facilitates access to the lid containment volume 390 in the closed position of the main lid 310 relative to the body 210.

Description

Flexible access and packing suitcase

Technical field

The disclosure relates to the field of luggage, such as suitcases, comprising a pair of hard shells.

Background

Hard suitcases (also known as hard-shell, hard-side or hard-construction suitcases) are typically constructed from rigid materials forming the major surfaces of the suitcase. For example, hard-side suitcases may be constructed from moulded plastic shells. The moulded plastic shells may be formed as three-dimensional shapes which, when assembled, define the major surface of the suitcase.

In general, each shell has one major surface comprising the length and width of the suitcase. Each shell extends perpendicularly from the major surface so as to derive a depth of the shell. The height of the suitcase comprises the depth of the body shell plus the depth of the lid shell. Opposite the major surface of each shell is a shell opening. The two shells are generally hinged together on one side. In one orientation of use, the suitcase would be set down with the major surface of the body shell placed downwards on a flat surface. In this way, when the lid shell is pivoted on its hinges, the major surface of the lid shell also faces downwards. This reveals the interior volume of the suitcase, with the shell openings of both the body shell and the lid shell facing upwards.

It is often the case that each shell is the same depth. Therefore, when packing the suitcase, half of the volume is available in one shell and half in the other. It is also often the case that a divider portion is provided at the shell opening of the lid shell to allow the lid shell to be enclosed by the divider prior to closing the lid in order that when the lid is inverted the contents of the lid to not fall out.

Bulky contents may be difficult to pack if they are larger than the volume of one of the shells.

In a second orientation of use, typically when transporting the suitcase, it is generally the case that the two shells are reoriented to be side by side with the major surfaces extending laterally. Wheels may be provided, with a pair of wheel assemblies located on the body shell and a pair of wheel assemblies located on the lid shell.

Furthermore, it is generally necessary to reorientate the suitcase back from the second orientation of use to the first orientation of use in order to access the contents of the suitcase so as to avoid the contents falling out.

Summary of the disclosure

Against this background, there is provided an article of luggage comprising: a body comprising a concave body shell having a major body surface and an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening opposite the major body surface; a lid comprising a concave lid shell having a major lid surface and an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a first lid opening opposite the major lid surface; a base comprising a base surface of the body, a base surface of the lid and a plurality of wheel assemblies; a top opposite the base, the top comprising a top surface of the body, a top surface of the lid and a top handle; a first side comprising a first side surface of the body, a first side surface of the lid, and a side handle; a second side comprising a second side surface of the body, a second side surface of the lid and a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid relative to the body between: a primary open position in which the body containment volume is accessible through the body opening and the lid containment volume is accessible through the first lid opening; and a closed position in which the body opening and the first lid opening cooperate such that the body opening is enclosed by the lid and the first lid opening is enclosed by the body; wherein the lid further comprises: a lid divider that extends from an interior of the top surface of the lid, the lid divider having a deployed configuration in which the lid divider encloses the first lid opening and an undeployed configuration in which the lid divider enables access through the first lid opening; and a second lid opening in the concave lid shell providing a secondary open position to facilitate access to the lid containment volume in the closed position of the lid relative to the body.

In this way it is possible to access (a) only the body containment volume and not the lid containment volume, (b) only the lid containment volume and not the body containment volume, (c) both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume separately, and (d) both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume together.

The major lid surface may comprise the second lid opening.

Thus a large opening may be provided to enable access to the lid containment volume by a wide range of articles.

The lid may further comprise a lid flap having: a lid flap open position in which the second lid opening enables access to the lid containment volume; and a lid flap closed position in which the second lid opening is closed by the lid flap.

In this way, the second lid opening may be straightforwardly opened or closed.

The article of luggage may further comprise a lid flap zipper around a perimeter of the lid flap for releasably retaining the lid flap in the lid flap closed position.

The lid flap may be hingedly attached to the second side surface of the lid via a lid flap hinge.

The lid flap zipper may extend between one end of the lid flap hinge and another end of the lid flap hinge.

In this way, when closed, the lid flap may fully enclose the second lid opening.

The article of luggage may further comprise a lid divider having a deployed configuration in which the lid divider encloses the first lid opening and an undeployed configuration in which the lid divider enables access through the first lid opening.

In this way, the contents of the lid containment volume may be kept separate from the contents of the body containment volume.

The lid divider may be attached to the top surface of the lid.

In this way, when the suitcase is in a first orientation with wheels facing downwards, the lid divider will naturally hang under gravity.

The lid divider may be releasably attached adjacent the first side surface of the lid, adjacent the base surface of the lid and adjacent the second side surface of the lid.

The lid divider may be releasably attached adjacent the first side surface of the lid, adjacent the base surface of the lid and adjacent the second side surface of the lid with a lid divider zipper.

The article of luggage may further comprise a tag that hangs proximate to the top surface of the lid comprising a first fastening element, and wherein the lid divider comprises a second fastening element, wherein the first and second fastening elements are configured to cooperate such that the lid divider is retainable by the tag.

In this way, the lid divider may be conveniently retained when not in use.

The first and second elements may comprise a hook fastening element and a loop fastening element.

The article of luggage may further comprise a second body opening that may occupy much or all of the major body surface.

In this way, further increased flexibility of use is provided.

The article of luggage may further comprise a body flap that is hingedly attached to the second side surface of the body via a body flap hinge and configured to enclose an entirely of the second body opening and, optionally comprising a body flap zipper around a perimeter of the body flap between one end of the body flap hinge and another end of the body flap hinge.

The article of luggage may further comprise a body divider having a deployed configuration in which the body divider encloses the first body opening and an undeployed configuration in which 'the body divider enables access through the first body opening.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention may be put into practice in a number of ways and specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an article of luggage in accordance with the prior art.

Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the suitcase of Figures 1 and 2 open and in a second orientation.

Figure 4 shows a suitcase in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the disclosure.

Figure 5 shows the suitcase of Figure 4 in a second orientation, suitable for packing the suitcase.

Figure 6a shows the suitcase of Figures 4 and 5 in its secondary open position and with the lid divider deployed.

Figure 6b shows the suitcase of Figures 4, 5 and 6a in the primary open position and with the lid flap in its deployed configuration.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a sequence of rolling up the lid divider and retaining it in the undeployed configuration.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an article of luggage, specifically a suitcase 10, in accordance with the prior art. Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1. Figures 1 and 2 shows the suitcase 10 in a first orientation with wheels facing downwards, suitable transporting the suitcase 10. Figure 3 shows the suitcase 10 of Figures 1 and 2 open and in a second orientation, with wheels facing sideways, suitable for packing the suitcase 10.

The prior art suitcase 10 of Figures 1 to 3 comprises a body 200 and a lid 300. The body 200 comprises a concave body shell 210 having a major body surface 220 an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening 230. The lid 300 comprises a concave lid shell 310 having a major lid surface 320 and an interior defining a lid containment volume though a first lid opening 330.

The suitcase 10 comprises a base comprising a base surface 240 of the body 200, a base surface 340 of the lid 300 and a plurality of wheel assemblies 242, 244, 342, 344. The body 200 comprises a first pair of the plurality of wheel assemblies 242, 244, while the lid 300 comprises a second pair of the plurality of wheel assemblies 342, 344. Each wheel assembly comprises a pair of parallel wheels either side of a stem by which the wheel assembly is attached to the body 200 or lid 300 of the suitcase 10. The wheel assemblies 242, 244, 342, 344 are all located on a surface of the suitcase which is perpendicular to an axis of the hinge 110.

The suitcase 10 further comprises a top comprising a top surface 250 of the body 200, a top surface 350 of the lid 300 and a top handle 255.

The body 200 further comprises a telescopic handle 290 which is receivable within an aperture 292 in the top surface 250 of the body 200 and telescopically extendible to protrude above the body 200 (opposite to the wheel assemblies 242, 244, 342, 344) for manoeuvring the suitcase 10 on its wheels.

The body 200 further comprises a strap assembly 280 configured to provide some retaining function for items that are stored in the body 200. The strap assembly 280 comprises a pair of straps 281, 282 and a retaining clip 283 configured to enable retaining of the pair of straps 281, 282 to each other. The strap assembly 280 may have elastic properties.

The suitcase 10 further comprises a first side comprising a first side surface 260 of the body 200, a first side surface of the lid 300, and a side handle 265.

The suitcase 10 further comprises a second side comprising a second side surface 270 of the body 200, a second side surface 370 of the lid 300 and a hinge 110 between the body 200 and the lid 300 to enable movement of the lid 300 relative to the body 200.

The second side surface 270 of the body may comprise a pair of feet 271, 272 and the second side surface of the lid 370 may comprise a pair of feet 371, 372. If the suitcase is closed and placed with the second side downwards (that is, with the side handle 265 upwards) then the feet 271, 272, 371, 372 may aid the stability of the suitcase. Furthermore, in this way, the suitcase is storable in a vertical orientation but without the wheels at the bottom, meaning that the suitcase can be stored vertically without risk of it rolling.

The suitcase 10 has an open position (per Figure 3) in which the body containment volume is accessible through the body opening 230 and the lid containment volume is accessible through the first lid opening 330.

The suitcase 10 also has a closed position (Figures 1 and 2) in which the body opening 230 and the first lid opening 330 cooperate such that the body opening 230 is enclosed by the lid 200 and the first lid opening 330 is enclosed by the body 200.

The suitcase 10 further comprises a lid divider 380 having a deployed configuration in which the lid divider 380 encloses the first lid opening 330 and an undeployed configuration (per Figure 3) in which the lid divider 380 enables access through the first lid opening 330.

The lid divider 380 is non-releasably attached adjacent to the second side surface 370 of the lid 300 and parallel to the hinge 110 and is releasably attached adjacent the base surface 340 of the lid, adjacent the first side 360 of the lid and adjacent the top surface 350 of the lid. The releasable attachment is conventionally provided by a zipper (not shown) which enables the lid divider 380 to be releasably fastened adjacent the base surface 340 of the lid, adjacent the first side 360 of the lid and adjacent the top surface 250 of the lid. In this way, when the lid divider 380 is in the deployed configuration, the lid opening 320 is entirely enclosed by the lid divider 380.

Unlike the strap assembly 280, which may occupy a small proportion of the area of the body opening 230, the lid divider 380 may occupy an entirety of the area of the lid opening 330. Unlike the strap assembly 280 which may have elastic properties, the lid divider 380 may be inelastic.

Figures 4 to 9 show a suitcase 100 in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the disclosure. The suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment is similar to that of the prior art suitcase 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Where the features of the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment as the same as those of the suitcase 10 of Figures 1 to 3, the same reference numerals have been used.

Figure 4 shows the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment in a first orientation, with wheels facing downwards, suitable transporting the suitcase 100. Figure 5 shows the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment in a second orientation, with wheels facing sideways, suitable for packing the suitcase 100.

The suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment has a closed position, a primary open position (analogous to the open position of the prior art suitcase 10) and a secondary open position, which is shown in Figure 5.

The secondary open position is facilitated by an additional, second lid opening 390 in the concave lid shell 300 to provide access to the lid containment volume in the closed position. The second lid opening 390 may occupy much or all of the major lid surface 320.

The lid 300 further comprises a lid flap 392 that is hingedly attached to the second side surface 370 of the lid 300 via a lid flap hinge 394 and which is configured to enclose an entirely of the second lid opening 390. A lid flap zipper (not shown) is provided around a perimeter of the lid flap 392 between one end of the lid flap hinge 394 and another end of the lid flap hinge 394.

In this way, when the lid flap zipper is open, the lid flap 392 can be opened via the lid flap hinge 394 (see Figure 5) to reveal access to the interior volume of the lid 300. When the lid flap zipper is closed (per Figure 4), the lid flap 392 seals the second lid opening 390 thus preventing access to the interior volume of the lid 300 via the second lid opening 390.

Thus, in the secondary open position, the entire internal volume of the suitcase (comprising both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume) is accessible as a single volume via the second lid opening 390. This may be useful for packing bulky items which would not be contained within either only the body 200 or only the lid 300.

Referring to Figure 5, the suitcase of the illustrated embodiment also comprises a lid divider 381 which serves a similar purpose to the lid divider 380 shown in Figure 3 but which is differently configured from the lid divider 380 of Figure 3. In particular, while the lid divider 381 of the suitcase 100 is non-releasably attached to the lid 300 proximate only one side of the first lid opening 320, the side on which it is attached is not parallel to the hinge 110 as it is in Figure 3. Rather the lid divider 381 is attached to a side of the first lid opening 320 that is opposite the wheel assemblies of the suitcase 242, 244, 342, 344.

Whereas the lid divider 380 of the prior art suitcase 10 is non-releasably attached adjacent to the second side surface 370 of the lid 300 and parallel to the hinge 110, in the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment the lid divider 381 is non-releasably attached adjacent to the top surface 350 of the lid 300. The lid divider 381 is releasably attached adjacent the first side surface 360, adjacent the base surface 340 and adjacent the second side surface 370 of the lid. In this way, when the lid divider 381 is in the deployed configuration, the lid opening 320 is entirely enclosed by the lid divider 381. When the lid divider is in the undeployed configuration, the lid divider 381 is adjacent the top surface 350 of the lid 300.

In the undeployed configuration, the lid divider 381 is rollable and storable adjacent the top surface 350 of the lid 300 by means of a hook and loop fastening 382, 383. Hook elements 382 and loop elements 383 of the hook and loop fastening 382, 383 are shown in Figure 6a and Figure 6b. The loop elements 383 are provided on one side of the lid divider 381 while the hook elements 382 are provided at a distal end of a tag 384 that hangs proximate the top surface 350. The tag 384 is of sufficient length to wrap around the lid divider 381 when the lid divider 381 is rolled up such that the hook elements 382 on the tag 384 reach the loop elements 383 on the lid divider 381 thus retaining the lid divider 381 in the undeployed configuration.

Figure 5 shows the suitcase 100 in its secondary open position (in which the lid flap 392 is open) and the lid divider 381 is in the undeployed configuration. In this way, not only is the lid containment volume accessible via the second lid opening 390 but also the body containment volume is accessible via the second lid opening 390.

Figure 6a shows the suitcase 100 in its secondary open position but with the lid divider 381 deployed such that only the lid containment volume is accessible via the second lid opening 390 while the body containment volume is inaccessible.

Figure 6b shows the suitcase 100 in the primary open position and with the lid flap 392 in its deployed configuration. Thus, the lid containment volume is inaccessible but the body containment volume is accessible.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a sequence of rolling up the lid divider 381 and retaining it in the undeployed configuration using the tag 384 by fastening the hook elements 382 on the tag 384 to the loop elements 383 on the lid divider 381.

The additional opening options of the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment by comparison with the suitcase 10 of the prior art give rise to a considerable degree of flexibility.

While Figure 6b shows the same degree of access as would be possible from the suitcase of the prior art, Figure 6a shows an alternative approach whereby the lid containment volume is accessible but the body containment volume is not accessible. This combination of accessibility/inaccessibility is simply not possible in the prior art suitcase 10 of Figures 1 to 3. Moreover, there are two options by which a user can access both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume, as shown in Figure 5 (accessible via the secondary open position) and in Figure 9 (accessible via the primary open position, once the lid divider 381 is opened).

The additional flexibility gives rise to a range further of advantages. One advantage is that it is possible to access (a) only the body containment volume and not the lid containment volume, (b) only the lid containment volume and not the body containment volume, (c) both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume separately (when in the primary open position), and (d) both the body containment volume and the lid containment volume together (when in the secondary open position). This gives rise to considerable additional flexibility for the user.

For example, if a user is going on a trip having two stages requiring different items to be packed in the suitcase for each of the two stages, it is possible, for example, to pack the items required for the first stage in the lid containment volume only and the items required for the second stage in the body containment volume only. The user may access all the items required for the first stage from the lid containment volume using only the secondary open position. Subsequently, during the second stage of the trip, the user can access all the items stored in the body containment volume using the primary open position whilst leaving the lid divider 381 in the deployed configuration thus leaving inaccessible the contents of the lid containment volume already used on the first stage of the trip.

Furthermore, it is much more feasible to achieve the secondary open position while the suitcase is in its first orientation -for travelling -with wheels facing downwards. This is because the positions of the first pair of wheel assemblies 242, 244 relative to the second pair of wheel assemblies 342, 344 remain unchanged in the secondary open position relative to the closed position. By contrast, the open position of the prior art suitcase 10 (which corresponds to the primary open position of the suitcase 100 of the illustrated embodiment) means that the first and second pairs of wheel assemblies 242, 244, 342, 344 are oriented along a single axis, thus causing significantly reduced stability, especially in a direction perpendicular to that single axis. The increased stability of the suitcase 100 of the present disclosure gives rise to considerable convenience when accessing the contents of the suitcase 100 while travelling. With the prior art, it is difficult to open the suitcase in the first (travelling) orientation without risking (i) the suitcase toppling over; and/or (ii) the contents falling out. By contrast, with the suitcase of the illustrated embodiment it is possible to open the suitcase in the first (travelling) orientation using the secondary open position (i) with reduced risk of the suitcase toppling over; and (ii) with reduced risk of the contents falling out since, with the lid divider 381 in the deployed configuration, the contents of the body containment volume are retained within there by the lid divider 381.

A further advantage is that it is easier to load the suitcase with bulky articles which would not be contained within only the body 200 or only the lid 300. In particular, in the second open configuration. the combined volume of the body containment volume and the lid containment volume is accessible as a single volume (rather than as two separate volumes per the primary open configuration).

The scope of the disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Variations are envisaged which would fall within the scope of the claims. For example, the suitcase may further comprise a second body opening (not illustrated) that may occupy much or all of the major body surface 320. The body 200 may further comprises a body flap that is hingedly attached to the second side surface 270 of the body 200 via a body flap hinge and which is configured to enclose an entirety of the second body opening. A body flap zipper may be provided around a perimeter of the body flap between one end of the body flap hinge and another end of the body flap hinge. Thus a tertiary open position of the suitcase may be provided wherein the body flap is in an open position such that the body containment volume may be accessed via the second body opening.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An article of luggage comprising: a body comprising a concave body shell having a major body surface and an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening opposite the major body surface; a lid comprising a concave lid shell having a major lid surface and an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a first lid opening opposite the major lid surface; a base comprising a base surface of the body, a base surface of the lid and a plurality of wheel assemblies; a top opposite the base, the top comprising a top surface of the body, a top surface of the lid and a top handle; a first side comprising a first side surface of the body, a first side surface of the lid, and a side handle; a second side comprising a second side surface of the body, a second side surface of the lid and a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid relative to the body between: a primary open position in which the body containment volume is accessible through the body opening and the lid containment volume is accessible through the first lid opening; and a closed position in which the body opening and the first lid opening cooperate such that the body opening is enclosed by the lid and the first lid opening is enclosed by the body; wherein the lid further comprises: a lid divider that extends from an interior of the top surface of the lid, the lid divider having a deployed configuration in which the lid divider encloses the first lid opening and an undeployed configuration in which the lid divider enables access through the first lid opening; and a second lid opening in the concave lid shell providing a secondary open position to facilitate access to the lid containment volume in the closed position of the lid relative to the body.
2. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the major lid surface comprises the second lid opening.
3. The article of luggage of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lid further comprises a lid flap having: a lid flap open position in which the second lid opening enables access to the lid containment volume; and a lid flap closed position in which the second lid opening is closed by the lid flap.
4. The article of luggage of claim 3 further comprising a lid flap zipper around a perimeter of the lid flap for releasably retaining the lid flap in the lid flap closed position.
5. The article of luggage of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the lid flap is hingedly attached to the second side surface of the lid via a lid flap hinge.
6. The article of luggage of claim 5 when dependent on claim 4 wherein the lid flap zipper extends between one end of the lid flap hinge and another end of the lid flap hinge.
7. The article of luggage of any preceding claim further comprising a lid divider having a deployed configuration in which the lid divider encloses the first lid opening and an undeployed configuration in which the lid divider enables access through the first lid 20 opening.
8. The article of luggage of claim 7 wherein the lid divider is attached to the top surface of the lid.
9. The article of luggage of claim 8 wherein the lid divider is releasably attached adjacent the first side surface of the lid, adjacent the base surface of the lid and adjacent the second side surface of the lid.
10. The article of luggage of claim 9 wherein the lid divider is releasably attached adjacent the first side surface of the lid, adjacent the base surface of the lid and adjacent the second side surface of the lid with a lid divider zipper.
11. The article of luggage of any of claims 7 to 10 further comprising a tag that hangs proximate to the top surface of the lid comprising a first fastening element, and wherein the lid divider comprises a second fastening element, wherein the first and second fastening elements are configured to cooperate such that the lid divider is retainable by the tag.
12. The article of luggage of claim 11 wherein the first and second elements comprise a hook fastening element and a loop fastening element.
13. The article of luggage of any preceding claim further comprising a second body opening that may occupy much or all of the major body surface.
14. The article of luggage of claim 13 further comprising a body flap that is hingedly attached to the second side surface of the body via a body flap hinge and configured to enclose an entirely of the second body opening and, optionally comprising a body flap zipper around a perimeter of the body flap between one end of the body flap hinge and another end of the body flap hinge.
15. The article of luggage of claim 13 or claim 14 further comprising a body divider having a deployed configuration in which the body divider encloses the first body opening and an undeployed configuration in which 'the body divider enables access through the first body opening.