U.S. patent application number 12/299908 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for carry cases and bags.
Invention is credited to James Cooke, Ceri Freeman.
Application Number | 20090205985 12/299908 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38667350 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090205985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freeman; Ceri ; et
al. |
August 20, 2009 |
CARRY CASES AND BAGS
Abstract
A carry case for a laptop computer, including: a plurality of
side walls defining a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at
least one of said side walls having a protective outer skin portion
and a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin
portion for protecting a laptop computer in said chamber from
physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of said at least
one side wall being transparent.
Inventors: |
Freeman; Ceri; (Queensland,
AU) ; Cooke; James; (Queensland, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph R. Baker, APC;Gavrilovich, Dodd & Lindsey LLP
4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 750
San Diego
CA
92122
US
|
Family ID: |
38667350 |
Appl. No.: |
12/299908 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2007/000621 |
371 Date: |
April 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 ;
190/124; 206/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0022 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 2200/10 20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101;
A45C 13/00 20130101; A45C 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 ;
206/521; 190/124 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; A45C 13/00 20060101 A45C013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2006 |
AU |
200602437 |
Claims
1. A carry case for a laptop computer, comprising: a plurality of
side walls defining a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at
least one of said side walls having a protective outer skin portion
and a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin
portion for protecting a laptop computer in said chamber from
physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of said at least
one side wall being transparent.
2. A carry case for a laptop computer, comprising: one or more side
walls defining a chamber for an article to be carried, at least one
of said one or more side walls having a protective outer skin
portion and a cushioning portion for protecting an article in said
chamber from physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of
said at least one side wall being transparent.
3. A carry case for a laptop computer, comprising: a plurality of
substantially transparent side walls defining a chamber for
containing a laptop computer, at least one of said side walls
having a protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion
extending inwards from said outer skin portion for protecting a
laptop computer in said chamber from physical shock.
4. A carry case for a laptop computer according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushioning portion is formed to provide
a substantially unobstructed view of the contents of the carry case
through the substantially transparent side walls.
5. A carry case for a laptop computer according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushioning portion is substantially
transparent.
6. A carry case according to claim 4, wherein: all of said side
walls have a protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion
extending inwards from said outer skin portion and are all
transparent.
7. A carry case according to claim 4, wherein: said outer skin
portion is a layer of transparent generally waterproof material and
said cushioning portion includes a layer of transparent cushioning
material secured to said waterproof material.
8. A method of inspecting luggage at airport security inspection
stations, the luggage including a carry case or bag claimed in any
of the preceding claims and its contents, the method including:
visually inspecting the contents without opening the carry case or
bag or removing the contents from the carry case or bag.
9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising a step of
scanning the carry case or bag containing the contents by
x-ray.
10. A carry case as herein before described with reference to any
one of FIGS. 1 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13, 14 to 16, 17 to 19, 20
to 21, 22, or 23 to 26.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to carry cases and bags. The
invention has particular application to carry cases for laptop
computers and similar carry bags but may have application to carry
cases and bags generally as well as various other types of
containers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Airport security normally requires laptop computers to be
removed from their carry cases prior to the carry case being
scanned by x-ray machines so as to render other objects therein
more discernible thereby decreasing the risk of undesirable objects
such as guns and knives being smuggled aboard aircraft. However,
the removal of laptop computers from their carry cases often causes
frustration and delay at check-in stations. In this specification,
unless the context indicates otherwise, the term carry case is to
be taken to encompass other types of baggage such as carry bags and
such like.
[0003] The present invention aims to provide a carry case or bag
which allows adequate inspection by security personnel in
conjunction with scanning systems without removal of the laptop
computer therefrom. Other aims and advantages of the invention may
become apparent from the following description and claims.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] With the foregoing in view, the present invention resides
broadly in a carry case for a laptop computer, including:
[0005] a plurality of side walls defining a chamber for containing
a laptop computer, at least one of said side walls having a
protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion extending
inwards from said outer skin portion for protecting a laptop
computer in said chamber from physical shock, and at least a
substantial portion of said at least one side wall being
transparent.
[0006] In another aspect the present invention resides broadly in a
carry case or a carry bag, including:
[0007] one or more side walls defining a chamber for an article to
be carried, at least one of said one or more side walls having a
protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion for
protecting an article in said chamber from physical shock, and at
least a substantial portion of said at least one side wall being
transparent.
[0008] Preferably, all of said side walls have a protective outer
skin portion and a cushioning portion extending inwards from said
outer skin portion and are all transparent.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a carry case or carry bag, including:
[0010] a plurality of substantially transparent side walls defining
a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at least one of said
side walls having a protective outer skin portion and a cushioning
portion extending inwards from said outer skin portion for
protecting a laptop computer in said chamber from physical
shock.
[0011] Preferably, the cushioning portion is substantially
transparent. Alternatively, the cushioning portion is formed
substantially to provide an unobstructed view of the contents of
the carry case or carry bag through the substantially transparent
side walls.
[0012] Preferably, said outer skin portion is a layer of
transparent generally waterproof material and said cushioning
portion includes a layer of transparent cushioning material secured
to said waterproof material.
[0013] In another aspect the invention resides broadly in a method
of inspecting luggage at airport security inspection stations, the
luggage including a carry case or bag as previously described and
contents, the method including:
[0014] visually inspecting the contents without opening the carry
case or bag or removing the contents from the carry case or
bag.
[0015] Preferably, the method includes the further step of scanning
the carry case or bag containing the contents by x-ray.
[0016] Typically, a laptop computer in a carry case is revealed by
x-ray scanning of the bag. However, undesirable objects which are
placed in a carry case adjacent a laptop computer are not
necessarily distinguished from the laptop computer by x-ray but
rather blend with the on screen computer image of the laptop
computer. Advantageously, if the content of the carry case or bag
is a laptop computer which can be seen by security personnel
without removal from the carry case or bag, the need to remove a
laptop computer from its carry case is reduced if not eliminated.
In this respect, transparency in the context of the present
invention refers to transmission of visible light therethrough
substantially without distortion. However, it will be appreciated
that the material of construction of the side walls and/or
cushioning portion may be selected for transparency to x-rays.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order that the invention may be more readily understood
and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments of
the invention and wherein:
[0018] FIGS. 1 to 5 are a pictorial representations of a carry case
according to the present invention when closed, open, laid flat, as
carried and as traveling through an airport security x-ray machine
respectively and illustrating a "brief case concept"
embodiment;
[0019] FIGS. 6 to 9 are two pictorial representations, a front view
and a detail view respectively of a carry case according to the
present invention and illustrating a "silicon overmould"
embodiment;
[0020] FIGS. 10 to 12 are two pictorial representation (closed and
open) and a detail view respectively of a carry case according to
the present invention and illustrating an "injection moulded"
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a pictorial exploded representation of a carry
case according to the invention illustrating a "modular endcaps"
embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 14 to 16 are a pictorial representation and two detail
views respectively of a carry case according to the present
invention and illustrating a "silicon skin" embodiment;
[0023] FIGS. 17 to 19 are a pictorial representation and two detail
views respectively of a carry case according to the present
invention and illustrating an "expandable" embodiment;
[0024] FIGS. 20 and 21 are pictorial representations of a carry
case according to the present invention in an open and closed
attitude respectively and illustrating a "vac formed"
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 22 is a pictorial representation of a carry case
according to the present invention and illustrating a "welded bag"
embodiment;
[0026] FIGS. 23 and 24 are pictorial views of a carry case
according to the present invention viewed from the top or opening
end thereof and the other end respectively and illustrating a
preferred form; and
[0027] FIGS. 25 and 26 show the same views as FIGS. 23 and 24
respectively with the hidden details thereof in phantom
outline.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The carry case 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a bottom part 11
which forms a tray adapted to receive therein a laptop computer,
and a top part 12 which is adapted to close over the laptop
computer and forms a lid for the tray. The two parts are connected
together by spaced apart hinges 13 which allow pivoting movement of
the lid relative to the tray in a manner similar to that of a
briefcase. The lid and the tray can be secured together by spaced
apart latches 14 which each have a latch half 14a on the tray and a
complementary latch half 14b on the lid adapted to releasably
engage with the latch half on the tray to secure the two parts
together.
[0029] The tray has a front wall 11a, two spaced apart opposed side
walls 11b and 11d extending from one side of the front wall, and
spaced apart opposed lower and upper walls 11c and 11e extending
from the front wall between the two opposed side walls. Likewise,
the lid has a rear wall 12a which is spaced from front wall 11a and
parallel thereto when the carry case is closed as shown in FIG. 2,
side walls 12b and 12d, and lower and upper walls 12c and 12e which
are contiguous with the corresponding walls 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e
of the tray when in the closed position as can also be seen in FIG.
2.
[0030] Advantageously, all of the walls of the carry case are
constructed of a transparent plastics material which forms a
relatively hard outer skin and each wall is lined with a
transparent plastics material which provides a soft padding for a
laptop computer when placed therein. In one form of the invention,
the padding material is secured to the outer skin by adhesive while
in another form the outer skin and the padding are formed as a
single moulded plastics component.
[0031] The carry case 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 has spaced apart
opposed front and rear walls 111a and 111f which are joined by
spaced apart side walls 111b and 111d and spaced apart opposed
lower and upper walls 111c and 111e. A slot 112 is provided in the
upper wall to provide an entry for a laptop computer 115 into the
case. Advantageously, all of the walls are constructed of a
transparent plastics material as in the other example with a
relatively hard outer skin and a soft inner lining allowing a
laptop computer therein to be clearly seen along with any other
object or article which may be in the carry case and outside the
laptop computer.
[0032] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the carry case with the laptop
contained therein can be passed through a typical airport security
x-ray machine without removing the laptop before or after
inspection by security personnel. Advantageously, as indicated
above, any metallic objects between the laptop computer and the
carry case can be seen the naked eye thus obviating the need to
remove the laptop computer from the carry case.
[0033] The silicon overmould embodiment 60 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9
includes clear silicon overmoulded side walls 61 with integral
cushioning details 62 to support and protect laptop computers. The
cushioning details are provide by a pair of basal ridges shown
typically at 63 and opposed pairs of side ridges shown typically at
64 with valleys in between. A panel wall 65 is provided in envelope
form between the side walls in a diecut clear PETG or similar
plastics sheet folded if necessary to conform to the envelope. An
injection moulded latch 66 is provided spaced inward from the
respective edges of the panel wall and its opposite end, being a
closure flap 68. The shape of the edge may be squared off as shown
in FIG. 8 or curved as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Two anchor points 67
(only one being visible in the views shown) are provided on the
outside of the side walls near the opening of the flap.
[0034] The injection moulded embodiment 100 includes a three-piece
injection moulded polycarbonate shell with two integral hinges 104.
Overmoulded silicon corners 101 shown in the detail view of FIG. 12
are provided for cushioning the contents of the carry case as well
as to protect the carry case itself. An injection moulded latch 103
is also provided in similar fashion to that of the silicon
overmoulded embodiment shown and described with reference to FIGS.
6 to 9.
[0035] The modular endcaps embodiment 130 shown in FIG. 13 includes
two clear polycarbonate injection moulded end caps 131 each
provided with a basal silicon cushion 132 and an anterior silicon
cushion 133. The endcaps and cushions slide over and into a clear
diecut PETG sheet 135 in the form of an envelop having a flap 138
and a latch 136.
[0036] The silicon skin embodiment 140 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16
includes a single-piece injection moulded clear silicon case 141
with moulded-in cushioning 143 in the form of a plurality of ridges
running along the side walls 145 of the carry case. Two integral
anchor points 144, one on each side wall near the opening, are
provided to take a shoulder strap.
[0037] The expandable embodiment 170 shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 has
two opposed sheets of clear diecut PETG sheets 172 bonded or
moulded or fixed into opposed side edges of a concertina style edge
wall 176, shown in a collapsed attitude 178 in FIG. 19 and an
expanded attitude 177 in FIG. 18. The sheets are inserted into
complementary channels as shown in the detail views at 179. A latch
174 is also provided to fasten a flap 173 to one of the sheets. A
strap 175 is attached to the flap.
[0038] The vac formed embodiment 200 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21
includes a base portion 201, a larger lid portion 202 and a smaller
lid portion 203 which abut edge to edge when in the closed attitude
shown in FIG. 20. A latch 205 is provided near the edges thereof,
and the lid portions may be closed by bending a fluted or
corrugated hinge joint 212 joining each lid portion to a respective
opposed edge of the base portion. The lid and base portions also
include a sidewall 206 along opposed side edges of substantially
planar panels to provide a polycarbonate or PETG shell. Each panel
also is provided with opposed pairs of silicone pads shown
typically at 210 spaced inward from the side edges and hinge joints
of each panel for cushioning the contents of the carry case with in
the closed attitude.
[0039] The welded bag embodiment 220 shown in FIG. 22 includes a
clear PVC film panels 221 welded or stitched to sidewalls 222
having optional clear silicone pads to cushion and protect the
laptop computer. Two anchor points 223 are provided on each
sidewall near the opening fro attachment of a strap, and a latch
224 is provided to close the opening with a flap 228 against one of
the panels. Optional coloured edging or piping or the like is
provided along the weld or stitch joint.
[0040] The preferred form 230 shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 includes a
polycarbonate sheeting envelope panel folded or formed to an
envelope 233 with a flap 232 to close the opening. Referring
particularly to FIGS. 23 and 24, the shape of the envelope, as with
similar embodiments previously described, is substantially
determined by the periphery of two opposed side walls 231 shown.
Each side walls moulding includes an anchor point 238 near the
opening of the envelope and four cushion anchoring apertures shown
typically at 234, the apertures being provided in two pairs each.
As shown particularly in the hidden detail of FIGS. 25 and 26 there
are provided a pair of opposing basal cushions 237 and a pair of
opposing ventral cushions 236 near the opening of the envelope,
each cushion being anchored to a side wall moulding by way of the
cushion anchoring apertures. All of the elements of the carry case
are substantially transparent, or if not, any opaque portions are
of such dimensions that visual inspection of the contents of the
carry case are substantially unimpeded by virtue of small size
and/or configuration.
[0041] The foregoing description has been given by way of
illustrative example of the invention and many modifications in
variations which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *