U.S. patent application number 12/671726 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for universal waterproof elastic device for protecting suitcases of different sizes having inviolable and customizable closure seals.
Invention is credited to Emilio Layrana Fernandez.
Application Number | 20100282380 12/671726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39081661 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100282380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Layrana Fernandez; Emilio |
November 11, 2010 |
Universal Waterproof Elastic Device For Protecting Suitcases of
Different Sizes Having Inviolable and Customizable Closure
Seals
Abstract
It is a universal, waterproof, elastic device to protect
suitcases (4) of different sizes with inviolable and customisable
seal fasteners, said device consisting of an extremely elastic,
water-proof cover (2), resistant to abrasions which has at last one
opening (3) for inserting suitcases, equipped with customisable,
inviolable seal fasteners. The cover is of smaller dimensions than
those of the suitcases to adapt thereto due to its elasticity in
all directions.
Inventors: |
Layrana Fernandez; Emilio;
(San Sebastian De Los Reyes (Madrid), ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HODGSON RUSS LLP;THE GUARANTY BUILDING
140 PEARL STREET, SUITE 100
BUFFALO
NY
14202-4040
US
|
Family ID: |
39081661 |
Appl. No.: |
12/671726 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
April 23, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES2008/070080 |
371 Date: |
February 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/008 20130101;
A45C 13/002 20130101; A45C 13/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2007 |
ES |
200702171 |
Claims
1. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase (4), preferably having
wheels (7, 7a) and handles (8, 8a), that comprises a waterproof and
abrasion-resistant cover (2) having an aperture (3) wherethrough
the suitcase is introduced (4), characterized in that the
dimensions of the cover (2) are smaller than those of a small
suitcase (4) and it is sufficiently elastic to be stretched to at
least double its surface area for adapting to a suitcase of any
shape and size; likewise, the cover (2) includes inviolable
security seals (5) that establish the inviolable closure (5) of the
cover (2) around the suitcase (4).
2. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase (4), according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cover (2) has a flap (30) that closes the
aperture (3) once the cover (2) is fitted over the suitcase (4) and
the security seals (5) are defined on a flap (30) and near the
aperture (3), establishing the inviolable closure (5) of the cover
(2) around the suitcase (4).
3. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cover (2) has windows (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) to
allow passage of the wheels (7, 7a) and handles (8, 8a) of the
suitcase (4).
4. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that at least one of the windows (6a) is disposed
in positional correspondence with some of the lateral handles (8a)
of the suitcase (4) destined for receiving the airport
identification labels (11) and has a small flap (9) with a closure
(10); said window (6a) being substantially more elongated than the
small flap (9) in order to allow room for the handle (8a) ends.
5. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that another of the windows (6c) is disposed in
positional correspondence with the rear wheels (7) of the suitcase
and is larger in size in order to adapt to suitcases with two,
three or more rear wheels (7); said window (6c) including
non-elastic straps (35) that relate their opposing edges to avoid
extraction of the suitcase (4) therethrough.
6. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that another of the windows (6b) is disposed in
positional correspondence with the front wheels (7a) of the
suitcase.
7. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that another of the windows (6) is disposed in
positional correspondence with the extractable rear handle (8) of
the suitcase (4).
8. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cover (2) consists of one or more
materials selected from the group consisting of: polyamide,
elastan, and polyurethane.
9. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 2,
characterized in that the security seals (5) comprise bushings (12)
that are fixable on the delimitation of the aperture (3) and on the
flap (30), destined for remaining opposed on closing the cover (2),
and breakable pins (13) that advance without possibility of moving
back through said bushings (12).
10. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that the cover (2) is constituted based on a
template composed of three parts that are sewn together: a
perimeter seal part (14), a front lid (15) and another rear lid
(16).
11. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 10,
characterized in that the perimeter seal part (14) has a
considerably oblong shape in general, with an intermediate narrowed
zone (17) displaced towards one of its end zones, which define a
main cutout (18) corresponding to the window (6c) and, stemming
from the opposite part of said main cutout (18), a T-shaped
extension (19) that defines the flap (30) and lateral cutouts (20)
that define the windows (6b), while cutouts (21, 22, 23) that
define the windows (6, 6a) are implemented at its end zones, some
of which implement the small flaps (9) and their closures (10).
12. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 11,
characterized in that the rear lid (16) has a generally rectangular
shape, with an end cutout (24) in positional correspondence with
another lateral cutout (21) of the perimeter seal part (14) that
collaborates in the definition of the window (6); and another
opposed end cutout (24) in positional correspondence with the main
cutout (18) of the perimeter seal part (14) that collaborates in
the definition of the window (6c).
13. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 3,
characterized in that the cover (2) has pockets for storing
documentation.
14. Device (1) for protecting a suitcase, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cover (2) is constituted based on a
template composed of three parts that are sewn together: a
perimeter seal part (14), a front lid (15) and another rear lid
(16).
Description
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The main object of the present invention is a device for
protecting a suitcase, the main purpose of which is to prevent it
from being opened by unauthorised persons, in addition to
protecting it from abrasion during handling in airports and similar
facilities.
[0002] The device is elastic, waterproof and universal and protects
suitcases of different sizes by means of a very elastic, waterproof
and abrasion-resistant cover having an aperture for introducing the
suitcase and customisable inviolable closure seals. The dimensions
of the cover are smaller than those of the suitcase in order to
adjust thereover due to its elasticity in all directions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Suitcases, during handling thereof at airports or similar
facilities, are known to be subject to abrasion and other damage.
In order to overcome this drawback, there is a tendency to
manufacture increasingly resistant suitcases, although are also
heavier and more expensive.
[0004] Additionally, during check-in, loading and unloading of
suitcases at these facilities, unauthorised persons may
occasionally access and even steal their content.
[0005] In order to avoid this, there is an increasing tendency to
wrap suitcases in plastic film, although this is a troublesome task
that does not provide effective protection against abrasions and
requires a specific machine. It also gives an impression of
deterioration and the wrapping is not reusable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The device of the invention has an optimum constitution for
protecting a suitcase against abrasion and improper aperture.
[0007] In accordance with the invention, the device comprises a
highly elastic, waterproof and abrasion-resistant cover having, at
least, one aperture for introducing the suitcase.
[0008] Additionally, the aperture is closed with the collaboration
of inviolable and customisable seals in such a manner that these
must be broken in order to extract the suitcase from the cover,
given the possibility of customising the seals, which can be
materialised by means of embossing, tampography, etc.
[0009] The cover has windows for the passage of the wheels and
handles of the suitcase.
[0010] The dimensions of the cover format are smaller than those of
a small suitcase. Given the high elasticity of the cover material,
it will adapt like a glove to any suitcase of any shape and size,
protecting it against abrasion and improper handling. The
elasticity of the material chosen to manufacture the cover will be
sufficient to allow it to stretch to, at least, double its surface
area.
[0011] The cover may be manufactured in different materials. For
example, these may be selected from among the following:
[0012] polyamide,
[0013] elastan, and
[0014] polyurethane.
[0015] On the other hand, the cover has been envisaged to have
pockets for storing documentation, such as tickets or
passports.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order to complement this description and with the object
of helping to better understand the characteristics of the
invention, according to a preferred example of practical embodiment
thereof, a set of drawings has been included as an integral part of
said description, wherein the following have been represented in an
illustrative and non-limiting manner:
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and rear views of the cover that
constitutes the device of the invention;
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 show front and rear views of a suitcase
protected by the device of the invention; and
[0019] FIGS. 5 to 7 show an exploded view of a template wherewith
the cover of the device of the invention may be manufactured.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The device (1) for protecting a suitcase of the invention
comprises a highly elastic cover (2), waterproof and abrasion
resistant, having at least one aperture (3) for introducing the
suitcase (4). Said aperture (3) is closed with the collaboration of
inviolable seals (5) and preferably by means of a flap (30) whereon
said customisable inviolable seals (5) are implemented.
[0021] The cover (2) has windows (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) to allow the
passage of the wheels (7, 7a) and handles (8, 8a) of the suitcase
(4).
[0022] One of the windows (6a) is disposed in positional
correspondence with some of the lateral handles (8a) of the
suitcase (4). The airport identification labels (11) are tied to
these handles (8a). A small flap (9) with a closure (10) is
disposed on said window (6a), said window (6a) being substantially
more elongated than the small flap (9) in order to allow the
passage of the handle (8a) ends, while the rest of the window is
protected by the small flap (9).
[0023] Another of the windows (6c) is disposed in positional
correspondence with the rear wheels (7) of the suitcase and is
larger in size in order to adapt to the passage of suitcases with
two, three or more rear wheels (7), and to the different positions
that it can adopt. Given the size of this window (6c), wherethrough
the suitcase may be extracted from the cover, non-elastic straps
(35) that relate its opposing edges have been envisaged, which
cross it and prevent extraction of the suitcase (4).
[0024] Another of the windows (6b) is disposed in positional
correspondence with the front wheels (7a) of the suitcase, if
any.
[0025] Finally, another of the windows (6) is disposed in
positional correspondence with the extractable rear handle (8) of
the suitcase (4), which is used to pull the suitcase by rolling it
on its rear wheels (7).
[0026] The elasticity of the cover allows it to be stretched to at
least double its surface area. It may consist of one or more
materials selected from among the following:
[0027] polyamide,
[0028] elastan, and
[0029] polyurethane.
[0030] By way of example, a multilayered cover that comprises these
three materials, regardless of the number or arrangement of the
layers, may be elastically stretched to 100%-150% more of its
surface area when idle. It can also be repeatedly used until
finally discarded.
[0031] On the other hand, the inviolable seals (5) comprise
bushings (12) wherethrough breakable pins (13) may advance without
possibility of moving backwards. The bushings are fixed at the
delimitation of the aperture (3) in opposition to each other for
receiving the pins. In the example represented in the figures there
is a flap (30) that closes the aperture (3), due to which in this
case the bushings are fixed on the edge thereof and on the zone of
the cover that remains adjacent to the flap (30) when it closes. As
it is not possible for the breakable pins (13) to move back through
the bushings (12), it will be necessary to break them to open the
cover, thereby evidencing any manipulation of the suitcase (4).
[0032] According to this example of embodiment of the invention, in
no case non-limiting, the cover (2) may be constituted based on a
template composed of three parts that are sewn together: a
perimeter sealing part (14), a front lid (15) and another rear lid
(16).
[0033] The perimeter seal part (14) has a considerably oblong shape
in general, with an intermediate narrowed zone (17) displaced
towards one of its end zones that defines a main cutout (18)
corresponding to the window (6c) and, stemming from the opposite
part of said main cutout (18), a T-shaped extension (19) that
defines the flap (30) and lateral cutouts (20) that define the
windows (6b). Cutouts are implemented at the end zones (21, 22, 23)
that define the windows (6, 6a) destined for the passage of the
handles (8, 8a). Some of these cutouts implement the small flaps
(9) and their closures (10) corresponding to the windows (6a).
[0034] The rear lid (16) has a general rectangular shape, with an
end cutout (24) in positional correspondence with another lateral
cutout (21) of the perimeter seal part (14) that collaborates in
the definition of the window (6). It also has another opposed end
cutout (24) in positional correspondence with the main cutout (18)
of the perimeter seal part (14) that collaborates in the definition
of the window (6c).
[0035] On the other hand, the front lid (15) is generally
rectangular in shape and implements the inviolable seals (5)
complementarily with the flap (30).
* * * * *