EP2561772A1

EP2561772A1 - Foldable suitcase

Info

Publication number: EP2561772A1
Application number: EP11178914A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jill Cain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-25
Filing date: 2011-08-25
Publication date: 2013-02-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suitcase which can be folded and can therefore change from a large state to a small state allowing, among other things, the folded suitcase to be transported as hand luggage in flights. The suitcase is equipped with different foldable elements which allow easy folding of the suitcase along the longitudinal direction. The necessary elements are provided so that the suitcase can serve transporting articles and other things both in its large state and in its small state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a case, in particular a suitcase which can be folded and fulfils the dimensions specified by low-budget airlines in its folded state.

BACKGROUND

Cases of all types are known in the state of the art. In general, cases are a kind of box or small chest manufactured from different materials. These materials can be rigid or flexible or a combination of both. Plastics, several fabrics, leather or even metals can be used to manufacture a case or the parts of a case.
A case is usually composed of two parts having the same size, which fit into each other and can be closed by means of a certain mechanism. Each part has a base and four walls surrounding said base. The walls can have the same length, thus forming a square case, or two first opposing walls which can be longer than second opposing walls, thus forming a rectangle. In general, one of the four walls represents a junction between the two parts, i.e. the two parts do not represent individual parts, where the closing mechanism does not exist or only occupies a very small part.
A case serves to transport or store things, depending on the desired use. The most widely known are suitcases. There are also cases for daily use, such as tool cases or sample cases. Some cases are used often and others very rarely. Cases come in any shape and size. For example, they can be square, rectangular or circular. Small cases can also be called bags and can be used on a daily basis. Medium-sized cases can be used to transport essential articles for a few days and large cases can be used in general to transport necessary items for a long trip or items which simply do not fit in smaller cases.
Cases can be closed by means of a mechanism such as, for example, a zipper, lock, belt and buckle or similar. In order to facilitate transport thereof, they normally comprise at least one handle and/or a belt. Said handle can be mounted in a fixed manner in a specific place, which can be one of the four walls of the suitcase or one of the two bases, depending on its size. Many cases also comprise an extendable handle together with wheels mounted on the wall opposite the handle to further facilitate transport. Normally, two or four wheels are used. At least one fixed handle and one extendable handle can also be combined.
In some cases, other additional accessories or applications can be provided. For example, pockets can be applied to one or to the two bases for storing small things, or fantasy appliqués can be added to suitcases designed for children.
Suitcases are the most common type. These come in several sizes. There are large suitcases which are required for long trips and small suitcases which are used for short trips of just a few days. Large suitcases have a large amount of space in which to store things but at the same time require a large amount of space for storage thereof and, when full, can be considerably heavy. On the contrary, small suitcases do not offer much space but can be more easily stored due to their size and, when full, normally weigh less than a full large suitcase.
In particular, when travelling by plane the difference between a large suitcase and a small suitcase can be noticeable. There are international standards for transporting luggage on flights. Therefore, there is a maximum size for hand luggage, i.e. luggage which can be carried on board and does not require checking in. Hand luggage comprises handbags, small suitcases and similar. Said hand luggage must fulfil certain specifications in terms of height, width and depth limits. Those suitcases which exceed said limit specifications must be checked in. Some airlines, particularly low-budget airlines, apply more stringent standards, requiring even smaller dimensions than those established by international standards.
Normally, the structure of a suitcase is a rigid and fixed structure, i.e. the suitcase either comprises a very rigid material or comprises invisible internal elements which act, for example, as a rigid framework or structure, providing global rigidity to the suitcase. Said rigidity serves to adequately protect the contents. Due to said global rigidity, a large suitcase cannot be converted into a small suitcase and vice versa. This can be a problem when there is insufficient space to store the suitcase in the event of transport or storage. It can also be a problem if the amount of things to be transported increases during the trip and the suitcase does not have sufficient space to transport everything at the same time, thus requiring another bag or suitcase.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a suitcase which can change its size in accordance with the traveller's needs, i.e. which allows the traveller to choose between a large size and a small size and use the suitcase in any of the two sizes for a trip. The traveller may even decide to use the suitcase in its small-sized version for one part of the trip and in its large-sized version for another part of the trip, such as for example a return trip.
In particular, when travelling by plane, a suitcase which can switch between a large size and a small size can be very advantageous. A suitcase which does not fulfil the limit specifications must be checked in. Although nowadays the check in process can be handled via the Internet, said suitcase still needs to be checked in if it does not fulfil the requirements of suitcases which can be carried on board as hand luggage. Additionally, at present, many airline companies, particularly low-budget airlines, charge an additional fee for checking in a suitcase. Therefore, carrying a large suitcase can increase the price of the flight ticket considerably.
Check in requires additional time and must be done a certain period of time before the scheduled departure. Additionally, upon arrival at his destination, the traveller must normally wait a long period of time until he receives his suitcase on the conveyor belt. On the contrary, a suitcase that is suitable as hand luggage does not have to be checked in and the traveller can go directly to the boarding gate of his flight, even right before the scheduled departure. Additionally, upon arrival at his destination, the traveller can leave directly, without having to lose time with the luggage carousel. Therefore, a suitcase suitable as hand luggage allows the traveller to save time and arrive at the airport later and leave earlier.
Many travellers, particularly people who live far from their place of birth or where their family live, wish to take articles or other things, for example food, back to their current place of residence. This entails the problem of having to transport more luggage when returning home than when they left. In particular, if they are only going for a short stay, for example a weekend, and would normally only need a small suitcase, they are faced with the problem that said small suitcase does not have sufficient space to transport all the additional items or other things back home.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a suitcase which allows use as hand luggage and can be made larger to take articles or other additional things obtained during the trip back home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides embodiments for solving the problems of the prior art. In one embodiment, a foldable suitcase called "hand2hold" is provided, in such a manner that one can choose between a first state which corresponds to a large suitcase and a second state which corresponds to a suitcase suitable as hand luggage.
The suitcase comprises means for facilitating folding and unfolding and means that serve to provide easy manual transport in both states.

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the suitcase on the side of the handle in its unfolded state and with the upper section mounted and closed.
Figure 2 shows the suitcase of figure 1 on the other side of the wheels.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the suitcase in its unfolded state and with the upper section rolled up.
Figure 4 shows an upper view of the suitcase in its unfolded state and with the upper section rolled up.
Figures 5A-B show a schematic view of the interior of the suitcase in its unfolded state.
Figure 6 shows a side view of the suitcase in its folded state resting on the central part.
Figure 7 shows a front view of the suitcase in its folded state resting on the central part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foldable suitcase of the invention solves the previously described problems of the prior art. The suitcase can be used for any type of trip, such as travel by train, boat, bus and even car. It is possible to make part of the trip with the suitcase in its folded state and change it during the trip to its unfolded state in order to transport more articles or other things. In particular, the suitcase can be used in air travel.
The foldable suitcase is shown in FIGs. 1 to 5 in a first unfolded state 100. The suitcase 100 is composed of two sections, a lower section 101 and an upper section 102. The lower section 101 comprises a base of one piece containing a surrounding wall along its perimeter which surrounds the base. The lower section 101 has two short sides, also called front or end side, disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis and two long sides, also called lateral side, disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis.
The upper section 102 is composed of two parts 102a, 102b which are joined by a closing mechanism 103. Preferably, the mechanism 103 is a zipper. The upper section 102 is manufactured from a material which is more flexible than that of the lower section 101. The reason is that the upper section must be stored inside the suitcase 200 when folded, in the interior of the joined lower sections. Therefore, an appropriate material must be chosen which is lightweight and can be easily stored, for example rolled up, and occupies a small amount of space. Preferably, canvas is used for the upper section 102.
As can be observed in FIGs. 1 and 2, part 102a is fixed only by one side to the lower section 101, while part 102b is fixed by three sides. This layout facilitates storage of the upper section 102 when wanting to change from the large state 100 to the small state 200.
As can also be observed in FIG. 1, the lower section also comprises, on the front or end side, a fixed handle 105 and an extendable handle 106 which is parallel to said fixed handle. The extendable handle 106 is actuated by a closing mechanism which comprises a press-button 106a. The handles 105 and 106 can be used when the suitcase is in both the folded state 200 and unfolded state 100. An expert skilled in the art knows these closing mechanisms very well and is capable of using any of these mechanisms in the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows that the lower section also comprises, at another end of the wheels, a front or end side which is disposed opposite to the front or end side where the handles 105 and 106 are disposed. Two extendable wheels 107 are disposed on this end side, together with a closing mechanism for said extendable wheels 107, which can be actuated by means of a press-button 107a. The extendable wheels 107, in conjunction with the extendable handle 105, facilitate manual transport of the suitcase in its unfolded state 100, i.e. in the large state 100.
There are also extendable wheels 108 in a central part of the base of the lower section, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The extendable wheels 108 act as extendable wheels 107 when the suitcase is in its folded state 200 (see also FIG. 6), i.e. when it is in its small state 200. Like the handle 106 and the extendable wheels 107, as well the extendable wheels 108 are actuated by means of a closing mechanism which comprises a press-button 108a.
For each extendable means, i.e. handle and wheels, there is a custom-made compartment for housing either the handle 106 or the extendable wheels 107 or 108. The handle 106 is normally retracted when not in use. The extendable wheels 107 are used only in the large state 100, while they are retracted in the small state 200. Likewise, the extendable wheels 108 are used in the small state 200 and are retracted in the large state 100.
The lower section of the suitcase 100 is also distributed in three parts in the longitudinal direction, as indicated by the broken lines in FIGs. 1 to 3. These are a first part 101 a, a central part 101 c and a second part 101 b. Each part comprises at least one portion of the base and walls on both lateral sides. Each of the parts 101 a and 101 b also comprise a wall on the front or end side. A zipper 104 is provided on the upper edge of the walls of the first and second parts which surrounds the entire perimeter except the central part, which is indicated as 101 c. Therefore, it is understood that the zipper 104 consists of two segments 104a and 104b. The zipper 104a surrounds the entire perimeter of the wall of part 101 a and the zipper 104b surrounds the entire perimeter of the wall of part 101 b.
As can be observed in FIG. 4, a total of eight straps 110a-h are provided in the interior of the lower section, which serve to fix the articles and other things the traveller wishes to transport. The straps can be elastic and of a fixed length or can be rigid and have an element which allows the length of the strap to be adapted to the amount of articles and other things deposited.
The straps are disposed in four pairs having two straps each. Preferably, an arrangement of crossed pairs is used, which improves fixation of articles and other things. The straps are fixed to the suitcase by one end by means of a fixing element. The other end of each strap 110a-h may or may not provide a locking element which allows opening of these before depositing articles and other things in the suitcase and closing it afterwards. Given that two straps are combined, either a locking element such as a belt and buckle or locking elements which are complementary therebetween may be used.
Starting from the suitcase in its unfolded state 100, a strap 110a, 110c, 110e, 110g is fixed to each corner of the unfolded suitcase by means of a fixing element 111 a, 111 c, 111 e, 111 g. These straps are called outer straps. Each of the straps 110b, 110d are fixed by means of a fixing element 111 b, 111 d to a point of the second part 101 b, particularly to a point bordering with the central part 101 c. Likewise, each of the straps 110f, 110h are fixed by means of a fixing element 111 f, 111 h to a point of the first part 101 a, particularly to a point bordering with the central part 101 c. The straps 110b, 110d, 110f, 110h are called inner straps.
In its unfolded state, the straps in the suitcase are combined so as to arrange these in crossed pairs in the following manner: strap 110a is combined with strap 110b, 110c with 110d, 110e with 110f and 110g with 110h. In this manner, the straps cover the entire base of the unfolded suitcase.
After folding the suitcase, the points where the fixing elements 111 b, 111 d, 111 f, 111 h are disposed become additional corners of the suitcase in its folded state 200. In this state, the previous arrangement can no longer adequately fix the articles and other things, as the combined straps are now disposed on opposite sides of the suitcase and interfere with each other. For this reason, the fixing elements of the inner straps can rotate and allow a change in the orientation of their straps. That is, in the folded state, the straps are combined in the following manner so as to also obtain a crossed pair arrangement on each side of the folded suitcase: strap 110a is combined with strap 110f, 110c with 110h, 110e with 110b and 110g with 110d. This new arrangement allows the straps to cover the base of both part 101 a and part 101 b and adequately secure the articles and other things on both sides.
FIG. 4 also shows fixing means 109 for the part 102a of the upper section of the suitcase 100. Said closing means serve to fix the part 102a when wanting to fold the suitcase 100 and change it from the large state 100 to the small state 200. The flexible material that represents part 102a is rolled up towards the interior of the suitcase in its large state 100. Fixing elements 109 are provided both inside the suitcase and in part 102a, which act as a closing mechanism to store part 102a on a longitudinal side of the suitcase without occupying a large amount of space. Velcro, buttons, belt and buckle or similar may be used as possible closing mechanisms. Preferably, Velcro is used. At least one fixing means 109 is used throughout the rolled-up part 102a. Additionally, two, three, four or more fixing means 109 can be used.
The first and second parts 101 a, 101 b have the same dimensions in relation to length, width and depth. In the present invention, the length of the central part 101 c is shorter than the first and second parts 101 a, 101 b. Its length, i.e. the distance between the end of part 101 a and the start of part 101 b (indicated by the broken lines in FIGs. 1 to 3) corresponds to double the height of any surrounding wall. This is because said central part 101 c will form a wall when the suitcase is folded, particularly forming the bottom, or support base, of the folded suitcase 200.
The central part 101 c also comprises a wall on each lateral side, as shown schematically in FIGs. 5A-B. Each of these walls includes a foldable flap 112a, 112b made from a rigid material that covers a part thereof. In a first state, the flaps 112a, 112b form part of the respective walls and give rigidity to the structure of the unfolded suitcase.
In a second state, the flaps 112a, 112b are folded and rest on the base. Without the flaps 112a, 112b, the walls of the central part in said second state are flexible and allow folding of the first and second parts 101 a, 101 b. Additionally, the folded flaps 112a, 112b in said second state define two folding axes (indicated in FIG. 5B by broken lines 115), an axis for the first part 101 a and another axis for the second part 101 b, thus providing sufficient rigidity to said folding axes 115 for facilitating said folding.
Additionally, the two flaps 112a, 112b can be fixed in the first state using fixing means when the suitcase is in its unfolded state 100. This is shown schematically in FIG. 5A. The fixing means are preferably a mechanism which enables choosing between a closed position in the first state (FIG. 5A), i.e. flaps 112a, 112b are fixed to the walls of the first and second parts 101 a and 101 b, and an open position in the second state (FIG. 5B) which allows the flaps 112a, 112b to move and fold when wanting to fold the suitcase. Additionally, each fixing means may comprise at least one blocking means (not shown), for example in the form of a clip, which allows the fixing means to be retained in a secure manner at least in their closed position. Said at least one blocking element prevents undesired movement of the fixing means towards the open position.
Preferably, the fixing means comprise a movable element 113 which runs between guiding elements 114. The movable element 113 can be a slider having a length longer than the length of the central part 101 c, in such a manner that, in the closed position in the first state (FIG. 5A), it covers both the central part 101 c and neighbouring portions of the first and second parts 101 a and 101 b. Due to this, the existence of said guiding elements 114 is necessary both in the central part 101 c and at least in neighbouring portions of the first and second parts 101 a and 101 b. On one hand, this arrangement allows an increase in the rigidity of the suitcase in the large state 100 and, on the other, allows elimination of said rigidity easily and quickly in order to fold the suitcase.
One aspect of the invention includes a single base of the suitcase in its unfolded state 100 which serves as a base for parts 101 a, 101 b and 101 c. Said base is made of a piece sufficiently rigid to provide a solid structure and protection in the interior of the suitcase and which allows folding thereof at the same time. With the help of the folded flaps 112a, 112b (FIG. 5B), two folding axes 115 are defined, one for the first part 101 a and another for the second part 101 b. Additionally, the flaps 112a, 112b provide rigidity to the two folding axes 115, serving as an counter-force against the force required to fold the first part 101 a along the longitudinal direction towards the second part 101 b and to fold the second part 101 b along the longitudinal direction towards the first part 101 a.
In another additional aspect of the invention (not illustrated), the base is less rigid along a strip of the connection zone between the central part 101 c and the first part 101 a and along a strip of the connection zone between the central part 101 c and the second part 101 b, respectively. Said strips are approximately 1 cm or less. Said base structure further facilitates folding of the first part 101 a along the longitudinal direction towards the second part 101 b and of the second part 101 b along the longitudinal direction towards the first part 101 a, given that the force required for folding is less and the folding axes 115 are better defined.
Therefore, as shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the first part 101 a constitutes one half of the folded suitcase 200 and the second part 101 b constitutes the other half of the folded suitcase 200. The central part 101 c, for its part, constitutes a wall of the folded suitcase 200, particularly constituting the bottom, or support base, of the folded suitcase 200.
As of FIG. 7, it can also be observed that the extendable wheels 107 and 108 are designed in such a manner as to facilitate the change between the large state 100 and the small state 200 without sacrificing the convenience of being able to easily transport the suitcase 100 or 200 manually. This is achieved by means of an extendable handle 106 and extendable wheels 107 or 108.
As mentioned earlier, both the extendable wheels 107 and 108 can be retracted. In this manner, for example, the extendable wheels 107 do not bother the traveller and do not represent any obstacle whatsoever when the suitcase is folded 200. If the suitcase is unfolded 100 again, the traveller can press the press-button 107a which actuates said closing mechanism and the extendable wheels 107 are released from their compartment and can be used to facilitate transport. The same occurs with the extendable wheels 108. Normally, they are stored in their compartment, i.e. retracted, when the suitcase is in its large state 100 and are extended for use in its small state 200. Occasionally, however, the traveller may also want to use them with the large suitcase 100.
The suitcase of the present invention is designed in such a manner that, in its small state, 200 it fulfils not only international standards for hand luggage, but also the even more stringent standards of some airline companies, such as so-called "low-budget" airlines. The suitcase, in its large state 100, may be 118 cm long, 40 cm wide and have a maximum height of 32 cm due to the upper section 102. The walls in themselves are 10 cm high. Both the first part 101 a and the second part 101 b are 49 cm long, while the central part 101 c is 20 cm long. In its small state 200, the width does not vary but the length and height do. In this case, it will be 49 cm long and 20 cm high.
A manner in which to fold the suitcase 100 as of a first unfolded, i.e. large, state 100with the large suitcase closed, as shown in FIGs. 1 or 2, is described below. The suitcase is then opened by completely opening the zipper that joins part 102a and part 102b. Once the suitcase is open, the slider 113 can be moved from the closed position (FIG. 5A) that fixes the suitcase 100 structure to the open position (FIG. 5B). The open position allows moving and folding the flaps 112a, 112b that cover either a part of the wall of the central part 101 c or the entire wall thereof. The flaps 112a, 112b are folded and disposed resting on the base of the suitcase in the central part 101 c (FIG. 5B). Part 102a of the upper section is rolled up towards the interior of the suitcase and fixed using Velcro strips 109, preferably four Velcro strips. Part 102b of the upper section is folded in such a manner as to fit inside the suitcase and occupy a small amount of space.
With the upper section 102 thus stored inside the suitcase and the flaps 112a, 112b disposed on the base of the central part 101 c, the suitcase can be folded. The folding action is carried out along the longitudinal direction, i.e. the first part 101 a is joined to the second part 101 b. Therefore, from a first unfolded state, on joining the first and second parts, these are joined by the central part 101 c, converting the suitcase, in a second folded state, into hand luggage. Given that without the flaps 112a, 112b folded the walls of the central part 101 c are less rigid, the two parts 101 a and 101 b can rest directly on the central part 101 c which, in its small state 200, forms the bottom, or base, of the small suitcase 200. The flaps 112a, 112b also define the two folding axes 115 and provide a rigidity that facilitates folding of parts 101 a and 101 b.
Upon completion of the folding action, the zipper 104 disposed on the upper edges of the walls of the first and second part 101 a and 101 b can be closed, thereby closing the suitcase in the small state 200.
The press-button 107a can be actuated to retract the extendable wheels 107 which cannot be used in the small state 200. The press-button 108a can also be actuated to extend the extendable wheels 108, now on the side opposite the extendable handle 106, in order to obtain the extendable handle and wheels system which enables manual transport of the folded suitcase 200.
The previously described stages can be interchanged and do not have to strictly follow the order established herein.

Claims

Foldable suitcase (100) which comprises a base of a single piece composed of a first part (101 a) and a second part (101 b), both parts being joined by a central part (101 c), wherein the central part (101 c) has folding means which enable folding of the suitcase along its longitudinal direction in such a manner that, as of a first unfolded state, on joining the first and second parts, these are folded along two folding axes (115) defined by the central part (101 c), converting the suitcase, in a second folded state, into hand luggage, with the central part (101 c) as support base.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 1, wherein the folding means of the central part (101 c) include foldable flaps (112a, 112b).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, wherein said base has less rigidity in a first strip of a connection zone between the first part (101 a) and the central part (101c) and in a second strip of a connection zone between the second part (101 b) and the central part (101 c), respectively.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, which comprises fixing means for fixing the foldable flaps (112a, 112b).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, wherein both the first part (101 a) and the second part (101 b) comprise a zipper (1 04a, 104b).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, further comprising an upper section (102) of the unfolded suitcase, consisting of a flexible material, for example, canvas.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 6, wherein the upper section (102) of the unfolded suitcase comprises two parts (102a, 102b), one of which can be rolled up.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 7, wherein the rolled-up part (1 02a) can be fixed using fixing means (109).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 7, wherein the two parts (102a, 102b) of the upper section are joined together by means of a zipper.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, wherein the suitcase has an extendable handle (106) and wheels (107) system on its end sides, such that these remain on opposite sides in the first unfolded state (100), facilitating transport of the unfolded suitcase.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, wherein the suitcase has an extendable handle (106) and wheels (108) system on its end sides, such that these remain on the same side in the second folded state (100), facilitating transport of the folded suitcase (200).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 2, which also comprises fixing means (110) for articles transported inside the suitcase.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of said fixing means can be fixed to both ends of the unfolded suitcase (100).
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claim 11, wherein said fixing means comprise straps.
Foldable suitcase (100) according to claims 2 to 12, wherein the suitcase in its folded state (200) complies with the dimension requirements to store it as hand luggage in the upper compartments of an airplane, particularly in the case of low-budget airlines, and which in its unfolded state does not fulfil these requirements and must be checked in.