GB2243288A

GB2243288A - Case

Info

Publication number: GB2243288A
Application number: GB9009497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dick Ming Hsieh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-27
Filing date: 1990-04-27
Publication date: 1991-10-30
Also published as: GB9009497D0

Abstract

A case (e.g. a briefcase) has moulded casing halves (10) made of a laminate of a central elastically deformable plastics foam layer (e.g. E.V.A) (11), an inner soft lining layer (eg felt) (12) and an outer tear-resistant fabric layer (eg linen or plastics) (13). The halves (10) are thermally formed into apan shape, and the peripheral edges (14) of the pans are fitted into grooves (21, 31) in hinged ring frames (20, 30). <IMAGE>

Description

CASE The invention relates to a case such as a briefcase.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a conventional briefcase is shown. It comprises a pair of casing halves A and first and second briefcase frames B, C. The casing halves A are usually made of Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (A. B. S.) and are shaped as shallow rectangular pans with a protruding annular lip Al formed around a peripheral edge. Each of the first and second briefcase frames B, C has a groove into which is press-fitted an annular lip Al of a respective one of the casing halves A. A pair of hinges are attached to adjacent edges of the first and second briefcase frames B, C so as to hinge together the two briefcase frames. The briefcase further includes a handle B2 and locking means B3, B4 for holding the casing halves A in a closed position.

When manufacturing the conventional briefcase of Figures 1 and 2, an A. B. S. plate is first cut to the desired dimensions and then undergoes a thermal forming process to shape the casing halves A and the protruding lips Al. The first and second briefcase frames, B and C, are then press-fitted onto the casing halves A and a pair of hinges are attached to the briefcase frames B and C to hinge the briefcase frames B and C together.

The disadvantages of using an A. B. S. briefcase are as follows: (a) The A. B. S. briefcase is easily deformed and suffers from scratches, cracks and dents when accidentally bumped into another object.

(b) The A. B. S. briefcase is easily affected by temperature conditions. Extremely high or low temperatures change the characteristics of the briefcase and cause it to become brittle.

(c) Because of the rigidity of the A. B. S. briefcase, the manufacturing process is too noisy.

Conventional briefcases may also be made of flexible plastics materials, such as synthetic leather, to overcome most of the above mentioned disadvantages. However, the production cost of these briefcases is higher and, at the same time, production time is longer because sewing machines are used to assemble the briefcases.

There is therefore a need for a briefcase which is easy to manufacture, does not easily deform and is not affected by temperature conditions.

According to the present invention, there is provided a case comprising: two casing halves, each casing half comprising a laminate of a central layer of an elastically deformable plastics foam. an inwardly facing lining layer and an outwardly facing fabric layer; first and second case frames each attached to a respective one of said casing halves. said first case frame and its casing half being hingedly attacned to said second case frame and its casing half so as to permit said case to open and close: and a handle attached to one of said case frames.

The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a conventional briefcase; Figure 2 is an illustration of a casing half of the conventional briefcase of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a briefcase according to this invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the briefcase of Figure 3 when in an open position; Figure 4A is a fragmentary sectional view of the briefcase of Figure 4; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of a casing half of the briefcase of this invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the preferred embodiment of a briefcase according to this invention is shown to comprise a pair of casing halves 10, and a first and a second briefcase frame 20 and 30.

Referring to Figure 5, each casing half 10 comprises three layers. The center layer 11 is made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (E. V. A.) formed into a plastic foam material to give the briefcase durable and elastic properties. However, other plastic foams may be usea instead of the E. V. A. foam. The inner layer 12 is made of a soft lining fabric such as felt. The outer layer 13 is made of a strong fabric such as linen or synthetic fabrics. The outer layer 13 may be made of a fabric with patterns -far aesthetic effect. when assembled, the three layers 11, 12, 13 form a laminated body fashioned as a shallow pan by a thermal forming process with a peripheral top edge 14 shaped as a substantially rectangular loop.

Referring to Figures 4 and 4A, the first briefcase frame 20 is a substantially rectangular ring frame with an engaging groove 21 for tightly rtciing the peripheral top edge 14 of one of the casing halves 10.

The peripheral edge of the first briefcase frame 20 nas a looped protruding lip 22. A first latcn 23 ana a pair of second latches 24 outwardly project from an inner surface of the protruding lip 22.

The second briefcase frame 30 is similarly formed as a substantially rectangular ring frame with an engaging groove 31 for tightly receiving the peripheral top edge 14 of the other casing half 10. The second briefcase frame 30 further includes a lip edge 32 which engages with the protruding lip 22 of the first briefcase frame 20 when the first briefcase frame 20 is in a closed position. The second briefcase frame 30 also includes a combination lock 33 and a pair of lock memDers 34 which cooperate with the first and second latches 23, 24, and a handle 35 installed in a central portion of a front face of the second briefcase frame 30. Two pairs of pivoted links 36 are attachea to the first and secona briefcase frames 20, 30 at two sides of the briefcase to hold one of the casing halves 10 in a normally upright position.As in conventional briefcases, sheet members (not shown) are attached to a rear face of the casing halves 10 so as to hinge them together.

The steps involved in the manufacturing process are are as follows: (1) An E. V. A. plastic foam material is cct to the desired dimensions.

(2) Adhesive is applled to two sices or tne cut piece of E. V. A. foam material. The soft lining fabric is adhered to one side of the foam piece, while the strong fabric is adhered to the other side of the foam piece.

(3) The laminate output of the second step is shaped by a thermal forming process into a substantially shallow pan with peripheral top edge 14 fashioned as a substantially rectangular loop to form a casing half 10.

(4) The first and second briefcase frames 20, 30 are attached to one pair of casing halves 10. The engaging groove 21, 31 of each briefcase frame 20, 30 is pressfitted to the peripheral top edge 14 of the casing half 10 and is fastened thereto.

The advantages of using a briefcase according to this invention are as follows: (a) The center layer 11 gives the briefcase elastic properties and tensile strength. The briefcase is not easily deformed and does not suffer cracks and dents.

(b) The outer layer 13 of the briefcase does not suffer scratch marks due to abrasion.

(c) The outer layer 13 can be made of a cloth fabric having printed patterns for aesthetic effect.

(d) The briefcase is not affected by temperature conditions and does not easily break.

(e) The briefcase is light weight and is thus convenient to carry.

(f) Noise generated during the manufacture of the briefcase is reduced.

(g) The elastic properties allow the briefcase to act as a cushion for articles contained therein, protecting them from damage resulting from impact.

Claims

1. A case comprising: two casing halves, each casing half comprising a laminate of a central layer of an elastically deformable plastics foam, an inwardly facing lining layer and an outwardly facing fabric layer; first and second case frames each attached to a respective one of said casing halves, said first case frame and its casing half being hingedly attached to said second case frame and its casing half so as to permit said case to open and close; and a handle attached to one of said case frames.

2. A case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said casing halves is formed as a pan with a peripheral top edge formed into a substantially rectangular loop; each of said first and second case frames being formed as a substantially rectangular ring frame with an engaging groove in which is received said peripheral top edge of a respective one of said casing halves.

3. A case as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said laminate is shaped by a thermal forming process.

4. A case as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3. wherein said elasticably deformable plastics foam is made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers.

5. A case as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a lock for locking together said case frames.

6. A case as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5. wherein said lining layer is a fabric.

7. A case as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said case is a briefcase.

8. A case substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.