WO2019199224A1

WO2019199224A1 - Hard shell case with zipper

Info

Publication number: WO2019199224A1
Application number: PCT/SE2019/050333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert GROU
Original assignee: Scandinavian Travel Innovation Ab
Priority date: 2018-04-13
Filing date: 2019-04-11
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: CN112384101A; SE542941C2; SE1850422A1

Abstract

A hard shell case (1) with zipper (2), which zipper (2) comprises a runner (3) pullably arranged between two rows of hooks (4), each row of hooks (4) being arranged on flexible strips (5), the zipper (2) being arranged in such a way on the case (1 ) so that the zipper (2) connects two portions (6, 7) of the case (1). Along the opening, the shell (8) of the case possesses attaching grooves (9) in which the flexible strips (5) are arranged, fixing elements (10) being arranged perpendicular to the attaching grooves (9) through the shell (8) and the strips (5) at the part of the strips (5) that is arranged in the attaching grooves (9).

Description

HARD SHELL CASE WITH ZIPPER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a hard shell case with zipper, which zipper comprises a runner pullably arranged between two rows of hooks, each row of hooks being arranged on flexible strips, the zipper being arranged in such a way on the case so that the zipper connects two portions of the case. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The most robust cases are generally manufactured from polymers such as, for instance, nylon and have relatively large resistance to sharp objects and are most often also waterproof. The joints are glued or sewn together using a strong nylon thread but usually the sewn solutions last better compared with the glued ones. There are various solutions to open and close a case where one of the more common is to use a zipper.

A zipper is a kind of locking device for foremost clothes, shoes and cases. A zipper consists of a runner which is pulled between two rows of hooks: when it is pulled in one direction, the two rows' hooks are locked in each other, and when it is pulled in the other direction, they are detached from each other. The material was previously exclusively metal, but now zippers are also made in plastic.

For cases and particularly suitcases, load is relatively large and then metal zippers are almost exclusively used.

Modern cases possess more finesses than, for instance, the old trunks; wheels, telescopic handle, etc. At the same time as it is desirable with a durable case having many extra features, it must not weigh too much. Particularly at flights, there are usually weight restrictions.

Of the total weight of a hard shell case that is equipped with zipper, the zipper with attachment is a relatively great part. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hard shell case with zipper solution intended to decrease the total weight. A hard shell case according to a variant of the invention has a zipper, which zipper comprises a runner pullably arranged between two rows of hooks, each row of hooks being arranged on flexible strips, the zipper being arranged in such a way on the case so that the zipper connects two portions of the case. The shell of the case along the opening possesses attaching grooves in which the flexible strips are arranged, fixing elements being arranged perpendicular to the attaching grooves through the shell and the strips at the part of the strips that is arranged in the attaching grooves.

Preferably, the fixing elements consist of seams. According to an embodiment example, the seams are made using nylon thread.

According to a variant of the present invention, the shell of the case is, at least at the opening, made from polypropylene. According to a further variant of the invention, the flexible strip consists of nylon. In a preferred variant of the invention, the flexible strip has a layer of polypropylene. Polypropylene makes the strip more resistant to water.

Preferably, the case possesses countersinks for the fixing elements on the external side of the case in use. An advantage in this connection is that the risk is decreased of something getting caught in the fixing element, for instance when the case is handled upon loading.

According to a variant of the hard shell case, the shell of the case possesses countersinks for the fixing elements on the internal side of the case in use.

In an alternative variant of the invention, the fixing elements consist of staples.

These have the advantage that only the staples that break have to be exchanged. Preferably, the runner and hooks are made from metal to resist somewhat greater stresses.

Further properties and advantages of the present invention are seen in the appended claims and the appurtenant description. A person skilled in the art appreciates that different parts of the present invention may be combined in other ways beyond what is described in order to form embodiments which differ from those described hereinafter without deviating from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above mentioned and further details as well as advantages of the present invention will be easier understood in the following description of examples of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the figures in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-section view of a case according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is top view of a portion of a case with zipper.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail, reference being made to the appended figures in which examples of embodiments are shown. The invention may however be embodied in many different ways and should not be seen as limited to the examples shown. The same reference numeral refers to the same or the like parts of the invention throughout the description.

With reference to the embodiment example in Figure 1 , a hard shell case 1 is shown with zipper 2, which zipper 2 comprises a runner 3 pullably arranged between two rows of hooks 4, each row of hooks 4 being arranged on flexible strips 5, the zipper 2 being arranged in such a way on the case 1 so that the zipper 2 connects two portions 6, 7 of the case 1. Along the opening, the shell 8 of the case possesses attaching grooves 9 in which the flexible strips 5 are arranged, fixing elements 10 being arranged perpendicular to the attaching grooves 9 through the shell 8 and the strips 5 at the part of the strips 5 that is arranged in the attaching grooves 9.

In the example shown, the fixing elements 10 consist of seams. The seams are preferably made using nylon thread. Nylon thread is light and there are relatively strong threads on the market.

The shell 5 of the case possesses countersinks 11 for the fixing elements 10 on the external side of the case 1 in use, see Figures 1 and 2. The countersinks 1 1 protect the fixing elements 10 against damage which may arise in normal handling of the case, particularly upon loading in, for instance, aircraft. In the example shown, also the inside has countersinks 12 for the fixing elements 10 on the internal side of the case in use.

In Figure 1 , also reinforcements 13 are shown along the upper side of the case 1.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures. A person skilled in the art appreciates that numerous variants and modifications may be made within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For instance, the reinforcements 13 could be arranged to cover the fixing elements 10.

In the description, the expression "grooves" and "attaching grooves" has been used. These grooves could also be referred to as "recesses" or "slots". The grooves may, for instance, be injection-moulded directly, i.e., at the same time as the case. An alternative is that the grooves are cut out afterwards by some form of machining, such as by a cutting tool.

Furthermore, the word "possess" has been used to describe that there are grooves in the shell along the opening of a case. "Possess" is in dictionaries and particularly in this connection synonymous with "have" but also the word "comprise" could be used. This concerns the description as well as the claims. An alternative to the portion "... that the shell (8) of the case along the opening possesses attaching grooves (9) in which the flexible strips (5) are arranged..." of claim 1 could accordingly be; "... that the shell (8) of the case along the opening comprises attaching grooves (9) in which the flexible strips (5) are arranged...".

Claims

1. Hard shell case (1 ) with zipper (2), which zipper (2) comprises a runner (3) pullably arranged between two rows of hooks (4), each row of hooks (4) being arranged on flexible strips (5), the zipper (2) being arranged in such a way on the case (1 ) so that the zipper (2) connects two portions (6, 7) of the case (1 ),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the shell (8) of the case along the opening possesses attaching grooves (9) in which the flexible strips (5) are arranged, fixing elements (10) being arranged perpendicular to the attaching grooves (9) through the shell (8) and the strips (5) at the part of the strips (5) that is arranged in the attaching grooves (9).

2. Hard shell case (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing elements (10) consist of seams.

3. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the fixing elements (10) consist of nylon.

4. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the shell (8) of the case at least at the opening consists of polypropylene.

5. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the flexible strip (5) consists of nylon.

6. Hard shell case (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the strip (5) has a layer of polypropylene.

7. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the shell (5) of the case possesses countersinks (11 ) for the fixing elements (10) on the external side of the case in use.

8. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the shell (5) of the case possesses countersinks (12) for the fixing elements (10) on the internal side of the case in use.

9. Hard shell case according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing elements consist of staples.

10. Hard shell case (1 ) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the runner (3) and hooks (4) are made from metal.