Fabric air cargo container doors having improved fastening system

A cargo container, comprising:

• a plurality of side walls, a bottom, a top, and at least one open end, each of the side walls that is adjacent to the open end has a plurality of couplings affixed thereto;
• and
• a fabric closure removably attached to the cargo container to close the open end, the fabric closure comprising:
• a fabric door having top and bottom edges and opposed side edges;
• and
• a fastening system for at least connecting the opposed side edges to the couplings, the fastening system comprising:
• a fabric pocket affixed to an exterior surface of the fabric door, at least an outer surface of the pocket having a first hook and loop fastener portion;
• a protective strip attached to the outer surface of the pocket, wherein the protective strip includes opposed first and second sides, the first side having a second hook and loop fastener portion, and the second side having a third hook and loop fastener portion, wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion is engaged with the second hook and loop fastener portion;
• and
• a connecting strap for being secured around a respective one of the plurality of couplings, wherein the connecting strap passes through the fabric pocket and is engaged with the third hook and loop fastener portion on the second side of the protective strip.

A method of maintaining a fabric closure for the open end of an air cargo container of the type having a plurality of side walls, a bottom, a top, and at least one open end, each of the side walls adjacent to the open end contain a plurality of couplings affixed thereto, the fabric closure comprising:

• a fabric door having top and bottom edges and opposed side edges;
• a fastening system for at least connecting the opposed side edges to the couplings, the fastening system comprising:
• a fabric pocket affixed to an exterior surface of the fabric door, at least an outer surface of the pocket having a first hook and loop fastener portion;
• a protective strip attached to the outer surface of the pocket, wherein the protective strip includes opposed first and second sides, the first side having a second hook and loop fastener portion, and the second side having a third hook and loop fastener portion, wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion is engaged with the second hook and loop fastener portion;
• and a connecting strap for being secured around a respective one of the plurality of couplings, wherein the connecting strap passes through the fabric pocket and is engaged with the third hook and loop fastener portion on the second side of the protective strip, the method comprising:
• replacing the strap after a first number of use cycles of the fabric closure;
• and
• replacing the protective strip after a second number of use cycles of the fabric closure, wherein the second number of use cycles is at least ten times the first number of use cycles.