Biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymer laminate films for luggage articles and methods of making the same
AssigneeSamsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
InventorsPauline M. Koslowski, Rik Hillaert
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Abstract
A laminate (110) of polypropylene films (100), a luggage shell (120) constructed of the laminate (110), a method (200) of making the laminate (110), and a method (280) of making the luggage shell (120) are provided. The films (100) include a core (102) and at least one outer layer (104). The laminate (110) includes a plurality of films (100). The laminate (110) may be formed by laminating a plurality of films 100 under predetermined pressure, temperature, and time conditions. The shell (120) may be formed by deep drawing a sheet of laminate (110) while applying heat and tension to the laminate (110).
Claims18
A method of making a luggage shell, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of films;
- laminating the plurality of films together to form a laminate;
- and
- moulding the laminate to form a luggage shell;
- wherein:
- the films have a core of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymer and an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer on each of the top and bottom side of the core;
- and
- the films are laminated at a temperature of 120-190° C.;
- and
- the laminate has a stiffness of 3.5-5 GPa in the transverse direction and a stiffness of 1.5-3 GPa in the longitudinal direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.