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 luggage shell comprising:
- a shell having a front panel, opposing side panels and opposing top and bottom panels, the shell formed of a laminate of a plurality of coextruded films, each of the films comprising a non-woven, continuous sheet element with
- a core of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymer, and
- at least one outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer, the outer layer having a thickness of 0.5% to 25% of the thickness of the respective film,
- wherein each film is a continuous sheet element having a length and width that each are at least the same size as a length and width of the front panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.