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US 3,955,656 AGranted
Elastic cover and seal for protecting luggage
OwnerAlbert A. Kashinskiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuous band of impervious elastic material covers and seals the closure around the periphery of a piece of luggage or similar container. An opening is provided, where necessary, through which the luggage handle protrudes. Various cross-sectional shapes are described for achieving close-fitting conformity with the peripheral side surfaces of the luggage.
Claims20
In an article of luggage having:
- two substantially hollow, opposing, mated shells with side body portions and adjoining peripheral side portions,
- means for fastening the shells in a closed, mated relationship to define a closure joint in the area of the peripheral side portions, and
- a handle for carrying the luggage from place to place,
- the improvement comprising:
- a band of impervious material overlying substantially the entire closure joint and covering the peripheral side portions in the area adjacent to the closure without covering the side body portions to any substantial extent,
- the band having elastic properties at least in the direction of, and substantially over, its entire length.
3 more elements
A method for protecting an article of luggage having a closure, a closure joint, peripheral side portions, and said body portions from physical abuse and the entry of foreign material comprising:
- covering the closure and peripheral side portions of the luggage in the area over and adjacent to the closure with a substantially continuous, close-fitting band of impervious material having two opposite edges that extend substantially parallel to the closure joint and having elastic properties at least in the direction of the closure joint, without covering the side body portions of the luggage to any substantial extent,
- folding one edge of the band over onto the other edge along substantially its entire length to expose the luggage closure joint, while the other edge remains substantially in place on the peripheral side portions of the luggage, in order to gain access to the interior of the luggage, and
- folding the one edge back to substantially its original position to re-seal the luggage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.