Differential pressure formed luggage with molded integrated frame
AssigneeSamsonite Corporation
InventorsElliot Younessian, Joseph Kapushion, Robert L. Bromley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to hard sided luggage shells and other containers manufactured using vacuum forming or pressure forming of thermoplastics. Shells and containers with integrally molded frames are disclosed. The differential pressure formed shell containers have framed openings, but without the need to attach a separate frame element to the molded shell.
Claims30
In an article of differential pressure formed luggage having two plastic shells, the shells being a lid shell pivotally connected to a base shell, each shell having a bottom portion and side portions extending from the bottom portion to a rim, the lid shell rim approximately corresponding to the base shell rim whereby when the two shells are placed one upon the other in a closed position with their rims substantially aligned, the shells define an interior space therebetween wherein clothing and personal items may be contained, the improvement comprising:
- a lid flange offset from the lid shell and defining a lid shell peripheral edge;
- a first wall member, integrally molded with and depending from the lid shell, and connecting said lid flange to the lid shell;
- a base flange offset from the base shell and defining a base shell peripheral edge;
- a second wall member, integrally molded with and depending from the base shell and connecting said base flange to the base shell;
- said lid flange overlapping at least a portion of said base flange, and said lid shell peripheral edge substantially adjacent to said second wall member, when the two shells are in a closed position;
- and
- means, disposed upon said first wall member and upon said second wall member, for releasably connecting said two wall members together.
In an article of differential pressure formed luggage having two plastic shells, the shells being a lid shell pivotally connected to a base shell, each shell having a bottom portion and side portions extending from the bottom portion to a rim, the lid shell rim approximately corresponding to the base shell rim whereby when the two shells are placed one upon the other in a closed position with their rims substantially aligned, the shells define an interior space therebetween wherein clothing and personal items may be contained, the improvement comprising:
- a lid flange offset from the lid shell and defining a lid shell peripheral edge:
- a first wall member connecting said lid flange to the lid shell:
- a base flange offset from the base shell and defining a base shell peripheral edge:
- a second wall member connecting said base flange to the base shell:
- said lid flange overlapping at least a portion of said base flange when the two shells are in a closed position:
- and
- means, disposed upon said first wall member and upon said second wall member. For releasably connecting said two wall members together;
- wherein said means for releasably connecting comprises latching means mounted upon one of said wall members and catching means fixed upon the other of said wall members.
A luggage apparatus comprising:
- a differential pressure formed base shell including:
- a plurality of base sides;
- a base shell rim defined by said base sides;
- a base shell wall member integrally molded with and depending from said base sides substantially adjacent to at least a segment of said base rim;
- and
- a base flange integrally molded with and extending from said base shell wall member;
- a differential pressure formed lid shell including:
- a plurality of lid sides;
- a lid shell rim defmed by said lid sides;
- a lid shell wall member integrally molded with and depending from said lid sides substantially adjacent to at least a segment of said lid shell rim;
- and
- a lid flange integrally molded with and extending from said lid shell wall member;
- a lid shell peripheral edge defined by said lid flange;
- and
- means disposed upon said base shell wall member. for releasably connecting said lid shell to said base shell;
- wherein said lid shell is alignably engageable with said base shell in a closed relation to enclose a space between said shells;
- and
- wherein when said lid shell is alignably engaged with said base shell and said lid shell and said base shell are in a closed relation, said lid flange and said base flange slidably overlap with said lid shell peripheral edge substantially adjacent to said base shell wall member said lid shell wall member and said base shell wall member define a recessed channel between at least a segment of each of said shell rims, and
- said means for releasably connecting is disposed at least partially within said recessed channel.
A luggage apparatus comprising:
- a differential pressure formed base shell including:
- a plurality of base sides:
- a base shell rim defined by said base sides;
- a base shell wall member integrally molded with and depending from said base sides substantially adjacent to at least a segment of said base rim:
- and
- a base flange integrally molded with and extending from said base shell wall member:
- a differential pressure formed lid shell including:
- a plurality of lid sides:
- a lid shell rim defined by said lid sides:
- a lid shell wall member integrally molded with and depending from said lid sides substantially adjacent to at least a segment of said lid shell rim:
- and
- a lid flange integrally molded with and extending from said lid shell wall member:
- and
- means for releasably connecting said lid shell to said base shell:
- wherein said lid shell is alignably engageable with said base shell in a closed relation to enclose a space between said shells:
- and wherein when said lid shell is alignably engaged with said base shell and said lid shell and said base shell are in a closed relation, said lid flange and said base flange slidably overlap and said lid shell wall member and said base shell wall member define a recessed channel between at least a segment of each of said shell rims, said means for releasably connecting is disposed at least partially within said recessed channel:
- and wherein said means for releasably connecting comprises at least one latching means mounted upon said base shell wall member and at least one corresponding catching means fixed to said lid shell wall member.
An article of luggage having a lid pivotally connected to a base shell, the lid having a rim and the base shell having a bottom and sides extending from the bottom to a rim, the lid rim approximately corresponding to the base shell rim whereby when the lid and base shell are placed one upon the other in a closed position with their rims substantially aligned, the base shell and lid define an interior space there between wherein clothing and personal items may be contained, comprising;
- a lid flange offset from the lid and defining a lid peripheral edge;
- a first wall member, integrally molded with and depending from the lid rim, connecting said lid flange to the lid;
- a base flange offset from the base shell and defining a base shell peripheral edge;
- a second wall member, integrally molded with and depending from the base shell, and connecting said base flange to the base shell;
- said lid flange overlapping at least a portion of said base flange, and said lid shell peripheral edge substantially adjacent to said second wall member, when the base shell and lid are in a closed position;
- and
- means, disposed upon said first wall member and upon said second wall member, for releasing connecting said two wall members together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.