A wheeled luggage case comprises (a) a storage chamber, (b) a cover defining an opening on at least one side of the storage chamber for providing ready access therein and at least two labyrinth axle-free wheels operatively connected to the chamber for towing the case along a ground surface. The labyrinth axle-free wheel comprises an internal rim, an external rim provided with a ground interface, rollers being rotatably disposed within a roller spacer between the internal and external rims in a uniform circumferential manner by means of a spacer and external covers. A labyrinth type dust passage in the wheel is defined by the rims and the external plates mechanically connected to the internal rim.

A wheeled luggage case comprises (a) a storage chamber, (b) a cover defining an opening on at least one side of the storage chamber for providing ready access therein and at least two labyrinth axle-free wheels operatively connected to the chamber for towing the case along a ground surface. The labyrinth axle-free wheel comprises an internal rim, an external rim provided with a ground interface, rollers being rotatably disposed within a roller spacer between the internal and external rims in a uniform circumferential manner by means of a spacer and external covers. A labyrinth type dust passage in the wheel is defined by the rims and the external plates mechanically connected to the internal rim.

A method for manufacturing a quadrangular shell having five faces and non-developable trihedral connectors between the faces. Plies having continuous fibers are cut to cover the five faces of the shell outside of the trihedral connector zones. Four connector components consolidated in the shape of the trihedral connectors are obtained. Each of the components includes an integration zone between the plies. Plies are positioned and laid up. The four consolidated components are inserted in the trihedral connection zones by inserting the integration zones between two plies to form an assembly obtain a preform. The preform is placed in a tool and the consolidation of the stack of fibrous plies is performed by subjecting the assembly to a predetermined pressure/temperature cycle.

A method for manufacturing a quadrangular shell having five faces and non-developable trihedral connectors between the faces. Plies having continuous fibers are cut to cover the five faces of the shell outside of the trihedral connector zones. Four connector components consolidated in the shape of the trihedral connectors are obtained. Each of the components includes an integration zone between the plies. Plies are positioned and laid up. The four consolidated components are inserted in the trihedral connection zones by inserting the integration zones between two plies to form an assembly obtain a preform. The preform is placed in a tool and the consolidation of the stack of fibrous plies is performed by subjecting the assembly to a predetermined pressure/temperature cycle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member of specific cross-section is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath and a locking/unlocking system. The locking/unlocking system includes a bushing and partly housed in the elongate member. In a first position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to compress the bushing such that it is tightly applied against an inside face of the sheath to keep the elongate member fixed in the sheath, thus locking the handle in a selected position. In a second position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to decompress the bushing to enable a free sliding of the elongate member in the sheath, thus unlocking the handle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member of specific cross-section is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath and a locking/unlocking system. The locking/unlocking system includes a bushing and partly housed in the elongate member. In a first position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to compress the bushing such that it is tightly applied against an inside face of the sheath to keep the elongate member fixed in the sheath, thus locking the handle in a selected position. In a second position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to decompress the bushing to enable a free sliding of the elongate member in the sheath, thus unlocking the handle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath partly housing a locking/unlocking system, which is mechanically connected to elongate member. An interface system is actuated by the handle axle and actuates the locking/unlocking system. A support member forms a housing for a portion of the handle axle and the interface system. The support member includes a wall forming a guide and a stop for rotational movement of the interface system and of the handle axle between first and second positions of the grip portion and the handle axle. In the first position, the locking/unlocking system locks the handle in a selected position. In the second position, obtained by the rotation of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system unlocks the handle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath partly housing a locking/unlocking system, which is mechanically connected to elongate member. An interface system is actuated by the handle axle and actuates the locking/unlocking system. A support member forms a housing for a portion of the handle axle and the interface system. The support member includes a wall forming a guide and a stop for rotational movement of the interface system and of the handle axle between first and second positions of the grip portion and the handle axle. In the first position, the locking/unlocking system locks the handle in a selected position. In the second position, obtained by the rotation of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system unlocks the handle.

A luggage case includes a shell and a continuous closure structure, the continuous closure structure including a protective cover and separately or additionally an expansion zipper. The continuous closure assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a first strip portion and a second strip portion connected along a common outer edge. The second strip portion overlays a portion of the first strip portion. The expansion zipper assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a central webbing portion having zipper teeth on opposing sides, and a gusset member secured between the shell and the central webbing portion.

A system for stamping suitcases and luggage items, by in-line digital printing and drying, in a single pass, including: a printing module configured to print an image on one side of the suitcase with at least one printing head and one drying lamp; movement means for moving the items to be printed, with an individual conveyor belt, synchronised with the injector and the drying lamp, and movement means formed by a plurality of individual conveyors synchronised to operate according to the presence or absence of suitcases on adjacent conveyors, preventing them from impacting each other; and a traceability-tracking system configured to determine the position of each suitcase, by means of a unique two-dimensional identification code associated with each item, or by means of supervision of an operator. It also includes trays for coupling those suitcases that have an uneven shape, controlling the movement thereof and the correct alignment of the side to be printed.