COVER FOR PROTECTING ARTICLES

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover (10) for protecting at least one article, comprising: a flexible enclosure (12), the flexible enclosure (12) being impermeable to liquids and gases; and a closure (14) designed to be moved between an open position, in which the article can be introduced into the flexible enclosure (12), and a closed position, in which the article is enclosed in an air- and watertight manner in an internal space (16) of the flexible enclosure (12), the movement of the closure (14) from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to become trapped in the internal space (16) of the flexible enclosure (12) so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

Claims

1. A cover for at least one article comprising: a flexible enclosure, the flexible enclosure being impermeable to liquids and gases; and a closure arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible enclosure, and a closed position in which the article is enclosed in an air and watertight manner in an internal space of the flexible enclosure, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to become trapped in the internal space of the flexible enclosure so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are suitable for heat-bonding.

3. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the flexible enclosure includes a front wall and a back wall, the internal space extending between the front wall and the back wall, the front and back walls being bonded by continuous heat-bonding along a periphery of the front and back walls.

4. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a sealed zipper extending from an upper end of the flexible enclosure to a lower end of the flexible enclosure, tapes of the zipper being fastened to the flexible enclosure by continuous heat-bonding along the tapes.

5. The cover according to claim 4, wherein the zipper extends substantially centrally on the front wall of the flexible enclosure.

6. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a fold line extending along a transverse axis of the cover, the fold line allowing the cover to be folded by rotation about the transverse axis.

7. The cover according to claim 6, wherein the cover comprises a first handle and a second handle fastened to an outer surface of the flexible enclosure by heat-bonding, the first and second handles being symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis.

8. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one support provided on an inner surface of the flexible enclosure, the support being fastened to the flexible enclosure by heat-bonding.

9. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a garment bag.

10. A manufacturing method for a cover of at least one article comprising the steps of: forming a flexible enclosure, the flexible enclosure being impermeable to liquids and gases; fastening a closure to the flexible enclosure so as to be movable between an open position in which at least one article can be introduced into the flexible enclosure and a closed position in which the article is enclosed in an air and watertight manner in an internal space of the flexible enclosure, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to become trapped in the internal space of the flexible enclosure so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein forming the flexible enclosure comprises providing a front wall and a back wall, the internal space extending between the front wall and the back wall, and joining the front and back walls by continuous heat-bonding along a periphery of the front and back walls.

12. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the fastener is a zipper, and securing the fastener comprises heat-bonding two slides of the zipper to the flexible enclosure by continuous heat-bonding of the slides to the flexible enclosure.

13. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, further comprising heat-bonding at least one handle to an outer surface of the flexible enclosure.

14. A method of protection of at least one article, in particular against impacts, comprising the steps of: providing a cover according to claim 1, inserting at least one article into the flexible enclosure, and moving the closure to the closed position thereof by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible enclosure so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

15. The method of protection according to claim 14, wherein inserting at least one article into the flexible enclosure comprises the step of moving the closure to the open position thereof.

16. The method of protection according to claim 14, wherein inserting at least one article into the flexible enclosure comprises the step of fastening the at least one article to at least one support provided on an inner surface of the flexible enclosure.

17. The method of protection according to claim 14, wherein moving the closure to the closed position thereof comprises the step of moving the front wall away from the back wall to trap a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible enclosure so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

18. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are polyester fibers.

19. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of heat-bonding a backing to an inner surface of the flexible enclosure.

20. The manufacturing method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of heat-bonding a backing to an inner surface of the flexible enclosure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Other features, details and advantages will appear upon reading the detailed description hereinafter, and from analyzing the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a front view of a cover in the open position according to one embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a rear view of the cover shown in FIG. 1.

[0056] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. 1 in the folded position.

[0057] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a front view of the cover shown in FIG. 1 in the closed position.

[0058] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another portion of the cover shown in FIG. 1.

[0060] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a detail of the cover shown in FIG. 1 wherein a hanger is inserted into the cover.

[0061] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the steps of a method of making the cover shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the steps of a method of protection at least one article according to one embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a support according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0064] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cover 10. The cover 10 is intended to protect at least one article. Herein, the article to be protected is a garment, e.g. a shirt, trousers, a dress, a skirt, a jacket, a coat, a waistcoat. However, the article to be protected could be any other article, such as shoes, a bottle, a blackboard, a perfume, a toilet bag, a bag, a watch, a pair of glasses or an electronic device such as a phone, a laptop or a camera.

[0065] As illustrated, the cover 10 essentially comprises a flexible enclosure 12 and a closure 14. The flexible enclosure 12 is intended to contain the article in the cover 10. The closure 14 is suitable for closing or, on the contrary, opening the cover 10 for the insertion and the removal of the article into/from the cover 10.

The Flexible Enclosure 12

[0066] The flexible enclosure 12 is impermeable to liquids and gases. The flexible enclosure is formed from fibers. The fibers used to form the flexible enclosure 12 are chosen for the impervious properties thereof. Thereby, the article contained in the cover 10 can be protected against moisture and the ingress of liquids that may damage and/or dirty the article.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the flexible enclosure 12 is formed from recycled and recyclable fibers. The fibers may e.g. be formed by transforming waste into granules, then heating and extruding the granules to obtain yarn. Thereafter, the weaving of the yarn serves to form the flexible enclosure 12. The manufacture of the 10 cover can be part of a circular economy logic.

[0068] Furthermore, the flexible enclosure 12 has no openings nor holes, with the exception of the closure 14 which will be described in greater detail thereafter. Thereby, air can be trapped in an internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 when the closure 14 of the cover 10 is closed. Trapping means meant that air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 when the closure 14 is closed. From the moment when the cover 10 is closed, the air is permanently contained in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12. Only the subsequent opening of the cover 10 can release the air. The trapped air forms a protective pocket around the article. The cover 10 can protect the article from impacts. In the particular case of textile articles, the cover 10 can also provide satisfactory protection against creasing.

[0069] The flexible enclosure 12 is also made of a material suitable for heat-bonding. Heat-bonding refers to the method of assembly under the action of heat. A heat-bond adhesive 57 is applied between two surfaces to be assembled, the heat-bond adhesive reacting to heat to bond the two surfaces together. The fibers forming the flexible enclosure 12 are chosen for the properties thereof to be heat-bonded, more particularly not to burn nor melt when heat is applied. The heat-bond adhesive 57 may be a cloth, either woven or nonwoven, or a liquid that becomes adhesive when heat is applied. The use of heat-bonding makes it possible to provide a cover 10 with no stitches that could impair the sealing of the cover 10. The cover 10 can thereby be perfectly sealed. A liquid cannot enter the cover 10 and the air enclosed in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 cannot escape. Heat-bonding further contributes to making the heat-bonded parts non-deformable, to give a regular and clean appearance to the cover 10 and to ensure the resistance and flexibility thereof over time.

[0070] In one embodiment, the flexible enclosure 12 is formed from polyester fibers.

[0071] In a particular example, the flexible enclosure 12 is formed from recycled polyester fibers. The flexible enclosure 12 can also be formed from organic, plant or algae fibers. The cover 10 is thereby ecological and durable while having properties of lightness and flexibility.

[0072] The flexible enclosure 12 may e.g. have a substantially rectangular shape. The flexible enclosure 12 may e.g. have a length b of 90 cm and a width a of 60 cm (see FIG. 2). A thickness of the flexible enclosure 12 could be about 6 cm. Such dimensions are suitable for a cover 10 for the protection of a garment. However, the flexible enclosure 12 could also have any other dimensions depending on the article to be protected. The flexible enclosure 12 could also have a shape other than rectangular, e.g. square, circular or oval.

[0073] Herein, the flexible enclosure 12 comprises a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The walls 18, 20 are substantially plane surfaces. In practice, the walls 18, 20 are pieces of fabric, preferentially woven from recycled and recyclable fibers. The walls 18, 20 may e.g. be formed from fibers of the same material, or from fibers of different materials. The walls 18, 20 may have a color or a texture distinct from each other. The back wall 20 may also have a thickness greater than the front wall 18. The back wall 20 may be rigid, in order to support the article. The front wall 18 may be flexible, allowing the article to be inserted. There is thereby flexibility in the production of the flexible enclosure 12. The back wall 20 may also include a reinforcement in order to stiffen the back wall 20. The reinforcement is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the back wall 20, i.e. to the inside of the flexible enclosure 12. This reinforcement stiffens the back wall 20 without, however, preventing the folding of the cover 10 as explained hereinbelow.

[0074] The front and back walls 18, 20 are joined together by heat-bonding. The walls 18, 20 can be heat-bonded continuously (i.e. without interruption) over the entire periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the heat-bond adhesive 57 extends continuously between the front and back walls 18, 20, at the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As illustrated in FIG. 4, there is a space between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are heat-bonded and the edge 62 of the walls 18, 20. The internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 extends between the front and back walls 18, 20. The joint between the front and back walls 18, 20 is sealed, without spaces into which a liquid could enter or from which air trapped in the internal space 16 of the cover 10 could escape.

[0075] Furthermore, the flexible enclosure 12 may define a fold line 23 (which is not particularly visible on the cover 10). Herein, the fold line 23 extends along a transverse axis X of the flexible enclosure 12 (see FIG. 2). The fold line 23 extends substantially at the center of the flexible enclosure 12, along the direction of the width a of the flexible enclosure 12. Henceforth, the lower end of the flexible enclosure 12 can be folded over the upper end of the flexible enclosure 12. The cover 10 can take a folded position wherein the cover 10 is folded in half about the transverse axis X (see FIG. 3). The length b of the cover 10 is thereby divided into two (and the thickness thereof is doubled). The transport of the cover 10 is thereby facilitated.

[0076] Herein, the cover 10 is folded around the fold line 23 so that the front wall 18 of the flexible enclosure 12 is oriented toward the inside of the cover 10 and the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12 faces the outside of the cover 10. Thereby, the closure 14 of the cover 10, provided herein on the front wall 18, can be hidden when the cover 10 is in the folded position. In the folded position, the outside of the cover 10 can be a smooth surface, improving the aesthetics thereof. Furthermore, the back wall 20 of the cover 10 may have a thickness greater than the front wall 18 to provide good protection of the article in the folded position, while providing a compact cover 10.

The Closure 14

[0077] The closure 14 can move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position (FIG. 1), the article can be introduced into the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12. In the closed position (FIG. 4), the article is contained in a sealed manner in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12.

[0078] The closure 14 is a sealed closure. When the closure 14 is moved from the open position to the closed position, air is de facto enclosed in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12. The air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 as long as the closure 14 is in the closed position. The air forms the protective pocket of air around the article.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the closure 14 is a zipper extending from the upper end of the flexible enclosure 12 to the lower end of the flexible enclosure 12. The closure 14 extends along the direction of the length b of the flexible enclosure 12, substantially at the center of the flexible enclosure 12. Such a closure 14 is suitable for inserting clothes without folding or creasing same. Such a closure 14 is also suitable for allowing the walls 18, 20 to be separated during the displacement of the tape toward the closed position in order to trap a quantity of air in the flexible enclosure 12. The closure 14 is provided on the front wall 18 of the flexible enclosure 12 so that same cannot be seen from the outside of the cover 10 when the cover 10 is folded.

[0080] The zipper 14 here comprises two tapes 34 and a slider 32 sliding on the tapes 34. The tapes 34 are heat-bonded to the flexible enclosure 12, in particular to the front wall 18. The heat-bond adhesive 57 can extend continuously (i.e. without interruption) between an upper surface of the tapes 34 and an inner surface of the front wall 18 (see FIG. 6). Continuous heat-bonding contributes to the sealing of the closure 14, preventing the ingress of liquid into the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 or the escape of the air enclosed in the internal space 16. The movement of the slider 32 along the tapes 34 serves to change the closure 14 from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof, or vice versa.

[0081] Alternatively, the closure 14 may not comprise a slider 32. The closure 14 could be a Minigrip.

Other Parts of the Cover

[0082] The cover 10 may comprise at least one handle 22, 24. The at least one handle 22, 24 serves to carry the cover 10 by hand or on the shoulder, in particular in the folded position of the cover 10.

[0083] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 is heat-bonded to an outer surface of the flexible enclosure 12. The heat-bonding of the handles 22, 24 avoids the creation of stitches inside the flexible enclosure 12, which could impair the sealing of the flexible enclosure 12.

[0084] In the example illustrated, the at least one handle 22, 24 is heat-bonded to the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12. When the back wall 20 has a thickness greater than the front wall 18, the rigidity of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible enclosure 12 is increased, making it easier to grab the cover 10. Alternatively, the at least one handle 22, 24 could be heat-bonded to the front wall 18, in order to hide the joint between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible enclosure 12 in the folded position.

[0085] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 can be sewn onto an outer surface of the flexible enclosure 12, in a zone situated between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are joined by heat-bonding and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20. The seam of the handle 22, 24 makes possible a reinforced fastening of the handles 22, 24 to the flexible enclosure 12. Furthermore, the stitches do not compromise the sealing of the internal space 16 since same are situated outside the internal space 16, between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are connected by heat-bonding and the edge of said walls 18, 20.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12. When the back wall 20 has a thickness greater than the front wall 18, such embodiment makes it possible to increase the solidity of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible enclosure 12. According to one embodiment, the at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the front wall 18. Such embodiment makes it possible to hide the seam between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible enclosure 12 in the folded position of the cover 10.

[0087] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 can be both heat-bonded and sewn.

[0088] In the example illustrated, a first handle 22 is provided at an upper end of the back wall 20 and a second handle 24 is provided at a lower end of the back wall 20. The first and second handles 22, 24 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the fold line 23) of the cover 10. Thereby, in the folded position, the first handle 22 is superposed on the second handle 24 to facilitate the transport of the cover 10.

[0089] Each handle 22, 24 comprises a curved portion 28 and two plane portions 30 provided at opposite ends of the curved portion 28. The curved portion 28 forms an arc of a circle protruding from the back wall 20 so that a user can grab the curved portion 28 and carry the cover 10 by hand or on the shoulder. The flat portions 30 define a heat-bonding surface on the back wall 20, to which the heat-bond adhesive 57 can be applied. The flat portions 28 increase the heat-bonded surface area, improving the quality of the heat-bonding.

[0090] According to one embodiment, each handle 22, 24 is made of recycled and recyclable fibers. The handles 22, 24 then contribute to the ecological logic of the cover 10.

[0091] Each handle 22, 24 may be made of the same material as the cover 10 or of a distinct material.

[0092] The cover 10 may also comprise a fastening means in the folded position. The fastening means may be a first magnet 59 arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the flexible enclosure 12 and a second magnet 60 arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the flexible enclosure 12 to cooperate with the first magnet 59 in the folded position. The first and second magnets 59, 60 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the fold line 23) of the cover 10. The first and second magnets 59, 60 can be fastened to the front wall 18 of the cover 10 or inside the first and second handles 22, 24.

[0093] The fastening means may alternatively be a male or female part of at least one snap button arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the flexible enclosure 12, configured to cooperate with a female or male part, respectively, of said at least one snap button arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the flexible enclosure 12. The male and female parts of said at least one snap button are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the fold line 23) of the cover 10. The male and female parts of said at least one snap button may be fastened to the front wall 18 of the cover 10 or inside the first and second handles 22, 24.

[0094] The cover 10 may also comprise at least one support 36. The support 36 can be used to hold the article in place in the internal space 16 of the cover 10. The support 36 is heat-bonded to an inner surface of the flexible enclosure 12. The support 36 can be fastened to the flexible enclosure 12 without creating stitches which could compromise the sealing of the cover 10.

[0095] For example, the support 36 may be a tongue 36 suitable for receiving a clothes hanger 38 (see FIG. 7). The tongue 36 may be provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the cover 10, substantially at the center of the flexible enclosure 12 so that the garment extends along the length b of the cover 10. The tongue 36 is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the flexible enclosure 12, in particular to the back wall 20. Unlike a conventional garment cover, the hanger 38 does not protrude from the cover 10. The cover 10 has no openings through which a liquid could ingress or trapped air could escape.

[0096] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the support 36 may be a fabric part 64 comprising at least two slots 66. The fabric part 64 is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the flexible enclosure 12 except between said at least two slots 66. The heat-bonded surface is shown hatched in FIG. 10. The two slots 66 and the not-heat-bonded space between the two slots 66 are configured to receive a hook of a clothes hanger. Such embodiment makes it possible to obtain a support 36 for a clothes hanger 38 which is particularly flat and discreet.

[0097] The at least two slots 66 are preferentially parallel. The slots are spaced apart by a distance comprised between 5 mm and 3 cm, preferentially about 1 cm. The hook of a clothes hanger 38 can thereby pass through a first of said slots 66, between the fabric part 64 and the flexible enclosure 12, and through a second of said slots 66. The fabric part 64 is preferentially heat-bonded to the back wall 20, in the vicinity of the upper end of the cover 10. The fabric part 64 can be heat-bonded to the back wall 20 so that the two slots 66 extend along the direction of the length of the cover 10. The fabric part 64 may be made of the same material as the walls 18, 20.

[0098] Alternatively or in addition, the support 36 may be one or a plurality of pockets suitable for accommodating a small object such as a tie, a bow tie, a jewel or a square of fabric. Two pockets may e.g. be provided on both sides of the closure 14, in the vicinity of the upper end of the cover 10. The covers may be heat-bonded to the inside surface of the flexible enclosure 12, in particular to the front wall 18. Pockets may include a flap to prevent objects contained in the pocket from escaping. Alternatively, the pockets may include a sealed zipper.

Manufacturing Method

[0099] A method of manufacturing the cover 10 described above is described thereafter, with reference to FIG. 8.

[0100] A first step 100 consists in producing the flexible enclosure 12. The flexible enclosure 12 is obtained e.g. by providing a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are preferentially made of recycled, recyclable fibers. The fibers may e.g. be formed by transforming waste into granules, then heating and extruding the granules to obtain yarn. Thereafter, yarn weaving serves to form the front and back walls 18, 20. The weave may be e.g. a canvas weave, a double weave, a tight weave, a satin weave or a jacquard weave.

[0101] The periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20 can be heat-bonded to define the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 into which the article can be introduced. The heat-bind adhesive 57 can be applied (in the form of strips or liquid) continuously all around one of the front or back walls 18, 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are then superposed and heat is applied to the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. According to one embodiment, a space is maintained between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are connected by heat-bonding and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20.

[0102] A second step 200 comprises the fastening of the closure 14 to the flexible enclosure 12. In the particular example of the zipper 14, the tapes 34 can be heat-bonded to the flexible enclosure 12 so as to extend from the lower end to the upper end of the flexible enclosure 12. The heat-bond adhesive 57 can be applied continuously to the tapes 34. The tapes 34 are then placed on the flexible enclosure 12 (e.g. on the inner surface of the flexible enclosure 12) and heat is applied to the tapes 34. A slider 32 may be provided to slide along the tapes 34 and to allow the cover 10 to be opened and closed. According to the embodiment, a step 300 may consist in heat-bonding the handles 22, 24 to an external surface of the flexible enclosure 12, e.g. to two opposite ends of the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12. The heat-bond adhesive 57 can be applied to the flat portion 30 of the handles 22, 24. The handles 22, 24 can then be positioned on the back wall 20 and heat applied to fasten the handles 22, 24.

[0103] A step 400 may also consist in heat-bonding the support 36 to an inner surface of the flexible enclosure 12, e.g. in the vicinity of the upper end of the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12. The heat-bond adhesive 57 can be applied to a portion of the support 36. The support 36 can then be positioned on the flexible enclosure 12 and heat can be applied to the support to fasten the support 36 to the flexible enclosure 12.

[0104] It should be noted that the order of the heat-bonding can be any order. The closure 14 could be heat-bonded to the front wall 18 before or after the heat-bonding of the front wall 18 to the back wall 20. The support 36 and/or the handles 22, 24 may be heat-bonded before or after the heat-bonding of the front wall 18 to the back wall 20.

Method of Protection

[0105] A method of protection of at least one article, more particularly against impacts, is described thereafter with reference to FIG. 9.

[0106] A first step 1000 comprises the provision of a cover 10 according to the invention.

[0107] A second step 2000 comprises the insertion of at least one article into the flexible enclosure 12. In order to insert at least one article into the flexible enclosure 12, the closure 14 is moved to the open position thereof or to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The step 2000 of inserting at least one article into the flexible enclosure 12 may also comprise the step of fastening the at least one article to the support 36.

[0108] For example, the at least one article is a garment and the insertion step comprises inserting at least one garment and at least one clothes hanger 38 supporting said at least one garment into the flexible enclosure 12, then fastening the at least one clothes hanger 38 to the support 36. In the latter embodiment, the method provides the protection of the at least one garment not only against impacts but also against creasing.

[0109] When the support 36 comprises a portion of fabric 64 and two slots 66 as described hereinabove, the fastening of the at least one clothes hanger 38 to the support consists in passing the hook of said clothes hanger through a first slot 66, into the space between the portion of fabric 64 and the flexible enclosure 12, then in making the hook come out through the second slot 66.

[0110] A third step comprises moving the closure 14 to the closed position thereof by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

[0111] Moving the closure 14 to the closed position thereof may comprise the step of moving the front wall 18 away from the back wall 20 of the flexible enclosure 12 to trap a quantity of air in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12 so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article. The user may choose to separate, to a variable extent, the front wall 18 from the back wall 20 in order to modulate the quantity of air trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the front wall 18 may be separated from the back wall 20 by at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm, at least 15 cm or at least 20 cm. The separation is measured at the closure 14, equidistant from an upper end and a lower end of the closure 14.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the cover 10 can then be folded to take a folded position wherein one portion of the cover 10 is folded over another, preferentially the cover 10 is folded over the fold line 23. The cover 10 can then be held in the folded position by means of the fastening means.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the protection method does not comprise any step of injecting air or gas into the internal space 16 of the flexible enclosure 12.