PACKING ORGANIZER FOR USE WITH A LUGGAGE CASE
20260130478 ยท 2026-05-14
Inventors
Cpc classification
A45C2003/005
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A45C2005/037
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A45C13/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A45C2013/267
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A45C13/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A packing organizer for use inside a luggage case. The packing organizer includes a first compartment and a separate second compartment, each compartment defining an interior volume, and each compartment defining a selectively openable lid to allow access to each compartment's respective internal volume. A hinge is fixedly attached to or removably attached to the first compartment and the second compartment to allow relative movement between the first compartment and the second compartment about the hinge; the first and second compartments movable about the hinge between a first configuration where the compartments are folded to overlie each other, and a second configuration where the first and second compartments are unfolded and positioned side by side next to one another in an extended position. The packing organizer may be positioned in a luggage case in a variety of orientations and locations to assist a user in efficiently packing a luggage case.
Claims
1. A packing organizer for use inside a luggage case comprising: A first compartment and a separate second compartment each defining: an interior volume and each compartment defining a selectively openable lid to allow access to each compartment's respective internal volume a hinge connecting the first compartment to the second compartment to allow relative movement between the first compartment and the second compartment about the hinge; the first and second compartments movable about the hinge between a first configuration where the compartments are folded to overlie on top of each other; and a second configuration where the first compartment and second compartment are unfolded and positioned side by side next to one another.
2. The packing organizer of claim 1, wherein: each compartment is defined by opposing major panels and a plurality of side panels attaching the major panels to form the internal volume; and wherein in each respective compartment one of the opposing major panels forms the lid
3. The packing organizer of claim 1, wherein in the first configuration the respective lids engage one another and a side panel of each of the first and second compartments coupled to the hinge extend to generally form a plane relative to one another.
4. The packing organizer of claim 1, wherein in the second configuration the lids generally define a plane relative to one another and a side panel of each of the first and second compartments coupled to the hinge engage each other.
5. The packing organizer of claim wherein: the hinge is a flexible member one edge of the hinge is coupled adjacent a top edge of a side panel on the first compartment an opposing edge of the hinge is coupled to a top edge of a side panel on the second compartment, and wherein the respective lid of each of the first and second compartments is coupled to the respective compartment along at least part of the length of the hinge.
6. The packing organizer of claim 1, wherein: The lid for each respective compartment selectively couples along a top edge of three adjacent side panels by a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener, or a releasable clasp for controlling access to the internal volume.
7. The packing organizer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment include a flexible handle
8. The packing organizer of claim 7, wherein the at least one handle is secured adjacent a long edge of a major panel opposite a long edge to which a hinge is adjacent of the respective compartment
9. A luggage case system including the packing organizer of claim 1, wherein a luggage case comprises at least one shell defining opposing end walls opposing sidewalls and a base wall that together define a cavity the cavity having a height (LSH), length (LSL) and width dimensions (LSW), and wherein: the packing organizer is positioned within the cavity in either the first configuration or the second configuration
10. The luggage case system of claim 9, further comprising a front panel hingedly attached to the shell to allow access to the cavity
11. The luggage case system of claim 9, wherein the luggage case comprises two shells each shell having a cavity
12. A luggage case system as defined in claim 9, or 11, wherein: in the first configuration the packing organizer takes up more of the height dimension (LSH) and less of the length dimension (LSL) compared to the second configuration, and in the second configuration the packing organizer takes up more of the length dimension (LSL) and less of the height dimension (LSH) compared to the first configuration.
13. A luggage system as defined in claim 9, wherein in the second configuration the packing organizer may be positioned on a base wall of the cavity and below at least some of any other articles positioned therein.
14. A luggage system as defined in claim 9, wherein in the second configuration the packing organizer may be positioned on top of at least some of the other articles positioned in the cavity divider panel and preferably engaged by a compression device mounted on the shell to compress the articles and the packing organizer
15. A luggage system as defined in claim 9, wherein in both the first configuration and the second configuration the packing organizer extends across the entire width dimension (LSW) of the cavity
Description
DRAWINGS
[0024] The description will be more fully understood with reference to the following figures in which components are not drawn to scale, which are presented as various examples of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a complete recitation of the scope of the disclosure, characterized in that:
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[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The improved packing organizer for use with a luggage case described herein may be suitable for use on many different types of luggage cases, including but not limited to hard-sided luggage cases, soft-sided luggage cases, and hybrid luggage cases.
[0038]
[0039] Returning to
[0040] Examples of other luggage cases 102 with which the packing organizer may be used include luggage cases (hard sided or soft sided) where a long side rests on a support surface; a soft sided luggage case having a single shell defining a cavity 152 and a door panel that closes over an opening in the shell to control access to the cavity 152; packing trunks that are rectangular box-shaped with a large lid pivoting upwardly from a top rim, and other sized and shaped luggage cases. The packing organizer 200 may be used in each of these styles of cases in a first configuration or a second configuration. In the first configuration, the packing case 200 is folded over with the two compartments 203, 206 overlying each other, in which case it covers only a portion of the major face (major wall) of the luggage case 102 but uses a significant portion of the depth of the luggage case. In the second configuration the packing case is extended with the compartments lying side by side to cover or substantially cover the main surface (major wall) and using only a fraction of portion (e.g. for example 50% or less) of the depth of the luggage case 102.
[0041] The luggage case 102 may also include one or more carry handles 124, typically one on a side panel (for example 114), and another on the top panel 108 of the luggage case 102. The luggage case 102 may also include an extendable or telescopic tow handle 125 attached to or configured with at least one panel of the luggage case 102, such as to the rear panel 106.
[0042] Each of the two shells 116, 118, in the orientation as shown in
[0043] The shells 116, 118 may be selectively secured in a closed configuration by a closure mechanism 128, such as a clamp or clamps positioned to engage across the line of closure formed by the peripheral rim 132 between the shells 116, 118. Alternatively, the closure mechanism 128 may be a continuous closure mechanism 128, such as for example a zipper structure extending along at least a part of the peripheral rim 132 of each shell 116, 118. A hinge structure 130 (See
[0044] Referring to
[0045]
[0046] In one example, as shown in
[0047] In another example, as shown in
[0048] In another example, the hinge 210 may detach from one or both of the first 203 and second 206 compartments to allow them to be separated and used independently. For example, the first 203 and the second 206 compartments in
[0049] The different dimensions of the first 302 and second 304 configurations, as well as the separate unconnected state, provide options for using the packing organizer 200 in a luggage case 102. In the first configuration, a thickness dimension 1T is greater than the thickness dimension 2T of the second configuration 304, and the length dimension 1L is less than the length dimension 2L of the second configuration 304. In some examples, the thickness dimension 1T is approximately 160% to approximately 200% of the thickness dimension 2T.
[0050] In some examples, the length dimension 1L is approximately 40-60% of the length dimension 2L, and alternatively in some examples may be approximately 50% of the length dimension 2L. The difference in the length dimension 1L of the first configuration 302 may be caused by the first 203 and second 206 compartments each having unequal length dimensions. Where the length dimension 1L is 50% of length dimension 2L, the first 203 and second 206 compartments have respective lengths that are approximately equal.
[0051] The packing organizer 200 improves the organization of a luggage case 102 because it can easily be customized based on the user's packing needs. The packing organizer 200 improves packing organization and efficiency because it can be positioned in a luggage case 102 in at least three ways: in its first configuration (folded and overlying one another) 302, in its second configuration (side by side) 304, and optionally where the hinge 210 is disconnected, as separate first 203 and second 206 compartments.
[0052] Additionally, the packing organizer 200 may provide further options for improving packing efficiency by the different configurations of the packing organizer 200 being positionable in various locations within a luggage case 102. Examples of the alternate positioning of the packing organizer 200 are shown in
[0053]
[0054]
[0055]
[0056] In one example, a luggage case system may include the packing organizer 200 wherein a luggage case 102 comprises at least one shell 116, 118 (also alternatively referred to as a housing) defining opposing end (top and bottom) walls 108, 110, opposing sidewalls 112, 114, and a base wall 104, 106 that together define the cavity 152. The cavity may have a height LSH, length LSL and width dimensions LSW. The packing organizer 200 is positioned within the cavity 152 in either the first configuration 302 or the second configuration 304. In the first configuration 302 the packing organizer 200 takes up more of the height dimension LSH and less of the length dimension LSL compared to the second configuration 304. In the second configuration 304 the packing organizer 200 takes up more of the length dimension LSL and less of the height dimension LSH compared to the first configuration 302.
[0057] In another example, in the first configuration 302 the packing organizer 200 takes up between 40% and 60% of the length dimension LSL and between 80% and 100% of the height dimension LSH, and in the second configuration (304) takes up between 40% and 60% of the height dimension LSH and 80% to 100% of the length dimension LSL.
[0058] In another example, in the first configuration 302 the packing organizer 200 takes up approximately 50% of the length dimension LSL and approximately 100% of the height dimension LSH, and in the second configuration 304 takes up approximately 50% of the height dimension LSH and approximately 100% of the length dimension LSL.
[0059] In the first configuration 302, the packing organizer 200 may be positioned in an end region 248 abutting one of the opposing ends 108, 110 of the shell 116, 118, in order to leave significant portion of the internal cavity 152 free for use in receiving other articles within the luggage case.
[0060] In one example, where the packing organizer 200 is in the second configuration, and with reference to
[0061] In one example, in the second configuration (304) the packing organizer (200) may be positioned on a base wall (104, 106) of the cavity (152) and below at least some of any other articles (50) positioned therein.
[0062] In another example, in the second configuration 302 the packing organizer 200 may be positioned on top of at least some of the other articles 50 positioned in the cavity 152 and engaged by a compression device 160 mounted on the shell 116, 118 to compress the articles 50 and the packing organizer 200. The compression device 160 may be a set of compression straps Also, in some examples, in both the first configuration 302 and the second configuration 304 the packing organizer 200 extends across the entire width dimension LSW of the cavity 152.
[0063] The packing organizer 200 may also be used with the two compartments 203, 206 separated from one another by disconnecting the hinge 210 from between them. In this example, the first 203 and second 206 compartments may be positioned independently from one another in the luggage shell 116, or alternatively may be positioned one in each luggage shell 116, 118, or alternatively only one of the two compartments 203, 206 may be used with the other compartment 203, 206 left unused. This is beneficial where the user may not require the packing volume of both the compartments 203, 206 of the packing organizer 200.
[0064] Referring to
[0065] In one example, the lid 226 may be selectively secured, such as by a zipper, hook and loop fastener, snap or releasable clasp (generally 215), to at least some of the side panels 232 to allow access to the internal volume 240. In the examples shown and described herein for the lid 226, the selective fastener 215 is a zipper. The lid 226 may be formed of mesh to allow the contents to be at least partially seen through the lid 226. The lid 226 may be formed by another major 230 or side panel 232 or panels 224 selectively secured to at least some of the other panels 224 to allow access to the internal volume 240. The opening 242 to the internal volume 240 may also be formed by a slit zipper opening through one or more of the panels 224. As noted above, the second compartment 206 may have the same or similar structure as described for the first compartment 203.
[0066] The first 203 and second 206 compartments are hingedly attached together to allow the compartments 203, 206 to move between the first 302 and second configurations 304 as described above. The hinge 210 may be made of a flexible strip of fabric material, plastic, leather, a living hinge or one or more flexible connections attached between the first 203 and second 206 compartments. In other examples the hinge may be a rigid structure that still allows the desired relative motion, such as a piano hinge or strap hinges. In one example, best shown in
[0067] In the example shown in
[0068] Additionally, as shown in
[0069] The first compartment 203 and/or the second compartment 206 may each include a handle 250 for use in carrying the packing organizer 200 in the first 302 or second 304 configurations, or in carrying one compartment 203, 206 when separated from the other compartment 203, 206. The at least one handle 250 may be a bale handle secured adjacent to a long edge 238 of a major panel 226 opposite the long edge adjacent to which the hinge 210 is attached. Additionally, the bale handles 250 may be used to carry the packing organizer as a carry case. The bale handles 250 may also be used to hang the packing organizer 200 from either end when in the second configuration 304 for ease of access when removed from the luggage case 102.
[0070] The first 203 and second 206 compartments may have different sizes or shapes, which result in different dimensions when in the first 302 and second 304 configurations based on their respective individual dimensions. However, the benefits in assisting with efficient packing and the convenience of placing the packing organizer 200 in different locations within the luggage shell 116 remain the same or similar to a packing organizer 200 having first 203 and second 206 compartments of the same or similar size.
[0071] All relative and directional references (including upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the particular examples described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.
[0072] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presently disclosed examples teach by way of example and not by limitation. Therefore, the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.