Abstract:
A flexible and modular system of internal partitioning of a piece of luggage that permits the user to allocate appropriate space to the various contents or to accommodate the particular nature of the contents, such as waterproof containment of wet items, and that is interchangeably modular so that the user can vary the partitioning depending upon the nature of the trip for which he/she is packing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/599,420, filed Aug. 6, 2004 and entitled “Adaptable Luggage,” which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to personal luggage, such as suitcases.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Luggage is available in various sizes, each piece designed for some flexibility in the type and amount of contents that can be packed in each piece. Some luggage has fixed interior volume, while some others have some expandability, such as through gussets and such. Many consumers purchase several pieces of luggage, each of a different shape and size, to accommodate the types and volumes of things they must pack for the different types of excursions they anticipate. Often a traveler must pack non-compatible items, or items with different packing requirements, such as both wet clothing and dry clothing, or heavy items and delicate items.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     In several aspects, this invention features a flexible and modular system of internal partitioning of a piece of luggage that permits the user to allocate appropriate space to various contents or to accommodate the particular nature of the contents (e.g., waterproof containment of wet items). The partitioning is preferably interchangeably modular so that the user can vary the partitioning depending upon the nature of the trip for which he/she is packing.  
         [0005]     One aspect of the invention features a suitcase having a luggage base defining a compartment for containing clothing, the base having interior side walls defining spaced-apart partition locating features, a lid attached to the base and closable to enclose the compartment, and a removable compartment partition sized to simultaneously engage at least two of the partition locating features of the luggage base while partitioning the compartment.  
         [0006]     In some cases, the suitcase has multiple, independently removable compartment partitions, each sized to simultaneously engage at least two of the partition locating features of the luggage base while together partitioning the compartment into at least three regions.  
         [0007]     In some embodiments, the partition is configured to be removed from engagement with a first two of the partition locating features, and moved into engagement with a second two of the partition locating features, to alter a compartment configuration.  
         [0008]     In some versions of the suitcase, the lid has at least one internal flap extending from an internal edge of the lid adjacent the luggage base so as to be moved with the lid open, from a first position against the lid, to a second position covering contents of the luggage base. The lid may have two internal flaps, both extending separately from an internal edge of the lid adjacent the luggage base.  
         [0009]     In some embodiments, the partition locating features are slots sized to receive edge portions of the partition.  
         [0010]     In some embodiments, the partition is expandable to form a pocket for packing items. In some cases, the partition is expandable into a honeycomb structure to form multiple, polygonal pockets. The partition may include a flexible fabric panel, for example, and may be stretchable.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the invention features a suitcase with a luggage base defining a compartment for containing clothing, the base having interior side walls, and a clothes hanger with a hook at one end for suspending the hanger from a rod, the hanger partitioned to simultaneously hang multiple items of clothing draped over different portions of the hanger. The hanger is foldable in length to be placed into the luggage base with clothing hanging therefrom, the interior walls of the base having hanger locating features arranged to receive and locate the folded hanger.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments, the hanger locating features are spaced-apart hooks.  
         [0013]     In some embodiments, the hanger has multiple, spaced-apart, rigid crossbars extending between side rails. Preferably, the side rails are bendable to fold the hanger. For example, the side rails may be of flexible cable.  
         [0014]     Another aspect of the invention features a suitcase with a luggage base defining a compartment for containing clothing, the base having interior side walls, and at least one movable partition within the compartment and arranged to be moved from an open position to a closed position to seal a portion of the compartment from a remainder of the compartment, the partition having a perimeter edge adapted to form an air-tight seal with the interior side walls of the luggage base, and a one-way air valve configured to allow air to escape from the sealed portion of the compartment under pressure, and to inhibit entrance of air into the sealed compartment.  
         [0015]     In some embodiments, the partition has a flexible membrane extending across a major portion of the sealed portion of the compartment. The partition may include a semi-rigid perimeter sealing flange defining a central aperture across which the membrane extends. Preferably, the flexible membrane extends across substantially a full lateral extent of the sealed portion of the compartment. The partition may be hinged to one of the interior side walls of the luggage base. The air valve is preferably positioned to allow air to escape from the sealed portion of the compartment when the partition is manually pressed toward the sealed portion of the compartment.  
         [0016]     In many cases the suitcase also includes a lid attached to the base and closable to enclose the compartment with the partition in its closed position.  
         [0017]     Another aspect of the invention features a suitcase with a luggage base defining a compartment for containing clothing, the base having interior side walls, and multiple rigid support boards removably secured to one of the interior side walls of the luggage base, each support board sized to support a folded article of clothing thereon.  
         [0018]     Preferably, at least one of the support boards is sized to fold an adult-sized shirt thereon, so as to support the folded shirt to resist wrinkling while packed.  
         [0019]     The support boards may be arranged in a stack within the compartment, for example. In some cases, the stacked support boards are all secured to a common retention feature on one of the interior side walls of the luggage base. In one illustrated embodiment, the common retention feature is an elongated dovetail sized to be received within complementary slots in each of the support boards.  
         [0020]     Some embodiments also include a rigid shell open at a bottom thereof and removably secured to one of the interior walls of the luggage base to protect contents contained under the rigid shell from contents placed within the compartment above the shell. In some cases, the luggage base has a compartment floor that defines features for receiving and locating a lower perimeter edge of the shell. In some instances, the rigid shell defines a side slot sized to receive an elongated dovetail extending from one of the interior side walls of the luggage base, to secure the shell to the luggage base.  
         [0021]     Another aspect of the invention features a suitcase with a luggage base defining a compartment for containing clothing, the base having interior side walls, and a hanger disposed within the compartment, the hanger having a hook at one end for suspending the hanger from a rod when removed from the luggage base. The hanger notably has a series of separately sealable pouches, each pouch having a respective, sealable opening for pouch access, and a respective one-way air vent configured to allow air to escape from the sealed pouch under pressure, and to inhibit entrance of air into the sealed pouch.  
         [0022]     The sealable openings of the pouches may each comprise a rib-and-groove closure, for example.  
         [0023]     The hanger may be disposed in a folded state inside the compartment. Preferably, the one-way air vents of the pouches are arranged to enable air to be evacuated from all of the pouches by pressing against the folded hanger in the compartment. The pouches of the hanger may advantageously be configured in different sizes. In one example, the pouches are arranged to extend in a vertical chain of pouches when the hanger is suspended by its hook.  
         [0024]     Many examples also include a lid attached to the base and closable to enclose the compartment with the hanger inside.  
         [0025]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a suitcase with adjustable partitions.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a piece of luggage with a removable, multi-item clothes hanger.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows the hanger of  FIG. 2  removed for hanging.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a luggage base with a sealed internal partition.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the luggage base of  FIG. 4 , with one internal partition open and one sealed.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of area  6  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a luggage base with a flexible partitioning system.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the luggage base of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of area  8 A in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is perspective view of a luggage base with multiple removable folding boards.  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  shows a shirt folded about one of the folding boards.  
         [0037]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the luggage base of  FIG. 9 , with several shirts packed on folding boards.  
         [0038]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the luggage base of  FIG. 9 , with a removable shoe cover.  
         [0039]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the shoe cover of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 14  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the luggage base and shoe cover of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a hanger having a number of separately sealable bags.  
         [0042]      FIG. 16  shows the hanger of  FIG. 15  folded into an open suitcase.  
         [0043]      FIG. 17  shows the suitcase of  FIG. 16 , closed and with the hanger bags compressed. 
     
    
       [0044]     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0045]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , luggage base  2  has integral partitioning slots  4  arranged to receive and thereby locate removable and adjustable partitions, including a full side-to-side partition  8  and an enclosed partition  6  that can open to expose an internal cavity for holding smaller items. Partition  8  also includes integral partitioning slots sized to accept a cross-partition  10 . This system allows the user many different configurations. Included in the cover  14  are partitions  12  which separate items placed between them.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates a “Packing-Hanging” system including a luggage base  2  and a removable, multi-item clothing hanger  16  (shown removed in  FIG. 3 ), allowing multiple items of clothing to remain on the hanger while packed into the luggage. The hanger  16  is located within the luggage base  2  by hooks  15  on the sides of the base  2 . The hanger consists of two flexible cables  16  suspended from opposite ends of a solid upper portion, and several solid crossbars  18 . The crossbars  18  are attached to the cable  16  in either a fixed or adjustable location. The hook  20  allows the hanger to be hung, and consists of a solid wire form bent in the shape of a coat hanger.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a vacuum divider system consists of a luggage base  2  and at least one impervious membrane divider  22  framed by a seal  26  and dividing the base into multiple compartments. Items  32  are placed in the luggage base  2 , then one of the dividers  22  is lowered to cover the items  32 , and its perimeter seal  26  engages a mating feature  30  of the base  2  to form a vacuum-tight seal. The user then compresses the membrane, forcing air out of the compartment under the divider through a one-way check valve  24  within the membrane. The system can have several of these layers, enabling the user to pack various sets of items in different, individually sealed portions of the luggage base. This can be used to separate items that might otherwise undesirably interact, to package clothes for different parts of a journey in different compartments, or to waterproof certain items while leaving easy access to others.  
         [0048]     The system shown in  FIGS. 7-8A  is a flexible partitioning system which allows the user many different configurations. The system includes a luggage base  2  that defines integral slots  36  spaced apart and extending down its interior walls. A fabric divider web  34  is provided with rigid engagement rods  35  sewn into its perimeter in spaced apart positions, the web being stitched to form a series of pockets  37 . The luggage base  2  may be used without the flexible divider web, or with the web forming pockets across only part, or all, of the interior compartment. The user can select which of the engagement rods  35  to engage or not engage with the side walls of the luggage base  2 , to open or leave closed as many pockets as desired. As the divider fabric  34  is stretched between slots  36 , the pockets in the fabric divider open to form a hexagonal or other polygonal shape, for example. With the partitions made of flexible fabric, the individual pockets or cells will tend to conform to the shape of their contents, but will provide some desirable separation between contents. The user can choose to divide the whole luggage in this manner or leave a section undivided, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The system shown in  FIGS. 7-8A  can be combined with one or more semi-rigid partitions selectively engageable into slots  36 , such as the partitions shown in  FIG. 1 , to give the user even more flexibility in the internal configuration of the suitcase.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 9-14  illustrate a packing system based on simple clothes folding aids  40  in the form of flat sheets of relatively rigid material releasably securable to an inner wall of a luggage base  2 , such as by an interlocking dovetail shape  38 . Various clothing items  32 , such as shirts, are folded with the use of the folding aid  40 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Several folded clothing items  32  then can be neatly stacked in the luggage by sliding them and their associated folding aids into the luggage.  FIGS. 12-14  show a hard shell cover  44  for protecting bulky items, such as shoes, or items requiring crush protection. The hard shell is a five-sided box, with one side defining the mating dovetail shape to engage the interior rail of the luggage base. When in place, the perimeter of the hard shell engages in slots defined between sealing ribs  46  ( FIG. 14 ) protruding from the floor of the luggage base  2  around the perimeter of the hard shell.  
         [0050]     Referring next to  FIGS. 15-17 , a hanger  55  includes a series of bags  48  attached to each other to form a train. Each bag  48  consists of a non-permeable membrane  49 , a resealable opening  50  (such as with a standard rib-and-groove seal) and a vacuum check valve  52 . The bags can be of different sizes and can be divided horizontally and/or vertically, as shown. The bags are suspended from a cross bar  56  and can be hung by the attached hook  58 . After packing the bags, the train of bags  48  is laid into a luggage base  2 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and the user compresses the bags to discharge air through their check valves  52 , leaving the bags in a compressed state ( FIG. 17 ) and enhancing utilization of the space within the luggage.  
         [0051]     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.