Container For Attachment to Luggage

The present invention relates to an attachment solution for attaching a container to a luggage item, and most preferably relates to a way of attaching a duty-free box to a luggage handle.

Terms/Definitions

‘Arrangement’:

The term arrangement is a technical term which means a feature, or combination of features, (usually with a given purpose). For example, a ‘measuring arrangement’ is a feature or features, to facilitate measuring. A ‘holding arrangement’ is a feature or features, to facilitate holding.

‘Feature’:

The term ‘feature’ is a broad term that includes within its scope any feature under the Sun. A feature may, for example, be an element, body, member, or may even be an aperture (ie opening/hole or the such like). Thus the term ‘holding feature’ includes within its scope, for example, any element, body, member, or even aperture, to facilitate holding. A ‘feature’ may also be a ‘part’ of a broader feature; for example, if a part of an invention is disclosed/claimed as comprising a ‘padding feature’, this does not limit the padding feature to being a separate feature that is added to the invention (eg a sponge element, adhered to the invention); the invention, for example, may have a part made of sponge, or have an inner sponge (or soft) layer—in such a case, if that part of the invention is clearly of a material/nature that provides padding, then this falls within a scope of what is defined in the present application as a ‘padding feature’.

The or Each

The term ‘the or each’ (either in disclosure and/or a claim) can refer back to a single feature/thing, and/or can refer back to a plurality of features/things. When the term is read as referring back to a plurality of features/things, it should be taken as meaning, and including within its scope, ‘at least one, or more, or all (ie each)’ of the said features/things. Thus, to give an example, if a square is referred to/disclosed that has four corners, if the term ‘the or each corner’ is used, it includes within its scope ‘one of the corners, (or two, or three, or all of the corners)’.

When any one feature/thing is afforded any feature(s)/definition in the present application, it is taken as read that, where a plurality of the said feature/thing is provided, ‘the or each’ said feature/thing may be provided/claimed comprising the said feature(s)/definition (ie at least one, or more or all). Similarly, wherever a plurality of the said feature/thing are afforded any feature(s)/definition, it is taken as read that ‘the or each’ said feature/thing may be provided/claimed comprising the feature(s)/definition (ie at least one, or more, or all of the plurality), and/or that even just one said feature/thing may be provided/claimed comprising the feature(s)/definition in an embodiment/claim wherein an invention is defined as comprising ‘a’ (eg singular) said feature/thing.

Reference to Multiple Similar Elements in Plural

In the present application, there may be provided/numbered features wherein the same primary number is used, with a suffix. For example, a first side of the/an invention may be numbered 600′ (for example), and a second side of the invention numbered 600″ (for example). In any such case (or where any other suffix is used, such as I′ and ‘R’ to denote ‘left’ and ‘right’) when such features are referred to together (ie ‘the sides’), the plural may be numbered/referred to with the primary number (without the suffix).

Thus the first side 600′ and second side 600″ may, for example, be referred to simply as ‘the sides 600’. Furthermore, if a side is referred to (not specifying which one of the sides), the primary number (ie 600, for example) may be used, without any suffix.

Background (Problems)

When travelling between countries, people often carry a luggage item (such as a suitcase), which typically has an extendable handle, and wheels, so that it can be easily dragged/wheeled along the floor. Furthermore, people often get duty-free boxes (usually just before their journey outbound), which may contain a duty-free item or item(s), such as liquor, chocolates, jewellery, etc. These duty-free boxes (ie boxes for duty-free item(s)) tend to be made out of cardboard. Dragging the luggage item and also carrying the duty-free box in a different hand can be annoying and constraining, especially if the person needs to use one of their hands for a different action or for carrying another piece of luggage.

It would be desirable if there was a way of attaching the duty-free box (or any relevant container) to the luggage handle, so that it was held on the extended handle of the luggage, and did not require extra care, whilst moving the luggage item.

US2006086583 A1 (HOBERMAN), US2017042302 A1 (SAMSONITE), US2005082131 A1 (TUMI INC), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,032 A (KRULIK) all disclose a first personal carrier item being attached to a luggage item, via an attachment arrangement to attach the personal carrier item to an extended handle of the luggage item. However, the personal carrier item tends to be a leather and/or fabric item/bag, and the attachment arrangement thus is required to be manufactured and/or designed and/or stitched, with significant work and/or detail. Thus, as stated, this is not a particularly ‘instant’ solution, from a manufacturing point of view. (It may also not be ideal for cheaper, more lightweight boxes, for example).

For more lightweight items (eg duty-free boxes), it would be desirable if a more instant, lightweight, and cheap solution could be provided, especially if it were particularly easy to use and/or implement (both for the user and with a view to manufacture). This could be especially useful, for example, for duty-free boxes.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present invention seek to provide a solution to any or all of the above problem(s) by providing: a container, comprising: a body that defines a containment area; and an attachment arrangement to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle of a luggage item; wherein the container is a fold-together container, and the body comprises a plurality of fold segments and fold creases, to facilitate assembling the container.

Preferably the container is a duty-free box (ie a box for duty-free item(s)).

Preferably the container and/or body of the container is made partially or mostly or wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the attachment arrangement is made partially or mostly or wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the attachment arrangement comprises a cut-out portion (preferably of a side) of the container.

In embodiments wherein it is made partially or mostly or wholly out of cardboard, the attachment arrangement (and the container) may be or is extremely easy to produce/manufacture, and may not require any extra material(s). Furthermore, in embodiments wherein the attachment arrangement comprises a cut-out portion of the container, it is possible no extra materials are needed to create the attachment arrangement. This provides an extremely elegant solution. Furthermore, it is practical, and may be extremely inexpensive to implement.

For duty-free boxes, for example, embodiments provide a very quick way, without significant manufacturing and/or design work, to allow the duty-free box to be attached to an extended handle of a luggage item. This luggage item can then, for example, be wheeled around by a user (or transported in any way), with the duty-free box attached to the handle of the luggage item, (therefore not needing to be carried separately by the user).

According to a second aspect, examples seek to provide a solution to any or all of the above problem(s) by providing: a container, comprising: a body that defines a containment area, wherein the body is made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard;

and an attachment arrangement to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle of a luggage item, wherein the attachment arrangement is made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard.

According to a further aspect, examples seek to provide a solution to any or all of the above problem(s) by providing: a container, comprising: a body that defines a containment area; and an attachment arrangement to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle of a luggage item, wherein the attachment arrangement comprises a cut-out portion of the container.

Preferably the cut-out portion, when displaced, leaves an aperture through to the containment area of the container.

According to this aspect, the body and the attachment arrangement are not limited to being made partially or mostly or wholly of cardboard.

The second aspect (and/or any further aspect(s)) may comprise any of the feature(s) of the first aspect and may draw upon any of the feature(s) and/or disclosure of the present application, as optional and/or preferable feature(s). Any aspect may comprise any feature(s) of any other aspect(s), whether the feature(s) be essential or preferable and/or optional to the other aspect(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, in no way limiting a scope of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a side of an example container, (wherein the container is a duty-free box), showing an embodiment of an attachment arrangement to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle of a luggage item, wherein the attachment arrangement is provided by way of a cut-out portion of a side of the duty-free box, and wherein the cut-out portion is partially cut;

FIG. 2 is a same view of a side of a similar embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, showing an embodiment wherein the cut-out portion is fully cut;

FIG. 3 is a view of a side of a same or similar embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, now showing the example attachment arrangement displaced, leaving an aperture in the side of the container;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a same or similar embodiment of the container as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, attached to a luggage item handle, showing the container attached via the attachment arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the attachment arrangement, in use, attaching the container to an extended handle of a luggage item;

FIG. 6 is a view from above of a same or similar embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in an unassembled mode, shown laid flat, and open, and showing example fold segments and fold creases, to facilitate assembling the container;

FIG. 7 shows a view of the example partially assembled;

FIG. 8 shows a view of the example in an unassembled mode, folded over, laid flat, (with the attachment arrangement on the side faced towards the viewer of the Figure); and

FIG. 9 shows the same/similar embodiment as FIG. 8, also folded over and laid flat, showing the other/reverse side to that shown in FIG. 8.

Note: At some patent offices, when claim(s) are allowed for patent, it is required that Figures that do not show all the feature(s) of the/an invention claimed (and that are not within a scope of what is claimed) are denoted as ‘not being claimed’ (or words to that effect). Even in such case, it will be obvious that such Figure(s), even if denoted as ‘not being claimed’ (or words to that effect), may or do show some or many preferable and/or optional feature(s) of the/an invention claimed, which will be clear, in light of the disclosure. Thus such Figure(s) (and/or disclosure related to such Figure(s) and/or embodiment(s)), should nevertheless be considered relevant (and/or may be relevant) to the/an invention claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a container 10, comprising: a body 12 that defines a containment area; and an attachment arrangement 14 to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle 16 of a luggage item 18; wherein the container 10 is a fold-together container, and the body 12 comprises a plurality of fold segments 34 and fold creases 36, to facilitate assembling the container. (An example(s) of this is shown in all of FIGS. 1 to 9).

Preferably the body consists of only one piece of material. (This will be shown, (particularly clearly), with reference to FIGS. 6-9, and is the case in all the Figures/example(s) shown).

Preferably the container can be stored in a flat, unassembled mode. (This is shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9).

Preferably in the flat unassembled mode, a whole of the body can be laid open and flat. (An example of this is shown in FIG. 6).

Preferably in the flat unassembled mode, the body can be folded over itself, nevertheless stored flat. (This is shown/demonstrated in FIGS. 8 and 9).

Preferably the body is made partially or mostly or wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the body and the attachment arrangement are both made partially or mostly or wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the body is made wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the body and the attachment arrangement are made wholly of cardboard.

Preferably the attachment arrangement comprises a cut-out portion 19 of the container.

Preferably the cut-out portion, when displaced, leaves an aperture 20 through to the containment area of the container. Although the attachment arrangements of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 preferably, when displaced, also reveal/leave such an aperture 20, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 most clearly show the attachment arrangement, when displaced, leaving/revealing a said aperture 20, through to the containment area, (inside the container). The aperture 20 is shown shaded, to denote that it goes through to the containment area, in the shown examples.

Preferably a portion or a whole of the cut-out portion is cut out from a side of the container. Thus preferably the cut-out portion of the container is cut-out partially or wholly from a side of the container (and thus provided partially or wholly at a side of the container). (Example(s) of this are shown in all the drawings).

(In the example(s) shown in the drawings, a whole of the example cut-out portion is cut out from a side of the container. Thus, in the example(s) shown in the drawings, the example cut-out portion is cut out wholly from (and provided wholly at) the/a side of the container).

(Only the side of the container at which the attachment arrangement and/or cut-out portion is provided is numbered with the number 22 in the Figures. However, a portion or a whole of the cut-out portion and/or attachment arrangement may be provided at any side of the container, not limited to the example(s) shown. For example, a portion or a whole of the attachment arrangement and/or cut-out portion may be provided on an opposing side of the container to the side where it is provided in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (and other Figures), for example).

(Thus there is shown an example(s) wherein the aperture 20 extends through the container, (preferably through the/a side 22 of the container), through to the containment area. FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show this particularly well, showing example(s) wherein the aperture 20 extends all the way through the/a side 22 of the container, through to the containment area).

Preferably a portion or a whole of the attachment arrangement 14 can extend from the container. (This is shown particularly clearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, where, in the examples, a whole of the attachment arrangement 14 is shown extending from the container).

Preferably a portion or a whole of the attachment arrangement 14 can extend, rotatably, from the container. (This is best shown with reference to FIG. 5 (and also FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), where it can be seen the attachment arrangement has been released, and extends from the container, and can be rotated back to a closed position (and vice versa) if desired. This is probably most visually obvious in FIG. 5).

Preferably the attachment arrangement comprises an aperture 24 to slip an extended pull-out handle of a luggage item through. (This is best shown in FIG. 5, where the attachment arrangement is shown, in use, with a handle of a luggage item slipped through the aperture 24).

Preferably there is provided an aperture arrangement 26 to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement. (This is shown or suggested in all of FIGS. 1 to 5).

Preferably the aperture arrangement is provided above the attachment arrangement. (This is best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, but is shown in all the examples of FIGS. 1 to 5. This is also shown in FIG. 5, although the aperture arrangement 26 to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement in FIG. 5 is obscured behind a part of the handle 16 of the luggage item 18, and therefore is not visible in FIG. 5. A dashed arrow in FIG. 5 is used to denote that the aperture arrangement 26 is present, but is obscured/hidden from view. (Dashed arrows may be used for other reason(s) for other drawing(s)/feature(s))).

The/an aperture arrangement 26 to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement may be provided within a border of the cut-out portion of the attachment arrangement. (This is shown/suggested in FIG. 2, with reference to example aperture arrangement 26′, and will be discussed further).

The/an aperture arrangement 26 to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement may be provided below the attachment arrangement.

Preferably the container comprises a handle 28.

Preferably the handle is at a top of the container. This is shown in all the Figures/example(s). In the Figures, the handle is shown on a top side 30 of the container. In FIG. 5, a handle is preferably provided. However, due to angle of the view, the handle 28 cannot be seen on the top side of the container. (A dashed arrow is used to denote this).

Preferably the container is a duty-free box. An example of the container being a duty-free box is shown in all the Figures. Such a box may contain, for example, duty-free liquor, (alcohol), chocolates, jewellery, etc, in use.

Preferably a portion or a whole of the attachment arrangement 14 is provided at a top half of the container and/or a top half of a/the side of the container. This is most clearly shown in FIG. 6, where it can be seen that a portion or a whole of the attachment arrangement, in the example, is provided at a top half of the side 22 of the example container. In the example, a whole of the attachment arrangement is provided at a top half of the side 22 of the example container.

The container may be provided as part of an assembly 32, comprising the container; and a luggage item 18, the luggage item comprising an extendable pull-out handle 16. An example of this is shown in FIG. 5 (and partially, in FIG. 4). The handle of the luggage item is shown extended, and the container is attached to the handle of the luggage item, via the attachment arrangement 14 of the container. As stated, the container may be a duty-free box. The example handle shown is a retractable handle. The handle shown is shown pulled out (extended).

In embodiments wherein the attachment arrangement comprises a cut-out portion of the container, the cut-out portion may, for example, be fully cut out. An example of this is shown in FIG. 2. The fact that the outer lines (in the Figure) of the cut-out portion 19 are shown as clear black lines is used to suggest/denote (in contrast to FIG. 1, which shows dashed lines and which will be explained shortly), that the cut-out portion 19 in the example of FIG. 2 is cut fully through the part of the container it is cut out from. However, especially in embodiments, for example, wherein the container is made out of cardboard, for example, the cut-out portion may be partially cut out. This is suggested/denoted by the dashed lines of the cut-out portion 19 in FIG. 1. It will be known that, with materials such as cardboard (and feasibly other materials), an outline/border of the cut-out portion may be partially cut out. A benefit of doing this is that it may allow the container to retain its structural integrity, and may allow the attachment arrangement (and container) to remain substantially closed/not open, at the attachment arrangement, until, for example, it is used by a user. The partial cutting out may then make it easy for a user to poke the cut-out portion inward, for example, (or displace it in any way), thus releasing/displacing the, or part of the, attachment arrangement, with the partially cut-out portion being pushed through into the container (and/or released in any way and/or direction). The now released cut-out portion can then be grabbed, and pulled out away from the container, so that it can be used. Thus FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment where the cut-out portion is partially cut out. FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment where the cut-out portion is fully cut out. Either may be provided. Cardboard, for example, allows for either embodiment/method.

(It should be noted that the term ‘partially cut out’ is used in a broad sense in the present application. For example, a portion that is partially cut out may, for example, have parts of its border that are fully cut through, and parts that are not. However, it is also possible that a partially cut-out portion may be partially cut out without any of its border being fully cut through, such that it is partially cut through in the sense that no part of the body (cardboard, in the example) is fully cut through, but the border is cut and/or weakened in such a way that makes it easy for the portion to be released. Either embodiment/method falls within a scope of being ‘partially cut through’ for the present application. Thus what is being defined is that the portion may be ‘weakened’ so that it is easily releasable, and the term ‘partially cut out’ is used, in the present application, to define that. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, for example, the cut-out portion is fully cut out).

This (partial or fully being cut out) may also be the case for any other aperture. Thus aperture arrangement 26 may be partially cut out (as denoted by the dashed lines in FIG. 1). Once the part of the container inside the dashed lines of the aperture arrangement 26 is released and/or pushed through and/or moved/displaced, it then forms the aperture arrangement 26, to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement. In the example of FIG. 2, however, the example aperture arrangement 26 is simply open (ie that portion of the body/container is missing and/or removed). Thus there is no partial cutting in the example aperture arrangement 26 of FIG. 2. Thus, at manufacture, the feature may be cut out, with the material cut out to form the aperture 26 being discarded, for example.

There is shown in FIG. 2 an alternative possible aperture arrangement 26′, to assist a user in releasing the, or a part of the, attachment arrangement. (It is shown in dashed lines, to denote that it is optional and/or an alternative, with reference to such a concept). In the example shown, the aperture arrangement 26′ is provided within a border of the cut-out portion 19 of the attachment arrangement. It is feasible such an example aperture arrangement 26′ may be provided instead of the example aperture arrangement 26, and/or may be provided with it (ie they both may be provided). The example aperture arrangement 26′ may be provided partially cut. Preferably, if provided, it is provided simply open (ie fully cut). Again, just as the example aperture arrangement 26, the example aperture arrangement 26′ can be used to make it easier for the user to access and/or get a grip on and/or release the cut-out portion 19. The example aperture arrangement 26′ may be provided whether the cut-out portion is fully cut out (as shown in the example of FIG. 2), or whether the cut-out portion is partially cut out (as shown in the example of FIG. 1).

The example luggage item 18 of FIG. 5 is shown comprising a body 23 that generally defines a containment area (and may contain other things, such as pocket(s), etc), and wheel(s) 21. Wheel(s) are simply an embodiment of a movement facilitating arrangement. The example luggage item may comprise any movement facilitating arrangement (eg track(s)), not limited to wheel(s). In the example, the luggage item comprises four wheels, (one of which is not visible, due to angle of the view/Figure). (In other examples, a luggage item(s) may have only two wheels). The example luggage item is shown comprising a pull-out handle 16 that is shown extended (pulled-out) in FIG. 5. The example handle may be retracted/moved back into/towards the body of the luggage item, but is shown, in FIG. 5, extended.

In the examples of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the handle 16 of the luggage item is shown comprising two elongate members. This is simply an example of a handle, and the or any handle 16 is not limited to such an embodiment (the embodiment shown, comprising two elongate members). The example handle shown in FIG. 5 also is shown comprising a top portion 17, which facilitates holding the handle, and tends to be gripped, in use, by a hand of a user, to drag/wheel/move the luggage item, (the wheels then wheeling the luggage item across the ground). The example handle 16 shown is telescopic. In the example, both elongate members are telescopic. A telescopic handle is just one example of a retractable handle. A telescopic handle is just one example of a pull-out handle. In other embodiments, for example, the handle 16 (whether telescopic or not) may simply retract/pull back into and/or toward the luggage item 18. Both may be possible; for example, the example of FIG. 5 is a handle that is both telescopic, and also retracts/pulls back into and/or downward toward the luggage item. In the example, the handle 16 generally retracts/pulls back into (and is extendable from) cavity 25. Thus the example luggage item comprises cavity 25. However, a cavity is not a requirement for such handles; embodiments may be provided, for example, where the handle is provided externally on the luggage item, not requiring a cavity. (All such examples (and more) are within a scope of being a ‘pull-out’ handle, which is a broad term).

In FIGS. 6 to 9, the example(s) of FIGS. 1 to 5 are shown, with particular attention to how the example is assembled. However, this may be provided for any embodiment, for example. The example(s) shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 show a box. The example(s) shown, by way of example, in FIGS. 1 to 5, show a duty-free box. Such duty-free boxes (not including the attachment arrangement 14) are known, and are regularly provided to customers, at many airports, for example. Such duty-free boxes are regularly provided in an unassembled mode. FIGS. 6 to 9 show a known configuration for how such duty-free boxes are provided and/or made. Particular attention, in FIG. 6 especially (and in all of FIGS. 6 to 9) is paid to the example plurality of fold segments 34 and fold creases 36, to facilitate assembling the container.

Thus, in FIG. 6, a plurality of fold segments 34 are shown. Thus the container 10 is shown comprising a plurality of fold segments. Thus the body 12 of the container is shown comprising a plurality of fold segments. In the example, provided by way of example only, there are approximately twenty fold segments 34. In the example, provided by way of example only, there are approximately twenty fold creases 36. This is shown simply by way of example only, and is a known configuration that is used for duty-free boxes, for example (and may be used for any box, and may be used for any container). (Any configuration of fold segments 34 and fold creases 36, to facilitate assembling the container/duty-free box, may be provided. The configuration shown in detail in FIGS. 6 to 9 is shown by way of example only).

(It should be noted that it is possible not all the segments 34 are used to define the containment area. For example, in the example, there are seen two fold segments 34, towards a top of what is shown in FIG. 6, (shown inward of and between apertures 38), which are used to form the handle 28 of the example container. These segments, in forming the handle, may, or may not, define the containment area of the container. Similarly, in the example, there is shown a segment 34, centrally at a bottom of what is shown in FIG. 6. Again, in the example, this segment is used to form the handle 28 of the container. Thus it may, or may not, define the containment area of the container. Nevertheless, even if these example segments do not define the containment area of the container, nevertheless, the example of FIG. 6 clearly shows the container, (and/or body that defines a containment area of the container), comprising a plurality of fold segments).

(In the example, there is not provided a fold crease above the aforementioned segment, centrally at a bottom of what is shown in FIG. 6, which is used to form the handle. (In other examples, there may be provide a fold crease(s) here/there). In the example, the line(s), (or some of the line(s)), at the top of that aforementioned segment are shown to denote, in this example, the container is nevertheless folded at that point, when used. Thus it is feasible portion(s) are folded that do not have a fold crease and/or that part(s) are folded, not via the use of a fold crease(s). Nevertheless, the example shows a plurality of fold creases).

(Note: In the example, sides 37 of segments 39 are not fold creases. In the example, they are cuts. (ie The segments 39 are cut here, not connected to adjacent segment(s) at this side, in the example). This is made clear by the fact they are not shown in thicker black lines, thus not denoting that they are fold creases. Again, it should be stated that what is shown is shown by way of example only).

The fold creases 36 may be created, for example, at manufacture. The fold creases may, for example, be creating via pressing. A narrow element (and/or any appropriate machine, element, or thing), may, for example, be pressed down onto the body (in the example, cardboard), to create a fold crease or creases. The fold creases make it much easier to assemble the container. (Eg by a user and/or attendant at a shop).

(The or each fold crease may be indented on one or both sides of the fold crease. Preferably the or each fold crease is indented on an inner side. Thus preferably the or each fold crease is indented on a side toward which the fold segments and/or container fold inward, to assemble the container. Thus preferably the or each fold crease are indented on the side shown/viewable in FIG. 6, which, when the container is assembled, is on an inner side of the container. Thus the or each fold crease may be indented on one or both sides. Thus the container may be indented on one or both sides of the or each fold crease (ie any of them). This may be the case even before the container is assembled for the first time by the user. (One, or more, or all of the fold creases may be indented in any of these ways)).

There are also shown apertures 38, which, in the example, facilitate creation of the handle 28.

There is also shown the example attachment arrangement 14. In the example, one of the fold segments shown forms/is a side 22 of the container, (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5). (However, in the example of FIG. 6, due to the view shown, only the inside of side 22 is shown. Thus, from the view shown in FIG. 6, the duty-free box is shown opened up, mostly revealing the inner sides of the fold segments that will form the container).

In the example of FIG. 6, there are shown fold parts 40 that can be folded/released, to help form an aperture in the handle 28. (The fold parts 40 and cut-out portion 19 are shown in dashed lines, to differentiate them in the drawing, and since they are preferably releasable parts, (eg as the cut-out portion 19 is shown having been released in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5)).

The fold creases 36, in the example of FIG. 6, are shown with slightly thicker black lines, simply to denote, in the example, they are fold creases 36.

(The container/segments can be folded generally in the direction generally denoted by the dashed arrows in FIG. 6, around the periphery of the container 10, to assemble it).

In FIG. 7, the example is shown partially (and, in fact, mostly) assembled. (The Figure shows the container from a view/angle roughly ninety degrees clockwise from what is shown in FIG. 6). An inside of side 22 is shown. This Figure shows well the containment area inside the box, (albeit, with the box shown open). Many of the fold segments (particularly on the right side, as shown in FIG. 7) have been folded (via the fold creases), to form the box/containment area. To fully form the box, the half on the left side of FIG. 7 will be generally folded over, towards the half on the right side of FIG. 7 (or vice versa). Some other parts/segments tend to be tucked in whilst doing this. Handle portion 28a and handle portion 28b tend to be connected and/or interlinked/interlocked, to form the handle 28 (as shown clearly formed in FIGS. 1 to 4). (This is just one example of how such a container and/or handle may be constructed and/or provided).

(The fold segments 34 are not numbered in FIG. 7 as much attention has been brought to them in FIG. 6).

As shown, in the example, the body preferably consists of only one piece of material. (In the example, this is a single piece of carboard). In the example, the whole container consists of only one piece of material. In the example, the body and the attachment arrangement together consist of only one piece of material. (In the example, the piece of material is cardboard). (As already stated, the container and/or body (and thus the one piece of material, if the body consists of only one piece of material) may be made partially, or mostly, or wholly of cardboard).

In FIG. 6, the example is shown in a flat, unassembled mode. In the example of FIG. 6, it is shown with a whole of the body of the container laid open, and flat. Thus it is shown wherein a whole of the body can be laid open and flat.

In FIG. 8, the example of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 (and thus of all the examples shown) is shown in a flat, unassembled mode, wherein the body is folded over itself. Nevertheless, it can be stored flat, folded over itself in this way. In fact, this is how such containers (duty-free boxes, in this example) tend to be provided to customers and/or duty-free stores. (This can help the item be stored in a relatively small/compact space).

In the example of FIG. 8, the side 22 on which, in the example, the attachment arrangement 14 is provided, is shown faced up. (Fold segments/creases are not shown/denoted in this Figure, to maintain simplicity and clarity as to what is shown-nevertheless, the example shown is the same example as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). (What is shown (ie what is faced up) amounts, (generally), to the right side of what is shown in FIG. 7). The rest of the container is folded, below it. Therefore, folded over itself, it can still be stored/provided flat.

In FIG. 9, the reverse side to what is shown in FIG. 8 is shown. (ie the same thing is shown, as if turned over, from the view in FIG. 8). The ‘inside’ (and reverse side) of what is shown, faced up, in FIG. 8, is shown with ‘+’ symbols on it, to denote it is a reverse and/or ‘inside’ side of the part shown in FIG. 8. Much of the rest of the container is shown flat, folded on top of it, (without ‘+’ symbols). (What is shown on top of it amounts, (generally/mostly), to the left side of what is shown in FIG. 7). The part shown on the left-most side of FIG. 7, (which is shown including handle portion 28b) is shown again folded back on itself in FIG. 9, and is numbered with the number 42. This part may, alternatively, rather than being folded back again, be extended outwards (ie in a direction downwards, with respect to the view shown in FIG. 9), the container still remaining flat. Alternatively, it may feasibly even be folded back on top of what is shown in FIG. 9 (rather than underneath). This portion is not shown in FIG. 8, and may therefore, for example, be folded in between the top parts and bottom parts (of what is shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). It is understood that it may also extend outwards (as has been stated), although this is not shown/denoted in FIG. 8. Nevertheless, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show (or give good insight into) how the container can be provided/stored in an unassembled mode, wherein the body can be folded over itself, nevertheless remaining flat.

(The body 12 that defines the containment area does not have to fully enclose the containment area absolutely. For example (and as will be clear in light of the disclosure), the body may include aperture(s), etc about it, nevertheless, still defining the containment area. Thus the term ‘defines a containment area’ does not require absolute and total enclosure, without holes, etc).

(There may be provided a fold crease(s) in the general area(s) labelled with the number 41 (best shown in FIG. 6), which, rather than being to facilitate assembling of the container, may be to help the attachment arrangement fold at the general area(s) labelled with the number 41, as shown, in action, in FIG. 3, for example, (where the same area(s) are again labelled with the number 41)).

According to a further aspect, example(s) are shown, in the Figure(s), of a container, comprising: a body 12 that defines a containment area, wherein the body 12 is made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard; and an attachment arrangement 14 to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle 16 of a luggage item 18, wherein the attachment arrangement 14 is made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard. (Examples of this are shown in all the example drawings). (According to such embodiment(s)/aspect(s), the container may, or may not, be a fold-together container, and thus may, or may not, comprises a plurality of fold segments and fold creases, to facilitate assembling the container).

According to a further aspect, example(s) are shown, in the Figure(s), of a container, comprising: a body 12 that defines a containment area; and an attachment arrangement 14 to facilitate attaching the container to an extended pull-out handle 16 of a luggage item 18; wherein the attachment arrangement 14 comprises a cut-out portion 19 of the container. (Examples of this are shown in all the drawings). (According to such embodiment(s)/aspect(s), the body 12 may, or may not, be made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard. According to such embodiment(s)/aspect(s), the attachment arrangement 12 may, or may not, be made partially or mostly or fully of cardboard).

Preferably, the cut-out portion 19, when displaced, leaves an aperture 20 through to the containment area of the container (as has been discussed). (Particularly clear example(s) of this are shown, with the attachment arrangement moved/released/displaced, to show the aperture 20 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). Various embodiments have been shown/described, with reference to this. As stated, preferably, the container is a duty-free box.

In Use

An example(s) will now be described in use, described by way of example only, referring to a particularly preferred embodiment(s), (wherein the container is a duty-free box), in no way limiting a scope of the invention. (FIG. 5 will be particularly relevant, in terms of what is described).

Thus, referring in use (by way of example) to a particularly preferred example, duty-free stores are usually located at airports, ports, and border places. Many types of items are sold at duty-free stores. These tend to include, for example, liquor (alcohol), chocolates, jewellery, etc. These items can be heavy and challenging to carry around.

The boxes that are used to pack such purchased item(s) tend to be formed from cardboard, in a design that is easy to assemble by the attendant (or any other person), and tend to include a handle as part of the box.

After a customer makes a purchase at a duty-free store, he/she may have little time or opportunity to place the purchased item(s) inside his/her luggage. It also may be challenging to open up their luggage, to transport such purchased item(s). The purchased item(s) are generally placed in the box by the attendant. The customer would then have two choices: carry the box around hanging from his/her hand or, if he/she is traveling with a carry-on (or other relevant piece of luggage), place it on top of the luggage item. (‘Carry-on’ is a term often given to a piece of luggage that can be carried on to a flight (or any other transport, etc), (eg not as checked luggage)). With this last choice, the weight of the box is transferred to the carry-on, which usually has wheels, thus reducing the effort to carry the heavy box around (eg made heavy by liquor/alcohol (or any other purchased item(s) inside)). The box can then often lay partially on top of the luggage item, and partially on the handle of the luggage item, as it is angled, as the luggage item is wheeled and pulled by the person. However the way the box sits on the luggage item and/or handle of the luggage item/carry-on is unstable when it moves. (It should also be noted that luggage items with four wheels, (which therefore may not be angled as they're dragged/moved along the ground by users, and may instead stay in an upright position), are now gaining popularity. Therefore, on such luggage, placing the container/box on top of the luggage tends to be even more unstable).

What is disclosed in the present application gives the customer the alternative of using the attachment arrangement (preferably comprising a pre-cut portion on the side of the box). Preferably by inserting his/her finger through a cut out hole, the (preferably pre-cut portion) attachment arrangement can be pulled out, and then slid over the carry-on handle. This would make the box a lot more stable and comfortable to carry around. The attendants at the/a duty-free store may free the attachment arrangement, for example, or the traveller/buyer/user could do it themselves. The attendant(s) may show/teach the traveller/buyer/user how to do it, if required/desired.

Once in the airplane, (or other transport, for example), the box can be pulled back off the carry-on handle, and placed in an overhead bin or under a seat, for example, where it can/will travel. When it is time to disembark (or at any other time), the operation (of attaching the container/box to the carry-on handle) can be repeated again, and then as many times as, and at any time, necessary.

Once final destination has been reached, the box is usually (or may be) discarded. It may be that the container/box is not used again. Thus the container/box may be disposable.

Whilst the example of a duty-free box is described (and shown), it will be clear that the container/box may be used at/provided at any store/place, and for any reason. It will be clear that what is shown in the drawings could be used at any store and/or place, not limited to duty-free stores, etc.

Thus an example is described, in use, by way of example only, in no way limiting a scope of the invention.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Container For Attachment to Luggage

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)