FIELD
The present invention relates to luggage designed to store personal belongings during travel and at home.
BACKGROUND
Airlines and other common carriers have been increasingly charging more for luggage during travel. It has become important to accommodate as much contents as possible with as little weight of the luggage itself as possible. A family with small kids may want to reduce the number of bags being carried to manage both the kids and luggage properly during travel. However, kids often fight because they want to pack their own stuff and have general problem cooperating and coordinating with their siblings. This can ruin the experience on a pleasure trip.
The cost of space in many cities is very high. As a result, hotel rooms can be very small. Luggage can occupy valuable space in the room, thereby restricting motion. Luggage in the room can also create the perception of the room being cluttered and full. The space under the bed or inside a cupboard can keep things out of sight but the luggage cannot generally fit in such narrow spaces. If the smallest dimension of the luggage could be further reduced, the space under the bed or the cupboard could be used to increase usable floor space and make the room appear less congested. Even at home, luggage itself can occupy a lot of space thereby reducing usable space.
Finally, despite precaution, properly ironed and drycleaned clothes often lose their freshness and get wrinkled during travel.
Luggage and contents take a beating during handling by baggage handlers and related equipment. This often results in breakage of both the luggage and its contents.
SUMMARY
A suitcase for travel that can be separated into two stackable compartments to allow for easy storage and transportation when not used as a luggage. Stackability is ensured by one or more of the following: 1) One of the compartment, most likely the top, is shaped such that it can easily and fully slide in and out of the other compartment; 2) Spinner wheels are detachable; 3) Pegs used to support the luggage when standing erect or on its side are retractable. Each separated compartment may be packed and unpacked by different people at the same time in two different locations prior to, during, and after travel. One or both the compartments have inflatable air packs that can be inflated from outside the luggage using a standard air pump. The air packs occupy empty space in the luggage to secure content from moving during travel and handling. The side of each compartment that lies inside the luggage has a separator that can fully enclose all the contents of the compartment when zipped. The separator is extendable both inward and outward to accommodate larger objects or to accommodate more contents at the expense of the space in the other compartment. The separators of both the compartments may be extended inward to create a large cavity within the luggage to accommodate large objects or create a further separated space.
In one embodiment of the suitcase the two compartments are attached to each other on one side by a hinge that can be used to attach and detach objects easily and readily. The air packs are kept out of sight by a tear- and pierce-resistant liner in each compartment. The separators can be used to create a total of at least three segregated spaces that can be used to keep fresh clothes separate from used ones while also accommodating odd-shaped items that may not fit entirely within one of the compartments.
The integrity, shape, and structure of the luggage, whether hard case or soft case, is maintained by enclosing each compartment in a reinforced band close to the open edge. The luggage requires less packaging material and less space in the shipping container/truck to transport from the manufacturer to the end user. Additional components used in the present invention add minimal weight to the luggage while possibly reducing the number of suitcases used by a family for a trip. These aspects make it environment friendly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the view from the top of the top and the bottom compartment of the luggage separated from each other.
FIG. 2 shows the embodiment in FIG. 1 where the top and the bottom compartment are connected to each other.
FIG. 3 shows the embodiment in FIG. 2 with the liner covering the air packs.
FIG. 4 shows the embodiment in FIG. 3 with the separator with an extension, both managed using a zipper.
FIG. 5 shows the embodiment from the side in a closed position with the separator for the bottom compartment expanded to accommodate more contents.
FIG. 6 shows the embodiment from the side in a closed position with air pack in the bottom compartment inflated to occupy extra space available due to lack of contents.
FIG. 7 shows the embodiment from the side in a closed position with the separator for both compartments expanded away from the center.
FIG. 8 shows the embodiment in FIG. 7 where the extra space created between the two separators is used to accommodate contents.
FIG. 9 shows the lower compartment of the embodiment from the side with the top part of the expandable portion of the separator in a partially open position.
FIG. 10 shows the two compartments of the embodiment stacked one into the other.
FIG. 11 shows the view from the side of the luggage standing erect on the floor with support pegs employed to balance and support the luggage when the wheels have been detached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description in combination with the figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings herein. The discussion focuses on specific implementations and embodiments to assist in describing the teachings. This focus should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or the applicability of the teachings.
To simplify demonstration standard elements of luggage have not been shown in the figures. These elements include telescopic handle, regular handles, detachable wheels, lock, and latch, among others. One or more of these elements may be included on one or both the compartments.
The teachings of the present invention can be applied to both the hardcase and soft case luggage.
FIG. 1 shows the top compartment [1] and the bottom compartment [2] of the luggage. Each compartment has an air pack [6] which is connected to outer shell of the compartment via a tubing [5] that houses a valve (not shown in the figure), the kind used in inflatables like a volleyball. There is an opening [8] in the valve accessible from outside of the luggage from where the needle of a standard air pump can be inserted to inflate or deflate the air pack.
A small hand operated pump can be included as a part of the luggage with a slot designed in the luggage to hold it. However, it is not essential to demonstrate the working of the present invention, and therefore such slot or the pump have not been shown in the figures.
To ensure that the air packs support the contents of the luggage in the entire compartment, it may have several pockets [7] instead of just one pillow-like shape. The benefits of pockets in inflatables are well-known. The figure only shows a simple flat version of the air pack. However, the air packs can have several arms protruding away from the outer shell towards the center of the luggage to occupy all empty space and support contents, when inflated.
The embodiment in FIG. 1 shows use of hinge/zipper from Maskara (2023). However, any hinge mechanism that allows for easy attachment and detachment can be used. Maskara (2023) shows one such hinge in its prior art drawing also. The embodiment in FIG. 1 shows sockets of the hinge supported by notches with recess in them to accommodate the pin from the hinge component attached to the bottom compartment [2] when attached. The hinge component of the bottom compartment has the pins [17], a knob [13], and a lever to operate the hinge.
To connect compartments [1] and [2] the sides of each compartment with hinge components are brought close to each other. The first socket of [1] is aligned with the first pin of [2] and inserted in the appropriate recess [18]. Thereafter the user can slide the knob in the direction of the lever while holding the compartment together to make sure that the motion of the knob causes the pins to insert in the appropriate sockets [12].
To detach the compartments, the knob is slid back to the original position shown in FIG. 1 and the lever is rotated to cause the closest pin to it to dislodge from the socket. Thereafter the two compartments can be separated by simply pulling them apart.
FIG. 2 shows the compartments in connected position. When connected the pins of the hinge mechanism from the bottom compartment [2] are lodged in the sockets of the hinge mechanism in the top compartment [1]. Once so connected the two compartments can be rotated around the axis of the hinge to close the luggage.
FIG. 3 shows that the air packs are underneath the liner [21]. The liner protects the air packs while also keeping them hidden from sight.
FIG. 4 shows that each compartment has a separator [23]. This separator is connected to the shell of the compartment from three sides by a zipper [22]. This separator acts as the sixth side of the compartments when they are separated. The contents of the luggage are supported between the separator and the air packs. The separator also acts as layer protecting odor transfer between contents of the compartments.
Finally, the separator has an extension that is managed using a zipper [25]. This extension is like the extension that is standard in expandable luggage. The difference is that it is used with a separator instead of the exterior part of the luggage. Also, it can protrude in either direction, inward or outward. One of the extensions is used to expand the capacity of one compartment, while at the same time it is used to shrink the volume of the other to accommodate the extra contents of the first one.
In FIG. 5, the extension [24b] is for the top compartment while the extension [24a] is for the bottom compartment. The separator extends when the zip around the extension is opened. The extension for the top compartment shrinks the content space instead of expanding it. It does so to accommodate the extension of the bottom compartment that expands to accommodate more content, possibly because there are more used clothes than fresh. It can also be used to accommodate larger objects. To avoid clutter, FIG. 5 shows the zip for the bottom compartment but does not show the same for the top compartment even though both would have one in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 6, the air pack in the bottom compartment has been inflated. There are fewer contents than can be accommodated in the bottom compartment. Inflating the air pack keeps the contents from moving during transit. Liner is not affixed to the outer shell [3] near the air packs. It is attached to the outer shell [3] near the point where the top separator is attached to the outer shell. This allows the liner to accommodate inflation of the air packs.
In FIG. 7, The expandable part of the separator for both the top and the bottom compartment are expanded inward towards their respective outer shells. This reduces the space for contents between the air packs and the separator. However, this opens space to accommodate contents between the two separators. This also creates an additional layer to separate contents. For example, the space between air packs in the bottom compartment and its separator can be used to store used socks and undergarments; the space between the separators for other used garments; and the space between air packs and the separator for the top compartment for fresh clothes.
In FIG. 8, content is stored in the space between the separators in flexible bags of different sizes and shapes that may be included with the luggage to facilitate separation of different types of contents for easy handling. Content in a large bag may be accommodated even if its height from the ground as seen in FIG. 8 is bigger than that of the either compartment. Contents may also be stored in bags designed not to exceed in height beyond the maximum expandable height of the separator [24].
In FIG. 9, the top side of the expandable part of the separator can be opened or closed like a flap. This allows access to contents without unzipping the zip (as shown in FIG. 4) of the non-extendable part of the separator [23]. The figure shows the flap in a partially opened position.
In another embodiment of the luggage the entire separator may be extendable with no or negligible part non-extendable.
In FIG. 10, the top compartment [1] is slid into and stacked inside the bottom compartment [2]. This reduces the combined height of the two compartments from the ground (if the compartments are laying on the floor as shown in the figure) and allows it to be stored in lesser space, possibly under the bed of a hotel room or in a narrow shelf of a closet. It also allows the manufacturer to ship the luggage in smaller packaging, thereby saving both on packaging and on shipping costs. The retailer also saves shelf space. The compartments are shaped such that compartment [1] can slide all the way till the bottom of compartment [2]. The wheels of top compartment [1] are detachable. The stem of the wheel [36] slides as shown by arrow into a cavity designed to receive it. The housing for the cavity (31) extends outward from the bottom compartment [2] but housing for compartment [1] extends inward to allow for stacking. Creating a recess to house the grooves necessary to receive the wheels to allow for top compartment to slide into bottom compartment, required for stackability, is an innovation of the present invention. The stem of the wheels intended to slide into the cavities may be of different size for the top and bottom compartments to ensure that the luggage is properly balanced.
In FIG. 11, the top compartment is shown standing erect supported by support pegs housed in a recess where they can be retracted to in the direction shown by arrow when sliding and stacking the top compartment into the bottom compartment. Retractable support begs designed to balance and support the luggage after detachable wheels have been removed and housing them in a recess to allow for stackability is an innovation of the present invention.
Other considerations to facilitate smooth handling of the luggage involve placement of support pegs on the outer shell [3] on the side with hinge components in a manner such that when the luggage is stood erect with such side facing the ground, no component of the hinge meets the ground. The pegs will protect the hinge components from damage while also providing stability to the luggage when placed on the ground on its side. The pegs may be foldable or removable to facilitate operation of the hinge, as needed.
In another embodiment the edge of the outer shell [3] of each compartment may have a sturdy band surrounding it to strengthen and stabilize the shape. The band will also serve a protecting role and it may hold other components like the handle and lock.
In order to avoid accidental detachment of the wheels from the luggage during handling, detaching wheels may require motion in two different directions simultaneously to ensure that such motions are intentional.
To ensure that the support pegs do not detract when accidentally bumped into, they may also be designed to require motion in two different directions to slide them into their recess. In another embodiment, instead of multiple support pegs, a luggage may have one wide support peg that simply slides up and down, instead of the angular motion shown by arrow 37 in FIG. 11.
In another embodiment, the base of the support peg touching the ground when employed, may have an L shape thereby providing more stability. The support peg may be situated in the corner of the luggage such that the peg is aligned with the side of the bag when deployed. This will allow the support peg to support the weight of the luggage and its contents better. The peg when retracted may sit in the recess along two sides of the edge of the compartment to accommodate the L-shape of the peg.
Problems being Addressed:
- 1. At the beginning of the journey the user may have consumables. As they get consumed, the user has more empty space in the bag. Empty space causes contents to move around, wrinkle, cause imbalance, and possibly break. The luggage itself may break when other heavy objects are put over it during handling by airlines or somebody else.
- 2. A family may put belongings of two kids in the same luggage. The kids may not coordinate both during packing and use during travel. The kids may fight to get access to the bag first.
- 3. In hotels, the rooms may be small and a luggage may occupy very valuable space.
- 4. When empty, the luggage itself occupies space at home also.
- 5. Currently luggage occupies a lot of space during transportation from manufacturer to store shelf.
- 6. Empty space in the luggage post manufacturing results in higher usage of packing material.
- 7. When opened, the width of the luggage doubles. The front end of the top compartment ends up being furthest from the user. While packing, if the user is sitting, it becomes difficult to reach this far end.
- 8. At the start of a journey the user of the luggage has clean clothes. Over time the user has used clothes. The user does not want to mix the two. He does not want the odor to transfer from used to clean clothes. Though it is a standard practice to have two compartments in the luggage separated by a zipper-enabled layer, the real issue is that the size of the compartment is fixed. The user will not always have the same quantity of used and unused clothes during travel. It will keep varying.
- 9. There is a possibility that checked luggage may be lost in transit. Therefore, critical items must be transported as carry-on luggage but there is size constraint due to overhead bin size in airplanes. This is further exacerbated by spinner wheels accounting for almost 10% of usable volume.
- 10. Bags are often damaged during handling by airline bag handlers or on conveyer belts at the airport due to entanglement of items protruding from the bag, such as wheels. If even one wheel is damaged, the entire luggage becomes useless.
PRIOR ART
There are luggage designs that address one or more of the problems being addressed in the present invention.
There are suitcases with many compartments designed to isolate and secure specific items used during travel.
There exists a luggage that is a combination of a standard luggage and a duffle bag that is attached to the top of the luggage by a standard zipper. The duffle bag can be separated and be independently carried like a backpack.
Innovation
The present invention has the following novelties:
- 1. It incorporates air packs that are hidden under a layer between the outside shell and the inner liner of the luggage. One or both of the separable parts of the luggage may have the air packs. These air bags will protect the content of the luggage from breakage, movement during travel, and clothes from getting wrinkled. The air packs will also protect the luggage itself from damage during handling and transportation.
- 2. The top and the bottom compartment of the luggage are separable and stackable. They are connected by a hinge that can be easily connected and disconnected. This will allow for convenience in packing, storage in narrow spaces, lower costs of shipping, lower packaging costs, separation of contents, and management of family dynamics during travel. Prior innovations in luggage have primarily been about bringing together or taking apart two or more pieces of luggage during trekking or while in public transport. The present invention is about allowing separation of one luggage prior to and after the actual flight or journey and while in the hotel or home.
- 3. Each compartment has an extendable separator. The separator itself will allow for the contents to be supported by air packs and act as outer shell of each compartment when separated. The extensions in the separator will allow one compartment to hold more content while that of the other will act to shrink the volume so that the extra volume of the first can be accommodated. The separators will allow separation of used clothes from fresh and prevent odor transfer.
- 4. The luggage has detachable wheels and retractable support pegs. This ensures the stackability of compartments. It also reduces the possibility of the luggage being damaged during transit. More importantly, it increases usable space within the permitted size constraints for luggage imposed by airlines. For carryon luggage this can increase space by 10% or more. Finally, wheelability of the luggage is the most important feature to the consumers and wheels suffer the most wear and tear. Detachability of the wheels means consumers can easily replace them as and when needed to keep their luggage operating like new even after years of use.
Functions
The present invention will allow for the following:
- The luggage can be stored under the bed at the hotel because it can be separated into two pieces and will therefore be thinner.
- The user can pack and unpack each compartment individually at their own pace.
- Kids can take a compartment each to their individual beds or rooms for use during travel.
- The luggage will be stored in smaller space when not in use.
- Items will stay in place during transport thereby decreasing the odds of breakage of contents. It will reduce wrinkles on clothes. The luggage will have lower odds of breaking when stacked under other heavier pieces. The air packs will allow the luggage to maintain shape.
- The mechanism will allow to keep different types of clothes or contents separate even when the proportion of two types of contents changes during travel, while also allowing for proper maintenance of unused clothes (wrinkle free).
- The separated compartments will stop odor transfer.
- The luggage can be shipped from the manufacturer with less packaging material because the two parts will be stacked one into the other.
- The luggage will require less space for shipping from manufacturing to retailer because it will be stacked.
- Users will be able to carry more on the plane without paying additional bag fees.
- Tall people will be able to drag their carry-on bags without bending. This is because of the additional height of the longest side made possible due to detachable wheels. It not only increases the height off the ground due to additional 2-3 inches, but also increases space to accommodate telescopic handle of bigger length.
- Damage to luggage during handling by airline staff and on the conveyor belt will be reduced.
- From a business point of view there will be an ongoing relationship with the customer as damaged air packs will be easily replaceable. Though the air packs and the liner will be resistant to tear and piercing, air packs may deteriorate with use or be damaged while handling.
- Consumers care about wheelability of their luggage and wheels are among the parts of the luggage that gets damaged most often due to wear and tear. The detachability of the wheels will allow for easy replacement and wheelability of the used luggage as good as new.
REFERENCE
- Maskara (2023) “Method to attach and detach hard objects allowing for controlled rotation,” USPTO patent #11629536
Patent Application
20240381988
