TRAVEL CASE

Abstract

A travel case having a lid hingedly coupled to a base. A first coupling element at a rear side of the base couples the travel case to vertically orientated surfaces. A first hinging element allows the lid to open 180 degrees relative to the base. A limiting element prevents the lid from opening beyond 90 degrees relative to the base. An adjustable strap is for coupling the base to a vertically orientated surface such that the base is maintained at a 90-degree angle relative to the vertically orientated surface. At least one planar shaped stand maintains the travel case above a horizontally orientated surface. Each planar shaped stand is removably inserted into a slot in the base and extended out of the slot. Each planar shaped stand can abut a vertically orientated surface and a horizontally orientated surface when extended out of the slot.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of cases. More specifically, the present invention is related to travel cases used for carrying items while traveling.

BACKGROUND

Large numbers of people travel across the country and around the world each year carrying clothing and personal items in a suitcase or travel case. These travel cases are carried and rolled through many different places including airports, train stations, buses, cruise ships and hotels. Further, travel cases are often laid down in various places, including airplane bathrooms and tray tables, hotel room floors, bathroom counters and numerous other surfaces.

Traveling generally does not stop when a person is ill and thus, many travelers carry germs. The world is filled with germs which is magnified by people traveling from city to city on a daily basis. This leads to airports, train stations, buses, gyms, ships and hotels being constantly filled with germs and bacteria. In turn, persons who carry travel cases are continually exposed to a multitude of germs and bacteria.

Conventional travel cases, especially for cosmetic cases that are frequently used in restrooms, are associated with several known drawbacks. For example, conventional travel cases must be laid on a flat surface to be fully opened and accessible. This surface is typically a germ-infested hotel room floor, a bacterium filled airplane bathroom counter and other similarly contaminated surfaces. Thus, one major drawback of typical travel cases is the inability to maintain a sanitary environment.

A further drawback relates to travel cases designed to attach to a vertical surface. Certain lightweight travel cases are configured to hang vertically in an open position. The drawback with these types of travel cases is the inability to maintain a travel case in a 90 degree angle to a vertical surface and off the horizontal surface such as a bathroom counter top—see FIG. 9, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention in use on a mirror above a sink. For example, these prior travel cases do not have any additional stability or support to ensure the case stays off the counter top in the desired position. Therefore, a weightier case may tip or may not be able to maintain the desired position without additional support.

As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art and more particularly for a way to keep travel cases from constantly coming into contact with the bacteria they are exposed to from numerous surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A travel case is disclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, the travel case has a hinging lid which connects to a base and includes at least one coupling element at the rear side of the base for attaching the case to a vertical surface, a first hinging element for coupling a side of the lid to the base and allowing the lid to open 180 degrees relative to the base, a limiting element for preventing the lid from opening beyond 90 degrees relative to the base, an adjustable strap spanning the rear side of the base and configured for coupling the base to a vertical surface to maintain a 90 degree angle relative to the vertical surface, and at least one planar shaped stand configured to maintain the case above a horizontal surface and configured to be removably inserted into at least one slot in the base and extended out of the slot. The planar shaped stand has a second hinging element for allowing a portion of the planar shaped stand to be oriented downward such that the first edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a vertical surface when extended out of the slot and the second edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a horizontal surface when extended out of the slot.

Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the travel case attached to a vertically orientated surface, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side perspective view of the travel case with an adjustable strap, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side perspective view of the travel case having snap buttons as a strap length adjustment mechanism on the adjustable strap, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side perspective view of the travel case having a slide buckle as a strap length adjustment mechanism on the adjustable strap, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a front perspective view of the travel case in an open configuration, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5a is an illustration of a rear perspective view of a travel case in a closed configuration, showing a coupling element in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 5b is an illustration of a front perspective view of a travel case in an open configuration, showing a coupling element release for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the travel case in a closed configuration, showing a coupling element in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a coupling element of the travel case, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front perspective view of the interior of the travel case, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an 3D rendering of an embodiment of the invention in use on a mirror above a sink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting reordering, or adding additional stages or components to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by the appended claims.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, a travel case is disclosed that overcomes the problems with the prior art as discussed above, by providing a travel case with minimal exposure to environmental toxins and germs. Specifically, the disclosed case has a coupling element at the rear side of the base and at least one planar stand configured to maintain the case above a horizontal surface. This is an important improvement over the prior art because it reduces the amount of contact the case has with external surfaces. The stand further maintains the case in a position above the horizontal surface, thereby eliminating contact between the travel case and the surface below. This greatly reduces the amount of germs and contaminates the case contacts.

Some embodiments of the travel case will be described heretofore with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8 below. The travel case may be comprised of materials such as plastic, leather, cotton, polymer type materials, nylon, polyester, anti-microbial material or otherwise. However, other types of materials may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration rear perspective view of a travel case 100 in accordance with one embodiment. In this embodiment, the travel case has a lid 102 which is coupled to a base 104. In the use shown, the travel case 100 is coupled to a vertically aligned surface 118. The travel case 100 is shown in an open position or configuration with the lid 102 in a position that forms a 90-degree angle relative to the base 104. The travel case 100 is configured to open in the direction of arrow A.

At least one first coupling element 106 is affixed at the rear side of the base 108. It is understood that the disclosed coupling element 106 is only an example embodiment, and other coupling elements 106 may also be used. In the present embodiment, the coupling elements 106 are suction cups. However, the coupling element 106 may include suction cups, hooks, bolts, set screws, an opening configured to attach to a protruding element, or socket screws or any combination thereof. Additionally, it is understood that other materials may be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, there is an adjustable strap 110 spanning the rear side of the base 104. The adjustable strap 110 may be a grippy elastic material or webbing. However, other types of materials may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In some embodiments, the adjustable strap 110 has a strap length adjustment mechanism 112 or means, which may be a slide buckle 112 on the side 114 of the travel case 100. FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate the strap length adjustment mechanism 112 has a slide buckle. Alternatively, FIG. 3 illustrates the strap length adjustment mechanism as snap buttons 300. There are various adjustable mechanisms to vary the adjustable strap 110 length and therefore, many other mechanisms may be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in reference to FIG. 1, a hanging loop 116 is attached on the upper portion 102 of the travel case 100. FIG. 1 also shows a vertically orientated surface 118 which is not part of the travel case 100, but which the travel case 100 may be attached to by either the adjustable strap 110 or the at least one first coupling element 106. For example, the vertical surface 7 may be an airplane tray table, however many vertical surfaces may be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are side perspective views that include an adjustable strap 110 in accordance with example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, the adjustable strap 110 may move relative to the travel case 100 based on the pivot point 200 and in the direction of arrow B. The adjustable strap 110 is configured to pivot to the rear of the travel case 100 so as to wrap around a vertical surface. The adjustable strap 110 may pivot to the other side of the travel case 100 such that it is out of the way to allow the coupling element to be used to couple the travel case 100 to a vertical surface. FIG. 2 illustrates the adjustable strap 110 moving out of the way by means of a swivel elastic system, however other methods may be used to move the adjustable strap 110 away from the coupling element and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front perspective view of the travel case 100 in an open position or configuration. In this embodiment, a hinging element 500 couples a side of the lid to the base 104. The hinging element 500 allows the lid to open to 180 degrees relative to the base. The hinging element 500 may also include a limiting element or locking feature that prevents the lid from opening beyond 90 degrees relative to the base 104.

In the present embodiment, at least one planar shaped stand 502 can be removably inserted into the base 104 of the travel case 100 and extended out of the slot. The stands 502 are configured to extend out of the slot in the direction of arrow C. The planar shaped stands 502 are to assist maintaining the case 100 positioned above a horizontal surface. The first edge 504 of the planar shaped stand can abut a vertically oriented surface when extended out of the slot, while the second edge 506 of the planar shaped stand 502 can abut a horizontally oriented surface when extended out of the slot.

As will be appreciated from the benefit of the present disclosure, by supporting the travel case 100 by one or more of the first edge 504 or the second edge 506 a contact surface area of the travel case 100 with a supporting horizontal or vertical surface is substantially reduced. By limiting the contact surface area of the travel case 100 with the horizontal and vertical surfaces exposure to and transference of germs and bacteria the travel case 100 may be significantly reduced. Moreover, the user may readily clean or disinfect the contact surface, such as with a disinfecting wipe, prior to stowage of the planar shaped stand 502, thereby reducing the risk of carrying illness and disease vectors with the travel case 100.

The planar shaped stand 502 may also include a hinging feature 515 so that a portion of the planar shaped stand 502 may be pivoted downward in the direction of arrow D so that the second edge 506 can abut a horizontal surface so that the case 100 can be maintained above the horizontal surface. Embodiments of the invention may include more than one planar shaped stand 502. For example two planar shaped stands 502 extending out of opposing sides of the base 104 may be used. In one embodiment, a left planar shaped stand extends out of a slot on the left side of the base (not shown) and a right planar shaped stand 502 extends out of a slot (not shown) on the right side of the base 104.

In the present embodiment, a top flap 508 opens upward in the direction of arrow E. FIG. 5 illustrates a receiving tray 510 protruding from a front slot 511 of the travel case. The tray 510 may be extended out of the front slot 511 along the direction of arrow F. In one embodiment, the receiving tray 510 may be used for housing cleansing material or other objects. The tray 510 may be moved from the fully extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, to the fully housed position such that the tray 510 is fully inserted (not shown) into the front slot 511.

Additional variations of the above mentioned planar shaped stands 502 are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments, such as shown in reference to FIG. 5a, which depicts the rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the travel case 100 in a closed configuration, planar shaped stands 820 may also be frame like structures having a rear frame element 820 and a lower frame element 825 so that the rear frame 820 element abuts a vertically orientated surface in order that, when the case is coupled to a vertical surface using the coupling element 106, additional stability and support is provided by the planar shaped stand. In this embodiment, the lower frame 825 element abuts a horizontal surface so that the stand 820, when used in conjunction with a planar stand 500 extended from the front of the case 100, helps maintain the case 100 above a horizontal surface, which helps maintain the cleanliness of the case. The frame element 820 is connected to the rear side of the base 104 via a third hinge feature 810, similar to that described for hinge feature 515 in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 5 above.

In this embodiment, the at least one first coupling element 106 is shown as five suction cups inset into a molded EVA frame on the rear side of the base 104. The coupling element may 106 be attached to the travel case 100 in various ways apart from being molded into the frame including an extrusion process, welding, shearing, punching welding, or folding. However, other methods of attaching the coupling element 106 to the travel case 100 are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 5a also depicts an embodiment of an uncoupling element 830 which is attached to the coupling element 106 and facilitates uncoupling when the coupling elements are coupled to a surface. In this embodiment, the uncoupling element 830, is depicted as a string, cable, wire, or stranded connector, attached to a nub 835 protruding from a back surface of the one or more coupling elements 106. The uncoupling element 830 is routed through an aperture in the rear side of the base 104 of the travel case 100. As seen in reference to FIG. 5b, in operation, to uncouple the suction cups 106, a user would apply force to a pull 840, which may be a ring, a knob or a tab, to apply a tension on the uncoupling element 830 so that the suction cups 106 may be easily removed from a vertical surface.

In further reference to FIG. 5a, the at least one coupling element 106 may be protectively covered and the rear frame element 830 secured in a stowed condition by a fastener 850, which may include a slide fastener, such as a zipper. Alternatively, the rear frame element may be secured by other fasteners 850, such as snaps, hook and pile fabrics, or other cooperative fasteners.

FIG. 6 depicts the rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the travel case 100 in a closed configuration or position. In this embodiment, the at least one first coupling element 106 is also shown as five suction cups attached to the rear side of the base 104. Further, FIG. 6 depicts an uncoupling element 600 which is attached to the coupling element 106 and facilitates uncoupling when the coupling elements 106 are coupled to a surface. Although a pull bar is shown as the uncoupling element 600, other uncoupling elements may be used and are in the scope and spirit of the present invention. In operation, to uncouple the suction cups 106, a user would apply force to the uncoupling element 600 so that the suction cups 106 may be removed from a vertical surface.

A close-up view of suction cups as a coupling element 106 and a bar as an uncoupling element 600 are shown in FIG. 7. Curved arrow G denotes the movement of the uncoupling element 600 in order to facilitate uncoupling when the coupling elements 106 are coupled to a surface. In the present embodiment, the uncoupling element 600 is a pull-down bar, which uncouples the suction cups from the vertical surface. In the present embodiment, the bar connects 600 to the edge of the suction cups by a series of rings 700 each ring having a first portion attached to the bar 600 and a second end attached to the suction cups 106. Other fastening devices and uncoupling elements may be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, interior features may be included as shown in FIG. 8. One optional feature is a light up mirror 800 which is attached to the top flap 508. In other embodiments, two lighted mirrors 800 are used, one on each side of the flap 508. This facilitates use of the travel case light up mirror 800 when attached to a vertical surface. The hanging loop 116 is shown at the top of the top flap when in an open position. Another optional feature inside the travel case shown is a pocket 802 which allows the storage of accessories or other items. This pocket 802 may be elastic or other material to facilitate easy storage and clean up. The travel case 100 may have a hard bottom 804 to allow for standing bottles. Further, the travel case 100 may have a zippered window 806 hanging from the case. The aforementioned features are only examples, and other features may be added or substituted. The interior features of the travel case 100 may be comprised of materials such as plastic, leather, cotton, polymer type materials, nylon, polyester, anti-microbial material or otherwise. However, other types of materials may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. Recall that in accordance with the embodiments described herein, the travel case overcomes the problems with the prior art as discussed above, thereby providing a sanitary travel case.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A travel case having a lid hingedly coupled to a base comprising: at least one first coupling element at a rear side of the base, the at least one coupling element for coupling the travel case to a vertically orientated surface;a first hinging element for coupling a side of the lid to the base, the first hinging element allowing the lid to open 180 degrees relative to the base;a limiting element selectable for preventing the lid from opening beyond 90 degrees relative to the base;an adjustable strap spanning the rear side of the base, the adjustable strap configured for coupling the base to a vertically orientated surface such that the base is maintained at a 90-degree angle relative to the vertically orientated surface; and,at least one planar shaped stand configured to maintain the travel case above a horizontally orientated surface, each planar shaped stand configured to be removably inserted into at least one slot in the base and extended out of the slot, the planar shaped stand having a second hinging element for allowing a portion of the planar shaped stand to be orientated downward such that a first edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a vertically orientated surface when extended out of the slot and such that a second edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a horizontally orientated surface when extended out of the slot.

2. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the coupling element is a suction cup.

3. The travel case of claim 1, further comprising: an uncoupling element attached to the at least one coupling element for facilitating uncoupling of the coupling elements when coupled to a surface.

4. The travel case of claim 3, wherein the uncoupling element comprises a ring interconnecting the at least one coupling element and a pull bar.

5. The travel case of claim 3, wherein the uncoupling element further comprises: a stranded connector having a first end attached to a nub protruding from each of the one or more coupling element, anda pull attached to a second end of the stranded connector.

6. The travel case of claim 5, wherein the stranded connector is routed through an aperture through the back side of the base, and the pull is contained within the case.

7. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the travel case further comprises a second slot for receiving a tray, wherein the tray is for housing cleansing material.

8. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the travel case comprises two planar shaped stands such that each stand extends out of opposing sides of the base.

9. The travel case of claim 8, wherein the travel case comprises a left planar shaped stand that extends out of a slot on the left side of the base and a right planar shaped stand that extends out of a slot on the right side of the base.

10. The travel case of claim 1, further comprising: a frame element connected to the rear side of the base via a third hinge feature, operable between a supporting position and a stowed position, wherein a bottom edge of the frame element can abut horizontal surface when extended.

11. A travel case having a lid hingedly coupled to a base comprising: at least one first coupling element at a rear side of the base, the at least one coupling element for coupling the travel case to a vertically orientated surface;a first hinging element for coupling a side of the lid to the base, the first hinging element allowing the lid to open relative to the base;an adjustable strap spanning the rear side of the base, the adjustable strap configured for coupling the base to a vertically orientated surface such that the base is maintained at a 90-degree angle relative to the vertically orientated surface; and,a frame element connected to the rear side of the base via a second hinge feature, operable between a supporting position and a stowed position, wherein a bottom edge of the frame element can abut horizontal surface when extended to supporting position.

12. The travel case of claim 11, further comprising: at least one planar shaped stand configured to maintain the travel case above a horizontally orientated surface, each planar shaped stand configured to be removably inserted into at least one slot in the base and extended out of the slot, the planar shaped stand having a third hinging element for allowing a portion of the planar shaped stand to be orientated downward such that a first edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a vertically orientated surface when extended out of the slot and such that a second edge of the planar shaped stand can abut a horizontally orientated surface when extended out of the slot.

13. The travel case of claim 12, wherein the travel case comprises two planar shaped stands such that each stand extends out of opposing sides of the base.

14. The travel case of claim 13, wherein the travel case comprises a left planar shaped stand that extends out of a slot on the left side of the base and a right planar shaped stand that extends out of a slot on the right side of the base.

15. The travel case of claim 11, wherein the at least one coupling element is a suction cup.

16. The travel case of claim 11, further comprising: an uncoupling element attached to the at least one coupling element for facilitating uncoupling of the coupling elements when coupled to a surface.

17. The travel case of claim 16, wherein the uncoupling element comprises a ring interconnecting the at least one coupling element and a pull bar.

18. The travel case of claim 16, wherein the uncoupling element further comprises: a stranded connector having a first end attached to a nub protruding from each of the one or more coupling element, anda pull attached to a second end of the stranded connector.

19. The travel case of claim 18, wherein the stranded connector is routed through an aperture through the back side of the base, and the pull is contained within the case.

20. The travel case of claim 11, wherein the travel case further comprises: a slot for receiving a tray, wherein the tray is for housing cleansing material.