Patent Grant
11986072
This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International (PCT) Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/012201 filed on Jan. 3, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
The present disclosure relates to a cover for a zippered closure for various shapes and sizes of soft shell luggage, hard shell luggage, and other bags. Other bags may include, for example, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, tote bags, pocket books, purses, messenger bags, duffel bags, sports equipment bags, and the like.
Luggage items, and in particular luggage cases (suitcases), often include zippers for various purposes, including for use in opening and closing complimentary luggage shells, as well as for use in opening and closing pockets, among other uses. For some bags, the zipper pull-tabs of a zipper may be secured by a lock mechanism mounted on the luggage case to thwart unauthorized access. Where a user may desire to have frequent access to the interior of a pocket having a zippered opening, such as a zippered pocket, a user may prefer to leave the zippered opening unzipped or without locking the zipper. However, there is a problem with leaving zipper pull-tabs so that a zippered pocket is an open position and also with leaving the zipper pull-tabs exposed. By way of example, if the zipper is unzipped, the pocket is open, which can result in various issues such as items falling out, the teeth of the zipper or the zipper pull-tabs might be damaged by a foreign object, the teeth of the zipper or the zipper pull-tabs might damage the clothing of the user carrying the article of luggage, and the article of luggage can have a less desirable design aesthetic. Additionally, a user may not have the dexterity required for frequently manipulating the zipper pull-tab(s) to open and close the zippered opening to access the pocket.
Documents that may be related to the present disclosure include:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,378 is directed to a luggage zipper protector. A flap can be secured by snap fastener elements to protect and cushion the lower corner area of the zipper from damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,334 is directed to a travel bag with protected zippers. A covering is positioned at any location along the track of the zipper. The covering folds over the zipper towards the case. In the preferred embodiment, the covering is adapted to mate with and be removably secured to the adjacent surface of the case. The attachment means is described as preferably being a hook and pile closure. The covering has an axial length with respect to the zipper sufficient to cover the closure hardware and lock.
It is desirable to provide an improved zippered closure for an article of luggage, and more specifically an improved closure arrangement for a zippered opening that addresses the above-described problems, and/or which more generally offers improvements or an alternative to existing arrangements.
An aspect of this disclosure is directed to an article having a zipper tape secured at a mouth of a zippered opening in a surface of the article. The article includes a zipper cover constructed and arranged so as to conceal the zipper tape and to longitudinally extend substantially parallel to a length of the zipper tape. The zipper cover is attached to the surface of the article and is constructed and arranged so as to be rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation. The zipper cover extends over the zipper tape to conceal the zipper tape when in the first orientation, and the zipper cover exposes the zipper tape and allows a user to access the zippered opening when in the second orientation. The article and zipper cover are constructed and arranged so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable to a surface of the zippered opening in the first orientation, and so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable against the surface of the article in the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover includes at least one second magnet that is configured to interact with a magnetic zipper or at least one first magnet in the article.
In some embodiments, the surface of the zippered opening includes the first magnet(s), and the first magnet(s) is/are configured to interact with the second magnet(s) to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the surface of the article includes at least one third magnet. The third magnet(s) is/are configured to interact with the second magnet(s) to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a length that is either substantially the same as the length of the zipper tape or greater than the length of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, if the zippered opening is in an unzipped condition, the zipper cover is constructed and arranged to hold the mouth of the zippered opening closed along the length of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a thickness and shape so that an outer surface of the zipper cover is substantially flush with the surface of the article when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the zipper cover is in adjacent facing relation with the surface of the article when the zipper cover is in the second orientation, and the second side of the zipper cover is in facing relation with a surface of the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height that is sufficient to conceal the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper tape extends along its length at least substantially perpendicularly to a height direction of the article, and the zipper cover is secured adjacent one of an upper longitudinal edge of the zipper tape and a lower longitudinal edge of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover preferably comprises at least one of leather and plastic.
In some embodiments, the article further includes at least one zipper slider coupled to the zipper tape; and at least one zipper pull-tab, each zipper pull-tab coupled to a respective zipper slider of the at least one zipper slider. The zipper cover is configured to cover the zipper slider(s) and the zipper pull-tab(s) when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the article is preferably one of a suitcase and a briefcase.
In some embodiments, the surface of the article is preferably one of a front face and a rear face of the article.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover is connected to the article by a hinge type connection that allows the zipper cover to rotate between the first orientation and the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover is integrally formed with the article.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of selectively covering a zipper tape secured at a mouth of a zippered opening in a surface of an article of luggage. The method includes magnetically securing a zipper cover to a surface of the zippered opening in a first orientation and magnetically securing the zipper cover to the surface of the article of luggage in a second orientation with respect to the article of luggage, so that the zipper cover extends over the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, and so that the zipper cover exposes the zipper tape and allows access to the zippered opening when the zipper cover is in the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the method further includes providing the surface of the zippered opening with at least one first magnet, providing the zipper cover with at least one second magnet, and configuring the first magnet(s) to interact with the second magnet(s) to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the method includes providing the surface of the article of luggage with at least one third magnet, and configuring the third magnet(s) to interact with the second magnet(s) to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the method includes securing the zipper cover adjacent one of an upper longitudinal edge of the zipper tape and a lower longitudinal edge of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, the method includes, when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, if the zippered opening is in an unzipped condition, holding the mouth of the zippered opening closed along a length of the zipper tape with the zipper cover.
In some embodiments, the method includes entirely covering the zipper tape with the zipper cover when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the method includes entirely covering at least one zipper slider coupled to the zipper tape and entirely covering at least one zipper pull-tab coupled to the at least one zipper slider when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures are provided for the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures:
With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the description and drawings. Where technical features in the figures or detailed description are followed by these reference numerals, the reference numerals have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the figures or detailed description. Accordingly, neither the reference numerals nor their absence is intended to have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure.
Reference numeral 10 refers to an article of luggage.
Reference numeral 12 refers to a body of the article of luggage.
Reference numeral 14 refers to a zipper cover.
Reference numeral 16 refers to a zippered opening.
Reference numeral 18 refers to a zipper tape.
Reference numeral 20 refers to a front surface of the article of luggage 10.
Reference numeral 22 refers to a zipper slider.
Reference numeral 24 refers to a zipper pull-tab.
Reference numeral 26 refers to a longitudinal edge of the zipper tape 18.
Reference numeral 27 refers to a longitudinal edge of the zipper tape 18.
Reference numeral 28 refers to a first side of the zipper cover 14.
Reference numeral 30 refers to a second side of the zipper cover 14.
Reference numeral 32 refers to a surface of the zipper tape 18.
Reference numeral 34 refers to one or more first magnets.
Reference numeral 36 refers to one or more second magnets.
Reference numeral 38 refers to one or more third magnets.
Reference L1 refers to a length of the zipper tape 18.
Reference L2 refers to a length of the zipper cover 14.
Reference H1 refers to a height of the zipper cover 14.
Reference H2 refers to a height of the luggage 10.
Reference numeral 110 refers to an article of luggage.
Reference numeral 112 refers to a body of the article of luggage 110.
Reference numeral 114 refers to a zipper cover.
Reference numeral 116 refers to a zippered opening.
Reference numeral 118 refers to a zipper tape.
Reference numeral 120 refers to a front surface of the article of luggage 10.
Reference numeral 122 refers to a zipper slider.
Reference numeral 124 refers to a zipper pull-tab.
Reference numeral 128 refers to a first side of the zipper cover 114.
Reference numeral 130 refers to a second side of the zipper cover 114.
Reference numeral 132 refers to a surface of the zipper tape 118.
Reference numeral 134 refers to one or more first magnets.
Reference numeral 136 refers to one or more second magnets.
Reference numeral 138 refers to one or more third magnets.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
The present disclosure relates to a zipper cover arrangement or a means for concealing a zipper tape for a zippered closure for various shapes and sizes of soft shell luggage, hard shell luggage, and other bags. Other bags may include, for example, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, tote bags, pocket books, purses, messenger bags, duffel bags, sports equipment bags, and the like. The zipper cover is for an article of luggage or bag having a zipper tape secured at a mouth of a zippered opening in a surface of the article of luggage or bag and covers and conceals the zipper tape and zippered opening and extends substantially parallel to a length of the zipper tape and zippered opening. The zipper cover can be attached to the surface of the article of luggage and constructed and arranged so as to be rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, the zipper cover extending over the zipper tape and zippered opening to conceal the zipper tape and zippered opening when in the first orientation, and the zipper cover exposing the zipper tape and zippered opening and allowing a user to access the zippered opening when in the second orientation. The zipper cover and the article of luggage are constructed and arranged with magnets so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable to a surface of the zippered opening in the first orientation and so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable against the surface of the article in the second orientation.
For the purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation,
The zipper cover 14 extends substantially parallel to a length L1 of the zipper tape 18. The zipper cover 14 is attached to the surface 20 of the article of luggage 10 and is constructed and arranged so as to be movable between a first orientation and a second orientation. The zipper cover 14 extends over the zipper tape 18, the zipper slider 22, and the zipper pull-tab 24 to conceal the zipper tape 18, the zipper slider 22, and the zipper pull-tab 24 when the zipper cover 14 is in the first orientation, as shown in
Referring to
The zipper cover has a first side 28 and a second side 30 (See
Referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment of the luggage and zipper cover, the zipper cover has a length L2 that is shorter than the length L1 of the zipper tape. In this embodiment, the zipper tape has a length of about 34.5 centimeters, the zipper cover has a length that is between about 29.5 centimeters and about 32.0 centimeters, and the zipper cover has a height of about 3 centimeters.
The article of luggage and the zipper cover are constructed and arranged so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable to a surface of the zippered opening in the first orientation, and so that the zipper cover is magnetically securable against the surface of the article in the second orientation. For example, in the arrangement of the embodiment of
Although the embodiment of
In a preferred embodiment of the luggage and zipper cover, the number of first magnets is two, the number of second magnets is two, and the number of third magnets is two. In this embodiment, the two second magnets are rectangular in shape and each magnet is disposed near a longitudinal end of the zipper cover. For this embodiment, the first magnets and third magnets are also rectangular in shape and positioned at the zipper tape surface and the surface of the article of luggage to respectively align with the second magnets.
It is appreciated that the first magnet(s), second magnet(s), and third magnet(s) may be of any shape, such as circular, rectangular, square, or another shape.
One advantage of the zipper cover is that the user may close the zippered opening 16 without the zipper tape being in a closed position by moving the zipper cover to the first orientation. The user does not need to move the zipper slider 22 to a closed position along the zipper tape 18. In particular, with this arrangement the zipper cover is magnetically secured in the first orientation, and the zipper cover holds the mouth of the zippered opening 16 closed along the length L1 of the zipper tape 18, even if the zippered opening is in an unzipped condition.
It is to be appreciated that the zipper cover arrangement according to the present disclosure may be provided on other articles of luggage.
According to this embodiment, a body 112 of the briefcase 110 includes a zipper cover 114. The zipper cover 114 is secured at a mouth of a zippered opening 116 (See
For this embodiment of
For this embodiment, the zipper cover 114 is secured to the rear surface 120 of the briefcase, and the user may wish the zipper cover to be in the first orientation when a user carries the briefcase, so that the zipper cover 114 extends over the zipper tape 118 to protect the user's clothing from being damaged by the teeth of the zipper tape 118. It is appreciated that although the zipper cover is shown to cover a zipper tape, zipper slider and zipper pull on a rear surface of the briefcase, it can also be used to cover a zipper on any surface such as a front surface of the briefcase. For this embodiment, the zipper cover is secured adjacent a lower longitudinal edge of the zipper tape 118 (See
The zipper cover has a first side 128 and a second side 130 opposite the first side. The second side 130 of the zipper cover is in facing relation with a surface 132 of the zipper tape 118 when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, as shown in
For the embodiment, the surface 132 of the zipper tape can include a plurality of first magnets 134. The first magnets 134 may be secured within a material of the zipper tape, on a surface of the zipper tape, or behind the zipper tape. The zipper cover 114 can include a plurality of second magnets 136, which may be secured on a surface of the zipper cover 114 or within the zipper cover 114. The surface 120 of the article of luggage 110 can also include a plurality of third magnets 138, which may be secured on a surface of the article of luggage or within the article of luggage. The first magnets 134 are configured to interact with the second magnets 136 to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the first orientation. The third magnets 138 are configured to interact with the second magnets 136 to magnetically secure the zipper cover in the second orientation. With this arrangement, when the zipper cover 114 is retained in the first orientation, the first side 128 of the zipper cover 114 is substantially flush with the surface 120 of the article of luggage 110. Referring to
Although the embodiment of
In a preferred embodiment, the number of first magnets is two, the number of second magnets is two, and the number of third magnets is two. In this embodiment, the two second magnets are rectangular in shape and each magnet is disposed near a longitudinal end of the zipper cover. For this embodiment, the first magnets and third magnets are also rectangular in shape and positioned at the zipper surface and the surface of the briefcase to respectively align with the second magnets.
It is appreciated that the first magnet(s), second magnet(s), and third magnet(s) may be of any shape, such as circular, rectangular, square, or another shape.
In one embodiment, the briefcase 110 has an overall length of 40 centimeters, an overall height of 30 centimeters, and an overall depth of between about 6.5 centimeters and about 9 centimeters; the zipper tape 118 has a length of 34.5 centimeters; the zipper cover 114 has a height of 3 centimeters; and the zipper cover is secured adjacent a lower edge of the zipper tape, which is between about 7 centimeters and about 8.5 centimeters from an upper edge of the briefcase 110.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for selectively covering a zipper tape secured at a mouth of a zippered opening in a surface of an article of luggage. The methods disclosed herein may be practiced with the structure of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the method includes magnetically attracting a zipper cover in one of a first orientation and a second orientation with respect to the article of luggage. A user can selectively position the zipper cover in the first orientation or the second orientation. The zipper cover extends over the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. The zipper cover exposes the zipper tape and allows a user to access the zippered opening when the zipper cover is in the second orientation.
In some embodiments, the method includes entirely covering the zipper tape with the zipper cover when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. This may be accomplished by dimensioning the zipper cover so that the length and the height of the zipper cover conceal the zipper tape from view of a person looking at the luggage surface on which the zipper tape is positioned.
In some embodiments, the method includes entirely covering at least one zipper slider coupled to the zipper tape and entirely covering at least one zipper pull-tab coupled to the at least one zipper slider when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a means for concealing a zipper for an article of luggage is provided. In some embodiments, the means for concealing the zipper tape is a zipper cover for covering a zippered closure. The zipper cover is connected to the surface of the article of luggage. For an article of luggage that has a zipper tape secured at a mouth of a zippered opening, the zipper cover extends at least substantially parallel to a length of the zipper tape. In some embodiments, the zipper cover may be connected to the article of luggage by a hinge type connection that allows the zipper cover to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation. In some embodiments, the zipper cover may be integrally formed with the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper cover may be secured to the article of luggage by stitching, adhesive, or another fastener.
The zipper cover is movable between the first orientation and the second orientation. The zipper cover extends over the zipper tape to conceal the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, and the zipper cover exposes the zipper tape and allows a user to access the zippered opening when the zipper cover is in the second orientation. A user can selectively rotate the zipper cover to the first orientation to cover the zippered opening or the second orientation to expose the zippered opening as desired by the user.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover at least substantially hides the zippered opening for a pocket or compartment on the article of luggage when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. In some embodiments, the zipper cover entirely hides the zippered opening for a pocket or compartment on an article of luggage when the zipper cover is in the first orientation.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the zipper cover is in adjacent facing relation with the surface of the article of luggage when the zipper cover is in the second orientation. The second side of the zipper cover is in facing relation with a surface of the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. In some embodiments, the first side of the zipper cover is substantially flush with the surface of the article of luggage when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. In some embodiments, the second side of the zipper cover is substantially flush with the surface of the article of luggage when the zipper cover is in the second orientation. This provides an improved aesthetic appearance of the article of luggage.
The zipper cover is magnetically securable to a surface of the zippered opening in the first orientation, and is magnetically securable against the surface of the article of luggage in the second orientation. In particular, the zipper cover is magnetically securable to the surface of the zippered opening in the first orientation and the surface of the luggage in the second orientation with one or more magnets provided in the zipper cover and on the body of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the article of luggage includes at least one magnet, and the zipper cover includes at least one magnet. Each magnet of the zipper cover is configured to interact with one or more of the magnets of the article of luggage to magnetically secure the zipper cover in first orientation and/or the second orientation. The size and strength of the one or more magnet(s) should be of a size and magnitude to securely hold the zipper cover in the first and second orientations while also allowing for comfortable operation by a user. Individuals with limited finger dexterity may find it difficult to open locks, such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks or other luggage locks. In some embodiments, the magnetic force that holds the zipper cover in the first and second orientations is such that a person with limited finger dexterity can easily disengage the zipper cover from the first or second orientation. An advantage of this arrangement is that a user does not need to move the zipper sliders to open and close the zippered opening.
In some embodiments, at least one zipper slider of the luggage is coupled to the zipper tape. In some embodiments, at least one zipper pull-tab is provided, with each zipper pull-tab coupled to a respective one of the zipper sliders. In some embodiments, the zipper cover covers the zipper tape and other structures of the zipper. In particular, the zipper cover is configured to cover the zipper slider(s) and the zipper pull-tab(s) when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. In some embodiments, the zipper cover is configured to conceal the zipper tape, the zipper slider(s), and the zipper pull-tab(s) positioned along the zipper tape. In some embodiments, the zipper cover is configured to entirely hide the zipper tape and any zipper pull tabs and zipper sliders positioned along the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. The length and/or height of the zipper cover may be selected to allow the zipper cover to entirely conceal the zipper tape or the zipper tape and the zipper pull tabs when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. In this way, the zipper cover maintains an improved aesthetic appearance of the luggage, and a cleaner arrangement of the zipper pull-tab(s) beneath the zipper cover.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height that is sufficient to conceal the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. However, the zipper cover may be sufficiently short that a user can quickly rotate the zipper cover between the first orientation to the second orientation. The zipper cover may be sufficiently short that a surface of the zipper cover is flush with a first surface of an article of luggage when in the first orientation and is in contact with the first surface of the article of luggage when in the second orientation. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height of between 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height of between 0.75 and 2.3 inches. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height of between 1.0 inch and 2.0 inches. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height of about 1 inch, about 1.2 inches, about 1.4 inches, about 1.6 inches, about 1.8 inches, or about 2.0 inches. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a height of about 2.5 centimeters, about 2.6 centimeters, about 2.7 centimeters, about 2.8 centimeters, about 2.9 centimeters, about 3.0 centimeters, about 3.1 centimeters, about 3.2 centimeters, about 3.3 centimeters, about 3.4 centimeters, or about 3.5 centimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the zipper cover is 3.0 centimeters.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover extends at least substantially perpendicularly to a height direction of the article of luggage. In such embodiments, the height of the zipper cover extends in the same direction as the direction of the height of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper cover extends in a direction that is parallel to or at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the height direction of the article of luggage. As used herein, the “height” of the zipper cover is perpendicular to the length of the zipper cover, which extends substantially parallel to the length of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover is secured adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the zipper tape. For example, when the zipper tape extends horizontally on a surface of an article of luggage, the zipper tape may be secured adjacent an upper longitudinal edge of the zipper tape or adjacent a lower longitudinal edge of the zipper tape.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a length that is substantially the same as the length of the zipper tape. In some embodiments, the zipper cover has a length that is greater than the length of the zipper tape. In embodiments in which the zipper cover has a length that is at least as great as the length of the zipper tape, the zipper cover entirely covers the zipper tape. By entirely covering the zipper tape, the zipper cover protects the zipper tape from damage that could be caused by foreign objects contacting the zipper tape and the zipper cover protects other objects from damage that could be caused by the zipper tape contacting the other objects. For example, the zipper cover prevents a foreign object from deforming or otherwise damaging the teeth of the zipper or the zipper pull-tabs. Additionally, the zipper cover prevents elements of the environment, such as rain, from entering an unzipped opening. Additionally, the zipper cover prevents the teeth of the zipper from catching on a user's clothes when the user is handling the article of luggage.
The zipper cover provides an alternative means of at least substantially closing a zippered opening without requiring movement of the zipper slider. In some embodiments, when the zippered opening is in an unzipped condition, the zipper cover holds the mouth of the zippered opening closed along the length of the zipper tape. This is accomplished, for example, by embodiments in which the length of the zipper cover is at least as long as the zipper tape. By holding the mouth of the zippered opening closed along the length of the zipper tape, the zipper cover serves as a security mechanism for the zippered opening. A user may choose to leave the zipper slider in an unzipped position, and simply rotate the zipper cover between the first and second orientations to open and close the zippered opening.
In some embodiments, the zipper cover holds the zipper pull tab against the zipper tape when the zipper cover is in the first orientation. This also improves the security of the zippered opening. Because the zipper cover holds the zipper pull tab against the zipper tape, it prevents a foreign object from catching on the zipper pull tab and pulling the zipper pull tab to an open position on the zipper tape. For example, the zipper cover also conceals the zipper pull tab, and the object would not come in direct contact with the zipper pull tab.
In some embodiments, when the zipper cover is in the first orientation, the zipper cover may hold the zip pull-tab against the zipper tape so that a longitudinal direction of the pull-tab extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the zipper tape. In this way, the pull-tab is concealed by the zipper cover and does not extend outwardly beyond the zipper cover.
The zipper cover may be formed of various materials. For example, the zipper cover may be formed of one or more of leather, plastic, and/or other materials.
The zipper cover may be used with various articles of luggage. In some embodiments, the article of luggage is a suitcase or a briefcase.
The zipper cover may be used with a zippered opening that is on a surface of an article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a front surface of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a side surface of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a top surface of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a bottom surface of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a rear surface of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the surface of the article of luggage is a rear surface of an article of luggage in the form of a briefcase.
It is to be appreciated that one advantage of the various embodiments of the zipper cover of the disclosure is that the user may close the zippered opening of the article by moving the zipper cover to the first orientation. Another advantage is that the user does not need to move the zipper slider to a closed position along the zipper tape. With this arrangement, the zipper cover is magnetically secured in the first orientation, and the zipper cover holds the mouth of the zippered opening closed along the length of the zipper tape, even if the zippered opening is in an unzipped condition.
Another advantage of the zipper cover is that it simpler/easier having the magnet zipper cover covering the zipper tape and zipper pull-tabs and zippered pocket.
Another advantage of the zipper cover is that it covers the zipper tape and zipper pull-tabs and also keeps them out of the way, and also of prevents (or at least restricts) the zipper tape, zipper sliders and zipper pull-tabs from being exposed and interacting with other objects in use.
Another advantage is that the zipper cover keeps the zipper pull-tabs and zippered pocket retained.
Another advantage is that the zipper cover maintains an improved aesthetic appearance of the luggage, and a cleaner arrangement of the zipper pull-tab(s) beneath the zipper cover.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an improved luggage article as described in the accompanying claims.
While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. As such, the particular features claimed below and disclosed above can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible permutations and combinations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/012201 | 1/3/2019 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/142100 | 7/9/2020 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20220087390 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
