Expandable container

Abstract

An expandable container adapted to be manually adjusted from a vertically compact configuration wherein internal shelves are closely spaced, to a vertically expanded configuration wherein the internal shelves are less closely spaced. A garment folding apparatus is preferably incorporated with the container to provide a tool that assists the user in quickly folding garments to dimensions compatible with shelves within the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 881,872, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,669.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]N / ACOPYRIGHT NOTICE[0003]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to containers, such as the type commonly referred to as luggage and suitcases used by travelers, and more particularly to a vertically expandable suitcase adapted with internal shelves. In a broader sense, the present invention relates to an expandable storage...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a wheeled luggage case that has an expandable main body with internal shelves. This allows the traveler to easily transport the case to their destination and expand it to create a vertically expanded configuration where the articles are readily accessible on the shelves. The case also includes a garment folding apparatus that helps to quickly and accurately fold garments into precise shapes that fit within the case. The invention provides improvements in wheeled luggage by providing an expandable body and convenient access to the contents through the internal shelves and folding apparatus."

Problems solved by technology

The task of carrying and / or lifting luggage at airports, railway stations, hotels or other sites is generally disliked by travelers.

While rental luggage carts are available at certain sites, the renting process is itself an inconvenience and such carts do not remain with the traveler after the baggage is checked in.

A significant disadvantage associated with luggage carriers is that the main packing compartment is small and difficult to pack in a way that the packed clothing and other items are easily accessible when the case is opened up, for example, in the upright position when its standing on the pair of wheels.

Such attempts to integrate shelves into luggage and backpacks have not resulted in widespread success, and fail to address the inherent space limitation due to the relatively small size of the compartment provided by the luggage.

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