Compact luggage

Abstract

A portable storage device comprising an openable outer enclosure, an inner storage compartment which is compressible by evacuation of air from the compartment and a pump integrated into the outer enclosure for evacuating the inner storage compartment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the field of storage devices and in particular travel bags suitable for transport of luggage, such as suitcases. More specifically the present invention relates to a portable storage device such as a suitcase with at least one compartment which allows more compact storage of items.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]There have previously been suitcase designs with compartmentalized storage chambers for articles. Users who require portable storage to pack articles for travel may use such designs. Articles may comprise clothing which, when packed, occupy relatively large volumes. Some prior designs offer compartmentalized storage chambers that allow users to pack articles in an effective and efficient manner for ease of retrieval. However the volumetric packing efficiency of these prior designs is limited. The volume of space occupied by the articles can quickly fill the available capacity in many storage designs.[000...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The inner storage compartment may be rigid, for example have a rigid rim about its length and breadth (and desirably its periphery), which prevents the compartment from becoming amorphous when evacuated. The rigidity, for example the rim, keeps the periphery of the compartment in shape by preventing it from collapsing (but still allowing a compression in the direction of the height of the compartment) in these dimensions when evacuated and allows the compartment to maintain its shape thus allowing the compartment to be removably inserted into, for example slot into and out of, the outer enclosure. In this respect the inner storage compartment can be considered an insertable cartridge which is sufficiently rigid to allow it to retain its peripheral shape so as to easily insertable and removable, yet which has a (vacuum) collapsible dimension (for example in the height direction) for allowing more compact storage.

[0020]The storage device may further comprise a stabiliser that may be deployed to stabilise the device (against toppling over) when pumping is taking place. Desirably the stabiliser is stowable, for example substantially recessed in the device, when not in use. The stabiliser may comprise a foot plate or flat area, for example moveable from a position substantially parallel to the outer enclosure to a position substantially perpendicular to the outer enclosure. This has the advantage of stabilising the device when a pumping action is applied to the device. It can also further stabilise the device in an upright position whether or not pumping is taking place. It may simply be a foot plate (of any type) onto which the foot of a user can be placed for stabilising the storage device during pumping evacuation of the air.

[0021]The storage device may have outer dimensions of up to about 50 cm×40 cm×20 cm. This has the advantage of being within an approved upper size limitation for cabin baggage for travel on European airlines.

[0022]The device may further comprise a scale to display the weight of the device and its contents when the device is suspended by the handle. This has the advantage of allowing a user to determine the weight of the device and its contents. This can be particular useful if the device is to be transported as cabin baggage onto an aircraft where strict weight restrictions apply.

[0023]The invention may further comprise a portable storage device comprising an outer enclosure enclosing a main storage area consisting of two substantially rectangular shaped parts attached and hinged on one side; an inner storage compartment which is compressible by evacuation of air from the compartment; a pump integrated into the outer enclosure for evacuating the inner storage compartment; a further non-compressible inner storage compartment which is accessible through an opening in one part of the outer enclosure allowing access to the compartment without opening the main storage area. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of allow quick access to items without the need to open the main storage area. This is particular advantageous if the storage device is stowed in a space restricted area for example an overhead baggage store in an aircraft.

Problems solved by technology

With prior art vacuum storage bags that require a separate vacuum pump in order to achieve compression of the articles, their effectiveness and convenience of use is limited as vacuum sources are not readily available when a user is in transit.

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