Cover for protecting articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover (10) for protecting at least one article, comprising: a flexible enclosure (12), the flexible enclosure (12) being impermeable to liquids and gases; and a closure (14) designed to be moved between an open position, in which the article can be introduced into the flexible enclosure (12), and a closed position, in which the article is enclosed in an air- and watertight manner in an internal space (16) of the flexible enclosure (12), the movement of the closure (14) from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to become trapped in the internal space (16) of the flexible enclosure (12) so as to form a protective pocket of air around the article.

Description

Description Title: Protective cover for items technical field

[0001] This disclosure falls within the scope of protecting items with a protective cover. Previous technique

[0002] A protective cover typically consists of a soft envelope that holds the item to be protected. The item can be placed inside the soft envelope to be protected from moisture, dust, dirt, creasing, and / or potential impacts.

[0003] For example, covers made of plastic, such as polyethylene or nylon, have been proposed. These types of covers do provide good protection against moisture. However, they tend to be harmful to the environment and are difficult to recycle.

[0004] There are also protective covers made of an organic material, such as cotton. However, such covers are not waterproof and do not provide adequate protection for the item.

[0005] Furthermore, covers with a flexible, two-walled construction have been proposed. Air is injected between the two walls to create a pressurized air pocket around the object inside. Such covers provide good protection against impacts. However, the presence of two walls, along with the need to inject air between them, complicates the cover's manufacture and use. Summary

[0006] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0007] According to one aspect, a protective cover for at least one item is offered, including: - a flexible envelope, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases; and - a closure arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible envelope, and a closed position in which the article is hermetically sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

[0008] Such a cover is impermeable to liquids and gases, ensuring good protection of the item against moisture and dirt. The cover's airtightness also allows for the creation of an air pocket around the item, providing good protection against potential impacts. The air pocket is easily created by inserting it into the flexible sleeve when closing the cover. The airtight seal ensures that the trapped air remains contained. substantially constant when the closure is in the closed position, and this until the next time the closure is opened.

[0009] A protective cover for at least one item is also offered, including: - a flexible casing made of recycled and recyclable fibers, the flexible casing being impermeable to liquids and gases; and - a closure arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible envelope, and a closed position in which the article is hermetically sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

[0010] Such a cover is eco-friendly and durable, as the flexible outer shell is made from recycled and recyclable materials. As previously mentioned, this cover is also impermeable to liquids and gases, ensuring excellent protection against moisture and dirt. The cover's airtight seal also creates an air pocket around the item, providing added protection against impacts. This air pocket is easily created, as it is automatically drawn into the flexible outer shell when the cover is closed. The cover's airtight seal ensures that the amount of trapped air remains essentially constant when the closure is in the closed position, until the next time the closure is opened.

[0011] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0012] The fibers are suitable for heat-sealing; polyester fibers are preferred. Heat-sealing can therefore be used to make the cover, eliminating the need for sewing, which could compromise its waterproofness. Furthermore, heat-sealing prevents the bonded areas from deforming, gives the cover a neat and even appearance, and ensures its durability and flexibility over time.

[0013] The flexible cover comprises a front wall and a back wall, with the internal space extending between them. The front and back walls are bonded by continuous heat sealing along their periphery. This simplifies the cover's manufacture. In this case, the two walls can be supplied as parted fibers, and then their peripheries can be heat-sealed together to close the cover. The continuous heat sealing ensures that no gaps between the two walls allow air trapped inside the cover to escape when it is closed.

[0014] The closure is a watertight zipper extending from an upper end of the soft envelope to a lower end of the soft envelope, with the zipper sliders being attached to the soft envelope by continuous heat bonding along the sliders.

[0015] The zipper allows for easy insertion of the item into the cover without compromising the seal of the soft cover. The zipper, extending along the length of the soft cover, makes it easy to insert the item, especially a garment, without folding or creasing it. The continuous heat-sealed seam ensures that no gaps between the zipper and the soft cover allow trapped air to escape when the cover is closed.

[0016] The zipper extends approximately to the center of the front panel of the soft shell. This design allows the front panel to be easily separated from the back panel when moving the zipper from the open to the closed position, thus trapping a greater quantity of air than if the zipper extended along one side of the front panel. The user can therefore adjust the amount of air trapped inside the soft shell, and consequently the level of impact protection, by separating the front panel from the back panel more or less when moving the zipper from the open to the closed position.

[0017] The flexible envelope has a rectangular shape with a width and a length greater than the width, and the zipper extends lengthwise along the envelope, approximately in the center. This positioning allows for a longer zipper than if it extended widthwise, and therefore traps a greater amount of air.

[0018] The cover may include a fold line extending along a transverse axis of the cover, the fold line allowing the cover to be folded by rotation around the transverse axis. The cover may adopt a folded position in which one portion of the cover is folded over another. In the folded position, the cover is compact, facilitating transport and / or storage. The cover may also include a means of securing it in the folded position.

[0019] The cover may include a first and a second handle, symmetrical about the transverse axis, each handle being heat-sealed to an outer surface of the flexible cover. When folded down, the first handle overlaps the second. The handles allow for easy carrying of the cover, as the user can simply grasp them by hand or over the shoulder. Furthermore, heat-sealing the handles ensures that the waterproofing of the flexible cover is not compromised.

[0020] The cover may include at least one support provided on an inner surface of the flexible envelope, the support being attached to the flexible envelope by heat sealing. The support may allow the item to be held in place within the cover without compromising the waterproofness of the flexible envelope. For example, the support may be a tab, for holding a garment hanger, or a pocket, for holding a small item.

[0021] The cover can be a garment cover. The cover is particularly well-suited for protecting clothing. The air pocket helps protect the garment from impacts and creasing. The cover's waterproof design helps protect the garment from moisture and soiling.

[0022] According to a second aspect, a manufacturing process is proposed for a protective cover for at least one item comprising: - to form a flexible envelope, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases; - fix a closure to the flexible envelope so that it can be moved between an open position in which at least one item can be introduced into the flexible envelope and a closed position in which the item is hermetically sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the item.

[0023] A method for manufacturing a protective cover for at least one item is also proposed, comprising: - to form a flexible envelope made of recycled and recyclable fibers, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases; - fix a closure to the flexible envelope so that it can be moved between an open position in which at least one item can be introduced into the flexible envelope and a closed position in which the item is hermetically sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the item.

[0024] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0025] Forming the flexible envelope may include providing a front wall and a back wall, the internal space extending between the front wall and the back wall, and joining the front and back walls by continuous heat bonding along a periphery of the front and back walls.

[0026] The closure can be a zipper, and fixing the closure includes heat-bonding two zipper sliders to the soft cover by continuously heat-bonding the sliders onto the soft cover.

[0027] The process may further include heat-bonding at least one loop to an outer surface of the flexible envelope and / or a support to an inner surface of the flexible envelope.

[0028] A third aspect proposes a method for protecting at least one item, particularly against impacts, comprising: - to provide a cover according to the first aspect of the invention, - place at least one item in the flexible envelope, and - move the closure into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection for the item.

[0029] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0030] Inserting at least one item into the flexible envelope includes the step of moving the closure into its open position or into an intermediate position between its open and closed positions.

[0031] Inserting at least one item into the flexible envelope may also include the step of attaching at least one item to the support.

[0032] Inserting at least one item into the flexible envelope may include placing at least one garment and at least one garment hanger supporting said garment into the flexible envelope, and then attaching the garment hanger to the support. In this embodiment, the method protects said garment from shocks and creasing.

[0033] Moving the closure to its closed position involves separating the front wall from the back wall of the soft shell to trap air within the shell's internal space, creating an air pocket for the item. The user can adjust the separation of the front wall from the back wall to control the amount of air trapped inside the soft shell.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the process for protecting at least one article consists of the following steps: - to provide a cover according to the first aspect of the invention, - place at least one item in the flexible envelope, - Optionally, attach at least one item to the cover support, - move the closure into its closed position, trapping a quantity of air within the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection for the item, - optionally fold the cover back into its folded position, and - optionally maintain the cover in its folded position using the fastening means.

[0035] Thus, the method according to the third aspect of the invention does not include a step of injecting air or gas into the flexible casing. Brief description of the drawings

[0036] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1

[0037] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a front view of a protective cover in the open position according to one embodiment. Fig. 2

[0038] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a rear view of the protective cover of figure 1. Fig. 3

[0039] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover of figure 1 in the folded position. Fig. 4

[0040] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a front view of the protective cover of figure 1 in the closed position. Fig. 5

[0041] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover of figure 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 6

[0042] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another portion of the cover in Figure 1. Fig. 7

[0043] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a detail of the protective cover in Figure 1 in which a hanger is inserted into the cover. Fig. 8

[0044] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates the steps of a process for making the cover of figure 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 9

[0045] [Fig. 9] schematically illustrates the steps of a process for protecting at least one article according to one embodiment. Fig. 10

[0046] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates a support according to one embodiment of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0047] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a protective cover 10. The protective cover 10 is intended to protect at least one item. Here, the item to be protected is an article of clothing, for example, a shirt, trousers, a dress, a skirt, a jacket, a coat, or a vest. However, the item to be protected could be any other item, for example, shoes, a bottle, a painting, perfume, a toiletry bag, a purse, a watch, a pair of glasses, or an electronic device such as a telephone, a laptop, or a camera.

[0048] As illustrated, the protective cover 10 essentially comprises a flexible cover 12 and a closure 14. The flexible cover 12 is intended to contain the item within the cover 10. The closure 14 is adapted to close or, conversely, open the cover 10 to allow the item to be inserted into and removed from the cover 10.

[0049] Flexible envelope 12

[0050] The flexible cover 12 is impermeable to liquids and gases. The flexible cover is made of fibers. The fibers used to form the flexible cover 12 are chosen for their waterproof properties. Thus, the item contained in the cover 10 can be protected against moisture and the introduction of liquids that could damage and / or soil the item.

[0051] In one embodiment, the flexible cover 12 is formed from recycled and recyclable fibers. The fibers can, for example, be formed by transforming waste into granules, then heating and extruding the granules to obtain yarn. Subsequently, the yarn is woven to form the flexible cover 12. The manufacture of the cover 10 can be part of a circular economy approach.

[0052] Furthermore, the flexible cover 12 has no openings or holes, except for the closure 14, which will be described in more detail later. Thus, air can be trapped in an internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 when the closure 14 of the cover 10 is closed. Trapping means that the air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 when the closure 14 is closed. From the moment the cover 10 is closed, the air is permanently contained within the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12. Only the subsequent opening of the cover 10 can release the air. The trapped air forms a protective pocket around the item. The cover 10 can protect the item against impacts. In the specific case of textile items, the cover 10 can also provide satisfactory protection against creasing.

[0053] The flexible cover 12 is also made of a material suitable for heat bonding. Heat bonding refers to the process of joining using heat. A heat-bonding adhesive 57 is applied between two surfaces to be joined; the adhesive reacts to the heat to bond the two surfaces together. The fibers forming the flexible cover 12 are chosen for their properties that allow for thermal bonding, in particular, their resistance to burning or melting when heat is applied. The heat-bonding adhesive 57 can be a fabric, woven or non-woven, or a liquid that becomes adhesive when heat is applied. The use of heat bonding makes it possible to provide a cover 10 without stitches that could compromise its watertightness. The cover 10 can thus be perfectly watertight. Liquid cannot penetrate the cover 10, and the air trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 cannot escape.Heat sealing also helps to make the heat-sealed parts non-deformable, to give a regular and neat appearance to the cover 10 and to ensure its durability and flexibility over time.

[0054] In one embodiment, the flexible envelope 12 is formed from polyester fibers.

[0055] In one particular example, the flexible cover 12 is made from recycled polyester fibers. The flexible cover 12 can also be made from organic, plant-based, or algae-based fibers. The cover 10 is therefore environmentally friendly and durable while also being lightweight and flexible.

[0056] The flexible cover 12 can, for example, have a roughly rectangular shape. The flexible cover 12 can, for example, have a length b of 90 cm and a width a of 60 cm (see Figure 2). A thickness e of the flexible cover 12 could be approximately 6 cm. Such dimensions are suitable for a cover 10 for protecting a garment. However, the flexible cover 12 could also have any other dimensions depending on the item to be protected. The flexible cover 12 could also have a shape other than rectangular, for example, square, circular, or oval.

[0057] Here, the flexible casing 12 comprises a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The walls 18 and 20 are substantially flat surfaces. In practice, the walls 18 and 20 are pieces of fabric, preferably woven from recycled and recyclable fibers. The walls 18 and 20 can, for example, be formed from fibers of the same material or from fibers of different materials. The walls 18 and 20 may have a distinct color or texture. The back wall 20 may also be thicker than the front wall 18. The back wall 20 may be rigid to support the item. The front wall 18 may be flexible, allowing the item to be inserted. Thus, there is flexibility in the design of the flexible casing 12. The back wall 20 may also include reinforcement to stiffen it.This reinforcement is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the back wall 20, i.e. inside the soft cover 12. This reinforcement stiffens the back wall 20 without however preventing the folding of the protective cover 10 as explained below.

[0058] The front and back walls 18, 20 are joined together by heat bonding. The walls 18, 20 can be continuously (i.e., without interruption) heat-sealed around the entire periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As seen in Figure 5, the heat-sealable 57 extends continuously between the front and back walls 18, 20, at the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As illustrated in Figure 4, there is a space between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are heat-sealed and the edge 62 of the walls 18, 20. The internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 extends between the front and back walls 18, 20. The joint between the front and back walls 18, 20 is watertight, without gaps into which liquid could enter or air trapped in the internal space 16 of the cover 10 could escape.

[0059] Furthermore, the flexible cover 12 can define a fold line 23 (which is not particularly visible on the cover 10). Here, the fold line 23 extends along a transverse axis X of the flexible cover 12 (see Figure 2). The fold line 23 extends approximately through the center of the flexible cover 12, in the direction of the width a of the flexible cover 12. Consequently, the lower end of the flexible cover 12 can be folded over the upper end of the flexible cover 12. The cover 10 can adopt a folded position in which the cover 10 is folded in half around the transverse axis X (see Figure 3). The length b of the cover 10 is thus halved (and its thickness doubled). This facilitates the transport of the cover 10.

[0060] Here, the cover 10 is folded around the fold line 23 so that the front wall 18 of the flexible cover 12 is oriented towards the inside of the cover 10 and the back wall 20 of the flexible cover 12 faces outwards from the cover 10. Thus, the closure 14 of the cover 10, The opening provided here on the front panel 18 can be concealed when the cover 10 is folded down. When folded down, the exterior of the cover 10 can be a smooth surface, enhancing its appearance. Furthermore, the back panel 20 of the cover 10 can be thicker than the front panel 18 to ensure adequate protection of the item when folded down, while still providing a compact cover 10.

[0061] Closing 14

[0062] The closure 14 is movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position (Figure 1), the item can be inserted into the internal space 16 of the flexible casing 12. In the closed position (Figure 4), the item is contained securely within the internal space 16 of the flexible casing 12.

[0063] The closure 14 is an airtight closure. When the closure 14 is moved from the open position to the closed position, air is effectively trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12. The air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 as long as the closure 14 is in the closed position. The air forms the protective air pocket around the item.

[0064] Here, the closure 14 is a zipper extending from the upper end of the flexible cover 12 to its lower end. The closure 14 extends lengthwise along the flexible cover 12, approximately at its center. Such a closure 14 is suitable for inserting clothing without folding or creasing it. This closure 14 is also designed to allow the walls 18 and 20 to separate when the zipper is moved to the closed position, thus trapping air inside the flexible cover 12. The closure 14 is located on the front wall 18 of the flexible cover 12, so that it is not visible from outside the cover 10 when the cover 10 is folded down.

[0065] The zipper 14 here comprises two slides 34 and a pull tab 32 that slides along the slides 34. The slides 34 are heat-bonded to the flexible casing 12, specifically to the front wall 18. The heat-bonding 57 can extend continuously (i.e., without interruption) between an upper surface of the slides 34 and an inner surface of the front wall 18 (see Figure 6). This continuous heat-bonding contributes to the sealing of the zipper 14, preventing liquid from entering the internal space 16 of the flexible casing 12 or air trapped in the internal space 16 from escaping. Moving the pull tab 32 along the slides 34 allows the zipper 14 to be moved from its closed position to its open position, or vice versa.

[0066] Alternatively, closure 14 could not include a pull tab 32. Closure 14 could be of the Minigrip® type.

[0067] Other elements of the cover

[0068] The cover 10 may include at least one handle 22, 24. The at least one handle 22, 24 allows the cover 10 to be carried by hand or over the shoulder, particularly in the folded position of the cover 10.

[0069] According to one embodiment, said at least one loop 22, 24 is heat-bonded to an external surface of the flexible envelope 12. The heat-bonding of the loops 22, 24 avoids the creation of stitches inside the flexible envelope 12, which could impair the sealing of the flexible envelope 12.

[0070] In the illustrated example, at least one handle 22, 24 is heat-bonded to the back wall 20 of the flexible cover 12. When the back wall 20 has a greater thickness than the front wall 18, the rigidity of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible cover 12 is increased, making it easier to grasp the cover 10. Alternatively, at least one handle 22, 24 could be heat-bonded to the front wall 18, to hide the joint between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible cover 12 in the folded position.

[0071] According to one embodiment, at least one handle 22, 24 may be sewn onto an outer surface of the flexible casing 12, in an area located between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are joined by heat sealing and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20. The stitching of the handle 22, 24 allows for a reinforced attachment of the handles 22, 24 to the flexible casing 12. Furthermore, the stitching points do not compromise the watertightness of the internal space 16 because they are located outside the internal space 16, between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are joined by heat sealing and the edge of said walls 18, 20.

[0072] In one embodiment, at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the back wall 20 of the flexible cover 12. When the back wall 20 is thicker than the front wall 18, this embodiment increases the strength of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible cover 12. In another embodiment, at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the front wall 18. This embodiment conceals the seam between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible cover 12 when the cover 10 is folded down.

[0073] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 can be both heat-sealed and sewn.

[0074] In the illustrated example, a first handle 22 is provided at an upper end of the back wall 20 and a second handle 24 is provided at a lower end of the back wall 20. The first and second handles 22, 24 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the folding line 23) of the cover 10. Thus, in the folded position, the first handle 22 overlaps the second handle 24 to facilitate the transport of the cover 10.

[0075] Each handle 22, 24 comprises a curved portion 28 and two flat portions 30 provided at opposite ends of the curved portion 28. The curved portion 28 forms an arc projecting from the back wall 20 so that a user can grasp the curved portion 28 and carry the cover 10 by hand or over the shoulder. The flat portions 30 define a heat-sealing surface on the back wall 20, onto which the heat-sealable material 57 can be applied. The flat portions 28 increase the heat-sealing surface area, improving the quality of the heat-sealing.

[0076] According to one embodiment, each handle 22, 24 is made of recycled and recyclable fibers. The handles 22, 24 thus contribute to the ecological logic of the cover 10.

[0077] Each handle 22, 24 can be made of the same material as the cover 10 or of a different material.

[0078] The cover 10 may also include a fastening means for the folded position. The fastening means may be a first magnet 59 located near the upper end of the flexible cover 12 and a second magnet 60 located near the lower end of the flexible cover 12 to cooperate with the first magnet 59 in the folded position. The first and second magnets 59, 60 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the fold line 23) of the cover 10. The first and second magnets 59, 60 may be attached to the front wall 18 of the cover 10 or to the inside of the first and second handles 22, 24.

[0079] The fastening means may alternatively be a male or female part of at least one snap fastener disposed near the upper end of the flexible cover 12, configured to cooperate with a female or male part, respectively, of said at least one snap fastener disposed near the lower end of the flexible cover 12. The male and female parts of said at least one snap fastener are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis X (and the folding line 23) of the cover 10. The male and female parts of said at least one snap fastener may be fixed to the front wall 18 of the cover 10 or inside the first and second handles 22, 24.

[0080] The cover 10 may also include at least one support 36. The support 36 may hold the item in place within the internal space 16 of the cover 10. The support 36 is heat-bonded to an inner surface of the flexible cover 12. The support 36 may be attached to the flexible cover 12 without creating stitches that could compromise the watertightness of the cover 10.

[0081] For example, the support 36 can be a tab 36 adapted to receive a garment hanger 38 (see Figure 7). The tab 36 can be located near the upper end of the cover 10, substantially in the center of the flexible envelope 12, so that the garment extends along the length b of the cover 10. The tab 36 is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the flexible envelope 12, specifically to the back wall 20. Unlike a conventional garment cover, the hanger 38 does not protrude from the cover 10. The cover 10 has no openings through which liquid could enter or trapped air could escape.

[0082] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the support 36 can be a fabric portion 64 comprising at least two slits 66. The fabric portion 64 is heat-bonded to the inner surface of the flexible cover 12, except between said at least two slits 66. The heat-bonded surface is shown hatched in Figure 10. The two slits 66 and the unbonded space between them are configured to accommodate a hook for a clothes hanger. This embodiment provides a particularly flat and discreet support 36 for a clothes hanger 38.

[0083] The at least two slots 66 are preferably parallel. They are spaced between 5 mm and 3 cm apart, preferably about 1 cm. The hook of a clothes hanger 38 can thus pass through a first of said slots 66, between the part of fabric 64 and the flexible cover 12, and through a second of said slits 66. The fabric portion 64 is preferably heat-bonded to the back wall 20, near the upper end of the cover 10. The fabric portion 64 can be heat-bonded to the back wall 20 so that the two slits 66 extend along the length of the cover 10. The fabric portion 64 can be made of the same material as the walls 18, 20.

[0084] Alternatively, or in addition, the support 36 may consist of one or more pockets designed to hold a small item such as a tie, bow tie, piece of jewelry, or a square of fabric. For example, two pockets may be provided on either side of the closure 14, near the upper edge of the cover 10. The pockets may be heat-sealed to the inner surface of the flexible cover 12, particularly on the front panel 18. The pockets may include a flap to prevent the contents from escaping. Alternatively, the pockets may include a waterproof zipper. Manufacturing process

[0085] We then describe a manufacturing process for the cover 10 described above, with reference to figure 8.

[0086] A first step 100 consists of producing the flexible casing 12. The flexible casing 12 is obtained, for example, by supplying a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are preferably made of recycled and recyclable fibers. The fibers can, for example, be formed by transforming waste into granules, then by heating and extruding the granules to obtain yarn. Subsequently, the yarn is woven to form the front and back walls 18, 20. The weave can, for example, be a plain weave, a double weave, a tight weave, a satin weave, or a Jacquard weave.

[0087] The periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20 can be heat-sealed to define the internal space 16 of the flexible casing 12 into which the article can be inserted. The heat-sealable 57 can be applied (in the form of strips or liquid) continuously all around one of the front or back walls 18, 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are then overlapped, and heat is applied to the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. In one embodiment, a space is maintained between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are bonded by heat sealing and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20.

[0088] A second step 200 involves attaching the closure 14 to the flexible cover 12. In the particular example of the zipper 14, the slides 34 can be heat-bonded to the flexible cover 12 to extend from the bottom edge to the bottom edge of the flexible cover 12. The heat-bonding adhesive 57 can be applied continuously to the slides 34. The slides 34 are then placed on the flexible cover 12 (for example, on the inner surface of the flexible cover 12) and heat is applied to the slides 34. A pull tab 32 can be provided to slide along the slides 34 and allow the cover 10 to be opened and closed. Depending on the embodiment, a step 300 can consist of heat-bonding the handles 22, 24 to an external surface of the flexible cover 12, for example, at two opposite ends. of the dorsal wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. The heat-sealable 57 can be applied to the flat portion 30 of the handles 22, 24. The handles 22, 24 can then be positioned on the dorsal wall 20 and heat applied to fix the handles 22, 24.

[0089] A step 400 can also consist of heat-sealing the support 36 to an internal surface of the flexible envelope 12, for example near the upper end of the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. The heat-sealable 57 can be applied to a portion of the support 36. The support 36 can then be positioned on the flexible envelope 12 and heat can be applied to the support to fix the support 36 to the flexible envelope 12.

[0090] Note that the order of heat-sealing can be arbitrary. The closure 14 could be heat-sealed to the front panel 18 before or after the front panel 18 is heat-sealed to the back panel 20. The support 36 and / or the handles 22, 24 can be heat-sealed before or after the front panel 18 is heat-sealed to the back panel 20. protection method

[0091] A method for protecting at least one article, particularly against impacts, is then described with reference to Figure 9.

[0092] A first step 1000 includes the provision of a cover 10 according to the invention.

[0093] A second step 2000 involves introducing at least one item into the flexible envelope 12. To introduce at least one item into the flexible envelope 12, the closure 14 is moved to its open position or to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. Step 2000 of introducing at least one item into the flexible envelope 12 may also include the step of attaching the at least one item to the support 36.

[0094] For example, the at least one item is a garment and the introduction step includes the introduction of at least one garment and at least one garment hanger 38 supporting said at least one garment into the flexible envelope 12, then the attachment of the at least one garment hanger 38 to the support 36. In this latter embodiment, the method allows the protection of said at least one garment not only against shocks but also against creasing.

[0095] When the support 36 includes a portion of fabric 64 and two slots 66 as detailed previously, the attachment of at least one clothes hanger 38 to the support consists of passing the hook of said clothes hanger through a first slot 66, in the space between the portion of fabric 64 and the flexible cover 12, and then bringing the hook out through the second slot 66.

[0096] A third step involves moving the closure 14 into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 to form an air pocket protection of the article.

[0097] Moving the closure 14 into its closed position may include the step of separating the front wall 18 from the back wall 20 of the flexible cover 12 in order to trap a quantity of air in the internal space 16 of the flexible cover 12 to form an air pocket protection of the article. The user will be able to choose to move the front wall 18 further away from the back wall 20 in order to modulate the amount of air trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the front wall 18 can be separated from the dorsal wall 20 by at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm, at least 15 cm or at least 20 cm. This separation is measured at the closure 14, equidistant from an upper and a lower end of the closure 14.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the cover 10 can then be folded to adopt a folded position in which one portion of the cover 10 is folded over another, preferably the cover 10 is folded along the folding line 23. The cover 10 can then be held in the folded position by means of the fastening means.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the protection process does not include a step of injecting air or gas into the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12.

Claims

Demands

1. Protective cover (10) for at least one item comprising: - a flexible envelope (12), the flexible envelope (12) being impermeable to liquids and gases; and - a closure (14) arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible envelope (12), and a closed position in which the article is hermetically sealed in an internal space (16) of the flexible envelope (12), the movement of the closure (14) from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space (16) of the flexible envelope (12) to form an air pocket protection of the article.

2. Cover (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are suitable for heat sealing, preferably the fibers are polyester fibers.

3. Cover (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible cover (12) comprises a front wall (18) and a back wall (20), the internal space (16) extending between the front wall (18) and the back wall (20), the front and back walls (18, 20) being joined by continuous heat bonding along a periphery (58) of the front and back walls (18, 20).

4. Cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (14) is a waterproof zipper (14) extending from an upper end of the flexible cover (12) to a lower end of the flexible cover (12), the sliders (34) of the zipper (14) being attached to the flexible cover (12) by continuous heat bonding along the sliders (34).

5. Cover (10) according to claim 4, wherein the zipper (14) extends substantially to the center of the front wall (18) of the flexible cover (12).

6. Cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (10) comprises a folding line (23) extending along a transverse axis (X) of the cover (10), the folding line (23) allowing the cover (10) to be folded by rotation around the transverse axis (X).

7. Cover (10) according to claim 6, wherein the cover (10) comprises a first handle (22) and a second handle (24) fixed to an outer surface of the flexible cover (12) by heat bonding, the first and second handles (22, 24) being symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis (X).

8. Cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover (10) comprises at least one support (36) provided on an inner surface of the flexible cover (12), the support (36) being attached to the flexible cover (12) by heat sealing.

9. Cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (10) is a garment cover.

10. Method for manufacturing a protective cover (10) for at least one article comprising: - form a flexible envelope (12), the flexible envelope (12) being impermeable to liquids and gases; - fix a closure (14) to the flexible envelope (12) to be movable between an open position in which at least one article can be introduced into the flexible envelope (12) and a closed position in which the article is hermetically sealed in an internal space (16) of the flexible envelope (12), the movement of the closure (14) from the open position to the closed position resulting in the entrapment of a quantity of air in the internal space (16) of the flexible envelope (12) to form an air pocket protection of the article.

11. A manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein forming the flexible casing (12) comprises providing a front wall (18) and a back wall (20), the internal space (16) extending between the front wall (18) and the back wall (20), and connecting the front and back walls (18, 20) by continuous heat bonding along a periphery (58) of the front and back walls (18, 20).

12. A manufacturing method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the closure (14) is a zipper (14), and fixing the closure (14) comprises heat-bonding two sliders (34) of the zipper (14) to the flexible casing (12) by continuous heat-bonding of the sliders (34) onto the flexible casing (12).

13. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising heat-sealing at least one handle (22, 24) to an outer surface of the flexible casing (12) and / or a support (36) to an inner surface of the flexible casing (12).

14. A method for protecting at least one article, in particular against impact, comprising: - to provide a cover (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - place at least one item in the flexible envelope (12), and - move the closure (14) into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space (16) of the flexible envelope (12) to form an air pocket protection of the article.

15. A protection method according to claim 14, wherein introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope (12) includes the step of moving the closure (14) into its open position.

16. A protection method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope (12) includes the step of fixing the at least one article to at least one support (36) provided on an inner surface of the flexible envelope (12).

17. A protection method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein moving the closure (14) into its closed position includes the step of separating the front wall (18) from the back wall (20) in order to trap a quantity of air in the internal space (16) of the flexible casing (12) to form an air pocket protection of the article.

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