A personalised article of luggage

Abstract

An article of luggage comprises a body having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening. The article of luggage further comprises a lid comprising a concave shell having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane. The article of luggage further comprises a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid relative to the body between: an open position in which the body and lid containment volumes are accessible through the body and lid openings; and a closed position in which the body and the lid openings cooperate such that the body and lid containment volumes are enclosed. The concave shell comprises: a side portion extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion, wherein the side portion extends around the recessed portion; and a step portion extending between the side portion and the recessed portion. The recessed portion comprises a planar receiving surface for receiving a planar element within the recessed portion.

Description

[0001] A personalised article of luggage

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The disclosure relates to the field of luggage, such as suitcases.

[0004] Background

[0005] Historically, it was common to personalise an article of luggage by applying lettering, for example the owner’s initials, to an exterior shell of an article of luggage. The location of such lettering was generally near to the handle on the side of the shell of the article of luggage. The lettering may have been applied by adhesive or it may have been painted in situ.

[0006] More substantial personalisation of consumer products, such as fashion and lifestyle products, is increasingly popular.

[0007] For many products, including articles of luggage, it may not be feasible to personalise each individual item on a production line during manufacture. This may be for several reasons, including that the location of manufacture may be on a different continent from the customer requesting the personalisation. Another reason may be that the logistical challenge of shipping each individual product from the production line to the specific customer requesting the personalisation may be too complex and costly.

[0008] Also, it may be unfeasible to apply personalisation to a fully manufactured article of luggage (e.g. at the location of purchase) because of the relatively large three-dimensional nature of the article. For example, it may be difficult to print directly onto a three- dimensional article of luggage.

[0009] Recently, more comprehensive personalisation of an article of luggage has been available through the provision of an article of luggage with a double shell, comprising an inner shell and an outer shell that is transparent. This allows a personalised paper image to be sandwiched between the outer shell and the inner shell and visible through the transparent outer shell. The personalised paper image can be printed and inserted between the inner and outer shells at a different time and location from the manufacture of the article of luggage. However, double shell articles of luggage involve more material, more bulk and more weight. This adds to cost and reduces the weight and volume available for the contents of the article of luggage.

[0010] Summary of the disclosure

[0011] Against this background there is provided an article of luggage comprising: a body having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; a lid comprising a concave shell having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; and a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid relative to the body between: an open position in which the body and lid containment volumes are accessible through the body and lid openings; and a closed position in which the body and the lid openings cooperate such that the body and lid containment volumes are enclosed; wherein: the concave shell comprises: a side portion extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion, wherein the side portion extends around the recessed portion; and a step portion extending between the side portion and the recessed portion; and the recessed portion comprises a planar receiving surface for receiving a planar element within the recessed portion.

[0012] In this way, the planar element may have personalisation applied to it near the customer location and then subsequently be applied to the planar receiving surface of the article of luggage.

[0013] The planar receiving surface may be parallel to the lid opening plane.

[0014] The step portion may be substantially perpendicular to the planar receiving surface.

[0015] The recessed portion may be rectangular with rounded corners.

[0016] The article of luggage may be in the form of a suitcase. The article of luggage may further comprise a planar element configured to be received within the recessed portion.

[0017] A depth of the step portion may be the same as a thickness of the planar element.

[0018] A depth of the step portion may be less than a thickness of the planar element such that the side portion sits proud of the planar element.

[0019] In this way, the planar element (on which the personalisation may be printed) may be protected from scuffing and scratching.

[0020] An area of the recessed portion may be the same as an area of the planar element.

[0021] This may assist in alignment of the planar element in the recessed portion.

[0022] The body and / or the lid may be formed of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or polypropylene, or polycarbonate, or a mixture of two or more of ABS, polypropylene and polycarbonate.

[0023] The planar element may comprise a substrate of ABS or polycarbonate (or a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate). The planar element may further comprise a film of polycarbonate applied to the substrate.

[0024] The film of polycarbonate may be configured to receive an ink-jet printed image or decorative element.

[0025] There is also provided a method of forming the article of luggage, the method comprising: moulding a body having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; moulding a lid comprising a concave shell having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; the concave shell comprises: a side portion extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion extending around the side portion; and a step portion extending between the side portion and the recessed portion, wherein the recessed portion comprises a planar receiving surface for receiving a planar element within the recessed portion; and fastening a hinge between the body and the lid.

[0026] The method may further comprise moulding a planar element configured to be received within the recessed portion.

[0027] The method may further comprise inkjet printing onto the planar element.

[0028] In this way, an image or other decorative element may be applied to the planar element at a time and location removed from the time and location of prior manufacturing steps of the article of luggage.

[0029] The method may further comprise fastening the planar element within the recessed portion.

[0030] Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an article of luggage in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a planar element suitable for being received into the recessed portion of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; and

[0033] Figure 3 shows the article of luggage of Figure 1 and the planar element of Figure 2 with the planar element being aligned for insertion into the recessed portion of the article of luggage.

[0034] Detailed description

[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an article of luggage 10 comprising a body 30 and a lid 20. The body 30 has an interior (not visible in Figure 1) defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening. The lid 20 comprises a concave shell 22 having an interior (not visible in Figure 1) defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane.

[0036] The article of luggage 10 further comprises a hinge (not shown) between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid 20 relative to the body 30 between: an open position in which the body and lid containment volumes are accessible through the body and lid openings; and a closed position in which the body and the lid openings cooperate such that the body and lid containment volumes are enclosed. Figure 1 shows the article of luggage 10 in the closed position.

[0037] The concave shell 22 of the lid 20 comprises a side portion 24 extending out of the lid opening plane. The side portion 24 may be three-dimensionally curved. The side portion 24 may have a first part that extends substantially perpendicular to the lid opening plane and a second part that extends substantially parallel to the lid opening plane. The side portion may have a curved portion that extends between the first part and the second part. In this way, the side portion may curve in three dimensions.

[0038] The concave shell 22 further comprises a recessed portion 25. The side portion 24 may extend around the recessed portion 25. In this way, the recessed portion 25 may effectively be framed by the side portion 24. The concave shell 22 further comprises a step portion 28 extending between the side portion 24 and the recessed portion 25. The recessed portion 25 comprises a planar receiving surface 26 for receiving a planar element 50 within the recessed portion 25.

[0039] The planar receiving surface 26 may be parallel to the lid opening plane. The step portion 28 may be substantially perpendicular to the planar receiving surface. The recessed portion 25 may be rectangular with rounded corners. The lid opening may be rectangular with rounded corners. The shape of the recessed portion may be a scaled down version of the shape of the lid opening.

[0040] The article of luggage 10 may further comprise a plurality of protruding wheel systems 42, 44, 46, each comprising at least one wheel. The body 30 may comprise a first two of the plurality of protruding wheel systems (only one of which, 46, is visible in Figure 1) and the lid 20 may comprise a second two of the plurality of protruding wheel systems 42, 44. Each wheel system 42, 44, 46 may comprise a connection element and a wheel unit. The wheel unit may be rotatable relative to the connection element.

[0041] The article of luggage may be in the form of a suitcase 10.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a planar element 50 suitable for being received into the recessed portion 25 of the article of luggage of Figure 1.

[0043] Being planar, the planar element 50 is significantly more straightforward to print on than would be the case if trying to print on the assembled article of luggage 10. Even if the article of luggage 10 were not assembled, printing on just the lid 20 would be difficult because of its contours and bulk.

[0044] The article of luggage 10 may be supplied with the planar element 50 configured to be received within the recessed portion 25.

[0045] A depth of the step portion 28 may be the same as or preferably less than a thickness of the planar element 50.

[0046] In the event that the depth of the step portion 28 is less than the thickness of the planar element 50 then the side portion 24 sits proud of the planar element 50.

[0047] In this way, if the suitcase is placed against a surface (e.g. against a floor) with the lid 20 facing the surface then the side portion 24 - rather than the planar element 50 - will make contact with the surface. In this way, the planar element 50 (which may include the personalisation) has greater protection from scratching and other damage.

[0048] An area of the recessed portion 25 may be the same as an area of the planar element 50.

[0049] A perimeter shape of the planar element 50 may match a perimeter shape of the recessed portion 25.

[0050] Figure 3 shows the article of luggage of Figure 1 and the planar element of Figure 2 with the planar element being aligned for insertion into the recessed portion of the article of luggage. The step of inserting the planar element into the recessed portion and affixing it in place may take place after manufacture of the article of luggage in a factory, once the article of luggage has been shipped, and once the planar element 50 has had a personalised print applied to an outward facing surface of the planar element 50.

[0051] The method of manufacture steps that may take place in a factory may comprise: moulding a body 30 having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; moulding a lid 20 comprising a concave shell 22 having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; the concave shell 22 comprises: a side portion 24 extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion 25 extending around the side portion 24; and a step portion 28 extending between the side portion 24 and the recessed portion 25, wherein the recessed portion 25 comprises a planar receiving surface 26 for receiving a planar element 50 within the recessed portion 25; and fastening a hinge between the body 30 and the lid 20.

[0052] The body 30 and the lid 20 may, for example, be formed of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or polypropylene, or polycarbonate, or a combination of two or more of ABS, polypropylene and polycarbonate.

[0053] Other manufacturing steps which may take place in a factory may include attaching handles, wheels and zips.

[0054] A further manufacturing step which may take place in a factory may producing a planar element 50 configured to be received within the recessed portion 25.

[0055] The planar element 50 may comprise a substrate of ABS or polycarbonate (or a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate). The substrate may be formed through extrusion. Once formed, the substrate may have a plain polycarbonate film applied to it. The planar element 50 may then be cut to size.

[0056] All of the steps prior to this point may (or may not) be carried out in a single manufacturing facility. Where this is the case, both the article of luggage 10 and the planar element 50 may be shipped to the jurisdiction of the ultimate consumer. A personalisation step may take place subsequently, which may take place in a factory or at a facility closer to the consumer. The personalisation step may comprise applying a print to the planar element 50. The application of a print to the planar element 50 may involve conventional inkjet printing of an image or other decorative element onto the polycarbonate film previously applied to the substrate.

[0057] The printing of the image or other decorative element onto the planar element 50 may be performed with the use of a printing jig.

[0058] Subsequently, the method may involve fastening the planar element 50 within the recessed portion 25. The planar element 50 may be fastened into the recessed portion 25 using glue, screws, rivets, double-sized tape or other suitable fixings.

[0059] If the planar element 50 is affixed within the recessed portion 25 in a removable way then re-personalisation at a later date may be feasible by substituting the planar element 50 for a different planar element 50 with a different personalisation.

[0060] Assembly of the planar element to the article of luggage may involve use of a jig.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An article of luggage (10) comprising: a body (30) having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; a lid (20) comprising a concave shell (22) having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; and a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid (20) relative to the body (30) between: an open position in which the body and lid containment volumes are accessible through the body and lid openings; and a closed position in which the body and the lid openings cooperate such that the body and lid containment volumes are enclosed; wherein: the concave shell (22) comprises: a side portion (24) extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion (25), wherein the side portion (24) extends around the recessed portion (25); and a step portion (28) extending between the side portion (24) and the recessed portion (25); and the recessed portion (25) comprises a planar receiving surface (26) for receiving a planar element (50) within the recessed portion (25).

2. The article of luggage (10) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the planar receiving surface (26) is parallel to the lid opening plane.

3. The article of luggage (10) in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step portion (28) is substantially perpendicular to the planar receiving surface (26).

4. The article of luggage (10) in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the recessed portion (25) is rectangular with rounded corners.

5. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim comprising a plurality of protruding wheel systems (42, 44, 46), each comprising at least one wheel.

6. The article of luggage (10) of claim 5 wherein the body (30) comprises a first two of the plurality of protruding wheel systems (46) and the lid (20) comprises a second two of the plurality of protruding wheel systems (42, 44).

7. The article of luggage (10) of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein each wheel system (42, 44, 46) comprises a connection element and a wheel unit, wherein the wheel unit is rotatable relative to the connection element.

8. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim wherein the article of luggage (10) is in the form of a suitcase (10).

9. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim further comprising a planar element (50) configured to be received within the recessed portion (25).

10. The article of luggage (10) of claim 9 wherein a depth of the step portion (28) is no more than a thickness of the planar element (50).

11. The article of luggage (10) of claim 10 wherein the depth of the step portion (28) is less than a thickness of the planar element (50) such that the side portion (24) sits proud of the planar element (50).

12. The article of luggage (10) of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein an area of the recessed portion (25) is the same as an area of the planar element (50).

13. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim wherein the body (30) and / or the lid (20) are formed of one or more of:Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS); polypropylene; and polycarbonate.

14. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim wherein the planar element (50) comprises a substrate of ABS or polycarbonate or a mixture of ABS or polycarbonate and a film of polycarbonate applied to the substrate.

15. The article of luggage (10) of any preceding claim wherein the film of polycarbonate is configured to receive an ink-jet printed image or decorative element.

16. A method of forming an article of luggage in accordance with any preceding claim, the method comprising:moulding a body (30) having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; moulding a lid (20) comprising a concave shell (22) having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; the concave shell (22) comprises: a side portion (24) extending out of the lid opening plane; a recessed portion (25) extending around the side portion (24); and a step portion (28) extending between the side portion (24) and the recessed portion (25), wherein the recessed portion (25) comprises a planar receiving surface (26) for receiving a planar element (50) within the recessed portion (25); and fastening a hinge between the body (30) and the lid (20).

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising moulding a planar element (50) configured to be received within the recessed portion (25).

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: ink printing onto the planar element(50).

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: fastening the planar element within the recessed portion (25).

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