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Patent 3107400 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 3107400
(54) English Title: SUITCASE
(54) French Title: VALISE
Status: Examination
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A45C 7/00 (2006.01)
  • A45C 5/03 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • FRAIMAN, ZVIKA (Israel)
  • HOROVITZ, NADIN DANIEL (Israel)
  • SCHNITZER, ORIT (Israel)
  • AZOULAY, EYAL (Israel)
(73) Owners :
  • ROLLINK SMART PRODUCTS LTD.
(71) Applicants :
  • ROLLINK SMART PRODUCTS LTD. (Israel)
(74) Agent: FASKEN MARTINEAU DUMOULIN LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2019-08-01
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2020-02-13
Examination requested: 2023-11-17
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/IL2019/050866
(87) International Publication Number: IL2019050866
(85) National Entry: 2021-01-22

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
261016 (Israel) 2018-08-06

Abstracts

English Abstract

The present disclosure is concerned with a suitcase. More particularly the disclosure is directed to a collapsible suitcase.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne une valise. Plus particulièrement, l'invention concerne une valise pliable.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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CLAIMS:
1. A suitcase comprising a back shell and a front shell, both of which
being made
of a rigid material;
the back shell is configured with a substantially flat back base and a
perimetric
back wall extending upwards from the flat back base, and the front shell is
configured
with a substantially flat front base and a perimetric front wall extending
upwards from
the flat front base;
a flexible perimetric closed-loop side wall of the suitcase is attached along
one of a back
edge and a front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall to one of a
perimetric edge of
the perimetric back wall and a perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall,
respectively,
with the other one of the back edge and the front edge of the flexible
perimetric side
wall being articulated to an articulation portion of the other of the
perimetric edge of the
perimetric back wall and perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall,
the flexible perimetric side wall comprising a sliding closure along a
reclosable
portion that extends along the edge of the flexible perimetric side wall that
is articulated
via the articulation portion, the sliding closure extending along said entire
edge of the
flexible perimetric side wall excluding the articulation portion;
the suitcase is configurable between an expanded position and a collapsed
position, wherein at the collapsed position the perimetric front wall
accommodates the
perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and wherein the thickness of the
suitcase at
the collapsed position corresponds with a height of the back shell and a
thickness of the
front base.
2. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the front shell is larger than
the back
shell, and at the collapsed position at least a portion of the perimetric back
wall is
enveloped by the perimetric front wall, giving rise to a space extending
between an
inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base, said space
having a height
substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall, and
further
wherein at the collapsed position said space accommodates the perimetric side
wall.
3. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein one or more rigid support
boards are
articulated at inside portions of the back shell, wherein at the expanded
position said
one or more rigid support boards are disposed flush against corresponding
portions of
the perimetric side wall.

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4. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein a rigid bottom support board
extends at
least at a bottom base of the suitcase, and is configured such that at the
collapsed
position said bottom support board is disposed substantially parallel to the
back base,
and at the expanded position said bottom support board is disposed
substantially normal
to the back wall and flush against a corresponding bottom portion of the
perimetric side
wall.
5. A suitcase according to claim 4, wherein at least one additional support
board is
configured, at a top base of the suitcase and is configured such that at the
collapsed
position said additional support board is disposed substantially parallel to
the back base,
and at the expanded position said support board can be disposed substantially
normal to
the back wall and flush against a corresponding top portion of the perimetric
side wall.
6. A suitcase according to claim 5, wherein the one or more support boards
are
detachably attachable at portions thereof to an inside face of the
corresponding the
perimetric side wall.
7. A suitcase according to claim 6, wherein the one or more support boards
are
articulated to the back shell near a perimetric edge of the perimetric back
wall.
8. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein at the collapsed position the
perimetric
edge of the perimetric back wall substantially bears against the inside face
of front base.
9. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein a planar footprint of the front
shell is
slightly greater than a planar footprint of the back shell.
10. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the flexible perimetric side
wall is
folded inwards into a space extending between an inside face of the back base
and an
inside face the front base at the collapsed position.
11. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein at least a pair of rear wheels
is
articulated near a rear bottom portion of the back shell.
12. A suitcase according to claim 11, wherein a base of the wheels is
disposed at the
inside face of the back base, said base being lower than the height of the
perimetric back
wall.
13. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein a handle is configured at
least at one
location of the perimetric side wall, said handle being stored within the
space at the
collapsed position.
14. A suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising a telescopic
handle, said
telescopic handle configurable between a retracted position and an extended
position,

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the telescopic handle mechanism comprising one or more telescopic rods
disposed flush
with the back base, and a handle which at the collapsed position is stowed
within a
depression configured at a top base of the back shell.
15. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic
rods are
received within longitudinal recesses configures at an outside face of the
back base.
16. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic
rods are
fully received within received within the longitudinal recesses and
substantially do not
project from an outside face of the back base.
17. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic
rods are
attached to an inside face of the back base, and projecting through an opening
at a top
base of the back base.
18. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein the longitudinal recesses are
disposed
within the space defined at the collapsed position therefrom.
19. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein one or more ground support
pieces
are configured at one or more locations of the perimetric side wall, near
front edge
portions thereof.
20. A suitcase according to claim 14, wherein the height of the perimetric
side wall
can be extended by a zipper.
21. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the inside face of the one or
both of the
back shell and the front shell can be configured with a liner.
22. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the front base
and the
back base can comprise one or more closable openings, facilitating access into
the space
of the suitcase.
23. A suitcase according to claim 22, wherein the closable openings are in
addition
to the sliding closure.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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SUITCASE
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
The present disclosure is concerned with a suitcase. More particularly the
disclosure is directed to a collapsible suitcase.
BACKGROUND ART
References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed
subject matter are listed below:
- W02017/064739
- US9,706,821
- US2015/0250277
- CN20725252998
- DE202008006727
- CN202514796
Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as
meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the
presently disclosed
subject matter.
BACKGROUND
W02017/064739 discloses a suitcase with collapsible structure, capable of
assuming an expanded configuration of normal use and a collapsed
configuration,
comprising: a front shell provided with a perimetral edge; a rear shell
provided with a
perimetral edge that can be associated to the edge of the front side; a
perimetral side for
distancing said front and rear shells, comprising a plurality of distancing
walls defined
between a first edge that in the configuration of use extends at the edge of
the front shell
and a second edge that extends at the edge of the rear shell, said walls being
connected
by foldable articulated angular portions; a first reversible linear joining
element for
connecting at least one stretch of the first edge of the side to at least one
stretch of the

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edge of the front shell; and a second reversible linear joining element for
connecting at
least one stretch of the second edge of the side to at least one stretch of
the edge of the
rear shell; wherein at least one wall of the side is provided with at least
one intermediate
folding line orthogonal to the edges of the side, said suitcase being
characterized in that:
said side comprises a wall defined by a first side that can be articulated
along a stretch
of articulation with respect to a side of the edge of the front shell and a
second side that
can be articulated along a stretch of articulation with respect to a side of
the edge of the
rear shell; and said wall comprises a first intermediate articulation line
comprised
between and parallel to said articulation stretches of the wall.
US9,706,821 discloses a suitcase structure, comprising: a back case component;
a front lid component; and a ring-shaped gusset component, wherein the
opposite sides
of the ring-shaped gusset component are connected with the edge of the back
case
component and the edge of the front lid component respectively, so as to form
an
accommodation space configured for being closed, the ring-shaped gusset
component
comprises a plurality of sidewall portions and a plurality of flexible
structures linking
the sidewall portions, each of the flexible structures extends from the edge
of the ring-
shaped gusset component connected to the back case component towards the edge
of the
ring-shaped gusset component connected to the front lid component, the
flexible
deformation capability of the flexible structures is greater than the flexible
deformation
capability of the sidewall portions, each of the flexible structures has an
inclination, the
inclination is formed and maintained between each of the flexible structures
and the
edge of the ring-shaped gusset component connected to the back case component,
the
width of each of the flexible structures decreases gradually from the place
near the back
case component along a direction away from the back case component, and two of
the
sidewall portions adjacent to each other can be bent and therefore be stacked
opposite to
each other by the flexible structures linking the two of the sidewall
portions.
US2015/0250277 discloses a collapsible suitcase comprising a front section; a
back section; and a collapsible wall section connected to the front section
and the back
section, the wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular
tiers; the
collapsible wall section, front section, and back section cooperating to
enclose a storage
volume; at least one of the collapsible wall section tiers being stiff; and at
least two of
said tiers being relatively flexible and configured to fold and unfold between
relatively
expanded and relatively collapsed positions while the stiff tier remains
substantially

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upright, including at least one flexible tier disposed to the front of the
stiff tier and at
least one flexible tier disposed to the rear of the stiff tier.
CN20725252998U discloses a folding suitcase includes a support frame, a tie
rod, and a box body, wherein the box body comprises a box cover, a box body,
and a
box bottom. The support frame is fixedly connected with the bottom of the box,
the box
body is divided into two opposite parts, and the parts of the box body are
respectively
passed through the support frame. The sleeve assembly b is movably connected,
and the
pull rod is movably connected with the support frame through the sleeve
assembly a,
and the box body is disposed between the box body and the box cover. The
zipper I is
provided with a zipper II between adjacent boxes, and a zipper III is provided
on the
outer periphery of the box bottom.
DE202008006727 discloses a suitcase consisting of two identically constructed
shells
having similar shape however with different sizes.
CN202514796 discloses a contractile luggage comprising a shell top and a shell
bottom
and is characterized in that a folding rubber structure is arranged between
the shell top
and the shell bottom, and a zipper is arranged between the folding rubber
structure and
the shell bottom.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a suitcase comprising
a
back shell and a front shell, both said front shell and said back shell being
made of a
rigid material; the back shell is configured with a substantially flat back
base and a
perimetric back wall extending upwards therefrom and the front shell is
configured with
a substantially flat front base and a perimetric front wall extending upwards
therefrom;
a flexible perimetric closed-loop side wall of the suitcase is attached along
one of a back
edge and a front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall to one of a
perimetric edge of
the perimetric back wall and a perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall,
respectively,
with the other one of the back edge and the front edge of the flexible
perimetric side
wall being articulated to an articulation portion of the other of the
perimetric edge of the
perimetric back wall and perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall; the
flexible
perimetric side wall comprising a sliding closure (e.g. a zipper fastener)
along a
reclosable portion that extends along the edge of the flexible perimetric side
wall that is

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articulated via the articulation portion, the sliding closure extending along
said entire
edge of the flexible perimetric side wall excluding the articulation portion;
the suitcase
is configurable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, wherein
at the
collapsed position the perimetric front wall accommodates the perimetric edge
of the
perimetric back wall and wherein the thickness of the suitcase at the
collapsed position
corresponds with a height of the back shell and a thickness of the front base.
For sake of clarity, the terms 'front shall' and 'back shell', and elements
associated therewith, are used to distinguish between the two suitcase shells,
however
said shells being interchangeable.
According to a particular embodiment, the front shell is larger than the back
shell, and at the collapsed position at least a portion of the perimetric back
wall is
enveloped by the perimetric front wall, giving rise to a space extending
between an
inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base, said space
having a height
substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall, and
further
wherein at the collapsed position said space accommodates the perimetric side
wall.
The expanded position gives rise to a storage space, having extended space
extending between inside face of the back base and an inside face the front
base, with
the perimetric side wall fully expanded, said storage space having a thickens
corresponding with the accumulated height of the perimetric back wall with the
height
of the perimetric front wall and the width of the perimetric side wall.
At least a bottom portion of the of the perimetric side wall can be configured
with a support mechanism for imparting said bottom portion rigidity and
stability.
The support mechanism, according to one example, can be a support board.
According to another example, the support mechanism can be an array of
foldable
support beams. According to yet an example, the support mechanism can be a set
of
foldable panels deployable into a rigid support structure.
One or more rigid support boards can be articulated at inside portions of the
back shell, wherein at the expanded position said one or more rigid support
boards can
be disposed flush against corresponding portions of the perimetric side wall.
A rigid bottom support board can extend at least at a bottom base of the
suitcase,
and be configured such that at the collapsed position said bottom support
board is
disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position
said

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bottom support board can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and
flush
against a corresponding bottom portion of the perimetric side wall.
At least one additional support board can be configured at a top base of the
suitcase, such that at the collapsed position said additional support board is
disposed
substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said
support board
can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against a
corresponding
top portion of the perimetric side wall.
At the expanded position the one or more support boards reinforce the flexible
perimetric side wall and impart the suitcase, at the expanded position, with
stability.
At the collapsed position the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall
substantially bears against the inside face of front base.
According to an example, the flexible perimetric side wall is attached along
the
back edge thereof to the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and the
front edge
of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated through the
articulation portion to
the perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall, the front edge of the
perimetric side
wall comprising said sliding closure (e.g. zipper fastener); said sliding
closure
comprises a front zipper tape configured at the perimetric edge of perimetric
front wall
and a back zipper tape configured at the front edge of the perimetric side
wall.
According to another example, the flexible perimetric side wall is attached
along
the front edge thereof to the perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall and
the back
edge of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated through the
articulation
portion to the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall, the back edge of
the
perimetric side wall comprising said sliding closure (e.g. zipper fastener);
said sliding
closure comprises a back zipper tape configured at the perimetric edge of
perimetric
back wall and a front zipper tape configured at the back edge of the
perimetric side wall.
Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be
applied to a suitcase according to the present disclosure, separately or in
various
combinations thereof:
= A planar footprint of the front shell is slightly greater than a planar
footprint of the back shell;
= The perimetric side wall is a flexible wall of the suitcase, that at the
collapsed position of the suitcase is folded inwards into the space extending
between an inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base;

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= The back or front edge of the perimetric side wall can be attached to the
perimetric edge of the perimetric back or front wall, respectively, by one or
more of stitching, adhering, integrated molding (i.e. the edge of the
perimetric
side wall that does not comprise the sliding closure);
= The front zipper tape can be attached to the perimetric edge of the
perimetric wall by one or more of stitching, adhering, integrated molding;
= At least a pair of rear wheels can be articulated near a rear bottom
portion of the back shell;
= An additional pair of front wheels can be articulated near a front bottom
portion of the front shell;
= The wheels can be fixed, roller wheels or swivel wheels;
= At the collapsed position the pair of rear wheels can be rotated into a
receiving depression configured at an outside face of the back base, wherein
said rear wheels substantially do not project form said outside face;
= A base of the wheels can be disposed at the inside face of the back base,
said base being lower than the height of the perimetric back wall;
= A handle can be configured at least at one location of the perimetric
side
wall, said handle being stored within the space at the collapsed position;
= The one or more support boards can be detachably attachable at portions
thereof to an inside face of the corresponding the perimetric side wall;
= Attachment of the support boards to inside face of the corresponding the
perimetric side wall can be facilitated through a detachable fastening
mechanism; for example, a detachable fastening mechanism can be hook and
pile fastener (VelcroTm), snap fasteners, etc.;
= The one or more support boards can be articulated to the back shell near
a perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall;
= The suitcase can be configured with a telescopic handle mechanism, said
telescopic handle mechanism configurable between a retracted position and an
extended position, the telescopic handle mechanism comprising one or more
telescopic rods disposed flush with the back base, and a handle which at the
collapsed position is stowed within a depression configured at a top base of
the
back shell;

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= The one or more telescopic rods can be received within longitudinal
recesses configures at an outside face of the back base;
= The one or more telescopic rods can be fully received within the
longitudinal recesses and substantially do not project from an outside face of
the back base;
= The one or more telescopic rods can be attached to an inside face of the
back base, and projecting through an opening at a top base of the back base;
= The longitudinal recesses are disposed within the space defined at the
collapsed position therefrom;
= One or more ground support pieces can be configured at one or more
locations of the perimetric side wall, near front edge portions thereof;
= One or more ground supports can be configured at an external surface of
one or more of the perimetric front wall, and the perimetric back wall and the
perimetric side wall;
= The height of the perimetric side wall can be extended by a zipper.
= The suitcase can be any of any size. According to one configuration the
suitcase is an on-board/ carry-on trolley, complying with cabin baggage size
regulations;
= The perimetric side wall can be any flexible material, such as fabrics,
organic or synthetic materials, rubber, reinforced fabrics, etc.;
= The back shell and the front shell can be made from any non-pliable
material, such as polymeric resins, composite materials, various combinations
of such materials, etc.;
= The suitcase can be configured with storage compartments; the storage
compartments can be internal or external.
= A space divider can be configured within the space;
= Straps can be provided for supporting articles received within the
expanded storage space;
= An strap can be provided for maintaining the suitcase at a most compact
collapsed position;
= The inside face of the one or both of the back shell and the front shell
can be configured with a liner.

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= The suitcase can be collapsed into its collapsed position also when the
zipper is closed;
= One or both the front base and the back base can comprise one or more
closable openings; the one or more closable openings can facilitate access
into
the space of the suitcase. Such closable openings can be in addition or
instead a
fastener at the perimetric side wall.
= Either or both the front base and the back base can comprise one or more
soft portions. Said soft portions can be integrated with the rigid shell or
they
can be applied thereto by a closure system, e.g. a zipper fastener,
facilitating
access to the inside space of the suitcase;
= The suitcase can comprise straps for tightening the suitcase at its
collapsed potion;
= The suitcase can comprise straps for carrying the suitcase in a backpack-
like fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and
to
exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be
described,
by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1A is a front perspective view of the suitcase subject of an example of
the
present disclosure, at a collapsed position;
Fig. 1B is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 1C is a side view of the suitcase of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2A is a front perspective view of the suitcase at its expanded position;
Fig. 2B is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2C is a side view of the suitcase of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2D is a back side view of the suitcase of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2E is a front side view of the suitcase of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2F is a top side view of the suitcase of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A is a cross section taken along line 3A ¨ 3A in Fig. 1B;
Fig. 3B is a cross section taken along line 3B ¨ 3B in Fig. 1A;

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Fig. 3C is a cross section taken along line 3C ¨ 3C in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 3D is a cross section taken along line 3D ¨ 3D in Fig. 1B;
Fig. 3E is a cross section taken along line 3E ¨ 3E in Fig. 1B;
Fig. 4A is a longitudinal section taken along line 4A ¨ 4A in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 4B is a cross section taken along line 4B ¨ 4B in Fig. 2B;
Fig. 4C is a section at the level of line 4C ¨ 4C in Fig. 2E;
Fig. 4D is a perspective longitudinal section of the suitcase through a
telescopic
support rod, along line 4D ¨ 4D in Fig. 2D;
Fig. 5A illustrates deploying a top support board and a bottom support board
into their extended position;
Fig. 5B illustrated the suitcase at its expanded, fully open position;
Fig. 6 illustrates another example of the suitcase, fully opened at its
expanded
position, with four support boards deployed;
Fig. 7A is a local section along line 7A ¨ 7A in Fig. 6;
Fig. 7B is an enlargement of the portion marked 7B in Fig. 7A; and
Fig. 8 illustrates the suitcase at its expanded position, at an upright
position,
with the telescopic handle at its extracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Attention is made to the annexed drawings showing an example of a collapsible
suitcase according to this disclosure, generally designated 10, deployable
between a
collapsed position (Figs. 1A ¨ 1C and 3A to 3E), and an expanded position
(Figs. 2A to
2F and 4A to 8).
The suitcase 10 comprises a back shell 12 and a front shell 14, both shells 12
and 14 made of a non-pliable, rigid material, such as molded polymeric resins,
composite materials etc. The back shell 12 is configured with a substantially
flat back
base 18 and a perimetric back wall 20 extending upwards therefrom. The front
shell 14
is configured with a substantially flat front base 24 and a perimetric front
wall 26
extending upwards therefrom.
A flexible perimetric side wall 30 of the suitcase is made of flexible
material
such as fabric, synthetic materials e.g. flexible plastic, rubber, etc., with
or without
reinforcements, is attached, e.g. by stitching, welding, adhering, etc., in
this specific
example, along a back edge 32 thereof to a perimetric edge 34 of the
perimetric back

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wall 20, with a front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30 articulated to a
perimetric
edge 40 of the perimetric front wall 26 at articulation portion 27 (better
seen in Figs.
5A-6), and the front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30 is engageable with
the
perimetric edge 40 of the perimetric front wall 26 by a zipper fastener 42
(Figs. 2A to
2C) extending along the entire front edge 38 excluding the articulation
portion 27. The
zipper fastener 42 comprising a front zipper tape 44 attached to the
perimetric edge 40
of perimetric front wall 26, and a back zipper tape configured at the front
edge 38 of the
perimetric side wall 30 (said back zipper tape can be integral with or
integrated with the
front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30). A pair of zipper pull tabs 45
is provided,
for closing/opening the zipper 42. It is noted that although the specific
example refers to
articulation of the flexible perimetric side wall 30 to the perimetric front
wall 26 of the
front shell, this is but a mere example; it is to be understood that this
disclosure also
encompasses alternative arrangements in which the flexible perimetric side
wall can be
articulated to the perimetric back wall by via an articulation portion and a
zipper
arrangement located at the perimetric edge of the back perimetric wall.
Whilst not illustrated, the suitcase can be configured with an expansion
mechanism, by configuring a zipper over a flexible gusset portion at the
perimetric side
wall 30, whereby opening said zipper enlarges the width of the perimetric side
wall 30,
and closing said zipper contracts the perimetric side wall 30.
It is appreciated that one or both the front base 24 and the back base 18 can
comprise one or more closable openings (not shown), wherein the one or more
closable
openings can facilitate access into the space of the suitcase. Such closable
openings can
be in addition or instead a fastener at the perimetric side wall.
Either or both the front base and the back base can comprise one or more soft
portions (not shown). Said soft portions can be integrated with the rigid
shell or they
can be applied thereto by a closure system, e.g. a zipper fastener,
facilitating access to
the inside space of the suitcase
A pair of wheels 48 is articulated at a bottom portion of the back shell 12,
said
wheels 48 can be free swivel wheels or roller wheels, with a flat support base
50
comprising an outside portion 50A and an inside portion 50B, the latter
fixedly disposed
within the suitcase, as will be discussed hereinafter.
The suitcase is further configured with a telescopic handle disposed at the
back
shell 12, said handle comprising, in the present example, two telescopic rods
60 (e.g.

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seen in Figs. 1B, 2B, 2D) and a handle 62 disposed at the top end of the
telescopic rods.
The telescopic handle is manipulable between a retracted position (Figs. 1B,
2B, 2D,
etc.) and an extracted position (Fig. 8) used for rolling along the suitcase
10. The
arrangement is such that at the retracted position of the telescopic handle,
the handle 62
is received within a depression 64 at a top back face of the back shell 12,
thus it does
not project above and behind the surface of the back shell 12. Likewise, the
telescopic
rods 60 are each received within a support guide tube 63 which in turn is
fixedly
secured within a longitudinal recess 65 at the back base 18, such that the
guide tubes 63
are flush with the back surface of the back base 18 (i.e. the recesses project
at an inside
face 19 of the back base 18).
As an alternative (not shown), the guide tubes can be configured at the inside
face 19 of the back base 18, with the telescopic rods extending through a
suitable
opening at the top portion of the perimetric back wall 20 of back base 18.
Further noted, the perimetric side wall 30 is configured at a top portion
thereof
with a carrying handle 31 and with a side carrying handle 33 (Fig. 8). Said
carrying
handles can be made of pliable material or they can be rigid. However, as they
are
configured over the outside face of the perimetric side wall 30, they collapse
inwards
upon folding the suitcase, as will be discussed herein after. Furthermore, the
perimetric
side wall 30 can be configured with one or more storage pockets, at an outside
face
(designated 37A) and/or an inside face (designated 37B) of the perimetric side
wall 30.
The perimetric side wall 30 is further configured at bottom portion at the
outside face thereof with one or more support pieces 66, whereby at the
expanded
position of the suitcase 10, when placed at its upright position, it is
supported by the
wheels 48 and said one or more support piece 66, maintaining the suitcase
level and
stable. Though one or more support pieces 66 are made of rigid material, at
the
collapsed position of the suitcase they are fully received within the space of
the suitcase
and do not project or interfere.
In order to render the suitcase stability and maintain a substantially
rectangular
shape at its expanded position, one or more rigid support boards, collectively
designated
70, are articulated at inside portions of the back shell 12 (seen in Figs. 5A
to 8) . The
rigid support boards 70 are made of non-pliable material, and are articulated
at an inside
face of the perimetric back wall 20 (or to the inside face 19 of back wall 18)
through a
flexible connecting pivot 72 (Figs 7A and 7B), wherein at the expanded
position said

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- 12 -
rigid support boards 70 are be disposed flush against corresponding portions
of the
perimetric side wall 30. The support boards 70 are detachably attachable to
inside face
of the corresponding the perimetric side wall 30 through a detachable
fastening
mechanism, e.g. a hook and pile fastener (VelcroTm), snap fasteners, etc.
A bottom rigid support board 70 extends at a bottom base of the suitcase 10,
and
is configured such that at the collapsed position said bottom support board 70
is
disposed substantially parallel to the back base 18 and flush against the
inside face 19,
and at the expanded position said bottom support board 70 is disposed
substantially
normal to the back wall 18 and flush against a corresponding inside bottom
portion of
the perimetric side wall 30. Likewise, additional support boards (top and side
support
boards) are be configured, at a top base and side walls of the suitcase 10,
and are
configured such that at the collapsed position said additional support board
is disposed
substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said
support board
can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against
corresponding
inside top portion and side wall portions of the perimetric side wall 30.
At the expanded position the one or more support boards reinforce the flexible
perimetric side wall and impart the suitcase, at the expanded position, with
stability and
secure the overall rectangular shape of the suitcase 10.
An important feature of the suitcase according to the present disclosure is
the
ratio of thickness between the expanded position and the fully collapsed
position of the
suitcase 10. Thus, the arrangement is such that the planar footprint of the
front shell 14
is slightly greater than a planar footprint of the back shell 12, whereby at
the collapsed
position (Figs. 1A- 1C and 3A to 3E) the perimetric front wall 26 accommodates
the
perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20, and wherein the thickness T
of the
suitcase 10 at the collapsed position corresponds with a height H) of the back
shell 12
and a thickness t of the front base 24.
The term footprint refers to the planar size of the shell members. It is thus
noticeable that the front shell 14 is larger than the back shell 12, and at
the collapsed
position at least a portion of the perimetric back wall 20 is enveloped by the
perimetric
front wall 26, giving rise to a space S extending between an inside face 19 of
the back
base 18 and an inside face 29 the front base 24, said space having a height h
substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall 20, and
further
wherein at the collapsed position said space S entirely accommodates the
perimetric

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side wall 30, as well as all other components discussed hereinabove, e.g.
inside portion
50B member of wheel supports, longitudinal recess 65, etc. At the collapsed
position
the perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20 substantially bears
against the
inside face 29 of front base 24.
The expanded position of the suitcase gives rise to an expanded storage space
S', extending between inside face 19 of the back base 18 and an inside face 29
the front
base 24, with the perimetric side wall 30 fully expanded, wherein said
expanded storage
space S' has a thickens corresponding with the accumulated height of the
perimetric
back wall 20 with the height of the perimetric front wall 26 and the width of
the
perimetric side wall 30.
Collapsing the suitcase 10 from its expanded position into its collapsed
position,
takes place by detaching the one or more support boards 70 from the inside
face of the
perimetric side wall 30 and folding said support boards 70 inwards, in
direction of
arrows 79, deposing the support boards 70 against the inside face 19 of the
back wall
18. Then the perimetric side wall 30 can be folded inwardly into the space S'
and then
the two shells 12 and 14 are pressed against each other until the fully
collapsed position
is obtained, wherein the perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20
substantially
bears against the inside face 29 of front base 24. Deploying the suitcase 10
into its fully
expanded position takes place in a reverse sequence, namely, first the two
shells 12 and
14 are displaced away from one another causing the perimetric side wall 30 to
fully
span and stretch out, whereupon the one or more support boards 70 are flipped
outwards
(in a direction opposite arrows 79), securing the support boards 70 to the
inside face of
the perimetric side wall 30, whereby the suitcase 10 is ready for use.
According to one particular example, the overall thickness of the suitcase, at
its
expanded position, can conform with the guidelines set by the International
Air
Transport Association (IATA) for cabin baggage/hand luggage/carry-on luggage
size,
defining a maximum thickness (depth) of 25 cm (10 inches), whereas at the
collapsed
position the thickness can be configured not to exceed about 6 cm. This,
however, is a
particular example and it is appreciated that the disclosure applies to any
size of
suitcase.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Letter Sent 2023-11-30
Request for Examination Received 2023-11-17
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2023-11-17
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2023-11-17
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2023-11-17
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2023-11-17
Common Representative Appointed 2021-11-13
Inactive: Cover page published 2021-02-24
Letter sent 2021-02-17
Application Received - PCT 2021-02-03
Priority Claim Requirements Determined Compliant 2021-02-03
Request for Priority Received 2021-02-03
Inactive: IPC assigned 2021-02-03
Inactive: IPC assigned 2021-02-03
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2021-02-03
National Entry Requirements Determined Compliant 2021-01-22
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2020-02-13

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2023-07-19

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Patent fees are adjusted on the 1st of January every year. The amounts above are the current amounts if received by December 31 of the current year.
Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Basic national fee - standard 2021-01-22 2021-01-22
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - standard 02 2021-08-03 2021-01-22
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - standard 03 2022-08-02 2022-07-22
MF (application, 4th anniv.) - standard 04 2023-08-01 2023-07-19
Request for examination - standard 2024-08-01 2023-11-17
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
ROLLINK SMART PRODUCTS LTD.
Past Owners on Record
EYAL AZOULAY
NADIN DANIEL HOROVITZ
ORIT SCHNITZER
ZVIKA FRAIMAN
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2023-11-16 4 187
Drawings 2021-01-21 17 621
Claims 2021-01-21 3 129
Description 2021-01-21 13 602
Abstract 2021-01-21 1 58
Representative drawing 2021-01-21 1 26
Cover Page 2021-02-23 1 37
Confirmation of electronic submission 2024-07-21 3 75
Courtesy - Letter Acknowledging PCT National Phase Entry 2021-02-16 1 593
Courtesy - Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2023-11-29 1 423
Request for examination / Amendment / response to report 2023-11-16 14 474
National entry request 2021-01-21 7 205
Patent cooperation treaty (PCT) 2021-01-21 1 35
International search report 2021-01-21 3 111