AU2020404201B2

AU2020404201B2 - Zipper structure for suitcases, and trolley bag

Info

Publication number: AU2020404201B2
Application number: AU2020404201A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yishun HOU; Qun Yu
Original assignee: Merit Technologies Fujian Co Ltd
Current assignee: Merit Technologies Fujian Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2020-11-30
Publication date: 2024-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-30
Also published as: US20220232939A1; JP7454168B2; EP4029403A4; JP2022553747A; AU2020404201A1; AU2023237102A1; CN210901804U; EP4029403A1; EP4029403B1; WO2021121014A1; AU2020404201B8

Abstract

A zipper structure for luggage, and a trolley case, comprising a zipper strip (3). The zipper strip (3) comprises a front zipper belt (31) and a back zipper belt (32), and further comprises a front adhesive tape (1) and a back adhesive tape (2); the front adhesive tape (1) is adhered onto a front shell (10) of luggage by means of hot pressing; the back adhesive tape (2) is adhered onto a back shell (20) of the luggage by means of hot pressing; the front zipper belt (31) is connected onto the front adhesive tape (1) by means of a front zipper fixing coil (4); the back zipper belt (32) is connected onto the back adhesive tape (2) by means of a rear zipper fixing coil (5). According to the zipper structure for luggage and the trolley case provided, conventional manual sewing is canceled, and zipper cases can be automatically produced.

Description

ZIPPER STRUCTURE FOR SUITCASES, AND TROLLEY BAG FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of suitcase, especially to a zipper

structure for suitcases, and a trolley bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] A trolley bag refers to a suitcase with a trolley handle and rollers. Because of the rollers

at the bottom, the user can drag it directly, which is very convenient and labor-saving to use. At

present, the trolley bags on the market can be roughly divided into two types: zipper trolley

bags (referred to as zipper suitcases) and frame trolley bags (referred to as frame suitcases). The

zipper suitcase is lighter in weight and is deeply loved by people. However, the zipper needs to

be manually sewn during the current manufacturing, which requires more manpower and cannot

realize automatic production.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate

the above disadvantage, or to at least provide a useful alternative. Specifically, it is an object of a

preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a zipper structure for suitcases, and a

trolley bag which can be automatically produced.

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a zipper structure for suitcases, comprising

a zipper strip. The zipper strip comprises a front chain belt, a rear chain belt, a slider slidably

connected between the front chain belt and the rear chain belt, and also includes a front rubber

strip and a rear rubber strip. The front rubber strip is bonded on a front case of a suitcase by

thermal pressing. The rear rubber strip is bonded on a rear case of the suitcase by thermal

pressing. The front chain belt is connected to the front rubber strip through the front zipper fixing

coil. The rear chain belt is connected to the rear rubber strip through the rear zipper fixing coil. A

first extension portion and a second extension portion are arranged at intervals on the front rubber strip. A first clamping slot capable of receiving the insertion of the front case is formed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. A third extension portion and a fourth extension portion are arranged on the rear rubber strip at intervals. A second clamping slot capable of receiving the insertion of the rear case is formed between the third extension portion and the fourth extension portion. The front rubber strip is provided with a recessed portion. The rear rubber strip is provided with a protrusion portion. When the zipper strip is closed, the recessed portion and the protrusion portion are engaged together. Each of the front rubber strip and the rear rubber strip is provided with steps having shapes facing each other, and the steps form side walls facing each other in the front rubber strip and the rear rubber strip in a state in which the recessed portion and the protrusion portion are engaged with each other. A distance between the side walls facing each other corresponds to a width of the slider, the slider is accommodated between the side walls facing each other. The first locking groove is provided on the side wall of the front rubber strip, and a depth direction of the first locking groove is parallel to a surface of the front rubber strip between the side wall and the recessed portion. The front zipper fixing coil is held parallel to a surface of the front rubber strip between the side wall and the recessed portion. The second locking groove is provided on the side wall of the rear rubber strip. The second locking groove is parallel to a surface of the rear rubber strip between the side wall and the protrusion portion, and the second locking groove holds the rear zipper fixing coil parallel to the surface of the rear rubber strip between the side wall and the protrusion portion.

The zipper structure also includes a front lining fixing coil and a rear lining fixing coil; the front

lining fixing coil is connected to a front lining of the suitcase. The rear lining fixing coil is

connected to a rear lining of the suitcase. The front rubber strip is provided with a third clamping

groove into which a third clamping strip portion of the front lining fixing coil is inserted. The rear

rubber strip is provided with a fourth clamping groove into which a fourth clamping strip portion

of the rear lining fixing coil is inserted. The third clamping groove and the fourth clamping

groove are provided on the outer side of the respective side walls. Each of the third clamping

groove and the fourth clamping groove has a depth direction that is parallel to a height direction

of the respective steps. The third clamping groove maintains the third clamping strip portion

parallel to the respective side wall, and the fourth clamping groove maintains the fourth clamping

strip portion parallel to the respective side wall.

Paragraphs[0005] and [0006] are intentionallydeleted.

[0007] Furthermore, a first locking strip portion of the front zipper fixing coil may be inserted into a first locking groove of the front rubber strip. The second locking strip portion of the rear

zipper fixing coil may be inserted into a second locking groove of the rear rubber strip.

Paragraph[0008] is intentionallydeleted.

[0009] Furthermore, the front rubber strip may be provided with a recessed portion. The rear rubber strip may be provided with a protrusion portion. When the zipper strip is closed, the

recessed portion and the protrusion portion may be engaged together.

[0010] Furthermore, the front lining fixing coil may be sewn on the front lining. The rear lining fixing coil may be sewn on the rear lining.

[0011] The invention according to a preferred embodiment also provides a trolley bag using any of the aforementioned zipper structures for suitcases.

[0012] Furthermore, the trolley bag may comprise a rear cover. The rear cover may be arranged on the trolley bag. The rear cover may be configured to cover a joint seam of the front rubber

strip and the rear rubber strip. Two ends of the rear cover may be foot nails that play a supporting

role. A middle part of the rear cover may be a soft rubber portion.

[0013] Furthermore, a plurality of decorative strips arranged vertically may be provided on an outer surface of the trolley bag. The decorative strip may be blade-shaped.

[0014] As can be seen from the above-mentioned technical solutions, the advantages of the present invention according to one or more embodiments are as follows:

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the invention according to a preferred embodiment cancels the traditional manual sewing by improving the product structure, so that the zipper suitcase can

be automatically produced. Conventional soft strips are replaced by hard front and rear strips.

Additionally, a protrusion portion is disposed on the front rubber strip, and a recessed portion is

disposed on the rear rubber strip, so that the zipper suitcase is as strong as the frame suitcase.

This makes the zipper suitcase as provided in the present invention more secure when loaded

with luggage, free of the unstable state in conventional zipper suitcase. Moreover, the thickness

and cross-sectional shape of the front rubber strip and the rear rubber strip can be adjusted

according to sizes of the case of the suitcases.

3a

[0016] In addition to the objects, features and advantages described above, the present invention has other objects, features and advantages. The present invention will be described in further

detail below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings

that need to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the

accompanying drawings in the following description are just some embodiments of the present

invention, and for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from

these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the trolley bag of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the trolley bag of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the trolley bag of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of the structure atX in FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the front rubber strip and the rear rubber strip in embodiment one of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the second front rubber strip and the second rear rubber strip in the embodiment two of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the trolley bag of the present invention.

[0025] Character references: 10-front case; 101-first insertion portion; 20-rear case; 201-second

insertion portion; 30-wheel set; 40-first handle; 50-customs lock; 60-slider pull tab; 70-second

handle; 80-decorative strip; 1-front rubber strip; 1A-second front rubber strip; 11-first locking

groove; 12-third locking groove; 13-recessed portion; 14-first extension portion; 15-second

extension portion; 16-clamping slot; 2-rear rubber strip; 2A-second rear rubber strip; 21-second

locking groove; 22-fourth locking groove; 23-protrusion portion; 24-third extension portion;

25-fourth extension portion; 26-second clamping slot; 3-zipper strip; 31-front chain belt; 32-rear

chain belt 32; 33-slider; 4-front zipper fixing coil; 41-first locking strip portion; 42-first connecting

strip portion; 5-rear zipper fixing coil; 51-second locking strip portion; 52-second connecting strip

portion; 6-front lining fixing coil; 61-third locking strip portion; 62-third connecting strip portion;

7-rear lining fixing coil; 71-fourth locking strip portion; 72-fourth connecting strip portion; 8-rear

cover; 81-foot nail; 82-soft rubber portion; 91-front lining; 92-rear lining.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and

completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of

the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments

of the present invention, rather than all the implementations. example. Based on the embodiments

of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art

without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Embodiment One

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a trolley bag includes a case, a wheel set 30, a first

handle 40, a customs lock 50, a slider pull tab 60, a second handle 70 and a pair of rear covers 8.

The case includes a front case 10 and a rear case 20. A front lining 91 is provided inside the front

case 10. A rear lining 92 is provided inside the rear case 20. A trolley handle is provided on the

rear case 20. The wheel set 30 is provided at the bottom of the front case 10 and the rear case 20.

A first handle 40 is provided on the top of the front case 10. The customs lock 50 is provided on

one side of the front case 10. The slider pull tab 60 is used in conjunction with the customs lock

50. The second handle 70 is disposed on the side of the rear case 20 on the same side as the side where the customs lock 50 is located. A pair of rear covers 8 are spaced apart on the side of the trolley bag opposite the side where the customs lock 50 is located. One end of the rear cover 8 is connected to the front case 10. The other end of the rear cover 8 is connected to the rear case 20.

The two ends of the rear cover 8 are foot nails 81 playing a role of support. The middle part of the

rear cover 8 is the soft rubber portion 82. The trolley bag can be opened at any angle without

broken because of the enhanced deformation of the soft rubber portion 82. In addition, the trolley

bag also includes a zipper structure for suitcases.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the zipper structure for suitcases includes a front

rubber strip 1, a rear rubber strip 2, a zipper strip 3, a front zipper fixing coil 4, a rear zipper

fixing coil 5, and a front lining fixing coil 6 and a rear lining fixing coil 7. The zipper strip 3

includes a front chain belt 31, a rear chain belt 32 engaging the front chain belt 31, and a slider 33

slidably connected between the front chain belt 31 and the rear chain belt 32. The front rubber

strip 1 is provided with a first extension portion 14 and a second extension portion 15 at intervals.

Between the first extension portion 14 and the second extension portion 15, a first clamping slot

16 is formed into which a first insertion portion 101 of the front case 10 can be fitted and

inserted. The rear rubber strip 2 is provided with a third extension portion 24 and a fourth

extension portion 25 at intervals. A second clamping slot 26 is formed between the third

extension portion 24 and the fourth extension portion 25, into which a second insertion portion

201 of the rear case 20 can be fitted and inserted. The front zipper fixing coil 4 has a first locking

portion 41 and a first connecting strip portion 42 which are connected to each other. The front

rubber strip 1 is provided with a first locking groove 11 into which the first locking strip portion

41 of the front zipper fixing coil 4 can be inserted. A first connecting strip portion 42 of the front

zipper fixing coil 4 is connected to the front chain belt 31. The rear zipper fixing coil 5 has a

second locking strip portion 51 and a second connecting strip portion 52 which are connected to

each other. The rear rubber strip 2 is provided with a second locking groove 21 into which the

second locking strip portion 51 of the rear zipper fixing coil 5 can be inserted. The second

connecting strip portion 52 of the rear zipper fixing coil 5 is connected to the rear chain belt 32.

The front lining fixing coil 6 has a third locking strip portion 61 and a third connecting strip

portion 62 which are connected to each other. The front rubber strip 1 is provided with a third locking groove 12 into which the third locking strip portion 61 of the front lining fixing coil 6 can be inserted. The third connecting strip portion 62 of the front lining fixing coil 6 is connected to the front lining 91. The rear lining fixing coil 7 has a fourth connecting strip portion 71 and a fourth connecting strip portion 72. The rear rubber strip 2 is provided with a fourth locking groove 22 into which the fourth locking strip portion 71 of the rear lining fixing coil 7 can be inserted. The fourth connecting strip portion 72 of the rear lining fixing coil 7 is connected to the rear lining 92. The slider pull tab 60 is attached to the slider 33.

[0030] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the front rubber strip 1 and the rear rubber strip 2 are rigid rubber strips. The front rubber strip 1 is provided with a recessed portion 13. The

rear rubber strip 2 is provided with a protrusion portion 23. When the suitcase is closed, the

zipper strip 3 is pulled up, and the recessed portion 13 and the protrusion portion 23 are engaged

together to make the suitcase fit more tightly. It is more reliable when full of luggage, and there

will be no twisting of the zipper suitcase.

[0031] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 7, after the front zipper fixing coil 4 and the front lining fixing coil 6 penetrate into the front rubber strip 1, and the rear zipper fixing coil 5 and the rear

lining fixing coil 7 penetrate into the rear rubber strip 2, the connection position is covered by the

rear cover 8. At the same time, the rear cover 8 can also prevent the zipper strip 3 from being

disengaged from the connection position.

[0032] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, a plurality of decorative strips 80 arranged vertically are provided on the outer surface of the trolley bag. The decorative strip 80 is

blade-shaped. Irregular endings of the decorative strip make the decorative strip has a

three-dimensional appearance.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the structure principle. The front rubber strip 1 and the rear rubber strip 2 are extrusion molding parts. It is formed into the same shape as the case by

thermal pressing. The front rubber strip 1 is assembled on the front case 10, and the front rubber

strip 1 and the front case 10 are bonded together by thermocompression. The rear rubber strip 2 is

assembled on the rear case 20, and the rear rubber strip 2 and the rear case 20 are bonded together

by thermocompression. This replaces the traditional lathe technology for zipper suitcase which

has to lathe three-layer of stripes. The first connecting strip portion 42 of the front zipper fixing coil 4 is sewn on the front chain belt 31, and the second connecting strip portion 52 of the rear zipper fixing coil 5 is sewn on the rear chain belt 32, which realize automatic and unmanned sewing. After the machine is adjusted, the sew can be automatic. The sew length is based on the circumference of the case of the trolley bag. Then, the first locking strip portion 41 of the front zipper fixing coil 4 is inserted into the first locking groove 11 of the front rubber strip 1, and the second locking strip portion 51 of the rear zipper fixing coil 5 is inserted into the second locking groove 21 of the rear rubber strip 2 to fasten the zipper. This replaces the traditional process of sewing the zipper of the zipper suitcase. The front lining 91 is sewn on the third connecting strip portion 62 of the front lining fixing coil 6, and the rear lining 92 is sewn on the fourth connecting strip portion 72 of the rear lining fixing coil 7, so that automatic unmanned production can be realized during sewing. After the machine is adjusted, the sew can be automatic. The sew length is based on the circumference of the case of the trolley bag. Then, the third locking strip portion

61 of the front lining fixing coil 6 is inserted into the third locking groove 12 of the front rubber

strip 1, and the fourth locking portion 71 of the rear lining fixing coil 7 is inserted into the fourth

locking groove 22 of the rear rubber strip 2 to fasten the lining. This replaces the traditional sew

process for zipper suitcase. It can be seen from the above that the structure of this product cancels

the manual sewing, so that the zipper suitcase can be automatically produced.

[0034] Embodiment Two

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the difference between this embodiment and the Embodiment One

is that: in this embodiment, the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the front rubber strip 1 and

the rear rubber strip 2 are adjusted according to the size of the box suitcase. Specifically, the

second front rubber strip 1A and the second rear rubber strip 2A are used.

[0036] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended

to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various

modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made

within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of

the present invention.

Claims

1. A zipper structure for suitcases, comprising a zipper strip; the zipper strip

comprises a front chain belt, a rear chain belt, and a slider slidably connected between the

front chain belt and the rear chain belt; the zipper structure further comprising a front

rubber strip and a rear rubber strip; the front rubber strip is bonded on a front case of a

suitcase by thermal pressing; the rear rubber strip is bonded on a rear case of the suitcase

by thermal pressing; the front chain belt is connected to the front rubber strip through a

front zipper fixing coil; the rear chain belt is connected to the rear rubber strip through a

rear zipper fixing coil;

a first extension portion and a second extension portion are arranged at intervals on

the front rubber strip; a first clamping slot capable of receiving the insertion of the front

case is formed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion;

a third extension portion and a fourth extension portion are arranged on the rear

rubber strip at intervals; a second clamping slot capable of receiving the insertion of the

rear case is formed between the third extension portion and the fourth extension portion;

the front rubber strip is provided with a recessed portion; the rear rubber strip is

provided with a protrusion portion; when the zipper strip is closed, the recessed portion

and the protrusion portion are engaged together;

each of the front rubber strip and the rear rubber strip is provided with steps having

shapes facing each other, and the steps form side walls facing each other in the front

rubber strip and the rear rubber strip in a state in which the recessed portion and the

protrusion portion are engaged with each other; and a distance between the side walls

facing each other corresponds to a width of the slider, the slider is accommodated between

the side walls facing each other;

the first locking groove is provided on the side wall of the front rubber strip, and a

depth direction of the first locking groove is parallel to a surface of the front rubber strip

between the side wall and the recessed portion; and the front zipper fixing coil is held parallel to a surface of the front rubber strip between the side wall and the recessed portion; the second locking groove is provided on the side wall of the rear rubber strip; the second locking groove is parallel to a surface of the rear rubber strip between the side wall and the protrusion portion, and the second locking groove holds the rear zipper fixing coil parallel to the surface of the rear rubber strip between the side wall and the protrusion portion; the zipper structure also includes a front lining fixing coil and a rear lining fixing coil; the front lining fixing coil is connected to a front lining of the suitcase; the rear lining fixing coil is connected to a rear lining of the suitcase; the front rubber strip is provided with a third clamping groove into which a third clamping strip portion of the front lining fixing coil is inserted; the rear rubber strip is provided with a fourth clamping groove into which a fourth clamping strip portion of the rear lining fixing coil is inserted; the third clamping groove and the fourth clamping groove are provided on the outer side of the respective side walls; each of the third clamping groove and the fourth clamping groove has a depth direction that is parallel to a height direction of the respective steps; the third clamping groove maintains the third clamping strip portion parallel to the respective side wall, and the fourth clamping groove maintains the fourth clamping strip portion parallel to the respective side wall.

2. The zipper structure for suitcases according to claim 1, wherein a first locking strip

portion of the front zipper fixing coil is inserted into a first locking groove of the front

rubber strip; a second locking strip portion of the rear zipper fixing coil is inserted into a

second locking groove of the rear rubber strip.

3. The zipper structure for suitcases according to claim 1, wherein the front rubber

strip is provided with a recessed portion; the rear rubber strip is provided with a protrusion portion; when the zipper strip is closed, the recessed portion and the protrusion portion are engaged together.

4. The zipper structure for suitcases according to claim 1, wherein the front lining

fixing coil is sewn on the front lining; the rear lining fixing coil is sewn on the rear lining.

5. A trolley bag using the zipper structure for suitcases according to any one of

claims 1 to 4.

6. The trolley bag according to claim 5 comprising a rear cover; the rear cover is

arranged on the trolley bag; the rear cover is configured to cover a joint seam of the front

rubber strip and the rear rubber strip; two ends of the rear cover are foot nails that play a

supporting role; a middle part of the rear cover is a soft rubber portion.

7. The trolley bag according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of decorative strips

arranged vertically are provided on an outer surface of the trolley bag; the decorative strip

is blade-shaped.