LUGGAGE WITH MOVABLE PARTITION

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/565,611, filed Mar. 15, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Modern travelers encounter diverse travel scenarios, from business trips to leisure vacations, each requiring a unique organization of belongings within their luggage. Traditional luggage designs often feature fixed and inflexible interiors, limiting the user's ability to configure the storage space according to their specific needs. Existing luggage solutions typically lack a dynamic internal partition system that allows for real-time adjustments to the relative size of internal compartments within the luggage. While some designs incorporate fixed dividers or removable compartments, they nevertheless do not provide a truly versatile and user-friendly solution for repositioning internal partitions during the course of travel. The need for a versatile and customizable internal partition system has driven the development of the presently disclosed subject matter.

The challenge lies in creating a partition system that is easily reconfigurable, sturdy, and adaptable to a wide range of items, from clothing to electronic devices and accessories. Conventional luggage designs predominantly feature static internal compartments or simple removable dividers that require manual effort to adjust. These designs often necessitate unpacking and repacking to achieve a reconfiguration, making them impractical for users who may need to adapt to changing storage needs on-the-go. The limitations in existing movable partition systems have prompted the need for an innovative solution that offers real-time flexibility without compromising on simplicity and durability. It is thus a goal of the presently disclosed subject matter to introduce a movable internal partition system for luggage that addresses the deficiencies known from existing luggage systems.

SUMMARY

By way of example, specific examples of the disclosed device will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to an example, a luggage system is disclosed herein, the luggage system comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment pivotably attached to the first compartment to define a first opening; a cover panel pivotably attached to the second compartment to define a second opening; and an internal partition attached within and to the second compartment to define, on opposite sides of the internal partition from each other, a first volume and a second volume. According to this example, items can be inserted within the first volume through the first opening. According to this example, items can be inserted within the second volume through the second opening. According to this example, the internal partition is configured as a substantially impermeable barrier to the items, such that items cannot move between the first and second volumes through or past the internal partition. According to this example, the internal partition is configured to automatically adjust a size of the first volume and a size of the second volume based on a volume occupied by the items within the first and second volumes, respectively.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the first volume and the second volume together define a total internal volume of the luggage system.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is configured to automatically adjust such that the first volume is 80% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 80% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is configured to automatically adjust such that the first volume is 90% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 90% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is configured to automatically adjust such that the first volume is 95% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 95% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is made of a deformable elastic material that conforms to and/or takes on a shape and/or size of the items in the first volume and/or conforms to and/or takes on a shape and/or size of the items in the second volume.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is attached within the second compartment by a partition zipper.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is made of a flexible material that has a surface area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the second compartment in a plane where the internal partition is attached to internal surfaces of the second compartment.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition is attached within the second compartment by a partition zipper.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the second compartment comprises, at each internal corner thereof, a pair of guide rails that define a longitudinally-extending slot therebetween; the internal partition comprises, at least at respective corners thereof, a follower that is configured to engage within a corresponding one of the slots; and the follower is configured to move along a length of the slot with which such follower is engaged to automatically adjust the size of the first volume and the size of the second volume.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the second compartment comprises, along inner surfaces thereof, a plurality of guide channels that extend substantially parallel to the slots; the plurality of guide channels each comprise a plurality of pockets; and the internal partition comprises a plurality of tabs, each of which is configured to engage within any of the plurality of pockets of a corresponding one of the guide channels.

According to any of the examples of the luggage system disclosed herein, the internal partition comprises an adjuster configured, when a twisting force is applied to the adjuster by a user of the luggage system, to deform outer edges of the internal partition and, thus, disengage each of the tabs from the corresponding one of the guide channel pockets.

According to another example, a method of adjusting an internal partition within luggage is disclosed herein, the method comprising: pivotably attaching a first compartment to a second compartment to define a first opening; pivotably attaching a cover panel to the second compartment to define a second opening; attaching an internal partition within the second compartment to define, on opposite sides of the internal partition from each other, a first volume and a second volume; and automatically adjusting a size of the first volume and a size of the second volume based on a volume occupied by items within the first and second volumes, respectively. According to this example, the internal partition is a substantially impermeable barrier to the items, such that items cannot move between the first and second volumes through or past the internal partition.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the first volume and the second volume together define a total internal volume of the luggage system.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition automatically adjusts such that the first volume is 80% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 80% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition automatically adjusts such that the first volume is 90% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 90% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition automatically adjusts such that the first volume is 95% or more of the total internal volume or the second volume is 95% or more of the total internal volume.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition is made of a deformable elastic material that conforms to and/or takes on a shape and/or size of the items in the first volume and/or conforms to and/or takes on a shape and/or size of the items in the second volume.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition is attached within the second compartment by a partition zipper.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition is made of a flexible material that has a surface area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the second compartment in a plane where the internal partition is attached to internal surfaces of the second compartment.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition is attached within the second compartment by a partition zipper.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the second compartment comprises, at each internal corner thereof, a pair of guide rails that define a longitudinally-extending slot therebetween; and the internal partition comprises, at least at respective corners thereof, a follower that engages within a corresponding one of the slots. Further, the method comprises automatically moving the follower along a length of the slot with which such follower is engaged to adjust the size of the first volume and the size of the second volume.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the second compartment comprises, along inner surfaces thereof, a plurality of guide channels that extend substantially parallel to the slots; the plurality of guide channels each comprise a plurality of pockets; and the internal partition comprises, a plurality of tabs. Further, the method comprises engaging each tab of the plurality of tabs within any pocket of the plurality of pockets of a corresponding one of the guide channels.

According to any of the examples of the method disclosed herein, the internal partition comprises an adjuster that, when a twisting force is applied to the adjuster by a user of the luggage system, deforms outer edges of the internal partition and disengages the tabs from the respective guide channel pockets.

Further features and advantages of at least some of the examples of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various examples of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, specific examples of the disclosed device will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an external isometric view of an example embodiment of a luggage system having an automatically adjusting partition system contained therein.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the luggage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the luggage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the luggage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the luggage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the luggage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an internal, isometric view of the luggage system of FIG. 1, having a first example embodiment of an automatically adjusting partition system installed therein.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the luggage system of FIG. 1, with the automatically adjusting partition system shown as an exploded assembly.

FIG. 9 is a further perspective view of the luggage system of FIG. 1, with the automatically adjusting partition system shown installed within the luggage system.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second example embodiment of an automatically adjusting partition system configured for installation within the luggage system shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the internal partition element of the automatically adjusting partition system shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12A-12C are respective schematic sectional views of the luggage system, showing the respective positions for the internal partition relative to the first compartment, second compartment, and cover panel when the internal partition is in a first extended position (FIG. 12A), in a neutral position (FIG. 12B), and in a second extended position (FIG. 12C).

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed examples are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methods and systems, or which render other details difficult to perceive, may have been omitted. It should be further understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular examples illustrated herein. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to luggage systems having automatically adjusting internal partition systems provided therein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-6 show various features on the exterior of an example embodiment of a luggage system 100. The luggage system 100 may be of any suitable size to comply with various aircraft luggage restrictions and requirements. In some embodiments, the luggage system 10 may have exterior dimensions that are less than or equal to 45 linear inches, including, for example, not more than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches thick. The length measurement includes the height of the wheels 430. Thus, the luggage system 10 disclosed herein can have dimensions suitable to allow a passenger to carry such luggage system 10 onboard a commercial aircraft for stowing in, for example, an overhead storage bin of the aircraft. The luggage system 10 disclosed herein can also, in some other embodiments, be designed to instead have dimensions that are larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches thick, in which case such luggage system 10 would generally be required by most airlines to be checked and stowed in the cargo hold of the aircraft during flight.

The outer shape of the luggage system 10 disclosed herein is generally that of a rectangular prism, with handles 210, 220 on at least two outer sides thereof and wheels 430 on a third outer (i.e., bottom) side thereof. The two outer sides on which the handle(s) 210, 220 may be provided are referred to herein as a first lateral side and a top side, which is opposite the bottom side. Thus, the side handle 210 is provided on the first lateral side of the luggage system 10 and the top handle 220 is provided on the top side of the luggage system 10. The wheels 430 may be omitted in some embodiments, allowing for the interior volume of the luggage system to be commensurately increased or for the outer dimensions of the luggage system 10 to be reduced by the dimensions of the wheels 430. The wheels 430 are advantageously four (4) pivoting caster-style wheels, allowing for movement and rotation of the luggage system in any desired direction. In some examples, the luggage system 10 can replace 2 of the wheels 430 with standoffs (i.e., protrusions rigidly affixed to or unitarily formed with the outer surface of the luggage system 10) and the remaining 2 wheels 430 can be, instead of caster-style pivoting wheels, wheels that are positionally fixed to rotate around a fixed axis; these two wheels can have a common axis of rotation, meaning that they are coaxial with each other. In the example shown, the wheels 430 are rigidly affixed to the bottom surface of the luggage system 10. Two or more of the wheels 430 may have a lock that can be engaged and released by a user of the luggage system 10, so as to resist movement of the luggage system 10 while the lock is engaged. The lock may be located at any suitable position on or in the luggage system 10, however, it is advantageous for the lock to be in a position readily accessible to the user of such luggage system, such as on the top side of the luggage system 10, adjacent to the top handle 220.

The handles 210, 220 on the outer sides of the luggage system 10 can be rigidly attached to the body of the luggage system 10 or can be integrally formed (e.g., in a monolithic, unitary, indivisible, etc. manner) with the material from which the outer cover of the luggage system 10 is made. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the handles 210, 220 are in the form of straps that are formed in a unitary manner with the outer surface of the luggage system 10 and are formed in a unitary manner with each other (e.g., from a single piece of material). The handles may be reinforced, such as using an insert material, stitching, and the like.

The luggage system 10 is divided into two compartments, namely, a first compartment 100 and a second compartment 200. The first and second compartments 100, 200 are attached to each other in a hinged manner, such that the first and second compartments 100, 200 can pivot relative to each other around an edge (e.g., a lateral or side edge) of the luggage system 10. A first zipper 410 is circumferentially attached about the abutting edges of (e.g., that form the respective perimeters thereof) the first and second compartments 100, 200. The first zipper 410 is attached to the first and second compartments 100, 200 such that one half or side of the teeth that form the first zipper 410 are attached to the first compartment 100 and the other half or side of the teeth that form the first zipper 410 are attached to the second compartment 200. The teeth of the two halves of the first zipper 410 interlock with each other in an alternating manner, such that each of the teeth attached to the first compartment 100 alternates, when the first zipper 410 is in a closed, or “zipped” configuration, with the teeth attached to the second compartment 200. The first zipper 410 extends continuously around at least 3 of the top, bottom, first lateral side, and second lateral side surfaces of the luggage system 10. In the example shown herein, the first zipper 410 extends continuously around the top side surface, the first lateral side surface, and the bottom side surface, with, optionally, a portion of the first zipper 410 extending over only a portion of the second lateral side surface. The first compartment 100 and the second compartment 200 are connected to each other, between respective ends of the first zipper 410, by flap 412. Flap 412 is a structure that connects, whether attached to or monolithically formed with, the first compartment 100 and the second compartment 200. The flap 412 can be made of the same material as the first and/or second compartment 100, 200. The teeth of the first zipper 410 are selectively engaged with and disengaged from each other by a slider that, when moving along the length of the first zipper 410, engages or disengages teeth of the first zipper 410 with/from each other. The slider may have a pull tab that allows a user to more easily grasp the slider and control movement thereof. The wheels 430 are split such that two (i.e., a first set) of the wheels 430 are attached to the first compartment 100 and two (i.e., a second set) of the wheels 430 are attached to the second compartment 200.

The luggage system 10 comprises a cover panel 300, which selectively closes the second compartment 200. The second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 are attached to each other in a hinged manner, such that the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 can pivot relative to each other around an edge (e.g., a lateral or side edge) of the luggage system 10. A second zipper 420 is circumferentially attached about the abutting edges of (e.g., that form the respective perimeters thereof) the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300. The second zipper 420 is attached to the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 such that one half or side of the teeth that form the second zipper 420 are attached to the second compartment 200 and the other half or side of the teeth that form the second zipper 420 are attached to the cover panel 300. The teeth of the two halves of the second zipper 420 interlock with each other in an alternating manner, such that each of the teeth attached to the second compartment 200 alternates, when the second zipper 420 is in a closed, or “zipped” configuration, with the teeth attached to the cover panel 300. The second zipper 420 extends continuously around at least 3 of the top, bottom, first lateral side, and second lateral side surfaces of the luggage system. In the example shown herein, the second zipper 420 extends continuously around the top side surface, the first lateral side surface, and the bottom side surface, with, optionally, a portion of the second zipper 420 extending over only a portion of the second lateral side surface. The second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 are connected to each other, between respective ends of the first zipper 420, by flap 422. Flap 422 is a structure that connects, whether attached to or monolithically formed with, the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300. The flap 422 can be made of the same material as the second compartment 200 and/or cover panel 300.

Preferably, the second zipper 420 extends around the same sides of the luggage system 10 as the first zipper 410. The teeth of the second zipper 420 are selectively engaged with and disengaged from each other by a slider that, when moving along the length of the second zipper 420, engages or disengages teeth of the second zipper 420 with/from each other. The slider may have a pull tab that allows a user to more easily grasp the slider and control movement thereof.

Thus, using the first zipper 410, a first internal volume of the luggage system 10 (i.e., the portion extending from the internal partition 500 towards and into the first compartment 100) can be accessed from the direction of the first compartment 100 (e.g., by pivoting, along with the cover panel 300, the second compartment 200 into the open position) and, using the second zipper 420, a second internal volume of the luggage system 10 (i.e., the portion extending from the internal partition 500 towards the cover panel 300) can be accessed from the direction of the cover panel 300 (e.g., by pivoting the cover panel 300 into the open position). The second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 can rotate relative to the first compartment 100 in unison (e.g., together, such as when the cover panel 300 is in the closed position).

The luggage system 10 comprises, integrated into the first compartment 100, a telescoping handle 230. The telescoping handle 230 can extend in the vertical direction (i.e., in the length direction of the luggage system, generally parallel to the direction of extension of the side handle 210) to allow for a user to more easily maneuver the luggage system 10 using the wheels 430. The telescoping handle 230 is attached to two rods that extend within channels that are formed on the surface of or internal to (e.g., within) the first compartment 100. Extension of the telescoping handle 230 is controlled by the user (e.g., using a release mechanism, such as a button). Stops can be provided to limit a maximum extension of the rods and, thus, the telescoping handle 230 from the first compartment 100 of the luggage system 10 in the vertical direction.

FIGS. 7-9 show features of a first example embodiment of an automatically adjusting partition system that can be removably installed within the luggage system 10. In this first example, the second compartment 200 of the luggage system comprises, on an inner circumferential wall thereof, a partition zipper 510 that secures the internal partition 500, or at least the perimeter thereof, within the second compartment 200. The partition zipper 510 extends around all of, or at least substantially all of (e.g., at least 90% of, as measured by length) of the inner circumferential walls that define the internal walls or surfaces of the second compartment 200. These inner circumferential walls correspond to (e.g., are the inner surface of) the top, bottom, first lateral side, and second lateral side surfaces that define the exterior of the second compartment 200. The partition zipper 510 is accessible only from within the second compartment 200 (e.g., the partition zipper cannot be accessed when the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 are in their respective closed positions). The partition zipper 510 is attached such that one half or set of the teeth that form the partition zipper 510 are fixedly attached around the inner circumferential walls of the second compartment 200 and the other half or set of the teeth that form the partition zipper 510 are attached to the outer circumferential edges of the internal partition 500. The teeth of the partition zipper 510 are selectively engaged with and disengaged from each other in an alternating manner by a slider that, when moving along the length of the partition zipper 510, engages or disengages teeth of the partition zipper 510 with/from each other. The slider has a pull tab that allows a user to more easily grasp the slider and control movement thereof. To allow for the internal partition 500 to be unzipped from within the second compartment 200 from the direction of the cover panel 300 (e.g., the opening defined when the cover panel 300 is in its open position) or from the direction of the first compartment 100 (e.g., the opening defined when the second compartment 200 is in its open position), the slider may have a pull tab on each side thereof.

The cover panel 300 comprises, on an interior surface thereof, an internal pocket 320, which is accessible by and/or through a pocket zipper 310. The internal pocket 320 can be used for storage of items separate from the second volume.

When the internal partition 500 is in the installed position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the internal volume of the second compartment 510 is split (e.g., bifurcated, partitioned) by the internal partition 500. The partition zipper 510 may be provided at any desired position within the second compartment 200. Thus, the internal partition 500 defines within the luggage system 10 a first volume and a second volume. In some embodiments, the internal partition 500 can be made of a stretchy or elastic material, such that the respective volumetric sizes of the first and second volumes can be adjusted automatically by the internal partition stretching, flexing, conforming, or otherwise deforming based on the volume and shape of the contents placed within the respective first and second volumes.

In some other embodiments, the surface area of the material from which the internal partition 500 is formed is greater than an area defined between the internal surfaces (see, e.g., FIGS. 12A, 12C, showing the internal partition 500 having pairs of opposing side walls) of the second compartment 200 where the internal partition 500 is attached to the second compartment. For example, the internal partition 500 can have an extended shape that is generally a five-sided rectangular prism (e.g., having an open top side, in the plane defined by the partition zipper 510, as shown in FIGS. 12A, 12C), the top edge being defined by the zipper partition 510 and having the same dimensions as the internal circumferential walls of the second compartment 200. In such embodiments, the four side walls of the internal partition 500 that define the side walls of the five-sided rectangular prism (e.g., those that connect the partition zipper 510 to the bottom wall, to which each of the side walls is connected). Thus, since the internal partition 500 in this example is made of a flexible material, such as a woven fabric material, by way of nonlimiting example, the internal partition 500 is deformable between a first extended position and a second extended position.

In the first extended position, shown in FIG. 12C, the internal partition 500 extends from within the second compartment 200, where the internal partition 500 is connected to the second compartment 200 by the partition zipper 510, in the direction of (and, in the first extended position, substantially fully within) the first compartment 100 (e.g., so that the bottom wall of the internal partition 500 is adjacent to a bottom surface of, in which case the volume of the first volume is negligible, meaning 5% or less, including 0%, of the total internal volume of the luggage system 10). In the second extended position, shown in FIG. 12A, the internal partition 500 extends within the second compartment 200, starting at the plane defined by the partition zipper 510, in a direction of the cover panel 300 (e.g., so that the bottom wall of the internal partition 500 is adjacent to the inner surface of the cover panel 300, in which case the volume of the second volume is negligible, meaning 5% or less, including 0%, of the total internal volume of the luggage system 10).

It can be advantageous for the partition zipper 510 to be positioned at a midpoint of the thickness of the luggage system 10, defined as being between the inner surface of the bottom of the first compartment 100 and the inner surface of the cover panel 300. Thus, a volume of the first and second volumes can be adjusted automatically by the internal partition 500 changing its shape (e.g., automatically) based on the volume occupied by the contents placed within the respective first and second volumes. For the sake of completeness, it is noted herein that the internal partition 500 can be in a substantially flat configuration, shown in FIG. 12B, in which the side walls of the five-sided rectangular prism are essentially collapsed, such that the internal partition 500 has a substantially planar shape, substantially coplanar with the plane defined by the partition zipper 510, within the second compartment 200.

With the internal partition 500 in the installed position (e.g., attached to the internal surface of the second compartment 200 by the partition zipper 510), the second volume is only accessible through the opening defined between the second compartment 200 and the cover panel 300 (e.g., the opening formed by pivoting the cover panel 300 into the open position, relative to the second compartment 200) and the first volume is only accessible through the opening defined between the second compartment 200 and the first compartment 100 (e.g., the opening formed by pivoting the second compartment 200 into the open position, relative to the first compartment 100). When the internal partition 500 is removed (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8, such as unzipping it from the internal surface of the second compartment 200 using the partition zipper 510), the first and second volumes combine to form a single, continuous and uninterrupted volume, which can be accessed by either of pivoting the cover panel 300 into its open position, relative to the second compartment 200, and/or pivoting the second compartment 200 into its open position, relative to the first compartment 100.

Thus, during use, items (e.g., clothes) that are stored within the luggage system 10 can be successively moved from the first volume to the second volume or from the second volume to the first volume, based on the preference of the user, such that the relative sizes of the first and second volumes can change based on the movement of such items therebetween. In this description herein, these items are not moved through the internal partition 500, but are instead removed from the first or second volume and placed into the second or first volume, respectively, from the exterior of the luggage system 10 by a user.

By way of example, a method of moving one or more items from the first volume to the second volume is described herein, in which the first zipper 410 is unzipped, the second compartment 200 is pivoted relative to the first compartment 100 about a pivot axis into the open position of the second compartment 200, the item(s) are removed from the first volume, the second zipper 420 is unzipped, the cover panel 300 is pivoted relative to the second compartment 200 into the open position for the cover panel 300, and the item(s) are placed within the second volume. Optionally, before the cover panel 300 is pivoted into its open position, the second compartment 200 is pivoted relative to the first compartment 100 into the closed position for the second compartment 200 and, optionally, the first zipper 410 can be zipped up or closed to close and/or seal the first volume and hold the second compartment 200 in its closed position. Optionally, if the first and/or second zippers 410, 420 are already in their open position, then the first and/or second zippers 410, 420 do not need to be unzipped before moving the second compartment 200 or the cover panel 300 into the respective open positions thereof. Still further and optionally, the method can further comprise, as last steps, pivoting the cover panel 300 into its closed position and zipping the second zipper 420 to close or seal the second volume and hold the cover panel 300 in its closed position and, thus also, hold the item(s) in the second volume.

By way of further example, a method of moving one or more items from the second volume to the first volume is described herein, in which the second zipper 420 is unzipped, the cover panel 300 is pivoted relative to the second compartment 200 about a pivot axis into the open position of the cover panel 300, the item(s) are removed from the second volume, the first zipper 410 is unzipped, the second compartment 200 is pivoted relative to the first compartment 100 into the open position of the second compartment 200, and the item(s) are placed within the first volume. Optionally, before the second compartment 200 is pivoted into its open position, the cover panel 300 is pivoted relative to the second compartment 200 into the closed position for the cover panel 300 and, optionally, the second zipper 420 can be zipped up or closed to close and/or seal the second volume and hold the cover panel 300 in its closed position. Optionally, if the first and/or second zippers 410, 420 are already in their open position, then the first and/or second zippers 410, 420 do not need to be unzipped before moving the second compartment 200 or the cover panel 300 into the respective open positions thereof. Still further and optionally, the method can further comprise, as last steps, pivoting the second compartment 200 into its closed position and zipping the first zipper 410 to close or seal the first volume and hold the second compartment 200 in its closed position and, thus also, hold the item(s) in the first volume.

An example use case for such a luggage system 10 would be managing the separation of clean and dirty clothing or laundry during travel. At the beginning of a trip, all of a user's clean laundry could be stored within the first (or second) volume based on a user's individual preference for packing and/or storing clothing or other items in the luggage system 10, such that the first (or second) volume occupies substantially all of (e.g., at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, 100%) of the total internal volume of the luggage system 10. For the purpose of discussion herein, the total internal volume within the luggage system 10 is defined by adding together the first volume and the second volume and does not generally include any auxiliary storage compartments (e.g., pockets, pouches, and the like) that are only accessible from the exterior of the luggage system 10 using fasteners other than the first and/or second zippers 410, 420.

As the user accumulates dirty (e.g., worn or otherwise soiled) clothing, the dirty clothing is placed within the second (or first) volume, whichever the user did not use to initially pack and/or store the clean clothing therein. The internal partition 500 automatically adjusts to the size of the items (e.g., articles of clothing or other personal items, such as toiletries) within the first and second volumes, requiring no adjustments or control of the internal partition 500 by the user.

Thus, where the first volume is used for initially packing or storing the items within the luggage system 10, the proportion or size of the first volume (e.g., having the clean clothing therein) progressively decreases and the proportion or size of the second volume (e.g., having the dirty clothing therein) progressively increases in an automatic manner, based on the transfer by a user of the items from the first volume to the second volume. As such, at the beginning of travel and according to this illustrative example, the user may pack his/her clothing within the first volume of the luggage system 10, leaving the second volume empty. In such case, the first volume may initially occupy substantially all of the total internal volume within the luggage system 10. At the end of travel, after all of the user's dirty clothing has been moved into the second volume, the second volume may occupy a majority of (e.g., in the case in which the user packed more clean clothing than was ultimately worn during the trip) or substantially all or all of the total internal volume within the luggage system 10. Using the presently disclosed luggage systems 10, the clean clothing in the first volume is physically separated from dirty clothing in the second volume by the internal partition 500 for the entire duration of travel.

Similarly, where the second volume is used for initially packing or storing the items within the luggage system 10, the proportion or size of the second volume (e.g., having the clean clothing therein) progressively decreases and the proportion or size of the first volume (e.g., having the dirty clothing therein) progressively increases in an automatic manner, based on the transfer by a user of the items from the second volume to the first volume. As such, at the beginning of travel and according to this illustrative example, the user may pack his/her clothing within the second volume of the luggage system 10, leaving the first volume empty. In such case, the second volume may initially occupy substantially all of the total internal volume within the luggage system 10. At the end of travel, after all of the user's dirty clothing has been moved into the first volume, the first volume may occupy a majority of (e.g., in the case in which the user packed more clean clothing than was ultimately worn during the trip) or substantially all or all of the total internal volume within the luggage system 10. Using the presently disclosed luggage systems 10, the clean clothing in the second volume is physically separated from dirty clothing in the first volume by the internal partition 500 for the entire duration of travel.

The partition zipper 510 is advantageously installed within the second compartment 200 at a midpoint, measured in the thickness direction, of the luggage system 10, such that deformation of the internal partition 500 to allow the first or second volume to occupy substantially all of the total internal volume within the luggage system 10 requires a substantially similar degree of deformation of the internal partition 500 but in opposite directions. I

The internal partition may, in some embodiments, comprise an odor-absorbing or odor-blocking material (e.g., a material substantially impermeable to the passage of air therethrough), to avoid odors traversing the internal partition 500 from the volume having the dirty clothing therein to the volume having the clean clothing therein. In some examples, the partition zipper 510 may be of a sort that prevents or at least resists the passage of air (and, thus, odors) between the first and second volumes.

A second example embodiment of the automatically adjusting partition system is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Unlike the partition system shown in FIGS. 7-9, movement of the partition system shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is controlled by engagement of followers 640 within a slot 840 defined between a corresponding pair of guide rails 740 and of tabs 620 within pockets 720 of corresponding guide channels 700.

According to this example, the second compartment 200 comprises, at each internal corner thereof, a pair of guide rails 740 that extend in the thickness direction of the luggage system 10 and are spaced apart from each other (e.g., in a direction transverse to the thickness direction of the luggage system 10) to define a slot 840, into which a follower 640 can be retained in a mobile manner (e.g., to allow sliding of the follower 640 relative to the guide rails 740 along the length of the slot 840). The internal partition 600 has a follower 649 at and extending outwardly from (e.g., at about a 45° angle) each corner of the internal partition 600. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in which the internal partition 600 has a generally rectangular shape (e.g., having four straight sides but with rounded corners), the internal partition 600 has four (4) followers 640. Each follower 640 is shaped to move freely within the corresponding slot 840 (e.g., in the direction of longitudinal extension of such slot 840, which is parallel to the thickness direction of the luggage system 10) within which such follower 640 is inserted and/or retained in the mobile manner. The internal partition 600 is advantageously made of a flexible material which can allow for the deformation of the internal partition 600 (e.g., in an elastic, conforming manner), such that the follower 640 at each corner of the internal partition 600 to move within its corresponding slot 840 independent of the respective positions and/or movements of the other followers 640 within and/or along their respective slots 840.

The second compartment 200 also comprises guide channels 700, each of which is provided on an inner surface of (e.g., being the corresponding interior surfaces to the exterior surfaces defined, at least in part, by the top, bottom, first lateral side, and second lateral side surfaces of) the second compartment 200. All of the guide channels 700 advantageously extend parallel to the direction of extension of all of the slots 840 to avoid binding of movement of the internal partition 600 within the second compartment 200. Stated somewhat differently, all of the slots 840 and all of the guide channels 700 are advantageously oriented parallel to each other. The internal partition 600 comprises, extending outwardly therefrom (e.g., in the plane defined by the internal partition 600 in the undeformed state shown in FIG. 10), tabs 620. The tabs 620 are each attached along one of the outer edges (e.g., flat sides or edges) of the internal partition 600. Each of the tabs 620 is positioned along the outer edges of the internal partition 600 to align with a corresponding one of the guide channels 700 formed on a corresponding one of the internal surfaces of the second compartment 200, such that each tab 620 can engage with (e.g., by being inserted therein) a corresponding one of the guide channels 700. The quantity of the tabs 620 that are provided on the internal partition 600 is advantageously the same as or less than the quantity of guide channels 700 on the internal surfaces of the second compartment 200. In some examples, each inner surface of the second compartment 200 has only one (1) guide channel 700 and, thus, each edge of the internal partition 600 has only one (1) tab 620. In some other examples, such as where the second compartment 200 has, when viewed along the thickness direction of the luggage system 10, a rectangular shape or profile, the longer edges of this rectangular shape or profile of the internal partition 600 can have multiple (e.g., two or more) tabs 620 and the shorter edges of this rectangular shape or profile of the internal partition 600 can have only a single tab 620; in such example, the longer inner surfaces of the second compartment 200 would have multiple (e.g., two) guide channels 700 and the shorter inner surfaces of the second compartment 200 would have only a single guide channel 700.

Each guide channel 700 comprises a series of pockets 720, which are shown as the white areas spaced along the length of the guide channels 700 in FIG. 10. These pockets 720 are spaced apart from each other by a prescribed distance, which can be a constant value or varied spacing along the length of the guide channel 700. The pockets 720 are configured to receive a corresponding one of the tabs 620 of the internal partition 600 therein to set an undeformed height or position of the internal partition 600 within the second compartment 200. The guide channels 700 are formed so that a tab 620 cannot be inserted within or otherwise coupled to any of the guide channels 700 other than at one of the pockets 720 of said guide channel 700. The engagement of the tabs 620 within one of the pockets 720 of the respective guide channels 700 determines an undeformed position of the internal partition 600 within the second compartment 200 and, thus, also the relative volumetric capacities of the first and second volumes of the luggage system 10 when the internal partition 600 is in an undeformed state (e.g., is not deformed by the contents in either of the first and/or second volumes).

Thus, the internal partition 600 in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 can be used to conform to (e.g., take the shape of, at least to some degree) items having different shapes and sizes in the respective first and second volumes (and, thus, in the first and second compartments 100, 200) of the luggage system 10. An example of the internal partition 600 conforming to the contents in the first and/or second volumes of the luggage system 10 would be generally in the manner of a vacuum forming bag; it should be noted, however, that since there is no vacuum applied to the internal partition 600 in the luggage system 10, the degree to which the internal partition 600 is deformed to fit the form of the items within the first volume will necessarily be to a lesser degree than in a vacuum forming bag and will be determined, at least in part, by the shape and size of the contents in the second volume. Similarly, since there is no vacuum applied to the internal partition 600 in the luggage system 10, the degree to which the internal partition 600 is deformed to fit the form of the items within the second volume will necessarily be to a lesser degree than in a vacuum forming bag and will be determined, at least in part, by the shape and size of the contents in the first volume.

The tabs and guide channels are configured such that, when the internal partition 600 undergoes sufficient deformation that causes any of the tabs 620 to become dislodged from one of the pockets 720 of the guide channel 700 into which such tab 620 is inserted, the tab 620 dislodged from the pocket, as well as at least a portion of the internal partition 600 adjacent to such tab 620, will move in the direction of relieving deformation stress acting on the internal partition 600 (e.g., will move in the opposite direction of the deformation being experienced, in the direction of the internal partition 600 moving towards the undeformed state-stated somewhat differently, the tab 620 and internal partition 600 will move in the direction of the deformation force), and the tab 620 will automatically engage within another one of the pockets 720 of the same guide channel 700. This functionality automatically ensures that localized deformation of the internal partition 600 is not of such a magnitude that would cause damage to the internal partition 600.

The internal partition 600 shown in FIG. 10 has a position adjuster 610 that is torsionally actuated. The user can grasp the adjuster 610 (schematically shown as a circle in FIG. 11) and apply a twisting force (schematically shown as a double-ended arrow) to the adjuster 610, which causes a corresponding inwardly-directed bowing deformation of the edges of the internal partition 600 in the direction that results in disengagement of the tabs 620 from the pockets 720 of the corresponding guide channel 700. An example of this inwardly-directed directed bowing deformation of the edges of the internal partition 600 is illustrated in broken line in FIG. 11 and designated using reference character 600′, with the solid line in FIG. 11 representing the undeformed shape of the edges of the internal partition 600. The tabs 620 are not illustrated for the torsionally deformed internal partition 600 for simplicity but nevertheless remain attached thereto. Because the followers 640 are captively held within the slot 840 of the corresponding pair of guide rails 740, this twisting force applied to the adjuster 610 does not dislodge the followers 640 from the slot 840 of the respective pair of guide rails 740. Stated somewhat differently, each follower 640 remains within the slot 840 of the corresponding pair pf guide rails 740 with which such follower 640 is engaged when the twisting force is applied to the adjuster 610 by the user. Advantageously, the internal partition 600 is designed such that the twisting force can be applied to the adjuster 610 in either direction (i.e., clockwise or anticlockwise) and the application of such twisting force in either direction will produce the inwardly-directed bowing deformation of the edges of the internal partition 600 shown in broken line in FIG. 11, which causes a corresponding automatic disengagement of all of the tabs 620 of the internal partition 600 from the pockets 720 of all of the corresponding guide channels 700. In example embodiments having the adjuster, it is advantageous for the tabs 620 to be positioned at a midpoint of each of the side edges of the internal partition 600, since this is the point of maximum deformation caused by applying the twisting force to the adjuster 610.

When the twisting force is applied to the adjuster 610 and the tabs 620 are disengaged from the pockets 720 of the corresponding guide channel 700, the user can freely move the internal partition 600 in the direction of extension of the slots 840 defined by the respective guide rail pairs 740 to change a position of the internal partition 600 within the second compartment 200. When the internal partition 600 is at the desired position, the user releases the twisting force from the adjuster 610, the inwardly-directed bowing deformation of the edges of the internal partition 600 is released (i.e., the internal partition resumes its undeformed shape, at least in the view shown in FIG. 11) and the tabs 620 automatically engage within a corresponding one of the pockets 720 of the corresponding guide channel 700. This process can be repeated as needed by the user to manually change the relative volumetric capacities of the first and second volumes defined by the internal partition 600.

While the present disclosure refers to certain examples, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described examples are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the described examples, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the specification, and equivalents thereof, as would be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art. The discussion of any example is meant only to be explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In other words, while illustrative examples of the disclosure have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the descriptions of such examples herein are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more examples or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of the certain examples or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate examples, or configurations. Any example or feature of any section, portion, or any other component shown or particularly described in relation to various examples of similar sections, portions, or components herein may be interchangeably applied to any other similar example or feature shown or described herein. Additionally, components with the same name may be the same or different, and one of ordinary skill in the art would understand each component could be modified in a similar fashion or substituted to perform the same function.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one example” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. The phrases “at least one” and “one or more” include the singular (i.e., only one) and the plural (i.e., more than one, or a plurality). All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., engaged, attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative to movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. All rotational references describe relative movement between the various elements. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative to sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.