Fabric Items with Anti-Soiling Features

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/645,079, filed May 9, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

This relates generally to fabric items, and, more particularly, to fabric items for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as cellular telephones, wristwatches, and other electronic equipment are sometimes used in conjunction with fabric items such as external cases, fabric covers, fabric straps, and other fabric items. A user may, for example, place an electronic device in a removable fabric case to protect the electronic device from scratches. Removable cases may also be used to personalize electronic devices. Fabric may also be used in conjunction with wearable electronic devices such as headphones, head-mounted devices, and wristwatches.

It can be challenging to avoid soiling (e.g., staining, discoloration, etc.) of fabric during normal use of an electronic device. A user may repeatedly place an electronic device in a pocket of the user's clothing, causing friction between the user's clothing and the fabric case that is protecting the electronic device. Headphones, head-mounted devices, and wristwatches may be worn for extended periods of time, exposing the fabric on these devices to sweat and sebum. This repeated rubbing and friction can cause dye, sweat, sebum, or other staining agent to be transferred onto the fabric, which in turn can lead to significant discoloration and wear on the fabric over time.

SUMMARY

A fabric item that comes into repeated contact with a staining agent may be provided with anti-soiling features to help prevent the staining agent from transferring to the fabric. The fabric item may be a case or strap for an electronic device or may be an integral portion of an electronic device such as an outer housing layer.

A case for an electronic device may include a back panel and a sidewall extending from the back panel. The back panel and sidewall may define a recess configured to receive the electronic device. The panel and sidewall may be joined at a corner. Anti-soiling features may be located at the corner and/or may be located elsewhere such as at the periphery of openings on the back panel (e.g., a rear-facing camera opening).

Anti-soiling features for a case, strap, housing layer, or other fabric item may include a raised lip of material having a higher elastic modulus than the fabric. The anti-soiling features may include an incompressible material (e.g., fused fabric, fabric impregnated with adhesive, or non-fabric materials such as metal or glass), edge piping, molded fabric, protruding ridges, stitches covered with welt, a recess that receives a cord of a removable strap, and/or compressible fabric regions. An internal frame member may protrude through the fabric or may press on an inner surface of the fabric to form anti-soiling features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device that may include or otherwise be coupled to a fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device coupled to a fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features that form a flush edge on the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features that form a protruding lip on the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as protrusions on the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as edge piping on the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as molded fabric along a seam of the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as ribs on the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as a non-fabric component inserted into the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as box stitching with Norwegian welting in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as a cord recessed within the fabric item in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fabric item of FIG. 12 showing how a cord recessed within the fabric item can be used to form a removable strap or lanyard in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having an inner frame that protrudes through the fabric to form an anti-soiling feature in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having an inner frame with protrusions that locally increase the density of the fabric to form an anti-soiling feature in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as an overmolded component on the fabric in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an illustrative fabric item such as a case having anti-soiling features such as a compressible fabric region in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fabric may sometimes be used in conjunction with electronic devices. For example, an electronic device such as a cellular telephone or tablet computer may be received within a fabric case or protected with a fabric cover. Wearable electronic devices such as wristwatches and head-mounted devices may be provided with fabric straps to attach the wearable electronic device to the user's wrist or head. Fabric may be an integral part of an electronic device. For example, speakers, headphones, and/or other electronic devices may include fabric that forms an outer housing layer of the device. In some instances, the fabric item may be removable from the electronic device. For example, when a user desires to protect an electronic device from scratches or other damage, the user may place the electronic device within a removable fabric case. In other instances, fabric may be permanently integrated with the electronic device. For example, headphones may include non-removable fabric on the car cups.

Fabric items such as these may be provided with anti-soiling features (sometimes referred to as anti-stain features, stain bumpers, etc.) that prevent dye, sebum, sweat, and/or other staining agents from transferring onto the fabric. Anti-soiling features may be formed from a change in fabric construction (e.g., a denser fabric construction or a fabric construction with directional ridges that reduce friction with external materials), a non-fabric component such as a metal or plastic component, a raised edge or protruding lip, rigid bumpers, regions of fabric with higher density and/or rigidity, ridges, edge piping, an overmolded component, an inserted component, molded fabric, fused fabric, impregnated fabric, stitching, recessed regions, channels, protruding portions of an internal frame member, compressed fabric regions, compressible fabric regions, and/or any other suitable component, feature, and/or structure that reduces transfer of a staining agent onto the fabric.

An electronic device of the type that may be integrated with or coupled to fabric having one or more of these types of anti-soiling features is shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1, device 10 includes a display such as display 14 mounted in housing 12. Housing 12, which may sometimes be referred to as an enclosure or case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. Housing 12 may be formed using a unibody configuration in which some or all of housing 12 is machined or molded as a single structure or may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures that form exterior housing surfaces, etc.).

Display 14 may be a touch screen display that incorporates a layer of conductive capacitive touch sensor electrodes or other touch sensor components (e.g., resistive touch sensor components, acoustic touch sensor components, force-based touch sensor components, light-based touch sensor components, etc.) or may be a display that is not touch-sensitive. Display 14 may include an array of pixels formed from liquid crystal display (LCD) components, an array of electrophoretic pixels, an array of plasma pixels, an array of organic light-emitting diode pixels or other light-emitting diodes, an array of electrowetting pixels, or pixels based on other display technologies.

Display 14 may be protected using a display cover layer such as a layer of transparent glass or clear plastic. The display cover layer may form a planar front face for device 10. The rear of housing 12 may have a parallel planar surface. Housing sidewalls may run around the periphery of housing 12. Device 10 may have a rectangular outline (e.g., a rectangular footprint when viewing the front face of the device) or may have other suitable footprints.

Openings may be formed in the display cover layer. For example, an opening may be formed in the display cover layer to accommodate ports such as speaker port 18. Openings may also be formed in housing 12 to form communications ports (e.g., an audio jack port, a digital data port, etc.), to form openings for buttons such as button 28, etc. Buttons such as button 28 may be located on a sidewall portion of device 10, if desired. Buttons such as button 28 may include power buttons, volume buttons, sleep and wake buttons, silent mode slider switches, and/or any other suitable buttons.

Electronic device 10 may be a computing device such as a laptop computer, a computer monitor containing an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a smaller device such as a wrist-watch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earpiece device, a head-mounted device, a device embedded in eyeglasses or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or miniature device, a television, a computer display that does not contain an embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, an embedded system such as a system in which electronic equipment with a display is mounted in a kiosk or automobile, equipment that implements the functionality of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment. In the illustrative configuration of FIG. 1, device 10 is a portable device such as a cellular telephone, media player, tablet computer, or other portable computing device. Other configurations may be used for device 10 if desired. The example of FIG. 1 is merely illustrative.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of device 10 of FIG. 1 in a configuration in which device 10 has been coupled to a fabric item such as fabric item 20. Fabric item 20 may be a removable case or protective cover, may be a non-removable outer housing layer of device 10, may be a strap or band that couples device 10 to a user's wrist, head, or other body part, or may be any other suitable fabric item that is removably or non-removably coupled to electronic device 10. In arrangements where device 10 is a cellular telephone, tablet computer, or other handheld electronic device, fabric item 20 may be a protective case for device 10. In arrangements where device 10 is a head-mounted device or a wristwatch device, fabric item 20 may be a strap or band that couples device 10 to the user's head or wrist. In arrangements where device 10 is a pair of headphones (e.g., over-the-ear headphones), fabric item 20 may form an outer layer of the car cups that are placed over the user's ears. In general, device 10 may be any suitable electronic device and fabric item 20 may be any suitable fabric item coupled to or integrated with device 10. Arrangements in which fabric item 20 is a case for device 10 are sometimes described herein as an illustrative example. However, it should be understood that the anti-soiling features described herein can be incorporated into other fabric items such as straps, bands, car cups, speaker covers, and/or other fabric items.

Fabric item 20 (sometimes referred to as case 20) may be removable. As shown in FIG. 2, case 20 may have walls that extend around the periphery of device 10. If desired, case 20 may form a cover with a hinged portion, a structure with a pocket into which device 10 may slide, or other enclosure that receives device 10. In the example of FIG. 2, case 20 surrounds device 10, but does not cover display 14. This type of arrangement, which may be desirable for devices such as cellular telephones, watches, and tablet computers, allows display 14 to be viewed by a user without opening a cover flap or moving any portion of case 20. If desired, however, case 20 may be provided with pockets, flaps, hinged portions, straps, and other structures. The configuration of FIG. 2 is merely illustrative.

If desired, case 20 may include one or more openings, buttons, and/or logos. A logo may be placed on a rear face of case 20. Openings and buttons such optional button 30 may be aligned with corresponding input-output components in device 10 when device 10 is received within case 20. For example, button 30 may align with button 28 of device 10. A user may actuate button 28 on device 10 by pressing button 30 on case 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of case 20 of FIG. 2 in a configuration in which device 10 is not present (i.e., a configuration in which case 20 has been removed from device 10). As shown in FIG. 3, case 20 may have a rear wall such as rear wall 34 and four sidewalls such as sidewalls 32. Sidewalls 32 may each extend along and cover a respective one of the four sidewalls of device 10. Corner portions 20C of case 20 join sidewalls 32 together to form a case with a rectangular ring shape. Corners 20C may be rounded when viewed from above (i.e., when case 20 has a footprint with rounded corners) or may have other shapes. Central recess 22 may have a rectangular shape (e.g., a rectangular shape with rounded corners) or other shape suitable for receiving electronic device 10 when electronic device 10 is mounted within case 20. Rear wall 34 may have a first surface such as inner surface 34A facing device 10 and an opposing second surface such as outer surface 34B facing away from device 10.

Case 20 may have one or more portions formed from fabric, polymer, wood, leather, ceramic, fiber composites, and/or any other suitable materials. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, case 20 may include fabric 60. Portions of case 20 that are formed from fabric 60 may be soft (e.g., case 20 may have a fabric surface that yields to a light touch), may have a rigid feel (e.g., the surface of case 20 may be formed from a stiff fabric), may be coarse, may be smooth, and/or may have ribs or other patterned textures. If desired, fabric 60 may be integrated with non-fabric structures such as plastic, metal, glass, crystalline materials, ceramics, or other materials. For example, fabric 60 may enclose or otherwise cover a rigid internal frame member or other stiffening structure.

Fabric 60 may be formed from strands of material such as strands 68 that are woven, knitted, braided, or otherwise interlaced (e.g., using intertwining equipment such as weaving equipment, knitting equipment, or braiding equipment). Strands 68 may be single-filament strands (sometimes referred to as fibers or monofilaments), may be yarns or other strands that have been formed by intertwining multiple filaments (multiple monofilaments) of material together, or may be other types of strands (e.g., tubing). Monofilaments for fabric may include polymer monofilaments and/or other insulating monofilaments and/or may include bare wires and/or insulated wires. Monofilaments formed from polymer cores with metal coatings and monofilaments formed from three or more layers (cores, intermediate layers, and one or more outer layers each of which may be insulating and/or conductive) may also be used. Elastic materials such as elastomeric silicone or other elastomers may be used to form stretchable strands of material that can be interlaced to form a stretchable fabric.

Fabric 60 may include strands 68 formed from polymer, metal, glass, graphite, ceramic, natural materials as cotton or bamboo, or other organic and/or inorganic materials and combinations of these materials. Conductive coatings such as metal coatings may be formed on non-conductive material. For example, polymer strands of material may be coated with metal to make the strands conductive. Reflective coatings such as metal coatings may be applied to make strands and monofilaments reflective. Strands may be formed from a bundle of bare metal wires or metal wire intertwined with insulating monofilaments (as examples).

As shown in FIG. 3, case 20 may have peripheral portions such as peripheral wall portions 32 (sometimes referred to as sidewall 32) and a rear wall portion such as back panel 34. Back panel 34 (sometimes referred to as a back panel portion, a rear wall, a rear wall portion, etc.) may cover the rear side of electronic device 10 when device 10 is within case 20. Peripheral walls 32 (sometimes referred to as sidewalls, a sidewall portion, etc.) may include vertical sidewalls that extend around the periphery of device 10 when device 10 is installed within case 20. The planar shape of sidewall portion 32 of case 20 of FIG. 3 is merely illustrative. If, for example, device 10 has edges with a curved cross-sectional shape, the profile of sidewall portion 32 may have a corresponding curved shape (e.g., sidewall 32 may bow outwards). If desired, case 20 may be formed from compliant materials to accommodate and/or conform to devices 10 with a variety of different edge profiles and footprints. The example of FIG. 3 is merely illustrative.

Back panel 34 may be formed from polymer, fabric, metal, and/or other suitable materials. Back panel 34 may cover some or all of the rear of device 10.

Sidewall portion 32 may be formed from a fabric tube having one or more layers of fabric that surround an internal cavity. The internal cavity may be empty (e.g., air-filled) or may include an internal structure such as a rigid frame (e.g., one or more metal frame members, plastic frame members, inlaid metal wires, and/or other rigid structures), an elastic frame (e.g., one or more elastic polymer structures, elastic fabric structures, textile-covered cables, and/or other elastic structures), and/or a combination of rigid and elastic internal structures. Arrangements in which fabric 60 forms some or all of back panel 34 and some or all of sidewalls 32 may sometimes be described herein as an illustrative example.

Case 20 may include one or more anti-soiling features such as anti-soiling features 36. Anti-soiling features 36 may be configured to prevent staining agents such as dye, sebum, and sweat from transferring onto fabric 60. Anti-soiling features 36 may be formed from a change in fabric construction, a non-fabric component such as a metal or plastic component, a raised edge, rigid bumpers, regions of fabric with higher density and/or higher rigidity, protrusions, ridges, edge piping, an overmolded component, an inserted component, molded fabric, fused fabric, impregnated fabric, stitching, recessed regions, channels, protruding portions of an internal frame member, compressed fabric regions, compressible fabric regions, low-friction coatings, low-friction fabric designs, and/or any other suitable component, feature, and/or structure that reduces transfer of a staining agent onto the fabric.

Anti-soiling features 36 may be located in any suitable location of case 20. In the example of FIG. 3, anti-soiling features 36 are located between sidewall 32 and back panel 34 (e.g., along a corner that joins sidewall 32 and back panel 34). Anti-soiling features 36 may form a continuous or non-continuous loop around the periphery of back panel 34. Anti-soiling features 36 may be flush with back panel 34 and/or sidewall 32 or may be proud (e.g., protruding) relative to back panel 34 and/or sidewall 32.

In some arrangements, anti-soiling features 36 may be formed from a portion of fabric 60. For example, fabric 60 that forms back panel 34 (and, if desired, sidewalls 32) may also be used to form anti-soiling features 36. With this type of arrangement, fabric 60 may have different properties in anti-soiling features 36 than in back panel 34. For example, anti-soiling features 36 may be formed from fabric 60 having a different fabric construction than fabric 60 of back panel 34. The different fabric construction may be denser and/or more rigid in anti-soiling features 36 than in back panel 34 to help prevent a staining agent (e.g., dye from a user's clothing pocket) from transferring onto back panel 34. If desired, fabric 60 may include binder, may be impregnated with polymer materials, and/or may be fused (e.g., melted) to create stiff fabric regions that are stiffer than fabric 60 of back panel 34. In some arrangements, anti-soiling features 36 include fabric 60 with directional ridges that serve to reduce friction with external materials such as clothing pockets.

In other arrangements, anti-soiling features 36 may be non-fabric materials and/or may otherwise be separate from fabric 60 (e.g., fabric 60 that forms back panel 34 and/or sidewall 32). For example, anti-soiling features 36 may include a low-friction coating on fabric 60 that reduces friction with exterior materials such as a clothing pocket. Materials that have higher density and/or rigidity than fabric 60 may also be used to form anti-soiling features 36. For example, one or more pieces of metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, leather, and/or other non-fabric materials may be used to form anti-soiling features 36. The non-fabric materials that form anti-soiling features 36 may be embedded within fabric 60, may be formed on an outer surface of fabric 60, may be located along (and/or form part of) a seam that connects fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of back panel 34, may be located within a recess of fabric 60, and/or may be located elsewhere in case 20.

If desired, anti-soiling features 36 may include a combination of any two or more of these different types of anti-soiling features. For example, low-friction coatings may be formed on raised edges, a denser fabric construction may be combined with a non-fabric component such as a metal or glass rod, compressible fabric regions may be arranged side-by-side with incompressible components, etc. These examples are merely illustrative.

Anti-soiling features 36 may be placed in any suitable location of case 20, depending on where soiling tends to occur for the particular shape and use of case 20 (or other fabric item 20). In the example of FIG. 3, anti-soiling features 36 are located at an outer periphery of back panel 34, forming a continuous or segmented loop around back panel 34 (because back panel 34 may be the most vulnerable to staining and discoloration from repeated contact with a user's clothing pocket). If back panel 34 includes one or more openings aligned with input-output components of device 10 such as a rear-facing camera, anti-soiling features 36 may also be placed around the periphery of the one or more openings on back panel 34 (e.g., to form a continuous or segmented loop around a rear-facing camera opening in case 20). If desired, anti-soiling features 36 may be placed at discrete locations of case 20 (e.g., only at the corners of back panel 34, only at the corners of a rear-facing camera opening in back panel 34, only along the sides of back panel 34, etc.).

A cross-section of case 20 taken along line 24 and viewed in direction 26 is shown in FIG. 4. Sidewall 32 may wrap around the sides of device 10 and may cover some or all of sidewalls of device 10. Back panel 34 may cover some or all of the rear surface of device 10. If desired, sidewall 32 and/or back panel 34 may include one or more openings for input-output components such as cameras, sensors, speakers, microphones, buttons, charging ports, etc. For example, back panel 34 may include an opening for one or more rear-facing cameras on device 10.

In the example of FIG. 4, anti-soiling features 36 include rigid materials such as incompressible material 70. In some arrangements, incompressible material 70 may be formed from a portion of fabric 60. For example, incompressible material 70 may be formed from fabric 60 that has been fused, melted, impregnated with adhesive, hardened with binder, and/or otherwise locally modified to be stiffer (e.g., with a higher elastic modulus) than fabric 60 of back panel 34. If desired incompressible material 70 may be formed from different materials than fabric 60 of back panel 34. For example, incompressible material 70 may be formed from fusible strands whereas fabric 60 of back panel 34 may be formed from non-fusible strands (e.g., strands that cannot be melted or strands that have a higher melting temperature than that of incompressible material 70). In other arrangements, incompressible material 70 and fabric 60 of back panel 34 may be formed from the same material but may be provided with different properties during post-processing. For example, incompressible material 70 may be formed from fabric 60 that has been locally heated to the point of melting, such that the polymer flows and fills gaps between strands 68. When cooled, this melted polymer may form a hard plastic structure without gaps (or with fewer gaps than fabric 60 of back panel 34). These types of incompressible structures 70 may help prevent dye or other staining agents from being transferred to outer surface 34B of back panel 34.

If desired, anti-soiling features 36 may include one or more monofilament strands. For example, anti-soiling features 36 may include a monofilament strand such as a monofilament strand of polymer (e.g., polyurethane terephthalate, thermoplastic polyurethane, nylon, meltable materials, and/or other polymers), metal, or other suitable material. Unlike multifilament strands, monofilament strands do not have any void space and may therefore help prevent soiling agents from accumulating in the yarn. If desired, monofilament strands in anti-soiling features 36 may have a larger diameter than other strands in fabric 60.

In some arrangements, one or more monofilament strands may be used to form incompressible material 70. The monofilament strand may be located at the outer perimeter of back panel 34 between back panel 34 and sidewall 32. The monofilament strand may be flush with back panel 34 or may be raised to form a protruding lip around back panel 34. The monofilament strands that form incompressible material 70 may extend continuously around the perimeter of back panel 34 or may only be located in certain segments of the perimeter of back panel 34 (e.g., at corners, along one or more sides, etc.). If desired, monofilaments may also or instead be placed around the perimeter of a camera opening on back panel 34.

In other arrangements, monofilament strands may be interlaced with multifilament strands to form fabric 60 with anti-soiling features 36. The monofilament strands may extend along a single direction in fabric 60 (e.g., a warp direction or a weft direction) or may extend along more than one direction in fabric 60 (e.g., both warp and weft directions). Fabric 60 may have any suitable ratio of monofilament strands and multifilament strands to optimize material flexibility. Higher percentages of monofilament strands may increase fabric rigidity. As examples, fabric 60 may be formed from 15% monofilaments and 85% multifilaments; may be formed from 20% monofilaments and 80% multifilaments; may be formed from 30% monofilaments and 70% multifilaments; or may be formed from any other suitable percentage of monofilaments and multifilaments. If desired, fabric 60 in different portions of case 20 may have different ratios of monofilaments and multifilaments. For example, fabric 60 may have a higher percentage of monofilaments in anti-soiling features 36 than in other regions of fabric 60 (e.g., back panel 34 and/or sidewall 32 may have a lower percentage of monofilaments than anti-soiling features 36).

In other arrangements, incompressible material 70 may be a non-fabric component such as a metal component, a glass component, a plastic component, and/or other suitable component having a higher elastic modulus than fabric 60. The non-fabric component may be a metal rod, a glass rod, or other rod-shaped component that extends partially or completely around the perimeter of back panel 34. The non-fabric component may be embedded within fabric 60, may be formed on the outside of fabric 60, and/or may replace fabric 60 entirely within that particular location of case 20. For example, incompressible material 70 may physically separate sidewall 32 from back panel 34 or may be incorporated into a seam that attaches sidewall 32 to back panel 34.

The example of FIG. 4 in which incompressible structure 70 is flush with back panel 34 is merely illustrative. If desired, incompressible structure 70 of anti-soiling features 36 may be proud with respect to back panel 34. This type of arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, incompressible structure 70 of anti-soiling features 36 forms a raised lip such as raised lip 72 around the periphery of back panel 34. Raised lip 72 may be extend to height H relative to outer surface 34B of back panel 34. Raised lip 72 may form a continuous or segmented loop around some or all of the periphery of back panel 34, or may be located at discrete locations such as corners, sides, etc. Incompressible structure 70 may be formed from portions of fabric 60 and/or may be separate from fabric 60. In general, incompressible structure 70 may be formed from any of the structures described in connection with incompressible structure 70 of FIG. 4.

In the example of FIG. 6, incompressible structure 70 of anti-soiling features 36 has been formed at various different locations such as corners of sidewall 32 and corners of back panel 34. Incompressible structure 70 may protrude outwardly at any suitable angle (e.g., horizontally or parallel to outer surface 34B, vertically or orthogonal to outer surface 34B, or at some other angle that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to outer surface 34B). If desired, incompressible structures 70 may only be located at corners 20C of case 20 (FIG. 3) and/or may be located along the sides between corners 20C. Incompressible structure 70 may be formed from portions of fabric 60 and/or may be separate from fabric 60. In general, incompressible structure 70 may be formed from any of the structures described in connection with incompressible structure 70 of FIG. 4.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 7, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from edge piping such as edge piping 40. Edge piping 40 may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Edge piping 40 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Edge piping 40 may be located along a seam between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34. Edge piping 40 may be formed from fabric that forms a tube. The longitudinal axis of the tube may be parallel to outer surface 34B of back panel 34. The tube may be empty (e.g., air-filled) or may be filled with a material such as material 42. Material 42 may be fabric (e.g., a braided cord or other fabric item) or may be non-fabric such as a metal rod, a plastic rod, a glass rod, and/or other non-fabric component. Edge piping 40 may be sewn, stitched, glued, or otherwise attached to sidewall 32 and/or back panel 34.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 8, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from formable fabric such as molded fabric 44. Molded fabric 44 may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Molded fabric 44 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Molded fabric 44 may be located along a seam between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34. Molded fabric 44 may be formed from fabric that is pressed into a desired shape (e.g., a rounded corner shape, a right-angle corner shape, and/or any other suitable shape) using heat and pressure from a molding tool. Molded fabric 44 may be sewn, stitched, glued, or otherwise attached to sidewall 32 and/or back panel 34.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 9, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from non-planar surface features such as ridges 46. Ridges 46 may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Ridges 46 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Ridges 46 may be located along the corner between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34. Ridges 46 may be formed from fabric that is molded using heat and pressure from a molding tool, may be formed from a ribbed fabric construction, may be formed from a non-fabric component such as a metal, glass, or plastic component, and/or may be formed from other suitable structures with undulating ridges. Ridges 46 may also serve to provide case 20 with extra grip, making it easier to hold in a user's hand. Ridges 46 may be integral with fabric 60 or may be sewn, stitched, glued, covered with, or otherwise attached to fabric 60 that forms back panel 34 and/or sidewalls 32.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 10, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from an inserted component such as inserted non-fabric component 48. Inserted component 48 may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Inserted component 48 may form a region of higher elastic modulus than fabric 60 of back panel 34, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Inserted component 48 may be located along the corner between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34 (e.g., inserted component 48 may separate back panel 34 from sidewall 32, if desired). Inserted component 48 may be formed from an incompressible material such as metal or glass or may be formed from other materials such as plastic, wood, silicone, and/or any other suitable material. Inserted component 48 may be sewn, stitched, glued, covered with, embedded in, or otherwise attached to fabric 60 that forms back panel 34 and/or sidewalls 32. If desired, inserted component 48 may include engagement features such as engagement features 74 that help interlock inserted component 48 with fabric 60.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 11, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from stitching such as stitches 50 and welt 52. Stitches 50 may be formed from box stitches, chain stitches, and/or any other suitable stitches. Stitches 50 may connect fabric 60 of sidewall 32 with fabric 60 of back panel 34. Welt 52 may be Norwegian welting or other suitable welting covering stitches 50 on the exterior surface of case 20. Stitches 50 and welt 52 may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Stitches 50 and welt 52 may be located along a seam between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34. Because welt 52 is raised with respect to outer surface 34B of back panel 34, stitches 50 and welt 52 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 12, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from a recess in fabric 60 such as recess 56. Recess 56 may be unfilled (e.g., air-filled) or may be configured to receive material such as cord 54. Recess 56 (and, if desired, cord 54) may extend continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or may only be located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. The presence of recess 56 and cord 54 may help isolate abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Cord 54 may be flush with outer surface 34B of back panel 34, or may be proud (e.g., protruding) relative to outer surface 34B of back panel 34. Recess 56 may be located in outer surface 34B of back panel 34, may be located along the corner between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of rear panel 34, or may be located along sidewall 32, if desired. Cord 54 may be formed from fabric (e.g., cord 54 may be formed from braided strands, twisted strands, etc.), or cord 54 may be formed from non-fabric materials such as plastic, metal, silicone, etc.).

In some arrangements, cord 54 may be permanently attached to fabric 60 within recess 56. For example, cord 54 may be sewn, stitched, glued, or otherwise attached to fabric 60 within recess 56. In other arrangements, cord 54 may be removable. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, cord 54 may form a removable lanyard or carrying strap that is used to carry case 20 and device 10 when cord 54 is stowed within recess 56. If desired, cord 54 may form a loop such as loop 78 that can be worn around the user's wrist, neck, or other body part, or that can be attached to another object such as a backpack, purse, or luggage.

If desired, case 20 may include fabric that is wrapped around a rigid internal frame member. For example, any of the cases 20 of FIGS. 1-13 may include an internal frame member formed from metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, or other rigid materials to provide case 20 with structure and stiffness where needed. If desired, this rigid internal frame member may be used to form anti-soiling features 36. This type of arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, case 20 may include fabric 60 wrapped around an internal frame member such as rigid internal frame member 62. Frame member 62 may be formed from an incompressible material such as metal or glass, or may be formed from other suitable materials such as plastic, silicone, wood, etc. Frame member 62 may be located in sidewalls 32 and/or in back panel 34 to provide case 20 with additional stiffness and structure. In the example of FIG. 14, frame member 62 includes protruding portions 58 that protrude through openings in fabric 60 such as openings 80 to form anti-soiling features 36. Protrusions 58 create a raised lip that extends continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or that is only located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Protrusions 58 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Protrusions 58 may be located along the corner between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of back panel 34 or may be located elsewhere on back panel 34. Protrusions 58 may have any suitable shape (e.g., hooks, ridges, rounded bumps, undulating patterns, etc.). Protrusions 58 may also serve to provide case 20 with extra grip, making it easier to hold in a user's hand.

In the example of FIG. 15, protrusions 58 of internal frame member 62 do not protrude through fabric 60 but instead press against fabric 60 to create compressed fabric regions 64. As fabric 60 is bonded to internal frame member 62, the thickness of fabric 60 in regions 64 is locally reduced (e.g., from 0.4 mm to 0.1 mm or other suitable thickness) relative to other regions of fabric 60 forming back panel 34. This reduced thickness in regions 64 increases the density of fabric 60 in regions 64 to form anti-soiling features 36. Due to the increased density of fabric 60 in regions 64, staining agents may be prevented from transferring to back panel 34.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 16, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from non-fabric materials such as component 66 that has been attached locally to the exterior of fabric 60 to form a stain resistant surface. Component 66 may create a raised lip that extends continuously or non-continuously around the periphery of back panel 34, or that is only located at discrete regions such as corners, sides, etc. Component 66 may create a space between outer surface 34B and external materials such as a clothing pocket, thereby isolating abrasion and soiling from back panel 34. Component 66 may be located along the corner between fabric 60 of sidewall 32 and fabric 60 of back panel 34 or may be located elsewhere on back panel 34. Component 66 may have any suitable shape and texture (e.g., smooth surfaces, hooks, ridges, rounded bumps, undulating patterns, etc.). Component 66 may also serve to provide case 20 with extra grip, making it easier to hold in a user's hand.

If desired, component 66 may be formed from optically clear silicone or other inert material that is overmolded locally onto fabric 60 to form anti-soiling features 36. The optically clear silicone may have any suitable thickness (e.g., 0.5 mm thickness, 0.8 mm thickness, more than 1 mm thickness, less than 1 mm thickness, etc.). The optically clear silicone of component 66 may provide an appearance of optical depth around the periphery of back panel 34, if desired. Arrangements in which component 66 is opaque and/or formed from materials other than silicone may also be used.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 17, anti-soiling features 36 are formed from compressible regions such as compressible regions 76 of fabric 60. Compressible regions 76 may be formed by providing a cavity such as cavity 68 between internal frame member 62 and fabric 60 in regions 76. If desired, cavities 68 may be formed by locally reducing the thickness of internal frame member 62 in portions of internal frame member 62 that overlap regions 76. Whereas other regions of fabric 60 may be less compressible due to the presence of internal frame member 62 behind fabric 60, compressible regions 76 may overlap cavities 68, thereby allowing fabric 60 in regions 76 to flex inwardly within cavity 68 when external pressure is applied. As case 20 is placed in a clothing pocket, the normal force on back panel 34 may be minimized due to the presence of compressible regions 76, which in turn helps prevent staining agents from being transferred to back panel 34. When no external force is applied to regions 76, fabric 60 in regions 76 may return to its original, uncompressed state.

The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.