Method and means for sealing a carrying case

• US 4,712,657 A
• Filed: 02/04/1987
• Issued: 12/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Case Design Corp.
• Original Assignee: Andiamo, Inc.
• Inventors: Myers, Jay E., Iravantchi, Siamak, Myers, M. Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, William
• Application Number:
  US07/010,693
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 29/463, 220/4 B, 220/80, 220/81 R, 220/378, 220/4 E, 220/72, 190/28
• US Class Current: 190/28
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/385 with rolling means trunks with built-in rolling means A45C5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/00 Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/143 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/24 Suit-cases, other luggage
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0083 Wheeled supports connected to the transported object
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49893 Peripheral joining of opposed mirror image parts to form a hollow body

Abstract

This invention provides a carrying case made up of two sections of molded plastic which are identical except at their outer edges which meet when the case is closed. One edge includes a tongue with reinforcing ribs which enters a groove in the outer edge to engage a gasket and form a fluid seal as well as strengthening the case. Nothing penetrates the wall of the case, the latches being connected to supports spaced outwardly from the case wall. Sockets on the bottom of the case receive spaced support members projecting from a luggage cart, and can receive connecting elements to enable the cart to carry more than one case. The sockets also can receive wheel units so that a single case may be mounted on wheels, or a plurality of cases may be connected and supported on a set of wheels. The case includes integral feet on the bottom wall to support it, and bosses on the inner walls for connecting items to the interior of the case.

Claims

1. A carrying case comprising

two sections, each having an outer edge portion

hinge means pivotally interconnecting said sections so that said sections can meet at said outer edge portions thereof, said sections having walls such that said sections define a closed container when said sections so meet at said outer edge portions,

one of said sections defining a recess around said outer edge portion thereof, said recess having sidewall means,

a gasket means within said recess,

the other of said sections including a continuous flange at said outer edge portion thereof, and a plurality of spaced ribs projecting laterally from said flange, said flange being narrower than said recess, said flange when said sections so meet at said outer edges being within said recess and engaging said gasket means for forming a seal therewith,

said ribs when said sections so meet extending to a position of juxtaposition with said sidewall means for reinforcing the joint between said sections.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said ribs project from the opposite sides of said flange.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said ribs are spaced inwardly from the outer edge of said flange, said flange engaging said gasket means at said outer edge portion thereof.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said ribs have beveled corners at their outer edges for facilitating entry of said ribs into said recess.

5. A device as recited in claim 1 in which each of said sections is an integral molded plastic member, each of said sections including a portion distended outwardly to define at least one transverse rib, and a portion distended outwardly to define at least one longitudinal rib, said ribs of said two sections meeting at their ends to define ribs extending around said container.

6. The method of producing a sealed carrying case comprising the steps of

providing two sections each of which has an outer edge,

connecting said sections by a hinge such that said sections can meet at said outer edges thereof,

providing said sections with walls such that said sections define a closed container when said sections so meet at said outer edges thereof,

providing in one of said outer edges a recess having sidewall means defining a space therebetween, inserting a gasket into the inner portion of said recess,

providing a continuous flange on the other of said outer edges such that said flange enters said recess and engages said gasket when said sections so meet at said outer edges thereof,

said flange being made narrower than said space,

and providing spaced rib means projecting laterally outwardly from said flange such that said rib means enter said recess along with said flange,

said rib means being made to a dimension such that said rib means are in juxtaposition with said sidewall means when said rib means so enter said recess for reinforcing the joint between said sections.