IMPROVED LUGGAGE ZIPPER CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT
A luggage case includes a shell and a continuous closure structure, the continuous closure structure including a protective cover and separately or additionally an expansion zipper. The continuous closure assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a first strip portion and a second strip portion connected along a common outer edge. The second strip portion overlays a portion of the first strip portion. A protective material may overlay all or part of the second strip portion, and/or may be applied to all or part of the first strip portion.
1 . A luggage case comprising:
a first shell and a second shell;
a continuous closure assembly selectively joining the first and second shell and comprising:
an elongated strip member associated with each shell, each elongated strip member including a first strip portion and a second strip portion joined along a first common edge;
the first strip portion including engagement features along a first edge opposite the common edge, and the first strip portion is attached near an edge of the respective shell between the first edge and the first common edge; and
the second strip portion defines an inner edge, the second strip portion extending over at least a portion of a width of the first strip portion to cover the attachment of the first strip portion to the shell.
2 . The luggage case of claim 1 , wherein the first strip portion is attached to the respective shell by a line of stitching.
3 . The luggage case of claim 1 , wherein the second strip portion is free from direct attachment to the shell and can be folded back to expose the attachment of the first strip portion to the shell.
4 . The luggage case of claim 1 , wherein the second strip portion includes a protective material.
5 . The luggage case of claim 1 , wherein the second strip portion is made entirely of the protective material and attached to the first strip portion along the first common edge.
6 . The luggage case of claim 4 , wherein the protective material is a thermoplastic material applied to or impregnated into at least part of the second strip portion.
7 . The luggage case of claim 4 , wherein a width of the protective material may extend partially, or entirely, across a width of the second strip portion, or the protective material may extend partially or entirely along a length of the second strip portion.
8 . The luggage case of claim 4 , wherein the protective material may be applied to an upper side of the second strip portion.
9 . The luggage case of claim 4 , wherein the protective material is applied to or impregnated into at least part of the first strip portion.
10 . The luggage case of claim 9 , wherein a width of the protective material may extend partially, or entirely, across a width of the first strip portion, or the protective material may extend partially or entirely along a length of the first strip portion.
11 . The luggage case of claim 9 , wherein the protective material may be applied to or impregnated in at least part of a lower side of the first strip portion.
12 . The luggage case of claim 11 , wherein the protective material is positioned between the first strip portion and the respective luggage shell.
13 . The luggage case of claim 9 , wherein the protective material defines an edge between the first common edge and the attachment of the first strip portion to the respective luggage shell, or the protective material defines an edge at the attachment of the first strip portion to the respective luggage shell.
14 . The luggage case of claim 9 , wherein the protective material defines an edge between the attachment of the first strip portion to the respective luggage shell and the edge of the luggage shell.
15 . The luggage case of claim 9 , wherein the protective material extends over the first common edge.