Fabric for packing

The present invention concerns a fabric for packing objects, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Background

There are many different objects lacking adapted or suitable packing. It is especially in connection with travelling, for instance travelling with plane or another means of transport demanding that the luggage is sent separately, that the problem with a suitable packing arises. Most objects have a box or similar, protecting the object before purchase, but this packing may for instance demand that the object is taken to pieces. Besides, in most cases, it is unnecessarily large and bothersome to transport on a journey.

Prams on planes are a well known problem in Scandinavia. It is difficult to pack the pram sufficiently to avoid damage during travel. Besides, the pram is a necessity immediately when one arrives at the destination, and thus, disassembling is undesirable. Prams have different shapes and sizes, prams, strollers, twin prams/strollers etc., and it would be an advantage if the same packing could be used on all prams. Further, the packing should either be disposable or occupy little space, since it must be stored when not in use, or be taken along on the travel. Other objects with corresponding problems are back frames; car seats; and in part, backpacks. Today, when travelling on a plane with a pram, in Scandinavia one may get a disposable plastic bag to cover the pram. This is handed out when checking in, and the pram must thus be packed on the spot, it is not possible to pack it at home, before leaving. Further, it does not protect the pram sufficiently, as the pram often gets damaged even with the plastic bag. Outside of Scandinavia the pram must be delivered without packing, with the damage that involves.

STOKKE has developed a travelling bag for their pram, Explory. This bag is especially developed for Explory, and can not be used for other prams. The patent publications JP 51.112.046 and US 2005/0017039 both describe a bag in which a stroller may be placed. Patent publications JP 2004305783 and US 5,803,470 describe other solutions for packing a wheelchair and a pram, respectively. None of these solutions may be used on any pram or other outfits lacking suitable packing. Except for the bags described in JP 51.112.046 and US 2005/0017039 they are also rather space demanding.

Object The main object of the present invention is to provide a packing to be used to pack any object, occupying minimum space when not in use. It is a further object that it should be

possible to use the fabric several times, and preferably the fabric should be of a washable and rainproof material.

The Jnvention The object of the invention is met with a fabric for packing according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

By "fabric" it is herein meant a textile material, woven or non-woven. The textile material shall be such that it can be folded innumerable, repeated times without danger of considerable damage with the risk of rupture. Besides, it should be so flexible that it can be folded at a random spot, and that many random spots can be placed very close, for instance, in such a way that one long end may be folded together to give a desired length without increasing the thickness of the resulting short end more than the sum of the thickness of each layer. Thus, the material must be flexible, have limited thickness and high rupture strength. The fabric according to the present invention, is of one flat foldable material. It is not sewn to shape, and preferably it has no zippers or similar. When the fabric is not in use, it can be folded together easily, and will not occupy much space. Since the fabric is of such a material as mentioned above, it may be folded at random places, and the thickness of the folded fabric will correspond to the sum of the thickness in each layer. How thick the folded fabric is, will thus depend on the area. The lesser the area of the folded fabric is, the thicker it will be. On one surface of the unfolded fabric, about the middle, it is supplied with at least one strap, preferably with corresponding buckles in the ends. The strap(s) may either be sewn directly to the fabric, or fastened fastening devices for the straps, such as loops, may be attached to the fabric. The straps are threaded through the loops when the fabric is to be used for packing.

When an object should be packed, the fabric and the straps are unfolded and placed flat. If the straps are not fastened directly to the fabric, they must be placed in the fastening means first. The surface with the straps is facing downwards, and the straps are stretched out. The object is placed on top of the fabric, about the middle, and the fabric is folded around it. When the fabric is folded around all sides of the object, the buckles in the ends of the straps should be locked into each other, and the straps should be tightened in such a way that the fabric gets close to the object. It is arbitrary in which way the fabric is folded around the object.

It will be a great advantage if the fabric is of a waterproof and washable material. For instance, when travelling by plane, the luggage might be standing outside in the rain, or water might splash from a wet runway onto the baggage trolley. It is a further object of the invention that the fabric could be used several times, and thus it is an advantage that the

material is hard-wearing and washable, because there is always a chance that the luggage gets dirty. Suitable materials may for instance be Gortex, F-111/LoPo being used in parachutes, or Ripstop Nylon, wherein Ripstop Nylon is preferred.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the material in the fabric is seϊf- inflatable. This means that the material is double, and either by itself, or by activating a valve, fills the space between the layers of material with air. In those cases where such materials are used in the present invention, the packed object is protected by a shock absorbing layer of air. The straps being fastened to the fabric, may be of any suitable kind. The straps must withstand wear and tear and they must be strong. A preferred material is woven nylon, corresponding to the material being used in lifting straps.

The corresponding buckles on the straps may be of several types, but are preferably detent buckles of plastic. At least one of the buckles must be of such a kind that it is only threaded onto the strap, and that the position of the buckle in relation to the end of the strap may be adjusted. In those cases wherein the straps are fastened directly to the fabric, it is a further advantage if both the devices are of such kind. In this way, both ends of the strap might be tightened when the fabric is folded around the object, in such a way that the straps get tight irrespective of the size of the object, and such that the buckles are on top of the package. In those cases where the straps are not fastened directly to the fabric, but for instance threaded through loops fastened to the fabric, the position of the device might be adjusted by adjusting the strap, and thus it is only necessary that one of the buckles is of such a kind.

In one embodiment the fabric is provided with a number of extra straps, or fastening devices for straps, in addition to the straps being used to tighten the fabric around the packed object. These extra straps may for instance, be used for moving/carrying the packed object, and/or to fasten extra equipment. One example of such extra equipment is a tilting trolley having a telescope handle. In this way, the packed object is easily fastened to the tilting trolley and may thus be rolled, transported and treated as a regular wheeled suitcase. Other examples of extra equipment which may conveniently be fastened to the packed object, are groundsheets, baby care bags, and/or other small bags. Extra fastening devices for straps might also be used for fastening more straps to the fabric. Embodiments/ application areas where it is convenient to use four straps for tightening, two sets of two perpendicular to each other, are possible.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the fabric is designed with four tongue shaped parts stretching apart, perpendicular to each other. These parts are fastened to a common, square shaped inner centre, in such a way that the unfolded fabric has the shape of a symmetrical cross. The size of the fabric and the relationship between the size of the

square and the protruding parts may vary according to the intended use of the fabric. In cases where the fabric is to be used to pack a pram, a fabric having a centre of 1x1 m, and each protruding part being about 1 m, is considered to be appropriate.

When an object should be packed in a fabric having the shape of a symmetrical cross, the object is placed in the square centre, and the four tongue shaped parts are folded and tightened around the object, one by one. The order is of no importance. When the last part is folded over the object, the straps are tightened by fastening the detent buckle, and by pulling the ends. If the object is smaller than the square centre between the tongue shaped parts, the tongue shaped parts should be folded over the object in such a way that the unused parts of the square centre are also folded over.

The fabric is especially suitable for packing relatively large objects having an irregular shape. The fabric is, as mentioned, of a textile material being foldable at random places, and the order of folding is arbitrary. This means that one part of the fabric may be used in full length to enclose the object, while another part might be folded together, and if necessary, completely against the square centre, without weakening the packing in any way. Since the straps being used for tightening/fastening the fabric to the object, are not fastened to the tongue shaped parts, the object will be just as well packed irrespectively of how the fabric is folded around the object. In one embodiment, the fabric is provided with an opening in, or close to, the centre. This opening offers more ranges of application, and by the right choice of material and colour, it may be used as a rain poncho, apron for a pram, and possible cover for a backpack when the backpack is in use, in addition to packing. The opening should be made in such a way that it, in normal use, meaning use as packing, is closed. This may be done in many ways, with and without the use of a zipper, which will be obvious for a person skilled in the art.

The fabric is especially described in relation to packing of a pram, car seat or similar, but it has a much wider range of use. It may for instance be used to pack several parts being used together, but not having a common original package, such as hunting equipment, clothing and ammunition. There may also be cases where it would be an advantage to pack several small bags or similar together into one unit, without increasing the resulting size and weight essentially. It may also be used as a cover, for instance for packing around an ordinary suitcase and thereby protecting the suitcase from water and dirt.

Example The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed figures, where

Figure 1 shows the fabric unfolded, the side comprising the straps facing upwards, Figure 2 shows the fabric partly folded around an object, and Figure 3 shows the fabric packed around the object.

Figure 1 shows the fabric 1 unfolded. The fabric is completely flat, and in the shown embodiment it is shaped as a symmetrical cross, having four protruding parts 2, 3, 4, 5. Between these four protruding parts there is a square centre. On the side facing upwards in Figure 1 , there are fastened a number of loops 6 and two handles 7. Two straps 8 are thread through some of the loops 6 being fastened to the square centre. The straps 8 have corresponding detent buckles 9, 10 in the ends. One part 10 of the detent buckle is fixedly fastened to the strap 8, while the other part 9 is fastened in such a way that the distance from the end of the strap to the buckle, is adjustable. In this way the straps may be tightened around the object to be packed in the fabric. Possible loops and handles 7 being placed outside of the square centre, will in most cases be on the side of the packed object, and may, respectively, be used for carrying the packed object and/or for fastening to, for instance, a tilting trolley.

The fabric as shown in Figure 1 is further formed with an opening 11 in the centre, whereby it may be used as an apron for a pram or the similar. In the shown embodiment the fabric is further provided with an address area 12, so that the packing is well labelled. When the fabric according to the present invention should be used as packing, it is at first laid unfolded with the side having the straps 8 and loops 6, facing downwards. Then the object to be packed, is placed in the square centre of the fabric 1 , and the parts 2, 3, 4, 5 are folded over. Figure 2 shows a situation where two parts 3, 4 are folded over the object, and the other parts 2, 5 are still unfolded. When the fabric is folded over the object, the straps 8 become visible and the corresponding detent buckles 9, 10 may easily be fastened into each other. The straps 8 are tightened and adjusted in such a way that the fabric 1 gets close to the object, and such that the packed object does not get substantially larger than the original object. Figure 3 shows the object when it is totally packed, and as mentioned, the handles 7 being fastened outside of the square centre, are on the side of the packing. If one wishes to further tighten the fabric, one may easily thread more straps through other loops, and thereby tighten the fabric further around the object.