The present invention relates to a suitcase, more particularly to a suitcase comprising rigid shells articulated to each other, with an inner lining.

Rigid suitcases, typically equipped with two shells which substantially define the useful internal space thereof, normally comprise, for aesthetic -purposes, an inner lining, generally of woven fabric, disposed substantially over the entire internal surface of the shell.

Normally, the linings provided in suitcases commercially available at present are adhesively secured to the shells; optionally, between the shell and the lining a layer of expanded polyurethane may be interposed, so as to render the inside soft to the touch.

During travelling, however, it may occur that containers of liquid substances are transported such as, for example, bottles of perfume, shampoo, balm or cream of various types. When the containers of these substances break, the contents inevitably impregnate the inner lining of the suitcase, which turns out to be almost impossible to clean.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a suitcase in which the lining can be easily and rapidly restored in the event that it should be stained and/or spoilt accidentally; this aim is achieved by means of a suitcase according to claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the suitcase according to the present invention will become clear from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a suitcase according to an embodiment of the present invention, open;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the suitcase of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the detail of Figure 2.

With reference to the appended drawings, the suitcase 1 comprises two shells 2 hinged to each other, optionally- provided with respective stiffening frames 3. The shells 2 may be inserted and adhesively secured in a perimetric groove 4 of the frame 3.

The reference 5 indicates an inner lining, substantially disposed within the suitcase 1. The inner lining 5 is joined to the suitcase 1 by securing means 6 that are reversible, i.e. capable of retaining the inner lining 5 connected to the inside of the suitcase 1 and of permitting the temporary disconnection thereof, i.e. without breaking or tearing the inner lining 5, the suitcase 1 or the securing means 6 themselves . For example, non-reversible securing means 6 comprise adhesive securing, welding, stitching, rivetting, etc.

The suitcase 1 of Figure 1 comprises two inner linings 5, each substantially of dimensions corresponding to the internal volume of one of the two shells 2.

Advantageously, the linings 5 may define a closed volume: each shell 2 (optionally comprising the corresponding frame 3) defines half the internal volume of the suitcase 1.

For the sake of simplicity, the two shells 2 of the suitcase 1 will be imagined as two parallelepipeds hinged to each other in which the side facing towards the other shell 2 is missing: the lining 5 may extend, substantially completely, either on the five sides of the shell 2, or on all six sides, so as to close, with the sixth side, the missing side of the shell 2 into which it is inserted. In both cases, the lining 5 will comprise an opening at the missing side of the shell 2 and, preferably, means for retaining the contents during the operation of closing the suitcase 1.

The sixth side of the lining 5 (not shown in the drawings) may be permanently secured (for example be produced integrally or stitched or adhesively secured) to the rest of the lining 5 along only one of its edges, preferably along the edge adjacent to the side of the suitcase 1 at which the shells 2 are hinged.

In this case, the means for retaining the contents of the lining 5 (or of the suitcase 1) during the operation of closing the suitcase 1 comprises the sixth side of the lining 5 itself.

Still in the present case, the other edges may be secured to the rest of the lining 5 by suitable reversible systems such as, for example, zip fasteners, buttons, press-studs, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.

Although the suitcase 1 has been presented above as in the shape of a parallelepiped, it is clear that the suitcase 1 may also be of a shape substantially different from a parallelepiped.

The securing means 6 may comprise zip fasteners, buttons, press-studs, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment, the securing means 6 comprise snap members I ₁ - for example members comprising a tongue 8 inserted into a suitable framework 9, for example rectangular. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the securing means may also comprise a slot 10, advantageously secured to the framework 9.

In this way, the securing means 6 may be connected directly to the frame 3, without any further technological operation having to be carried out on the latter. The zip fasteners, buttons, snap fasteners and hook-and-loop fasteners mentioned above in fact require one part thereof to be irreversibly secured to the frame after the frame has been produced.

In the preferred embodiment, the shells 2 and/or one or both of the frames 3 comprise engagement members 11, such as to permit the reversible engagement of the securing means 6.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the engagement members 11 are substantially rectangular slots, protruding towards the inside of the suitcase 1 and produced integrally with the frame 3. The frame 3 may then be injection-moulded directly with the engagement members

11. The inner lining 5 may advantageously comprise a perimetric element 12 connected to the securing means 6.

Advantageously, the perimetric element 12 is received in a respective perimetric seat 13 provided in the inner lining

5. The perimetric element 12 may for example be a wire or a thin cord.

The perimetric seat 13 may be provided at the periphery of the lining 5 closest to the stiffening frame

3. The perimetric seat 13 may comprise interruptions to allow the securing means 6 to be connected to the perimetric element 12.

The perimetric seat 13 may then comprise a plurality of separate and substantially coaxial slots 14. To mount the lining 5 in the suitcase 1, the perimetric element 12 is then inserted into a first slot

14 and is then connected to one of the securing members 6, and then inserted into a second slot 14 and into a second securing member 6. These operations continue until the perimetric member has been inserted into all the slots 14 and all the interruptions in the perimetric seat have a securing member 6.

Advantageously, the securing members described herein are spaced from one another by a distance of between 3 and 30 cm, preferably around 10 cm.

The lining 5 thus completed is then hooked onto the shell 2 .

Advantageously, the lining 5 may comprise handles, advantageously made of fabric, secured externally to one or more of its sides, so as to be able to be transformed into a bag whenever necessary.

In general, the lining 5 described above is one of the accessories made of fabric which normally equip a suitcase 1, and is distinguished either by the inner partition element or by the internal elements with which the load is fixed to the shells 2.

Advantageously, the suitcase 1 comprises a back, a lower side, optionally equipped with wheels, a front opposed to the back, an upper side opposed to the lower side, and two vertical sides, one of which is equipped with hinges for the opening and closing of the suitcase 1 itself; the suitcase 1 may be associated with a large pull-out handle and/or with a plurality of small wheels for transporting the suitcase 1 over bumps .

The shells 2 may be made of rigid material. ' Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply to the suitcase according to the invention described above many modifications and variants, all however included within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.