Container for goods

Abstract

A container for goods, such as an item of luggage ( 1 ) has a storage compartment ( 4 ) having an outer member ( 7 ), a flexible inner lining ( 10 ) and an adjustable protection means ( 11 ) located between the outer member ( 7 ) and the lining ( 10 ). The adjustable protection means has two modes, a protection mode and a storage mode and is adjustable between the two modes.

1 . A container for goods comprising a storage compartment having an outer member, a flexible inner lining and an adjustable protection means mounted between the outer member and the lining to protect articles in the storage compartment, wherein the protection means has two modes, a protection mode and a storage mode and is adjustable between the two modes.  
     
     
         2 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the outer member is a flexible member.  
     
     
         3 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the outer member is a rigid member.  
     
     
         4 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the adjustable protection means is provided by an inflatable insert.  
     
     
         5 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the inflatable insert provides a protective layer in both the storage mode and the protection mode.  
     
     
         6 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the inflatable insert is self-inflatable.  
     
     
         7 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the inflatable insert is shock absorbent.  
     
     
         8 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the form of the inflatable insert determines the maximum and minimum capacity of the storage compartment.  
     
     
         9 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the inflatable insert is provided by a one-piece unit.  
     
     
         10 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 9   , wherein the one-piece unit has one internal cavity.  
     
     
         11 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , where the inflatable insert comprises a foam pad insert incorporating an air valve.  
     
     
         12 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the foam pad insert is self-inflatable when the valve is opened.  
     
     
         13 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the foam pad insert is self-inflatable when the insert is pierced or punctured.  
     
     
         14 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the foam is deflatable by opening the valve, applying pressure to the foam and closing the valve when substantially all the air is expelled.  
     
     
         15 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the foam has a memory which restores the foam to its original form when an operator opens the valve after a period of deflation or when the insert is pierced or punctured.  
     
     
         16 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , where the insert is inflatable by a pump or orally by a user blowing air into the insert through the valve.  
     
     
         17 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , where the insert is deflatable by a pump extracting air from the insert through the valve.  
     
     
         18 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the insert is inflatable or deflatable using a pump which is attached to the valve and is operated either manually, electrically or by other non-manual actuation means.  
     
     
         19 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , wherein the insert is deflatable by means of the valve.  
     
     
         20 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , where the pump is usable to increase or decrease the pressure in the inflatable insert.  
     
     
         21 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 4   , where the inflatable insert provides a protective layer at normal atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         22 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is an item of luggage.  
     
     
         23 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein the pump is incorporated into a shoulder strap of the item of luggage.  
     
     
         24 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 22   , wherein the storage compartment comprises a central body and side panels.  
     
     
         25 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 22   , wherein the side panels are provided incorporating attachment means for inter-engagement with a corresponding attachment means located on the side of the outer member of the item of luggage.  
     
     
         26 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 25   , wherein the attachment means are provided by strips of hook and loop material allowing the side compartments to be temporarily attached to the item of luggage.  
     
     
         27 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 22   , wherein a pair of lifting handles is located on the outer member of the item of luggage.  
     
     
         28 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 22   , wherein the container has a zip fastener for accessing the storage compartment and the control valve and a flap is located on the outer member of the luggage covering the zip fastener.  
     
     
         29 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 28   , wherein the flap is fitted with a lock.  
     
     
         30 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is in the form of a suit carrier comprising a cover sheet, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert formed for insertion between said cover sheet and said lining whereby in use the inflatable insert prevents excessive creasing of a suit when it is rolled up inside the suit carrier.  
     
     
         31 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is provided in the form of a sleeping bag having an inflatable insert formed for insertion into said sleeping bag.  
     
     
         32 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is provided in the form of a shipping container comprising a rigid outer member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted between said rigid outer member and said lining.  
     
     
         33 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is provided in the form of a case for technical equipment such as a laptop computer, a telephone or a palmtop comprising an outer member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted between said outer member and said lining.  
     
     
         34 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is provided in the form of a case for any musical instrument such as a keyboard or guitar comprising an outer member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted between said outer member and said lining.  
     
     
         35 . A container for goods as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the container is provided in the form of a case for optical equipment such as a camera, camcorder or video comprising an outer member, a flexible inner lining and an inflatable insert mounted between said outer member and said lining whereby in use the insert reduces the risk of damage to optical equipment.