Modular luggage article

Abstract

A luggage article includes a first luggage part and a second luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage article, where the first and second luggage parts define an inner volume of the luggage article when closed, and an attachment part having a first connecting part and a second connecting part that are pivotally connected via a hinge, where the first connecting part is attached to a first edge of the first luggage part and the second connecting part is attached to a second edge of the second luggage part, a closure part adapted to secure the first luggage part to the second luggage part preventing access to the inner volume of the luggage article, and a barrier that overlaps the closure part in an area that is between the inner volume of the luggage article and the closure part in a radial direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A luggage article, comprising:
 a first luggage part and a second luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage article, wherein the first and second luggage parts define an inner volume of the luggage article when in a closed position; and   an attachment part comprising:
 a first connecting part and a second connecting part that are pivotally connected via a hinge, wherein the first connecting part is attached to a first edge of the first luggage part and the second connecting part is attached to a second edge of the second luggage part; and 
 a closure part adapted to secure the first connecting part to the second connecting part thereby preventing access to the inner volume of the luggage article, 
 wherein a barrier that overlaps the closure part is disposed between the inner volume of the luggage article and the closure part in a radial direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is a projection having a first end that is attached to the first connecting part and an opposite free end. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage article of  claim 2 , wherein the projection extends from the first connecting part in a direction towards the second connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage article of  claim 2 , wherein the free end of the projection is configured to be inserted into a depression in the second connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed position, wherein the depression is configured to receive the free end of the projection. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises at least one reinforcement element, and wherein the reinforcement element is configured to improve the structural integrity of the barrier in a radial direction. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting part comprises a first barrier part that extends across a radial axis extending from a central point in the luggage article, and wherein the second connecting part comprises a second barrier part that receives the first barrier part and is configured to secure the first barrier part when the luggage article is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is positioned adjacent to the closure part. 
     
     
         8 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the closure part is a zipper. 
     
     
         9 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the closure part is attached to the first luggage part and the second luggage part. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein an outer periphery of the first connecting part extends beyond at least part of the closure part in a radial direction away from a central point of the luggage article. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier extends along more than 75% of the first edge of the first luggage part and of the second edge of the second luggage part. 
     
     
         12 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the first luggage part and the second luggage part each define at least 30 percent of the inner volume of the luggage article. 
     
     
         13 . The luggage article of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting part and the second connecting part comprise a lining projection configured to extend in a direction towards an inner volume of the first luggage part and the second luggage part, thereby creating a space between the lining projection and the luggage parts. 
     
     
         14 . A luggage article, comprising:
 a first connecting part comprising:
 a first groove configured to receive a first edge of a first luggage part, and 
 a barrier extending around an edge of the first luggage part; 
   a second connecting part comprising:
 a second groove configured to receive a second edge of a second luggage part, wherein the first and second luggage parts are pivotally connected about a hinge, and wherein the first and second luggage parts define an inner volume of the luggage article when in a closed position, and 
 a depression configured to receive a free end of the barrier of the first connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed position; and 
   a closure part configured to secure the first connecting part to the second connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed position.   
     
     
         15 . The luggage article of  claim 14 , wherein the first connecting part further comprises a fabric flange configured to secure a fabric material between the first connecting part and the first luggage part. 
     
     
         16 . The luggage article of  claim 14 , wherein the second connecting part further comprises a radial flange, wherein a compartment separator extends from the radial flange, thereby dividing the inner volume of the luggage article. 
     
     
         17 . The luggage article of  claim 14 , wherein the first connecting part and the second connecting part each comprise a material that is more rigid than the material of the first and the second luggage parts. 
     
     
         18 . The luggage article of  claim 14 , wherein the closure part comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         19 . The luggage article of  claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the closure part extends into a first channel of the first connecting part and wherein a second portion of the closure part extends into a second channel of the second connecting part. 
     
     
         20 . The luggage article of  claim 14 , wherein the closure part comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the closure part extends between the first and second ends, and wherein the first and second ends each abut a respective side of the hinge.