Luggage case divider with pocket

Abstract

A luggage case including a pair of shells pivotally connected to move between an open position and a closed position, each shell defining a major wall and a peripheral wall defining a peripheral rim, the major wall and the peripheral wall together defining a primary interior shell volume, and the peripheral rim defining an opening. A flexible divider panel is positioned in one shell and defines a peripheral edge, and is removably attached to the peripheral wall of the shell. The flexible divider panel includes an upper panel portion extending across the opening and a pocket positioned within the primary interior shell volume and having a pocket interior volume making up a large portion of the primary shell volume, the pocket extending over at least a majority of the area of the upper panel portion.

1 . A luggage case comprising:
 a pair of shells pivotally connected to move between an open position and a closed position,   each shell defining a major wall and a peripheral wall defining a peripheral rim, the major wall and the peripheral wall together defining a primary interior shell volume, and the peripheral rim defining an opening;   a flexible divider panel defining a peripheral edge and removably attachable to the peripheral wall of the first shell at least one corner and including an upper panel portion extending across the opening and at least one pocket defining a pocket interior volume of at least 50% of the primary interior shell volume, the pocket configured to extend across at least a majority of the area of the upper panel portion.   
     
     
         2 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket may extend at least as much as one of 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 100% across the area of the upper panel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket extends across substantially all of the opening of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel portion may extend at least as much as one of 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 100% across the area of the opening of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage case of  claim 4 , wherein the upper panel portion extends across substantially all of the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge is removably attachable to the peripheral rim of the peripheral wall, or the peripheral edge of the upper portion is fitted closely with and adjacent to the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein at least one handle is attached to the divider. 
     
     
         8 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible divider panel is flexible and includes no structural reinforcement. 
     
     
         9 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein an opening is formed in the upper panel portion for opening into the pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein a top rim of a panel of the pocket is not aligned with at least one portion of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper panel portion of the flexible divider panel is taughtly suspendable across the opening adjacent to the peripheral rim or the peripheral wall.   
     
     
         12 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connection structure configured to connect the flexible divider panel with the shell at variable heights above the major face, including at least one connecting feature and a corresponding receiver bracket, and wherein   the connecting feature is removably receivable in at least one of a corresponding attachment point formed on the receiver bracket.   
     
     
         13 . The luggage case of  claim 12 , wherein the receiver bracket is integrally formed with the shell. 
     
     
         14 . The luggage case of any of  claims 1  to  11 , further comprising:
 a connection structure configured to couple the flexible divider panel to the shell comprising:
 a fitting defining a connecting feature, and 
 a mounting defining a receiving feature, 
 wherein:
 at least one of the fitting or the mounting is attached to the shell, 
 the other of the fitting or the mounting is attached to the divider panel, and 
 the fitting selectively couples with the mounting to couple the flexible divider panel to the shell. 
 
 
 
     
     
         15 . The luggage case of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the at least one of the fitting or the mounting is attached to the corner of the shell, and   the other of the fitting or the mounting is attached to a corner of the flexible divider panel.