FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SECTION 10, Rule 13)
TITLE
A luggage case comprising a divider panel defining an isolated accessible compartment
APPLICANTS
VIP Industries Limited, an Indian company having its registered office at 78 A MIDC Estate Satpur, Nashik - 422007, Maharashtra, India
INVENTOR
Under Section 28(2)

ORIGINAL
574/MUMNP/2000

Sunil Chimanrao Kolhe, an Indian national of VIP Industries Limited, 78A MIDC Estate, Satpur, Nashik - 422007, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed :
GRANTED
22-6-2000

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a luggage case comprising a divider panel defining an isolated accessible compartment.
Luggage case includes suitcase or briefcase. It may comprise a hard shell with or without reinforcing frame or a flexible shell.
PRIOR ART
Where the luggage case is a suitcase it may include a divider panel disposed therein to provide a partition between the bottom shell and top shell thereof. The rear side of the divider panel is hinged to the rear sidewall of the top shell and the front side of the divider panel is releasably clamped to the front side wall of the top shell or the reinforcing frame fitted to the front side wall of the top shell. Where the luggage case is a briefcase it may include a bellows type pocket whose bottom and sides are fixed to the top shell of the luggage case. The divider panel or bellows type pocket may

be provided with auxiliary pocket(s) and/or accessory holder(s). The top and sides of the divider panel are open and easily accessible. The top of the bellows type pocket is also open and easily accessible. Therefore, both the divider panel and bellows type pocket do not provide complete isolation and secrecy or confidentiality to the articles packed or kept in the space between the divider panel and top shell of a suitcase or in the bellows type pocket of a briefcase in that such articles are easily visible in the open condition of the luggage case and may spill out through the sides and/or top opening. Because there is no complete isolation and secrecy and confidentiality of the articles packed or kept in the space between the divider panel and top shell or in the bellows type pocket and because of the possibility of spillage of such articles it may sometime cause embarrassment and even inconvenience and hardship if the luggage case is to be opened in the presence of others or in a crowded place. Complete isolation and secrecy or confidentiality of such articles is often required for instance when soiled clothes are to be separated from unsoiled ones, expensive items like jewellery or confidential 'papers/documents are to be kept secret from others or toiletries, medicines or files or other documents are to be packed separately.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a luggage case comprising a divider panel defining a completely isolated easily accessible compartment as packing space within the top shell.
Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage case comprising a flexible divider panel defining a completely isolated easily accessible flexible compartment as packing space .within the top shell.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a luggage case comprising a divider panel defining an isolated accessible compartment, wherein the divider panel is rigidly fixed to the sidewas of the top shell of the luggage case to define a completely isolated compartment as packing space within the top shell and having formed therein an opening with a flap which is fitted to the periphery of the opening with fastening means.
According to an embodiment of the invention the divider panel is flexible and defines a flexible compartment.

The following is a detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig 1 is isometric view of a suitcase in the open position showing the flap of the divider panel and auxiliary pocket partly open according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig 2 is isometric view of the suitcase of Fig 1 in the open position showing the divider panel fully opened; and
Fig 3 is a section at AA in Fig 1.
Referring to Figs 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, the tease 1 is of hard shell type with reinforcing frame. The bottom shell and une top shell of the suitcase are marked 2 and 3 respectively. The reinforcing frames of the bottom shell and top shell are marked 4 and 5 respectively. According to the invention the suitcase comprises a divider panel 6 rigidly fixed to the reinforcing frames of all the four side walls of the top shell. "Details of fixing of the divider panel are shown in Fig 3, in which 7 is a reinforcing beading located in a groove 8 in the reinforcing frame 5 and

comprising an inner metallic wire 9 and an outer flexible material cover 10. The wire may be made of metal such as mild steel. The flexible material cover 10 may be made of material such as polyvinyl chloride or nylon. The periphery of the divider panel is located on one side of the reinforcing beading 7. Both the reinforcing beading 7 and periphery of the divider panel are covered with a flexible material cover 11 stitched thereto. The flexible material cover 11 may be made of material such as polyvinyl chloride,nylon or textile. 12 is a bracing element made of a strong material such as mild steel. The bracing element is riveted to the reinforcing frame 5 and the top shell sidewall 3 using rivet 13. The bracing element is formed with a bend 14 at one end adapted engage over the cover 11 and hold the reinforcing beading and divider panel tightly against the frame 5. The divider panel is formed with an opening 15 with a flap 16 which is fitted to the periphery of the opening with fastening means comprising zip 17 provided with runners 18. The flap is formed with an auxiliary pocket 19 provided with fastening arrangement comprising zip 20 and runner 21. According to the invention "the divider panel defines a completely isolated compartment as packing space within the top shell which is accessible through opening 15 by

unfastening the flap operating the runners 18. Similarly the opening 15 may be fully closed with the flap operating the runners 18. Because the packing space is completely isolated articles packed in the packing space do not spill out therefrom and are not visible in the open position of the suit case. There is, therefore, absolute secrecy and confidentiality of the articles packed in the packing space. The suitcase may be opened in the presence of others or in a crowded place without any botheration of spillage or visibility or exposure of the articles packed in the packing space. The auxiliary pocket also may be used to pack articles. It is opened and closed operating the runner 21.
The divider panel may be made of hard material such as polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadine or hard mill board or flexible material such as textile or textile coated or fused with polyvinyl chloride. A flexible material divider panel defines a flexible compartment. In the case of a divider panel defining a flexible compartment when the compartment is not fully packed, the divider flap bends and yields to accommodate a larger

volume of articles within the bottom shell thereby fully utilising the space available within the shell.
The various other features/parts of the suitcase have not been illustrated and described as such are not necessary for understanding the invention.
The above embodiment of the invention is by way of example and should not be considered to be limitative of the scope thereof. Several variations of the invention are possible without deviating from the scope thereof. For instance, the suitcase may be without reinforcing frame or it may be flexible shell type. In the place of the suitcase, a briefcase may be used. There may be more than one auxiliary pocket. The auxiliary pocket is optional and may be without fastening arrangement. The flap or auxiliary pocket(s) may be provided with accessory holder(s) for pen, pencil, ring, hair clip or the like. Instead of using zip and runner as fastening means and as fastening arrangement both for the flap and the auxiliary pocket

respectively hook and loop fastener tape (velcro) or strap(s) and press or push button(s) arrangements) or strap(s) and button(s) and button hole(s) arrangement(s) may be used. Arrangement for the fixing divider panel to the reinforcing frame 5 and side walls of top shell 3 may be different. Such variations are to be construed and understood to be within the scope of the invention.

We Claim:
1) A luggage case comprising a divider panel defining an isolated accessible compartment, wherein the divider panel is rigidly fixed to the sidewalls of the top shell of the luggage case to define a completely isolated compartment as packing space within the top shell and having formed therein an opening with a flap which is fitted to the periphery of the opening with fastening means.
2) A luggage case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divider panel is made of flexible material and defines a flexible compartment.
3) A luggage case as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap is provided with at least one auxiliary pocket.
4) A luggage case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the auxiliary pocket is fitted to the divider panel with fastening arrangement.

f o f
5) A luggage case as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or claim % or 4,
wherein the fastening means or fastening arrangement comprises zip and
runner(s) or hook and loop fastner tape (velcro) or strap(s) and press or push button(s) arrangement(s) or strap(s) and button(s) and button hole(s) arrangement(s).
6) A luggage case as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or any one of claims 3
to 5, wherein the divider panel or auxiliary pocket is provided with accessory holders).
7) A luggage case comprising a divider panel defining an isolated
accessible compartment substantially as herein described particularly with reference to Figs 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 2000.