Abstract: A method of producing an article of luggage characterized by a “soft” case construction characterized by the steps of molding from a material exhibiting “soft” case characteristics lid forming and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections; and an article of luggage produced by the method and characterized by a “soft” case construction including lid and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections.

Abstract: A hard suitcase includes a base portion and a lid portion each formed of a plastics material of such characteristic that the base and lid portions retain their intended shape. The hard suitcase also includes a zip fastener arrangement that is stitched to the base and lid portions. The zip fastener arrangement has an expandability feature to permit volume expansion of the hard suitcase.

Abstract: A method of producing an article of luggage characterized by a “soft” case construction characterized by the steps of molding from a material exhibiting “soft” case characteristics lid forming and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections; and an article of luggage produced by the method and characterized by a “soft” case construction including lid and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections.

Abstract: A method of constructing a hard suitcase including forming a shaped base portion and a shaped lid portion from a plastics material of such characteristic that the portions retain their intended shape, and attaching to each of said portions the respective zipped portions of a zip fastener arrangement by a stitching operation involving a securing thread. A further Zip arrangement provided between the Zip arrangement and the lid portion enables increase in the storage volume of the case.