Cover for protecting articles

0001Description

0002Title: Item protection cover

0003Technical area

0004[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of protection of articles by a protective cover.

0005Prior art

0006[0002] A protective cover conventionally comprises a flexible envelope receiving an article to be protected. The item can be inserted into the flexible envelope to be protected from humidity, dust, dirt, creasing and/or possible shocks.

0007[0003] For example, covers have been proposed whose envelope is made of a plastic material, in particular polyethylene or nylon. This type of cover actually provides good protection of the item against humidity. However, such covers tend to be harmful to the environment and are difficult to recycle.

0008[0004] There are also protective covers whose envelope is made of an organic material, for example cotton. However, such covers are not waterproof and do not protect the item satisfactorily.

0009[0005] Furthermore, covers have been proposed whose flexible envelope comprises two walls. Air is injected between the two walls to form a pocket of pressurized air around the object introduced into the envelope. Such covers provide good protection of the item against impacts. However, the presence of two walls, as well as the need to inject air between said walls, contribute to making the production and use of the cover more complex.

0010Summary

0011[0006] This disclosure improves the situation.

0012[0007] According to a first aspect, a protective cover is proposed for at least one article comprising:

0013- a flexible envelope, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases; And

0014- a closure arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible envelope, and a closed position in which the article is sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to be trapped in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

0015[0008] Such a cover is impermeable to liquids and gases, which ensures good protection of the article against humidity and dirt. The waterproofness of the cover also allows the item to be surrounded by an air pocket, which ensures good protection against possible shocks. The air pocket can be easily created, the air pocket being introduced into the flexible envelope when closing the cover. The tightness of the cover ensures that the quantity of trapped air remains substantially constant when the closure is in the closed position, until the next time the closure is opened.

0016[0009] A protective cover is also proposed for at least one item comprising:

0017- a flexible envelope made of recycled and recyclable fibers, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases; And

0018- a closure arranged to be moved between an open position in which the article can be introduced into the flexible envelope, and a closed position in which the article is sealed in an internal space of the flexible envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position causing a quantity of air to be trapped in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

0019[0010] Such a cover is ecological and durable, the flexible envelope being formed from recycled and recyclable materials. As previously indicated, such a cover is also impervious to liquids and gases, which ensures good protection of the item against humidity and dirt. The waterproofness of the cover also allows the item to be surrounded by an air pocket, which ensures good protection against possible shocks. The air pocket can be easily produced, the air pocket being introduced into the flexible envelope inherently when closing the cover. The tightness of the cover ensures that the quantity of trapped air remains substantially constant when the closure is in the closed position, until the next time the closure is opened.

0020[0011] The characteristics set out in the following paragraphs can, optionally, be implemented, independently of each other or in combination with each other.

0021[0012] The fibers are suitable for heat-sealing, preferably the fibers are polyester fibers. Heat-sealing can thus be used to make the cover, avoiding the use of sewing, which could harm its waterproofness. In addition, heat-sealing makes the heat-sealed parts non-deformable, gives a regular and clean appearance to the cover and ensures its hold and flexibility over time.

0022[0013] The flexible envelope comprises a front wall and a back wall, the internal space extending between the front wall and the back wall, the front and back walls being linked by continuous heat-sealing along a periphery of the walls frontal and dorsal. The manufacture of the cover is made easier. In this case, the two walls can be provided with fiber splitting, then the peripheries of the walls can be heat-sealed together to close the envelope. The continuity of the heat-sealing ensures that no space between the two walls allows the air trapped in the cover to escape when the cover is closed.

0023[0014] The closure is a waterproof zipper extending from an upper end of the flexible envelope to a lower end of the flexible envelope, slides of the zipper being fixed to the flexible envelope by continuous iron-on along the slides. [0015] The zipper allows the item to be easily inserted into the cover without compromising the watertightness of the flexible envelope. The slide extending along the flexible envelope makes it easy to insert the item, particularly clothing, without folding or wrinkling it. The continuity of the heat-sealing ensures that no space between the slides and the flexible cover allows the air trapped in the cover to escape when the cover is closed.

0024[0016] The zipper extends substantially in the center of the front wall of the flexible envelope. Such a closure allows, when moving the closure from the open position to the closed position, to easily separate the front wall from the back wall; and therefore allow a greater quantity of air to be trapped than if the zipper extended on one side of the front wall. The user can thus modulate the quantity of air trapped inside the flexible envelope, and consequently the protection provided against shocks, by separating the front wall more or less from the back wall when moving the closure. from open position to closed position;

0025[0017] The flexible envelope has a rectangular shape comprising a width and a length greater than the width, and the zipper extends in the direction of the length of the flexible envelope, substantially in the center of the flexible envelope. Such positioning makes it possible to obtain a longer closure than if the closure extended in the width direction, and therefore allows a greater quantity of air to be trapped.

0026[0018] The cover may include a fold line extending along a transverse axis of the cover, the fold line allowing the cover to be folded by rotation around the transverse axis. The cover can adopt a folded position in which one portion of the cover is folded over another. In the folded position, the cover is compact, making it easier to transport and/or store the cover. The cover may also include a means of fixing in the folded position.

0027The cover may comprise a first handle and a second handle, the first and second handles being symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis, each handle being fixed to an exterior surface of the flexible envelope by heat-sealing. In the folded down position, the first handle overlaps the second handle. The handles make it easy to transport the cover, the user can simply grab the handles by hand or on the shoulder. Fixing the handles by heat-sealing also ensures that the watertightness of the flexible envelope is not compromised.

0028The cover may comprise at least one support provided on an interior surface of the flexible envelope, the support being fixed to the flexible envelope by heat-sealing. The support can help keep the item in place in the cover without compromising the watertightness of the flexible envelope. For example, the support can be a tab, to receive a clothes hanger, or a pocket, to contain a small object.

0029[0021] The cover can be a clothing cover. The cover is particularly suitable for protecting clothing. The air pocket helps protect the garment against impacts and creasing. The waterproofness of the cover helps protect the garment against humidity and dirt. [0022] According to a second aspect, a method is proposed for manufacturing a protective cover for at least one article comprising:

0030- form a flexible envelope, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases;

0031- attach a closure to the flexible envelope to be movable between an open position in which at least one article can be introduced into the flexible envelope and a closed position in which the article is sealed in an internal space of the 'soft envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the trapping of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

0032[0023] A method of manufacturing a protective cover for at least one article is also proposed, comprising:

0033- form a flexible envelope made of recycled and recyclable fibers, the flexible envelope being impermeable to liquids and gases;

0034- attach a closure to the flexible envelope to be movable between an open position in which at least one article can be introduced into the flexible envelope and a closed position in which the article is sealed in an internal space of the 'soft envelope, the movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position resulting in the trapping of a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article.

0035The characteristics set out in the following paragraphs can, optionally, be implemented, independently of each other or in combination with each other.

0036[0025] Forming the flexible envelope may include providing a front wall and a back wall, the internal space extending between the front wall and the back wall, and connecting the front and back walls by continuous heat-sealing along a periphery of the frontal and dorsal walls.

0037The closure can be a zipper, and fixing the closure includes heat-sealing two slides of the zipper to the flexible envelope by continuously heat-sealing the slides onto the flexible envelope.

0038The method may also include heat-sealing at least one handle to an exterior surface of the flexible envelope and/or a support to an interior surface of the flexible envelope.

0039[0028] According to a third aspect, a method is proposed for protecting at least one article, in particular against impacts, comprising:

0040- provide a cover according to the first aspect of the invention,

0041- insert at least one item into the flexible envelope, and

0042- move the closure into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the item.

0043The characteristics set out in the following paragraphs can, optionally, be implemented, independently of each other or in combination with each other. [0030] Introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope comprises the step of moving the closure into its open position or into an intermediate position between its open position and its closed position.

0044[0031] Introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope can also include the step of fixing the at least one article to the support.

0045[0032] Introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope may comprise the introduction of at least one item of clothing and at least one clothing hanger supporting said at least one item of clothing in the flexible envelope, then fixing the at least one item of clothing in the flexible envelope. minus a clothes hanger on the rack. In this embodiment, the method allows the protection of said at least one item of clothing against impacts and creasing.

0046[0033] Moving the closure into its closed position comprises the step of moving the front wall away from the back wall of the flexible envelope in order to trap a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form protection by air pocket of the article. The user can choose to move the front wall more or less away from the back wall in order to modulate the quantity of air trapped in the internal space of the flexible envelope.

0047[0034] According to one embodiment, the method for protecting at least one article consists of the following steps:

0048- provide a cover according to the first aspect of the invention,

0049- insert at least one item into the flexible envelope,

0050- optionally, attach at least one item to the support of the cover,

0051- move the closure into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space of the flexible envelope to form an air pocket protection of the article,

0052- optionally fold the cover into its folded position, and

0053- optionally maintain the cover in its folded position using the fixing means.

0054[0035] Thus, the method according to the third aspect of the invention does not include a step of injecting air or gas into the flexible envelope.

0055Brief description of the drawings

0056[0036] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, in which:

0057Fig. 1

0058[0037] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a front view of a protective cover in the open position according to one embodiment.

0059Fig. 2

0060[0038] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a back view of the protective cover of Figure 1. Fig. 3

0061[0039] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a perspective view of the protective cover of Figure 1 in the folded position.

0062Fig. 4

0063[0040] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a front view of the protective cover of Figure 1 in the closed position.

0064Fig. 5

0065[0041] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover of Figure 1 according to one embodiment.

0066Fig. 6

0067[0042] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another portion of the cover of Figure 1.

0068Fig. 7

0069[0043] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a detail of the protective cover of Figure 1 in which a hanger is inserted into the cover.

0070Fig. 8

0071[0044] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates the steps of a process for producing the cover of Figure 1 according to one embodiment.

0072Fig. 9

0073[0045] [Fig. 9] schematically illustrates the steps of a process for protecting at least one article according to one embodiment.

0074Fig. 10

0075[0046] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates a support according to one embodiment of the invention.

0076Description of embodiments

0077[0047] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a protective cover 10. The protective cover 10 is intended to protect at least one article. Here, the item to be protected is clothing, for example a shirt, pants, dress, skirt, jacket, coat, vest. However, the item to be protected could be any other item, for example shoes, a bottle, a painting, a perfume, a toiletry bag, a bag, a watch, a pair of glasses or an electronic device such as a phone, laptop or camera.

0078[0048] As illustrated, the protective cover 10 essentially comprises a flexible envelope 12 and a closure 14. The flexible envelope 12 is intended to contain the article in the cover 10. The closure 14 is adapted to close or to otherwise open the cover 10 to allow the insertion and removal of the article from the cover 10. [0049] Flexible envelope 12

0079The flexible envelope 12 is impermeable to liquids and gases. The flexible envelope is formed from fibers. The fibers used to form the flexible envelope 12 are chosen for their waterproof properties. Thus, the article contained in the cover 10 can be protected against humidity and the introduction of liquids which could damage and/or soil the article.

0080[0051] According to one embodiment, the flexible envelope 12 is formed from recycled and recyclable fibers. Fibers can, for example, be formed by transforming waste into pellets, then heating and extruding the pellets to obtain yarn. Subsequently, weaving the thread makes it possible to form the flexible envelope 12. The manufacture of the cover 10 can be part of a circular economy logic.

0081[0052] Furthermore, the flexible envelope 12 is devoid of openings or holes, with the exception of the closure 14 which will be described in more detail later. Thus, air can be trapped in an internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 when the closure 14 of the cover 10 is closed. By imprisonment we mean that the air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 when the closure 14 is closed. From the moment the cover 10 is closed, the air is contained in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 permanently. Only the subsequent opening of the cover 10 can release the air. The trapped air forms a protective pocket around the item. Cover 10 can protect the item against shock. In the particular case of textile articles, the cover 10 can also provide satisfactory protection against creasing.

0082[0053] The flexible envelope 12 is also made of a material suitable for heat-sealing. By heat-sealing, we mean the assembly process under the action of heat. An iron-on adhesive 57 is applied between two surfaces to be assembled, the iron-on adhesive reacting to heat to bond the two surfaces together. The fibers forming the flexible envelope 12 are chosen for their properties to be thermally bonded, in particular not to burn or melt when heat is applied. The iron-on 57 may be a fabric, woven or non-woven, or a liquid which becomes adhesive when heat is applied. The use of heat-sealing makes it possible to provide a cover 10 free of stitches which could harm the waterproofness of the cover 10. The cover 10 can thus be perfectly waterproof. A liquid cannot enter the cover 10 and the air trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 cannot escape. Heat-sealing also helps to make the heat-sealed parts non-deformable, to give a regular and clean appearance to the cover 10 and to ensure its hold and flexibility over time.

0083[0054] In one embodiment, the flexible envelope 12 is formed from polyester fibers.

0084[0055] In a particular example, the flexible envelope 12 is formed from recycled polyester fibers. The flexible envelope 12 can also be formed from organic, plant or algae fibers. The cover 10 is thus ecological and durable while having light and flexible properties. The flexible envelope 12 can for example have a substantially rectangular shape. The flexible envelope 12 can for example have a length b of 90 cm and a width a of 60 cm (see Figure 2). A thickness e of the flexible envelope 12 could be approximately 6 cm. Such dimensions are suitable for a cover 10 for the protection of clothing. However, the flexible envelope 12 could also have any other dimensions depending on the article to be protected. The flexible envelope 12 could also have a shape other than rectangular, for example square, circular or oval.

0085[0057] Here, the flexible envelope 12 comprises a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The walls 18, 20 are substantially flat surfaces. In practice, the walls 18, 20 are pieces of fabric, preferably woven from recycled and recyclable fibers. The walls 18, 20 can for example be formed from fibers of the same material, or from fibers of different materials. The walls 18, 20 may have a color or texture distinct from one another. The back wall 20 can also have a thickness greater than the front wall 18. The back wall 20 can be rigid, to support the article. The front wall 18 may be flexible, allowing insertion of the article. There is thus flexibility in the production of the flexible envelope 12. The back wall 20 can also include reinforcement in order to stiffen the back wall 20. This reinforcement is heat-sealed on the interior surface of the back wall 20, that is to say inside the flexible envelope 12. This reinforcement stiffens the back wall 20 without, however, preventing the folding of the protective cover 10 as explained below.

0086[0058] The front and back walls 18, 20 are bonded together by heat-sealing. The walls 18, 20 can be heat-sealed continuously (that is to say without interruption) over the entire periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As visible in Figure 5, the heat-sealing 57 extends continuously between the walls front and back 18, 20, at the level of the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. As illustrated in Figure 4, there is a space between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are heat-sealed and the edge 62 of the walls 18, 20. The internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 extends between the walls front and back 18, 20. The joint between the front and back walls 18, 20 is watertight, without spaces into which a liquid could enter or air trapped in the internal space 16 of the cover 10 could be escape.

0087[0059] In addition, the flexible envelope 12 can define a fold line 23 (which is not particularly visible on the cover 10). Here, the folding line 23 extends along a transverse axis X of the flexible envelope 12 (see Figure 2). The fold line 23 extends substantially in the center of the flexible envelope 12, in the direction of the width a of the flexible envelope 12. From then on, the lower end of the flexible envelope 12 can be folded over the upper end of the flexible envelope 12. The cover 10 can adopt a folded position in which the cover 10 is folded in two around the axis transverse X (see figure 3). The length b of the cover 10 is thus divided in two (and its thickness doubled). Transporting the cover 10 is made easier.

0088[0060] Here, the cover 10 is folded around the fold line 23 so that the front wall 18 of the flexible envelope 12 is oriented towards the inside of the cover 10 and the back wall 20 of the envelope flexible 12 faces the outside of the cover 10. Thus, the closure 14 of the cover 10, here provided on the front wall 18, can be hidden when the cover 10 is in the folded position. In the folded position, the exterior of the cover 10 can be a smooth surface, improving its aesthetics. In addition, the back wall 20 of the cover 10 may have a thickness greater than the front wall 18 to ensure good protection of the article in the folded position, while providing a compact cover 10.

0089[0061] Closure 14

0090The closure 14 can be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the open position (figure 1), the article can be introduced into the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12. In the closed position (figure 4), the article is contained in a sealed manner in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12.

0091The closure 14 is a waterproof closure. When moving the closure 14 from the open position to the closed position, air is de facto trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12. The air cannot escape from the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 as long as the closure 14 is in the closed position. The air forms the protective air pocket around the item.

0092[0064] Here, the closure 14 is a zipper extending from the upper end of the flexible envelope 12 to the lower end of the flexible envelope 12. The closure 14 extends in the direction of the length b of the flexible envelope 12, substantially in the center of the flexible envelope 12. Such a closure 14 is suitable for inserting clothes without folding or wrinkling them. Such a closure 14 is also adapted to allow the separation of the walls 18, 20 when moving the slide towards the closed position in order to trap a quantity of air in the flexible envelope 12. The closure 14 is provided on the front wall 18 of the flexible envelope 12, so as to be invisible from the outside of the cover 10 in the folded position of the cover 10.

0093[0065] The zipper 14 here comprises two slides 34 and a pull tab 32 sliding on the slides 34. The slides 34 are heat-sealed to the flexible envelope 12, in particular to the front wall 18. The heat-sealing 57 can extend continuously (that is to say without interruption) between an upper surface of the slides 34 and an interior surface of the front wall 18 (see Figure 6). The continuous heat-sealing contributes to the sealing of the closure 14, preventing the introduction of liquid into the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 or the escape of air trapped in the internal space 16. The movement of the zipper 32 along the slides 34 makes it possible to move the closure 14 from its closed position to its open position, or vice versa.

0094[0066] Alternatively, the closure 14 could not include a zipper 32. The closure 14 could be of the Minigrip® type.

0095[0067] Other elements of the cover

0096The cover 10 may include at least one handle 22, 24. The at least one handle 22, 24 allows the cover 10 to be carried by hand or on the shoulder, in particular in the folded position of the cover 10. 0069] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 is heat-sealed on an exterior surface of the flexible envelope 12. The heat-sealing of the handles 22, 24 avoids the creation of stitches inside the flexible envelope 12, which could harm the tightness of the flexible envelope 12.

0097[0070] In the example illustrated, the at least one handle 22, 24 is heat-sealed on the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. When the back wall 20 has a thickness greater than the front wall 18, the rigidity of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible envelope 12 is increased, making it easier to grip the cover 10. Alternatively, the at least one handle 22, 24 could be heat-sealed on the front wall 18, to hide the joint between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible envelope 12 in the folded position.

0098[0071] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 can be sewn onto an exterior surface of the flexible envelope 12, in a zone located between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are joined by heat-sealing and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20. The seam of the handle 22, 24 allows reinforced fixing of the handles 22, 24 on the flexible envelope 12. Furthermore, the stitching points do not compromise the sealing of the internal space 16 because they are located outside the internal space 16, between the periphery 58 where the walls are 18, 20 are linked by heat-sealing and the edge of said walls 18, 20.

0099[0072] According to one embodiment, the at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. When the back wall 20 has a thickness greater than the front wall 18, this mode of This embodiment makes it possible to increase the strength of the connection between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible envelope 12. According to one embodiment, the at least one handle 22, 24 is sewn onto the front wall 18. This embodiment makes it possible to hide the seam between the handle 22, 24 and the flexible envelope 12 in the folded position of the cover 10.

0100[0073] According to one embodiment, said at least one handle 22, 24 can be both heat-sealed and sewn.

0101[0074] In the example illustrated, a first handle 22 is provided at an upper end of the dorsal wall 20 and a second handle 24 is provided at a lower end of the dorsal wall 20. The first and second handles 22, 24 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis

0102[0075] Each handle 22, 24 comprises a curved portion 28 and two flat portions 30 provided at opposite ends of the curved portion 28. The curved portion 28 forms an arc of a circle projecting from the dorsal wall 20 so that a user can grasp the curved portion 28 and carry the cover 10 by hand or on the shoulder. The flat portions 30 define a heat-sealing surface on the back wall 20, to which the heat-sealing 57 can be applied. The flat portions 28 increase the heat-sealed surface, improving the quality of the heat-sealing.

0103[0076] According to one embodiment, each handle 22, 24 is made of recycled and recyclable fiber. The handles 22, 24 then contribute to the ecological logic of the cover 10. [0077] Each handle 22, 24 can be made of the same material as the cover 10 or of a separate material.

0104[0078] The cover 10 may also include a fixing means in the folded position. The fixing means may be a first magnet 59 disposed near the upper end of the flexible envelope 12 and a second magnet 60 disposed near the lower end of the flexible envelope 12 to cooperate with the first magnet 59 in the folded position. The first and second magnets 59, 60 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis 10 or inside the first and second handles 22, 24.

0105[0079] The fixing means can alternatively be a male or female part of at least one pressure button disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the flexible envelope 12, configured to cooperate with a female or male part, respectively, of said at least one pressure button placed near the lower end of the flexible envelope 12. The male and female parts of said at least one snap button are symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis least one snap button can be attached to the front wall 18 of the cover 10 or inside the first and second handles 22, 24.

0106[0080] The cover 10 can also include at least one support 36. The support 36 can make it possible to hold the article in place in the internal space 16 of the cover 10. The support 36 is heat-sealed to an interior surface of the flexible envelope 12. The support 36 can be fixed to the flexible envelope 12 without creating stitches which could compromise the tightness of the cover 10.

0107[0081] For example, the support 36 can be a tongue 36 adapted to receive a clothes hanger 38 (see Figure 7). The tongue 36 can be provided near the upper end of the cover 10, substantially in the center of the flexible envelope 12 so that the garment extends along the length b of the cover 10. The tongue 36 is heat-sealed on the interior surface of the flexible envelope 12, in particular on the back wall 20. Unlike a conventional clothing cover, the hanger 38 does not protrude from the cover 10. The cover 10 has no openings through which liquid could enter or trapped air could escape.

0108[0082] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the support 36 can be a fabric part 64 comprising at least two slots 66. The fabric part 64 is heat-sealed on the interior surface of the flexible envelope 12 except between said at least two slots 66. The heat-sealed surface is shown hatched in Figure 10. The two slots 66 and the non-heat-sealed space between the two slots 66 are configured to accommodate a hook of a clothing hanger. This embodiment makes it possible to obtain a particularly flat and discreet support 36 for clothing hanger 38.

0109The at least two slots 66 are preferably parallel. They are spaced at a distance of between 5mm and 3cm, preferably around 1 cm. The hook of a clothing hanger 38 can thus pass through a first of said slots 66, between the fabric part 64 and the flexible envelope 12, and through a second of said slots 66. The fabric part 64 is preferably heat-sealed on the back wall 20, near the upper end of the cover 10. The fabric part 64 can be heat-sealed on the back wall 20 so that the two slots 66 extend into the direction of the length of the cover 10. The fabric portion 64 can be made of the same material as the walls 18, 20.

0110[0084] Alternatively or in addition, the support 36 can be one or more pockets adapted to receive a small object such as a tie, a bow tie, a piece of jewelry, or a square of fabric. Two pockets can for example be provided on either side of the closure 14, near the upper end of the cover 10. The pockets can be heat-sealed on the interior surface of the flexible envelope 12, in particular on the wall frontal 18. The pockets may include a flap to prevent items contained in the pocket from escaping. The pockets may alternatively include a waterproof zipper.

0111Manufacturing process

0112[0085] A method of manufacturing the cover 10 described above is described below, with reference to Figure 8.

0113[0086] A first step 100 consists of producing the flexible envelope 12. The flexible envelope 12 is for example obtained by providing a front wall 18 and a back wall 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are preferably made from recycled and recyclable fibers. Fibers can, for example, be formed by transforming waste into pellets, then heating and extruding the pellets to obtain yarn. Subsequently, the weaving of the thread makes it possible to form the front and back walls 18, 20. The weaving can for example be a plain weave, a double weave, a tight weave, a satin weave or a Jacquard weave.

0114[0087] The periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20 can be heat-sealed to define the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 into which the article can be introduced. The iron-on 57 can be applied (in the form of strips or liquid) continuously all around one of the front or back walls 18, 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are then superimposed and heat is applied to the periphery 58 of the walls 18, 20. According to one embodiment, a space is kept between the periphery 58 where the walls 18, 20 are bonded by heat-sealing and the edge 62 of said walls 18, 20.

0115[0088] A second step 200 includes fixing the closure 14 on the flexible envelope 12. In the particular example of the zipper 14, the slides 34 can be heat-sealed to the flexible envelope 12 to extend from the lower end to the lower end of the flexible envelope 12. The iron-on adhesive 57 can be continuously applied to the slides 34. The slides 34 are then placed on the flexible envelope 12 (for example on the interior surface of the flexible envelope 12) and heat is applied to the slides 34. A pull tab 32 may be provided to slide along the slides 34 and allow the cover 10 to be opened and closed. According to the embodiment, a step 300 may consist of heat-sealing the handles 22, 24 on an external surface of the flexible envelope 12, for example at two opposite ends of the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. The iron-on 57 can be applied to the flat portion 30 of the handles 22, 24. The handles 22, 24 can then be positioned on the back wall 20 and heat applied to fix the handles 22, 24.

0116[0089] A step 400 can also consist of heat-sealing the support 36 on an internal surface of the flexible envelope 12, for example in the vicinity of the upper end of the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12. The iron-on 57 can be applied to a portion of the support 36. The support 36 can then be positioned on the flexible envelope 12 and heat can be applied to the support to fix the support 36 to the flexible envelope 12.

0117[0090] Note that the order of heat-sealing can be arbitrary. The closure 14 could be heat-sealed to the front wall 18 before or after the heat-sealing of the front wall 18 to the back wall 20. The support 36 and/or the handles 22, 24 can be heat-sealed before or after the heat-sealing of the front wall 18 to the dorsal wall 20.

0118Protection process

0119[0091] A method of protecting at least one article, in particular against impacts, is described below with reference to Figure 9.

0120[0092] A first step 1000 comprises the provision of a cover 10 according to the invention.

0121[0093] A second step 2000 comprises the introduction of at least one article into the flexible envelope 12. To introduce at least one article into the flexible envelope 12, the closure 14 is moved into its open position or into a position intermediate between the open position and the closed position. The step 2000 of introducing at least one article into the flexible envelope 12 can also include the step of fixing the at least one article to the support 36.

0122[0094] For example, the at least one article is a garment and the introduction step comprises the introduction of at least one garment and at least one garment hanger 38 supporting said at least one garment in the flexible envelope 12, then fixing the at least one garment hanger 38 to the support 36. In this last embodiment, the method allows the protection of said at least one garment not only against impacts but also against creasing.

0123[0095] When the support 36 comprises a portion of fabric 64 and two slots 66 as detailed previously, fixing the at least one clothing hanger 38 to the support consists of passing the hook of said clothing hanger through a first slot 66 , in the space between the fabric portion 64 and the flexible envelope 12, then to bring out the hook through the second slot 66.

0124[0096] A third step includes moving the closure 14 into its closed position by trapping a quantity of air in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12 to form an air pocket protection of the article.

0125[0097] Moving the closure 14 into its closed position may include the step of moving the front wall 18 away from the back wall 20 of the flexible envelope 12 in order to trap a quantity of air in the internal space. 16 of the flexible envelope 12 to form an air pocket protection of the article. The user can choose to move the front wall 18 more or less away from the back wall 20 in order to modulate the quantity of air trapped in the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12.

0126[0098] According to one embodiment, the front wall 18 can be spaced from the back wall 20 by at least 3cm, by at least 4cm, by at least 5cm, by at least 10cm, by at least 15cm or at least 20cm. This spacing is measured at the level of the closure 14, equidistant from an upper end and a lower end of the closure 14.

0127[0099] According to one embodiment, the cover 10 can then be folded to adopt a folded position in which a portion of the cover 10 is folded over another, preferably the cover 10 is folded along the fold line 23. The cover 10 can then be held in the folded position thanks to the fixing means.

0128[0100] According to one embodiment, the protection method does not include a step of injecting air or gas into the internal space 16 of the flexible envelope 12.