CONSUMERS : A Case That Suits a Tight Squeeze
A San Francisco company is marketing new, soft-sided luggage that’s fashionable, functional and, perhaps best of all, collapses to a depth of 2 1/2 inches for easy storage.
Manufactured in Taiwan, Tutto luggage is constructed with a fiberglass frame and polyvinyl chloride covering with a nylon lining. Sturdy nylon hinges on the sides of the bags lock into place when the case is open or closed.
There are four suitcase sizes--a 20-inch carry-on, and 26-, 28- and 30-inch Pullmans--in the luggage series. A 37-inch garment bag is also available. Each bag is solidly mounted on wheels and has a removable U-shaped steel bar with an epoxy coating that makes it easy to pull. The bags have excellent maneuverability and are hard to tip over.
Suggested retail prices for the pieces are $110 for the 20-inch; $140 for the 26-inch, $160 for the 28-inch, $180 for the 30-inch and $190 for the garment bag. In Southern California, the Tutto bags are available at all Broadway department stores and Z. Gallerie shops and at H. Savinar on Washington Boulevard. They also can be purchased through Hammacher Schlemmer stores and catalogue (800) 543-3366 or Fortune’s Almanac (800) 331-2300.
If you can’t find the suitcases in your area contact Mascot Metropolitan Inc., 90 S. Spruce Ave., Suite B, South San Francisco, Calif. 94080; (415) 873-0254.
New Puzzle Borrows From Mysterious Past
Just out is Dragon Lock, a 20th-Century puzzle fashioned from a 15th-Century Chinese lock. There are three models--in wood and brass for adults, in black and silver for the younger set and a colorful toy model for children.
Most puzzle enthusiasts should be able to figure the device out without directions, which aren’t included. If you can’t solve the Dragon Lock, send $5 to Thunder Trading Co. for the solution.
Manufacturers Penny Patrick and Steve Vallas of Thunder Trading in Pasadena conducted a recent Dragon Lock tournament. The winner solved the puzzle in 53 seconds.
Dragon Lock is available nationwide. In Southern California, it’s being sold at the Game Keeper chain, the Price of His Toys in Beverly Hills and at Vroman’s Book and Gift Shop and the Caltech bookstore in Pasadena; in Northern California, it’s sold by the Game Gallery chain and some Longs Drugs. Suggested retail for the wood and brass model is $25; silver-black, $16; children’s, $9.95. Or you can order directly from Thunder Trading Inc., 49 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, Calif. 91105; (818) 577-5525.
Fencing In Food in the Refrigerator
The Shelf-Fence offers travelers with motor homes, campers or boats a solution to the problem of food fallout in their refrigerators during transit.
Made of stain-proof aluminum, the Shelf-Fence clips over a refrigerator rack and can be adjusted to the width you wish--from 12 inches to 17 inches--with a turn of the wing nut on the front.
It also can be inverted to keep contents on the bottom of the refrigerator from spilling.
The Shelf-Fence was designed to fit recreational vehicle refrigerators, but “it also has been used in home refrigerators for protection in case of earthquakes or to stop young children from reaching in and possibly spilling something,” said Richard J. Baroda, president of Keystone Metal Products.
Shelf-Fences cost $8.95, plus $2.50 shipping and handling, apiece. (California residents add 6% sales tax). To order, contact Keystone Metal Products Inc., 2711 N. California St., Burbank, Calif. 91504; (213) 849-7603 or (818) 846-9210.
