Carrying case and a method of making thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a soft-sided carrying case and a method of manufacture thereof. The carrying case is made from moisture-impermeable, flexible, stretchable material, particularly adapted for outdoor use. A main body of the bag is secured by dielectric welding with a pair of drop-shaped end panels to form the carrying case. The main body, being cut on a bias, allows stretching of narrow ends of the main body to substantially conform to the drop-shaped end panels and form a wrinkle-free attachment.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a soft-sided carrying case, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a main body from a piece of material cut on a bias, said main body having narrow ends and elongated sides;    forming a pair of drop-shaped end panels;    securing at least one handle to the main body by dielectric welding, thereby fusing said at least one handle to the main body;    securing a first end panel to a first narrow end of the main body by stretching the first narrow end to generally conform to the size and shape of the first end panel and by performing a dielectric welding of the first end panel with the main body;    securing a second end panel to a second narrow end of the main body by stretching the second narrow end to generally conform to the size and shape of the second end panel and by performing a dielectric welding of the second end panel to the main body; and    securing a closure member between elongated sides of the main body by dielectric welding.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said closure member has a zip-lock closing elements along substantially entire length thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said dielectric welding is conducted for a period of 2-4 seconds.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each end of said at least one handle carries an attachment member to facilitate securing of said at least one handle to the main body.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said main body and said end panels are made of a flexible, stretchable moisture-impermeable material.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said material contains embossed polyurethane.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of securing an end sleeve over at least a portion of said main body and said closure member by dielectric welding, and wherein said end sleeve is provided with a reservoir for retaining melted material created during attachment of said end sleeve to said main body.  
     
     
         8 . A soft-sided carrying case, comprising: 
 a main body;    a pair of end panels securely attached to opposite ends of the main body, each of said end panels having a drop-shaped configuration; and    at least one carrying handle securely attached to said main body.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said main body and said end panels are formed from a flexible, stretchable, moisture-impermeable material.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said material contains embossed polyurethane.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said end panels are attached to said main body in a substantially seamless, wrinkle-free manner.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said end panels are secured to main body by dielectric welding.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a closure member secured along substantially entire length of the main body.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said closure member is provided with zip-lock closing elements.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a pair of end sleeves secured adjacent opposite ends of said main body and said closure member by dielectric welding, said end sleeve being provided with a reservoir for receiving melted material created during attachment of said end sleeve.