Bag and method of making

Abstract

This invention relates to a handbag comprising front and back panels, which are joined along their sides and their bottom edges to form a receptacle or a bag having an access opening at the top. Each of the front and back panels is formed from a vinyl record. Each panel has a record label disposed in a prominent position. Further, the front and back panels are shaped into matching configurations. In a further aspect of this invention, the handbag is made by tracing a straight line through the center of a vinyl record and disposing a label at the center of the vinyl record. Next, a cylindrical rod is placed along said trace line and heat is applied to the back of said record along said line. A flap is extended from one of the upper edges of the U-shaped record and extending therefrom to the second upper edge to enclose the handbag.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bags, handbags or the like and the method of making them. In particular, this invention relates to bags, which are formed of vinyl records and are used to construct bags, and the method of configuring and assembling such vinyl records to form the bags of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handbags are made of many different materials and of many different configurations. In Great Britain Patent No. 270,219, there is disclosed a bag for carrying gramophone records. The disclosed bag includes two sides. One of the two sides includes a pair of flaps which are disposed on opposing sides of one of the sides. Openings are disposed centrally in each of the sides. The bag is formed by folding one side on the other and pasting the flaps of one side to the edges of the other flap. This bag is designed to carry records.

People are pleased with music records primarily because they are used to produce music. This invention recognizes the pleasurable experience created by such records and proposes to use them to construct bags from such records.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attended advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following written description, when taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A, B, and C are plan views of the respective steps of constructing the bag of this invention;

FIGS. 1D, E, and F disclose respectively the further steps of bending, shaping and assembling the record into the bag;

FIGS. 2A, B, and C are plan views of a record illustrating how the record is shaped to form a bag;

FIGS. 2D, E, F, and G show respectively the further steps of shaping and cutting the record and assembling the record to form the bag of this invention;

FIGS. 3A and B illustrate a further embodiment of this invention and in particular the cutting and assembling of records to form the bag of this invention; and

FIGS. 3C and D show respectively the steps of attaching straps to the records and of securing the records together to provide the completed bag of this invention;

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, there is shown a new and improved handbook comprising front and back panels, which are joined along their sides and their bottom edges to form a receptacle or a bag having an access opening at the top thereof. Each of the front and back panels is formed from a vinyl record. In a further aspect of this invention, each panel has a record label disposed in a prominent position. Further, the front and back panels are shaped into matching configurations.

In a further aspect of this invention, there is disclosed a handbag comprising a front panel, a back panel, two side panels and a top panel. Each of the front and back panels is formed from a bent vinyl record. The panels are configured and attached to each other to create an access opening at the top of the bag and to permit at least one record label to be disposed prominently upon the bag. Each of the front and back panels is joined along their side edges by the respective side panels. The top panel is affixed to the back panel, whereby a flap is created to at least cover the top access opening. The flap is configured and attached to the other panels such that each flap enables the handbag to have open and closed positions.

In another aspect of this invention, a method of constructing a handbag is disclosed as comprising the steps of tracing a straight line through the center of a vinyl record and disposing a label at the center of the vinyl record. Next, a cylindrical rod is placed along said trace line and heat is applied to the back of said record along said line. Further, each record is bent into a U-shaped configuration about the cylindrical rod. Next, a flap extending from one of the upper edges of the U-shaped record and extending therefrom to the second upper edge to enclose the handbag. In particular, the U-shaped record comprises first and second side panels extending from the bend respectively to each of the first and second upper edges. Further, the flap is disposable between open and closed positions. Next, the first and second panels are attached respectively to the side edges of the U-shaped record to further enclose the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1F, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention, namely a bag 8, comprising a bent record 10 with front and back panels 22a and 22b, a vinyl top 28, vinyl sides 26a and 26b, a fastening mechanism 32, and a strap 30. These elements are attached together so as to comprise the bag 8 and provide the option of fastening it shut with the fastening mechanism 32. The record 10 has a square form and is bent into a U-shape so as to expose the record label 12 from both the front and back views of the bag. The vinyl top 28 connects the two upper edges 18a and 18c (see FIGS. 1A and C) of the U-shaped record 10, providing a flap for opening and closing the bag 8 and an option to install a fastening mechanism 32. The sides 18b and 18d of the bag 8 are enclosed by means of two vinyl sides 26a and 26b, binding each of the side edges 18b and 18d of the record together. An optional strap 30 may be attached to the bag 8, each end of the strap 30 being secured to one of the side vinyl straps 26a and 26b by means of fasteners 42a and 42b.

FIGS. 1A through 1F illustrate the method of constructing the bag 8 of FIG. 1F. In a first step, as shown in FIG. 1A, a writing or tracing device 36 is used to trace the edges 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of a square shape onto the vinyl 33½ or 45 record 10, having the record label 12 in its center, such that each corner of the square shape coincides with the perimeter of the record 10.

Referring now to a second step in the method, illustrated in FIG. 1B, a heat source 34, e.g. example of source?, is used to apply heat to the back of record 10 along the traced edges 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d. The record is then cut along edges 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, using a cutting device 40, e.g. such as a pair of kitchen scissors, to yield a square shaped record 10, having the record label 12 in its center, and four discarded slices 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d.

FIG. 1C illustrates a third step of tracing a straight line 20 through the center of the record 10 and simultaneously through the center of record label 12, parallel to one of the record's edges 14a and c, using a tracing or writing device 36.

As shown in FIG. 1D, a fourth step places a cylindrical rod 38 in the center of record 10 and aligned with line 20, and the heat source 34 is used to apply heat to the back of the record 10 along line 20 to permit the record 10 to be bent into a U-shape around the cylindrical rod 38. FIG. 1E illustrates the resulting bent record 10, comprising front and back panels 22a and 22b, and a U-shaped byte 19 interconnecting these panels, and having four edges 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d.

As shown in FIG. 1F, a vinyl top 28 is used in the fifth step to bind the edges 18a and 18c of the front and back panels 22a and 22b, and may overlap with front panel 22a in order to enable the use of the fastening mechanism 32 for closing the bag 8. Vinyl sides 26a and 26b are bound to the edges 18b and 18d respectively to enclose the bag 8. A strap 30 may be fastened to vinyl sides 26a and 26b using fasteners 42a and 42b.

Referring now to FIG. 2G, which shows another illustrative embodiment of this invention in the form of the bag 108, where similar elements are marked with like numerals except in the one hundred series. The bag 108 comprises two records 110 and 110′, a vinyl strip 126, straps 130 and 131, and fasteners 142a, 142b, 142c and 142d. These fasteners are attached together as explained in the detail below so as to enclose the bag 108. The records 110 and 110′ are wedge shaped and connected together via a vinyl strap 126, which binds the side and bottom edges of the two records, so as to prominently display a record label 112 from both the front and back views of the bag 108. The upper edges of the records 110 remain unconnected so as to provide an opening for the bag 108. Straps 130 and 131 may be attached to the bag 108, each attached to the upper part of one record by means of two fasteners as can be best shown in FIG. 2G, where strap 130 is attached to record 110 by fasteners 142a and 142b.

FIGS. 2A through 2G illustrate a further illustrative embodiment of the method of constructing the bag 108 of FIG. 2G. The method begins with the vinyl 33½ or 45 record 110, having a record label 112 in its center, as shown in FIG. 2A. In the first step, as shown in FIG. 2B, a writing or tracing device 136 is used to trace the lines 114a and 114b of a triangle shape onto record 110, with the record label 112 being centered in the triangle shape so that the perimeter of the record 110 lies, for example, tangent to a center point of the base of the triangle.

Referring now to the second step in the method, illustrated in FIG. 2C, a heat source 134 is used to apply heat to the back of the record 110 along the traced lines 114a and 1 14b. In the third step, illustrated in FIG. 2D, record 110 is cut along the lines 114a and 114b, using a cutting device 140, to yield a wedge shaped record 110, having the record label 112 disposed at its center, and two discarded slices 116a and 116b.

FIG. 2E illustrates the resulting cut record 110 comprising two straight edges 118a and 118b, and the record label 112 in its center. The method up to this point should now be repeated with a second vinyl 33½ or 45 record to yield a second cut record 110′, having the same characteristics as record 110 shown in FIG. 2E.

As shown in the fourth step in FIG. 2F, a vinyl strip 126 is used to extend between the two records 110 and 110′ along their side and bottom edges using an adhesive 124, such that record labels 112 and 112′ are displayed from both the front and back views of the bag 108. As illustrated in FIG. 2E, edge 118a of record 110 is secured to the edge 118b′ of record 110′, and edge 118b of the record 110 is secured to the edge 118a′ of record 110′ .

FIG. 2G illustrates the final step of the method discussed, where straps 130 and 131 may be attached to the bag 108. Each strap is attached to the upper part of each record 110 by means of two fasteners, for instance as shown in FIG. 2G, strap 130 is connected to record 110 using fasteners 142a and 142b respectively.

There is shown a third illustrative embodiment of this invention in FIG. 3D, wherein like elements are identified by similar numbers except in the 200 series. In particular, there is shown a bag 208, comprising two shaped records 210 and 210′, a vinyl strip 226, and straps 230 and 231. The records 210 and 210′ both have the same shaped slice cut out, indicating the tops of the records, and they are bound together along their perimeters, except for the portions where they have been cut, by means of a vinyl strip 226, so as to expose the record labels 212 and 212′ from both the front and back views of the bag 208. Two straps 230 and 231 are attached to the bag, each connected to one of the records 210 and 210′ at the portion where a slice has been cut out.

FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate the method of constructing the bag 208 of FIG. 3D. In the first step, as shown in FIG. 3A, the bottom half of an oval shape is traced onto record 210, having a record label 212 in its center, in a similar manner to the method disclosed in FIGS. 1A through 1F and in FIGS. 2A through 2G. In the second step this process is repeated with a second vinyl 33½ or 45 record 210′.

FIG. 3B illustrates two records 210 and 210′ having the same shaped slice cut out, having record labels 212 and 212′ in their centers. As shown in the third step in FIG. 3C, an adhesive 224 is used to bind the records 210 and 210′ along their perimeters of a vinyl strip 226, except for the portion where a slice has been cut out, such that the record labels 212 and 212′ are exposed from both front and back views of the bag. Straps 230 and 231 may be attached to the bag, each strap being attached to one record 210 or 210′ at the portion where a slice has been cut out, by means of two fasteners, for example as shown in FIG. 3C, strap 230 is connected to record 210 using fasteners 242a and 242b.

In a further aspect of this invention, these bags 8, 108 or 208, may included a music reproducing device, e.g., an MP3, installed in them to play the song or songs that were originally recorded on the record 10 as indicated on the label 14. It is also contemplated that other music or conversation could be recorded on the device.

Claims

1. A handbag comprising:

a. A front panel and back panel, joined along side and bottom edges to form a receptacle having an access opening at the top;

b. Said front and back panels each formed from a vinyl record, each said panel having the record label in a prominent position;

c. Said front and back panels shaped into matching forms.

2. The handbag of claim 1, wherein said front and back panels are joined along side and bottom edges by one strip of material.

3. The handbag of claim 1, wherein said front and back panels have a wedge shape.

4. The handbag of claim 1, wherein said front and back panels have a circular shape.

5. The handbag of claim 1, wherein a carrying means is coupled to said front and back panels.

6. The handbag of claim 5, wherein said carrying means comprises a strap.

7. The handbag of claim 1, wherein said handbag is closeable along the upper edges of said front and back panels by releasable closure means, said closure means enabling said bag to have open and close positions.

8. The handbag of claim 7, wherein said closure means consists of fasteners.

9. The handbag of claim 7, wherein said closure means consists of a zipper.

10. A handbag comprising:

a. A front panel, a back panel, two side panels, and a top panel;

b. Said front and back panels formed from one bent vinyl record, having an access opening at the top, and having the record label visible on both said front and back panels;

c. Said front and back panels joined along side edges by side panels;

d. Said top panel affixed to said back panel, creating a flap to at least cover said access opening, said flap enabling said handbag to have open and close positions.

11. The handbag of claim 10, wherein said vinyl record has a square shape.

12. The handbag of claim 10, wherein a carrying means is coupled to said side panels.

13. The handbag of claim 12, wherein said carrying means comprises a strap.

14. The handbag of claim 10, wherein said top panel comprises fastening means to fasten said top panel to said front panel.

15. A method of making a handbag comprising the steps of:

a. Tracing a straight line through the center of a vinyl record, said vinyl record having a record label in its center;

b. Placing a cylindrical rod along said traced line and applying heat to the back of said record along said line;

c. Bending said record into a U-shape around said cylindrical rod;

d. Extending a flap from one of the upper edges of said U-shaped record to said U-shaped record's second upper edge, so as to enclose said handbag and enable said handbag to have open and close positions; and

e. Attaching two side panels to the side edges of said U-shaped record, so as to further enclose said handbag.

16. The method of making a handbag as claimed in claim 15, wherein said vinyl record is cut into a particular shape by way of steps comprising of:

a. Tracing the edges of said shape onto said vinyl record, said shape having said record label in its center,

b. Applying heat to the back of said record along said traced edges; and

c. Cutting said record along said traced edges.

17. The method of making a handbag as claimed in claim 16, wherein said shape is a square.

18. The method of making a handbag as claimed in claim 15, wherein said flap overlaps with the front panel of said handbag.

19. The method of making a handbag as claimed in claim 18, wherein a fastening mechanism is attached to fasten said flap to said front panel, so as to enable enclosure of said handbag.

20. The method of making a handbag as claimed in claim 15, wherein a carrying means is coupled to said side panels of said handbag.