SELF-LINING HANDBAG OR THE LIKE
United States Patent 3826296
A self-lining receptacle such as a handbag or the like is provided which includes a pair of closure strips or tapes which are secured to opposite inner surfaces of the bag and which provide closure of the bag when pressed together. The bag is manufactured by folding a blank of material to which the strips have been secured, lengthwise along the longitudinal centerline thereof so the unfinished side is exposed. Adjacent edges at one end, and the side opposite the fold, are sewn together after which the folded blank is turned inside out through the open end. This end is then sewn closed and is inserted back into the pocket formed by the other end, one half being tucked into the other half so that the finished surface of this half forms a lining and that the strips are located on the lining opposite one another, adjacent the opening at the top produced by this step.
US Patent References:
/1172708.html
Hoard - February 1916 - 1172708
Double capacity bag
Conklin - August 1940 - 2212390
Pouch type golf ball cleaner having a washable inner lining
Wetherby - November 1950 - 2530746
Shopping bag
Kleiss et al. - January 1952 - 2580796
LITTER BAG
Sonner - January 1972 - 3632029
/1172708.html
Hoard - February 1916 - 1172708
Double capacity bag
Conklin - August 1940 - 2212390
Pouch type golf ball cleaner having a washable inner lining
Wetherby - November 1950 - 2530746
Shopping bag
Kleiss et al. - January 1952 - 2580796
LITTER BAG
Sonner - January 1972 - 3632029
Application Number:
05/232789
Publication Date:
07/30/1974
Filing Date:
03/08/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
383/111, 383/109
International Classes:
A45C3/00; B65D33/20
Field of Search:
150/1,1.7,3,32,42 229/62
Primary Examiner:
Price, William I.
Assistant Examiner:
Garbe, Stephen P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Larson, Taylor & Hinds
Claims:
I claim
1. A one piece portable receptacle for articles comprising:
2. A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein sid bag is rectangular in shape.
1. A one piece portable receptacle for articles comprising:
2. A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein sid bag is rectangular in shape.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to handbags, pocketbooks, purses and like article holding cases and receptacles and, more particularly, to an improved receptacle of this type and the method for making same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of different kinds of pocketbooks, handbags and like receptacles have found public acceptance. However, these receptacles, in general, share common disadvantages. For example, these receptacles are generally relatively difficult and costly to manufacture because of the number of separate pieces required, the difficulties encountered in assembly of the receptacle, the number of sewing steps required, the expense associated with the closures, i.e., zippers, snaps and the like, and so on. Further, the less expensive receptacles are not lined and the raw seams are visible when the receptacles are opened. Such receptacles are difficult to clean and in many instances are heavy, stiff and bulky.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved receptacle, suitable for use as a purse, handbag or the like, and a method of making such a receptacle. The receptacle of the invention is relatively simple to manufacture as compared with similar commercially available receptacles and, as explained below, is prepared from a single blank which is sewn and folded to provide a self-lined bag. The seams produced in the sewing steps are not visible and a simple closure, in the form of a pair of adhesive closure strips secured to the lining adjacent the top opening of the bag, is utilized to provide easy opening and closing of the bag.
According to a presently preferred embodiment, the receptacle is formed from a blank of material, to the finished side of which the closure strips are secured and which is folded in half lengthwise along a central longitudinal fold line so that the unfinished side of the blank is exposed. The adjacent edges at one end of the folded blank are sewn together as are the edges at the side opposite the fold. The folded blank is then turned inside out through the open, unsewn end so that the finished side is exposed. The open end is then sewn closed to produce an intermediate form of the receptacle. This end is inserted back into the pocket formed by the other end of this intermediate form or "intermediate," one half of the intermediate being tucked or stuffed down into the other half so that the finished surface of the one half forms a lining and so that the closure strips lie opposite each other adjacent the top opening of the bag so formed.
The receptacle of the invention has a number of uses other than as a purse, pocketbook or the like and, for example, can be used as a case for eye glasses, a pipe case and the like. Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment found hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a basic blank from which is made a receptacle in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 1 illustrating, inter alia, a folding step and a first sewing step in the manufacture of the receptacle of the invention;
FIG. 3 is plan view of the blank of FIG. 2 illustrating, inter alia, a further sewing step;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing insertion of one end of the completed intermediate blank back into the other end thereof;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the completed receptacle, the intermediate blank of FIG. 3 being shown in dashed lines; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the completed receptacle illustrating the manner in which the receptacle is opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As mentioned hereinabove, the receptacle of the invention is not limited to use as a purse or handbag but can be used for a number of other similar purposes. For example, among other uses, the receptacle can be used as a case for eye glasses, a pipe case, a cigarette case, a school bag, a pencil and/or pen holder. Hence, although in the specific embodiment discussed hereinbelow the receptacle is referred to as a purse or handbag, and, more particularly, as a bag of the clutch purse type, this should not, of course, be taken as being limiting in any way.
Referring to FIG. 1, a basic blank of material from which a handbag in accordance with the invention is made is denoted 10. The bag can be made of vinyl, leather, cloth or any material that can be sewn and, as is illustrated in FIG. 1 the blank 10 is laid flat with the finished side of the material, denoted 10a, facing up, the unfinished side, a corner of which is shown in FIG. 1, being denoted 10b.
First and second closure strips or self-closing tapes 12 and 14 are secured to the finished side 10a of blank 10 along a transverse line which lies adjacent to but spaced from a transverse fold line 16 which divides the blank into two halves. In a specific embodiment, using a rectangular blank 15 inches long by 111/2 inches wide, the closure strips or tapes 12 and 14 are 5 inches in length and are located approximately one-half inch from the center fold line 16. The closure strips 12,14 are of conventional construction and can, for example, comprise a first strip presenting a closely spaced series of semi-rigid hooked or barbed bristles and a second strip which presents a matte of fibres. Pressing of strips 12 and 14 together causes adhesion between the two which can be broken simply by pulling or peeling the strips 12,14 apart. It will be appreciated that the closure strips may take other forms and because such strips are conventional further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.
After securing the strips 12 and 14 to blank 10, blank 10 is folded along the longitudinal center line thereof, denoted 18, so that the unfinished side 10b is exposed and hence strips 12 and 14 are inside of the folded blank as indicated. The longitudinal edges of the folded blank 10 opposite the fold are sewed together as indicated at 20, as is the end of the folded blank 10 furthest from the strips 12,14, as indicated at 22. Each of these sewing operations is preferably repeated so that the folded blank 10 is stitched together two times at the indicated locations. The folded blank 10 is then turned inside out from the open end thereof so that the finished side 10a is again exposed as shown in FIG. 3 to produce what might be termed an intermediate form of the purse. This intermediate form is completed by sewing the adjacent edges of the open end of the folded blank 10 together as indicated at 24, preferably by turning these edges under about one-fourth inch and stitching the edges twice.
The completed intermediate form of the bag, which is denoted 26, is converted into the complete bag by inserting the end of the intermediate 26 nearest the strips 12,14 back into the pocket formed by the other end. This can best be understood by considering FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 5, one half of the intermediate 26 shown in dashed lines is tucked down into the pocket formed by the other half so that strips 12 and 14 lie opposite one another and the finished surface of the first half forms a lining for that pocket. Thus, the bag of FIG. 5 can be considered to be formed by an outer pocket, denoted 28, the finished, outside surface of which forms the outside of the bag and an inner pocket, denoted 30, which is nested in outer pocket 28 and the innermost finished surface of which forms the inner lining for the bag. As shown in FIG. 5, the strips 12 and 14 lie adjacent the opening at the top of the bag produced when the first half is inserted into the other. FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate step in this inserting process.
The completed purse which is shown in FIG. 6 and in solid lines in FIG. 5 is closed merely by pressing strips 12 and 14 together and is opened, as shown in FIG. 6, by pulling or peeling the strips 12,14 apart. The purse or bag shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is of the "clutch purse" type but by suitable sizing of the purse and the addition of straps or the like many different types of purses can be made. Further, as mentioned above, receptacles other than purses, handbags or pocketbooks can be made in accordance with the invention. For example, a case for eye glasses can be made simply by suitable sizing and selection of the material used. The ready closure provided by the closure strips prevents the glasses from falling out and provides a distinct advantage over conventional cases.
As mentioned hereinabove the receptacle of the invention provides a number of advantages as compared with conventional receptacles of this type. For example, it will be readily apparent from the foregoing that the receptacle of the invention is very simple to manufacture especially as compared with prior art purses and the like. In particular, the fact that the intermediate stage is folded into a bag rather than sewn into a bag from separate pieces, provides substantial savings in handling, assembling and the like. Further, the seams are not visible as is the case with many inexpensive purses. In addition, the bag is self-lining as compared with inexpensive bags which are, in many instances, unlined, and with more expensive bags which are lined in a manner which requires substantially more labor. The bag of the invention is easy to clean, lightweight, flexible and compact and is simple yet elegant in appearance. The use of closure strips which are hidden from view provides substantial advantages in cost, ease of manufacture and maintenance, as compared with zippers, snaps, buttons, drawstrings and other closure devices of the prior art.
It will be appreciated that the method steps outlined above need not necessarily be performed in the sequence outlined although this sequence is preferred. For example, the closure strips 12 and 14 can actually be added at any time during the manufacture of the bag and, for example, can be added after all of the sewing steps. Further, the bag obviously need not be rectangular and the inserted portion does not necessarily have to be substantially equal to the portion into which it is inserted, although this approach is preferable for obvious reasons. Other variations and modifications in the exemplary embodiment described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it will be understood that such variations and modifications can be effected without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The present invention relates to handbags, pocketbooks, purses and like article holding cases and receptacles and, more particularly, to an improved receptacle of this type and the method for making same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of different kinds of pocketbooks, handbags and like receptacles have found public acceptance. However, these receptacles, in general, share common disadvantages. For example, these receptacles are generally relatively difficult and costly to manufacture because of the number of separate pieces required, the difficulties encountered in assembly of the receptacle, the number of sewing steps required, the expense associated with the closures, i.e., zippers, snaps and the like, and so on. Further, the less expensive receptacles are not lined and the raw seams are visible when the receptacles are opened. Such receptacles are difficult to clean and in many instances are heavy, stiff and bulky.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved receptacle, suitable for use as a purse, handbag or the like, and a method of making such a receptacle. The receptacle of the invention is relatively simple to manufacture as compared with similar commercially available receptacles and, as explained below, is prepared from a single blank which is sewn and folded to provide a self-lined bag. The seams produced in the sewing steps are not visible and a simple closure, in the form of a pair of adhesive closure strips secured to the lining adjacent the top opening of the bag, is utilized to provide easy opening and closing of the bag.
According to a presently preferred embodiment, the receptacle is formed from a blank of material, to the finished side of which the closure strips are secured and which is folded in half lengthwise along a central longitudinal fold line so that the unfinished side of the blank is exposed. The adjacent edges at one end of the folded blank are sewn together as are the edges at the side opposite the fold. The folded blank is then turned inside out through the open, unsewn end so that the finished side is exposed. The open end is then sewn closed to produce an intermediate form of the receptacle. This end is inserted back into the pocket formed by the other end of this intermediate form or "intermediate," one half of the intermediate being tucked or stuffed down into the other half so that the finished surface of the one half forms a lining and so that the closure strips lie opposite each other adjacent the top opening of the bag so formed.
The receptacle of the invention has a number of uses other than as a purse, pocketbook or the like and, for example, can be used as a case for eye glasses, a pipe case and the like. Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment found hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a basic blank from which is made a receptacle in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 1 illustrating, inter alia, a folding step and a first sewing step in the manufacture of the receptacle of the invention;
FIG. 3 is plan view of the blank of FIG. 2 illustrating, inter alia, a further sewing step;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing insertion of one end of the completed intermediate blank back into the other end thereof;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the completed receptacle, the intermediate blank of FIG. 3 being shown in dashed lines; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the completed receptacle illustrating the manner in which the receptacle is opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As mentioned hereinabove, the receptacle of the invention is not limited to use as a purse or handbag but can be used for a number of other similar purposes. For example, among other uses, the receptacle can be used as a case for eye glasses, a pipe case, a cigarette case, a school bag, a pencil and/or pen holder. Hence, although in the specific embodiment discussed hereinbelow the receptacle is referred to as a purse or handbag, and, more particularly, as a bag of the clutch purse type, this should not, of course, be taken as being limiting in any way.
Referring to FIG. 1, a basic blank of material from which a handbag in accordance with the invention is made is denoted 10. The bag can be made of vinyl, leather, cloth or any material that can be sewn and, as is illustrated in FIG. 1 the blank 10 is laid flat with the finished side of the material, denoted 10a, facing up, the unfinished side, a corner of which is shown in FIG. 1, being denoted 10b.
First and second closure strips or self-closing tapes 12 and 14 are secured to the finished side 10a of blank 10 along a transverse line which lies adjacent to but spaced from a transverse fold line 16 which divides the blank into two halves. In a specific embodiment, using a rectangular blank 15 inches long by 111/2 inches wide, the closure strips or tapes 12 and 14 are 5 inches in length and are located approximately one-half inch from the center fold line 16. The closure strips 12,14 are of conventional construction and can, for example, comprise a first strip presenting a closely spaced series of semi-rigid hooked or barbed bristles and a second strip which presents a matte of fibres. Pressing of strips 12 and 14 together causes adhesion between the two which can be broken simply by pulling or peeling the strips 12,14 apart. It will be appreciated that the closure strips may take other forms and because such strips are conventional further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.
After securing the strips 12 and 14 to blank 10, blank 10 is folded along the longitudinal center line thereof, denoted 18, so that the unfinished side 10b is exposed and hence strips 12 and 14 are inside of the folded blank as indicated. The longitudinal edges of the folded blank 10 opposite the fold are sewed together as indicated at 20, as is the end of the folded blank 10 furthest from the strips 12,14, as indicated at 22. Each of these sewing operations is preferably repeated so that the folded blank 10 is stitched together two times at the indicated locations. The folded blank 10 is then turned inside out from the open end thereof so that the finished side 10a is again exposed as shown in FIG. 3 to produce what might be termed an intermediate form of the purse. This intermediate form is completed by sewing the adjacent edges of the open end of the folded blank 10 together as indicated at 24, preferably by turning these edges under about one-fourth inch and stitching the edges twice.
The completed intermediate form of the bag, which is denoted 26, is converted into the complete bag by inserting the end of the intermediate 26 nearest the strips 12,14 back into the pocket formed by the other end. This can best be understood by considering FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 5, one half of the intermediate 26 shown in dashed lines is tucked down into the pocket formed by the other half so that strips 12 and 14 lie opposite one another and the finished surface of the first half forms a lining for that pocket. Thus, the bag of FIG. 5 can be considered to be formed by an outer pocket, denoted 28, the finished, outside surface of which forms the outside of the bag and an inner pocket, denoted 30, which is nested in outer pocket 28 and the innermost finished surface of which forms the inner lining for the bag. As shown in FIG. 5, the strips 12 and 14 lie adjacent the opening at the top of the bag produced when the first half is inserted into the other. FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate step in this inserting process.
The completed purse which is shown in FIG. 6 and in solid lines in FIG. 5 is closed merely by pressing strips 12 and 14 together and is opened, as shown in FIG. 6, by pulling or peeling the strips 12,14 apart. The purse or bag shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is of the "clutch purse" type but by suitable sizing of the purse and the addition of straps or the like many different types of purses can be made. Further, as mentioned above, receptacles other than purses, handbags or pocketbooks can be made in accordance with the invention. For example, a case for eye glasses can be made simply by suitable sizing and selection of the material used. The ready closure provided by the closure strips prevents the glasses from falling out and provides a distinct advantage over conventional cases.
As mentioned hereinabove the receptacle of the invention provides a number of advantages as compared with conventional receptacles of this type. For example, it will be readily apparent from the foregoing that the receptacle of the invention is very simple to manufacture especially as compared with prior art purses and the like. In particular, the fact that the intermediate stage is folded into a bag rather than sewn into a bag from separate pieces, provides substantial savings in handling, assembling and the like. Further, the seams are not visible as is the case with many inexpensive purses. In addition, the bag is self-lining as compared with inexpensive bags which are, in many instances, unlined, and with more expensive bags which are lined in a manner which requires substantially more labor. The bag of the invention is easy to clean, lightweight, flexible and compact and is simple yet elegant in appearance. The use of closure strips which are hidden from view provides substantial advantages in cost, ease of manufacture and maintenance, as compared with zippers, snaps, buttons, drawstrings and other closure devices of the prior art.
It will be appreciated that the method steps outlined above need not necessarily be performed in the sequence outlined although this sequence is preferred. For example, the closure strips 12 and 14 can actually be added at any time during the manufacture of the bag and, for example, can be added after all of the sewing steps. Further, the bag obviously need not be rectangular and the inserted portion does not necessarily have to be substantially equal to the portion into which it is inserted, although this approach is preferable for obvious reasons. Other variations and modifications in the exemplary embodiment described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it will be understood that such variations and modifications can be effected without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.