Patent ID: 6353215
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: A45C,B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a soft-sided carrying case, comprising the steps of:forming a main body from a piece of flexible material cut on a bias, said main body having a generally flat panel with narrow ends and elongated sides with outwardly arcuate edges; 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 material cut on the bias of the main body such that the first narrow end of the main body generally conforms 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 while providing a wrinkle-free attachment of the first end panel to the main body; securing a second end panel to a second narrow end of the main body by stretching the material cut on the bias of the main body such that the second narrow end of the main body generally conforms 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 while providing a wrinkle-free attachment of the second end panel to the main body; securing a closure member between elongated sides of the main body by dielectric welding to thereby form a watertight carrying case, and securing an end sleeve over at least a portion of said main body and said closure member by dielectric welding so as to strengthen the main body for repeated opening of the closure member, 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.