Multi-ply panel for a suitcase

A multi-ply panel for a suitcase includes a face ply having at least two pieces of thermoplastic material in different colors and being hot pressed to bond the pieces to each other and form a seam. A hot press medium is arranged in the seam of each of the two pieces of thermoplastic material to connect the pieces more securely. An inner ply has a first side secured on one side of the face ply and a second side. A bottom ply has one side secured on the second side of the inner ply. The means of connecting the pieces of the face ply in the present invention is different from means used in the prior art so that the seam can be straight, curved or wavy to make the face ply looking more vivid and vigorous.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a multi-ply panel for a suitcase in accordance with the present invention comprises a face ply ( 10 ), an inner ply ( 20 ) and a bottom ply ( 30 ) hot pressed to bond to one another. The face ply ( 10 ) includes at least two pieces of thermoplastic material ( 11 ) fused by high frequency heating to form the face ply ( 10 ). Some hot press medium, such as glue, is set in the seam ( 110 ) of each piece of thermoplastic material ( 11 ) to bond the pieces of thermoplastic material ( 11 ) more securely. The thermoplastic material ( 11 ) can be selected from material such as PU (polyurethane), polyester, nylon, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cover ( 11 ) is made of PU. The inner ply ( 20 ) is made of EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate). The bottom ply ( 30 ) can be cloth made of natural or synthetic fiber. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the inner ply is made of cloth made of natural fiber. To make the multi-ply panel, the covers ( 11 ) is cut and fused to form the face ply ( 10 ). The face ( 10 ) is put into a cavity ( 41 ) of a mold ( 40 ) and the inner ply ( 20 ) is injected onto the face ply ( 10 ). Lastly, the bottom ply ( 30 ) is put on the inner ply ( 20 ). The face ply ( 10 ), the inner ply ( 20 ) and the bottom ply ( 30 ) are hot pressed by an upper mold (not shown) and the mold ( 40 ) to form the multi-ply panel for a suitcase in accordance with the present invention. To further enhance the bond between the layers, a connecting layer ( 100 ) can be placed between the face ply ( 10 ) and the inner ply ( 20 ), and another connecting layer ( 100 ) can be placed between the inner ply ( 20 ) and the bottom ply ( 30 ). The connecting layer ( 100 ) is PE (polyethylene). Where the cost of manufacturing is a factor, PE can be used instead of glue. With reference to FIG. 3 , the pieces of thermoplastic material ( 11 ) of the face ply ( 10 ) are fused by high frequency heating so that the seam ( 110 ) can be straight, curved or wavy to make the face ply looking more vivid and vigorous. With reference to FIG. 4 , the seam ( 110 ) can be widened, and characters or patterns can be formed on the face ply ( 10 ). Furthermore, the trademark of the suitcase or a company can be shown on a surface of the suitcase via the face ply ( 10 ). Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.