MUSICNAIRE

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and process for creating a bag having authentic cassette tapes to form a design/pattern which gives it a unique appearance as compared to conventional handbags.

Claims

1. A handbag with a custom outward appearance of authentic audio tapes comprising: an outer bag material and an inner liner material attached at edges of each material to form said hand bag, said outer bag material forming an outer surface of the said handbag and said inner liner material forming an inner surface of said handbag; a plurality of audio cassette tape images configured in a pattern of horizontal and vertical rows in a rectangular shape, said plurality of audio cassette tape images being attached to said outer surface of the handbag such that said plurality of audio cassette tape images is visible when said handbag is carried; and a securing handle attached to the handbag to facilitate carrying the handbag or securing the handbag to one's person.

2. The handbag as described in claim 1 further comprising a stabilizer material positioned between and attached to said outer bag material and said inner surface material.

3. The handbag as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of audio cassette tape images comprise entire audio cassette tapes attached to each other and aligned in a series of horizontal rows and vertical rows to form a cover for a front section of said outer handbag material of said handbag.

4. The handbag as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of audio cassette tape images comprise front sections of audio cassette tapes attached to each other and aligned in a series of horizontal rows and vertical rows to form a cover for a front section of said outer handbag material of said handbag.

5. The handbag as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of audio cassette tape images comprise a template of one material having front sections of audio cassette tape images aligned in a series of horizontal rows and vertical rows to form a cover for a front section of said outer handbag material of said handbag.

6. The handbag as described in claim 2 wherein said plurality of audio cassette tape images are permanently attached to outer surface of the handbag such that said plurality of audio cassette tape images is visible when said handbag is carried.

7. The handbag as described in claim 2 wherein said plurality of audio cassette tape images are removeably attached to outer surface of the handbag such that said plurality of audio cassette tape images is visible when said handbag is carried.

8. A method for creating a handbag with a custom outward appearance of authentic audio tapes comprising: cutting outer surface bag material and inner liner bag material into pieces according to a desired pattern; align audio cassette tape images along the outer surface bag material in horizontal and vertical rows; affix said audio cassette tape images along the outer surface bag material in the aligned horizontal and vertical rows; and attaching edges of said outer surface bag material and said inner liner bag material pieces to form one or more sections of the handbag.

9. The method as described in claim 8 further comprising before said aligning audio cassette tape images along the outer surface bag, attaching a stabilizer material to said outer surface bag material

10. The method as described in claim 9 wherein said affixing said audio cassette tape images further comprises affixing entire individual audio cassette tapes to said outer surface bag material.

11. The method as described in claim 9 wherein said affixing said audio cassette tape images further comprises affixing individual front face sections of audio cassette tapes to said outer surface bag material.

12. The method as described in claim 9 wherein said affixing said audio cassette tape images further comprises affixing a removeable template of audio cassette tape images aligned in horizontal and vertical rows to said outer surface bag material.

13. The method as described in claim 9 wherein said affixing said audio cassette tape images further comprises securing said audio cassette tape images with a securing element.

14. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said attaching edges of said outer surface bag material and said inner liner bag material pieces to form one or more sections of the handbag further comprises attached in said outer surface bag material and said inner liner bag material to a front section of the bag to which said audio cassette tape images are attached after said securing of said audio cassette tape images with securing element and enclosing said securing elements between said outer bag material and said inner liner material to shield said securing elements from site.

15. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said affixing of said cassette tape images further comprises securing said audio cassette tapes images with a screw type securing element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional handbag in a fully open position.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a view of the front face of the handbag of the present invention displaying a plurality of audio cassette tapes being affixed to the front face.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a view of the front face of the handbag of the present invention displaying a complete set of a plurality audio cassette tapes affixed to the face front.

[0024] FIG. 4a is a view of the front face of a conventional handbag.

[0025] FIG. 4b is a view of a plurality of cassette tapes affixed together to form a sheet to be attached to the front face of the handbag.

[0026] FIGS. 5a and 5b are views of templates for connecting the plurality of audio cassette tapes.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a view of a template for connecting the plurality of audio cassette tapes.

[0028] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e are views of the different sides of the handbag of the present invention.

[0029] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show views of the stabilizing material of present invention attached to the sides of the handbag of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a general flow diagram of the steps in the method to create the handbag of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the steps in the method of attaching the plurality of cassette tapes to the front face of the handbag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0033] This invention relates to hand-bags of the kind generally known as ladies' hand-bags. The objects of this invention are to provide a hand-bag of ornamental and attractive appearance having a cassettes appearance at its outlook. One aspect of the present application is directed to provide a system which is based on providing a unique design of handbag utilizing the cassette tapes. A custom handbag of the present invention illustrates a unique concept of a combination of audio cassette tapes being attached to the front face of a handbag. This concept applies to various types of handbags. The different types of handbags include a conventional handbag as shown in FIG. 1. This bag 200 has front and back sections 202 and sides sections 204. Not shown in this figure in a bottom section. This bag also has chained handles 206 to facilitate carrying the bag. Other handbags such as the shoulder strap, cross-shoulder strap and Fannie pack handbags can incorporate the same design concept with the attached cassette tapes as the conventional handbag. A handbag can come in various styles but each type of bag will have front face on which to display the cassette tape design.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the bag in the process of attaching individual cassette tapes to the front face 206 of the handbag. In this design, the individual cassette tapes 208 are attached one at a time to form rows of tapes 210. FIG. 3 shows the completed attachment of cassette tapes to the front face of a handbag 300. As seen the cassette tapes are attached in rows 312. The dimensions of the front face of a handbag will determine the number of rows needed and the number of cassette needed to cover the face of the bag. In this illustration, there are three rows of tapes with three cassette tapes in each row. It is preferred to have the number and rows of tapes configured to form a rectangular shape on the face of the handbag. The number of cassette tapes and the number of rows each bag will have will be a function of the dimensions of the bag's face and the size of cassette tape used. Audio cassette tapes come in two basic dimensions. A standard size cassette is approximately 4 inches by 2.5 inches. A smaller size cassette tape is approximately 2 inches by 125 inches. Bags having smaller dimensions will only permit a limited number of tapes. When producing the bag of the present invention, the designer can determine the tape size, quantity and tape template design configuration.

[0035] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the front face 402 and template 404 of the handbag. The plurality of cassette tapes can come in a pre-configured arrangement which one can attach to and remove from the front face of the bag. This approach eliminates the tasks of individually attaching cassette tapes to the handbag. In addition, this embodiment has the capability to attach, remove and reattach the tapes to the handbag. Additional flexibility is that it is not necessary to attach the entire cassette tape to the handbag. This tape template 404 can be the entire tape, just the front tape frame or template having a design of a plurality of tape faces.

[0036] FIGS. 5a and 5b are views of templates for connecting the plurality of audio cassette tapes. This particular configuration may be more suited for the Fannie pack design in that there are fewer cassette tapes in this configuration. As shown in FIG. 5a, there are four sections 502 of this template. Most conventional audio cassette tapes have two frame sections that attached to each other to form the cassette tape. Inside these frame section is the magnetic tape. Also contained inside the frames are the wheel reels 516 on which the magnetic tape rests. Screws generally attach and hold the frame sections together. Several openings 504 in the frames serve as places to insert screws to connect the two frames. In addition, because a cassette tape has to engage the device on which it is played, other openings 508 are visible in the tape frames. FIG. 5b shows a means to attach individual tape sections. As shown, latches 510 can extend across section edges 512. Openings 514 can provide a means through which latches can attach to and secure template sections 502. Openings 504 can also service as outlets to insert other decorative items.

[0037] FIG. 6 is an alternate template version 600 of the templates describes in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The version in FIG. 6 shows multiple rows 604 and 606 of cassette tapes. In this configuration the tape frames or faces 602 are connected to adjacent tapes by latches 608 and 610. The connections are in the same manner as described in FIGS. 5a and 5b. These templates shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 6 can be actual cassette tapes, the front frame of a tape or cassette tape frame designs imprinted on a single sheet. The imprinted frame designs of the tapes still give the appearance of cassette tapes covering the front face of the handbag.

[0038] FIGS. 7a through 7e show the elements used in the contraction and manufacturing of handbags in accordance with present invention. Five separate pieces combine to form the shape of the handbag. These pieces include a front section, back section left and right side sections and a bottom section. In this embodiment, the piece shown in 7a will comprise the design for the front and back sections of the bag. In addition, the piece shown in 7c will comprise the design for the two side sections. FIG. 7b is an example of the bottom section. FIGS. 7d and 7e show the sections attached to form the handbag. The embodiment described in FIGS. 7a through 7e is to illustrate the implementation of the present invention. However, numerous other handbag designs incorporate the concepts as well. No specific number of sides or segments is required on the handbag. The essential aspect of the design is a front face of the handbag to which cassette tapes or images can be attached for display.

[0039] Each segment of the handbag described in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c can comprise three distinct materials. These materials are an external surface material, a stabilizer middle material and an inner liner material. FIG. 8a shows the kind of piece that forms the front and back sections of the bag. This piece has an outer material 802, a stabilizer material 804 and an inner liner material 806. The side sections FIG. 8b and bottom section FIG. 8c are formed of the same materials as in FIG. 8a. In this embodiment, the outer material 802 can be of materials used in conventional handbags. These materials can include leather, vinyl and cloth. The stabilizer material 804 is more rigid or firm than the outer material to provide some structural integrity to enable the bag to maintain its shape. This material can be a mesh type material or some form of plastic. The inner liner section 806 can be a thinner and more flexible material.

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates the general steps in the process of developing the handbag of the present invention. The process is initiated by selection of the material and bag pattern design. The stabilizer material in this case be a hard mesh. The pattern is designed based on the size of hand bag. Referring to FIG. 9, step 904 cuts the outer material, stabilizer material and inner liner material into pieces according the bag pattern. The next step 906 is to sew the outer material which can be leather or some other fabric to the stabilizer material for each section of the bag. Step 908 sows the inner liner material on to the outer material and stabilizer such that the piece comprises the stabilizer material positioned between the outer material and the inner liner. This process in step 908 is only for the two side sections, the bottom

[0041] At this point the authentic cassette tapes fixing procedure starts in step 910. This step aligns the cassette tapes to the outer surface of the front piece of the outer material. After the alignment, the tapes are attached to the outer material and stabilizer material. This attachment can be accomplished using screws. In particular, a turn knob can attach the tapes. This turn knob can have a stylized head to add to the appearance of the audio cassette tapes on the handbag. This cassette tape attachment process will vary depending on the embodiment. If the entire cassette will be attached to the bag, at this point, the top side and bottom side will be aligned on the outer surface of the bag. Screws or other attaching elements will attach the top and bottom sides of the cassette tape to the bag and each other with the front end and stabilizer material being between the ends of the cassette tape. If only the top side of the cassette tape is attached to the front surface of the bag, attaching elements will secure this top side of the cassette tape to the front of the handbag. If the cassette tapes are a template sheet, this template sheet is attached in the same manner as attaching the only the front end. Again, the screws or other attaching element will extend through both the outer material and stabilizer material. This embodiment using the cassette template is also one in which the template can be temporarily attached and removed from the bag as desired. When this template is not attached to the bag, screw coverings will cover the exposed screws the facilitate another bag design. Once the tapes have been attached to the outer surface, step 912 sows the inner liner to the inner side of the front piece of the bag. One result of sowing this liner section at this point is that this inner liner covers up the screws used to secure the tapes to the bag. Step 914 attaches all of the bag sections at the edges to form the bag. The attachment process can be sowing or other conventional process. Step 916 attaches the bag handles to complete the process.

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of the process of attaching the cassettes to the bag. As described in FIG. 9, step 1002 aligns the cassette tapes on the external outer side of the front piece. Step 1004 then marks the aligned tape locations. Step 1006 attaches the tapes to the external side of the front piece of the bag. In an alternate embodiment, the cassette tapes can be attached to each other to form at design prior to attaching them to the bag. The front ends of the cassette tapes forming the cover can be attached to each other prior to attaching to the bag. As mentioned, the cassette tapes can be a template sheet with a design resembling a plurality of cassette tapes. Step 1008 will secure the tapes to the inner side of the front piece and stabilizer material. In step 1010, the inner liner is attached to the outer material and stabilizer materials in the same as the other sections of the bag.

[0043] In addition to the cassette tapes on the outer front surface of the bag, other ornamental objects can be attached to the tapes. One particular embodiment of the bag has spikes on the tapes but generally its regular cassette tapes. The cassette tapes are fixed using screws so that they remain stable conveniently on the body of purse when they are used in routine. In addition, the handles of the bag can vary per the style of handbag. The handles can be sewn on the back of the pattern so that it can be secured and sit in the middle of the bag. One can perform some of the steps in this process in different sequences. For example, the handles can be sewn before the fabric material is sewn on the back, so it will not visible from inside. After this, the fabric material acting as a handbag lining will be sewn on top of the back where the zip tie is showing. The purpose of this is to close the back of that pattern so the insides of the pattern and the handle aren't visible. The final step of this process then will be fixing of authentic cassette tapes on the front of the bag. As mentioned, the bag is in form of five patterns including front, back, right, left and bottom side which are joined later together to create full bag structure.

[0044] While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used. Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.