SOFT GUSSET, HARD-PANELED LUGGAGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

A formed panel (12) for a bag (50) and method of manufacturing therefor is provided which allows the bag (50) to maintain an original shape without deformation even though the bag may be acted on by external forces, and also allows the bag (50) to appear soft from the ouside thereof. The panel (12) is formed from the impression of a fabric material (2) onto a rigid plastic material (1). Also provided is a hard-sided, soft-gusseted luggage to protect the contents of the luggage without a totally rigid construction. A method of manufacturing is provided a hard panel for luggage which includes impressing a fabric sheet (2) onto a plastic sheet (1) to form a combined sheet and molding the combined sheet to the desired shape. In another embodiment, a formed panel (12) is made from an outer fabric (304), a substrate (305) and an inner fabric (306), all of which are separately formed and then adhered together.