Method of using shoe components and shoe production methods to manufacture handbags

Abstract

Disclosed are handbags constructed using shoe components and shoe production methods. The handbags include a sole with an insole layer, a midsole layer, and an outsole layer. The insole lines the bottom of the interior of the handbag, the outsole lines the bottom of the exterior of the handbag, and the midsole rests in-between the insole and outsole layers. The handbags further include a welt, which is preferably attached to the insole and to the sidewalls of the handbag. The handbags also employ a combination of handbag side material, shoe uppers, stiffeners, counters, and other structures to form, support, and decorate the handbag sidewalls. Each of these sidewall components can be of different colors and textures to provide a distinctive structure reminiscent of a shoe. Additional materials can also be used to decorate the sidewalls. The sidewalls form a collar that encircles a handbag opening, preferably located near the top of the handbags. The handbag opening is equipped with a fastener such as a zipper, clasp, or button, which allows the handbag opening to be opened and closed easily. The handbags further include a combination of handles and straps generally located near the top of the handbags.

1 . A handbag comprising:
 handbag side material and a shoe sole, a shoe counter, and shoe uppers of an at least partially manufactured shoe;   said shoe sole having a bottom and a top;   said shoe counter having left and right side counter sections;   said shoe uppers having left and right side upper sections that are not attached to each other;   said counter and uppers being attached on at least one side to the top of said sole;   said counter and uppers being attached on remaining unattached sides to said handbag side material;   said handbag side material configured to attach to the remaining unattached top of said sole, and further being configured to attach to the remaining unattached sides of said counter and uppers, thereby forming a patchwork structure in which said handbag side material, shoe counter, and shoe uppers form the outside of said handbag, said shoe sole forms the bottom of said handbag; and said handbag has a single large opening approximately oppositely disposed to said sole forming the bottom of said handbag.   
     
     
         2 . The handbag of  claim 1 , wherein said handbag side material has a color and texture that is different from said shoe counter and shoe uppers. 
     
     
         3 . The handbag of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoe welt applied to the junction region between said shoe sole and shoe uppers. 
     
     
         4 . The handbag of  claim 1 , wherein said handbag additionally comprises a carrying handle formed from two oppositely disposed holes in said handbag side material, said oppositely disposed handle holes being positioned closer to the single large opening in said handbag and further from said sole. 
     
     
         5 . The handbag of  claim 1 , wherein said handbag further comprises a carrying strap. 
     
     
         6 . The handbag of  claim 1 , wherein said single large opening can be shut by at least one zipper, clasp, button, or other fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The handbag of  claim 1  wherein said upper further comprises a plurality of grommet holes. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a handbag, comprising:
 obtaining a shoe sole having a bottom and a top;   obtaining a shoe counter having left and right side counter sections;   obtaining shoe uppers having left and right side upper sections;   attaching said shoe counter and shoe uppers on at least one side of said shoe counter and shoe uppers to the top of said sole;   obtaining handbag side material;   detaching said left side and right side of said shoe upper sections from each other if said the left side and the right side of said shoe upper sections are attached to one another;   attaching said shoe counter and uppers on at least one side to the top of said sole;   attaching said shoe counter and shoe uppers on their remaining unattached sides to said handbag side material;   configuring said handbag side material to attach to the remaining unattached top of said sole, and further attaching said handbag side material to the remaining unattached sides of said shoe counter and shoe uppers, thereby forming a patchwork structure in which said handbag side material, shoe counter, and shoe uppers form the outside of said handbag, said shoe sole forms the bottom of said handbag; and said handbag has a single large opening approximately oppositely disposed to said sole forming the bottom of said handbag.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further applying a shoe welt to the junction region between said shoe sole and shoe uppers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further producing a carrying handle formed from two oppositely disposed handle holes in said handbag side material, said oppositely disposed handle holes being positioned closer to the single large opening in said handbag and further from said sole, by cutting said handle holes in said handbag side material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further attaching a carrying strap to said handbag. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further attaching at least one zipper, clasp, button, or other fastener to the handbag side material proximate said single large opening; said least one zipper, clasp, button, or other fastener configured to allow said single large opening to open in a first mode, and shut in a second mode. 
     
     
         13 . A carrying container having a top and a bottom, comprising:
 a sole having a top and a bottom, the sole forming the bottom of the carrying container;   sidewalls comprising of side material and uppers;   the uppers having left and right side upper sections;   the sidewalls being attached on at least one side to the top of the sole; and   the sidewalls forming a collar near the top of the carrying container, the collar encircling an opening.   
     
     
         14 . The carrying container of  claim 13 , wherein the sole comprises an outsole at the bottom of the sole, an insole at the top of the sole, and a midsole located in-between the outsole and insole, the outsole having a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         15 . The carrying container of  claim 14 , further comprising a welt attached to the outsole and at least one sidewall, with the midsole not visible from the exterior of the carrying container. 
     
     
         16 . The carrying container of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewalls are generally perpendicular to the sole. 
     
     
         17 . The carrying container of  claim 16 , wherein the uppers are made of material stiffer than the side material. 
     
     
         18 . The carrying container of  claim 17 , wherein the left and right side upper sections that are not attached to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The carrying container of  claim 18 , wherein the uppers are attached on one side to the top of the sole, with remaining unattached portions of the top of the sole attached to the side material. 
     
     
         20 . The carrying container of  claim 19 , wherein the sidewalls further comprises a counter attached to the sole and the uppers.