BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a handbag system with an interchangeable lining and removably couplable top flap. More particularly, the invention relates to a device useful in enhancing the versatility and function of the handbag-user experience.
2. Description of the Related Art
In markets today, there are very limited products offered for handbags that combine utility, style, and versatility. Users often have multiple handbags to match with certain outfit and suit the demands of an occasion. Buying many bags can be cost prohibitive and moving one's items from one bag to another can be very time consuming and people are more prone to forgetting important items when moving belongings from one bag to the next. In addition, with the rise of fast fashion landfills are filled with personal belongings that users only use once and want to change.
In addition, very few handbags on the market offer a variety of compartments for the user to be able to store beverages safely while traveling with electronics or other devices and personal belongings.
Other products offered for mutable handbags are not user friendly and stylish. Oftentimes, changing the interior or exterior of the handbag can involve many steps and different parts.
Currently, there are no useful alternatives that effectively provide a handbag system with an interchangeable lining which is also a complete system with various compartments that is stylish and simple to use. In addition, no alternatives on the market offer the capability of having a handbag adapted to be switched to tote or handbag at any time. As will be disclosed below, the present disclosure addresses these needs and covers a bag system that meets consumers' needs of style, form, function, and ease-of-use to prevent these inconveniences and solve these issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a handbag system with an interchangeable lining and method of using the bag. The bag system includes a main compartment, a removably couplable flap at the top, an interchangeable lining with multiple compartments, handles that are also interchangeable, a removable and interchangeable strap, and complementary retention elements. The retention elements can be in the form of zippers, magnets and/or hook and loop, to secure the interchangeable lining and removable top, and clasp-ring pairs to attach the removable strap to the main compartment and improve bag security.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main compartment can be used as an open, tote bag. The main compartment itself is comprised of a front wall, a back wall opposing said front wall, a first and second side walls opposing each other, a bottom attached to all said walls, and two handles attached to the first and the second side walls. A first set of male zipper halves is located along both the first and second side walls of the main compartment lengthwise. A second male-zipper half is positioned below, closer to the base, and parallel to the first pair of zippers; it goes along the inner circumference of the main compartment. The main compartment also possesses a clasp located on the interior face of the back wall.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main compartment can be used in combination with the removable flap. The removable flap is comprised of two sub-flaps that couple to the first set of male zipper halves, located on first and second side walls of the main compartment, by complementary female zipper halves on their outer sides. The flaps attach to each other by a zipper pair located on the inner sides of the flaps.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clasp located on the interior face of the main compartment's back wall can be hooked into the pull tab of the zipper set that attaches the flaps of the removable top. Attaching the aforementioned clasp to the zipper pull tab enhances the security of the top flap and main compartment embodiment (mentioned in 009).
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main compartment can be used in combination with the interchangeable lining. The interchangeable lining couples to the main compartment's second-male zipper half via a complementary female-zipper half located along the top edge of the lining.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a removable strap can be attached to the main compartment. The strap possesses two spring-loaded clasps, one on each end, that fasten to two metal rings located on the outer faces of the main compartment's front and back walls.
In alternative embodiments, the main compartment can be used in various combinations and configurations with the top flaps, lining, strap, or back-wall clasp.
In alternative embodiments, the removable lining can include one or more cupholders secure enough to hold one or more drinks on each of the opposite sides of the inside of the liners, in addition to a sleeve to secure electronics adjacent to the one or more beverage pockets
In accordance with one form of this disclosure, there is provided a method for interchanging a top removable flap to change a handbag system from a bag to a tote and vice versa. The method also allows a user, in addition to changing a bag from a tote to a handbag, to also remove a complete interior liner and move it from one bag to the next.
Before explaining the various embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the embodiment, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular bag system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the modular bag system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the top opening cover 110 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner wall of the primary bag according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is another top view of the modular bag system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the modular bag system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the modular bag system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the modular bag system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the various cover attachments according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the modular bag system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 11-13 are side views of the inner bag according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a compartment attachment according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inner cavity of the primary bag 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiment and various other embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively a perspective view and a top view of the modular bag system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The modular bag system includes a primary bag 100 and an inner bag 200. The primary bag 100 includes a cavity configured to accommodate the inner bag 200 so that the inner bag 200 can be easily placed inside or removed from the primary bag 100. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner bag 200 also includes a cavity and a plurality of compartments on two opposite sides of the inner cavity. In the present embodiment, the compartments of the inner bag 200 have different sizes and are respectively configured to accommodate articles of different sizes, such as mobile phone, wallet, and beverage container. Thus, a user can move all articles already placed the inner bag 200 to a second primary bag by simply pick up the inner bag 200 and place it inside the second primary bag having a different ornamental design and also configured to accommodate the inner bag 200.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the top opening cover 110 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The top opening cover 110 includes a first flap 111, a second flap 112, a connecting portion 113, and a first fastener 114. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first and second flaps 111, 112 mirror each other and originally have a gap between the flaps 111, 112, wherein the first fastener 114 is used to couple the flaps 111, 112 and close said gap. The connecting portion 113 is connected to one end of both the first and second flaps 111, 112 so that the two flaps 111, 112 are never fully separated.
The first flap 111 includes a first fastener side 111a and a first bag side 111b and the second flap 112 includes a second fastener side 112a and a second bag side 112b. A plurality of first fastener teeth 115 are disposed on the first and second fastener sides 111a, 112a for the first fastener 114 to join the first fastener teeth 115 and couple the first flap 111 with the second flap 112.
On the other hand, the first flap 111 includes a plurality of second fastener teeth 116 and a second fastener 117 both disposed on the first bag side 111b. Similarly, the second flap 112 includes a plurality of second fastener teeth 116 and a second fastener 117 both disposed on the second bag side 112b. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner wall of the primary bag 100. The primary bag 100 also includes a plurality of second fastener teeth 116 disposed on one of its inner wall, wherein the second fastener 117 of the first flap 111 can join the second fastener teeth 116 of the first flap 111 with those of the primary bag 100 to couple first flap 111 with the primary bag 100. Similarly, the second fastener 117 of second flap 112 can join the second fastener teeth 116 of second flap 112 with those of the primary bag 100 to couple second flap 112 with the primary bag 100.
FIG. 5 is another top view of the modular bag system, wherein the first and second flaps 110, 120 are removably coupled with the primary bag 100. The primary bag 100 includes a top opening configured for the inner bag 200 to pass therethrough and then be accommodated in the primary bag 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first and second flaps 111, 112 are coupled with the primary bag 100 as described above. Further, the first and second flaps 111, 112 are in a horizontal first position that covers the vast majority of the top opening. Thus, in order to reach inside the primary bag 100, a user needs to decouple the first flap 111 from the second flap 112 using the first fastener 114, to place the two flaps 111, 112 in a second position and widen the gap between the flaps 111, 112 and reveal the contents of the primary 100 or the inner bag 200.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the modular bag system of the first embodiment. The modular bag system further includes a flap anchor 118 placed on the inner surface of the primary bag 100. Once the first fastener 114 finishes joining the first fastener teeth 115 and coupling the first flap 111 with the second flap 112, the user can couple the first fastener 114 with the flap anchor 118 to secure the location of the first fastener 114. This adds another layer of security to the contents of the primary bag 100 as the user now needs to first decouple the first fastener 114 with the flap anchor 118 and then use the first fastener 114 to decouple the flaps 111, 112 to reach inside the primary bag 100.
In the embodiment discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the coupling between the first and second flaps 111, 112 and that between the primary bag 100 and the flaps 111, 112 is a zipper closure. However, in different embodiments, the above coupling between the above-mentioned elements can include the use of a drawstring closure, a hook and loop closure, a magnetic snap closure, a metal snap button closure, a turn or twist closure, a tuck lock closure, a sewing button closure, a side release buckle, a hook and eye closure, and a kiss-lock clasp. For instance, the second fastener teeth 116 on the flaps 111, 112 in FIG. 3 and the inner surface of the primary bag 100 in FIG. 4 can be replaced with corresponding magnetic snaps, side release buckle, hook-and-loop fasteners, or metal snap buttons for the user to selectively couple and decouple the flaps 111, 112 with the primary bag 100.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the modular bag system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The modular bag system includes a pair of first carrying straps 310 and a pair of second carrying straps 320. The modular bag system includes a plurality of first bag attachments 101a disposed on the outer surface of the primary bag 100. Each of the first carrying straps 310 includes two first strap attachment 311 disposed on two ends of the first carrying straps 310 and configured to be removably coupled with the first bag attachment 101a. Similarly, each of the second carrying straps 320 also includes two second strap attachments 321 disposed on two ends of the second carrying straps and configured to be removably coupled with the first bag attachment 101a.
In the present embodiment, the primary bag 100 has a handbag configuration wherein the first carrying straps 310 form two handles located on top of the primary bag 100. The primary bag 100 also has a backpack configuration where the second carrying straps 320 form two shoulder straps on one side of the primary bag 100. As illustrated in FIG. 7, both the first and second carrying straps 310, 320 are coupled with the primary bag 100 and thus the primary bag 100 is in both the handbag configuration and the backpack configuration. However, in different embodiments, the primary bag 100 can be configured to have just one carrying configuration by being coupled with only the first carrying straps 310 or only the second carrying straps 320. Further, the primary bag 100 also includes a pair of second bag attachments 101b disposed on two narrow and opposite sides of the primary bag 100. Thus, a user can couple two ends of the first carrying strap 310 or those of the second carrying strap 320 with the second bag attachments 101b and gives the primary bag 100 a shoulder bag configuration that allows the user to carry the modular bag system on one shoulder. FIG. 7 illustrates that the various carrying configurations that the user can create by coupling the carrying straps with different parts of the primary bag 100.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the modular bag system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The primary bag 100 further includes two cover attachment portions 102a, 102b located at the two corners of the primary bag 100. The modular bag system also includes two first cover attachments 300a, 300b configured to be removably coupled with the cover attachment portions 102 and the primary bag 100. The first cover attachment 300a and the cover attachment portion 102a have the same size and orientation. On the other hand, the first cover attachment 300b and the cover attachment portion 102b have the same size and orientation.
In the present embodiment, the modular bag system have a pair of corresponding magnetic snaps each disposed on the cover attachment portions 102a, 102b and the corresponding first cover attachment 300a, 300b. Thus, a user can use the magnetic attraction force between first cover attachments 300a, 300b and the cover attachment portion 102a, 102b to manually couple the first cover attachments 300a, 300b with the primary bag 100. However, in different embodiments, the modular bag system can make use of other closure systems such as metal snap buttons closure and turn-or-twist closure for the user to manually couple the first cover attachments 300a, 300b with the cover attachment portion 102a, 102b.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the various cover attachments according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The modular bag system further includes a pair of second cover attachments 310a, 310b, a pair of third cover attachments 320a. 320b, and a pair of fourth cover attachments 330a, 330b having different ornamental pattern and colors. The above-mentioned cover attachments 300a-330b are configured to be removably coupled with the cover attachment portions 102 of the primary bag 100. The cover attachment 310a, 320a, 330a and the cover attachment portion 102a have corresponding size and orientation. Similarly, the cover attachment 310b, 320b, 330b and the cover attachment portion 102a have corresponding size and orientation. The various cover attachments give user choices on how to decorate and customize the modular bag system based on his or her preferences. For instance, the user can selectively couple the cover attachments 310a, 310b of the same ornamental pattern and color to the corresponding cover attachment portions 102a, 102b. On the other hand, the user can also couple the cover attachment 310a, 320b of different ornamental patterns and colors to the corresponding cover attachment portions 102a, 102b.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the modular bag system according to the third embodiment. The modular bag system includes two first primary bags 400a, 400b, two second primary bags 410a, 410b, and two third primary bags 420a, 420b. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the primary bags 400a, 410a, 420a a pair of fifth cover attachments 340a, 340b of the same ornamental pattern and colors. On the other hand, the primary bags 400b, 410b, 420b a pair of first cover attachment 300a, 300b of the same ornamental pattern and colors. Further, the first carrying straps 310 coupled with the primary bags 410a, 420a are different in color with the first carrying straps 310 coupled with the primary bags 410b, 420b. FIG. 10 illustrates that the number of ornamental customizations that the user can create simply by coupling the cover attachments and carrying straps to different parts of the primary bag.
FIGS. 11-13 are side views of the inner bag 200 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The inner bag 200 includes an opening regulating portion and an associated variable compartment 202. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the opening regulating portion has a first regulating portion 201a, a second regulation portion 201b, a plurality of fasteners 203a, 203b configured to couple the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b and close the gap between said regulating portions 201a, 201b. In the present embodiment, the fasteners 203a are two magnetic element placed configured to attract when near each other. The fastener 203b is a zipper closure having zipper teeth disposed on two opposite sides of the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b and a zipper for joining the zipper teeth to close the gap between the regulating portions 201a, 201b. FIG. 12 illustrates the variable compartment 202 fully closed by the magnetic fasteners 203a, and zipper closure formed by the zipper fastener 203b. The fully closed variable compartment 202 ensures that its content will not be exposed through the previously existing gap between the first and second regulating portions 201a.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, a beverage container is partly placed in the variable compartment 202. The top half of the beverage container protrudes outside the top of the variable compartment 202. Also, the handle of the beverage container passes through the gap between the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b. Thus, the zipper fasters 203b unable to fully close said gap between the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b in order for the regulating portions 201a, 201b to embrace the beverage container. To ensure that the beverage container is secured inside the variable compartment 202, the magnetic fasteners 203a are coupled in order for the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b to embrace at least the bottom half of the beverage container. As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the inner bag 200 further includes two drawstring fasteners 203c disposed on both the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b for the user to pull said drawstring fasteners 203c to bring the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b closer and help securing the beverage container.
FIG. 14 is a compartment attachment 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The compartment attachment 500 has a first regulating portion 201a, a second regulation portion 201b, a plurality of fasteners 203a, 203b configured to couple the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b and close the gap between said regulating portions 201a, 201b. The fasteners 203a are two magnetic element placed configured to attract each other when near. The fastener 203b is a zipper closure having zipper teeth disposed on two opposite sides of the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b and a zipper for joining the zipper teeth to close the gap between the regulating portions 201a, 201b. The compartment attachment 500 also includes two drawstring fasteners 203c disposed on both the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b for the user to pull said drawstring fasteners 203c to bring the first and second regulating portions 201a, 201b closer and help securing the beverage container.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inner cavity of the primary bag 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The primary bag 100 includes a plurality of third fastener teeth 119 disposed on the inner surface of the primary bag 100. On the other hand, the compartment attachment 500 illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a bag attachments 501 configured to couple with the third fastener teeth 119 on the primary bag 100 in order to couple the compartment attachment 500 with the primary bag 100. In the present embodiment, the compartment attachment 500 is preferably configured to accommodate a beverage container. A user can move the compartment attachment 500 (that is still accommodating the beverage container) from the primary bag 100 to a second one by decoupling the bag attachments 501 with the third fastener teeth 119 from the first primary bag 100 and then couple the same bag attachments 501 with the third fastener teeth 119 of another primary bag. This allows the user to freely move the beverage container accommodation function of the primary bag 100 around, by removing the compartment attachment 500 from the primary bag 100 and install it on another primary bag. As illustrated in FIG. 5, there exist two gaps between the first and second flaps 111, 112 and the two narrow and opposite sides of the primary bag 100. As described above, the third fastener teeth 119 are disposed on the inner surface of said narrow and opposite sides of the primary bag 100 to couple with the compartment attachment 500. Thus, the gap gives the user easy access to the beverage container in the compartment attachment 500.
The foregoing descriptions of specific implementations have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary implementations were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its implementations with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.
It is therefore submitted that the invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary implementations. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the invention.
Patent Application
20240341425
