Handbag system with replaceable outer tote shell and attachment mechanism

Abstract

A handbag system includes an inner bag and at least one outer shell. The inner bag has a compartment into which items can be placed and a handle with a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to a first position on the inner bag while the second end is unfixed but has a first fastener. A corresponding second fastener is fixed to a second position on the inner bag to releasably connect with the first fastener. The outer shell defines an inner volume that accepts the inner bag and has a first and second openings corresponding to the first and second positions of the inner bag. The second end of the handle is passable through the first and second openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via the second fastener.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This application relates generally to the field of handbags, and in more specific embodiments, to a tote bag with a replaceable outer shell and a mechanism for attachment to an inner bag portion.

2. Description of the Related Art

Handbags are used by people to hold and carry various items, from wallets, to keys, to cosmetics, to any number of personal items. Beyond the purely functional aspects of carrying personal items, handbags also provide an aesthetic aspect as an accessory, helping to define the style and appearance of an individual.

Handbags are designed in a variety of styles and fabrics and materials of varying weights, colors, and patterns. Because the external appearance of the conventional handbag is fixed, people generally have multiple handbags that they use for different situations or occasions. However, moving items between multiple bags can be a source of frustration for the person. Further, buying different styles of bags to suit different occasions can also be expensive. Therefore, there is a need for a bag with a replaceable outer shell to suit a variety of purposes, situations, or occasions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A simplified summary is provided herein to help enable a basic or general understanding of various aspects of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments that follow in the more detailed description and the accompanying drawings. This summary is not intended, however, as an extensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts related to some exemplary, non-limiting embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of the various embodiments that follow.

In one aspect, the disclosure presents an inner bag, into which items can be placed, with handles that can interlock with a replaceable outer shell of various styles and materials. The inner bag, the outer shell, and the handles can be made of one or more various materials, including leather, nylon, or fabric of any other suitable materials.

In a further aspect, the inner bag has a first handle on a first side and a second handle on an opposing second side, and a fastener on each of the first and second sides respectively corresponding to the first and second handles. The first and the second handles each have two ends, a first end of which that is fixedly attached to the respective side of the inner bag, and a second end of which that can be removably attached to the respective fastener on the first side or second side of the inner bag.

In a further aspect, there is an outer shell in which the inner bag can be placed. The other shell has two openings on the first side and two openings on the second side. The openings on the outer shell are arranged such that the detached first handle of the inner bag can be looped through the two openings on the first side of the outer shell and then secured to its respective fastener on the first side of the inner bag, and the detached second handle of the inner bag can be looped through the two openings on the second side of the outer shell and then secured to its respective fastener on the second side of the inner bag. In this way, the inner bag and an outer shell can be combined to form a complete bag assembly.

In a further aspect, when the inner bag and outer shell are combined, the assembled bag system appears to an observer as if it is a conventional, single-piece bag, rather than an assembly of multiple parts. The combined bag can appear as a seamless, single-piece bag. The openings on the outer shell can be arranged to match the dimensions of the inner bag to help accomplish this cohesive appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating aspects of the present application, there are shown in the drawings certain preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely presented to clarify illustrated embodiments of the invention. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a first embodiment outer shell described in some aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a back side of a second embodiment outer shell, having a trolley handle sleeve as described in some aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment inner bag described in some aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an assembled handbag described in some aspects of this disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a drawing of another embodiment inner bag described in some aspects of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as limiting the present disclosure. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of,” if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, outer shell 100 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. FIG. 1 depicts a first side 102 of outer shell 100, such as the front side or the back side of outer shell 100. Though specific designs can vary between a front side and back side of an outer shell, the two sides will generally match in appearance. However, it will be appreciated that other, non-symmetrical, arrangements are possible. For example, one or both sides of outer shell 100 can include pockets for storing items that might not match pockets or other designs on the reverse or opposite side of outer shell 100. By way of specific example, as disclosed in the following, the back side of an outer shell can also include a trolley handle sleeve that allows the bag assembly to be secured to luggage trolley handles.

In an aspect, first side 102, such as the front side, of outer shell 100 has two openings 101, which can also be called eyelets. Similarly, a second, opposing side of outer shell 100, such as a back side of outer shell 100, also includes two openings 101. The openings 101 on the first side 102 of outer shell 100 are sized to accept a first handle from an inner bag, and are positioned at locations corresponding to terminal ends of the first handle on the inner bag. Hence, the first handle from the inner bag can be looped through each of the two openings 101, and when so looped, the two openings 101 of the first side 102 can respectively correspond to the terminal ends of the first handle on the inner bag. Similarly, the openings 101 of the opposing, second side, of outer shell 100 are sized to accept a second handle of the inner bag, and are positioned at locations corresponding to the terminal ends of this second handle. Hence, analogous to the first handle, the second handle of the inner bag can be looped through each of the two openings 101 of the second side and, when so looped, the two openings 101 of the second side can respectively correspond to the terminal ends of the second handle on the inner bag.

It will be further appreciated that outer shell 100 defines an inner volume 104 between the first side 102 and its opposing second side, into which volume 104 one or more items may be placed. In particular, the above-mentioned inner bag may be disposed within inner volume 104 of outer shell 100, and then the first and second handles of this inner bag may be engaged with the openings 101 of their respective first and second sides of outer shell 100 to integrate the inner bag with outer shell 100. Hence, the handles extend out of their respectively openings 101 from within volume 104 to form respective loops used for carrying purposes. Eyelets or openings 101 preferably have shapes that substantially correspond to the cross-sectional area of their respective handles, so as to provide a pleasing appearance and to ensure engagement between the handles and eyelets 101 is not unnecessarily loose or sloppy. Further, it will be appreciated that the external surface of outer shell 100 may be made of any suitable material conventionally used for handbags, such as cloth, leather or the like. Such material or materials preferably provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance and may also be water proof or water resistant, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, second side 206, such as a back side, of another embodiment outer shell 200, which includes a trolley handle sleeve in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates some aspects in which back side 206 of outer shell 200 includes a trolley handle sleeve that allows the bag assembly to be secured to luggage trolley handles for convenience during travel. This configuration, with a trolley handle sleeve, need not be included in all outer shells in accordance with the present disclosed subject matter, but is simply an option for various embodiments of an outer shell.

As with FIG. 1, back side 206 of outer shell 200 contains two openings 201, e.g., eyelets. Openings 201 are arranged such that the corresponding handle from an inner bag can be looped through the two openings 201, this handle of the inner bag thus extending from inner volume 204 of outer shell 200 to form a loop for carrying purposes. A trolley handle sleeve 210 for accepting a trolley handle of luggage is formed much like an external pocket in a conventional bag, defining a pocket 214 between inner volume 204 and the external surface of handle sleeve 210. Top zipper 220 is used to selectively open and close the top opening of pocket 214, while a bottom zipper 230 is used to selectively open and close the bottom opening of pocket 214. When both zippers 220 and 230 are open, a trolley handle of luggage can pass through the top and bottom openings of pocket 214, thus forming a convenient engaging point between outer shell 200 and a piece of luggage. When bottom zipper 230 is closed, pocket 214 may serve as a conventional external pocket of outer shell 200, into volume 214 of which a user may dispose items of his or her choice and then seal within by closing top zipper 220.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, inner bag 300 in accordance with one embodiment, which may be disposed within, for example, inner volumes 104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200. Inner bag 300 may itself define compartment 304 into which a user may dispose items for carrying. This compartment 304 may be closable by any suitable means, such as one or more snaps, one or more zippers, loop-and-hook fastener, or the like.

The shape of inner volumes 104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200 preferably substantially corresponds to the shape of the external surface of inner bag 300 so that inner bag 300 is snugly retained within the outer shell. Hence, when inner bag 300 is slid within an outer shell of the user's choice, a bottom surface 306 of inner bag 300 preferably comes to rests on a bottom of the inner volume of this outer shell, while the other surfaces of inner bag 300 preferably slidably abut their corresponding surfaces of the inner volume of the outer shell. Additionally, when properly disposed within the outer shell, the openings or eyelets of the outer shell preferably are aligned over, or just slightly vertically above, the respective terminal ends of the handles of inner bag 300, in which the “vertical” direction may be viewed as being antiparallel to the insertion direction of inner bag 300 within the outer shell.

FIG. 3 depicts a first side 302 of inner bag 300, such as a front side or a back side of inner bag 300. Though specific designs can vary between a front side and back side of an inner bag, the two sides will generally match in appearance. The appearance of inner bag 300 will generally be shielded from view when the bag system is fully assembled, with inner bag 300 being placed inside the inner volume defined by an outer shell of choosing of the user. Although the external surface of inner bag 300 is typically not visible when being used in conjunction with an outer shell, in preferred embodiments the external surface of inner bag 300 is also provided with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, thus offering yet another possible user configuration, in which inner bag 300 is carried alone, and thus not disposed within an outer shell.

First side 302 of inner bag 300 includes a first handle 310 having a first end 312 that may be fixedly attached or releasably attached to inner bag 300 at a first position 320. For the specific embodiment inner bag 300 depicted in FIG. 3, first end 312 of first handle 310 is fixedly attached to first position 320. First position 320 is preferably on the external surface of inner bag 300 and is at a location that corresponds to one of the openings or eyelets of an outer shell, as previously indicated. By way of example, as shown in FIG. 3, first end 312 of first handle 310 can be sewn to inner bag 300. However, it will be appreciated that alternative fixable assembly methods can be used, such as gluing, ultrasonic welding, being integrally formed with first side 302 or any other suitable bonding or coupling method, depending upon materials used, desired finished appearance, durability and the like. As illustrated, first handle 310 is not drawn to scale, but is drawn to illustrate its two opposite ends 312, 314, in which first end 312 is fixedly attached to inner bag 300 at first position 320, and the opposing, second end 314 is removably attachable to a second position 340 of inner bag 300 and is shown in an unattached state. Second position 340 is preferably on the external surface of inner bag 300 and is at a location that corresponds to another one of the openings or eyelets of the outer shell, analogous to first position 320. First handle 310 will generally be longer than illustrated, to allow for carrying of the assembled bag system by hand or over the shoulder. A bag assembly 1 in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure is shown in FIG. 4, combining inner bag 300 with outer shell 100, and depicts a full-length first handle 310.

Second end 314 of first handle 310 includes a first fastener 330, which allows first handle 310 to be removably attached to inner bag 300 at second position 340. Inner bag 300 thus includes a corresponding second fastener 342, which is designed to be combined with first fastener 330 to allow second end 314 of first handle 310 to be removably attached to inner bag 300. Any suitable removable fastening means may be used for first fastener 330 and second fastener 342. For example, snaps, buttons, clips, hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO®), zippers, buckles and the like may be used.

As an alternative embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates an inner bag 500 substantially similar to inner bag 300 but for which both ends of handle 510 are removably attachable, thus permitting changing not only the outer shell 500 but also the handles 510 themselves. In the embodiment inner bag 500, first end 512 of handle 510 is removably attached to first position 520 by way of paired fasteners 550, analogous to second end 514 and second position 540. For aesthetic reasons, these fasteners 550 may be identical to first fastener 530 and second fastener 542.

Returning back to FIG. 3, in certain preferred embodiments, a respective first loop 350 and second loop 360 are fixedly attached to inner bag 300 vertically above first position 320 and second position 340. Each loop 350, 360 is sized to accept first handle 310. Second loop 360, disposed just above second fastener 342, helps to ensure that first fastener 330 at second end 314 of first handle 310 does not inadvertently detach from second fastener 342 on inner bag 300. First loop 350 may be provided simply to provide an aesthetic balance with second loop 360 or to similarly serve to prevent inadvertent detachment of first end 312 if it is also releasably attached to inner bag 300, as also shown in FIG. 5.

Though FIG. 3 depicts only one side of an inner bag, either a front or back, the reverse side has a second handle and the second handle on the reverse side also has a first end that is fixedly attached to the inner bag and a second end that can be removably attached to a fastener on the inner bag, with each position corresponding to an opening or eyelet of the outer shell, analogous to the first handle 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, assembled handbag 1 as described in some aspects of this disclosure. In this example, outer shell 100 is combined with inner bag 300, which, apart from first handle 310, is not shown because it is disposed inside inner volume 104 of outer shell 100 and thus hidden from view. As discussed above, first handle 310 is attached to inner bag 300 on two ends 312, 314, one end 312 fixed and the other end 314 removably attached. The attachment of first handle 310 to inner bag 300 is also hidden from view in the full assembly 1 illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown, first handle 310 is sequentially looped through each of the two openings 101 of outer shell 100.

To assemble bag assembly 1 depicted in FIG. 4, inner bag 300 is configured so that first handle 310 is unattached and is not threaded through second loop 360, but is threaded through first loop 350. The second handle of inner bag 300 is placed in a similar state. Inner bag 300 is then disposed within inner volume 104 of outer shell 100 so that bottom surface 306 of inner bag 300 rests against the bottom of inner volume 104, while the other surfaces of inner bag 300 abut their corresponding surfaces of inner volume 104. The free, second end 314 of first handle 310 is first threaded through opening 101 immediately adjacent to first position 320 of inner bag 300, thus extending from inner volume 104 out of outer shell 100, and then threaded through opening 101 immediately adjacent to second position 340 of inner bag 300, thus looping back into inner volume 104. The second end 314 of handle 310 is then passed through second loop 350, and fastener 330 is attached to fastener 342 to removably connect second end 314 to second position 340 of inner bag. A similar process is then performed for the second handle on the opposite side of inner bag 310.

FIG. 4 depicts one side of bag assembly 1, such as either the front side or the back side. Though specific designs can vary between a front side and back side, the two sides will generally match in appearance. In certain aspects, as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, the back side of the outer shell 100 can also include a trolley handle sleeve that allows the bag to be secured to a trolley handle, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Though FIG. 4 shows only one side of a bag assembly 1, either a front or back, the reverse side also has two openings 101 with a second handle sequentially looped therethrough.

Unlike the illustration in FIG. 3, handle 310 in FIG. 4 is shown to scale with the remainder of bag assembly 1 of FIG. 4. Though the exact length and proportions can vary, first handle 310 (and, preferably, its corresponding second handle on the opposite side of assembly 1) will typically be long enough for bag assembly 1 to be carried by hand or possibly long enough to be carried over the shoulder.

As depicted in FIG. 4, bag assembly 1 can appear as one bag, rather than an assembly of multiple pieces. Bag assembly 1 provides the seamless appearance of a regular bag, and not the combination of an inner bag with an outer shell. The openings on the outer shell, as well as the relative dimensions of the inner bag and outer shells, can be arranged to help accomplish this appearance. For example, sufficient distance may be left between the ends 312, 314 of handle 310 so that openings 101 are covered by inner bag 300. Additionally, patterning of the outer surface of inner bag 300 may match the patterning of the inner surface of the inner volumes 104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200.

It will be appreciated that an advantage of various embodiments is that numerous different types of outer shells may be provided, such as one with a smooth outer appearance, another with pockets, yet another with a trolley sleeve, and so forth, as well as providing variations in colors, patterns, textures and materials. A user can thus easily change the functionality, appearance or both of a bag assembly 1 by simply swapping out one outer shell for another. Further, this ability to change outer shells provides a significant financial benefit to the user, as he or she user needs only to buy an outer shell to obtain a new appearance or function of the bag assembly 1, at a fraction of the price of buying a whole new bag. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the bag system 1 may include layered outer shells. For example, a bag system 1 may include inner bag 300 disposed within outer shell 100, and then this entire combination disposed within outer shell 200, with the ends of handles 310 then passing through respective pairs of openings 101, 201.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present subject matter has many applications, may be implemented in various manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment, the locations of particular elements can be altered and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. While there have been shown and described fundamental features of the invention as applied to being exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known, future developed variations and modifications to the components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A handbag system comprising: an inner bag having a first side, the inner bag comprising: a compartment into which items can be placed;a first handle having a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to a first position on the first side, the second end having a first fastener; anda second fastener fixed to a second position on the first side and configured to releasably connect with the first fastener; anda first outer shell having a first side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the inner bag, the first side of the first outer shell comprising: a first opening corresponding to the first position of the inner bag; anda second opening corresponding to the second position of the inner bag;wherein the first and second openings of the first outer shell are arranged such that the second end of the first handle is passable through the first and second openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via the second fastener.

2. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein: the inner bag further comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the inner bag;a second handle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second handle fixed to a third position on the second side of the inner bag, the second end having a third fastener; anda fourth fastener fixed to a fourth position on the second side of the inner bag and configured to releasably connect with the third fastener; andthe first outer shell further comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the first outer shell, the inner volume defined between the first and second sides of the first outer shell, the second side of the first outer shell comprising a third opening corresponding to the third position of the inner bag and a fourth opening corresponding to the fourth position of the inner bag;wherein the third and fourth openings of the first outer shell are arranged such that the second end of the second handle is passable through the third and fourth openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via the fourth fastener.

3. The handbag system of claim 2 further comprising: a first loop adjacent to the second fastener, the first loop configured to accept the first handle; anda second loop adjacent to the fourth fastener, the second loop configured to accept the second handle.

4. The handbag system of claim 3 further comprising: a third loop fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag, the third loop configured to accept the first handle; anda fourth loop fixed adjacent the third position of the inner bag, the fourth loop configured to accept the second handle.

5. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the inner bag covers the first, second, third, and fourth openings when disposed in the inner volume of the first outer shell.

6. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein a patterning of an inner surface of the inner volume matches a patterning of an external surface of the inner bag.

7. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth positions are on an external surface of the inner bag.

8. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the inner bag covers the first, second, third, and fourth openings when disposed in the inner volume of the first outer shell.

9. The handbag system of claim 1 further comprising at least a loop adjacent to the second fastener, the loop configured to accept the first handle.

10. The handbag system of claim 8 further comprising: a first loop fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag; anda second loop fixed adjacent the second position of the inner bag;wherein the first and second loops are configured to accept the first handle.

11. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein the inner bag covers the first and second openings when disposed in the inner volume of the first outer shell.

12. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein a patterning of an inner surface of the inner volume matches a patterning of an external surface of the inner bag.

13. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein the first position and the second position are on an external surface of the inner bag.

14. The handbag system of claim 1 further comprising a second out shell having a first side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the first outer shell, the first side of the second outer shell comprising a first opening corresponding to the first position of the inner bag, and a second opening corresponding to the second position of the inner bag, wherein the first and second openings of the second outer shell are arranged such that the second end of the first handle is passable through the first and second openings of the second outer shell to releasably secure to the inner bag via the second fastener.

15. A method for assembling a handbag system, the handbag system comprising: an inner bag having a first side, the inner bag comprising: a first handle having a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to a first position on the first side, the second end having a first fastener; anda second fastener fixed to a second position on the first side and configured to releasably connect with the first fastener; andan outer shell having a first side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the inner bag, the first side comprising: a first opening corresponding to the first position of the inner bag; anda second opening corresponding to the second position of the inner bag;

16. The method of claim 15 wherein: the inner bag further comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the inner bag;a second handle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second handle fixed to a third position on the second side, the second end having a third fastener; anda fourth fastener fixed to a fourth position on the second side and configured to releasably connect with the third fastener; andthe outer shell further comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the outer shell, the inner volume defined between the first and second sides of the outer shell, the second side of the outer shell comprising a third opening corresponding to the third position of the inner bag and a fourth opening corresponding to the fourth position of the inner bag;

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the inner bag further comprises a first loop fixed adjacent to the second fastener and a second loop fixed adjacent fourth fastener and the method further comprises passing the second end of the first handle through the first loop prior to attaching the first fastener to the second fastener, and passing the second end of the second handle through the second loop prior to attaching the third fastener to the fourth fastener.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the inner bag further comprises a loop fixed adjacent to the second fastener and the method further comprises passing the second end of the first handle through the loop prior to attaching the first fastener to the second fastener.

19. A handbag system comprising: an inner bag having a first side, the inner bag comprising: a compartment into which items can be placed;a first handle having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first fastener, the second end having a second fastener;a third fastener fixed to a first position on the first side and configured to releasably connect with the first fastener; anda fourth fastener fixed to a second position on the first side and configured to releasably connect with the second fastener; anda first outer shell having a first side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the inner bag, the first side of the first outer shell comprising: a first opening corresponding to the first position of the inner bag; anda second opening corresponding to the second position of the inner bag;wherein the first and second openings of the first outer shell are arranged such that the second end of the first handle is passable through the first and second openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via the second fastener.

20. The handbag system of claim 19 further comprising: a first loop fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag; anda second loop fixed adjacent the second position of the inner bag;wherein the first and second loops are configured to accept the first handle.