FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to pocketbooks and pocketbook systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a pocketbook system and a method of using the pocketbook system which includes one or more decorative outer jackets which attach to the exterior of the pocketbook. The outer jackets may be reversible with similar or different designs on each side of the decorative outer jackets. In addition, each side of the decorative outer jackets may be made from or may include similar or different materials. The pocketbook includes a pair of handles to carry the pocketbook system as well as to secure a decorative outer jacket to the exterior surfaces of the pocketbook.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Women have been known to be fashion and accessory conscious. They will regularly purchase clothing which reflects their fashion preferences. In addition, they will often purchase multiple pocketbooks to mix and match with their clothing purchases. Specifically, women may purchase a multitude of pocketbooks in varying colors, textures and patterns to match and accentuate their clothing. Similarly, they may purchase one or more pocketbooks which are thought to be appropriate for specific events they are attending.
The use of multiple pocketbooks may possibly lead to several problems, for instance, the costs associated with the purchase a number of pocketbooks. Also, changing pocketbooks daily or multiple times a day to satisfy one's fashion needs is not only time consuming, but will often result in leaving an essential item, such as cell phone or keys, in a previously used pocket book that has been switched out for another pocketbook. Other common problems may include the inability to clean or remove a scratch from the exterior surface of a pocketbook or general wear and tear, which may degrade the aesthetics of the pocketbook and possibly makes it unfit for the purposes for which it was purchased or intended.
There have been various attempts to solve some of these problems but cited prior patents have not been successful in solving them all. The present invention solves them all and more in a novel manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to solve the above-described problems by disclosing a pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets comprised of a foundation bag, a decorative outer jacket, and handle ends affixed to the foundation bag that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
To achieve the stated and other objectives of the present invention, the pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of a foundation bag which includes at least two major faces and at least two minor faces where the major faces have a greater surface area than the minor faces. The pocketbook system includes at least one set of handles, where the two ends of a single handle are affixed to each of the major faces of the foundation bag. The decorative outer jacket is designed to envelope the major faces of the foundation bag, and a pair of openings on the decorative outer jacket are positioned to align with the handle ends on each of the major faces of the foundation bag.
In another aspect, the decorative outer jacket may be reversible to provide different decorative designs on each side of the decorative outer jacket. The handle ends are then connected onto the major faces such that there is a gap between the outer surface on each major face and the affixed handle ends in which edges of the pair of openings is inserted to secure the decorative outer jacket to the foundation bag.
In embodiments of the invention, the interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of two folding panes attached to the base panel where the folding panes are attached to the base panel using a connecting material which allows the folding panes to rotate at least one hundred and eighty degree about the base panel. The hinge system allows the decorative outer jacket to seamlessly hug the foundation bag thereby creating the perception of a new bag that is different than the foundation bag alone.
In another embodiment of the invention, the pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of a foundation bag comprised of a bottom portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion, set of handles are affixed to the middle portion of the foundation bag, and a decorative outer jacket which is designed to envelope the bottom portion and middle portion of the foundation bag. The decorative outer jacket has a pair of openings positioned to align with the handle ends affixed to the middle portion of the foundation.
The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an embodiment of a pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jacket.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the pocketbook system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing the decorative outer jacket attaching to the foundation bag, wherein the arrows show the directions of the decorative outer jacket as it attaches to the foundation bag.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the pocketbook system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing the decorative outer jacket attached to the foundation bag.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are perspective views of the foundation bag in detail.
FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are perspective views of the decorative outer jacket in detail.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of another embodiment of the decorative outer jacket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets is depicted. As shown, the pocketbook system 10 includes a foundation bag 20 and a decorative outer jacket 40.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the foundation bag 20 is comprised of a bottom portion 21, a middle portion 22 and a top portion 23. The bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 is generally rectangular or oblong shaped and, as such, has two longer parallel edges 24 and two shorter parallel edges 25. The bottom portion 21 may include a solid core enveloped by a same material or a different material from that which the foundation bag 20 is made of. The solid core provides support and structure to the foundation bag 20 and may be made of any rigid material known to one of ordinary skill in the art such as metal, leather, or plastic. Moreover, the bottom portion 21 may include multiple feet 26 attached to and extending from the underside surface of the bottom portion 21. The multiple feet 26 are positioned to support the foundation bag 20 while it is sitting on a supporting surface such as a table or floor.
The middle portion 22 of the foundation bag 20 is attached to and extends upward from the perimeter of the bottom portion 21. The middle portion is comprised of two major faces 27 extending from the two longer edges 24 of the bottom portion 21 and two minor faces 28 extending from the two shorter edges 25 of the bottom portion 21. The major faces 27 and the minor faces 28 are interconnected in a manner to define an inner compartment within the foundation bag 20.
The exterior surfaces of the bottom and middle portions 21 and 22 may be made of several materials including but not limited to leather, imitation leather, suede, cotton, silk, etc. These exterior surfaces of the bottom and middle portions 21 and 22 may also include a variety of decorative textures, patterns and embellishments. Moreover, the structural characteristics of the foundation bag 20 are such that it maintains its general shape under its own weight and is able to effectively support an attached decorative outer jacket 40.
The top portion 23 of the foundation bag 20 borders along the upper perimeter of the middle portion 22 and provides access to the inner compartment of the foundation bag 20. The top portion 23 may simply be a border of varying widths running along the upper perimeter of the middle portion 22 and made of the same material as the middle portion 22. As with the bottom portion 21, the upper portion 23 may include a solid material enveloped by the same material or by a different material from which the middle portion 22 is made of. Alternatively, the upper portion 23 may be comprised of a solid material such a metal or plastic. The upper portion 23 may also include one or more closure members 29 which securely close the top portion 23 and limits access to the inner compartment of the foundation bag 20.
The foundation bag 20 further includes a pair of handles 30 attached to the major faces 27. Specifically, on each major face 27, the two handle ends 31 are permanently affixed to the outer surface of the major thee 27 at identical positions on each major face 27. As an alternative to the bag having permanently affixed handles, the two ends of each handle 30 may have a fastener which allow for temporarily attaching a handle to two receiving connectors that are themselves permanently affixed to the outer surface a major face 27.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the decorative outer jacket 40 is comprised of a base panel 41 and two folding panels 42. The base panel 41 is shaped to generally match the bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 and therefore also includes two longer edges 43 and two shorter edges 44. The base panel 41 may further include multiple openings 45, each opening positioned to allow the multiple feet 26 attached to the bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 to protrude through the base panel 41. The multiple feet 26 protruding through the bottom portion 21 allows the foundation bag 20 to stand securely upright on a flat surface while the decorative outer jacket 40 attached to the foundation bag 20.
The two folding panels 42 are attached to and extend from the two longer edges 43 of the base panel 41. Each folding panel 42 is attached in such a manner as to allow the folding panels 42 to rotate at least 180 degrees about the longer edges 43. Similar to the relationship between the base panel 41 and the bottom portion 21, the folding panels 42 are themselves dimensioned and shaped to generally match the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20.
A first pair of surfaces 47 comprise the outer surfaces on a first side of the outer jacket 40 and a second pair of surfaces 48 comprise the outer surfaces on a second side of the outer jacket 40. The first and second pair of surfaces 47 and 48 are decorative surfaces which may be made of material including, but not limited to, leather, suede, cotton, silk, etc. and which may have a variety of decorative textures, patterns and embellishments. Moreover, the first pair of surfaces 47 may be decoratively different from the second pair of surfaces 48.
At least one opening 46 is also provided on each of the folding panels 42. The openings 46 are each positioned near the outer edges of the folding panels 42 opposite the longer edges 43 to which the folding panes 42 are attached. Specifically, the openings 46 are positioned to line up with and fully encircle the handle ends 31 which are permanently affixed to the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20. As an alternative to one opening 46 encircling both handle ends 31, one or more openings 46 on each folding pane 42 may be positioned and dimensioned to encircle at least one of the handle ends 31 permanently attached to each of the major faces 27.
Although the present embodiment discloses a foundation bag 20 with two major faces and two minor faces, it will be apparent to a person of reasonable skill in the art that the foundation bag may have a different number of major faces or minor faces which provide for a variety of different shapes. These varying foundation bag shapes are within the scope of the disclosed invention in that the foundation bag will also include a set of handle ends attached to the foundation bag of varying shapes in a manner which will enable them to securely support a decorative outer jacket attached to that foundation bag, regardless of the shape of that foundation bag.
in FIGS. 2A and 2B, perspective views of the pocketbook system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are depicted showing the decorative outer jacket attaching to the foundation bag. Arrows show the directions of the folding panes 42 as the decorative outer jacket 40 is attached to the foundation bag 20.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the foundation bag 20 is positioned onto the base panel 41 of the decorative outer jacket 40 such that a substantial portion of the bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 comes into contact with the inner surface 49 of the base panel 41. The base panel 41 has a minimum width which enables the bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 to fully fit within the two longer edges 43 of the base panel 41 and for the two longer edges 24 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20 to line up with the two longer edges 43 of the decorative outer jacket 40. However, depending on the length of the base portion 41, the shorter edges 44 of the base portion 41 may line up with or may be offset from the shorter edges 25 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20. The decorative outer jacket 40 is then positioned relative to the base portion 41 such that the multiple feet 26 (See FIG. 1A) extending from the underside surface of the foundation bag 20 line up with and protrude through the multiple openings 45 on the base panel 41.
Once the foundation bag 20 has been properly positioned onto the base panel 41 of the decorative outer jacket 40, the folding panels 42 (See FIG. 1B) are rotated in the shown directions towards the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20 (See FIG. 1A). The folding panels 42 are rotated until the second pair of surfaces 48 of the folding panes 42 come into contact with the major faces 27. The folding panes 42 are further rotated until at least one opening 46 on each folding pane 42 lines up with the handle ends 31 that are permanently attached on each of the major faces 27. In this position, the exposed first pair of surface 47 temporarily superimpose a first unique decorative design onto each the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the decorative outer jacket 40 may be flipped 180 degrees prior to being attached to the foundation bag 20. Specifically, the foundation bag 20 is positioned onto the base panel 41 of the outer jacket 40 such that a substantial portion of the bottom portion 21 of the foundation bag 20 comes into contact with the inner surface 50 of the base panel 41 that is the opposite to that shown in FIG. 2A. The folding panels 42 are then rotated in the shown directions such that the first pair of surfaces 47 of the folding panes 42 now come into contact with the major faces 27. In this position, the second pair of surfaces 48 on the folding panes 42 are positioned to superimpose a second unique decorative design onto each the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20.
In FIGS. 3A and 3B, perspective views of the pocketbook system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are depicted, showing the decorative outer jacket attached to the foundation bag. As shown in FIG. 3A, handles 30 whose handle ends 31 are permanently attached to the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20 (See FIG. 1A) are depicted. In this particular depiction, the handles 30 are solid core handles which are permanently attached to the handle ends 31. A handle 30 on each of the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20 have been guided through at least one opening 46 on each of the folding panes 42 of the decorative outer jacket 40. Once the handles 30 have passed completely through at least one openings 46, the upper edge of each opening 46 is wedged between the outer surface of a major face 27 and the inner surface of the handle ends 31 attached to those surfaces. The proportions of the decorative outer jacket 40 are such that when the upper edges of the openings 46 on each folding pane 42 are securely wedged between the handle ends 31 and the major faces 27, the base panel 41 of the decorative outer jacket 40 is in close contact with the bottom portion 21 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20. As a result, the outer jacket 40 is securely attached to the foundation bag 20 and remains so while it is carried or while it is resting on a surface.
As shown in FIG. 3B, handles 30 which are chain link type handles with spring carabiner ends are depicted. A pair of handle ends 31 with receiving loops, which acts as a connector between the handle 30 and the handle ends 31, are permanently attached to the major faces 27. The spring carabiner ends of the handles 30 removably attach to the receiving loops of the handle ends 31 thereby removably connecting the handles 30 to the foundation bag 20. The upper edges of each opening 46 on the major faces 27 are wedged between the surface of the major faces 27 and the permanently attached handle ends 31 attached to those surfaces. As with handles 30 which are solid core, the proportions of the decorative outer jacket 40 are such that when the upper edges of the openings 46 on each folding pane 42 are securely wedged between the permanently attached connectors 31 and surfaces of the major faces 27, the base panel 41 of the outer jacket 40 is in close contact with the bottom portion 21 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20. As a result, the outer jacket 40 is securely attached to the foundation bag 20 and remains so while it is carried or while it is resting on a surface.
In FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, perspective views of the foundation bag in detail are depicted. As shown in FIG. 4A, each of the minor faces 28 includes stitching 33 that runs down the middle of each minor face 28, the stitching 33 starting at the upper edges of the minor faces 28 and running down approximately three quarters the length of the minor faces 28. The stitching 33 effectively pinches the middle portion of each minor face 28 to create folds 36 running along both sides of that stitching 33. The folds 36 are directed towards the interior of the foundation bag 20 and have the effect of bending the upper portion of the major faces 27 towards the stitching 33. The lower portion of the minor face 37 of the minor face 28 below the stitching 33 bulges slightly outward, away from the interior of the foundation bag 20. The stitching 33, the folds 36, the lower portion of the minor face 37, and resulting bend in the upper portion of the major faces 27 all interact to form the minor faces 28 into a shape resembling a tear drop when the top portion 23 of the foundation bag 20 is allowed to close.
In FIG. 4B, a perspective view of the foundation bag 20 with the top portion 23 (see FIG. 4A) held open and the folds 36 pulled flat outward is depicted. In FIG. 4C, a perspective view of the foundation bag 20 with the top portion 23 (see FIG. 4A) closed and the folds 36 reversed in the direction away from the interior of the foundation bag 20 is depicted. These images illustrate that the width of the minor faces 28 is greater near the top portion 23 (see FIG. 4A) of the foundation bag 20 than near the lower portion of the minor face 37 (see FIG. 4A). This structural characteristic provides for the inward folds 36 in the upper portion of the minor faces 28 and for the outward bulge in the lower portion of the minor face 37.
Returning to FIG. 4A, the permanently attached handle ends 31 are affixed onto the major faces 27 in a manner that forms a gap 32 between the inner surface of the handle ends 31 and the outer surface of the major faces 27. The connection that affixes the handle ends 31 to the outer surfaces of the major faces 27 is designed and enforced to minimize bending of the outer surfaces in the area surrounding that connection. As a result, the gap 32 in the area surrounding the handle ends 31 remains viable and effective until the point where the major faces 27 bend inward as they rise upward towards the upper portion of the foundation bag 20. The upper edge of the opening 46 on each of the folding panes 42 is lowered and wedged into the gaps 32 to help secure the decorative outer jacket 40 onto each of the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20.
The area within handle ends 31 permanently attached to a major face 27 may have a solid inner core whose surface comes into contact with the upper edge of an opening 46 that is wedged into a gap 32. This contact between the solid core within a handle end 31 and the upper edge of an opening 46 may have the effect of pushing or biasing a corresponding handle away from the major face 27 as that handle extends upward under its own weight. Alternatively, the handle ends 31 may have hollow cores which allow for those handle ends 31 to remain flush. against the upper edge of the opening 46. As a result, the handles 30 are able to remain more fluid with the shape of the major faces 27 to which they are attached.
Moreover, to help support the handles 30 as they extends upward from the major faces 27, a wire type material may be embedded into the handles 30. The wire type material will have a sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of the handles 30 and help keep them fluid with the shape of the major faces 27.
The handle ends 31 can be affixed onto the major faces 27 in a manner known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to, sewing, gluing, and heat press to allow the handle ends 31 to remain viable and effective until the point where the major faces 27 bend inward as they rise upward towards the upper portion of the foundation bag 20.
In FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, perspective views of the decorative outer jacket in detail are depicted. FIG. 5A is a top down perspective of the decorative outer jacket 40 whose components, as previously disclosed, include two folding panes 42 movably attached to a base panel 41. Each folding pane 42 has at least one opening 46 through which handles 30 (see FIG. 1A) are passed and whose upper edge is wedged into a gap 32 (see FIG. 4A) to secure the outer jacket 40 to the foundation bag 20. The base panel 41 includes openings 45 through which feet 26 (see FIG. 1A) extending from the underside of the foundation bag 20 are passed. Lastly, the outer jacket includes a connecting material 49 that movably attaches the folding panels 42 to the longer edges 43 of the base panel 41.
FIG. 5B is an inline perspective of the decorative outer jacket 40 showing how the connecting material 49 attaches the folding panels 42 to the base panel 41. A far greater range of movement is provided by using the connecting material 49 than would be possible if the folding panels 42 were attached directly to the base panel 41. The connecting material 49 is a piece of pliable material that is connected using manners known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including sewing, gluing, or heat pressed to the longer edges 43 (See FIG. 1B) of both the folding panels 42 and the base panel 41. The pliable material may be any material or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art that will provide the flexibility and strength needed to functionally attach the decorative outer jacket 40 to the foundation bag 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5C, the connecting material 49 allows the folding panels 42 to rotate at least one hundred and eighty degrees about the base panel 41. As discussed above, this rotation provides for either the first pair or the second pair of decorative surfaces 47 and 48 to be superimposed on the major faces 27 (see FIG. 1A). Moreover, the pliable material 49 allows the outer jacket 40 to effectively conform to varying shapes and contour between different foundation bags 20 to which the decorative outer jacket 40 is attached.
In FIGS. 6A and 6B, perspective views of another embodiment of the decorative outer jacket are depicted. As shown in FIG. 6A, this embodiment of the outer jacket 60 also includes two folding panels 62 movably attached to a base plate 61. However, in this embodiment, each folding panel 62 is comprised of a solid frame portion 67 surrounding one or more hollow portions 68. The solid frame portion 67 includes multiple individual components which are assembled and dimensioned to create a folding panel 62 which will be overlaid onto the major faces 27 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20. The individual components of the solid frame portion 67 shown in FIG. 6A have been dimensioned and assembled to form a border which frames the major faces 27 (see FIG. 1A). However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the individual components of the solid frame portion 67 may be assembled and dimensioned to create a variety of designs and patterns which may to be overlaid onto a major face 27 (see FIG. 1A).
As shown in FIG. 6B, this embodiment of the decorative outer jacket 60 is also secured to the foundation bag 20 by wedging individual components of the solid frame portion 67 in gaps 32 between the permanently attached handle ends 31 and the outer surface of the major faces 27. The folding panel 62 is dimensioned such that when the decorative outer jacket 60 is attached to the foundation bag 20, the base panel 61 (see FIG. 6A) will rest against the bottom portion 21 (see FIG. 1A) of the foundation bag 20 and the folding panels 62 rest securely against the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20. The hollow portions 68 of the folding panels 62 allow the outer surface of the major panels 27, and any design thereon, to show through the attached decorative outer jacket 60.
The hollow portion 68 may also be partially or wholly covered by a transparent material, like plastic, glass, or resin, which is then connected to one or more solid frame portions 67. The addition of a transparent material, which overlays the hollow portion 68, allows the major face 27 of the foundation bag 20 (See FIG. 1A) to be seen. In addition, other fabrics or designs may be connected to one or more solid frame portion 67. The connection of other fabrics or designs to a solid frame portion 67 can allow a user of the foundation bag 20 to create contrasting designs or patterns with the decorative outer jacket 40 while the hollow portion 68 allows the major face 27 of the foundation bag 20 (See FIG. 1A) to be seen.
In yet another embodiment of the pocketbook system, the decorative outer jacket may include magnetic components positioned near the outer ends of each folding pane. Corresponding magnetic components are inserted within each of the major faces, the corresponding magnetic components are positioned such that they attract the magnetic components within each of the folding panes when the decorative outer jacket is attached to a foundation bag. These magnetic components interact to attract the outer ends of the folding panes to the surfaces of the major faces.
It is appreciated that many different types (e.g. styles, sizes and shapes) of foundation bags and outer jackets can be used in accordance with the invention. It is also appreciated that the amount and types of handles attached to the foundation bag may vary and can also be used in accordance with the invention. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments and variations of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20160249717
