CUSTOMIZABLE HANDBAG SYSTEM
A customizable handbag system has removable components that allow for multiple configurations. A side panel removably attaches to the handbag and is replaceable by another side panel that has a different appearance. In some examples, the side panel forms part of an interior space of the handbag, which can be a main compartment or a side pocket.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/098,294, filed Dec. 30, 2014, entitled “CUSTOMIZABLE HANDBAG SYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and which incorporates by reference for all purposes the full disclosure of U. S. Design Patent Application No. 29/513,424, filed Dec. 30, 2014, entitled “HANDBAG,” which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDConsumers are able to purchase various handbag systems at a wide variety of retail locations. These handbag systems may be purchased to satisfy certain needs. For example, consumers may purchase a particular handbag based on its particular aesthetic characteristics, such as its color, texture or pattern, which may accentuate the attire of the consumer and thus serve as a fashion accessory. In another example, consumers may purchase a particular handbag for primarily utilitarian purposes, such as available storage capacity and capability to hold one or more consumer accessories (e.g., mobile devices, wallets, keys, etc.).
There are several issues that may arise in the purchase of such handbags readily available in the market. For instance, purchasing multiple handbags to satisfy each aesthetic and utilitarian need may be a cost ineffective endeavor, as the variability in handbag designs may be conducive to ever increasing need for the proper handbag. Furthermore, alternating among various handbags daily or multiple times in a day may be time intensive and may be conducive to the loss of essential items, as items may be left behind in other handbags. Another issue that may arise through the daily use of a handbag is normal wear and tear, such as stains and surface damage that may be expensive or impossible to remove.
Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention provide for an improved customizable handbag system which provides a simple method for customizing and altering the design of a handbag to comport with various consumer needs and requirements. Particularly, the present invention relates to a customizable handbag system wherein one or more compartment panels may be optionally attached to the handbag to create one or more external storage compartments usable for the storage of various personal items. The basic components of the customizable handbag system include two opposite main handbag panels, each comprising an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge and a right edge; a base handbag panel comprising one or more support elements for stabilization of the handbag, longitudinal edges for receiving the two opposite main handbag panels and lateral edges for receiving two opposite side handbag panels that, upon attachment, create a main handbag compartment for storage; and one or more accessory handbag panels comprising a zipper attachment tape along three of the four peripheral edges of each of the one or more accessory handbag panels that can attach to a corresponding zipper attachment tape attached to the two opposite main handbag panels and the base handbag panel to create one or more accessory compartments.
In an embodiment, a user of the customizable handbag system can attach the one or more accessory handbag panels to the two opposite main handbag panels and the base handbag panel by inserting a zipper pin on one of the zipper attachment tapes to the box of the other zipper attachment tape to create an initial connection between the two zipper attachment tapes. Subsequently, the user may utilize the zipper pull tab to interlock the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes to create a full connection between the two zipper attachment tapes. Such an attachment may secure an accessory handbag panel to the main handbag panels and the base handbag panel, creating an accessory compartment for the storage of various items (e.g., cellular devices, bottles and the like). The one or more accessory handbag panels may be removed through utilization of the zipper pull tab to disengage the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes and removing the zipper pin from the zipper box. Thus, a user of the customizable handbag system may utilize different accessory handbag panels to create a customized handbag according to his/her preferences.
In an alternative embodiment, the customizable handbag system includes a peripheral assembly panel comprising, along each of the two parallel longitudinal edges of the peripheral assembly panel, a zipper attachment tape for attachment of the peripheral assembly panel to the two opposite main handbag panels. The two opposite main handbag panels may each include a zipper attachment tape attached along each side edge and the bottom edge of the panel. Thus, a user of the customizable handbag system may attach a zipper pin on one of the zipper attachment tapes to the box of the other zipper attachment tape to create an initial connection between the two zipper attachment tapes. Subsequently, the user may utilize a zipper pull tab to interlock the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes to create a full connection between the two zipper attachment tapes and, hence, a main handbag panel and the peripheral assembly panel. By performing these operations for both main handbag panels, the peripheral assembly panel may form the side and base panels of the handbag, creating a main handbag compartment usable for storage. The peripheral assembly panel and the two main handbag panels may be exchanged for other peripheral assembly panels or other main handbag panels to enable full customization of the customizable handbag system.
Since the customizable handbag system enables users to attach and remove various panels from the system, a user may be able to fully customize his/her handbag based on personal preferences or requirements. In addition, the customizable handbag system described and suggested herein facilitates additional advantages. For example, because the customizable handbag system includes various interchangeable panels and components, a user may be able to replace any panel that has become worn or damaged with a new panel, thereby maintaining the integrity of the customizable handbag system. Further, a user may select a particular panel or set of panels based at least in part on the material properties (e.g., waterproof, abrasion-resistance, stain-resistance, etc.) of the particular panel or set of panels for a variety of conditions.
In some embodiments, the first main handbag panel 11 and the second main handbag 12 may be releasably connected through use of a main compartment zipper 25, which may enable a user of the customizable handbag system 10 to access or close the main handbag compartment 23. The main compartment zipper 25 may comprise two zipper attachment tapes, each of which may be attached to a flange of the first main handbag panel 11 and the second handbag panel 12 (see
The first main handbag panel 11 may include a handle 15, which may be attached to the first main handbag panel 11 utilizing one or more handle attachment components 17, 18. These one or more handle attachment components 17, 18 may be attached to the first main handbag panel 11 through various methods. For instance, the one or more handle attachment components 17, 18 may be sewn to the first main handbag panel 11 utilizing a structurally sound thread that may provide sufficient strength and durability to create a permanent attachment between the first main handbag panel 11 and the handle 15 through these handle attachment components 17, 18. In some embodiments, the handle attachment components 17, 18 may be attached to the first handbag panel 11 through a clasp, adhesive (e.g., epoxy, etc.) or other known methods. Similarly, the second handbag panel 12 may include a handle 16, which may be attached to the second handbag panel 12 utilizing one or more handle attachment components 27, 28 (see
The customizable handbag system 10 may further include one or more accessory panel zippers 19, 20, wherein the one or more accessory panel zippers 19, 20 each comprise two zipper attachment tapes, connecting teeth, a zipper pin, a zipper box and a pull tab for interlocking the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes upon insertion of the zipper pin from a first zipper attachment tape to the zipper box of the other zipper attachment tape. The one or more accessory panel zippers 19, 20 may be attached (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) along connecting sides of the first main handbag panel 11, the second main handbag panel 12 and the base panel 29. In an embodiment, a user of the customizable handbag system can attach the one or more accessory handbag panels 13, 14 to the two opposite main handbag panels 11, 12 and the base panel 29 by inserting a zipper pin on one of the zipper attachment tapes to the box of the other zipper attachment tape to create an initial connection between the two zipper attachment tapes. Subsequently, the user may utilize the zipper pull tab to interlock the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes to create a full connection between the two zipper attachment tapes. Such an attachment may secure an accessory handbag panel 13, 14 to the main handbag panels 11, 12 and the base panel 29, creating an accessory compartment 21, 30 for the storage of various items (e.g., cellular devices, bottles and the like). The one or more accessory handbag panels 13, 14 may be removed through utilization of the zipper pull tab to disengage the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes and removing the zipper pin from the zipper box. Thus, a user of the customizable handbag system 10 may utilize different accessory handbag panels 13, 14 to customize the customizable handbag system 10 according to his/her preferences.
The second accessory panel zipper 20 may be attached to the first main handbag panel 11 along an opposite edge from the attachment point of the first accessory panel zipper 19. As opposed to the first accessory panel zipper 19, the second accessory panel zipper 20 may be attached to the first main handbag panel 11 such that when the second accessory panel zipper 20 is interlocked to create attachment between the second accessory handbag panel 14 and the first main handbag panel 11, the second accessory panel zipper 20 box is available to the user, as the pull tab may only be accessible from the opposite side of the handbag (see
The customizable handbag system 10 may further include one or more stand elements 26 for enabling the handbag to remain standing when placed on a flat surface. The one or more stand elements 26 may be attached to the base panel 29 (see
The zipper attachment tapes comprising the main compartment zipper 25 may extend beyond the flanges of the main handbag panels 11, 12 to enable a user of the customizable handbag system 10 to access the totality of the main handbag compartment 23 without being hindered by the main compartment zipper 25 components. The portion of the main compartment zipper 25 extending beyond the flanges of the main handbag panels 11, 12 may be flexible, enabling a user to access the accessory compartment 30 that may be available beneath as a result of attachment of the accessory handbag panel 14 to the handbag.
As noted above, the customizable handbag system 10 may include peripheral handbag panels 22, 24 that may be attached along connecting sides of the first main handbag panel 11, the second main handbag panel 12 and the base panel 29 to collectively form the main handbag compartment 23. There peripheral handbag panels 22, 24 may be manufactured to be flexible and enable manipulation of the shape of the peripheral handbag panels 22, 24, thereby enabling manipulation of the size of the main handbag compartment 23. Further, manipulation of the shape of the peripheral handbag panels 22, 24 may enable expansion or contraction of the accessory compartments 21, 30 as needed. For instance, if greater storage volume is required for an accessory compartment 21, 30, a user may push the peripheral handbag panels 22, 24 inwardly, thereby increasing the storage volume of the accessory compartments 21, 30.
The base panel 29 may serve as an attachment point for one or more components of the customizable handbag system 10. For instance, as illustrated in
Similarly, the main handbag panels 41, 42 may be releasably connected through use of a main compartment zipper 51, which may enable a user of the customizable handbag system 40 to access or close the main handbag compartment 50. The main compartment zipper 51 may comprise two zipper attachment tapes, each of which may be attached to a flange of the first main handbag panel 41 and the second handbag panel 42 (see
However, as opposed to the main handbag panels 11, 12 of the customizable handbag system 10 illustrated in
The peripheral assembly panel 43 may include, along each longitudinal edge, a zipper attachment tape of either of the handbag assembly zippers 48, 49. A user of the customizable handbag system 40 may attach the may attach a zipper pin on one of the zipper attachment tapes to the box of the other zipper attachment tape to create an initial connection between the two zipper attachment tapes for the handbag assembly zippers 48, 49. Subsequently, the user may utilize a zipper pull tab to interlock the connecting teeth of the two zipper attachment tapes to create a full connection between the two zipper attachment tapes and, hence, a main handbag panel 41, 42 and the peripheral assembly panel 43. By performing these operations for both main handbag panels 41, 42, the peripheral assembly panel 43 may form the side and base panels of the handbag (see
The peripheral assembly panel 43 may be manufactured using similar materials to those used in the manufacture of the main handbag panels 41, 42. However, the peripheral assembly panel 43 may be manufactured utilizing materials distinct from those used in the main handbag panels 41, 42. This may enable the peripheral assembly panel 43 and the two main handbag panels 41, 42 to be exchanged for other peripheral assembly panels or other main handbag panels to enable full customization of the customizable handbag system 40.
Similarly, as illustrated in
The zipper attachment tapes comprising the main compartment zipper 51 may extend beyond the flanges of the main handbag panels 41, 42 to enable a user of the customizable handbag system 40 to access the totality of the main handbag compartment 50 without being hindered by the main compartment zipper 51 components. The portion of the main compartment zipper 51 extending beyond the flanges of the main handbag panels 41, 42 may be flexible, enabling a user to access the main handbag compartment 50 that may be available beneath as a result of extension of the peripheral handbag panel 43 in an outward fashion, expanding the volume of the main handbag compartment 50.
It should be noted that while the peripheral handbag panel 43, as illustrated in
The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected,” where unmodified and referring to physical connections, is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The use of the term “set” (e.g., “a set of items”) or “subset” unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, is to be construed as a nonempty collection comprising one or more members. Further, unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, the term “subset” of a corresponding set does not necessarily denote a proper subset of the corresponding set, but the subset and the corresponding set may be equal.
Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B, and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted by context, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either A or B or C, or any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C each to be present.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for embodiments of the present disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
Claims
1. A customizable handbag system, comprising:
- a first main handbag panel;
- a second main handbag panel that is positioned opposite the first main handbag panel across an interior space defined by the handbag system; and
- a first side panel that releasably attaches to the first main handbag panel and the second main handbag panel and that forms at least an exterior side of the handbag system.
2. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, wherein the first main handbag panel and the second main handbag panel are connected by a base panel.
3. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, further comprising a second side panel that releasably attaches to the first main handbag panel and the second main handbag panel in a position that is opposite the first side panel across the interior space.
4. The customizable handbag system of claim 3, wherein the first side panel is releasable from the first main handbag panel and the second main handbag panel without releasing the second side panel from the first main handbag panel and the second main handbag panel.
5. The customizable handbag system of claim 3, wherein the first side panel, the second side panel, and a base panel form a removable unit of the customizable handbag system.
6. The customizable handbag system of claim 3, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are symmetric to one another.
7. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, further comprising a first handle attached to the first main handbag panel and a second handle attached to the second main handbag panel.
8. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, further comprising a zipper that releasably attaches a first edge of the first side panel to a first edge of the main handbag panel and that releasably attaches a second edge of the first side panel to a second edge of the second main handbag panel.
9. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, wherein the first side panel further forms an interior face of the interior space.
10. The customizable handbag system of claim 1, wherein the first side panel forms an interior face of a second interior space that is different from the interior space.
11. A customizable handbag system, comprising:
- a plurality of components, at least a subset of which form an interior space, the plurality of components comprising: a first component that is removably attached to the handbag system, the first component having a first appearance and forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the handbag system; and a second component that is removably attachable to the handbag system in place of the first component, the second component having a second appearance different from the first appearance.
12. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the subset of the plurality of components comprise a first main handbag panel and a second main handbag panel positioned opposite the interior space.
13. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of components form multiple interior spaces that include the interior space, at least one of the multiple interior spaces partially defined by the first component when the first component is attached to the handbag system.
14. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component, when attached to the handbag system, forms a bottom exterior surface of the handbag system.
15. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component, when attached to the handbag system, is releasably attached to a bottom surface of the handbag system.
16. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component has a first row of teeth, the second component has a second row of teeth, and the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth each are connectible to a third row of teeth on the handbag system that matches both the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth.
17. The customizable handbag system of claim 16, wherein the first component and the second component each lack a zipper slider.
18. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component has a rectangular shape.
19. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component, when attached to the handbag system, further forms a surface of the interior space.
20. The customizable handbag system of claim 11, wherein the first component forms no portion of the interior space when attached to the handbag system.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2016
Inventor: Paige Gamble (New York, NY)
Application Number: 14/985,109