Handbag with removable compartment

Abstract

This invention provides a handbag having an accessory compartment which is easily insertable into and removable from the handbag and is secured into the handbag using two pairs of fasteners, such as snaps. When the compartment is removed from the handbag, the fasteners on the compartment can be engaged to each other in order to close the compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a handbag having an inserted compartment secured therein, which compartment can be easily removed from the handbag. The invention provides a handbag which facilitates the quick transfer of a collection of necessary items from the first handbag to a different handbag or allows the separate carrying of those items collected in a convenient, secure case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One of the problems inherent in carrying a handbag on a routine basis, is that many if not all of the user's daily necessities are stored in the everyday handbag. When the user wishes to change bags, for example, when dressing in more formal evening wear, or when venturing into less formal venues, such as the beach, he or she must go through the everyday bag and extract those items, such as a wallet, credentials, cosmetics, cell phone, or address book, in order to transfer these necessities into another handbag.

[0003] This invention provides a handbag having an accessory compartment which is easily insertable into and removable from the handbag. The compartment is secured into the handbag using two pairs of fasteners, such as snaps. When the compartment is removed from the handbag, the fasteners on the compartment can be engaged to each other in order to close the compartment. This provides an efficient and attractive separate compartment for daily necessities or other items which can be carried independently of the handbag or which can be inserted into another handbag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] In the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

[0005] FIG. 1 is, a view of a handbag with an accessory compartment according to the invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a further view of the handbag of FIG. 1, shown with the accessory pocket opened, showing an organizer in place in the pocket.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a further view of the handbag of FIG. 1 with the accessory pocket opened and with the organizer in the process of being removed from the accessory pocket.

[0008] FIG. 4 is, a further view of the handbag of FIG. 1 with the organizer removed from the accessory pocket.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a view of the organizer as it appears when it is removed from the handbag and secured shut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the handbag according to the invention includes a pouch generally indicated at 10, having an openable pocket 11 attached to an outside surface 12 thereof. In this embodiment, pocket 11 is opened by zipper 13 which runs along the sides and top of pocket 11. Pocket 11 can be closeable and opened by any number of devices, such as cooperating Velcro® strips, zip-lock strips, buttons, straps, snaps, or the like; or it can be an open pocket, having no closures. In this embodiment, when zipper 13, is fully opened, as shown in FIG. 2, pocket 11 swings out from the surface of pouch 10 at an angle of less than 90 degrees, and is held back from full extension by straps 14, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 having one of its ends attached to the inner wall 15 of pocket 11, and the other attached to the inner portion 16 of the outer wall 16′ of pocket 11. A removable accessory compartment 17 is positioned within pocket 11, which can be a multiple pocket bellows-type organizer of such items as credentials, credit cards, and cash; a cell phone holder; a cosmetics case; a handheld personal computer case; a compact disc wallet, or any of a number of small compartments which can be carried in a handbag.

[0011] Compartment 17 is configured to fit within pocket 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the front cover 18 of compartment 17 bears one-half 19 of a two-part fastener, the other half 19′ is found on the inner portion 16 of the outer wall 16′ of pocket 11. A tab 20 is affixed to the back cover 21 of compartment 17. On tab 20 is one-half 19′ (not shown) of a two-part fastener of the same type used on front cover 18 of compartment 17. The other half 19 of the fastener is affixed to the inner wall 15 of pocket 11. The fasteners can be snaps, Velcro®, buttons, magnets, or any other type of two-part fastener.

[0012] Compartment 17 can thus be inserted into pocket 11 and secured therein by engaging the two-part fastener 19-19′ found on front cover 18 and inner portion 16, and the two-part fastener 19-19′ found on inner wall 15 and tab 20. When so inserted and secured, compartment 17 appears as an integral part of pocket 11, as shown in FIG. 2, and is fully accessible. Compartment 17 is easily removed, for insertion in a different handbag or for carrying separately, by disengaging the two pairs of fasteners 19-19′, as shown in FIG. 3. Tab 20 can then be flipped to overlap front cover 18, bringing fastener half 19′ into close proximity with fastener half 19 found on front cover 18, where the two fastener halves 19-19′ can be engaged to close compartment 17.

[0013] The foregoing detailed description of the present invention shows how the invention is achieved in a preferred embodiment. Modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such as those which readily occur to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. An example of such a modification would include the location of pocket 11 on the interior of pouch 10. This embodiment would provide greater security of the contents of compartment 17 and afford the user more privacy when accessing the contents.

Claims

1. A handbag comprising:

a. a pouch having an outer surface,

b. an openable pocket attached to the outer surface of the pouch, having an interior comprised of a front wall and a back wall, wherein a first half-fastener is located on the front wall and a second half-fastener is located on the back wall,

c. a compartment, insertable into and removable from the pocket when the pocket is opened, having a front cover and a back cover and a tab located on the back cover, wherein a third half-fastener is located on the front cover and a fourth half-fastener is located on the tab, and wherein the front cover is removably attachable to the front wall by engagement of the first half-fastener to the third half-fastener and the back cover is removably attachable to the back wall by the second half-fastener to the fourth half-fastener, and wherein the third half-fastener is engagable with the fourth half-fastener so as provide closure of the compartment when the compartment is removed from the pocket.

2. A handbag according to claim 1 wherein the compartment is an organizer comprising a bellows type multiple pocket.

3. A handbag according to claim 1 wherein the compartment is a cell phone holder.

4. A handbag according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, third and fourth fasteners are each one-half of two-part snap fasteners.

5. A handbag comprising:

a. a pouch having an inner surface,

b. an openable pocket attached to the inner surface of the pouch, said pocket having an interior comprised of a front wall and a back wall, wherein a first half-fastener is located on the front wall and a second half-fastener is located on the back wall,

c. a compartment, insertable into and removable from the pocket when the pocket is opened, having a front cover and a back cover and a tab located on the back cover, wherein a third half-fastener is located on the front cover and a fourth half-fastener is located on the tab, and wherein the front cover is removably attachable to the front wall by engagement of the first half-fastener to the third half-fastener and the back cover is removably attachable to the back wall by the second half-fastener to the fourth half-fastener, and wherein the third half-fastener is engagable with the fourth half-fastener so as provide closure of the compartment when the compartment is removed from the pocket.

6. A handbag according to claim 5 wherein the compartment is an organizer comprising a bellows type multiple pocket.

7. A handbag according to claim 5 wherein the compartment is a cell phone holder.

8. A handbag according to claim 5 wherein the first, second, third and fourth fasteners are each one-half of two-part snap fasteners.