DUAL HANDBAG SYSTEM

Abstract

A dual handbag system that allows changing the appearance and function of a handbag. The system includes a handbag that has utility alone, in function and appearance. The system also includes an outer cover. The outer cover may include a divider and a zippered inner pocket. The handbag is insertable into the outer cover. Upper flaps fold down to engage over the handbag and secure the handbag to the outer cover. Magnets, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or other types of fasteners may be used to secure the handbag in place relative to the outer cover. Partially open sides and top on the outer cover allow access into the handbag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of handbags, such as purses, have long been a critical accessory item for many women and men. The use of handbags range from use as a fashion accessory to functionality for carrying essential items. This wide range of uses for handbags often cause difficulty in utilizing a particular bag for an appropriate situation. Normally, multiple handbags are owned in order to have an appropriate handbag suitable for different occasions. Thus, it is often necessary to frequently change the contents of a handbag to other handbags depending on the situation. This is particularly a problem when traveling or otherwise away from home.

Previous attempts at solving this problem have included providing reversible handbags or handbags with replaceable covers. These handbag systems typically use an inside pouch with either panels or an outer shell attachable onto the inside pouch to change the decorative appearance of the handbag. The outer shell or panels attach to the inside pouch by snaps, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive or other mechanical fastening systems.

These prior attempts at providing are limited to a single inner bag that requires the addition of outer shells or panels to be useful. The inner bag of these prior systems has no utility without these outer shells or panels. This requires the use of multiple outer shells or panels in order accommodate differing styles or decorative looks of the handbag. This can be difficult when going between appointments, such as from the office to a social function, or when traveling to different locations.

Another issue with the prior handbag systems is that the inner bag is typically fully enclosed. Thus the overall style of the handbag is not changed, merely the outer covering. Also, the inner bag is not able to be easily accessed due to the type of fastening mechanisms between the inner and outer bags.

Thus problems exist in the use of handbags and prior handbag systems for use in differing functions and environments. These problems are solved by the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems of the prior handbag systems by providing a dual handbag system that provides an elegant solution for the need of handbags in differing functions and environments. The present invention provides a handbag system that includes an inner handbag that may be used by itself along with an outer cover that changes the look, style or design as well as the function of the handbag.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handbag system includes an inner handbag that may be of a particular design and style. The inner handbag may be used by itself without the outer cover. The outer cover then may be easily attached to provide a different look and/or function to the handbag.

The handbag system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the inner handbag to be easily slipped into the outer cover without fear of scuffing the inner handbag outer surfaces. The outer cover is then securely attached to the inner handbag.

The outer cover of a preferred embodiment of the present invention attaches to the inner handbag by foldable upper flaps or by other securing mechanisms, such as magnets, hook and loop fasteners, snaps or other mechanisms. The handbag system then can be safely used without fear of separation.

The outer cover of a preferred embodiment has partially open side panels that allow ease of access to the zipper and opening of the inner handbag. It is not necessary to open up the outer cover in order to access the contents of the inner handbag.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer cover also includes a divider that separates the inner handbag from a pocket formed in the outer cover. A reinforcement strip may be included on the divider to provide a location for clipping a telephone, pager or other item. The outer cover may also include a zippered pocket.

The handbag system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be of many differing styles and designs, both of the inner handbag as well as the outer cover. The inner handbag and/or the outer cover may be formed of such materials as leather, suede, tweed, linen, beaded silk, various fabrics and other materials. The inner handbag and/or the outer cover may also include top stitching or inside seams to add strength as well as decoration.

These and other features of the present invention will be evident from the ensuing detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the complete dual handbag system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner handbag of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of an outer cover of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the outer cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this preferred embodiment, the inner bag 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a substantially rectangular construction. It is to be expressly understood that other shapes and designs may be included under the present invention. The inner bag 20 may be used alone without the outer cover 50. The inner bag 20 is formed, in this preferred embodiment, from heavy leather or other durable material. Of course, the bag may also be formed of canvas, fabric, or any other suitable material. A hidden zipper 26 extends across opening 24 to secure the inner contents of the bag 20. In this preferred embodiment, the area 22 adjacent the zipper 26 is formed of softer glove leather or other suitable material. Zipper pull 28 provides ease of zipping and unzipping the bag 20. Handles 30, 32 extend upwardly from the inner bag 20 for easy carrying. These handles, in this preferred embodiment may be folded when not desired for use, such as when the inner bag 20 is used as clutch style purse. The bag 20 preferably includes stitching 34 to improve the strength as well as the styling of the bag. As stated above, the inner bag 20 is intended for use alone, with the outer cover 50.

The outer cover 50, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, includes front panel 52, rear panel 54 and side panels 56, 58. The outer cover 50 is preferably formed of leather, suede, linen, tweed, beaded silk and various other fabrics in assorted patterns and colors. The shape of the outer cover 50 is substantially rectangular to closely fit around the outer surface of the inner bag 20. In this preferred embodiment, the outer cover 50 includes top stitching or inside seams to improve the strength of the cover as well add decorative touches. The outer cover 50 includes an inner lining 60 to minimize scuffing of the inner bag. The inner lining can be cloth or any other non-scuffing material, preferably Egyptian cotton. In this embodiment, the lining extends up to the top on the front and rear panels and partially up the side panels.

The outer cover includes flaps 62, 64 that fold over the top of the inner bag 20. These flaps 62, 64, in the preferred embodiment, includes magnets 66 mounted within the flaps. The flaps 62, 64 are secured to the inner bag by the enclosed magnets 66 that are attracted to metallic strips or magnets of opposing polarity fastened in the opposing surfaces of the inner bag 20. Other types of attachments such as snaps, Velcro and the like may be used as well.

The side panels 56, 58 are partially open and include rectangle reinforcement strips 70, 72 on the side seam that echo the shape of the zipper pull of the inner bag. The openings on the side panels allow ease of use of the zipper pull 28 of the inner bag, provide ease of entry and removal of the inner bag relative to the outer cover as well as providing distinctive styling of the handbag system. The partial openings on the side panels and along the top portion of the outer cover also provide ease of access into the inner handbag as well. Stitching 74 at strategic points on the outer cover provide reinforcement strength as well as additional styling to the outer cover.

Handles may be provided on the outer cover, particularly if the inner handbag does not include handles. In that instance, the handles may be attached near the upper flaps, or the upper flaps may be notched to allow attachment to the inner handbag without interfering with the handles. The handles may also be foldable if not desired for a particular application.

In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer cover 400 includes a divider 410 placed at a ⅓ ⅔ spacing along on the inner portion of the outer cover 400 and extending partially up to form a divider pocket 420. A thicker reinforcement strip 412 may be attached along the upper edge of the divider 410. This reinforcement strip 412 is useful for attachment of cell telephones, pagers, clip notebooks or other items for easy access. A zippered pocket 430 is provided on the larger side of the outer compartment 400.

In use, the inner handbag 20 may be used alone, without the outer cover 50. It may be a clutch style handbag or used with handles. If a different look is desired, or if a different functionality is required, then the inner handbag is simply inserted into the outer cover. The inner lining of the outer cover will minimize any risk of scuffing of the outer surface of the handbag. The upper flaps are folded over, or else left upright. Magnets or other fasteners in the upper flaps engage in opposing fastening mechanisms of the inner handbag to secure the inner handbag to the outer cover. Contents in the inner handbag are easily accessed by the partial side panels of the outer cover allowing ease of use of the zipper pull of the handbag. The reinforcement tabs that are shaped similarly to the zipper pull not only strengthen the side panels at key points but add to the aesthetic design of the handbag system.

In the alternative embodiment of the outer cover shown in FIG. 4, the handbag system will also have a divider pocket, a zippered pocket and a strip for attachment of telephones, pagers, and other items. This provides additional functionality to the handbag system.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the handbag system 500 is similar to the above described system except it is a magazine style handbag. The inner handbag 510 and outer cover 520 operate in a similar fashion as the above described system.

It is to be expressly understood that the above descriptive embodiments are presented for explanatory purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the claimed inventions.

Claims

1. A handbag system, said handbag system includes:

a handbag;

an outer cover; and

a fastening mechanism for securing said handbag within said outer cover wherein said handbag has utility without said outer cover.

2. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism includes:

upper flaps than engage said handbag to secure said handbag within said outer cover.

3. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism includes:

magnets secured within the lining of said outer cover to engage said handbag.

4. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism includes:

hook and loop fasteners on said handbag and said outer cover to secure said handbag to said outer cover.

5. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism includes:

snap fasteners.

6. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism includes:

a zipper mechanism.

7. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said outer cover includes:multiple outer covers having differing looks.

8. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said outer cover includes:

an inner lining to minimize scuffing of the outer surface of said handbag.

9. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said outer cover includes:

a divider pocket in said outer cover to provide an additional pocket to said handbag.

10. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said outer cover includes:

a zippered pocket.

11. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said handbag system includes:

a handbag fastening mechanism on said handbag to allow access into said handbag; and

the sides and top of said outer cover are partially open to allow access to said handbag fastening mechanism through said partially open sides.

12. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said handbag system includes:

at least one strap on said handbag for carrying of said handbag; and

the top of said outer cover is formed partially open to allow access to said at least one strap on said handbag.

13. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein said outer cover includes:

reinforcement tabs formed on said outer cover in the shape of zipper pulls on said handbag.

14. A method of using a dual handbag system, said method includes the steps of:

providing a handbag that is usable without an outer cover;

providing an outer cover;

inserting said handbag into said outer cover;

securing said outer cover to said handbag by a fastening mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of securing said outer cover to said handbag by a fastening mechanism includes:

engaging outer flaps on said outer cover to said handbag.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing an outer cover includes:providing a divider in said outer cover to provide an additional pocket.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing an outer cover includes:

providing a zippered pocket in said outer cover.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing an outer cover includes:

providing a partially open top and sides on said outer cover to allow access into said handbag.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing an outer cover includes:

providing multiple covers of differing designs.