Accessory bags with removable liners

Abstract

An accessory bag such as a pocketbook includes a cover and a liner that are configured to hold accessories such as makeup therein. The cover and liner are removably and repeatedly attachable to one another so that the liner may be replaced when worn and/or interchanged with a different color liner. Related accessory bag kits, components and methods of using accessory bags are also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to accessory bags, and more particularly to accessory bags that include covers and liners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Accessory bags are widely used by men and women to hold accessories, such as makeup, notebooks, cellular phones, tissues, etc. Examples of accessory bags include purses, pocketbooks, fanny packs, waist pouches, backpacks and the like.

Conventional accessory bags include a cover, which may be fabricated from plastic, leather, cloth, mesh and/or other material, and a liner within the cover that may fabricated from silk, polyester and/or another relatively thin material. The accessory bag may also include a shoulder, hand, waist and/or back strap, although “clutch” accessory bags without a strap also may be provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accessory bags according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a cover and a liner therein, which are configured to hold accessories therein. Means also is provided for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover and the liner to one another. The means for removably and repeatedly attaching may include snaps, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets, buttons and/or other conventional mechanisms for removably and repeatedly and attaching one element to another.

In some embodiments, the cover comprises a mesh cover, such that the liner that is attached to the cover is visible from outside the cover through holes in the mesh. The mesh cover and the liner may be visually distinguishable from one another. In some embodiments, the mesh cover is a crocheted cover.

Accessory bags according to other embodiments of the present invention may include a frame that is fixedly attached to the cover, such that the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the liner to the frame. In other embodiments, a frame is fixedly attached to the liner, and the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover to the frame. In yet other embodiments, frames may be provided on the liner and the cover.

Accessory bags according to exemplary embodiments of the invention include a crocheted cover including holes therein and a liner within the crocheted cover that is configured to hold accessories therein. The liner is visually distinguishable from the crocheted cover, such that the liner is visible from outside the crocheted cover through the holes. Means are also provided for removably and repeatedly attaching the crocheted cover and the liner to one another. Various attachment means and/or frames may be provided, as was described above.

In other embodiments of the present invention, an accessory bag kit may be provided that includes a cover that is configured to hold accessories therein, and includes a first repeatedly removable liner attachment mechanism. A plurality of liners for the cover also may be provided that include a second repeatedly removable attachment mechanism that is configured to repeatedly and removably attach to the first repeatedly removable attachment mechanism. Mesh covers, frames, visually distinguishable liners and/or various attachment mechanisms may be provided as was described above.

Accessory bag components according to exemplary embodiments of the invention include an accessory bag liner that is configured to removably and repeatedly attach to an accessory bag cover to hold accessories therein. Frames and/or attachment mechanisms as described above may be provided.

Finally, accessory bags may be used, according to various embodiments of the invention, by removing a first removably attachable accessory bag liner from an accessory bag cover. A second accessory bag liner is then removably attached inside the accessory bag liner to hold accessories therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of accessory bags, accessory bag kits and accessory bag components according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates methods of using accessory bags, kits and/or components according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second region, layer or section, and, similarly, a second region, layer or section could be termed a first region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Some embodiments of the present invention may arise from recognition that a mesh accessory bag, such as a crocheted pocketbook, may be provided with multiple removable liners which may be of contrasting colors, textures and/or patterns with respect to the crocheted cover, so that the liner can be seen through the crocheting. A user can change liners as a fashion statement to match the user's clothing and/or for other reasons. Moreover, some embodiments of the present invention may also arise from recognition that the liner is often constructed of a more flimsy material than the cover, and may, therefore, tear well before the cover. By providing a repeatedly removable attachment mechanism between the liner and the cover, a worn liner can be replaced without the need to buy a new accessory bag. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may be used with accessory bags including solid and/or mesh covers.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory bag, an accessory bag kit and an accessory bag component according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an accessory bag 10 includes a cover 12 and a liner 14 therein, which are configured to hold accessories (not shown) therein. Means 16 is provided for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover 12 and the liner 14 to one another. In FIG. 1, the means for removably and repeatedly attaching 16 is illustrated as a plurality of buttonholes 17a and buttons 17b. However, other means for removably and repeatedly attaching, such as snaps, zippers, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets and/or other conventional removable and repeated attaching means may be provided.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1, some accessory bags may include a frame 18. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the frame is fixedly attached to the cover 12, and the means for removably and repeatedly attaching 16 comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the liner 14 to the frame 18. In other embodiments, the frame 18 is fixedly attached to the liner 14, and the means for removably and repeatedly attaching 16 comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover 12 to the frame 18. In still other embodiments, both the liner and the cover may include a frame, and the means for removably and repeatedly attaching 16 may comprise means for removably and repeatedly attaching one frame to the other. In still other embodiments, as will be described below in connection with FIG. 2, a frame need not be included.

The detailed design and manufacture of accessory bags including frames, covers and liners are well known to those having skill in the art, and need not be described further herein. Moreover, the detailed design and manufacture of repeatedly removable attachment means for clothing is well known to those having skill in the art, and need not be described further herein.

An accessory bag kit according to embodiments of FIG. 1 may include a cover 12 that is configured to hold accessories therein and that includes a first repeatedly removable attachment mechanism, such as a first portion of a snap, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener such as a Velcro® fastener, a buckle, a tie, a magnet and/or a button. A plurality of liners 14 also are provided for the cover 12 that include a second repeatedly removable attachment mechanism that is configured to repeatedly and removably attach to the first repeatedly removable attachment mechanism. In other words, a corresponding or mating second portion of a snap, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener such as a Velcro® fastener, a tie, a buckle, a magnet, adhesive and/or button may be provided. The liners 14 thereby may be interchangeable, to provide a desired color and/or to replace a worn liner by the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates methods of using a repeatedly removable liner, such as the repeatedly removable liner 14 of FIG. 1, with an accessory bag 10, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The repeatedly removable liner 14 may also provide an accessory bag component/kit according to other embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, accessory bags may be used according to embodiments of the invention by removably attaching a first accessory bag liner 14 inside an accessory bag cover 12 to hold accessories therein. Later, the first accessory bag liner 14 is removed from the inside the accessory bag cover and a second accessory bag liner 14 is attached inside the accessory bag cover 12 to hold accessories therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of accessory bags, kits and components according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In contrast to FIG. 1, these accessory bags 20 do not include a frame. Moreover, the cover 22 is a mesh cover that includes holes 23 therein, such that the liner 24 that is attached to the cover is visible from outside the cover 22 through the holes 23 in the mesh. In some embodiments, the cover 22 and the liner 24 are visually distinguishable from one another. For example, the cover 22 and the liner 24 may be of different colors, patterns and/or textures. Means 26 for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover and the liner to one another are provided. These means 26 may correspond to the means 16 for removably and repeatedly attaching a cover and a liner to one another that was described in connection with FIG. 1, except that a frame or frames 18 need not be employed. In FIG. 2, a plurality of buttonholes 27a and buttons 27b are shown to attach the liner 24 to the cover 22.

In some embodiments, the mesh cover 22 that includes holes 23 therein is a crocheted cover. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2 may provide accessory bags 20 that include a crocheted cover 22 including holes 23 therein and a liner 24 within the crocheted cover 22 that is configured to hold accessories therein. The liner 24 is visually distinguishable from the crocheted cover 22, such that the liner 24 is visible from outside the crocheted cover 22 through the holes 23. Means 26 for removably and repeatedly attaching the crocheted cover 22 and the liner 24 to one another also are provided.

It will be understood by those having skill in the art that accessory bag kits, components and methods of using an accessory bag may be provided for embodiments of FIG. 2, similar to those which were described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3. Moreover, embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 may be combined in various combinations and subcombinations to provide, for example, a mesh accessory bag with a frame.

Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention allow a liner to be removable from an accessory bag by a user thereof. A worn liner may thereby be replaced with a new liner by a consumer and/or multiple visually distinguishable liners may be interchanged as a fashion statement by the consumer. The fashion statement may be provided by a liner for a solid cover and an additional fashion statement may be made by providing interchangeable liners for mesh covers.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An accessory bag comprising:

a cover and a liner therein that are configured to hold accessories therein; and

means for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover and the liner to one another.

2. An accessory bag according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises mesh such that the liner that is attached to the cover is visible from outside the cover through holes in the mesh.

3. An accessory bag according to claim 2 wherein the cover that comprises mesh and the liner are visually distinguishable from one another.

4. An accessory bag according to claim 1 wherein the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises snaps, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets and/or buttons.

5. An accessory bag according to claim 2 wherein the cover that comprises mesh comprises a crocheted cover.

6. An accessory bag according to claim 1 further comprising a frame that is fixedly attached to the cover and wherein the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the liner to the frame.

7. An accessory bag according to claim 1 further comprising a frame that is fixedly attached to the liner and wherein the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises means for removably and repeatedly attaching the cover to the frame.

8. An accessory bag kit comprising:

a cover that is configured to hold accessories therein and that includes a first repeatedly removable liner attachment mechanism; and

a plurality of liners for the cover that include a second repeatedly removable attachment mechanism that is configured to repeatedly and removably attach to the first repeatedly removable attachment mechanism.

9. An accessory bag kit according to claim 8 wherein the cover comprises mesh such that the liner is visible from outside the cover through holes in the mesh when the liner is removably attached to the cover.

10. An accessory bag kit according to claim 9 wherein the cover that comprises mesh and the liner are visually distinguishable from one another.

11. An accessory bag kit according to claim 8 wherein the first and second repeatedly removable attachment mechanisms include mating portions of snaps, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets and/or buttons.

12. An accessory bag kit according to claim 9 wherein the cover that comprises mesh comprises a crocheted cover.

13. An accessory bag kit according to claim 8 further comprising a frame that is fixedly attached to the cover wherein the first repeatedly removable liner attachment mechanism is fixedly attached to the frame.

14. An accessory bag kit according to claim 8 further comprising a frame that is fixedly attached to the liner and wherein the second repeatedly removable liner attachment mechanism is fixedly attached to the frame.

15. An accessory bag component comprising:

an accessory bag liner that is configured to removably and repeatedly attach to an accessory bag cover to hold accessories therein.

16. An accessory bag component according to claim 15 wherein the liner is configured to removably and repeatedly attach to an accessory bag cover using snaps, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets and/or buttons.

17. An accessory bag component according to claim 15 wherein the accessory bag liner is configured to removably and repeatedly attach to a frame of an accessory bag cover.

18. An accessory bag component according to claim 15 further comprising a frame that is fixedly attached to the accessory bag liner and wherein the frame is configured to removably and repeatedly attach to the accessory bag cover.

19. An accessory bag comprising:

a crocheted cover including holes therein;

a liner within the crocheted cover that is configured to hold accessories therein, the liner being visually distinguishable from the crocheted cover such that the liner is visible from outside the crocheted cover through the holes; and

means for removably and repeatedly attaching the crocheted cover and the liner to one another.

20. An accessory bag according to claim 19 wherein the means for removably and repeatedly attaching comprises snaps, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, ties, buckles, adhesive, magnets and/or buttons.

21. A method of using an accessory bag comprising:

removing a first removably attachable accessory bag liner from an accessory bag cover; and

removably attaching a second accessory bag liner inside the accessory bag liner to hold accessories therein.