ARTICLE HAVING MULTIPLE INTERCHANGEABLE PATTERNS
An article of manufacture is provided having a plurality of interchangeable patterns for configuration on an external surface of the article. The article may include a carryall item, such as a bag, handbag, purse, or similar carryall. Additionally, the article can include a multi-pattern interchangeable pillow case or other decorative item. The article is configured by folding one a designated pattern to the exterior surface of the article using a slotted access member or an accessibility member. The accessibility member may further include a zipper, button, Velcro, or other attachment means.
This application relates to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/152,021 filed Feb. 12, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of fashion articles and accessories, and more particularly to fashion articles and accessories such as handbags and carryalls having multiple interchangeable patterns for customizing the appearance of a fashion article or accessory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHandbags, shoulder bags, purses, laptop bags, diaper bags, and the like; hereinafter collectively referred to as “carryalls”, provide a user with a means for carrying personal property and other objects. Carryalls have been known and used in the art for many years. As time has passed, demand for carryalls with patterns has increased, such that carryalls which display a pattern have become common in the art.
The prior art describes a myriad of ladies and men's fashion articles such as carryalls and bags having interchangeable fabric patterns. Examples of these carryalls and bags are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,028,730; 6,029,723; 5,503,204; 4,907,633; 3,556,187; 3,234,985; 3,182,701; and 2,809,685; the entire contents of which are herby incorporated by reference.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical interchangeable carryall.
As an example, these prior art references require multiple components for collective attachment in order to yield an interchangeable carryall or handbag. There is a need for a carryall which can be readily and rapidly altered such that a single carryall or bag can provide a user with a plurality of optional patterns and styles.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there exists a longstanding need for a new and improved interchangeable bag and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a carryall system comprising a carryall body, the carryall body comprising a first pattern and a second pattern each disposed on a first surface. An accessibility member is further included on at least one of the first pattern or second pattern, wherein the accessibility member can be a zipper, Velcro, button, or other member. The carryall body further comprises a third pattern and a fourth pattern each disposed on a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite of the first surface. The carryall body therefore comprises four patterns, two of which are positioned on the first surface, and the remaining two patterns are positioned on the second surface.
The first surface and second surface are interchangeable, and can be configured inside-out using the accessibility member. Where each surface of the carryall body comprises two patterns, each pattern can be configured as an external pattern, with the other positioned inside the carryall.
An optional liner can be provided, such that the contents of the carryall or handbag are isolated from the pattern fabric. In this embodiment, the liner is separated from the carryall by any of a zipper, Velcro, button, clasp, or other attachment means known in the art. The carryall can then be interchanged by pulling one of the first or second surface to an external position. Upon selecting the external surface, a pattern is selected for use and is positioned as the external pattern by folding the alternative pattern to the inside of the carryall. The liner is then replaced and positioned on the inside surface of the carryall.
The liner can be a slip liner, or a handle liner. A slip liner is a liner that is substantially contained within the carryall. A handle liner is a liner that comprises an external portion, such as skirt and a handle in addition to a liner portion that is substantially contained within the carryall. Where the liner does not comprise a handle, a strap can be attached to the carryall at one or more loop-fittings.
One embodiment of an interchangeable carryall includes a multi-surface carryall comprising a first receptacle having a first pattern disposed on a first surface and a second pattern disposed on a second surface of the first receptacle, and a second receptacle having a third pattern disposed on a first surface and a fourth pattern disposed on a second surface of the second receptacle. Each of the first and second receptacles includes a recessed cavity having a bottom surface and two or more walls extending vertically from the bottom surface to a top edge. The top edge of the first receptacle is attached to the top edge of the second receptacle by a stitching, adhesive, zipper, or other attachment means. An accessibility member is further include and disposed on one or more of the first through fourth patterns. Upon accessing the accessibility member, a user can reach into the carryall and grasp the enclosed surface pulling inside-out such as to reverse the carryall surfaces from an outside surface to an inside surface, and vice versa.
In another embodiment, the carryall can further include a third receptacle having a fifth pattern disposed on a first surface and a sixth pattern disposed on a second surface of the third receptacle.
The carryall can further include one or more accessibility members disposed on one or more surfaces of the receptacles. The carryall may further include one or more straps, loop-fittings, pockets, skirts, liners, handles, or other carryall components.
These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these details and descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Certain embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings wherein illustrative features are denoted by reference numerals.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an article of manufacture, such as a carryall, the carryall comprising a plurality of receptacles for configuring a desired pattern or surface on the exterior surface of the carryall. Generally, the carryall includes one or more accessibility members positioned on one or more surfaces of the receptacles, such that the receptacles can be folded inside-out to position a desired pattern on the exterior surface of the carryall. An accessibility member can further be added to pillow cases, laptop bags, purses, and other bags and accessories for interchangeably configuring a desired pattern on the exterior surface of the accessory.
For purposes of this invention, the term “receptacle” is intended to describe a bag-shaped article having a top edge and a bottom portion, the top edge being flexible and having a substantially annular form about an open top end defining a circumference, and the bottom portion including a dome, box, or similar shape; such that the receptacle is capable of receiving an object at the top end and containing the object in the bottom portion.
In another embodiment, the article may be a pillow case comprising; a first receptacle having a first pattern disposed on a first surface and a second pattern disposed on a second surface opposite of the first surface, and a second receptacle having a third pattern disposed on a third surface and a fourth pattern disposed on a fourth surface opposite of the third surface. The second receptacle is positioned concentric with and inside of the first receptacle, and the second receptacle and first receptacle are attached along the entire circumference of the top edge of each receptacle to create a dual-nested receptacle. A second dual-nested receptacle is manufactured identical to the first dual-nested receptacle, and attached to the first dual-nested receptacle along about one half of the circumference, leaving the other about one half of the circumference unattached to create a slotted access member. At least one of the first and second dual-nested receptacles includes at least one accessibility member positioned at a bottom edge of the receptacle. The pillow case can be configured with the first pattern disposed on an exterior surface of the pillow case, the second pattern disposed on the inside surface of the pillow case. The second pattern can become configured on the exterior surface of the pillow case by folding the pillow case inside-out along the slotted access member. Furthermore, the pillow case can be configured with the third pattern on the exterior surface using the accessibility member positioned on the bottom edge of at least one of the receptacles. Similarly, once the third pattern is disposed on the exterior surface of the pillow case, the fourth pattern can become disposed on the exterior surface of the pillow case by flipping the pillow case inside-out at the slotted access member.
Now turning to the illustrations, a detailed description is provided to enable one having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.
As can be seen with reference to the drawings and in particular to
The carryall further includes an accessibility member disposed on a bottom end of at least one receptacle. The accessibility member can include a zipper, slotted region having a button or Velcro, or other means for opening and closing a slotted portion of fabric. The first and second receptacles can be interchangeably folded inside-out at the accessibility member to expose alternative surfaces to the exterior side of the article. The carryall can further include a removable liner for protecting the interior surface thereof.
The accessibility member is herein defined as any member or feature for folding the carryall body inside-out. The accessibility member can include a slot; the slot can further include a zipper, Velcro, button, clasp, or other mechanical feature known in the art. The accessibility member is provided to grant access to a user such that the carryall body and attached fabrics can be configured, manipulated, or folded in a manner for interchangeably providing a desired pattern on the exterior surface of the carryall body.
A user can configure the carryall such that one of the first through fourth patterns is disposed on an exterior surface of the carryall. One method for interchanging the carryall pattern includes: (i) disconnecting the strap or liner, (ii) folding the carryall body inside-out, and (iii) re-attaching the strap or liner.
Using the carryall body as illustrated in
A liner can be added to the carryall assembly, the liner can be a slip-liner as is illustrated in
Alternatively, the liner can be a handle-liner as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by
Alternatively, as illustrated in
The carryall further includes a third receptacle having a second pattern, the third receptacle substantially contained within a fourth receptacle, wherein the fourth receptacle is a liner. The fourth receptacle further includes at least one accessibility member. One or more handles are attached at a top edge between the third and fourth receptacles. The third and fourth receptacles are attached along a top edge by a stitching, seam, adhesive, or other attachment means. The first receptacle and second receptacle are mated with and attached to the third and fourth receptacles along the top edge using a stitching, seam, adhesive, or other attachment means.
Following the embodiments illustrated by
The second, third, and fourth receptacles are now folded into the interior cavity of the first receptacle to configure the carryall as illustrated in
Using the procedures illustrated in
Another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
Now turning to
A zipper portion can be attached along a top edge between two receptacles, such that a handle liner or skirt can be attached to the carryall. Additionally, one or more straps or handles can be attached at a top edge between two receptacles of the carryall.
The first receptacle can be accessed from the accessibility member of the second receptacle, and pulled through the accessibility member. Additionally, the third receptacle can be folded over the fourth receptacle as illustrated in
Now turning to
In each of the above embodiments of a multi-pattern interchangeable carryall, one or more receptacles are attached along a top edge. The receptacles generally embody a bag having a first surface with a first pattern disposed thereon, and a second surface having a second pattern disposed thereon; the bag having a top edge including a rim, and a bottom portion. The receptacle generally includes a first pattern disposed on an exterior surface, and a second pattern disposed on an interior surface, the interior of the receptacle is hollow and is referred to as an interior cavity. The receptacle may further include a number of pockets or other organizing features.
The present invention can be practiced using any shape of carryall known in the art, and is not limited to the illustrated examples contained herein. Each of the first through fourth patterns can be individually configured. Each of the patterns can be any artistic or solid pattern or combination of patterns and colors. Additionally, the multiple-patterns and accessibility member can be used to configure a pillow case, bag, or other fabric made article.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract and disclosure herein presented.
Claims
1. An article having a plurality of interchangeable patterns, comprising:
- a first receptacle comprising a first pattern disposed on a first surface, and a top edge;
- a second receptacle comprising a second pattern disposed on a second surface, and a top edge; and
- at least one accessibility member disposed on one of said first and second receptacles;
- said top edge of said first receptacle attached to said top edge of said second receptacle along at least a portion of a circumference;
- wherein one of said first pattern and second pattern is capable of being configured on the exterior surface of the article.
2. The article of claim 1, said first receptacle further comprising a third pattern disposed on a third surface, wherein said third surface is disposed opposite of said first surface.
3. The article of claim 2, wherein said article can be configured inside-out at said accessibility member.
4. The article of claim 3, said second receptacle further comprising a fourth pattern disposed on a fourth surface, wherein said fourth surface is opposite of said second surface.
5. The article of claim 4, wherein said article is a carryall having four interchangeable patterns.
6. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a pillow case having four interchangeable patterns.
7. The article of claim 1, said article further comprising a third receptacle, said third receptacle comprising a top edge, wherein said top edge of said third receptacle is attached to said top edge of said first receptacle and said top edge of said second receptacle along said circumference.
8. The article of claim 7, said article including a fourth receptacle comprising a top edge, wherein said top edge of said fourth receptacle is attached to said top edge of said first through third receptacles along said circumference.
9. The article of claim 7, wherein at least one of said first through third receptacles is a liner for protecting one or more surfaces of the receptacle.
10. The article of claim 9, wherein said article is adapted to receive one of: a slip-liner or a handle-liner.
11. The article of claim 10, wherein said one of a slip-liner or a handle-liner is attached to said article at a zipper.
12. The article of claim 1, further comprising one or more loop-fittings.
13. The article of claim 1, further comprising one or more straps, wherein said straps are attached to said article at said top edge between two of said receptacles.
14. The article of claim 7, further comprising a skirt, said skirt attached to said article along said circumference between two of said receptacles.
15. The article of claim 1, wherein two or more of said patterns are substantially similar.
16. An article having a plurality of interchangeable patterns, comprising;
- a first receptacle having a first pattern and a second pattern disposed opposite of the first pattern;
- a second receptacle having a third pattern and a fourth pattern disposed opposite of the third pattern; and
- at least one accessibility member;
- wherein said article can be configured to contain one of said first through fourth patterns on an exterior surface.
17. The article of claim 16, wherein the article is a carryall.
18. The article of claim 17, wherein the carryall is a multi-pattern interchangeable purse.
19. The article of claim 16, wherein the article is a pillow case.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2010
Applicant: VARABELLA, LLC (Oceanside, CA)
Inventors: Amy Polozzolo (Oceanside, CA), Dina Freeman (Vista, CA)
Application Number: 12/704,764
International Classification: A45C 3/08 (20060101); A45C 13/26 (20060101); A47G 9/02 (20060101);