POCKETBOOK SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DECORATIVE OUTER JACKETS
A pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets, the pocketbook system including a foundation bag with at least two major faces and at least two minor faces. The at least two major faces have a surface area equal to or greater than the at least two minor faces. There is at least one set of handles, where the two ends of a single handle are affixed to each of the at least two major faces. A reversible decorative outer jacket is designed to partially or fully envelope each of the at least two major faces. A pair of openings on the decorative outer jacket are each positioned to align with the handle ends on each of the at least two major faces. The handle ends provide for temporarily and securely attaching a decorative outer jacket to the foundation bag.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to pocketbooks and pocketbook systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a pocketbook system and a method of using the pocketbook system which includes one or more decorative outer jackets which attach to the exterior of the pocketbook. The outer jackets may be reversible with similar or different designs on each side of the decorative outer jackets. In addition, each side of the decorative outer jackets may be made from or may include similar or different materials. The pocketbook includes a pair of handles to carry the pocketbook system as well as to secure a decorative outer jacket to the exterior surfaces of the pocketbook.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWomen have been known to be fashion and accessory conscious. They will regularly purchase clothing which reflects their fashion preferences. In addition, they will often purchase multiple pocketbooks to mix and match with their clothing purchases. Specifically, women may purchase a multitude of pocketbooks in varying colors, textures and patterns to match and accentuate their clothing. Similarly, they may purchase one or more pocketbooks which are thought to be appropriate for specific events they are attending.
The use of multiple pocketbooks may possibly lead to several problems, for instance, the costs associated with the purchase a number of pocketbooks. Also, changing pocketbooks daily or multiple times a day to satisfy one's fashion needs is not only time consuming, but will often result in leaving an essential item, such as cell phone or keys, in a previously used pocket book that has been switched out for another pocketbook. Other common problems may include the inability to clean or remove a scratch from the exterior surface of a pocketbook or general wear and tear, which may degrade the aesthetics of the pocketbook and possibly makes it unfit for the purposes for which it was purchased or intended.
There have been various attempts to solve some of these problems but cited prior patents have not been successful in solving them all. The present invention solves them all and more in a novel manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention seeks to solve the above-described problems by disclosing a pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets comprised of a foundation bag, a decorative outer jacket, and handle ends affixed to the foundation bag that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
To achieve the stated and other objectives of the present invention, the pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of a foundation bag which includes at least two major faces and at least two minor faces where the major faces have a greater surface area than the minor faces. The pocketbook system includes at least one set of handles, where the two ends of a single handle are affixed to each of the major faces of the foundation bag. The decorative outer jacket is designed to envelope the major faces of the foundation bag, and a pair of openings on the decorative outer jacket are positioned to align with the handle ends on each of the major faces of the foundation bag.
In another aspect, the decorative outer jacket may be reversible to provide different decorative designs on each side of the decorative outer jacket. The handle ends are then connected onto the major faces such that there is a gap between the outer surface on each major face and the affixed handle ends in which edges of the pair of openings is inserted to secure the decorative outer jacket to the foundation bag.
In embodiments of the invention, the interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of two folding panes attached to the base panel where the folding panes are attached to the base panel using a connecting material which allows the folding panes to rotate at least one hundred and eighty degree about the base panel. The hinge system allows the decorative outer jacket to seamlessly hug the foundation bag thereby creating the perception of a new bag that is different than the foundation bag alone.
In another embodiment of the invention, the pocketbook system with an interchangeable decorative outer jacket is comprised of a foundation bag comprised of a bottom portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion, set of handles are affixed to the middle portion of the foundation bag, and a decorative outer jacket which is designed to envelope the bottom portion and middle portion of the foundation bag. The decorative outer jacket has a pair of openings positioned to align with the handle ends affixed to the middle portion of the foundation.
The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the attached claims.
The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
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The middle portion 22 of the foundation bag 20 is attached to and extends upward from the perimeter of the bottom portion 21. The middle portion is comprised of two major faces 27 extending from the two longer edges 24 of the bottom portion 21 and two minor faces 28 extending from the two shorter edges 25 of the bottom portion 21. The major faces 27 and the minor faces 28 are interconnected in a manner to define an inner compartment within the foundation bag 20.
The exterior surfaces of the bottom and middle portions 21 and 22 may be made of several materials including but not limited to leather, imitation leather, suede, cotton, silk, etc. These exterior surfaces of the bottom and middle portions 21 and 22 may also include a variety of decorative textures, patterns and embellishments. Moreover, the structural characteristics of the foundation bag 20 are such that it maintains its general shape under its own weight and is able to effectively support an attached decorative outer jacket 40.
The top portion 23 of the foundation bag 20 borders along the upper perimeter of the middle portion 22 and provides access to the inner compartment of the foundation bag 20. The top portion 23 may simply be a border of varying widths running along the upper perimeter of the middle portion 22 and made of the same material as the middle portion 22. As with the bottom portion 21, the upper portion 23 may include a solid material enveloped by the same material or by a different material from which the middle portion 22 is made of. Alternatively, the upper portion 23 may be comprised of a solid material such a metal or plastic. The upper portion 23 may also include one or more closure members 29 which securely close the top portion 23 and limits access to the inner compartment of the foundation bag 20.
The foundation bag 20 further includes a pair of handles 30 attached to the major faces 27. Specifically, on each major face 27, the two handle ends 31 are permanently affixed to the outer surface of the major thee 27 at identical positions on each major face 27. As an alternative to the bag having permanently affixed handles, the two ends of each handle 30 may have a fastener which allow for temporarily attaching a handle to two receiving connectors that are themselves permanently affixed to the outer surface a major face 27.
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The two folding panels 42 are attached to and extend from the two longer edges 43 of the base panel 41. Each folding panel 42 is attached in such a manner as to allow the folding panels 42 to rotate at least 180 degrees about the longer edges 43. Similar to the relationship between the base panel 41 and the bottom portion 21, the folding panels 42 are themselves dimensioned and shaped to generally match the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20.
A first pair of surfaces 47 comprise the outer surfaces on a first side of the outer jacket 40 and a second pair of surfaces 48 comprise the outer surfaces on a second side of the outer jacket 40. The first and second pair of surfaces 47 and 48 are decorative surfaces which may be made of material including, but not limited to, leather, suede, cotton, silk, etc. and which may have a variety of decorative textures, patterns and embellishments. Moreover, the first pair of surfaces 47 may be decoratively different from the second pair of surfaces 48.
At least one opening 46 is also provided on each of the folding panels 42. The openings 46 are each positioned near the outer edges of the folding panels 42 opposite the longer edges 43 to which the folding panes 42 are attached. Specifically, the openings 46 are positioned to line up with and fully encircle the handle ends 31 which are permanently affixed to the major faces 27 of the foundation bag 20. As an alternative to one opening 46 encircling both handle ends 31, one or more openings 46 on each folding pane 42 may be positioned and dimensioned to encircle at least one of the handle ends 31 permanently attached to each of the major faces 27.
Although the present embodiment discloses a foundation bag 20 with two major faces and two minor faces, it will be apparent to a person of reasonable skill in the art that the foundation bag may have a different number of major faces or minor faces which provide for a variety of different shapes. These varying foundation bag shapes are within the scope of the disclosed invention in that the foundation bag will also include a set of handle ends attached to the foundation bag of varying shapes in a manner which will enable them to securely support a decorative outer jacket attached to that foundation bag, regardless of the shape of that foundation bag.
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Once the foundation bag 20 has been properly positioned onto the base panel 41 of the decorative outer jacket 40, the folding panels 42 (See
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The area within handle ends 31 permanently attached to a major face 27 may have a solid inner core whose surface comes into contact with the upper edge of an opening 46 that is wedged into a gap 32. This contact between the solid core within a handle end 31 and the upper edge of an opening 46 may have the effect of pushing or biasing a corresponding handle away from the major face 27 as that handle extends upward under its own weight. Alternatively, the handle ends 31 may have hollow cores which allow for those handle ends 31 to remain flush. against the upper edge of the opening 46. As a result, the handles 30 are able to remain more fluid with the shape of the major faces 27 to which they are attached.
Moreover, to help support the handles 30 as they extends upward from the major faces 27, a wire type material may be embedded into the handles 30. The wire type material will have a sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of the handles 30 and help keep them fluid with the shape of the major faces 27.
The handle ends 31 can be affixed onto the major faces 27 in a manner known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to, sewing, gluing, and heat press to allow the handle ends 31 to remain viable and effective until the point where the major faces 27 bend inward as they rise upward towards the upper portion of the foundation bag 20.
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The hollow portion 68 may also be partially or wholly covered by a transparent material, like plastic, glass, or resin, which is then connected to one or more solid frame portions 67. The addition of a transparent material, which overlays the hollow portion 68, allows the major face 27 of the foundation bag 20 (See
In yet another embodiment of the pocketbook system, the decorative outer jacket may include magnetic components positioned near the outer ends of each folding pane. Corresponding magnetic components are inserted within each of the major faces, the corresponding magnetic components are positioned such that they attract the magnetic components within each of the folding panes when the decorative outer jacket is attached to a foundation bag. These magnetic components interact to attract the outer ends of the folding panes to the surfaces of the major faces.
It is appreciated that many different types (e.g. styles, sizes and shapes) of foundation bags and outer jackets can be used in accordance with the invention. It is also appreciated that the amount and types of handles attached to the foundation bag may vary and can also be used in accordance with the invention. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments and variations of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets, comprising:
- a foundation bag including at least two major faces and at least two minor faces, the at least two major faces having a surface area equal to or greater than the at least two minor faces;
- a set of handles, the two ends of a single handle affixed to each of the at least two major faces;
- a decorative outer jacket designed to envelope the at least two major faces;
- a pair of openings on the decorative outer jacket, a single opening positioned to align with the handle ends on each of the at least two major faces.
2. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the decorative outer jacket is reversible providing for a different decorative design on each side of the decorative outer jacket.
3. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the set of handle ends are attached onto the at least two major faces such that there is a gap between an outer surface of each of the at least two major faces and the affixed set of handle ends in which upper edges of the pair of openings are inserted to secure the decorative outer jacket to the foundation bag.
4. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the decorative outer jacket is comprised of two folding panels attached to opposing sides of a base panel.
5. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 4, wherein the two folding panels are attached to the opposing sides of the base panel using a connecting material which allows for the folding panels to rotate at least one hundred and eighty degrees about the base panel.
6. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jacket of claim 3, wherein the set of handle ends have solid cores.
7. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 3, wherein the set of handles have hollow cores.
8. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 3, wherein the set of handles are attached the at least two major faces using reinforced stitching.
9. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the two ends of each of the set of handles are permanently attached.
10. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the two ends of each of the set of handles are removably attached.
11. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first magnetic components embedded within each of the at least two major faces and a plurality of second magnetic components embedded within the decorative outer jacket, wherein the second magnetic components align with the first magnetic components while the decorative outer jacket is secured to the foundation bag.
12. The pocketbook system with interchangeable decorative outer jackets of claim 1, wherein the decorative outer jacket may envelope the at least two major faces outer partially or fully.
13. A method for interchanging decorative outer jackets, comprising the steps of:
- providing a foundation bag with at least two major faces and at least two minor faces, the at least two major faces having a surface area equal to or greater than the at least two minor faces;
- providing a set of handles, the ends of a single handle attached to each of the at least two major faces;
- providing a decorative outer jacket designed to envelope the at least two major faces;
- providing a pair of openings on the decorative outer jacket, a single opening positioned to align with the handle ends on each of the at least two major faces;
- guiding the set of handles through pair of openings; and
- wedging upper edges of the pair of opening in between the ends of the pair of handles and an outer surface of the at least two major faces.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 26, 2015
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2016
Inventor: Dee Ocleppo (New York, NY)
Application Number: 14/632,305