HANDBAG WITH INTER-CHANGEABLE DECORATIVE PANELS SYSTEM

Abstract

A handbag with inter-changeable decorative panels system comprising a handbag having an exterior with a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a bottom, an interior, at least one changeable color panel having, a front side and a back side. A hook and loop fastening system allows a user to easily remove a panel on the second side (outer side) and replace it with a panel of a user-preferred color or design to match an outfit. The second side surface may have a rectangular recess for nestibly mounting the inter-changeable panel even with the exterior of the second surface. The handbag may have at least one shoulder strap for carrying the handbag and the first end and the second end are flexible such that the first end and the second end are collapsible and expandable to change the inner volume to a user desired inner volume.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present applications are related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/466,677, filed Mar. 23, 2011 which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to the field of hand bags and more specifically relates to a handbag with inter-changeable panels.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] The modem woman's attire most often includes a handbag, or purse. A purse or handbag is a medium to large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items such as a wallet or coins, keys, cosmetics, a hairbrush, pepper spray, cigarettes, mobile phone, etc. The modern woman typically will have at least one purse. Women who regularly dress fashionably, and those that do at least on occasion, most often have several purses of various sizes and differing colors or design to fit most occasions and to match the clothes being worn. Purses can be designed to fit casual dress and daily travel, or be designed for more formal occasions. Purse sizes tend to get larger when the travel distance is greater and for a longer period of time than usual, and smaller the more formal the occasion gets. Purses are also manufactured of various materials and can range in price from a few dollars to more than several hundred dollars. Women most often will have a favorite purse that is of a size that will hold all of her personal items comfortably, but will find the purse doesn't seem to match what she is wearing for a particular outing. She will then empty the favorite purse and try to pack the items into a different purse that will color-match the clothes she will be wearing, only to discover that everything won't fit. She will then have to choose what gets left at home and what gets taken.

[0008] Purses can be very expensive, and especially so, the more fashionable or formal. In today's economy of high unemployment and skyrocketing costs, having a large selection of various colors and types of purses may not be practical for most women. Lower and middle class homes are of a size that is usually sufficient for practical living, but typically, storage space is very limited and having a large selection of purses is just not feasible. The result is that women will own one or two purses, but will have to go out to buy a new one for special events. A cost-effective solution for the aforementioned problems is desirable.

[0009] Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,533,558; 7,222,649; 6,129,126; 6,029,723; 7,789,114; and 5,207,254. This prior art is representative of purses. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

[0010] Ideally, a purse should be affordably priced, suitably sized, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable handbag with inter-changeable decorative panels system to easily and inexpensively alter the appearance to match women's outfits, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known exterior panel changeable purses art, the present invention provides a novel handbag with inter-changeable decorative panels system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide easily and inexpensively changed exterior purse panels while minimizing storage space.

[0012] Disclosed is a handbag with an inter-changeable panel system in a preferred embodiment comprising a handbag having an exterior, the exterior with a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a bottom, an interior, at least one changeable color panel (having a front side and a back side), a fastening system, at least one shoulder strap for carrying the handbag, and a handbag opening closer for accessing the interior of the handbag. The first side, the second side, the first end, the second end, and the bottom define the interior and the exterior of the handbag and the first end and the second end are flexible such that the first end and the second end are collapsible and expandable to change the inner volume to a user desired inner volume.

[0013] The changeable color panel is defined by the front side and the back side. The at least one changeable color panel is removably affixable to the exterior of the handbag via a fastening system. The changeable color panel(s) are substantially similar in size and shape to a recess located on the exterior (second side) of the handbag such that the at least one changeable color panel nestibly and removably couples with the exterior of the handbag via the fastening system in the recess(es) of the exterior of the handbag (flush-mount.) The front side of the changeable color panel(s) comprise at least one fashion design and at least one color and a user is able to replace the changeable color panels on the front side of the handbag with an inter-changeable panel system to a user-preferred fashion design and color such that the user is theme and color coordinated with a user-worn clothing style and color.

[0014] The fastening system may comprise hook and loop fasteners; the hook fasteners located on the exterior of the handbag and the loop fasteners located on the back side of the changeable color panel(s). The hook fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of the recessed area on the exterior of the handbag. The loop fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of the back side of the changeable color panel(s). The changeable color panel(s), when removably affixed into the recess on the exterior of the handbag, are nestibly-located substantially flush with the exterior around a perimeter of the recess. The hook fasteners of the fastening system are sewn to the exterior of the handbag and the loop fasteners are adhesively attached or sewn to the changeable color panel(s) in preferred embodiments.

[0015] The changeable color panel(s) comprise four side-edges but in some embodiments, may have less than four side-edges. The handbag may be constructed of cloth, or may be constructed of leather, or a combination of the two, and may be mixed as preferred by a user. The panels and handbag may comprise various suitable materials. The shoulder strap(s) comprise hand carrying straps or shoulder carrying straps. The hand bag opening closer may comprise a zipper, but may comprise a flap-over having a slot and turn-lock latch system, yet in other embodiments, the handbag opening closer comprises a hook and loop fastener assembly. In certain embodiments, the hand bag may have an open top with no latching system.

[0016] A method of use for a handbag with an inter-changeable panel system may comprising the steps of uncoupling a first changeable color panel from a second side of a handbag, coupling a second changeable color panel to the second side of the handbag, and using the handbag.

[0017] The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a handbag with inter-changeable decorative panels system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, handbag with an inter-changeable panel system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a handbag with an inter-changeable panel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating handbags with an inter-changeable panel system with the panel removed according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the attaching of a changeable color panel according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating various design options for changeable color panels according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of a handbag with an inter-changeable panel system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

[0024] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a handbag and more particularly to a handbag with inter-changeable panels as used to improve the versatility of a handbag and to increase the general cost-effectiveness of owning fashion accessories.

[0026] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 may comprise handbag 102. Handbag 102 preferably comprises an exterior with first side 104, second side 106, first end 108, second end 110, bottom 112, interior 114, at least one changeable color panel 120 having front side 122 and back side 124, fastening system 130, at least one shoulder strap 140 for carrying handbag 102, and handbag opening closer 150 for accessing interior 114 of handbag.

[0028] First side 104, second side 106, first end 108, second end 110, and bottom 112 define interior 114 and exterior 116 of handbag 102. Changeable color panel 120 is defined by front side 122 and back side 124. At least one changeable color panel 120 is removably affixed (affixable) to exterior 116 of handbag 102 via fastening system 130 and may be substantially similar in size and shape to recess(es) 170 located on exterior 116 of handbag 102 such that at least one changeable color panel 120 nestibly and removably couples with exterior 116 of handbag 102 via fastening system 130 in recess(es)170 of exterior 116 of handbag 102. Front side 122 of at least one changeable color panel 120 comprises at least one fashion design and at least one color, and a user is able to replace at least one changeable color panel 120 on front side 122 of handbag 102 with inter-changeable panel system 100 to a user-preferred fashion design and at least one color such that a user is theme and color coordinated with a user-worn clothing style and color.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view illustrating handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 with the changeable color panel 120 removed according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0030] Fastening system 130 may comprise hook and loop fasteners 180, hook fasteners 182 preferably located on exterior 116 of handbag 102 and loop fasteners 184 located on back side 124 of changeable color panel(s) 120. Loop fasteners 184 may be adhesively attached to changeable color panel(s) 120 or may be sewed onto fabric. Changeable color panel(s) 120, when removably affixed into recess(es) 170 on exterior 116 of handbag 102, may be nestibly-located substantially flush with exterior 116 around a perimeter of recess(es) 170. Changeable color panel(s) 120 may comprise four side-edges 199 but in other embodiments, may comprise less than four side-edges 199. Shoulder strap(s) 140 comprise carrying straps. The preferred embodiment has two shoulder straps 140 that may also be used as hand carrying straps.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating the attaching of changeable color panel(s) 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0032] Handbag 102 may comprise a cloth or may comprise leather or a combination of the two or other suitable equivalent materials. Hook fasteners 182 may be non-removably affixed to upper right 200, upper left 205, upper middle 210, lower right 215, lower left 220, and lower middle 225 of recess(es) 170 on exterior 116 of handbag 102 in preferred embodiments. Loop fasteners 184 may be non-removably affixed to upper right 200, upper left 205, upper middle 210, lower right 215, lower left 220, and lower middle 225 of back side 124 of at least one changeable color panel(s) 120. First end 108 and second end 110 are flexible such that first end 108 and second end 110 are collapsible and expandable to change inner volume to a user desired inner volume size. Hook fasteners 182 of fastening system 130 may be sewn to exterior 116 of handbag 102 in the preferred embodiment.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating various design options for changeable color panels according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Handbag opening closer 230 may comprise a zipper or may comprise a flap-over having a slot and turn-lock latch system. In some embodiments, handbag opening closer 230 comprises a hook and loop fastener(s) 180 assembly. In yet another embodiment, handbag 102 comprises an open top having no latching system. Other fastening means may be used.

[0034] Handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4, may be sold as kit 450 comprising the following parts: at least one handbag 102; changeable color panel(s) 120; and a set of user instructions. Handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, showing a flowchart illustrating a method of use 500 for handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

[0036] A method of use 500 for handbag with inter-changeable panel system 100 may comprise the steps of: step one 501 uncoupling a first changeable color panel(s) 120 from second side 106 of handbag 102; step two 502 coupling a second changeable color panel(s) 120 to second side 106 of handbag 102 ; and step three 503 using handbag 102.

[0037] It should be noted that steps 501 and 502 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.

[0038] It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

[0039] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A handbag with inter-changeable panel system comprising: a handbag comprising; an exterior having; a first side; a second side; a first end; a second end; and a bottom; and an interior; at least one changeable color panel having; a front side; and a back side; a fastening system; at least one shoulder strap for carrying said handbag; and a handbag opening closer for accessing said interior of said handbag; wherein said first side, said second side, said first end, said second end, and said bottom define said interior and said exterior of said handbag; wherein said changeable color panel is defined by said front side and said back side; wherein said at least one changeable color panel is removably affixed to said exterior of said handbag via said fastening system; wherein said at least one changeable color panel is substantially similar in size and shape to recesses located on said exterior of said handbag such that said at least one changeable color panel nestibly removably couples with said exterior of said handbag via said fastening system in said recess(es) of said exterior of said handbag; wherein said front side of said at least one changeable color panel comprises at least one fashion design and at least one color; and wherein a user is able to replace said at least one changeable color panel on said front side of said handbag with inter-changeable panel system to a user-preferred said at least one fashion design and said at least one color such that said user is theme and color coordinated with a user-worn clothing style and color.

2. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said fastening system comprises hook and loop fasteners, said hook fasteners located on said exterior of said handbag and said loop fasteners located on said back side of said changeable color panel(s).

3. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said at least one changeable color panel when removably affixed into said recess on said exterior of said handbag, said at least one changeable color panel is nestibly-located substantially flush with a said exterior around a perimeter of said recess.

4. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said at least one shoulder strap comprises carrying straps.

5. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said handbag opening closer comprises a zipper.

6. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 5 wherein said opening closer comprises a flap-over having a slot and turn-lock latch system.

7. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 5 wherein said handbag opening closer comprises a hook and loop fastener assembly.

8. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said at least one changeable color panel comprises four side-edges.

9. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 8 wherein said at least one changeable color panel comprises less than four side-edges.

10. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said handbag comprises cloth.

11. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 10 wherein said handbag comprises leather.

12. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 2 wherein said hook fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of said recess on said exterior of said handbag.

13. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 2 wherein said loop fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of back side of said at least one changeable color panel.

14. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said hand bag comprises an open top having no latching system.

15. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 1 wherein said first end and said second end are flexible such that said first end and said second end are collapsible and expandable to change said inner volume to a user desired said inner volume.

16. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 2 wherein said hook fasteners of said fastening system are sewn to said exterior of said handbag.

17. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 2 wherein said loop fasteners are adhesively attached to said changeable color panel(s).

18. A handbag with inter-changeable panel system comprising: a handbag comprising; an exterior having; a first side; a second side; a first end; a second end; and a bottom; an interior; at least one changeable color panel having; a front side; and a back side; a fastening system; at least one shoulder strap for carrying said handbag; and a handbag opening closer for accessing said interior of said handbag; wherein said first side, said second side, said first end, said second end, and said bottom define said interior and said exterior of said handbag; wherein said first end and said second end are flexible such that said first end and said second end are collapsible and expandable to change said inner volume to a user desired said inner volume; wherein said changeable color panel is defined by said front side and said back side; wherein said at least one changeable color panel is removably affixed to said exterior of said handbag via said fastening system; wherein said at least one changeable color panel is substantially similar in size and shape to recesses located on said exterior of said handbag such that said at least one changeable color panel nestibly removably couples with said exterior of said handbag via said fastening system in said recess(es) of said exterior of said handbag; wherein said front side of said at least one changeable color panel comprises at least one fashion design and at least one color; wherein said fastening system comprises hook and loop fasteners, said hook fasteners located on said exterior of said handbag and said loop fasteners located on said back side of said changeable color panel(s); wherein said hook fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of said recess on said exterior of said handbag; wherein said loop fasteners are non-removably affixed to an upper right, an upper left, an upper middle, a lower right, a lower left, and a lower middle of back side of said at least one changeable color panel; wherein said at least one changeable color panel when removably affixed into said recess on said exterior of said handbag, said at least one changeable color panel is nestibly-located substantially flush with a said exterior around a perimeter of said recess; wherein said hook fasteners of said fastening system are sewn to said exterior of said handbag; wherein said loop fasteners are adhesively attached to said changeable color panel(s); wherein said at least one changeable color panel comprises four side-edges; wherein said handbag comprises cloth; wherein said at least one shoulder strap comprises carrying straps; wherein said handbag opening closer comprises a zipper; wherein said opening closer comprises a flap-over having a slot and turn-lock latch system; wherein said handbag opening closer comprises a hook and loop fastener assembly; wherein said hand bag comprises an open top having no latching system; and wherein a user is able to replace said at least one changeable color panel on said front side of said handbag with inter-changeable panel system to a user-preferred said at least one fashion design and said at least one color such that said user is theme and color coordinated with a user-worn clothing style and color.

19. The handbag with inter-changeable panel system of claim 18 comprising a kit including: said handbag; and said at least one changeable color panel(s).

20. A method of use for a handbag with inter-changeable panel system comprising the steps of: uncoupling a first changeable color panel from a second side of a handbag; coupling a second changeable color panel to said second side of said handbag; and using said handbag.

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