Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02656657 2009-02-27
HANDBAG HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a handbag and more
particularly to handbag having a removable cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Women typically own a number of handbags having different styles
and exterior appearances to suit different outfits and occasions. It is
inconvenient
to transfer the contents of a handbag to another handbag for use with a
different
outfit. Additionally, when using different handbags a user frequently
misplaces
articles or forgets to transfer articles (e.g. keys, cellular phone) to
another
handbag resulting in further inconvenience.
[0003] Handbag systems have been developed that allow a user to transfer
their belongings to another handbag without having to empty the first bag.
These
handbag systems typically consist of separate inner and outer bags. The inner
bag may be placed inside the outer bag to modify the appearance of the inner
bag without requiring a user to transfer their belongings from one bag to
another.
It may be difficult to place the inner bag in the outer bag in a convenient
manner
because both the inner bag and outer bag have bottom portions. Similarly, the
outer bag may not satisfactorily conform to the shape of the inner bag
depending
upon the contents of the inner bag in part due to the closed bottom portion.
[0004] Another approach to modifying the exterior appearance of a handbag
is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0278311, which
discloses a removable overskirt. The overskirt has open top and bottom
portions
and may be placed over a portion of a base bag to be secured using a
combination of straps and apertures to permit a portion of the exterior
appearance of the base bag to be modified. In the system disciosed, straps and
other securing mechanisms are visible when an overskirt is secured to a base
bag.
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[0005] Existing replaceable handbag systems are generally inconvenient to
use and/or do not provide complete coverage of the normally visible surfaces
of
an inner bag when in use. The present invention aims to overcome the
disadvantages of prior art replaceable handbag systems, including those noted
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A bag having a replaceable cover is disclosed. The cover may have a
closable top portion and an open bottom portion. The cover may be secured over
the bag to modify the appearance of the bag.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided an
article comprising: a bag comprising an enclosure body, the enclosure body
comprising a top edge defining an access opening; and a fitted removable cover
enclosing the enclosure body, the cover comprising a bottom portion defining a
bottom opening for receiving the enclosure body, a top portion defining a
closable top opening for selectively covering or exposing the access opening,
and a first fastener releasably attaching the cover to the bag.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a
removable cover for a bag, wherein the bag comprises an enclosure body, the
enclosure body comprising a top edge defining an access opening, the cover
comprising: a cover body fitted for enclosing the enclosure body, comprising a
bottom portion defining a bottom opening for receiving the enclosure body, a
top
portion defining a closable top opening for selectively covering or exposing
the
access opening when the enclosure body is enclosed by the cover body; and a
first fastener for removably attaching the cover to the bag.
[0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided
a
method of changing the appearance of a handbag, wherein the handbag
comprises an enclosure body, the enclosure body comprising a top edge
defining an access opening, comprising the steps of: placing a cover over the
enclosure body, the cover comprising a bottom portion defining a bottom
opening for receiving the enclosure body, a top portion defining a closable
top
opening for selectively covering or exposing an access opening to the
enclosure
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body; a first fastener; and securing the cover over the enclosure body using
the
first fastener.
[0010] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following
description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the figures which illustrate by way of example only, embodiments of
the present invention,
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of the cover secured over the bag;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and bag;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastener that may
be used secure the cover to the bag;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a fastener used
to secure the cover to the bag taken along 4-4 as shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded side view of an embodiment of another
fastener used to secure the cover to the bag; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the cover secured over the bag;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the top
portion of a cover and bag;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the top
portion of a cover and bag.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Certain users may consider the ability to change the exterior
appearance of a bag desirable as this permits the appearance of the bag to be
modified without requiring the transfer of the contents to another bag.
Additionally, having a bag with a number of replaceable covers allows the
appearance of the bag to be changed in a number of different ways and may be
more economical than purchasing the same number of separate traditional
handbags having different appearances.
[0021] A handbag system 10 is shown with a cover 50 secured over a bag 20
in Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates cover 50 separated from bag 20. Cover 50 may
be removable and fitted to conform to bag 20 in a close fitting arrangement so
it
is not readily apparent that bag 10 is comprised of a separate cover 50 and
bag
20. Cover 50 may have a side portion 52, a bottom portion defining a bottom
opening 66, and a top portion 54. Top portion 54 may be comprised of flaps
extending from side portion 52 on both sides of cover 50. Top portion 54 may
define a closable top opening 61. Closable top opening 61 may be opened and
closed using a closure fastener 56 that may be attached to the top edge 57 of
top portion 54. Top portion 54 may also have an end flap 58 extending from one
end proximate the top edge 57. A mounting aperture 59 may also be defined
below flap 58 to provide clearance for a mount 30 that may be used to secure a
strap 70. Top portion 54 may also be configured to allow sufficient clearance
for
mount 30 at a distal end from flap 58. More generally top portion 54 and cover
50 may be configured to provide sufficient clearance to enable cover 50 to be
readily placed over bag 20, including any associated hardware to mount a strap
or other carrying means.
[0022] Closure fastener 56 may be comprised of a zipper. Alternatively,
closure fastener 56 may be comprised of a series of spaced snap fasteners or
other similar means to allow a closable top opening 61 to be opened and closed
to provide access to an enclosure body of bag 20. The term fastener as used
herein refers to any device or devices that interact to secure or connect two
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articles or portions of an article together in a releasable manner, including
hoop
and look fasteners, snap type fasteners, zippers, magnets, etc.
[0023] Top portion 54 may also have a securing fastener 62. Securing
fastener 62 may be located on the interior of top portion 54 proximate the top
edge 57. Securing fastener 62 may be comprised of a hook and loop type
fastener, such as VELCROTM. Securing fastener 62 may be used to secure
cover 50 to bag 20 as described below. Side portion 52 may also have a
retaining fastener 60 located proximate a bottom edge 64 of cover 50.
Retaining
fastener 60 may be a snap fastener that may be used to assist in retaining
cover
50 to bag 20 in a close fitting or relatively snug manner. Other suitable
types of
fasteners could be used to construct retaining fastener 60.
[0024] Side portion 52 may also have a pocket 66. Pocket 66 may be opened
and closed using a zipper to provide access to an interior enclosure body of
cover 50. Alternatively, pocket 66 may be located on the exterior of side
portion
52 in certain embodiments using a fastener suitable for the pocket design and
desired appearance.
[0025] Bag 20 may have an access opening 29 providing access to an
enclosure body defined by side panels 22, 24 and bottom 38 (Figure 6). Side
paneis 22 and 24 may have a securing fastener 26 on their interior surface
located proximate a top edge 28. Securing fastener 26 may cooperate with
securing fastener 62 to secure cover 50 to bag 20. Securing fastener 26 may be
comprised of a hook and loop type fastener compatible with securing fastener
62, such as, VELCROTM. Bag 20 may also have a retaining fastener 34 located
proximate bottom edge 36. Retaining fastener 34 may be of a snap type and
may cooperate with retaining fastener 60 to assist in retaining cover 50 to
bag 20
in close fitting engagement.
[0026] Loop 30 may be attached to bag 20 proximate top edge 28 where side
panels 22 and 24 are joined. A mount 32 may be secured to loop 30 to
facilitate
attachment of a strap 70. Mount 32 may be a ring manufactured of steel or
another suitable material. Strap 70 may have an attachment mechanism 72
located at each end allowing strap 70 to be removably attached to mounts 32.
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Attachment mechanism 72 may be implemented in a variety of different ways
depending upon the desired appearance and application.
[0027] Cover 50 is placed over bag 20 and secured in place to modify the
appearance of handbag 10. In this manner, the appearance of handbag 10 may
be modified without the inconvenience associated with transferring the
contents
of bag 20 to another handbag. An embodiment illustrating one embodiment to
secure cover 50 to bag 20 is shown in greater detail in Figure 3. To secure
cover
50 to bag 20, top portion 54 may be folded over the top edge 28 of bag 20 so
that securing fastener 62 of cover 50 cooperates with securing fastener 26 of
bag 20 to secure cover 50 to bag 20. Closure fastener 56 may then be used to
selectively open and close access opening 29 to provide access to an enclosure
body, to retain a user's belongings, of bag 20. Cover 50 may also be retained
to
bag 20 using retaining fasteners 34 and 60 to retain cover 50 in close fitting
engagement with cover 50 proximate bottom edge 64.
[0028] Side portion 52 of cover 50 may be configured to be in close fitting
engagement with bag 20 when cover 50 is placed over bag 20. Bottom edge 64
of cover 50 may be configured to extend beyond bottom 38 of bag 20 as
depicted in Figure 6 to provide complete coverage of side panels 22 and 24 in
normal use. Bottom 38 may remain visible through bottom opening 66 when
viewed from below as shown in Figure 6.
[0029] The present invention provides a number of desirable features, some
of which are noted below. It has been found that having a cover 50 with a
bottom
opening 66 is desirable. Specifically, some users may find it more convenient
to
interchange cover 50 over bag 20 in comparison to prior art systems having an
outer bag with a bottom or slipcover secured using straps and other means.
Bottom opening 66 allows a user to place their hand inside cover 50 and pull
bag
20 through, which may make it more convenient to interchange cover 50.
Similarly, bottom opening 66 may allow cover 50 to better conform to the shape
of bag 20 in comparison to systems having an outer bag with a closed bottom
portion, which may be considered to improve the appearance of bag 10.
Moreover, bottom opening 66 may reduce manufacturing costs for cover 50 by
reducing the required amount of material and simplifying construction of cover
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50. Additionally, bottom opening 66 may more readily facilitate the
construction
of a cover 50 that is reversible and has a different appearance on the
interior and
exterior surfaces providing more options to modify the appearance of handbag
10. Additional modifications to cover 50 may be necessary if a reversible
cover
50 is desired, such as selecting an appropriate closure fastener 56, etc.
[0030] The closable top portion of cover 54 may also be considered
desirable to certain users. By providing a closable top portion 54 as part of
cover
50 more complete coverage of bag 20 is provided. This renders it more
difficult
to discern that handbag 10 is comprised of a separate cover 50 and bag 20,
which may be desirable to certain users. The appearance of not being an
interchangeable handbag is also enhanced by the fact that cover 50 provides
complete coverage of side panels 22 and 24 of bag 20 in certain embodiments.
It
may also be considered desirable to design fasteners used to secure cover 50
to
bag 20 so that they are not visible from the exterior when cover 50 is secured
to
bag 20 when seeking to have handbag 10 resemble a traditional handbag
instead of it being apparent that handbag 10 is comprised of a separate cover
50
and bag 20.
[0031] To remove cover 50 from bag 20, strap 70 may first be removed by
disengaging attachment mechanisms 72 from mounts 32. Closure fastener 56
may then be opened providing access to access opening 29 to enable securing
fasteners 26 and 62 to be disengaged. Retaining fasteners 34 and 60 may also
be disengaged. Cover 50 may then be pulled upwards over bag 20. A user may
grasp both cover 50 and bag 20, through bottom opening 66, to assist in
removing cover 50. Alternatively, bag 20 may be pulled downwards through
cover 50 in a similar manner (i.e. the bag 20 may be inserted into cover 50
from
the top or bottom depending on user preference). Cover 50 may be placed over
and secured to bag 20 in a similar manner.
[0032] A variety of covers 50 may be interchanged over bag 20 to change the
appearance of handbag 20. Covers 50 may be configured to allow close fitting
engagement when secured over bag 20 yet also allow cover 50 to be
conveniently interchanged. Covers 50 may be sold separately from bag 20 alone
or as a set of interchangeable covers having different appearances. Matching
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straps 70 may also be sold with covers 50 when sold alone or as part of a set
having a number of interchangeable covers each having different appearances.
Similarly, bag 20 may be sold in combination with a set of interchangeable
covers each having different appearances.
[0033] In certain embodiments of the invention cover 50 may be
manufactured from a machine washable material, such as cotton or canvas.
Other suitable materials, such as leather or suede may also be used depending
upon the application and desired appearance. However, it may be desirable to
select a material for cover 50 of sufficient flexibility to allow cover 50 to
fit over
bag 20 in close fitting engagement.
[0034] A second embodiment of the invention having a modified fastening
system but otherwise similar to the embodiment depicted in Figures 1-6 is
shown
in Figure 7. Side panels 222 and 224 of a bag may each have securing fasteners
226 located on their exterior surfaces proximate the top edges. Cover 250 may
have a top portion 254 having a closure fastener 256 and side portion 252.
Securing fasteners 262 may be attached to the interior surface of side portion
252 to cooperate with securing fasteners 226 to secure cover 250 to bag. Cover
250 and bag may otherwise be constructed in a similar manner to that
previously
described.
[0035] A third embodiment having a modified fastening and closure system
but otherwise similar to the embodiments previously described is illustrated
in
Figure 8. Side panels 322 and 324 may each have securing fasteners 326
located on their exterior surfaces proximate the top edges. Cover 350 may have
a top portion 354 and side portions 352 and 370. Securing fasteners 362 may be
attached to the interior surface of side portions 352 and 370 to cooperate
with
securing fasteners 326 to secure cover 350 to the bag.
[0036] Top portion 354 and side panel 370 may each have apertures 364 and
366 to receive a closure fastener 360 affixed to side panel 322. Top portion
354
may be folded over access opening 329 and over side panel 370 to be secured
in place with closure fastener 360. Such an arrangement effectively conceals
the
majority of the fasteners and resembles a traditional handbag, which may be
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desirabie to certain users as described above. Cover 350 and bag may
otherwise be constructed in a similar manner to that previously described.
[0037] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to
mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising,"
"including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may
be additional elements other than the listed elements.
[0038] Of course, the above described embodiments are intended to be
illustrative only and in no way limiting. The described embodiments of
carrying
out the invention are susceptible to many modifications of form, arrangement
of
parts, details and order of operation. The invention, rather, is intended to
encompass all such modification within its scope, as defined by the claims.
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