Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02907547 2015-10-13
CUSTOMIZABLE BAG WITH INTERCHANGEABLE EXTERIOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[00011 This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional patent
application no.
62/074,624 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on November
03,
2014. The specification of the above referenced patent application is
incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[00021 The present invention generally relates to the technical field of bags
and more
particularly relates to customizable bags with easily interchangeable outer
cover.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Bags are manufactured in diverse sizes, shapes, colors and designs
using a variety
of materials suiting for different purposes. These bags include messenger bag,
hand bag,
duffel bag, satchel, shoulder bag, tote bags, backpacks, trolley bags,
briefcases and the
like. Usage of different types of bags have become increasingly common among a
vast
range of consumers belonging to diverse age group and constitutes a commonly
adopted
means for sorting, storing and carrying their belongings.
[0004] Conventional bags are typically designed and manufactured with fixed
aesthetic
and utility features. Consumers tend to purchase a multitude of bags in every
color,
texture and pattern according to their changing preferences and different
occasions or
usage purposes. For example, one obvious problem is the cost and time involved
in
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frequent purchasing of different bags such as backpacks because of ever
changing
aesthetic qualities and improved utility features. Another commonly problem
include the
inability to clean the exterior of the backpack without soiling the interior
or other
compartments of the back pack during cleaning or washing.
[0005] Conventional backpacks which exists in the art merely shows improvement
in
handbags or pocket books by adding an additional foundation layer or an
external
covering, which are again limited to fixed designs. Other types of improvement
that exists
in the art include interchangeable strap facade system in backpacks for
enhancing its
aesthetic features, interchangeable foundation bags and modular backpacks with
removable compartments.
[0006] Options for customizing bags according to consumer's personal
preferences would
be a great additional feature to the existing bags with fixed designs.
Customizing the
exteriors of the bags using modular components improves not only aesthetic
qualities but
also enhances the utility feature by addition of one or more storage
compartments.
Moreover customized covers or outer panels for bags enables the consumer to
express
their uniqueness, individuality and also to create their own personality and
style.
Customized bags with interchangeable skins also caters to the users' need for
self-
expression. The interchangeable exteriors may comprise customized designs,
color,
images, text, icons, texture and the like, which reflects the mood or
personality of the
consumer.
[0007] Accordingly, there exists a need in the art, for a customizable bag
with
interchangeable outer cover which not only adds to the aesthetic quality but
also enhances
the utility features of the bag.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a customizable bag comprising an
interchangeable
outer panel which consists of one or more fastening members configured to
releasably
engage with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the
bag. The
customizable bag further comprise a storage space defined between the
interchangeable
outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag, accessible by unfastening one
of the
fastening members.
[0009] In an embodiment, the interchangeable outer panel comprises at least
two fastening
members disposed substantially along the perimeter, for detachably attaching
to
corresponding fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the
customizable bag.
The interchangeable outer panel attached to the exterior of bag not only adds
variety and
aesthetic value but also defines a receiving space between the exterior of bag
and interior
of outer cover thus forming an additional storage compartment. The receiving
space is
accessible by unfastening one of the two fastening members.
[0010] In one embodiment, the interchangeable outer panel comprise an upper
fastening
member and a lower fastening member. The storage space can be accessed by
unfastening
the upper fastening member, whereas the interchangeable outer panel can be
detached
completely by unfastening both the upper fastening member and the lower
fastening
member. The fastening members can be selected from a group consisting zipper
fastener,
button type fastener, hook and loop type fastener and snap fastener.
[0011] In an embodiment, the upper and lower fastening members, each comprises
a pair
of zipper fasteners with one of the zipper portion is attached to the exterior
of the bag and
its corresponding zipper portion attached along the perimeter of
interchangeable outer
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panel. The customizable bag further comprises an elastic tab can be attached
to at least
one end of each zipper portion fixed to the exterior surface of the bag body,
the elastic tab
facilitates pulling up the zipper portion from the bag body for easily
engaging with the
corresponding zipper on the interchangeable outer panel. The customizable bag
comprises
messenger bag, hand bag, duffel bag, satchel, shoulder bag, tote bag,
backpack, trolley
bag, briefcase, computer bag and the like.
[0012] In one embodiment, the zipper portions of the bag are configured to be
operated in
the same direction. The lower zipper portion begins adjacent to the point
where the upper
zipper portion ends and the upper zipper portion begins adjacent to the point
where the
lower zipper portion ends. The above stated zipper configuration facilitates
selective
unfastening of upper zipper portion for accessing the storage space defined
between the
interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag body.
[0013] Customizable bags with interchangeable skins or outer panels caters to
the users'
need for self-expression. The interchangeable outer panels may comprise
customized
designs, color, images, text, icons, texture and the like, which reflects the
mood or
personality of the consumer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a customizable backpack with an
interchangeable outer panel according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[00151 FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the customizable backpack
with
interchangeable outer panel partially opened.
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[0016] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the customizable backpack
with the
interchangeable outer panel detached.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates accessing of storage space defined between the
interchangeable
outer panel and an exterior surface of the backpack.
[0018] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a customizable hand bag according
to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B and 4C illustrates a side view
and a top
view respectively of the customizable hand bag.
[0019] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a customizable duffle bag according
to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B and 5C shows a front view and top
view
respectively of the customizable duffle bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A description of different embodiments of the present invention will
now be given
with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may
be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the
appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the
meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
[0021] The present disclosure relates to a customizable bag with an
interchangeable outer
panel which consists of one or more fastening members configured to releasably
engage
with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the bag.
The
interchangeable outer panel attached to the exterior of bag not only adds
variety and
CA 02907547 2015-10-13
aesthetic value but also defines a receiving space between the exterior of bag
and interior
of outer cover thus forming an additional storage compartment. The fastening
members
can be selected from a group consisting zipper fastener, button type fastener,
hook and
loop type fastener and snap fastener.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of a customizable
back pack
100 with an interchangeable outer panel 110 comprising an upper zipper pair
portion 112
and a lower zipper portion 114 disposed substantially along the periphery of
the outer
panel 110. In an embodiment, the upper zipper portion 112 is attached along
the periphery
of the top half portion and the lower zipper portion 114 is attached along the
periphery of
the bottom half portion of the interchangeable outer panel 110. The outer
cover 110 is
detachably attached to the exterior surface of the backpack 100 by releasably
engaging the
upper, lower zipper portion 112, 114 with the corresponding zipper portions
102, 104
fixed on the exterior surface of the backpack 100. The zipper portions 102,
104 are
arranged on the exterior surface of the backpack 100 in such a way to conform
to the
shape and size of the interchangeable outer panel 110. The customizable back
pack 100
further comprises and elastic tab 116 attached to at least one end of the
zipper portions
102 and 104 disposed on the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. The elastic
tab 116
allows the end portion of the zippers 102, 104 to be gently pulled off the bag
surface for
easily engaging with the zipper portions 112 and 114. A pull tab 118 for
zipper is attached
either to the zipper portions 102, 104 on the exterior surface 108 of bag 100
or to the
zipper portion 112, 114 on the outer panel 110.
[0023] FIG. 2A illustrates the customizable backpack 100 with the
interchangeable outer
panel 110 in a partially detached position. The interchangeable outer panel
110 is opened
or partially detached by unfastening the upper zipper portion 112 from the
corresponding
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zipper portion 102. Further, a storage space 106 is defined between the
interchangeable
outer panel 110 and the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. FIG. 2B
illustrates the
interchangeable outer panel 110 being detached from the exterior surface 108
of the bag
100 by unfastening both the upper zipper portion 112 and lower zipper portion
114.
[0024] According to an embodiment, the zipper portions 112, 114 of the
customizable bag
100 are configured to be operated in the same direction. For example, the
lower zipper
portion 114 begins adjacent to the point where the upper zipper portion 112
ends and the
upper zipper portion 112 begins adjacent to the point where the lower zipper
portion ends
114. The above stated zipper configuration facilitates selective unfastening
of the upper
zipper portion 112 for accessing the storage space 106 defined between the
interchangeable outer panel 110 and the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100,
as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0025] The outer panel 110 can be interchanged by choosing from a variety of
designs,
colors, texture and fabric types customized according to user preferences. The
exterior
surface of the outer cover may comprise images, pictures, text, abstract
designs, icons and
the like, reflecting the personality or mood of the user of the backpack. In
addition, the
interchangeable outer panel 110 can also be self-designed by users to reflect
style that is
trending in the present and facilitates to stay updated with such changing
trends of
fashion. Moreover bags with customized outer panels enables the user to
express their
uniqueness, individuality and also to create their own personality and style.
[0026] Each of the upper zipper and lower zipper 112, 114 comprises a
complementary to
zipper portion 102, 104 fixed onto the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. In
an
exemplary embodiment, the zipper portions 102 and 112 are held together by a
clasp lock
comprising a pull tab for fastening or unfastening the upper zipper.
Similarly, the zipper
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portions 104 and 114 are held together by a clasp lock comprising a pull tab
for fastening
or unfastening the lower zipper. The pull tab can be attached to either zipper
portions 112,
114 on the outer panel or the zipper portions 102, 104 on the exterior surface
108 of the
bag 100.
[0027] In an embodiment, the outer panel 110 may extend to cover lateral sides
of the
exterior surface 108 of the backpack 100. The interior surface of the outer
panel 110 may
also comprise one or more pouches or compartments for sorting and storing of
users'
belongings. For example, the outer panel 110 may comprise pen holder, cup
holder, bottle
holder, mesh pockets, key rings, ear phone slots, coin pouch, etc.
[0028] The interchangeable outer panel 110 can also be designed to fit with
other types of
bags such as computer bag, rucksack, duffel bag, sling bag, tote bag, hand
bag, messenger
bags and diaper bags, etc., using a fastening means for removably attaching
the outer
panel 110 to the exterior surface of the bags. The outer panel is designed to
substantially
cover the exterior surface area of the above bags and detachably attached
using one or
more fastening means, wherein the storage space defined by the area between
the outer
cover and the exterior of the bag can be accessed by operating one of the
fastening means.
[0029] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a customizable hand bag 100
according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B and 4C illustrates a side view
and a top
view respectively of the customizable hand bag 100. The customizable hand bag
100
comprises an interchangeable outer panel 110 removably attached to the
exterior surface
108 of the bag 100 via one or more fastening members such as zipper portions
112 and
114. A storage space (not shown) is defined between the exterior surface 108
of the bag
100 and the interchangeable outer panel 110.
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[0030] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a customizable duffle bag 100
according to
an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B and 5C shows a front view and
top
view respectively of the customizable duffle bag 100. The customizable duffle
bag 100
comprises one or more interchangeable outer panels 110 removably attached to
the
exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 via one or more fastening members
comprising zipper
portions 112 and 114. A storage space (not shown) is defined between the
exterior surface
108 of the bag 100 and the interchangeable outer panel 110. The fastening
members may
also comprise button type fastener, hook and loop type fastener and snap
fastener.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates the interchangeable outer panel 110 comprising upper
zipper
portion 112 and the lower zipper portion 114 substantially disposed along the
periphery of
the outer panel 110.
[0032] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,
those having
ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the
specific
embodiments, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
scope of
the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments.
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