U.S. patent application number 11/876761 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for container having handles shaped as awareness ribbons.
This patent application is currently assigned to SOURCE ABROAD, INC.. Invention is credited to Dianne Bundrick, Charles Krissman.
Application Number | 20090101252 11/876761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562248 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bundrick; Dianne ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
CONTAINER HAVING HANDLES SHAPED AS AWARENESS RIBBONS
Abstract
A personal container is provided having handles in the shape of
awareness ribbons, in which two end portions that intersect one
another with the ends extending below the intersection point and a
closed loop section that extend above the intersection point. The
handles are attached to first and second sides of a compartment
body. The handles each define an opening sized to receive a hand of
a user.
Inventors: |
Bundrick; Dianne; (Chapin,
SC) ; Krissman; Charles; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TSIRCOU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
655 Central Ave., 17th Floor
Glendale
CA
91203
US
|
Assignee: |
SOURCE ABROAD, INC.
Inglewood
CA
|
Family ID: |
40562248 |
Appl. No.: |
11/876761 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/104 ;
150/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/08 20130101;
A45C 13/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/104 ;
150/108 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/28 20060101
A45C013/28; A45C 13/08 20060101 A45C013/08 |
Claims
1. A personal container, comprising: a compartment body having a
first side and a second side; a first handle in the shape of an
awareness ribbon attached to the first side of the compartment, the
first handle having an upper portion disposed above the compartment
body and a lower portion coupled the first side of the compartment
body, the upper portion having a planar section of a prescribed
width that is oriented generally transverse to the lower portion of
the first handle, the planar section disposed a first height above
the compartment body, the lower portion having two end portions
that intersect one another; and a second handle in the shape of an
awareness ribbon attached to the second side of the compartment,
the second handle having an upper portion disposed above the
compartment body and a lower portion coupled the second side of the
compartment body, the upper portion having a planar section of a
prescribed width that is oriented generally transverse to the lower
portion of the second handle, the planar section disposed a second
height above the compartment body, the lower portion having two end
portions that intersect one another.
2. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
height of the first handle is greater than the second height of the
second handle such that the upper portions of the first and second
handles can overlap one another, when in use.
3. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
and the second handles each define an opening sized to receive a
hand of a user.
4. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper
portions of the first and the second handle each has a
substantially constant width.
5. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
and the second handles are a first color, and the first and the
second sides of the compartment are a second color.
6. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
and the second handles each include a reinforcing member that
extends substantially throughout the upper portion.
7. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
and the second handles each include a reinforcing member that
extends substantially throughout the upper portion and the lower
portion.
8. A personal container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
and the second handles are removably attached to the first and
second sides of the compartment body.
9. A personal container as defined in claim 8, wherein the first
and the second handles are a first color configuration, thereby
defining a first pair of handles, and further comprising a second
pair of handles of a second color configuration that can be
attached to the compartment body in place of the first pair of
handles.
10. A personal container, comprising: a compartment body having a
first side and a second side; a first handle in the shape of an
awareness ribbon attached to an outer surface of the first side of
the compartment, the first handle having an upper portion disposed
above the compartment body and a lower portion coupled the first
side of the compartment body, the lower portion having two end
portions that overlap one another, the first handle defining a
opening between the handle and the compartment body sized to
receive a hand of a user; and a second handle in the shape of an
awareness ribbon attached to an outer surface the second side of
the compartment, the second handle an upper portion disposed above
the compartment body and a lower portion coupled the second side of
the compartment body, the lower portion having two end portions
that overlap one another, the second handle defining a opening
between the handle and the compartment body sized to receive a hand
of a user; wherein the first and the second handle are aligned such
that the user can grasp both handles with one hand.
11. A personal container as defined in claim 10, wherein the first
and the second handles each include a reinforcing member that
extends substantially throughout the handle, such that the handles
project above a top end of the compartment body.
12. A personal container as defined in claim 10, wherein the first
height of the first handle is greater than the second height of the
second handle such that the upper portions of the first and second
handles can overlap one another, when in use.
13. A personal container as defined in claim 10, wherein the first
and the second handles are attached to the corresponding side of
the container body with an attachment selected from a group
consisting of hook-and-loop material, stitching, adhesive, and
snaps.
14. A personal container as defined in claim 10, wherein the first
and the second handles are removably attached to the first and
second sides of the compartment body.
15. A personal container as defined in claim 14, wherein the first
and the second handles are a first color configuration, thereby
defining a first pair of handles, and further comprising a second
pair of handles of a second color configuration that can be
attached to the compartment body in place of the first pair of
handles.
16. A personal container, comprising: a compartment body having a
first side and a second side; a first handle formed of unitary
construction in the shape of an awareness ribbon attached to an
outer surface of the first side of the compartment, the first
handle defining a opening between the handle and the compartment
body sized to receive a hand of a user, the first handle having a
lower portion coupled the first side of the compartment body, the
lower portion having two end portions that overlap one another, and
an upper portion disposed above the compartment body, the upper
portion having a planar section that is oriented generally
transverse to the lower portion of the first handle, the planar
section being disposed a first height above the upper end of the
compartment body, the upper portion having a reinforcement member
configured to maintain the upper portion in an upstanding
orientation; and a second handle formed of unitary construction in
the shape of an awareness ribbon attached to an outer surface of
the second side of the compartment, the second handle defining an
opening between the handle and the compartment body sized to
receive a hand of a user, the second handle having a lower portion
coupled the second side of the compartment body, the lower portion
having two end portions that overlap one another, and an upper
portion disposed above the compartment body, the upper portion
having a planar section that is oriented generally transverse to
the lower portion of the second handle, the planar section being
disposed a second height above the upper end of the compartment
body, the upper portion having a reinforcement member configured to
maintain the upper portion in an upstanding orientation; wherein
the first height of the first handle is greater than the second
height of the second handle such that the upper portions of the
first and second handles can overlap one another, when in use, such
that the user can grasp both handles with one hand.
17. A personal container as defined in claim 16, wherein the first
and the second handles are attached to the corresponding side of
the container body with an attachment selected from a group
consisting of hook-and-loop material, stitching, adhesive, and
snaps.
18. A personal container as defined in claim 16, wherein the first
and the second handles each has a substantially constant width.
19. A personal container as defined in claim 16, wherein the first
and the second handles are removably attached to the first and
second sides of the compartment body.
20. A personal container as defined in claim 19, wherein the first
and the second handles are a first color configuration, thereby
defining a first pair of handles, and further comprising a second
pair of handles of a second color configuration that can be
attached to the compartment body in place of the first pair of
handles.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers such
as purses and, more particularly, personal containers having
handles shaped as awareness ribbons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Color ribbons crossed into a loop have long been used to
promote awareness for various causes. Such ribbons are often
referred to as awareness ribbons. For example, pink ribbons are
used to promote awareness for breast cancer. In efforts to advance
a particular cause, individuals who support the cause will often
wear or otherwise display an awareness ribbon associated with the
cause.
[0003] Early on, awareness ribbons were formed by a small piece of
ribbon pinned into a loop and worn on clothing. More recently,
images of awareness ribbons have been found in a variety of goods.
Such goods have been well received by consumers and cause
advocates. There is a continued interest for goods that display
awareness ribbons. However, challenges arise in displaying
awareness ribbons in a prominent, unique and functional manner.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need to display awareness
ribbons in a prominent and functional manner. The present invention
fulfills this need and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides a
personal container having handles in the shape of awareness
ribbons, in which two end portions that intersect one another with
the ends extending below the intersection point and a closed loop
section that extend above the intersection point. The handles are
attached to first and second sides of a compartment body. The
handles each define an opening sized to receive a hand of a
user.
[0006] More particularly, and in an exemplary embodiment, the
container includes a compartment body having a first side and a
second side. A first handle in the shape of an awareness ribbon
attached to an outer surface of the first side of the compartment.
A second handle in the shape of an awareness ribbon attached to an
outer surface the second side of the compartment. The handles have
an upper portion disposed above the compartment body and a lower
portion having two end portions that overlap one another. The first
and the second handle are aligned such that the user can grasp both
handles with one hand.
[0007] In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the first
height of the first handle is greater than the second height of the
second handle such that the upper portions of the first and second
handles can overlap one another, when in use. The upper portions of
the first and the second handle can each has a substantially
constant width.
[0008] In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the
first and the second handles are removably attached to the first
and second sides of the compartment body, in which the handles are
of a first color configuration. The container can further include a
second pair of handles of a second color configuration that can be
attached to the compartment body in place of the first pair of
handles, thereby allowing users to select a particular color of
handles for use on the container.
[0009] In yet another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment,
the handles are attached to the corresponding side of the container
body with an attachment selected from a group consisting of
hook-and-loop material, stitching, adhesive, and snaps.
[0010] In yet another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment,
the handles each include a reinforcing member that extends
substantially throughout the upper portion and can further extend
substantially into the lower portion. The handles can also be
formed of a unitary construction.
[0011] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages
achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention
have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that
not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance
with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example,
those skilled in the art will recognize that 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. Moreover, a number of features are discussed
throughout the specification with reference to particular
embodiments. Nonetheless, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that various other embodiments can be provided without departing
from the scope of the invention, to include any and all combination
of features discussed.
[0012] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope
of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of
the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention
not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a personal container
in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1, depicting a
cut-out portion of the first handle showing a reinforcement member
disposed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1,
there is shown a personal container 10 having a compartment body 12
and a pair of handles, a first handle 14 and a second handle 16, in
the shape of awareness ribbons. An awareness ribbon shape is
defined as having two end portions that intersect one another with
the ends extending below the intersection point and a closed loop
section that extend above the intersection point. The handles each
have an upper portion 18, 20 that extends above the compartment
body and a lower portion 22, 23 having two end portions that
intersect one another. The height of the first handle is greater
than the height of the second handle such that the upper portions
of the first and second handles can overlap one another, when in
use, such that the user can grasp both handles with one hand.
[0018] The handles 14, 16 are formed of unitary construction in
which the end portions 24, 26 of the overlap each other to form the
intersection portion of the ribbon configuration. Each handle is
attached to an outer surface of the respective side 28, 30 of the
compartment body. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower portion is
sewn to the side of the compartment body. However, in other
embodiments, various other attachment techniques can be used,
hook-and-loop material, stitching, adhesive, and snaps, to name a
few. Other attachment techniques known it the art can also be
used.
[0019] Notably, certain attachment techniques contemplated enable
removable attachment of the handles. Accordingly, multiple pairs of
handles of different color configurations can be provided to users,
enabling interchangeable use. Awareness ribbons are associated to
particular causes by color. On one day, a user can select handles a
first color configuration such as pink to promote awareness for
breast cancer. On another day, the user can select handles of a
second color such as yellow to promote awareness and support for
the military. In addition, a user could use a first handle of a
first color, such as pink, and second handle of a second color,
such as yellow, to promote awareness for two different causes
simultaneously.
[0020] The upper portions 18, 20 of the handles each twist so that
planar sections 32, 34 thereof are at an uppermost location of the
handle and are oriented generally transverse to the lower portion
of the handle. This configuration enables generally constant width
for the handle throughout its length while also facilitating a
comfortable grip for a user. The grip feel is further enhanced in
that the planar sections of the handle can overlap each other.
[0021] The compartment body 12 defines an opening 36 disposed
between the handles 12, 14. A strap 38 extends across the opening
and is secured via a magnetic clasp 40. In the exemplary
embodiment, the compartment body 12 is formed as a medium-sized
purse; however, the invention is contemplated to include purses of
all shapes and sizes. Moreover, in yet other embodiments, the
compartment body can also be configured other uses, such a
briefcase, a shopping bags, book bags, and so on. In addition, the
loops of the handles can be sized to fit over the shoulder of a
user.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 3, the handles include a
reinforcement member 42 configured to maintain the upper portion in
an upstanding orientation. The reinforcement member is sandwiched
between colored fabric 44 that defines the outer surface of the
handles. The reinforcement member is formed of material having
sufficient rigidity to maintain the handles in a generally upright
configuration. Examples of such materials include cardboard,
plastic, metal, and rigid fabric, to name a few. In other
embodiments, the handles can be formed solely by the reinforcement
member or a reinforcement member can be excluded entirely.
[0023] It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present
invention provides a personal container having handles in the shape
of awareness ribbons, in which two end portions that intersect one
another with the ends extending below the intersection point and a
closed loop section that extend above the intersection point. The
handles are attached to first and second sides of a compartment
body. The handles each define an opening sized to receive a hand of
a user.
[0024] Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with
reference only to the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided
without departing from the scope of the invention, to include any
and all combination of features discussed. Accordingly, the
invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *