U.S. patent application number 15/530012 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for handbag system with replaceable outer tote shell and attachment mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lo & Sons, Inc.. Invention is credited to Derek Pei-Hsin Lo, Helen Chen Lo, Jan Hsin Lo.
Application Number | 20170135453 15/530012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58690398 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170135453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lo; Jan Hsin ; et
al. |
May 18, 2017 |
Handbag system with replaceable outer tote shell and attachment
mechanism
Abstract
A handbag system includes an inner bag and at least one outer
shell. The inner bag has a compartment into which items can be
placed and a handle with a first end and a second end. The first
end is fixed to a first position on the inner bag while the second
end is unfixed but has a first fastener. A corresponding second
fastener is fixed to a second position on the inner bag to
releasably connect with the first fastener. The outer shell defines
an inner volume that accepts the inner bag and has a first and
second openings corresponding to the first and second positions of
the inner bag. The second end of the handle is passable through the
first and second openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via
the second fastener.
Inventors: |
Lo; Jan Hsin; (New York,
NY) ; Lo; Helen Chen; (Charlottesville, VA) ;
Lo; Derek Pei-Hsin; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lo & Sons, Inc. |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58690398 |
Appl. No.: |
15/530012 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62256962 |
Nov 18, 2015 |
|
|
|
15530012 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/08 20130101; A45C
2013/1015 20130101; A45C 13/1076 20130101; A45C 13/103
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/08 20060101
A45C003/08; A45C 13/10 20060101 A45C013/10 |
Claims
1. A handbag system comprising: an inner bag having a first side,
the inner bag comprising: a compartment into which items can be
placed; a first handle having a first end and a second end, the
first end fixed to a first position on the first side, the second
end having a first fastener; and a second fastener fixed to a
second position on the first side and configured to releasably
connect with the first fastener; and a first outer shell having a
first side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the
inner bag, the first side of the first outer shell comprising: a
first opening corresponding to the first position of the inner bag;
and a second opening corresponding to the second position of the
inner bag; wherein the first and second openings of the first outer
shell are arranged such that the second end of the first handle is
passable through the first and second openings to releasably secure
to the inner bag via the second fastener.
2. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein: the inner bag further
comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the inner bag;
a second handle having a first end and a second end, the first end
of the second handle fixed to a third position on the second side
of the inner bag, the second end having a third fastener; and a
fourth fastener fixed to a fourth position on the second side of
the inner bag and configured to releasably connect with the third
fastener; and the first outer shell further comprises: a second
side opposite the first side of the first outer shell, the inner
volume defined between the first and second sides of the first
outer shell, the second side of the first outer shell comprising a
third opening corresponding to the third position of the inner bag
and a fourth opening corresponding to the fourth position of the
inner bag; wherein the third and fourth openings of the first outer
shell are arranged such that the second end of the second handle is
passable through the third and fourth openings to releasably secure
to the inner bag via the fourth fastener.
3. The handbag system of claim 2 further comprising: a first loop
adjacent to the second fastener, the first loop configured to
accept the first handle; and a second loop adjacent to the fourth
fastener, the second loop configured to accept the second
handle.
4. The handbag system of claim 3 further comprising: a third loop
fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag, the third
loop configured to accept the first handle; and a fourth loop fixed
adjacent the third position of the inner bag, the fourth loop
configured to accept the second handle.
5. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the inner bag covers the
first, second, third, and fourth openings when disposed in the
inner volume of the first outer shell.
6. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein a patterning of an inner
surface of the inner volume matches a patterning of an external
surface of the inner bag.
7. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the first, second, third,
and fourth positions are on an external surface of the inner
bag.
8. The handbag system of claim 2 wherein the inner bag covers the
first, second, third, and fourth openings when disposed in the
inner volume of the first outer shell.
9. The handbag system of claim 1 further comprising at least a loop
adjacent to the second fastener, the loop configured to accept the
first handle.
10. The handbag system of claim 8 further comprising: a first loop
fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag; and a second
loop fixed adjacent the second position of the inner bag; wherein
the first and second loops are configured to accept the first
handle.
11. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein the inner bag covers the
first and second openings when disposed in the inner volume of the
first outer shell.
12. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein a patterning of an inner
surface of the inner volume matches a patterning of an external
surface of the inner bag.
13. The handbag system of claim 1 wherein the first position and
the second position are on an external surface of the inner
bag.
14. The handbag system of claim 1 further comprising a second out
shell having a first side and defining an inner volume configured
to accept the first outer shell, the first side of the second outer
shell comprising a first opening corresponding to the first
position of the inner bag, and a second opening corresponding to
the second position of the inner bag, wherein the first and second
openings of the second outer shell are arranged such that the
second end of the first handle is passable through the first and
second openings of the second outer shell to releasably secure to
the inner bag via the second fastener.
15. A method for assembling a handbag system, the handbag system
comprising: an inner bag having a first side, the inner bag
comprising: a first handle having a first end and a second end, the
first end fixed to a first position on the first side, the second
end having a first fastener; and a second fastener fixed to a
second position on the first side and configured to releasably
connect with the first fastener; and an outer shell having a first
side and defining an inner volume configured to accept the inner
bag, the first side comprising: a first opening corresponding to
the first position of the inner bag; and a second opening
corresponding to the second position of the inner bag; the method
comprising: disposing the inner bag within the inner volume of the
outer shell; passing the second end of the first handle through the
first opening; subsequently, passing the second end of the first
handle through the second opening; and attaching the first fastener
to the second fastener.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein: the inner bag further
comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the inner bag;
a second handle having a first end and a second end, the first end
of the second handle fixed to a third position on the second side,
the second end having a third fastener; and a fourth fastener fixed
to a fourth position on the second side and configured to
releasably connect with the third fastener; and the outer shell
further comprises: a second side opposite the first side of the
outer shell, the inner volume defined between the first and second
sides of the outer shell, the second side of the outer shell
comprising a third opening corresponding to the third position of
the inner bag and a fourth opening corresponding to the fourth
position of the inner bag; the method further comprising: passing
the second end of the second handle through the third opening;
subsequently, passing the second end of the second handle through
the fourth opening; and attaching the third fastener to the fourth
fastener.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the inner bag further comprises
a first loop fixed adjacent to the second fastener and a second
loop fixed adjacent fourth fastener and the method further
comprises passing the second end of the first handle through the
first loop prior to attaching the first fastener to the second
fastener, and passing the second end of the second handle through
the second loop prior to attaching the third fastener to the fourth
fastener.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the inner bag further comprises
a loop fixed adjacent to the second fastener and the method further
comprises passing the second end of the first handle through the
loop prior to attaching the first fastener to the second
fastener.
19. A handbag system comprising: an inner bag having a first side,
the inner bag comprising: a compartment into which items can be
placed; a first handle having a first end and a second end, the
first end having a first fastener, the second end having a second
fastener; a third fastener fixed to a first position on the first
side and configured to releasably connect with the first fastener;
and a fourth fastener fixed to a second position on the first side
and configured to releasably connect with the second fastener; and
a first outer shell having a first side and defining an inner
volume configured to accept the inner bag, the first side of the
first outer shell comprising: a first opening corresponding to the
first position of the inner bag; and a second opening corresponding
to the second position of the inner bag; wherein the first and
second openings of the first outer shell are arranged such that the
second end of the first handle is passable through the first and
second openings to releasably secure to the inner bag via the
second fastener.
20. The handbag system of claim 19 further comprising: a first loop
fixed adjacent to the first position of the inner bag; and a second
loop fixed adjacent the second position of the inner bag; wherein
the first and second loops are configured to accept the first
handle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/256,962, filed Nov. 18, 2015, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] This application relates generally to the field of handbags,
and in more specific embodiments, to a tote bag with a replaceable
outer shell and a mechanism for attachment to an inner bag
portion.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Handbags are used by people to hold and carry various items,
from wallets, to keys, to cosmetics, to any number of personal
items. Beyond the purely functional aspects of carrying personal
items, handbags also provide an aesthetic aspect as an accessory,
helping to define the style and appearance of an individual.
[0006] Handbags are designed in a variety of styles and fabrics and
materials of varying weights, colors, and patterns. Because the
external appearance of the conventional handbag is fixed, people
generally have multiple handbags that they use for different
situations or occasions. However, moving items between multiple
bags can be a source of frustration for the person. Further, buying
different styles of bags to suit different occasions can also be
expensive. Therefore, there is a need for a bag with a replaceable
outer shell to suit a variety of purposes, situations, or
occasions.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] A simplified summary is provided herein to help enable a
basic or general understanding of various aspects of exemplary,
non-limiting embodiments that follow in the more detailed
description and the accompanying drawings. This summary is not
intended, however, as an extensive or exhaustive overview. Instead,
the sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts related
to some exemplary, non-limiting embodiments in a simplified form as
a prelude to the more detailed description of the various
embodiments that follow.
[0008] In one aspect, the disclosure presents an inner bag, into
which items can be placed, with handles that can interlock with a
replaceable outer shell of various styles and materials. The inner
bag, the outer shell, and the handles can be made of one or more
various materials, including leather, nylon, or fabric of any other
suitable materials.
[0009] In a further aspect, the inner bag has a first handle on a
first side and a second handle on an opposing second side, and a
fastener on each of the first and second sides respectively
corresponding to the first and second handles. The first and the
second handles each have two ends, a first end of which that is
fixedly attached to the respective side of the inner bag, and a
second end of which that can be removably attached to the
respective fastener on the first side or second side of the inner
bag.
[0010] In a further aspect, there is an outer shell in which the
inner bag can be placed. The other shell has two openings on the
first side and two openings on the second side. The openings on the
outer shell are arranged such that the detached first handle of the
inner bag can be looped through the two openings on the first side
of the outer shell and then secured to its respective fastener on
the first side of the inner bag, and the detached second handle of
the inner bag can be looped through the two openings on the second
side of the outer shell and then secured to its respective fastener
on the second side of the inner bag. In this way, the inner bag and
an outer shell can be combined to form a complete bag assembly.
[0011] In a further aspect, when the inner bag and outer shell are
combined, the assembled bag system appears to an observer as if it
is a conventional, single-piece bag, rather than an assembly of
multiple parts. The combined bag can appear as a seamless,
single-piece bag. The openings on the outer shell can be arranged
to match the dimensions of the inner bag to help accomplish this
cohesive appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components.
For the purposes of illustrating aspects of the present
application, there are shown in the drawings certain preferred
embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application
is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features,
embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements,
structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be
used singularly or in combination with other arrangements,
structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices. The
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way
intended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely
presented to clarify illustrated embodiments of the invention. In
these drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a first embodiment outer shell
described in some aspects of this disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing of a back side of a second embodiment
outer shell, having a trolley handle sleeve as described in some
aspects of this disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment inner bag described in
some aspects of this disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a drawing of an assembled handbag described in
some aspects of this disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a drawing of another embodiment inner bag
described in some aspects of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and
is not to be taken as limiting the present disclosure. Relative
language used herein is best understood with reference to the
drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or
similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be
shown in somewhat schematic form.
[0019] It is also to be noted that the phrase "at least one of," if
used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of
the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For
example, the phrase "at least one of a first widget and a second
widget" means in the present application: the first widget, the
second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise,
"at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third
widget" means in the present application: the first widget, the
second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second
widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget
and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and
the third widget.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, outer shell
100 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. FIG. 1
depicts a first side 102 of outer shell 100, such as the front side
or the back side of outer shell 100. Though specific designs can
vary between a front side and back side of an outer shell, the two
sides will generally match in appearance. However, it will be
appreciated that other, non-symmetrical, arrangements are possible.
For example, one or both sides of outer shell 100 can include
pockets for storing items that might not match pockets or other
designs on the reverse or opposite side of outer shell 100. By way
of specific example, as disclosed in the following, the back side
of an outer shell can also include a trolley handle sleeve that
allows the bag assembly to be secured to luggage trolley
handles.
[0021] In an aspect, first side 102, such as the front side, of
outer shell 100 has two openings 101, which can also be called
eyelets. Similarly, a second, opposing side of outer shell 100,
such as a back side of outer shell 100, also includes two openings
101. The openings 101 on the first side 102 of outer shell 100 are
sized to accept a first handle from an inner bag, and are
positioned at locations corresponding to terminal ends of the first
handle on the inner bag. Hence, the first handle from the inner bag
can be looped through each of the two openings 101, and when so
looped, the two openings 101 of the first side 102 can respectively
correspond to the terminal ends of the first handle on the inner
bag. Similarly, the openings 101 of the opposing, second side, of
outer shell 100 are sized to accept a second handle of the inner
bag, and are positioned at locations corresponding to the terminal
ends of this second handle. Hence, analogous to the first handle,
the second handle of the inner bag can be looped through each of
the two openings 101 of the second side and, when so looped, the
two openings 101 of the second side can respectively correspond to
the terminal ends of the second handle on the inner bag.
[0022] It will be further appreciated that outer shell 100 defines
an inner volume 104 between the first side 102 and its opposing
second side, into which volume 104 one or more items may be placed.
In particular, the above-mentioned inner bag may be disposed within
inner volume 104 of outer shell 100, and then the first and second
handles of this inner bag may be engaged with the openings 101 of
their respective first and second sides of outer shell 100 to
integrate the inner bag with outer shell 100. Hence, the handles
extend out of their respectively openings 101 from within volume
104 to form respective loops used for carrying purposes. Eyelets or
openings 101 preferably have shapes that substantially correspond
to the cross-sectional area of their respective handles, so as to
provide a pleasing appearance and to ensure engagement between the
handles and eyelets 101 is not unnecessarily loose or sloppy.
Further, it will be appreciated that the external surface of outer
shell 100 may be made of any suitable material conventionally used
for handbags, such as cloth, leather or the like. Such material or
materials preferably provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance
and may also be water proof or water resistant, for example.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, second side
206, such as a back side, of another embodiment outer shell 200,
which includes a trolley handle sleeve in accordance with one or
more aspects described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates some aspects in
which back side 206 of outer shell 200 includes a trolley handle
sleeve that allows the bag assembly to be secured to luggage
trolley handles for convenience during travel. This configuration,
with a trolley handle sleeve, need not be included in all outer
shells in accordance with the present disclosed subject matter, but
is simply an option for various embodiments of an outer shell.
[0024] As with FIG. 1, back side 206 of outer shell 200 contains
two openings 201, e.g., eyelets. Openings 201 are arranged such
that the corresponding handle from an inner bag can be looped
through the two openings 201, this handle of the inner bag thus
extending from inner volume 204 of outer shell 200 to form a loop
for carrying purposes. A trolley handle sleeve 210 for accepting a
trolley handle of luggage is formed much like an external pocket in
a conventional bag, defining a pocket 214 between inner volume 204
and the external surface of handle sleeve 210. Top zipper 220 is
used to selectively open and close the top opening of pocket 214,
while a bottom zipper 230 is used to selectively open and close the
bottom opening of pocket 214. When both zippers 220 and 230 are
open, a trolley handle of luggage can pass through the top and
bottom openings of pocket 214, thus forming a convenient engaging
point between outer shell 200 and a piece of luggage. When bottom
zipper 230 is closed, pocket 214 may serve as a conventional
external pocket of outer shell 200, into volume 214 of which a user
may dispose items of his or her choice and then seal within by
closing top zipper 220.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, inner bag 300
in accordance with one embodiment, which may be disposed within,
for example, inner volumes 104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200. Inner
bag 300 may itself define compartment 304 into which a user may
dispose items for carrying. This compartment 304 may be closable by
any suitable means, such as one or more snaps, one or more zippers,
loop-and-hook fastener, or the like.
[0026] The shape of inner volumes 104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200
preferably substantially corresponds to the shape of the external
surface of inner bag 300 so that inner bag 300 is snugly retained
within the outer shell. Hence, when inner bag 300 is slid within an
outer shell of the user's choice, a bottom surface 306 of inner bag
300 preferably comes to rests on a bottom of the inner volume of
this outer shell, while the other surfaces of inner bag 300
preferably slidably abut their corresponding surfaces of the inner
volume of the outer shell. Additionally, when properly disposed
within the outer shell, the openings or eyelets of the outer shell
preferably are aligned over, or just slightly vertically above, the
respective terminal ends of the handles of inner bag 300, in which
the "vertical" direction may be viewed as being antiparallel to the
insertion direction of inner bag 300 within the outer shell.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a first side 302 of inner bag 300, such as a
front side or a back side of inner bag 300. Though specific designs
can vary between a front side and back side of an inner bag, the
two sides will generally match in appearance. The appearance of
inner bag 300 will generally be shielded from view when the bag
system is fully assembled, with inner bag 300 being placed inside
the inner volume defined by an outer shell of choosing of the user.
Although the external surface of inner bag 300 is typically not
visible when being used in conjunction with an outer shell, in
preferred embodiments the external surface of inner bag 300 is also
provided with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, thus offering
yet another possible user configuration, in which inner bag 300 is
carried alone, and thus not disposed within an outer shell.
[0028] First side 302 of inner bag 300 includes a first handle 310
having a first end 312 that may be fixedly attached or releasably
attached to inner bag 300 at a first position 320. For the specific
embodiment inner bag 300 depicted in FIG. 3, first end 312 of first
handle 310 is fixedly attached to first position 320. First
position 320 is preferably on the external surface of inner bag 300
and is at a location that corresponds to one of the openings or
eyelets of an outer shell, as previously indicated. By way of
example, as shown in FIG. 3, first end 312 of first handle 310 can
be sewn to inner bag 300. However, it will be appreciated that
alternative fixable assembly methods can be used, such as gluing,
ultrasonic welding, being integrally formed with first side 302 or
any other suitable bonding or coupling method, depending upon
materials used, desired finished appearance, durability and the
like. As illustrated, first handle 310 is not drawn to scale, but
is drawn to illustrate its two opposite ends 312, 314, in which
first end 312 is fixedly attached to inner bag 300 at first
position 320, and the opposing, second end 314 is removably
attachable to a second position 340 of inner bag 300 and is shown
in an unattached state. Second position 340 is preferably on the
external surface of inner bag 300 and is at a location that
corresponds to another one of the openings or eyelets of the outer
shell, analogous to first position 320. First handle 310 will
generally be longer than illustrated, to allow for carrying of the
assembled bag system by hand or over the shoulder. A bag assembly 1
in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure is shown in
FIG. 4, combining inner bag 300 with outer shell 100, and depicts a
full-length first handle 310.
[0029] Second end 314 of first handle 310 includes a first fastener
330, which allows first handle 310 to be removably attached to
inner bag 300 at second position 340. Inner bag 300 thus includes a
corresponding second fastener 342, which is designed to be combined
with first fastener 330 to allow second end 314 of first handle 310
to be removably attached to inner bag 300. Any suitable removable
fastening means may be used for first fastener 330 and second
fastener 342. For example, snaps, buttons, clips, hook-and-loop
fastener (e.g., VELCRO.RTM.), zippers, buckles and the like may be
used.
[0030] As an alternative embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates an inner
bag 500 substantially similar to inner bag 300 but for which both
ends of handle 510 are removably attachable, thus permitting
changing not only the outer shell 500 but also the handles 510
themselves. In the embodiment inner bag 500, first end 512 of
handle 510 is removably attached to first position 520 by way of
paired fasteners 550, analogous to second end 514 and second
position 540. For aesthetic reasons, these fasteners 550 may be
identical to first fastener 530 and second fastener 542.
[0031] Returning back to FIG. 3, in certain preferred embodiments,
a respective first loop 350 and second loop 360 are fixedly
attached to inner bag 300 vertically above first position 320 and
second position 340. Each loop 350, 360 is sized to accept first
handle 310. Second loop 360, disposed just above second fastener
342, helps to ensure that first fastener 330 at second end 314 of
first handle 310 does not inadvertently detach from second fastener
342 on inner bag 300. First loop 350 may be provided simply to
provide an aesthetic balance with second loop 360 or to similarly
serve to prevent inadvertent detachment of first end 312 if it is
also releasably attached to inner bag 300, as also shown in FIG.
5.
[0032] Though FIG. 3 depicts only one side of an inner bag, either
a front or back, the reverse side has a second handle and the
second handle on the reverse side also has a first end that is
fixedly attached to the inner bag and a second end that can be
removably attached to a fastener on the inner bag, with each
position corresponding to an opening or eyelet of the outer shell,
analogous to the first handle 310.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, assembled
handbag 1 as described in some aspects of this disclosure. In this
example, outer shell 100 is combined with inner bag 300, which,
apart from first handle 310, is not shown because it is disposed
inside inner volume 104 of outer shell 100 and thus hidden from
view. As discussed above, first handle 310 is attached to inner bag
300 on two ends 312, 314, one end 312 fixed and the other end 314
removably attached. The attachment of first handle 310 to inner bag
300 is also hidden from view in the full assembly 1 illustrated in
FIG. 4. As shown, first handle 310 is sequentially looped through
each of the two openings 101 of outer shell 100.
[0034] To assemble bag assembly 1 depicted in FIG. 4, inner bag 300
is configured so that first handle 310 is unattached and is not
threaded through second loop 360, but is threaded through first
loop 350. The second handle of inner bag 300 is placed in a similar
state. Inner bag 300 is then disposed within inner volume 104 of
outer shell 100 so that bottom surface 306 of inner bag 300 rests
against the bottom of inner volume 104, while the other surfaces of
inner bag 300 abut their corresponding surfaces of inner volume
104. The free, second end 314 of first handle 310 is first threaded
through opening 101 immediately adjacent to first position 320 of
inner bag 300, thus extending from inner volume 104 out of outer
shell 100, and then threaded through opening 101 immediately
adjacent to second position 340 of inner bag 300, thus looping back
into inner volume 104. The second end 314 of handle 310 is then
passed through second loop 350, and fastener 330 is attached to
fastener 342 to removably connect second end 314 to second position
340 of inner bag. A similar process is then performed for the
second handle on the opposite side of inner bag 310.
[0035] FIG. 4 depicts one side of bag assembly 1, such as either
the front side or the back side. Though specific designs can vary
between a front side and back side, the two sides will generally
match in appearance. In certain aspects, as discussed in relation
to FIGS. 1 and 2, the back side of the outer shell 100 can also
include a trolley handle sleeve that allows the bag to be secured
to a trolley handle, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Though FIG. 4 shows
only one side of a bag assembly 1, either a front or back, the
reverse side also has two openings 101 with a second handle
sequentially looped therethrough.
[0036] Unlike the illustration in FIG. 3, handle 310 in FIG. 4 is
shown to scale with the remainder of bag assembly 1 of FIG. 4.
Though the exact length and proportions can vary, first handle 310
(and, preferably, its corresponding second handle on the opposite
side of assembly 1) will typically be long enough for bag assembly
1 to be carried by hand or possibly long enough to be carried over
the shoulder.
[0037] As depicted in FIG. 4, bag assembly 1 can appear as one bag,
rather than an assembly of multiple pieces. Bag assembly 1 provides
the seamless appearance of a regular bag, and not the combination
of an inner bag with an outer shell. The openings on the outer
shell, as well as the relative dimensions of the inner bag and
outer shells, can be arranged to help accomplish this appearance.
For example, sufficient distance may be left between the ends 312,
314 of handle 310 so that openings 101 are covered by inner bag
300. Additionally, patterning of the outer surface of inner bag 300
may match the patterning of the inner surface of the inner volumes
104, 204 of outer shells 100, 200.
[0038] It will be appreciated that an advantage of various
embodiments is that numerous different types of outer shells may be
provided, such as one with a smooth outer appearance, another with
pockets, yet another with a trolley sleeve, and so forth, as well
as providing variations in colors, patterns, textures and
materials. A user can thus easily change the functionality,
appearance or both of a bag assembly 1 by simply swapping out one
outer shell for another. Further, this ability to change outer
shells provides a significant financial benefit to the user, as he
or she user needs only to buy an outer shell to obtain a new
appearance or function of the bag assembly 1, at a fraction of the
price of buying a whole new bag. Moreover, it will be appreciated
that the bag system 1 may include layered outer shells. For
example, a bag system 1 may include inner bag 300 disposed within
outer shell 100, and then this entire combination disposed within
outer shell 200, with the ends of handles 310 then passing through
respective pairs of openings 101, 201.
[0039] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present
subject matter has many applications, may be implemented in various
manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing
embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the
different embodiments described herein may be combined into one
single embodiment, the locations of particular elements can be
altered and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than
all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality
may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple
components, in manners now known or to become known.
[0040] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
While there have been shown and described fundamental features of
the invention as applied to being exemplary embodiments thereof, it
will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in
the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers
conventionally known, future developed variations and modifications
to the components described herein as would be understood by those
skilled in the art.
* * * * *