Abstract:
An improved handbag or the like having one entire side wall formed of a transparent panel which can be selectively exposed to permit facilitated viewing of items contained therein. The transparent panel is joined to an opaque panel to form a receptacle with an access opening at the top. An exterior cover panel is removably positioned in covering relation to the transparent panel and at least partially separably attached to the bag structure, allowing the cover panel to be displaced from covering relation to enable facilitated viewing of personal affects through the transparent panel for easy selection and removal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to handbags and the like and more particularly, to an improved carrying bag enabling facilitated viewing and retrieval of stored contents. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Handbags and the like, which include central openings at the uppermost portion of the bag, are commonly used to carry a plethora of personal articles including cosmetics, keys, paper and coin money, bankbooks, etc. These items are often placed loosely in carrying bags among a variety of other articles and thereby, difficult to locate through the opening of the bag, especially when the user is hurriedly reaching for a particular item therein. 
     A variety of carrying bags have been devised to promote retrieval of stowed items. Certain of such handbags contain compartments, or pockets, designed to hold numerous individual items. Handbags of this type range from those having a few to a multitude of storage compartments for organized placement of a user&#39;s personal affects. While such compartments facilitate organization of items carried within a handbag, an organizational system only facilitates retrieval of items when personal items are actually placed within the provided compartments and when a user remembers where such items are stored. It is well known, however, that since handbags, or other such carrying bags are carried by women at virtually all times, the temptation to indiscriminately toss items in a handbag or the like is often hard to resist. Consequently, compartmentalized carrying bags are not often used in the intended manner, so personal affects remain difficult to see and retrieve, buried within the main storage receptacle. 
     Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a dual function handbag or the like which, while being conventional in appearance and being usable in a conventional manner, also incorporates unique features to facilitate direct viewing and retrieval of items contained within a handbag or the like, permitting effortless access to contained items even in the absence of compartmentalized organization. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag or the like that can be manufactured in a variety of configurations and designs with conventional appearance and function, while still incorporating special features to allow items to be readily viewed and retrieved therefrom. 
     Another object of the present invention is to enable users to move more quickly through security checkpoints by providing a handbag or the like of improved design, which permits rapid and trouble-free viewing by security personnel. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safe storage area for users, wherein items can be viewed prior to and during retrieval, thereby reducing the potential for a user&#39;s hand to be punctured by sharp objects such as nail files, scissors and writing implements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objects are met by the present invention which is directed to a handbag or the like having a transparent interior panel which can be selectively exposed to permit facilitated viewing of items contained therein. 
     Broadly described, the invention includes a bag structure comprised of a first panel connected to a second panel along the bottom and sides and forming a receptacle having a convenient access opening at the top. In accordance with the invention, one of the panels is formed of a flexible transparent material, through which visual access is realized. 
     In a preferred form, the handbag or the like includes a cover panel dimensioned to extend over the transparent panel, allowing the user to conceal personal affects contained within the bag structure. The cover panel is removably positioned in covering relation to the transparent panel, and at least partially separably attached to the bag structure, so that the cover panel may be easily displaced to view the contents of the bag. Fastening means are employed to releasably secure the cover panel in a “closed” position, to conceal the interior of the bag yet permit displacement thereof for viewing the contents of the bag through the transparent panel when desired. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the cover panel is movable relative to the bag structure between a first position, in which the cover panel is positioned in covering relation to the transparent first panel, and a second position, in which the cover panel is displaced from covering relation to enable facilitated viewing of the bag contents through the transparent panel. Accordingly, the invention allows a user to conveniently displace the cover of the bag to find a desired item amongst a plethora of items loosely contained therein. 
     According to a further aspect of this invention, the handbag or the like may be manufactured in a variety of styles and designs, including a rounded or straightedged conventional purse structure, a knapsack, backpack, briefcase, etc., which is comprised of one or more flexible transparent walls forming the main receptacle of the bag, and removable cover panel or panels associated therewith which, when closed, give the bag a conventional appearance and function. When opened the cover panel(s) provide direct visual access to the entire contents of the bag and also easier physical access to such contents. In addition to providing features which are more convenient and useful to the user, the bag is useful in environments of increased security such as sports arenas, airports, museums and the like wherein bags are customarily searched. The transparent wall panel allows security personnel to quickly visually inspect the entire contents of a user&#39;s handbag without inserting their hands therein. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred, but nonetheless, illustrative embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual function handbag in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handbag of FIG. 1 showing the cover panel in an open position, exposing the interior receptacle. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the rear side of the handbag of FIG. 1, a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate features of its construction. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the handbag of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention in which the features of the invention are incorporated into a knapsack. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With particular reference to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, the present invention is directed to an improved handbag or the like generally referenced by numeral  10 . In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, the handbag structure  10  is shown comprising a transparent first, panel  12  positioned between a second panel  14  and a cover panel  16 . The handbag  10  is further comprised of dual side panels  18 , one of which is shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, and a bottom surface panel  20  most clearly seen in FIG.  4 . In a preferred embodiment, a strap  22  is connected to the side panels  18  to permit facilitated carrying of the handbag  10  described herein. However, any suitable arrangement may be substituted for the strap  22 , including a handle. In some cases the bag may have no strap, handle or the like. 
     As specifically illustrated, the side panels  18  are integral with and extend from the bottom panel  20 . The first and second panels  12 ,  14  are permanently connected thereto, by any suitable means known in the art, along their respective side edges  24   a ,  24   b  and bottom edges  26   a ,  26   b , to form a receptacle  28  having a primary access opening  30  at the top through which items may be placed and retrieved. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the cover panel  16  and the second panel  14  are permanently connected at upper, opposite corner portions thereof and also joined by a zipper closure means  32  between the corner portions. Upon moving the zipper  32  into an open position, the primary access opening  30  into the receptacle  28  is exposed to enable articles to be inserted and retrieved in the usual manner. The cover panel  16  described herein is dimensioned to completely cover the transparent first panel  12  and is releasably fastened thereto, at least adjacent the bottom edges of the panels by a suitable fastening means  34 , such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), magnets, or buttons for example. In the illustrated form of the invention, it is preferable to use hook and loop type fastening means comprising parts  34   a ,  34   b , wherein fasteners  34   a  are mounted on the transparent first panel  12  and opposing fastening means  34   b  are mounted on the interior, or underside, of the cover panel  16 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover panel  16  is movable relative to the bag structure  10  between a first position, wherein the cover panel  16  is positioned in covering relation to the transparent first panel  12  (FIG. 1) and a second position (FIG.  2 ), wherein the lower edge of the cover panel  16  is detached from the lower edge of the transparent panel  12 , and lifted upward. 
     The cover panel  16  preferably is secured directly to the second panel  14 , or secured thereto by a piece of material or device connecting at least the upper opposite corner portions of the cover panel  16  to the handbag. 
     As most clearly seen in FIG. 2, the first panel  12  is formed of a transparent, preferably flexible plastic material, whereas the remaining panels of the handbag are formed of any suitable flexible, non-transparent material, including leather, vinyl, and fabric. When the cover panel  16  is in a closed or covering position, the transparent panel  12  and consequently the contents within the bag structure are concealed and may only be retrieved from the handbag  10  through the primary access opening  30 , when the zipper closure means  32  is in an open position. When the cover panel  16  is in an open position as shown in FIG. 2, the transparent panel  12  and a secondary access opening  30   a  are exposed, even if the zipper  32  is closed. Accordingly, items contained within the receptacle  28  may be viewed through the transparent panel and may be placed or retrieved through either the primary or secondary access openings  30 ,  30   a.    
     To advantage, an upper edge region of the transparent panel  12  is separably connected to an upper portion of the cover panel  16  by a suitable fastening device  35 , typically comprising elements  35   a ,  35   b  of hook and loop materials, magnets, etc. When the cover panel is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, the fastening elements  35   a ,  35   b  are engaged, such that the upper edge of the transparent panel  12  is held closely adjacent to upper portions of the cover panel  16 . When the handbag is accessed in a “conventional” manner by opening the zipper  32 , the upper edge  13  of the transparent panel  12  is held snugly against the cover panel  16 , allowing the user to insert his or her hand downwardly through the primary access opening  30 , more or less as if the transparent panel  12  were not there. However, when the cover panel  16  is lifted to the open position, shown in FIG. 2, the fastening elements  34 ,  35  at the bottom and top edges of the transparent panel are separated, and the contents of the bag are thus available through a the secondary opening  30   a  even though the zipper  32 , joining the second panel with the cover panel, may be closed. With the cover panel open, the contents may also be accessed through the primary access opening, if the zipper  32  is open. 
     As it is understood in the art, flexible piping  36  may be sewn onto the edges of the material surrounding the second and cover panels  14 ,  16  to enhance the structure and rigidity of the handbag  10 . 
     Typically, the bag structure  10  includes a carrying means, which preferably comprises a shoulder strap  22 . The strap  22 , is coupled to the bag structure  10  in any manner known in the art. For example, the strap  22 , formed of leather, plastic, or other suitably flexible material can be engaged at opposite ends by circular rings  22   a  coupled to the side panels  18  by the appropriate means such as flexible loops  22   b.    
     Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment is shown in the form of a knapsack  50 . In a preferred construction of the embodiment, a second panel  54  and a cover panel  56  are integrally formed and developed from a single piece of non-transparent material. The material is folded and secured at the uppermost opposing portions, preferably the corners thereof  57 ,  58 . A cut of predetermined length is formed along the upper portion  59  of the unitary piece, forming a primary access opening  60 . A transparent first panel  52  is positioned between the second panel  54  and the cover panel  56  and joined to the second panel along side and bottom edges to form an open top receptacle accessible through a secondary access opening  60   a  above a top edge of the transparent panel  52 . Desirably, material surrounding the primary access opening  60  is folded and sewn over dual elongated flexible slings  44 . The slings  44  are then extended through and secured to the first and second panels  52 ,  54 , adjacent opposite bottom corners  61 ,  62  thereof, forming convenient over-the-shoulder carrying straps which, when tension is applied thereto, will restrict or close the primary access opening. 
     To advantage, a carry handle  67  may also be provided at the top of the knapsack  50  as an alternative to carrying the knapsack over the shoulders, using the slings  44 . 
     In the knapsack  50  of FIG. 6, the cover panel  56  is releasably secured to the knapsack and movable between first and second positions generally in the same manner as the cover panel  16  of the first described embodiment. The opposite lower corners of the cover panel  56  are releasably secured to corresponding corner regions of the transparent panel  52  by hook and loop fasteners  63 ,  64 , for example. Likewise, an upper portion of the cover panel  56  is releasably secured to an upper edge portion  65  of the transparent panel  52  by a releasable fastening means  66 , such as hook and loop fasteners. 
     When the cover panel  56  is closed contents of the knapsack can be retrieved only through the primary access opening  60 , between upper edge portions of the cover panel  56  and second panel  54 , and the contents of the bag are concealed from view except when viewing downward through the primary access opening. When the cover panel  56  is lifted upward, separating the releasable attachments  63 ,  64  and  66 , the entire transparent panel  52  is exposed, including its upper edge  65 , so that all of the contents are visible. An object thus may be retrieved through the exposed secondary access opening  60   a , or through the primary access opening  60 , while simultaneously viewing the entire contents of the bag through the transparent panel. 
     The present invention provides a handbag or the like having at least one wall formed of a transparent panel, which is normally covered by a removable cover panel. The cover panel can be conveniently displaced to facilitate direct viewing and retrieval of objects contained within the storage receptacle. Additionally, the handbag or the like described herein can be manufactured in a variety of designs to accommodate any style. 
     When the cover panel of the described handbag, knapsack or the like is in its closed or covering position, the bag has the appearance of being an entirely conventional bag, accessible only in the customary way, through its primary access opening by opening a zipper, clasp, draw string or other closure means at the top of the bag to provide both visual and manual access in the conventional manner, only through the top of the bag. When the cover panel is swung away from the transparent panel concealed behind it, the entire contents of the bag are readily visible through the transparent panel, which forms the entire receptacle side wall, while manual access to the contents of the bag is provided through the primary access opening ( 30 ,  60 ) or through a secondary access opening ( 30   a ,  60   a ) defined in part by the upper edge ( 13 ,  65 ) of the transparent panel. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that the user of the bag may easily see the entire contents thereof from the side of the bag, while reaching in through the primary or top access opening to retrieve a particular object. As will be readily appreciated, this greatly facilitates recovery of a specific item from the typical jumble of miscellaneous items typically found in a handbag. 
     Another advantageous feature of the invention is that it can significantly expedite security checks, which are becoming more common and, to some extent more thorough, at airports and other public locations. With the handbag or the like of the invention, the cover panel may be lifted away such that the entire contents of the bag made readily visible to the security attendant. The attendant may also easily insert a hand into the bag while continuing to view its contents so as to be confident that the entire contents of the bag have been viewed. By contrast, with a conventional bag, all or a portion of the contents of the bag may have to be removed therefrom in order for the security attendant to have a similar level of confidence that the inspection has been effectively accomplished. 
     Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the cover panel need not be releasably connected directly to the first panel to securely attach the panel over the bag. Rather, the cover panel may be constructed to have a portion thereof extend beyond the first panel to releasably attach to the bottom of the handbag. Additionally, the cover panel may be releasably attached to both the side and bottom panels. As will be readily appreciated the invention may be applied to almost any kind of carry bag, including briefcases, school bags, carry-on luggage, and the like. Likewise, if desired, the bag may have more than one transparent wall, overlaid with one or more cover panels. For example, one or both of the end walls could also be transparent, with one or separate cover panels provided to conceal them. Some of the panels of the carry bag may be formed of rigid material, where desired. For the foregoing reasons, the scope of this invention is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.