Abstract:
A personal storage article such as a wallet, purse, pocketbook, or other similar item, includes a removable and changeable outer shell. The outer shell feature provides a relatively low-cost fashion option for the wearer, and allows the wearer to conveniently maintain the content of the personal storage article while switching exterior styles. The shell also provides the user an opportunity to customize the functionality of the personal storage article by joining the host with a shell that has additional functional properties.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/743,715; filed 3 May 2007 and entitled “Changeable Outer Shell for Wallet or Purse;” which is a nonprovisional of U.S. provisional application No. 60/809,070; filed 26 May 2006 and entitled “Changeable Outer Shell for Wallet or Purse.” The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for customizing personal storage articles such as a wallet, purse, pocketbook or other similar item, and more particularly to the use of a removable outer shell to change the appearance and function of the personal storage article. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The typical personal storage article, such as a wallet, purse or pocketbook, has both aesthetic and functional components. For example, from a functional point of view, a wallet has to hold money. In addition though, many feel that the wallet should also have a certain aesthetic property as well to reflect a desired appearance. Another example is a woman&#39;s purse or pocketbook. With these items, the look of the purse or pocketbook is often considered by the user to be more important than the ability of the bag to hold needed items. 
         [0004]    Presently, circumstances often require a user to own multiple personal storage articles, each for a given purpose. The purpose can be aesthetic, for example, to match a given outfit. The purpose can also be functional, for example, to make the personal storage item capable of storing various amounts of objects. The prior art requires the purchase of a different personal storage article for each different application. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the purchase of a personal storage article can be a substantial investment. For example, purses can sell for several hundred or even thousands of dollars. Repeated use can result in wear and tear on the outside surface of the article, thereby degrading its aesthetic characteristics, and requiring its replacement. This can be an expensive proposition. 
         [0006]    Prior art personal storage articles have attempted to address the above-described problems by providing products with removable and changeable interiors or handles, but none with completely removable and changeable outer shells. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for a personal storage device that addresses the above-described deficiencies in the prior art by providing a personal storage device whose aesthetic and functional characteristics are not fixed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention overcomes the problems identified above by providing a system for combining a personal storage article with a removable outer shell that allows for appearance and functionality customization. The inventive changeable outer shell feature provides a relatively low-cost fashion option for the wearer and allows the wearer to conveniently maintain the content of the personal storage article while switching exterior styles. The invention also provides the user an opportunity to customize the functionality of the personal storage article by joining the host with a shell that has additional functional properties. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, a shell for use with a personal storage article is disclosed. The shell contains a cover that is fastened to the personal storage article in a temporary manner, such that it can be removed. The cover is shaped to conform to the outer surface of the personal storage article and can contain a functional element, such as a hidden pocket, a pocket, additional storage space, or a photo holder. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the personal storage article can be intended for use with a shell (or a series of shells) and may or may not include an integral fastening mechanism. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the shell is designed for use with a personal storage article host that was not previously intended for such use. In that case, the fastener of the cover may attach visibly or invisibly to the personal storage article, and may or may not require the modification of the personal storage article. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a host wallet according to a first embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an example of a host purse according to a second embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows one example of an outer shell for use with a wallet host. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows one example of an outer shell for use with a purse host. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates how an outer shell could fasten to a host wallet. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates how an outer shell could fasten to a host purse. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    The inventive system combines a wallet, purse, pocketbook, or other similar item, with a removable outer shell that can be changed to accommodate at least one different, pre-fabricated shell. The shell can come in a variety of styles and designs to suit the wearer&#39;s mood or complement the wearer&#39;s overall fashion style or “look.” Alternatively, the shell may provide added functionality, and can be replaced when different functionality is desired, or an existing functionality is no longer needed. 
         [0019]    In one example, a basic wallet or purse would be the “host” to the shell. In a given size, the host would remain the same, but the pre-fabricated shells could differ aesthetically in terms of material, texture and graphic design or pattern on the material. The material could be cloth, leather, plastic or any other suitable material. The pre-fabricated shells could also differ in terms of added functionality provided. For example, a given shell may have a hidden pocket, additional storage space, a photo holder or other such structure. The hosts and shells could be manufactured and sold as separate pieces or as part of a package. In another embodiment, “shells” could be manufactured at standard sizes for use with “hosts” that were not originally designed to be used in conjunction with a “shell.” 
         [0020]    The host wallet or purse could be constructed in a similar manner to current products on the market. The removable outer shell could be fastened to the edges, or other areas of the personal storage article host with a small zipper or other fasteners such as buttons, snaps, Velcro or hooks (or a combination of different types of fasteners). Hosts can be produced in different sizes and shapes. One or more shells can be constructed appropriate for use with that size and shape host. 
         [0021]    The host wallet, purse, or other similar item, could be a standard design on the inside-compartments for cash, slots for cards and a pocket for change, etc. In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the host is modified in some manner to accommodate a fastener that will attach the outer shell. Such fastener could be visible from the exterior of the shell, or invisible. In another embodiment, the shell is capable of attaching to the host without the need for any modification to the host. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a wallet  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wallet  100  has been modified to be non-permanently attached to a removable shell through the use of a fastener receptor  102 , which is a zipper in the present example. The fastener receptor  102  is attached to an outer surface  101  of the wallet  100 . One of skill in the art would appreciate that the fastener itself could be attached to the wallet, with the receptor for the fastener instead attached to the shell. 
         [0023]    Similarly,  FIG. 2  shows a purse  103  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The purse  103  has been modified to be non-permanently attached to a removable shell through the use of a multiple fastener receptors  105   a  and  105   b  that are designed to mate with multiple fasteners. Fastener receptors  105   a  and  105   b  are attached to an outer surface  104  of the purse  103 . One of skill in the art would appreciate that any number of fasteners (including a single fastener) or any type of suitable fastener could be substituted in place of fasteners  105   a  and  105   b.    
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a removable shell  106  for use with wallet  100 . Fastener  108  is attached to the sides of the outer surface of the shell  107 . In the present example the outer surface  107  contains a heart pattern. Any desired visual appearance can be achieved by so modifying the pattern, shape or materials that comprise shell  106 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a removable shell  109  for use with purse  103 . Fasteners  111   a  and  111   b  are attached to the sides of the outer surface of the shell  110 . In the present example the outer surface of the shell  110  contains a flower pattern. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows shell  106  non-permanently attached to wallet  100  through the mating of fastener  108  and fastener receptor  102 . 
         [0027]    Similarly,  FIG. 6  shows shell  109  non-permanently attached to purse  103  though the mating of fastener  111   a  with fastener receptor  105   a  and fastener  111   b  with fastener receptor  105   b.    
         [0028]    The form of the removable shell might vary. In a first embodiment, the host might fit completely within the shell. In another embodiment the shell might consist of panels of material that are fastened separately to the surfaces of the personal storage article. 
         [0029]    A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many possible ways of mating the host to the shell. The exact methodology used is not important to the present invention—only that the host and shell can be temporarily joined, and easily separated, as desired. For example, the following is a non-exhaustive list of possible mechanisms: 
         [0030]    Zipper—A small zipper could fasten the outer shell to the host. Half of the zipper track would be on the host, the other half on the outer shell. When zipped together, the outer shell is joined to the host. 
         [0031]    Buttons—Small buttons could fasten the outer shell to the host. The buttons would be sewn around the edges of the host. The outer shell would have corresponding buttonholes. When buttoned together the outer shell is joined to the host. 
         [0032]    Snaps—Small snaps could fasten the outer shell to the host. The female snaps would be sewn around the edges of the host. The outer shell would have corresponding male snaps. When snapped together the outer shell is joined to the host. 
         [0033]    Velcro—Small strips of Velcro® could fasten the outer shell to the host. The Velcro® would be sewn around the edges of the host. The outer shell would have corresponding Velcro material. When pressed together the outer shell is joined to the host. 
         [0034]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.