Abstract:
A two-in-one handbag has different color patterns in two different closed positions. The handbag&#39;s two connected halves have inner rectangular facades and have outer arcuate facades having multiple horizontal segment, the first and second halves each having a substantially D-shaped cross-section. Flaps alternately cover the contiguous horizontal segments have outer sides of a first color and undersides of a second color so that a different color pattern emerges in the first closed position as compared to the second closed position. After the handbag is opened normally into two halves, it can continue to be opened when the halves continue to be rotated away from each to reach the second closed position by rotating the first outer arcuate facade along an entire surface of the second outer arcuate facade or vice versa. Each half&#39;s compartment is covered by a zippered cover to store objects. Reinforcing closure devices include magnets, snaps, Velcro.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of this invention is handbags, and more particularly, two in one handbags. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Women like to carry handbags that are stylish for going out and carrying items. The color of the handbag is chosen to match their attire. These handbags are expensive. Each time the woman wants a handbag that matches a different-colored dress she must employ a different-colored handbag. It would be useful to have a single handbag that can be rearranged or re-configured to display a different color pattern in different positions. 
         [0003]    A known product is a small pen/calculator case with flaps covering one-third segments of the length of the case. After opening the spine continues to fold back on itself and the flaps flip over to reveal their other side. The flaps have the same color on each side. But the structure allows the case to assume two different closed positions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a two in one handbag that allows a woman to buy one handbag and yet two different colored handbags each of which matches a different set of attire. Moreover, by switching the appearance of the handbag without leaving her location she can create the impression that she switched handbag, a useful impression in certain social situations. Furthermore, if the woman desires to reveal the manner in which the handbag switches from one outer appearance to the other outer appearance, she would be demonstrating an optical illusion that can achieve a charm and appeal not afforded by other handbags. 
         [0005]    The handbag opens in a surprising way when what seemed to be a spine connecting the two halves of the handbag manages to separate and open further by rotation of one of the halves in relation to the other. This happens because the two halves are not really connected to one another other than by flaps that have color patterns. The flaps are sufficiently thin to appear to be colored surfaces of the horizontal segments rather than separate flaps and the two halves are connected by the flaps. The flaps have one color on one side and the other color on the other side. For example one side of a flap may be gold on one side and an adjacent segment of the outer arcuate facade of that half is not covered by a flap but is of a neutral color and the next adjacent segment is covered by a flap that is gold on one side. If the other side of the two flaps are silver, then the handbag will look gold (and neutral) in one closed position and silver (and neutral) in a second closed position. Thus a lady owning the handbag would have a gold handbag to be worn with dresses matching gold and which can be turned into a silver handbag to be worn with dresses matching silver. 
         [0006]    Due to the fact that handbags carry valuables, the handbag has a closure mechanism separate from the fact that the handbag is urged closed by its structure. 
       IMPORTANT OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    The following important objects and advantages of the present invention are:
   (1) to provide a two-in-one handbag;   (2) to provide a handbag that can be carried by adults, and particularly by women;   (3) to provide a handbag that has a compartment for storing personal effects in each half of the handbag;   (4) to provide a handbag that displays a first particular color pattern when desired and that can display a second and different color pattern when also desired;   (5) to provide a handbag that can easily be moved from one closed position to the second closed position in a few seconds by the holder;   (6) to provide a handbag that moves from one closed position to a second closed position by either rotating the first outer arcuate facade along an entire surface of the second outer arcuate facade or by rotating the second outer arcuate facade along an entire surface of the first outer arcuate facade;   (7) to provide a handbag that whose two halves are unconnected to each but are held to each other by a series of flaps that cover alternately contiguous horizontal segments of the outer arcuate facades of each half;   (8) to provide such a handbag wherein the flaps are thin enough to not appear to be flaps but rather to appear to be colored surfaces of the horizontal segments of the outer arcuate facades;   (9) to provide a handbag wherein its two halves appear to be held together by a normal spine;   (10) to provide a handbag that is held securely closed not only by a natural urging of the two halves together but also by a separate additional closure structure;   (11) to provide such a handbag wherein one means for keeping it closed is the urging of the halves together by the flaps;   (12) to provide such a handbag that can be held closed more securely by either magnets, Velcro, snaps or other closure mechanism;   (13) to provide a handbag that optionally has a handle;   (14) to provide such a handbag wherein the handle removably attaches to loops extending from the first or second inner rectangular facade;   (15) to provide such a handbag wherein the handle may in alternative embodiments extend from a top or bottom surface;   (16) to provide a handbag whose halves have a substantially D-shaped cross-section;   (17) to provide a handbag that has a substantially elliptical cross-section when closed;   (18) to provide a handbag wherein a series of flaps has an alternate color sequence;   (19) to provide a handbag where the flaps have one color on the outer side and a second color on the underside;   (20) to provide a handbag wherein the compartment for personal effects has a longitudinal zipper for accessing and securing the effects;   (21) to provide a handbag wherein each compartment is a hollow concave space that is covered preferably by a non-rigid material;   (22) to provide a handbag wherein in each half the inner rectangular facade has a rectangular perimeter;   (23) to provide a handbag in which either half of the handbag can rotate 720 degrees in one direction with respect to the other half of the handbag;   (24) to provide a handbag that can move from a first closed position to a second closed position by rotating one half of the handbag along the outer surface of the other half of the handbag;   (25) to provide a two-in-one handbag wherein a woman can go to the restroom and come back with what appears to be a different handbag;   (26) to provide a handbag that has all the practicalities of a handbag but also has the charm of an optical illusion and/or hidden compartment;   (27) to provide a handbag that saves the cost of purchasing two different handbags to match two differently colored dresses or two different colored coats, shoes, scarves, hats or other outerwear;   (28) to provide a handbag that is more stylish than most handbags;   (29) to provide a handbag that can look gold and neutral sometimes and silver and neutral other times; and   (30) to provide a handbag that opens in a surprising way.   
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the handbag of the present invention in a first closed position having a silver and neutral color pattern;. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of the handbag of  FIG. 1  partially opened wherein one of the halves has rotated approximately 90 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a perspective of the handbag of  FIG. 1  fully opened to the normal open position and one of the halves has rotated approximately 180 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the handbag of  FIG. 1  further opened so that one of the halves has rotated to be approximately 270 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1  and with a main portion of the second inner rectangular facade peeled away; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the handbag of  FIG. 1  further opened so that one of the halves has rotated approximately 360 degrees from where it was in FIG.  1 ;. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the handbag of  FIG. 1  further opened so that one of the halves has rotated approximately 495 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the handbag of  FIG. 1  wherein one of the halves has rotated approximately 540 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the handbag of  FIG. 1  in the second closed position wherein one of the halves has rotated approximately 720 degrees from where it was in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  of the handbag of the present invention with an extra closure mechanism; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  of the handbag of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of the extra closure mechanism; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  with a handle; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view as in  FIG. 3  but with an alternative detachable handle and loops. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0050]    The apparatus of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings. The handbag of the present invention has been assigned reference numeral  10  Other elements have been assigned the reference numerals referred to below. 
         [0051]    Handbag  10  is a two-in-one handbag that can be presented in two different color patterns by simply opening the handbag  10  from one position to the other. The basis for the illusion is that the two halves of the handbag are not connected to one another other than by thin flaps that have one color on one side, i.e. the outer side of the flap, and a second color on the inner side or underside of the flap. 
         [0052]    As seen from  FIGS. 1-12 , handbag  10  has a body  20  that has an elliptical cross-section when closed and that comprises a first half  20  and a second half  30 . Each half has a substantially D-shaped cross-section although the ends of the ends of the arc of the “D” may be pointier than would be the case in a regular half of an ellipse. 
         [0053]    Handbag  10  has a first color pattern in a first closed position as seen in  FIG. 1  and a second color pattern in a second closed position, as seen in  FIG. 8 . For example,  FIG. 1  shows a silver and neutral color pattern and  FIG. 8  shows a gold and neutral color pattern. 
         [0054]    First half  20  has a first inner rectangular facade  22  having a first rectangular perimeter  24  and a first outer arcuate facade  26 . First outer arcuate facade  26  has a series of adjacent segments that divide it. In one preferred embodiment there are three such segments. In other preferred embodiments, there may be other amounts of such segments in the first half and in the second half. For example, there could be two, four five or six horizontal segments, or even more. 
         [0055]    First inner rectangular facade  22  (as well as second inner rectangular facade  32  described below) may comprise, besides its rigid rectangular perimeter  24  or  34 , a cover  66   a,    66   b  or cover material, typically although not necessarily flexible, that covers the compartment defined by the inside walls first half  20 . This compartment can be thought of as a hollow concave area and may be used to store personal effects or other objects. The first and second inner rectangular facades  22 ,  32  include their respective rectangular perimeters but in certain embodiments they may also be full rigid rectangular planes that include and extend from said perimeters. Alternatively, as noted, facades  22 ,  32  may be comprised of a rigid perimeter  24 ,  34  plus a less rigid or malleable cover  66 . Covers  66   a,    66   b  may be, include or form part of a removable insert  99 , as described more fully below. 
         [0056]    In a preferred embodiment, the first inner rectangular facade  22  has a longitudinal zipper or other mechanism for opening said compartment. In a second preferred embodiment as shown in the drawings both inner rectangular facades  22 ,  32  are covered by a material that has a zipper or other mechanism for opening and closing or providing access to the space below the facades  22 ,  32 . 
         [0057]    In a preferred embodiments, regardless of the number of horizontal segments, the color pattern should alternate between the color of the flaps covering each horizontal segment, as further described below, and a neutral color of the surface of the facade  26  uncovered by a flap. However, it is also contemplated by the present invention that in various alternative embodiments, other colors patterns can be envisioned. For example, the first two horizontal segments can have the same color, for example gold flaps, and the third and fourth horizontal segments can have no flaps and reveal a neutral color or whatever other color the surface of the outer arcuate facade is. This applies to both halves of the device  10 . The number of color patterns is only limited by what the mind can imagine. The idea, in a preferred embodiment, is to end up with a handbag looking different in a first closed position than in a second closed position. 
         [0058]    In this patent disclosure, it should be noted that the terms “color” and “color pattern” are taken broadly to mean anything that produces a particular appearance. Two color patterns are different if they produce different appearances. Thus, for example a different texture can produce a different appearance and even though the material is theoretically of the same color. 
         [0059]    In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , there are three segments dividing the outer arcuate facade  26  (and three dividing the second outer arcuate facade). These include first horizontal segment  26   a,  a second horizontal segment  26   b  and a third horizontal segment  26   c.    
         [0060]    Similarly, the second half  30  has a second inner rectangular facade  32  having a second rectangular perimeter  34  and a second outer arcuate facade  36 . Second outer arcuate facade  36  has a series of adjacent segments that divide it. In one preferred embodiment, such as shown in the drawings, there are three such segments. In other embodiments there may be two, four or more. The number of segments of first outer arcuate facade  26  and the number of segments of second outer arcuate facade  36  should be equal in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0061]    As in the first half, in the second half also there are, in the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , three segments dividing second outer arcuate facade  36 —a first horizontal segment  36   a,  a second horizontal segment  36   b  and a third horizontal segment  36   c.    
         [0062]    It appears to an observer of handbag  10  who has not examined handbag  10  closely that first half  20  and second half  30  are connected to another in the normal manner, which is to say by some kind of spine, in light of the fact that it can be seen by the observer that the two halves  20 ,  30  rotate with respect to one another like something that opens along a spine, such as a book or an eyeglasses case. However, the two halves  20 ,  30  are actually disconnected from one another except for a series of flaps  40 . The series of flaps  40  hold the first half  20  and the second half  30  together. 
         [0063]    The number of flaps in the series of flaps  40  is equal to the number of segments of the outer arcuate facades  26 ,  36 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , there are three flaps including first flap  42  whose outer side  42   a  is of a first color and whose underside  42   b  is of a second color, a second flap  44  whose outer side  44   a  is of the first color and whose underside  44   b  is of the second color, and a third flap  46  whose outer side  46   a  is of the first color and whose underside  46   b  is of the second color. 
         [0064]    It should be noted that in the first closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , the first flap  42  and third flap  46  cover the first horizontal segment  26   a  and third horizontal segment  26   c  of the first outer arcuate facade  26  respectively whereas the second flap  44  covers the second horizontal segment  36   b  of the second outer arcuate facade  36 . It is further noted that in the second closed position shown in  FIG. 8 , the first flap  42  and third flap  46  covering the first horizontal segment  36   a  and third horizontal segment  36   c  of the second outer arcuate facade  36  whereas the second flap  44  covers the second horizontal segment  26   b  of the first outer arcuate facade  26 . 
         [0065]    The present invention contemplates that each of the flaps  42 ,  44 ,  46  are sufficiently thin so that they appear to be colored surfaces of the horizontal segments rather than flaps. This adds to the illusion and charm of handbag  10 . Typically, in order to accomplish the purposes of the present invention the flaps of the present invention should be malleable and thin. Any material that accomplishes the function and purposes of the flaps is acceptable. 
         [0066]    In each case, each flap that covers a particular horizontal segment of first outer arcuate facade  26  or of second outer arcuate facade  36  extends into and is attached to some portion of the other half of handbag  10 , and preferably a portion that is contiguous to the horizontal segment that the flap covers. In particular, the flap extends into and is attached securely to a portion of inner rectangular facade of the other half of handbag  10  by any well known attachment mechanism. The manner in which the flap attaches to the other half of the handbag and the degree of extension into the other half of the handbag are not essential. 
         [0067]    For example, first flap  42  covers the outer arcuate facade  26  of the first half  20  and then has an extension  42 E that extends into the second half  30 , typically into second inner rectangular facade  32 . Extension  42 E (and the other extensions of the flaps) may be attached to and/or tucked under cover  66  of facade  22  or  32  or may be attached to or tucked under removable insert  99  sitting on the respective inner rectangular facade ( 22  or  32 ), which insert  99  may have a bottom that conforms to the surface of the concave compartment formed on the inside of half  20 ,  30  as a result of the curvature of outer arcuate facade  26 ,  36 . As seen from the drawings, at a minimum, extension  42 E (and other extensions of flaps  42 ,  44 ,  46  extend into a portion of the rectangular perimeter  23 ,  33  of inner rectangular facade  22  or  32 . As seen from  FIG. 4 , flap  44  extends from second half  30  into first half  20  under insert  99  and is attached and secured by any well known means to the inside  98  of first half  20 . Thus flap  44  extends beyond the rectangular perimeter  23  of inner rectangular facade  22 . The flaps may be secured by any suitable means including being tucked under an insert, by adhesive, friction fit, snap, hook, Velcro®, clamp, or anything else. 
         [0068]    Handbag  10  is urged closed on its own in both the first and second closed position but has a further closure mechanism, in a preferred embodiment, for ensuring that the handbag remains closed in both positions. 
         [0069]    One such closure structure is magnets  77  positioned at the corners of inner rectangular facades  22 ,  32 . Obviously the magnets which may be attached to these corners by adhesive or any suitable means, including being embedded under the top surface thereof, are matched in polarity to effectuate the closure. Thus, the closure structure includes at least a first pair of magnets  77  located at a first corner of the first rectangular perimeter and second pair of magnets located at a second corner of the second rectangular perimeter, the first pair of magnets having an attraction toward the second pair of magnets. 
         [0070]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , or in addition, the closure structures can include a male fastener extending from the first half and a female fastener structure extending from the second half. Examples of such fasteners can include Velcro®  79  (see  FIG. 9 ) or snaps  91  (see  FIG. 10 ). In either case, the closure structure is capable of keeping handbag  10  securely closed in the first closed position as well as in the second closed position. It should be clearly understood that other closure mechanisms can be thought of by practitioners of the art consistent with the present invention. 
         [0071]    As seen from  FIGS. 1-11 , and in particular  FIGS. 1-8 , handbag  10  is capable of moving between the first closed position and the second closed position by either rotating the first outer arcuate facade along an entire surface of the second outer arcuate facade or by rotating the second outer arcuate facade along an entire surface of the first outer arcuate facade. 
         [0072]    A “D-shaped” cross-section is understood to be formed by a line fragment whose two ends are connected by an arc, whether the arc is semi-elliptical, semi-ellipsoidal, semi-circular or semi-ovular even if the ends of the arc are pointier than would be the case in a regular semi-ellipse. 
         [0073]    In a preferred embodiment, handbag  10  has a handle. In one embodiment of such a handle shown in  FIG. 11 , handbag  10  has handle  93  extending from top surface  87  or from bottom surface  88  of handbag  10 . In that case, half of handle  93  may protrude from the top surface (or the bottom surface) of a particular half  20 ,  30  and a second half of the handle may protrude from the same top (or bottom) surface of the adjacent half  20 ,  30 , as best seen in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0074]    More preferably,  FIG. 12  shows a different configuration for the handle. In this case, handbag  10  has two loops  95  in the first half  20  and two loops  95  in the second half  30 . Loops  95  are very thin metal such as aluminum so that when not in use they can be bent over as is the case with the loops  95  in second half  30  whereas the loops  95  can be straightened up when handle  96  needs to be attached to them. Using the handle  96  shown in  FIG. 12 , handbag  10  can be carried more normally than with the handle shown in  FIG. 11 . It is noted that loops  95  do not interfere with or obstruct the rotation of the halves  20 ,  30  of handbag  10  because one pair of loops are wedged between first rectangular perimeter  24  and cover  66   a  of facade  22  (and not at the very edge of facade  22 ) and the two other loops are only wedged between second rectangular perimeter  34  and cover  66   b  of facade  32  (and not at the very edge of facade  32 ). In one preferred embodiment, loops  95  sit of a tiny hinge (not shown) that allows it to rotate repeatedly without breaking. Thus the term loop structure can be understood to include loops with a hinge and loops without a hinge. 
         [0075]    It should be understood that the handbag described herein can be modified and still be within the teachings of the present invention. The essential concept of the present invention is a handbag whose halves are connected by alternating flaps and that can display a first color pattern in a first closed position and a second color pattern in a second closed position. It is not essential if the cross-section is elliptical or circular. Nor is the actual color pattern essential. The number of horizontal segments and the number of flaps can also be varied. 
         [0076]    It is to be understood that while the apparatus of this invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the above-described embodiments are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. It is to be understood also that various other modifications and changes may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. The spirit and scope of this invention are limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.