Customizable bag

A customizable bag for interchangeably displaying photos, business logos, and images of characters, such as superheroes, sports teams, celebrities, and the like on the exterior a bag. The customizable bag includes a main compartment and one or more secondary compartments for carrying objects therein. The bag further includes one or more pockets disposed within a main compartment or a secondary compartment, such that the exterior surface of the bag serves as a front wall for a pocket. The pocket includes a transparent window disposed on the front wall thereof, wherein the pocket can receive an insert having an image thereon. An opening is disposed on the pocket that enables the insert to be inserted into the pocket, wherein the image is then displayed through the transparent window. The opening is closable by a fastener in order to protect the insert from becoming wet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to customizable bags. More specifically, the present invention provides a customizable bag comprising one or more pockets disposed on the bag, wherein the pockets are adapted to receive an insert therein. The pockets include a window composed of a transparent material adapted to display the insert therethrough.

Many children, teenagers, and college students carry rolling bags, backpacks, and the like to school in order to hold books, school supplies, and various other items. Many of these individuals use their bag to express their interests and style. For example, children enjoy showing off their backpacks with their favorite superheroes, celebrities, and the like. Other individuals prefer to display an interesting pattern or their favorite sports team on the outside of their bag. Additionally, adults may need to show support for their workplace at tradeshows, conventions, and the like by having a company logo displayed on the exterior of their bag.

Unfortunately, this requires the purchase of several bags, which is expensive and impractical for many individuals, especially parents with multiple children. Some parents choose to spend excessive amounts of money on multiple backpacks in order to keep their children happy. Businesses have bags made using a specific logo for a specific event, wherein the bags are eventually disposed of once the event has passed. Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art for a bag that allows a user to interchangeably display various logos, characters, and the like thereon.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to bags having a window. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to backpacks comprising a window for viewing the interior of the bag, such as U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0082077 to Millman et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0153402 to Gausling et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0185395 to Lindamood. Another device generally relates to a window designed to expose sunlight to solar panels disposed on the interior of the backpack, such as U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2014/0061273 to Bullivant et al.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art fail to provide a bag comprising an insert or a bag capable of holding an insert therein for display through a transparent window. Despite the devices comprising a window, the devices fail to provide a mechanism that enables an insert to become part of the exterior of the bag by allowing the insert to be positioned flush against the window. Thus, the prior art devices fail to disclose a customizable bag that can be used to interchangeably display an insert in order to customize the appearance of a bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of customizable bags now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new customizable bag wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when customizing a bag by interchangeably displaying various characters, logos, and the like on the exterior thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved customizable bag that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a customizable bag comprising an exterior surface and a main compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag further comprising one or more pockets disposed on the bag, wherein each pocket comprises a front wall having a transparent window, a rear wall, and an opening adapted to provide access to the interior of the pocket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag wherein the pocket is adapted to receive an insert through the opening and display the insert through transparent window.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag wherein the opening is closable by a fastener, such as hook and loop material or a zipper.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag further comprising an insert that is disposed in the pocket for viewing through the front wall and is interchangeable with other inserts.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag further comprising one or more secondary compartments adapted to hold objects therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable bag that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the customizable bag. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for customizing a bag by interchangeably displaying various characters, logos, and the like on the exterior thereof. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the customizable bag. The customizable bag11is adapted to allow a user to interchangeably display an insert (as referenced inFIG. 2, 14andFIG. 5, 32) on an exterior of the bag12, wherein the insert comprises an image thereon, such as a television character, superhero, sports team, business logo, a photograph of family or friends, and the like. The insert allows a user to tailor the appearance of his or her bag12to a user's desired style, interests, to promote various businesses, and the like. Thus, a user is able to use a single bag12to perform various functions and to express their current interests and style. When a user becomes tired and disinterested in the current exterior of his or her bag12, he or she removes the insert and replaces it with another.

The customizable bag11comprises a bag12having an exterior surface and a main compartment34, wherein the main compartment34is adapted to receive objects therein. In some embodiments, the customizable bag11comprises one or more secondary compartments41adapted to receive objects therein. The customizable bag11further comprises one or more pockets13disposed within a main compartment34or a secondary compartment41, such that the exterior surface of the bag serves as a front wall for a pocket. Each pocket13includes a transparent window40adapted to display the insert therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the customizable bag11resembles a backpack. However, other embodiments include various types of bags, such as a suitcase, a tote bag, a duffel bag, a messenger bag, a rolling bag, a briefcase, a shoulder bag, among others.

The bag12includes a pair of parallel shoulder straps17, wherein each shoulder strap17is disposed on an opposing side of the rear wall. The shoulder straps17are adapted to be positioned over a user's shoulders in order for the bag12to be worn on the user's back. The bag12further comprises a U-shaped handle16disposed on the upper end of the rear wall in order for the bag12to be hung on a support surface or provide an alternative carrying position for the user.

The main compartment34of the bag12comprises a base42, one or more sidewalls43, an upper end44, and an opening35that provides access thereto. The opening35is disposed along the lateral sides and the upper end44of the bag12. However, in other embodiments the opening35can be disposed anywhere along the main compartment34that is accessible to the user. The opening35is closable by any suitable fastener, such as a water-resistant zipper36. The water-resistant zipper36is adapted to protect the insert14from becoming wet and disfigured.

One or more secondary compartments41are disposed on the bag12in order to provide additional capacity to hold objects therein. The secondary compartment41comprises a base, one or more sidewalls, and an upper end. The interior of the secondary compartment41is accessible via an opening that is closable using any suitable fastener, such as a water-resistant zipper18. The water-resistant zipper18is adapted to protect the insert14from becoming wet and disfigured. The fastener may be disposed along the open upper end of the secondary compartment41, and extend from a midsection of the first sidewall, across the open upper end of the secondary compartment, and terminating at a midsection of the second sidewall. In the illustrated embodiment, a secondary compartment41is disposed on a front wall33of the main compartment34. The front wall33of the main compartment34serves as a rear wall of the secondary compartment41. In other embodiments, the secondary compartment41can be disposed in any position on the bag12, including on the lower end or the lateral sides thereof.

The customizable bag11further comprises one or more pockets13disposed within a main compartment34or a secondary compartment41of the bag12, wherein the pocket13is adapted to receive an insert therein. In the illustrated embodiment, a pocket13is disposed on the interior of the secondary compartment41. The front wall of the secondary compartment41comprises the exterior of the bag12and, therefore serves as a front wall of the pocket13. In other embodiments, the pockets13can be disposed on any area on the customizable bag11, including the sidewalls43or a rear wall thereof. Each pocket13comprises a rear wall and a front wall19. The front wall19comprises a transparent window40adapted to display the insert therethrough. The transparent window40is preferably rectangular in shape and comprises the same dimension as the dimension of the insert. However, in other embodiments, the transparent window40can be any suitable shape as long as the shape corresponds to that of the insert.

The rear wall of the pocket13is disposed within the interior of the secondary compartment41and is secured to the front wall of the pocket13. The rear wall of the pocket13comprises an opening15adapted to provide access to the interior of the pocket and receive an insert therein. The opening15is disposed along the upper end of the rear wall. In some embodiments, the rear wall of the pocket13further comprises a top segment52and a bottom segment50having an opening therebetween, where the top segment52includes an overlapping portion extending over an upper end of the bottom segment50creating a flap over the opening. Thus, the insert is adapted to be removed from or placed in the pocket13through the upper end thereof. However, in other embodiments, the opening15can be disposed anywhere along the rear wall, including the lower end or sides thereof, as long as the opening15is capable of receiving the insert therein. The opening15may be closable by any suitable fastener, such as hook material48and loop material49or a zipper.

In some embodiments, the rear wall of the pocket13is rigid so as to provide support to the insert, such that the insert will not be bent or become disfigured by any objects disposed on the main or secondary compartments34,41of the bag12. In some embodiments, the pocket13comprises a planar member that is disposed against the rear wall thereof in order to provide additional rigidity and support thereto. The planar member is the same dimension as the dimension of the rear wall of the pocket13. The opening15is adapted to allow the insert to be interchangeably disposed therein without having to bend or deform the insert.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the customizable bag wherein the insert is disposed in the pocket and a cross sectional view taken along line II ofFIG. 2of the customizable bag wherein the insert is disposed in the pocket, respectively. The insert14comprises a planar section having a front surface and a rear surface. The insert14is preferably rectangular in shape so as to correspond to the shape of the transparent window40. In other embodiments, the insert14comprises any shape corresponding to the shape of the transparent window40. The front surface of the insert14comprises an image that is visible through the transparent window40. In other embodiments, any suitable image can be displayed on the insert14, including a holographic image, a raised image, and the like.

The insert14is disposed through the opening15disposed on the rear wall50of the pocket13, wherein the opening15is then closed via a fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, one side of the opening comprises hook material and the opposing side of the opening comprises loop material, such that the opposing sides of the opening are removably secured to one another. The insert14is removably secured in position because it comprises a similar dimension to the pocket13so as to prevent movement within the pocket13. In some embodiments, the insert14is no thicker than one inch.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the customizable bag and a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the customizable bag wherein an insert is entering the pocket, respectively. The alternative embodiment comprises one or more pockets23adapted to receive an insert32therein, a secondary compartment45disposed on the front wall of the main compartment46of the bag22, and one or more pouches25, wherein the secondary compartment extends along the entire front wall of the main compartment. In the illustrated alternative embodiment, there is shown a pair of pouches25disposed on opposing sides of the bag22, wherein each pouch25is mesh and comprises a base, one or more sidewalls, and an open upper end. The bag22further comprises a pair of shoulder straps27disposed on the rear wall thereof and a U-shaped handle26disposed on the upper end thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket23comprises a front wall, a rear wall24having a top segment52and a lower segment50, and an interior volume therein, wherein the transparent window47serves as the front wall of the pocket23. The opening29is disposed between the rear wall24and the transparent window47. The rear wall24of the pocket23is secured to and aligned with the rear side of the transparent window47, with the exception of the opening29so that the pocket23can receive an insert32therein. The rear wall24directly secured to the transparent window47allows the insert32to align with and be displayed through the transparent window47, rather than relying on the pocket23dimension to be similar to that of the insert32in order to hold the insert32in position. In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the upper end29of the rear wall24is open in order to receive the insert32therein. When disposing an insert32within the pocket23, the user places the insert32into the upper29end of the pocket23and then closes the opening28of the secondary compartment. The opening28is closable by any suitable fastener, such as a water-resistant zipper30.