Abstract:
Transferable organizers provide stabilization and ease of location for objects carried in handbags and other bags. The organizers may be independently usable and freestanding, and may be inserts inside an existing bag. At least some walls of the organizer are substantially rigid to protect the contents, make the organizer freestanding, or to conform to the dimensions of the existing bag. At least one wall of each organizer may be expandable by means of an expansion panel that can be stowed when expansion is not needed using a fastener, such as a zipper, snap, or magnetic connection. Expansion panels enable adjustment of the width, length, or height of the organizer. A eyeglass case includes an inwardly extending lip that curls over the lens of the glasses and is adjacent a rigid front section. A shoe organizer includes a cushion flap and a stabilizing flap that protects and positions the shoes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/908,892, filed Mar. 29, 2007, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure involves luggage and handbags, and more specifically, a transferable organizer for purses, handbags, tote bags, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a transferable insert for organizing the interior of a bag, such as a handbag, make-up bag, or shoe bag. The transferable insert, hereinafter referred to as an organizer insert, stabilizes the contents of the bag, while positioning the contents of the bag for ease of location and removal. The organizer bag includes various means for positioning, such as pouches, pockets, and compartments, is transferable from one bag to another, is freestanding when outside of a bag, and is adjustable to conform to bags of various sizes and shapes. 
     In accordance with a first embodiment, the organizer insert is a handbag organizer that includes a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, and a pair of end walls that are substantially continuously interconnected so as to define an interior compartment. The organizer insert includes pouches, pockets, compartments, slots, and the like as means for positioning a number of objects enclosed by the bag. The means for positioning are generally distributed along any of the side walls, bottom walls, and end walls such that the position of each of the objects is substantially and reversibly fixed with respect to the opening of the bag. In other words, the person carrying the handbag can easily locate objects, particularly because the means for positioning are often tailored to enclose certain items. For example, the means for positioning may include lipstick pockets, key compartments, eyeglass compartments, and the like. In this fashion, the transferable insert organizes the objects enclosed by the bag. 
     The handbag organizer may also include a handle for lifting it out of the bag. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle includes two handle straps, each connected along the upper edge of one of the side walls, although the handle may be associated with any one or more of the side walls and end walls. In certain embodiments, or in use with certain handbags, the handle is visible through the opening of the bag. 
     The bottom wall is connected to at least two of the pair of side walls and the pair of end walls. The bottom wall is expandable to conform to the width of the bag by freeing a bottom expansion panel that is stowed using a bottom fastener. The bottom fastener can include any suitable device, including but not limited to, slide fasteners, pressure sensitive fasteners, and hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO. Either or both of the pair of end walls may also be expandable to conform to the width of the bag by means of at least one end expansion panel that can be stowed or using an end fastener. 
     According to one aspect, at least one of the pair of side walls and the pair of end walls is substantially rigid such that the transferable insert is substantially freestanding. 
     Another embodiment provides a shoe organizer that can be carried within a bag or can be carried or used for storage independently of a secondary enclosure. The shoe organizer includes at least one wall interconnected to define a shoe compartment, and at least one cushion flap that divides and cushions the shoes, the cushion flap being elastically connected to the interior of the shoe compartment. When the pair of shoes is enclosed in the organizer bag, the cushion flap at least partially separates the shoes. The organizer bag also includes at least one stabilizing flap that is hingedly connected to the interior of the shoe compartment, such that when the pair of shoes is enclosed in the organizer bag, the stabilizing flap substantially fixes the position of each of the pair of shoes. In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of stabilizing flaps is wrapped over the pair of shoes that has been cushioned and divided by the cushion flap. 
     At least one wall of the shoe organizer is a bottom wall that is expandable to conform to the width of the shoes. The bottom wall is expandable by means of a bottom expansion panel. A bottom fastener is included for stowing the bottom expansion panel. For example, the bottom fastener may include slide fasteners, pressure sensitive fasteners, hook and loop fasteners. To facilitate independent carrying, the shoe organizer may include a carry strap. 
     As with the first embodiment, the shoe organizer includes at least one side wall, bottom wall, or end wall that is substantially rigid such that it is substantially freestanding. 
     Another embodiment provides an organizer case for enclosing a pair of eyeglasses. This eyeglass case includes a front section that is at least partially substantially rigid to protect the lens of the eyeglasses, a rear section for protecting the temples of the eyeglasses, and an open end for removing the eyeglasses. The front section includes a lip that curves inwardly into the interior compartment of the eyeglass case and beyond the lenses of the eyeglasses. A flap connects the front section to the rear section, the flap being extendable at least partially overlapping the front section, and secured by a flap fastener. 
     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present disclosure, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the principles may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the disclosure defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary handbag containing a first exemplary organizer insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer insert of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the organizer insert of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the organizer insert of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the organizer insert of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end elevational view of the organizer insert of  FIG. 1 , its bottom wall having been partially expanded. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the first organizer insert of  FIG. 1 , its bottom wall having been partially expanded. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a second exemplary organizer insert useful as a make-up bag, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of a second exemplary organizer insert. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an alternative version of the second exemplary organizer. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a third exemplary organizer insert useful as a make-up clutch, according the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the organizer insert of  FIG. 11 , showing the interior of the third organizer insert. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of fourth exemplary organizer insert for enclosing eyeglasses, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of an open end of the organizer insert of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an exemplary shoe organizer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the shoe organizer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the shoe organizer of  FIG. 15 , with its cushioning flaps closed. 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of the shoe organizer of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of the shoe organizer of  FIG. 15 , its bottom wall having been expanded. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the shoe organizer of  FIG. 15 , its bottom wall having been expanded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of an organizer for personal items carried in a bag or purse, the organizer being transferable among different bags, and adjustable to conform to the dimensions of the different bags and of differently dimensioned items enclosed by the organizer. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a bag  10 , which is the environment for several of the embodiments, and particularly the first embodiment, an organizer insert  100  for conveniently arranging personal items typically carried in a handbag. The bag  10  is a structured box-style handbag with well-defined walls and an open top, although the principles of the disclosure are applicable to any bag typically carried by an individual, including clutch bags, barrel bags, bucket bags, carpet bags, satchels, duffel bags, tote bags, unstructured handbags, shoulder bags, shopper bags, and the like. Furthermore, alternative bags may include a closure rather than an open top, including top zips, flaps, drawstrings, snaps, buckles, and the like. 
     The bag  10  includes a pair of opposed side walls  12 ,  14  connected to opposite side edges of a bottom wall  16 , and a pair of end walls  18 ,  20  connected to opposite end edges of the bottom wall  16 . Together, the side walls  12 ,  14  and the end walls  18 ,  20  interconnect to define an outer perimeter of the bag  10 , and the bottom wall  16  encloses one end of the perimeter to define the bag compartment C 1 . As used herein, the term perimeter refers to the outer limits or boundary of the substantially closed plane structure defined by the side and end walls of the bag  10 . A pair of handle straps  22 ,  24  is connected in proximity to the upper edge  26  of the bag compartment C 1  to facilitate carrying the bag  10 . The bag  10  may further include a frame (not shown) and may be formed from substantially rigid materials to reinforce or otherwise provide additional structural integrity. 
       FIGS. 2-7  illustrate the organizer insert  100  as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The organizer insert  100  is configurable to fit inside of the bag  10  and is expandable to conform to the dimensions of a larger bag (not shown). Thus, the organizer insert  100  is particularly useful as a handbag insert. More specifically, the organizer insert  100  includes a pair of side walls  102 ,  104  that are intended to extend along the side walls  12 ,  14  of the bag  10 , an expandable bottom wall  106  that is intended to rest upon the bottom wall  16  of the bag, and a pair of end walls  108 ,  110  that are intended to extend along the end walls  18 ,  20  of the bag  10 . Together, the side, end, and bottom walls define an insert compartment C 2  that is substantially smaller than the bag compartment C 1 , so that the organizer insert  100  fits inside the bag  10 . 
     As mentioned above, the organizer insert  100  is expandable. To that end, one or both of the end walls  108 ,  110  includes an end expansion panel  112 ,  114 . The end expansion panel  112 ,  114  is stowed when the organizer insert  100  is configured for a narrower bag, and becomes part of the perimeter of the organizer insert  100  when it is configured for a wider bag. Each end expansion panel  112 ,  114  is stowed using an end fastener  116 ,  118 , which in the embodiment shown is a snap, although any suitable fastener is contemplated. The end fastener  116 ,  118  reversibly joins the side edges of the end expansion panel  112 ,  114  so as to cause the end expansion panel  112 ,  114  to gusset inwardly or outwardly to reduce the width of the end wall  108 ,  110 . As one alternative, the end walls  108 ,  110  may blouse out somewhat in the expanded state, and may include corner straps (not shown) to tighten the end walls  108 ,  110  against the side walls  102 ,  104 . 
     As used herein, the term fastener refers to any known or yet to be developed means for at least temporarily fixing the relative position of objects or parts, closing an opening, or for joining together two objects or parts at least initially intended to be separate. Examples of suitable fasteners include, but are not limited to, hook and loop closures, catches, hasps, clasps, latches, buckles, clips, clamps, magnetic closures, slide fasteners such as zippers and profiled linkages, reusable adhesives, and pressure sensitive closures. 
     The bottom wall  106  of the organizer insert  100  is also expandable. A pair of bottom fasteners  126 ,  128  connected to the bottom wall  106  is usable to stow a pair of bottom expansion panels  130 ,  132 , which are best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , below (although the bottom expansion panel  130  is stowed by the bottom fastener  126  in both figures). The bottom fasteners  126 ,  128  shown are slide fasteners, such as metal or plastic zippers, which enable the user to quickly and easily stow or unstow the bottom expansion panels  130 ,  132  to increase the width of the bottom wall  106 . However, any suitable fastener is contemplated, including but not limited to, VELCRO strips and the like. Furthermore, an expansion panel may be disposed in the middle of the end wall  106  rather than interconnecting the end wall  106  and the side walls  102 ,  104  as shown in the figures. It should be noted that the bottom expansion panels  130 ,  132  and bottom fasteners  126 ,  128  can concurrently expand the lower portions of the end walls  108 ,  110 , because they extend as much as two thirds of the way up the end walls  108 ,  110  as well as along the entire length of the bottom wall  106 . 
     The organizer insert  100  also includes at least one insert handle  122 ,  124  as means for lifting the organizer insert  100  in and out of the bag  10 , shown here as a pair of straps connected along the upper edge  120  of the organizer insert  100 . The insert handle  122 ,  124  may be visible and accessible without extending above the upper edge  26  of the bag  10 , unless visibility outside the bag  10  is desired. 
     Adjustability of the organizer insert  100  is particularly useful to reduce the tendency of the organizer insert  100  to slide around on the bottom wall  16  of the bag  10 . To further secure position of the organizer insert  100  with respect to the bag compartment C 1 , the organizer insert  100  may be anchored in some fashion, such as with a VELCRO strip between the respective bottom walls  16 ,  106 . 
     The organizer insert  100  includes a number of means for positioning objects that would generally be carried freely within the bag in absence of the organizer insert  100 . Referring specifically now to  FIG. 3 , means for positioning objects include a number of interior pouches  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  secured inside of the insert compartment C 2 . Interior pouches  134 ,  136  are secured along the end walls  108 ,  110  and are particularly useful for positioning and receiving frequently used or large objects such as eyeglasses and cases therefor, beverage bottles, car keys, and the like. Interior pouch  138  is a zipper pouch that may extend entirely along the side wall  102 , and is particularly useful for enclosing small objects, objects that are easily damaged, objects that are accessed less often, and objects that are more personal. A change purse (not shown) may be secured to inside of the interior pouch  138  or elsewhere. Interior pouches  140 ,  142  also secured along the side wall  102  and interior pouches  144 ,  146  secured along the side wall  104  are particularly useful for objects for which easy accessibility is desired, such as small wallets or change purses, compacts, lipstick, cell phones, chewing gum and mints, business card holders, and the like. An elongated sleeve  148  may be included to holster thin objects such as writing and makeup pens. 
     The organizer insert  100  may also include means for positioning objects on the exterior of the organizer insert  100 . For example, the exemplary organizer insert  100  includes exterior pouches  150 ,  152 . 
     The organizer insert  100  is substantially freestanding in that when removed from the bag  10 , the organizer insert will substantially retain its shape when resting on its bottom wall  106 . To that end, any or all of the side walls  102 ,  104 , bottom wall  106 , and end walls  108 ,  110  may be formed of or include an additional panel  160  of a substantially rigid material, such as plastic or paperboard. 
     The insert compartment C 2  is also a means for positioning objects. Referring now to  FIGS. 8-12 , objects that can be held within the insert compartment, for example, include the second exemplary organizer insert and the third exemplary organizer insert. The organizer insert of  FIG. 8  is shown as a make-up bag  200 . The make-up bag  200  includes several exterior pockets  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  which may vary in size. For example, the exterior pocket  202  shown is relatively larger than the exterior pockets  204 ,  206 ,  208  and may accommodate a larger object such as a compact, while the exterior pockets  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be more suited to hold lipsticks. The make-up bag  200  may include fewer or more pockets or pouches, as demonstrated in  FIG. 10 , which includes an additional lipstick-sized exterior pocket  210 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the reverse side of the make-up bag  200 , which shows a make-up compartment C 3  that may extend substantially along the entire length of the make-up bag  200  and may include a rear panel  212  that is clear so as to make the contents of the make-up bag  200  visible from the outside. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate the third exemplary organizer insert, which is shown as a make-up clutch  300 . The make-up clutch  300  includes several interior pockets  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  which may vary in size. For example, the exterior pocket  302  shown is relatively larger than the exterior pockets  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  and may accommodate a larger object such as a compact, while the exterior pockets  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  may be more suited to hold lipsticks. The make-up clutch  300  includes a zippered pocket  312  with panels  314  that may be clear. The zippered pocket  312  may be removable along a connecting strip  315  that may be lined, for example with magnetic strips, VELCRO or a reusable adhesive. A zipper  316  opens and closes the zippered pocket  312 . The make-up clutch  300  also includes a zippered pouch  318  that is accessed via a zipper  320 . The interior pockets are disposed along the inside surface of a rear panel  322  and the zippered pouch  318  is disposed along the inside surface of a front panel  324  that are connected together along the connecting strip  315 . The rear panel  322  and the front panel  324  can be brought together to enclose and at least partially conceal the contents of the make-up clutch  300 . This closed condition can be secured using fasteners, such as but not limited to mechanical or magnetic snaps  326 ,  328 . 
     The fourth embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  demonstrates another object that can be received in the insert compartment C 2 , and particularly in one of the interior pouches  134 ,  136 , namely an eyeglass case  400 . The eyeglass case  400  includes a front section  402 , a flap  404 , a rear section  406 , and a bottom section  408 . One end  410  of the eyeglass case  400  may be totally or partially enclosed, although the dispensing end  412  is defines an opening O through which the eyeglasses G can be removed from the eyeglass case  400 . The front section  402  includes a lip  414  that curves inwardly into the compartment C 5  within the eyeglass case  400  and beyond the lenses of the eyeglasses G to protect the lenses. The front section  402  may be substantially rigid to increase the structural integrity of the eyeglass case  400 , while the rear section may be substantially pliable to enable the eyeglass case  400  to accommodate eyeglasses with various frame sizes. 
       FIGS. 15-19  illustrate a fifth embodiment of an organizer insert, namely a shoe organizer  500 . The shoe organizer  500  includes a pair of side walls  502 ,  504 , a bottom wall  506 , a pair of end walls  508 ,  510 , and top fastener  512 . In the embodiment shown, the top fastener  512  is a zipper that connects the top edges of the side walls  502 ,  504  together to close the shoe organizer  500 . As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the bottom wall  506  is expandable by via a bottom expansion panel  514  that bifurcates the bottom wall  506  and extends into the storage compartment C 6  when it is stowed using the bottom fastener  515 , which in the exemplary embodiment, is a zipper. 
     The shoe compartment C 6  includes means for positioning a pair of shoes, including a pair of stabilizing flaps  516 ,  518  that can be interconnected using edge fasteners  520 ,  522  connected to the distal edges of each. The edge fasteners can matingly interconnect as closure  520 / 522  and may include, for example, a VELCRO strip, magnetic fasteners, zippers or snaps. A pair of shoes is enclosed, protected, and stabilized within the shoe compartment C 6  as follows. The vamp portion of one of the pair of shoes, i.e., the front part of the shoe upper that covers the toes and possibly part of the foot, is inserted beneath a cushion flap  524 . The exemplary cushion flap  524  is connected to the interior of the shoe compartment C 6  by cushion straps  526 ,  528 ,  530  (not shown). The cushion straps  526 ,  528 ,  530  are elastic or adjustable so that the cushion flap  524  fits snugly against the vamp of the shoe (not shown) and can accommodate various sizes and styles of shoes. The second of the pair of shoes is reversed so that the cushion flap  524  is between the vamps of the shoes and the heels of the shoes are at opposite ends of the shoe compartment C 6  and are extending in opposite directions. With the shoes in this mating arrangement, and with the cushion flap  524  between the vamps of the shoes, the stabilizing flaps  516 ,  518  are joined together as shown in  FIG. 16  to extend over the pair of shoes. 
     As mentioned above, the shoe organizer  500  is adjustable to accommodate various sizes and styles of shoes. Adjustability is gained through the expandable bottom wall, the elastic connection between the cushion flap  524  and at least one of the walls  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and also by tightening fasteners  532 ,  534  disposed near the top fastener  512  and the end walls  508 ,  510  that tighten and streamline the shoe organizer  500 . 
     As mentioned, the shoe organizer  500  may be used independently for carrying shoes, such as to enable the user to change shoes during the day. The shoe organizer  500  can also be useful to catalog and store shoes, and may include a label for describing the shoes within. Alternatively, any or all of the walls of the shoe organizer can be made of clear or sheer materials to make the contents visible. 
     The present disclosure has been illustrated in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials. Any of the embodiments may be constructed of any suitable material, including satin, microfiber, leather, plastic, suede, woven fabric, and the like. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the characteristics of the bags described herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather simply provide context for the environment of the disclosure. In addition, any suitable materials and closure devices may be used in addition to or instead of zippers and snaps, including magnets, non-permanent adhesives, or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®, which is a trademark registered to Velcro Industries B.V. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is described by the claims appended hereto and supported by the foregoing.