Abstract:
A flexible purse or wallet has at least one compartment for storing at least one flat object therein; and an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/853,590, filed May 11, 2001, by the same inventor, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    This invention relates to a purse and more particularly to a purse adapted to provide easy access to cosmetics, currency, credit cards, or the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In this hectic world, portability offers great advantages. If an item or a series of items can be contained and transported simply, great advantage can be obtained. The container must, however, provide both ease of storage and access to the items contained therein, while sacrificing the desire of neither aspect. However, clearly these requirements work against each other. Ease of storage for a container holding a plurality of items requires a relatively small size. The small size works against ease of access. A larger size, which permits the holding a number of items, works against ease of storage.  
           [0004]    Furthermore, the items within the container must have a specified position. In providing a rather small container, fixed positions are difficult to obtain. Additionally, holding a plurality of small items within such a container complicates the issue.  
           [0005]    For example, a suitable cosmetic case requires items such as lipstick, eyeliner, rouge, powder, lotion, fragrance, and the like. While all of these items are available in small containers, no effective mechanism exists for efficient storing the items, while maintaining access thereto and portability thereof.  
           [0006]    It is also desirable to have the currency or credit card contained in a cosmetic case or purse. If the presence of this currency or credit card can be concealed in a purse, even greater advantages are obtained. Thus, it is desired to modify a cosmetic case to carry such items while maintaining the portability of the cosmetic case and the required access to the items contained therein.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Among the many objectives of this invention is providing a purse or wallet for holding a plurality of small items.  
           [0008]    A further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a positioning device. Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet providing access to a plurality of small items.  
           [0009]    A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet being foldable.  
           [0010]    Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a currency compartment.  
           [0011]    Another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet having closable assembly.  
           [0012]    Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a credit card compartment.  
           [0013]    Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet capable of being rolled in order to close the same.  
           [0014]    These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a flexible purse or wallet having at least one compartment therein to receive or conceal at least one flat object; and an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 depicts a rolled perspective view of a purse  100  of this invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 depicts an unrolled perspective view of a purse  100  of this invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a purse  100  of this invention, with contents shown in position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of an article  128  in relation to fixing device  130 . Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    The purse or wallet, in flexible sheet form, provides various positioning points for individual items. Preferably, the holding mechanism for each of the positioning points is a hook and loop assembly. Throughout the specification, purse and wallet may be used interchangeably. Mounted on the purse or wallet is one side of the hook and loop assembly in either a continuous or discontinuous action. The other part of the hook and loop assembly is mounted on each item, for which support within the container is desired.  
         [0020]    The purse or wallet may be a flexible material, a rigid material, or a semi-rigid material. With a flexible material, it is possible to roll up the purse or wallet in order to close the same and provide for easy storage or transport. If the material is rigid or semi-rigid, the portable carrying may be completed by placing that material in a bag or other protective item for transportation. When use is desired, storage procedures may be reversed.  
         [0021]    Any material may be used to form the purses. An inexpensive material may be used to manufacture a utilitarian case. More expensive materials may be used for high fashion versions of the purse or wallet, whether the case is flexible, semi-rigid or rigid.  
         [0022]    Preferably the sheet forming a purse or wallet includes two layers having an openable side, thereby providing a container for holding currency, a credit card, or the like. The openable side is preferably closed with a hidden zipper or slide fastener. Other closing devices can be a hook and loop assembly, a snap assembly, or similar fastener. Preferably, the fastener is hidden or hidable, for either aesthetic or security reasons. In this fashion, the presence of the currency or the credit card is at least partially concealed.  
         [0023]    Additionally, a credit card pocket may be formed therein by sewing, gluing or other appropriate mechanisms. Such a pocket is formed with an additional sheet of material or from the two pieces of material forming the purse or wallet itself.  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, purse or wallet  100  includes flexible sheet  120 . The flexible sheet  120  includes a mounting sheet  122  and backing sheet  124 . On the mounting sheet  122 , is secured a holding mechanism  126 . Clearly, the holding mechanism  126  is also flexible. In this fashion, when purse or wallet  100  is rolled up and secured with fastener  190 , any article  128  may be contained therein. Fastener  190  may be a hook and loop assembly available under the Trademark VELCRO.  
         [0025]    Adding FIG. 4 to the consideration, article  128  includes thereon a fixing device  130  adapted to be removably secured to holding mechanism  126 . A typical material for fixing device  130  is part of a hook and loop assembly, commonly available under the registered trademark VELCRO. Holding mechanism  126  and fixing device  130  may be of any suitable type. However, the hook and loop assembly available under the Registered Trademark VELCRO is preferred.  
         [0026]    Flexible sheet  120  has holding mechanism  126  on storage side  132 . Outside view  134  is oppositely disposed from storage side  132 , and is visible when purse or wallet  100  is closed. Mounting sheet  122  and backing sheet  124  are preferably secured on three sides, by sewing, gluing, welding or other securing mechanism. The three side securing mechanism is preferably a permanent securing device.  
         [0027]    Mounting sheet  122  and backing sheet  124  are preferably secured on a fourth side, in a releasable fashion. Such a releasable securing device provides for access to currency  140 , at least one credit card  142 , or similar items. Such similar items may include an identity card such as a driver&#39;s license or the like.  
         [0028]    The releasable securing device is preferably a hidden zipper or slide fastener  150 . The slide fastener  150  may be installed in any suitable fashion. Preferably, with the slide fastener  150  or similar device concealed, the presence of anything on the interior of the purse or wallet  100  is at least partially concealed.  
         [0029]    A card pocket  160  for the credit card is formed by an inner seam  162 . Inner seam  162  cooperates with mounting sheet  122  to form the card pocket  160 . Inner seam  162  secures card flap  164  to mounting sheet  122  on one side as the outer seams  174  joining mounting sheet  122  to backing sheet  124  secured to other sides of card flap  164 , thereby leaving an opening  176  adapted to carry credit card  142 .  
         [0030]    The outer seams  174  permit mounting sheet  122  and backing sheet  124  to cooperate and form a large pocket  180 . Large pocket  180  can receive currency  140  or the like.  
         [0031]    This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.  
         [0032]    Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.