Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed that facilitates the attachment of a bag to one or more rings. The apparatus can be disguised as a surface of the bag, and can pivot into a securing position. In embodiments, the apparatus can comprise one or more openings for accepting one or more rings, and one or more hook-and-loop fasteners for facilitating the temporary attachment of the apparatus to a bag.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of totes and other items for storage. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bags, totes, and other items used for carrying or storing various objects have both functional and aesthetic purposes. Typically, an individual uses a variety of different bags or totes throughout a given week, or even a single day. For example, a traveler will generally have a need for a variety of bags during a trip (e.g., handbags, beach-bags, tote bag, toiletry bag, etc.). As another example, an individual might use a different handbag or purse from day to day. Therefore, it is desirable to improve upon apparatuses for carrying one or more bags, totes, and/or other items used for carrying or storing various objects. 
         [0003]    Therefore, there remains a need for an apparatus that is operable to facilitate the efficient transport of one or more bags, totes, and/or other items used or carrying or storing various objects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap attached to a bag. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap attached to rings. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap having multiple security pouches. 
       
    
    
       [0007]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    In embodiments, a securing flap can be operable to facilitate the attachment of an object to one or more rings. In embodiments, the securing flap can be attached to a bag, and the securing flap can allow the bag to be attached to one or more rings. Throughout this disclosure, the term “bag” shall refer to a tote, handbag, purse, toiletry bag, pouch, or any other object used for carrying or storing one or more items. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the securing flap can be operable to pivot toward and away from a surface of a bag, the securing flap being attached to said surface of the bag. In embodiments, the securing flap and/or the bag can comprise a means for temporarily holding the securing flap against the surface of the bag. The means for temporarily holding the securing flap against the surface of the bag can allow the securing flap to be disguised against the surface of the bag. 
         [0010]    Other attributes of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, wherein there is shown and described the various embodiments of the invention. As will be realized from the following description, the present invention is capable of various other embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
         [0011]    Referring now to the drawings, the following detailed description provides principles and concepts to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use a new securing flap for attachment of a bag to one or more rings. The figures and various drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes not only that which is described in this disclosure, but also that which is known in the prior art and alternative embodiments of the present invention which may be contemplated by those skilled in the relevant art and which are taught by this disclosure. 
         [0012]    Throughout the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap  105  attached to a bag  110 . The securing flap  105  can comprise one or more openings operable to facilitate securing the securing flap to one or more rings, one or more means for temporarily attaching a flat side of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110 , and a means for attaching an edge of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110 . While the securing flap  105  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as being attached to the bottom surface of the bag  110 , it should be understood that the securing flap  105  can be attached to any surface of a bag  110 . 
         [0014]    In embodiments, the securing flap  105  can be a piece of material having an inside flat surface and an outside flat surface. While the securing flap  105  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a thin, rectangular piece of material, it should be understood that the securing flap  105  can be of a variety of shapes, widths, lengths, and thicknesses. It should be understood that the securing flap  105  can be made from a variety of materials (e.g., leather, faux leather, vinyl, plastic, cloth, or any other flexible or rigid fabric or other material). For example, the securing flap  105  can be made from the same, or a similar, material as the bag  110 . 
         [0015]    In embodiments, the one or more openings operable to facilitate securing the securing flap  105  to one or more rings can be one or more grommets  115 . Each of the grommets  115  can be of such a diameter as to encompass a ring (e.g., ring from a ring binder). In embodiments, each of the grommets  115  can create an opening in the securing flap  105 . It should be understood that the securing flap can include any number of grommets  115  and the grommets  115  can be placed in a variety of patterns. 
         [0016]    In embodiments, the one or more means for temporarily attaching a flat side of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110  can be one or more hook and loop fastener strips  120 . In embodiments, one or more hook and loop fastener strips  120  can be positioned along one or more of the edges of the inside flat surface of the securing flap  105 . It should be understood that the one or more means for temporarily attaching a flat side of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110  can be one or more magnets or any other means for temporarily attaching one object to another. For example, one or more straps or a malleable bottom pocket to tuck the securing flap  105  or an edge of the securing flap into can also be used for temporarily attaching a flat side of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110 . 
         [0017]    In embodiments, one or more hook and loop fastener strips  125  can be positioned on the surface of the bag  110  to which the securing flap  105  is attached. The hook and loop fastener strips  125  can comprise an opposing surface relative to the surface of the hook and loop fastener strips  120  attached to the securing flap  105 . For example, where the securing flap&#39;s hook and loop fastener strips are hook-surfaced, the bag&#39;s hook and loop fastener strips can be loop-surfaced, and vice versa. In embodiments, the one or more hook and loop fastener strips  125  can be positioned on the bag  110  in a pattern that mirrors the pattern of the securing flap&#39;s hook and loop fastener strips  120 . 
         [0018]    In embodiments, the means for attaching an edge of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110  can comprise stitching an edge  130  of the securing flap  105  to a corresponding edge  130  of the bag  110 . The edge  130  of the securing flap  105  can be attached to the corresponding edge  130  of the bag  110  in such a way as to allow the securing flap  105  to pivot toward and away from the surface of the bag  110 . It should be understood that the means for attaching an edge of the securing flap  105  to the bag  110  can comprise various other attachment means (e.g., adhesive, glue, staples, tacking, etc.). 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap  105  attached to ring(s)  205 . In embodiments, ring(s)  205  can be passed through the grommets  115  to attach the securing flap  105  to the ring(s)  205 . 
         [0020]    In embodiments, the securing flap  105  can comprise a hinge region  210 . The hinge region  210  can include a means for pivoting the securing flap  105  toward or away from a surface of a bag (e.g., bag  110  of  FIG. 1 ). For example, the means for pivoting the securing flap  105  toward or away from a surface of a bag can be stitching each of the edges of the hinge region  210  to the bag, thus making the hinge region  210  a pivot point for the securing flap  105 . It should be understood that the means for pivoting the securing flap  105  toward or away from a surface of a bag can include other means for attaching each of the edges of the hinge region  210  to the bag (e.g., adhesive, glue, staples, tacking, etc.). 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of a securing flap  105  having multiple security pouches  305 . In embodiments, one or more security pouches  305  can be attached to the inner surface of a securing flap  105 . For example, one or more security pouches  305  can be attached to a securing flap  105  by stitching the security pouches  305  to the securing flap  105 . In embodiments, a security pouch  305  can be semi-enclosed, having an opening that can vary in size and shape. For example, a security pouch  305  can be a rectangular piece of fabric that is stitched to a securing flap  105  along three of the security pouch&#39;s edges. It should be understood that the security pouches  305  can be of various shapes and sizes. It should be further understood that the one or more security pouches  305  can be attached to the securing flap  105  using various other means for attachment (e.g., adhesive, glue, staples, tacking, etc.). 
         [0022]    In embodiments, the security pouches  305  can be used to hold various items or objects. For example, a security pouch  305  can be so dimensioned as to hold personal items (e.g., license, keys, business cards, credit cards, jewelry, cash, etc.). In embodiments, a security pouch  305  can be so dimensioned as to hold a security device (e.g., anti-shoplifting device, tracking device, sensor, etc.), 
         [0023]    It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.