Abstract:
A handbag is made more versatile by removably attaching an inner bag to an outer shell of the handbag. When a handbag of a different color or style is required, the inner bag can be removed from one outer shell and inserted into a second outer shell, allowing the user to change handbags without disturbing the contents of the inner bag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This present invention relates to handbags and handbag systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a handbag or handbag system that has one or more inner bags removably attached or capable of being removably attached to the outer shell o f the handbag The invention also relates to methods of using such handbags and handbag systems. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Handbags are commonly used by individuals to transport a variety of personal items. A handbag may be used to carry identification, credit cards, keys, wallet, checkbook, glasses, combs tissue and the like. For many, the use of a handbag has become a necessary element in the conduct of their daily activities. 
     Handbags have been designed with numerous styles and designs. Different occasions or different attire may call for a particular kind or color of handbag. However, moving the contents of one handbag into a different handbag can be a tedious process. There is also a risk that something important may be left behind in an unnoticed pocket of the previous handbag. Changing handbags to suit every situation is troublesome, yet no single handbag can suffice for a wide variety of occasions. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a handbag or system of handbags which facilitates the exchange of contents from one handbag to another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To meet this need, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a handbag system including a first outer shell having an open end; a second outer shell having an open end; at least one first fastener attached on the interior side of said first outer shell; at least one second fastener attached to the interior side of said second outer shell; an inner bag having an open end; at least one third fastener attached to the exterior of the inner bag; where when said inner bag is placed within said first or said second outer shell, the first or second fastener is capable of independently engaging the third fastener, such that the inner bag can be removably attached to the first and second outer shell. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a handbag including: an outer shell having an open end; at least one first fastener attached to the interior side of said first outer shell; an inner bag having an open end; at least one second fastener attached to the exterior of the inner bag; where said inner bag is capable of being placed within said first outer shell so that the first fastener engages the second fastener, such that the inner bag can be removed from the outer shell by disengaging the first fastener from the second fastener; wherein said first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnetized materials, buttons and zippers. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a handbag including: an outer shell having an open end; at least one first fastener attached to the interior side of said first outer shell; a first and second inner bag each having an open end; at least one second fastener attached to the exterior of the first inner bag; at least one third fastener attached to the exterior of the second inner bag, where said first and second inner bags are capable of being placed together within said outer shell so that the first fastener engages the second and third fasteners, such that the first and second inner bag can be removed from the outer shell by disengaging the first fastener from the second fastener and third fasteners, 
     Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a handbag including an inner and outer shell in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an outer shell divided into multiple sections in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a handbag including an inner and outer shell in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a closed handbag in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. It should be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are only presented by way of example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept to any particular physical configuration. 
     FIG. 1 shows a handbag with an outer shell  110  and an inner bag  120  which fits substantially inside the outer shell  110 . Fasteners  130  are sewn or otherwise attached to the interior side of the outer shell  110 , near the top or open end of the shell. Fasteners  135  which are connectable with the fasteners  130  of the outer shell are sewn or otherwise attached to the exterior of the inner bag  120 , near the top or open end of the bag. The fasteners  130  and  135  are arranged so that when the inner bag  120  is inserted into the outer shell  110 , each fastener  135  on the inner bag  120  engages a complimentary fastener  130  in the outer shell  110 . The engagement of the fasteners  130  and  135  holds the inner bag  120  firmly against the outer shell  110 . 
     While FIG. 1 shows the fasteners near or adjacent to the top of the inner and outer shells, the fasteners can be located in any position of the shells, so long as the inner and outer shells are capable of being removably attached by the fasteners. Also, while FIG. 1 shows a continues strip of fastener around the entire periphery of the inner and outer shells, a discontinuous strip or any other desired arrangement of the fasteners can be used so long as the fasteners serve to removeably connect the inner and outer shells. The inner bag can completely fill the outer bag, or only fill a desired portion thereof. 
     When the need to change handbags arises, the inner bag  120  can be easily removed from the outer shell  110  by disconnecting the fasteners  130  from fasteners  135 . In this way, the inner bag  120  along with the entire contents of the inner bag can be transferred into another outer shell  110  of a different design or color simply by inserting and fastening the inner bag  120  into the new outer shell  110 . Thus, a handbag system is provided in accordance with the invention that includes at least two outer bags and at least one inner bag. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the fasteners  130  and  135  are discrete units, evenly spaced around the openings of the interior bag and exterior shell. Alternatively, a continuous strip of a fastening material is arranged to form a complete or nearly complete ring around one or both openings. Preferably, the fasteners  130  and  135  are made from strips of hook &amp; loop tape, i.e., Velcro®, that are sewn or otherwise attached to the exterior of the inner bag  120  and the outer shell  110  so that the hook tape engages the loop tape to fix the inner bag  120  inside the outer shell  10 . 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the fasteners  130  and  135  are made from magnetic tape so that the inner bag is fixed to the outer shell by the mutual attraction of the pieces of magnet. The magnets are preferably held in place by strips of fabric  115  which are sewn to the inner bag  120  and the outer shell  110 . Not shown for the outer shell. Alternatively, zippers, hooks, or buttons, could be used to fasten the inner bag to the outer shell. 
     Magnets and velcro are especially advantageous because they permit removal of the inner bag without having to disconnect individual fasteners. 
     FIG. 2 shows an outer shell  110  in accordance with another aspect of the invention. To accommodate more than one inner bag  120  inside the outer shell  110 , the opening of the outer shell  110  is divided into multiple sections. A divider  140  reaches from a side of the opening of the outer shell  110  to a side opposite, splitting the opening of the outer shell  110  into two sections. Additional dividers  141  may be used to divide the sections into smaller sections Each divider has fasteners  130  on both sides to engage the fasteners  135  of the inner bags. The arrangement of dividers  140  and  141  can be varied to accommodate specific sizes and numbers of inner bags. 
     FIG. 4 shows a handbag including a closed outer shell  1   10  including an inner shell  120 . 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims. 
     Further, although a number of equivalent components may have been mentioned herein which could be used in place of the components illustrated and described with reference to the described embodiments, this is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of all the possible equivalents, nor to limit the invention defined by the claims to any particular equivalent or combination thereof. A person skilled in the art would realize that there may be other equivalent components presently known, or to be developed, which could be used within the spirit and scope of the invention.