Abstract:
A reversible tote bag comprising: a selectively openable and closable bag opening; a plurality of compartments, each having an interior storage area; a first exterior bag surface and a second exterior bag surface; wherein the first or the second exterior surface of each of the plurality of compartments may be selectively displayed by turning the tote bag inside out; s device for selectively opening and closing the tote bag opening; and, at least one device for toting the tote bag, wherein the plurality of compartments are attached to each other along a single line such that each compartment moves independently along the single top seam while attached to each other.

Description:
This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/439,846 filed on Feb. 5, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of handbags, tote bags and other fashion apparel bags, and more particularly to reversible bags having multiple exterior covers. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     There are a variety of tote bags on the market adapted for a variety of purposes and with features aimed to serve unique needs. In the realm of tote bags, consumers desire a product that provides the user with a fashionable bag that can be used in a variety of settings and well a matching with a variety of outerwear. Users typically will have multiple bags with various exterior colors and patterns which can be utilized in different circumstances and settings in accordance with a variety of factors such as the intended use, the intended setting or event. 
     Several bags exist on the market that provides an interchangeable exterior surface or cover. Examples of such handbags include those shown in US. Design Pat. D610,801 and U.S. Utility Pat. No. 7,607,461. However, both of the handbags that are disclosed in accordance with the above cited patents require that a user have a base handbag unit to which various exterior covers or surfaces may be applied. This requires that the user purchase multiple and individual components in order to take advantage of the variable exterior feature. Moreover, the user can only change the exterior surface when the user has access to multiple individual exterior covers. 
     While the above referenced patents demonstrate that combined bag and blankets are beneficial, it is also desirable at times to have a tote bag and blanket that will serve multiple purposes. At times it is desirable to have a tote bag with multiple functions, which preferably may include, but are not limited to pillow functions, beverage cooler functions, reversible bags, and pocket(s) on both the interior and/or exterior of the bag so that pockets are available even when the bag is in a reversed blanket mode. Although numerous improvements have been made in the bag industry, none effectively solve the problems addressed by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly the objective of the present application to disclose an embodiment of a multi-purpose tote bag that is readily reversible with multiple exterior colors and patterns that can be revealed by turning the tote bag inside out to reveal one of a plurality of exterior surfaces as selected by the user. 
     It is a further object of the present application to provide a multipurpose reversible tote bag that is assembled in a novel manner so as to provide a plurality of exterior surfaces available to the user and selectable by reversing the tote bag in a particular predetermined manner. 
     It is a further object of the present application to provide a multipurpose reversible tote bag featuring at least one pocket on the interior and/or the exterior surfaces of the product. 
     The present invention therefore provides a tote bag comprising: a selectively openable and closable bag opening; a plurality of compartments, each having an interior storage area; a first exterior bag surface and a second exterior bag surface; wherein said first or said second exterior surface of each of said plurality of compartments may be selectively displayed by turning said tote bag inside out; means for selectively opening and closing said tote bag opening; and, at least one means for toting said tote bag, wherein said plurality of compartments are attached to each other along a single line such that each compartment may move independently. 
     Other objectives of the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. These objectives are not to be construed as limitations of the invention, but as embodiments that will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag (hereinafter “tote bag”) according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag (hereinafter “tote bag”) according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag (hereinafter “tote bag”) according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag (hereinafter “tote bag”) according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag (hereinafter “tote bag”) according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the multi-purpose reversible tote-bag in use depicting an additional feature of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the multi-purpose reversible tote-bag in use depicting an additional feature of the invention. 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, it should be understood that these embodiments are examples only and merely illustrate a small number of the many possible specific embodiments that can represent application of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art, to which the present invention pertains, are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective exploded view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag.  FIG. 1  depicts variations of the tote bag according to the present invention. New  FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the multi-purpose reversible tote bag of.  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  depicts variations of the tote bag according to the present invention. The embodiment shown includes a two compartment version  100  and  102 . Each compartment is comprised of a continuous side wall  104 , a front wall  106  and a back wall (not shown in this view) and an open top side  108 . The compartments are only joined together along a top seam  110  between the two compartments and adjacent to the open top side  108 . The seam  110  allows both compartments  100  and  102  to move independently of each other and as will be shown and described hereinafter may be reversed by turning one of the compartments inside of the other compartment. In this way either side of each compartment may be exposed as the exterior surface and the other compartment be turned inside of the other compartment. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , there may be a closure mechanism provided along the seam, such as for example a zipper, drawstring, concealed magnetic snaps, 619  mechanically affixing snaps, buckles, buttons, clasps or clips, although this list is not meant to be limiting as to the means of closure. The zipper or other closure mechanism may be oriented in such a way such that the corresponding portions of the closure mechanism are in alignment. In this way, the closure mechanism may be utilized regardless of which exterior surface is exposed by the user. Additionally, each compartment may include a pocket on both the interior and exterior surface which may be used to accommodate a first compartment which is reversed within a second compartment. Alternately, a first compartment that is reversed within a second compartment may serve as an internal liner for the second compartment.  FIG.2  further depicts this arrangement wherein there is shown compartments  100  and  102  in a first view. In the second view the tote bag is shown as a single compartment  112  where a first compartment, for example,  100  has be reversed and folded inside of a second compartment, for example  102 , along seam  110 . In this way, only the exterior surface of one compartment  112  is visible. That compartment  112  may also be reversed to switch the exposed surface, in other words, switch the inside with the outside  114 . In this arrangement the first compartment is still contained and concealed within the second compartment, however, the exposed surface of the second compartment has been switched to reveal a different surface. Likewise as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the single compartment  116  may have the second compartment unfolded from within the first compartment to once again reveal both compartments  100  and  102 . The user can then switch the order that the compartments are reversed, for example  102  has been reversed and folded inside of a second compartment  100 , thereby leaving a single compartment  118  for the user. In this way, a user can with a single tote bag according to the present invention have in the embodiment depicted four possible exterior surfaces to display. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention which includes three separate compartments,  120 ,  121  and  122 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each compartment is comprised of a continuous side wall  104 , a front wall  106  and a back wall  107  which is seen in this view as compartment  122  is shown as being rotated about seam  110  into an opposed orientation compartments and an open top side  108 . The compartments are only joined together along a top seam  110  between the two compartments and adjacent to the open top side  108 . The seam  110  allows both compartments  100  and  102  to move independently of each other. This is clearly depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5  with respect to the varying orientation of compartments  120 ,  121  and  122 . As previously explained with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the single compartment  120  may have the second and third compartment folded within the first compartment and then unfolded from within the first compartment to once again reveal all compartments  120 ,  121  and  122 . The user can then switch the order that the compartments are reversed, for example  121  and  122  have been reversed and folded inside of compartment  120 , thereby leaving a single compartment for the user. In this way, a user can with a single tote bag according to the present invention have in the embodiment depicted six possible exterior surfaces to display. 
     As depicted in this view any number of compartments may be attached together in accordance with the teachings of this invention. While the examples depicted show the present invention as having two or three separate compartments, one skilled in the art will recognize that any number of compartments can be attached in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6  there is shown an additional embodiment of the multipurpose reversible tote-bag according to the present invention depicting an additional feature which may be incorporated.  FIG. 6  depicts the tote bag  600 , which may include a strap  602 . The strap may be attached to the tote-bag utilizing any means typically used in the art (not shown). For example, it may be attached using buckles, snaps, buttons, clasps, concealed magnetic snaps or clips, although this list is not meant to be limiting as to the means of attachment. The means of attachment are located on the top of the multipurpose reversible tote-bag such that they are accessible regardless of which exterior surface is exposed. Additionally, there may be included more than one set of attachment means such that the strap may be securely and removably attached to the tote-bag regardless of which exterior surface is exposed. 
     The strap provided may also be coordinated in appearance with the tote-bag by changing features such as color, style, texture, material and dimensions to match the tote-bag. Additionally, the strap may be reversible to expose either side of the strap thereby providing more options available to coordinate with the exposed tote-bag exterior. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an additional feature of the strap and multipurpose tote-bag according to the current invention is depicted. As set forth above, the strap  602  is removably affixed to the tote-bag  600  by the use of a releasable attachment means. The user may thus remove the strap  602  and thereupon use the strap as a fashion accessory option such as a belt as depicted in  FIG. 7 . The strap may be equipped with various devices in the manner typically known in the art to allow it to be securely worn as a belt. For example, the strap  602  may have a buckle or a hook and loop fastener or buttons, concealed magnetic snaps or mechanically affixing snaps which enable it to be securely worn by the user. 
     The preferable construction of tote bag is cloth, with a variety of cloth products known in the apparel industry to be preferable, including but not limited to cotton, cotton-poly blends, polyester, nylon, canvas, natural or synthetic woven textiles, polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluorocarbon resin products as sold under the Gore Tex® labels. Other desirable construction materials include but are not limited to denim, corduroy, washable suede, leather, suede, fur, and faux fur. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention.