Patent Publication Number: US-8973627-B2

Title: Modular scarf purse

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/535,247, titled “MODULAR SCARF PURSE AND A METHOD OF CREATING A MODULAR SCARF PURSE”, filed Sep. 15, 2011, by inventors Jim McCafferty, Julie Pynes, Steve Delacy, and Greg Leong, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by this reference as though set forth in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device, method, and system for creating a modular scarf bag. More particularly, the invention is a modular pop-up purse shell, with one or more optional inserts, wherein a rectangular swatch of cloth is removably attached to the shell to create a customized purse. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People have utilized storage devices for transporting various forms of personal items for thousands of years. Examples of such personal carrying devices include backpacks, briefcases, bags, luggage, satchels, infant carriers, purses, and fanny packs. Purses have become an important fashion accessory, which has led to the need to create desirable and fashionable purses. 
     Unfortunately, just as fast as a fashion trend, or fad, starts, it can just as quickly end. Because fashionable purses are quite expensive, it can be very costly to repeatedly purchase the latest most fashionable purses. This has led to the need for purses with an interchangeable covering. Although various types of interchangeable purses have been manufactured, those purses are limited in that they do not allow the user to quickly, easily, and inexpensively change the purse covering. Moreover, before the present invention, the choice of coverings was limited to those coverings made available by the purse manufacturer. 
     Thus, what is needed is a purse with a cover that is removably attached to the purse to create a customized purse from any unlimited number of designer covers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a new and useful device, method, and system for creating a cloth or scarf purse. 
     One embodiment of the invention is a modular purse device comprising: a purse shell; and a swatch of material. The swatch of material is removably attached to the purse shell. Preferably the device includes a purse insert. Preferably, the purse shell has a plurality of holes, wherein the swatch of material is removably attached to the purse shell by tying a plurality of corners of the swatch of material to the plurality of holes of the purse shell. Preferably, the purse shell is comprised of one or more strap connectors. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a method of creating a scarf purse, the steps comprising: providing a purse shell; providing a swatch of material; attaching the swatch of material to the purse shell. Preferably the steps may include: inserting a purse insert into the purse shell and/or attaching a strap to the purse shell. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a modular purse device comprising: a purse shell; and a swatch of material, such as a scarf. The swatch of material is removeably interconnected to the purse shell. The purse shell comprising a base and a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides have one or more material apertures, such that the swatch of material is removeably interconnected to the purse shell via the one or more material apertures. The plurality of sides have one or more strap connectors. The swatch of material is preferably rectangular or square and has one or more edges. The swatch of material is placed under the base of the purse shell and wrapped around the plurality of sides of the purse shell and tied to the one or more material apertures, such that the swatch of material substantially covers the purse shell and a purse interior cavity is formed. Preferably, the modular purse device may further include a purse insert, wherein the purse insert is placed within the purse interior cavity, such that the purse insert matingly fits within the purse shell. Preferably, the purse insert has a plurality of sides, a base, and a closure portion. Preferably, the plurality of sides and the base of the purse insert are substantially covered by the swatch of material. Preferably, the base of the purse shell has one or more material connectors; and wherein the swatch of material engages with the one or more material connectors such that the swatch of material is interconnected with the base of the purse shell. Preferably, the closure portion of the purse insert comprises two flaps; wherein the two flaps each have one or more connectors; wherein the one or more connectors removeably engage with each other to substantially close the purse insert. Preferably, the purse insert is further comprised of one or more interior pockets; wherein the one or more interior pockets are configured to hold a plurality of contents of a modular purse device. Preferably, the purse includes a strap; wherein the strap is removeably connected to the one or more strap connectors, such that the modular purse device may be carried by a user via the strap. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a modular purse device comprising: a purse shell; and a swatch of material; wherein the purse shell comprising a base and a two sides; wherein the two sides of the shell have one or more material apertures, wherein the plurality of sides have one or more strap connectors; wherein the swatch of material has one or more edges; wherein the swatch of material is placed under the base of the purse shell and wrapped around the two sides of the purse shell and the one or more edges of the swatch of material are tied to the one or more material apertures, such that the swatch of material substantially covers the purse shell and a purse interior cavity is formed. Preferably, the purse device of further comprises a strap; and a purse insert; wherein the purse insert is placed within the purse interior cavity, such that the purse insert matingly fits within the purse shell; wherein the strap is removeably connected to the one or more strap connectors, such that the modular purse device may be carried by a user via the strap. Preferably, the insert has a four sides, a base, and two closure flaps; wherein at least the four of sides and the base of the purse insert are substantially covered by the swatch of material; wherein the two flaps each have one or more connectors; wherein the one or more connectors removeably engage with each other to substantially close the purse insert. Preferably, the base of the purse shell has one or more material connectors; and wherein the swatch of material engages with the one or more material connectors such that the swatch of material is interconnected with the base of the purse shell. Preferably, the purse insert is further comprised of one or more interior pockets; wherein the one or more interior pockets are configured to hold a plurality of contents of a modular purse device. 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular purse that includes a swatch of material as a cover and an optional insert. The swatch of material, which is preferably a rectangular scarf, is attached to the purse shell at four holes on the sides of the purse shell. The scarf is then tied off, or to itself, to cinch the scarf over the purse shell and make a unique, customizable, and fashionable purse. 
     These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell and swatch of material. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell with the swatch of material engaging with the side apertures. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the swatch of material covering the purse shell. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse insert. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device with the purse shell in the interior cavity of the purse device. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the purse insert closed. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the swatch of material covering the closure flaps. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell with the swatch of material engaging with the side apertures and the material connectors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. 
     In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the screen shot figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the purse shell  5  preferably has a base  6 , two sides  7 , a plurality of side apertures  8  (or holes), strap connectors  10 , and material connectors  11 . The purse shell  5 , preferably is collapsible, for easier storage and shipping. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the strap connectors  10  are preferably metal rings and are configured to engage with a connector on a purse strap. The strap connectors  10  may be made out of any material and may have any shape that allows it to connect to a strap. The purse shell  5  is preferably made of plastic, but could be made out of light-weight, but sturdy wood, metal, or any material without deviating from the scope of the invention. The sides  7  are configured to unfold and hold a bracket shape. This open bracket shape forms the interior cavity of the purse device. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell and swatch of material. As shown in  FIG. 2 , to assemble the present invention, the purse shell  5  is preferably placed on top of the flexible swatch of material  20 . The swatch of material  20  is then interconnected with and wrapped around the purse shell such that the swatch of material becomes the cover of the purse that is created.  FIG. 2  shows how the sides  7  preferably hold a bracket shape. 
     The material in the swatch of material may be any natural, artificial, or synthetic material, fiber, or fabric, including, but not limited to, leather, cotton, wool, hair, fur, silk, hemp, pulp, or other plant fibers, carpet, denim, plastic, rayon, acetate, nylon, modacrylic, olefin, acrylic, polyester, carbon fiber, Vinyon, Saran, Spandex, Vinalon, Aramids, Modal, Dyneema/Spectra, Polybenzimidazole fiber, Sulfar, Lyocell, PLA, M-5 (PIPD fiber), Orlon, Zylon (PBO fiber), Vectran (TLCP fiber), Derclon, acrylonitrile rubber, glass fiber, metallic fiber, composite fiber, and/or any combination thereof. 
     Preferably, the swatch of material is rectangular, as shown, but it may be any shape without deviating from the scope of the invention. Preferably, the swatch of material is a recycled garment, such as, for example, an old T-Shirt, pajamas, or bridesmaid/prom dress. But, a new swatch of material may be used without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell with the swatch of material engaging with the side apertures. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the corners of the swatch of material  20  are drawn through the apertures  8 .  FIG. 3  also shows that after the edges (typically the corners) of the swatch of material  20  are pulled through the desired number of apertures  8  of purse shell  5 , purse  100  is substantially formed. Although apertures  8 , as shown are preferably round holes, they may be of any shape or size, and may even be an external connection device, such as a loop or ring. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the swatch of material covering the purse shell. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the swatch of material  20  is tightened or cinched via knot  110  around the purse shell  5 . There is no limit to the type of knots that may be used to cinch the swatch of material to the purse shell  5 . Additionally, the strap connectors  10  may be accessible (as shown) or hidden without deviating from the scope of the invention. If the strap connectors  10  are tucked under swatch of material  20 , then purse  100  resembles a clutch purse. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse insert. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the purse  100  preferably has a removable purse insert  200  (also called an organizer). Purse insert  200  is preferably comprised of a main body  205 , interior pockets  206  or organizing pockets, closure flaps  210 , and connectors  215  (also called clasps  215 ). Connectors  215  preferably interconnect to allow the user to close the purse that is created. The main body  205 , as shown, preferably has four sides and a base and is configured to matingly engage with the purse shell  5 . The connectors  215  are preferably friction or magnetic snaps that can connect to each other and, in some circumstances, may connect through one or more layers of the swatch of material. In this way the entire insert  200  is covered by the material  20 . The connectors  215  may be any closure device, including, but not limited to, hook and loop material, button, snap, magnetic clasp, pin, hook, or friction snap, without deviating from the scope of the invention. The interior pockets  206  are preferably configured to hold in an organized manner the items, stuff, and/or contents that a user would put in a purse. The purse insert  200  is preferably made from a soft fiber or woven plastic material that is relatively flexible compared to the more rigid shell  5 . 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device with the purse shell in the interior cavity of the purse device. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the purse insert  200  preferably matingly fits within the purse shell  5  and swatch of material  20  to provide additional structure to the purse  100 . Preferably, the purse insert  200  has the same geometric or organic structure as the purse insert  5  to allow a mating engagement. 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the purse insert closed.  FIG. 7  shows one way to engage the connectors  215  to close the top of purse insert  200 . 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse device showing the swatch of material covering the closure flaps. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a purse strap  400  is preferably attached to the two purse strap connectors  10 . The flaps  210  are preferably covered by the swatch of material  20 . Preferably, the entire purse  100  is completely or at least substantially covered by swatch of material  20 . 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the purse shell with the swatch of material engaging with the side apertures and the material connectors. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the corners of the swatch of material  20  are drawn through the apertures  8  and then engaged with material connectors  11 .  FIG. 9  also shows that after the edges (typically the corners) of the swatch of material  20  are pulled through the desired number of apertures  8  of purse shell  5 , and engaged with the material connectors  11 , purse  100  is substantially formed. In this manner the user does not need to knot or tie the swatch of material  20  to the apertures  8 . Although apertures  8 , as shown are preferably round holes, they may be of any shape or size, and may even be an external connection device, such as a loop or ring. Although material connectors  11  are shown engaging with swatch of material  20  through friction, it should be understood that material connectors  11  may be any type of connector, including, but not limited to, snap, adhesive, magnetic, clip, adapter, bond, clamp, connection, connector, coupling, fastener, joint, junction, link, and tie. 
     Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and that is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto. 
     Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.