Abstract:
Disclosed is a modular handbag system that allows the user to select one or more pockets to be inserted in a bag. Each pocket has attachment means to secure the pocket to the interior of the bag and the pocket can be changed whenever desired or if there is more than one pocket, the entire pocket structure can be relatively easily removed from the bag and secured into another bag. This allows the user to change purses to match needs or outfits and allows users to have a bag with exactly the number and size of storage pockets they want at any given time. Knowing that the inside pockets can be customized allows users the freedom to choose an outside look to suit their style, without being frustrated by the interior storage capabilities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a bag, and more particularly, to a handbag and still more particularly to a modular handbag. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Bags and pouches have been used by men and women for as long as human memories have been recorded. For example, peasants in early rural societies used bags to carry seeds. Also, a painting dated around 480 B.C. depicts a boy holding a bag or “purse” filled with knucklebones, which were considered to be a token of seduction. 
         [0005]    What a person carries and stores in her bag is very important to her. Typically, a bag holds precious items or things needed for the day. There is a multitude of types of bags with the most common bag being the purse in modern time. The bag, and especially the purse, has been taken to new heights in the designer era, with top fashion companies adorning bags with logos and other signs of luxury, such as skins and fur. Whereas the inside of one&#39;s bag is supposed to be personal, intimate and more importantly organized, the outside is practically a billboard advertising one&#39;s place in the world. 
         [0006]    For many people, selecting a bag is frustrating because each person carries different types of items in the bag. Many people have trouble organizing their bags because often the ones they liked “fashion-wise” do not suit their storage and other practical needs. What is needed is a modular handbag system that allows users to have a bag with exactly the number and size of storage pockets they want at any given time. It would be beneficial if the inside pockets could be customized in a variety of ways, allowing the freedom to choose an outside look while retaining a custom interior of their choosing. It would also be beneficial if the inside pockets could be collectively removed and relatively easily inserted into another bag. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing a modular handbag system that allows a user to select one or more pockets to be inserted into a modular handbag wherein each pocket or the entire group of pockets can be relatively easily removed and inserted into another handbag. The outside of the handbag is similar to typical handbags found in the art and while the outside may be indistinguishable from other handbags, the interior contains attachment means for one or more pockets. 
         [0008]    Each pocket may be almost any size or shape that will fit inside the handbag and the exact size and shape of each pocket is determined by the item or items to be stored in the pocket. The outside or visible portion of the pocket comprises a material that is aesthetically pleasing and each pocket may be linked together to form a smooth interior. 
         [0009]    In addition to, or instead of a pocket, the handbag may contain a concealing strip or panel that may be used to cover portions of the interior of the handbag that are not covered by the pocket or pockets. The outside or visible portion of the concealing strip or panel comprises a material that is aesthetically pleasing and when used with a pocket or pockets creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the interior of the handbag. 
         [0010]    In use, the modular handbag system allows users to have a handbag with exactly the number and size of storage pockets they want at any given time and provides an aesthetically pleasing interior. Each pocket can be changed whenever desired or the entire pocket structure can be relatively easily removed from the bag and secured into another bag. This allows the user to change bags to match needs or outfits without the risk of forgetting something in the first bag. If the user wants to change the outside of the handbag but wants to keep the interior storage pockets, the user simple removes the pocket or group of pockets and reattaches them to the interior of the new handbag. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a plane view of the modular handbag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the modular handbag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plane view of the modular handbag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the modular handbag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the modular handbag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is modular handbag system  102  having modular handbag  104 , top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , second side attachment strip  112 , and at least one pocket  114 . Modular handbag  104  may be any handbag known in the art that is able to accommodate modular handbag system  102 . By way of example and not of limitation, modular handbag  104  may be a purse, medical bag, school bag, computer bag, tool bag, make-up bag, performer&#39;s bag, gym bag, baby bag, or suitcase. It should be noted that while the system has been described for use in a handbag, they system may be used in almost any other device that has pockets a user may want to customize or remove and secure into a second device. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, modular handbag  104  is a modified handbag wherein the outside is similar to and typical of handbags found in the art and may be indistinguishable from most other handbags. However, the inside of modular handbag  104  contains top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , second side attachment strip  112 , and at least one pocket  114 . 
         [0021]    Top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  allow at least one pocket  114  to be secured to the inside of modular handbag  104  and may be adhesive or one part of a mechanical attachment means such as one or more snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnets, or any other mechanical fastener that requires the mating of two parts. Top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  may all be one or any combination of the above attachment means so long as each allow at least one pocket  114  to be secured to the inside of modular handbag  104 . In addition, only one strip or any combination of strips may be used. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one pocket  114  may be almost any shape or have almost any dimension so long as at least one pocket  114  can contain an item or items placed in modular handbag  104 . By way of example and not limitation, at least one pocket  114  may be in the shape of a rectangle and be wide enough and long enough to accommodate a standard checkbook, a half circle or U-shaped profile to accommodate a makeup mirror, or be in the shape of an elongated rectangle to accommodate a pen or pencil. Other sizes and shapes of at least one pocket  114  would be obvious to those skilled in the art and such sizes and shapes are only limited by the inside dimensions of modular handbag  104  and the item or items to be stored in at least one pocket  114 . 
         [0023]    When looking inside modular handbag  104 , the outside, or visible portion of at least one pocket  114  is aesthetically pleasing. For example, the visible portion of at least one pocket  114  may be made of a silky or satiny pink material that is pleasing to the touch and eye. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , at least one pocket  114  contains top securing strip  302 , bottom securing strip  304 , first side securing strip  306 , and second side securing strip  308 . Securing strips  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  allow at least one pocket  114  to be securely fastened to the interior of modular handbag  104 . Top securing strip  302  may be mated with top attachment strip  106 , bottom securing strip  304  may be mated with bottom attachment strip  108 , first side securing strip  306  may be mated with first side attachment strip  110 , and second side securing strip  308  may be mated with second side attachment strip  112 . 
         [0025]    For example, if top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  are one part of a mechanical attachment means, then top securing strip  302 , bottom securing strip  304 , first side securing strip  306 , and second side securing strip  308  each contain the second, mating part of the mechanical attachment means. By way of example and not of limitation, if top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  are the male portion of a snap, then top securing strip  302 , bottom securing strip  304 , first side securing strip  306 , and second side securing strip  308  are the mating female portion of the snap respectively. 
         [0026]    If more than one at least one pocket  114  is used, then the at least one pockets  114  are orientated such that they overlap and create a smooth aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, when inserting more than one at least one pocket  114 , for the first pocket, top securing strip  302  may be mated with top attachment strip  106 , bottom securing strip  304  may be mated with bottom attachment strip  108 , and first side securing strip  306  may be mated with first side attachment strip  110 . However, second side securing strip  308  is not mated with second side attachment strip  112  but with first side securing strip  306  from the second pocket. Then the first pocket top securing strip  302  from the second at least one pocket  114  may be mated with top attachment strip  106 , bottom securing strip  304  may be mated with bottom attachment strip  108 , and second side securing strip  308  may be mated with second side attachment strip  112 . 
         [0027]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , modular handbag system  102  may contain concealing panel  402 . Concealing panel  402  is similar to at least one pocket  114  except concealing panel  402  can not contain an item or items. The purpose of concealing panel  402  is to create an aesthetically pleasing surface when portions of the interior surface of modular handbag  104  are not covered by at least one pocket  114 . Preferably, the outside or visible portion of concealing panel  402  complements the outside of at least one pocket  114 . For example, if the visible portion of at least one pocket  114  is made of a silky or satiny pink material, then concealing panel  402  may be made of the same silky or satiny pink material such that together, at least one pocket  114  and concealing strip  402  create a smooth interior of modular handbag  104  that is pleasing to the touch and eye. 
         [0028]    Also shown in  FIG. 4  is concealing strip  404 . Concealing strip  404  is similar to concealing panel  402  except concealing strip  404  only covers top attachment strip  106 . Although not shown, concealing strip  404  could also, or instead, cover bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  or any combination thereof. 
         [0029]    Concealing strip  404  may be used when only a portion of the interior of modular handbag  104  needs to be covered to produce an aesthetically pleasing effect. For example, if the interior of modular handbag  104  is already aesthetically pleasing except for top attachment strip  106 , then concealing strip  404  can be used to conceal top attachment strip  106  bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110  and/or second side attachment strip  112  and create an aesthetically pleasing interior. Alternatively, if the interior of modular handbag  104  is not aesthetically pleasing or does not match at least one pocket  114 , then concealing panel  402  can be used to create an aesthetically pleasing interior of modular handbag  104 . 
         [0030]    Either concealing panel  402  or concealing strip  404  can be relatively easily attached to the interior of modular handbag  104 . For example, if top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  are one part of a mechanical attachment means, then concealing panel  402  and concealing strip  404  each contain the second mating part of the mechanical attachment such that concealing panel  402  or concealing strip  404  can be secured to and conceal top attachment strip  106 , bottom attachment strip  108 , first side attachment strip  110 , and second side attachment strip  112  to create an aesthetically pleasing interior of modular handbag  104 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , modular handbag  104  contains top attachment strip  106 , top concealing strip  502 , first side attachment strip  110 , and first side concealing strip  506 . Top concealing strip  502  and first side concealing strip  506  have an aesthetically pleasing exterior on one side and the mating fastener to top attachment strip  106  and first side attachment strip  110  on the other side. 
         [0032]    In use, top concealing strip  502 , and first side concealing strip  506  conceal top attachment strip  106  and first side attachment strip  110  respectively to create a smooth aesthetically pleasing exterior of modular handbag  104 . In addition, at least one pocket  114  contains top securing strip  302 , bottom securing strip  304  and first side securing strip  306  in the back of at least one pocket  114  and second side securing strip  308  is secured to the front or visible side of at least one pocket  114 . 
         [0033]    In use of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one pocket  114  is inserted into modular handbag  104  such that top securing strip  302  is mated with top concealing strip  502  and first side securing strip  306  is mated with first side concealing strip  506 . Second side securing strip  308  is attached to the opposite side of at least one pocket  114  that first side attachment strip  110  is attached to such that when at least one pocket  114  is inserted into modular handbag  104 , second side securing strip  308  is not visible. Top concealing strip  502  and first side concealing strip  506  are folded over and onto at least one pocket  114  such that a smooth aesthetically interior is created. 
         [0034]    Then, a second at least one pocket  114  is inserted into modular handbag  104  such that top securing strip  302  is mated with top concealing strip  502  and first side securing strip  306  is mated with second side securing strip  308  such that a smooth aesthetically interior is created. If the second at least one pocket  114  does not extend to the length of modular handbag  104 , then one or more at least one pockets  114  are added or concealing panel  402  is added such that a smooth aesthetically interior is created inside modular handbag  104 . Other arrangements or configurations may be used and use of other arrangements or configurations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. 
         [0035]    In use, the above modular handbag system allows users to have a purse with exactly the number and size of storage pockets they want at any given time and provides an aesthetically pleasing interior. Each pocket can be changed whenever desired or the entire pocket structure can be relatively easily removed from the purse and secured into another purse. This allows the user to change purses to match needs or outfits. If the user wants to change the outside of the modular handbag but wants to keep the interior storage pockets, the user simply removes at least one pocket  114  and reattaches at least one pocket  114  to the new modular handbag. If multiple at least one pockets  114  are used, because they overlap and first side securing strip  306  of one at least one pocket  114  is mated with second side securing strip  308  of a second at least one pocket  114 , the pockets can be removed as a single unit and placed into the new modular handbag. 
         [0036]    It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.