Abstract:
An improved handbag or the like having one entire side wall formed of a see-through panel which can be selectively exposed to permit facilitated viewing of items contained therein. The see-through panel is joined to an opaque panel to form a receptacle with an access opening at the top. An exterior cover panel of opaque material is removably positioned in covering relation to the see-through panel and at least partially separably attached to the bag structure, allowing the cover panel to be displaced from covering relation to enable facilitated viewing of personal affects through the see-through panel for easy selection and removal.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA 
   This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/336,932, filed on Jan. 6, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,485, granted Oct. 28, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains generally to handbags and the like and more particularly, to an improved carrying bag enabling facilitated viewing and retrieval of stored contents. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Handbags and the like, which include central openings at the uppermost portion of the bag, are commonly used to carry a plethora of personal articles including cosmetics, keys, paper and coin money, bankbooks, etc. These items are often placed loosely in carrying bags among a variety of other articles and thereby, difficult to locate through the opening of the bag, especially when the user is hurriedly reaching for a particular item therein. 
   A variety of carrying bags have been devised to promote retrieval of stowed items. Certain of such handbags contain compartments, or pockets, designed to hold numerous individual items. Handbags of this type range from those having a few to a multitude of storage compartments for organized placement of a user&#39;s personal affects. While such compartments facilitate organization of items carried within a handbag, an organizational system only facilitates retrieval of items when personal items are actually placed within the provided compartments and when a user remembers where such items are stored. It is well known, however, that since handbags, or other such carrying bags are carried by women at virtually all times, the temptation to indiscriminately toss items in a handbag or the like is often hard to resist. Consequently, compartmentalized carrying bags are not often used in the intended manner, so personal affects remain difficult to see and retrieve, buried within the main storage receptacle. 
   Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a dual function handbag or the like which, while being conventional in appearance and being usable in a conventional manner, also incorporates unique features to facilitate direct viewing and retrieval of items contained within a handbag or the like, permitting effortless access to contained items even in the absence of compartmentalized organization. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag or the like that can be manufactured in a variety of configurations and designs with conventional appearance and function, while still incorporating special features to allow items to be readily viewed and retrieved therefrom. 
   Another object of the present invention is to enable users to move more quickly through security checkpoints by providing a handbag or the like of improved design, which permits rapid and trouble-free viewing by security personnel. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safe storage area for users, wherein items can be viewed prior to and during retrieval, thereby reducing the potential for a user&#39;s hand to be punctured by sharp objects such as nail files, scissors and writing implements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing objects are met by the present invention which is directed to a handbag or the like having a see-through, or at least partially transparent, interior panel which can be selectively exposed to permit facilitated viewing of items contained therein. 
   Broadly described, the invention includes a bag structure comprised of a first panel connected to a second panel along bottom and side regions, forming a receptacle having a convenient access opening at the top. In accordance with the invention, one of the panels is formed of a see-through material, through which visual access is realized. 
   In a preferred form, the handbag or the like includes a cover panel dimensioned to extend over the see-through panel, allowing the user to conceal personal affects contained within the bag structure. The cover panel is removably positioned in covering relation to the see-through panel, and at least partially separably attached to the bag structure, so that the cover panel may be easily displaced to view the contents of the bag. Fastening means are employed to releasably secure the cover panel in a “closed” position, to conceal the interior of the bag yet permit displacement thereof for viewing the contents of the bag through the see-through panel when desired. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cover panel is movable relative to the bag structure between a first position, in which the cover panel is positioned in covering relation to the see-through panel, and a second position, in which the cover panel is displaced from covering relation to enable facilitated viewing of the bag contents through the see-through panel. Accordingly, the handbag construction of the invention allows a user to conveniently displace the cover of the bag to find a desired item amongst a plethora of items loosely contained therein. 
   According to a further aspect of this invention, the handbag or the like may be manufactured in a variety of styles and designs, including a rounded or straight-edged conventional purse structure, a knapsack, backpack, briefcase, etc., which is comprised of one or more at least partially transparent, or see-through, walls forming the main receptacle of the bag, and a removable cover panel associated therewith which, when closed, gives the bag a conventional appearance and function. When opened, the cover panel provides direct visual access to the entire contents of the bag and also easier physical access to such contents. In addition to providing features which are more convenient and useful to the user, the bag is useful in environments of increased security such as sports arenas, airports, museums and the like wherein bags are customarily searched. The see-through wall panel allows security personnel to quickly visually inspect the entire contents of a user&#39;s handbag without inserting their hands therein. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a dual function handbag in accordance with the invention, a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate features of its construction. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary front view of another embodiment of a dual function handbag in accordance with the invention, substantially identical to the handbag of  FIG. 1 , the portion broken away illustrating a partially transparent interior panel formed of a mesh material. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an additional embodiment of the invention in which the features of the invention are incorporated into a backpack. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With particular reference to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1–2  thereof, the present invention is directed to an improved handbag or the like generally referenced by numeral  10 . In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, the handbag structure  10  is shown comprising a see-through first panel  12 , preferably formed of transparent or translucent material, positioned between a second panel  14  and a cover panel  16 . The handbag  10  is further comprised of dual side panels  18  and a bottom surface panel  20 . In a preferred embodiment, most clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , a carrying strap  22  is connected to the second and cover panels  14 ,  16  to permit facilitated carrying of the handbag  10  described herein. However, any suitable arrangement may be substituted for the strap  22 , including multiple strap members or a handle. In some cases the bag may have no strap, handle or the like. 
   Preferably, the side panels  18  are integral with and extend from the bottom panel  20 . The first and second panels  12 ,  14  are permanently connected thereto, by any suitable means known in the art, along their respective side and bottom edges to form a receptacle  28  having an access opening  30  through which items may be placed and retrieved. As shown, a zipper closure means  32 , located above the access opening  30  is further positioned between the second panel  14  and an opposing upper panel portion  15 . Upon moving the zipper into  32  into an open position, an additional access opening  40  into the receptacle  28  is exposed to enable articles to be inserted and retrieved in the usual manner. 
   In the illustrated and preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1–2 , the cover panel  16  is permanently connected to the bottom panel  20  of the bag structure and may be integral with and extend from the second panel  14 . The cover panel  16  described herein is dimensioned to completely cover the see-through first panel  12  as well as the upper panel portion  15 . Preferably, the upper edges of the cover panel  16  are releasably fastened to the upper panel portion  15  by a suitable fastening means  34 , such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), magnets, or buttons, for example. In the illustrated form of the invention, it is preferable to use hook and loop type fastening means comprising parts  34   a ,  34   b , wherein fasteners  34   a  are mounted on the upper panel portion  15  and opposing fastening means  34   b  are mounted on the interior, or underside, of the cover panel  16 . 
   As shown in the figures, the cover panel  16  is movable relative to the bag structure  10  between a first position, wherein the cover panel  16  is positioned in covering relation to the see-through first panel  12  ( FIG. 1 ), and a second position ( FIG. 2 ), wherein the cover panel  16  is detached from the see-through panel  12  and upper panel portion  15  of the handbag and lifted in an outwardly direction. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the see-through first panel  12  may be formed of a transparent or translucent, preferably flexible plastic material, whereas the remaining panels of the handbag are formed of any suitable flexible, non-transparent material, including leather, vinyl, and fabric. When the cover panel  16  is in a closed or covering position, the see-through panel  12  and consequently the contents within the bag structure are concealed and may only be retrieved from the handbag  10  when the zipper closure means  32  is in an open position. When the cover panel  16  is in an open position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the see-through panel  12  and the access opening  30  are exposed, even if the zipper  32  is closed. Accordingly, items contained within the receptacle  28  may be viewed through the see-through panel  12  and may be placed or retrieved through the access opening  30  formed adjacent the first panel  12  and the upper panel portion  15 . 
   To advantage, an upper edge region of the see-through panel  12  may be separably connected to a portion of the cover panel  16  by a suitable fastening device  35   a ,  35   b , including hook and loop materials, magnets, etc., to closely hold the first panel  12  adjacent the cover panel  16  when in its first, or closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In accordance with the invention, when the handbag  10  is accessed in a “conventional” manner by opening the zipper  32 , the upper edge  13  of the see-through panel  12  is held snugly against the cover panel  16 , allowing the user to insert his or her hand downwardly through the upper access opening  40 , more or less as if the see-through panel  12  were not there. However, when the cover panel  16  is separated from the interior, see-through panel  12  to the open position, shown in  FIG. 2 , the fastening elements  34 ,  35  on the upper panel portion  15  and adjacent the upper edge  13  of the see-through panel are separated, and the contents of the bag  10  are thus available through the access opening  30  formed above the see-through panel  12 , even though the zipper  32  may be closed. 
   As it is understood in the art, flexible piping (not shown) may be sewn onto the edges of the material surrounding the second and cover panels  14 ,  16  to enhance the structure and rigidity of the handbag  10 . 
   Typically, the bag structure  10  includes a carrying means, which preferably comprises a shoulder strap  22 . The strap  22  is coupled to the bag structure  10  in any manner known in the art. For example, the strap  22 , being formed of leather, plastic, or other suitably flexible material, can be engaged at opposite ends by circular rings  22   a  coupled to the second and cover panels  14 ,  16  by the appropriate means such as flexible loops  22   b.    
   An additional embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  wherein similar elements to those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are referenced by the same numerals. As can be seen, the handbag  10  may include a see-through first panel  112 , comprised of a webbed or mesh material, for example, that allows light to penetrate through so that the contents of the handbag  10  are readily visible when the cover  16  is in the second, or open, position. Preferably the mesh material is of a suitable size for retaining small items within the storage receptacle, while still enabling items to be readily viewed through the orifices within the material. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, any material or combination thereof having suitable see-through characteristics is within the scope of the invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment in accordance with the invention described herein, is shown in the form of a backpack  50 . Desirably, dual elongated straps  44  are secured to the second panel  54 , forming convenient over-the-shoulder carrying straps. To advantage, a carrying handle may also be provided at the top of the backpack  50  as an alternative to carrying the backpack over the shoulders, using the straps  44 . 
   In the backpack  50  of  FIG. 5 , a cover panel  56  is releasably secured to the backpack  50  and movable between first and second positions generally in the same manner as the cover panel  16  of the first described embodiment. The upper portion of the cover panel  56  is releasably secured to corresponding areas of a see-through panel  52  and an upper panel portion  58  of the backpack by hook and loop fasteners  63 ,  64  for example. 
   When the cover panel  56  is closed, contents of the backpack  50  can be viewed and retrieved only through the uppermost access opening  80 , between upper panel portion  58  and second panel  54 , and the contents of the bag are concealed from view except when viewing downward through the access opening  80 . When the cover panel  56  is lifted outward, separating the releasable attachments  63  and  64 , the entire see-through panel  52  is exposed, including its upper edge  65 , so that all of the contents are visible. An object thus may be retrieved through the exposed access opening  60 , while simultaneously viewing the entire contents of the bag through the see-through panel  52 . 
   The present invention provides a handbag or the like having at least one wall formed of a see-through panel, which is normally covered by an opaque removable cover panel. The cover panel can be conveniently displaced to facilitate direct viewing and retrieval of objects contained within the storage receptacle. Additionally, the handbag or the like described herein can be manufactured in a variety of designs to accommodate any style. 
   When the cover panel of the described handbag, backpack or the like is in its closed or covering position, the bag has the appearance of being an entirely conventional bag, accessible only in the customary way, by opening a zipper, clasp, draw string or other closure means at the top of the bag to provide both visual and manual access in the conventional manner, only through the top of the bag. When the cover panel is pulled away from the see-through panel concealed behind it, the entire contents of the bag are readily visible through the see-through panel, which forms the entire receptacle side wall, while manual access to the contents of the bag is provided through the access opening ( 30 ,  60 ) defined in part by the upper edge ( 13 ,  65 ) of the see-through panel. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that the user of the bag may easily see the entire contents thereof from the side of the bag, while simultaneously reaching in through an access opening to retrieve a particular object. As will be readily appreciated, this greatly facilitates recovery of a specific item from the typical jumble of miscellaneous items typically found in a handbag. 
   Another advantageous feature of the invention is that it can significantly expedite security checks, which are becoming more common and, to some extent more thorough, at airports and other public locations. With the handbag or the like of the invention, the cover panel may be pulled away such that the entire contents of the bag made readily visible to the security attendant. The attendant may also easily insert a hand into the bag while continuing to view its contents so as to be confident that the entire contents of the bag have been viewed. By contrast, with a conventional bag, all or a portion of the contents of the bag may have to be removed therefrom in order for the security attendant to have a similar level of confidence that the inspection has been effectively accomplished. 
   Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the cover panel need not be releasably connected directly to the see-through panel and to the upper panel portion of the bag to securely attach the cover panel thereto. Rather, the cover panel may be constructed to be releasably attached to either side panel. As will be readily appreciated the invention may be applied to almost any kind of carry bag, including briefcases, school bags, carry-on luggage, and the like. For the foregoing reasons, the scope of this invention is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.