GB2260894A

GB2260894A - Improvements in or relating to bags

Info

Publication number: GB2260894A
Application number: GB9222646A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Davina Jennifer Bentley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-01
Filing date: 1992-10-28
Publication date: 1993-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-28
Also published as: GB9222646D0; GB2260894B

Abstract

A bag (10) has a compartment (11a) openable via a quick-release means (12a, 12b) to provide a flap of material (11b) upon which can be placed a cover (30) securable to the bag by a quick-release means (13, 15), to store the cover and/or to decorate the bag with it. When removed from the bag the cover (30) can also be used as a bag in its own right. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPRCVEMENTo IN OR RELATING TO BAGS This invention relates to improvements in or relating to bags.

More particularly, it concerns a dual-purpose compartment cover for a bag.

Bags, especially of the size and type intended for travelling are, once a person's destination has been reached, of little use for day-to-day usage, or to carry a few small or light items. Moreover, the necessity for many different sizes and types of bag to serve different purposes involves a lot of expense, particularly if those items are required to co-ordinate with other items or garments. This is particularly relevant to travel bags which are generally not bought with co-ordination to garments in mind, for the reason outlined at the beginning. Most women regularly carry personal items in a handbag designed solely for that purpose, and it is this type of bag which is thought of more as a fashion item. However, owing to its size, if more items are required to be transported a second, larger bag or case is then generally needed in addition.This can be unwieldy.

In previous inventions, when a means has been supplied for decorating a bag to enable it to be co-ordinated with other garments, items etc., it has usually either taken the form of a single sheet of material to be applied to the outer walls of a bag; or of a bag form surrounding the entirity of another bag and enclosing it; or of a bag which dismantles into several parts and can be re-formed with some parts replaced by others with a different visual appearance. Other inventions, aimed at making the handliny of several items easier, involve attaching small pouches individually within a larger bag, which can then be removed singly; or of attaching sections or bags together wholly outside one another with their outer walls in contact.

This latter form of joining luggage can in itself be cumbersome and may defeat the object of doing so which is to provide convenience0 Thus they often need also to be provided with wheels or other means of transportation. In these types of bag the sections are joined for convenience and not usually because doing so has any functional value to the whole. They are not usually associated with the openable sections of one another: in cases where they are it is generally found in the form of boxes or bases with lids upon which another section fits. In these instances the extra section generally lies wholly on the outside of the lid", forms the lid, or is made collapsible upon or into the lid.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means of enabling a bag to be decorated to match other items of luggage,or garments worn by the user, or anything else, or even to be the vehicle for displaying a wor;t of art, logo, or the like. Then, if desired, providing at the user's destination, a smaller, more convenient size of bag for localised journeys which still enables the co-ordination or "image" to be maintained. It enables two different sizes of bag to be carried together in a much less sully manner than is usual, and is far more versatile than hitherto.

In one form it involves no transfer of small handbag or other items between bags, as they can be already placed within the smaller bag. The smaller bag, or pouch, becomes an integral part of the larger one and can be made of any material: natural, synthetic or fabric: either expensive or inexpensive to suit a complete range of needs. ore than one compartment cover/pouch can be used on a bag at a time if the bag has multiple suitable compartments or walls fitted with suitable co-operative closure means. The pouch can be cheap enough to produce so that, if required, an indefinite number can be provided to be used interchangeably with one another, with one main bag - this applies to expensive ones also.The two bags can be used independentlyof one another, and chile in use on the larger bag the smaller bag, or compartment cover, doesn't hinder or prevent the use of the compartment on that bag, as it becomes, per se, the compartment flap. The invention allows for the design and rie nufacture of bags specifically, intentionally, or co-incidentally for use with compartment covers, or for the conversion of existing bag designs to enable them to be uted Aith compartment covers.

according to the present invention there are provided improvements in or relating to bags comprising a g, of whatever size, shape or configuration, having at least one openable compartment, there being provided a cover for the compartment flap, means for detachably securinq the cover te the bag so that it lies partially within and partialywithout the compartment, and enabling removal of the cover for use as a bag in its own right independent of the bag, with selective use of carrying means Bags may include bags, cases or purses. Having at least one compartment or section which is accessible by an opening formed substantially, or at least partly, around three of its sides: in particular the top, and the whole or part of each adjacent side; or if another shape: around some part of the contour. When open, the wall of the compartment partially separates from the rest of the body of the bag and can be thought of as a flap. On the bag is provided one half of a closure means, its other co-operable half being fixed to the compartment flap. Any suitable closure means may be er.ployed, such as zip-fastener, hoo- and loop fastener, press or snap fastener or the like, and enables the compartment to be fastened up.

there is also provided a compartment cover in the form of a pouch, sleeve or envelope or the like, preferably manufactured rrom a flexible material: natural, synthetic or fabric, or the like. However, rigid forms are not excluded. This may be plain or patterned and may b designed to either bland with the bag sy, for instance, being of the same colour and/or material as it; or to be a decorative element on the bag, for example a efferent colour and/or material - for instance to match an outfit or another item of luggage or other accessories; or being decorated with a print, painting, embroidery or other form of artwork, needle::orrc, ic , logo, jewellery or the like.

The pouch is designed to fit over the compartment flap to enclose it, either partially or totally, and has also one half of a closure means attached to it Jich is co-operable with a corresponding half on the body of the bag, as described above.

This closure means may be co-operable with the closure means already provided on the body of the bag for use with the compartmant flap, or it may require a second co-operable closure means to be provided on the bag in addition to that provided for the compartment flap. Gnce the pouch is fitted onto the compartment flap it lies partially within and partially without the compartment. Its closure means enable the compartment to be closed or opened at ill, so the compartment can still function as such; and when closed it becomes securely fixed to the body of the bag.

Dags and pouches may be manufactured independently of one another so as to enable additional pouches to be obtained for bag and/or pouches and closure means (for example in kit form) to be obtained to convert bags for use with the or any pouch, that exist, or are in use without them.

When removed from the bag the compartment cover may be used as a bag in its own right, by either simple adaptation, or by being designed as a bag with internal members in its own right. The latter probably being more convenient to use but the former probably cheaper and easier to produce. It may be provided with integral carrying straps or handles or these may be removable or optional. The bag and pouch may be lined if required, and contain their own various internal compartments according to common usage, and manufactured using any suitable method.

Reference is made throughout to the use of zip-fasteners and open-ended zip-fasteners, as the preferred method of closure, but as described above, any suitable closure means may be employed instead. In the drawing the compartment cover is often shown to be patterned merely for the convenience of the drawing, to show it as distinct from the bag, which is illustrated as plain. In some figures the compartment cover is shown as plain in order to make features described more obvious. As mentioned above, either may be plain or patterned according to taste. The form of the bag given in the drawings is intended to be illustrative only of the essential features and general idea of the invention.This is because, as mentioned above and elsewhere in the specification it may apply to many different sizes, type and design of bag: flight and other travel bags, handbags, organiser bags, sports bags, cases or any other.

specific example of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a bag with a compartment zipped up, and a compartment cover or pouch detached from the bag, with its open mouth showing.

FIG. 2 shows in perspective a bag with a compartment unzipped and open, displaying a closure means for the compartment flap, and a second closure means (half-zip) applied inside the first for use with the compartment cover or pouch.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a bag and open compartment flap which is in the process of being covered by a pouch.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a bag, showing the two zips on the bag (the original and the 2nd half-zip), and the open compartment flap, covered with a pouch, with its corresponding half-zip on view.

FIG. 5 shows in perspective a bag with a pouch attached, being zipped up with its corresponding half-zip on the bag to close the compartment and function as a decorative member; and the relationship of the two closure means.

FIG. 6 illustrates in perspective the pouch removed from the bag and inverted for use as an open-topped bag with handles attached.

rIG. 7a shows a pouch with a carrying strap instead of handles, and the mouth threaded with a drawstring or the like.

rIG, 7b shows the mouth closed by use of the drawstring.

FIG. 8 shows the pouch inverted and one portion of the mouth of the pouch being folded in to alter the configuration to that of a different type of bag.

9 illustrates a cross-section of the inverted pouch showing a portion folded inside and the quick-connect means to secure it, and the remaining flap to cover the mouth with its quick-connect means.

FIG. 10 illustrates the remaining flap at the mouth of the pouch folded over the mouth to form its cover and fastening of the "bag, and shows a handle attached.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section of the pouch in an upright position showing an inner pocket within the pouch, FIG. 12 illustrates the ou-tward appearance of the pouch showing the opening to the inner pocket.

FIG. 13 illustrates the pouch on the bag with the open mouth of its inner pocket showing.

FIG. 14 shows the pouch inverted with both inner sections in use.

FIG. 15 shows an alternative position for the opening of the inner pocket, FIG. 16 shows a compartment cover with end panels to allow more internal space.

FIG. 17 illustrates the compartment cover or pouch attached to a sole closure means on the body of the bag.

Referring to the drawing : the bag comprises a bag, of wnatever size, shape or configuration, 10 , with at least one compartment, pocket or section, which is accessible by an opening formed substantially, or at least partly, around three of its sides; in particular the top, and the whole or part of each adjacent side, lla , When open, the wall of the compartment partially separates from the rest of the body of the bag and can be thought of as a flap, llb. On the bag is provided one half of a closure means, 12a , preferably a zip-fastener, its other co-operable half, 12b , being fixed to the compartment flap, So the compartment may be opened and closed at will.

Preferably within the compartment, and hidden from view when closed, as in FIGURE 1, is a second closure means, preferably one half of an open-ended zip-fastener, 13 , represented by a broken line. This second closure means having its co-operable half, 15 , affixed to a compartment cover or pouch, 30 comprising two walls of material - fabric, natural or synthetic, 14a and 14b , Its relevant half-zip, 15 , preferably fixed between the two walls of material and protruding from them.

The pouch is preferably of the same contours and shape as the compartment flap, but may, for design purposes vary, providing its closure means is of a suitable type to allow for this such as hoox and loop or any other affixed to the wall of the pouch rather than protruding from it. The pouch may be plain or patterned, self-coloured or dyed, painted, printed, embroidered, be a wor of art or have a wore of art physically applied to it, such as a three-dimensional object, or be decorated or enhanced in any manner known or to be devised.

yen the compartment flap, lib , is unzipped, as in FIGURE 2, the open compartment reveals the second half-zip, 13 , attached to the body of the bag, or to the fabric of the original half-zip, 12a The compartment cover or pouch can now, as in FIGURES 3 & 4, be placed over the compartment flap,and its half-zip, 15 aligned and connected with the half zip, 13 , as in FIGURE 5.

This secures the pouch to the bag and closets the compartment, ila , so that it now fulfills its original function as a compartment or pocket, as \ll as its new functions. The compartment can be opened and closed at will as before. The edges of the compartment flap containing the half-zip, 12b, are illustrated within the pouch by a crossed line. The second halfzip on the bag body, 13, is fixed in close conjunction with the original half-zip, 12a, and on the inside of it, so that when the second zp is fully closed the original half-zip on the bag body, 12a, lies outside the closure as in FIGURE 5, so as to be unobtrusive if matching the colour of the bag, or a decorative feature if a contrasting colour.The two half-zips, 13 & 15, may be of a different colour from each other and/or half-zip 12a to provide a further decorative feature if desired.

Once the pouch is removed from the bag, as in FIGURE 6, the halfzip, 15, becomes a decorative feature of it, and if it is inverted it may be used as an open-topped bag: for instance, as a tote-bag, beach bag or the like. To facilitate this it may have handles, 2;, fixed concealed within it to be extended for use; or these may be Jetachably fixed, via clip fasteners or the like, to suitable means, such as D-rings on the insides of the pouch walls, or the like: an suitable quic < -release means may be employed. The pouch may be larger than the flap and part folded up inside itself when on the bag, to provide a larger 'bag' vben removed from the bag and extended.In FIGURE 7a another version of a suitable carrying means, 2C, is given, and around the mouth of the pouch may be threaded a drawstring, 26, to close the pouch, as in FIGURE 7b.

Cr it may have alternative means of closure, if required, across the two faces of the mouth of the pouch.

nlteInatively, as in FIGURE 8, one all at the mouth of the pouch, 16, may be folded inside the body of the pouch and releasably secured, if required, to the inside by quic < -connect means, 17a & b, as illustrated in cross-section in FIGURE 9. However, the pouch may be made with this shape in mind by having one wall made longer than the other in the first instance, obviating the need to make a fold.

This means that the opposite wall of the pouch is now longer, 18, than the body of the pouch, as shown in FIGURE 9, and this overlapping section of material may now be folded down over the mouth of the pouch, and be secured to the body by quicE-connect releasable means, as in FIGURE 10.

These quick-connect neans may be snap-fastener, hook and loop, hook and eye, magnetic catches, zip-fastener or any other, 19a & b.

A strap or handle, 20 , may if necessary be attached to suitable loops or attachments on the pouch for-carrying it. Or it may be permanently fixed to the pouch and stowed up inside it When not required - for example, while in use on the bag or if it is to be hand-held as a clutch bag. It may be omitted altogether if desired for example,.if its size would make it suitable for use as a purse or /alletO The whole process is reversed when the pouch - bag is required to revert to a compartment cover for stowage, or to be a decorative member of the other bag again.

further specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which .-IGURE 11 shows the compartment cover or pouch in crosssection with a different internal arrangement of members than the simple version given in the previous examples. An inner wall of materIal, 21 ,is attached to the front wall of material, 14a to form an enclosed pocket or section, 23 , within the pouch.

The inner wall may be made ontinuously with the front wall, or t pocket made separately and fixed within the pouch. If desired it may instead be fixed to the rear wall of the pouch, l4b . it the mouth of the inner pocket, 24 , may be some means to secure its edges closed, such as a zip fastener or other quick- release means. The space into which the compartment flap of the bag fits, 22 , remaining the same as the original examples.

FIGURE 12 shows the outward appearance of the compartment cover in perspective with the opening of the Inner pocket, 24 , visible.

This may be concealed if desired. A strap or handle may be attached if desired, for instance to the top corners of the pouch. This means that the pouch may now be decorated, if desired, with a print, a picture, a logo or the like, which by their nature may require to remain vertical when in use, as the pouch no:j functions as a bag without inversion when removed from the main bag. Movver, a decoration is not a necessary feature to take advantage of this embodiment.

Also, whilst in use on the main bag, the pouch may no also function as another pocket on that bag as well as serve its decorative function. If the inner pocket is attached to the rear wall of the pouch it would lie inside the compartment when applied to the bag.

In FIGURE 13 the pocket, 23 , is shown as more easily accessible if fixed to the front wall of the pouch, 14a , as it lies outside the compartment, lia , when applied to the bag. The figure shows the opening to the inner pocket, 24 , gaping for access. The configuration of the inner pocket being represented by a broken line.

FIGURE 14 shos that both developments may be used together if one inner section opens at the top and the other at the bottom of the converted compartment cover. However, if this is required it may be more convenient to have the inner pocket, referred to as 23, above, opening at the side rather than the top of the front wall, 14a , as shown in FIGURE 15. The features of FIGURES 6 & 7 may also be combined with any of the other features then different styles of "bag" may be used at varying times using one pouch.

If more room is required within the pouch, or the shape of the compartment flap requires it, the pouch may be made with end panels, 27 , as | well as side walls, as in FIGURE 16.

It is also possible that the half-zip on the pouch, 15 , instead of corresponding to the half of a second zip on the bag (13 in the previous figures), may correspond to the half of a sole zip on the bag, 12a , if that zip is open-ended in the first place, instead of the usual type of zip with its ends joined. Thus a single zip half on the bag may now serve to close the compartment flap either with or without its cover, as both flap and cover have a half-zip that corresponds, as in FIGURE 17.

The closure means for the pouch need not necessarily conform to the contours and edges of pouch or bag opening, and may be placed outside rather than inside the other to be a dec or ativ.e element on the bag even if the pouch is not in use,

Claims

CLAIiv'iz 1. Improvements in or relating to bags comprising a bag of whatever size, shape or configuration, having at least one openable compartment, there being provided a cover for the compartment flap, means for detachably securing the cover to the bag so that it lies partially within and partially without the compartment, and enabling removal of the cover for use as a bag in its own right independently of the bag, with selective use of carrying means.
2. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an attachment means is or are applied to a bag corresponding to the opening of a compartment on the bag and co-operable with the or any corresponding attachment means on a compartment cover to allow the cover to be attached to the bag.
3. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the or any attachment means may be the sole means of securing both the flap of the compartment and also the compartment cover, or may be solely for attaching the compartment cover and in addition to any other means for securing the compartment flap.
4. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein a cover or pouch for the compartment flap of the bag is provided with an attachment means co-operable with the or any attachment means on the bag for attaching it to the bag.
5. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the compartment cover fits over and at least partially encloses the compartment flap.
6. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the cover is adaptable to be used as a bag in its own right when detached from the bag compartment and inverted.
7. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the cover may be adaptable to be used as an additional pocket while in use on the bag compartment, being provided with at least one section fixed within it designed to hold items and accessible by an opening other than that envelopping the compartment flap.
8. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 wherein the cover is able to be used as a bag in its own right without inversion when removed fom the bag compartment, having at least one section fixed within it designed to hold items, and accessible by an opening other than that for envelopping the compartment flap.
9. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the cover is able to be used as an additional pocket while in use on the bag compartment.
10. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein a carrying means for the cover may be provided and be fixed or detachable.
11. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the cover incorporates all or any of the features mentioned.
12. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the attachment means take the form of the two co-operable halves of a zip-fastener or an open-ended zip-fastener, together with its glide fastener.
13. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a bag may be provided with an attachment means for the purpose of adapting it to be used with a compartment cover or pouch; or a cover or pouch is provided with a co-operable closure means suitable for converting or adapting a suitable bag for use with it.
14. Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the bag is provided with at least one compartment cover.
15q Improvements in or relating to bags as claimed in any of the preceeding Claims wherein the attachment means of the cover to the bag is openable and closable at will to allow the compartment to still be used as such while said cover is affixed to the bag.
16. Improvements in or relating to bags substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as Illustrateo in Figures 1-17 of the accompanying drawing.