GB2311720A - Handbag assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A handbag assembly comprises an outer pouch (1) having an upper margin (5) around an opening and an inner section (6) with at least one storage compartment (8) having a frame (7) adapted to engage with the margin so that the storage compartment forms the interior of the handbag. The frame is releasable from the margin so that the inner section can be removed for storage or relocation to another outer pouch. The frame 7 may be of metal or plastics and of U-section. It may be secured to the margin 5 by its own resilience, by press-studs, or by two-part fasteners passing through holes in the margin 5. It may have relatively slidable parts to enable its size to be adjusted.

Description

HANDBAG ASSEMBLY This invention relates to handbags and especially to removable inner sections of handbags.

It is well known that handbags are selected to match the clothing and/or occasion of their user. Frequently this means that items need to be transferred from one bag to another, often resulting in items being left behind.

One solution to this that has been proposed is to utilize a multi-pocketed handbag organiser that can be removed together with its contents from one handbag and placed in another.

This arrangement is shown in US Patent 3,980,116. However, the arrangement requires supporting end sections which are bulky and inflexible. The arrangement is also inconvenient in that it requires both bag and organiser to be opened separately and does not offer the simple 'feel' of just opening an ordinary handbag.

The present invention is directed towards providing a handbag with a removable and transferrable inner that has the appearance and feel of a conventional handbag.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic external perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section through the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view from above of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing details of further features of the invention.

Referring generally to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the invention comprises a flap-over type handbag consisting of a pouch section 1, flap 2, fastener 3, 3', and strap 4. The strap 4 may be removable or omitted in order to provide a clutch bag.

As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the pouch section 1 has an upper margin 5 which extends all around the peripheral opening of the pouch and the flap 2 attaches to the back of the pouch section below the margin 5. If it is desired to make the back of the pouch and the flap in a single or smooth section, then the margin 5 along the back of the pouch section may be attached as an inner flap in a manner analagous to the shown external connection of flap 2.

The pouch section 1 may be finished in a way that renders the handbag complete, but it is more generally intended for the bag to be completed by the insertion of a removable inner section 6. This inner section has a rigid or semi-rigid U shaped frame 7 adapted to fit over the margin 5 of the pouch section 1 of the outer handbag. Attached to the frame 7 is a storage compartment 8, which fits within the pouch section 1, and an optional internal fastener section 9. The fastener section may for example consist of a zip fastener, a magnetic clasp or a hinged frame with twist clasps.

In order that the handbag and inner section operate and feel like a conventional one-piece bag, the inner section 6 should be secure within the pouch, that is so that it stays in position when opened and rummaged in or does not slip and move around as the handbag is moved or even inverted. For this purpose the frame 7 engages firmly and securely with the margin 5. Various different methods may be used to achieve this.

First, as previously mentioned, the frame is rigid or semirigid, made for example of metal or plastics. Each part of the frame 7 is made to a length corresponding to the length of the margin section with which it is to engage. Thus for the type of bag shown in Figure 1 the frame is essentially two equal length sections for engagement with the front and back sections of the margin. If the inner section is intended for use with a bag having concertina folding side sections, as shown in Figure 3, then the frame is made with two long sections and four short sections to follow the shape of the pouch margin. In any embodiment the margins may be reinforced or stiffened.

Preferably the sections of the frame are joined by hinges, which may be formed as flexible portions in a continuous plastics frame. In order to permit adaptation to different sizes of bags the frame may also include slidably extending portions with corresponding additional pleats or gathers in the material of the compartment section.

The U section of the frame 7 may be made to be springy so that it clips over and holds the margin 5. Alternatively, or additionally, press-studs or some form of self-engaging clasp means may be provided on the margin and frame. A further possible construction includes hinging the U shaped frame at the base of the U. Such a structure may conveniently be made of polypropylene with the hinge formed from flexible section. The arms of the U may also be provided with co-operative fixings, such as push fit spigots and cups, and the margin of the pouch provided with punched apertures for alignment with the fixings.

As an additional security measure the strap attachment may also have an extension or ring for connection to a corresponding coupling on the frame 7.

Other features may be incorporated into the handbag assembly. For example the inner section may be subdivided into compartments. A further additional feature may be embellishment of the non-opening side of the bag, conventionally the back, so that this side becomes the outward display side thus encouraging the bag to be carried with the opening towards the body as advised by police.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment. Some of the features of this embodiment, such as a retaining loop 10 for the shoulder strap, may be incorporated in other embodiments.

As shown in Figure 4, the bag does not have a flap, but instead has an edge-to-edge type of opening. A fastening (not shown) may be included to hold the opposing edges of the bag together.

In this embodiment springy strips 11 are incorporated into the upper margin 5 of the outer bag 1. Instead of a U shaped frame, the inner pouch has a springy stiffener on a marginal edge portion which folds over the margin 5. The springiness of the strips is sufficient to hold the configuration as shown and to urge the edges of the bag together. To assist in stability and to help retain the marginal edge of the inner section folded over, retaining loop 10 is attached to the ends of the outer (when folded over) surface of the marginal edge of the inner bag.

The strap, which is removably attached to the outer pouch 1, is threaded through the loop 10. This is a security measure, the strap now being attached to both the inner and outer bag sections, and may also aid in keeping the marginal edge of the inner section folded over.

Claims (8)

1. A handbag assembly comprising an outer pouch having an upper margin around an opening and an inner section with at least one storage compartment having a frame adapted to engage with the margin so that the storage compartment forms the interior of the handbag and the frame is releasable from the margin so that the inner section can be removed for storage or relocation to another outer pouch.

2. A handbag assembly according to claim 1 in which the frame comprises a U shaped section which fits over the margin.

3. A handbag assembly according to claim 1 in which the frame comprises a spring strip located around a peripheral margin of the inner section which is adapted to fold outwardly over the upper margin of the outer pouch.

4. A handbag assembly according to any preceding claim in which the frame and margin comprise co-operative releasable fixing means.

5. A handbag assembly according to any preceding claim in which the outer bag margin is provided with apertures and/or stiffening.

6. A handbag assembly according to any preceding claim in which the frame is rigid or semi-rigid.

7. A handbag assembly according to any preceding claim including means for attaching a strap to the outer pouch and further means for attaching or retaining the strap on the inner section.

8. An outer pouch or an inner section for a handbag assembly according to any preceding claim.