CA2688283A1 - Fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand or shoulder bag has a matching reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag. The matching ensemble would allow the user to carry a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag to reduce the use of generic non biodegradable plastic bags while still having an overall fashionable appearance.

Description

FASHIONABLE HAND OR SHOULDER BAG HAVING A
MATCHING REMOVABLE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
SHOPPING BAG

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the fashion accessory industry and more specifically to a hand or shoulder bag having a matching reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag, such as those sold at supermarkets and other retail stores.
Background of the Invention In today's society there has been an increasing trend to live and act as environmentally responsible as is possible. Some of the main areas in which we as a society are trying to protect our environment include implementing the famous "3 R's", which are to, reduce, reuse and recycle. One trend, which has recently gained in popularity, has been the introduction of reusable environmentally friendly shopping bags found at supermarkets and other retail stores in order to reduce the use of conventional non biodegradable plastic bags. Converting over from conventional non biodegradable plastic bags to reusable environmentally friendly bags has had its share of problems, however. These problems can include:
having to make the initial investment of purchasing a reusable environmentally friendly bag, or if you have previously purchased one of the reusable environmentally friendly bags, having to remember to bring the bag with you.
should you foresee yourself doing some shopping, or even should you have no desire to purchase one of the reusable environmentally friendly bags, possibly due to their generally unstylish nature, and with a large number of retailers having recently implemented a fee, having to purchase conventional non biodegradable plastic bags to carry home your purchases.

Since using reusable environmentally friendly shopping bags has only recently become popular, no products have come to market that target reusable environmentally friendly shopping bags as a fashion accessory. In particular, no product has yet come to market that appeals to women, i.e. a product that is a fashionable hand or shoulder bag that incorporates a matching removable environmentally friendly reusable bag. Other developments of multi-use bags, such as knapsacks. backpacks, shopping bags. purses. hand or shoulder bags.
etc.
have not adequately provided solutions to this problem.

United States Patent No. 6,230,771, issued May 15, 2001 to Hellenbrand describes a modular carry-all assembly that comprises two containers, one of which is connected by emplacement upon the other, each suitable for independent or separate carrying. Some examples of which include a purse, baby supply hag.
briefcase and rucksack. One part of the assembly, a packet case, may be carried independently and the other part of a two-part assembly, a coupling purse, is constructed to permit bearing straps disposed upon the case to extend through a slider band on the purse's emplacement face and to be operably interconnected.
Since the purse may optionally be carried separately, it may comprise a strap, the length adjustable slider band is aesthetically constructed to resemble an external pouch. The method, in which the coupling purse is engaged to the packet case, is done via bearing straps comprising bearing strap engaging means of connection, such as, tensioned snap fittings at the engaging end of each strap.

United States Patent Nos. 5,934,527, issued August 10, 1999 and 6,189,750, issued February 20, 2001 to Von Neumann describes a modular backpack that has four bags or usable units connected together by zippers or snaps or the like. The bags may also be used separately or in various sub-combinations. The bags comprise a main bag with shoulder straps useable as a backpack, a middle bag connectable to the bottom of the main bag, and a lower bag connectable to the bottom of the middle bag or directly to the bottom of the main bag. The middle bag may be used alone or together with a lower bag as a waist bag. A purse is removably attached to the main bag.

2 United States Patent No. 4,011,898, issued March 15, 1977 to Hubbard describes a combined wallet, shopping bag, and over-the-shoulder purse for carrying miscellaneous articles. The Wallet-Bag includes a vinyl sheet having two half portions connected together along a central crease line, a zipper along the borders of the vinyl sheet half portion, a zippered pocket opening in each half portion of the vinyl sheet and a nylon or other suitable fabric bag is also provided. The bottom of the bag is sewed to the vinyl sheet with sidewalls extending therefrom and is foldable and containable within the vinyl sheet when the latter is zippered along its borders, the vinyl sheet forms the interior bottom portion of the bag when opened into operative position. In operation, with the bag folded and contained within the vinyl sheet and the latter folded over on the central crease line and zippered along its borders, the device is usable as a wallet having two zippered pockets. When the device is to be used as a hand or shopping bag. the border zipper of the wallet is unzipped, the sidewalls of the bag are spread outwardly and the bag is pulled inside-out so that the wallet becomes the inside bottom of the bag.
The device also includes a shoulder strap or belt loop and can be used as an over-the-shoulder purse.

United States Patent No. 5,182,895, issued February 2, 1993 to Lugo describes a system and method for shopping which includes a compact carrier made of a fabric material designed to carry a set of reusable shopping bags. The set of shopping bags comprise a plurality of hag structures made of nylon. fabric or paper materials. The Bag structures are folded into a compact shape which are then placed on one edge and stacked horizontally in a side in a side by side manner inside the carrier.

United States Patent No. 3,727,657, issued April 17, 1973 to Landis describes a handbag with a break-away purse which is normally secured in the handbag by releasable means and has a carrying strap means projecting therefrom for supporting the purse and connected handbag.

3 United States Patent No. 3,881,534, issued May 6, 1975 to Gist describes a pocket book having a detachable inner purse which is released through a movable bottom door in the pocket book when it is pulled hard. The purse has a closable top opening and a chain normally connected with the user to keep its contents secure so as to be snatch-proof.

Summary of the Invention As is commonly known many women carry a purse or the like wherever they go. It is a part of their outfit and as such, the purse or the like must be fashionable and aesthetically pleasing. The environmentally friendly shopping bag would be part of the exterior design of their purse or the like, attractively attached such that it completes "the look" and yet can be easily detached, when needed, to be used to carry purchases. When the environmentally friendly shopping bag is no longer needed for carrying purchases, the user would then return it to its rightful position, ready for future use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag.

Accordingly, as an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand or shoulder bag. The hand or shoulder bag has a storage section, a carrying handle or strap, a reusable shopping bag that may be affixed externally to the hand or shoulder bag via a strap which clasps shut with a button or with VelcroTM. The reusable shopping bag may be affixed on the front or side of the hand or shoulder bag. The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag are both made of durable materials being able to carry a large load. The reusable shopping bag has a hand grasping handle sewn into it.

Accordingly, as another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand or shoulder bag. The hand or shoulder bag has a storage section, a carrying handle or strap, a reusable shopping bag that may be affixed externally to the hand or

4 shoulder bag via a strap which clasps shut with a button or with VelcroTM, and a series of belt loops or eyelets arranged near the opening of the storage section of the hand or shoulder bag. The reusable shopping bag may be affixed on the front or side of the hand or shoulder bag. The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag are both made of durable materials being able to carry a large load.
The reusable shopping bag has a pair of clasps or the like that may be affixed to a hand or shoulder strap. When the hand or shoulder strap is not affixed to the reusable shopping bag it is laced through the series of belt loops or eyelets.
Accordingly, as another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand or shoulder bag. The hand or shoulder bag has a storage section, a carrying handle or strap, a reusable shopping bag that may be carried by the hand or shoulder bag via a pocket located in the vicinity of the bottom of the hand or shoulder bag and may be closed shut via a zipper, VelcroTM or buttons. The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag are both made of durable materials being able to carry a large load. The reusable shopping bag has a hand grasping handle sewn into it.

The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag of the present invention have both an appearance that is aesthetically pleasing and creates a matching ensemble.
The hand or shoulder bag of the present invention may be a shoulder hag. a handbag, a purse, or a clutch, or the like.

The reusable shopping bag of the present invention may be affixed to the hand or shoulder bag on any side thereof. The reusable shopping bag of the present invention may be affixed to the hand or shoulder bag via a strap having VelcroT"' a button, a brooch, a clasp, etc.

The reusable shopping bag of the present invention may have a hand grasping handle sewn into it, or it may have a external strap that is affixed to the reusable shopping bag via clasps, caribiners, etc.

5 The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag of the present invention may be fabricated out of numerous materials that provide an aesthetically pleasing look and yet be durable for multiple uses and heavy carrying loads. These materials may include but are not limited to vinyl, leather, cotton, nylon, linen, or lace or organza being reinforced with other materials.

The hand or shoulder bag and reusable shopping bag of the present invention may be of a solid colour or patterned or any combination of the two, as long as it creates an aesthetically pleasing matching ensemble.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag attached on the front thereof and being folded and splayed out at the ends, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag used with the fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a front view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag attached on the front thereof and being neatly folded, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a front view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping hag. having a reusable

6 environmentally friendly shopping bag attached on the side thereof, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having the attachment means of the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag on the front thereof and open, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a side view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag attached on the side thereof, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a back view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a bag handle means laced through a series of belt loops, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a front view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag attached to the front thereof, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having the bag handle means affixed thereto, used with the fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 show a front view of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag, having a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag stowed in a pocket in the vicinity of the

7 bottom of the fashionable hand or shoulder bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 11 shows a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag used with the fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 shows a front view of the first embodiment of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag (101) (referred to as a "fashionable shopping bag"
herein below), the fashionable shopping bag (101) of the first embodiment is of a generic handheld or shoulder type purse. The fashionable shopping bag (101) broadly comprises a storage area (102), a carrying means (103) (such as, for example.
a strap, a handle, buckle, chain or the like), and a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104) being affixed on the fashionable shopping bag' (101) front side. As shown in figure 1 the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104) is in its attractive folded-up affixed state. The reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104) is removably affixed to the fashionable shopping bag (101) via an attachment means (105) (such as. for example, a strap containing VelcroTM, a strap being locked in place with a button or brooch). Figure 2 depicts an appropriately designed reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104), for use with the fashionable shopping bag (101) of the first embodiment.
having a handheld grasping means (106) sewn into it. Figure 3 shows another manner in which the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104) can be folded and affixed to the purse (101), i.e. neatly folded versus folded and splayed out at the ends as depicted in figure 1, adding to its fashionability. Figures 4 to 6 show the fashionable shopping bag (101) having the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (104) attached via the attachment means (105) on its side.

8 A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 shows a back view of the second embodiment of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag (201) (referred to as a "fashionable shopping bag" herein below), the fashionable shopping bag (201) of the second embodiment may of a type that is closed via a drawstring, or the like. The fashionable shopping bag (201) broadly comprises a storage area (202). a carrying means (203), and a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) being affixed on the fashionable shopping bag' (201) front side. As shown in figure 8 the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) is in an attractive folded-up affixed state. The reusable environmentally friendly shopping hang (204) is affixed to the fashionable shopping bag (201) via an attachment means (205). Figure 9 depicts an appropriately designed reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204), for use with the second embodiment, having a bag handle means (206) removably affixed to the fashionable shopping bag (201) via handle attachment means (207) (such as, for example, clasps, carabiners, hooks, or the like). In the second embodiment, the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) is designed without a means to carry it. To facilitate carrying the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) a bag handle means (206) having handle attachment means (207) may be provided to attach to the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204). When not in use and the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) is in its attached state, the bag handle means (206) may be used as the drawstring for the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) and is laced through at least one eyelet or belt-loop (208).

The attractive folded-up affixed state as shown in figure 8 of the second embodiment shows the straps (bag handle means (206)) of the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) clasped via handle attachment means (207) on to the top corners of the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) and are looped through eyelets or belt-loops (208), a brooch (attachment means (205)), which adorns the strap that encloses the reusable environmentally

9 friendly shopping bag (204) at its centre and affixes it to the top centre of the fashionable shopping bag (201) and the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204).

The bag handle means (206) of the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) in the second embodiment may have one end permanently attached, via sewing or a geometric ring, to the reusable environmentally friendly shopping hag (204), while the other end would attach via a handle attachment means (207).
The reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (204) would then be affixed to the fashionable shopping bag (201) by lacing the bag handle means (206) through at least one eyelet or belt-loop (208) and locking it in place with the handle attachment means (207).

Additionally, the drawstring of the fashionable shopping bag (201) of the second embodiment may simply be for ornamental purposes, as such, a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag such as that described in the first embodiment may also be used.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 shows a front view of the third embodiment of a fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag (301) (referred to as a "fashionable shopping bag"
herein below), the fashionable shopping bag (301) of the third embodiment is of a generic handheld or shoulder type purse. The fashionable shopping bag (301) generally comprises a storage area (302), a carrying means (303), and a reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (304) being carried by a pocket (309) located in the vicinity of the fashionable shopping bag' (301) bottom side.
The design of the pocket (309) may also allow the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (304) to be only partially contained within the pocket (309) giving it an outer appearance similar to than of a handkerchief in a gentleman's suit pocket.
The reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (304) is held in the pocket (309) via an enclosing means (such as, for example, a zipper, VelcroTM, buttons, or the like). Figure 11 depicts an appropriately designed reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag (304), for use with the third embodiment, having a handheld grasping means (306) sewn into it.

In each of the three embodiments described above, the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag is matching ensemble with the fashionable shopping bag.
This gives the fashionable hand or shoulder bag having a matching removable environmentally friendly shopping bag an overall appealing look that women desire in a fashion accessory and at the same time providing a means to lower the usage of conventional non biodegradable plastic bags. For the purposes of the present invention the term "matching ensemble" relates to a unit or group of complementary parts that contribute to a single effect, in this particular case, a coordinated outfit that is visually aesthetically pleasing.

The fashionable hand or shoulder bag of the present invention may be, for example, a shoulder bag, a handbag, a purse, or a clutch, etc.

The fashionable hand or shoulder bag and reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag of the present invention may be made of materials, such as, for example wool, macrame, plastics, vinyl, or the like. The reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag of the present invention may have an inner lining for enhancing durability and strength. The hang handle means of the present inventions may be made of materials, such as, for example, the same materials for the fashionable hand or shoulder bag and reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag, geometrically shaped rings formed of metal, plastic, wood, leather or vinyl.
clasps such as hook and eye, lobster, toggle, s-hooks, box, etc. The carrying means that affixes the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag to the fashionable hand or shoulder bag of the present invention may be made of materials, such as, for example, the same material as the fashionable hand or shoulder bag or the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag, chain, ribbon, beads, a string of crystals or the like, macrame, wool, plastics, wood, metals, etc. The clasping and/or locking means of the carrying means of the present invention may be a button, brooch, pendant, buckle, ring, bead, small artwork, VelcroTM and can be made of metal, stone, wood, plastic, leather, vinyl, crystal or the like, gemstone, etc. The clasping and/or locking means should be smooth in nature such that it does not interfere with or tear the reusable environmentally friendly shopping bag.

The foregoing are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and a person skilled in the art would appreciate that modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims