EP3972442B1

EP3972442B1 - Handbag

Info

Publication number: EP3972442B1
Application number: EP20713286.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frederik De Smet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-21
Filing date: 2020-03-25
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-25
Also published as: WO2020233801A1; WO2020233870A1; EP3972442A1

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a handbag.

Background art

Known handbags in general comprise a plurality of flexible panels which together enclose a storage volume for storing items therein. The storage volume of the handbag is accessible via a top opening that can be covered and sealed off by means of a flexible flap of the handbag. The flexible panels however provide little support for items stored inside the storage volume, such that the items are continuously shifted around and mixed when the handbag is being moved. These handbags have thus the disadvantage that it is very difficult to organise items which are stored in the storage volume.
Handbags may be provided with rigid side panels for enclosing the storage volume, in order to provide better support for the items stored in the storage volume. Such handbags have however the disadvantage that they have to be provided with a rather large top opening to provide the user of the handbag with an easy access to the items stored in the handbag. This increases the size of the handbag, such that they become inconvenient to use.
US 5 749 447 A and US 3 454 068 A show an handbag or attaché case with a side opening or top opening which can be enlarged by a tiltable part of the front panel. Internal storage compartments for storing items are fixed to the tiltable part. This handbag or attaché case have the disadvantage that they offer very little flexibility in adapting to the storage needs of the user.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a compact handbag which allows the user of the handbag to easily access and organise the items in the handbag.
This aim is achieved according to the invention with a handbag showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim.
Therefore, the present invention provides a handbag. The handbag comprises a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel and two rigid side panels. The bottom panel, the front panel, the back panel and the side panels together enclose a storage volume which is accessible via a top opening. The bottom panel, the front panel, the back panel and the side panels have an internal side facing towards the storage volume and an external side facing away from the storage volume. The side panels are connected to each other by means of a rigid connector panel. The handbag comprises a flexible flap for closing the top opening. The flexible flap extends from the back panel over the top opening to the front panel. Preferably, the flexible flap supports on the side panels when closing the top opening. The front panel comprises a lower part which is fixed to the side panels. The front panel comprises a rigid upper part which is tiltably connected to the lower part of the front panel. The upper part of the front panel is tiltable from a closed position resting against the side panels to an open position at a predetermined angle from the side panels. Preferably, the bottom panel is arranged in a horizontal plane along a longitudinal direction and a width direction. Preferably, the front panel and the back panel are arranged on opposing sides of the bottom panel in a height direction and the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the side panels are arranged on opposing sides of the bottom panel in the height direction and the width direction. Preferably, the front panel and the back panel tilt towards each other upwards in the height direction. Preferably, the bottom panel, the front panel and the back panel are supported against the side panels.
The tiltable upper part of the front panel offers the advantage that the size of the top opening can be enlarged by tilting the upper part of the front panel from the closed position to the open position. In this way a compact handbag can be provided which still has an easily accessible storage volume. This enables the user to easily access and organise items stored in the storage volume of the handbag.
The rigid side panels being connected to each other by means of the rigid connector panel provides structural strength to the handbag such that the size of the storage volume does not change.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the upper part is connected inside the storage volume by means of flexible linking means. Preferably, the upper part is connected to at least one panel selected from the list consisting of the side panels, the connector panel and the back panel by means of the flexible linking means. The flexible linking means are arranged for preventing the tilting of the upper part beyond the open position.
The flexible linking means are beneficial for holding the upper part of the front panel in the open position, and for preventing the upper part from accidentally tilting beyond the open position.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the upper part of the front panel and at least one of the side panels are provided with connection elements for holding the upper part of the front panel against the side panels in the closed position. Preferably, the connection elements are magnetic connection elements.
This embodiment is beneficial for preventing the upper part from accidentally tilting to the open position when the upper part is in the closed position.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the upper part of the front panel is tiltably connected to the lower part of the front panel by means of a continuous sheet of lining material. Preferably, the lining material is a flexible material. The sheet of lining material is arranged on both the external side of the upper part of the front panel and the external side of the lower part of the front panel. Preferably, the sheet of lining material is fixed against both the external side of the upper part of the front panel and on the external side of the lower part of the front panel.
The use of the sheet of lining material for tiltably connecting the upper of the front panel to the lower part of the front panel offers the advantage that no additional hinge mechanism has to be provided between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel, which simplifies the design of the handbag.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the sheet of lining material is folded in an U-shape at the transition between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel. Preferably, the curved section of the
-shape is arranged between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel.
The inventor has found that the
-shape of the sheet of lining material at the transition between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel provides a flexible and strong hinge mechanism for tiltably connecting the upper part of the front panel to the lower part of the front panel.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the handbag comprises at least one first connection element. The at least one first connection element is arranged on at least one of the upper part of the front panel and the connector panel. Preferably, the at least one first connection element is arranged on an internal side of at least one of the upper part of the front panel and the connector panel. The handbag comprises at least one internal storage compartment. The at least one internal storage compartment is provided for being removably connected to the at least one first connection element.
The at least one internal storage compartment connected to the upper part of the front panel allows the user of the handbag to conveniently store and organise the storage of items in a top section of the storage volume. Thereby, the tiltable upper part still allows the user to easily access items stored in a lower section of the storage volume. The at least one internal storage compartment being removable connected to upper part of the front panel offers the advantage that the handbag can be adapted to the storage requirements of the user.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the handbag comprises at least one second connection element The at least one second connection element is arranged on the back panel. Preferably, the at least one second connection element is arranged on the external side of the back panel. The handbag comprises at least one external storage compartment. The at least on external storage compartment is provided for being removably connected to the at least one second connection element.
This embodiment offers the advantage that additional storage space may be provided to the handbag by means of the external storage compartment, and this to the requirements of the user.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the connector panel is arranged inside the storage volume as a divider for dividing up the storage volume.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the storage volume can be divided up by the connector panel into different partitions for organising the storage of items in the storage volume.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the handbag comprises at least one external reinforcement strap. The at least one external reinforcement strap extends from the front panel over the bottom panel to the back panel. Preferably, the external reinforcement strap is arranged on the external side of the front panel, the bottom panel and the back panel.
The at least one external reinforcement strap is beneficial for supporting the handbag, certainly in combination with one or more carrying elements, e.g. a carrying strap, connected to the at least one external reinforcement strap. The at least one external reinforcement strap is also beneficial for protecting the exterior of the handbag.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the at least one external reinforcement strap extends over the front panel from the upper part of the front panel to the lower part of the front panel.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the at least one reinforcement strap is also arranged over the transition between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel, thereby protection any hinge mechanism between the upper part of the front panel and the lower part of the front panel for tilting the upper part.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the at least one external reinforcement strap is removably connected to the front panel, the bottom panel, and the back panel.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the look of the handbag can be adapted quickly and easily to the taste of the user by exchanging the at least one external reinforcement strap for another at least one external reinforcement strap with another look.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the handbag further comprises at least one carrying strap for carrying the handbag. Preferably, the at least one carrying strap is removably connected to the handbag. Preferably, the at least one carrying strap is connected to the at least one external reinforcement strap.
The use of at least one carrying strap is beneficial for the comfort of the user. The at least one carrying strap being removably connected to the handbag offers the advantage that the look of the handbag can be adapted quickly and easily to the taste of the user by exchanging the at least one carrying strap for another at least one carrying strap with another look. Connecting the at least one carrying strap to the at least one external reinforcement strap is also beneficial for supporting the handbag when it is being carried via the at least one carrying strap. The at least one carrying strap may be removably connected to the at least one external reinforcement strap, but may also be connected in a fixed manner to the at least one external reinforcement strap, or may be an extension of the at least one external reinforcement strap and thus integrally connected to the at least one external reinforcement strap.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the handbag further comprises a divider panel in the storage volume for dividing up a bottom section of the storage volume. The divider panel is arranged on the bottom panel and extends between the side panels. The divider panel is removably connected to at least one of the side panels and the bottom panel. Preferably, the divider panel extends in the longitudinal direction and the height direction.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the bottom section of the storage volume can be divided up by the divider panel into different partitions for organising the storage of items in the bottom section of the storage volume. The divider panel being removably connected to at least one of the side panels and the bottom panel offers the advantage that the divider panel can be removed if the user of the handbag wishes to make use of the entire bottom section of the storage volume for storing items. Hence, this embodiments allows the handbag to be quickly adapted to different requirements of the user.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the side panels are provided on the internal side with a plurality of slots for receiving opposing ends of the divider panel. Each of the slots on one of the side panels has a corresponding slot on the opposing side panel. The corresponding slots define different positions for the divider panel.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the way in which the bottom section of the storage volume is divided up by the divider panel is changed easily and quickly by repositioning the divider panel from one set of corresponding slots to another set of corresponding slots. This allows the handbag to be quickly adapted to different requirements of the user.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the divider panel is provided with a connector for removably connecting to a plurality of corresponding connectors on an internal side of the bottom panel. The plurality of corresponding connectors define different positions for the divider panel.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the way in which the bottom section of the storage volume is divided up by the divider panel is changed easily and quickly by reconnecting the connector of the divider panel from one of the plurality of corresponding connectors on the bottom panel to another one of the plurality of corresponding connectors on the bottom panel. This allows the handbag to be quickly adapted to different requirements of the user.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the side panels are provided on an external side with a recess for receiving a decorative panel. Optionally, the decorative panel is exchangeable.
This embodiment offers the advantage that handbags can be manufactured quickly and easily with different looks by arranging different decorative panels in the recesses in the side panels. The exchangeable decorative panels offer the advantage that the look of the handbag can be changed quickly and easily by the user to its taste by exchanging the decorative panels in the recesses in the side panels.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the back panel, the bottom panel and the lower part of the front panel together form a single shell body, or monocoque body. Preferably, the back panel, the bottom panel and the lower part of the front panel form a self-supporting single shell body.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the single shell body provides structural strength to the handbag such that the size of the storage volume does not change.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the side panels are fixed to the single shell body.
In an embodiment of the handbag according to the present invention the side panels are removably connected to the single shell body.
This embodiment offers the advantage that the look of the handbag can be adapted quickly and easily to the taste of the user by exchanging the side panels for side panels with another look. This embodiment also offers the advantage that the side panels of the handbag can easily be replaced, for example for repairing the handbag.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state.
Figure 2 shows a perspective back view of the handbag of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a perspective front view of the handbag of Figure 1 in an opened state.
Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of the handbag of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view on the upper part of the front panel of the handbag of Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view on the upper part of the front panel of the handbag of Figure 1 with internal storage compartments connected thereto.
Figure 7 shows a perspective back view of the handbag of Figure 1 with an external storage compartment connected thereto.
Figure 8 shows a perspective front view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 shows a perspective front view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 shows a perspective front view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for carrying out the invention

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
The term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
A handbag 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the Figures 1-4. Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view on respectively the front side and the back side of the handbag 100 in a closed state. Figure 3 shows a perspective view on the front side of the handbag 100 in an opened state. The cut-away view of Figure 4 shows the interior of the handbag 100. Other embodiments of a handbag 100 according to the present invention are shown in Figures 8-10.
The handbag 100 comprises a bottom panel 110, a front panel 120, a back panel 130 and two side panels 140, 150. The bottom panel 110 extends horizontally along a longitudinal direction L and a width direction W of the handbag 100. The side panels 140, 150 are arranged upwards on opposing sides of the bottom panel 110 in the longitudinal direction L, and extend in the width direction W and a height direction H of the handbag 100. Thereby, the bottom panel 110 is positioned against a bottom edge of the side panels 140, 150. The front panel 120 and the back panel 130 are arranged upwards on opposing sides of the bottom panel 110 in the width direction W, and extend along the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H of the handbag 100. The front panel 120 and the back panel 130 are positioned against opposing upstanding side edges of the side panels 140, 150. As the side panels 140, 150 decrease in width upwards in the height direction H, the front panel 120 and the back panel 130 tilt towards each other upwards in the height direction H. In this configuration, the bottom panel 110, the front panel 120, the back panel 130 and the two side panels 140, 150 together enclose an internal storage volume 101 of the handbag 100 for storing items, which storage volume 101 is accessible via a top opening 103.
The front panel 120 of the handbag 100 comprises a lower part 122 which is fixed against the side edges of the side panels 140, 150, and upper part 121 which is arranged above the lower part 122. The upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is tiltably connected to the lower part 122 front panel 120 for enlarging the top opening 103 of the storage volume 101. Thereby, the upper part 121 is tiltable from a closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, where the upper part 121 is positioned against the side edges of the side panels 140, 150, to an open position, such as shown in Figure 3 and in Figures 8-10, at a predetermined angle ϕ from the side panels 140, 150. In the open position of the upper part 121 of the front panel 120, the enlarged top opening 103 allows an easier access to the storage volume 101 for storing and retrieving items.
Such as shown in Figures 1-3 and 7-10 the lower part 122 of the front panel 120, the bottom panel 110 and the back panel 130 together form a single shell body 110, 122, 130 or monocoque body 110, 122, 130. The single shell body 110, 122, 130 is preferably self-supporting to provide structural strength to the handbag 100. The side panels 140, 150 can be fixed to the single shell body 110, 122, 130, but can also be removably connected to the single shell body 110, 122, 130 for easy replacement. In alternative embodiments the lower part 122 of the front panel 120, the bottom panel 110 and the back panel 130 may also separate panels.
The upper part 121 and the lower part 122 of the front panel 120 are tiltably connected to each other by means of a continuous sheet of flexible lining material 199 which is arranged on the external sides of the upper part 121 and the lower part 122, which external sides are facing away from the storage volume 101. To provide a flexible and strong hinge mechanism between the upper part 121 and the lower part 122 of the front panel by means of the sheet of lining material 199, the sheet of lining material 199 is folded in an U-shape at the transition 123 between the upper part 121 and the lower part 122 of the front panel 120 and the lower part. Thereby, the curved section of the
-shape is arranged between the upper part 121 and the lower part of the front panel 122. The sheet of lining material 199 also performs the function of decorating the exterior of the handbag 100, and extends for this purpose further over the external sides of the bottom panel 110 and the back panel 130. The lining material may for example be leather, but any other suitable lining material known by the skilled person may be used.
The upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is connected inside the storage volume 101 to the side panels 140, 150 (see Figure 3) or to the connector panel 170 (see Figures 9 and 10) via flexible linking means 124, such as for example a tether belt. In alternative embodiments the flexible linking means 124 can also be connected to other locations inside the storage volume 101, such as for example the back panel 130. The linking means 124 are flexible to allow tilting of the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 from the closed position to the open position, but have a predetermined length to prevent the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 from moving beyond the open position. The upper part 121 of the front panel 120 and the side panels 140, 150 are also provided with magnetic connection elements 127, 147, for releasably connecting the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 to the side panels 140, 150 when the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is in the open position. In alternative embodiments of the handbag according to the present invention other types of suitable connection elements known to the skilled person can be used for this purpose.
The two side panels 140, 150 of the handbag 101 are connected to each other by means of a connector panel 170, which can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, and in Figures 8-10. The side panels 140, 150 and the connector panel 170 are manufactured from a rigid material to provide structural strength to the handbag 100. Preferably, the material of the side panels 140, 150 and/or the connector panel 170 is also a light-weight material to limit the total weight of the handbag 100. The used material may for example be plywood or carbon fibre reinforced plastic, but it should be clear that any other suitable material known by the skilled person may also be used.
In the embodiment shown the connector panel 170 is arranged inside the storage volume 101, such that the connector panel 170 does not only provide structural strength to the handbag 100, but also functions as a divider which partitions the storage volume 101 into different compartments for organising items inside the storage volume 101. In the embodiment shown the connector panel 170 is positioned in such a way in the storage volume 101 that a tablet computer, for example an iPad^™, can conveniently be stored in the storage volume 101 between the connector panel 170 and the back panel 130.
In alternative embodiments of the handbag 101 the connector panel 170 does not have to be a separate panel. The connector panel 170 may for example also be the whole or part of the bottom panel 110, the front panel 120 and/or the back panel 130, as long as it performs at least the function of rigidly connecting the side panels 140, 150 to provide the handbag 100 with structural strength.
The handbag 100 comprises a flexible flap 160 which is used for opening and closing the top opening 103 of the handbag 100. In a closed state of the handbag 100, such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is in the closed position and the top opening 103 of the handbag is closed off by means of the flexible flap 160. Thereby, the flexible flap 160 extends from the back panel 130 over the top opening 103 to the upper part 121 of the front panel 120, and supports on top edges of the side panels 140, 150. The flexible flap 160 and the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 are provided with magnetic connection elements 128, 168 for releasably connecting the flexible flap 160 to the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 in the closed state of the handbag 100. In alternative embodiments of the handbag according to the present invention other types of suitable connection elements known to the skilled person can be used for this purpose. In an opened state of the handbag 100, such as shown in Figure 3, the flexible flap 160 is detached from the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 and folded away to open the top opening 103, and the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is tilted to the open position to enlarge the top opening 103.
The internal side of the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 facing towards the storage volume 101, is provided, such as shown in Figure 5, with a plurality of first connection elements 125. The connector panel 170 may similarly be provided with such first connection elements 175, as shown in Figure 3. The first connections elements 125, 175 are provided for removably connecting internal storage compartments 195 thereto, such as shown in Figure 6 and in Figures 8-10 for the upper part 121 of the front panel 120. The internal storage compartments 195 enable the user of the handbag 100 to store items separated from other items in the storage volume 101, which is beneficial for organising the storage of items in the storage volume 101. The upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is manufactured from a rigid material to provide sufficient support for the internal storage compartments 195. Preferably, the material of the upper part 121 of the front panel 120 is also a light-weight material to limit the total weight of the handbag 100. Different types of internal storage compartments 195 may be provided to adapt the handbag 100 to the requirements of the user of the handbag 100, such as shown in Figures 8-10.
The external side of the back panel 130 facing way from the storage volume 101, is provided, such as shown in Figure 2, with a plurality of second connection elements 136. The second connection elements are provided for removably connecting one or more external storage compartments 196 to the back side of the handbag 100, such as for example the document pouch 196 shown in Figure 7. This enables the user to add additional storage space to the handbag 100, in addition to the storage space available in the storage volume 101 of the handbag 100.
The storage volume 101 of the handbag 100 may also be provided with further connection elements 159, such as for example the loop element 159 shown in Figure 3 and in Figures 8-10, which is arranged on the internal side of one of the side panels 140, 150 facing towards the storage volume 101, and which functions as a key hanger 159.
The handbag 100 is also provided with two reinforcement straps 191, which are arranged on the external sides of the bottom panel 110, the front panel 120 and the back panel 130 facing away from the storage volume 101, such as shown in Figures 1-3 and in Figures 8-10. Thereby, each reinforcement strap 191 extends from the back panel 130 over the bottom panel 110 to the front panel 120. The reinforcement straps 191 serve the purpose of protecting the external sides of the bottom panel 110, the front panel 120 and the back panel 130, and more specifically the sheet of lining material 199 arranged thereon. At the front panel 120, each reinforcement strap 191 also extends over both the lower part 122 and the upper part 121 of the front panel for protecting the hinge mechanism at the transition 123 the lower part 122 and the upper part 121 form by the sheet of lining material 199 folded in the
-shape.
The handbag 100 also comprises carrying straps 192 which are connected to the reinforcement straps 191. The carrying straps 192 are provided to enable the user of the handbag 100 to carry the handbag 100. Therefore, the carrying straps 192, as shown in Figure 1 and in Figures 8-10, are provided with connector rings 193 for connecting to a handle or a shoulder strap 194, such as shown in Figures 8-10 for example. Alternatively the carrying strap 192 in itself may be the handle or the shoulder strap. With the carrying straps 192 connected to the reinforcement straps 191, and the reinforcement straps 191 extending underneath the handbag 100 over the bottom panel 110, the reinforcement straps 191 also provide the function of supporting the handbag 100 when it is being carried via the carrying straps 192.
The reinforcement straps 191 are removably connected to the bottom panel 110, the front panel 120 and the back panel 130, and the carrying straps 192 are removably connected to the reinforcement straps 191, such that they can respectively be exchanged for different reinforcement straps 191 and/or different carrying straps 192 to adapt the look of the handbag 100 to the taste of the user of the handbag 100.
To enable the manufacturer to provide the handbag 100 in different looks, the external sides of the side panels 140, 150 facing away from the storage volume 101 are each provided with a recess 141 for decorative panels. To provide the different looks, the manufacturer can then arrange different decorative panels in the recesses 141. The decorative panels may also be exchangeable to enable the user to adapt the handbag 100 to its taste.
The handbag further comprises a divider panel 180, as shown in Figure 4 and in Figures 8-10, which is arranged on the bottom panel 110 and extends in the height direction H and in the longitudinal direction L. As such, the divider panel 180 divides a bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101 in different partitions to enable the user of the handbag 100 to organise the storage of items in the bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101.
The divider panel 180 is arranged with opposing ends 182 along the longitudinal direction L in corresponding slots 152 provided on the internal sides of the side panels 140, 150, and is also connected with a connector 181 to a corresponding connector 111 on the internal side of the bottom panel 110. The connector 181 and the corresponding connector 111 may for example respectively be a hook 181 and a loop 111, but any other suitable connector and corresponding connector known to the skilled person can be used. In this way the divider panel 180 is removably connected to the side panels 140, 150 and the bottom panel 110, such that the user of the handbag 100 is able to remove the divider panel 180 from the storage volume if the user wishes to make use of the whole of the bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101 for the storage of items.
The internal sides of the sides panels 140, 150 are provided with additional corresponding slots 152 and the internal side of the bottom panel 110 is provided with additional corresponding connectors 111 defining different positions of the divider panel 180 in the bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101, such that the user of the handbag 101 can reposition the divider panel 180 to different positions in order to divide the bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101 in partitions of different sizes according to her/his requirements for organising the storage of items in the bottom section 102 of the storage volume 101.

References

100: handbag
101: storage volume
102: bottom section
103: top opening
110: bottom panel
111: corresponding connector
120: front panel
121: upper part
122: lower part
123: transition
124: linking means
125: first connection element
127: magnetic connection element
128: magnetic connection element
130: back panel
136: second connection element
140: first side panel
141: recess
147: magnetic connection element
150: second side panel
152: slot
157: magnetic connection element
159: further connection element
160: flexible flap
168: magnetic connection element
170: connector panel
175: first connection element
180: divider panel
181: connector
182: end
191: reinforcement strap
192: carrying strap
193: connector ring
194: shoulder strap
195: internal storage compartment
196: external storage compartment
199: sheet of lining material
ϕ: angle
L: longitudinal direction
W: width direction
H: height direction

Claims

A handbag (100) comprising a bottom panel (110), a front panel (120), a back panel (130) and two rigid side panels (140, 150) together enclosing a storage volume (101) which is accessible via a top opening (103), wherein the side panels (140, 150) are connected to each other by means of a rigid connector panel (170), wherein the handbag (100) further comprises a flexible flap (160) extending from the back panel (130) over the top opening (103) to the front panel (120) for closing the top opening (103), wherein the front panel (120) comprises a lower part (122) which is fixed to the side panels (140, 150), and comprises a rigid upper part (121) which is tiltably connected to the lower part (122) such that the upper part (121) is tiltable from a closed position resting against the side panels (140, 150) to an open position at a predetermined angle (ϕ) from the side panels (140, 150), characterised in that the handbag (100) comprises at least one first connection element (125, 175) arranged on the upper part (121) of the front panel (120), and wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one internal storage compartment (195) which is provided for being removably connected to the at least one first connection element (125, 175).
The handbag (100) according to claim 1, wherein the upper part (121) is connected inside the storage volume (101) by means of flexible linking means (124) arranged for preventing the tilting of the upper part (121) beyond the open position.
The handbag (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper part (121) of the front panel (120) and at least one of the side panels (140, 150) are provided with connection elements (127, 147, 157) for holding the upper part (121) of the front panel (120) against the side panels (140, 150) in the closed position.
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the upper part (121) of the front panel (120) is tiltably connected to the lower part (122) of the front panel (120) by means of a continuous sheet of lining material (199) arranged on an external side of the upper part (121) and the lower part (122) of the front panel.
The handbag (100) according to claim 4, wherein the sheet of lining material (199) is folded in an U-shape at the transition (123) between the upper part (121) and the lower part (122) of the front panel (120).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one further first connection element (125, 175) arranged on the connector panel (170), and wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one further internal storage compartment (195) which is provided for being removably connected to the at least one further first connection element (125, 175).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one second connection element (136) arranged on the back panel (130), and wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one external storage compartment (196) which is provided for being removably connected to the at least one second connection element (136).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the connector panel (170) is arranged inside the storage volume (101) as a divider for dividing up the storage volume (101).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the handbag (100) comprises at least one external reinforcement strap (191) extending from the front panel (120) over the bottom panel (110) to the back panel (130).
The handbag (100) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one external reinforcement strap (191) extends over the front panel (120) from the upper part (121) of the front panel (120) to the lower part (122) of the front panel (120).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein the handbag (100) further comprises a divider panel (180) in the storage volume (101) for dividing up a bottom section (102) of the storage volume (101), wherein the divider panel (180) is arranged on the bottom panel (110) and extends between the side panels (140, 150), and wherein the divider panel (180) is removably connected to at least one of the side panels (140, 150) and the bottom panel (110).
The handbag (100) according to claim 11, wherein the side panels (140, 150) are provided on an internal side with a plurality of slots (152) for receiving opposing ends (182) of the divider panel (180), wherein each of the slots (152) on one of the side panels (140, 150) has a corresponding slot (152) on the opposing side panel (140, 150), and wherein the corresponding slots (152) define different positions for the divider panel (180).
The handbag (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the divider panel (180) is provided with a connector (181) for removably connecting to a plurality of corresponding connectors (181) on an internal side of the bottom panel (110), and wherein the plurality of corresponding connectors (181) define different positions for the divider panel (180).
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-13, wherein the side panels (140, 150) are provided on an external side with a recess (141) for receiving a decorative panel.
The handbag (100) according to any one of the claims 1-14, wherein the back panel (130), the bottom panel (110) and the lower part (122) of the front panel (120) together form a single shell body (110, 122, 130).