GB2470428A

GB2470428A - Customizable bag organizer

Info

Publication number: GB2470428A
Application number: GB0910703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Catherine Amboa; Laurent Francis Koa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-21
Filing date: 2009-06-22
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0910703D0

Abstract

A customizable bag organizer and method is disclosed, comprising a base plate 100 having a multiplicity of slots 102 preferably arranged in a grid; at least one strip 104 and preferably a multiplicity of steps in two perpendicular directions, the strips having protrusions 112 for interlocking with said slots; the spaces between the strips thereby comprising compartments. Preferably, the base plate and strips have stress lines along which they can be snapped to create pieces of a length desired by a user. A bag for use in conjunction with the organizer may also be provided.

Description

Patent Application of Catherine Amboa and Laurent Koa for Customizable Bag Organizer

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to customizable, flexible organization of handbags and the like.

[2] Handbags with a multiplicity of pockets and compartments are known in the art, for organizing and easily locating personal effects therein.

[3] Furthermore, it is known in the art to have such pockets and compartments be removable from a handbag and transferable between handbags, to enable the easy transferal of personal effects from one handbag to another.

[4] For example, US 2005263226 to Smithers discloses a pouch for insertion in a purse or handbag. The pouch is generally rectangular in shape, open at the top thereof, and has a plurality of inner pockets for storing and organizing items to be carried. The invention functions as a purse liner, purse organizer and as a pouch in which essential items stored therein may be transferred from one purse or handbag to another. The pouch further comprises a plurality of fabric ioops, which are anchored to the inner walls of the pouch, and in which can be secured pens and lipstick canisters. One end of a key tether is secured within the pouch. The free end of the tether is coupled to a clip releasable with one hand that may be releasably attached to a key chain or key ring. The pouch is fabricated from breathable mesh, which is preferably a mesh made of woven polyester thread coated with vinyl.

[5] It is known in the art to make a purse or handbag comprising pockets or compartments of variable sizes.

[6] US 2003029534 to Ma discloses a housing such as a purse or handbag comprising at least one divider; at least one detachable hook and loop strip' and at least one non-detachable, mating means' for selectively maintaining the strips within the housing. (The strips and mating means comprise a mechanism similar to a zipper type arrangement.) The strips and mating means are disposed on the housing and divider substantially vertically in at least one and up to a multiplicity of locations such that pockets or compartments can be created by fastening the strips to the corresponding mating means. By selectively attaching or detaching the strips with the mating means, combinations of pockets can be created as required by an individual user.

[7] Means for reinforcing a handbag are known in the art, for the purpose of giving shape and preventing the development of holes.

[8] US 5009319 to Jantzen, for example, discloses a soft purse or handbag including a series of flexible plastic inserts for giving shape to the purse when the plastic inserts are bent and placed into the purse. The plastic inserts can be removed, for folding, storage or cleaning of the soft purse. Purse straps may be detached and interchanged. Purse flaps may be detached and interchanged. A fitted, removable, liner/organizer lets the user change purses without removing the contents piecemeal.

Brief S11mmry of the Invention [9] In the following, the term bag' is used to refer to a handbag, purse, or other container for carrying personal effects.

[10] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a means of holding and transporting personal effects in a manner in which they can be easily located within a bag, and easily transferred from one bag to another.

[11] It can further be seen that a need has arisen to have such a means which can be customized to each users needs according to the dimensions of both the user's bag and the user's personal effects.

[12] It would be advantageous to have such a personal effects organizer which had the added advantage of reinforcing and giving shape to a bag.

[13] In the present invention, a customizable bag organizer is disclosed, comprising a base plate having a multiplicity of slots preferably arranged in a grid; at least one strip and preferably a multiplicity of strips in two perpendicular directions, the strips having protrusions for interlocking with said slots; the spaces between the strips thereby comprising compartments. Preferably, the base plate and strips have stress lines along which they can be snapped to create pieces of a length desired by a user.

[14] It is an object, therefore, of the present invention, to provide a means for customizably organizing personal effects in a bag.

[15] It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for transferring personal effects from one bag to another.

[16] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a means which also reinforces a bag.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [17] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [18] Figure la shows the first embodiment of the present invention assembled in a user's chosen configuration.

[19] Figure lb shows the components of the first embodiment of the present invention disassembled.

[20] Figure 2 shows a birds-eye view of the base plate of the second embodiment of the invention.

[21] Figure 3 shows the second embodiment of the present invention assembled in a user's chosen configuration.

[22] Figure 4 shows the third embodiment of the invention with the apparatus in a transparent carry bag.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[23] In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, a customizable bag organizer is disclosed, comprising a base plate 100 having a multiplicity of base slots 102 preferably arranged in a grid; at least one first strip 104 in a first direction, and preferably at least one second strip 106 in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. Said first strips comprise protrusions 112 for interlocking with said base slots. Preferably, said second strips comprise interlock slots 108 for interlocking with said first strips. The spaces between the strips thereby comprise a multiplicity of compartments of sizes chosen by the user.

[24] Preferably, the base plate and first and second strips have stress lines 110 along which they can be snapped to create pieces of a length desired by a user.

[25] In the preferred embodiment, the base plate is preferably 300x200mm in size, since this corresponds to the largest length and/or width of most handbags. However, the base plate may be any dimensions to correspond with any bag or independent use as desired.

[26] The second strips are preferably 200x55mm. An advantage of this is that the length corresponds with the width of the base plate, while the height is slightly higher than that of the first strips, to enable the interlocking slots to match the height of the first strips. However, second strips may be any size.

[27] The base plate preferably comprises polypropylene. The strips preferably comprise polypropylene. An advantage of this material is that it is strong enough to reinforce and give shape to a handbag yet flexible enough that when thinned along stress lines, the strips can be snapped and create smooth fracture lines for providing smooth edges to the organizer.

[28] The base plate slots are preferably arranged in a regular grid as shown in the figures, although they may be arranged in any configuration regular or irregular, and may be arranged to match the size or shape of a particular item or personal effect such as a particular mobile phone or makeup range.

[29} The first strips are preferably 300x5Omm in size. An advantage of this is that the length corresponds with the preferred length of the base plate and the height corresponds with an average height of the type of personal effects carried in such an apparatus. However, the first strips may be any size.

[30] The protrusions on the first strip are preferably arranged to line up with the locations of the base slots when the two components are aligned. Preferably, the protrusions and base slots are arranged at regular intervals, an advantage being that a strip can be positioned in a multiplicity of locations on the base plate. This provides the maximum flexibility and customizability of the organizer. However, alternatively the slots and protrusions may not be arranged at regular intervals and may be irregularly spaced.

[31] Preferably, said protrusions and slots together comprise a snap-fit mechanism as known in the art whereby they can be slotted together by hand and remain in place.

Alternatively, the base may comprise protrusions and the first strips may comprise slots or grips for holding the protrusions in place. Alternatively, other snap-fitting mechanisms or other hand-operable means known in the art may be used, for example but without limitation, peppers, zippers, Velcro, hooks and eyes etc. Furthermore, glue may be used. An advantage of the protrusions and slots is that a user can, without additional equipment, choose a configuration and assemble the apparatus of the invention easily and quickly. A further advantage is that the apparatus will then stay in the chosen configuration without moving. An advantage of non-permanent mechanisms such as Velcro or poppers is that the configuration can be changed after ass emb 1 y.

[32] The second strips are preferably 200x55mm in size. An advantage of this is that the length corresponds with the width of the base plate, while the height is slightly higher than that of the first strips, to enable the interlocking slots to match the height of the first strips. However, second strips may be any size.

[33] The interlocking slots are disposed at locations corresponding to at least one and preferably all possible locations of the first strips when in position on the base plate.

Thus the second strips can be interlocked with the first strips.

Most preferably, since the base slots are preferably in a regular grid and the protrusions are preferably at regular intervals corresponding to the grid, the interlocking slots will therefore be also at regular intervals. This configuration enables the maximum flexibility and customizability of the apparatus.

However, the slots may also be at any location on the strips which enables the strips to be interlocked in at least one location, and may for example be designed to accommodate a particular item or personal effect. The interlocking slots are preferably marginally longer than the height of the first strips, to enable the second strips to slot over them and just meet the base plate. The interlocking slots are preferably marginally wider than the thickness of the material comprising the first strips, to enable the slots of the second strips to be easily fitted over the first strips and thenceforth remain in place. The thickness of the strips is preferably of the order of a millimeter in order that the strips occupy minimal space in a bag.

[34] The stress lines of all components preferably comprise lines where the material of the plate and strips are thinned.

Alternatively they may comprise perforations or other means of enabling a user to snap the plate and strips by hand. An advantage of this is that no tools are needed. As a further alternative, tools such as scissors or a craft knife may be used to cut along said stress lines.

[35] The preferred configuration of the stress lines are shown in Figure 1. The stress lines are preferably arranged a grid since this provides a regular shape for a regular shaped bag, however, they may be in any configuration and may or may not be parallel or perpendicular, and may be arranged to match the size or shape of a particular bag or range of bags. Preferably, an area at the centre of the base plate comprises no stress lines, as shown in Figure lb. This area corresponds with the base area of the smallest bag likely to be used in conjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. An advantage of this is that production costs are reduced by reducing the number of stress lines necessary to be fabricated on the base plate.

[36] A bag may be provided for inserting the organizer into and using in conjunction with the organizer. The bag may be any bag, such as a handbag, purse, tote or shopping bag without limitation and is preferably constructed from PVC.

[37] A method is further disclosed for assembling a customizable bag organizer. The method comprises the steps of: [38] snapping a base plate along stress lines; [39] snapping first strips along stress lines; [40] positioning said first strips on said base plate; [41] snapping second strips along stress lines; [42] interlocking said second strips with said first strips.

[43] Preferably, the components are all as described in the first embodiment. Preferably, the base plate is snapped to a shape substantially corresponding to the bag shape. Preferably, the strips are snapped and positioned to lengths and in locations substantially corresponding to the base plate dimensions and personal effects to be held in the apparatus, respectively.

[44] The first strips are preferably positioned using protrusions and base slots as in the first embodiment.

[45] The second strips are preferably positioned using interlocking slots as in the first embodiment.

[461 In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base plate 100 can be extended using at least one connector strip 114 and at least one additional base piece 116.

[47] The additional base piece or pieces and connector strip or strips are preferably of the same material as the rest of the apparatus.

[48] Preferably, the additional base piece comprises the same construction as the base plate, having base plate slots as shown arranged in a configuration matching the size and layout of those of the base plate. However, any configuration and size of slots may be used. It is envisaged that the base piece will be smaller in one dimension than the base plate and equal to it in another dimension, and thus will neatly add width without changing the length, or length without changing the width. More than one base piece may be attached to change both the length and width. However, base pieces may not have dimensions matching the base plate and may be larger than it.

[49] It is further envisaged that the base plate to be used in conjunction with such base pieces will not feature the stress lines of the first embodiment but will rather come in a size corresponding to an average small handbag or purse. The base pieces can then be added such that the apparatus corresponds to the size of a larger handbag or purse. However, the base plate may still comprise stress lines in any direction. A useful arrangement may be to have stress lines for varying the size horizontally and addable base pieces for varying the size vertically.

[50) The connector strips are preferably of the cross section shown in Figures 2 and 3 in order that the base plate and base pieces can slide onto the strips. Alternatively other mechanisms may be used and the connector strip may comprise clips for connecting the base plate and base pieces, or hooks or other mechanisms known in the art. Furthermore, the base plate may comprise means for connecting to the base piece, such as an integrated connector strip along at least one edge such that the base piece itself slides onto the base plate. Alternatively, the base piece may comprise means for connecting to the base plate, such as an integrated connector strip along at least one edge for slidably connecting to the base plate. Furthermore, there may be no connector strip and any means or mechanism known in the art may be used for connecting the base plate and base piece, for example, poppers, hooks, buttons, Velcro, etc. [511 Figure 4 shows the third embodiment of the invention with the apparatus in a transparent carry bag 118. An advantage of this embodiment is that the carry bag facilitates transferring the apparatus from one purse or handbag to another, while the transparency facilitates viewing and locating the objects within the apparatus. Alternatively the carry bag may not be transparent. Preferably, the carry bag has a base slightly larger than the size of the base plate such that the assembled apparatus of the invention fits snugly into the bag. The carry bag preferably comprises handles 120 to further facilitate transfer between bags. The handles preferably retract by any means known in the art, and in particular may retract into pockets 122 to ensure that they do not interfere with access to the apparatus when in use. Pockets 112 may also provide extra storage.

Alternatively there may be no pockets or no handles. As a further alternative the handles may be connected directly to the apparatus of the invention with no need for a carry bag.

Claims

Claims 1. A customizable bag organizer comprising: a base plate having a multiplicity of base slots; at least one first strip having at least one protrusion for interlocking with said base slots; wherein spaces around said strips comprise compartments.
2. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said base plate further comprises at least one stress line.
3. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said base plate further comprises stress lines in two perpendicular directions.
4. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said first strip comprises at least one stress line.
5. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising: at least one second strip; wherein said at least one second strip comprises at least one interlock slot for interlocking with said at least one first strip.
6. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said second strip comprises at least one stress line.
7. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said base slots are arranged in a grid pattern.
8. The organizer of claim 2 wherein said stress lines are arranged in a grid pattern.
9. A method for assembling a customizable bag organizer for use in a bag comprising the steps of: snapping a base plate along stress lines; snapping first strips along stress lines; positioning said first strips on said base plate; snapping second strips along stress lines; interlocking said second strips with said first strips.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bag for use in conjunction with said organizer.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bag is substantially transparent.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bag comprises handles.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said handles areretractable.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bag comprises pockets.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one base piece.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one connector strip.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said base plate comprises means for connecting to said base piece.
18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said base piece comprises means for connecting to said base plate.