US20130074997A1 - Handbag with secret compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

A handbag has a secret compartment such that when the handbag is opened, the secret compartment is hidden from view. More specific embodiments include a secret compartment that is a detachable pouch. The detachable pouch may be configured as a tri-fold or bi-fold wallet. Other embodiments include a handbag having a visible portion configured to fold over the secret compartment and detachably attach to the secret compartment so that the secret compartment is hidden from view.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates generally to handbags, and more particularly, to a handbag with secret compartments.
BACKGROUND
• Women generally carry handbags containing various articles, such as driver's license, credit cards, cash, medications, and feminine hygiene products (e.g., tampons and pads). Some articles in the handbags may be intended to be kept away from plain view when the handbag is opened. At other times, these same articles may be intended to be taken out of the handbag quickly and discreetly. For example, some women may want to keep feminine hygiene products out of plain view during shopping. However, they may want to remove one or more feminine hygiene products in a restroom stall quickly and discreetly, without having to search through the contents of their handbags, or causing other articles in the handbag to spill out. Currently available handbags contain built-in pockets for carrying articles. However, these pockets may be generally small and inconveniently located. To get around this problem, additional purses may be used within the handbag to carry items such as feminine hygiene products. However, these additional purses tend to be conspicuous, bulky, and/or inconvenient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. The various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1A is a simplified exploded view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 1B is a simplified diagram of another view of the handbag;
• FIG. 1C is a simplified diagram of yet another view of the handbag;
• FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of additional details of the handbag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of additional details of the handbag according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIG. 4B is a simplified diagram of another view of the handbag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTSOverview
• In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a handbag has a secret compartment such that when the handbag is opened, the secret compartment is hidden from view. More specific embodiments include a secret compartment that is a detachable pouch. The detachable pouch may be configured as a tri-fold or bi-fold wallet. Other embodiments include a handbag having a visible portion configured to fold over the secret compartment and detachably attach to the secret compartment so that the secret compartment is hidden from view.
• The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments.
Example Embodiments
• It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure. However, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
• The present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures.
• Turning toFIGS. 1A-1C,FIG. 1A is a simplified diagram showing a perspective, exploded view of ahandbag10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, “handbag” encompasses all kinds of bags that may be carried by hand, shoulder or wrist, including shoulder bag, sling bag, messenger bag, tote bag, weekend bag, wristlet, satchel, saddle bag, muff bag, minaudiere, hobo bag, fold over clutch, clutch bag, envelope bag, duffel bag, doctor's bag, bucket bag, bowling bag, baguette bag, backpack, athletic bag, etc. Ahandbag10 may include adetachable pouch12.Detachable pouch12 may comprise anouter cover14 having apattern16. As used herein, a “pattern” encompasses a decorative design composed of a number of elements (e.g., motifs), arranged in a regular or irregular manner. A pattern may include any design and style, including polka dot, floral, geometric, fractal, animal print, abstract, arabesque, argyle, art deco, art nouveau, awning stripe, basket-weave, batik, bayadere stripe, bead and reel, bengal stripe, bird's eye, blotch, boteh, paisley, brocatelle, bull's eye, calico, camouflage, cartouche, celtic knot, etc.
• Detachable pouch12 may include at least two pockets therein. A “pocket” encompasses a bag or envelope like receptacle to hold articles. In an example embodiment, a pocket may include elastic bands configured to hold articles. Pockets may be attached insidepouch12 using any known means, e.g., stitching, gluing, etc. Pockets may be configured with any kind of appropriate opening, such as zippered opening, slit, velcro, button, snaps, etc.Detachable pouch12 may be placed insidehandbag10 on abottom portion18 ofhandbag10.Detachable pouch12 may be flexible or inflexible, and may comprise any design, style, and shape, including tri-fold wallet, bi-fold wallet, etc. In an example embodiment,detachable pouch12 may be configured to be compact enough to fit intohandbag10, while sufficiently large enough to hold articles (e.g., feminine hygiene products, medications, etc.).
• In an example embodiment, in addition tobottom portion18,handbag10 may comprise anoptional top portion20,front portion22,rear portion24 andoptional side portions26 and28. In an example embodiment according toFIG. 1A,top portion20 may be configured as a flap overlappingfront portion22. In another example embodiment,top portion20 may be absent (e.g., as in a tote bag, a hobo bag, etc.).Top portion20 may optionally detachably attach tofront portion22 with one or more closures such as magnetic snaps, buckles, buttons, etc. As used herein, a “closure” includes any attachment device capable of detachably mating with a corresponding attachment device, including magnetic snaps, buttons, velcro, buckle, snap closure, snap hooks, bolt snaps, hook and loop, etc. One or more of the closures (e.g., magnetic snaps) may be disposed underneath a lining such that they are not visible, yet can perform their intended functions. In another example embodiment,side portions26 and28 may be absent (e.g., as in a thin purse).
• Handbag10 may be configured with adetachable strap30. In an example embodiment,detachable strap30 may be a single strap extending betweenside portions26 and28. In another example embodiment,detachable strap30 may be a double strap extending betweenside portions26 and28. In yet another example embodiment,detachable strap30 may be a double strap attached tofront portion22 and rear portion24 (e.g., as in a tote bag). In yet another example embodiment,detachable strap30 may extend betweenfront portion22 andrear portion24. Various configurations ofdetachable strap30 are contemplated within the broad scope of the present disclosure. In an example embodiment,front portion22 may include one or more pockets for storing articles.
• FIG. 1B is a simplifieddiagram showing handbag10 splayed open to display its inside. In operation and use,handbag10 may not be splayed open easily, as appropriate sides ofhandbag10 would be stitched together or otherwise attached. The configuration shown inFIG. 1B is merely for illustrative purposes and ease of description.Top portion20 may optionally include aclosure34athat may detachably mate with acorresponding closure34b(not shown) on an outer side offront portion22.Front portion22 may include one or more pockets, for example, a pocket36 with a zippered opening.Rear portion24 may include apocket37 having a transparent cover to facilitate viewing the contents thereof. For example, a driver's license or other identification card may be inserted intopocket37. One ormore slots38 may be provided inrear portion24 to facilitate inserting various articles such as credit cards, medical insurance cards, cash, etc.
• Handbag10 may include aninner lining39 having apattern40.Inner lining39 ofhandbag10 andouter cover14 ofdetachable pouch12 may be made of same or substantially similar materials, including cotton, satin, silk, leather, suede, polyester, polyester blends, etc. For example, ifinner lining30 is made of cotton,outer cover14 may also be made of cotton.Pattern40 ofhandbag10 may be same or substantially similar topattern16 ofdetachable pouch12 such thatpattern40 andpattern16 are visually indistinguishable. Whendetachable pouch12 is laid onbottom portion18 ofhandbag10,detachable pouch12 may be inconspicuous, aspattern16 andpattern40 are visually indistinguishable. Whenhandbag10 is opened, for example, to view or access any contents therein,detachable pouch12 may be hidden from view (e.g., not easily discernible to an ordinary observer).Detachable pouch12 may be used as a secret compartment withinhandbag10, providing hidden storage for articles. In an example embodiment,detachable pouch12 may be detachably attached tobottom portion18, for example, using appropriate closures.
• FIG. 1C is a simplified diagram showing an outer side ofhandbag10 splayed open as inFIG. 1B. In operation and use,handbag10 may not be splayed open easily, as appropriate sides ofhandbag10 may be stitched together or otherwise attached. The configuration shown inFIG. 1C is merely for illustrative purposes and ease of description.Rear portion24 may include one or more pockets42. In an example embodiment,pocket42 may have an oval slit opening.Front portion22 may include anoptional closure34bthat may detachably mate withclosure34a(not shown) on an inner side oftop portion20. In an example embodiment,closure34aand34bmay be mated, to prevent any contents inhandbag10 from spilling out.
• Detachable pouch12 may contain one or more pockets to organize and store articles, including feminine hygiene products, medications, cosmetics, condoms, etc. A user ofhandbag10 may place articles insidedetachable pouch12. During regular use, for example, shopping,detachable pouch12 may be inconspicuous onbottom portion18 ofhandbag10. However, the user may easily accessdetachable pouch12 and remove it fromhandbag10, for example, to access the articles therein, or when it is not desired to carry it inhandbag10. In an example scenario, a user may organize and store tampons, pantiliners, medications and other articles in appropriate pockets indetachable pouch12. The user may insertdetachable pouch12 intohandbag10 during her menstrual period so that the stored articles may be easily and discreetly accessed when desired. When the stored articles indetachable pouch12 need not be accessed any more, for example, after her menstrual period, the user may removedetachable pouch12 fromhandbag10.
• Handbag10 anddetachable pouch12 may be configured in various designs, shapes and styles. The example shapes, designs, and patterns shown inFIG. 1 are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be limitations. Innumerable variations in designs, shapes, and styles are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• Turning toFIG. 2,FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of adetachable pouch12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Detachable pouch12 is shown spread out open inFIG. 2 and may be configured as a tri-fold wallet. A side facing the viewer may be described as a front side, and a side hidden from view may be described as a rear side.Detachable pouch12 may comprise afirst portion44, asecond portion46 and athird portion48.First portion44 may include aclosure50.Closure50 may detachably mate with a corresponding closure (not shown) on a rear side ofthird portion48.Second portion46 may include aclosure52athat may detachably mate with acorresponding closure52binthird portion48. In example embodiments,closure50,52aand52bmay be magnetic closures disposed underneath a lining ofdetachable pouch12, such that they are not visible, yet can perform their intended functions.Third portion48 may be folded intosecond portion44, for example, withclosures52aand52bmating, andfirst portion44 may be folded overthird portion48 such thatclosure50 mates with the corresponding closure on the rear side ofthird portion48.
• First portion44 may include one ormore pockets54 configured to receive articles. In an example embodiment, pockets54 may be configured to receive long and thin articles such as tampons, or lipsticks.Pockets54 may have slit openings, or any other kind of openings permitting articles to be inserted intopockets54. In an example embodiment,pocket54 may comprise one or more elastic bands that can hold long and thin articles. Any number of pockets may be provided without changing the scope of the present disclosure. One ormore pockets56 may be provided insecond portion46 for receiving articles. In an example embodiment, pockets56 may be configured to receive rectangular or square packets such as packaged panty-liners, sanitary pads, condoms, etc.Pockets56 may have zippered openings, or any other kind of openings (e.g., slits, velcro, etc) permitting articles to be inserted intopockets56. One ormore pockets58 may be provided inthird portion48 to hold articles. In an example embodiment, pockets58 may be configured to receive bulky articles such as medication, cosmetics, etc.Pockets58 may have zippered openings, or any other kind of openings (e.g., slits, velcro, etc.) permitting articles to be inserted intopockets56.Detachable pouch12 may be configured to be inserted intohandbag10 such thatdetachable pouch12 is hidden from view. The tri-fold configuration ofdetachable pouch12 shown inFIG. 2 is for illustrative purposes. Innumerable variations in the tri-fold configuration are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
• A user may organize and store various articles such as tampons, sanitary pads, medications, condoms, etc. in the one or more pockets infirst portion44,second portion46 andthird portion48 ofdetachable pouch12. The articles may be conveniently accessed as needed after removingdetachable pouch12 fromhandbag10.
• Turning toFIG. 3,FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of adetachable pouch12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Detachable pouch12 is shown spread out open inFIG. 3 and may be configured as a bi-fold wallet.Detachable pouch12 may be divided into afirst portion60 and asecond portion62.First portion60 may include aclosure64athat may detachably mate with acorresponding closure64bonsecond portion62.Second portion62 may be folded intofirst portion60, withclosures64aand64bmating. In example embodiments,closure64aand64bmay be magnetic closures disposed underneath a lining ofdetachable pouch12, such that they are not visible, yet can perform their intended functions.First portion60 may include one or more pockets66. In an example embodiment, pockets66 may comprise three pockets with slit openings, configured to receive long/thin articles, such as tampons, or lipsticks. Any number of pockets may be provided without changing the scope of the present disclosure. One ormore pockets68 may be provided insecond portion62. In an example embodiment,pocket62 may have a zippered opening and may be configured to receive articles such as panty-liners, sanitary pads, condoms, medications, etc. Any kind of opening (e.g., slit, velcro, zippered, etc.) may be provided onpockets68 within the broad scope of the present disclosure.Detachable pouch12 may be configured to be inserted intohandbag10 such thatdetachable pouch12 is hidden from view. The bi-fold configuration ofdetachable pouch12 shown inFIG. 3 is for illustrative purposes only. Innumerable variations in the bi-fold configuration are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
• Turning toFIGS. 4A and 4B,FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram of a front view of a handbag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Handbag10 is shown spread out open inFIG. 4A.Handbag10 may comprise afirst portion70, asecond portion72 and athird portion74.First portion70 may include apocket76. In an example embodiment,pocket76 may have a transparent cover, for example, to facilitate viewing any contents thereof. For example, a driver's license or other identification card may be inserted intopocket76. One ormore slots78 may be provided infirst portion70 to facilitate inserting various articles such as credit cards, medical insurance cards, cash, etc. A closure80amay be provided infirst portion70 and configured to detachably mate with acorresponding closure80b(not shown) on a rear side ofthird portion74.
• Second portion72 may include aclosure82athat may detachably mate with acorresponding closure82binthird portion74.Second portion72 may include one ormore pockets84, which may be used to store articles such as tampons or lipsticks.Pockets84 may be designed as visible pockets, stitched to an external surface ofsecond portion72.Pockets84 may also be configured to be hidden insidesecond portion72.Second portion72 may also include one ormore pockets86 for storing articles such as panty-liners, condoms, sanitary pads, medications, etc. In an example embodiment,pocket86 may have a zippered opening. Any other kind of closeable opening (e.g., velcro, snaps, buttons, etc.) may also be provided within the scope of the present disclosure. Adetachable strap90 may be attached tosecond portion72. In an example embodiment,detachable strap90 may be a thick strap attached proximatefirst portion70.Third portion74 may include one ormore pockets88 for storing articles. In an example embodiment,pocket88 may have a zippered opening. Any other kind of closeable opening (e.g., velcro, snaps, buttons, etc.) may also be provided within the scope of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 4B illustrates a simplified diagram of a rear view ofhandbag10. A rear side ofsecond portion72 may include one or more pockets92. In anexample embodiment pocket92 has a slit opening. Other designs and configurations ofpocket72 are within the scope of the present disclosure.Third portion74 may include aclosure80bthat can detachably mate with closure80a(not shown) on a front side offirst portion70.
• During use,third portion74 may be folded oversecond portion72, andclosure82aofsecond portion72 may be mated withclosure82bofthird portion74. Whenclosures82aand82bare mated,third portion74 may be visible, and may hide a front side ofsecond portion72 from view.Handbag10 may appear to have only afirst portion70 and athird portion74, when viewed from the front.Third portion74 may be a visible portion, andsecond portion72 may be a secret compartment ofhandbag10. Further, closure80aoffirst portion70 may be mated withclosure80bonthird portion74. When closure80ais detached fromclosure80b,first portion70 may be turned open, and credit cards and other articles stored in various pockets infirst portion50 may be accessed without displaying any contents ofsecond portion72.
• A user may organize and store various articles such as tampons, sanitary pads, medications, condoms, etc. in the one or more pockets insecond portion72 ofhandbag10. The articles may be conveniently accessed as needed after detachingclosures82aand82bto expose the front side ofsecond portion72. The example shapes, styles, and designs shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be limitations. Innumerable variations in designs, shapes, and styles are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
• While the disclosure references several particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all elements or steps which are insubstantially different from those recited in the claims but perform substantially the same functions, respectively, in substantially the same way to achieve the same result as what is claimed are within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (13)

What is claimed is:

1. A handbag comprising:

a secret compartment including at least two pockets, such that when the handbag is opened, the secret compartment is hidden from view.

2. The handbag ofclaim 1, wherein the secret compartment is a detachable pouch.

3. The handbag ofclaim 2, wherein the detachable pouch comprises an outer cover having a pattern, and the handbag further comprises an inner lining having the pattern.

4. The handbag ofclaim 3, wherein the outer cover is made of a material, and the inner lining is made of the material.

5. The handbag ofclaim 2, wherein the detachable pouch is configured as a foldable tri-fold wallet comprising a first portion configured to fold over a second portion and a third portion, wherein the third portion is configured to fold over the second portion.

6. The handbag ofclaim 5, wherein the detachable pouch includes at least one pocket in each of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

7. The handbag ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one pocket in first portion is configured to receive long or thin articles, the at least one pocket in the second portion is configured to receive rectangular articles, and the at least one pocket in the third portion is configured to receive bulky articles.

8. The handbag ofclaim 2, wherein the detachable pouch is configured as a foldable bi-fold wallet comprising a first portion configured to fold over a second portion.

9. The handbag ofclaim 8, wherein the detachable pouch includes at least one pocket in each of the first portion and the second portion.

10. The handbag ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one pocket in first portion is configured to receive long or thin articles, the at least one pocket in the second portion is configured to receive rectangular articles and bulky articles.

11. The handbag ofclaim 1, wherein the handbag further comprises:

a pocket having a transparent cover; and

one or more slots configured to hold cards and cash.

12. The handbag ofclaim 1, wherein the handbag further comprises:

a visible portion configured to fold over the secret compartment, and detachably attach to the secret compartment such that the secret compartment is hidden from view.

13. The handbag ofclaim 12, wherein the secret compartment comprises at least one pocket configured to receive long and thin articles, and another pocket configured to receive rectangular articles and bulky articles.

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