WO2012101626A1

WO2012101626A1 - Handbag

Info

Publication number: WO2012101626A1
Application number: PCT/IL2012/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adoram Leshem
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-29
Filing date: 2012-01-12
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-29

Abstract

A bag (100) is provided herein that includes: a main portion (120) with a cavity (128) therein, the main portion (120) having a top, front (114), back (106), first and second lateral sides, and a collapsible base (120), the base (120) capable of being positioned between an expanded position and at least one collapsed position; and a flap (104) hingedly coupled to the top of the main portion (120), the flap (104) movable between a closed orientation and at least one open orientation, the flap (104) comprising at least one mirror (108) located on one or more sides of the flap (104) or the main portion (120).

Description

HANDBAG

Background of the Invention

The present application relates to bags and more particularly to make-up handbags with vanity mirrors therein.

US Patent No. 2003130 describes a lady's handbag with a mirror provided on the inner side of the closure flap.

US Patent No. 3186462 discloses a ladies' purse containing a retractible mirror slideably nesting in a pocket affixed to the front wall of the purse. US Patent No. 3381119 discloses a vanity case construction with a mirror secured on one side of one of the walls, and lights are preferably arranged around the mirror and operate when the mirror is in an operative position. US Patent No. 4084085 a handbag provided with an illuminated mirror. US Patent No. 4739809 discloses a handbag with a mirror compartment positioned on the lower stiffened section of flap to provide convenient viewing when the flap is opened.

US Patent No. 4250938 discloses a ladies handbag having a main handbag component and a separate detachable organizer clutch purse component. The clutch purse has an organizer section for the convenient reception and display of cosmetic items and attaches to the main handbag at a hinged rear flap, or, in another embodiment, is receivable in an inner pocket of the main handbag. The organizer clutch includes a closure flap carrying a make-up mirror.

Summary of the Invention

A bag is provided herein that includes: a main portion with a cavity therein, the main portion having a top, front, back, first and second lateral sides, and a collapsible base, the base capable of being positioned between an expanded position and at least one collapsed position; and a flap hingedly coupled to the top of the main portion, the flap movable between a closed orientation and at least one open orientation, the flap comprising at least one mirror located on one or more sides of the flap or the main portion

In one embodiment, the base comprises a crease extending between the lateral sides of the main portion of the bag, the crease separating a plurality of portions of the base and allowing the base to be collapsed by folding the plurality of portions of the base closer to each other and to be expanded by unfolding the plurality of portions of the base.

In one embodiment, folding the plurality of portions ofthe base reduces a distance between the front and the back of the main portion of the bag and unfolding the plurality of portions of the base increases the distance between the front and the back of the main portion of the bag.

In one embodiment, the base comprises a mechanism for inelastically maintaining a collapsed or expanded position of the base.

In one embodiment, the mechanism comprises at least one wire that maintains the position of the base by permanently deforming the wire into a desired position.

In one embodiment, the mechanism comprises at least one hinge with detents therein that maintains the position of the base by arresting rotational movement about the axis of the crease. In one embodiment, the flap is capable of being positioned vertically and maintaining a vertical orientation.

In one embodiment, the vertical orientation is a first orientation that the flap is capable of maintaining without falling back into the closed orientation.

In one embodiment, the flap is capable of being positioned in a plurality of open orientations.

In one embodiment, the flap is hinged to the main portion with a plurality of detents, each of the detents maintaining an open orientation of the plurality of orientations.

In one embodiment, the flap is mechanically coupled to the base so as to control expansion and collapse of the base.

In one embodiment, the flap is mechanically coupled to the base so as to expand the base while opening the flap and to collapse the base while closing the flap.

In one embodiment, a plurality of lights located behind the mirror.

In one embodiment, the mirror having see though portions at the location of the lights that allow only light behind the mirror to show through.

In one embodiment, the bag comprising at least one switching mechanisms that at least one of: turns the lights on and off, and adjusts a brightness of the light. In at least one embodiment, the bag includes at least one light pivotally coupled to at least one of the mirror, the flap, or the main portion of the bag allowing the user to aim the light in a desired direction.

In one embodiment, the mirror is pivotally coupled to at least one of the flap and the main portion of the bag allowing the user to aim the mirror in a desired direction

In one embodiment, a bag is provided that includes: a main portion with a cavity therein, the main portion having a top, front, back, first and second lateral sides, and a collapsible base, the base capable of being positioned between an expanded position and at least one collapsed position, the base comprises a crease extending between the lateral sides of the main portion of the bag, the crease separating a plurality of portions of the base and allowing the base to be collapsed by folding the plurality of portions of the base closer to each other and to be expanded by unfolding the plurality of portions of the base; and a flap hingedly coupled to the top of the main portion, the flap movable between a closed orientation and at least one open orientation, the flap comprising at least one mirror located on an inside face of the flap that is concealed in the closed orientation and revealed in the at least one open orientation, the flap mechanically coupled to the base so as to expand the base while opening the flap and to collapse the base while closing the flap.

Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows. Brief Description of the Figures

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handbag according to at least one embodiment of the invention in an open orientation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handbag according to at least one embodiment of the invention in a closed orientation;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a handbag according to at least one embodiment of the handbags disclosed herein with the flap thereof in an least one open orientation;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a handbag according to at least one embodiment of the handbags disclosed herein with the flap and collapsible base thereof in at least one open orientation, and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a handbag according to at least one embodiment of the handbags disclosed herein with the flap in at least one open orientation.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present application generally provides a handbag with a stabilizing mechanism, which allows users thereof to collapse the base of the handbag for compact transport and to expand the base of the handbag for use as explained in greater detail below.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the handbag 100 of the present invention in an open orientation. Handbag 100 includes a main body 102, a flap 104 attached to the bag's back wall 106, and a mirror 108 disposed on the inner surface of the flap 104. The interior of the main body 102 may have one or more compartments, pockets or the like therein with an access opening 110. The access opening 110 may remain open or may include a securing mechanism 112, such as a zipper, a clasp, a magnetic button, etc. Access to the contents stored in the interior of the main body 102 may therefore be achieved by opening and/or closing the securing mechanism 112. The front wall 114 generally gets covered by the flap 104 when the flap 104 is positioned in a closed orientation as seen in Fig. 2 and revealed when the flap 104 is positioned into one or more open orientations. Flap 104, in the present embodiment, has stabilizing means comprising two deformable wires, wire 103 A and wire 103B, attached partially to the flap 104 and partially to the back wall 116 of the handbag 100.

Deformable wire 103 A and wire 103B allow a user to open the handbag 100 and adjust the position of the flap 104 as desired, i.e., allow the user to rotate the flap 104 about the axis x-x' and keep the flap 104 stable in its position by providing resistance against any tendency of the flap 104 to collapse on its own and fold back into a closed orientation.

In at least one embodiment the base is collapsible between at least two positions, e.g., an expanded and one or more collapsed positions. The collapsibility of the base 120 may be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, in Figure 3, the base may have a crease 122 therein extending between the lateral sides of the main portion. The crease 122 generally acts as a hinge that allows the portions of the base opposite the crease 122 to be folded closer to each other thereby decreasing the front to rear distance "D" of the base 120, which allows the bag 100 to be carried as a clutch. The front to rear distance "D" of the base 120 may be increased by unfolding the portions of the base opposite the crease 122, which allows the bag 100 to be stood in an upright position better as shown. It is understood that multiple creases maybe used to achieve the same collapsibility of the base. The position of the base, e.g., collapsed or expanded, may be inelastically maintained in a variety of ways. For example, the base 120 may include a deformable metal wire 124 located in the base so as to fold and unfold along with the portions of the base 120 and provide resistance against any tendency of the base 120 to expand and collapse on its own. The portions of the base may also be hinged 126 to each other with one or more hinges with detents therein that arrest rotational movement about the axis of the crease 122. The hinge(s) may therefore allow the base 120 to be adjusted incrementally, in predefined increments or otherwise, between a fully extended position and fully collapsed position.

It is understood that certain items stored in the cavity 128 may interfere with the collapsibility of the base 120. In this instance, the cavity 128 may include a liner or some other structure that prevents items from being lodged between the front or rear of the main portion 102 and the portions of the base 120 that may prevent the portions of the base 120 from being folded closer to each other. In one embodiment, the main portion 120 includes a liner within the cavity 128 that has a volume that is smaller than the volume of the cavity 128, which may prevent items stored in the bag 100 from falling between the front or rear of the main body 102 and the portions of the base 120.

In a closed orientation the flap 104 generally folds over and conceals the opening 128 as shown in Fig. 1. The flap 104 may be unfolded as shown in

Fig. 3 to reveal the opening 128 and also to reveal the underside 202 of the flap 104. The bag 100 preferably includes a flap 104 that is capable of being placed and maintained in at least one open orientation. For example, the flap 104 may be capable of being oriented vertically or plumb. In one instance, the flap 104 preferably maintains the vertical orientation and therefore resists folding back into a closed orientation. The vertical orientation may be a first orientation that is maintained. That is, when unfolded less than the first orientation, the flap 104 would be allowed to fall back into the closed orientation. At the first orientation and beyond, however, the flap 104 would be prevented from falling back into the closed orientation thus retaining the selected open orientation. The flap 104 may be adjustably hinged so as to maintain multiple open orientations, as much as about 90 degrees from the vertical or from the plumb position or any increment in between, as shown. The flap 104 may therefore be hinged to the back side 102 with detents therein that arrest rotational movement about the axis where the flap 104 meets the main portion 102. The hinge may therefore allow the base 120 to be adjusted incrementally, in predetermined amounts or otherwise, between the first open position and the fully extended open position.

The flap 104 may be mechanically coupled to the base 120 so as to control the expansion and collapse of the base 120. That is, the bag 100 may be configured so that opening the flap 104 causes the base 120 to expand, which provides a stable base for setting the bag 100 in an upright or vertical orientation. The base 120 may similarly be collapsed by closing the flap 104.

The point at which the base 120 begins to expand and collapse with the opening and closing of the flap 104 may vary. For example, the opening of the flap 104 may cause the expansion of the base 120 essentially immediately as the flap 104 is opened from the closed orientation. The base

120 may be fully expanded when needed most based on the orientation or position of the flap 104. For example, the base 120 may be fully expanded when the flap 104 is placed in the first open position. Alternatively, the base 120 may be fully expanded at another open position, e.g., when the flap 102 is opened beyond the vertical position so as to resist the weight of the flap 104 that would cause the bag 100 to fall backward. The flap 104 may cause the base 120 to expand at a point other than immediately from the closed orientation. For example, the flap 104 may begin to expand the base 102 in the first open orientation and be fully expanded when the flap 104 is at a point other than in the fully open orientation, such as at 45 degrees from the first open position. This functionality may be achieved with a cam that turns with the movement of the flap 104. A lobe on the cam may act, e.g., push down or pull up on a pushrod coupled to the crease in the base 120 so as to unfold and fold the base, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 5 the flap 104 preferably includes at least one mirror 108 in the underside 202 or inside face of the flap 104. Alternatively or additionally, a mirror may be placed on the outside face of the flap 104, or on any of the sides of the main portion 102. The mirror 108 may include a portion with and a portion without magnification. The mirror preferably includes one or more lights 140 that preferably have a compact profile. For example, the lights 108 may be a plurality or a strip of thin LED lights that are located behind the mirror. The mirror 108 may have see-through portions that allow only the light behind the mirror to show through the mirror. The lights are preferably switched on when needed. For example, the light or lights may be switched on with a light sensor, with a switch actuated by the flap 104, or a combination thereof. The intensity or brightness of the light may also be adjusted based on the signal from the light sensor, a battery level sensor, a user preference, etc., or a combination thereof. The light may be configured to switch on at the same time that the flap 104 is opened, whether the flap 104 causes the base 120 to expand as discussed above or otherwise. The light may be turned on with a touch sensitive area on the mirror 108. The light may also be operated by a timer that shuts the light off after a certain amount of time, e.g., after being on for 60 seconds or some other predetermined amount.

The power source for the light or lights may vary. For example, the flap 104 may include button size batteries therein, which may be rechargeable. Larger batteries may be located in the main portion 102. The bag 100 may also include means for self charging the batteries. For example, the bag 100 may include a photovoltaic charger. The bag 100 may also include a motion charger. That is, the bag 100 may charge the batteries as a result of the movement of the bag 100. For example, the bag 100 may include a magnet that slides laterally within a tubular coil of copper wire wound sufficiently to produce a current therein as the magnet passes through or passed the coil to charge the batteries feeding the light or lights.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bag comprising:

a main portion with a cavity therein, the main portion having a top, front, back, first and second lateral sides, and a collapsible base, the base capable of being positioned between an expanded position and at least one collapsed position; and

a flap hingedly coupled to the top of the main portion, the flap movable between a closed orientation and at least one open orientation, the flap comprising at least one mirror located on one or more sides of the flap or the main portion, said flap capable of being positioned in a plurality of open orientations.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a crease extending between the lateral sides of the main portion of the bag, the crease separating a plurality of portions of the base and allowing the base to be collapsed by folding the plurality of portions of the base closer to each other and to be expanded by unfolding the plurality of portions of the base.

3. The bag of claim 2, wherein folding the plurality of portions of the base reduces a distance between the front and the back of the main portion of the bag and unfolding the plurality of portions of the base increases the distance between the front and the back of the main portion of the bag.

4. The bag of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a mechanism for inelastically maintaining a collapsed or expanded position of the base.

5. The bag of claim 4, the mechanism comprising at least one wire that maintains the position of the base by permanently deforming the wire into a desired position.

6. The bag of claim 4, the mechanism comprising at least one hinge with detents therein that maintains the position of the base by arresting rotational movement about the axis of the crease.

7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the flap is capable of being positioned vertically and maintaining a vertical orientation.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein the vertical orientation is a first orientation that the flap is capable of maintaining without falling back into the closed orientation.

9. The bag of claim 7 wherein the flap is attached to the back side with detents, each of the detents maintaining an open orientation of the plurality of orientations.

10. The bag of claim 7, the flap mechanically coupled to the base so as to control expansion and collapse of the base.

11. The bag of claim 10, the flap mechanically coupled to the base so as to expand the base while opening the flap and to collapse the base while closing the flap.

12. The bag of claim 1, comprising a plurality of lights located behind the mirror.

13. The bag of claim 12, the mirror having see though portions at the location of the lights that allow only light behind the mirror to show through.

14. The bag of claim 12, the bag comprising at least one switching mechanisms that at least one of turns the lights on and off, and adjusts a brightness of the light.

15. The bag of claim 1, comprising at least one light pivotally coupled to at least one of the mirror, the flap, or the main portion of the bag allowing the user to aim the light in a desired direction.

16. The bag of claim 1, wherein the mirror is pivotally coupled to at least one of the flap and the main portion of the bag allowing the user to aim the mirror in a desired direction.

17. A make-up handbag comprising: a main portion with a cavity therein, the main portion having a top, front, back, first and second lateral sides, and a collapsible base, the base capable of being positioned between an expanded position and at least one collapsed position, the base comprises a crease extending between the lateral sides of the main portion of the bag, the crease separating a plurality of portions of the base and allowing the base to be collapsed by folding the plurality of portions of the base closer to each other and to be expanded by unfolding the plurality of portions of the base; and a flap hingedly coupled to the top of the main portion, the flap movable between a closed orientation and at least one open orientation, the flap comprising at least one mirror located on an inside face of the flap that is concealed in the closed orientation and revealed in the at least one open orientation, the flap mechanically coupled to the base so as to expand the base while opening the flap and to collapse the base while closing the flap, and to maintain the flap in a plurality of open positions.

18. A make-up handbag as in claim 17, wherein the flap is attached to the back side of the handbag with rigid bendable wire that maintains the orientation of the bend.