Reversible handbag

Abstract

This invention relates to a handbag (10) having a number of wall panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 30), the handbag having an erect condition in which the wall panels define a volume in which articles can be located and transported. The handbag is substantially self-supporting in the erect condition and is reversible whereby internal surfaces of the erect handbag can become external surfaces and vice versa. The handbag can be collapsible to provide a substantially flat work surface. The handbag can have dedicated storage areas (46, 50, 52) for the location and retention of chosen articles (54, 56, 58). The dedicated storage areas can be located on a storage panel which is additional to the wall panels whereby the dedicated storage areas are internal to the handbag in its reversed and non-reversed configurations.

Description

[0001] REVERSIBLE HANDBAG

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a reversible handbag, and in particular to a reversible handbag with integral storage facilities.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0005] The term handbag is a general term covering many different designs of bag which are generally intended for transporting articles such as a purse, keys, make-up, mobile telephone, jewellery, tissues and the like. It is a particular feature of handbags in the context of the present invention that they are generally used to transport everyday articles, i.e. articles to which a person (most often a female) wishes to have ready access regardless of their location. For example, a person will typically take a handbag with them whenever they leave the home and will carry the handbag with them whilst they remain away from home.

[0006] Most handbags have a carrying strap, most commonly a shoulder strap so that the handbag can be carried on the user’s shoulder. Many handbags also include a handle by which the handbag may be carried by hand. Some handbags include a belt whereby they can be worn around the waist. The present invention is applicable to all of the variants of handbag.

[0007] Many handbags have dedicated sections for containing particular articles. For example, a handbag may have one or more internal and / or external pockets for storing such items as credit cards and / or a mobile telephone for example. In addition, many handbags have a dedicated pocket for storing keys. External pockets will typically be closable, for example by a zip fastener, magnetic clasp or the like so that the stored contents are more secure. Internal pockets may also be closable whereby to isolate the stored articles from other articles in the handbag (as well as making the stored articles more secure). The handbag will typically have an opening at its top, which opening may be closed by a zip fastener, a strap and buckle, one or more a press-studs, or one or more magnetic clasps, for example.

[0008] Most handbags are made of leather or similar materials and are thereby somewhat flexible in order to increase the comfort for the user, whilst being sufficiently rigid to be substantially self-supporting (i.e. the handbag will typically retain its general shape when resting upon the floor or other surface).

[0009] Many people will have more than one handbag suited to different applications. For example, a person might have a general handbag which is used for work, shopping or other regular activities. The person might also have a separate handbag which is used for nights out and / or for special occasions for example.

[0010] Reversible bags are known, specifically “tote” bags having a front wall and a back wall which are both made of flexible material and which are joined together along their side edges. Their bottom edges are either joined directly together, or are each joined to a flexible base. The top edges are separate so that the top of the bag is open. The bag typically has a flexible carrying strap fixed at its top edge. The user can turn the bag inside-out in order to reverse the bag. The patterning of the two surfaces of the front wall, and similarly the patterning of the two surfaces of the back wall, are different whereby the appearance of the bag is changed when it is reversed. Because the front and back walls are necessarily sufficiently flexible to permit the bag to be turned inside-out, the known reversible bags are usually not self-supporting. Many users desire a more formal, and in particular a self- supporting, handbag, particularly for use at a workplace for example.

[0011] Make-up boxes are also known, generally comprising a rigid-sided container with one or more receptacles for particular make-up articles such as lipstick, mascara, face powder, make-up brushes, hairspray, etc. In some cases individual receptacles are removable from the make-up box. Alternatively or additionally, the make-up box may have multiple layers. One or more of the layers, comprising several receptacles, can be removed in order to permit access to the receptacles on the layer beneath.

[0012] Make-up boxes are often used to store much or all of a person’s make-up. Since only a small proportion of that make-up will typically be required when the person is away from home, make-up boxes are typically kept at the home and are not often transported for extended periods. Usually therefore, a make-up box has a carrying handle and does not have a carrying strap or belt.

[0013] The number of articles which can be transported in a handbag is limited only by the size of the handbag. Many people will fill up a handbag with articles which might be needed whilst away from home. Many of those articles may nevertheless remain unused, perhaps for multiple trips away from the home.

[0014] Notwithstanding the provision of dedicated sections and pockets for particular articles, many articles are often transported “loose” in the handbag, i.e. those articles are located directly alongside other articles in an often random or disorganised manner. Furthermore, as articles are retrieved for use and returned to the handbag, the loose articles in the handbag become more disorganised, with the result that many users will often temporarily mislay items within a handbag. This is inconvenient at best, but potentially dangerous at worst - for example if a person spends significant time seeking out their car keys in a poorly-lit car park.

[0015] The provision of dedicated sections and pockets does not always enable easy access to a stored article as it is necessary to remember in which section or pocket an article has been located. This can result in many pockets being opened before the desired article is located, which problem is exacerbated for handbags with many pockets.

[0016] Many people transport a selection of make-up articles in their handbag for the purpose of re-applying some or all of their make-up during the day as and when required. Whilst a make-up box at home might contain many different lipsticks for example, it is usually necessary only to carry one or perhaps two lipsticks whilst away from home so that the appropriate lipstick can be re-applied as necessary.

[0017] When make-up is re-applied (or is otherwise applied away from home) it is usual to do so in a washroom or the like where a mirror is usually available. However, in busy locations such as a nightclub for example, it might be necessary to wait for a long time before sufficient space is available in front of a mirror for make-up to be re-applied. Also, the surface in front of the mirror might be wet and / or dirty and it may not be hygienic to place make-up articles on that surface. Furthermore, if there is a queue to use the washroom a person may not wish to spend the time necessary to properly re-apply their make-up for example whilst others are waiting to use the washroom.

[0018] US 2006 / 0291753 discloses a bag which can be used to transport craft items or cosmetics. The bag comprises a number of interconnected wall panels. At least some of the wall panels have pockets and / or retainers in which particular articles can be stored. The wall panels are interconnected by respective hinged edges and releasable fasteners, the latter securing the bag in the erect condition or allowing the wall panels to be collapsed to a flat condition as desired.

[0019] GB 2 220 407 discloses a bag for storing and transporting materials and equipment for a baby, the bag comprising a number of wall panels which are interconnected by respective hinged edges and which allow the bag to move between an erect condition and collapsed condition.

[0020] EP 0 649 613 discloses a bag with a central wall panel and two side wall panels. The central wall panel can be bent to form a front wall, bottom wall and back wall of the erect bag; the side wall panels can be secured by zip fasteners to the front and back wall panels to hold the bag in the erect condition. The central wall panel has internal pockets which are closed by zip fasteners.

[0021] US 8255934 discloses a container for storing and transporting crockery and cutlery. The container is made up of wall panels which are interconnected by respective hinged edges and zip fasteners whereby the wall panels can be collapsed to a substantially flat condition to act as a placemat.

[0022] US 2021 / 0196017 discloses a storage bag with internal compartments. The compartments may be individually removed and interchanged and can be mounted internally or externally whereby to change the utility and appearance of the bag. The bag may be formed as a handbag with a carrying handle and / or strap which may be detachable. The side wall panels are attached to the front and back wall panels by zip fasteners; releasing those fasteners allows the bag to be collapsed flat. The side wall panels are removable and can be swapped and / or reversed whereby to change the appearance of the bag.

[0023] KR 101 777 413 discloses a bag made up from separable wall panels. A central wall panel provides the front wall, bottom wall and back wall of the erect bag. Separate wall panels provide the side walls and can be secured by zip fasteners to the central wall panel to hold the bag in its erect condition.

[0024] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reversible handbag.

[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide a reversible handbag which is substantially self-supporting in the erect condition whereby it will have greater utility for a larger number of users than the known reversible bags.

[0027] It is another object of the invention to provide a reversible handbag with dedicated storage areas for chosen articles, thereby reducing the number of articles which are stored loose in the handbag and thereby reducing the likelihood that articles will be temporarily mislaid.

[0028] It is another object of the invention that the dedicated storage areas are internal to the erect bag when reversed and also when not reversed. It is another object of the invention to provide a handbag in which the dedicated storage areas are readily accessible so that the articles stored in those areas can be located and selected for use as desired.

[0029] It is another object of the invention to provide a work surface, and ideally a substantially flat work surface, upon which stored articles (such as make-up articles for example) can be placed for use.

[0030] According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a handbag having a number of wall panels, the handbag having an erect condition in which the wall panels define a volume within which articles can be located and transported, the handbag being substantially self-supporting in the erect condition, the handbag being reversible.

[0031] For the avoidance of doubt, reversible in this specification means that the handbag has two configurations in its erect condition. In the first configuration a first surface of each of the wall panels is internal to the handbag and a second surface of each of the wall panels is external to the handbag; in the second configuration the first surface of each of the wall panels is external to the handbag and the second surface of each of the wall panels is internal to the handbag.

[0032] Preferably, at least some of the neighbouring wall panels are interconnected by respective flexible hinges whereby the neighbouring wall panels remain interconnected in the erect and in the collapsed conditions. Desirably, all of the wall panels remain interconnected in the erect and in the collapsed conditions. The provision of interconnected wall panels reduces the likelihood that a removed wall panel might become lost or damaged and cannot be reconnected to the other wall panels; the loss of a wall panel will prevent the handbag properly forming its erect condition.

[0033] Desirably, releasable fasteners hold parts of one or more of the wall panels together in the erect condition and do not hold those parts together in the collapsed condition. Accordingly, the wall panels of the handbag can move from an erect condition to a collapsed position by releasing the releasable fasteners.

[0034] Preferably, releasing the releasable fasteners allows the articulation of the flexible hinges between neighbouring wall panels.

[0035] Respective wall panels will usually form a base, a front wall, a back wall and one or more side walls of the erect handbag; preferably the front wall, back wall and side wall(s) are collapsible relative to the base. Accordingly, in the collapsed configuration the wall panels together preferably provide a contiguous substantially flat work surface.

[0036] The handbag in its erect condition preferably obtains some or all of its structural integrity from the wall panels and from the connections between the wall panels. Ideally, the wall panels have some inherent rigidity so that when the handbag is erected the wall panels together provide sufficiently rigidity for the handbag to be substantially self-supporting. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide dedicated stiffening elements or structural supports for the handbag (although such elements and supports are not excluded).

[0037] Desirably, the handbag has a number of dedicated storage areas for locating and retaining chosen articles. Preferably, the dedicated storage areas are provided on a storage panel. Desirably, the storage panel is substantially flat, and is ideally substantially rigid. Preferably, the dedicated storage areas are internal to the erect handbag in the reversed and non-reversed configurations.

[0038] The term “storage panel” is used to distinguish from the “wall panels” of the handbag. The wall panels are those which define the structural shape of the erect handbag and enclose its storage volume. The storage panel is an additional panel which is provided for the dedicated storage areas. The preferred embodiments described in the specification have a storage panel in addition to the wall panels enabling the dedicated storage areas to be internal to the handbag in both of the erect configurations. Preferably, the storage panel is connected to a wall panel by a flexible hinge. The storage panel and wall panels can together provide a contiguous work surface when collapsed and can be hinged and held together in one of two erect (reversed and non-reversed) configurations.

[0039] Preferably, the wall panels providing the base and / or front wall and / or back wall and / or side walls are substantially flat when the handbag is collapsed. Those wall panels can also all be substantially flat when the handbag is erect, but in many cases one or more of the wall panels will be bent or curved when the handbag is in the erect condition. Notwithstanding that the wall panels are preferably sufficiently rigid to maintain the handbag in its erect condition, they can have sufficient flexibility to bend or flex as required for the comfort of the user.

[0040] Preferably, when the handbag is collapsed the dedicated storage areas are exposed and the stored articles are readily accessible.

[0041] Preferably, the dedicated storage areas are defined by respective retainers connected to the storage panel. The retainers are preferably straps, clips or the like, and are desirably flexible and ideally resilient, whereby a chosen article can be temporarily retained.

[0042] The handbag may have a wall panel providing a closable top wall in the erect condition, whereby to close the handbag. The top wall can be opened as desired to permit access to the handbag in known fashion. Desirably, the top wall is securable in a closed position. Preferably, the wall panel providing the top wall can be collapsed together with the other wall panels.

[0043] Alternatively, the top of the handbag is closable by bringing the front and back walls into engagement, the front and back walls preferably being securable in their engaged condition, ideally by a closure flap. Preferably, the handbag has a flexible carrying strap. Desirably, the opposing ends of the carrying strap are each releasably connectable to a respective side wall of the handbag. Alternatively or additionally the handbag has a carrying handle. Alternatively or additionally the handbag has a belt or waistband.

[0044] Desirably, the handbag has a mirror. Preferably the mirror is mounted to the storage panel.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0047] Fig .1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a handbag according to the invention in the erect condition, in a first configuration;

[0048] Fig.2 shows a similar view of the handbag of Fig.1 in the erect condition, in a second (reversed) configuration;

[0049] Fig.3 shows a perspective view the handbag of Fig.1 in a partially-collapsed condition;

[0050] Fig.4 shows a side view of the handbag of Fig.3, with the side walls removed;

[0051] Fig.5 shows a plan view of the handbag of Fig.1 with the wall panels collapsed;

[0052] Fig.6 shows a plan view of the handbag of Fig.1 in the fully collapsed condition; and,

[0053] Fig.7 shows a view of the underside of the fully collapsed handbag of Fig.6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figs.1 -7 show an embodiment of handbag 10 according to the invention. The handbag 10 has several wall panels which provide a base 12, a front wall 14, a back wall 16 and two side walls 18.

[0055] In this embodiment the handbag 10 has the general form of a triangular prism, the form being determined by the triangular shape of the side (or end) walls 18 and the corresponding shape of the base wall 12, front wall 14 and back wall 16.

[0056] The front wall 14 and the base 12 are permanently connected by way of a hinge 20, the hinge 20 being formed along the linear edges where these wall panels meet. Similarly, the back wall 16 and the base 12 are permanently connected by way of a hinge 22. The hinges 20 and 22 define the bottom corners of the erect handbag as shown in Figs. 1 -4.

[0057] The edge 24 of the front wall 14 which opposes the hinge 20 and the edge 26 of the back wall 16 which opposes the hinge 22 meet to form the top of the erect handbag 10. In this embodiment the top of the erect handbag 10 is closed by a closure panel 30. In known fashion, the closure panel 30 is temporarily securable in the closed position by a magnetic clasp 32 which cooperates with a metallic element 34 mounted to the front wall 14.

[0058] In the erect condition as shown in Figs.1 and 2, the base 12, front wall 14, back wall 16 and side walls 18 together define and enclose a volume within which articles can be located and transported similarly to a conventional handbag. Loops 36 are mounted to the side walls 18 and the opposing ends of a carrying strap or carrying handle (not shown) can be releasably connected to the respective loops 36, in known fashion.

[0059] Figs.1 and 2 show the handbag 10 in its erect condition in its two different configurations. The difference between the two configurations is demonstrated by the patterning applied to the wall panels in Fig.2, which patterning is repeated in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7. It will be understood that each of the wall panels 12, 14, 16 and 18, and the closure panel 30, have opposing surfaces, a first (patterned) surface which is internal to the handbag and a second (non-patterned) surface which is external to the handbag in the first configuration of Fig.1. The handbag 10 is reversible whereby each of those internal surfaces can become an external surface, and vice versa, as explained in more detail below. The reversed configuration is shown in Fig.2, in which configuration the first (patterned) surface is external to the handbag and the second (non-patterned) surface is internal to the handbag.

[0060] Since the side walls 18 are necessarily also reversible, it is apparent from Fig.3 that a loop 36 is mounted to both of the first and second surfaces of each side wall 18.

[0061] The handbag 10 is represented with an oblong base 12, an oblong front wall 14, an oblong back wall 16, an oblong closure flap 30 and triangular side walls 18. Also, the respective wall panels are shown to meet at relatively sharp angles. An embodiment can in practice share those structural features but they are used in the drawings primarily for ease of understanding and in most practical embodiments the wall panels will have rounded corners and will meet at rounded corners whereby to soften the edges and corners and make the erect handbag more visually appealing and more comfortable when being carried.

[0062] In addition, it will be understood that the top edges 24, 26 of the front and back walls 14, 16 meet along a line forming the top of the erect handbag 10. It is therefore necessary to rotate the back wall 16 slightly about the hinge 22 in order to move the top edge 26 away from the top edge 24 if it is desired to gain access to the volume of the erect handbag through the top of the erect handbag. Alternatively, in some embodiments the top edges 24, 26 are sufficiently flexible that a user can bend them apart to gain access to the volume of the handbag through the top of the handbag without moving the whole of the back wall.

[0063] In another embodiment the side walls 18 are truncated at their tops so that the top edges of the front and back walls do not meet and the user can access the volume of the handbag through the gap between the top edges. The erect handbag can therefore have a somewhat flattened top instead of the peaked top shown for the handbag 10. In yet another embodiment the handbag is generally cuboid in shape with rectangular side walls and a defined gap or opening between the top edges of the front and back walls. In yet a further embodiment the handbag is generally cylindrical with a continuous (curved) panel providing the front wall, base and back wall; the ends of the continuous surface can meet or there can be a gap between the top edges of the front and back walls, as desired. Any gap between the top edges of the front and back walls in the erect handbag (in any of the disclosed embodiments) can be spanned by an additional top wall if desired.

[0064] Whilst a handbag 10 has the shape of a triangular prism, and alternative handbags are described as being generally cuboid or generally cylindrical, the invention is not dependent upon the three-dimensional shape of the erect handbag and the invention could be utilised for handbags of many different shapes. The list of possible shapes disclosed above should therefore not be considered as limiting the invention to those shapes.

[0065] In the present embodiment the volume of the handbag 10 can also be accessed by way of the side walls 18 as explained below.

[0066] The wall panels providing the base 12, front wall 14, back wall 16, side walls 18 and closure panel 30 may be of leather, faux leather or the like. Alternatively, some or all of the wall panels may comprise a flexible card or carbon fibre panel covered in leather, faux leather or textile material. All of the panels making up the handbag can be of the same material (or the same combination of materials), or different panels can be of different materials (or different combinations of materials) as desired. The wall panels providing at least the base 12, front wall 14 and back wall are preferably somewhat flexible to increase the comfort to the user. The handbag 10 is nevertheless self-supporting in that it will retain a general structure identical or similar to that of Figs.1 or 2 when it is not being carried.

[0067] As stated above, the magnetic clasp 32 can be released from the condition of Figs.

[0068] 1 and 2 to allow the closure flap 30 to be pivoted about the hinge at the top edge 26 of the back wall 16. The back wall 16 can subsequently be pivoted about its hinge 22 with the base 12, to the partially-collapsed condition of Figs. 3 and 4.

[0069] Partially collapsing the handbag 10 exposes the interior of the handbag, including a storage panel 40. In this embodiment the storage panel 40 is hinged at the top edge 24 of the front wall 14 and is temporarily held against the front wall 14 by a magnetic clasp 42 and metallic element 44.

[0070] It will be seen that the storage panel 40 has a number of dedicated storage areas having retainers for locating and retaining chosen articles. Specifically, one elasticated strap 46 is mounted to the storage panel 40, the elasticated strap 46 providing a dedicated storage area for a chosen article. A strip 50 of one part of a hook and loop fastener is also mounted to the storage panel 40 and one or more cooperating strips 52 of the other parts of hook and loop fastener (see Fig.5) can be fixed to the strip 52 to provide further dedicated storage areas for chosen articles.

[0071] No articles are shown fitted to the storage panel in Fig.3 but an exemplary set of chosen articles are shown in Fig.5. It will be understood that the number, location, type and size of the retainers defining the dedicated storage areas can be chosen to allow the storage of particular chosen articles. That choice can be made by the manufacturer of the handbag, or by the user (by way of hook and loop fasteners for example). In the embodiment the Fig.5 the chosen articles are all make-up articles, specifically lipsticks 54, mascara 56 and make-up brushes 58. It will be understood that a different number and type of articles may be chosen to be stored in a particular handbag, as desired.

[0072] A mirror 60 is also mounted to the storage panel 40 in this embodiment.

[0073] It will be understood that the front wall 14 is substantially upright when the handbag is in the erect condition, and the storage panel 40 is also substantially upright. Loose articles in the volume of the handbag 10 therefore do not lie directly upon the stored articles and the likelihood of the stored articles being dislodged from their respective retainers is reduced or avoided. It will be seen from Fig.3 in particular that in this partially-collapsed condition the base 12, back wall 16 and closure flap 30 are substantially coplanar and provide a substantially flat work surface. The user may choose to access the stored articles and re-apply make-up with the handbag 10 in that condition.

[0074] In this embodiment the side walls 18 are each hinged to the front wall 14 and are releasably connected to the base 12 by respective magnetic clasps 62 which are carried by tabs 64 projecting from the base 12. In the erect condition of Figs. 1 and 2, and also in the partially-collapsed condition of Figs. 3 and 4, the magnetic clasps 62 engage their respective metallic elements 66 and the side walls 18 therefore maintain the relative position of the front wall 14 and base 12.

[0075] Releasing one of the magnetic clasps 62 of the erect handbag of Fig.1 or Fig.2 allows the respective side wall 18 to be hinged outwardly in order to access the volume of the handbag through the opened side wall. Releasing both of the magnetic clasps 62 allows the handbag 10 to be further collapsed to the condition shown in Fig. 5.

[0076] It will seen from Fig.5 that in this further collapsed condition the wall panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 and the closure flap 30 are all substantially or completely coplanar and provide a substantially flat work surface. Also, the stored articles 54, 56 and 58 are exposed and readily accessible for use as required. The mirror 60 is also exposed and the user can readily tilt the front panel 14 and storage panel 40 to a desired inclination if required.

[0077] In this embodiment the base 12, front wall 14, back wall 16, side walls 18, storage panel 40 and closure flap 30 are all substantially flat panels. As is shown in Fig.4, the hinges or fold lines between adjacent panels are provided by local thinning of the material which allows the hinges to articulate between the respective erect and collapsed conditions. In the further collapsed condition of Fig.5, the magnetic clasp 42 can be released and the storage panel 40 pivoted about the hinge at the top edge 24, to the fully collapsed condition of Fig. 6. It will be seen that the reverse side of the storage panel 40 has a mirror 60a, an elasticated strap 46a and a strip 50a of one part of a hook and loop fastener. The retainers on the reverse side of the storage panel 40 are all empty in order to allow the storage panel 40 to lie flat against the front wall 14 as shown in Fig.4, but in an alternative embodiment the user can store chosen articles in these retainers also.

[0078] Fig.6 shows all of the wall panels 12, 14, 16 and 18, the closure flap 30 and the storage panel 40 as patterned, i.e. the first surface of each of the panels is uppermost. It will be understood that from the position shown in Fig .6, if the storage panel 40 is hinged (out of the paper) to lie against the front panel 14, and then the front panel 14, back panel 16 and side panels are hinged upwardly (i.e. out of the paper as viewed), the handbag will move to an erect condition in the first configuration of Fig.1 (i.e. with all of the first, patterned, surfaces internal to the handbag).

[0079] The fully collapsed handbag 10 may also be turned over so that the first, patterned, surfaces are facing into the paper and the second, non-patterned, surfaces are uppermost, as shown in Fig.7. It will be understood that from the position shown in Fig.7, if the storage panel 40 is hinged (out of the paper) to lie against the front panel 14, and then the front panel 14, back panel 16 and side panels are hinged upwardly (i.e. out of the paper as viewed), the handbag will move to an erect condition in the second configuration of Fig.2 (i.e. with all of the first, patterned, surfaces external to the handbag). It will be observed that the stored articles have been removed from the retainer strip 50,52 in Fig.7 and would be located in the retainers on the reverse side of the storage panel 40 so that they are accessible in the erect handbag 10 (and are also accessible in the partially-collapsed condition of Figs. 3 and 4).

[0080] Figs. 6 and 7 show that the retainers 46, 50 and mirror 60 on one surface of the storage panel 40 match the retainers 46a, 50a and mirror 60a on the other surface of the storage panel, but that is not necessary and the number, type and location of the retainers can differ on each side of the storage panel.

[0081] Figs. 6 and 7 also show that all of the panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 30 and 40 remain interconnected in the collapsed condition. In this embodiment therefore, none of the panels is removable, but in other embodiments one or both of the side panels 18, or one or more other chosen panels, is removable (and perhaps interchangeable). It will be understood, however, that a removable panel might become lost when removed and such arrangements are therefore less preferred.

[0082] It will be understood that the first and second surfaces of each of the panels can be distinguished by different colouring, different patterning, different materials and different surface texture, or a chosen combination of these, as desired for a particular handbag. It will also be understood that it is not necessary for the first surface of each panel to match the first surface of the other panels and a mixture of colours, patterns, materials and / or textures on the first and / or second surfaces can provide a more distinctive handbag. Regardless of the detailed form of the handbag, the user can choose between two different configurations each time the handbag is used, and can change between those configurations as desired.

[0083] It will be noted that the first and second surfaces of the storage panel 40 are represented as sharing the same patterning as the wall panels, but that is not necessary as the storage panel will always be internal to the handbag and therefore plays no part in the appearance of the erect handbag.

[0084] The embodiment represented in the drawings has magnetic clasps to releasably connect adjacent panels and to secure the closure panel 30. It will be understood that the magnetic clasps are optional in all embodiments, and could be replaced by other releasable fastening means such as respective pieces of hook and loop fastener, by zip fasteners, by straps and buckles, or by press-studs, for example, all of which are suited to temporarily securing the respective parts of the disclosed handbags. Also, whilst only one magnetic clasp 62 is shown for each of the side panels 18, the invention is not limited to any particular number of clasps or connectors (magnetic or otherwise) which are used to hold the panels together in the erect condition. For example, an additional magnetic clasp could be mounted to a tab on the front wall panel 14 and / or on the back wall panel 16 to hold the respective panel to the side walls 18. It will therefore be understood that the appropriate number of clasps or connectors will be used for each embodiment to ensure that the panels do not become separated inadvertently. The invention is therefore not limited by the type or number of releasable fastening(s) which are used.

[0085] In addition, it will be understood that the hinged connection of the side walls 18 to the front wall 14 is not essential and the side walls could instead be hinged to the base or to the back wall if desired (with suitably relocated magnetic clasps).

[0086] The represented embodiment has an elasticated strap to secure a chosen article and thereby define one of the dedicated storage areas. It will be understood that other retaining means could be used, for example straps which are flexible but not extendible, straps with drawstrings, or spring clips or the like, any of which can temporarily hold the chosen articles. The invention is therefore not limited to the particular means by which the chosen articles are retained.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A handbag having a number of wall panels, the handbag having an erect condition in which the wall panels define a volume in which articles can be located and transported, the handbag being substantially self-supporting in the erect condition, the handbag being reversible.

2. The handbag according to claim 1 in which one or more of the wall panels has a first surface and a second surface and in which the appearance of the first surface is different to the appearance of the second surface.

3. The handbag according to claim 2 in which the appearance of the first surface differs from the appearance of the second surface by of one or more of: {i} colour, {ii} pattern, {iii} material, and {iv} texture.

4. The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -3 which is transferable between the erect condition and a collapsed condition.

5. The handbag according to claim 4 in which at least some of the wall panels are interconnected by respective flexible hinges, and in which the hinges can be articulated to transfer the handbag between the erect condition and the collapsed condition.

6. The handbag according to claim 5 in which the wall panels are interconnected by the flexible hinges in the erect condition and in the collapsed condition.

7. The handbag according to any one of claims 4-6 in which at least some of the wall panels are interconnected by releasable fasteners.

8. The handbag according to claim 7 in which the releasable fasteners hold parts of one or more of the wall panels together in the erect condition and do not hold those parts together in the collapsed condition.

9. The handbag according to any one of claims 4-8 in which, in the collapsed condition, the wall panels together provide a contiguous substantially flat surface.

10. The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -9 in which respective wall panels form a base, a front wall, a back wall and one or more side walls of the handbag in the erect condition.1 1 . The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -10 in which some or all of the wall panels are inherently rigid.

12. The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -11 having a number of dedicated storage areas for releasably retaining chosen articles.

13. The handbag according to claim 12 in which the dedicated storage areas are provided on a storage panel.

14. The handbag according to claim 13 in which the storage panel is substantially flat.

15. The handbag according to claim 13 or claim 14 in which the storage panel is substantially rigid.

16. The handbag according to any one of claims 13-15 in which the storage panel is additional to the wall panels.

17. The handbag according to any one of claims 13-16 in which the storage panel is connected to a wall panel by a flexible hinge.

18. The handbag according to any one of claims 13-17 in which a mirror is mounted to the storage panel.

19. The handbag according to any one of claims 13-18 in which the dedicated storage areas are provided by respective retainers connected to the storage panel.

20. The handbag according to claim 19 in which the retainers are straps, clips or the like.

21. The handbag according to claim 19 or claim 20 in which at least one of the retainers is a flexible strap.

22. The handbag according to claim 21 in which the flexible strap is resilient.

23. The handbag according to any one of claims 19-22 in which the retainers are provided by a strip of hook and loop fastener.

24. The handbag according to any one of claims 12-23 having a reversed configuration and a non-reversed configuration in the erect condition, in which the dedicated storage areas are internal to the erect handbag in the reversed configuration and in the non-reversed configuration.

25. The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -24 having a wall panel which provides a closable top wall for the handbag in the erect condition.

26. The handbag according to claim 25 in which the top wall is releasably securable in a closed position.

27. The handbag according to any one of claims 1 -26 having a flexible carrying strap.

28. The handbag according to claim 27 in which the carrying strap has opposing ends, and in which the opposing ends of the carrying strap are each releasably connectable to a wall panel.

29. The handbag according to claim 28 having connectors for the opposing ends of the carrying strap mounted to the wall panel(s), said wall panel(s) having a first surface and a second surface, respective connectors being mounted to the first surface and to the second surface.

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