BAG WITH A REMOVABLE LINING AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to US Patent Application 12/606299 entitled

APPLICA TION OF BOLO TIES TO PERSONAL AND DECORA TIVE ARTICLES filed 27 October 2009 having a common inventor and owner as the application herein, which related application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the construction of bags, such as purses, backpacks, etc. having a removable lining attachable with snaps, clips, etc. or zippers, and the resulting bag.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Lined bags, purses, backpacks, etc. are useful under many circumstances such as when the contents of the bags are to be exchanged. New contents can be placed in a different lining and the new lining can be placed inside an exterior shell. Also, existing contents in a lining can be placed into a different outer bag. Linings protect the decorative aspects of the exterior from the contents on the interior of a bag. Linings also provide protection for the contents of the interior of the bag. For leather, vinyl or stiffer materials, linings can be difficult to integrate into a bag. There exists a need for a method to easily construct a bag from durable material having a lining wherein the lining can be securely attached and then detached.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Disclosed herein is a method for constructing a bag or other article for carrying other articles or for wearing or displaying, the bag having an exterior of durable material and a removable lining attachable to the inside of the article with snaps, clips, zippers, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a pattern piece of the exterior of the bag in

accordance with an embodiment described herein. [0006] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a pattern piece of the lining of the bag in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pattern piece of a flap that can be constructed with the bag in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an illustration of is an illustration of a pattern piece of a bottom and optional pattern pieces for a channel that can be constructed with the bag in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an illustration of either the exterior or a lining of the bag having an alternative embodiment as described herein.

[0010] FIGS. 6 A and 6B are illustrations of a construction step whereby a flap and lining can be attached in accordance with different embodiments described herein.

[001 1 ] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an intermediate construction step of the bag whereby the flap, the lining, and the exterior of the bag are shown from the exterior of the bag. [0012] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an intermediate construction step of the bag whereby the flap, the lining, and the exterior of the bag are shown from the lining.

[0013] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a bag having been made using construction techniques in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the steps to construct a bag in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Disclosed herein is a construction method of creating a lined bag, such as a purse, backpack, computer storage bag, having a removable lining. The bag may be an article such as disclosed in the related application 12/606299 entitled APPLICATION OF BOLO TIES TO PERSONAL AND DECORATIVE ARTICLES filed on 27 October 2009, and herein incorporated by reference. With respect to FIGS. 1-4, shown are pattern pieces of major and optional components of the bag. FIG. 1 illustrates a pattern piece 1 10 of an exterior of the bag from which two pieces may be cut. FIG. 2 illustrates a pattern piece 210 of a lining of the bag from which two pieces also should be cut. FIG. 3 is a pattern piece 310 of an optional flap that may be applied to a front and/or to a back of the exterior of the bag. FIG. 4 illustrates a is a bottom pattern piece 410 from which a piece may be cut from the same material as the exterior of the bag. Similarly a separate piece is cut from the same material as the lining to form the bottom of the lining. Other optional pattern pieces may include handles and/or channels 430 such as shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] Although a scale is shown in the figures, the sizes of the illustrate pattern pieces illustrated are not to be limiting. Each piece of the bag may be enlarged or reduced as desired and it is preferred that the lining also be enlarged or reduced accordingly, especially at the edges or sides where the exterior of the bag is to be attached to the lining of the bag. The shape, size, and number of the pattern pieces and flaps shown in the FIGS, and thus the shape and size of the bag may be modified and will not detract from the construction and attachment techniques presented herein. The number of pieces that make up the exterior of the bag and the lining of the bag are not limited to two; the exterior of the bag may be cut from one piece of fabric having edges seamed or glued, or may be cut to be a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, there may be more than two pieces attached or sewn together to form a single exterior or lining, such as stripes or a patchwork design, such as shown in FIG. 5. In addition to the number of pieces which make up the exterior and/or the lining of the bag as discussed and by way of example only, there may be additional flaps smaller than the flap 310 shown by the pattern as in FIG. 3 that can be layered and may be made from a different material, such as exotic leather and layering the second or other flap(s) on top of the first flap. It is preferred for ease of construction that there be one, rather than many, bottom piece, but that is not limiting or critical to the construction techniques disclosed herein. [0017] The exterior of the bag is preferably constructed from a durable material such as leather, vinyl, CORDURA®, canvas, nylon, polyester, GORETEX®, ballistic fabric or other durable synthetic or natural material; even metal. The lining may be constructed from similar material as the exterior and/or may be constructed from a padded, weather and electromagnetic insulated or waterproof material to provide protection for the contents of the lining, such as electronic devices, other personal items, clothing, etc. In an alternative embodiment the exterior shell may be padded, electrically and/or thermally insulated, or waterproof. [0018] Note that on FIG. 1 , FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, markings 1 14, 214, 414 are shown on the pattern pieces 1 10, 210, 410, respectively for placement of connectors whose function is to attach the lining to the exterior or shell of the bag. It is preferred that the markings 1 14, 214, 414 for the connectors on the exterior and lining match in relative positioning. Note that the markings 1 14 on the exterior pattern piece 1 10 are closer to the top edge 1 18 than the markings 214 on the lining pattern piece 210; nevertheless, it is preferred that the markings 1 14, 214 are spaced similarly on each respective pattern piece to the top edge 1 18, 218 for that piece and with respect to other markings, i.e., the markings 1 14 on exterior pattern piece 1 10 line up and match with the markings 214 on the lining pattern piece 210, and that the markings 414 on the bottom of the exterior coincide with the markings 414 on the bottom of the lining. As shown on FIGS. 1 and 2, the first markings for the connectors from each side are approximately one inch from each edge of the exterior 1 10 and the lining 210. Each marking thereafter is approximately two inches apart, except for the middle two markings. This spacing of the markings may vary but the connectors that are to snap or connect together must be substantially at the same relative position on the exterior and the lining. It is optional but preferred that the bottom pieces 410 of both the exterior and the lining have connectors as well to prevent the lining from turning inside out while installed into the bag. If snaps are used, these connectors may provide extra protection to the bottom of the exterior shell, as when the bag is sitting on a floor.

[0019] The pattern pieces 1 10, 210, 310, 410 and others are modified if desired and placed onto their respective materials, such as in step 1010 of FIG. 10. The pieces of the exterior, the lining, the bottoms, the flaps, and others are then cut from the pattern pieces, as in step 1014 of FIG. 10. The connector markings 1 14, 214, 414 and any other markings, such as for placement of the channels, casings, bolo ties grommets, etc., are transferred to the cut pieces 1 10, 210, 310, 410 as in step 1018 of FIG. 10. Henvceforth, the numbers 1 10, 210, 310, 410 will refer to the actual pieces of material cut from the pattern pieces, e.g., 1 10 will refer to pieces for the exterior shell cut from the pattern piece, 210 will refer to the pieces for the lining cut from pattern piece 210, and so on. Markings 1 14, 214, 414 will also refer to the actual connectors installed at these markings.

[0020] Construction of the bag may be by hand stitching or gluing, may be sewed using a sewing machine or a serger, glued, heat-melded, zipped, or otherwise attached together. When the pieces are stitched or glued or otherwise put together, seams may be approximately one -half inch, although this is not critical to the construction techniques presented herein. The seams may be a simple stitched seam, an overlapped seam, a French seam, a serged seam; again, the particular seam should be taken into consideration for placement of the markings for the connectors. Similar to the parlance of fabric or clothing construction, the right side or outer side of the exterior pieces of the bag refers to the side facing out. The right side or inner side of the lining pieces shall refer to the side or face of the lining facing the inside of the lining bag towards the contents of the lining. Thus, the wrong side or inner side of the exterior pieces face the wrong side or the outer side of the lining pieces of the bag. The steps in FIG. 10 are not to be taken as being in a sequential order. One of skill in the art will understand that in some embodiments and circumstances, it may be preferable to complete one step "before" another although as shown in FIG. 10, it is "after."

[0021 ] The lining 210 is attached and removable to the wrong side of exterior shell 1 10 by one or more attachment mechanisms, herein simply referred to as connectors. Suitable connectors include snaps, a hook/eye combination, VELCRO®, magnetic closures, buttons and button holes, zippers, etc. The magnetic closures or grommets, moreover, may be covered with the same or other material as the exterior shell 1 10 and/or the lining 210 of the bag, such as disclosed in US patent application 12/606299. The disclosure is not to be limited to the types of removable attachment mechanisms used herein; rather the disclosure is intended to encompass any means or mechanism by which a lining 210 can be attached to and detached from the exterior shell 1 10 of a bag.

[0022] The following steps apply when two pieces comprise the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag. After the exterior shell pieces 1 10 have been cut from the pattern piece 1 10 and before actual construction of the bag, the connectors 1 14 may be applied to the exterior shell of the bag and to the lining at the markings 1 14, as in step 1022 of FIG. 10. If using snaps to attach the lining 210, a hole appropriately sized for snaps or other connectors is punched at the markings 1 14 transferred from the pattern pieces or otherwise marked on each piece of the exterior shell 1 10 and each corresponding piece of the lining 210 and the snaps are pressed into the exterior shell 1 10 and the lining 210 or other connectors are applied, as in steps 1022 and 1026 of FIG. 10. It is preferred that the connectors on the exterior shell 1 10 line up with the connectors on the lining 210 so that the respective snaps or other connectors connect at the same location on the exterior shell and the lining, with the lining 210 extending above the exterior shell 1 10 because of the greater distance of the markings 214 on the lining 210 from the upper edge 218 of the lining piece 210. [0023] Step 1022 of FIG. 10 provides a construction step whereby the exterior shell is pieced together and stitch or otherwise attach the exterior shell pieces 1 10 along the sides 122. If sewing and if the seam allowance is not to be seen, it is preferred that the right or outer sides of the exterior shell pieces 1 10 face each, i.e., right sides together. Attach pieces cut for the exterior shell bottom 410 to the unified bag exterior shell 1 10, again with right sides together or with the outer face of the exterior shell bottom 410 matching the outer sides of the exterior shell 1 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, when there are more than two pieces 510, 514, 518 that comprise the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag, it is preferable to construct the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag prior to applying the connectors. For instance if pieces of the exterior shell 1 10 and lining 210 of the bag are to be connected with zippers 520, stitch or glue or otherwise attach the zippers 520 to each respective piece of the exterior shell 1 10 or lining 210. Similarly, pieces of the exterior shell 1 10 or lining of the bag may be connected with snaps 524 applied to an overlapping region 530, or stitched with leather cording or other connectors. In any event, it is preferred to construct the patchwork or the strips to make the exterior shell 1 10 and lining 210 of the bag before applying the connectors. Similarly if there are to be decorative and/or other utilitarian features, such as channels or hardware for handles, grommets, etc., or for decoration, such as a bolo tie, applied to the exterior shell of the bag, it is preferable to apply these features to the exterior shell of the bag as well, as in step 1022. Similarly, if the lining 210 is to include pockets or pouches, it is preferable to attach the pockets of a desired size to the right side or inner side of each lining pieces 210 as in step 1026 of FIG. 10.

[0025] Insert snaps or other connectors into the holes or at the markings 1 14, 214 on both the bag exterior shell 1 10 and into the holes or marking 414 on the lining 120 and on the bottoms 410 of both the exterior shell and the linings so that the lining 210 snaps or connects to the exterior shell 1 10, as in step 1022 and 1026 of FIG. 10.

[0026] For constructing the optional flaps onto the bag as in step 1030 of FIG. 10, the following steps apply when stitching is the preferred construction technique and if the seam is not to be seen on the outside of the bag. Position and sew an outer surface (right side) of the flap 310 to the upper edge 218 of the inner side (right side) of one lining piece 210 forming a seam as shown as 620 in FIG. 6A. Attach any other flap to any other lining pieces similarly. If handles are used, it is preferable to leave openings 230 illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6A between the flaps 310 and the lining 210 for insertion of handles. When zippers 650 are used to connect the lining 210 to the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag, the upper edge 318 of the flap 310 is placed away from the upper edge 218 of the lining 210 or below the zipper 650 at the upper edge of the lining 210, right sides together, and the flaps 310 are then attached by stitching or gluing or by zipping to a previously placed zipper 660 on the lining 210, such as shown in FIG. 6B. It is preferred to attach the flaps 310 to the lining 210 before finalizing contraction of the lining 210.

[0027] This next step 1034 of FIG. 10 is optional but preferred if stitching is used to attach the flap to the lining as shown in FIG. 7. As viewed from the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag, the seam allowances 710 of seam 620 and flap 310 are separated so the seam 620 is open and lies flat. A line of stitching 740 is made through the lining 210 and the lining's seam allowance 710 a small distance, e.g., 1/8 inch, from the seam 620. No stititching is made through the flap 310 or the flap portion of the seam allowance 710. The seam allowances 710 may be trimmed to approximately 3/8 inch. FIG. 8 illustrates this construction step from the lining. Note the flap 310 is folded over the exterior shell. The seam 620 and stitching 740 are shown. FIG. 8 is an illustration of this construction step when viewed from the lining 210. Note the stitching 740 in the seam allowance (not shown) but is not included in the flap 310.

[0028] If not already completed, the next step is to conjoin the pieces of the lining 210 as in step 1038 of FIG. 10. If sewing, the inner sides of the lining face an inner side of the other lining piece (right sides together) and are stitched along the edges 222. If flaps 310 are included, open seam allowance 710 so that it lies flat and continue attaching (sewing) the sides of the flaps 310 together (right sides together) in a continuous seam 640, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows the flaps 310 to fold over the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag as will be seen in FIG. 9. Attach a bottom piece 410 of the lining to the lining 210 being careful to make the inner and outer faces of the lining bottom 410 mate with the inner and outer faces of the linings 210, i.e., right sides together.

[0029] Snap or otherwise connect the lining 210 to the purse exterior shell 1 10, as in step 1042 of FIG. 10. The flaps 310 are then folded over the the top of exterior shell 1 10 so that the upper edges of both the lining 210 and the exterior shell 1 10 are under the folded-over flap 310.

[0030] This next step is optional if handles are to be included for the bag. For each handle, cut a strip of material the length and twice the width of the handle. Fold each of the two pieces in half lengthwise and place cording in the fold between the two edges. It is preferable to not put cording approximately seven to eight inches from each end of the lengthwise piece if the handle is to be knotted after lacing through a casing or channel 430 on the bag. Glue or otherwise sew the lengthwise edges of the handles together. If sewing, it is useful to use a zipper foot and topstitch very close to the cording. Continue topstitching down the last seven inches without the zipper foot and then across the bottom. Trim approximately 1/8 inch from sewing or other attachment line. Insert the handles on each side of the exterior shell of the bag, placing one end through a

previously-positioned channel 430 and then up through the hole 230 in the seam 620 between the flap and the lining and then down the other hole 230 in the same 620 and through the second channel 430. Knot the ends of each purse handle.

[0031] Add magnetic closure(s) or other fastener(s) to the insides of the lining or across the top open space of the bag if desired to close the bag. Add other embellishments as desired, as in step 1050 of FIG. 10. [0032] A bag 910 constructed as herein described is shown in FIG. 9. The lining is not visible in this illustration. The exterior shell 1 10 and the exterior bottom 410 are shown. A flap 310 is shown as having side seams 640 and is folded over the top 1 18 of the exterior shell 1 10 of the bag 910. Handles 950 are attached to casings or channels 430 under the flaps 310 and extend through opeings 230 in the seam 620 between the lining 210 and the flaps 310. The connectors 1 14 can also be out-of-view under the flaps 310. Note that there is an additional flap or strap of material 930 that may be a decorative flap 310 or may be a type of closure over the opening of the lining of the bag 910. When constructed as described herein the lining (not shown) is coextensive or contiguous with the flap 310 so that the space between the lining 210 and the exterior shell 1 10 is not accessible unless the lining 210 is detached. The advantage of this construction technique is that articles cannot be "lost" between the lining 210 and the exterior shell 1 10. Further depending upon the shape and dimensions of the flap 310, the connectors 1 14 can be out- of-view under the flap 310 or can be partially or totally in view. Folding the flap 310 over the top of the exterior shell 1 10 also hides the spaces, if any, between the connectors and hides the top edges 1 18, 218 of the exterior shell 1 10 and the lining 210, respectively, and makes the bag more visibly appealing.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ore more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.