FIELD

The present invention relates to a combination bag with an internal bag.

BACKGROUND

Handbags are well-known and widely used, as a combination item for storing and transporting daily necessities, and as a fashion item. The size of any particular bag will depend on the intended use, and individual bags can range in size from larger ‘bucket’ bags which can hold everything that may be required for a full day, including spare clothing or similar, through to small ‘clutch’ handbags that are only large enough for a small number of items such as a purse, mobile phone, and basic makeup items.

It is often desirable or necessary for carers of babies or small infants to travel or go on excursions outside of their home environment, with the child accompanying them. These trips require them to not only carry their own items - that is, the items that they would normally carry themselves in their handbag or similar, such as their mobile device, purse or wallet, etc - but also those items necessary for the comfort of the child. Specialist ‘baby bags’ for this purpose are widely available in a range of designs, these bags intended to enable a user to conveniently carry all of the items required for this type of excursion - bottles, nappies and other change material, toys, snacks, etc - in a manner where the items can be easily and readily accessed as required. However, these bags are designed with one intended use only, and are not designed so as to also carry any personal items that the carer requires. They are also not intended to be multi-functional - that is, they are not intended for other uses such as to act as a handbag when not acting as an infant care bag.

Therefore, when going on excursions, a carer is required to carry their own personal items in one bag or other locations such as their coat pockets (which may not be convenient), or to carry two bags - one for themselves and one for the infant. This can add considerably to the load and/or bulk that they are carrying, and can be highly inconvenient.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination bag with an internal bag which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a combination bag and internal bag, comprising: a main bag configured as a container for holding items; a separate internal bag configured to in use hold items; the main bag and internal bag configured so that the internal bag can in use be located in the main bag for storage and transport and can be removed from the main bag; the internal bag comprising a pair of handles located at or towards the top of the internal bag and at or towards opposite ends or opposed sides of the internal bag, the handles each configured as a length of material that can be formed into a closed loop.

In an embodiment, the handles each comprise a length of material and a hook-and- loop fastener arranged on the length of material so as to allow the length of material to be formed and releasably fastened into a closed loop.

In an embodiment, the handles further comprise a pair of clasps located at or towards the top corners at each end of the internal bag, the clasps configured to assist with formation of the closed loop, and further configured to allow attachment of a separate shoulder strap to the internal bag.

In an embodiment, the combination handbag and internal bag further comprises a pair of clips located within and connected to the main bag, the clips configured to releasably connect one each with the pair of handles to retain the internal bag within the main bag.

In an embodiment, the internal bag comprises a waterproof and wipe-clean material.

In an embodiment, the material comprises neoprene.

In an embodiment, the internal bag comprises at least one insulated pocket configured to hold a baby bottle.

In an embodiment, the at least one bottle holder is located on the outer surface of the internal bag.

In an embodiment, the bottle holder comprises a pair of bottle holders located one at each end of the body of the internal bag.

In an embodiment, the internal bag further comprises a plurality of internal pockets and compartments.

In an embodiment, the main bag further comprises a plurality of internal pockets and compartments.

In an embodiment, the main bag is configured as an open-topped container.

In an embodiment, the main bag is configured as a rucksack with double shoulder straps.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a view from one side of an embodiment of the combination bag and internal bag of the present invention, the figure showing the main larger or external bag, the main bag configured so that the internal bag can be inserted into the main bag for storage and transport.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the interior of the main bag with the internal bag present, showing detail of internal compartments within the main bag.

Figure 3 shows a view from one side and above of the smaller internal bag, showing detail of the configuration of the internal bag, and detail of two straps located one at each end of the internal bag.

Figure 4 shows a close-up side view of one top corner of the internal bag, showing detail of a clasp used to attach one of the straps to the bag.

Figure 5 shows a view of an embodiment of the internal bag, the internal bag in this embodiment configured to connect to the handle of a stroller, as shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

An embodiment of the combination handbag and internal bag 1 is shown in figures 1 to 4.

The combination bag 1 has two main parts: an external outer or main bag 2 and an internal bag 3.

Main Bag

The main bag 2 is configured in this embodiment as a typical larger-sized handbag, of similar size, capacity, and intended use to a bucket bag or tote bag. The main bag 2 in this embodiment is roughly rectangular when viewed from one side, with two side walls 4 connected at their ends or common side edges, and at their common bottom edge, to form a container. A zip 8 is fitted to the top edges of the side walls so that the main bag 2 can be opened and closed as required. Two handles 5 are fitted, one on each of the side walls 4, the handles 5 formed as loops that extend upwards from the side walls 4, the handles 5 allowing a user to carry the bag 1.

The side walls 4 and handles 5 can be formed of any suitable material, such as for example leather or a faux-leather material.

The interior of the main bag 2 is configured with a series of smaller pockets and compartments 7 built into or attached to the inner surfaces of the side walls 4. These compartments can be used to store items such as a wallet or purse, a mobile device, small change, make-up, or other items. The compartments/pockets 7 can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes as required, and can have closures built in to them to close or keep them shut as required.

The main bag could also be formed as a single-strap shoulder bag, a rucksack, or any other suitable type of bag carried by a single person. The main can also be formed in any suitable shape or configuration that is required, and does not need to be rectangular with two side walls - for example, the bag could have a base, shaped as a circle or overall or similar, with a side wall connected to this and running continuously around the base.

The primary purpose of the main bag 3 is to serve as a fashion bag, workwear bag or simply just a holdall for the user’s belongings. internal bag clasps 16 extending from and connected to the interior walls inside the main bag 2 are used to fasten and securely hold an internal bag 3 inside the main bag 2, as outlined below.

Internal Bag

The internal bag 3 in this embodiment comprises a separate bag to the main bag 2. The main bag 2 and internal bag 3 are mutually formed so that the internal bag 3 can fit snugly within the main bag 2, and be removable from the main bag 2. The purpose of the inner bag 2 is to carry a baby’s belongings.

The internal bag 2 and main bag 3 are configured so that the internal bag 3 can fit inside the main bag 2, can connect securely to the main bag 2, and is also detachable from the main bag 2 when a user wishes to remove the internal bag 2 to use the contents. The internal bag 3 in this embodiment is generally rectangular when viewed from one side, as shown in figure 3, and slightly shorter and slimmer than the main bag 2.

This allows it to fit within the main compartment of the preferred embodiment main bag 2. A zip 9 is fitted to the top to allow the internal bag 3 to be closed. The internal bag 3 can be formed from any suitable material such as leather or similar. For specific uses, such as for example use as a change bag, the internal bag can be formed from a waterproof and wipe-clean material such as for example neoprene, and can be configured with internal pockets and compartments so that in use it can hold a baby changing mat and changing materials and items such as nappies, wipes, creams, powder containers, etc. If configured as a change bag, the bag 3 may also comprise a number of insulated compartments which can be used to keep preprepared feeding bottles warm. For example, the pair of pockets 12 located at each end of the internal bag can be formed as bottle holders, formed from an elasticated, thermal and waterproof material, and configured so that a bottle can slipped into the open-topped container of the bottle holder for storage and transport. The thermal material allows the bottle to be kept warm in use until these are needed.

The internal bag 3 can also have exterior pockets 13 for other items, such as for example a mobile phone, purse, or similar, and secondary exterior pockets such as pocket 14, which can be closed via a zip, clasps, or similar.

A pair of bag handles 6 are located at each end of the body of the internal bag 3, connected at the upper ends/comers of the internal bag 3. These bag handles 6 are configured as a length of material that can be formed into a loop and connected to itself. In the preferred embodiment, this connection is achieved via a hook-and-loop fastener to close the loop and keep this closed. However, any suitable fastening mechanism can be used, such as for example push studs or similar.

The bag handles 6 allow the internal bag 3 to be connected to the main bag 2 in use, via the internal bag clasps 16 inside the main bag 2, which connect to the internal bag 3 via the loops of the bag handles 6. They also allow the internal bag 3 to be removed from the main bag 2 by a user reaching in with both hands and lifting the change bag 3 out via the loops of the bag handles 6. The handles 6 also allow the internal bag 3 to be strapped or attached to items such as a stroller, pushchair, pram or similar, as shown in figure 5.

Figure 4 shows a close-up side view of one top corner of the internal bag 3, showing detail of a clasp 15 used to attach one of the bag handles 6 to the bag. The clasps 15 are located at the top corners at each end of the internal bag 3, and can also be used to attach a separate shoulder strap or similar to the internal baby changing bag 3 so that a user can sling the internal bag over their shoulder and carry it separately. The clips 15 can also be used to connect to the internal bag clasps 16, to connect the internal bag 3 securely inside the main bag 2.

An advantage of the combination bag with internal bag of the present invention is that a carer only needs to carry a single bag instead of two bags. This offers an advantage to a busy carer who needs to carry material both for themselves and their child, and who needs to have hands free to care for the child, or control a buggy, or similar. The outer bag serves as a fashion bag, workwear bag or simply just a holdall for the user’s belongings. The inner bag carries the baby’s belongings and can fit inside the main bag and is also detachable from the outer bag. Instead of carrying two bags, the carer simply needs to carry one. The outer bag has clips internally that allows the inner baby bag to be securely fastened inside and the inner baby bag can unclasp from the outer bag to be used independently and also can hook onto the baby’s stroller.

The combination bag with internal bag of the present invention offers users a two-in- one bag concept that eliminates the need to carry a separate handbag as well as a smaller bag such as a clutch or similar. This dual-purpose bag assists with overcoming the difficulties that women may face on nights out, or that carers face when looking after small children or infants when on excursions.