Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns personal storage items. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns personal storage items such as purses handbags and the like which comprise batteries for charging mobile devices.

Background of the Invention The use of mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablet devices, has become extremely common. It is a common problem with such mobile devices that their battery life is limited, with the result that if they are not regularly recharged they can become inactive due to lack of battery power.

However, it is undesirable for mobile device owners to carry device chargers with them so that they can recharge their mobile devices if required. Further, even when a user has a suitable device charger, it is often the case that no power outlet in which to use the device charger is available. If a power outlet is available, the user is then forced to stay by the power outlet while their mobile device is charging.

To solve these problem, personal storage items (e.g. bags, purses and the like) incorporating batteries have been proposed. Such a storage item is more convenient for a user to carry with them than a device charger, and the user may well wish to carry a storage item such as a handbag or purse anyway. The battery of the storage item can then be used to recharge the user's mobile device, without requiring the user to use a device charger, with the disadvantages that involves.

US 2014/0167679 Al (Edwards) published 19 June 2014 discloses a purse with a pocket that houses a battery for charging a mobile device. The battery has a USB port into which a suitable cable can be connected to charge a mobile device, and a "pin" port into which a suitable cable can be connected to charge the battery itself.

However, it is a disadvantage that a cable to charge the battery needs to be carried in order to allow battery to be charged. It is a further disadvantage that the purse needs to be opened, exposing its contents, to allow the cable to connect the battery to the charging source (e.g. a computer USB port) .

To overcome these disadvantages, WO 2014/040004 Al (Everpurse, Inc.) published 13 March 2014 discloses a wireless charging station for a personal storage item that incorporates a battery for charging a mobile device. The wireless charging station charges the battery using magnetic induction, without a cable from the battery to the charging station being required. However, it is a disadvantage that a special wireless charging station is required to charge the battery, as this requires the wireless charging station to be carried to allow the battery to be charged in different locations (for example at the users home and at their workplace) , or

alternatively multiple wireless charging stations are required.

The present invention seeks to solve or mitigate some or all of the above-mentioned problems. Additionally and/or alternatively, the present invention seeks to provide improved personal storage items.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal storage item comprising :

a body defining an internal storage area;

a strap comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the body, and the second end is located outside the internal storage area formed by the body;

a battery for charging a mobile device, located inside the body;

a battery cable comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located inside the body to supply power from a power source to charge the battery, and the second end is located outside the body for connection to the power source;

wherein at least a portion of the battery cable outside the body is located within the strap.

The battery can be used to charge a mobile device, by connecting the mobile device to the battery using a suitable cable. In this way, the mobile device can be charged while it is stored inside the body of the personal storage item. However, by having the battery cable have a first end located inside the body of the personal storage item and a second end outside the body of the personal storage item, power can be provided to charge the battery using the battery cable, without requiring the body to be open. Further, as the battery cable is located within the strap of the personal storage item, its presence will not disturb a user of the

personal storage item.

The portion of the battery cable between the second end and the first end located inside the body of the personal storage item may be located entirely within the strap. The first end of the battery cable located inside the body of the personal storage item may be located inside the structure of the body, so that it is not accessible via the internal storage area. In this case, the battery cable may pass from within the structure of the body directly to within the strap, so that only the second end of the battery cable is accessible to a user.

Preferably, the second end of the battery cable is accessible via the second end of the strap. This allows the battery cable to extend the whole length of the strap, so giving a longer and more easily used cable, for example for reaching hard-to-access power sources.

Alternatively, the second end of the battery cable may be accessible via the middle of the strap, for example.

The second end of the strap may be arranged to attach to the body of the personal storage item to form a loop. Alternatively, the personal storage item further may comprise a second strap comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the body, and wherein the second end of the strap is arranged to attach to the second end of the first strap to form a loop. In this case, the second strap may comprise a pouch arranged so that, when the first and second straps form a loop, the second end of the battery cable is located within the pouch. In either case, but

particularly when there is a second strap comprising a pouch, having the strap form a loop conveniently conceals and protects from damage the second end of the battery cable. The strap may connect to the body or second strap by means of clips, poppers or any other suitable fixing.

The battery may be located within a pocket in the personal storage item. Alternatively, the battery maybe located within the structure of the body of the personal storage item.

Advantageously, the battery is in the form of a flexible sheet. The battery may be a thin-film

rechargeable lithium battery.

The personal storage item may further comprise a device cable arranged to supply power from the battery to the mobile device. Alternatively and/or additionally, the personal storage item may further comprise a socket arranged to receive a device cable arranged to supply power from the battery to the mobile device.

The personal storage item may be a bag.

Alternatively, the personal storage item may be a

handbag. Alternatively, the personal storage item may be a purse. Alternatively, the personal storage item may be a satchel, rucksack, briefcase, laptop case, tablet holder or any other suitable personal storage item.

The personal storage item may further comprise a zip arranged to close the body. Alternatively, the personal storage item may further comprise any other suitable closing means.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal storage item substantially as herein described, with reference to either of Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a purse in accordance with a first

embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a close-up view of the second strap of the purse of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a close-up view of the first strap of the purse of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a satchel in accordance with a second

embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 shows two straps in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

A personal storage item in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is now described with

reference to Figures 1 to 3. The personal storage item is a purse 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the purse 1 has a zip 2 around its periphery, between body of the purse 1 as defined by the material 3 forming the internal storage portion of the purse 1, and the material (not visible in Figure 1) forming the outside of the purse 1. The purse 1 has an inside pocket 4.

On the outside of the purse 1 there is fixed a first strap 5a and a second strap 5b, so that when the purse 1 is closed by means of the zip 2, the first and second straps 5a and 5b are accessible from the outside of the purse 1. The first and second straps 5a and 5b have respective poppers 6a and 6b, which can be connected together so that the first and second straps 5a and 5b form a loop. The first strap 5a has a pouch 12, as discussed in more detail later below.

A battery 7 is located between the material 3 forming the internal storage portion of the purse 1 and the material forming the outside of the purse 1. In other words, the battery 7 is integrated into the

structure of the purse 1 itself, rather than being within the internal storage portion of the purse 1. An

electronic circuit 8 is located with the battery 7, again integrated into the structure of the purse 1 itself. The battery 7 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 8.

The battery 7 comprises a flexible sheet of a material which is able to store an electrical charge, for example a thin-film rechargeable lithium battery.

A device socket 9 is fixed within the material 3 forming the internal storage portion of the purse 1, so that it is accessible from the internal storage portion of the purse 1. The socket 9 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 8, within the structure of the purse 1.

A first end of a battery cable 10 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 8. A portion of the battery cable 10 including the first end is within the structure of the purse 1, and the battery cable 10 then passes continues inside the second strap 5b. A second end of the battery cable 10 comprising a USB-type plug 10a protrudes from an opening 11 in the end of the second strap 5b.

As shown in more detail in Figure 2, the second strap 5b comprises a popper 6b, in particular a male button stud. The battery cable 10 is located within the strap 5b, and comprises two power wires. The USB-type plug 10a of the battery cable 10 is a reversible male USB plug. The second strap 5b may, for example, be

approximately 300mm in length. As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the first strap 5a comprises a popper 6a, in particular a female button stud. The strap 5a comprises at its end a single layer flap 13, leading to the pouch 12. The second strap 5b may, for example, be

approximately 100mm in length.

In general use, the first and second straps 5a and 5b of the purse 1 can be connected together by means of the poppers 6a and 6b to form a loop. When this is done, the plug 10a of the battery cable 10 is located within the pouch 12 of the first strap 5a, concealing it and protecting it from damage. Loops are commonly found on purses and other personal storage items, and so the presence of the loop will not disturb a user of the purse 1. If required, a mobile device can be charged using power from the battery 7, by connecting the mobile device to the device socket 9 using a suitable charging cable. The electronic circuit 8 controls the supply of power from the battery 7 to the mobile device, to safely charge the mobile device. During charging, zip 2 can be closed so that the mobile device and charging cable are stored in the internal storage portion of the purse 1.

If the battery 7 itself needs to be charged, the poppers 6a and 6b can be disconnected. The USB-type plug 10a of the battery cable 10 can then be plugged into a suitable power source, for example a computer USB port or a dedicated USB-type charger. The electronic circuit 8 controls the supply of power from the power source to the battery 7, to safely charge the battery 7. As it will be appreciated, this does not require the zip 2 to be opened, and so the battery 7 can be charged while the purse 1 is closed.

A personal storage item in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is now described with

reference to Figure 4. The personal storage item is a satchel 100.

The satchel 100 has a flap 101, on which are located poppers 102a and 102b. These can be connected to

corresponding poppers 104a and 104b respectively on the front of the satchel 100, to close the satchel 100.

Similarly to the previous embodiment, on the outside of the satchel 100 there is fixed a first strap 105a and a second strap 105b, so that when the satchel 100 is closed the first and second straps 105a and 105b are accessible from the outside of the satchel 100. In this embodiment, the first and second straps 105a and 105b are fixed on opposite sides of the satchel 100. The first and second straps 105a and 105b have respective clips 106a and 106b, which can be connected together so that the first and second straps 105a and 105b form a loop which provides a shoulder strap for the satchel 100. Similarly to the previous embodiment, a battery 107 is located within the structure of the satchel 100, and is electrically connected to an electronic circuit 108. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the satchel 100 comprises a device cable 109, connected to the electronic circuit 108, which passes from within the structure of the satchel 100 to the internal storage portion of the satchel 100. A first end of a battery cable 110 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 8, and passes from within the structure of the satchel 100 to within the second strap 105b. Again, a second end of the battery cable 110 comprising a USB-type plug 110a

protrudes from an opening 111 in the second strap 105b.

Similarly to the previous embodiment, in general use the first and second straps 105a and 105b of the satchel 100 can be connected together by means of the clips 106a and 106b, to form a shoulder strap for the satchel 100. If required, a mobile device can be charged using the battery 7, by connecting the mobile device to the device cable 109. If the battery 107 needs to be charged, this can be done by disconnecting the clips 106a and 106b to allow the USB-type plug 110a to be plugged into a

suitable power source. Two straps in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention are now described with reference to Figure 5. The straps could be used with the personal storage items of the first and second embodiments, for example.

A first strap 200a comprises a hollow end portion 202a. The hollow end portion 202a is open at the end of the first strap 200a, and has an opening 203a on one side . A second strap 200b comprises an end portion 202b, which is dimensioned and configured to fit within the hollow end portion 202a of the first strap 200a. The end portion 202b has a sprung button 203b, which is

dimensioned and configured to extend into the opening 203a of the hollow end portion 202a. The second strap 200b has within it a battery cable as described in the previous embodiments (not shown in Figure 5) . The battery cable has a USB-type plug 201a which extends from the end of the end portion 202b of the second strap 200b.

Thus, in use the end portion 202b of the second strap 200b can be inserted into the hollow end portion 202a of the second strap 200a, so that the straps form a loop. The USB-type plug 201a is located within the hollow end portion 202a, concealing it and protecting it from damage. The sprung button 203b of the end portion 202b extends into the opening 203a of the hollow end portion 202a, keeping the straps 200a and 200b together until the sprung button 203b is pressed by a user to disconnect the straps, revealing the USB-type plug 201a so that it can be used for charging.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different

variations not specifically illustrated herein.

For example, while a battery cable with a USB-type plug has been described, it will be appreciated that any other suitable cable and/or plug could be used.

Similarly, while a thin-film battery has been described, any other suitable battery could be used, for example a standard rechargeable battery. The battery could be integrated into the structure of the personal storage item as described, or provided within the internal storage portion of the personal storage item, for example in a dedicated pocket, to allow easy removal and

replacement. A single of multiple device charging sockets, and single or multiple device charging cables, or a single cable with multiple plugs, could be provided for charging the mobile device. Alternatively and/or in addition to providing a device charging socket/cable, a wireless inductive charger could be provided to allow mobile devices that are chargeable by magnetic induction to be charged by the battery.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable,

advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.