Handbags with Interchangeable Covers and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

A system that includes a family of base bags that can accept customizable decorative and/or functional outer panels. Each outer panel may change the aesthetic and appearance of the base bag. The complete bag may comprise a base bag and one or more panels that are affixed to a portion of the outer surface of the base bag. The panels may have fastening elements that are positioned in the same locations, allowing the panel elements to be affixed to all of the different base bags individually. Each bag can be affixed with one or more panels depending on the style of bag. Each bag has fasteners that may mate with corresponding panel fasteners.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a) a plurality of bags, each base bag having an outside surface and an inner cavity bound by said outside surface for receiving an item therein, and a first plurality of fastening elements on said outside surface of said base bag, wherein said fastening elements on said outside surface of each of said base bags are arranged in a first pattern; and   b) a plurality of outer panels, each outer panel having a first side, a second side having at least one decorative or functional feature, and a second plurality of fastening elements on said first side of said outer panel, wherein said fastening elements on said first side of each of said outer panels are arranged in a second pattern,   wherein said first pattern is complementary to said second pattern, and wherein engagement of said outer panel fastening elements to said base bag fastening elements attaches said outer panels to said base bags.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said base bags are selected from the group consisting of a purse, a handbag, a tote bag, a clutch case, a lunchbox, a technology case, a backpack, and a wallet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , at least one of said base bags having at least one wall comprising a semi-rigid material or a rigid material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of outer panels is entirely on an exterior of a base bag when engaged with said base bag. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein no portion of an outer panel is located within an interior of a base bag when said outer panel is attached to said base bag. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pluralities of fastening elements are snap button fasteners, and said first plurality of fastening elements are complementary to said second plurality fastening elements. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second patterns each comprise four of said fastening elements in a rectangular arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said outer panels is reversible, allowing either said first side or said second side to be fastened to said outer surfaces of said base bags. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said outer panels are attachable to said first base bag. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , said second side of at least one of said outer panels comprising a surface adapted to receive writing or decorations thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , said second side of at least one of said outer panels comprising a pouch or compartment adapted to receive items therein. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , said second side of at least one of said outer panels comprising an electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic device comprises a plurality of lights. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic device comprises an electronic display. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic device comprises a solar charger. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of decorative elements each having a fastening element thereon, said decorative element fastening element complementary to at least one of said fastening elements on said base bags. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of charms, chains, pinwheels, flowers, bows, figurines, and dolls. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one doll having a plurality of fastening elements thereon that are attachable to said fastening elements on said base bags in said first pattern. 
     
     
         19 . A system of customizable bags and interchangeable panels comprising:
 a. a plurality of bags each having a different structure and each having first fasteners on at least one outer surface thereof; and   b. a plurality of panels each having second fasteners thereon, wherein said second fasteners on each of said panels are engageable to said first fasteners on said outer surface of said bags and are operable to attach the panel to each of said bags, each said plurality of panels having different decorative or functional features.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said plurality of bags includes at least two outer surfaces, each surface having said first fasteners arranged in a same pattern. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said first fasteners of said bags and said second fasteners of said panels each are arranged in a universal pattern enabling any of said panels to be attached to any of said bags. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said universal pattern comprises four fasteners in a rectangular pattern, wherein each of said panels are rectangular and have a fastener near a corner thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each of said plurality of panels has a universal size. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one outer surface of each of said plurality of bags has said universal size. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein each of said plurality of bags have a different size. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said plurality of bags comprises a first pattern of said first fasteners and a second pattern of said first fasteners, said second pattern different from said first pattern. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said plurality of panels comprise (i) a first set of panels having said second fasteners in a complementary arrangement to said first pattern and (ii) a second set of panels having said second fasteners in a complementary arrangement to said second pattern, each of said second set of panels having different decorative or functional features. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said first and second fasteners are snap button fasteners, and said first fasteners are complementary to said second fasteners. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each said plurality of panels are adapted such that it is entirely on an exterior of a base bag when said second plurality of fasteners are engaged to said first plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each said plurality of panels are adapted such that no portion of said panel is positioned in an inner cavity of a base bag when said second plurality of fasteners are engaged to said first plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of decorative elements each having a fastener thereon, said decorative element fastener complementary to at least one of said first fasteners on said bags. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of charms, chains, pinwheels, flowers, bows, figurines, and dolls. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one doll having a plurality of third fasteners thereon that are attachable to said first fasteners in said universal pattern. 
     
     
         34 . A method of customizing a bag, comprising the steps of:
 a) selecting a first panel from a first plurality of panels, each of said first plurality of panels having fasteners in a first pattern on a first side thereof;   b) selecting a first base bag from a plurality of base bags, each of said plurality of base bags having a first set of fasteners in said first pattern on at least one outer surface thereof; and   c) attaching said first panel to said first base bag by engaging said fasteners of said first panel with said fasteners of said first base bag.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 d) selecting a second base bag from said plurality of base bags;   e) removing said first panel from said first base bag; and   f) attaching said first panel to said second base bag by engaging said fasteners of said first panel with said fasteners of said second base bag.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 d) selecting a second panel from said first plurality of panels;   e) removing said first panel from said first base bag; and   f) attaching said second panel to said first base bag by engaging said fasteners of said second panel with said fasteners of said base bag.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 d) removing said first panel from said first base bag, said first panel further having fasteners in a second pattern on a second side thereof; and   e) attaching said first panel to said first base bag by engaging said fasteners on said second side of said first panel with said fasteners of said base bag.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 d) selecting a second panel from a second plurality of panels, each of said second plurality of panels having fasteners in a second pattern on a first side thereof;   e) attaching said second panel to said first base bag, said first base bag further having a second set of fasteners in said second pattern on at least one outer surface thereof, by engaging said fasteners of said second panel with said fasteners of said first base bag.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the step of customizing a second side of said first panel by decorating said second side with one or more writing implements or paints. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 d) selecting a decorative element from a plurality of decorative elements, each of said plurality of decorative elements having at least one fastener thereon;   e) removing said first panel from said first base bag; and   f) attaching said decorative element to said first base bag by engaging said at least one fastener of said at decorative element with at least one of said fasteners of said first base bag.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of charms, chains, pinwheels, flowers, bows, figurines, and dolls.