Handbags with interchangeable covers and methods for customizing handbags

Abstract

Handbags, including soft handbags, are easily customizable by attaching or changing handbag covers of virtually any design. The handbag covers can include, at least in part, an essentially collapsible material, and are relatively small and easily stored. Accordingly, the aesthetic and design of handbags can be easily altered without requiring the purchase of different handbags of different styles. In at least one implementation of the present invention, the handbag covers essentially envelope the base handbag. Additionally, one or more implementations of the present invention include handbag covers that attach to a base handbag via a plurality of attachment forces.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A customizable handbag system comprising:
 a base handbag including a first side wall having an upper edge, a second side wall having an upper edge, a bottom surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, a handle, a first handbag attachment interface adjacent the upper edge of the first side wall and comprising at least one fastener element, and a second handbag attachment interface adjacent the upper edge of the second side wall and comprising at least one fastener element; and   a handbag cover having two side sections joined together by a central section and configured to be positioned about the bottom surface and first and second side walls of the base handbag, said handbag cover further comprising a first handbag cover attachment interface comprising at least one fastener element and a second handbag cover attachment interface comprising at least one fastener element,   wherein the at least one fastener element of the first handbag cover attachment interface is adapted to be temporarily coupled to the at least one fastener element of the first handbag attachment interface and the at least one fastener element of the second handbag cover attachment interface is adapted to be temporarily coupled to the at least one fastener element of the second handbag attachment element to temporarily and securely couple the handbag cover about the base handbag.   
     
     
         20 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said fastener elements is a magnet. 
     
     
         21 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein at least another of said attachment elements is a material adapted to attract the magnet. 
     
     
         22 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein the base handbag includes one or more releasable clips for temporarily attaching the handle to the base handbag. 
     
     
         23 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein the handbag attachment interfaces include at least one fastener element that secures both the handbag cover and a handle to the base handbag. 
     
     
         24 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein fastener elements used to hold the handbag cover to the base handbag include magnets providing a first mechanical attachment force and a releasable handle attachment member providing a second mechanical attachment force. 
     
     
         25 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 19 , wherein fastener elements of the handbag cover include openings through which a fastener element used to couple the handle to the base handbag passes. 
     
     
         26 . A customizable handbag system comprising:
 a base handbag including a first side wall having an upper edge, a second side wall having an upper edge, a bottom surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, a handle, a first handbag attachment interface adjacent the upper edge of the first side wall and comprising at least one fastener element, and a second handbag attachment interface adjacent the upper edge of the second side wall and comprising at least one fastener element; and   a plurality of unique handbag covers each adapted to be selectively coupled to the base handbag, each of said plurality of unique handbag covers having two side sections joined together by a central section and configured to be positioned about the bottom surface and first and second side walls of the base handbag, each of said unique handbag covers further comprising a first handbag cover attachment interface comprising at least one fastener element and a second handbag cover attachment interface comprising at least one fastener element,   wherein the at least one fastener element of the first handbag cover attachment interface of each of the plurality of unique handbag covers is adapted to be temporarily coupled to the at least one fastener element of the first handbag attachment interface and the at least one fastener element of the second handbag cover attachment interface of each of the plurality of unique handbag covers is adapted to be temporarily coupled to the at least one fastener element of the second handbag attachment element to temporarily and securely couple a handbag cover about the base handbag.   
     
     
         27 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of said fastener elements is a magnet. 
     
     
         28 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein at least another of said attachment elements is a material adapted to attract the magnet. 
     
     
         29 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein the base handbag includes one or more releasable clips for temporarily attaching the handle to the base handbag. 
     
     
         30 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein the handbag attachment interfaces include at least one fastener element that secures both the handbag cover and a handle to the base handbag. 
     
     
         31 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein fastener elements used to hold the handbag cover to the base handbag include magnets providing a first mechanical attachment force and a releasable handle attachment member providing a second mechanical attachment force. 
     
     
         32 . The customizable handbag system of  claim 26 , wherein fastener elements of the handbag cover include openings through which a fastener element used to couple the handle to the base handbag passes.