초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus including a primary storage cavity, an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity, and at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a handbag, purse, tote, or c

An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus including a primary storage cavity, an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity, and at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a handbag, purse, tote, or clutch. In addition, a handbag is disclosed, the handbag including a primary storage cavity, an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity, at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, and a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the materials defining the secondary storage cavity in a collapsed position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus comprising: a primary storage cavity defined by at least a first primary side wall, a second primary side wall, a third primary side wall, a fourth primary side wall, and a divider, wherein the divider defines a bottom wall of the primary storage cavity, and wherein the divider compr

1. An apparatus comprising: a primary storage cavity defined by at least a first primary side wall, a second primary side wall, a third primary side wall, a fourth primary side wall, and a divider, wherein the divider defines a bottom wall of the primary storage cavity, and wherein the divider comprises a reinforcing material;a primary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the primary storage cavity through the top or side of the apparatus;an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity; wherein the secondary storage cavity is disposed below the primary storage cavity when expanded;wherein the secondary storage cavity is defined by at least the divider, a first secondary side wall, a second secondary side wall, a third secondary side wall, a fourth secondary side wall, and a secondary bottom wall when expanded; andwherein the first, second, third, and fourth secondary sidewalls are permanently connected to the divider and the secondary bottom wall;at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, each reinforcing structure being configured to be selectively secured adjacent to a secondary side wall on the opposing side of the secondary cavity from the other member of the pair, wherein the reinforcing structures span the distance between the divider and the secondary bottom wall when secured;a secondary access mechanism attached to one of the secondary side walls, the secondary access mechanism being configured to selectively allow access to the secondary storage cavity when the storage cavity is expanded;a fastening mechanism being configured to, when the reinforcing structures are unsecured and the secondary storage cavity is collapsed, engage to fasten the secondary side walls, the secondary bottom wall and the reinforcing structures in a collapsed position adjacent to the divider, and being configured to disengage to selectively release the secondary side walls, the secondary bottom wall and the reinforcing structures from the collapsed position and allowing the secondary cavity to expand away from the divider;wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;wherein the first edge is attached to a wall defining the secondary cavity on or near the connection of a secondary side wall and the secondary bottom wall;wherein the first edge defines a rotation axis and the reinforcing structures can be rotated about the axis from an unsecured position to a secured position;wherein the reinforcing structures are substantially parallel to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the unsecured position, and the reinforcing structures are adjacent to a secondary side wall and substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the secured position; andwherein the reinforcing structures and secondary storage cavity comprise a securing mechanism configured to automatically secure the reinforcing structures in a secured position when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to one of the secondary side walls and are substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary side walls comprise a pliable material. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing material of the divider comprises a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, carbon fiber, a polycarbonate material, an epoxy, cardboard, polyester boning, or a combination thereof. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing material of the divider comprises one or more layers of material. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the fastening mechanism is fastened and the secondary storage cavity is collapsed, the secondary side walls, the secondary bottom wall, and the reinforcing structures have a combined height that is one sixth or less of the total height of the apparatus. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to a secondary side wall, a deformable tab and corresponding groove positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to a secondary side wall, or a combination thereof. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pliable material is leather, artificial leather, canvas, suede, polyvinylchloride or a combination thereof. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carrying attachment connected to one or more of the walls defining the primary storage cavity. 10. A handbag comprising: a primary storage cavity defined by at least at least a first primary side wall, a second primary side wall, a third primary side wall, a fourth primary side wall and a divider, wherein the divider defines a bottom wall of the primary storage cavity;an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity, wherein the secondary storage cavity is disposed below the divider when expanded, and is defined by at least a first secondary side wall, a second secondary side wall, a third secondary side wall, a fourth secondary side wall, the divider, and a secondary bottom wall;wherein the first, second, third, and fourth secondary side walls are permanently connected to the divider and the secondary bottom wall;at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, each reinforcing structure being configured to be selectively secured on opposing sides of the secondary cavity to reinforce the secondary cavity when it is expanded and to bear the weight of the primary storage cavity;a secondary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the secondary storage cavity when the storage cavity is expanded;a fastening mechanism being configured to, when the reinforcing structures are unsecured and the secondary storage cavity is collapsed, engage to fasten the secondary side walls and the reinforcing structures in a collapsed position adjacent to the divider, and being configured to disengage to allow the secondary cavity to fall and automatically expand away from the divider;wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;wherein the first edge is attached to a wall defining the secondary cavity on or near the connection of the one of the secondary side walls and either the divider or the secondary bottom wall;wherein the first edge defines a rotation axis and the reinforcing structures can be rotated about the axis from an unsecured position to a secured position; andwherein the reinforcing structures are substantially parallel to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the unsecured position, and the reinforcing structures are adjacent to at least one of the secondary side walls and substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the secured position. 11. The handbag of claim 10, wherein the at least one secondary side wall comprises a pliable material. 12. The handbag of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing material of the divider comprises a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, carbon fiber, a polycarbonate material, an epoxy, cardboard, polyester boning, or a combination thereof. 13. The handbag of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing material of the divider comprises one or more layers of material. 14. The handbag of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing structures and secondary storage cavity comprise a securing mechanism configured to automatically secure the reinforcing structures in a secured position when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent the at least one secondary side wall and are substantially perpendicular to the divider and the secondary bottom wall. 15. The handbag of claim 14, wherein the securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to the at least one secondary side wall, a deformable tab and corresponding groove positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to the at least one secondary side wall, or a combination thereof. 16. The handbag of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 17. The handbag of claim 10, further comprising a primary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the primary storage cavity through the top or side of the handbag, and a carrying attachment connected to at least one wall defining the primary storage cavity. 18. A handbag comprising: a primary storage cavity defined by a first primary side wall, a second primary side wall, a third primary side wall, a fourth primary side wall, and a divider, wherein the divider acts as bottom wall of the primary storage cavity;a primary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the primary storage cavity through the top or side of the handbag;an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity; wherein the secondary storage cavity is disposed below the primary storage cavity when expanded;wherein the secondary storage cavity is defined by the divider, a first secondary side wall, a second secondary side wall, a third secondary side wall, a fourth secondary side wall, and a secondary bottom wall when expanded;wherein the first, second, third, and fourth secondary sidewalls are permanently connected to the divider and the secondary bottom wall; andwherein the secondary side walls comprise a pliable material;one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, each reinforcing structure being configured to be selectively secured adjacent to one of the secondary side walls on the opposing side of the secondary cavity from the other member of the pair, wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;wherein the first edge is attached to the connection of one of the secondary side walls and either the divider or the secondary bottom wall;wherein the first edge defines a rotation axis and the reinforcing structures can be rotated about the axis from an unsecured position to a secured position;wherein the reinforcing structures are substantially parallel to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the unsecured position, and the reinforcing structures are adjacent to one of the secondary side walls and are substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the secured position;wherein the reinforcing structures span the distance between the divider and the secondary bottom wall when secured to protect any contents placed into the secondary storage cavity from the weight of any contents of the primary storage cavity; andwherein the reinforcing structures and secondary storage cavity comprise a securing mechanism configured to automatically secure the reinforcing structures in the secured position, the securing mechanism comprising hook and loop fasteners positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to a secondary side wall;a secondary access mechanism attached to one of the secondary side walls, the secondary access mechanism being configured to selectively allow access to the secondary storage cavity when the storage cavity is expanded; anda fastening mechanism being configured to, when the reinforcing structures are unsecured and the secondary storage cavity is collapsed, engage to fasten the secondary side walls, the secondary bottom wall and the reinforcing structures in a collapsed position adjacent to the divider, and being configured to disengage to selectively release the secondary side walls, the secondary bottom wall and the reinforcing structures from the collapsed position and allowing the secondary cavity to expand away from the divider. 19. The handbag of claim 18, wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof.