BACKGROUND

Garment and tote bags in the garment industry are typically used for carrying and storing items. A great variety of garment and tote bags currently exist. Some bags, with and without fastened openings, are smaller in dimension. These may or may not include handles (i.e. handbags). Some can be easily carried across the shoulder to hang on one side of the body (e.g. shoulder bags), while others can be carried across the back, wherein the bag is strapped to both shoulders and is seated in the center of the back (e.g. backpacks). There are even bags that can be worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back (i.e. messenger bags). These bags can be made of a leather or cloth material and can be used to house and store a variety of different items. People who transport personal items from place to place commonly use any number of the bags mentioned previously. For example, a person can use a tote bag to store various articles of clothing and other personal grooming items, when they go out or travel. However, at some point when the user has nothing to store in the bag, carrying and storing the empty bag can be troublesome when a person is traveling.

Most, if not all, of these bags generally have only one function. They do not have multiple uses. Therefore, if a person does not need the function of carrying or storing items, the bag wastes space and is cumbersome. For example, when a person is biking or hiking, they need a bag that can be used for a variety of purposes, not just solely for caring and storing items. Further, some bags are excessive in weight and may consequently cause damage the back, neck and/or shoulder.

It is within this context that the embodiments arise.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a convertible tote bag assembly are provided. It should be appreciated that the present embodiment can be implemented in numerous ways, such as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, or a method. Several inventive embodiments are described below.

In some embodiments, a tote bag that is convertible into multiple wearable articles of clothing is provided. The tote bag may include an exterior housing, having fastening members. An interior panel may be seated within the exterior housing, wherein the exterior housing is wrapped around the interior panel to engage the fastening members in a closed manner. A strap may be coupled to the exterior housing, wherein when the interior panel and the strap are removed from the exterior housing, the exterior housing converts into a wearable article of clothing, such as a shirt, blouse, or a pair of slacks. In one embodiment, the exterior housing may include at least one pair of sleeves coupled to a bodice, wherein the strap is slidably positioned through the pair of sleeves. The bodice may also include an opening defining a neckline, such that the exterior housing may be worn as clothing. Each component of the assembly can have multiple purposes. The interior panel and the strap can also be worn. For example, when the strap is made of leather, the strap may be worn as a belt. In contrast, when the strap is made of fabric, it can serve as a scarf or a baby holster. The interior panel may include detachable pockets, wherein the panel can be converted into a towel for drying the body. Alternatively, the panel may be worn as a shawl having a hood, wherein the hood is formed by at least one pocket.

In some embodiments, the convertible tote bag may include an exterior housing, having fastening members. An interior panel may be seated within the exterior housing, wherein the exterior housing is wrapped around the interior panel to engage the fastening members in a closed manner. The exterior housing may include a pair of long sleeves may be coupled to a bodice, such that the pair of sleeves coupled together to form straps of the tote bag. The bodice may also include an opening defining a neckline, such that the exterior housing may be worn as clothing. For example, when the pair of fastening members are uncoupled, the interior section can be slidably removed from the exterior housing, and the pair of sleeves can be uncoupled, such that the exterior housing converts into a wearable article of clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt.

In some embodiments, the convertible tote bag may include an exterior housing, having fastening members. An interior panel may be seated within the exterior housing, wherein the exterior housing is wrapped around the interior panel to engage the fastening members in a closed manner. The exterior housing may include a pair of pant legs, such that the pair of pant legs coupled together to form straps of the tote bag. The pair of pant legs may coupled to a waistband bodice at a top portion, such that the exterior housing may be worn as a pair of pants. For example, when the pair of fastening members are uncoupled, the interior section can be slidably removed from the exterior housing, and the pair of pant legs can be uncoupled, such that the exterior housing converts into a wearable article of clothing, such as pants.

In some embodiments, a method for assembling and converting the convertible tote bag assembly into wearable apparel is provided. In one embodiment, the method for assembling may include compressing an interior panel. For example, the interior panel may be folded and rolled to fit within a bodice portion of an exterior housing of the convertible tote bag assembly. In the alternative, the interior panel may be folded back and forth in an accordion fashion. The method may also include inserting the compressed interior panel within the exterior housing. Further, the method can include inserting a shoulder strap within the exterior housing, such that the strap is positioned inside and outside of the exterior housing. The method in accordance with some embodiments may include wrapping the exterior housing around the interior panel. For example, the exterior housing may be folded and rolled over the interior panel to form a package. Further, the method may include sealing at least one pair of fastening members coupled to the exterior housing to form a closed assembly.

In some embodiments, the method for converting the convertible tote bag assembly may include unfastening a sealed enclosure of an exterior housing of the convertible tote bag assembly, wherein the exterior housing including an interior panel and a shoulder strap. The method for converting the tote bag can also include removing the interior panel and the shoulder strap from the exterior housing. Further, the method for converting the tote bag may include placing the exterior housing on the body. For example, the exterior housing may comprise a bodice and at least one pair of sleeves, such that a person can slip the exterior housing on after removing the interior panel and shoulder strap. In the alternative, the exterior housing may comprise a pair of short pant legs that couple together with a waist band, such that a person can slip on the exterior housing as a pair of shorts, when the strap and the interior panel are removed.

Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

