Patent Application
20120298229
The present disclosure relates to handbags or purses, and more particularly, to an inflatable shape maintenance device for a handbag or purse.
The shape of handbags or purses is essential to their function as a fashion accessory. They are often constructed of materials that are not rigid and are deformable. Manufacturers recommend that when handbags or purses are not being used their inner voids be filled with stuffing to help restore and maintain their original intended shape. Crumpled tissue paper is usually employed for this purpose. While generally sufficient for this purpose, the use of tissue lacks void fill precision and lacks sophistication associated with upscale handbags or purses.
Therefore, a need exists for a device capable of filling voids inside of handbags or purses during storage periods in order to restore and preserve the originally designed shape thereof.
An inflatable shape maintenance device, according to the teachings of this disclosure, is provided to maintain the shape of a handbag or purse by first inserting it into a void space within the handbag or purse while being substantially deflated or partially inflated. Then a gas, e.g., air, is introduced into an at least one inflatable chamber through at least one valve, e.g., one valve to multiple chambers, multiple valves to multiple chambers, multiple valves to a single chamber, etc., until the inflatable shape maintenance device is at a desired turgidity and thereby restores and/or maintains a desired shape (form) of the handbag or purse.
The turgid inflatable shape maintenance device remains within the handbag or purse during times of storage. Then when use of the handbag or purse is desired the valve is opened and the gas contained with the inflatable shape maintenance device is passively or actively evacuated to decrease turgidity thereof, e.g., a normal pressure release of the gas through the valve(s) or by means of an evacuation pump coupled to the valve(s). Once a sufficient volume of gas has been removed from the inflatable shape maintenance device, it may then be removed from inside of the handbag or purse. The handbag or purse is now usable with its internal void space(s) available to fill with the contents of a user.
According to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure, an inflatable shape maintenance device comprises: a three dimensional envelope having walls comprising substantially gas-tight and flexible material that forms at least one inflatable chamber therein; and at least one valve in gas communication with the at least one inflatable chamber, wherein when gas is introduced through the least one valve the at least one inflatable chamber is inflated to a turgid form that substantially replicates an inside shape of a handbag or purse.
According to another specific example embodiment of this disclosure, a method for maintaining the shape of a handbag or purse comprises the steps of: providing a inflatable shape maintenance device, comprising a three dimensional envelope having walls comprising substantially gas-tight and flexible material that forms at least one inflatable chamber therein, and at least one valve in gas communication with the at least one inflatable chamber, wherein when gas is introduced through the least one valve the at least one inflatable chamber is inflated to a turgid form that substantially replicates an inside shape of a handbag or purse; inserting the inflatable shape maintenance device into the handbag or purse when the inflatable shape maintenance device is substantially deflated and in a non-turgid form; and inflating the inflatable shape maintenance device to a turgid form while inside of the handbag or purse, wherein the shape of the handbag or purse is maintained by the inflated inflatable shape maintenance device.
A more complete understanding of the present disclosure thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific example embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific example embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed herein, but on the contrary, this disclosure is to cover all modifications and equivalents as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawing, the details of specific example embodiments are schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings will be represented by like numbers, and similar elements will be represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix.
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It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that the inflatable shape maintenance device 100 may be constructed in many (unlimited) different shapes and sizes so as to fit snuggly into the inner void of a respective handbag or purse 202 once inflated. The shape of the inflatable shape maintenance device 100 may be custom in shape and specifically designed for a particular handbag or purse 202, or it may have a non-custom general shape that may be adapted for best fit inside of a handbag or purse 202 by means of inflation thereof, e.g., selective inflation of appropriate inflatable chambers of the inflatable shape maintenance device 100, thereby providing a single inflatable shape maintenance device 100 for a plurality of different shaped handbags or purses 202. It is also contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that a preformed shaped outer covering (not shown in the drawing figures) that is substantially inelastic may be used over the inflatable shape maintenance device 100 so as to define a desired shape to fill the handbag or purse when the inflation chamber(s) is turgid. The preformed shaped outer covering may be made from substantially inelastic (e.g., doesn't substantially stretch) solid, perforated, or netting materials.
It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that a plurality of inflation chambers within the inflatable shape maintenance device 100, each one of the plurality of inflation chambers having an associated valve for gas to pass therethrough. Whereby each one of the plurality of inflation chambers may be adapted to produce a more exact and custom inflated fit within the particular handbag or purse 202. In addition, one such inflatable shape maintenance device 100 having a plurality of inflatable chambers may be used with more then one type or shape of handbag or purse 202.
It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that the inflatable shape maintenance device disclosed and claimed herein may be effectively used to maintain the shape of a small duffle bag or backpack, and that all terms used herein referring to “handbag or purse” may equally apply to “small duffle bag or backpack.”
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted, described, and are defined by reference to example embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.
