Inflatable shape maintenance device for a handbag or purse

Abstract

An inflatable shape maintenance device 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 is introduced into the inflatable shape maintenance device until it is at a desired turgidity, whereby a desired shape (form) of the handbag or purse is restored and/or maintained. 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. 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.

1 . An 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.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inflation device adapted to inflate the at least one inflatable chamber of the three dimensional envelope. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the inflation device is integral with the at least one inflatable chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the inflation device is external to the at least one inflatable chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the inflation device is a pump. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 5 , wherein the pump is electrically driven. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 5 , wherein the pump is mechanically driven. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the inflation device is a gas cartridge or cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is inflated by blowing into the at least one valve. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a preformed shaped outer covering that is substantially inelastic, wherein the preformed shaped outer covering substantially surrounds the inflatable shape maintenance device so that a desired shape is maintained when the at least one inflatable chamber of the inflatable shape maintenance device is inflated to the turgid form. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable shape maintenance device according to  claim 10 , wherein the preformed shaped outer covering is made from material selected from the group consisting of solid, perforated and netting. 
     
     
         12 . An 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 small duffle bag or backpack.   
     
     
         13 . A method for maintaining the shape of a handbag or purse, said method comprising 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.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of deflating the inflatable shape maintenance device before removing therefrom the handbag or purse. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of surrounding the inflatable shape maintenance device with a preformed shaped outer covering that is substantially inelastic before the step of inserting the inflatable shape maintenance device into the handbag or purse.