Protecting handbags during storage

Abstract

A handbag shape is stabilizing during storage by assembling an expandable bladder inside a limiting frame, and placing the assembly inside the handbag and inflating the bladder. The frame includes planar portions which are positioned proximate the expandable bladder to prevent expansion of the bladder in a particular direction. The planar portions can be supported by a relatively more narrow stiffener, such as a wire or band. The assembled expandable bladder and frame are placed inside an expandable outer envelope, and the assembly is positioned inside the handbag. The bladder is then inflated to be expanded to thereby exert a force against interior surfaces of the handbag to expand the handbag to a beneficial storage shape. During and after inflation, the planar portions of the frame limit a force exerted upon particular portions of the handbag, for example a frame or latch of the handbag.

1 . A method of stabilizing a handbag shape during storage, comprising:
 assembling an expandable bladder inside a limiting frame, the frame including planar portions positioned proximate the expandable bladder to prevent expansion of the bladder in the direction of the planar portions;   positioning the assembled expandable bladder and frame inside the handbag; and   inflating the bladder to exert a force against interior surfaces of the handbag to expand the handbag to a beneficial storage shape, the planar portions substantially preventing exerting a force against selected interior surfaces of the handbag during expansion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portions assembled are elongated, and are positioned about a perimeter of the expandable bladder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the limiting frame further includes a wire stiffener connected to the planar portions to provide strength to the planar portions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the assembled expandable bladder and limiting frame are positioned within the handbag, the limiting frame is positioned proximate a frame portion of the handbag to protect the frame portion of the handbag from forces exerted by expansion of the expandable bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable bladder is shaped to conform to a desired interior shape and dimension of the handbag when the handbag is properly stabilized for storage. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including placing the assembled expandable bladder and limiting frame into an envelope before positioning the assembled expandable bladder and frame inside the handbag. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the envelope is sized and dimensioned to limit an expansion of the expandable bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the envelope is expandable along predetermined dimensions. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the envelope is reopenably closed using a fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, snap, clip, or zipper. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a limiting frame and expandable bladder are selected from a plurality of limiting frames and expandable bladders having a variety of different shapes and dimensions to provide an assembly of limiting frame and expandable bladder that corresponds in size and inflated dimension to an interior of a handbag to be stored. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a limiting frame, expandable bladder, and envelope are selected from a plurality of limiting frames, expandable bladders, and envelopes having a variety of different shapes and dimensions, to provide an assembly of limiting frame, expandable bladder, and envelope that corresponds in size and inflated dimension to an interior of a handbag to be stored. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the assembled expandable bladder and frame inside the handbag includes positioning two connected assemblies inside the handbag, each assembly having a limiting frame and expandable bladder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the two assemblies are connected by at least one of a tether and a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable bladder includes one or more vents for admitting and releasing gas into the expandable bladder to expand and deflate the expandable bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable bladder includes a plurality of expandable chambers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chambers are in gas communication relative to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chambers are not in gas communication relative to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an expandable bladder includes a first set of chambers which are in gas communication relative to each other, and at least one chamber that is not in gas communication with the first set of chambers. 
     
     
         19 . A method of stabilizing a handbag shape during storage, comprising:
 assembling an expandable bladder inside a limiting frame, the frame including planar portions positioned proximate the expandable bladder to prevent expansion of the bladder in the direction of the planar portions, the planar portions supported by a stiffener that is relatively more narrow than the planar portions;   positioning the assembled expandable bladder and frame inside an expandable outer envelope;   positioning the assembled expandable bladder, frame, and envelope inside the handbag; and   inflating the bladder to exert a force against interior surfaces of the handbag to expand the handbag to a beneficial storage shape, the planar portions substantially preventing exerting a force against selected interior surfaces of the handbag during expansion.   
     
     
         20 . A device for stabilizing a handbag shape during storage, comprising:
 a limiting frame, the frame including elongate planar portions;   an inflatable expandable bladder positioned proximate the limiting frame; and   an expandable envelope containing the limiting frame and expandable bladder, the expandable envelope and contained limiting frame and expandable bladder sized and dimensioned to be positionable inside an interior of the handbag.