Abstract:
A stuffer for clothing articles such as bags and purses is disclosed. One embodiment the purse stuffer is a sheet of an elegant, double quilted fabric that is stitched together to form a foldable stuffer. In one embodiment, the stuffer may be folded along one or more perpendicular folding stitch lines. In another embodiment, the stuffer may be folded along one or more, preferably four, parallel folding stitch lines. The stitch lines and the folding along increases the effect of the padding so as to form stuffers of varying sizes and shapes with a single construction. The various embodiments may be manufactured in different sizes to accommodate different size purses or bags.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/930,257, filed Dec. 30, 2010 by one or more of the present inventors, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/335,066, filed Dec. 31, 2009 by one or more of the present inventors. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to stuffers of purses, boots, and the like. More particularly the present invention relates to stuffers that are simple to make and have an elegant appearance and a pleasant fragrance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Stuffers for apparel items such as purses, shoulder bags, and boots are widely used. They serve several purposes. First, they retain the preferred shape of the apparel item during storage, thereby extending the life of the item. Second, they give the apparel a pleasant appearance during storage or when commercially displayed, appealing to a woman who has paid or is willing to pay several hundred dollars to purchase the item. Third, they help organize a home closet or a shelf in a commercial establishment so that the items may be displayed nicely in a row, rather than appearing haphazardly. 
         [0004]    Various prior art patent documents and commercial products provide stuffer designs. The most common stuffer is the simplest: a piece of foam, Styrofoam, crunched tissue paper, or a towel. Some stuffer products provided commercially are designed to be produced as cheaply as possible, yet preserve the preferred shape of the items during shipment or commercial display. Typically, they are discarded once the item is purchased. Another type of prior art stuffer is designed so they collapse when not in use, and expand when inserted in the purse or other item. Often they have complex implementations that include springs and collapsible frames. Still another type of prior art stuffers are high-end products that provide multiple functions such as absorbing moisture and providing a pleasant scent. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a simple stuffer that may preserve the preferred shape of a purse, shoulder bag, or boot, offers an attractive appearance when used with an expensive item, is relatively simple to manufacture, and appeals to the woman with elegant taste. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A first embodiment of the present invention is a simple but elegant purse stuffer. It is comprised of two major components, a member comprised of a quilted component that is shaped so it fits in the purse that it is designed for, and a sachet that contains a scented material. Various versions of the present invention may be implemented so they fit in purses of various dimensions. The present invention, when inserted into a purse, preserves the preferred shape of the purse, and when removed from the purse, preserves the purse&#39;s place in the user&#39;s closet. The simplicity and elegance of the present invention fits the needs and desires of the woman who uses it. A second embodiment applies the same inventive concept to boot stuffers. A preferred fabric is a quilted polyester silk charmeuse. 
         [0007]    Third and fourth embodiments of the present invention relates to a stuffer for filling an internal cavity of a bag having a preferred shape. In these embodiments, the stuffer has a generally rectangular sheet of quilted fabric that is folded in half along a mid-line of the generally rectangular shape so as to form overlapping upper and lower sections. Adjacent edges of the upper and lower sections are stitched together so as to form a generally rectangular sheet of double quilted fabric enclosing an interior pocket. The interior pocket may or may not be filled with an apparel padding material. 
         [0008]    A plurality of fold stitch lines are disposed across the sheet of double quilted fabric so as to join the upper and lower sections through the interior pocket. The sheet of double quilted fabric is preferably configured to approximate the preferred shape of the internal cavity of the bag. The sheet of double quilted fabric is foldable along one or more of the fold stitch lines to more closely approximate the preferred shape of the internal cavity of the bag. 
         [0009]    In the third embodiment, the fold stitch lines may consist of a first fold stitch line and a second fold stitch line that are arranged orthogonally with respect to one another. Each of the first fold stitch line and the second fold stitch line may also be separately arranged orthogonally to one of the adjacent edges of the upper and lower sections. The first fold stitch line is disposed approximately at a mid-point of a length of the sheet of double quilted fabric and the second fold stitch line is disposed approximately at a mid-point of a width of the sheet of double quilted fabric. 
         [0010]    In the fourth embodiment, the fold stitch lines may comprise at least four fold stitch lines that are arranged parallel with respect to one another and to at least one of the adjacent edges of the upper and lower sections. The four fold stitch lines divide the sheet of double quilted fabric into five parallel padding sections, wherein each padding section has a generally pointed oval cross-sectional shape. One or more of the padding sections are configured to overlap or abut when the sheet of double quilted fabric is folded alone one or more of the fold stitch lines. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the components of a purse stuffer comprising a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view illustrating the construction of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view illustrating the construction of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a quilted stuffer of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 3A  taken along line  3 B- 3 B; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pair of boot stuffers comprising a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates the three components used to construct the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6C  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6D  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6E  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6F  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6G  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a boot stuffer according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a purse stuffer according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a purse stuffer according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a purse stuffer according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in using a purse stuffer according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in using a purse stuffer according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in constructing a purse stuffer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in using a purse stuffer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in using a purse stuffer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  illustrates, in part, the steps involved in using a purse stuffer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    In the following detailed description, terms such as top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, horizontal and vertical refer to the figure where each reference applies. The same numeral may be used to denote the same part in different views and in different embodiments. The term “internal cavity” of an apparel is used to refer to the interior space of a purse that holds its content, or the interior space of a boot where a user&#39;s leg fits. The “preferred shape” of an apparel having an internal cavity is the shape of the apparel when in normal use, e.g., the shape of a boot when being worn by a user or the shape of a purse when filled with user&#39;s items and being carried by the user. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the two components comprising a first embodiment  100  of the present invention. First embodiment  100  is comprised of a member comprised of a quilted purse stuffer  102  made out of a flexible, resilient fabric, preferably a quilted fabric, and a sachet  104 . Quilted purse stuffer  102  has a pocket  112  with a hook/loop pair for opening and closing the pocket  112  that receives sachet  104 . Note that only loop material  110  of hook/loop pair is visible in pocket  112 . Sachet  104  contains an aromatic filler. The aromatic filler is not illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A preferred fabric is quilted polyester silk charmeuse, although other quilted fabric may be used. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate how quilted purse stuffer  102  is constructed. Note that  FIG. 1  includes markings  106  illustrating the seams of the quilted fabric.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  omit the seam markings. Referring to  FIG. 2A , a small strip of a hook material  108  is attached to top center of a purse rectangular sheet  114  made of quilted fabric, positioned horizontally. A small strip of loop material  110  is attached to bottom center of purse rectangular sheet  114  positioned horizontally. Purse rectangular sheet  114  is divided into a rectangular sheet top half  118 T and a rectangular sheet bottom half  118 B by a horizontal purse fold line  115 . Purse rectangular sheet  114  is enfolded in half along horizontal purse fold line  115  by folding rectangular sheet top half  118 T forward and then down. A folded purse rectangular sheet  116  results from this fold as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , a first purse stitched path  120  is stitched, and a second purse stitched path  122  is stitched, thereby creating the pocket  112  for sachet  104 . Pocket  112  is not illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Then a third purse stitched path  124  is stitched, and a fourth purse stitched path  126  is stitched, completing the construction of quilted purse stuffer  102 . Quilted purse stuffer  102  is then shaped by folding along first purse stitched path  120  and second purse stitched path  122  to form a purse stuffer shape as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Sachet  104  may be added to pocket  112 . 
         [0040]    Purse stuffer  100  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate purses and shoulder bags of various sizes. To give two examples, a medium size purse stuffer preferably has a length  130  of 24 inches (60.96 centimeters), a height  128  of 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) and pocket  112  having a pocket width  132  of 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). Sachet  104 , in the medium sized example, is made of muslin, and has a length of 11 inches (27.94 centimeters) and a width of 4 inches (10.16 centimeters). A mini-sized purse has length  130  of 9.25 inches (23.49 centimeters) and height  128  of 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). 
         [0041]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a sectional view of  FIG. 3A  illustrating rectangular sheet top half  118 T of purse rectangular sheet  114 , bottom half of purse rectangular sheet  118 B, and pocket  112 . 
         [0042]    Purse stuffer  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , has the shape of a tent. However, purse stuffer  100  may be folded in alternate shapes such as being rolled into a tube or folded into rectangles to accommodate purses of different sizes. Sachet  104  may have an aromatic filler comprising a mixture of organic hulls and lavender. As an example, the filler may contain 2.5 ounces (70.87 grams) of hulls and 0.5 ounces (14.17 grams) of lavender. Alternately the filler may be comprised of hulls and cedar. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment  200 . Second embodiment  200  is comprised of a set of two boot stuffers  202 . The boot stuffer  202  has the shape of a cylindrical shaft  203 , cylindrical shaft  203  is flattened at as haft first end  208  with a cap  204  positioned at a shaft second end  209 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , boot stuffer  202  of second embodiment  200  is constructed out of two components, a member comprised of two subcomponents; a boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205  having a substantially rectangular shape and a boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206  having a circular shape, and a second component comprised of a sachet  104 . Both boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205  and boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206  are made out of a flexible, resilient fabric, preferably a quilted fabric such as a quilted polyester silk charmeuse. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6A through 6G  illustrate the steps of constructing the boot stuffer  202  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) out of boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205 , boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206 , and sachet  104 . To construct boot stuffer  202 , the following steps are performed. Note that  FIG. 5  includes markings  106  illustrating the seams of the quilted fabric.  FIGS. 6A through 6G  omit seam markings. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205  is divided into a boot stuffer rectangular component first half  212 T and a boot stuffer rectangular component second half  212 B by a horizontal fold line  210 . Boot stuffer rectangular component second half  212 B is folded up so boot stuffer rectangular component second half  212 B lies on top of boot stuffer rectangular component first half  212 T. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 6B , boot stuffer rectangular component first half  212 T and boot stuffer rectangular component second half  212 B are stitched together along a first boot stitched path  218 . The result is a folded rectangular sheet  217  that has been stitched together as illustrated. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 6C , folded rectangular sheet  217  is folded into a predominantly cylindrical shape forming a cylindrical portion  219  having a boot stuffer rectangular component first edge  227  and a boot stuffer rectangular component second edge  228 . Boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206  is folded into an inverted bowl shape  220  and placed over cylindrical portion  219  of folded rectangular sheet  217 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6C and 6D , boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206  is inserted into cylindrical portion  219  of folded rectangular sheet  217  so that boot upper edge  222  of boot cylindrical shape coincides with cap upper edge  224  of boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6D , boot stuffer circular subcomponent  206 , and boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205  are stitched together along a second boot stitched path  226 . The result is a boot with cap  229 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6E , boot stuffer rectangular component first edge  227  and boot stuffer rectangular component second edge  228  of boot with cap  229  are stitched together along a third boot stitched path  230 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 6F , boot with cap  229  is turned inside out, then sachet  104  is inserted into bottom opening  232  of boot with cap  229 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 6G , bottom opening  232  is closed and stitched together along a fourth boot stitched path  234 . The final shape of the second embodiment has a cylindrical shaft  203  flattened at a shaft first end  208  with a cap  204  located at shaft second end  209 . This completes the construction of boot stuffer  202 . Alternately, bottom opening  232  may be secured with a hook and loop pair or a zipper so that sachet  104  may be removed. 
         [0054]    Boot stuffer  202  may come in various sizes to accommodate boots of various sizes. Construction details are the same; only the dimensions of the components change. For example, boot stuffer  202  may have outside diameter of 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) at the top and 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) at the bottom, and a length of 12 inches (30.48 centimeters). The sachet may have a length of 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) and a width of 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and uses a filling of two parts hull and one part cedar. Alternate methods of construction are also considered within the present invention. For example, boot stuffer may have a length larger or smaller than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters). Boot stuffer rectangular subcomponent  205  may not be folded over, but may be made of a thick quilted fabric that is given the shape as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , but constructed in a different manner than what is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6G . The fabric used in the construction may use a thick resilient fabric that is not quilted. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 7 through 15  illustrate steps involved in constructing and using purse stuffers  150  according to third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a relatively large, rectangular sheet of quilted fabric  152  is laid out. This sheet of quilted fabric  152  is then folded along a generally central line  154  so as to form overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b  are preferably perfectly overlapping such that one completely eclipses the other. 
         [0056]    The three exterior edges  156   a,    156   b,    156   c  of the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b  are then secured by relatively heavy stitching  158  so as to secure the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b  together. The heavy stitching  158  on the edges  156   a,    156   b,    156   c  may be exterior exposed stitching or it may be interior hidden stitching depending upon the user&#39;s preference. This folding and stitching of the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b  of the quilted fabric  152  creates an interior, closed pocket and provides a padded quilted material for the purse stuffers  150  that has more volume and padding than a single sheet of quilted fabric. 
         [0057]    In the third preferred embodiment ( FIG. 9 ), folding stitch seams  160  and  162  are preferably stitched along the mid-lines of each major dimension, e.g., length and width, of the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b.  The folding stitch seams  160  and  162  facilitate folding of the purse stuffer into different shapes or dimensions that are more likely to fill-up and adequately stuff purses of different shapes and sizes, such as bags, clutches or micro purses.  FIG. 10  shows one fold where the stuffer  150  is folded along folding stitch seam  160  so as to create an elongated rectangle shape useable to stuff clutch bags or similar elongated, shallow purses.  FIG. 11  shows a second fold where the stuffer  150  is folded along folding stitch seam  162  so as to create a shortened rectangular shape useable to stuff micro purses or similarly shaped purses. 
         [0058]    In the fourth preferred embodiment ( FIG. 12 ), folding stitch seams  164   a,    164   b,    164   c,  and  164   d  are preferably stitched across the width of the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b.  The folding stitch seams  164   a,    164   b ,  164   c,    164   d  are parallel and equally spaced along the length of the overlapping sections  152   a  and  152   b.  In this way the folding stitch seams  164   a,    164   b ,  164   c,  and  164   d  form equal sized folding sections  166   a,    166   b,    166   c,    166   d,  and  166   e,  each having a generally pointed oval cross-sectional shape. These folding sections  166   a,    166   b,    166   c,    166   d,  and  166   e  of the stuffer  150  may folded and overlapped in various shapes as depicted in  FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 . The folded shapes of the purse stuffer  150  in  FIGS. 13, 14 and 15  may be used to stuff larger, over-sized bags that have more volume to fill. 
         [0059]    The embodiments of the present invention are to be considered as only illustrative of the present invention and not a limitation of the scope of the present invention. Various permutations, combinations, variations and extensions of these embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of this invention should be determined with respect to the claims and not just by the embodiments presented. 
         [0060]    The purse and boot stuffer described herein has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although several preferred embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.