Abstract:
A shaped resilient foam insert and a method of maintaining a shape and reducing wrinkling and creasing of a handbag during storage are provided. The method includes opening the handbag to expose an interior cavity thereof which is formed by walls of the handbag. The interior cavity has a first set of dimensions and the shaped resilient foam body (insert) is disposed within the interior cavity. The foam body has a second set of dimensions with at least one dimension of the second set being greater than one dimension of the first set so that the foam body applies an outward force against walls of the handbag so that the handbag maintains its shape during storage and the walls are supported during storage so as to help prevent wrinkling and creasing of the handbag.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to handbags, and more particularly to an insert that is intended to be placed within an interior of the handbag when it is not being used to maintain the shape and extend the life of the handbag. 
   BACKGROUND 
   As is well known, one of the more important accessories for a woman is a handbag since it is not only a functional item but also at the same time makes a fashion statement. The number of handbags available to the consumer is ever increasing since most fashion houses have their own line of handbags and there are a number of companies that specialize or focus on the manufacture of handbags. Also, designer handbags are increasingly more and more coveted by consumers as they have increasingly become more of a status symbol and define the current fashion trends. 
   It is therefore common for a woman to have a number of handbags in her collection since many of the handbags are intended for specific types of functions or uses. For example, most women have one or more everyday handbags that are carried to and from work and typically are sized to carry an agenda or the like as well as cosmetic products, a cell phone, etc. For more formal events or evening plans, a smaller, more formal style handbag is typically used. In addition, handbags are available in a great number of different shapes and sizes and moreover, handbags can be made from a number of different types of materials, such as exotic skins (alligator, etc.), suede, fabrics, smooth leather, textured leather, etc. 
   Because many of the designer handbags are not inexpensive to purchase and many women have a number of different handbags and are continuously looking to update their collection as fashion trends change each year, the purchase of handbags is a significant investment for the average woman from year to year. At the stores, the handbags that are in stock are typically stuffed with tissue paper or some other type of paper product so that the handbag maintains its shape as it remains in stock until it is purchased. Once the purchaser returns home with the handbag, the tissue paper is most times discarded as trash. In the event that the purchaser does keep the tissue paper within the interior of the handbag to provide structural support and help in maintaining the shape of the handbag, it is likely that over time such use of tissue paper will either be terminated or it will not serve its intended purpose. If the owner does continuously remove the tissue paper and then replace it after using the handbag, the continuous handling of the tissue paper tends to cause it to become compacted and also ripped into little pieces. The structural rigidity of the tissue paper is thus compromised and as the tissue paper loses its resiliency, it is no longer capable of acting as a stuffing that substantially occupies the interior of the handbag so that the shape of the handbag is maintained. Also, as the tissue paper rips into smaller pieces, it becomes messy and the owner is likely to completely discard all of the stuffing. 
   If handbags are stored for long periods of time without any support member disposed in the interior thereof, they begin to lose their shape or form since the walls of the handbag are not supported. In addition, the handbag is more apt to wrinkle or develop creases as a result of the lack of support. This is especially true for handbags that are not used that often. In other words, an evening or formal handbag that is only used at select times throughout the year, is therefore stored for long periods of time in a typically upright position and over time, the handbag begins to lose its shape. Not only does this type of storage make the handbag lose some of its aesthetic appeal but it also can decrease the life of the handbag. 
   It is therefore desirable to provide a member that is intended to extend the life of the handbag by being used within the handbag when it is being stored between uses. 
   SUMMARY 
   A shaped resilient foam insert and a method of maintaining a shape and reducing wrinkling and creasing of a handbag during storage are provided. The method includes opening the handbag to expose an interior cavity thereof which is formed by walls of the handbag. The interior cavity has a first set of dimensions and the shaped resilient foam body (insert) is disposed within the interior cavity. The foam body has a second set of dimensions with at least one dimension of the second set being greater than one dimension of the first set so that the foam body applies an outward force against walls of the handbag so that the handbag maintains its shape during storage and the walls are supported during storage so as to help prevent wrinkling and creasing of the handbag. 
   Further aspects and features of the exemplary apparatus disclosed herein can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an insert for a handbag according to a first embodiment with the handbag being shown in phantom in a relaxed position before insertion and in an upright position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 1  disposed within the handbag, shown partially broken away along with the insert, to illustrate a storage position; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a handle section of the insert of  FIG. 1  with the handle being in an open position; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an insert according to a second embodiment prior to insertion into a handbag of another embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 4  being inserted into the handbag; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 4  disposed within the handbag, shown partially broken away along with the insert, to illustrate a storage position; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an insert according to a third embodiment with a fragrance feature being incorporated therein and a fragrance element being exploded therefrom; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an insert according to another embodiment and including an integral handle and being exploded from an alternative styled handbag; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 8  disposed within the handbag of  FIG. 8 , shown partially broken away, in a storage position; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an insert according to another embodiment with a pair of protective coverings being formed as a part thereof, the insert shown partially inserted into a handbag; 
       FIG. 11  is perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 10  fully inserted into the handbag with the protective coverings draped over sides of the handbag; and 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a mold used to form the insert of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1–3 , an insert  100  for placement within an interior of a handbag  200  is provided and generally illustrated. In one exemplary embodiment, the insert  100  is in the form of a foam pillow that has a predetermined shape. The exemplary insert  100  includes a body  110  that is formed in to the predetermined shape. The body  110  has a length L, a width W and a height H and the illustrated insert  100  has a first face  112  and an opposing second face  114 . The body  110  is made of a preformed material that allows the body  110  to define and maintain a three-dimensional shape. Preferably, the body  110  is made of a resilient material that conforms to the interior contours of the handbag  200  when the insert  100  is inserted into the interior cavity of the handbag  200  and returns to its original shape after use. In one preferred embodiment, the body  110  is made of a resilient closed cell foam (memory foam); however, the body  110  can be formed of other materials, such as plastic foams, foam rubbers or other materials that are suitable for the intended application. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second faces  112 ,  114  are joined at the ends thereof and a third face  116  is defined along the top of the insert  100  where the first and second faces  112 , 114  are joined and the third face  116  generally acts as an upper face when the insert  100  is positioned within the interior cavity of the handbag  200 . A fourth face  118  is formed opposite the third face  116  and acts as a bottom face of the insert  100 . When the insert  100  of this embodiment is disposed within the interior cavity of the handbag  200 , the first face  112  faces one side of the handbag  200  and the second face  114  faces the opposite side of the handbag  200 . The third face  116  generally faces the open portion of the handbag  200  that serves as an entrance to the interior cavity. 
   The insert  100  includes a covering  120  that completely surrounds the body  110 . The covering  120  can be formed of a number of individual panels that are securely attached to one another as by stitching or otherwise attaching the edges of adjacent panels together so as to capture the body  110  within the covering  120 . The covering  120  is preferably formed of a fabric, such as cotton, silk or other type of fabric and it will be appreciated that the covering  120  can have a decorative pattern formed thereon. Also, the covering  120  can come in a number of different colors. It will further be appreciated that the surfaces of the covering  120  provide an area where advertisements can be placed or the corporate trademark of the handbag manufacturer can be placed thereon. Of course, the decorative pattern can be a simple plaid pattern or it can cater to the individual tastes of the consumer. 
   It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the insert  100  to have an identical shape or even closely similar shape as the handbag  200  since the resiliency of the foam material that is used to form the insert  100  permits the insert  100  to be locally compressed by the user&#39;s hands so as to permit the insert  100  to be inserted into the interior cavity of the handbag  200 . Once positioned within the interior cavity and the user removes the applied pressure to the insert  100 , the memory properties of the foam material cause the insert  100  to attempt to assume its initial relaxed position. In other words, the insert  100  will attempt to expand within the handbag  200 . This expansion applies pressure against the walls of the handbag  200  and it will be appreciated that the insert  100  should occupy a significant area of the interior cavity in the stored position. Because the foam body  110  is in intimate contact with the walls of the handbag  200  and applies pressure thereof, these walls are prevented from sagging or otherwise collapsing over time as the handbag  200  is stored. In other words, the insert  100  serves to help the handbag  200  maintain an optimum shape and as a result, the insert  100  helps prevent wrinkles or creases from forming in the handbag  200  due to it being stored for a significant amount of time in a position where the walls are not in their upright or optimal positions. Preferably, in the stored position, the insert  100  occupies at least 50% and more preferably at least 75% of the area of the interior cavity of the handbag  200 . 
   For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates handbag  200  in a collapsed form (shown in phantom) which results due to a lack of structural support of the handbag  200 , which in this case is a tote style bag. This type of bag  200  is susceptible to having its walls fold over because of the height and lack of structure to the bag  200 . The bag  200  is therefore likely to crease and also it occupies an excessive storage space since it can not remain upright on its own. 
   Thus, the insert  100  can have one shape and it will still perform its intended function with a number of different shaped handbags  200  even though the shapes of the insert  100  and the handbag  200  are not identical or bear a strong resemblance to one another. For example, the exemplary shaped insert  100  can be used not only with handbags  200  that are generally rectangular or square shaped but also circular shaped, oval shaped or any number of other shapes so long as the insert  100  occupies a sufficient amount of area within the interior cavity and applies a sufficient force against the interior walls of the handbag  200 . More specifically, as long as either both ends or the outer surface is in intimate contact with the interior walls of the handbag  200 , the insert  100  will apply a force thereagainst that is sufficient to cause the handbag  200  to maintain its shape. It will be appreciated that in some applications, the insert  100  does not necessarily have to extend the entire length of the handbag  200  but rather the width of the body  110  is such that the outer surfaces of the side faces are in intimate contact with the interior side walls of the handbag  200  and applies a shape retaining force to the handbag  200  so that the walls are maintained in their optimum upright positions. 
   At least one and preferably two or more dimensions of the insert  100  are greater than the dimensions of the handbag  200  so that the insert needs to be compressed in order to be received within the interior cavity of the handbag  200 . The compressing and resilient nature of the insert  100  causes it to store energy and then once the insert  100  is placed into the interior cavity and the user removes the applied force to the insert, the insert  100  releases its energy and attempts to resume its initial, relaxed state; however, the walls of the handbag  200  prevent this from occurring. This results in the insert  100  applying a force against the walls in an outward direction relative to the interior cavity of the handbag  200 , thus causing the handbag  200  to maintain a condition where its interior cavity is significantly and preferably substantially filled by the insert. Thus as shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the width (W) of the insert  100  is greater than the width (W 1 ) of the interior cavity of the handbag  200 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the insert  100  in a position within the handbag  200  with the handbag  200  being partially broken away to illustrate the insert  100  disposed within the interior of the handbag  200 . In addition, the insert  100  is shown partially broken away so that the foam of the insert  100  is shown. As illustrated, the insert  100  occupies a significant amount of the interior space of the handbag  200 ; however, the insert  100  can occupy less space of the interior and still be effective. In other words, the insert  100  can occupy about 50% of the interior space and still properly function. 
   The insert  100  can include a handle  111  that is formed at the upper face  116 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the handle  111  includes a first handle part  113  and a second handle part  115  that cooperate and mate with one another to form the handle  111 . The first handle part  113  includes a base portion  117  that is securely connected to one of the first and second faces  112 ,  114  and a rigid handle portion  119  that is securely attached to the base portion  117 . Similarly, the second handle part  115  includes a base portion  121  that is securely connected to the other of the first and second faces  112 ,  114  and a rigid handle portion  123  that is securely attached to the base portion  121 . For example, the base portions  117 ,  121  can be formed of a fabric material to permit pivoting of the respective rigid handle portions  119 ,  123 . In other words, the rigid handle portions  119 ,  123  are fully pivotable between open and closed positions in which in the open position, the rigid handle portions  119 ,  123  can lie next to the respective face of the insert  100 . Each of the rigid handle portions  119 ,  123  can be formed of a plastic material and includes a fastening feature to permit the two portions to mate and securely be coupled to one another. For example, the rigid handle portion  119  can include a first fastener part  125  (e.g., a female part) and the rigid handle portion  123  can include a complementary fastener part  127  (e.g., a male part). 
   To form the handle  111 , the first handle part  113  and the second handle part  115  mate with one another to form a unitary, upright structure that permits a user to easily grasp the insert  100  and remove it from the handbag  200 . While, the first and second fastener parts  125 ,  127  are shown as rigid, plastic members, they can also be other fasteners, such as a hook and loop arrangement and snap fit buttons or magnetic. Preferably, the first and second fastener parts  125 ,  127  are releasable from one another. 
     FIGS. 4–6  illustrate another embodiment in which an insert  300  is inserted into a handbag  400  to ensure that the handbag maintains its proper shape during storage thereof. The insert  300  is similar to the insert  100  with the exception that the insert  300  is of a different shape. The insert  300  is generally of a rectangular shape with rounded edges. 
   In this embodiment, the insert  300  includes a handle  320  that is formed of a fabric material and is attached to an upper face  304  of the insert  300 . More specifically, the handle  320  can be attached at its ends to the covering  120 . While, the handle  320  is shown on the upper face  304 , another one can be disposed at the opposite bottom face  306  so that it does not matter which way the insert  300  is inserted into the handbag. 
   In all of their embodiments, the one or more handles serves to facilitate the removal of the insert from the handbag. The user can therefore grasp the one or more handles and pull the insert thereby from the handbag. Also, the handle can serve as a locating feature since the insert should be placed within the interior cavity such that the handle is facing the open top portion of the handbag. 
     FIG. 4  shows the insert  300  exploded from the handbag  400 .  FIG. 5  shows the handbag  400  with the insert  300  being partially disposed therein.  FIG. 6  shows the insert  300  being disposed within the handbag  400 , which is closed. A section of a side wall of the handbag  400  is cut away to permit viewing of the insert  300  and a section of the insert  300  is likewise partially cut away to show the foam body underneath the cover material. The length (L) of the insert  300  is greater than the length (L 1 ) of the handbag  400  according to this embodiment. In addition, the insert  300  was a width (W) that is greater than a width (W 1 ) of the handbag  400  ((W 3 ) is the width of the insert  300  after placed in the handbag  400 , while width (W 2 ) shows the expanded width of the handbag  400 . 
   It yet another aspect, the insert can have a feature formed as a part thereof that stores a disposable and replaceable fresh smelling element. More specifically and as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the covering  120  includes a pouch  125  or the like that contains and stores the element  127  that is preferably a disposable packet or perforated bag that contains material that emits a fresh smell over an extended period of time. The precise fragrance can be selected by the consumer based on personal preference and taste since the elements  127  are preferably disposable and easily replaceable. The fragrance can be a flowery smell or it can be a pine smell, potpourri, citrus flavor, etc. The pouch  125  consists of fabric that is attached to the covering  120  and has an entrance  129  formed as part thereof to permit reception and removal of the element  127 . The element  127  itself preferably has a complementary shape as the pouch  125  and it is fully contained within the pouch  125  when it is stored therein. In other words, the element  127  can be a thin, rectangular member that is placed within the pouch  125 . The pouch  125  can be located on any of the faces of the insert; however, for the most effective dispersement of fragrance, the element  127  should not be immediately next to a wall of the handbag but rather slightly spaced therefrom. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an insert  500  of yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the insert  500  has a foam body  502  that is generally cylindrical in shape and includes opposing end faces  504 . The insert  500  preferably includes a covering  503 , which is similar or identical to the covering  120 .  FIG. 8  shows the insert  500  exploded from a handbag  600  and  FIG. 9  shows the insert  500  inserted into the handbag  600 . In this embodiment, one or more integral handles  510  are formed as part of the body  502 . In other words, the one or more handles  510  are formed of the same foam material that forms the body  502 . Such construction can be achieved using a common mold  800  ( FIG. 12 ) in which the polymeric material used to form the closed cell foam body is disposed into the mold  800 , which includes a contoured section for forming the one or more handles  510 . After the mold process is completed, the material is permitted to cool and the resultant article includes the body  502  and the integral one or more handles  510  with the entire structure being formed as a single unit. The one or more handles  510  can have a number of different shapes in and of themselves and can be attached to the body  502  at any one of the faces thereof and not necessarily at an edge where two faces intersect. More specifically, the handle  510  can be U-shaped or more arcuate in shape (e.g., semi-circular or loop-like in shape) or it can have another suitable shape. In one exemplary embodiment and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the handle  510  is attached to the body  502  along one face thereof instead of at an intersection between two faces. More specifically, the insert  500  of  FIG. 8  shows the handle  510  being centrally located along an outer cylindrical surface  506  of the body  502 . When there is more than one handle  500  (e.g., two handles), the handles  500  are preferably spaced apart from one another. 
   When the insert includes the covering  120 , the one or more handles are formed of a fabric that can be the same fabric as the covering  120  or it can be a different fabric. In either instance, the fabric handle is securely attached to the fabric covering using conventional techniques, such as stitching or the like. 
   One will appreciate that the handbag can come in any number of different shapes and sizes. For example, the handbag can have a circular shape, oval shape, square shape, or any number of irregular shapes.  FIGS. 1–9  illustrate other exemplary handbag shapes and it will be appreciated that a number of different sized and shaped inserts can be used for these handbags. 
     FIG. 10–11  illustrate yet another embodiment where an insert  700  is used with the handbag  200  of  FIG. 1 . The insert  700  is similar to insert  100  with the exception that it includes a protective cover feature  710  for protecting the outer side walls of the handbag  200 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the insert  700  has a first side cover  720  that is securely attached near the upper face  702  thereof and drapes down over a first side face  704 . A second side cover  730  is securely attached near the upper face  702  and drapes down over a second side face  706 . The side covers  720 ,  720  are preferably fabric member or sheets of plastic that are secured to the insert  700  by traditional means, such as stitching, tacking, or use of an adhesive. The height of the side covers  720 ,  730  is greater than the height of the insert  700  and therefore when the side covers  720 ,  730  are folded down and lie against the insert  700 , the side covers  720 ,  730  extend below the insert  700  a predetermined distance. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates the insert  700  disposed within the handbag  200 . In this embodiment, the side covers  720 ,  730  drape down over respective side walls of the handbag  200  so as to protect these side walls. In other words, the side covers  720 ,  730  are not inserted into the interior of the handbag  200  but rather the side covers  720 ,  730  are disposed on an exterior of the handbag  200 . One side cover covers the exterior of the side wall of the handbag  200  and the other side cover covers the exterior of the other side wall. By covering the side wall of the handbag, the side wall is protected from dust and other foreign matter that may collect and spoil the exterior of the side walls. In addition, if the handbag  200  is arranged next to other handbags, the side covers  720 ,  730  protect the handbag  200  from contact with the other handbags. Rubbing or inadvertent contact between adjacent handbags can lead to scuffing and other blemishes. 
   The side covers  720 ,  730  also include a fastening feature to releasably couple the side covers  720 ,  730  to one another. For example, the side cover  720  can include a first fastening element  721  and the side cover  730  can include a second fastening element  731 . In one embodiment, the first and second fastening elements  721 ,  731  are a hook and look type fastening structure. However, it can be also snap and fit buttons, etc. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.