FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to purses and hand bags, and more particularly, an inflatable bladder approximating a shape of a purse that is placed inside the purse to preserve the shape of the purse and to preventing creases from forming in the purse, thereby extending the life of the purse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purses and handbags have always been a convenient and preferred method for female to carry and transport personal items. Purses can range in style and in value. Often, females have a collection of purses each serving a different purpose or having a specific style to match an outfit or occasion. While purses are not in use it is important that the purses are stored properly to prevent damage from occurring, such as placing the purse in a storage bag to prevent dust from reaching the purse. A very common problem when storing a purse is the purse losing its shape while being stored. A conventional technique is to stuff the purse with wadded up paper. However, the wadded up paper can oftentimes be too soft and fail to prevent the purse from losing its shape, especially when stored in a cluttered closet.

Therefore, a need exists for an inflatable insert for purses approximating a shape of a purse that is placed inside the purse to preserve the shape of the purse to preventing creases from forming in the purse, thereby extending the life of the purse.

l The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No. Inventor Issue/Publication Date

(U.S. References)

2011/0101043 Jelks 11-02-2009

7,108,425 Temkin 09-16-2006

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable insert for purses approximating a shape of a purse that is placed inside the purse to preserve the shape of the purse to preventing creases from forming in the purse, thereby extending the life of the purse.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable insert for purses that can be deflated when not in use so the invention may be stored without taking up too much room.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable insert for purses having a protective bag that protects the inner surface of the purse and protects the bladder of the present invention from being punctured,

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an inflatable insert for purses having an inflatable bladder approximating a shape of a purse. The bladder has at least a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel and rear panel may be connected by side panels along side edges of the front panel and side edges of the rear panel. A bottom panel may connect the front panel, rear panel and side panels. The side panels may have a trapezoidal shape or triangular shape. In the case of the side panels having a triangular shape, an upper edge of the front panel is connected to an upper edge of the rear panel. When the side panels are substantially trapezoidal-shaped, a top panel connects the front panel to the rear panel along an upper edge of the front panel and an upper edge of the rear panel. In addition, the top panel connects upper edges of the side panels. In addition, the front panel and rear panel may also have trapezoidal shapes to accommodate purses having angled sides and/or one or more curved edges. The bladder may be inflated using a valve located thereon.

After the bladder of the present invention is inflated, it is preferably placed in a protective bag having the same shape as the bladder. The protective bag prevents the bladder, which is preferably constructed from a plastic or vinyl material, from coming into contact with the inner surfaces of the purse. Such contact could damage the purse, especially if any moisture finds its way inside the purse. The protective bag also protects the bladder from being punctured by a purse zipper or any metal located on the inner surface of the purse.

The inflatable purse insert described herein has a trapezoidal shape. However, the inflatable purse insert may approximate the shape of any purse, including round purses.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an inflatable insert for purses of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of an inflatable insert for purses of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of an inflatable insert for purses of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a protective bag of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: 1. inflatable insert for purses, generally

2. inflatable bladder

3. front panel of bladder

4. rear panel of bladder

5. right side panel of bladder

6. left side panel of bladder

7. side edge of front panel

8. side edge of rear panel 9. bottom panel of bladder

10. top panel of bladder

11. valve

12. protective bag

13. front panel

14. rear panel

15. right side panel

16. left side panel

17. bottom panel

18. cavity

19. cover

20. attachment means

21. hook and loop fastener

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 & 3, a perspective front view, a right side view and a left side view, respectively, of an inflatable insert for purses 1 of the present invention, are illustrated. The inflatable insert for purses 1 comprises an inflatable bladder 2 approximating a shape of a purse. The bladder 2 comprises a front panel 3 and a rear panel 4. The front panel 3 and rear panel 4 may be connected by a right side panel 5 and left side panel 6 along side edges of the front panel 7 and side edges of the rear panel 8. A bottom panel 9 connects the front panel 3, rear panel 4, right side panel 5 and left side panel 6. The right side panel 5 and left side panel 6 may have a trapezoidal shape, triangular shape, rectangular shape and so forth. As illustrated here, the right side panel 5 and left side panel 6 each have a substantially trapezoidal- shape. A top panel 10 connects the front panel 3, rear panel 4, right side panel 5 and left side panel 6. The bladder 2 may be inflated using a valve 11 located thereon.

With reference to FIG.4, a perspective side view of a protective bag 12 of the present invention is illustrated. After the bladder 2 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) is inflated, it is preferably placed in the protective bag 12, which has substantially the same shape as the bladder 2. The protective bag 12 comprises a front panel 13, a rear panel 14, a right side panel 15, a left side panel 16, and a bottom panel 17 that form a cavity 18 for the bladder 3 to be inserted into. A cover 19 extends upward from the front panel 13 or rear panel 14 and is folded over the top panel 10 of the bladder 2 after the bladder 2 has been placed within the cavity 18 of the protective bag 12. The cover 19 may then be sealed closed on the opposite panel from which it extends from using an attachment means 20, such as hook and loop fastener 21, snaps, buttons and so forth.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.