Bag expanding assembly

Abstract

An assembly structured to maintain a bag in an expanded orientation when inserted therein and when the bag is not in use. A base is formed from a compressible, expandable, substantially cushioning material including inner and outer surfaces having connectors disposed thereon. The base includes at least one primary section and one or more secondary sections, respectively comprising a plurality of primary segments and secondary segments. Longitudinal and transverse fold lines extend between and interconnect adjacent ones of the primary and secondary segments and facilitate the selective disposition of the base into any one of a plurality of folded, operative orientations, which substantially correspond to the configuration of the bag in which the basis inserted. The removable attachment of correspondingly positionable connectors at least partially determine, which of the plurality of folded, operative orientations the base will assume.

Claims

1. An assembly structured to maintain a bag in an expanded orientation when inserted therein, said assembly comprising: a base formed of a foldable material and including an elongated inner surface and an elongated outer surface, said base further including at least one primary section and at least a first and a second plurality of secondary sections each disposed in laterally adjacent relation to said primary section, said primary section comprising a plurality of primary segments collectively extending along substantially an entirety of the length of said base in a successive, longitudinally adjacent disposition to one another, said at least one primary section and said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections extending along substantially the entirety of the length of said inner and outer surfaces, a plurality of longitudinal fold lines comprising at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth longitudinal fold lines, said first longitudinal fold line extending between said at least one primary section and said first secondary section in interconnecting relation thereto, said second longitudinal fold line extending between said at least one primary section and said second secondary section in interconnecting relation thereto, said third longitudinal fold line extending between different adjacent ones of said first plurality of secondary sections in interconnecting relation thereto, said fourth longitudinal fold line extending between different adjacent ones of said second plurality of secondary sections in interconnecting relation thereto, at least one transverse fold line extending through said at least one primary section and said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections in interconnecting relation to adjacent portions of said at least one primary section and adjacent portions of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections, a plurality of inner connectors disposed on said inner surface in a first predetermined array and a plurality of outer connectors disposed on said outer surface in a second predetermined array, said first and second predetermined arrays of connectors cooperatively configured to removably connect said base into any one of a plurality of folded, operative orientations, at least two of said plurality of primary segments of said primary section connected to one another by at least some of said outer connectors, and said base disposed in an operative position when in any one of said folded, operative orientations, said operative position comprising said base disposed within and in expanding relation to a correspondingly configured and dimensioned bag.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said base, including said at least one primary section and each of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections, are formed of a compressible and expandable material.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first predetermined array comprises said plurality of inner connectors disposed in a predetermined location on said primary section and on at least one of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein at least a majority of said plurality of inner connectors are disposed in attachable relation with others of said plurality of inner connectors to define different ones of said plurality of folded, operative orientations of said base.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein at least some of said plurality of inner connectors are disposed in attachable relation with said plurality of outer connectors to define different ones of said plurality of folded, operative orientations of said base.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein at least some of said plurality of inner connectors are disposed in attachable relation with said plurality of outer connectors to define different ones of said plurality of folded, operative orientations of said base.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said predetermined second array comprises at least some of said outer connectors disposed on at least two different ones of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said predetermined second array further comprises at least some of said outer connectors disposed on said at least one primary section.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of at least two of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections extends along a length of a different opposite side of said at least one primary section in laterally adjacent relation thereto.

10. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein at least two of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections are disposed along each opposite longitudinal side of said at least one primary section in laterally adjacent relation to one another and to said primary section.

11. The assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein different ones of said plurality of longitudinal fold lines extend in interconnecting relation between said at least one primary section and a next adjacent one of said plurality of secondary sections as well as adjacent ones of said plurality of secondary sections.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said first predetermined array comprises said plurality of inner connectors disposed in predetermined locations on said at least one primary section and said plurality of secondary sections.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein different ones of said plurality of longitudinal fold lines extend in interconnecting relation between said at least one primary section and a next adjacent one of said plurality of secondary section as well as adjacent ones of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein each of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections comprises a plurality of secondary segments collectively extending along substantially an entirety of the length of said base in a successive, longitudinally adjacent disposition relative to one another.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein different ones of said plurality of longitudinal fold lines extend in interconnecting relation between said at least one primary section and a next adjacent one of said at first and second plurality of secondary sections as well as adjacent ones of said at least first and second plurality of secondary sections.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 15 comprising a plurality of transverse fold lines extending concurrently between longitudinally adjacent ones of said plurality of primary segments and between longitudinally adjacent ones of said plurality of secondary segments.

17. The assembly as recited in claim 14 comprising a plurality of transverse fold lines extending concurrently between longitudinally adjacent ones of said plurality of primary segments and between longitudinally adjacent ones of said plurality of secondary segments.

18. The assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein at least a majority of said plurality of secondary segments include a length substantially equal to one another and to at least a majority of said plurality of primary segments.

19. The assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein at least a majority of said plurality of primary segments include a greater transverse dimension than at least a majority of said plurality of secondary segments.

20. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of said plurality of inner connectors comprise magnetic connectors.

21. The assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein at least some of said plurality of outer connectors comprise magnetic connectors.

22. The assembly as recited in claim 21 wherein at least some of said plurality of inner connectors comprise hook and loop fasteners.

23. The assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein at least some of said plurality of inner connectors comprise hook and loop fasteners.

24. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least some of said plurality of folded, operative orientations are at least partially defined by a plurality of portions of said inner surface being folded in confronting relation to themselves.

25. The assembly as recited in claim 24 wherein at least some of said plurality of folded, operative orientations are at least partially defined by a plurality of portions of said outer surface being folded in confronting relation to themselves.

26. An assembly structured to maintain a bag in an expanded orientation when inserted therein, said assembly comprising: a base formed of a foldable material and including elongated inner and outer surfaces extending substantially along an entirety of the length of different opposite sides of said base, said base comprising a primary section and first and second secondary sections extending along the length thereof, said primary section comprising a plurality of primary segments collectively extending along substantially an entirety of the length of said base in a successive, longitudinally adjacent disposition to one another, at least a majority of said primary section and said first and second secondary sections formed of a compressible and expandable material, at least a first and a second longitudinal fold line each interconnecting a different one of said first and second secondary sections to a different longitudinal side of said primary section, a plurality of inner connectors disposed on said inner surface in a first predetermined array and a plurality of outer connectors disposed on said outer surface in a second predetermined array, said first and second predetermined arrays of connectors cooperatively configured to removably connect said base into any one of a plurality of folded, operative orientations, at least some of said plurality of folded, operative orientations comprising said inner surface being disposed in confronting engagement with itself, concurrent to at least some of said inner connectors attached to one another, at least two of said plurality of primary segments of said primary section connected to one another by at least some of said outer connectors, said outer surface being folded in confronting relation to itself, concurrent to at least some of said outer connectors attached to one another, and said base disposed in an operative position when in any one of said folded, operative orientations, said operative position comprising said base disposed within and in expanding relation to a correspondingly configured and dimensioned bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the expanding assembly of the present invention in one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations.

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inside surface of one preferred embodiment of a base of the expanding assembly.

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outside surface of the base of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4A is a plan view in partial phantom representing one of a possible plurality of steps of folding the base of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 into a predetermined one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations.

(6) FIG. 4B is a subsequent folding step to that represented in FIG. 4A.

(7) FIG. 4C is a subsequent folding step to that represented in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

(8) FIG. 4D is a bottom view of the base of the expanding assembly of the present invention when the folding steps of FIGS. 4A-4C have been completed.

(9) FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the expanding assembly of the present invention when arranged in a predetermined folded, operative orientation, after performing the successive folding steps of FIGS. 4A-4C.

(10) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the expanding assembly of the present invention, wherein the base is being disposed in an operative position while arranged in one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations, which at least partially corresponds to the configuration of the bag in which it is to be inserted.

(11) FIG. 5A is an exploded view of the expanding assembly of the present invention, wherein the base is being disposed in an operative position after it has been arranged in one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations, differing from that of the embodiment of FIG. 5, and at least partially corresponding to the configuration of the bag into which it is being inserted.

(12) FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view in partial cutaway of one of a plurality of connectors mounted on the base and used to maintain the base in a selected one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations.

(13) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(14) As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed to an expanding assembly 10 for at least temporarily maintaining a bag in an expanded orientation, typically when the bag is not being used. Further, the bag with which the expanding assembly 10 may be used may vary in style, shape, dimension and be used for a variety of purposes. By way of example the different bags disclosed in the accompanying figures are represented as handbag of different size and/or shape. However, the versatility of the expanding assembly at 10 allows it to be formed in a variety of different folded, operative orientations such as, but not limited to those represented in FIGS. 1, 4E, 5 and 5A. As a result, the expanding assembly 10 of the present invention may be used with different type of bag structures and are not intended to be limited to a woman's handbag.

(15) As indicated, the expanding assembly 10 may assume any one of a possible plurality of different folded, operative orientations, each of which at least partially corresponds to the configuration of a bag in which it is to be inserted in an operative position. In more specific terms, the expanding assembly 10 includes a base 12. When the base 12 is folded into a selected or predetermined folded, operative orientation, the overall, exterior configuration and/or size of the base 12 at least partially corresponds to at least the interior configurations and/or the overall size of the bag. Corresponding shapes and sizes of the folded base 12 and that of the bag with which it is to be used are sufficiently similar to effectively maintain the bag in a preferred expanded orientation. Therefore, the shape and size of the base when folded into the selected operative orientation does not have to be an exact equivalent of the size and shape of the bag with which it is to be used. Such an expanded orientation of the bag will preferably be the substantially similar to the expanded orientation the bag was designed to assume when it was initially manufactured or produced. As a result, when the bag is not in use, such as during storage, travel, display, etc., its maintenance in the expanded orientation will eliminate or significantly reduce the possibility of creases, folds or other types of damage to the bag.

(16) With primary reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 12 includes an inner surface 14 represented in FIG. 2 and an outer surface 16 represented in FIG. 3. In addition, the base 12 includes a primary section generally indicated as 18 and at least one, but preferably a plurality of secondary sections 20, 21 and 22. As further represented, each of at least two secondary sections 20 are disposed in immediate, laterally adjacent relation to and extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the primary section 18. When the additional secondary sections 21 and 22 are included, the plurality of secondary sections 20, 21, 22 extend collectively along the length of the primary section 18 and one another, on opposite sides of the primary section 18. In addition, the plurality of secondary sections 20, 21 and 22 located on opposite longitudinal sides of the primary section 18 are also disposed in laterally adjacent relation to one another.

(17) Further, the primary section 18 includes a plurality of primary segments 24 preferably successively extending in a common row in longitudinally adjacent relation to one another. Somewhat similarly, each of the plurality of secondary sections 20, 21 and 22 include a plurality of secondary segments 26. As represented, the plurality of secondary segments 26 of each of the secondary sections 20-22 also extend along common rows and are collectively disposed in a successive, longitudinally adjacent relation to one another.

(18) In cooperation with the primary section 18 and the one or more secondary sections 20-22, the base 12 includes at least one, but preferably a plurality of longitudinal fold lines 30 and at least one, but preferably a plurality of transverse folded lines 32. As also represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least one of the plurality of longitudinal fold lines 30 and preferably two of such longitudinal fold lines 30 extend along the length of the primary section 18, on opposite sides thereof. As such, longitudinal fold lines 30 are disposed in interconnecting relation to a next adjacent one of the secondary sections 20. Accordingly, adjacent ones of the primary segments 24 and secondary segments 26 are pivotally or movably interconnected by the longitudinal fold lines 30. Similarly, remaining ones of the longitudinal fold lines 30 extend along the length and serve to movably interconnect laterally adjacent ones of the remaining plurality of secondary sections 20-22.

(19) Somewhat similarly, the transverse fold lines 32 extend through the primary section 18 and concurrently through the one or more secondary sections 20-22. As a result, longitudinally adjacent primary segments 24 are movably interconnected to one another by corresponding transverse fold lines 32. At the same time, the transverse fold lines 32 serve to movably interconnect longitudinally adjacent ones of the secondary segments 26 which are disposed in a common row associated with the secondary sections 20-22. The existence and locations of the plurality of longitudinal fold lines 30 and transverse fold lines 32, relative to the primary section 18 and the one or more secondary sections 20-22 facilitates numerous, different selective folding patterns. Such a possible plurality of folding patterns is accomplished by folding the primary segments 24 and the secondary segments 26 relative to one another about correspondingly positioned ones of the longitudinal and transverse fold lines 30 and 32. As a result, portions of both the inner surface 14 and the outer surface 16 will be folded upon themselves in confronting engagement, as will be evident from the detailed description herein provided.

(20) Therefore, the assembly 10 and the base 12 can be manipulated by a user into any one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations, so as to at least partially correspond the configuration of the base to that of the bag with which is to be used. As further noted, each or at least a majority of the possible plurality of folded orientations can also be defined by a plurality of portions of the inner surface 14 being folded upon itself when disposed in the selected one of the possible plurality of folded, operative orientations. At the same time, each or at least some of the possible plurality of folded, operative orientations will result in a plurality of portions of the outer surface 16 being folded upon itself, as clearly represented in at least FIG. 1.

(21) Additional structural features which add to the versatility of the assembly 10 and a corresponding base 12 is the relative size and configuration of the primary segments 24 and the secondary segments 26. In at least one preferred embodiment, as represented in FIGS. 1-3, the locations of the transverse fold lines 32 define a substantially common length or longitudinal dimension of both the primary and secondary segments 24 and 26 respectively. However, due to the location of the plurality of longitudinal fold lines 30 and 30 the width or corresponding transverse dimension of the primary segments 24 may be significantly greater than that of the secondary segments 26. Further, in at least one preferred embodiment, at least some of the plurality of secondary segments 26 have a substantially common width or corresponding transverse dimension.

(22) Also, a majority of the base 12 including some or at least a majority of the plurality of primary segments 24 and at least some and preferably a majority of the secondary segments 26 are at least partially formed of a compressible, expandable, cushioning material. Such material may be, but is not limited to, a compressible, ultralight, memory foam material which will expand into its original shape subsequent to being compressed. However, as represented in at least FIGS. 2 and 3 at least one preferred embodiment of the base 12 includes the outermost secondary sections 22 and corresponding secondary segments 26 having a non-compressible or minimally compressible, substantially flat structure and/or configuration. The formation of the outermost peripheral secondary segments 26 in this manner serves to facilitate interconnection of the corresponding outermost peripheral sections 22 with others of the plurality of primary and secondary sections 18, 20, 21, etc.

(23) Yet additional structural features which facilitate and enhance versatility in folding the base 12, of one or more preferred embodiments of the expanding assembly 10, include a plurality of inner connectors 34 and 36 formed on the inner surface 14. In addition, a plurality of outer connectors 38 is formed on the outer surface 16. Further, the plurality of inner connectors 34 and 36 are disposed on the inner surface 14 in a first predetermined array and the plurality of outer connectors 38 are disposed on the outer surface 16 in a second predetermined array. Therefore, the first and second predetermined arrays of inner and outer connectors 34, 36 and 38 are cooperatively structured and/or configured to facilitate the removable connection of the base 12 into any one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations such as, but not limited to, those represented in FIGS. 1, 4E, 5 and 5A. Moreover, the first and second predetermined arrays may vary in configuration and/or structure dependent, at least in part, on the size, configuration, etc. of the base on which the inner and outer connectors, 34, 36 and 38, are mounted. The variance in the configuration or structure of the either of the first and second predetermined arrays allows the inner and outer connectors to be disposed in different locations on the inner and outer surfaces thereby further enhancing the versatility in folding the base 12 into any one of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations.

(24) As also represented the inner connectors 34 and 36 may be of different types or be defined by different structures. By way of example, and as represented in FIG. 6, the inner connectors 34, as well as at least some of the outer connectors 38, may include male and/or female configurations structured to define a snap-fit attachment with one another. As such, mating ones of the cooperatively structured inner and outer connectors 34 and 38 may have an outwardly projecting finger 34 and/or a receiving recess 34, for the insertion or receipt of a correspondingly positioned finger 34. In addition each of the inner connectors 34, as well as the outer connectors 38 may be formed of a metallic or other magnetic material and have magnetic characteristics facilitating the magnetic attraction of correspondingly positioned ones of the inner and outer connectors 34 and 38 to one another.

(25) As set forth above and as also represented in FIG. 2 at least some of the inner connectors 36 may have a hook and loop type of construction, commercially known and made available under the trademark Velcro. However, it is emphasized that at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention may include most or all of the inner connectors being of the same type or structure.

(26) As represented in at least some of the accompanying Figures, other features associated with one or more preferred embodiments of the expanding assembly 10 and/or base 12 may include the provision of a handle 40 mounted on or connected to the exterior surface 16. More specifically, the handle or gripping member 40 may be located on the outer surface 16 at a location which facilitates the gripping, positioning and/or movement of the base 12 especially, but not exclusively, when it is in any one of the possible plurality of folded, operative orientations. Connecting straps or like attachment structures 42 may be appropriately connected to the outer surface 16 so as to removably or adjustably retain opposite ends of the handle 40 and thereby facilitate its attachment in the manner represented. Further, the handle 40 may be formed of an elastic and/or flexible material. In addition it is contemplated that at least some of the appropriate or preferred folded orientations of the base 12, will result in the handle 40 may be at least partially enclosed on the interior of the folded orientation. Therefore additional handles, gripping portions or tabs, etc. may be included at various locations on the base 12 in order to facilitate gripping and or manipulation of the base 12 when the primary handle 40 is at least partially non-accessible, based on it being enclosed within the interior of the folded orientation assumed by the base 12. FIG. 3 also depicts attachment members 44 at least initially disposed in spaced relation to one another on the outer surface 16. These attachment members 44 may be used to connect a removable spring-loaded attachment member 46 or other type of attachment in the manner represented in FIG. 4D. Further, the attachment member 46 may be removably secured to corresponding mounting or attachment members 44 or permanently secured thereto as desired.

(27) For purposes of clarity, FIGS. 4A-4D are provided to schematically represent successive steps of folding the base 12 of at least one embodiment of the expanding assembly 10. Further by way of explanation, the substantially linear phantom lines are representative of a previous location of portions of the base 12 prior to the corresponding folding step. The curved or arcuate phantom lines are representative of the path of positioning of the components of the base 12 as they are being folded. It is emphasized that the folding steps of FIGS. 4A-4C are by way of example and representative only of the folding of the base 12 used to form the folded, operative orientation represented in FIGS. 4D and 4E. Accordingly, a different succession of folding steps may be applied to the base 12 in order to accomplish different ones of a possible plurality of folded, operative orientations as represented in FIGS. 1, 4D and/or FIGS. 5-5A.

(28) Therefore, with primary reference to FIG. 4A, outer longitudinal peripheral portions 100 of the base 12 are folded inwardly as represented by directional arcuate lines 102. This will result in correspondingly disposed ones of the inner connectors 34 and 36 being brought into removable attachment with one another, as explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2. Once in the folded position of FIG. 4A, a portion of the outer surface 16 will be exposed on opposite sides of the folded base 10. This will result in the exposure of the outer surface 16 of the outermost peripheral secondary segments 26 and next laterally adjacent secondary segments 26. As represented in FIG. 4B, longitudinal portions 104 of the now partially folded base 12 will be folded inwardly in accord with arcuate directional fold lines 106. In this folded position outer surface portions 16, as represented FIG. 4A, will be folded upon themselves and be removably retained in such a folded orientation due to the removable interconnection of correspondingly positioned ones of the outer connectors 38. Upon accomplishing the folding step of FIG. 4B, the outer surface portions of primary segments 18 will be temporarily exposed as well attachment members 44.

(29) FIG. 4C represents the outer surface portion 16, which is oppositely located on the opposite side of the base when it is in the partially folded orientation of FIG. 4B. As such, portions of the base 12, as at 108, represented in both FIGS. 4B and 4C are folded inwardly upon themselves. Further, and as represented by arcuate directional lines 110, upon completion of the folding step of FIG. 4C, the spring-loaded connector 46 may be attached as represented in the bottom view of FIG. 4D. This will serve to maintain the base 12 in the selected folded, operative orientation. Upon completion of the folding step FIG. 4C and securement of the base 12, as represented in FIG. 4D, the base 12 of the expanding assembly 10 will assume the selected folded, operative orientation of FIG. 4E and will at least partially correspond to the size and/or configuration of a bag in which it is to be inserted.

(30) As emphasized herein, the base 12 may be manipulated through a variety of different folding steps in addition to, or other than, those represented in FIGS. 4A-4C. This will result in the ability of a user to fold the base 12 into any one of a variety of different folded, operative orientations as represented in FIGS. 1, 5 and 5A. Each of the selected ones of the possible plurality of folded, operative orientations will at least partially and sufficiently correspond to the overall configuration and/or interior configuration of the bags 120 and 125 in which they will be inserted in an operative position, to facilitate the maintenance of the bags 120 and 125 in an intended, expanded orientation. However, it is emphasized that the configuration of the bags 120 and 125 are representative only of a much larger number of configurations of various types of bags, with which the base 12 may be utilized, when the base is disposed in an operative position within a selected bag 120, 125, etc. Therefore, versatility of the various preferred embodiments of the bag expanding assembly 10 is demonstrated by the ability to use it with a variety of different types, structures and/or styles of bags. Structural variance in such bags may include, but is not limited to, bags having an open interior communicating with an open end of the bag. In contrast, the expanding assembly 10 of the present invention may be used with bag structures including a compartmented and/or at least partially enclosed interior of the bag.

(31) Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

(32) Now that the invention has been described.