CN1095031A - Reusable and collapsible containers and caps - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to reusable and repeatedly collapsible containers, and more particularly to a container (10) having a circular sidewall (12). The side wall is arranged to comprise sections of different wall thickness and diameter, and the container is folded from an extended condition to a collapsed condition by telescopic communication between the sections of the circular side wall. Sleeves (130, 170, 192, and 200) are also disclosed. For the optional use of the container. A removable cap (210) is also disclosed.

Description

The present invention relates to reusable and collapsible containers, in particular single-piece containers having circular sidewalls with regions comprising different wall thicknesses and diameters such that the container is reusable by means of telescoping between sections of the circular sidewalls. Relationships can be folded from stretched to folded.

Collapsible containers such as drinking glasses are well known. For example, the applicant's prior U.S. patent No. 4,930,644 discloses a foldable sheet plastic container in which a major portion of the side wall of the container has a reduced wall thickness so that the side wall can be folded at will. In U.S. Patent No. 4,865,211, a bottle having uniform sidewall thickness throughout is constructed so that the container can be collapsed by a telescopic movement of one part of the sidewall into the other.

U.S. Patent No. 4,875,576 discloses a container in which a bellows-shaped structure is provided in the middle portion of the side wall to facilitate easy folding and expansion of the container. This patent also discloses the use of a spiral crease, that is, the first portion of the container side wall is spiraled or turned at an angle between the first portion and the second portion of the container side wall, so as to facilitate the folding action of the crease portion of the side wall.

U.S. Patent No. 4,873,100 discloses a dual-stabilized expandable plastic bottle having a bellows-shaped side wall for movement between a folded and extended configuration.

U.S. Patent No. 2,880,902 discloses a collapsible drinking cup (or camera bellows) in which the side walls consist of alternating thick and thin portions.

The present invention combines several features that are not in the prior art, and proposes a simple, easy-to-use and cheap container, which can be used and reused by users according to the description herein, and can be stored in a folded state. Its storage volume can reach the maximum. At the same time, by reducing the thickness of the side walls in the middle of the container, the amount of plastic material required to make the container is reduced.

More specifically, in each of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, each blow molded container is formed with upper, middle and lower side walls of substantially the same axial length, with the upper and lower walls being thicker than the middle. For example, the middle portion preferably has a wall thickness of about 2-12 mils, so that the middle portion can be reversely folded relative to the upper and lower portions of about 35 mils each, preferably in the range of about 34-45 mils , moving towards each other in the aforementioned telescopic manner.

In yet another feature of the invention, the circular side walls of each container have surface contours that facilitate axial folding of the container. In one example, a radially outer widened portion is provided at the lowermost edge of the side wall of the upper part, serving as a guide surface for the middle part and the lower part to be axially folded and inserted into the upper part. In the same embodiment, the interface between the middle and lower parts can be bent to further facilitate the folding action.

Another feature of the above-mentioned first embodiment for facilitating the axial folding of the container is the provision of a plurality of oblique grooves in the central thin side wall portion. When a slight twisting action is applied to one or the other (or both) of the upper and lower sidewalls, this measure allows the intermediate section to fold directly and inversely as the upper and lower sections are pushed towards each other itself.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide gripping devices at the two ends of the container to help the user to fold, unfold and refold the container during the useful life of the container, for example, the outlet port on the top wall of the container It has a general screw cap structure, and has a radially outward protrusion immediately below the threaded part, forming a convenient first grabbing part. At the lower end of the container, the lower part of the side wall is connected to the chassis The location provides a ring groove, giving a second convenient and easy-to-use grab section. In a variation on the above structure, the lower side walls each have a radially outward seat or flange that projects radially beyond the entirety of the lower side walls so that in the folded position the The flanges also serve to support the upper side walls. Another variant of the grabbing device has a pull tab or tab integral to the chassis that can be folded up and loosely locked horizontally without becoming an obstacle and therefore without compromising the stability of the container .

In a variant embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of larger or smaller annular reinforcing ribs are provided on the upper and lower circular side wall parts, and hoop strength is provided to the relatively thicker part of the side wall, which contributes to the folded shape of the container. stretching action.

It should be noted that in order to achieve the above-mentioned stretching/folding effect, the cross-sectional sizes of the upper, middle and lower parts should gradually and continuously shrink (or increase) in one direction or in the opposite direction, so as to achieve an overall tapering effect. In each section, the side walls may also have a slight taper in the same direction.

Other embodiments disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use as 2.5 gallon water (or other liquid) containers with valve mechanisms provided on the lower portion of the circular side walls. In these examples, the internal vacuum is created by the volume distribution of the container, so that the side wall parts of the container are automatically folded by means of the above-mentioned telescoping action.

Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of optional external holders for various containers which also provide insulation from heat or cold and which can be used to support the container and assist in pouring items from the container.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cap that is specially designed for use with the various containers disclosed herein. Specifically, the caps include an upper end wall and a depending skirt portion having a threaded surface adapted to cooperate with secondary threads formed on the stand-up pour portion of the container. The improvement with respect to the structure of the cap is that it provides a structure for a plurality of tabs depending from the upper end wall of the cap at positions radially spaced from each other towards the interior of the depending skirt portion. Although various numbers of tabs, even a single uninterrupted tab, may be used, in the particular embodiment described, four such tabs are provided. These small projections are arranged at a distance radially inwardly of the depending skirt so that they connect with the straight mouth portion of the container in the threaded region. In other words, the depending skirt portion of the cap and the inner depending tab extend substantially parallel to each other to both sides of the straight mouth portion of the container. Another way these tabs provide thickening of the relatively thin flexible container in the spout area and provide a secure connection between the cap and the container. It has been seen that conventional cap constructions are not suitable for the thin-walled containers described herein, in which case they may be unintentionally severed due to container/neck bending, for example when the container is accidentally Relative separation when dropped or otherwise crushed or impacted.

Therefore, in its main aspects, the present invention relates to a collapsible, extendable and recollapsible container provided at one end with a straight mouth portion with means for mounting a removable cap; Chassis; providing rounded side walls between the straight mouth portion and the chassis. The circular sidewall comprises a lower portion with a first thickness, a middle portion with a second thickness and an upper portion with a third thickness; wherein the second wall thickness is thinner than the first and third wall thicknesses, so that the circular sidewall Can be moved between folded and extended. The collapsible container also includes annular means for facilitating axial folding of the container into a folded configuration, the annular means being at the interface between at least one of the upper and bottom side walls and the intermediate side wall portion. The container also includes radially oriented grip means on the lower sidewall adjacent the chassis, the means facilitating axial deployment of the container from the folded configuration to the extended configuration.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a collapsible, expandable, and refoldable plastic container comprising a chassis, an upper end wall, and circular side walls extending between the chassis and the upper end wall. The side wall has at least three axially expandable, substantially equal length part, including upper, middle and lower parts. Wherein, the wall thickness of the middle part is smaller than that of the upper part and the lower part, and the cross-sectional area of each side wall part changes gradually, so that the upper part side wall and the lower part side wall can be reversely folded in between along with the middle part to form a fold Stretching one into the other. A straight mouth portion is provided on said upper end wall, which is surrounded by means for mounting a removable cap. In addition, the lower sidewall includes radially oriented gripping means for grasping the container which facilitates the expansion of the container into its unfolded, unfolded condition.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a reusable plastic container comprising a base, an upper end wall and a side wall. The upper end wall includes a tapered shoulder and a straight portion defining the outlet opening. The side wall includes an upper part, a middle part and a lower part. Wherein, the wall thickness of the middle side wall portion and the tapered shoulder is smaller than the wall thickness of the upper side wall and the lower side wall. In addition, the cross-sectional area of each side wall is different, so that the side wall can be axially, manually folded into a kind of folded state, wherein the upper side wall and the lower side wall can be folded between each other along with the middle part, i.e., so that One stretches into the other. In addition, the plastic container also includes gripping means, which can compress and stretch the container in axially opposite directions. Animates the container between collapsed and expanded states. The gripping means includes a radially outer flange on the lower side wall adjacent to the chassis.

Objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a collapsible container according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 1 in a folded shape;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the container in Fig. 1 in a folded state, and also shows a schematic diagram of the overall handle protrusion on the container chassis;

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a container similar to Figure 2, but with a different lower sidewall/bottom lid configuration;

Fig. 5 is a partial view of the container according to the present invention, the middle side wall portion of the container has an additional oblique groove;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of the container shown in Figure 6, but shown in a collapsed state;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to yet another example of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 8, the container being in a folded state;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to yet another example of the present invention;

Figure 10A is a partial perspective view showing a bottom end profile of a variation of the container of Figure 10;

Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 10, the container being in a folded state;

Fig. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the container of Fig. 10 in a collapsed state, but having the bottom profile shown in Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to yet another example of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 12 when it is in a folded state;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to yet another example of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 14 when it is in a folded state;

Fig. 16 is a partial view showing an improved top wall structure of the container shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the top wall structure shown in Fig. 16 of the container configuration shown in Fig. 14, but the container is in a folded state;

Figure 18 is a partial view of a collapsible container according to yet another example of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a combined view of a collapsible container and a collapsible holder according to the present invention;

Fig. 20 is the view that the container of the present invention is combined with the holder of modification;

Figure 21 is the view of the container of the present invention combined with another typical holder;

Fig. 22 is the perspective view that the clamping container of the container of the present invention is in an open state and allowed to be loaded into the container;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of a container closed in a clam-shaped holder according to the present invention;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a cap suitable for use with the containers disclosed herein;

Figure 25 is a partial side view of the cap shown in Figure 24 installed on a container.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a container 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a circular side wall 12 , a bottom pan 14 and an upper end wall 16 . In this example, the upper end wall includes a radially inward and upwardly tapered shoulder 18 and a straight portion or neck 20 with a radially outward annular flange 22 suitable for receiving a conventional screw cap ( Not shown) the external thread portion 24 and the outlet 25 (see Figure 2).

In the present example, the circular side wall 12 includes three side wall portions of substantially equal axial length, namely an upper portion 26 , a middle portion 28 and a lower portion 30 . The minimum wall thickness of the upper portion 26 and lower portion 30 is approximately 15 mils. The maximum thickness of these two parts is dependent on the required rigidity of the container. For example, sidewall portions 26 and 30 typically have a thickness of at least about 35 mils, preferably in the range of 35-45 mils. According to needs, the chassis 14 and the straight portion 20 (especially the threaded portion 24 ) can be relatively thick. The central sidewall 28 may have a minimum thickness of 2 mils, with a preferred thickness between about 2-12 mils. Thus, while the upper sidewall 26 and the lower sidewall 30 are flexible, they are relatively inflexible compared to the very thin intermediate sidewall portion 28 . This arrangement allows the container to be easily folded, extended and refolded in the manner described below. Of course, this construction also results in a significant reduction in the amount of plastic required to make the container. The reduction in the shape of the container in the folded configuration will reduce the volume required for mailing users.

In order to be able to play a telescopic effect, that is, the container can be folded, stretched and folded again, in this example, the diameters of the upper side wall portion 26 from the top to the bottom, the diameter of the middle side wall portion 28 and the lower side wall portion 30 are slightly reduced. Small. It should be noted that the use of the "diameter" of each side wall portion as a standard is for those substantially cylindrical vessels, while for other cross-sectional shapes, the expression of the "cross-sectional area" of each side wall portion is more suitable. Cylindrical containers are described herein for convenience. However, the invention also includes containers of other shapes.

The three sidewall portions 26 , 28 and 30 may be separated by a pair of transition spaces or regions 32 , 34 . The upper transition space or region 32 includes a radially outwardly funneled portion which acts as a guide when the intermediate portion 28 is folded back into the upper portion 26 as will be described below.

The lower transition space or transition zone 34 includes a radially inward, grooved inwardly folded bezel which facilitates the telescoping action of the lower sidewall portion 30 into the upper portion 26 and the relative movement of the intermediate sidewall portion 28 relative to the lower sidewall portion 28. Reverse folding or rolling action of wall portion 30 .

At the lower end of the side wall portion 30, an annular groove 36 is provided, which can be used as a grip for the lower side wall portion when the container is folded, especially extended. A second grip is provided by a radial flange 22 at the opposite end of the container.

At the upper end of the container, the upper side wall portion 26 merges with the circular lip 40 of the radially inward tapered shoulder 18 and the substantially horizontal shallow annular groove 42, which facilitates the upper end wall 16 to be positioned below. The fold-down action described above between fold and extend. In this regard, the tapered shoulder 18 may have a relatively thinner thickness similar to the wall thickness of the intermediate portion 28 .

To further facilitate the folding/telescoping action, see Figure 5, the central portion 28 may be provided with a plurality of circularly arranged indentations or grooves 44 which are oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container. Thus, by means of a slight twisting action of the lower sidewall 30 relative to the upper sidewall 26 (or vice versa), the intermediate sidewall portion 28 simultaneously begins to fold and reverse folds in as the upper portion 26 and lower portion 30 move toward each other. .

The container 10 can be folded into the state shown in FIG. 2 by grasping the container (optional) by the flange 22 and the groove 36 and applying axial pressure on the upper and lower ends of the container. During this action, the thin middle part 28 is caused to stretch into each other along with the upper and lower parts 26 and 30, and itself is folded twice or reversely folded into the folded state shown in FIG. 2 . It will be appreciated that the thinner central portion 28 is sandwiched between the thicker upper and lower side wall portions 26 and 30 .

In order to realize the folding effect, the upper end wall 16 (including the radially inward tapered shoulder 18 and the straight mouth portion 20) can be axially folded into the shape shown in FIG. shaped lip 40, or the straight mouth portion 20 is partially extended above this lip. This, then, can allow a plurality of such containers to be cones and/or kitted for shipping, storage, and the like.

Containers from the manufacturer can be shipped elsewhere for filling, or for further use by the user. As a result, such containers are shipped with contents such as concentrates, powder mixes, etc., which are easily added after the container is in the collapsed state. Thus, the user can refill with liquid (water, syrup, etc.) when the container is unfolded as described below.

To bring the container into the fully extended or extended position, the user can conveniently grasp the ends of the container using the radial flanges 22 and slots 36 and simply pull the container in the opposite direction. When the side wall is fully unfolded to the state shown in FIG. 1 , the user can pull the upper end wall 16 outward again to reach the fully unfolded state as shown in FIG. 1 .

It will be appreciated that another chassis configuration may be used in order to particularly facilitate the movement of the container from the folded position to the extended position. For example, rather than using the aforementioned slot 36, the lower side wall portion 30 simply terminates in a radially outward flange or base 50 as shown, which not only provides a convenient grip for the user It also increases the stability of the upper side wall portion 26 and the middle side wall portion 28 of the container in the folded state.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative grip arrangement in which a handle or ring 52 is provided on the chassis 14 of the container. It will be appreciated that the handle or ring 52 can be integral with the chassis 14 and folded and locked into a horizontal position (using the groove 53 or other suitable means) so that when the handle is not in use, the handle is held in the position as shown. Location. Because the chassis 14 is recessed, the handle does not affect the stability of the container.

Referring again to Fig. 6, another typical example in conjunction with a "sports bottle" 54 is shown. It includes a circular side wall 56, a chassis 58 and an upper end wall 60 defining a removable cover 62 (which may be of the simple threaded or snap-on type) and an integral or detachable cover 62. The outlet opening that straw 64 covers.

In this example, again, the side wall 56 of the container 54 is divided into an upper portion 66 , a middle portion 68 and a lower portion 70 , the upper side wall portion 66 and the lower side wall portion 70 having a greater wall thickness than the middle side wall portion 68 . This particular wall thickness is similar to that described above for the first implementation. In this example, however, the upper and lower portions 66, 70 are formed by integral annular stiffening ribs 72, 74, respectively, which provide additional hoop strength to the upper and lower sidewall portions (during container folding and unfolding). , their shape does not change). By strengthening the upper side wall portion 66 and the lower side wall portion 70 (without increasing the wall thickness), the folding and telescoping actions of the container side wall portions are greatly facilitated. It will be appreciated that the transition regions between the ribbed upper and lower side wall portions 66 and 70 and the middle portion 68 serve as "hinges" for the reversely folded middle portion 68 during folding and unfolding. As a practical matter, the annular ribs are only a short distance above and below the central thin walled portion 68 to provide the required strength. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , it is also possible to provide such rings to the entire upper side wall portion 60 and lower side wall portion 70 . Here, the grooves 74 extend to the bottom of the lower side wall portion 70, and they provide a gripping area for the user, thereby eliminating the need for spacer grooves (such as 36) or flanges (such as 50). The handle or tab 52 can still be used if desired.

As in the previously described example, the circular side wall 56 of the container 54 is made as the upper 66. The diameters of the middle portion 68 and the lower portion 70 gradually decrease from the top to the bottom, so that, in the folded state, the middle side wall portion 68 and the lower side wall portion 70 are located radially on the upper side wall as shown in FIG. 7 . Inside of section 66. This is called a "bottom fold" configuration.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a "top folded structure" is used. Wherein, the diameters of the side walls of each part gradually increase from top to bottom. Specifically, the container 80 includes a circular side wall 82 , a bottom pan 84 and an upper end wall 86 . Side wall 82 includes an upper portion 88, a middle portion 90 and a lower portion 92 having wall thicknesses similar to those of the previously described examples. Upper side wall portion 88 and lower side wall portion 92 are provided with annular ribs 89 and 93, respectively. In this example, the upper end wall 86 includes a tapered neck or shoulder 94 (thin wall) and provides a thickened opening portion 96 . Opening portion 96 has threads 98 for mounting a conventional finger type cap 100 . The upper end wall 86 also has integral or separate water diversion straws 102 . As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 9, the neck and shoulder portion 94 and the straight mouth portion 96 can be folded to the lower side wall position, and the cap or cap 100 of the container does not protrude over the circular side wall 82 at this time. side portion 88 above. In the folded state shown in FIG. 9 , the middle side wall part 90 and the lower side wall part 92 are located radially outside the side wall part 88 .

It should be understood that a wide variety of annular rib configurations may be proposed and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, to telescopically accommodate the middle thin side wall portion as in the thicker portion (upper or lower) of the container side wall, add annular ribs, while the remaining thick side wall portion remains smooth . Thus, as in the bottom folded configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 (similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the upper sidewall portion 88 is ribbed, while in the top folded configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 (similar to FIGS. 8 and 9), only the lower side wall portion 92 is ribbed. Also, the provision of the annular rib 89 or 93 is primarily to increase the strength of certain side wall sections and hoops in order to assist in axial folding of the container.

In the case where the lower part 92 remains flat (Figs. 10 and 11) it is convenient to simply provide an annular groove 95 as a gripping area. As previously mentioned, a variant of the annular groove is shown in Figures 10A and 11A, which may employ radially outwardly projecting flanges or seats 97 as gripping means.

It should also be noted that according to the provision of at least one annular rib 89 at the interface of the upper sidewall portion 88 and the middle sidewall portion 90 ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ), and the Where at least one annular rib 93 is provided, there is no need for a leading surface such as the transition zone 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2), but is substantially flat. However, a similar transition zone can be provided within the reinforced area if desired. In other words, the transition regions 32 , 34 and the reinforcing ribs 89 , 93 can be omitted, for example as a cost-saving measure. However, if these are present, they act to reinforce the folding, refolding of the sidewalls.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, which illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this particular design is particularly convenient in the form of, for example, a 2.5 gallon liquid (eg, water) container. Referring specifically to FIG. 14, the water container 104 includes a base 106, a circular side wall 108 and an upper end wall 110 with, if desired, a handle 112 integrally formed therewith. The circular sidewall 108 is divided into an upper sidewall portion 114, an intermediate sidewall portion 116 and a lower sidewall portion 118, again with the upper and lower portions 114 and 118 being thicker than the middle thinner sidewall portion 116 (disclosed below). In the range). In this example, a drain valve 120 is provided in the lower side wall portion 118 for draining liquid from the container. With the construction described above, when liquid is drained from the container 104, a vacuum will be drawn inside the container, thereby automatically collapsing the container as a function of the amount of liquid drained therefrom.

The above-mentioned container 104 belongs to the "top-folding" type, since the diameters of the side wall parts 114, 116 and 118 gradually increase from top to bottom, so the upper side wall part 114 and the middle side wall part 116 are telescopically placed on the lower side wall part 118 middle. In large containers of the 2.5 gallon (or over) type as shown in Figure 14, the thick wall portion is at the high end of the above range, providing transitions and/or recesses of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively Areas 32 and 34 are not critical, although such areas could be included if otherwise desired.

Figures 16 and 17 show the container shown in Figures 14 and 15, with respect to the upper end wall 110' of the container 114' and variations (where the corresponding reference numerals are primed in the upper right corner of the numerals), it includes a thin tapered The shoulders 122 are defined by flat upper end walls 124 each having an integral handle 112' thereon. As can be clearly seen in Figure 17, the upper end wall structure can be folded in a manual manner similar to that described above with respect to Figures 1 to 4, 8, 9, 12 and 13.

As can be seen from the previously described examples, the upper and lower circular side walls 114, 118 (and 114', 118') may have a plurality of annular ribs 126,128. They extend along these portions and the entire length as shown in FIG. 18, or at least in the region near the interface with the intermediate side wall portion 116, to facilitate the folding and folding of the container as previously described.

With regard to all the examples described above, it should be appreciated that the optional inclusion of an integral handle and/or grip area will allow the container not only to be folded, but also to be unfolded and repeatedly refolded, so Such containers are not limited to a single use. In other words, along with the inherent use of the container, the container can be used repeatedly for any desired purpose, and the collapsible/expandable/refoldable feature facilitates the containment storage of such a container. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be used with containers of various sizes, for example from 1 pint up to 5 gallons or larger.

Referring to Figures 19 to 23, there is a requirement that any container described above, particularly those disclosed in Figures 1 to 13, is desired to be clamped in an outer container sleeve. Such sleeves are generally used to support the associated container and facilitate pouring of the contents from the container. And in some cases, these containers can also be used for insulation to keep the contents of the container hot or cold.

For example, Figure 19 discloses a collapsible styrofoam sleeve 130 having a plurality of annular styrofoam segments or rings fitted in telescoping relationship to each other. Specifically, the case 130 includes a chassis 132 and side walls 134 . Sidewall 134 includes three separate slidingly associated sidewall segments or sidewall rings 136 , 138 and 140 . An uppermost sidewall ring or section 136 is defined at the upper open end 142 of the receiving container 144 .

Generally, the three annular sidewall segments or sidewall rings 136, 138, and 140 are cylindrical (or slightly tapered from top to bottom), but their diameters gradually increase from bottom to top, ie, the diameter of sidewall segment 136 The diameter is larger than the diameter of sidewall segment 138 , which is larger in diameter than sidewall segment 140 .

The upper end of the lower side wall section 140 terminates in a radially outward flange (not shown) adapted to be seated in an additional slot (not shown) provided in the side wall section 138 adjacent to at the interface of its lowermost edge. Also, the upper end of the intermediate side wall section 138 terminates in a radially outward flange (not shown) adapted to be seated in an additional slot (not shown) provided in the upper side wall section. 136 is near the interface of its lowermost edge. The lowermost end of the lower side wall section 140 is also provided with a radially outward flange or abutment 146; the lower end of the intermediate side wall section 138 is provided with a similar flange or abutment 148. It can be seen that the result of this structure is that the container cover 130 can be locked by the above-mentioned radially outward flange and its cooperating grooves when it is fully unfolded. Axial force is applied from both ends of the sleeve. This sleeve can be simply folded such that the lowermost side wall section 140 and the middle side wall section 138 are substantially fully retracted into the upper side wall section 136 . In the collapsed state, flange 146 will support middle side wall section 138, while flange 148 will support upper side wall section 136 and prevent axial separation of said side wall sections.

Another function of the sleeve 130 is to provide an integral grip 150 for the uppermost side wall section 136 to assist in pouring or storing contents from the container 144 supported within the sleeve 130 .

The annular step or shoulder formed between the upper sidewall section 136 and the intermediate sidewall surface 138 may correspond to a similar step between the upper sidewall portion and the intermediate sidewall portion of the container (as shown in transition region 34 in FIG. 1 ). ), and engage with the latter. The same structure may exist at the interface of the side wall sections 138 and 140 of the sleeve, in association with the middle and lower portions of the side walls of the container.

In Figure 20, a non-insulated sleeve 152 is shown which includes a chassis (not shown) and an open upper end. The side wall 154 of the case has a plurality of vertically oriented scalloped areas or shallow grooves 156 which assist in gripping the case 152 without the addition or use of a handle 158 to the case. Of course, this scalloped design can be used incidentally on the handle if desired. In any case, the sleeve will have a pair of annular steps or shoulders 160 and 162 which define side wall portions 164, 166 and 168 of progressively reduced diameter. The steps 160, 162 may conform to associated relative steps or shoulders on the circular side walls of the container, thereby providing further support. The sleeve shown in Figure 20 may be constructed of plastic or other suitable material and may take a variety of shapes, with the inside profile generally complementary to the side wall profile of the container, which is desirable. Where the circular side wall 154 of the case is tapered inwardly as shown, the chassis of the case may be omitted. Also, if the cover is basically cylindrical, you should know that a chassis (or at least a support frame) is necessary to provide the required support.

Figure 21 discloses another example of a suitable cover, in the shape of a clam, where the expandable framed cover 170 opens vertically along a seam 172, and at the same time passes through an integral hinge 174 along its length. Closed together along a vertical edge on the opposite side; the hinges allow the cover to rotate between open and closed states (similar to the structure shown in Figure 22). The cover can be releasably snapped together by any latch mechanism on the opposite side of the hinge. The latch means is preferably located on the inside of the handle 176, generally in the area indicated by the numeral 178.

The sleeve 170 in the closed position shown in Figure 21 presents a substantially cylindrical open frame which is associated with the majority of the side walls of the container. In particular, a radially inward step or shoulder 180 is adapted to communicate with a corresponding step between an upper side wall portion 182 of the container 182 and an intermediate thin wall portion 184 of the container side wall. The sleeve 170 also has an upper tapered neck 186 which also forms an open frame and terminates in an upper open end 188 . The upper open end is adapted to substantially wrap the upper and lower surfaces of a radially outwardly projecting flange (not shown, but similar to flange 22 in FIG. 1 ) for snap-fit grasping container.

As shown, the sleeve 170 is not associated with the lower portion 190 of the side wall of the container. However, it can be extended there axially if desired.

To take out the container from the cover, the user can simply disengage the latch mechanism, rotate the two mirror-image halves through the movable hinge 174, open the cover 170, and take out the container.

Figure 22 shows a modification of the sleeve 170, where the sleeve 192 is made without the portion associated with the neck of the container as shown in the example of Figure 21 . However, it is different in that it is axially extended, with horizontal supports 194 extending radially inwardly from the lowermost portion of the sleeve to support the chassis of the container. Like cover 170, cover 192 may be a plastic member with hinges 196 that allow the cover to move between open and closed positions. In the example of FIG. 22, the openable cover can be fastened in the closed position by means of a plurality of stake-like protrusions 198, which are adapted to be snapped into corresponding holes provided on opposite parts of the handle ( not shown).

Finally, referring to FIG. 23, it shows a generally solid clam-shaped case 200, which also has an integral or separable halves connected by movable hinges 202, except that the case 200 is Made into the appearance of an open water bottle with a handle 204 and a chassis (not shown), the chassis of the cover is associated with the chassis of the container 206 . Of course, the vertically arranged integral flap should allow easy loading and unloading of the associated container.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25 , one type of cap particularly suitable for use with the containers described herein is 210 which includes an upper end wall portion 212 and a depending skirt portion 214 with internal threads 216 . The threads 216 are designed to mate with complementary threads on the outer surface of the straight mouth portion 220 of the container.

Compared with conventional threaded nuts, the improvement of the cap structure described above is the addition of a plurality of depending retaining rings 222 which are integrally connected to the upper end wall and radially inside the depending skirt portion 214 . As can be seen from Figure 24, four such drooping clasp parts 214 are equidistantly arranged along the cap circumference, and their axial length corresponds substantially to the drooping cover skirt part 214, and the drooping cover skirt part 214 is connected to the buckle. The radial spacing between the rings 222 is such that these retaining rings 222 are positioned against, or even in contact with, the inner surface of the threaded region of the spout 220 of the container. Thus, these rings 222 provide radial reinforcement to the spout 220 of the container, that is, said spout 220 will remain circular due to the arrangement of these rings 222 . It has been found that this type of cap construction prevents undesired deformation of the straight mouth portion of the container, thereby preventing the cap from unintentionally falling off the container if the container is accidentally dropped or subjected to a sudden impact.

It should also be appreciated that four retaining rings 222 are shown, but other numbers of retaining rings may be used. For example, the cap could be formed with two annularly spaced buckles. In another type, the cap is provided with a continuous buckle, ie a buckle extending 360° without intervals. It should also be appreciated that the cap can be of the snap-on type, i.e. have friction parts adapted to mate with similar elements on the straight part of the container, but will also need to have one or more reinforcing clasps as described above .

The above-mentioned typical examples of the present invention have many advantages from a practical point of view and a space point of view. For example, from a practical point of view, the folding properties of containers allow efficient Use of space is beneficial from shipping, receiving, and mailer costs. At the same time, adding an extremely thin middle circular side wall part can effectively and fundamentally reduce the amount of plastic used to make the container. A further advantage is that, along with the collapsible nature of the container, it may be reusable, ie the user may use the container any number of times after the first use. Moreover, when not in use, it can be folded for efficient storage. By constructing such containers that can be easily and manually folded, expanded and refolded, the life of such containers can be greatly extended, with very few containers being thrown away after the first use. It can also effectively reduce the volume consumed by mailing users.

It will be seen that the invention has been described from the most practical preferred examples presently considered, and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. On the contrary, the present invention may involve various modifications and equivalent structures included within the principles and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (33)

1, a kind of collapsible, stretch and folding again plastic container, comprise

A chassis;

A upper end wall;

Be stretched in the circular side wall between said chassis and the upper end wall, said sidewall has the part of three isometric substantially axial stretching, extensions at least, it is the upper, middle and lower, wherein Zhong Bu wall thickness has littler than the upper and lower, and the long-pending little by little variation of said sidewall each several part cross sections, can be stretched into the other side therebetween and each other along with centre portion oppositely folds in said upper and lower, become folded state;

It is characterized in that:

A straight notch portion is provided on said upper end wall, and the periphery of this straight notch portion can be laid one can take off cap;

Wherein said lower sidewall portion comprise be used for container promptly radial finger to device, help this container to be extended into the non-folded state of expansion.

2, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, said upper end wall comprises a shoulder that terminates in the radial inward of straight notch portion and point to up, said straight notch portion is determined said straight mouthful, and forming the said device of laying removable cap, wherein said shoulder wall thickness is substantially equal to the wall thickness of said center side wall part.

3, a kind of container as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, said upper end wall can be done axial activity between folded state and non-folded state.

4, a kind of container as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, the transition region place between said upper side wall part and upper end wall has an annular lip.

5, a kind of container as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, in said upper end wall folded state, said straight notch portion does not protrude in said annular lip top.

6, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described lower sidewall portion comprises a circular groove, and it is near said chassis.

7, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said radial finger to device be the flange that radial outward is pointed to.

8, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said chassis is provided with the handle that can amount to.

9, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion has the wall thickness greater than 35 mils.

10, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, comprise a removable cap, fastening is on said placing device, and wherein said cap comprises that a upper end wall, a sagging overskirt partial sum are used for strengthening the mechanism of said placing device.

11, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said center side wall part and shoulder have the wall thickness that is about between the 2-12 mil.

12, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the wall thickness of said upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion is at least about 35 mils, and center side wall part wall thickness is at least about 2 mils.

13, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, each all has the cross-sectional area that reduces to said upper, middle and lower sidewall from the top to the bottom.

14, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, each all has the cross-sectional area of increase to said upper, middle and lower sidewall from the top to the bottom.

15, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the interface place between in upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion and the center side wall part is provided with and helps vessel axis to folding device.

16, a kind of container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the interface place between upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion and center side wall part is provided with and helps the flexible device that arrives the action of folded state.

17, a kind of reusable plastic container, comprise the chassis, upper end wall and sidewall, said upper end wall comprises the straight notch portion of a taper shoulder and a definite object out hole, said sidewall comprises top, middle part and bottom, the wall thickness of wherein said center side wall part and taper shoulder is less than the wall thickness of said upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion, and the cross-sectional area difference of said each sidewall sections, make said sidewall can axially manually be folded into a kind of state, promptly along with the center side wall part oppositely folds into therebetween, one of said upper and lower is flexible to another the inside, said reusable plastic container also comprise gripper equipment, be used for along the direction compression of axial opposed and the said container that stretches, container is moved between folding and extended configuration, and said gripper equipment is included in the flange that said lower sidewall portion outwards refers near the footpath at place, said chassis.

18, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, said gripper equipment comprises a radial flange near said object out hole.

19, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, said gripper equipment is included in the circular groove of said circular side wall bottom near place, said chassis.

20, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, the flange that said footpath outwards refers to has than any one all big cross-sectional area of said upper, middle and lower sidewall.

21, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, said upper side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion is harder relatively, and the wall thickness of said center side wall partial sum taper shoulder is approximately between the 2-12 mil.

22, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, said upper side wall has than the bigger cross-sectional area of said center side wall part, and said center side wall partly has than the bigger cross-sectional area of said lower sidewall portion.

23, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, said upper side wall partly has than the smaller cross-sectional area of said center side wall part, and said center side wall partly has the cross-sectional area smaller than said lower sidewall portion.

24, a kind of container as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, in said lower sidewall portion the material discharge side is set, and said discharge side is provided with vent valves.

25, a kind of container as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, said upper side wall part, center side wall partial sum lower sidewall portion be made into along with the splendid attire thing in the container when said vent valves is discharged, it can automatically fold.

26, a kind of collapsible, stretch and folding again container, comprise,

One end setting be used for laying removable cap device go out the thing part;

At a relative end is the chassis;

The circular side wall that between said discharge unit and chassis, is stretching, this sidewall comprises bottom with first kind of wall thickness, have the middle part of second kind of wall thickness and have the top of the third wall thickness, said first kind of wherein said second kind of wall ratio, the third wall thickness some so that circular side wall can be moved between rugosity and stretch-like;

With helping said vessel axis to the ring device that is converted into said folded state, this device be arranged on said upper side wall part and lower sidewall portion at least one with the interface place of said center side wall between partly;

Said lower sidewall portion near place, said chassis have radial finger to gripper equipment, it is used for making the axial stretching, extension of said container from the folded state to the extended configuration.

27, a kind of container as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, said second wall thickness is between the 2-12 mil.

28, a kind of container as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, said first kind and the third wall thickness are at least about 35 mils.

29, a kind of container as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, described first kind and the third wall thickness are at least about 35 mils.

30, a kind of container as claimed in claim 26, it is characterized in that, utilize the said device that is used to lay removable cap, one cap removably is additional to said object out hole part, wherein said cap comprises upper end wall, strengthens clasp around the sagging overskirt of said upper end wall and at least one, and said reinforcement clasp is radially within said sagging overskirt and object out hole and be provided with.

31, a kind of container as claimed in claim 30 is characterized in that, it comprises four equally spaced each other clasps said at least a reinforcement clasp, partly forms the concentric circles relation with said sagging overskirt.

32, a kind of container as claimed in claim 30 is characterized in that, said at least one reinforcement clasp contacts with the inside face of said object out hole part.

33, a kind of container as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, the said device that is used to lay removable cap, and it comprises the parts that can load onto with snap-fastener, these parts are suitable for matching with same parts on the said sagging overskirt inside face.

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