Collapsible Storage Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat molded, plastic, closable, collapsible container (“Container”). Currently, heat molded containers are used to hold liquids and solids such as laundry detergent and kitty litter. Heat molded, plastic containers are often manufactured at one location and transported to another location to be filled. The cost of shipping may be calculated on a space occupied basis. The present invention will reduce the cost of shipping because the Container can be compressed prior to shipping thereby occupying a smaller space. Additionally, the present invention can be collapsed as the product inside is used to save storage space or after the product inside is consumed so that the discarded Container occupies less volume in the home or commercial recycle bin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat molded, plastic, closable, collapsible container (“Container”). Currently, heat molded containers are used to hold liquids and solids such as laundry detergent, milk and kitty litter.

Heat molded, plastic containers are often manufactured at one location and transported to another location to be filled. The cost of shipping may be calculated on a space occupied basis. The present invention will reduce the cost of shipping because the Container can be compressed prior to shipping thereby occupying a smaller space. Additionally, the present invention can be collapsed as the product inside is used to save storage space or after the product inside is consumed so that the discarded Container occupies less volume in the home or commercial recycle bin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a heat molded, plastic, collapsible container which can expand or collapse along the y-axis without the integrity of the container being compromised, saving space. The Container can collapse on one point along the y-axis as shown in FIG. 1 or at a plurality of points along the y-axis as shown in FIG. 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view showing how the current invention can collapse at one point on the y-axis;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view showing how the current invention can collapse at a plurality of points on the y-axis;

FIGS. 3a through 6d are longitudinal views of various preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3a through 3b, of the present invention has a rectangular/square bottom portion 100, a top portion 110, and a body portion 120.

The top portion has an integrally molded handle 130 that can be aligned along either the x- or z-axis axis but is shown here as lying on the x-axis. A cylindrical neck is integrally molded to the top portion of the Container 140 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap can be secured therein. Alternatively, the top portion can also have an integrally molded opening 150 which is closed using a valve mechanism. Although the neck is shown here on the x-axis, it can also be located on the y-axis. The body portion is collapsible on a plurality of points on the y-axis.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 3c through 3d, has a rectangular/square bottom portion 101, a top portion 111, and a body portions 121. A cylindrical neck is integrally molded to the bottom portion of the Container 141 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap can be secured therein. Alternatively, the bottom portion can also have an integrally molded opening 151 which is closed using a valve mechanism. The neck can be on either the x- or y-axis. The body portion is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

A third preferred embodiment of the present invention has a rectangular/square or circular bottom portion 200, a top portion 210, and a body portion 220 An example of the preferred embodiment with a rectangular bottom portion is shown in FIGS. 4a through 4b. The top portion has an opening which is closed on the periphery of a lid 250. When the lid is removed, the Container is completely open on one side. The top portion has an attached handle 230 that can be situated along any axis but is shown here as lying on the z-axis. The top portion of the lid can also contain an integrally molded cylindrical neck 240 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap may be secured therein. Alternatively, the top portion can also have an integrally molded opening 260 which is closed using a valve mechanism. The body portion is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention has a rectangular/square or circular bottom portion 201, a top portion 211, and a body portion 221. An example of the preferred embodiment with a rectangular bottom portion is shown in FIGS. 4c through 4d. The top portion has an opening which is closed on the periphery of a lid 251. When the lid is removed, the Container is completely open on one side. The top portion has an attached handle 231 that can be situated along any axis but is shown here as lying on the z-axis. The bottom portion of the lid can also contain an integrally molded cylindrical neck 241 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap may be secured therein. Alternatively, the bottom portion can also have an integrally molded opening 251 which is closed using a valve mechanism. The neck can sit on either the x- or y-axis. The body portion is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

A forth preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5a though 5b, of the present invention has a bottom portion 300, a top portion 310, and a body portion 320. The top portion has an integrally molded handle along the y-axis 340. The top portion of the lid can have an integrally molded cylindrical neck 330 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap may be secured therein. Alternatively, the top portion can also have an integrally molded opening 331 which is closed using any known valve mechanism. The body portion starts just below the where the handle ends and is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

A fifth preferred embodiment is shown in shown in FIGS. 6a to 6d, of the present invention has a bottom portion 410, a top portion 430, and a body portion 420.

The top portion can have an integrally molded cylindrical neck 440 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap may be secured therein. Alternatively, the top portion may have an integrally molded neck 450 that can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism. The neck can lie on either the x-, y- or z-axis. The body portion is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

The fifth preferred embodiment may have a top portion 460 that is sealed and bottom portion can have an integrally molded cylindrical neck 470 and the outside surface of the neck is threaded so that a screw cap may be secured therein. Alternatively, the bottom portion may have an integrally molded neck 480 that can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism. The neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis. The body portion is collapsible at a plurality of points on the y-axis.

In view of the above it will be seen that various aspects and features of the invention are achieved and other results and advantages attained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modification may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, the Container: (1) can be any shape or size; and (2) can have various type of handles located in various configurations. Although the Container is shown here as having a molded cylindrical neck, the neck can be of any shape and size and can be closed by any known mechanism.

Claims

1. A closable, collapsible container comprised of:

a top portion

a body portion and

a bottom portion;

2. The container of claim 1 is made of molded plastic;

3. The container of claim 2 whereby the shape of the bottom portion can be of any shape including but not limited to rectangular, circular, or triangular among others;

4. The container in claim 2 where the top portion has an integrally molded handle;

5. The container in claim 4 where the integrally molded handle lies along the x-, or z axis;

6. The container of claim 4 whereby the top portion has an integrally molded neck;

7. The container in claim 6 whereby the neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis and the neck can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

8. The container of claim 4 where the bottom portion has an integrally molded neck;

9. The container in claim 8 whereby the neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis and the neck can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

10. The container of claim 2 whereby the top portion has an opening which is closed on the periphery of a lid;

11. The container of claim 10 where the top portion has an attached handle that lies along the x- or z-axis;

12. The container of claim 10 where the lid has an integrally molded neck;

13. The container in claim 12 whereby the neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis and can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

14. The container of claim 10 where the bottom portion has an integrally molded neck;

15. The container in claim 14 whereby the neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis and can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

16. The container of claim 2 where the top portion contain an integrally molded handle along the y-axis;

17. The container of claim 16 where the bottom portion starts just below the handle ends;

18. The container in claim 17 whereby the neck can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

19. The container of claim 2 where the top portion has an integrally molded neck;

20. The container in claim 19 whereby the neck can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

21. The container of claim 2 where the bottom portion has an integrally molded neck;

22. The container in claim 21 whereby the neck can lie on the x-, y-, or z-axis and can be closed by any suitable known valve type mechanism or by a screw type mechanism;

23. The container of claim 2 where the body portion collapses on at least one point along the y-axis;

24. The container of claim 2 where the body portion collapses on a plurality of location along the y-axis.