SOFT CONTAINER

Abstract

A flexible container assembly that combines insulation, ease-of-carrying, and user-friendly drinking and is packaged to offer a wide range of style choices. The container assembly includes protection of mouth-contacting surfaces, easy cleaning, and spill protection among the other advantages. The invention comprises of a flexible container featuring a neck that seals upon folding itself into a downward position and works with a sealable mouthpiece at its top end to prevent the outflow of fluids. The container of the assembly uses a wide-mouth screw-port base to enable easier filling and cleaning. The assembly utilizes an integrated insulating flexible cover which features securable openings to access the bottle ports, as well as carrying handles, finger loops, attachment hooks, and pockets.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. U.S. 62/606,610 filed on Oct. 2, 2017, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to fluid containers for everyday use, travel, and sports hydration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drink containers are used in all sorts of situations as a convenient means of hydration. Hikers and travelers carry drink containers for on-the-go hydration. Runners and cyclists utilize drink containers to replenish fluid loss. Office workers and students use drink containers at their desks and in class. Personal drink containers typically comprise a container and a screw-top cap, which may feature a mouthpiece or smaller port for accessing the container's contents.

Types of containers include rigid metal or plastic containers and flexible versions made of plastic or silicone that can collapse for easy storage when not in use. Insulated containers are a popular option as well, and can employ vacuum insulation, layers of insulating material within the container walls, or covers, which provide thermal protection. Stainless steel double-walled vacuum containers are a popular choice for keeping fluids cool.

Various fluid access designs exist including sipper ports, bite valves, push/pull valves, check valves, and simple pour spouts. Sipper ports typically connect to a straw and fluid is drawn up through mouthpiece via suction. Sipper ports are simple and offer reasonable flow, but are prone to spillage, unless they are manually closed off. Bite valves are similar to sipper ports in that they must go in the drinker's mouth, require suction and use a straw connection. Bite valves however, are designed not to leak unless activated and as a result minimize spillage.

To prevent leakage and contamination of container contents, many container cap ports feature valves that open or close off the fluid conduit from the container to the port. Types of valves include stopcocks, push/pull stoppers, pinched tubes, check valves, and mouth-actuated valves.

Additional protection from contamination and in some cases leakage may come in the form of a cover or cap that goes over the container cap port to shield it from the environment. For simple open ports, a push on cap or screw cap is used to both enclose the spout and seal off fluid access. Mouthpiece type ports may be covered with a removable cap or they may be designed to articulate into a covered recess within the container cap. Port covers are often tethered to the cap so that they are not mislaid. Another approach is to employ a pivoting cover over the container's drink port. The cover protects, and in some designs, seals the mouthpiece.

Wide mouth screw ports and caps offer convenient filling and cleaning and reliable sealing. These are often combined with a mouthpiece integrated into the cap so that the user can access fluid contents without unscrewing the cap.

Drink container designs seek to meet the goals of leak protection and sanitation while at the same time offering a vessel that is easy to drink from, fill, and clean. Designers have addressed drinkability with easy-to-access mouthpieces. In some designs, the mouthpiece can be articulated out from the container cap to orient the mouthpiece at a convenient drinking angle. Other designs include mouthpieces that flip out from covered recesses.

Drink containers are available in a variety of colors, materials, and styles offering a range of consumer choice. Buyers can further personalize their containers with stickers, engraving, container covers, or carrying handles.

There is a wide variety of drink container designs at every level of price and complexity directed at providing convenient drinking, thermal protection, preventing spills, minimizing contamination, and other considerations. Missing from the range of options is a drink container that combines thermal protection with collapsibility and convenient fluid access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a container includes a hollow, flexible body. The body includes a flexible neck at an upper portion of the body that is configured to fold toward the body. The neck has a first opening at a distal end and a retainer means for holding the neck in a folded position.

In some embodiments, the container comprises a hollow, flexible body with a base; and a flexible neck at an upper portion of the body that is configured to fold in a downward position toward the body. The neck preferably has a first opening at a distal end of the neck, and a form of a retainer for holding the neck in the folded position. Preferably, the neck has a narrower cross-section than a cross-section of the body. The neck may be curved or straight.

In some embodiments, the container has a second opening at a lower end of the body, and a base that is removably receivable with the lower end of the body. Though in other embodiments it may be preferable to integrally form the base with the lower end of the body.

Preferably, the neck is configured require less torque to bend than what is required to bend other portions of the body. The folding of the neck may be facilitated through use of a groove in the neck, wherein the groove is configured to reduce the torque required to position the neck toward the body.

In some embodiments, the container will implement a mouthpiece mountable to the first opening of the neck, and this mouthpiece may further comprise a bite valve.

In some embodiments, the container may also utilize a cover. The cover will have a cover body to receive the body of the container, wherein an upper portion of the cover body is configured receive the neck through an opening in the cover.

Preferably the cover may be configured to help retain the neck of the container in a folded position. The cover may be configured to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface of the container, wherein the bottom portion of the cover body is removably receivable from the cover body. The distal end of the cover neck may optionally extend beyond the opening of the bottle and may assist in covering the end of the neck. The invention achieves these and other objects and advantages which will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1A is a side view of an example of the container according to at least one embodiment of the present invention showing a folding groove on the container neck in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a version of the container that includes an optional bite valve stem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are side, front, and rear views of the container assembly comprising a container housed within a cover that features a magnetic closure system, a handle, and a base strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a side view of the container assembly with the container neck in the downward closed position, a magnetic closure means, a base strap, and a handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E is a side view of the container assembly with the mouthpiece flap secured to the back of the container cover so that it fully exposes the opening of the neck in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container assembly with the container neck in the upright open position and front tab to anchor the mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of the container assembly with an alternate means of securing the mouthpiece flap, in this case, a loop in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is an exploded side view of the container being removed from the container assembly cover by releasing a detachable base strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a container cover with integrated zipper pocket.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the container assembly with a container assembly cover showing an attachment means, in this case, a snap hook in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a side view of the container assembly showing a container cover with a base strap that acts as a container cap tether in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a close-up side view of the container assembly of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9C is an underside view of the container cap tether of the container assembly of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a side-elevational view of the container assembly showing an alternative container cover and container mating design in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a partially exploded view of the container assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 10A showing the attachable mouthpiece closure in the upright, open position;

FIG. 10D is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 10A showing the attachable mouthpiece closure removed from the container;

FIG. 10E is an isometric view of FIG. 10A showing an alternate means of securing the cover to the container.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the container showing a substantially straight neck.

FIG. 12, is a side view of the container with an internal straw.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the container utilizing a duck-billed check valve in the mouthpiece portion of the neck.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the container with a neck having side walls thicker above and below a folding portion of the neck.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the container with a neck utilizing first and second internal ribs above and below a folding portion of the neck.

FIG. 16A is a front view of the container utilizing a neck shown in FIG. 16B having an internal oval or cat-eye shape.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are side views of the cover for a container assembly having an integrated wire biasing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a container 2 according to the embodiments disclosed herein has a body 4, lower end 6, base 8, and neck 12. The neck 12 has a first opening 14 designed for the outflow of material, preferably liquid. The container may be made of silicone rubber, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, plastic film, or other flexible material. The wall of the neck 12 is constructed such that by folding it in on itself, fluid is prevented from reaching the first opening 14. As shown in this preferred embodiment, a groove 16 in the neck 12 may be employed to assist in pointing the first opening 14 of the neck 12 in a downward position. The neck 12 of the container 2 may also, or in lieu of, the groove 16 be constructed with material that requires less torque to bend than the torque required to bend the material from which the body 4 is constructed.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the container 2 further includes an optional mouthpiece 32. The mouthpiece 32 may further comprise a bite valve mechanism that is configured to limit fluid flow. In which case, fluid will not exit the mouthpiece's outlet unless the bite valve is activated. Various bite valve designs may be utilized. The present invention employs a sealing flange within the mouthpiece outlet that allows fluid flow when the mouthpiece is squeezed adjacent to the flange. In other embodiments, as an alternate to a bite valve, fluid flow through the mouthpiece can be controlled by a plug, pull spout, screw cap, or other valving device. Preferably, the container 2 in FIGS. 1A and 1B features a body 4 capable of holding 300-1000 ml of fluid or more that terminates near the lower end 6 of the body 4 at a base 8. In a preferred arrangement, the base 8 may be permanently fixed into the lower end 6 of the body 4. Such permanent fixation may be accomplished with any number of appropriate adhesives or other fixation means. Preferably, the base 8 is configured to have a substantially flat bottom 10 to provide a stable means for standing the container upright.

Preferably, the neck 12 at or about a first cross section 28 is narrower than the body 4 at or about a second cross section 30. This arrangement in FIGS. 2A and 2B facilitates the fluid flow through the opening 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to the embodiment shown herein, the base 8 may be removably receivable from the lower end 6 of the body 4, exposing a second opening 18. In one preferred embodiment, the base 8 further comprises a screw port assembly 20. The screw port assembly 20 includes a screw port 22 and collar 24 that are configured to capture the lower end 6 and seal it to the screw port assembly 20. The screw port assembly 20 also includes a screw cap 26 that can be removed for drinking, fill-up, or cleaning. In this arrangement, the screw cap's top surface serves as the bottom 10 of the base 8 and is preferably flat to provide a stable means for standing the container upright. Alternatively, the container's base may comprise a flip cap, zipper closure, stopper type closure, or simply a solid base with no port.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4E, a container assembly 34 according to the embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The container assembly 34 comprises a cover 36 for use with a container 2. The container assembly 34 as shown provides for a flexible container 2 housed within a flexible cover 36 (best shown in FIG. 4D) that can collapse or expand with the container 2. The container cover 36 features an upper portion 38 with an opening 40 that offers access to the first opening at the neck 14 and a bottom portion 39 that may optionally allow port access. Various materials may be used for the cover 36 including nylon, polyester, wool, polypropylene, neoprene, vinyl, cotton, and others. The cover can include one or more insulating layers. An insulating layer may consist of foam rubber, neoprene, wool, aerogel, PU, PE, EVA foam or other known insulators. The upper portion 38 of the cover 36 can also extend to shield the first opening 16 of the neck 12 and in some cases, assist in sealing a mouthpiece.

In a preferred embodiment, the container cover includes an opening 40 that is near the same level as the container's neck 12. The upper portion 38 of the cover may optionally include a mouthpiece flap 42 with a distal end 44 that extends beyond the first opening 16 of the neck 12. The mouthpiece flap 42 may be integrally formed with the upper portion 38 of the cover, or may be separable. The mouthpiece flap 42 is designed so that it can be folded down to cover and protect the first opening 14 of the neck 12 or a mouthpiece. The flap 42 may also be hinged up to expose the first opening 14 or a mouthpiece for drinking. The flap 42 may include an internal biasing element such as a wire or plastic spring that naturally rotates the flap to an upright drink-ready position whenever the flap is released. In its downward position, the mouthpiece flap 42 acts to fold the container neck 12 and assist in sealing off the flow of material. Preferably, a securing mechanism is employed to maintain the mouthpiece flap in its closed position.

Instead of a mouthpiece flap, other types of mouthpiece covers may be employed. Examples include a tethered cap with securing means, a cap tethered to the container cover with elastic such that the cap is tensioned onto the container top, zipper arrangements that allow mouthpiece deployment, a drawstring closure that can be folded over or accordioned to expose the mouthpiece, or a clamshell opening that can be parted for mouthpiece access among others.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover 36 includes two or more ferrous or magnetic elements. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, a first magnet 46, second magnet 48, and third magnet 50 are integrated with the cover 36 to assist in maintaining the neck of the container in open and closed positions. When the flap 42 is folded downward onto the cover 36, the magnetic attraction between the first magnet 46 and the second magnet 48 is strong enough to help maintain the flap 42 and neck 12 in a folded position. The flap 42 can be unfolded and the neck brought to a drink-ready position by manually lifting the flap 42 away from the container 2 and breaking the magnetic connection. In the drink ready position, the flap 42 can be directed back and away from the neck 12 for easy access. Additionally, the cover 36 and flap 42 can include a second magnetic connection feature for keeping the flap 42 away from the neck 12 when it is in the drink-ready position. In this case, a third magnet 50 located opposite from the second magnet 48 on the cover 36 near where the fold takes place can act to secure the flap 42 in its retracted position. Various magnet combinations may be used. These include magnets in all three locations as described above with their polarities arranged to provide for flap deployment and retraction. Alternatively, magnets on the front and back of the cover 36 that may engage a ferrous element in the flap 42; magnets in the flap 42 and one side of the cover 36 and a ferrous element on the opposite side of the cover 36; or dual magnets in the flap 42 and ferrous elements or magnets on both sides of the cover 36.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a first closure element 52 is utilized with the flap 42 and interfaces with a separate tab 53 maintaining a second closure element 54 extending from the front of the cover 36. The tab 53 is positioned such that when the mouthpiece flap 42 is folded down, the tab 53 will attach to the first closure element 52 at a second closure element 54, thereby securing the mouthpiece flap 42 in a folded position. The first mating closure element 52 may attach to a third mating element 56 at or near a side opposite the first mating element 54.

A variety of magnetic closures, snaps, and latches exist that lend themselves to this application. For example, hidden magnets embedded within the cover 36 are one option. Many magnetic contacts include additional mechanical features designed to minimize or prevent inadvertent disconnection of the magnetic elements and these types can be used on the mouthpiece flap closure system to create more secure container sealing. For example, snaps, hook-and-loop systems, buttons, and other attachment means may be implemented in this fashion to aid in retaining the neck 12 in a downward position towards the body. These various means for attachment may also be implemented to maintain the flap 42 or upper portion 38 in a desired position away from the opening 14 of the neck 12.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the container cover 36 can be equipped with handles, loops, and various hardware to make it easier to carry, wear, hang, or attach to other items. A preferred embodiment includes a first carrying element 58 comprising of a vertical strap attached to the cover 36 and a second carrying element 60 consisting of an elastic loop attached towards the top of the upper portion 38 of the cover 36. Preferably, the stretchable second element 60 can act as a finger loop or can be wrapped over the mouthpiece flap 42 to hold the neck in a downward, sealed position.

The bottom portion 39 of the container cover 36 can be open to allow access to the container 2. Alternately, the container cover's base may partially or substantially enclose the container and the container is accessed through a side opening. The container cover base can be also be designed so that it can be opened or removed for container access. Zippered openings, hook and loop or snap flaps, stretch caps may be used to create a container access feature that can be selectively opened or closed.

A preferred embodiment of the container cover 36 may be secured to the container with a base strap 62. As shown, the base strap 62 extends across at least a portion of the bottom surface 10 of the base 8 and provide an insulating layer between the container and the environment. In a preferred arrangement, the base strap is attachable to the cover 36 at a first attachment point 64 and second attachment point 66. The base strap may be attachable with various securement means such as buttons, clasps, magnets, hooks, zippers, or stitching. Optionally, the base strap may be integrally formed with the cover and cover at least a portion of the bottom surface 10 of the base 8 of the container. In either arrangement, it is desirable to configure the base strap to be stretchable to accommodate various sizes and configurations of containers.

Referring to FIG. 7, an integrated zipper pocket 67 may be preferably integrated with the cover 36. Other forms of securing the opening of the pocket may also be used such as hook-and-loop systems, buttons, magnets, or other attachment means.

Referring to FIG. 8, a snap hook 68 may be affixed to a portion of a cover 36 to facilitate holding, carrying, or container transport. Various hooks, snap hooks, rings, carabiners and other connectors can be integrated into or connected to a cover 36 to allow the user to hang or attach the container to a peg, belt loop, or backpack or luggage loop. Attachment features can be included on the cover 36 allowing the user can attach various handles and hooks of their own choosing.

Various forms of cover securement means may be utilized to secure the container in place. For example, the present invention may utilize a lower enclosure assembly similar to those utilized in United States Patent Application No. 20070017924 to Hundley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,890 to Simko, French Application Publication No. 2723925 to Anne Marie Mautin, which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, an alternative screw port assembly 220 is shown. The assembly comprises a screw port 222 housed within the container, a threaded collar 224 extending from the bottom of the container, and a corresponding threaded screw cap 226. The threaded screw cap 226 shown is rotatably attached to a base strap 228 with a screw means 230 to enable the screw cap 226 to fully rotate about the threaded collar 224 without substantial interference. A variety of fixture systems may be utilized to effectuate the goal of enabling the screw cap 226 to rotate about its center axis.

Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10B, an alternative configuration of an attachable mouthpiece system 300 is shown to use with the container 302. The attachable closure may include a mouthpiece 304, neck connector 306, and sealing element 308. The attachable mouthpiece system 300 may further comprise of a sip flange element 310 that enables the mouthpiece system to fluidly mount to the neck 312 at a first opening 314. This sip flange element 310 may operate similar the sip flange described in FIG. 4 of U.S. Application Publication No. 2008/0258382 to Yang, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The mouthpiece system 300 is positioned at the top of the container cover 336 and preferably provides for fluid dispensing and container sealing. The mouthpiece system when installed is preferably coupled with the cover 336. The sealing element may be a cap, a portion of the cover 336, or flap that protects the mouthpiece and can be engaged to seal the mouthpiece 304. The attachable mouthpiece system 300 can be removed for cleaning by the container user.

Referring to FIGS. 10C and 10D, when an attachable mouthpiece system 300 is utilized, a means for securing the mouthpiece 304 and mouthpiece sealing element 308 in open and closed positions may be implemented similar systems previously described with respect to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5, 6A, and 6B.

Referring to FIG. 10E, the cover 336 of FIGS. 10A to 10D is shown removed from the container 302. The cover 336 may have a second opening 338 to permit the cover 336 to receive the container 302. The outer surface 340 of the container 302 or the outer surface 342 of the base 344 may further include a means for mating the container 302 to the cover 336. In a preferred embodiment, one or more protruding nubs 346a and 346b may be utilized to mate with an arrangement of slots 348 to secure the cover 336 in the correct position. This particular mating system of nubs 346a and 346b and slot arrangement 348 correctly secures and aligns the container 302 and cover 336 vertically and rotationally relative to each other. This arrangement ensures that neck 350 is correctly mates with the mouthpiece flap 352 and ensures the flap achieves an optimal seal when closed.

Referring to FIG. 11, a container 360 is shown with a straight neck 362 that is substantially perpendicular to the base 364. The straight neck 360 in this embodiment is shown with a groove 366 that enables the neck 362 to fold towards the container 360.

Referring to FIG. 12, the container 368 is shown having an internal straw 370 (shown in dashed lines) with a first diameter 372 and a second diameter 374. The straw 370 permits the user to access the contents of the container through the opening 376 of the neck 378 without the need to tilt the container. The first diameter 372 of the internal straw is preferably configured to align with any inside diameter of the neck 378 so as to create a proper seal and thus enable a suitable suction. The lower end of the straw 370 preferably terminates at the second diameter 374 near the bottom of the container 368 and can be configured in any suitable angle and dimensions to permit proper movement of the container's contents.

Referring to FIG. 13, the container 380 may utilize a duckbill check valve 382 within the mouthpiece portion 384 of the neck 386 to permit the contents of the container to exit through the distal end 388 of the neck; and to restrict unintended backwards flow of material, typically fluid. The duckbill check valve 382 is preferably configured to be secured within the mouthpiece portion 384 of the neck 386 so as to ensure both optimal outgoing content flow and prevent unintended backwards flow into the container 380. In this embodiment, distal end 388 of the mouthpiece portion 384 of the neck 386 preferably utilizes a slit to further enable the proper egress of the container's contents and restrict the ingress of unintended material.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, other neck configurations may be utilized in accordance with the present invention to facilitate the folding of the container's neck.

Referring to FIG. 14, the container 390 utilizes a neck walls 392 and 394 that are comprised of thicker material than that utilized for the folding portion 396 of the neck 400. Incorporating thick neck walls 392 and 394 below and above the folding portion 396 of the neck 400 in this manner reduces the torque required to fold the neck 400 about the folding portion 396. The container shown in FIG. 14 utilizes thicker neck walls 392 and 394 below and above the folding portion 396 of the neck 400, though it may be appreciated that thicker neck thick walls may be implemented on one side of the folding portion 396.

Referring to FIG. 15, the container 402 may utilize first and second internal ribs 404 and 406 below and above the folding portion 408 of the neck 410 to facilitate folding the neck 410. The ribs 404 and 406 are preferably arranged to circle the diameter of the neck 410. Similar to the neck walls described with respect to FIG. 14, the ribs 404 and 406 add mass at both sides of the folding portion 408 so as to reduce the torque required to fold the neck 410. Though internal ribs 404 and 406 are shown with respect to FIG. 15, it may appreciated that internal and/or external ribs can be molded below and/or above a folding portion in the neck to improve sealing of the container when the neck is in the folded position.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the container 412 may optionally utilize a neck 414 with folding portion 416 having an internal oval or cat-eye shape 418 within the cross section of the neck 414 about the folding portion 416 to improve flattening of the neck 414 and improve the seal when the neck 414 is in a folded position.

Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the cover 420 for a container assembly may utilize a flap 422 with an internal biasing element such as a wire 424 (shown in dashed lines) integrated into flap 422. The wire 424 flexibly biases the flap 422 to an open, drink-ready position at the discretion of the user. Though FIGS. 17A and 17B show a wire 424 as a biasing means within the flap 422 of the cover 420, it may be appreciated that a plastic spring or other biasing mechanisms may optionally be implemented within the flap 422 of the cover 420 to achieve an upward rotation of the flap 422 when released by the user.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a hollow, flexible body;

a flexible neck at an upper portion of the body, the neck configured to fold in a downward position toward the body;

a first opening at a distal end of the neck;

a retainer for holding the neck in the downward position; and

a base.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck has a narrower cross-section than a cross-section of the body.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the container has a second opening at a lower end of the body, and a base that is removably receivable with the lower end of the body.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck is configured to be more pliable than the body.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck further comprises a groove, wherein the groove is configured to reduce the torque required to position the neck in a downward position.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck further comprises side walls configured to be thinner than the body of the container.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece mountable to the first opening of the neck.

8. A cover for use with the container of claim 1, the cover comprising:

a cover body receiving the body of the container, wherein an upper portion of the cover body is configured to cover the first opening of the neck.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein the cover is configured to retain the neck of the container in a folded position.

The cover of claim 8, wherein the cover body further comprises a bottom portion configured to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface of the container, wherein the bottom portion of the cover body is removably receivable from the cover body.

10. The cover of claim 8, wherein the cover body further comprises an attachment means for connecting the cover to an object.

11. The cover of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the cover body further comprises a flap with a proximal end and distal end, the flap configured to connect to the cover body at the proximal end and extend beyond the opening of the neck.

12. A container assembly, the container assembly comprising:

a container comprising: a hollow, flexible body; a flexible neck at one end of the body, the neck configured to fold in a toward the body; a first opening at a distal end of the neck; a retainer for holding the neck in the folded position; a base

a cover coupled with the container, the cover comprising: a cover body receiving the body of the container, wherein a portion of the cover body is configured to cover the first opening of the neck.

13. The container assembly of claim 12, further comprising a neck with a narrower cross section than the cross-section of the body.

14. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the container has a second opening at the bottom surface, and a base that is removably receivable with the lower end.

15. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the neck is configured to be more pliable than the body.

16. The container assembly of claim 12, further comprising a mouthpiece mountable to the first opening of the neck.

17. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the cover is configured to retain the neck of the container in a folded position.

18. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the cover body further comprises a bottom portion configured to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface of the container, the bottom portion being removably receivable from the cover body.

19. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the cover body further comprises an attachment means for connecting the cover to an object.

20. A container comprising:

a body means for holding material, the body having a base;

a flexible neck at an upper portion of the body, the neck configured to fold in a downward position toward the body;

a means for permitting the material to exit through a first opening at a distal end of the neck;

a means for retaining the neck in the downward position.

21. The container of claim 20, further comprising a means for reducing the torque required to move the neck in a downward position.

22. The container of claim 20, further comprising a means for controlling the exit of material through the distal end of the neck.

23. A means for covering the container of claim 20 comprising:

a means for receiving the body of the container; and

a means for covering the first opening of the neck.

24. The cover means of claim 23, further comprising a means for retaining the neck of the container in a folded position.

25. The cover means of claim 23, wherein the cover body further comprises an attachment means for connecting the cover to an object.