Abstract: A foldable box includes a floor having a fixed exterior wall extending from the floor in a vertical direction upwards and an exterior wall having a shaft arranged in the base area of the exterior wall. The foldable box further includes a guide opening in the fixed exterior wall area in which the shaft is arranged, the guide opening including an opening section extending basically in the vertical direction through which the shaft may be guided out from the top, and a lateral opening section extending in a lateral direction from an outside of the fixed exterior wall area inwards, in which the shaft may be shifted basically in a lateral direction. A cam arranged in the base area of the exterior wall has a cam contour which is implemented such that the cam contour, when erecting the exterior wall, gets into contact with a contact surface arranged at the fixed exterior wall area such that the shaft is moved inwards in the lateral opening section.

Abstract: A positioning structure for a clipboard contains a first cover and a second cover. Two grooves are formed on a connection of the first cover and the second cover. The first cover includes two first recesses, and the second cover includes two second recesses, two retainers are attached in the two first recess and the two second recess. The first cover also includes a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot. The second cover also includes a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch. Each of plural positioning members includes an integrally formed abutting block, an actuating section, a first inserting piece, two second inserting pieces, and a cutout. The plural positioning members are inserted in or removed from the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, the first notch, the second notch, the third notch by using a plurality of first inserting pieces.

Abstract: A rampable crate for riding lawn mowers in which a pallet connects to a top frame with a plurality of posts, and the pallet includes a pair of spaced-apart rails disposed at an oblique angle as an upward ramp to an edge of the pallet for travel of the rear wheels of the riding lawn mower with the posts selectively extending from the edge of the pallet to define a downward ramp from the pallet in order for the lawn mower to be driven off the pallet. A method of removing a riding lawn mower from a crate is disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsing garbage can is shown as a feeder for garbage bags. A five sided design is taught where top and bottom punch out sections secure the top section relative to the bottom section. Top sections of the can to be made of absorbent or recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard while the base is made of a water resistant material so it may be used on a variety of surfaces. The sides of the top and bottom section flex so that it may fold flat and be expanded. The top section may be collapsed down inside the bottom section to reach a bag in the bottom section so when the top section is raised; the bag comes up with the top section.

Abstract: A large container (2) comprising: a base component (3); four circumferentially arranged side walls (4, 8) of which at least one is attached to the base component (3) through at least one hinge and the at least one side wall is thus foldable towards the base component (3); at least one locking device at the foldable side wall (4) for attaching the foldable side wall (4) in folded up condition at least at one side wall (8) which joins the foldable side wall (4), wherein the locking device is arranged in a recess (10) of the foldable side wall (4), wherein the recess is configured so that the locking device is actuatable from inside and outside the large container (2).

Abstract: A collapsible container assembly comprising a folding container having at least four walls, with the at least four walls being pivotable relative to each other to allow the folding container to collapse in a parallelogram motion, and an inside cellular structure connected to the at least four walls. The cellular structure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels forming a plurality of cells, with the panels being formed of soft, deformable material. The folding container can be folded with the inside cellular structure therein such that the collapsible container assembly will be substantially flat when the folding container is moved to a collapsed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foldable and overlappable carrier box. The carrier box includes a base panel, a pair of first side panels erected along any two facing edges of the base panel, and a pair of second side panels erected along remaining facing edges of the base panel. Each of the first side panels is divided into an upper face and a lower face along a horizontal line, the upper face being foldable downwards, and each of the second side panels is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion along a horizontal line. Thus, when carrier boxes are stacked in multiple layers by folding the upper face, a lower portion of a carrier box located at an upper position is overlappable with an upper portion of a carrier box located at a lower position.

Abstract: A foldable water bottle has a base, a folding body and a handle device. The folding body is made of silica gel, is mounted on the base and has a connecting ring, a folding segment and a neck. The folding segment is formed on and protrudes from the connecting ring and has multiple folding rings. The neck is formed on the folding segment and has a spout and two inserting mounts. The handle device is detachably connected to the folding body and has an inserting handle and a lid. The inserting handle is connected securely to the neck and has a handle mount and a grip. The lid is connected to the inserting handle and is used to close an opening top of the neck.

Abstract: A folding container including a base portion, first and second lower side wall portions, and first and second upper side wall portions having a hinge connection to the lower side wall portions. The folding container including locking tabs in the base portion for engaging notches in the lower side wall portions when the container is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A transportable storage device having three compartments wherein a main compartment is configured to maintain a temperature dissimilar to that of its environment. The transportable storage device includes two opposedly mounted storage compartments that are hingedly attached so as to have a first position and a second position. The two opposedly mounted storage compartments are secured utilizing a pair of support arms. A first container is disposed within the main compartment and is superposed a plurality of support brackets. An access hatch is further included being mounted within the main compartment and operable to cover a second opening in the wall of the main compartment. A second container is included and is rotatably mounted within one of the two opposedly mounted storage compartments. A sliding transport member is further included and is configured to slidably traverse the storage device across a terrain.

Abstract: A gift box for gift cards provides a presentation appearing like a gift box for other products, such as jewelry, having strength, three full dimensions, color, quality, and design options. It can receive decorations such as ribbons and bows, greeting cards such as a to/from card, and the like. The box requires no assembly of components, as it comes in a single, integrated whole, including all the parts of the box and its lid, as well as an interior panel presenting the gift, such as a gift card that operates as a debit card with a pre-loaded amount of purchasing value.

Abstract: A collapsible freight container includes a floor panel, a roof panel and two longitudinal side walls connected to the floor panel and the roof panel. Each side wall includes a first and a second part, which are connected by a hinged joint, such that the first part can hinge towards the second part of the same side wall about a hinge axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the freight container. Each corner of the freight container is provided with a corner pin. The corner pins can be moved simultaneously, using an unlocking mechanism, from a locked position, in which the side walls are rigidly connected to the roof panel and the floor panel by the corner pins, to an unlocked position, in which the side walls are hinged to the roof panel and the floor panel by the corner pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for unlocking foldable side walls (2 to 5) hinged on the floor (6) of boxes and containers (1), the two opposite end walls (4, 5) thereof being lockable to the adjacent side walls (2, 3) and the unlocking taking place by a lifting motion of a yoke-like adjusting member (13) disposed under spring pretension and guided in recesses of stiffening ribs (11, 12) in the outer surfaces of the end walls (4, 5). The adjusting member (13; 130) is designed having motion-diverting means (16, 17) on the two outside ends thereof, said means diverting vertical motion into a horizontal motion unlocking the side walls when the adjusting member (13) is raised, wherein the unlocking bars (19) of the adjusting member act on spring tab-like locking means (10) of the side walls (4, 5) engaged in the end walls (2, 3) and press them out of engaged seating thereof surrounding the end walls (2, 3).

Abstract: A crate comprises a bottom and two respective pairwise opposing side walls and end walls, each side wall comprising a plurality of vent holes in a region extending along a horizontal direction of the side wall, and each end wall comprising a grip hole, wherein the region is a distance away from a corner of the crate, the distance being equal to the distance the grip hole is away from the same corner of the crate, and wherein a height of the region is equal to the height of the grip hole.

Abstract: A foldable storage case comprises a one-piece, waterproof container. The container comprises a body, a bottom, and a cover, where the body, the bottom, and the cover form an interior space therebetween. The body comprises a plurality of body panels, the bottom comprises a plurality of bottom panels, and the cover comprises a plurality of cover panels. A plurality of removable fasteners is used to fasten together the body panels and the bottom panels. Further, each cover panel includes a projection adapted to be received by a receiving area of at least one of the body panels. When the cover is folded such that two or more projections are disposed adjacent each other within the receiving area, the projections and the receiving area interfere with each other, detachably securing the cover panels in place.

Abstract: The application is directed to a window insert that may be inserted into a gap near a window such that the insert may be visible through the window. In certain embodiments, the application is directed to a window insert having a visible area that may be visible through the window and may also have a ledge area that may support, hold, or otherwise retain a removable product or removable accessory on, near, or around the window insert. The window insert may further comprise an anchor and a visible area wherein the ledge contains one or more wells for holding or retaining food stuffs.

Abstract: A portable, folded wardrobe wherein in a ready-to-use state, opposing side sections and two front doors are positioned symmetrically on either side of a center longitudinal plane, and wherein when in a folded storage state the side sections and doors have been rotated laterally and folded whereby they are non-symmetrically positioned with respect to said plane and whereby the longitudinal dimension (front to back) of the wardrobe is markedly reduced and the lateral dimension is concordantly increased.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base two ends and one or two sides. Two pairs of lifting element guide formations are connected to the base. The ends are displaceable relative to the base between an erect condition in which they extend upwardly from opposed ends of the base and a collapsed condition in which they are generally parallel with the base. The ends have a width which is less than the spacing between the lifting element guide formations in a pair such that when two or more of the containers are arranged in a stack, in their collapsed conditions, ends of one container are positioned between the lifting element guide formations of a container positioned immediately above said one container in a stack.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration by bending of the membrane along the hinge lines. Each configuration is a stable configuration of the cooler. The collapsible cooler wall includes peripheral portions thereof that nest within each other when the collapsible cooler wall is fully collapsed. The collapsible cooler wall tapers in extending from the upper rim.

Abstract: A crate includes a bottom, two end walls, and two side walls. At least one of the end and side walls comprises an inlet having a dimension allowing to introduce a predefined amount of cooling liquid into the interior of the crate.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim and a common bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim. The inner collapsible wall also includes an integral bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber.

Abstract: A folding assembly box includes vertical corner hinge frames disposed in corners of the box, and vertical middle hinge frames disposed between the vertical corner hinge frames facing each other at both sides thereof. The vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded at an angle to form the respective corners of the box, and are hinged in the opposite direction to the direction where the vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded. The vertical middle hinge frames are unfolded together with the vertical corner hinge frames at both sides thereof, and hinged in the opposite direction to the opposite direction where the vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded. Top and bottom horizontal frames are disposed to connect upper and lower ends of the vertical corner hinge frames facing each other. Panels are inserted between the first top and bottom horizontal frames facing each other.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit and a light detector operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit. A metal housing or shield formed of metal and comprising first and second apertures surrounds the light emitter and the light detector such that at least a first portion of light emitted by the light detector passes through the first aperture, and at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through the second aperture for detection by the light detector. The metal housing or shield further comprises first and second modules within which the light detector and light detector are disposed, respectively.

Abstract: A collapsible bin is provided. The bin includes a pair of opposing side panels. The bin further includes a pair of opposing end panels. At least one of the end panels has a first plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a first distance along an upper portion of a first side edge, and a second plurality of male interlocking members extending outward a second distance greater than the first distance along a lower portion of its first side edge. At least one of the side panels includes a plurality of female interlocking members along a first side edge for receiving the first and second pluralities of male interlocking members extending along the first side edge of the at least one side panel.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable container having a roof, a base, two foldable end walls and two removable side walls. The end walls and side walls of the container are load bearing elements having a twinned wall structure made of rotomolded plastic. The container is collapsed by removing the side walls and inwardly folding the end walls to draw the roof closer to the base. The load bearing capacity of the end walls and the side walls can be increased by arched indentations formed within the twinned wall structure.

Abstract: A crate is provided with a base, sides, front, and back that form an enclosure. The front includes and opening and a door positioned within the opening in the closed position. The door is hung by hinges, which are associated with uninterrupted rails on the top of the crate. To open the crate, the bottom of the door is swung outward and upward to pivot the door toward the horizontal position on the hinges. Then, the door can be slid into the enclosure along the uninterrupted guides. The door may also include locks that can secure the door in the closed position. Both of the sides or both the front and back can be releasably connected with the top and pivotable into the base. After both sides or both the front and back are pivoted into the base, the remaining walls and top can be pivoted to fold into the base as a unit.

Abstract: A collapsible fluid container having an expanded and a collapsed configuration, including a rigid top portion having an open mouth with structure onto which a closure member may be disposed, a rigid base portion bottom, and a resilient medial portion disposed between the upper portion and base portion. When in the expanded configuration the container is substantially cylindrical. It is placed into a collapsed configuration by twisting the upper portion and base portion in relation to one another or pushing the upper portion toward the base portion until they approximate one another. Retention structure is employed to hold the container in the collapsed configuration. When the retention structure is disengaged, the resilient material of the medial portion urges the container back into a fully expanded configuration.

Abstract: Food container is provided having a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are joined together to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the interior. The first body portion has a first flap moveable between an open position and a closed position, and the first flap includes a foldable support formed therein to hold a receptacle when in the open position. The second body portion has a second flap moveable between an open position and a closed position, and the second flap includes a tab to engage the first flap in the closed position to form a lid across the mouth of the interior. A blank for forming the food container from a sheet of blank material is also provided.

Abstract: A folding box cutout has wall units that can be folded along the fold lines, a lid unit that can be folded about a lid folding line, and a bottom unit that can be folded about a bottom folding line. In the transport state, the folding box cutout is folded to form a flat folding box, which is filled and closed by the lid unit and the bottom unit. A corrugated cardboard unit lies against the inner wall of the wall units and is connected to the inner wall of the folding box cutout so that the folding box cutout and the corrugated cardboard unit form a unit that can be handled as one piece for folding it flat and for unfolding it. The corrugated cardboard unit is present on each inner wall of the wall units, particularly all around, after the flat folded folding box has been erected.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls each extending between and being attached to the base and the upper rim. Each collapsible wall includes flexible elastomeric membranes joined together by rigid portions, each membrane including a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the collapsible wall is transitional between a respective collapsed configuration and a respective expanded configuration by bending along the hinge lines.

Abstract: Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat rack container, and more particularly, to an integral buffering apparatus disposed between end walls and a base and for automatically controlling a flow rate of oil that flows in a cylinder housing through channels formed in a slider when the end walls are folded, to control a falling speed of the end walls, thereby absorbing an impact of the end walls, preventing damage of the end walls and the base, and ensuring safety of workers. The integral buffering apparatus includes a cylinder housing including a space for accommodating oil; a slider disposed in the space to be movable in a length direction of the cylinder housing and to divide the space into a first space and a second space; first oil channels and a second oil channel for connecting the first space and the second space to each other.

Abstract: The invention is a collapsible container for transporting fresh fish or the like, in particular ice-cooled goods or foodstuffs. This “fish crate” is essentially manufactured by means of plastic injection molding, i.e. by injection-molding the side walls and the base of the collapsible container using an injection-molding tool. In particular the four side walls are implemented to be double-walled, a closed air cushion being created by welding on a footing after the injection molding process. In the area of the slightly tray-shaped base, openings for the passage of liquid are provided; in particular, the melt water of the ice-cooled fresh fish is to be drained off to the outside. Besides these base openings, further additional openings which join the base and the side walls in a foldable manner may be provided in the area of the hinges.

Abstract: A collapse and expansion structure of storage box includes a rectangular box body, multiple support boards, and a bottom board. The rectangular box body has two opposite first side walls and two opposite second side walls. The first and second side walls have lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface and upper ends delimiting an opening. The first side walls are flexible and the second side walls are rigid. Each support board has an edge connected to an upper edge of the respective first side wall to make the support board rotatable with respect to the first side wall. The support boards have a length substantially equal to height of the first side walls. When positioned against the flexible first side walls, the support boards expand and support the box body. When rotated to a horizontal condition, the support boards allows of collapse of the box body.

Abstract: A container for transporting and storing goods with a container base and at least two side walls that can be folded over one another, the two side walls are respectively pivotably supported through at least one hinge bolt in a hinge bolt receiver, wherein the hinge bolt receiver comprises an elongated recess extending perpendicular to the container base. The folded down side wall is movable from a lower end position, in which the folded down side wall contacts the container base, into an upper end position, which is displaced upward from the lower end position in a direction perpendicular to the container base. Hinge bolt is provided with a guided translatoric movement when the side wall is folded up from the lower end position, causing rotation of the hinge bolt in the hinge bolt receiver, so that the side wall moves upward in a direction perpendicular to the container base.

Abstract: A collapsible storage device made of plastic comprised of four side pieces and a base is presented. The base comprises six hinged pieces including two identical trapezoid pieces and four identical right triangle pieces. The shorter of the parallel sides of the two trapezoid pieces are hinged together and the right triangle pieces are hinged together at their right angles forming two isosceles triangle pieces. Further, the isosceles triangle pieces are hinged to the joined trapezoids fitting in the triangle formed therein and the four side pieces are hinged to the outer sides of the base as well as to each other where they meet.

Abstract: A flexible, collapsible semi-bulk container for storing and transporting content is provided. The container has the strength to hold up to two tons of contents while being stacked up to five high. The container is also collapsible for ease of storage and transport. In some embodiments, the container includes swing walls that provide support to the side walls when positioned substantially adjacent to them. In another embodiment, the container includes partial swing walls that support cassettes for dividing the container into smaller compartments. In a still further embodiment, the container includes an interior baffle for dividing the container into smaller compartments.

Abstract: A container that is convertible between a collapsed configuration and deployed configuration. The container includes a lower base assembly having sides, and an upper base assembly that is removably coupled to the lower base assembly. A plurality of removable supports are removably erected between the lower base assembly and the upper base assembly when the container is in the deployed configuration, and stowed between the lower base assembly and the upper base assembly when the container is in the collapsed configuration. The container may further include a plurality of sidewalls disposed between the supports and the upper and the lower base assemblies. The sidewalls may each be hingedly coupled to a respective side of the base assembly such that the sidewalls are deployable between the collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration.

Abstract: An inflatable, reusable cargo containing and protecting device suitable for use in shipping, inflatable by compressed air. A plurality of air chambers forms the exterior frame of the container. The air chambers may comprise material that is formable, pliable, foldable, abrasion resistant, and which can be used to form airtight structures. A high strength, foldable, pliable material in a webbed or solid format forms the interior. The non-rigid material may be stitched, epoxied, chemically welded, or otherwise attached to the air chambers. A user may store a large number of the devices in a deflated and folded state, requiring only minimal space. When required, the devices are inflated, packed and shipped. At the receiving end, the devices may be deflated and folded for storage or return, either way taking advantage of the low weight and small volume required.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall including a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and one or more bracket members selectively positionable to extend between and interconnect the base and the upper rim for conveying tensional forces between the base and the upper rim upon lifting of the cooler from a location above the cooler wall. The rim preferably includes one or more handles for lifting of the cooler.

Abstract: A bulk shipping container has a plurality of removable supporting legs extending downwardly from a periphery of its interior space beyond the bottom of the container to support the container in an elevated position above a floor. Reinforcing straps positioned on the container hold the legs in their extended positions. A dolly may be positioned beneath the elevated container and the reinforcing straps removed to enable the weight of the container to cause it to slide down along the plurality of removable supporting legs to a lowered position resting on the dolly, which may then be used to transport the loaded container into a building for removal of product from the container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a folding container which stores various kinds of cargo and is transported. A container body of the folding container includes a top plate, a bottom plate, left and right side plates, and front and rear end plates. Each side plate includes upper and lower plate bodies which are connected to each other and to the top and bottom plates by spring hinges. A rotating shaft is provided in the container body, and a belt connected to the rotating shaft is connected to the left and right side plates at positions adjacent to the junctions between the upper and lower plate bodies. The left and right side plates are pulled inwards and folded by rotating the rotating shaft and winding the belt around the rotating shaft. Therefore, the operation of folding or unfolding the container body can be facilitated, and safety can be ensured during the operation.

Abstract: A container system for use with a forklift, includes a plurality of containers, each container including side and end walls and having interlocking structure cooperatively arranged whereby adjacent containers are connectable to each other and a base secured relative to each container. The base is dimensioned to support the container and being adapted to couple with the blade of the forklift to permit placement and transport of the containers in an interlocked relation thereof. Each container may be collapsible to facilitate storage thereof.

Abstract: A cold box is provided. The cold box includes an outer bag which is rectangular and has an upper opening, a lid which closes the upper opening of the outer bag, and a thermal insulator which is foldable and is detachably housed inside the outer bag. The thermal insulator is formed from a pouch-covered thermal insulation material. The thermal insulator includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls. Each of the side walls has a fixed part disposed adjacent to the rear wall and a turning part disposed adjacent to the front wall. The fixed parts are fixed to side faces of the rear wall, respectively, and the turning parts are rotatably coupled to front faces of the fixed parts, respectively. When the thermal insulator is folded, the front faces of the turning parts face each other.

Abstract: A folding container including a base portion, first and second lower side wall portions, and first and second upper side wall portions having a hinge connection to the lower side wall portions. The folding container including locking tabs in the base portion for engaging notches in the lower side wall portions when the container is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a reinforcing corner post suitable for use with a container comprising a foldable blank having a base panel and a pair of opposed side wall panels, and a pair of opposed end wall panels, the side wall panels and end wall panels being foldable into upright positions relative to the base panel to define opposed side walls and end walls with corners being formed at the junctions of the side walls and end walls, the reinforcing corner post being provided at all or selected corners of the container, wherein the corner post comprises an external post section which embraces the corner, and an internal post section which nests within the corner, and engaging means for releasably coupling the external post section and internal post section to one another by longitudinal displacement of the external post section and internal post section relative to one another to an engaged position, and locking means for securing the inner post section and the outer post section in the engaged position.

Abstract: A collapsible container or reservoir including at least one side wall region (4-7) and a basal wall region or base (8) surrounding a containment region having an upper opening or mouth (10) surrounded by a perimeter flange (9) at the ends of the side walls distal from the basal wall region, the side walls include a region of concertina (14) whereby, upon squeezing or compression of the side walls, the basal wall region of the container is compacted more, relative to the extent of the upper opening. The container can be used for dispensing foods such as pet food, sauces, yogurt, custard or the like, or other liquids or semi fluid materials such as oil, grease, glue or resin.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall comprising a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a drain conduit comprising a passageway providing fluid communication between an exterior of the cooler and the interior storage space or the intermediate space. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each configuration corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler.

Abstract: A cooler includes a base; an upper rim; and a collapsible wall extending between the base and the upper rim. The cooler wall is capable of transitioning between a fully collapsed configuration and a fully expanded configuration and is stable in each configuration. Additionally, in transitioning between the fully collapsed and fully expanded configurations, the cooler transitions to at least one intermediate configuration in which the cooler is in a stable state and may be used. The collapsible wall preferably comprises a flexible membrane that is configured to be collapsible between three or more stable states, and preferably is formed from silicone.