Plastic container having a flexible section and method of manufacture

Abstract

A plastic container and method of making the container. The container comprises a rigid section, a collapsible section, and an outlet provided in the rigid section for allowing the dispensing of a liquid within the container, the rigid section providing rigid support for the container when the container is filled with a liquid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A plastic container having a rigid section, a collapsible section, and an outlet provided in said rigid section for allowing the dispensing of a liquid within said container, said rigid section providing rigid support for said container when said container is filled with a liquid.  
     
     
         2 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein a liquid stored in said container is dispensed by gravity feed through said outlet.  
     
     
         3 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein a liquid stored in said container is dispensed by pumping said liquid through said outlet.  
     
     
         4 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein a liquid contained in said container is dispensed by applying a pressure to said collapsible section so as to force liquid out of said outlet.  
     
     
         5 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid section forms a bottom support wall.  
     
     
         6 . A plastic container according to  claim 5  wherein said bottom support wall is configured such that said outlet is provided at the lowest drainage point when in the dispensing position.  
     
     
         7 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid section comprises about one half or greater than the size of the film container.  
     
     
         8 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said collapsible section has a configuration that is a substantially a mirror image of the shape of said rigid section.  
     
     
         9 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said collapsible section collapses into said rigid section as a result of liquid being dispensed from said container.  
     
     
         10 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid section is made up of a low density.  
     
     
         11 . A plastic container according to  claim 5  wherein said bottom wall is provided with at least one supporting rib so as to provide rigidity to said rigid section.  
     
     
         12 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid section terminates in an outer peripheral edge where said collapsible section is secured.  
     
     
         13 . A plastic container according to  claim 12  wherein said collapsible section is thermally bonded or any other bonding technique known in the industry to said peripheral edge.  
     
     
         14 . A plastic container according to  claim 12  wherein said collapsible section is adhesively bonded.  
     
     
         15 . A plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said collapsible section is made up of a low density polyethylene and has a thickness no greater than about 3 mm preferably in a range of 1.5-3 mm.  
     
     
         16 . A package assembly comprising: 
 a plastic container having a rigid section, a collapsible section, and an outlet provided in said rigid section for allowing the dispensing of a liquid within container, said rigid section providing rigid support for said container when said container is filled with a liquid;    a rigid support structure having an internal chamber for receiving said plastic container and an opening for receiving said outlet provided on said plastic container for allowing the dispensing of liquid therethrough.    
     
     
         17 . A package assembly according to  claim 16  wherein a plurality of said chambers are provided in said rigid support structure, each chamber designed to receive one of said plastic containers.  
     
     
         18 . A container assembly according to  claim 16  wherein said rigid support structure having a top wall that is signed to be substantially adjacent to the top of said rigid section and a bottom wall designed to be adjacent to a bottom wall of said rigid section and a side wall being positioned substantially adjacent said side wall of said rigid section.  
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a plastic container having a rigid section, a collapsible section, and an outlet provided in said rigid section for allowing the dispensing of a liquid within container, said rigid section providing rigid support for said container when said container is filled with a liquid, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plastic rigid section in a supporting mold segment, said rigid plastic section having an outlet and a peripheral outer edge that terminates in a ledge, said rigid section comprising approximately half of the configuration of said container;    providing a thermoform sheet that covers said peripheral ledge;    applying a sufficient amount of force to said thermoform sheet so as to cause said thermoform sheet to be drawn within the internal configuration of said rigid section while the edge of said sheet is maintained in firm contact with said ledge; and    securing the outer periphery of said thermoform sheet to said ledge.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein said thermoform sheet is heated at a temperature to assist in allowing said sheet to be drawn within the internal cavity of said rigid section.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said thermoform sheet has a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of said rigid section.