Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container with angularly related multiple folding sections, each section extending at an angle to the vertical, and flexure zones between adjacent sections for flexibly moving the sections between a first open position in the expanded container and a second position folded upon itself in the collapsed container, the flexure zones resisting movement of the sections in both the fully expanded container and the collapsed container, as well as any intermediate position wherein only selected flexure zones are in an open position.

1 . A collapsible container comprising a base, a top ring and a wall peripherally fixed to said base and top ring and extending therebetween, said container being adjustable between an expanded position with the top ring spaced upward from said base and forming a container interior, and a collapsed position with said top ring surrounding said base in outwardly spaced substantially concentric relation thereto, said wall comprising multiple upwardly extending peripherally continuous sections which, in the expanded position of said container, angle alternately outward and inward relative to the container interior, said sections, in the collapsed position of said container, being folded on each other and concentrically received generally between the base and the top ring with the sections encircling the base and in turn being encircled by said top ring.  
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each said section, in the collapsed position of said container, is at an angle of divergence from 8° to 40° to adjacent sections.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein said sections are at an angle of 10° to 16° to adjacent sections in said collapsed position.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein said sections are at an angle of 10° to adjacent sections in said collapsed position.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein, in said collapsed position, adjacent sections form oppositely facing V-shaped openings, each said opening having a center line perpendicular to said base.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein said sections include a lowermost section joined to said base, a topmost section joined to said top ring, and intermediate sections between said lowermost and topmost sections, said sections from said lowermost section to said topmost section each sequentially defining a peripherally encompassed area generally progressively greater than said base.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein said sections extend from adjacent sections at obtuse angles in said  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  including flexure zones joining adjacent sections.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the obtuse angles formed by the joined sections in the expanded position of the container are, upward from the base, oppositely laterally angled inward and outward relative to the container interior and define a series of inwardly directed angles and a series of outwardly directed angles, the angles of each series, sequentially upward from the base are outwardly offset from the next lower angle in that series whereby an upwardly and outwardly extending wall is defined.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein said lowermost section surrounds and is fixed to said base.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 8  wherein said base has a bottom surface defining a support plane, said folded sections in the collapsed position of the container being positioned above said defined support plane.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein said lowermost section extends to and partially along said base bottom surface within said support plane.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11  wherein said base includes a bottom with a central upwardly projecting push bump defining an area adapted to accommodate downward pressure thereon for downward movement of the base relative to the top ring and a corresponding expansion of the container wall.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said top ring includes a circumferential outwardly extending flange defining means for grasping the top ring as pressure is applied to the push bump.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein said top ring includes a peripheral upstanding wall, said outwardly extending flange being peripherally about said ring wall, a generally rigid collar joined to said uppermost wall section by one of said flexure zones, said collar including an upwardly directing locking bead, said top ring including a downwardly directed recess formed therein and receiving said collar and locking bead for a fixed joinder of said container wall to said top ring.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said top ring flange includes an outer periphery with a downwardly directed gripping bead integral therewith and depending therefrom.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said push bump defines a concave downwardly opening recess in said base bottom, and a manually engageable pull bar fixed transversely across said recess for a manual downward pulling of said base relative to said top ring.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said top ring includes an upwardly extending ring wall, and a separate seal positionable over said top ring and being releasably fixed to said ring wall in both the expanded and collapsed position of said container.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1  wherein, in said collapsed position, adjacent sections form oppositely facing V-shaped openings, each said opening having a center line perpendicular to said base.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 1 , molded in said collapsed position.