Collapsible container and method of making

Abstract

A blow molded collapsible container includes a main body portion having a sidewall that defines an interior space that has a volume. The container further has a neck portion that is unitary with the sidewall. The neck portion has an opening defined therein that is in communication with the interior space. The main body portion includes opposing sides, with each of the opposing sides having an outwardly extending crease defined in a central portion thereof. The main body portion is constructed and arranged to collapse by folding along the outwardly extending creases when the volume of the interior space is reduced. The collapsible container is shaped in a manner that facilitates fabrication using an extrusion blow molding process.

1 . A blow molded collapsible container, comprising:
 a main body portion having a sidewall that defines an interior space having a volume;   a neck portion that is unitary with the sidewall and has an opening defined therein that is in communication with the interior space; and wherein   the main body portion includes opposing sides, with each of the opposing sides having an outwardly extending crease defined in a central portion thereof, and wherein the main body portion is constructed and arranged to collapse by folding along the outwardly extending creases when the volume of the interior space is reduced.   
     
     
         2 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion is constructed and arranged to be able to fold to a substantially flat configuration as the volume of the interior space is reduced. 
     
     
         3 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion and the neck portion are blow molded from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         4 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion and the neck portion are fabricated using an extrusion blow molding process. 
     
     
         5 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion further includes a bottom surface and a pair of lower oblique surfaces, each of the lower oblique surfaces being between the bottom surface and a respective one of the sides. 
     
     
         6 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion further includes an upper surface that is unitary with the neck portion and a pair of upper oblique surfaces, each of the upper oblique surfaces being between the upper surface and a respective one of the sides. 
     
     
         7 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hanging hook that is unitary with the main body portion. 
     
     
         8 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 7 , wherein the hanging hook is substantially aligned with the outwardly extending creases as viewed in side elevation. 
     
     
         9 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion includes an intermediate portion and a tapered upper transition portion that is interposed between the intermediate portion and the neck portion. 
     
     
         10 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the outwardly extending creases are defined in the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         11 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the main body portion further includes a tapered bottom transition portion. 
     
     
         12 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 11 , wherein the tapered bottom transition portion is substantially symmetrical in shape with respect to the tapered upper transition portion. 
     
     
         13 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the tapered upper transition portion includes an upper surface that is unitary with the neck portion and a pair of upper oblique surfaces, each of the upper oblique surfaces being between the upper surface and a respective one of the sides. 
     
     
         14 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 11 , wherein the tapered bottom transition portion includes a bottom surface and a pair of lower oblique surfaces, each of the lower oblique surfaces being between the bottom surface and a respective one of the sides. 
     
     
         15 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 14 , further comprising a hanging hook that is unitary with the bottom surface. 
     
     
         16 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the intermediate portion is constructed and arranged to fold substantially flat when the volume of the interior space is sufficiently reduced. 
     
     
         17 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 16 , wherein the tapered upper transition portion is constructed and arranged to substantially retain its shape when the intermediate portion is folded substantially flat. 
     
     
         18 . A blow molded collapsible container according to  claim 16 , wherein the main body portion further includes a tapered bottom transition portion and wherein the tapered bottom transition portion is constructed and arranged to substantially retain its shape when the intermediate portion is folded substantially flat. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a collapsible container, comprising steps of:
 extruding a parison of plastic material;   capturing a portion of the parison within a mold;   inflating the portion of the parison that is within the mold against the walls of the mold to fabricate a collapsible container having a neck portion and a main body portion having opposing sides, with each of the opposing sides having an outwardly extending crease defined in a central portion thereof; and   removing the collapsible container from the mold.   
     
     
         20 . A container made according to the method of  claim 19 .