Collapsible cup

Abstract

A collapsible cup has a base and a series of cylindrical body segments that together form a rigid cup body. The base includes a cylindrical base segment extending upwardly from the base and having an external thread. The series of cylindrical body segments are of graduated diameters which telescopically engage each other and the cylindrical base segment, and include an externally threaded upper portion, and an internal thread that extends the across all of an internal surface of each of the cylindrical body segments, such that each of the cylindrical body segments is threadedly engaged with and supported by either the external thread of the cylindrical base segment, or the externally threaded upper portion of one of the cylindrical body segments.

1 . A collapsible cup comprising:
 a base;   a cylindrical base segment extending upwardly from the base, the cylindrical base segment having an external thread on an external surface, adjacent a top perimeter of the cylindrical base segment;   a series of cylindrical body segments of graduated diameters which telescopically engage each other and the cylindrical base segment;   an externally threaded upper portion of at least one of the cylindrical body segments;   an internal thread that extends the across all of an internal surface of each of the cylindrical body segments, such that each of the cylindrical body segments is threadedly engaged with and supported by either the external thread of the cylindrical base segment, or the externally threaded upper portion of one of the cylindrical body segments; and   a rim formed at a top of the cylindrical body segments,   whereby the cylindrical body segments are thereby selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position by twisting the rim with respect to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible liner having an access opening at a liner top and a liner base at a liner bottom, the top of the flexible liner being attachable to or adjacent the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible cup of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible liner has a plurality of folds disposed between the liner top and the liner bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid that engages the rim to cover the collapsible cup. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible cup of  claim 2 , further comprising a lid that engages the rim to lock the liner top of the flexible liner between the lid and the rim, such that the lid covers the access opening of the liner top. 
     
     
         6 . A collapsible cup comprising:
 a base for supporting the collapsible cup;   a series of cylindrical body segments of graduated diameters which telescopically engage each other and the cylindrical base segment;   a rim formed at a top of the cylindrical body segments; and   internal and external threads of at least some of the cylindrical body segments that together enable the cylindrical body segments to be selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position by twisting the rim with respect to the base, wherein in the collapsed position the rim is generally adjacent the base, wherein in the extended position the rim is vertically spaced from the base, and wherein the cylindrical body segments remain threadedly engaged during the entire transition between the collapsed and extended positions, and do not disengage.   
     
     
         7 . The collapsible cup of  claim 6 , further comprising a flexible liner having an access opening at a liner top and a liner base at a liner bottom, the top of the flexible liner being attachable to or adjacent the rim. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible cup of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible liner has a plurality of folds disposed between the liner top and the liner bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible cup of  claim 6 , further comprising a lid that engages the rim to cover the collapsible cup. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible cup of  claim 7 , further comprising a lid that engages the rim to lock the liner top of the flexible liner between the lid and the rim, such that the lid covers the access opening of the liner top. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible cup comprising:
 a base;   a cylindrical base segment extending upwardly from the base, the cylindrical base segment having an external thread on an external surface, adjacent a top perimeter of the cylindrical base segment;   a series of cylindrical body segments of graduated diameters which telescopically engage each other and the cylindrical base segment;   an externally threaded upper portion of at least one of the cylindrical body segments;   an internal thread that extends the across all of an internal surface of each of the cylindrical body segments, such that each of the cylindrical body segments is threadedly engaged with and supported by either the external thread of the cylindrical base segment, or the externally threaded upper portion of one of the cylindrical body segments;   a rim formed at a top of the cylindrical body segments,   whereby the cylindrical body segments are thereby selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position by twisting the rim with respect to the base;   a flexible liner having an access opening at a liner top and a liner base at a liner bottom, the top of the flexible liner being attachable to or adjacent the rim; and   a lid that engages the rim to lock the liner top of the flexible liner between the lid and the rim, such that the lid covers the access opening of the liner top.