Collapsible container

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a container that is collapsible. When collapsed, the space taken up by the container is less than its original size. The container may be expanded from the collapsed state. When expanded, the container may be used to transport and/or store various items, such as food and liquid goods. The container may be expanded to one or more intermediate states that are less than the fully expanded state. The container may consist of a number of sections and may be available in various sizes. The container may have a lid and a handle. According to exemplary embodiments, the container may operate as a cooler and may have insulative properties.

1 . A collapsible container with an interior volume, comprising:
 an uppermost section comprising a first continuous perimeter wall defining a first interior volume;   an upper middle section comprising a second continuous perimeter wall defining a second interior volume being configured to fit inside of the first interior volume of the uppermost section and be detachably mated thereto;   a lower middle section comprising a third continuous perimeter wall defining a third interior volume being configured to fit inside of the second interior volume of the upper middle section and be detachably mated thereto;   a base section comprising a fourth continuous perimeter wall and a bottom section that define a fourth interior volume being configured to fit inside the third interior volume of the lower middle section and be detachably mated thereto; and   a lid being configured to detachably mate with an upper portion of the uppermost section to provide a seal over the uppermost section;   wherein the first interior volume, the second interior volume, the third interior volume, and the fourth interior volume comprise the interior volume of the collapsible container;   the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section comprising a structure with at least two positions comprising a first position and a second position, wherein the first position comprises the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section being in a collapsed position such that the interior volume is at a minimum and the second position comprises the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section being in a fully extended position such that the interior volume is at a maximum.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a handle affixed to the uppermost section at two attachment points that are laterally separated at opposite ends of the uppermost section. 
 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is movable and positionable through an arc comprising at least 180 degrees and being circumscribed over the uppermost section. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is detachably mated with the two attachment points. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adjustable strap detachably affixed to the uppermost section at two attachment points that are laterally separated at opposite ends of the uppermost section.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable strap encircles the collapsible container. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is attached through a snap fit. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , the lid further comprising a gasket located around its perimeter such that the gasket is configured to contact the uppermost portion when the lid is mated with the uppermost section. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower middle section and the base section comprise insulative material. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section comprise insulative material. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein approximately 66% of the collapsible container comprises insulative material. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, the lid, and the base section comprise plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section are mated by means of a lip which runs around an upper section of each perimeter and a lower section of each perimeter. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the uppermost section, the upper middle section, the lower middle section, and the base section each comprise a substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         15 . A collapsible container with an interior volume, comprising:
 a plurality of sections that each have a continuous perimeter wall defining an interior volume and capable of being detachably mated to one another, wherein one of the plurality of sections is enclosed on three sides to form a base of the container; and   a lid being configured to detachably mate with an upper portion of one of the plurality of sections;   wherein the plurality of sections comprise a structure with at least two positions comprising a first position and a second position, wherein the first position comprises a collapsed position such that the interior volume is at a minimum and the second position comprises a fully extended position such that the interior volume is at a maximum.   
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a handle rotatably and detachably affixed to one of the plurality of sections at two attachment points that are laterally separated at opposite ends of the section. 
 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an adjustable strap detachably affixed to one of the plurality of sections at two attachment points that are laterally separated at opposite ends of the section.   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the container is at least partially insulated. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of sections is substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a detachably and rotabably affixed handle and a detachably and rotabably affixed adjustable strap, wherein both the handle and the strap are affixed to one of the plurality of sections at two attachment points.