Leak proof collapsible cup

Abstract

Provided are a collapsible cup and a lid for sealing such cups. A collapsible cup includes a top cylindrical portion having a collapsible part and a sealing edge. The cup also includes a rigid bottom portion attached to the collapsible part and configured to move in and out with respect to the sealing edge by folding the collapsible part. The level of folding of the collapsible part determines different positions of the top portion, such as upper operating position corresponding to the maximum cup height, an intermediate operating position corresponding to an intermediate cup height, and a lower collapsed position corresponding to the minimum cup height. In the lower collapse position, the bottom portion may be substantially enclosed by the top cylindrical portion. The collapsible cup may include a reinforcement insert disposed within the top portion and used for engaging with a lid and providing support to the sealing edge.

1 . A collapsible cup comprising:
 a top cylindrical portion comprising a flexible plastic material,
 the top cylindrical portion comprising a sealing edge and a collapsible part; 
   a reinforcement insert comprising a first rigid plastic material,
 the reinforcement insert disposed within the top cylindrical portion between the sealing edge and the collapsible part; and 
   a bottom portion comprising a second rigid plastic material,
 the bottom portion forming a bottom of the collapsible cup, 
 the bottom portion attached and sealed with respect to the top cylindrical portion, 
   wherein the collapsible part allows the sealing edge to move with respect to the bottom of the collapsible cup between at least:   an upper operating position, in which the top cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are extended with respect to each other resulting in a maximum cup height and forming a closed end cavity configured for storing contents; and   a lower collapsed position, in which the bottom portion is inserted into the reinforcement insert resulting in a minimum cup height.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible part comprises a convex portion and a first concave portion, the first concave portion configured to fold thereby reducing the height of the collapsible part. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible cup of  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible part further comprises a second concave potion, the second concave portion configured to fold thereby reducing the height of the collapsible part. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible cup of  claim 3 , wherein the first concave portion and the second concave potion are configured to fold independently thereby resulting in at least one additional intermediate operating position. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible cup of  claim 3 , wherein the convex portion provides space for folding of the first concave portion and the second concave potion creating a smooth surface that holds liquids or solids. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible cup of  claim 5 , wherein the collapsible part further comprises an additional convex portion. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement insert comprises one or more interlocking features for engaging with a lid, the one or more interlocking features protruding through one or more opening in the top cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing edge is formed by a ring of the flexible plastic material provided over the reinforcement insert. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible plastic material is permanently attached to the first rigid material and the second rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first rigid plastic material and the second rigid plastic material comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE), and wherein the flexible plastic material comprises a flexible polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first rigid plastic material, the second rigid plastic material, and the flexible plastic material is transparent for detecting presence of liquid in the collapsible cup. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible part has a variable thickness of the flexible plastic material along a height of the cup that allows the collapsible part to fold. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum cup height is less than about 2 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cup is configured to store between about 2 ounces and 24 ounces of the contents in the upper operating position. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cup is configured to store the contents in the lower collapsed position. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid and a rotatable cover configured for sealing with the top portion, the rotatable cover configured to move between multiple positions with respect to the lid for controlling a size of a liquid delivery opening. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible cup of  claim 16 , wherein the rotatable cover is configured to temporary stop and/or lock in at least three positions comprising a fully-closed position, an intermediate open position, and a fully open position. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible cup of  claim 17 , wherein the lid comprises a ventilation aperture such that the ventilation aperture is aligned with one of openings in rotatable cover when the rotatable cover is in the intermediate open position or the fully open position. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible cup of  claim 15 , wherein the rotatable cover is removably attached to the lid by a set of interlocking features. 
     
     
         20 . A collapsible cup comprising:
 a top cylindrical portion comprising a flexible plastic material,
 the top cylindrical portion comprising a sealing edge and a collapsible part; 
   a reinforcement insert comprising a first rigid plastic material,
 the reinforcement insert disposed within the top cylindrical portion between the sealing edge and the collapsible part; 
   a bottom portion comprising a second rigid plastic material,
 the bottom portion forming a bottom of the collapsible cup, 
 the bottom portion attached and sealed with respect to the top cylindrical portion, 
 a lid; and 
 a rotatable cover configured for sealing with the top portion together with the lid, 
 the rotatable cover configured to move between multiple positions with respect to the lid for controlling a size of a liquid delivery opening, 
 the rotatable cover being removably attached to the lid by a set of interlocking features, 
   wherein the collapsible part comprises two concave potions configured to fold independently thereby allowing the sealing edge to move with respect to the bottom of the collapsible cup between at least:   an upper operating position in which the top cylindrical portion and the bottom portion are extended with respect to each other, resulting in a maximum cup height and forming a complete closed end cavity configured for storing contents;   additional intermediate operating position resulting in an intermediate cup height and forming an intermediate closed end cavity configured for storing contents, the intermediate closed end cavity being smaller than the complete closed end cavity; and   a lower collapsed position in which the bottom portion is inserted into the reinforcement insert resulting in a minimum cup height.