Compressible Ecologically Friendly Containers

Abstract

Ecologically friendly containers and methods for recycling such containers are described herein. In a first aspect, the present invention provides ecologically friendly water containers comprising a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid. A spout defining a passage is in fluid communication with the container body such that fluid contained in the container body can pass through the spout. A cap is attached to the container body and dimensioned to cover substantially the spout when the cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through the spout, and expose the spout when the cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through the spout. The container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid;   a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout;   a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and   said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , said container being further configured to be compressed to a substantially flat condition when said container is compressed. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising a label affixed to said container body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein said mailing label includes an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being removable from said inner layer to expose said inner layer. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein said inner layer of said mailing label includes information for mailing said container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said container body is made from a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said biodegradable material is a dextrose-based polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein said biodegradable material is a polylactide polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said container body is made from a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said biodegradable material is a dextrose-based polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said biodegradable material is a polylactide polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a format substantially suitable for mailing said container when said container is compressed and said inner layer is exposed. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 5  wherein said container body is dimensioned to be compressed to a format substantially suitable for mailing said container when said container is compressed and said inner layer is exposed. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container includes a cap and said cap includes a seed located said cap. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein said cap includes a seed chamber, and said seed is located within said seed chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A method for recycling a container, comprising:
 obtaining a container, said container including:
 a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid; 
 a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout; 
 a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and 
 said container body being configured to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape; 
   compressing said container to said substantially flattened shape; and   sending said container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said sending includes sending said container in said substantially flattened shape. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said label comprises an outer layer affixed to an inner layer, said outer layer being removable from said inner layer to expose said inner layer, said inner layer including a mailing label; and said method includes removing said outer layer to expose said inner layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including sending said container by mail. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further including sending said container by mail. 
     
     
         21 . A method for recycling a container, comprising:
 receiving a container, said container including:
 a container body dimensioned to hold a fluid; 
   a spout defining a passage in fluid communication with said container body such that fluid contained in said container body can pass through said spout;
 a cap attached to said container body, said cap dimensioned to cover substantially said spout when said cap is in a sealed state to prevent fluids from passing through said spout, and expose said spout when said cap is in an unsealed state to allow fluids to pass through said spout; and 
 said container body being dimensioned to be compressed to a substantially flattened shape; 
   said container being in said substantially flattened shape; and   recycling said container.