Collapsible vessels

Abstract

Collapsible vessels comprising a rubbery material can be folded or scrunched into a small volume, and then spring into a shape suitable for holding water or food such as for a pet.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible vessel, comprising:
 a substantially circular base having a center and a peripheral edge, comprising a plurality of ribs dispersed between the center and the peripheral edge;   a side portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the substantially circular base and attached proximal to the peripheral edge;   wherein the substantially circular base and the side portion define an interior surface for holding a fluid, and an exterior surface;   wherein the collapsible vessel comprises a rubbery material; and   wherein the vessel has a shape that is retained when the vessel is in an uncompressed state.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises ribs disposed on the exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprise ribs disposed on the interior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of side ribs disposed on the side portion. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of side ribs comprise side ribs arrayed substantially perpendicularly to the substantially circular base. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of side ribs comprises side ribs disposed on the exterior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of side ribs comprises side ribs disposed on the interior surface. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the rubbery material comprises natural vulcanized rubber, synthetic rubber, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 8 , wherein the rubbery material comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer-derived synthetic rubber, styrene butadiene, polychloroprene, polyurethane, styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer, silicone, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the rubbery material has a tensile strength of about 1,000 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the rubbery material has an elongation of about 300%. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one decorative impression. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 12 , wherein the decorative impression comprises an additional rubbery material different from the rubbery material of the collapsible vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the rubbery material is suitable for contacting a fluid to be consumed by a mammal. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making the collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , comprising:
 causing a fluid precursor material to enter a mold defining the shape;   curing the fluid precursor material to form the rubbery material;   thereby obtaining the collapsible vessel.   
     
     
         16 . A method of making the collapsible vessel of  claim 1 , comprising:
 causing a first fluid precursor material to enter a base mold defining the substantially circular base having the center and the peripheral edge and the plurality of ribs dispersed between the center and the peripheral edge;   curing the first fluid precursor material to form a first rubbery material, thereby obtaining the substantially circular base;   causing a second fluid precursor material to enter a side portion mold defining the side portion;   curing the second fluid precursor material to form a second rubbery material, thereby obtaining the side portion;   fusing the side portion to the substantially circular base proximal to the peripheral edge,   thereby obtaining the collapsible vessel.