Expandable bottle

Abstract

Collapsible bottles and methods of use are disclosed in which the bottle is fabricated, collapsed at a body section including circular or spiral folds, provided with a condensed or concentrated substance, and sealed. Subsequently, the bottle may be unsealed, expanded, provided with a liquid, sealed, and mixed to bring the substance to a desired concentration or consistency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle comprising:
 a pliant material;   a top section including a first opening;   a bottom section; and   a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein:
 the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of corrugations. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of corrugations includes a plurality of scalloped sections connected by a plurality of flat sections. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of v-shaped grooves. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by being thicker. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and   when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state   
     
     
         8 . The bottle of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle of  claim 8  in the compressed state, further including a substance, wherein the substance is brought to a predetermined concentration when the bottle is expanded to the expanded state and filled with a liquid. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a collapsible bottle comprising:
 obtaining the collapsible bottle in a compressed state and provided with a substance, the collapsible bottle including:
 a pliant material; 
 a top section including a first opening; 
 a bottom section; and 
 a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein:
 the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side; 
 
   expanding the collapsible bottle to the expanded state;   adding a liquid to the expanded collapsible bottle; and   mixing the liquid with the substance to dilute the substance a pre-determined amount or to obtain a pre-determined consistency.   
     
     
         12 . The bottle of  claim 11 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of at least one of:
 a plurality of corrugations;   a plurality of flat sections;   a plurality of v-shaped grooves;   a plurality of ribs; or   an increased thickness of bottle material.   
     
     
         13 . The bottle of  claim 11 , wherein:
 when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and   when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state   
     
     
         14 . The bottle of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first. 
     
     
         15 . The bottle of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a first collapsible bottle comprising:
 obtaining the first collapsible bottle in an expanded state; the first collapsible bottle including:
 a pliant material; 
 a top section including a first opening; 
 a bottom section; and 
 a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein:
 the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side; 
 
   compressing the first collapsible bottle to the compressed state;   adding a substance to the first compressed collapsible bottle; and,   after the addition, capping the first compressed collapsible bottle.   
     
     
         17 . The bottle of  claim 16 , wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of at least one of:
 a plurality of corrugations;   a plurality of flat sections;   a plurality of v-shaped grooves;   a plurality of ribs; or   an increased thickness of bottle material.   
     
     
         18 . The bottle of  claim 16 , wherein:
 when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and   when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state.   
     
     
         19 . The bottle of  claim 16 , wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first. 
     
     
         20 . The bottle of  claim 19 , wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section.