Molded collapsible solution container

Abstract

A molded collapsible solution container, which is made from a tubular, plastic parison, defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container is sealed at its opposite end. The body portion defines, in as-molded configuration, a generally oval cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis of the container, adjacent the neck and shoulder portion. The cross-section tapers progressively to a flat configuration at the end of the container opposite to the neck and shoulder portion, which facilitates a uniform manner of flat collapsing of the container progressively from the opposite end toward the end adjacent the neck and shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn through the neck portion, when the container is disposed in neck downward position.

.[.That which is claimed is:.]. .Iadd.I claim: .Iaddend. 
     
       1. A molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof, and is sealed at its end opposite said one end, the improvement comprising: in combination, said shoulder portion being generally oval, said body portion defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a generally oval, transverse cross-section adjacent said neck and shoulder portion, said cross-section tapering progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at said end of the container opposite to said one end and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container, to facilitate a uniform manner of flat collapse of said container progressively from said opposite end towards said one end as the contents thereof are withdrawn through said neck portion, when said container is disposed in neck-downward position, the chamber end opposite to said one end being tapered sufficiently narrowly to permit essentially all of the chamber-defining wall of the body portion adjacent said chamber end to collapse flat together upon said withdrawal of the contents. 
     
     
       2. A molded, collapsible solution container which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall, an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof, and is sealed at its end opposite said one end, the improvement comprising: in combination, said shoulder portion being generally oval, said body portion defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a generally oval, transverse cross-section adjacent said neck and shoulder portion, said cross-section tapering progressively along a major portion of the body portion length to a flat, sealed end portion at said end of the container opposite to said one end and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container, to facilitate a uniform manner of flat collapse of said container progressively from said opposite end towards said one end as the contents thereof are withdrawn through said neck portion, when said container is disposed in neck-downward position, the chamber end opposite to said one end being tapered sufficiently narrowly to permit essentially all of the chamber-defining walls of the body portion adjacent said chamber end to collapse flat together upon said withdrawal of the contents, the thickness of the wall of said body portion adjacent the chamber end opposite to said one end being less than the thickness of the wall of said chamber-defining body portion adjacent said shoulder portion. 
     
     
       3. The collapsible solution container of claim 2 in which, along a major portion of the length of said container, the circumferences of all transverse cross-sections are essentially constant, to facilitate flat collapse. 
     
     
       4. The collapsible solution container of claim 3 in which a pair of longitudinal lines of flexing weakness are defined in diametrically opposite relation to each other, to facilitate flat collapse. 
     
     
       5. The collapsible solution container of claim 4 in which a portion of said container adjacent said one end is of uniform, generally oval, transverse cross-section, and said major portion of said container is positioned nearest said opposite end, the plane of said flat, opposite end being generally parallel to the long axis of said oval cross section. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible solution container of claim 5 which is made of polypropylene film. .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A molded collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof, and is sealed at its end opposite said one end, the improvement comprising, in combination: the combination of said shoulder portion and body portion adjacent the shoulder portion defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a structure generally elongated in one transverse dimension, the transverse cross section of said body portion tapering progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at said end of the container opposite to said one end and, the direction of tapering extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container, to facilitate a uniform manner of flat collapse of said container progressively from said opposite end toward said one end as the contents thereof are withdrawn through said neck portion, when said container is disposed in neck-downward position, the chamber end opposite to said one end being tapered sufficiently narrowly to permit essentially all of the chamber-defining wall of the body portion adjacent said chamber end to collapse flat together upon said withdrawal of the contents. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 7 in which the thickness of the wall of said body portion adjacent the chamber end opposite to said one end is less than the thickness of the wall of said chamber-defining body portion adjacent said 
     
     
        shoulder portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9.  The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 7 in which a pair of generally triangular gusset portions are provided adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends of said generally elongated structure, said gusset portions having lines of flexing weakness to facilitate the collapse of said container under normal suction pressure. .Iadd.10. The molded, collapsible solution container of 
     
     
        claim 7 which is made of polypropylene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11.  A molded collapsible solution container which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck and shoulder portion at one end thereof and is sealed at its end opposite said one end, the improvement comprising, in combination: the combination of such shoulder portion and the body portion adjacent the shoulder portion defining, in its normal unstressed state, a structure generally elongated in one transverse dimension, the transverse cross section of said body portion tapering progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at said end of the container opposite to said one end, the direction of tapering extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container, to facilitate a uniform manner of flat collapse of said container progressively from said opposite end toward said one end as the contents thereof are withdrawn through said neck portion, when said container is disposed in a neck-downward position, the chamber end opposite to said one end being tapered sufficiently narrowly to permit essentially all of the chamber-defining wall of the body portion adjacent said chamber end to collapse flat together upon withdrawal of the contents;   a pair of generally triangular gusset portions being provided adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends of said generally elongated structure, said gusset portions having lines of flexing weakness to facilitate the collapse of said container under normal suction pressure, and opposed side edges of said shoulder portion between said gusset portions each defining a transverse line of folding weakness to facilitate the collapse of said   
     
     
        container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  The collapsible solution container of 
     
     
        claim 11 which is made of polypropylene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  The collapsible solution container of claim 11 in which the thickness of the wall of said body portion adjacent the chamber end opposite to said one end is less than the thickness of the wall of said chamber-defining body portion adjacent said shoulder portion. .Iaddend.