초록 ▼

A collapsible container with angularly related multiple folding sections, each section extending at an angle to the vertical and including, within each section itself, a flexure zone adjacent the angular joint between adjacent sections and flexibly movable between a first open position in the expand

A collapsible container with angularly related multiple folding sections, each section extending at an angle to the vertical and including, within each section itself, a flexure zone adjacent the angular joint between adjacent sections and flexibly movable between a first open position in the expanded container and a second position folded upon itself in the collapsed container, the flexure zones resisting movement of the sections in both the fully expanded container and the collapsed container, as well as any intermediate position wherein only selected flexure zones are in an open position.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising a base, a top ring and a wall peripherally fixed to said base and top ring and extending therebetween, said container being adjustable between an expanded position with the top ring spaced upward from said base and forming a container

The invention claimed is: 1. A collapsible container comprising a base, a top ring and a wall peripherally fixed to said base and top ring and extending therebetween, said container being adjustable between an expanded position with the top ring spaced upward from said base and forming a container interior, and a collapsed position with said top ring surrounding said base in outwardly spaced substantially concentric relation thereto, said wall comprising multiple upwardly extending peripherally continuous sections which, in the expanded position of said container, angle alternately outward and inward relative to the container interior, said sections, in the collapsed position of said container, being folded on each other and concentrically received generally between the base and the top ring with the sections encircling the base and in turn being encircled by said top ring, wherein the container includes flexure zones joining adjacent sections, the adjacent sections being of limited flexibility relative to the flexure zones, wherein said sections each have a thickness greater than the thickness of the flexure zones; and wherein each flexure zone is independently activatable for movement between a first, open natural state in which adjacent sections are unfolded, and a second, closed natural state in which the respective adjacent sections are folded; and wherein the container is adjustable to a fixed, partially expanded position between said expanded position and said collapsed position. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein in the expanded position, said sections form an obtuse angle. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein in the collapsed position, said sections form an acute angle. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein one of said flexure zones is disposed between the top ring and one of said sections. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein one of said flexure zones is disposed between the base and one of said sections. 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the top ring includes an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein in the collapsed position, the folded sections are concentrically disposed between the base and the top ring. 8. The container of claim 1, wherein in the collapsed position, the folded sections are at an elevation wherein the lowest elevation of the base is lower than the lowest elevation of the folded section. 9. The container of claim 1, wherein a portion of the wall overlays a portion of the base. 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the wall is molded in the collapsed position. 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the base is non-permeable. 12. A collapsible container comprising: a base, a top ring, and a wall extending between the top ring and the base, wherein the wall has at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein the first section is adjacent the second section and wherein the second section is adjacent the third section, a first flexure zone disposed between the first section and second section, a second flexure zone disposed between the second section and the third section, and a third flexure zone disposed between the third section and the base, wherein the first and second sections each have a thickness greater than the thickness of the first flexure zone, and the second and third sections each have a thickness greater than the thickness of the second flexure zone, wherein the container is adjustable between at least an expanded position forming an interior and having a first volume, a partially expanded position having a second volume less than the first volume, and a collapsed position with said top ring surrounding said base in outwardly spaced substantially concentric relation thereto with the sections being folded and concentrically received generally between the base and the top ring with the sections encircling the base and in turn being encircled by said top ring; wherein in the expanded position, the first section angles outward relative to the interior, and the second section angles inward relative to the interior; and wherein said container is stable in each of said positions and wherein positive force is required to adjust the container from the partially expanded position to the expanded position, and to adjust the container from the partially expanded position to the collapsed position. 13. The container of claim 12 wherein in the expanded condition, the first and second sections form an obtuse angle. 14. The container of claim 12 wherein in the collapsed condition, the first and second sections form an acute angle. 15. The container of claim 12, wherein the first flexure zone is substantially arcuate. 16. The container of claim 12, further comprising a fourth flexure zone disposed between the third section and the top ring. 17. The container of claim 12, wherein in the expanded position, the third section angles outward relative to the interior. 18. The container of claim 12, wherein the top ring includes an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom. 19. The container of claim 12, wherein in the collapsed position, the first, second, and third sections are folded and concentrically disposed between the base and the top ring. 20. The container of claim 12, wherein in the collapsed position, the first section and the second section form a first angled opening, wherein the base at least partially defines a support plane, and wherein the centerline of the first angled opening is substantially perpendicular to the support plane. 21. The container of claim 12, wherein in the collapsed condition, the folded portion of the wall and the base are each at an elevation, wherein the lowest elevation of the base is lower than the lowest elevation of the folded portion of the wall. 22. The container of claim 12, wherein a portion of the wall overlays a portion of the base. 23. The container of claim 12, wherein the wall is molded in the collapsed position. 24. The container of claim 12, wherein the base is non-permeable. 25. The container of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third flexure zones each have a thickness, and wherein the thickness of the first, second, and third flexure zones is substantially equal.