FIXEDLY EXPANDIBLE COLLAPSED BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Description

PUBLICATIONS

PRIOR ART

It is commonly known that fillable containers are often desired when, for example, on a family outing. Some substance, such as a liquid, is desired to be contained, so that it may be conveniently handled prior to consumption.

Often rigid containers such as canteens or plastic/glass bottles are used. While suitable for containing such substances, rigid containers require space that could advantageously used otherwise when not desired for use, especially for families with small children.

Expandable soft containers, such as plastic bags, are often used to better utilize the available space. However, soft containers are difficult to handle when filled with a desired substance, such as a liquid, and especially so for small children. Among other things, soft containers are relatively difficult to place on a surface, or for children to hold, since the shape of the container is malleable, and often changes unpredictably. Additionally, with soft containers, pressure on the container, such as by the grasp of a small child, may cause the content to be undesirably expressed from the container.

Some previous efforts have been made to provide a framework, such as recesses in a surface, for placing soft containers conveniently, or for providing handles for children to hold, but such recesses use valuable space, and handles are often difficult to grasp properly, especially for small children.

In Category 1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,150, Kuge et al, which is believed to be the closest prior art discovered by the inventors, discloses a beverage holder which is collapsed prior to use, and expanded for the insertion of content, such as a beverage. The '150 patent further discloses a built-in straw for use in consumption of the contents. Prior to insertion of content, the container of the '150 patent keeps the interior portion protected from contamination. The protection afforded by the container of the '150 patent is afforded by keeping the container sealed both prior to and after expansion. However, the '150 is not inherently rigid upon expansion, and it may be difficult for a user to insert content, or for a child to hold the expanded container as the content is consumed.

In Category 2, inventors suggest the containers shown are not collapsible for later expansion and use by the user.

In Category 3, inventors suggest the containers shown require liners, since the interior is not protected from contamination prior to expansion for use, are generally multipiece configurations, and generally are not suitable for easy expansion by a user.

In Category 4, inventors suggest the containers shown are not suitable for sealed storage of liquids or similar foodstuffs, and are often such objects as open cups, etc.

There is a long-felt need for a container that is folded prior to use, is easily fillable by the user, and is rigid when expanded whereby the content are more easily controlled by small children while the content is consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collapsed container, which is advantageously folded onto itself to form a substantially rectangular flat piece for easy storage and handling, such as in a sterile plastic bag, is provided with a strap and locking ring on one side. When the folded pieces are unfolded, keyed sections on the strap engage the locking ring and fixedly hold the container in an opened, substantially rigid, configuration. In this way, a rigid container can be constituted from an easily stored flattened configuration when desired. Once opened, the container is preferably permanently opened to avoid reuse, considering the health hazards such reuse may pose, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view of the container of the invention in a folded position for storage prior to use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the container of the invention after being expanded for use.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container of the invention showing a built-in means for removing content from the container, such as a straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION:

In an embodiment of the invention 100 shown in FIG. 1, a container 101 is in a folded, minimally-sized, configuration. Ends 102 and 103 are folded down onto sides 104 and 105. Folding is allowed without bunching or crushing of sides 106 and 107 through the use of predefined preferential folds (not shown) in sides 106 and 107. Folding a container into a flatten shape is a procedure that is well known in the art, such as in storing, for example, paper bags. Folding ends 102 and 103 against sides 104 and 105 is accomplished by flexing the junctures 108 and 109 between ends 102 and 103 and sides 104 and 105. Strap 110 is guided slidably by flexible rectangular ring 112 and thereby lies against the folded container in close proximity thereto. Strap 110 is shown as a flat piece, but it will be clear to those in the art that it can have any shape, such as a “V” or “W” shape in cross-section, that provides strength and structural integrity to strap 110 and thereby to container 101. Strap 110 has a locking mechanism, such as a “tooth” or ridge of material 114, for positively engaging ring 112 having, for example, a “cog” or other engaging means, and causing strap 110 to be locked to ring 112 when the container 101 is expanded. In the folded configuration as shown, strap 110 advantageously covers and thereby protects opening 110. Opening 110 is optionally sealed with a screw cap or snap-on cover, or any other means (not shown) for closing opening 110.

The embodiment of the invention 200 shown in FIG. 2 is a container 201, such as container 101 in FIG. 1, and is shown in a side view. Ends 202 and 203 fold down onto sides 204 and 205, respectively, with flexible junctures 209 and 216. Preferential prefolded areas (not shown), such as in sides 206 and 207, prevent bunching or wrinkling of container 201, and are well known. Straps 210, 218 are attached by flexible hinge-like connections 208, 219 to sides 204, 205 respectively, and straps 210, 218 are constrained slideably through rings 212, 219 respectively. Rings 212, 219 are connected rotatably to the juncture of side 204 and end 202, and to the juncture of side 205 and end 203 respectively, and are constrained in place thereby. Latching means, such as “teeth” or ridges 214, 221, serve to lock ring 212 to strap 210 and ring 219 to strap 218 when container 201 is fully expanded. Strap 210 is optionally arranged such that strap 210 covers and protects opening 211.

Another embodiment of the invention 300 is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 3, and is a container 301, as is container 101 in FIG. 1. Container 301 is shown fully expanded and ready for use. Straps 310, 318 are locked to rings 312, 319, preventing container 301 from being collapsed. Opening 311 is now exposed for use by the reorientation of strap 312. Fold 322, shown with dashed lines, folds inwardly toward the center of the container 301 on side 303. Fold 323, shown with dashed lines, folds inwardly toward the center of the container 301 along side 304. Similar folds 324 (not shown) on side 302 and 325 (not shown) on side 305 perform identical functions in an identical way.

Yet another embodiment of the invention 400 is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 4, and is a container 401 with straps 410, 418 constrained slideably by rings 412, 419 for expanding container 401, wherein container 401 includes a built-in straw 414 for expeditiously removing a beverage or other foodstuffs (not shown) therefrom, straw 414 being protected from damage or contamination at an opening of straw 414 such as with a cap or shielding means 416.

Note that the embodiments shown herein are for illustration of the embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The invention includes any modifications and/or equivalents which are within the spirit and intent of the invention.