container

Abstract

A container includes a lid base and a compressible portion. The lid base has a channel and is configured to receive a lid. The compressible portion is connected to the lid base. The compressible portion includes a one-way valve in air communication with the channel. Another container includes a compressible portion and a container base. The compressible portion includes a bellows body comprising at least two folds, each fold including a first movable hinge and a first sidewall, at least one second movable hinge positioned between the at least two folds and connected to the first sidewall, and a movable protrusion structure positioned between the at least two folds to space the first movable hinges and movable relative to the container interior between an external position and an internal position.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 217,548, filed July 1, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to containers, and more particularly to the structure, materials and manufacture of containers. Background Technology

[0004] Many containers on the market are currently incompressible, so users cannot adjust their capacity to suit their needs. Furthermore, even if a container is compressible, users may find it difficult to compress it when it is sealed, and may be unable to expel the air contained within. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The embodiments can be better understood by referring to the following figures and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather the focus is on illustrating the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference numerals denote corresponding components in different views.

[0006] Figure 1A This is an illustration of a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A diagram of the components of the container;

[0008] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A An exploded view of the container's components.

[0009] Figure 1D yes Figure 1A A 3D view of the container;

[0010] Figure 1E yes Figure 1A Another three-dimensional view of the container;

[0011] Figure 1F yes Figure 1A The main view of the container;

[0012] Figure 1G When some of the disclosed bump structures are recessed Figure 1A The main view of the container;

[0013] Figure 1H yes Figure 1A A top view of the container;

[0014] Figure 1I yes Figure 1A A bottom view of the container;

[0015] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the container;

[0016] Figure 2B yes Figure 1A The container along the perpendicular Figure 2A A three-dimensional view of the cross-section line;

[0017] Figure 2C yes Figure 1A The container from and Figure 2A Another three-dimensional cross-section view from a different location;

[0018] Figure 2D It shows what happens when the lid is upside down. Figure 1A The lid of the container;

[0019] Figure 3A yes Figure 1A A magnified 3D image of the container when it is upside down;

[0020] Figure 3B yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the container;

[0021] Figure 3C yes Figure 1A A schematic cross-sectional view of the container;

[0022] Figure 3D yes Figure 1A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the container;

[0023] Figure 3E yes Figure 1A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the container;

[0024] Figure 3F yes Figure 1A A rear cross-sectional view of the container;

[0025] Figure 3G yes Figure 1A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the container;

[0026] Figure 3H When the lid is removed Figure 1A A schematic partial top view of the container;

[0027] Figure 4A and 4B This is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an optional bump structure design; and

[0028] Figure 5A and 5B It shows having with Figure 1AContainers of different sizes. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figures 1A to 1I Different views of a container 10 according to an embodiment of this disclosure are shown. The container 10 includes a compressible portion 110 and a container base 120. The compressible portion 110 is connected to the container base 120. The height of the compressible portion 110 is adjustable according to the user's needs. The container base 120 may be made of different materials that are incompressible or substantially incompressible. The compressible portion 110 includes a bellows body 111, and the bellows body 111 includes at least two folds 112, 113. Each fold has a first movable hinge 114 (e.g., the top of the fold) and a sidewall 115. A second movable hinge 116 (e.g., the root of the two folds) is located between the two folds 112, 113. The second movable hinge 116 is defined at the intersection of the folds 112, 113. The container 10 may have multiple folds, such as seven folds, or fewer or more folds. For example, the compressible portion 110 has a half-fold at the top and bottom, and six folds between the top and bottom half-folds. Furthermore, the compressible portion 110 and the container base 120 may be made of silicone. The container base 120 may also be made of polypropylene or other materials with higher rigidity than silicone.

[0030] The bellows body 111 also includes at least one movable bump structure 210. The bump structure 210 is located between two folds 112, 113 to space the two first movable hinges 114. In this embodiment, as an example, the container 10 includes seven movable bump structures 210. The bump structure 210 is configurable relative to a container interior 11 in an external position (as shown in FIG. 1) and an internal position (when the user pushes the bump structure inward, such as...). Figure 1G The bellows body 111 can move between (as shown). The bellows body 111 may include multiple repeating layers. For example, the bellows body 111 may have multiple bump structures 210 positioned between two folds of the bellows body 111. Figure 1A As shown, as an example, there are seven bump structures in the compressible portion 110. It should be noted that the bump structures 210 are not necessarily circular. They can be protrusions of any shape, such as rectangular bumps, triangular bumps, or tent-shaped bumps. Figure 4A and 4B This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the protrusion structure 210.

[0031] Furthermore, the bump structures 210 are disposed on opposite sides of the compressible portion 110. In other embodiments, the bump structures 210 may be provided on one side, two adjacent sides, three sides, or even all sides of the compressible portion 110. The length or size of the bump structures 210 on different sides of the compressible portion 110 may differ. For example, the bump structure 210 on the shorter side of the compressible portion 110 may be shorter than the bump structure 210 on the longer side of the compressible portion 110, and vice versa. Furthermore, the bump structures 210 may be disposed on each fold (e.g., Figure 1A The bump structure 210 may be unevenly distributed on one side of the compressible portion 110, and the bump structure 210 may have different distributions on different sides of the compressible portion 110.

[0032] Specifically, when the bump structure 210 is in the external position as shown in FIG. 1, the bump structure 210 provides support for adjacent folds and helps the container 10 maintain the height of the compressible portion 110. When the user wants to compress the compressible portion 110 to reduce the overall height of the container 10, the user can push a certain amount of the bump structure 210 inward into the container interior 11. Once the bump structure 210 is pressed inward, adjacent folds can be folded or compressed more easily. For example, the user can push all seven bump structures inward to fully compress the compressible portion 110. Similarly, the user can choose to push only two, three, or five bump structures 210 inward to reduce the height of the compressible portion 110 by a smaller amount. Figure 1F and 1G Displays the main view of container 10. Figure 1G In this embodiment, some bump structures 210 are recessed, while others are not. It is worth noting that, depending on the material of the bump structure 210, such as the rigidity of silicone resin, it may be located in two stable positions, namely, an internal position or an external position.

[0033] Furthermore, when the protrusion structure 210 is pushed inward toward the container interior 11, the sidewalls of the movable protrusion structure 210 (which can be connected to two adjacent first movable hinges 114) can be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the sidewalls 115 of the rolls 112 and 113, such as Figure 1G As shown. On the other hand, when the movable bump structure 210 is recessed, the surface of the movable bump structure 210 may be offset from the surface of the sidewall 115 of the rolls 112 and 113.

[0034] Similarly, the user can push the recessed bump structure 210 outward to maintain the rigidity of the compressible portion 110. In one embodiment, the bump structure 210 can automatically pop out due to the tension of the material in the compressible portion 110 when the user expands the compressible portion 110.

[0035] like Figure 1A As shown, the movable bump structure may include a third movable hinge 212 (e.g., but not limited to folding, termination, channeling, and / or slits) on the inner surface of the bump structure 210, the third movable hinge 212 allowing the movable bump structure 210 to be recessed together with the third movable hinge 212. Exemplarily, the third movable hinge 212 is aligned with at least one second movable hinge 116 of the bellows body 111. The third movable hinge 212 may extend from one end of the sidewall of the bump structure 210 to the other end of the bump structure 210. The third movable hinge 212 may be exemplarily located in the middle of the inner surface of the bump structure 210 and may divide the sidewall of the bump structure 210 into an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall. When a user pushes the bump structure 210, the upper and lower sidewalls may pivot on the third movable hinge 212. Furthermore, the movable bump structure 210 includes two end walls 214 located at two opposite ends of the sidewall of the bump structure 210. Two end walls connect to the side walls 115 of the two folds 112, 113 and a second movable hinge 116. Each of the two end walls 214 defines three tips 216, which are respectively connected to the first movable hinge 114 and the second movable hinge 116. In one embodiment, the side walls of the protrusion structure 210 have higher rigidity than the side walls 115 of the compressible portion 110. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the side walls of the protrusion structure 210 are thicker than the side walls 115 of the folds 112, 113. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the side walls of the protrusion structure 210 are thinner than the side walls 115 of the folds 112, 113.

[0036] like Figure 1A and Figure 1E As shown, container 10 also includes a lid base 310 connected to the compressible portion 110. The lid base 310 is configured to receive a lid 320. In one embodiment, the lid base 310 is a frame fixed to the top of container 10. The lid base 310 may have higher rigidity than the compressible portion 110 and container base 120. The lid base includes a hinge 312, and the lid 320 is pivotally connected to the hinge 312. The lid 320 is detachable from the lid base 310. The hinge 312 defines an opening 315 for receiving a pivot 322 of the lid 320, and the opening 315 faces away from the lid base 310. Exemplarily, the lid 320 can rotate approximately 270 degrees, and the lid 320 may be made of polypropylene. The lid base 310 also includes a protrusion 319 (such as...). Figure 1E (as shown), and the protrusion 319 is used to engage with the cover 320 to secure the cover 320 in the closed state. The cover 320 may have a corresponding protrusion or recess 321 (as shown) that mates with the protrusion 319 to engage with the protrusion 319. Figure 1F (As shown).

[0037] In addition, such as Figure 2A , 2BAs shown in 2C, the lid base 310 includes a first skirt 314. The compressible portion 110 includes a washer 117 and a second skirt 118. The washer 117, the first skirt 314, and the second skirt 118 are stacked sequentially on top of each other. When the lid 320 is closed, the washer 117 contacts a protrusion 324 on the bottom surface of the lid 320. The washer 117 and the lid 320, specifically the protrusion 324, seal the main opening of the container 10. Exemplarily, the washer 117 and the protrusion 324 on the lid (as shown in 2C) are... Figure 2D (As shown) they are shaped together. Furthermore, the gasket 117 conforms to the contour of the cover base 310. The gasket 117 and the protrusion 324 can each form a closed loop.

[0038] In addition, such as Figure 2C As shown, the first skirt 314 forms one or more through holes 316 on the cover base 310, and the gasket 117 and the second skirt 118 are connected to each other through one or more connecting portions 317 in the through holes 316. The through holes 316 may be distributed around the periphery of the cover base 310. The connecting portions 317 are formed by a molding process such that the gasket 117 and the second skirt 118 are formed together from the same material, such as silicone resin. Thus, the cover base 310 is fixed to the gasket 117 and the second skirt 118 through the connection of the first skirt 314 with the gasket 117 and the second skirt 118. The cover base 310 is thus fixed to the compressible portion 110.

[0039] For manufacturing purposes, container 10 can be made, for example, by an insert molding process. Specifically, the cap base 310 can first be prepared by a molding process such as injection molding. The cap base 310 can be made of polypropylene. Then, the body of container 10, such as container base 120 and compressible portion 110, can be fixed to the cap base 310 by insert molding. Thus, container base 120 and compressible portion 110 can be formed in the same molding process. The cap base 310 has a wall 318, and the wall 318 surrounds a first skirt 314, a gasket 117, and a second skirt 118. That is, the geometry of the cap base 310 is larger than that of the compressible portion 110 and container base 120.

[0040] In such Figures 3A to 3F In one embodiment shown, container 10 includes at least one valve or vent 400, such as a one-way valve or vent. When container 10 is compressed, valve 400 can expel air from container 10 in response to a force applied to container 10. Otherwise, valve 400 remains closed when there is insufficient air pressure from inside container 11 to open the valve, making it difficult for outside air to enter container 10. For example, this can better preserve the food stored therein.

[0041] Exemplarily, the valve or vent 400 may be configured as part of the compressible portion 110. For example, the valve 400 may be located below the second skirt 118 of the compressible portion 110. The valve 400 may be located on the inner surface of the wall 318 near the base 310. The valve 400 may include a rib 424 and a pair of leaflets 420. The pair of leaflets 420 extend in the opposite direction from the rib, and the thickness of each leaflet 420 gradually decreases along the direction extending away from the rib 424. Specifically, the end of the leaflet 420 connected to the rib 424 has the greatest thickness, and the end of the leaflet 420 opposite to the rib 424 has the least thickness. The leaflets 420 may be in the shape of a triangular prism or a trapezoidal prism. This design facilitates the deformation of the leaflets 420 to allow air to pass through the valve 400 and be discharged. The valve 400 and the leaflets 420 may be made of silicone to provide suitable flexibility. Valve 400 and leaflet 420 can be formed during the same molding process as compressible part 110.

[0042] Furthermore, the base 310 may define at least one channel 410 (e.g. Figure 3C (As shown). The channel includes a first branch 412 and a second branch 414, wherein the first branch 412 and the second branch 414 are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first branch 412 defines an opening 416 of the channel 410 leading to the interior 11 of the container, and the second branch 414 overlaps with a pair of leaflets 420 of the valve 400. Exemplarily, the container 10 has two channels 410 forming two openings 416. The channels 410 may be T-shaped. When air in the interior 11 of the container flows into the opening 416, the air flows along the first branch 412. Then, when the air reaches the end of the first branch 412, the air is diverted into two paths. The air then enters the second branch 414. The second branch 414 overlaps with the leaflets 420 such that when the pressure in the container exceeds a certain threshold, the air in the container 10 will deform the leaflets 420 and will be expelled as the valve 400 opens. Otherwise, when there is not enough air pressure from inside the container 11 to deform the leaflet 420, the leaflet 420 remains in its original position, making it difficult for air from outside the container 10 to enter the container 10. For example, this can better preserve the food stored inside.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first branch 412 is aligned with the rib 424, and the second branch 414 is aligned with the leaflet 420. Furthermore, the leaflet 420 may extend outward beyond the end of the second branch 414 to ensure that the second branch 414 is completely covered by the leaflet 420. That is, the length of the second branch 414 is less than the total length of the two leaflets 420 and the rib 424 along the longitudinal axis of the second branch 414.

[0044] In one embodiment, when the compressible portion 110 is fully inflated, the ratio (H1 / H2) of the height of the compressible portion 110 to the height of the container base 120 is less than 2.0. In another embodiment, this ratio is less than 1.9. In yet another embodiment, this ratio is less than 1.5 or 1.0. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the ratio of the height of the container 10 when the compressible portion 110 is fully compressed to the height of the container 10 when the compressible portion 110 is fully inflated is greater than 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60%.

[0045] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a container including a lid base 310 and a compressible portion 110. The lid base 310 has a channel and is configured to receive a lid 320. The compressible portion 110 is connected to the lid base 310 and includes a one-way valve in air communication with the channel. Components of this container can be selectively employed in the above embodiments.

[0046] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a container. The container includes a lid base and a body. The lid base is configured to receive a lid and includes a first skirt 314. The body includes a gasket 117 and a second skirt 118. The gasket 117, the first skirt 314, and the second skirt 118 are sequentially stacked on top of each other. The body may include a compressible portion 110 and a container base 120. Components of the container of this embodiment may be selectively employed in the above embodiment.

[0047] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the above embodiments can be implemented in containers of different sizes. Containers may have different lengths, widths, and / or heights than container 10. Similarly, the shape of the containers of this disclosure may be, for example, square, rectangular, circular, or any other shape, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described. Rather, these specific features and actions are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will recognize that virtually an infinite number of variations of the above description are possible, and that the examples and figures are merely illustrative of one or more examples of the implementation.

[0050] However, those skilled in the art will understand that various other modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt specific situations to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the central concepts described herein. Therefore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather may also include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0051] In the detailed description above, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the claimed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, apparatus, or systems known to a person of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0052] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment," "an aspect," or "aspect" can mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with a particular embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the phrases "in an embodiment," "embodiment," "in an aspect," or "aspect" appearing in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or any particular embodiment described. Furthermore, it should be understood that the particular features, structures, or characteristics described can be combined in various ways in one or more embodiments. Of course, these and other issues can generally vary depending on the specific context of use. Therefore, the specific context of the description or the use of these terms can provide useful guidance regarding inferences drawn from that context.

Claims

1. A container comprising: The compressible portion includes: The bellows body includes: At least two folds, each fold including a first movable hinge and a first sidewall; At least one second movable hinge, the at least one second movable hinge being positioned between the at least two folds and connected to the first sidewall; and A movable bump structure, positioned between the at least two folds to space the first movable hinge, and movable relative to the container interior between an external and an internal position, wherein when the bump structure is in the external position relative to the container interior, the stiffness of the bump structure is higher than the stiffness of the first sidewalls of the at least two folds; and The container base, which is connected to the compressible portion.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The base of the container is incompressible.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein, When the movable bump structure is in the internal position, the movable bump structure is coplanar with the at least two rolled-up first sidewalls.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein, When the movable bump structure is in the internal position, the movable bump structure is not coplanar with the at least two rolled-up first sidewalls.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The movable bump structure includes a third movable hinge on the inner side of the bump structure, and the third movable hinge allows the second sidewall of the movable bump structure to pivot on the third movable hinge.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein, The third movable hinge is aligned with the at least one second movable hinge of the bellows body.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid base connected to the compressible portion, wherein the lid base is configured to receive a lid.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein: The base of the cover includes a first skirt edge; The compressible portion includes a washer and a second skirt; and The washer, the first skirt edge, and the second skirt edge are stacked sequentially on top of each other.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein, The first skirt edge forms one or more through holes, and the washer and the second skirt edge are connected to each other through one or more connecting portions in the through holes.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein, The washer, the second skirt, and the one or more connecting portions are made of the same material, which is different from the material of the cover base.

11. The container according to claim 8, wherein, The wall of the base of the cover surrounds the first skirt edge, the washer, and the second skirt edge.

12. The container according to claim 7, wherein, The base of the lid includes a hinge, and the container also includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein, The cover is detachable from the base of the cover, the hinge defines an opening to receive the pivot of the cover, and the opening faces away from the base of the cover.

14. The container according to claim 7, wherein: The base of the cover includes a first skirt edge; The compressible portion includes a washer positioned on the first hem; and The cover and the gasket seal the opening defined by the first skirt edge.

15. The container according to claim 7, wherein, The second skirt of the compressible portion includes a valve, and the base of the cover includes a channel in air communication with the valve.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein, The channel is T-shaped.

17. The container according to claim 15, wherein, The valve includes a rib and a pair of leaflets extending opposite to the rib, and the thickness of each leaflet gradually decreases in the direction away from the rib.

18. The container according to claim 17, wherein, The channel includes a first branch and a second branch, which are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first branch defines an opening in the channel leading to the interior of the container, and the second branch overlaps with the pair of leaflets of the valve.

19. The container according to claim 7, wherein, The compressible portion is made of silicone resin, and the cap base is made of polypropylene.

20. The container according to claim 1, wherein, When the compressible portion is fully expanded, the ratio of the height of the compressible portion to the height of the container base is less than 1.

9.

21. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The movable bump structure includes a second sidewall extending from the first movable hinge of the at least two folds to another first movable hinge of the at least two folds.

22. The container according to claim 21, wherein, The second sidewall of the bump structure is thicker than the first sidewall of the at least two folds.

23. The container according to claim 21, wherein, The second sidewall of the bump structure is thinner than the first sidewall of the at least two folds.

24. The container according to claim 21, wherein, The movable bump structure includes two end walls located at two opposite ends of the second sidewall of the bump structure, the two end walls being connected to the at least two rolled-up first sidewalls and the second movable hinge.

25. The container according to claim 24, wherein, Each of the two end walls defines three apexes, which are respectively connected to the first movable hinge and the second movable hinge.

26. The container of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve to discharge air from the container when the compressible portion is compressed.

27. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The base of the container is made of silicone resin or polypropylene.

28. A container comprising: A cover base having a channel and configured to receive a cover; as well as A compressible portion, connected to the cover base, wherein the compressible portion includes a first skirt edge, the first skirt edge including a one-way valve in air communication with the channel. The one-way valve includes a rib and a pair of leaflets extending from the rib, the thickness of each of the leaflets gradually decreasing as the leaflet extends away from the rib.

29. The container according to claim 28, wherein, The channel includes a first branch and a second branch, which are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first branch defines an opening in the channel to the interior of the container, and the second branch overlaps with the pair of leaflets of the one-way valve.

30. The container of claim 28, further comprising a container base connected to the compressible portion, wherein the container base is made of polypropylene or silicone resin, and the compressible portion is made of silicone resin.

31. A container comprising: A cover base, the cover base being configured to receive a cover and including a first skirt edge; as well as The main body includes a washer and a second skirt, wherein the washer, the first skirt, and the second skirt are stacked sequentially on top of each other, and the second skirt includes a one-way valve in air communication with a channel of the base of the cover. The first skirt edge forms one or more through holes, and the washer and the second skirt edge are connected to each other through one or more connecting portions in the through holes.

32. The container according to claim 31, wherein, The washer, the second skirt, and the one or more connecting portions are made of the same material, which is different from the material of the cover base.

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