Container

Abstract

The invention provides a container. The container is used for transporting fluid and is portable and foldable. The container is formed from a flexible wall that can be folded to fold the container. The dedicated edge portion is connected to the container wall by a transition collar that joins the hard edge portion to a relatively soft and pliable wall. A metal ring is embedded in the upper face of the container to keep the container in a cylindrical form and prevent depression of the edge portion, which may result in separation of the lid from the edge portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water containers, and more particularly to a collapsible water container. Background Art

[0002] Portable containers are widely used for transporting water for different purposes such as drinking and bathing. For example, campers may wish to carry large amounts of water for drinking and showering. Collapsible containers are known in the art, but such containers are not suitable for storing large volumes of water. In addition, the lids for known collapsible containers are fastened via a friction engagement, which is not as secure as a threaded engagement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a container formed by collapsible walls, but the container includes a threaded collar of hard plastic and a mating lid. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a container that holds significantly more fluid than known containers and that also includes a secure screw cap. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] Figure 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a container lid and the lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 3 is a broken away cross-sectional view of a container lid and the lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 4 is a top view of a base plate of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 5 is a view of the underside surface of a base plate of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-mentioned various figures in the accompanying drawings of the specification. However, in this document, the accompanying drawings and descriptions of the present invention are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the present description without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, without departing from the spirit of the present invention in its entirety, the features described herein can be omitted, additional features can be included, and / or the features described herein can be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations stated herein.

[0010] Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a container 10 having a container wall 12 and a mating lid 14. In an embodiment of the present invention, the container wall 12 is formed of a material that can be folded but still retains the integrity of the container wall 12. In this way, the container wall 12 can be folded and compressed for storage purposes, and the container wall 12 can serve as a stable container wall when filled with water.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wall 12 is formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) (also known as poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate)) sheet. The EVA wall remains stable when holding water, but the EVA wall can also be folded and configured such that the container can be compressed when the container is empty.

[0012] Referring to Figure 2 's exploded cross-sectional view, the container 10 has an upper edge portion 16 that is configured to receive a threaded lid (e.g., 14). In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper edge portion 16 is connected to a lower collar section 18. The upper edge portion 16 is formed of polypropylene or a similar rigid plastic material. In an embodiment of the present invention, the polypropylene material of the upper edge portion 16 has sufficient hardness to tightly engage with a hard plastic lid (e.g., lid 14), which is preferably also formed of polypropylene. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 14 mates with the upper edge portion 16 in a threaded engagement manner.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hard plastic material (e.g., polypropylene) of the upper edge portion 16 cannot be directly welded to the EVA material of the soft and foldable container wall 12. In this regard, in an embodiment of the present invention, in order to attach the upper edge portion 16 to the container wall 12, the lower collar section 18 serves as a bridging member that indirectly attaches the container wall 12 to the upper edge portion 16. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower collar section 18 is formed of EVA, and the EVA has a hardness value between the hardness value of the EVA container wall 12 and the hardness value of the upper edge portion section 16.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper edge portion 16 and the collar section 18 are formed by a two-shot injection molding process combining EVA and polypropylene. Thus, a single unit is formed, where the collar section 18 is formed of EVA material and the upper edge portion 16 is formed of polypropylene material. In this regard, the polypropylene upper edge portion 16 engages with the lid 14 formed of polypropylene, thereby allowing a waterproof seal.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper section of the EVA container wall 12 is heat-welded to the EVA lower collar section 18. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unit formed by the lower collar section 18 and the upper edge portion 16 bridges the EVA material (wall 12 and collar section 18) of the container 10 to the polypropylene material (upper edge portion 16 and lid 14) of the container 10.

[0016] Continuing to refer to Figure 2 , the lower collar section 18 is formed by a curved inner wall 20 and an outer wall 22. As shown, the extension section 24 extends laterally away from the outer wall 22. In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall 22 of the collar section is formed with structural ribs that are configured to adhere to the inner surface of the container wall 12. For example, referring to Figure 3 , a portion of the container wall 12 is shown, and this portion of the container wall 12 has an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 28. The inner surface 26 is adhered (preferably by heat welding) to the outer wall 22 of the collar section 18 (below the extension section 24).

[0017] As Figure 2 shown, the extension section 24 has an upper surface 30, a lower side surface 32, and a bridging wall 34 that forms a block of EVA material. In an embodiment of the present invention, a metal ring 36 is embedded within the extension section 24.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper edge portion 16 is formed by a curved inner edge portion wall 38 and an outer edge portion wall 40. As shown, the threaded portion 42 formed on the outer edge portion wall 40 is configured to mate with the threaded portion 44 provided on the inner wall of the lid 14.

[0019] The lower aspect of the upper edge portion section 16 is configured to adhere to the lower collar section 18. In an embodiment of the present invention, a flange or similar edge portion extension 46 is provided to contact and connect to the lower collar section 18. For example, as best shown in Figure 3 , the lower side surface of the edge portion extension 46 sits on and is joined to the upper surface 30 of the extension section 24.

[0020] Referring to Figure 3, the metal ring 36 completely surrounds the container wall 12 and is located directly below the upper edge portion 16. In this regard, the ring 36 provides structural support to maintain the circular aspect of the container wall. In this regard, in the case where the filled container 10 is struck from the side, the ring 36 ensures that the edge portion segment 16 does not dent or deform, which would pose a risk of separation of the lid 14 from the upper edge portion segment 16.

[0021] Figure 4 The base plate 46 is shown, which is configured to provide increased strength and stability. For example, as shown, the base plate 46 is provided with ribs or similar support structures. In an embodiment, the ribs (e.g., 48) extend from the outer peripheral surface of the base plate 46 and converge towards the central portion of the base plate 46. Other ribs (e.g., 50) may be formed by substantially circular or concentric circles. In an embodiment of the present invention, the two ribs 48, 50 intersect at one or more points to impart additional strength and durability.

[0022] Figure 5 The lower side surface of the base plate 46 is shown. As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, a series of legs 52 extend from the lower side surface to increase the stability of the unit when placed on a flat surface.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for producing a container or vessel that is capable of holding a large volume of water. The method includes the steps of: providing a generally cylindrical wall formed of a flexible but durable material, such as, for example, EVA. The method further includes the step of performing two injection molding processes to form a unit including both: i) a lower collar segment of EVA having rib segments that are configured to contact the inner surface of the cylindrical wall; and ii) an upper edge portion segment of polypropylene. The method includes: welding the top segment of the cylindrical wall to the collar segment. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method of joining the cylindrical wall includes: using a collar segment formed of an EVA material that has a greater hardness than the cylindrical wall.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention further include the step of embedding a metal ring or a similar rigid ring into the collar segment. For example, the collar may be injection molded around the metal ring such that the metal ring becomes embedded within the collar. Alternatively, the collar may be formed with a slit and an inner cavity such that the ring can be pushed through the slit into the inner cavity.

[0025] The user can fold the container by folding the walls into a compact unit, for example for storage purposes. When the user wants to use the container to store water, the user only needs to unfold the walls and add water to the inner cavity formed by the walls. The water held within the container will exert an outward pressure on the container walls and thus help to maintain the walls in a cylindrical form.

[0026] Although the invention has been described in connection with the embodiments as set forth above, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container, the container comprising: A base plate; A flexible wall that extends upward from the base plate; A collar section, the collar section comprising: A curved wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; A rigid ring that is embedded within a portion of the collar section; An upper edge portion, the upper edge portion comprising: A circular wall having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface; The bottom end portion is connected to the collar section; Wherein, the flexible wall comprises a material having a first hardness, and the collar section comprises a material having a second hardness.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein The upper edge portion comprises a material having a third hardness, and wherein the second hardness is greater than the first hardness and the third hardness is greater than the second hardness.

3. The container according to claim 1, the container further comprising an extension section that extends outward from the outer surface of the curved wall of the collar section.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein, The rigid ring is disposed within the extension section.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein, The rigid ring is formed of a metallic material.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the upper edge portion comprises a threaded portion.

7. The container according to claim 7, the container further comprising a lid.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein, The lid comprises a threaded portion that mates with the threaded portion of the outer surface of the upper edge portion.

9. The container according to claim 8, the container further comprising a base plate.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein, The base plate comprises a series of support structures.

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