Container

Abstract

A container with a varying capacity is provided. The container has one or more pleats, allowing transformation of the container into varying physical states.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for storing contents under pressure adapted for insertion into a rigid outer housing having a narrowed opening, the container comprising: 
 a body having an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface, said body being selectively transformable amongst at least a first physical state having a first volume, a second physical state having a second volume and a third physical state having a third volume, said first volume being greater than said second volume and said third volume being greater than said first volume.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is transformed into said second physical state by a substantially longitudinal force upon said body.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is transformed into said third physical state by a substantially outwardly radial force upon said inner surface.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is cylindrical.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is made from a flexible material.  
     
     
         6 . A container for storing contents under pressure adapted for insertion into a rigid outer housing having a narrowed opening, the container comprising: 
 a body having an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface, said body having an outer surface with at least one pleat along at least a portion of said body, said body being selectively transformable amongst at least a first physical state having a first volume, a second physical state having a second volume and a third physical state having a third volume, said first volume being greater than said second volume and said third volume being greater than said first volume.    
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said body is cylindrical.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said body is made from a flexible material.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one pleat is a plurality of pleats.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of pleats is about 10 to about 12 pleats.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of pleats are longitudinally positioned along said body.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of pleats each have a first end and a second end, said first end being tapered toward said open end and said second end being tapered toward said closed end.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of pleats are diametrically opposed from each other along said body.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of pleats are equidistantly spaced apart along said body.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said closed end is tapered.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said open end comprises a downwardly curved rim.  
     
     
         17 . A variable capacity container system for storing contents under pressure, comprising: 
 a rigid outer housing having a narrowed opening; and    a container for storing contents under pressure adapted for insertion into said rigid outer housing through said narrowed opening, said container having a body with an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface, said body having an outer surface with at least one pleat along at least a portion of said body, wherein said body can be selectively transformed amongst at least a first physical state having a first volume, a second physical state having a second volume and a third physical state having a third volume, said first volume being greater than said second volume and said third volume being greater than said first volume.    
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said body is cylindrical.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said body is made from a flexible material.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one pleat is a plurality of pleats.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of pleats is about 10 to about 12 pleats.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of pleats are longitudinally positioned along said body.  
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein said plurality of pleats each have a first end and a second end, said first end being tapered toward said open end and said second end being tapered toward said closed end.  
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of pleats are diametrically opposed from each other along said body.  
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of pleats are equidistantly spaced apart along said body.  
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said closed end is tapered.  
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said open end comprises a downwardly curved rim.