Collapsible receptacle for flexible beverage container

Abstract

In combination, a liquid holding container having flexible walls is contained within a collapsible receptacle having rigid walls to prevent liquid from exiting the container when unwanted pressure is exerted on the container walls. The collapsible receptacle has an interior space to receive the liquid holding container when in an extended position, and is substantially flat in the collapsed position. The panels and bottom of the collapsible receptacle may be joined together with reversible hinges, or reversible biasing hinges to bias the receptacle to either an extended or collapsed position.

1 . A combination comprising:
 a liquid holding container having flexible walls and an access port positioned on a top portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressure exerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid from said container through said access port; and   a receptacle comprising a plurality of rigid panels, said receptacle capable of being reversibly collapsed from an extended position, said extended position having an internal space for receiving and holding said container, to a collapsed position wherein said receptacle is substantially flat;   
     said rigid panels cooperating with and shielding said flexible walls from unwanted pressure. 
   
   
       2 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A combination comprising:
 a liquid holding container having flexible walls and an access port positioned on a top portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressure exerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid from said container through said access port; and   a receptacle having:
 a plurality of rigid panels, said rigid panels reversibly hingedly connected to adjacent rigid panels, and 
 a bottom portion reversibly hingedly connected to two adjacent rigid panels; 
   said plurality of rigid panels and bottom forming an internal space for receiving said fluid container, said fluid container resting on said bottom.   
   
   
       18 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A receptacle adapted for holding a liquid holding container having a plurality of flexible walls, a base, and an access port positioned on a top portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressure exerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid from said container through said access port wherein the receptacle comprises:
 a plurality of rigid panels reversibly hingedly connected to an adjacent rigid panel adapted to reversibly sliding engage said flexible walls;   a deformable bottom portion connected to a plurality of said rigid panels, said rigid panels and bottom forming an internal space for receiving said liquid holding container, said base resting on said bottom portion.   
   
   
       23 - 25 . (canceled)