Collapsible Container

Abstract

A collapsible container includes a compressive wall and a base. The base includes a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference, and the base is also made of a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall. The compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base via the retaining ring.

1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a compressive wall; and   a base having a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference;   wherein the base comprises a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall and the compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base by way of the retaining ring, the retaining ring includes a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom, the compressive wall is retained to the base by receiving the plurality of retaining lugs in a plurality of apertures provided therein on at least a one-to-one basis, and an overlaying layer is applied to the retaining lugs, as received within the apertures, to provide additional strength to the join between the base and compressive wall.   
   
   
       2 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein a top strengthening ring is provided at the end of the compressive wall not connected to the base. 
   
   
       3 . A collapsible container according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one additional strengthening ring is provided in the compressive wall between the base and the top strengthening ring. 
   
   
       4 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow small knives to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity. 
   
   
       5 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressive wall consists of a series of linked layers. 
   
   
       6 . A collapsible container according to  claim 5 , wherein each linked layer has a shape substantially similar to a parallelogram in cross section. 
   
   
       7 . A collapsible container according to  claim 2 , wherein the top strengthening ring is adapted to allow a lid to be connected thereto. 
   
   
       8 . A collapsible container according to  claim 2 , further including a handle, the handle being adapted to extend from the base to the top strengthening ring to facilitate carrying of the container. 
   
   
       9 . A collapsible container according to  claim 8 , wherein the handle is adapted to be recessed into the base when not in use. 
   
   
       10 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior side of the collapsible wall is labelled with a series of indicators and the volumetric capacity of the container at such indicators. 
   
   
       11 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1 , further including feet made from a non-skid material. 
   
   
       12 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a compressive wall; and   a base having a retaining ring extending from at least a portion of its circumference;   
     wherein the base comprises a hardened material compared to the material making up the compressive wall and the compressive wall is adapted to be retained around the circumference of the base by way of the retaining ring, the retaining ring includes a plurality of apertures provided therein, the compressive wall is retained to the base by a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom being received on at least a one-to-one basis in the plurality of apertures, and an overlaying layer is applied to the retaining lugs, as received within the apertures, to provide additional strength to the join between the base and compressive wall. 
   
   
       13 . A collapsible container according to  claim 12 , wherein a top strengthening ring is provided at the end of the compressive wall not connected to the base. 
   
   
       14 . A collapsible container according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one additional strengthening ring is provided in the compressive wall between the base and the top strengthening ring. 
   
   
       15 . A collapsible container according to  claim 12 , wherein the base is made of a material of a suitable hardness to allow small knives to be used thereon without damaging its structural integrity. 
   
   
       16 . A collapsible container according to  claim 12 , wherein the compressive wall consists of a series of linked layers. 
   
   
       17 . A collapsible container according to  claim 16 , wherein each linked layer has a shape substantially similar to a parallelogram in cross section. 
   
   
       18 . A collapsible container according to  claim 13 , wherein the top strengthening ring is adapted to allow a lid to be connected thereto. 
   
   
       19 . A collapsible container according to  claim 13  further including a handle, the handle being adapted to extend from the base to the top strengthening ring to facilitate carrying of the container. 
   
   
       20 . A collapsible container according to  claim 19 , wherein the handle is adapted to be recessed into the base when not in use. 
   
   
       21 . A collapsible container according to  claim 12 , wherein the interior side of the collapsible wall is labelled with a series of indicators and the volumetric capacity of the container at such indicators. 
   
   
       22 . A collapsible container according to  claim 12 , further including feet made from a non-skid material.