Collapsible container with stowed component

Abstract

A semi-collapsible container has a hollow body with support and collapsible portions, and can be maintained in a collapsed or an expanded condition. The container is useful for storing liquid, and is especially adapted in its collapsed condition for storing relatively small volumes of concentrated liquid, powders or the like, and in its expanded condition for containing larger volumes of liquid. Via a dispenser in the container, a closure assembly is coupled to the container for securing the contents thereof from leakage.

1 . A contained product comprising:
 a collapsible container comprising:
 a support portion; and 
 a collapsible portion connected to the support portion such that an internal volume is defined between the support portion and the collapsible portion; 
 wherein the collapsible portion is moveable between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; 
 wherein when said collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition the collapsible portion is inverted into the internal cavity to form an outwardly facing concavity; 
   a concentrated product disposed in an internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition;   a component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity.   
     
     
         2 . The contained product of  claim 1  wherein the component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity is a tool for use with the container. 
     
     
         3 . The contained product of  claim 2  wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of a pump, a measuring cup, a spoon, a dispensing container, and a cap. 
     
     
         4 . The contained product of  claim 1  wherein the component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity is selected from the group comprising product instructions, a coupon, a glass, and a toy. 
     
     
         5 . The contained product of  claim 1  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         6 . The contained product of  claim 5  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The contained product of  claim 1  wherein the collapsible portion is configured such that adding water to the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in the collapsed condition causes the collapsible portion to move to the expanded position. 
     
     
         8 . The contained product of  claim 7  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         9 . The contained product of  claim 8  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The contained product of  claim 1  further comprising a seal that is applied to the collapsible container immediately upon addition of said concentrated product to said internal volume of the collapsible container such that a vacuum forms in said collapsible container due to an increase in internal volume caused by the force of adding said concentrated product. 
     
     
         11 . A contained product comprising:
 a collapsible container comprising:
 a support portion; and 
 a collapsible portion connected to the support portion such that an internal volume is defined between the support portion and the collapsible portion; 
 wherein the collapsible portion is moveable between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; 
 wherein when said collapsible portion is in the expanded condition said internal volume comprises a volume of an internal cavity of the support portion and a volume of an internal cavity of the collapsible portion; 
 wherein when said collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition the collapsible portion is inverted into the internal cavity of the support portion to reduce said internal volume of the collapsible container and to form an outwardly facing concavity; 
   a concentrated product disposed in the internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition;   a component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity.   
     
     
         12 . The contained product of  claim 11  wherein the component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity is a tool for use with the container. 
     
     
         13 . The contained product of  claim 12  wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of a pump, a measuring cup, a spoon, a dispensing container, and a cap. 
     
     
         14 . The contained product of  claim 11  wherein the component disposed in said outwardly facing concavity is selected from the group comprising product instructions, a coupon, a glass, and a toy. 
     
     
         15 . The contained product of  claim 11  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         16 . The contained product of  claim 15  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         17 . The contained product of  claim 11  wherein the collapsible portion is configured such that adding water to the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in the collapsed condition causes the collapsible portion to move to the expanded position. 
     
     
         18 . The contained product of  claim 17  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         19 . The contained product of  claim 18  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The contained product of  claim 11  further comprising a seal that is applied to the collapsible container immediately upon addition of said concentrated product to said internal volume of the collapsible container such that a vacuum forms in said collapsible container due to an increase in internal volume caused by the force of adding said concentrated product. 
     
     
         21 . A method of containing a product comprising:
 providing a collapsible container comprising:
 a support portion; and 
 a collapsible portion connected to the support portion such that an internal volume is defined between the support portion and the collapsible portion; 
 wherein the collapsible portion is moveable between a expanded condition and a collapsed condition; 
 wherein when said collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition the collapsible portion is inverted into the internal cavity to form an outwardly facing concavity; 
   adding a concentrated product to an internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition;   placing a component in said outwardly facing concavity.   
     
     
         22 . The contained product of  claim 21  wherein the component that is placed in said outwardly facing concavity is a tool for use with the container. 
     
     
         23 . The contained product of  claim 22  wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of a pump, a measuring cup, a spoon, a dispensing container, and a cap.