Collapsible container that expands when water is added

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 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 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;   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.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a concentrated product disposed in the internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  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. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from the same material. 
     
     
         5 . The contained product of  claim 4  wherein said material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         6 . A container comprising:
 a support portion;   a collapsible portion connected to the support portion such that an internal volume is defined between the support portion and the collapsible portion;   a hinge portion that connects the collapsible portion to the support portion;   wherein the support portion, the collapsible portion, and the hinge portion are integrally formed from a uniform material;   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;   wherein the collapsible portion and said hinge portion are 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.   
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the hinge portion extends around an entire interface between the support portion and the collapsible portion, wherein the hinge portion comprises a first leg that is attached to the support portion, a second leg that is attached to the collapsible portion, and a third leg that connects the first leg to the second leg. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6  further comprising a concentrated product disposed in the internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8  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. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 6  said uniform material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . 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 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; 
   adding a concentrated product to an internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition;   adding water to the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in the collapsed condition, wherein said adding said water causes the collapsible portion to move to the expanded position.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising applying a seal 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. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from the same material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene.