Collapsible container with z-shaped hinge

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;   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 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;   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; and   wherein when said collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition the collapsible portion is inverted into the internal cavity of the support portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said first leg, said second leg, and said third leg form a z-shape in cross-section when the collapsible portion is in the expanded condition. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support portion, the collapsible portion, and the hinge portion are integrally formed from a uniform material. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  said uniform material s a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the hinge portion extends around an entire interface between the support portion and the collapsible portion. 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  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. 
     
     
         9 . 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 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, wherein said first leg, said second leg, and said third leg form a z-shape in cross-section when the collapsible portion is in the expanded condition;   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; and   wherein when said collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition the collapsible portion is inverted into the internal cavity of the support portion.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the support portion, the collapsible portion, and the hinge portion are integrally formed from a uniform material. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  said uniform material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9  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. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the hinge portion extends around an entire interface between the support portion and the collapsible portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9  further comprising a concentrated product disposed in the internal volume of the collapsible container when the collapsible portion is in said collapsed condition. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 9  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. 
     
     
         16 . A method of containing a product comprising:
 providing a collapsible 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; and 
 a hinge portion that connects the collapsible portion to the support 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; 
 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 than 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 such that said first leg, said second leg, and said third leg move to form a z-shape in cross-section.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  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. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from the same material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein both the support portion and the collapsible portion are made from one material having uniform properties. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said one material is a blend of Low Density Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene.