Invertible container

Abstract

A container is provided having a base and a flexible rim having an opening. The base is sized to fit through the opening. A collapsible sidewall extends between the base and the rim. The sidewall is collapsible so that the base may pass through the opening to invert the container and allow adjustments to the shape of the container to fit in small areas such as other containers or tight locations where many standard containers cannot fit.

1 . A container comprising:
 a base forming a first end of the container;   a flexible rim forming a second end of the container and having an opening, the base sized to fit through the opening; and   a collapsible sidewall extending between the base and the rim, the sidewall collapsible so that the base passes through the opening to invert the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the rim is rotatable so that the rim rotates when the base passes through the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, in an operating position, the sidewall has a first surface along an exterior of the container and a second surface along an interior of the container, the container invertible to a loading position when the base passes through the opening so that the first surface is positioned along  t he interior of the container and the second surface is positioned along the exterior of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, in an operating position, the rim has a first surface along an exterior of the container and a second surface along an interior of the container, the container invertible to a loading position when the base passes through the opening so that the first surface is positioned along the interior of the container and the second surface is positioned along the exterior of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is invertible between an operating position and a loading position by passing the base through the opening, the container having substantially the same volume in the operating position as in the loading position. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a centerline, the sidewall expending outward with respect to the centerline from the base to the rim. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes at least one collapsible step to adjust a shape of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is formed from a semi-rigid material to enable the sidewall to collapse, and the rim is formed from a semi-rigid material that enables the rim to rotate. 
     
     
         9 . A container comprising:
 a base forming a first end of the container;   a rim forming a second end of the container and having an opening, the base sized to fit through the opening;   a collapsible sidewall extending between the base and the rim;   an upper flange extending from the rim; and   at least one fixation mechanism formed in at least one of the upper flange or the sidewall.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein, in a loading position, the sidewall has a first surface along an interior of the container and a second surface along an exterior of the container, the container configured to receive a liner over the second surface, the liner secured in the at least one fixation mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the container is invertible to an operating position by passing the base through the opening so that the first surface is positioned along the exterior of the container and the second surface is positioned along the interior of the container so that the liner is positioned in the interior of the container along the second surface. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9  further comprising an outer flange extending from the upper flange so that a gap is formed between the sidewall and the outer flange, a portion of a liner extended through the at least one fixation mechanism and hidden within the gap when the container is in an operating position. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein, in an operating position, the rim has a first surface along an exterior of the container and a second surface along an interior of the container, the container invertible to a loading position by passing the base through the opening so that the first surface is positioned along the interior of the container and the second surface is positioned along the exterior of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the container is invertible between a loading position and an operating position by passing the base through the opening, the container having substantially the same volume in the loading position as in the operating position. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the container includes at least one collapsible step to adjust a shape of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 9  further comprising a lid to seal the container, the lid secured in the at least one fixation mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . A container comprising:
 a base;   a rim having an opening, the base sized to fit through the opening;   a sidewall extending between the base and the rim, the sidewall being collapsible to adjust a shape of the container between an operating position and loading position, the container having substantially the same volume in the operating position as in the loading position,   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the sidewall comprises at least one collapsible step to adjust the shape of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the container has a centerline, the sidewall expanding outward with respect to the centerline from the base to rim. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the sidewall collapses so that the base passes through the opening to invert the container between the operating position and the loading position.