Storage container with a collapsible bellows unit

Abstract

A storage container having a collapsible unit and a twist cap is described. The collapsible unit is a type of bellows which includes a base and a sidewall attached to the base. The sidewall has a spiral fold that traverses along a portion of the length of that the collapsible unit. The length can be compressed by folding the collapsible unit along the spiral fold. As the length of the collapsible unit is reduced, access to any remaining products, such as acne pad products, stored at the bottom of the collapsible unit can be more conveniently obtained. The cap of the storage container includes a ring collar; a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and a guide attached to the sleeve. When the cap is turned or twisted the guide and the spiral fold are configured to slideably engage each other which results in shortening the length of the collapsible unit.

1 . A storage container comprising:
 a collapsible unit comprising:   a base; and   a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold; and   a cap comprising:   a ring collar;   a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and   
       a guide attached to the sleeve wherein the guide being slideably engaged with the spiral fold of the sidewall of the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1  further comprising a lip attached to the sidewall of the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 1  further comprising lid attached to the ring collar. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the lid is selected from the group consisting of a flip top lid, pop-off lid, a screw top lid and a nozzle lid. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 1  further comprising an outer shell rotatably attached to the cap, wherein the outer shell containing the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 1  further comprising a product mounted within the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 1  further comprising a handle attached to the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 6  where the product is a plurality of stacked acne treatment pads. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 6  wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a cream, a lotion, a viscous oil, a gel, a grease, an eye shadow, a blush, a powder, a food stuff, a lipstick, a lip balm, an eyeliner product, a mascara product, a hair care conditioner product. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 6  wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of an absorbent article, a cellulose based tissue, a cellulose/polypropylene based tissue, a cotton based tissue, and a wool based tissue. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the collapsible unit is configured to contract in length when the cap is turned, relative to the collapsible unit, so that the guide slides along the spiral fold of the sidewall and results in folding a portion of the collapsible unit between the guide and the ring collar. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the collapsible unit is configured to expand in length when the cap is turned, relative to the collapsible unit, so that the guide slides along the spiral fold of the sidewall and results in unfolding a portion of the collapsible unit between the guide and the ring collar. 
     
     
         15 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall and the sleeve are substantially cylindrical in shape, and the lip and the ring collar are substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the guide having a spiral 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the guide is attached to an outer surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the guide is attached to an inner surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A kit for a storage container, the kit comprising:
 a collapsible unit comprising:   a base; and   a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold; and   
       a cap comprising:
 a ring collar, 
 a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and 
 a guide attached to the sleeve wherein the guide being slideably engageable with the spiral fold of the sidewall of the collapsible unit. 
 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20  further comprising a product mounted within the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21  further comprising a seal attached to the collapsible unit hermetically sealing the product within the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 20  further comprising a lid attachable to the ring collar. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 23  wherein the lid is selected from the group consisting of a flip top lid, pop-off lid, a screw top lid and a nozzle lid. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 20  further comprising an outer shell rotatably attachable to the cap, wherein the outer shell configured to contain the collapsible unit. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 20  further comprising a handle attached to the collapsible unit.