Folding container

Abstract

A folding container comprising a body portion defining a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled and at least one rib extending along at least a portion of the body portion. The at least one rib being collapsible to permit the body portion to collapse to a generally flattened position in the absence of the product contained therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding container comprising:
 a body portion defining a receptacle chamber within said container into which product can be filled; and   at least one rib extending along at least a portion of said body portion, said at least one rib being collapsible to permit said body portion to collapse to a generally flattened position in the absence of the product contained therein.   
     
     
         2 . The folding container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one rib comprises a central peak portion, at least one inwardly extending valley portion, and a transition surface extending therebetween, at least one of said central peak portion and said at least one inwardly extending valley portion being collapsible. 
     
     
         3 . The folding container according to  claim 2  wherein said transition surface is generally convex. 
     
     
         4 . The folding container according to  claim 2  wherein said transition surface is generally planar. 
     
     
         5 . The folding container according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a finish;   a shoulder portion extending between said finish and said body portion, said shoulder portion defining a transition between said finish and said shoulder portion.   
     
     
         6 . The folding container according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one rib extends along at least a portion of said shoulder portion. 
     
     
         7 . The folding container according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one rib is serrated. 
     
     
         8 . The folding container according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base portion extending along a bottom of said body portion, said base portion enclosing said receptacle chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The folding container according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one rib extends along at least a portion of said base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The folding container according to  claim 8  wherein said base portion is generally flat. 
     
     
         11 . The folding container according to  claim 8  wherein said base portion comprises a collapsible opening. 
     
     
         12 . The folding container according to  claim 1  wherein said body portion comprises at least one side panel portion and said at least one rib comprises a central peak portion, said central peak portion transitioning directly into said at least one side panel portion. 
     
     
         13 . The folding container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one rib comprises a central spine section extending along at least a central portion of said at least one rib. 
     
     
         14 . The folding container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one rib comprises a plurality of ribs, each of said plurality of ribs being continuous and extending from said body portion to a base portion and again to said body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The folding container according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a finish;   a shoulder portion extending between said finish and said body portion, said shoulder portion defining a transition between said finish and said shoulder portion; and   a base portion extending along a bottom of said body portion, said base portion enclosing said receptacle chamber,   wherein said at least one rib extends continuously from at least said shoulder portion along said body portion to said base portion.   
     
     
         16 . The folding container according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a finish;   a shoulder portion extending between said finish and said body portion, said shoulder portion defining a transition between said finish and said shoulder portion; and   a base portion extending along a bottom of said body portion, said base portion enclosing said receptacle chamber,   wherein said at least one rib extends continuously from at least said shoulder portion along a first side of said body portion to said base portion and again along a second side of said body portion to said shoulder portion.   
     
     
         17 . A folding container comprising:
 a finish;   a body portion defining a receptacle chamber within said container into which product can be filled;   a shoulder portion extending between said finish and said body portion, said shoulder portion defining a transition between said finish and said shoulder portion; and   a base portion extending along a bottom of said body portion, said base portion enclosing said receptacle chamber,   said body portion being positionable in a first position where said body portion is collapsed to define a first overall thickness and a second position where said body portion is expanded to define a second overall thickness to receive the product within said receptacle, said second overall thickness being greater than the first overall thickness.   
     
     
         18 . The folding container according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one rib extending along at least a portion of said body portion, said at least one rib being collapsible to permit said body portion to collapse to said first overall thickness and be expanded to said second overall thickness, said at least one rib acting as a hinge member during such movement.   
     
     
         19 . The folding container according to  claim 18  wherein said at least one rib comprises a central peak portion, at least one inwardly extending valley portion, and a transition surface extending therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The folding container according to  claim 18  wherein said body portion comprises at least one side panel portion and said at least one rib comprises a central peak portion, said central peak portion transitioning directly into said at least one side panel portion.