Collapsible containers with transparent side walls

Abstract

Disclosed is a collapsible container, such as an above-ground pool, having side walls with some level of transparency. The container may include a base, a side wall joined to the base, and at least one transparent portion of the side wall. The transparent portion may comprise a clear material strong enough to support the pool structure without the need for a reinforcing material. Such a design may be stronger, more durable, and allow for clearer viewing than conventional above-ground pools employing conventional portholes. Such a design may allow for larger portions of transparent material than traditional pools. For example, in some embodiments, half of the side wall could comprise a transparent portion. In some embodiments, the entire side wall could comprise a transparent portion. Additionally, the pool may have improved portability and storability characteristics that are superior to those of conventional pools.

1 . A pool comprising:
 a base;   a side wall joined to the base, the side wall comprising:
 an aperture; 
 an outer wall; and 
 an inner wall, the inner wall capable of sealing to the outer wall; and 
   at least one porthole comprising:
 a first window sheet layer made from mixing a plastic and a plasticizer, wherein the first window sheet layer is configured to be transparent; and 
 a second window sheet layer made from mixing the plastic and the plasticizer, wherein the second window sheet layer is configured to be transparent, the at least one porthole being disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall and attached thereto by at least two welds that are each continuous around the perimeter of the aperture, wherein the porthole is configured to substantially cover the aperture. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer comprises at least one of sebacates, adipates, terephthalates, dibenzoates, gluterates, phthalates, azelates, acetamide, acetlytributylcitrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl butyl phthalate, diethylhydroxylamine, dioctyl phthalate, bisphenol A, bisphenol AF, dibutyl phthalate, dibutyl sebacate, diethylene glycol dinitrate, diisobutyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl methylphosphonate, dioctyl adipate, and dioctyl terephthalate. 
     
     
         4 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic confers to the at least one porthole a tensile strength of 2000 to 3000 kPa when the at least one porthole undergoes a tensile test in one or more of a horizontal or vertical direction. 
     
     
         5 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one porthole can withstand an applied force of up to 20,000 gf before failing. 
     
     
         6 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two welds include three welds that are continuous around the perimeter of the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises two or more side wall sections. 
     
     
         8 . The pool of  claim 7 , wherein each of the two or more sidewall sections comprises a porthole. 
     
     
         9 . The pool of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises a unitary side wall sheet. 
     
     
         10 . A pool comprising:
 a base;   a side wall comprising:   a first side wall section having a first edge, the first side wall section comprising: an outer wall; and   an inner wall, the inner wall capable of sealing to the outer wall; and a second side wall section having a second edge, the second side wall section comprising:
 a first window sheet layer made from mixing a plastic and a plasticizer, wherein the first window sheet layer is configured to be transparent, and a second window sheet layer made from mixing the plastic and the plasticizer, wherein the first window sheet layer is configured to be transparent, wherein the second edge of the second side wall section is configured to join the first edge of the first side wall section at a joint and be attached thereto by at least two welds that are each continuous along the joint, 
   wherein each side wall section is joined to the base.   
     
     
         11 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the first side wall section is not transparent. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the second side wall section has a tensile strength from 2000 to 3000 kPa when the second side wall section undergoes a tensile test in one or more of a horizontal or vertical direction. 
     
     
         14 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the second side wall section can withstand an applied force of up to 20,000 gf before failing. 
     
     
         15 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the first side wall section is joined to one or more adjacent side wall sections and the base by one or more welds that are continuous around the perimeter of the first side wall section. 
     
     
         16 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the first side wall section comprises a porthole containing an aperture and a window sheet disposed within the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The pool of  claim 16 , wherein the window sheet is joined to the aperture through one or more welds around the perimeter of the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The pool of  claim 10 , wherein the window sheet is made from the plastic. 
     
     
         19 . A pool comprising:
 a base;   a side wall comprising a window sheet comprising a transparent material made from mixing a plastic and a plasticizer, and the window sheet enclosing an interior area of the pool, wherein the side wall is joined to the base through one or more welds.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The pool of  claim 19 , wherein the side wall has a tensile strength from 2000 to 3000 kPa when the first window sheet undergoes a tensile test in one or more of a horizontal or vertical direction. 
     
     
         22 . The pool of  claim 19 , wherein the side wall can withstand an applied force of up to 20,000 gf before failing. 
     
     
         23 . The pool of  claim 19 , wherein the side wall further comprises a flotation device having the shape of the interior area of the pool and disposed around a top portion of the side wall, wherein the flotation device is formed of the transparent material. 
     
     
         24 - 27 . (canceled)