EXPANDABLE BOTTLE

Abstract

Collapsible bottles and methods of use are disclosed in which the bottle is fabricated, collapsed at a body section including circular or spiral folds, provided with a condensed or concentrated substance, and sealed. Subsequently, the bottle may be unsealed, expanded, provided with a liquid, sealed, and mixed to bring the substance to a desired concentration or consistency.

Claims

1. A bottle comprising: a pliant material; a top section including a first opening; a bottom section; and a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein: the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side.

2. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of corrugations.

3. The bottle of claim 2, wherein the plurality of corrugations includes a plurality of scalloped sections connected by a plurality of flat sections.

4. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of v-shaped grooves.

5. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of a plurality of ribs.

6. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by being thicker.

7. The bottle of claim 1, wherein: when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state

8. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first.

9. The bottle of claim 8, wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section.

10. The bottle of claim 8 in the compressed state, further including a substance, wherein the substance is brought to a predetermined concentration when the bottle is expanded to the expanded state and filled with a liquid.

11. A method of using a collapsible bottle comprising: obtaining the collapsible bottle in a compressed state and provided with a substance, the collapsible bottle including: a pliant material; a top section including a first opening; a bottom section; and a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein: the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side; expanding the collapsible bottle to the expanded state; adding a liquid to the expanded collapsible bottle; and mixing the liquid with the substance to dilute the substance a pre-determined amount or to obtain a pre-determined consistency.

12. The bottle of claim 11, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of at least one of: a plurality of corrugations; a plurality of flat sections; a plurality of v-shaped grooves; a plurality of ribs; or an increased thickness of bottle material.

13. The bottle of claim 11, wherein: when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state

14. The bottle of claim 11, wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first.

15. The bottle of claim 14, wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section.

16. A method of using a first collapsible bottle comprising: obtaining the first collapsible bottle in an expanded state; the first collapsible bottle including: a pliant material; a top section including a first opening; a bottom section; and a body including at least one fold completely traversing a perimeter of the bottle, the fold including a first side and a second side relatively more rigid than the first side and an angle between the first side and second rigid sides, wherein: the bottle has a compressed state in which the angle is relatively smaller and an expanded state in which the angle is relatively larger; and, when the bottle is in the compressed state, the first side is received by the second side; compressing the first collapsible bottle to the compressed state; adding a substance to the first compressed collapsible bottle; and, after the addition, capping the first compressed collapsible bottle.

17. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the second side is made relatively more rigid than the first side by the addition of at least one of: a plurality of corrugations; a plurality of flat sections; a plurality of v-shaped grooves; a plurality of ribs; or an increased thickness of bottle material.

18. The bottle of claim 16, wherein: when the bottle is in the compressed state the at least one fold is exposed; and when the bottle is in the compressed state, a first perimeter of the top section and a second perimeter of the bottom section are greater than a maximum perimeter of the exposed at least one fold such that the first perimeter and second perimeter may be grasped to pull the bottle from the compressed state to the expanded state.

19. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the bottom section is configured to receive the top section when the top section is fitted with a cap such that a first bottle may be stacked atop a second bottle identical to the first.

20. The bottle of claim 19, wherein the bottom section and cap are configured such that there is a first press fit between the bottom section and the cap when the top section is received by the bottom section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

[0005] FIG. 1A is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0006] FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 collapsed;

[0007] FIG. 1C is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 stacked;

[0008] FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating a use case for the embodiment of FIG. 1 collapsed;

[0009] FIG. 2B is a side view illustrating the use case for the embodiment of FIG. 1 expanded;

[0010] FIG. 2C is a side view illustrating the use case for the embodiment of FIG. 1 expanded and filled;

[0011] FIG. 2D is a side view illustrating the use case for the embodiment of FIG. 1 expanded, filled, and mixed;

[0012] FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0013] FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A collapsed;

[0014] FIG. 3C is a side view illustrating a detail of an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3D is a side view illustrating the detail of FIG. 3C;

[0016] FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0017] FIG. 4B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 4A partially expanded;

[0018] FIG. 4C is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 4A stacked

[0019] FIG. 5A is a perspective view is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle in a collapsed state;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 5A in an expanded state;

[0021] FIG. 6A-FIG. 6F are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0022] FIG. 7A-FIG. 7H are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0023] FIG. 8A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0024] FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0025] FIG. 9A is a perspective view is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle in a collapsed state;

[0026] FIG. 9B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 9A in a partially expanded state;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 9A.

[0028] FIG. 11 is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0029] FIG. 12A is an upper front perspective view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 11;

[0030] FIG. 12B is a top view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 12A;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle;

[0032] FIG. 14A is an upper front perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 11 in a first collapsed state;

[0033] FIG. 14B is an upper front perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 11 in a second collapsed state; and

[0034] FIG. 15A-FIG. 15H are side views of the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 11 illustrating a sequence of collapse from a first, expanded state to a second, collapsed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Embodiments described within disclose a vehicle for the sale of single-serving dehydrated foodstuffs in an expandable bottle. The foodstuff may include, e.g., baby formula, protein powder, powdered meal replacement, or the like. Embodiments may also be vehicles for containing condensed or dehydrated materials for later dilution or rehydration, including both foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs.

[0036] In a use case, an embodiment is distributed or sold with the material added and the bottle collapsed. In such an embodiment, a consumer may purchase the bottle individually or in bulk. When the ready to consume the product, the consumer opens the bottle, expands it, fills it with water or other liquid, and mixes the material and the liquid.

[0037] The expandability allows for the convenience of a liquid bottled product with the shelf-space, weight, and cost savings more similar to a dry product bought in a tub or bag.

[0038] Embodiments may also be stackable.

[0039] In an embodiment, the walls of the bottle may be bi-stable so the bottle remains in either of a fully collapsed or a fully extended position. For example, regarding the shape of the folds, in an embodiment, like a measuring tape which will happily coil, or when straightened remain rigid, the body of the bottle will remain in a collapsed or extended position, with force required to transition between. In a position mid-way between collapsed and extended, the outer edge of each fold will be stretched, or otherwise deformed, slightly, creating an over-center condition. In other words, when transitioning from collapsed to extended, as the neck is moved away from the bottom, for each fold, an outer apex of a fold follows an arc. Initially, the apex is relatively closer to a center axis of the bottle and, as the bottle is expanded, the apex arcs up and away from the center axis. At a mid-way point in the expansion, the arc of the apex is furthest from the bottle center axis. With further expansion, the apex travels further along the arc, becoming closer to the center axis along the way. In an embodiment, when expanding, for the apex of each fold (both circular and spiral) to arc away from the center axis requires a slight stretch of the bottle material. Similarly, compression requires a stretch of the bottle material for the apex to make the return arc. Thus, without effort being exerted to expand or compress the bottle and stretch the material in the process, the material will not, on its own or by the force of gravity, make the transition to the other state. Thus, the need to stretch the material to change states results in the bottle being bi-stable.

[0040] In an embodiment with a spiral fold, when expanding or compressing the bottle, the top section of the bottle twists relative to the bottom section. When the spiral is oriented with the spiral in a left-hand orientation (as shown in FIG. 5B), the top section rotates counter clockwise (viewed from above) when expanding to feel like the opening of a normal threaded cap.

[0041] In an embodiment, the walls of the bottle may be expandable, but after being expanded, are not readily collapsible. In an embodiment, the body of the bottle may be configured to assume the extended position by default, with force required to compress the folds of the body, much that that required to compress a spring. The bottle may then be held in the collapsed position by vacuum when sealed. When the seal is breached, the folds would spring open and the bottle would return to the extended position.

[0042] In an embodiment, the wall of the body of the bottle, which contains the folds that provide for the expansion, For example, may have a thickness that is uniform at all locations of the fold, e.g., a spiral or pleat.

[0043] In an embodiment, a mesh or filter may be included in a bottle cap. In an embodiment, an arm may be attached to the cap to be inserted into the bottle and used in mixing the ingredients within the bottle.

[0044] In an embodiment, because the bottle is holding dry goods instead of water, the material from which the bottle is constructed is less robust than if the bottle were to be sold with the volume of liquid that will eventually be added to the dry goods. For example, less robust bottles may be more biodegradable and constructed of, e.g., bio-plastics (PHA), corn or mycelium plastic alternatives, etc.

[0045] Generally, embodiments are directed to collapsible bottles that may be or are provided with a dry food sealed within, and that may be expanded to allow the dry food within to be rehydrated or otherwise diluted. In addition, embodiments are directed to collapsible bottles that may be or are provided with a concentrated substance sealed within, and that may be expanded to allow the substance to be rehydrated or otherwise diluted.

[0046] FIG. 1A is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 10. In FIG. 1A, collapsible bottle 10 includes a cap 12 sealing an opening (not shown) within a neck 35 (FIG. 3A), an upper section 14, an expandible body 16 (shown expanded), a base 18, and a punt 20. Punt 20 is configured to accommodate cap 12 and upper section 14. As shown, expandable body 16 is expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold being a continuous spiral from base 18 to next 14. In embodiment, expandable body 16 may be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion in which each fold makes a single circle (see body 36 of FIGS. 3A and 3B). In an embodiment, a spiral fold may be selected for improved mixing, with the continuity of the spiral, which provides a single, continuous groove from bottle bottom to top, promoting fluid motion more than a circular fold, which may function something like a series of dams or fluid speed bumps.

[0047] FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 collapsed. In FIG. 1B, expandible body 16 is shown collapsed.

[0048] FIG. 1C is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 stacked. In FIG. 1C, multiple collapsed bottles 10a . . . 10c are shown stacked, with caps 12b, 12c received within punts 20a, 20b. In an embodiment, punts 20 and caps 12 may be configured such that a press-fit is formed between them when stacked as shown in FIG. 1C. Such a press-fit may be desired for maintaining the stack during loading, shipment, storage, and display.

[0049] FIG. 2A is a side view illustrating a use case for collapsible bottle 10. In FIG. 2A bottle 10 is provided with a dehydrated or condensed food or substance 22. In FIG. 2B, body section 16 has been expanded, e.g., by removing cap 12, or unscrewing it enough to break the seal, and pulling upper section 14 away from bottom 18. In FIG. 2C, a liquid 24, e.g., water, has been added to body section 16. In FIG. 2D, condensed food or substance 22 and liquid 24 have been mixed to create a re-hydrated or diluted food or substance 26.

[0050] FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 30. In FIG. 3A, collapsible bottle 30 includes a cap 32 about a neck 35, an upper section 34, an expandible body 36 (shown expanded), a base 38, and a punt 40. In the embodiment, punt 40 is configured to accommodate upper section 34. Neck 35 includes threads 42. As shown, expandable body 36 is expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold making single circle about body 36, but body 36 may be expandable in the spiral fashion shown in FIG. 1A as well. In embodiments, punt 40 may be configured to accommodate cap 32 and upper section 34.

[0051] FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A collapsed and with cap 32 opened to allow access to an opening 50. In the configuration of FIG. 3B, and with cap 32 removed, or with just arm 49 removed and punt 40 configured to receive cap 32, bottle 30 may be stacked to save space, similar to the stacking shown in FIG. 1C.

[0052] FIG. 3C is a side view illustrating detail of cap 32. Cap 32 includes threads 44, which cooperate with threads 42 to attach cap 32 to neck 35. Cap 32 includes a lip 45 above threads 44. A press-fit or partial press-fit of lip 45 within cap 32 at inner diameter 46 helps keep cap 32 closed. Cap 32 includes a flange (or edge) 47 that defines opening 50. An outer diameter 48 of a post 52 of cap 32 is received within flange 47 to also help keep cap 32 closed. In an embodiment, cap 32 may include an arm 49. Arm 49 may be leveraged to cause cap 32 to pivot about a hinge 54 and withdraw post 52 from opening 50. With cap 32 detached from threads 42, arm 49 may be used to stir the contents the bottle.

[0053] FIG. 3D is a side view illustrating the detail of FIG. 3C in an open configuration that allows access to opening 50.

[0054] FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 60. In FIG. 4A, collapsible bottle 60 includes an upper section 64, a neck 65, an expandible body 66 (shown collapsed), a base 68, and a punt 70. Punt 70 is configured to accommodate a cap 62, an insert 76, and neck 65 when upper section 64 is in a retracted position (FIG. 4A). Neck 65 is received within insert 76, which includes threads 78. Threads 74 of cap 62 cooperate with threads 78 to seal bottle 60. In some embodiments, insert 76 may include a filter or mesh 80. In other embodiments, the area shown occupied by mesh 80 may be solid or open. In some embodiments, threads 78 may be formed directly into neck 65 with insert 76 not extending past the outside diameter of neck 65. In an embodiment, insert 76, threads 78, and mesh 80 may be one unit and welded into position on neck 65. In an embodiment, threads 78 may be provided in on neck 65 conventionally, and mesh 80 welded in place, without insert 76.

[0055] In FIG. 4A bottle 60 is provided with a dehydrated or condensed food or substance 72 to be rehydrated or diluted as discussed with regard to FIGS. 2A . . . 2D. As before, expandable body 66 may be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold making single circle about body 36, or in the spiral fashion shown in FIG. 1A as well.

[0056] FIG. 4B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 4A partially expanded such that upper section 64 is popped up, or extended. The ability of upper section 64 to pop, by itself and with body 66 remaining compressed, between a collapsed or retracted state (FIG. 4A) and an expanded or extended state (FIG. 4C) allows for bottle 60 to stack compactly, as shown in FIG. 4C. It is envisioned that bottle 60 may be used efficiently for relatively small servings of foodstuffs.

[0057] FIG. 5A is a perspective view is a side view illustrating an embodiment 100 of a collapsible bottle in a collapsed state. In FIG. 5A, collapsible bottle 100 includes a cap 112, an upper section 114 (shown retracted), an expandible body 116 (shown compressed), a base 118, and a punt 120 (FIG. 6A). Body 116 is compressed between upper section 114 and base 118. Punt 120 is configured to accommodate cap 112 and neck 145 (FIG. 6A) when upper section 114 is retracted. As shown, expandable body 116 is expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold being a continuous spiral from base 118 to upper section 114. Spiral 117 indicates the longitudinal distance gained by one complete spiral in the compressed state. In an embodiment, expandable body 116 may be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion in which each fold makes a single circle (see body 136 of FIG. 8).

[0058] FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 5A in an expanded state. In the expanded state, each spiral 117 has been expanded and upper section 114 extended as well from being concave in FIG. 5A to convex in FIG. 5B.

[0059] FIG. 6A-FIG. 6F are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. FIG. 6A further illustrates that cap 112 includes threads 144, which cooperate with threads 142 to attach cap 112 to neck 65 and seal opening 150.

[0060] In FIG. 6A, in a first step of a method, bottle 100 and cap 112 are manufactured. In FIG. 6B, upper section 114 and body 116 are compressed, separately or at the same time. In FIG. 6C, compressed bottle 100 is filled with a substance 122, e.g., a dehydrated or condensed material, such as a foodstuff. In FIG. 6D, bottle 100 is capped. In FIG. 6E, bottle 100 may receive a label 123. And in FIG. 6F, after multiple bottles have undergone the steps of FIG. 6A FIG. 6E, the bottles may be stacked, with cap 112 being received within punt 120, e.g., for packaging, shipment, and/or display. In an embodiment, it is envisioned that the steps illustrated by FIG. 6A-FIG. 6F would be performed by a manufacturer or other commercial entity.

[0061] In an embodiment, the volume of compressed bottle 100 (FIG. 6B) and the volume of expanded bottle 100 (FIG. 6A) may be both be predetermined volumes such that, for a particular substance 112, when compressed bottle 100 is filled with the substance, and the bottle 100 is subsequently expanded, filling expanded bottle 100 with a designated fluid brings the particular substance 112 to a predetermined concentration or consistency.

[0062] FIG. 7A-FIG. 7H are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In FIG. 7A, a bottle 100 is obtained that has completed the method of FIG. 6A-FIG. 6F. In FIG. 7B, body section 116 has been expanded, e.g., by removing cap 112, or unscrewing it enough to break the seal, and pulling upper section 114 away from bottom 118. In FIG. 7C, bottle 100 is uncapped and both upper section 114 and body 116 are fully expanded. In FIG. 7D, a liquid 124 is added, e.g., to the fill line 146. In FIG. 7E, bottle 100 is re-capped and shaken to mix. In FIG. 7F, the mixing is shown to result in a reconstituted substance 126. In FIG. 7G, reconstituted substance 126 is used, e.g., consumed or applied. And in FIG. 7H, empty bottle may be recycled or re-used. In an embodiment, it is envisioned that the steps illustrated by FIG. 7A-FIG. 7H would be performed by a manufacturer or other commercial entity.

[0063] FIG. 8A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 130 including an upper section 114, a body 136, and a bottom section 138. Body 136 includes a number of folds 137, each fold 137 making a single circle about body 136. Upper section 114 is the same for both bottle 100 and bottle 130.

[0064] FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of collapsible bottle 100, which, when compared to bottle 130 of FIG. 8A, illustrates the similarity of upper sections 114 and the differences between bodies 116, 136, and between bottom section 118, 138.

[0065] FIG. 9A is a perspective view is a side view illustrating bottle 100 in a collapsed state. FIG. 9B is a side view illustrating bottle 100 in a partially expanded state. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate that flexible section 134 of upper section 114 may be pulled and extended with respect to the lower outer perimeter of upper section 114 to go from the concave orientation of FIG. 9A to the convex orientation of FIG. 9B.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of collapsible bottle 100 of FIG. 9A. In FIG. 10, cap 112 is shown to include an undercut 132, which facilitates grasping cap 112 and pulling to expand bottle 100.

[0067] FIG. 11 is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 200. In FIG. 11, bottle 200 includes a body section 216 that is pleated so that it may be collapsed. Bottle 200 includes smooth sections 202a . . . 202g, corrugated sections 204a . . . 204f, outer fold lines 206a . . . 206g, inner fold lines 208a . . . 208f. Each corrugated section 204a . . . 204f includes a number of corrugations 210a . . . 210n or flutes. Bottle 200 is otherwise similar to other embodiments in that features of the various caps, necks, upper sections, and bottoms may be incorporated into cap 212 (FIG. 15A), neck 245, upper section 214, and bottom 218 of bottle 200.

[0068] Corrugated sections 204a . . . 204f are relatively more rigid than smooth sections 202a . . . 202g, which are more pliable. Thus, when compressive force is applied to the top and bottom of bottle 200, smooth sections 202a . . . 202g deform more easily than corrugated sections 204a . . . 204f and each smooth section deforms and nests within the corrugated section below it. That is, when bottle 200 is compressed, the smooth, more pliable, sections 202a . . . 202g deform before corrugated sections 204a . . . 204f and section 202a . . . 202g nest within sections 204a . . . 204f. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, corrugated sections 204a . . . 204f are shown to include waves or scallops, each with a relatively inward and upward section 220 bounded by relatively outward and downward sections 222a, 222b. In an embodiment, corrugations 210a . . . 210n may be sinusoidal. In the embodiment, the wave height of the sinusoidal wave corrugation is constant, given manufacturing tolerances, but in other embodiments the wave height may be varied.

[0069] Note that in the embodiments, the corrugations 210a . . . 210n are relatively narrower toward the center of the bottle and relatively wider as they extend radially outward, and at an angle to a center axis of the bottle, toward the outer perimeter of the bottle. In the embodiment, each corrugation, e.g., corrugation 210b, may be shaped differently. For example, each central scalloped area, e.g., scalloped area 220, may be connected to each adjacent scalloped area by flat sections, e.g., sections 222a, 222b may be flat instead of wave shaped. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the waves are of relatively shorter wavelength nearer the bottle center. Similarly, corrugations made of scallops and flat sections may be relatively narrower toward the bottle center. In other embodiments, either the flat sections, or the scallop, may maintain a constant width. In other embodiments, the corrugations may have different configurations. For example, v-shaped grooves or pleats connected to each other may be used in place of the waves of corrugations 210a . . . 210n to add rigidity to each corrugated section 204a . . . 204f without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Additionally, the waves of corrugations 210a . . . 210n may be squared off such that there are high and/or low flat sections with transitions in between. And the transition sections may be at various angles with respect to the flat sections, e.g., from a 90 degree with respect to each flat section proving a quick transition, to a greater angle between each flat section providing a more gradual transition. One of skill will realize that the corrugations may be shaped as desired and arbitrarily to provide a desired amount of stiffness. In an embodiment, ribs may be added to, e.g., flat sections, v-shaped grooves, or an otherwise smooth section (lacking scallops or v-shaped grooves) to add the desired rigidity. In an embodiment, the material of the smooth section may be relatively thinner than the second side of the fold, making the second side more rigid in comparison. Thus, corrugations 210a . . . 210n, v-shaped grooves, and relatively thicker material are examples of elements that may be added to sections to add rigidity.

[0070] In an embodiment, the wall thickness of bottle 200 may be intended to be constant, but due to the limitations of the manufacturing technique, e.g., blow-molding, the thickness may vary. For example, in a relatively lighter 16 gm embodiment, the thicknesses of the various section may be as follows: upper section 214 0.18; lower section 218 0.10 mm; the outer folds 206a . . . 206g may range from 0.07 mm to 0.15 mm; and the inner folds 208a . . . 208f may range from 0.21 to 0.26 mm. In a relatively heavier 20 gm embodiment, the thicknesses of the various section may be as follows: upper section 214 0.15; lower section 218 0.09 mm; the outer folds 206a . . . 206g may range from 0.03 mm to 0.12 mm; and the inner folds 208a . . . 208f may range from 0.19 to 0.22 mm.

[0071] In an embodiment, there are 30 corrugations 210a . . . 210n around the diameter with a spacing from ridge to ridge around 7 mm (each tapers from 8.4 to 6 mm), and a depth just over 1 mm. The embodiment may be 211.80 mm tall and have a diameter of 79.97 mm. In other embodiments, the spacing may vary and the number of corrugations may vary as well, e.g., from half (15) to twice as many (60) corrugations. One of skill will understand to adjust the number of corrugations, size, and spacing so that the corrugations supply sufficient structural rigidity in the desired direction. Preferably, the corrugations are also configured to facilitate a blow-molding process. In embodiments, a smaller diameter bottle may have fewer corrugations than a large bottle, but the relationship may not be strictly proportional as small corrugations may become too small to mold, i.e., a bottle half the size may have fewer corrugations, but not as few as half as many corrugations.

[0072] FIG. 12A is an upper perspective view and FIG. 12B is a top view of bottle 200, each further illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle of FIG. 11 in the expanded state in which it is manufactured.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle 300 in which the corrugations are on the other upper side of a pleat. FIG. 13 illustrates that the corrugated sections 304a . . . 304fwith the fluted walls with corrugations 310a . . . 310nmay be on the upper side of each pleat. Bottle 300 is otherwise similar to bottle 200. In comparison to bottle 200, bottle 300 inverts the collapse of each pleat such that, e.g., the lower pleated section 304a is driven up into the smooth section 302a above it. In comparison, with bottle 200, the smooth section is driven down into the corrugated section beneath it.

[0074] FIG. 14A is an upper front perspective view of bottle 200 in a first collapsed state in which body section 216 has been collapsed with each smooth section being received within the corrugated section below it, except for upper section 214. FIG. 14B is an upper front perspective view of bottle 200 in a second collapsed state in which body section 216 has been collapsed with each smooth section being received within the corrugated section below it, including upper section 214. In an embodiment, bottle 200 may be collapsed to the first collapsed state. In an embodiment, bottle 200 may be collapsed to the second collapsed state. In an embodiment, bottle 200 may be collapsed to either the first or second collapsed state.

[0075] FIGS. 15A-FIG. 15H are side views of the embodiment of a collapsible bottle 200 of FIG. 11 illustrating a sequence of collapse from a first, expanded state to a second, collapsed state. FIGS. 15A-FIG. 15H shows the process of collapse may begin at the top, with each layer driving the collapse of the next layer below. Corrugations 210a . . . 210n (FIG. 11) maintain the structure of the corrugated layers 204a . . . 204f (FIG. 11) and drive the collapse down of the smooth layers 202b . . . 202g (FIG. 11). Initially, smooth layer 202a and upper section 214 have been driven down into corrugated layer 204a, which as described with regard to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B is an option. Neck 245 is not shown in FIGS. 15B-15H.

[0076] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. In the embodiments, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless specifically so stated, but rather one or more. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term some refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.

[0077] A phrase such as an aspect does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a configuration does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

[0078] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.