Collapsible container and dispenser employing a collapsible container

摘要

A collapsible container has a front face and a collapsible backing, wherein the container volume decreases as product is removed, and the collapsible backing collapses by vacuum as the container volume decreases. The front face may be flexible and thus susceptible to losing its original shape as the container volume decreases, but is nevertheless designed to retain its shape by having a frame around at least a portion of its perimeter. The front face may instead be adapted to retain its shape as the collapsible backing collapses upon a decrease in the container volume. The collapsible container is of particular beneficial use in a dispenser housing having a sight window in a front wall thereof, the sight window being aligned with the front face of the collapsible container.

主权项

1. A collapsible container for receipt in a dispenser housing that provides means for the dispensing of product from the collapsible container, the collapsible container comprising:
a front face formed of a shape-retaining material that resists deformation; a collapsible backing secured to said front face to define a container volume, wherein said collapsible backing includes fold lines and said collapsible backing collapses along said fold lines as said container volume decreases; and product retained within said container volume, wherein the container volume is sealed such that the removal of a portion of said product from said container volume causes said container volume to decrease, and, as said container volume decreases due to the removal of product, (a) said collapsible backing collapses by vacuum toward said front face and (b) said front face retains its shape due to being formed from said shape-retaining material.