| 摘要 |
A collapsible container consists of three parts: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This combination of sections allows the container to easily collapse to about one-third of its original height. The container is also quite stable when expanded and is self-supporting. In various embodiments of the invention, for example, the upper rim may be expandable, the base may include holes or mesh to serve as a colander or strainer, or the base may be configured as a tube to function as a funnel. |
| 主权项 |
1. A collapsible container, comprising:
a substantially rigid rim formed from a first material, the rim having a top edge and a downwardly extending portion which extends downwardly and inwardly below the top edge to form an upper sidewall portion of the container; a substantially rigid base, the base having a bottom edge configured for resting on a horizontal surface and an upwardly extending portion which extends upwardly and outwardly above the bottom edge to form a lower sidewall portion of the container; and a flexible membrane formed from a second material which is more flexible than the first material and having an upper end permanently secured to the rim and a lower end permanently secured to the base, the flexible membrane having a central section and only two living hinges, the living hinges comprising a first living hinge and a second living hinge, the first living hinge being relatively closer to the rim, and the second living hinge being relatively closer to the base; wherein the flexible membrane is formed from silicone and the base is formed from metal, the base further defining a floor of the container wherein the flexible membrane extends upwardly and outwardly from the base, the base further comprising a metal wire mesh material to define a plurality of drainage pathways through the floor; the container further defining a height from the bottom edge of the base to the top edge of the rim, the first and second living hinges being positioned to divide the height into three portions, including a first portion between the top edge of the rim and the first living hinge, a second portion between the first living hinge and the second living hinge, and a third portion between the second living hinge and the bottom edge of the base; whereby the container is configurable in either a first position in which the container is expanded and a second position in which the container is fully collapsed, the container in the fully collapsed position being folded at the first living hinge and the second living hinge, the flexible membrane being devoid of folds or bends between the first living hinge and the second living hinge. |
