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US 10,556,716 B2Granted
Collapsible medical containers
OwnerMiguel David Ramosinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Containers that are capable of transitioning from a collapsed configuration to an uncollapsed configuration. The containers, when in a collapsed configuration, may have a relatively low profile. When in an uncollapsed configuration, the containers can function as receptacles for receiving solids or liquids. Some containers can be manufactured by folding a foldable sheet that includes a plurality of openings.
Claims25
A collapsible container comprising:
- an interior side wall comprising a plurality of planar wall segments;
- an exterior side wall comprising a plurality of planar wall segments;
- wherein the collapsible container is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration in which the planar wall segments of the interior side wall and the planar wall segments of the exterior side wall lie substantially in a single plane to an uncollapsed configuration in which the interior side wall and the exterior side wall each form a convex polygon with internal angles that are each greater than or substantially equal to 30°;
- a slit in a planar wall segment of the interior side wall configured to provide an inward protruding tab defining a horizontally disposed surface,
- wherein the planar wall segment comprising the slit forms a corner of the convex polygon with each interior planar wall segment disposed adjacent the planar wall segment comprising the slit.
2 more elements
A collapsible container configured to transition from a collapsed configuration to an uncollapsed configuration, the collapsible container comprising:
- a sheet of foldable material, the sheet comprising a plurality of openings that lie along a longitudinal axis of the sheet when the sheet is disposed flat as a single layer;
- wherein the collapsible container is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration in which the collapsible container is disposed in substantially a single plane to an uncollapsed configuration in which the collapsible container forms a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of lateral sides and a base;
- wherein the number of openings that lie along the longitudinal axis of the sheet is one less than the number of lateral sides of the three-dimensional structure;
- wherein the plurality of lateral sides and the base are portions of the sheet of foldable material;
- wherein an interior side wall and an exterior side wall form the plurality of lateral sides of the three-dimensional structure;
- wherein the interior side wall comprises a slit defining a first deflectable tab and the exterior side wall comprises a slit defining a second deflectable tab such that the first deflectable tab is aligned with the second deflectable tab when the collapsible container is in the uncollapsed configuration;
- wherein the first deflectable tab and the second deflectable tab are each formed of a single fold;
- and
- wherein the first deflectable tab or the second deflectable tab defines a plane extending uninterrupted across an entire interior of the three-dimensional structure.
6 more elements
A method of manipulating a collapsible container, the method comprising:
- obtaining a collapsible container in a substantially planar configuration, the collapsible container comprising:
- an interior wall comprising a plurality of planar wall segments;
- and
- an exterior wall comprising a plurality of planar wall segments;
- manipulating the collapsible container to adopt a three-dimensional structure in which the planar wall segments of the interior wall and the planar wall segments of the exterior wall each form a convex polygon;
- and
- displacing the interior wall in a downward direction such that the interior wall is disposed directly inward of the exterior wall, wherein displacing the interior wall in a downward direction causes formation of a base of the collapsible container;
- and
- deflecting a tab defined by a single slit in one of the interior and exterior walls at least partially through an opening defined by a single slit in the other one of the interior and exterior walls,
- wherein the tab is centrally located in the one of the interior and exterior walls between adjacent interior walls or between adjacent exterior walls, respectively.
7 more elements
A method of manufacturing a container, the method comprising:
- obtaining a foldable sheet comprising a plurality of openings that lie along a longitudinal axis of the sheet;
- folding the foldable sheet to form a three-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of lateral side walls and a base;
- and
- coupling a first lateral side wall of the plurality of lateral side walls to a second lateral side wall of the plurality of lateral side walls;
- wherein the container is a collapsible container, and
- forming a slit in a lateral side wall configured to provide a protrusion on an inner surface of the lateral side wall,
- wherein the entirety of the slit is formed in the lateral side wall, and
- wherein the slit is centrally located between adjacent lateral side walls.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.