Twist-fold containers
AssigneeMandarin Associates Ltd.
InventorBarro de Gast
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Twist-fold containers include wires that are pivotally connected to channels formed in the containers. Using a twisting motion, the containers including the wires are collapsed. The collapsing, twisting motion is produced though the use of wires that are displaced in a plurality of locations along the circumference of the container. The wires include horizontal sections that are configured to be retained in the base or rim of the container in a manner that permits them to rotate to transition the container between expanded and collapsed positions.
Claims20
A collapsible twist-fold container comprising:
- a rim;
- a base;
- and
- a plurality of wires, each of the plurality of wires having a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally horizontal portion, each separate one of the first generally horizontal portions being received with a corresponding separate one of a first plurality of channels positioned on the rim of the container, and each separate one of the second generally horizontal portions being received with a corresponding separate one of a second plurality of channels positioned on the base of the container;
- whereby the container is selectively positionable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, each of the plurality of wires being rotatably movable within each of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to transition the container between the expanded position and the collapsed position.
A set of collapsible twist-fold containers comprising:
- an upper container;
- a lower container;
- and
- a plurality of wires attaching the upper container to the lower container, the plurality of wires each having a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally horizontal portion, the first generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of upper channels carried on a rim of a first container, and the second generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of lower channels carried on a rim of a second container;
- whereby the set of containers is selectively positionable between an expanded position in which the upper container is positioned distant from the lower container and supported by the plurality of wires, and a collapsed position in which the upper container is poisoned relatively closer to the second container and nested within the second container, each of the plurality of wires being rotatably movable within each of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to transition the set of containers between the expanded position and the collapsed position
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.