# US 2014/0197178 A1 · Twist-fold containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197178 A1 - Document ID: US20140197178A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/157,034 - Filed: 2014-01-16 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Mandarin Associates Ltd. - Applicants: Mandarin Associates Ltd. - Inventors: Barro de Gast - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197178A1 ## CPC - A47G 19/30: Other containers or devices used as table equipment {(used as kitchen equipment A47J47/02)} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 1, wherein second generally horizontal portion extends at an angle of greater than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the rim of the container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 2, wherein said second generally horizontal portion includes a second retention member configured to hold said second generally horizontal portion inside the base of the container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 2, wherein said first generally horizontal portion includes a first retention member configured to hold said first generally horizontal portion inside the rim of the container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 3 wherein the first retention member comprises a locking washer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 2 wherein the wire further comprises a generally vertical portion extending between the first generally horizontal portion and the second generally horizontal portion, the generally vertical portion extending radially inward as it extends from the rim toward the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 6 wherein the rim further comprises a rim flange extending radially inward from the rim, whereby the rim flange abuts the plurality of wires in the collapsed position to restrict inversion of the plurality of wires in the collapsed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 6 wherein the base further comprises a central hub, the central hub being sized and positioned concentrically within the rim. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 8, further comprising a base flange extending radially outward from the base, whereby the base flange abuts the plurality of wires in the collapsed position to restrict inversion of the plurality of wires in the collapsed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 9 further comprising a locking ring, the locking ring being pivotally secured to the central hub and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking ring further having a plurality of radially extending teeth, each one of the plurality of radially extending teeth being positioned to trap a portion a separate one of the plurality of wires when the container is in the collapsed position and the locking ring is rotated to the locked position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The collapsible twist-fold container of claim 1 wherein said generally vertical portion includes a hairpin portion. ### Claim 12 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 ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, wherein each of the first generally horizontal portions includes a first retention member configured to hold the first generally horizontal portion of the plurality of wires within the plurality of upper channels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 13, wherein each of the second generally horizontal portions includes a second retention member configured to hold the second generally horizontal portion of the plurality of wires within the plurality of lower channels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, further comprising a middle container, each of the plurality of wires further supporting the middle container between the upper container and the lower container, the plurality of wires each further having a central generally horizontal portion, the central generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of middle channels carried on a rim of the middle container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, wherein said first container is sized to receive said second container in a nesting fashion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, further comprising a means for retaining the containers in a collapsed position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 17, wherein the means for retaining the containers in a collapsed position includes at least one magnet secured to a base of at least one of the upper container or the lower container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, wherein the in the collapsed position the upper container nests within the lower container, with the rim of the upper container being below the rim of the lower container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The collapsible twist-fold containers of claim 12, wherein the upper container is formed as a bowl.