Substantially rigid collapsible container with fold pattern
AssigneeAdvanced Technology Materials, Inc.
InventorsGlenn Tom, Thea Annette Ellingson, Amy Koland, Dale Gene Mowrey
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a blow-molded, rigid collapsible container that can be suitable for storage and dispensing systems of practically any size. The rigid collapsible container may be a stand-alone container. The container may be blow-molded as a unitary piece that may include folds or pre-folds that allows the container to collapse into a relatively flat position. In an expanded state, the container may have a generally trapezoidal prism shape.
Claims24
A blow molded container comprising a plurality of predetermined fold lines in one or more container walls, allowing the container walls to flex along the fold lines to an at least partially collapsed state and unfold along the fold lines to a shape of predetermined volume.
A blow molded container comprising:
- a plurality of panel walls abutting one another along predetermined fold lines, the plurality of panel walls substantially forming a container of nearly cylindrical shape with nearly domed ends;
- wherein the plurality of predetermined fold lines permit the container walls to flex along the fold lines to an at least partially collapsed state and unfold along the fold lines into the nearly cylindrical shape with nearly domed ends.
A method of manufacturing a container having a plurality of predetermined fold lines in one or more container walls of the container, allowing the container walls to flex along the fold lines to an at least partially collapsed state, the method comprising blow molding the container in an at least partially collapsed state so as to define the predetermined fold lines.
A method of delivering a material to an end user process, comprising:
- providing a blow molded container comprising a plurality of predetermined fold lines in one or more container walls, allowing the container walls to flex along the fold lines to an at least partially collapsed state and unfold along the fold lines to a shape of predetermined volume, the container having the material stored in an interior thereof;
- coupling a connector to a port of the container, the connector operably coupling the container to the end user process;
- dispensing the material from the container via the connector and delivering the material to the end user process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.