# US 9,926,105 B2 · Collapsible household containers

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- Number: US 9,926,105 B2
- Document ID: US9926105B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/247,995
- Filed: 2014-04-08
- Published: 2015-09-10
- Granted: 2018-03-27
- Earliest claimed: 2014-03-10
- Applicants: Sam Tung Tsui
- Inventors: Sam Tung Tsui
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9926105B2

## CPC

- B65D 21/086: {Collapsible or telescopic containers (B65D1/0292 and B65D21/068 take precedence)}
- A45F 3/20: of flexible material; Collapsible or stackable cups
- A47L 19/02: Draining-boards
- A47L 19/04: Crockery baskets; Draining-racks
- B07B 1/02: Hand screens
- B23P 19/00: Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation {(connecting metal parts or objects by metal-working procedures B21J, B23K)}; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes (hand tools in general B25)
- B29C 45/0017: {moulding interconnected elements which are movable with respect to one another, e.g. chains or hinges}
- B29C 65/48: using adhesives {, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding}
- D06F 95/002: {Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor}
- A45F 2003/205: {Collapsible or foldable cups}
- B29L 2031/712: {Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages (closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418)}
- B29L 2031/713: {Baskets}
- B29L 2031/7132: {Bowls, Cups, Glasses}
- B65D 1/225: {Collapsible boxes}
- B65D 1/265: {Drinking cups (B65D81/3865 takes precedence, holders for plastic cups A47G23/0208)}
- B65D 1/34: Trays or like shallow containers {(B65D81/3813 takes precedence)}
- B65D 25/2832: {provided vertically and fixed to the upper or lower rim and to the side wall}
- B65D 25/2852: {provided on a local area near to or at the upper edge or rim}
- B65D 25/2888: {provided near to or at the upper edge or rim}
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)
- B07B: SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL (wet separating processes, sorting by processes using fluent material in the same way as liquid B03; combinations of dry separating apparatus with wet separating apparatus B03B; using liquids B03B, B03D; sorting by magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges or vortex apparatus for carrying out physical processes B04; hand sorting, postal sorting, sorting by switching or other devices actuated in response to detection or measurement of some feature of articles or samples of material B07C)
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Collapsible household containers having a foldable wall section with shape-retaining characteristics are disclosed. In particular, collapsible laundry baskets, buckets, colanders, dish drainers, and cups are provided. The folding region may include foldable tiers of a flexible material, each tier having at least one stable, relatively expanded position and at least one stable, relatively collapsed position; and an intervening, non-folding tier composed of a different, relatively rigid material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A collapsible container comprising
a generally annular top tier;
a bottom tier including a generally horizontal support surface; and
a collapsible wall section connecting the top tier to the bottom tier, the collapsible wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular tiers;
the collapsible wall section, top tier, and bottom tier collectively defining a container body having a top opening, a generally closed bottom comprising the generally horizontal support surface of the bottom tier, a generally closed periphery comprising at least a part of the top tier and at least a part of the collapsible wall section, and a container volume disposed within the container body and below the top opening;
at least one of collapsible wall section tiers being a rigid middle tier; and
at least two of the collapsible wall section tiers being flexible and configured to fold between relatively expanded and relatively collapsed positions, including at least one flexible tier disposed above the middle tier and at least one flexible tier disposed below the middle tier, the flexible tiers being composed of a flexible material and the middle tier being composed of a rigid material different from the flexible material, the middle tier including an exposed exterior surface of the rigid material facing away from the container volume;
wherein a size of a container volume of the container can be increased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively collapsed to a relatively expanded position and can be decreased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively expanded to a relatively collapsed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, the middle tier being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes, metals, and nylons, and the flexible tiers being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicones and thermoplastic elastomers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, further comprising adhesive material disposed in adhesive contact with a surface of the middle tier and an adjacent surface of one of the flexible tiers.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more mechanical fasteners connecting the middle tier to at least one of the flexible tiers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, at least one of the flexible tiers being adapted so that, when the bottom tier rests on a support surface in a substantially horizontal orientation, the at least one of the flexible tiers is stable in a relatively extended position and in a relatively collapsed position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The container of claim 5, the at least one of the flexible tiers being stable in a fully extended position, a fully collapsed position, and at least one partially extended position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, the top and bottom tiers being substantially rigid and composed of a rigid material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, wherein each tier is at least substantially imperforate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The container of claim 8, the container volume being at least substantially water impermeable.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, at least a portion of at least one of the tiers being air permeable to permit some airflow into and out of the container without passing through the top opening.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1, the top tier comprising at least one attached handle.

### Claim 12

A method of making a collapsible container, comprising
forming a rigid, generally annular top tier;
forming a rigid bottom tier comprising a generally horizontal support surface; and
forming a collapsible wall section connected to the top tier and the bottom tier, the collapsible wall section comprising at least a first rigid middle tier, a first flexible tier disposed between the middle tier and the top tier, and a second flexible tier disposed between the middle tier and the bottom tier, the flexible tiers being composed of a flexible material and the top, bottom, and middle tiers being composed of a rigid material different from the flexible material;
the collapsible wall section, top tier, and bottom tier collectively defining a container body having a top opening, a generally closed bottom comprising the generally horizontal support surface of the bottom tier, a generally closed periphery comprising at least a part of the top tier and at least a part of the collapsible wall section, and a container volume disposed within the container body and below the top opening;
the middle tier comprising an exposed exterior surface of the rigid material facing away from the container volume, each flexible tier being adapted to fold between at least one relatively expanded position and at least one relatively collapsed position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising
overmolding the first flexible tier onto the middle tier to connect the first flexible tier to the middle tier; and
overmolding the second flexible tier onto the middle tier to connect the second flexible tier to the middle tier.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising
overmolding the first flexible tier onto the top tier to connect the first flexible tier to the top tier; and
overmolding the first flexible tier onto the bottom tier to connect the first flexible tier to the bottom tier.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising
forming a second rigid middle tier disposed between the first rigid middle tier and the top tier; and
forming a third flexible tier disposed between the second middle tier and the top tier.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, the middle tier being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes, metals, and nylons, and the flexible tiers being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicones and thermoplastic elastomers.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising
connecting at least one of the first flexible tier and the second flexible tier to the middle tier by applying an adhesive material between them.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, the flexible tiers being connected to the rigid tier by one or more mechanical fasteners.

### Claim 19

A collapsible dish drainer comprising
a generally annular top tier;
a bottom tier including a generally horizontal support surface, the support surface including a drain and a plurality of parallel, upstanding partitions arranged to support dishware standing on edge between adjacent partitions; and
a collapsible wall section connecting the top tier to the bottom tier, the collapsible wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular tiers;
the collapsible wall section, top tier, and bottom tier collectively defining a drainer body having a top opening, a generally closed bottom comprising the generally horizontal support surface of the bottom tier, a generally closed periphery comprising at least a part of the top tier and at least a part of the collapsible wall section, and a drainer volume disposed within the drainer body and below the top opening;
at least one of collapsible wall section tiers being a rigid middle tier composed of a rigid material; and
at least two of the collapsible wall section tiers being flexible, composed of a flexible material different from the rigid material, and configured to fold between relatively expanded and relatively collapsed positions, including at least one flexible tier disposed above the middle tier and at least one flexible tier disposed below the middle tier, the middle tier including an exposed exterior surface of the rigid material facing away from the container volume;
wherein the size of the drainer volume can be increased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively collapsed to a relatively expanded position and can be decreased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively expanded to a relatively collapsed position.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The drainer of claim 19, wherein said drain is configured to be plugged by an insertable drain plug to render said drainer body at least substantially water tight.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The drainer of claim 19, further comprising a separate, collapsible domed lid, said domed lid comprising:
a generally annular bottom lid tier;
a top lid tier including a generally horizontal lid panel; and
a collapsible lid wall section connecting the top lid tier to the bottom lid tier, the collapsible lid wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular lid tiers;
the collapsible lid wall section, top lid tier, and bottom lid tier collectively defining a lid body having a bottom opening, a generally closed top comprising the generally horizontal lid panel of the top tier, and a generally closed periphery comprising at least a part of bottom lid tier and at least a part of the collapsible wall section;
at least one of collapsible lid wall section tiers being a stiff middle lid tier; and
at least two of the collapsible lid wall section tiers being flexible and configured to fold between relatively expanded and relatively collapsed positions, including at least one flexible lid tier disposed above the middle lid tier and at least one flexible lid tier disposed below the middle lid tier;
wherein the size of a lid volume disposed within the lid body and above the bottom opening can be increased by folding at least one of the flexible lid tiers from a relatively collapsed to a relatively expanded position and can be decreased by folding at least one of the flexible lid tiers from a relatively expanded to a relatively collapsed position.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The drainer of claim 21, said bottom lid tier being configured to be supported on said top drainer tier in a mating configuration with said top drainer tier whether said collapsible lid is oriented right-side-up or upside-down.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The drainer of claim 21, wherein said collapsible lid in an upside-down orientation is configured to nest inside said drainer body, at or below the level of the highest portion of said top drainer tier and at least substantially within said drainer volume, when said drainer and said lid are both in fully expanded states, and to collapse together with said drainer.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The drainer of claim 23, said collapsible lid remaining below the highest portion of said top drainer tier when said drainer and said lid are both in fully collapsed states.

### Claim 25

A collapsible cup comprising
a generally annular top tier;
a bottom tier;
a collapsible wall section connecting the top tier to the bottom tier, the collapsible wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular tiers;
the collapsible wall section, top tier, and bottom tier collectively defining a watertight cup body having a top opening, a closed bottom generally across which the bottom tier extends, and a closed periphery comprising at least a part of the top tier and at least a part of the collapsible wall section, and a cup volume disposed within the cup body and below the top opening; and
a handle pivotally connected to the top tier;
at least one of collapsible wall section tiers being a rigid middle tier composed of a rigid material and including an exposed exterior surface of the rigid material facing away from the cup volume; and
at least two of the collapsible wall section tiers being flexible, composed of a flexible material different from the rigid material, and configured to fold between relatively expanded and relatively collapsed positions, including at least one flexible tier disposed above the middle tier and at least one flexible tier disposed below the middle tier;
wherein the size of the cup volume can be increased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively collapsed to a relatively expanded position and can be decreased by folding at least one of the flexible tiers from a relatively expanded to a relatively collapsed position; and
wherein when the cup is in a fully collapsed state, said handle is pivotable so that at least a portion of said handle extends beneath and generally parallel to said bottom tier.