Abstract:
A cylindrical bottle which collapses along helical groove, ridge and connecting rings along its sidewall. When inward force is applied along the bottle&#39;s vertical axis, the helical groove rings and connecting rings fold under the ridge rings and remain substantially “locked” under the ridge rings, thereby causing the sidewall to collapse and remain collapsed until sufficient outward force is applied. When sufficient outward force is applied along its vertical axis, the bottle extends as the distance between its helical groove rings and ridge rings lengthens. Due to the diamond-shaped cross-section of the connecting rings, in conjunction with the silicone composition of the bottle&#39;s body, the collapsing and extension of the bottle occur in sequential segments, creating a unique, playful sound and an amusing worm-like movement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/333,014 filed May 6, 2016. The content of the above application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to the field of collapsible bottles and containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This invention relates to an innovative, ergonomically and aesthetically designed, collapsible, reusable bottle. Reusable bottles are directed at the environmental issues and high costs attributable to one-time-use bottles. However, reusable bottles, like current reusable water bottles, are too big to pack or carry. Reusable bottles are designed in a clumsy fashion that makes the bottle difficult to grip, e.g., while drinking. Many existing, collapsible bottles are also uncomfortable to grip because of their bulky or hard ridges, or scales. Reusable bottles current materials—comprised primarily of plastic, glass or aluminum—are problematic as well. The bottles&#39; materials can be expensive, unsafe, difficult to clean and/or not dishwasher-safe. Finally, for their environmental and cost benefits to be realized, consumers must choose reusable bottles over the convenience of one-time-use bottles. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a reusable bottle that, due to its engineering and materials, offers a unique helical and collapsible form whereby the bottle easily extends and collapses along its vertical axis for efficient packing and carrying. For ease of use by a drinker, a bottle is needed that is cylindrical with a plush grabbing-surface and—when extended—offers evenly-spaced gripping groove rings that act as finger slots in a natural hand-angle. In this way, a drinker can securely and comfortably hold the bottle. A bottle is needed that uses safe, economical, rugged and easy to clean materials, like silicone and stainless steel. Lastly, a bottle is needed with innovative, attractive features that are aesthetically-pleasing and fun, such as stainless steel elegantly machined into the silicone body, unique playful sounds while collapsing or extending, and a unique segmented, collapsing and extending process that might be compared to a Slinky™ toy. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The invention is a strong, stable cylindrical container which, upon inward force applied along its vertical axis, reduces its volume by collapsing along helical groove rings and ridge rings along its silicone sidewall. The cylindrical, silicone sidewall is comprised of a plurality of alternating helical groove, ridge and connecting rings (segments). When inward force is applied along the bottle&#39;s vertical axis, the helical groove rings and connecting rings fold under the ridge rings and remain substantially “locked” under the ridge rings, thereby causing the sidewall to collapse and remain collapsed until sufficient outward force is applied. When sufficient outward force is applied along its vertical axis, the container&#39;s volume is increased by extending along the helical groove rings and ridge rings. The bottle&#39;s groove rings are also shaped and helically angled to fit a person&#39;s fingers at the natural angle [between about 3° and 23° reflex angle from the axis of the drinker&#39;s wrist] of a person who is drinking or holding the bottle. The bottle also comprises a threaded metallic ring, embedded into the bottle&#39;s silicone mouth, which allows for safe drinking and washing. Due to the diamond-shaped cross-section of the connecting rings, in conjunction with the silicone composition of the bottle&#39;s body, the collapsing and extending of the bottle occur in segments. Collapsing and extending segments creates a unique playful sound and an amusing Slinky™-like action. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and illustrate only selected embodiments of the present invention. The enclosed drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side-rear view of the exterior of the bottle in its extended position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the bottle in its extended position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bottle in its extended position, with additional shading and reference numbers directed to the bottle&#39;s mouth. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the interior of the threaded stainless steel bottle cap and its threaded stainless steel rim. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a close-up side exterior view of the bottle&#39;s body, specifically the groove ring, ridge ring and connecting ring components of the silicone bottle&#39;s sidewall. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an angled, side view of the bottle in its fully collapsed position. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0013]    Collapse, including collapses, collapsing and collapsed: compress, or to be compressed, into a smaller form. 
         [0014]    Collapsible: a container&#39;s attribute of being able to be collapsed and extended. 
         [0015]    Connecting ring: a segment component that is positioned between, or alongside, its corresponding ridge and groove rings. 
         [0016]    Extend, including extending and extended: cause to be made into a larger (or longer) form. 
         [0017]    Groove ring: a segment component, which is smaller in diameter than its corresponding ridge and container rings, that forms the collapsed bottle&#39;s inner wall and the extended bottle&#39;s exterior, depressed grooves. 
         [0018]    Ridge ring: a segment component, which is larger in diameter than is corresponding groove and container rings, that forms the collapsed bottle&#39;s outer wall and the extended bottle&#39;s exterior, protruding ridges. 
         [0019]    Rim embedment: lower, substantially flange-shaped protrusion of the threaded stainless steel rim. 
         [0020]    Segment: a set of three rings (a ridge ring, a connecting ring and a groove ring) that, in combination with other segments, form the body&#39;s spirals along the sidewall. 
         [0021]    Threaded stainless steel rim: a component of the bottle&#39;s mouth that provides for the engagement of a threaded cap. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention. 
         [0023]    Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
         [0024]    The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components. 
         [0025]    Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0026]    The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)—(a second number),” this means a range whose limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm. 
         [0027]    Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35. U.S.C. §112 ¶6. Specifically, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of U.S.C. §112 ¶6. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the reusable, collapsible bottle in its extended position with a base  101 , a mouth  102  and a substantially spiral-shaped, cylindrical body  103  with helical-shaped sidewalls. The sidewalls, in most embodiments, are comprised of silicone, and form the cylindrical center of the bottle. The sidewalls comprise a plurality of segments (sets of helical ridge, connection and groove rings) integrally joined to comprise the wall. These segments comprise alternating groove rings of lesser diameter, ridge rings of greater diameter and connecting rings of intermediary diameter, which join the groove and ridge rings. When collapsed, said connecting rings and groove rings fold inside said ridge rings to allow the bottle to maintain a strong, stable and collapsed position. When extended, said connecting rings, groove rings and ridge rings are helically-aligned with each other, allowing the bottle to maintain its extended position. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 1  in an upright position. The bottle collapses along its vertical axis  204  when sufficient positive force, a force towards the center of bottle, is applied at both the bottle&#39;s mouth  102  and base  101 . Likewise, the bottle extends along its vertical axis  204  when sufficient negative force, a force away from the center of the bottle, is applied at both the bottle&#39;s mouth  102  and base  101 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 2  with the bottle&#39;s mouth  102  shaded to highlight its internal components. The position of the threaded bottle cap  304  is also shown. The components of the mouth  305  are enumerated in  FIG. 4 . The components of the bottles sidewall  306  are enumerated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the threaded stainless steel rim  400  is embedded in the bottle&#39;s silicone mouth  401 . The threaded stainless steel rim  400  is joined with the inner circumference of the mouth  401  during manufacture. The rim embedment  406  protrudes from the lower portion of the threaded stainless steel rim  400  and further secures the rim  400  in the mouth  401 . The rim embedment  406  locks the rim  400  in place by fitting the rim&#39;s  406  protrusion inside the corresponding, female notch of the bottle&#39;s silicone mouth  401 . 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment shown, the threaded stainless steel rim  400 , engages the threaded stainless steel bottle cap  402 . The rim  400  has thread bulges  404 , which as pairs, create thread recesses  405  in said rim  400 . The bottle cap  402  likewise has thread bulges  403 , which complement and engage said recesses  405  of the threaded stainless steel rim  400 . 
         [0033]    The threaded stainless steel rim  400  is therefore fixed in the bottle&#39;s silicone mouth  401  by its positioning inside said mouth  401  and via the rim embedment  406 . When screwed shut, the threaded stainless steel rim  400  has thread bulges  404  and alternating thread recesses  405  that engage the thread bulges  403  of the threaded stainless steel bottle cap  402 . Thus, the rim&#39;s  400  threading function is comprised of its thread bulges  404  and thread recesses  403  interaction with the bottle cap&#39;s  402  thread bulges. As a result, the reusable, collapsible bottle is substantially air-tight, and provides thermal insulation. When fully combined, said rim  400  and said bottle cap  402  function as one virtual piece and a single, stable structure. 
         [0034]    The mouth and rim section is manufactured in a novel way. First, the silicone bottle base  103  is formed by injecting liquid silicone into a mold. After the base is cooled and sufficiently firm, silica glue is applied around the circumference of the bottle neck  401 . Then, the pre-formed stainless steel ring  400  is applied and embedded onto the bottle neck  401 . Then the entire silicone bottle with stainless steel neck ring  400  are put back onto mold and pressed together to be integrated tightly, further supported by the rim embedment portion  406  securely positioned in place. 
         [0035]    The silicone bottle with embedded stainless steel ring  400  then undergoes vulcanization and is baked under about 205° C. for about 5 hours. This procedure produces the desired color, shape, texture and firmness. Variations of these parameters or materials causes bottle and rim defects. For example, if plastic, rubber and glass are used instead of the invention&#39;s silicon and stainless steel, or if the integrated molding technique, sequence, time blocks and temperatures are not substantially followed, the invention&#39;s desirable features will not manifest. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the groove ring  504 , ridge ring  505  and connecting ring  503  components of the cylindrical bottle&#39;s, helical sidewall  306  in an extended position. When the bottle is in its extended position, the intermediary-diameter connecting rings  503  are positioned along the vertical axis between the corresponding smaller-diameter groove rings  504  and the larger-diameter ridge rings  505 . The connecting rings  503  therefore separate the ridge rings  505  from the groove rings  504 . The ridge, connecting and groove rings together form both the interior and exterior walls of the bottle. 
         [0037]    Further, the helical shape and spacing of the extended bottle&#39;s groove rings  504  approximate the angle and form of a hand grip. The groove rings  504  are “finger sized” (dimensions infra) and at a comfortable angle. This allows for an easy, comfortable grip while carrying, pouring or drinking from, the bottle. The groove rings  504  therefore provide for natural holding and carrying when the bottle is in its extended position. To this end, the preferred embodiment of the invention features helical groove rings  504  that are each between about 0.4 cm and about 1.4 cm in height along the bottle&#39;s vertical axis. 
         [0038]    When the bottle is in its collapsed position, the connecting rings  503  are positioned along the horizontal axis between the corresponding groove rings  504  and ridge rings  505 . The ridge rings  505  form the exterior surface of the bottle&#39;s sidewall  306 . The groove rings  505  form the interior surface of the bottle&#39;s sidewall  306 . Thus, the ridge rings  505  and groove rings  504  are on either side of the connecting rings  503 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows the bottle in its collapsed position. The ridge rings  505  form the external surface of the bottle&#39;s sidewall  306 . 
         [0040]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the connecting ring&#39;s  503  structure is important to the collapsing and extending functions discussed below. The cross section of each connecting ring  503  is substantially diamond-shaped. When viewed as a cross-section of the sidewall, the connecting rings  503  have comparatively thinner, internal and external edges as compared to their relatively thicker middle sections. As a result, the connecting rings  503  more easily yield and collapse under pressure, and remain fixed over the groove rings  504  in the bottle&#39;s collapsed position. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bottle collapses along its vertical axis  204  when sufficient positive force, a force towards the center of bottle, is applied at both the bottle&#39;s mouth  102  and base  101 . When the bottle is being collapsed, each groove ring  504  and its corresponding ridge ring  505  overlay each other, with the adjacent connecting ring  503  generating sufficient force to keep the segment fixed in its collapsed position. Due to its diamond-shaped cross section, the width of the connecting ring&#39;s  503  middle section is equal to the width of said overlaid rings&#39; interlacing gap. In this way, the overlaid groove ring  504  ring and ridge ring  505  are precisely matched and the corresponding connecting ring  503  is effectively held inside the bottle (when in its collapsed state). 
         [0042]    Again, referring to  FIG. 2 , the bottle extends along its vertical axis  204  when sufficient negative force, a force away from the center of the bottle, is applied at both the bottle&#39;s mouth  102  and base  101 . Said overlaid groove ring  504  and connecting ring  503  are uncovered to form exterior portions of the bottle&#39;s sidewall  306 . 
         [0043]    An innovative feature of the collapsing and extending functions are their segmentation. The bottle is extended and collapsed one segment at a time (one set of ridge, connection and groove rings at a time). This segmentation provides for attractive features that increase the likelihood a reusable, collapsible bottle will be chosen over a one-time-use bottle. Collapsing and extending the segments creates a unique and entertaining sound like a “burp”. Extending the segments also resembles the operation of a Slinky™ toy. As each ridge ring  505  disengages from its corresponding groove ring  504  and connecting ring  503 , the bottle opens in segments like a Slinky™ and makes a “burping” sound. The preferred embodiment “burps” upon collapsing at about 340 Hz, with an error margin range of 100 Hz. A wide range of frequencies are available, however, given the composition of the invention&#39;s Silicone wall and its varying sizes and diameters. Children, e.g., may be more likely to choose the environmentally friendly and economical bottle. 
       Alternative Embodiments 
       [0044]    A handle, string or hook could be added to the bottle&#39;s lid or body for easier carrying. 
         [0045]    The same invention modified only in length to serve as a liquid-spraying toy, functioning much like a Hasbro™ Super-Soaker™ water-shooter toy. 
         [0046]    The same invention embodied with a relatively smaller mouth and a relatively longer body, to serve as a condiment container to easily squeeze condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, etc.) on food. The remaining inventive features, both in silicone body and threaded metallic rim, remain substantially the same.