Abstract:
A storage container having a collapsible unit and a twist cap is described. The collapsible unit is a type of bellows which includes a base and a sidewall attached to the base. The sidewall has a spiral fold that traverses along a portion of the length of that the collapsible unit. The length can be compressed by folding the collapsible unit along the spiral fold. As the length of the collapsible unit is reduced, access to any remaining products, such as acne pad products, stored at the bottom of the collapsible unit can be more conveniently obtained. The cap of the storage container includes a ring collar; a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and a guide attached to the sleeve. When the cap is turned or twisted the guide and the spiral fold are configured to slidably engage each other which results in shortening the length of the collapsible unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to storage containers accessories, more particularly to a storage container device with a collapsible bellow unit for use in providing the user easy access to products stored at the bottom of the container. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A wide variety of storage container devices is currently available on the commercial market and an even larger number of these types of devices are known in the art of storage containers devices, for example the collapsible article disclosed by Owsen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,902; the pressure dispensing device for fluid material disclosed by Bouet in U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,913; the collapsible dispensing container disclosed by Markowitz in U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,154; the spring-charge aerosol dispenser disclosed by Steiman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,310; the dispenser with cap and protective member disclosed by Bonk in U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,960; the collapsible article disclosed by Hollingsworth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,211; and the compressible feeding apparatus disclosed by Mikulect et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,183. 
     While all of the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a storage container device having a collapsible bellows unit that can be contracted in length by twisting the cap of the device so that the user may be able to more easily reach into the bottom of the storage volume of the bellows for any remaining product stored within the device. This combination of elements would specifically match the user&#39;s particular individual needs of making it possible to provide a means for allowing a user a more convenient way of reaching to the bottom of the storage vessel to obtain any remaining product stored within the vessel. The above-described patents make no provision for a storage container device having a collapsible bellows unit that can be contracted in length by twisting the cap. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved storage container device having a collapsible bellows unit that can be contracted in length by twisting the cap. In this respect, the storage container device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a convenient means for making it possible to allow a user a more convenient way of reaching to the bottom of the storage vessel to obtain any remaining product stored within the vessel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device and kit, according to the principles of the present invention, overcomes a number of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a novel storage container device and kit for use in allowing a user a more convenient way of reaching into the bottom of the storage vessel to obtain any remaining product stored within the vessel. The device includes a collapsible unit and a cap. The kit includes the un-interconnected elements of the device. 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known type storage container devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved storage container device, which will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved storage container device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises storage container comprising a collapsible unit and a cap. The collapsible unit includes a base; and a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold. The cap includes a ring collar; a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and a guide attached to the sleeve wherein the guide being slidably engaged with the spiral fold of the sidewall of the collapsible unit. 
     The invention may also include an outer shell, a lid, as well as, a product stored within the storage container device. 
     It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage container device that has many of the advantages of the prior storage container devices and minimizing a number of their disadvantages. 
     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage container device that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new and improved storage container device that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making storage container economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage container device that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thererof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Even still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage container device having a collapsible unit and a cap. The collapsible unit includes a base; and a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold. The cap includes a ring collar; a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and a guide attached to the sleeve wherein the guide being slidably engaged with the spiral fold of the sidewall of the collapsible unit. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising the un-interconnected elements of the device. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all scientific and technical terms used herein are to be construed as having the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described below. Unless otherwise indicated, materials, methods, and examples described herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Before undertaking the detailed description of the invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” or the term “includes” or variations, thereof, or the term “having” or variations, thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art of reading claimed inventions should understand that “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. And that the term “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modification which fall within its spirit and scope. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and aspects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 5  with all of the product  150  removed; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a preferred embodiment of the kit  160  for the storage container  10  of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed discussion herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the metes and bounds of the patent protection afforded the present invention, in which the scope of patent protection is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents thereof. Therefore, embodiments not specifically addressed herein, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, should be and are considered to be implicitly disclosed by the illustrative embodiments and claims described herein and therefore fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     One preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  comprises a collapsible unit  20  and a cap  60 . The collapsible unit  20  comprises a base  30  and a sidewall  40  attached to the base  30  in which the sidewall  40  has a spiral fold  50 . The cap  60  comprises a ring collar  70 , a sleeve  80  and a guide  90 . The sleeve  80  is attached to the ring collar  70  and the guide  90  is attached to the sleeve  80  in which the guide  90  is slidably engaged with the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  of the collapsible unit  20 . The collapsible unit  20  is configured to contract in length when the cap  60  is turned, relative to the collapsible unit  20 , so that the guide  90  slides along the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  and results in folding a portion of the collapsible unit  20  between the guide  90  and the ring collar  70 . The collapsible unit  20  may also be configured to expand in length when the cap  60  is turned, relative to the collapsible unit  20 , so that the guide  90  slides along the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  and results in unfolding a portion of the collapsible unit  20  between the guide  90  and the ring collar  70 . The sidewall  40  and the sleeve  80  are preferably substantially cylindrical in shape, and the lip  100  and the ring collar  70  are preferably substantially annular in shape. The guide  90  may be any shape as long as the guide  90  slidably engages with the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  of the collapsible unit  20 . One preferred configuration of the guide  90  is that it is spiral shaped. Further the guide  90  is may be attached to either the outer or inner surfaces of the sleeve  80 . 
     A lip  100  may also be added to the storage container  10  in which the optional lip  100  is attached to the sidewall  40  of the collapsible unit  20 . 
     A lid  110  may also be added to the storage container  10  in which the optional lid  110  is attached to the ring collar  70 . The optional lid  110  may be any type of configuration such as those selected from the group consisting of a flip top lid  110 , pop-off lid  110 , a screw top lid  110  and a nozzle lid  110 . 
     An outer shell  120  may also be added to the storage container  10  in which the optional outer shell  120  is rotatably attached to the cap  60  in which the outer shell  120  is configured to contain the collapsible unit  20 . The optional outer shell  120  may also have at least one channel  140  such that the collapsible unit  20  has a least one matching nub  130  in which the nub  130  and the channel  140  are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit  20  from turning, relative to the outer shell  120 , when the outer shell  120  is turned relative to the cap  60 . The optional outer shell  120  may also have at least one nub  130  such that the collapsible unit  20  has a least one channel  140  in which the nub  130  and the channel  140  are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit  20  from turning, relative to the outer shell  120 , when the outer shell  120  is turned relative to the cap  60 . 
     A product  150  may also be added to the storage container  10  in which the optional product  150  is mounted within the collapsible unit  20 . The product  150  may be any type of known product  150  article, as long as, the product  150  is able to be mounted within the confines of the collapsible unit  20 . One preferred embodiment is that the product  150  is a plurality of stacked acne treatment pads. Other preferred embodiments is that the product  150  is selected from the group consisting of a cream product  150 , a lotion product  150 , a viscous oil product  150 , a gel product  150 , a grease product  150 , an eye shadow product  150 , a blush product  150 , a powder product  150 , a food stuff product  150 , a lipstick product  150 , a lip  100  balm product  150 , an eyeliner product  150 , a mascara product  150 , a hair care conditioner product  150 . Still yet other preferred embodiments is that the product  150  is selected from the group consisting of an absorbent article, a cellulose based tissue product  150 , a cellulose/polypropylene based tissue product  150 , a cotton based tissue product  150 , and a wool based tissue product  150 . 
     A handle  170  may also be added to the storage container  10  in which the optional handle  170  is attached to the collapsible unit  20 . 
     Another preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  comprises: a collapsible unit  20 , a cap  60 , an outer shell  120 , and a product  150  stored within the storage container  10 . The collapsible unit  20  comprising: a base  30 ; a sidewall  40  attached to the base  30  in which the sidewall  40  has a spiral fold  50 ; and a lip  100  attached to the sidewall  40  wherein the lip  100  having a least one nub  130 . The cap  60  comprises: a ring collar  70 ; a lid  110  attached to the ring collar  70 ; a sleeve  80  attached to the ring collar  70 ; and a guide  90  attached to the sleeve  80 . The guide  90  has a spiral shape in which the guide  90  is slidably engaged with the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  of the collapsible unit  20  such that the collapsible unit  20  is configured to contract in length when the cap  60  is turned, relative to the collapsible unit  20 . Thereby, as the cap  60  is turned, the guide  90  slides along the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  and results in forcing a portion of the collapsible unit  20  to become folded between the guide  90  and the ring collar  70 . The outer shell  120  is slidably and rotatably attached to the cap  60  in which the outer shell  120  contains the collapsible unit  20 . The outer shell  120  having at least one channel  140  (preferably a plurality of channel  140   s ) in which the nub  130  (preferably plurality of nub  130   s ) on the lip  100  and the channel  140  in the outer shell  120  are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit  20  from turning, relative to the outer shell  120 , when the outer shell  120  is turned relative to the cap  60 . The product  150  is mounted within the collapsible unit  20 . 
     One preferred embodiment of the kit  160  for the storage container  10  comprises the unconnected components of a collapsible unit  20  and a cap  60 . The collapsible unit  20  comprises a base  30  and a sidewall  40  attached to the base  30  in which the sidewall  40  has a spiral fold  50 . The cap  60  comprises a ring collar  70 , a sleeve  80  attached to the ring collar  70 , and a guide  90  attached to the sleeve  80  in which the guide  90  is slidably engageable with the spiral fold  50  of the sidewall  40  of the collapsible unit  20 . 
     An optional product  150  may be added to the kit  160  in which the optional product  150  mounted within the collapsible unit  20 . 
     An optional seal may be added to the kit  160  in which the optional is attached to the collapsible unit  20  hermetically sealing the product  150  within the collapsible unit  20 . 
     An optional lid  110  may be added to the kit  160  in which the optional lid  110  is attachable to the ring collar  70 . The optional lid  110  may be any known lid  110  configuration such as those lid  110  configurations selected from the group consisting of a flip top lid  110 , pop-off lid  110 , a screw top lid  110  and a nozzle lid  110 . 
     An optional outer shell  120  may be added to the kit  160  in which the optional outer shell  120  is rotatably attachable to the cap  60  in which the outer shell  120  is configured to contain the collapsible unit  20 . 
     An optional handle  170  may be added to the kit  160  in which the optional handle  170  is attached to the collapsible unit  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  that depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  of the present invention. The storage container  10  is shown having an outer shell  120 , connected to the ring collar  70  of the cap  60 , and having a lid  110  attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  that illustrates an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  of the present invention. The storage container  10  is shown having a lid  110 , a cap  60  composed of a ring collar  70 , a sleeve  80  attached to the collar, and a guide  90  having a spiral shape attached at the bottom portion of the sleeve  80 . Also shown is a product  150  that can fit within the collapsible unit  20 . The collapsible unit  20  is shown including a base  30 , sidewall  40  and a lip  100 . The sidewall  40  is shown having a spiral fold  50  traversing lengthwise along the sidewall  40 . The lip  100  is shown having a plurality of nub  130   s  attached to the lip  100 . Also shown is the outer shell  120  that is configured to contain the collapsible unit  20 . The outer shell  120  is shown having a plurality of channel  140   s  distributed along an upper portion in which the channel  140   s  of the outer shell  120  and the nub  130   s  of the lip  100  are configured to be mated together so as to restrain the collapsible unit  20  from turning when the cap  60  is turned. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  that depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container  10 . The outer shell  120  and the lid  110  are shown attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  that depicts a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The outer shell  120  is shown slideably attached to the ring collar  70  of the cap  60 . The sleeve  80  of the cap  60  is shown having the guide  90 . The collapsible unit  20  is shown contained within the outer shell  120  in which the product  150  is shown mounted within the sidewall  40  and the base  30  of the collapsible unit  20 . Also shown is the spiral fold  50  of the collapsible unit  20  engaged with the guide  90  of the cap  60 . The lid  110  is shown attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  that depicts a front view of a preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  with the lid  110  opened. The outer shell  120  and the lid  110  are shown attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  that depicts a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  illustrated in  FIG. 5  which contains the product  150 . The outer shell  120  is shown slideably attached to the ring collar  70  of the cap  60 . The sleeve  80  of the cap  60  is shown having the guide  90  near the bottom of the sleeve  80 . The collapsible unit  20  is shown contained within the outer shell  120  in which the product  150  is shown nested within the sidewall  40  and the base  30  of the collapsible unit  20 . Also shown is the spiral fold  50  of the collapsible unit  20  engaged with the guide  90  of the cap  60 . The lid  110  is shown attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the storage container  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  with all of the product  150  removed. The outer shell  120  is shown slideably attached to the ring collar  70  of the cap  60  so that the cap  60  can be turned which in turn lift the base  30  of the collapsible unit  20 . The sleeve  80  of the cap  60  is shown having the guide  90  near the bottom of the sleeve  80 . The collapsible unit  20  is shown mostly folded up within the outer shell  120  with the base  30  elevated nearer to the opening of the cap  60 . Most of the sidewall  40  is shown folded up next to the sleeve  80  of the ring collar  70  due to turning of the cap  60 . The turning of the cap  60 , relative to the outer shell  120 , results in driving the guide  90  to slidably along the spiral fold  50 . As the guide  90  is slidably driven along the spiral fold  50 , the portion of the sidewall  40  above the guide  90  is forced to fold up between the guide  90  and the cap  60 . Accordingly, the sidewall  40  is forced to fold up between the guide  90  and the cap  60 , the base  30  of the collapsible unit  20  elevates. This mechanism of lifting the base  30 , provides a more convenient access to the lower portions of the product  150 . Also shown is the lid  110  is attached to the cap  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a preferred embodiment of the kit  160  for the storage container  10  is depicted. Shown are the unattached components of the lid  110 , the cap  60 , the collapsible unit  20 , and the outer shell  120 . The cap  60  is shown having a ring collar  70 , a sleeve  80  and a guide  90  attached to the sleeve  80 . The collapsible unit  20  is shown having a base  30 , a sidewall  40  with a spiral fold  50 . An optional handle  170  if shown attached to the base  30  of the collapsible unit  20 . An optional seal liner  180  is shown which can hermetically seal the contents within the collapsible unit  20 . 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the storage container device has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     These together with other aspects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific aspects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and description matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.