Patent Publication Number: US-2023146064-A1

Title: Collapsible container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application forms the European phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/085634 filed on May 6, 2019, in the State Intellectual Property Office of the P.R.C. which claims the priority of People’s Republic of China Patent Application No. CN 201810446936 and CN 110464179 A, in the State Intellectual Property Office of the P.R.C., the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a collapsible container. 
     Descriptions of the Related Art 
     Nowadays people like to bring their own cups for drinking water or other beverages when travelling, while normal cups however are not easy to carry because they occupy much space. 
     Accordingly, a collapsible cup, which is easy to carry and use, has been invented. The conventional collapsible cup is however not good enough as its liner is not replaceable. When the cup is used to hold different drinks at some occasions where it cannot be washed immediately, previous beverage residue left on the same liner would mix a drink the cup is holding, thereby adversely affecting the taste of the drink. Further, if there is sweet beverage residue remaining in the cup, without being washed away immediately, it may breed bacteria and cause a poor hygiene problem. Moreover, currently available retractable cups mostly have a single-layered structure and thus provide poor thermal insulation. 
     Therefore, how to invent a container, which is easy to carry and provides good hygiene and good thermal insulation, is an important task to be solved in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above drawbacks in the prior art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible container, which is easy to carry and use when going out. 
     Another purpose of the invention is to provide a collapsible container, which has the advantage of hygienic use. 
     Another purpose of the invention is to provide a collapsible container, which also has the function of heat preservation. 
     To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention is to provide a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom, wherein the outer cup body further includes: a first cup ring formed at its lower end with at least one first lower coupling structure; at least one second cup ring formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one second upper coupling structure and at least one second lower coupling structure respectively; and a third cup ring formed at its upper end with at least one third upper coupling structure; wherein the outer cup bottom is fixed to a lower end of the third cup ring to form a cavity, and the first cup ring, the second cup ring and the third cup ring are serially connected together in a manner that, the inner cup edge is detachably attached to the first cup ring, and the inner cup is detachably mounted in the outer cup; wherein when the outer cup body is being highly extended, the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring to make the first lower coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure so as to interlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring to make the second lower coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure so as to interlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is held in a highly extended status; the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to disengage the first lower coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure so as to unlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to disengage the second lower coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure so as to unlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly extended status; and wherein the first lower coupling structure includes a first lower guiding portion and a first lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the first cup ring; the second upper coupling structure includes a second upper guiding portion and a second upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the first lower guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move towards the second cup ring, and the first lower limiting portion matches the second upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable away from the second cup ring in order to prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring; and the second lower coupling structure includes a second lower guiding portion and a second lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the second cup ring; the third upper coupling structure includes a third upper guiding portion and a third upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the third cup ring, wherein the second lower guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move towards the third cup ring, and the second lower limiting portion matches the third upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable away from the third cup ring in order to prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with at least one first upper coupling structure, wherein when the outer cup body is being highly contracted, the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to make the first upper coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to make the second upper coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure, so as to keep the outer cup body in a highly contracted status; the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring so as to disengage the first upper coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure, and the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring so as to disengage the second upper coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly contracted status. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a first inner upper limiting portion; the second cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a second inner upper limiting portion and a second outer upper limiting portion; the third cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a third outer upper limiting portion, wherein, when the outer cup body is in the highly contracted status, the first inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the second outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable towards the second cup ring and prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring, and the second inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the third outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable towards the third cup ring and prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, wherein there is provided a force applying part at the outer cup bottom, for allowing a force to be applied to the force applying part to trigger movement of the third cup ring relative to the second cup ring. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first upper coupling structure further includes a first inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the first cup ring, wherein the first inner upper guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move away from the second cup ring; and the second upper coupling structure further includes a second inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the second inner upper guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move away from the third cup ring. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, when the outer cup body is highly extended, there is a space located between and separating the outer cup body and the inner cup body. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, further including: an assembly kit for being assembled with the inner cup edge and the outer cup edge, and being detachably attached to the outer cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup. 
     Furthermore, the present invention also provides a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; and an assembly kit for being assembled with the inner cup edge and the outer cup edge, and being detachably attached to the outer cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup. 
     Moreover, the present invention also provides a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; and an assembly kit for being assembled with the outer cup edge and the inner cup edge, and being detachably attached to the inner cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, there is formed at least one strengthening rib at an upper portion of the inner cup body, for enhancing structural strength and preventing the upper portion of the inner cup body from being collapsed by a force. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first binding part and the second binding part are combined by structural coupling or magnetic attraction. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, each of the first binding part and the second binding part is formed with a coupling structure for preventing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; the inner cup edge structurally matches the outer cup edge to make the first binding part and the second binding part combined together; there is provided an indicator on the outer cup body, for indicating an extent of rotation of the inner cup body relative to the outer cup body. 
     Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first binding part or the second binding part has a bearing structure for allowing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom, and there is a gap between the inner cup bottom and the outer cup bottom. 
     In summary, the collapsible container of the present invention which includes an inner cup made of a soft waterproof material and an outer retractable cup. The collapsible container advantageously is easy to carry and use and also provides good hygiene. 
     Moreover, the double-cup structure of the collapsible container provides desirable thermal insulation when in use due to a space located between and separating the outer cup and the inner cup. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
       The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure of a collapsible container according to the present invention when it is highly extended status; 
         FIG.  2    is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of the collapsible container when it is in highly contracted status; 
         FIG.  4    is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a breakdown diagram of an assembly kit in the collapsible container according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the assembly kit combined with an inner cup of the collapsible container; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram showing the inner cup combined with the assembly kit of  FIG.  5    to be placed in an outer cup; 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    are schematic diagrams showing a lid assembled to the assembly kit of the collapsible container according to the present invention; 
         FIGS.  10  to  13    are schematic diagrams showing preferred embodiments of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic diagram showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container when it is in contracted status; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic diagram showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status; 
         FIGS.  16  and  17    are side views showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container in an extended status and a contracted status according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  18    is an overall structural diagram of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status; and 
         FIG.  19    is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in  FIG.  18   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components. 
     The following content will be combined with the drawings to illustrate the technical content of the present invention through specific embodiments. Those familiar with the technology can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content discussed in this specification. This invention can also be implemented or applied by other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and inventions without departing from the spirit of this invention. Especially, the quantitative relationship, proportional relationship, and relative position of each component in the drawings are only exemplary, and do not represent the actual implementation of this invention. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , wherein  FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure of a collapsible container according to the present invention when it is in highly extended status. As shown in  FIG.  1   , a collapsible container  1  according to the present invention includes an inner cup  11 , an outer cup  12  and an assembly kit  13 . 
     The inner cup  11  includes an inner cup edge  111  and an inner cup body  112  (also referring to  FIG.  5   ). In an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body  112  is made of a soft waterproof material. It should be noted that, “soft” here means the material is bendable by a force, and any material, which is soft and able to block a liquid, in the invention, can be used as the waterproof material for making the inner cup body  112  of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , in an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body  112  includes an inner cup wall  113  and an inner cup bottom  114 , wherein the inner cup bottom  114  is thicker than the inner cup wall  113  in order to prevent any undesirable collapse and deformation. 
     The outer cup  12  includes an outer cup edge  121  and an outer cup body  122  (also referring to  FIG.  2   ). In an embodiment of the invention, the outer cup body  122  is retractable to adjust its height according to practical requirements, and the inner cup body  112  is soft and can be deformed to be placed in the outer cup body  122  that is being contracted or extended (referring to  FIGS.  1  to  4   ). Moreover, the outer cup body  122  can be retracted and adjusted in height with various implementations, to be later described. 
     The assembly kit  13  is used to respectively join the inner cup edge  111  and the outer cup edge  121 , and is detachably attached to the inner cup edge  111  and the outer cup edge  121  in a manner that the inner cup  11  can be detachably mounted in the outer cup  12 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , in an embodiment of the invention, the assembly kit  13  includes a first assembly component  131  and a second assembly component  132 . The first assembly component  131  includes a first assembly portion  1311 , and the second assembly component  132  includes a second assembly portion  1321  and a wing portion  1322 , wherein the first assembly portion  1311  and the second assembly portion  1321  can fit each other so as to attach the first assembly component  131  to the second assembly component  132 . When the first assembly component  131  is attached to the second assembly component  132 , the inner cup edge  111  is fixed between the first assembly portion  1311  and the second assembly portion  1321  (see  FIG.  5   ), and the inner cup  11  and the assembly kit  13  are assembled together. Then, the wing portion  1322  of the second assembly component  132  is hung on the outer cup edge  121  of the outer cup  12  (see  FIG.  7   ), and the inner cup body  112  is placed in the outer cup body  122 , thereby completing the assembly of the entire container. 
     It should be noted, the assembly kit  13  can also fit the outer cup edge  121 . The assembly kit  13  is detachably assembled with the outer cup edge  121  while is also combined with the inner cup edge  111 , such that the inner cup  11  combined with the assembly kit  13  can be detachably mounted in the outer cup  12 . Alternatively, the assembly kit  13  is detachably assembled with the inner cup edge  111  while is also combined with the outer cup edge  121 , such that the inner cup  11  can be detachably mounted in the outer cup  12  combined with the assembly kit  13 . 
     Moreover, when the outer cup body  122  is highly extended or pulled out, there is a gap between the outer cup body  122  and the inner cup body  112  to separate them and provide a thermal insulation effect. It should be noted that, the outer cup body  122  can further be made hollow, such that the outer cup body  122  and the inner cup body  112 , when being assembled together, have a multiple hollow structure and thus achieve better thermal insulation. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  to  9   , in an embodiment of the invention, the collapsible container  1  further includes a lid  14 , and the first assembly component  131  further includes a lid assembly portion  1312 , wherein the lid  14  can be attached to the lid assembly portion  1312  to provide thermal insulation and prevent dust from entering the inner cup body  112  to assure good hygiene. Preferably, the lid  14  and the lid assembly portion  1312  are made waterproof to prevent any leakage. Moreover, at least one of the lid  14  and the lid assembly portion  1312  is made of an elastic material to improve closeness between the lid  14  and the lid assembly portion  1312 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10  to  11   , are schematic diagrams showing an entire structure of the collapsible container  1  according to the present invention. A collapsible container  1  according to the present invention includes an inner cup  11 , an outer cup  12 . 
     The inner cup  11  includes an inner cup edge  111  and an inner cup body  112 . In an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body  112  is made of a soft waterproof material, the inner cup body  112  includes an inner cup wall  113  and an inner cup bottom  114 , wherein the inner cup bottom  114  is thicker than the inner cup wall  113   
     The outer cup  12  includes an outer cup edge  121  and an outer cup body  122 , the outer cup body  122  is retractable to adjust its height, and the inner cup body  112  can be placed in the outer cup body  122 . As shown in  FIGS.  11  to  12   , in an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup edge  111  can be turned inside out twice to form a structure adapted to the outer cup edge  121  without falling off. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS.  10  to  11   , in an embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the inner cup body  112  can be formed with at least one strengthening rib  15  for providing better structural strength and preventing the upper portion of the inner cup body  112  from being undesirably collapsed and deformed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12  to  15   , the outer cup body  122  further includes a first cup ring  51 , at least one second cup ring  52 , a third cup ring  53  and an outer cup bottom  54 . The first cup ring  51  is formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one first upper coupling structure  511  and at least one first lower coupling structure  512  respectively. The second cup ring  52  is formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one second upper coupling structure  521  and at least one second lower coupling structure  522  respectively. The third cup ring  53  is formed at its upper end with at least one third upper coupling structure  531 . The outer cup bottom  54  is attached to and seals a lower end of the third cup ring  53  to form the container. 
     The first cup ring  51 , the second cup ring  52  and the third cup ring  53  are serially connected together in a manner that, the inner cup edge  111  is detachably attached to the first cup ring  51 , and the inner cup  11  can be detachably mounted in the outer cup  12 . Particularly, when the outer cup body  122  is being highly extended, it makes the first cup ring  51  move away from the second cup ring  52  until the first lower coupling structure  512  is engaged with the second upper coupling structure  521  to allow interlocking of the first cup ring  51  and the second cup ring  52 , or it makes the second cup ring  52  move away from the third cup ring  53  until the second lower coupling structure  522  is engaged with the third upper coupling structure  531  to allow interlocking of the second cup ring  52  and the third cup ring  53 , such that the outer cup body  122  stays in a highly extended status. Alternatively, the first cup ring  51  is allowed to move towards the second cup ring  52  to disengage the first lower coupling structure  512  from the second upper coupling structure  521  so as to unlock the first cup ring  51  and the second cup ring  52 , or the second cup ring  52  is allowed to move towards the third cup ring  53  to disengage the second lower coupling structure  522  from the third upper coupling structure  531  so as to unlock the second cup ring  52  and the third cup ring  53 , such that the outer cup body  122  is released from the highly extended status. 
     When the outer cup body  122  is being highly contracted or pushed in, it makes the first cup ring  51  move towards the second cup ring  52  until the first upper coupling structure  511  and the second upper coupling structures  521  are engaged with each other, or it makes the second cup ring  52  move towards the third cup ring  53  until the second upper coupling structure  521  and the third upper coupling structures  531  are engaged with each other, so as to keep the outer cup body  122  in a highly contracted status. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  16   , the first cup ring  51  at its upper end is further formed with a first inner upper limiting portion  516 ; the second cup ring  52  at its upper end is further formed with a second inner upper limiting portion  528  and a second outer upper limiting portion  529 ; the third cup ring  53  at its upper end is further formed with a third outer upper limiting portion  534 . When the outer cup body  122  is in the highly contracted status, the first inner upper limiting portion  516  abuts the second outer upper limiting portion  529  in order to limit a maximum distance that the first cup ring  51  can move towards the second cup ring  52  and prevent separation between the first cup ring  51  and the second cup ring  52 , and the second inner upper limiting portion  528  abuts the third outer upper limiting portion  534  in order to limit a maximum distance that the second cup ring  52  can move towards the third cup ring  53  and prevent separation between the second cup ring  52  and the third cup ring  53 , such that the outer cup body  122  is held in the highly contracted status. 
     Alternatively, when the outer cup body  122  is highly contracted, the first cup ring  51  is allowed to move away from the second cup ring  52  so as to disengage the first upper coupling structure  511  from the second upper coupling structure  521 , and the second cup ring  52  is allowed to move away from the third cup ring  53  so as to disengage the second upper coupling structure  521  from the third upper coupling structure  531 , such that the outer cup body  122  is freed from the highly contracted status. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the first lower coupling structure  512  includes a first lower guiding portion  513  and a first lower limiting portion  514 , which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the first cup ring  51 . The second upper coupling structure  521  includes a second upper guiding portion  523  and a second upper limiting portion  524 , which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the second cup ring  52 . The first lower guiding portion  513  matches the second upper guiding portion  523 , for guiding the first cup ring  51  to move towards the second cup ring  52 . The first lower limiting portion  514  matches the second upper limiting portion  524 , for limiting a maximum distance that the first cup ring  51  can move away from the second cup ring  52  in order to prevent separation between the first cup ring  51  and the second cup ring  52 . 
     The second lower coupling structure  522  includes a second lower guiding portion  525  and a second lower limiting portion  526 , which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the second cup ring  52 . The third upper coupling structure  531  includes a third upper guiding portion  532  and a third upper limiting portion  533 , which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the third cup ring  53 . The second lower guiding portion  525  matches the third upper guiding portion  532 , for guiding the second cup ring  52  to move towards the third cup ring  53 . The second lower limiting portion  526  matches the third upper limiting portion  533 , for limiting a maximum distance that the second cup ring  52  can move away from the third cup ring  53  in order to prevent separation between the second cup ring  52  and the third cup ring  53 . 
     Moreover, the first upper coupling structure  511  further includes a first inner upper guiding portion  515  formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the first cup ring  51 . The first inner upper guiding portion  515  matches the second upper guiding portion  523 , for guiding the first cup ring  51  to move away from the second cup ring  52 . The second upper coupling structure  521  further includes a second inner upper guiding portion  527  formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the second cup ring  52 . The second inner upper guiding portion  527  matches the third upper guiding portion  532 , for guiding the second cup ring  52  to move away from the third cup ring  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , there can be provided a force applying part  542  at the outer cup bottom  54 , for a user to apply a force to the force applying part  542  to trigger movement of the third cup ring  53  relative to the second cup ring  52 . 
     Further, referring to  FIGS.  18  to  19   , in order to have a better effect, in an embodiment of the invention, there can be provided a first binding part  1121  at the inner cup bottom  114  of the inner cup body  112 , and a second binding part  541  on the outer cup bottom  54  of the outer cup body  122 . When the outer cup body  122  is highly extended, the first binding part  1121  and the second binding part  541  can be combined to fix the inner cup bottom  114  of the inner cup body  112  in position on the outer cup bottom  54  of the outer cup body  122 . It should be noted that, the first binding part  1121  and the second binding part  541  can be magnetic parts or coupling parts, which match each other and can be combined by magnetic attraction or structural coupling. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the first binding part  1121  and the second binding part  541  can each be formed with a coupling structure for preventing rotation of the inner cup bottom  114  relative to the outer cup bottom  54  when the inner cup bottom  114  is fixed on the outer cup bottom  54 , and the inner cup edge  111  structurally matches the outer cup edge  121  to further make the first binding part  1121  and the second binding part  541  combined together. In an embodiment of the invention, there can be provided an indicator on the outer cup body  122 , for indicating the extent of rotation of the inner cup body  112  relative to the outer cup body  122 . 
     In the other embodiment of the invention, there is a gap between the inner cup bottom  114  and the outer cup bottom  54  (as shown in  FIGS.   18  to  19   ) to reduce heat transmission and thus improve thermal insulation of the collapsible container according to the present invention. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG.  17   , the first binding part  1121  or the second binding part  541  has a bearing structure for allowing rotation of the inner cup bottom  114  relative to the outer cup bottom  54  according to practical requirements when the inner cup bottom  114  is fixed on the outer cup bottom  54 . 
     Therefore, the collapsible container of the present invention includes an inner cup made of a soft waterproof material and an outer retractable cup. The collapsible container advantageously is easy to carry and use, and the inner cup can be detached from the outer cup for cleaning, thereby providing good hygiene. Further, when the container is highly extended, there is a space located between and separating the outer cup and the inner cup, thereby providing desirable thermal insulation. Moreover, the outer cup can be made of a hard material for protecting the inner cup and preventing undesirable deformation or damage of the inner cup. 
     The examples above are only illustrative to explain principles and effects of the invention, but not to limit the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection range of the rights of the invention should be as defined by the appended claims.