Patent Abstract:
A collapsible travel tumbler is described. The tumbler includes a collapsible container made of flexible material. The collapsible container is inserted through a rigid collar, on the top edge of which the collapsible cup sits. A lid with a sealable drinking hole is then screwed onto the collar, providing a complete and secure closure of the collapsible tumbler. When not in use the collapsible container can be collapsed into the housing created by the combination of the collar and the lid for easy storage and transport.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/544,913, filed on Aug. 10, 2014 which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,507 in the name of Alex Abrams et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated therein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to reusable drinking containers, and, more specifically, to a travel tumbler that collapses to a small size for storage after use of the tumbler for drinking. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Consumers of hot beverages such as coffee and tea have historically been offered one of two options to drink a hot beverage “on the go” as opposed to drinking the hot beverage at home, at the office or in a restaurant. The first option is a disposable cup, which is typically discarded following consumption of the hot beverage and, as such, creates waste. The second option is a reusable travel tumbler which, while reducing the waste produced by the consumer, necessitates that the consumer carry the tumbler following the consumption of the hot beverage. Consumers typically select the use of a reusable travel tumbler based on their concern of the impact of disposable cup waste on the environment, of the greater perceived material integrity of a reusable tumbler as compared to a disposable cup, and of the costs related to continually restocking disposable cups. The inconvenience of carrying the tumbler post-consumption is often times ameliorated by the consumer storing this bulky item in their automobile following consumption. Consumers who do not have use of an automobile on a daily basis, such as urban residents, city commuters, and university students have been less likely to utilize a reusable travel tumbler because of the need to store and transport the reusable tumbler on their person or in a briefcase or small bag they may be carrying following consumption. 
     Currently there are very limited options available to the consumer who does not utilize an automobile on a daily basis but wishes to use a reusable tumbler for daily drinking of hot beverages. While the consumer may utilize a traditional travel tumbler, this bulky drinking container would need to be carried by the consumer on his person following consumption of the beverage. While there exists on the market some collapsible flexible material-based containers which would allow the consumer to store the drinking vessel in a more compact fashion following consumption of the beverage, such products either exhibit a bulky handle, or otherwise do not provide appropriate insulation to prevent the consumer&#39;s hand from experiencing excessive heat radiation from the hot beverage. Many of these products exhibit crevices that are difficult to clean, so that old beverages remain stored in the container after repeated cleaning cycles, and new beverages take on a dissatisfying taste or smell from the old residue. Furthermore, traditional travel tumblers do not ensure that any residual liquid remaining within a flexible material-based container will not leak out once the flexible material-based container is compressed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention seeks to solve the above-described problems by disclosing a reusable collapsible travel tumbler comprising a collapsible container made of a flexible material which contains a liquid beverage, a rigid collar removably fixed to the upper outermost stage of the flexible material, and a rigid lid removably fixed to the rigid collar. When the collapsible container is in its extended position, the tumbler acts as a receptacle for hot or cold beverages and the rigid collar provides a comfortable surface for the consumer&#39;s hand. The user drinks the beverage through a sealable hole in the rigid lid. When the collapsible tumbler is not holding any liquid, the tumbler may be compressed into a low volume shape, allowing the device to be easily stored and transported for future use. 
     The collapsible tumbler of the present invention provides many advantages including collapsing into a small shape for easy storage and transport following consumption of a beverage, providing a holding collar which insulates the consumer&#39;s hand from thermal energy radiating from a beverage, either hot or cold, providing a sealable lid and drinking hole which prevent spillage while the consumer drinks the beverage “on the go,” requiring a purposeful compressing motion to switch the tumbler from its expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration and provides for easily disassembling of the collapsible tumbler into its component parts which may then be cleaned in a dishwasher or sink, allowing the user to maintain a hygienic device for everyday beverage consumption. Moreover, the combination of the holding collar and the sealable lid of the present invention ensures that any residual liquids within the collapsible tumbler of the present invention will not leak out when the collapsible tumbler is compressed into a small shape. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, which may form the subject of the claims of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       This disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show a perspective view of the collapsible tumbler in its expanded position; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the collapsible tumbler in the expanded position; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perceptive view of the removable lid; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the flexible stopper in the open position and in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler in the expanded position with emphasis on the structure of the collapsible container; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler transitioning from an expanded position to a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler in the collapsed position; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the collapsible tumbler transitioning from the collapsed position to the expanded position; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view of the collapsible cup as it begins a transition from an expanded position to a collapsed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, a preferred embodiment of the collapsible tumbler provides a convenient alternative for carrying beverages and minimizing storage space after use. The main container is cup-shaped, formed by stages of a flexible material. When the stages are in their extended position, the container holds hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, or cold beverages, such as cola, for drinking. A removable rigid collar tightly surrounds the largest stage of the flexible container, providing a structure to which a rigid lid can be attached. Together, these rigid pieces seal liquid inside the tumbler and create a comfortable surface for holding the tumbler, buffering thermal energy transfer between the liquid in the container and the consumer&#39;s hand. Drinking access to the contents of the tumbler is provided by a small drinking hole in the lid, and an adjacent air vent relieves the potential for a vacuum to form during drinking, allowing liquid to flow evenly out of the tumbler. A flexible stopper attached to the lid is used to plug the lid&#39;s drinking hole, so that the beverage will not escape if the tumbler is accidentally tipped. When the tumbler is reasonably emptied, the stages may be collapsed to a small disk shape, allowing the tumbler to be easily stored and transported. As needed, the container, rigid collar, and rigid lid may all be separated for easy cleaning of each part. 
     In  FIGS. 1A-1C , a perspective view of the collapsible tumbler in its expanded position is shown. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the collapsible tumbler is comprised of a collapsible container  100 , a cylindrical collar  200 , a removable lid  300 , and a flexible stopper  400 . The collapsible container  100  is frustoconical in its extended state. The cylindrical collar  200  is removably attached to the collapsible container  100  by the pulling of the collapsible container  100  through the cylindrical collar  200  in shown direction A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the collapsible container  100  is pulled through the cylindrical collar  200  until the cylindrical collar  200  reaches a seated position on the upper edge of the collapsible container  100 . 
     Similarly, to remove the cylindrical collar  200  from the collapsible container  100  the collapsible container  100  is pushed through the cylindrical collar  200  in a direction opposite to that of shown direction A. When the cylindrical collar  200  and the collapsible container  100  are in their connected configuration, a hot or cold beverage may be poured into the collapsible container  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , before drinking the beverage, the user attaches the removable lid  300  to the cylindrical collar  200  via a threaded connection  201  on the cylindrical collar  200 . Specifically, after lowering removable the lid  300  in shown direction B and loosely seating the removable lid  300  on the cylindrical collar  200 , the consumer rotates the removable lid  300  in shown direction C to secure the removable lid  300  to the cylindrical collar  200 . 
     To unsecure the removable lid  300  from the cylindrical collar  200 , the user rotates the removable lid  300  in a direction opposite to that of the shown direction C while lifting the removable lid  300  in a direction opposite to that of shown direction B. 
     In  FIG. 1C , the assembly by the user of the collapsible container  100  to the cylindrical collar  200  which is connected to the removable lid  300  is shown. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the collapsible tumbler in the expanded position is shown. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the collapsible container  100  exhibits a cylindrical thin collar seating wall  110 . The cylindrical collar  200  exhibits an inner wall  202  that approximates the diameter and height of the thin collar seating wall  110 . A collar retaining ridge  115  on the collapsible container  100  extends outward and downward from the bottom of the thin collar seating wall  110 , and exhibits a cross-section shape similar to a trapezoid. The collar retaining ridge  115  revolves around the entire circumference of an upper major stage  105  of the collapsible container. 
     At the bottom of the cylindrical collar  200  a retaining ridge interface  203  is preferably cut from the bottom inside diameter of the cylindrical collar  200 . The cut forming the retaining ridge interface  203  may have a rectangular cross-section and revolve around the entire circumference of the cylindrical collar  200  such that the cylindrical collar  200  may rest securely on top of the collar retaining ridge  115 . 
     A sealing ridge  120  on the collapsible container  100  preferably extends outward from the top of the thin collar seating wall  110 , revolving around the entire circumference of the thin collar seating wall  110 . The sealing ridge  120  preferably exhibits a curved top  125 . 
     A sealing ridge seat  204  is simply formed by the topmost horizontal flat surface of the cylindrical collar  200 . The inner diameter of the sealing ridge seat  204  approximates, but is smaller than, the outer diameter of the sealing ridge  120 . As such, the sealing ridge seat  204  provides a resting surface for the sealing ridge  120 . When the collapsible container is held in a user&#39;s hand only by the cylindrical collar  200 , the sealing ridge seat  204  prevents the collapsing container  100  from falling down through the cylindrical collar  200 . The cylindrical collar  200  is therefore firmly seated adjacent to the thin collar seating wall  110 , bounded by the collar retaining ridge  115 , at its bottom, and the sealing ridge  120 , at its top. 
     The cylindrical collar  200  is comprised of a top cylinder  205  and a bottom cylinder  206 , which are similar in height in this embodiment. The top cylinder  205  is approximately half the thickness of the bottom cylinder  206 . The cylindrical collar  200  is created using injection molded plastic and the bottom cylinder  205  is at least 3.175 mm or 0.125 inches in thickness. When a hot or cold beverage is poured into the collapsible container  100 , this minimum dimension of the bottom cylinder  205  ensures that the consumer&#39;s hand will be reasonably buffered from the temperature of the beverage inside the collapsible container  100 , so that the user feels little to no thermal transfer from the beverage. 
     On the outer diameter of the top cylinder  205 , there are a series of evenly spaced threads  201  that extend around the circumference of the cylindrical collar  200 , in low relief. Each of the evenly spaced threads  201  revolve through an approximate one-quarter turn around the circumference of the cylindrical collar  200 . The evenly spaced threads  201  revolve in a clockwise downward spiral, starting in the middle of the outer diameter of the top cylinder  205  through to the interface between the top cylinder  205  and the bottom cylinder  206 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the removable lid is shown. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the removable lid  300  exhibits a thin-walled cylinder  301  revolving around the entire circumference of the removable lid  300 . 
     The removable lid  300  includes a series of five evenly spaced lugs  302  extend inward from the bottom of a thin-walled cylinder  301  and act as counterparts to the evenly spaced threads  201  of the cylindrical collar  200 . The lugs  302  may have square cross-sections and each revolve through a short angle around the inside of the thin-walled cylinder  301 . As such, the removable lid  300  secures to the cylindrical collar  200  via a traditional lug canning jar interface. 
     The removable lid  300  comprises a circular solid disk  304  which acts as a barrier at the upper end of the collapsible tumbler. An inner thin-walled cylinder  303  is concentric to, and shorter than, the thin-walled cylinder  301 , extending downward from the circular solid disk  304 . An arched channel  305  is carved into the bottom surface of the circular solid disk  304  and is bounded by the thin-walled cylinders  301 . The cross-section of the arched channel  305  has a slightly smaller radius than the cross-section of the curved top  125  of the collapsible container  100 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , when the removable lid  300  is securely fit to the cylindrical collar  200 , the sealing ridge  120  on the collapsible container  100  is forced into compression between the sealing ridge seat  204  of the cylindrical collar  200  and the arched channel  305  of the removable lid  300 . This interaction creates a seal that prevents a beverage from inadvertently escaping the collapsible tumbler at the interface between the collapsible container  100  and the removable lid  300 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , a securing knob hole  306  on the removable lid  300  is preferably circular in shape and cuts through the focal point of the removable lid  300 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 3 , a flexible stopper  400  has a mostly flat rectangular shape with one semi-circular end  401 . A securing knob  402  is located at the focal point of the semi-circular end  401  of the flexible stopper  400 . The securing knob  402  extends from the bottom of the flexible stopper  400 . The securing knob  402  is mushroom shaped with a mushroom neck  403  and a mushroom head  404 . The securing knob  402  secures the flexible stopper  400  to the removable lid  300  via the securing knob hole  306  on the removable lid  300 . The flexible stopper exhibits 360-degrees of rotation relative to the removable lid  300  based on the connection between the securing knob  402  and the securing knob hole  306 . 
     During assembly, the mushroom head  404  is forced through the securing knob hole  306  of the removable lid  300 . The mushroom head  404  has a larger diameter than the securing knob hole  306  and rests below and adjacent to the securing knob hole  306 . The mushroom head  404  prevents the flexible stopper  400  from easily disconnecting from the removable lid  300 . The mushroom neck  403  has a diameter that is negligibly larger than the diameter of the securing knob hole  306 . The mushroom neck  403  is in constant contact with the securing knob hole  306 . The overfit between the mushroom neck  403  and the securing knob hole  306  creates a seal that prevents liquid from escaping through the securing knob hole  306  on the removable lid  300 . 
     A mostly elliptical drinking hole  307  on the removable lid  300  preferably cuts through the removable lid  300  adjacent to, and within the circumference of, the shorter thin-walled cylinder  303  of the removable lid  300 . 
     A drinking hole plug  405  preferably extends from the bottom of the flexible stopper  400 . The drinking hole plug  405  is preferably a similar elliptical shape to the drinking hole  307  with a larger girth. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the flexible stopper in the open position and in the closed position is shown. As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the user is transporting liquid inside the expanded collapsible container  100 , the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) fits snuggly inside the drinking hole  307 . The larger girth of the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown), as compared to the drinking hole  307 , creates a seal preventing liquid from escaping through the drinking hole  307 . A pull tab  406  extends from the top surface of the flexible stopper  400 , and is vertically aligned with the drinking hole plug  307 . 
     A plug recess  309  on the removable lid  300  mirrors the drinking hole  307  in size and shape, and is located 180-degrees away from the drinking hole  307  on the circular solid disk  304  of the removable lid  300 . The shape of the plug recess  309  cuts downward from the top surface of the circular solid disk  304 . However, unlike the drinking hole  307  on the removable lid  300 , the shape of the plug recess  309  does not penetrate through the entire surface of the circular solid disk  304 . As such, when the user wishes to drink a liquid from the collapsible tumbler, they pull up on the pull tab  406  on the flexible stopper  400  in shown direction D, which releases the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) from the drinking hole  307 . The user then rotates the stopper  400  180-degrees in shown direction E. The user then pushes downward on the pull tab  406  opposite to the shown direction D, forcing the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) into a seated position within the plug recess  309 . 
     The removable lid  300  also includes a small circular vacuum release hole  308  placed between the drinking hole  307  on the removable lid  300  and the semi-circular end  401  of the flexible stopper  400 . The shape of the vacuum release hole  308  may be circular and penetrate through the circular solid disk  304  of the removable lid  300 . The small circular vacuum release hole  308  is a shown positioned distance V from the drinking hole  307  that approximates three fifths of the shown distance W between the drinking hole  307  and the securing knob hole  306  (not shown) on the removable lid  300 . 
     When the collapsible tumbler is tipped to pour liquid into the consumer&#39;s mouth, liquid exits through the drinking hole  307  on the removable lid  300 . The vacuum release hole  308  on the removable lid  300  allows air to flow back into the collapsible tumbler, replacing the volume of liquid exiting through the drinking hole  307 . The vacuum release hole  308  thus ensures a steady flow of liquid out of the drinking hole  307 . The shown distance V must be at least three fifths of the shown distance W, so that when the cup is tipped for drinking from the drinking hole  307 , the liquid level does not block the vacuum release hole  308 , preventing air from flowing into the collapsible tumbler. 
     When the user wishes to stop drinking from the collapsible tumbler and transport the liquid in a secure fashion, the user pulls up on the pull tab  406  on the flexible stopper  400  in shown direction F, which releases the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) from the plug recess  309  on the removable lid  300 . The user then rotates the flexible stopper  400  180-degrees in shown direction G. The user then pushes downward on the pull tab  406  in a direction opposite shown direction F, forcing the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) into a position within the drinking hole  307 , forming a seal that prevents liquid from escaping through the drinking hole  307 . 
     When the user has finished drinking and wants to prepare the collapsible tumbler for the collapsing motion, they release the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) from the drinking hole  307  and places the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) into the plug recess  309 . With the drinking hole  307  now unblocked, air may quickly flow out of the collapsible tumbler during the collapsing motion. The user preferably pours out the remaining liquid so that only a small amount of moisture remains inside the collapsible tumbler during the collapsing motion. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler in the expanded position with emphasis on the structure of the collapsible container is shown. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the collapsible container  100  includes a staged compressive wall and is primarily cup-shaped. The staged compressive wall preferably consists of a lower major stage  101 , which is generally smaller in diameter than a middle major stage  102 , which in turn is generally smaller in diameter than an upper major stage  103 . 
     In this embodiment, the container  100  holds approximately 0.35 liters of liquid, and the collapsible tumbler&#39;s dimensions approximate those of a traditional 12 ounce coffee cup. This requires that the shown height Z of the collapsible container is approximately 12.32 cm and the shown outer diameter X of the cylindrical collar  200  and the removable lid  300  are approximately 8.89 cm (with a radius of approximately 4.45 cm), approximating the grip size of an adult male&#39;s hand. 
     The lower major stage  101  has a shown diameter Y of approximately 5.33 cm (with a radius of 2.67 cm). Considering the shown height Z of the collapsible tumbler, as well as the shown diameter X of the cylindrical collar  200  and the removable lid  300 , this shown diameter Y of the lower major stage  101  allows the collapsible tumbler to remain stable, and unlikely to topple, when standing on a flat surface. 
     The shown slope S of the collapsible tumbler is approximately 6.93 when defined as the height Z of 12.32 cm divided by the difference between the radii of 1.78 cm. With this steep slope, particular features of the collapsible cup  100 , are required in order to enable a repeatable collapsing motion. 
     A lower articulating wall  104  may be significantly shorter and thinner than the lower major stage  101 , and flare outward and upward from the top of the lower major stage  101 , connecting the lower major stage  101  to the bottom of the middle major stage  102 . An upper articulating wall  105  may approximate the height and thickness of the lower articulating wall  104  and flare outward and upward from the top of the middle major stage  102 , connecting the middle major stage  102  to the bottom of the upper major stage  103 . The middle major stage  102  itself may consist of a series of minor stages  106 A,  106 B and  106 C. 
     Each minor stage  106  A-C can be relatively the same size. The highest portion of the minor stage  106  begins with a width that is similar to the width of the upper and lower articulating walls  104  and  105 . Viewing the minor stage  106  from the latitudinal axis, the width of the minor stage  106  increases from the top most point of the minor stage  106  to the middle of the minor stage  106 . Continuing on the latitudinal axis, the width of the minor stage  106  begins to decrease from the middle of the minor stage to the lowest portion of the minor stage  106 , where such width is comparable and similar to the width of the upper and lower articulating walls  104  and  105 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , a cross sectional view of the collapsible cup as it begins a transition from an expanded position to a collapsed position. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the inner diameter  902  of the minor stage  106 C immediately above the lower major stage  101  may be greater than the outer diameter  903  of the lower major stage  101 . The inner diameter  902  is the diameter of the minor stage  106 C immediately above the lower major stage  101 , excluding the width or girth of the minor stage  106 C at any point. The outer diameter  903  of the lower major stage  101  is the diameter of the lower major stage  101  including the width or girth of the lower major stage  101  at any point. 
     The outer diameter  901  of the minor stage  106 A immediately below the upper major stage  103  may be less than the inner diameter  900  of the upper major stage  103 . The inner diameter  900  is the diameter of the upper major stage  103 , excluding the width or girth of the upper major stage  103  at any point. The outer diameter  901  of the minor stage  106 A immediately below the upper major stage  103  is the diameter of said minor stage  106 A, including the width or girth of the minor stage  106 A at any point. 
     The orientation of having the inner diameter  902  of the minor stage  106 C immediately above the lower major stage  101  being greater than the outer diameter  903  of the lower major stage  101 , while having the outer diameter  901  of the minor stage  106 A immediately below the upper major stage  103  being less than the inner diameter  900  of the upper major stage  103 , permits the container  100 , and specifically the lower major stage  101 , to envelope itself within the upper major stage  103  while being encircled by the minor stage  106  when the container  100  is fully collapsed. 
     Concentrating on the minor stage  106 A immediately below the upper major stage  103 , at the lowest point of the minor stage  106 A, the inner diameter  904  of the minor stage  106 A is equal to the outer diameter  905  of minor stage  106 B at its lowest point. The inner diameter  904  is the diameter of the minor stage  106 A excluding the width or girth of the minor stage  106 A  103  at any point. The outer diameter  905  of the minor stage  106 B is the diameter of said minor stage  106 B, including the width or girth of the minor stage  106 B at any point. The same pattern is true regarding the inner diameter of minor stage  106 B and the outer diameter of minor stage  106 C. During the collapsing of the container  100 , the orientation of having the inner diameter  904  to be equal to the outer diameter  905  within the minor stages  106  A-C, causes the minor stages  106  A-C to act as a single wall of resistance. This act of resistance by the minor stages  106  A-C allows the force exerted by a user on the container  100  to first reorient the thinner upper articulated wall  105  and the lower articulated wall  104 . As a result of the inner diameters  900  and  902  being wider than the outer diameters  901  and  903 , respectively, and because of the general thin nature of the upper and lower articulated walls  104  and  105 , the upper and lower articulated walls  104  and  105  exert less resistance against the collapsing motion than do the minor stages  106  A-C. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , while the collapsible container  100  is in its expanded position, the angle of the lower articulating wall  104  and the angle of the upper articulating wall  105  on the outer circumference of the collapsible container  100  may be a right angle or an obtuse angle. The angle of the minor stages  106 A-C on the outer circumference may also be a right angle or an obtuse angle. 
     In this particular embodiment, the diameter of the container  100  progressively shortens from the top of the container  100  to the bottom of the container. As such, the diameter of the upper major stage  103  is greater than the diameter of the middle major stage  102 , and the diameter of the middle major stage  102  is greater than the diameter of the lower major stage  101 . In holding with the principal that the diameter of the collapsible container  100  progressively shortens from the top of the collapsible container  100  to the bottom, the upper articulating wall  105  diameter is greater than the diameter of the of the lower articulating wall  104 . The progressively smaller diameter of the container  100  allows for the middle major stage  102  and the lower major stage  101  to collapse into and be enveloped within upper major stage  103 . 
     The height of the upper major stage  103 , middle major stage  102 , and the lower major stage  101  are approximately the same, but each stage gets progressively shorter from the top of the container  100  to the bottom of the container. The height of the upper major stage  103 , the middle major stage  102 , and the lower major stage  101  get progressively smaller to enable the collapsing of the container  100  in a manner such that the middle major stage  102  does not extend above the upper most portion of the upper major stage  103 , while permitting the lower major stage  101  to enclose itself completely within the upper major stage  103  without the lower major stage extending from the lowest bound of the upper major stage  103 . In this particular embodiment, the upper major stage  103  is 39.25 mm tall, the middle major stage  102  is 36.34 mm tall, and the lower major stage  101  is 35.18 mm tall. 
     The height of the upper articulating wall  105  and the lower articulating wall  104  can be ascertained by the correlation ratio between the average major stage height and the height of the upper articulating wall  105  and the lower articulating wall  104 . The average major stage height is calculated by adding the heights of the lower major stage  101 , middle major stage  102 , and upper major stage  103  and dividing the total height by the number of major stages used to create the total. The ratio range of the height of the upper articulating wall  105  and the lower articulating wall  104  to enable proper collapsing of the collapsible container  100  is 1:5 to 1:20 of that height to the average major stage height. In this particular embodiment, the height of the lower major stage  101 , middle major stage  102 , and upper major stage  103  is 35.18 mm, 36.34 mm, and 39.26 mm respectively. Using the calculation described above, the average major stage height is 36.93 mm. As such, in this particular embodiment, the height of upper articulating wall  105  and the lower articulating wall  104  would need to be a minimum of 1.85 mm to a maximum height of 7.39 mm to enable proper collapsing of the collapsible container  100 . 
     The height of the thin collar seating wall  110  on the collapsible container  100 , which is enveloped by the cylindrical collar  200  to enable the proper collapsing of the container  100 , is ascertained by correlation of a ratio between the height of the collapsible container  100  and the height of the thin collar seating wall  110 . The ratio range of the height of the thin collar seating wall  110  to enable proper collapsing off the collapsible container  100  is a minimum of 1:10 of the height of the collapsible container  100 . A sufficiently tall thin collar seating wall  110 , and by association the cylindrical collar  200  which sits within the thin collar seating wall  110 , facilitates the collapsing of the collapsible container  100  by maintaining the collapsible container  100  upper portion static while the rest of the container  100  deforms in a predictable and desirable manner. In this particular embodiment, the container  100  has a height of 119.18 mm. Utilizing the ratio provided above, the thin collar seating wall  110  must have an approximate minimum height of 11.92 mm to properly enable the collapsible container  100  to collapse in a predictable and desired manner. 
     In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler transitioning from an expanded position to a collapsed position is shown. As shown in  FIG. 6A , in order to collapse the collapsible container  100 , the consumer places his palm face-down on the closed surface  304  (not shown) of the removable lid  300  and wraps his thumb and other fingers around both the thin-walled cylinder  301  (not shown) of the removable lid  300  as well as the bottom cylinder  206  (not shown) of the cylindrical collar  200 . The user “winds up” by lifting the collapsible tumbler opposite the shown direction H. The user then quickly thrusts the collapsible tumbler in shown direction H toward the flat surface. 
     As the cylindrical collar  200  and removable lid  300  move downward, the motion of a closed surface  109  (not shown) on the bottom of the collapsible container  100  is thwarted by a flat surface. The collapsible container  100  compresses along shown direction H. The first features that reorient in order to allow the compression are the articulating walls  104  and  105 , which buckle, changing from a flat or obtuse orientation to a bent acute orientation. As such, the angle of the outer circumference of the articulating walls  104  and  105 , when buckling, goes from an obtuse angle to an acute angle during the first phase of the collapsing container  100 . This buckling orients the top portion of the lower major stage  101  in a position concentric to, and inside of the bottom portion of the middle major stage  102 . Similarly, the top portion of the middle major stage  102 , orients in a position concentric to, and inside of, the bottom portion of the upper major stage  103 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , as the user continues to quickly force the cylindrical collar  200  and removable lid  300  in shown direction H, the compressive wall of the collapsible container  100  begins to deform in a predictable manner. The middle major stage  102  begins to fold into the upper major stage  103 , so that the minor stages  106 A-C may reorient to be inside of the upper major stage  103 . In this process, the angle of the outer circumference of the minor stages  106 A-C go from an obtuse angle to an acute angle. As the middle major stage  102 , and by proxy the minor stages  106  A-C, fold into the upper major stage  103  the angle of the outer circumference of the minor stages  106 A-C reorients itself as an obtuse angle. Meanwhile, the lower major stage  101  loses its cylindrical shape. The lower major stage  101  begins to exhibit flat walls on its top end, similar to the flattened portion of a tube of toothpaste. This flattened portion of the lower major stage  101  terminates at some points  107 . The shown distance M between points  107  is greater than the shown diameter N of the bottom of the upper major stage  103 . As the user continues to thrust the cylindrical collar  200  and removable lid  300  downward, the points  107  push against the more structurally rigid bottom portion of the major stage  103  and the points  107  deform in shown directions I 1  and I 2 . The points  107  now pass through the bottom portion of the major stage  103 . Middle major stage  102  and lower major stage  101  are enveloped within upper major stage  103 . 
     The minor stages  106  need not collapse in succession. In this particular embodiment, the collapsing on minor stage  106 B prior to the collapse of the other minor stages  106  A and  106  C does not prevent the successful collapse of the lapsable container  100 , so long as the user continues to exert a quick downward force in direction H to successfully transition the minor stages  106  A-C from an obtuse angle to an acute angle. In the event the user, in the middle of collapse of the container  100 , stops exerting sufficient downward force in direction H and the minor stages  106  have not fully be reoriented, the minor stages  106  will simply reengage causing the container  100  to revert back to the fully extended position. 
     In  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view of the collapsible tumbler in the collapsed position is shown. As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the collapsible tumbler is in the collapsed position, the middle major stage  102  and the lower major stage  101  take on non-deformed, radially symmetric forms that are concentric to, and inside of, the upper major stage  103 . When in the collapsed position, the lower articulated stage member  104  retains the acute angle on the outer circumference of the collapsible container  100  while the upper articulated stage member  105  has reoriented itself from an acute angle to an obtuse angle. The middle major stage  102  outer circumference angle and minor stages have reoriented themselves into an obtuse angle. 
     When collapsed, the outer wall of the lower major stage  101  becomes adjacent to the outer wall of the middle major stage  102  along with the out walls of the minor stages  106  A-C. Further, the inner wall of the middle major stage  102 , along with the inner walls of the minor stages  106  A-C will be adjacent to the inner wall of the upper major stage  103 . The middle major stage  102 , and the minor stages  106 , when frilly collapsed, will retain the original slope prior to collapse, but the slope of the middle major stage  102  will be inverted over an x-axis. 
     In  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the collapsible tumbler transitioning from the collapsed position to the expanded position is shown. To prepare to expand the collapsible tumbler, perhaps for use with another liquid, the user releases the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) on the flexible stopper  400  (not shown) from the drinking hole  307  (not shown) on the removable lid  300  (not shown) and places the drinking hole plug  405  (not shown) into the plug recess  309  (not shown) on the removable lid  300  (not shown). With the drinking hole  307  (not shown) now unblocked, air may quickly flow into the collapsible tumbler during the expanding motion. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in order to expand the collapsible tumbler, the user places his palm face-down on the closed surface  304  (not shown) of the removable lid  300  and wraps his thumb and other fingers around both the thin-walled cylinder  301  (not shown) of the removable lid  300  as well as the bottom cylinder  206  of the cylindrical collar  200 . With his other hand, he surrounds the lower major stage  101  of the collapsible container  100  with the tips of their fingers and thumb, gripping the lower major stage  101 . The user expands the collapsible container  100  by separating his two hands until the upper major stage  103 , middle major stage  102 , and lower major stage  101  of the collapsible container  100  regain their original expanded orientations. 
     To allow for compression and expansion, the collapsible container  100  may be made of a variety of materials. In one preferred embodiment, the collapsible container  100  is made from a silicone rubber material. This material is chemically inert and will not leach contaminants into stored beverages. It is also flexible, moderately resistant to tears, and provides some protection against heat transfer from hot liquids to the user&#39;s hand. Alternative embodiments may use other flexible materials, such as rubber or synthetic elastomers. Similar varieties of materials may also be used to form the flexible stopper  400 . Any suitable material may be used to form the collar  200  and lid  300  including, but not limited to, plastic, ceramic, stainless steel, glass, or wood. 
     The collapsible container  100 , cylindrical collar  200 , removable lid  300 , and flexible stopper  400  may be manufactured in a conventional manner such as, but not limited to, injection and compression molding techniques. 
     Alternative embodiments of the compressible tumbler may also include one or more of the following. Different materials, sizes, and interconnections may be used for all components. In any alternative embodiment, the stopper  400  can be replaced by any type of apparatus that is used to plug or seal a drinking outlet. The pull tab  406  on the flexible stopper  400  can be omitted or it can be altered into any shape that allows the user to easily grasp and rotate the flexible stopper  400 . The connection between the flexible stopper  400  and removable lid  300  can be replaced by any clip, snap, fastener, or other connection to ensure the flexible stopper  400  and the removable lid  300  are securely attached. The plug recess  309  can be omitted or placed in a different location on removable lid  300 . The circular vent hole  308  can be omitted or it can be placed in a different location on removable lid  300 . The securing knob hole  306  can be placed in a different location on the removable lid  300 . The removable lid  300  and the cylindrical collar  300  can be transformed into any shape. For example, these parts could be box-shaped versus cylindrical. The thread and lug connection between the removable lid  300  and cylindrical collar  200  can be replaced by any thread, clip, snap, fastener, or other connection to ensure that the removable lid  300  and the cylindrical collar  200  are securely attached. When the removable lid  300  is attached to the cylindrical collar  200 , the arched channel  305 , inner thin-walled cylinder  303 , and sealing ridge  204  can all be reconfigured into any sort of orientation to ensure the collapsible tumbler is sealed. These parts can altogether be replaced by another sort of sealing apparatus that limits liquid from leaking out of the collapsible tumbler. The retaining ridge  115  may be omitted or it may be reshaped in any way to allow it to interact with the cylindrical collar  200 . The thicknesses of the top cylinder  205  and the bottom cylinder  206  of the cylindrical collar  200  may be altered. The cylindrical collar  200  can also be permanently attached to the collapsible container  100 . In place of the lower major stage  101 , middle major stage  102 , upper major stage  103 , and minor stages  106   a - 106   c , the collapsible container  100  can be comprised of any number and shape of connected stages or it can be replaced by a collapsible container of any different shape. The sealing ridge  120  and collar retaining ridge  115  can be omitted or their orientation about the collapsible container  100  can be adjusted. 
     Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment(s) may be modified in arraignments and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0