Patent ID: 7678271

Claim:
A collapsible container, comprising: a substantially rigid rim; a substantially rigid base; the rim including at least a first vertical portion extending downward toward the base and forming a portion of a sidewall of the container, the first vertical portion terminating in a lower edge, the rim further having a flange extending radially away from the first vertical portion; the base including an upper peripheral portion extending upward toward the rim and terminating in an upper edge, the upper edge being relatively higher than a lowest point on the base, the base further having a foundation with a lower surface for providing stable support for the container on a horizontal surface, and a flexible membrane having an upper end secured to the rim and a lower end secured to the base, the flexible membrane having a central section of substantially uniform thickness and no more than two living hinges, the living hinges comprising a first living hinge adjacent the lower edge of the rim, and a second living hinge adjacent upper edge of the base; the container further defining a height from the lower surface of the foundation to a highest point on the rim, the first and second living hinges being positioned to divide the height into three portions of substantially equal length, including a first portion between the highest point on the rim and the first living hinge, a second portion between the first living hinge and the second living hinge, and a third portion between the second living hinge and the lower surface of the foundation; whereby the container is configurable in either a first position in which the container is expanded and a second position in which the container is fully collapsed, the container in the fully collapsed position being folded at only the first living hinge and the second living hinge, the flexible membrane being substantially devoid of folds or bends other than at the first living hinge and the second living hinge.