Patent ID: 8534478

Claim:
A collapsible container configured to transition from a collapsed position to an expanded position, said container comprising: a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a height that is about ⅓ the total height of the container and wherein said bottom portion has a first diameter; a top portion, said top portion having a second diameter, wherein said second diameter is less than said first diameter; an intermediate portion, said intermediate portion connecting the bottom portion with top portion, characterized in that the intermediate portion comprises a first reinforcing ridge and a second reinforcing ridge; wherein said first reinforcing ridge is positioned between the bottom end of the intermediate portion and the top end of the bottom portion, and is configured to elastically deform when said container transitions from the expanded position to the collapsed position, and said first reinforcing ridge having a material thickness that is greater than the material thickness of the intermediate portion and greater than the material thickness of the bottom portion; and wherein said second reinforcing ridge is positioned between the top end of the intermediate portion and the bottom end of the top portion, and is configured to elastically deform when said container transitions from the expanded position to the collapsed position, and said second reinforcing ridge having a material thickness that is greater than the material thickness of the intermediate portion and greater than the material thickness of the top portion; wherein the top portion comprises top vertical ribs, said top vertical ribs arranged substantially perpendicular to the container base; wherein the top vertical ribs axially strengthens the top portion relative to the intermediate portion, wherein the bottom portion comprises bottom vertical ribs, said bottom vertical ribs arranged substantially perpendicular to the container base; wherein the bottom vertical ribs axially strengthens the bottom portion relative to the intermediate portion, and wherein a vacuum applied to the container causes the top portion to collapse within the bottom portion.