IP Library Granted Patent US 8,333,298
Granted Patent B2
US 8,333,298 · App. 12/325,594 · Granted Dec 18, 2012

Storage container with a collapsible bellows unit

Assignee: Blistex Inc.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,333,298
App. No.
12/325,594
Granted
Dec 18, 2012
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (34)

1. A storage container comprising:

a collapsible unit comprising:

a base; and

a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold; and

a cap comprising:

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,

and further

comprising an outer shell rotatably attached to the cap, wherein the outer shell containing the collapsible unit,

and further,

wherein the outer shell having at least one channel, and the collapsible unit having a least one nub wherein the nub and the channel are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit from turning, relative to the outer shell, when the outer shell is turned relative to the cap.

2. A storage container comprising:

a collapsible unit comprising:

a base; and

a sidewall attached to the base, the sidewall having a spiral fold; and

a cap comprising:

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,

and further

comprising an outer shell rotatably attached to the cap, wherein the outer shell

containing the collapsible unit,

and further,

wherein the outer shell having at least one nub, and the collapsible unit having a least one channel wherein the nub and the channel are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit from turning, relative to the outer shell, when the outer shell is turned relative to the cap.

3. A storage container comprising:

a collapsible unit comprising:

a base; and

a sidewall attached to the base, the side wall having a spiral fold; and a cap comprising:

a ring collar;

a sleeve attached to the ring collar; and

a guide attached to the sleeve or in the guide being slidably engaged with the spiral fold of the sidewall of the collapsible unit; and

further comprising an outer shell rotatably attached to the cap, wherein the outer shell containing the collapsible unit, and

wherein the collapsible unit is configured to expand in length when the cap is turned, relative to the collapsible unit, so that the guide slides along the spiral fold of the sidewall and results in unfolding a portion of the collapsible unit between the guide and the ring collar, and wherein the outer shell having at least one nub, and the collapsible unit having at least one channel wherein the nub and channel are configured to mate together to substantially restrict the collapsible unit from turning relative to the outer shell where the outer shell is turned relative to the cap.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2008
From: WOJCIK, MICHAEL A.; SANBORN, KELLY
To: BLISTEX INC.
Reel/Frame 021910/0458 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100133281A1 · Jun 3, 2010