CA2141361A1

CA2141361A1 - Connectable, collapsible, reduced re-expansion container and process

Info

Publication number: CA2141361A1
Application number: CA002141361A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Richard Godwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-01-30
Filing date: 1995-01-30
Publication date: 1996-07-31

Abstract

The inventions relates to connectable, collapsible, reduced re-expansion container and process. Particularly to plastic bottles that have a collapsing sidewall.
This collapsing container is connectable to other identical bottles for easier handling for recycling and reduced space of contained products and handling. A straw may be placed in the interior chamber for convenience. The container has a means for reducing the re-expansion of the container for reduced aeration of products.

Description

~ 41361 .~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to re-expandable and connectin~
co" ' ,e(~, in particular to plastic bottles havin~ a side wall which can collapse and a bottom portion that can connect with the top portion of an identical bottle in a plurality for recycling convenience and stora~e, less container space use and aeration reduction of contained products.
Cr" 1~ ' ' co"i ,t:,~, such as tubes and bottles, made of plastic, are known.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,372, a ~.~llapsibl~ plastic container is disclosed wherein the side walls collapse by means of a telescopin~ ,~ldLior,sl,;~.
between the various portions of the peripheral side wall.
In U.S. Pat No. 5,209,372, a c.~ , plastic container is disclosed wherein the side walls collapse by means of a spiral folds.
In U.S. Pat No. 5,207,250, a ~ , plastic container is disclosed wherein the side walls collapse by means of folds. The neck outlet has a nonreturn valve and their is a slot in the bottom wall to nest the neck of an identical bottle. The emphasis of this patent is on the nonreturn value and the col'~r~ le side walls necessary for evacuation of contained products.
This prior art does not disclose a c~ container that can also be connected to an identical container or a noncoll~ connectable container, althou~h other art may exist upon ~xdlllillalion.
It is desirable to have a container, such as a plastic bottle, which can be collapsed in size to match the volume of the product more closely or to compress the product out of the container, expanded in size to allow the product to enter thecontainer and other products to enter the container. Having all these features with the ability of the ~,ol,i ,e,~ to connect together in a plurality for more stable stacking when the bottle contains p~oduct and for easier recycling handlin~ by being able to manage a plurality of bottles at one time and in less space.
When the size of a container more closely matches the volume of the product, there is benefit of less space being occupied by the container. For example the bottle can be sized to the remaining contents and can now fit under a refrigerator shelf or in a backpack where it would not have been able to when fully expanded.When there are no products in the container the container has the ability to be smaller in size than its full size, thus occupying less space.
When the size of a container more closely matches the volume of the product, it also reduces aeration of products being contained, preferably when the container has a means for being sealed. This combined with the ability to connected together into a plurality is desirable.
Preferably whe~ a container has means for a corrugated CC " l, ' 'g and t"~palldabl~ section it will provide increased structural strength of the container and increased grip of the container while providing function.
It is desirable to have a container be able to stack on top of another identical or similar corltainer with some ridged support and with or without product and with or without sealing the co,lLdi"e,~.

It is desirable to have a Gor,lai"e,~ such a plastic bottles designed to connect together for easier handlin~ in multiples. It is also desirable to have this benefit combined with the benefit of the cullL :.,e,:, havin~ a means for occupyin~
less space. Flbrl:lably when Cb~ aill;ll~ no product this is especially beneficial.
It is desirable to know of a method that reduces or r.'i."i,1dlb-s the need to remove one substance from a container to allow another substance to enter the container. A container that can be collapsed in size to reduce the volume of the unwanted substance is desirable and beiny connectable for firm stackin~ in multiples and handling in multiples.
There is a need to provide containers, such as bottles, that are dimensionally stable and stron~ when filled and which are readily Goll~r~ le to compact stable shapes and are co~ ebldbly stackable when full with or without a cap and when connected in multiples when empty they are much easier to handle for recyclin~ or disposal purposes.
There is a need for co"L.. ; ,e,:" such as bottles, that are connectably stackable when full with or without a cap and when connected in multiples when empty they are much easier to handle for recyclin~ or disposal purposes.
It is desirable to have bottles connect to~ether.
It is desirable to have a co" .;.~ plastic beveraG~e bottle with a straw 20 in the interior chamber. This would be conveniently for more easily drinking the contained product when a straw is readily available inside the bottle.
A container that could reduce aeration of the contained products is 2 1 4 ~ 36 1 desirable. Products such as wine stored in a co!' I-s;~ container would allow for less aeration of the wine. When the container has a means for reducing the re~ a~1siol~
of the container products such as ca, ~onalt:d products would retain their carbonation longer.
These desirable individual benefits in different co" ,' :. Ia lio,-s would also be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect, the present invention consists of a container and at least one means for connecting the container in a plurality. The container p,~rt"dbly has portions defining a chamber with at least one means for evacuating product. Preferably a bottom wall, a peripheral side wall, and an upper, open end serving as a discharge opening, closed by, for example, a removable screw cap. The evacuating means may be a discharge opening, such as a bottle neck with an orifice.
The container may also consist of at least some plastic. The container may be a bottle. The container may be made by a PET type process. The container may be a PET type. Preferably the connecting means is strong enough to hold the inherent structural weight of at least one identical container hanging by the connection to the held container. The container in this embodiment may also have at least one structural member that engages to another container to create the connection.
The present invention may also have at least one means for collapsing.
The ~ ~ " r ,9 means may be in the body of the container.

21 4 ~ 361 The present invention may also have a straw placed in the chamber of the container.
The present invention may also have at least one means for reducing the re-e,~,ua,lsio,l of the container. This means for reducing the re-~.~,ual-sioll of the 5 container may be a strip of material stretching from the upper portion of the container to the lower portion of the container with a ratchet surface and at least one means for Gon~l~' ,9 the ratchet strip from moving in an opposite direction. The reducing re-expansion means may be in the chamber of the container. The container in this e",l,c "e"L may also have a straw.
According to another aspect, the present invention consists of a container with at least one means for collapsing and a straw placed in the interior chamber of the container. The container may be for beverages. Preferably the ,~ - ,9 means is controlled collapsiny to a compact configuration and the container is generally self-supporting stand alone both filled and empty. The container may be 15 a plastic beverage bottle and the connecting means is by screwing the neck of one plastic beverage bottle into the bottom portion of an identical bottle.
Accorr~ing to another aspect, the present invention consist of a container with at least one means for collapsing and at least one means for reducing the re-expansion of the container. The container may have a straw. The straw may be place 20 in the interior chamber of the container. Preferably the Gollap ,;"9 means is controlled collapsing to a compact configuration and the container is generally self-supporting stand alone both filled and empty. The container may be a plastic beverage bottle and t 2141361 the connecting means is by screwing the neck of one plastic bevera~e bottle into the bottom portion of an identical bottle.
Accordin~ to another aspect, the present invention relates to a device for more easily improvin~ a reduction in contained product volume, post-consumerwaste volume and handlin0, cor"~ ;"~ a container with at least one means for c~lldp~t;l 19 and at least one means for connectin~ the container in a plurality.
F~r~ldbly the c~lla~s;l1g means is controlled collapsin~ to a compact confi~uration and the container is generally self-supportin~ stand alone both filled and empty. The container may be a plastic bevera~e bottle and the connecting means is by screwin~
the neck of one plastic bevera~e bottle into the bottom portion of an identical bottle.
Accordin~ to another aspect, the present invention relates to a closure device, comprisin~ at least one structural member that covers an openiny to a container and at least one means for connecting the closure device to two l,or,La;,le,~
simultaneously. The closure devise may be ~ cap. r~l~r~dbly a screw cap for a container. This closure devise can be used in combination with any aspects of the present invention described above.
The invention claimed is not limited to the elllbodilllellL~ described.
DRAWINGS
The drawin~s depict illustrative er"bodi"lellLs of the present invention which serves to exemplify the various advanta~es and objects thereof, is described with reference to the drawin~s in which:

21~1361 FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a bottle in acco, da,1~e with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 in acco~.lal1ce with a second exemplary ~Illbc " ,le"L of thc invention, this is a partial cross-sectional view of a bottle (illustrated in FIG. 5) showing the 5 bottom havin~ a con~eului for a bottle upper neck portion;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bottle (illustrated in FIG. 5) showing a bottle neck portion;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, a connector for a bottle upper neck portion engaged with a bottle neck portion (FIG. 2 connected to FIG. 3);
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of two bottles conne-.Lt:d together. A
top bottle is connect by its bottom to the top of another bottle (illustrated in FIG.
4);
FIG. 6 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a cross-sectional view depicting a bottle cap;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view depicting a bottle neck portion;
FIG. 8 is a partial front cross-sectional view of two bottles depicting how the lower end of a bottle will engage with the upper neck portion of a identical bottle having a bottle cap (illustrated in FIG. 6);
FIG. 9 is a partial front cross-sectional view of two bottles as illustrated in 20 FIG. 8, but connect together by threads on the outside of the bottle cap of the lower bottle while being braced by the neck ring and bottom and top walls of both bottles for extra support;

FIG. 10 is a partial front cross-sectional view of two bottles as illustrated inFIG.9, but connected to~ether by the bottle neck threads of the lower bottle while being braced by the neck rin3 and bottom and top walls of both bottles for extrasupport;
FIG. 11 in aGcoldallce with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a is a vertical view of a bottle cap;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a partial front cross-sectional view of the lower end of a bottle connected to the upper neck portion of a identical bottle havin~ a bottle cap asillustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the bottle in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a partial front cross-sectional view of two bottles as illustrated inFIG. 13, but 10,1,~e~,~ed to3ether by the bottle neck threads of the lower bottle while bein3 braced by the neck rin~ and bottom and top walls of both bottles forextra support;
FIG. 16 is a partial front cross-sectional view of a bottle as illustrated in FIG. 15, 14 and 13 showin~ an alternate exemplary embodiment of a connector for a bottle upper neck portion having no threads en3a~ed with a bottle neck portion;
FIG. 17 in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a vertical view of a bottle;
FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the bottle in FIG. 17;

~ ~141361 FIG. 19 is a front cross-sectional view of a three bottles connected with tops and bottoms as illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a Go,~"e~,~or for a container upper neck portion en~a~ed with a container neck portion;
FIG. 21 in acGor~a,1ce with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a front cross-sectional view of a two bottles connected by screwin~ the body of one bottle into the body of the other bottle;
FIG. 22 in aGGoldallGe with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a vertical view of a bottle;
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the bottle illustrated in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view of two bottles connected;
FIG. 25 in aGGOrdal-Ge with a eighth exemplary e",bod;.,lenL of the invention, this is a vertical view of a bottle;
FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the bottle as illustrated in FIG. 25;
FIG. 27 is a front cross-sectional view of two bottles connected;
FIG. 28 in aGGordal,Ge with a ninth exemplary G-",~odi",e"L of the invention, this is a front cross-sectional view of a bottle; and FIG. 29 in accordance with a eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention, this is a front cross-sectional view of a bottle, also in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
g =
2~41361 Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiments are described in terms of a moulded plastic bottle and some include a bottle cap.
With reference to FIG. 1, a bottle 100 in accordance with the first exemplary t:"ll,o~ ,ler,l of the invention generally includes a top 105 with a top wall 110 a bottom 115 with a bottom wall 120, connected by an annular re-expandable side wall 125 which is corru~ated 130 so that the side wall 125 can corrugate. The top wall 110 has a neck 135, suitable for a closure. The neck 135is co"lyosed of an upper neck portion 140 and a lower neck portion 145. The upper neck portion 140 has a plurality of neck threads 150 on its external circu"lr~ ce and its internal circumference makes a passage way 155. Between the upper neck portion 140 and the lower neck portion 145 is a neck ring 160 .
The neck ring 160 is common to PET type bottle construction, the neck ring 160 in this exemplary embodiment helps for ~ripping at the lower neck portion 145 when the bottom 1 1 5 is pointing down.
The top wall 110 in this exemplary e",bc ,le,ll includes a radially inwardly and upwardly tapered shoulder section 165.
The bottom wall 120 includes a female bottle connection structure 170. In this exemplary e~"bc "~"L. the female bottle connection structure 170 has a plurality of structural co~ e~ liol1 wall members 175 attached to itself. The bottom wall 120 is in a recessed concavity shape 180 to acco"l",oddl~ the shape of the top 105 of an identical bottle in a recessed manner. The structural col1,1e, lio,1 wall members 175 are spaced evenly and in plurality to give support to 2t4136~
an connecting and connected bottle. The structural connection wall members 175 have enou~h spaGe at their central axis to acGor",~10d~L~ the upper neck portion140 of an identical or similar bottle 100 that is recessed into this axis up to its neck rin~ 160, when this happens the neck ring 160 nests flush with the bottom side of the structural connection wall members 175. The structural connection wall members 175 have on their Gentral axis facing side a plurality of neck Gonnel.Lio~ thread grooves 185 that are desi0ned to engage with the neck thread grooves 150 of an identical or similar bottle 100. The bottom wall 120 generallyincludes structural strength contours 190. The side wall 125 has a plurality of tubular panels 195 with a plurality of sections that can fold 200.
Turnin~ to FIG. 2 this is a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. This is a partial cross-section of a bottle e"",hasi~i"g a female bottle connecting structure in a bottle bottom ~see FIG. 5) to join the top of an identical bottle. The bottom wall 205 has a female connection section 210 that is "cap"
shaped and recessed into the bottle. The female bottle connecting structure has a opening 215, side walls 220 and a top wall 225. The side walls 220 have a plurality of neck connection thread grooves 230 on its internal circumference that will enga~e to make a solid connection with the upper neck portion 240 (see FIG.3) neck threads 250 (see FIG. 3) of an identical or similar bottle (see FIG. 5).In FIG. 3 this same exemplary embodiment is e"",lld~ i"g a typical bottle neck 235 that can connect with FIG. 2. Thc neck 235 is composed of an upper neck portion 240 and a lower neck portion 245. The upper neck portion 214~361 240 has a plurality of neck threads 250 on its external circumference and its internal circumference makes a passage way 255. Be7ween the upper neck portion 240 and the lower neck portion 245 is a neck ring 260.
In FIG. 4 this same exemplary embodiment is ~ pha~ g how two bottles would connect, this is FIG. 2 connected to FIG. 3. The bottom wall 205 has a female connection structure 210 "cap" shaped that is recessed into the bottle. The female connectiny structure has a openin~ 215, side walls 220 and a top wall 225. The side walls 220 have a plurality of neck connection thread ~rooves 230 on its internal circumference that will engage to make a solid colllle- lio,l with the upper neck portion 240 neck threads 250. The neck 235 isco"",osed of an upper neck portion 240 and a lower neck portion 245. The upper neck portion 240 has a plurality of neck threads 250 on its external circumference and its internal circumference makes a passage way 255. Between the upper neck portion 240 and the lower neck portion 245 is a neck ring 260.
Turning to FIG. 5 this same exemplary embodiment is a cross-section illustratin~ a top bottle 265 col1ne. l~d by its bottom 270 to a bottom bottle 275 by its top 280 (the connection is: FIG. 2 enga~ed with FIG. 3 as illustrated in FIG.
4). The top bottle 265 has a top 285 with a top wall 290 a bottom 295 with a bottom wall 300, connected by an annular non-~ 3, ~ l~ side wall 305 with structural strength contours 310. The top wall 290 has a neck 235 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). The bottom wall 300 includes a female connection section 210. In this exemplary embodiment the female conncction section 210 is FIG. 2.

214~36~
The bottom bottle 270 has a top 280 with a top wall 315 a bottom 320 with a bottom wall 325, col~ne.,Lt:d by an annular re-expandablc side wall 330 with structural strength contours 335 and generally which is corrugated 340.
The top wall 315 has a neck 235 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottom wall 325 5 includes a female cor),le-,lion section 210. In this exemplary embodiment the female connection section 210 is FIG. 2. A product label cover 350 flexes with the side wall 330 and covers the __"1, ' '9 side wall. A plurality of bottle support structures 355 circle the female co,1l~e~,liol~ section 210. The side wall 330 has a plurality of tubular panels 360 with a plurality of sections that can fold 365.
Turning to FIG. 6 this third exemplary embodiment is a bottle cap 370 with a plurality of external cap thread grooves 375 on its external circumference and a plurality of internal cap thread grooves 380 on its internal circumference, a cap rim bottom 385, a cap top 390 and a cap bottom 395. The external cap thread grooves 375 on its external circumference have normal right-hand thread. These cap thread grooves have small illl~""ill~,1l section of thread missing to create extra grip for twisting the cap by hand. This bottle cap or cover can be made of plastic or metal.
FIG. 7 is identical to FIG. 3., but in this exemplary embodiment the distance from the centre axis 400 of the passage way 405 to the circumference edge 410 of the neck ring 415 is not less than the distance from the centre axis 400 of the passage way 405 to the circumference edge of the external cap threads 375 of FIG. 6.

2~41361 FIG. 6 screws onto FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 this same exemplary embodiment is a partial cross-section of a bottom portion of a corru~ated c~lld,,~:l;bl~ bottle 420 and a top portion of a corru~ated ~ bottle 425, the bottles are identical in design.
The partial cross-section of bottle 420 is showing a bottom 430 with a bottom wall 435, an annular re-e,~,andab!~ side wall 440 which is corru~ated 445 so that the side wall 440 can corru~ate. The annular re-expandable side wall 440 connects to a top 490 as illustrated in the bottom bottle 425. The bottom 430 isdesi~ned to nest with the top 490 of the bottom bottle 425 or a similar bottle.
The bottom wall 435 has a portion that touches with the top wall 495 of the bottom bottle 425 or a similar bottle, this bottom nest wall 450 is vertical in hei~ht to match the same hei~ht difference from the bottom bottle 425 or a similar bottle colll,e~ d with a bottle cap 370 (see FIG. 6) to connected without a cap. The bottom 430 has female co~ e.,lion section 455 in its centre axis. The female connection section 455 has a cap stage 460 and a non-cap stage 465. The cap stage 460 has a plurality of internal cap stage thread ~rooves 470 on its internal circumference. The internal cap sta~e thread grooves 470 on its internal circumfer~nce of the cap sta~e wall 472 engage with the external cap thread grooves 375 of the bottle cap 370 (see FIG. 6). The non-cap sta~e 465 has a plurality of internal neck connection thread grooves 475 on its internal circumference of the non-cap stage wall 480. The internal neck connection thread~rooves 475 on its internal circumference enga~e with the neck threads 417 (see . ~
FIG. 7) of a bottom bottle havin~ no cap (see FIG. 10). The female co~ e~.lion portion 455 is supported to the bottom wall 435 by structural connection wall members 485.
The partial cross-section of bottle 425 is showin~ a top 490 with a top wall 495, an annular re-~ "dable side wall 440 which is corrugated 445 so that the side wall 440 can corru~ate. The annular re-~ "dabl~ side wall 440 connects to a bottom 430 as illustrated in the top bottle 420. The top wall 495 has a neclc 418 (see FIG. 7), suitable for a closure. The neck 418 is as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 3. The bottle 425 can connect to bottle 420 with a bottle cap370 (see FIG. 6) screwed on the neck thread grooves 417. The top 490 of the bottom bottle 425 is designed to nest with the bottom 430 of the top bottle 420 or a similar bottle. The top wall 495 has a portion that touches with the bottomwall 435 of the top bottle 420 or a similar bottle, this top nest wall 500 is vertical in hei~ht to match the same height difference from the top bottle 420 when conl1e, Lt:d with the bottle cap 370 to connected without the bottle cap 370.
In FIG. 9 this same exemplary ~",~c ,le"l is a partial cross-section of a bottom portion of a corrugated co~ bottle 420 co,1,~e~Lt:d by a cap 370 to a top portion of a corrugated cc" - bottle 425, the bottles are identical in design. The bottle 420 and 425 are as described in FIG. 8 and the cap 370 is as described in FIG. 6. This illustration is to show the connection with the two bottles 420 and 425 when the bottom bottle 425 has a cap 370. The bottom bottle 425 is en~aged with the top bottle 420 by screwing the cap 370 (that is ~141361 screwed on the bottom bottle 425) into the cap stage 460 of the female connection section 455 of the top bottle 420. The weight of the top bottle is taken by the non-cap stage base 505 resting on the cap top 390, the external capthread grooves 375 and the internal cap stage thread grooves 470. The neck ring 415 forms a snug fit within the cap stage wall 472.
Turning to FIG. 10 this same exemplary embodiment is a cross section of two of these bottles ~ e~ d together, with the bottom bottle not having a cap (the top bottle in this exemplary ~Illbo~' ,lent does not have a bottle cap either). The top bottle 420 (as illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9) is connected to the bottom bottle 425 (as illustrated in FIG. 8 and 9) by the neck thread grooves 417 of the bottom bottle 425 engaged with the neck connection thread grooves 475 of the top bottle 420. The neck ring 415 forms a snug fit within the cap stage wall 472 and the top of the top wall 495 can be shaped to touch the bottom of the cap stage wall 472 for additional support. The top nest wall 500 and the bottom nest wall 450 fit snugly together when the bottom bottle 425 is connected by its bottle neck thread grooves 417 into the "higher" bottle non-capstage 465.
Turning to FIG. 11 this fourth exemplary embodiment is a vertical view of a bottle cap 510 with a plurality of cap flanges 515 on the external capwall 525 (see FIG. 12). The cap top 520 is flush with the cap flanges 515.
In FIG. 12 this same exemplary embodiment is a cross-section of the bottle cap 510 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The cap top 520 is flush with the cap flan~es 515.
The flan~es are used for a twist-lock conl,e~,lion into the bottom of an identical bottle. The cap has side walls 525 and internal thread grooves 530.
In FIG. 13 this same exemplary embodiment is a partial cross-section 5 of a bottom portion of a corru~ated GOII~,J- Ille bottle 535 and a top portion of a corrugated ~c~ bottle 540, the bottles are identical in design and connected to~ether by the bottle cap 510 as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. The partial cross-section of bottle 535 is showin~ a bottom 545 with a bottom wall 550, an annular re-expandable side wall 555 which is corru~ated 560 so that the side wall 555 can corrugate. The annular re-~ Jall~able side wall 555 connects to a top 565 as illustrated in the bottom bottle 540. The bottom 545 is designed to nest with the top 565 of the bottom bottle 540 or a similar bottle. The bottom wall 550 has a portion that touches with the top wall 570 of the bottom bottle 540 or a similar bottle, this bottom nest wall 575 is vertical in hei~ht to match the same hei~ht dirr~l~nce from the bottom bottle 540 or a similar bottle connected with a bottle cap 510 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) to coll"e-,L~d without a cap. The bottom 545 has female con,le~.lion section in its centre axis. The female connection section 580 has a cap stage 585 and a non-cap staye 590. The cap stage 585 has a plurality of cap connectin~ flanr~es 595 on its internal circumference. The cap flan~es 515 en3age with the cap connecting flanges 595 on its internal circ~"lr~ 1ce of the cap sta~e wall 600 by twist-locking. This twist-locking action is done by inserting the cap flan~es 515 through a ~aps in the cap `~ 2141361 connectin~ flan~es 595 then twistin~ the two lulalio~lally in opposite directions causin~ ~hem to lock. The cap flan~e 515 and the cap connecting flange 595 can be made in a wed~e shape so that when they are twist-locked rotationally they make a snug tight fit due to the decreasing space between the cap flange 515 andthe cap connectin~ flange 595. The non-cap stage 590 has a plurality of internalneck connection thread grooves 605 on its internal circumference of the non-cap sta~e wall 610. The internal neck coll,le~.lioll thread grooves 605 on its internal circumference engage with the neck threads 417 (see FIG. 7) of a bottom bottle having no cap (see FIG. 15). The female connection portion 580 is supported to the bottom wall 550 by structural connection wall members 615.
The partial cross-section of bottle 540 is showing a top 565 with a top wall 570, an annular re-~ ,andable side wall 555 which is corrugated 560 so that the side wall 555 can corrugate. The annular re-~ ,a,lddl,l~ side wall 555 connects to a bottom 545 as illustrated in the top bottle 535. The top wa~l 570 has a neck 418 as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 3, suitable for a closure. The bottle 540 can connect to bottle 535 with a bottle cap 510 (see FIG. 11 and FIG.12) by twist-locking its cap flanges 515 into the cap connectin~ flanges 595 of bottle 535. The top 565 of the bottom bottle 540 is designed to nest with the bottom 545 of the top bottle 535 or a similar bottle. The top wall 570 has a portion that touches with the bottom wall 550 of the top bottle 535 or a similarbottle, this top nest wall 620 is vertical in hei~ht to match the same height .lirrc~ ce from the top bott~e 535 when connected with the bottle cap 510 to connected without the bottle cap 510.
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of this exemplary embodiment of the identical bottles 535 and 540. The female co~"~e~,Liol1 section 580 is in the centre of the bottom 545. On the outer edge of the bottle bottom 545 are structural support contours 635 moulded into the bottom wall 550. Structural connection wall members 615 are in a plurality around the female conne-,Lion section 580 attaching to both the bottom wall 550, non-cap stage wall and the cap stage wall. In the centre most section of this view is the non-cap stage top wall 630, around this is the non-cap stage base 625, hanging over this is the cap connecting flanges 595, which are attached to the cap stage wall 600. From this view the bottle cap 510 as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG.12 would enterthe female connectio~ section 580 with the cap flanges 515 passing throu~h the gaps in the cap connection flanges 595 until the cap top 520 touches the non-cap stage base 625, then the two bottles are twisted in opposite directions, the cap flanges 515 and the cap co,~ i"g flanges 595 twist-lock together. These flanges can be wedge shaped to increase wed~e tightness when twisted or decrease wedge tightness when untwisted. These flanges would be designed in such a manner and made of material that would cause the top bottle to snap off when fully connected before the cap would snap off. Thus this connection method would not pose the problem of prying the cap off the lower connecting bottle with a cap used in thecol ,lle-;Lion.
In FIG. 15 this same exemplary ~",~ enl is a partial cross-section 2t41361 of a bottom portion of a corrugated col's~ . bottle 535 and a top portion of a corrugated .~ bottle 540 the bottles are identical in design and connected together by the bottle neck 418 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The bottles 535 and 540 are identical to those described in FIG. 11 12, 13 and 14 the elements 5 components and functions are the same. But this illustration is showing the bottom bottle 540 connected by its neck 418 to the top bottle 535 into the non-cap stage 590, unlike FIG. 13 showing the bottles col1l~e~ d by the cap 510.
The cap connecting flanges 595 rest on the neck ring 415(see FIG. 7 when the neck 418 is fully en~a~ed into the non-cap sta~c 590. The neck ring 415 forms a snug fit within the cap stage wall 600 this provides extra connectiny support. The top of the top wall 570 can be shaped to touch the bottom of the cap stage wall 600 for additional support. The top nest wall 620 and the bottom nest wall 575 flt snugly to~ether when the bottom bottle 540 is connected by its neck 418 into the "hi~her bottle non-cap stage 590. A plurality of these bottles 15 can be connected together.
In FIG. 16 this same exemplary eil L~ "e"L is a partial cross-section of a different variation of the female connection section and the bottle neck. This variation of the current fourth exemplary e"lL- "e"L has a neck ring 415 with neck rin~ flanges 640 that twist-lock into the cap connectin~ flanges 595 just like 20 the bottle cap 510 does and still does in the same manner. Also notice this gets rid of the need for a neck connection thread ~rooves 605 (as seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 1 5~.on the non-cap stage walls 610 in the non-cap stage 590. A plurality of 2~4~361 these bottles can be connected together.
Turning to FIG. 17 this Fifth exemplary ~",L,odi",e"L is a vertical view of a bottle 645 showing a bottle top 650 with a top wall 655 with a neck 657 as illustrated in FIG. 7 but the neck ring 660 has a plurality of neck ring flanges 665.
5 This bottle has been illustrated with a cap 670.
In FIG. 18 this same exemplary ~I~lbod;.~ is a bottom view of the bottle 645 with a female co,l,le. lion section 675 recessed into the bottom, which has a plurality of neck ring co,~,~e..Li"g flanges 680 around its edges. The neck ring connecting flanges 680 look like the bottom wall 685 is o~,ell,d,l, ,9 into the female ~o,~ . Lion section 675. The neck ring con,~e- Li"g flanges 680 have gaps 690 to allow the neck ring flanges 665 (see FIG. 17) to pass through and twist-lock. The twist-lock action is described in the fifth embodiments. A plurality of structural support contours 695 help the bottom wall 685 maintain its structural shape.
In FIG. 19 this same exemplary embodiment is a cross-sectional view of three bottles like that described in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 connected together and in a partially collapsed state. This bottle design has at least one annular re-~ .alldab!~ side wall 700 which is corrugated 705 so that the side wall 700 can corrugate. The top bottle 710 clearly illustrates the neck 657 portion with its neck ring flanges 665 this bottle happens to have a cap 670 for this illustration. The bottom bottle 715 clearly illustrates the recessed female connection section 675 with the neck ring connection flanges 680. The middle bottle 720 shows the 2~ 4 1 36 1 bottle 710 LU~ d tû its top and the bottle 715 connected to its bottom. A
plurality of these bottles can be conlle..~d together. The female connection section 675 can accommodate an upper neck portion 725 of a bottle with a cap 670 or without a cap 670. The middle bottle 720 has a cap 670 while the bottom bottle 715 has no cap 670. The female conl1e1~ioll section 675 of the top bottle710 and the middle bottle 720 show the neck ring flan~es 665 twist-locked over top of the neck ring connectin~ flanges 680. The female col1ne~ion section 675 has a upper neck slot portion 730. The bottom wall 685 nest onto the top wall 655 when the bottles are twist-lock co,1,1t~ d or when the neck ring flanges 665are touching the upper neck slot base 735.
In FIG. 20 this exemplary ~"l~odi"lel,l is a cross-section of a variation of the female co~ e~,~io,l section 675 illustrated in FIG. 17, 18 and 19.
This female connection section 740 is the same but the upper neck slot 745 can only accor""10dd~e a upper neck portion 725 of a bottle (such as that illustrated in FIG. 17, 18 and 19) without a cap. This variation could also be design with thread ~rooves on the internal circumference of the upper neck slot to engage with the thread ~rooves on the bottle upper neck. This way the upper neck thread grooves on this type of bottle would thread onto the cap and into the upper neck slot with thread grooves. The other structural elements can be seen such as the neck ring flan~es 665, the neck ring connecting flanges 680 and the upper neck slot base 735. The neck 657 is the same as illustrated in FIG. 17, 18 and 19.
Turning to FIG. 21 this sixth exemplary ~"lbo~;",~lll of the invention ~ 2f4~361 illustrates two identical c~ s~ bottles 750 and 755 Go,~lle, l~d by screwing the body of the top of one bottle into the bottom of another. This generally includes a top 760 with a top wall 765 a bottom 770 with a bottom wall 775 Gon,~e. L~d by an annular re-e~ua,1dc,L,l~ side wall 780 which is corrugated 785 so that the side wall 780 can corru~ate. The top wall 765 has a neck 790 as illustrate~ in FIG. 7, suitable for a closure. This illustration shows the bottle with a cap but the bottles can be connected without havin~ a cap. The top 760 has a portion of its top wall 765 shaped into screws, this top body screw portion 795 has at least one top body thread groove 800 formed into the body of the bottle.
The bottom 770 has a female GOI~ iOI~ section 805 with an upper neck slot 810. The upper neck slot 810 generally can aGGollllllodtll~ a bottle upper neck with or without a cap. This upper neck slot 810 can be made smaller to only accommodate a upper neck portion 812 without a cap, and further it can be design with thread grooves to engage with the thread grooves on the upper neck portion of a bottle. The bottom 770 has a portion of its bottom wall 775 shaped into screws, this bottom body screw portion 815 has at least one bottom body thread groove 820 formed into the body of the bottle. To connect an identical bottle to~ether the top body thread grooves 800 are screwed into the bottom body thread ~rooves 820. A plurality of these bottles can be connected together.Turning to FIG. 22 this seventh exemplary e",bod;",~"~ of the invention illustrates a c~ I, ' bottle that connects together into a plurality by popping its top body into the bottom body of an identical bottle. FIG. 22 is a 21~136~
vertical view of a bottle top 825 the top wall 830 has a shoulder 835 for resting the bottom of an identical bottle and at least one narrow bulge 840 in a convex spherical shape around the bottle will be popped into the bottom of a similar bottle. The top wall 830 has a neck 845 as illustrated in FIG. 7 with a neck ring 850 and this illustration is showing a bottle cap 855.
FIG. 23 is the same exemplary ~", "e"~ showing the bottom of the same bottle illustrated in FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a bottom view of a bottle bottom 860 the bottom wall 865 has a female connection section 870 with a upper neck slot 875 and the upper neck slot base 880 supports the neck rin~ 850 of an identical co~ e~.Lt~d bottle. A bulge connecting groove 885 that is a concave spherical groove shape in the bottom wall will allow the bul~e 840 of an identical bottle to connect into by popping" over the bulge connecting ~roove lip 890. A
plurality o~ structural support contours 895 help the bottom wall 865 maintain its structural shape.
In FIG. 24 this eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates two identical c bottles 900 and 905 connected by popping the body of the top of one bottle into the bottom of another. This ~poppin~ termrefers to how the bottle bottom 860 expands or stretches as the bulge 840 in thetop of an identical bottle is pushed into the female connection section 870. Thebulge connecting groove lip 890 flexes over the bulge 840 of the connecting bottle. The lower connectin~ bottle would also be flexing moderately when this action is p~, ru.",ed. This bottle 900 and 905 includes a top 825 with a top wall 214136~
830 a bottom 860 with a bottom wall 865, connected by an annular re-~,ua~ ' side wall 910 which is corrugated 915 so that the side wall 910 can corrugate. The top wall 830 has a neck 845 as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 22,suitable for a closure. This illustration shows the bottom bottle 905 and the top bottle 900 with a cap but tlhe bottles can be co~ e~led without having a cap. The bottom 770 has a female co,1"e~ lion section 870 with an upper neck slot 875.
The upper neck slot 875 generally can acco""~oddL~: a bottle upper neck with or without a cap. This upper neck slot 875 can be made smaller to only ~cco,,,,,,odc,l~: a upper neck portion 920 without a cap, and further it can be desi~n with thread ~rooves to enga~e with the thread ~rooves on the upper neck portion of a bottle. A plurality of these bottles can be connected to~ether.
Turning to FIG. 25 this eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates C-" . " ' bottle that connects together into a plurality by twist-lockin~ flanges on the top body into the bottom body of an identical bottle. FIG.
25 is a vertical view of a bottle top 920, the top wall 925 has a shoulder 930 for restin~ the bottom of an identical bottle las illustrated in FIG. 27), and at least one top body flange 935 will be twist-locked into the bottom of a similar bottle. The top wall 925 has a neck 940 as illustrated in FIG. 7 with a neck ring 945 and this illustration is showin~ a bottle cap 950.
FIG. 26 is the same exemplary e",l,~ showing the bottom of the same bottle illustrated in FIG. 25. FIG. 26 is a bottom view of a bottle bottom 955, the bottom wall 960, has a female co,~"~l.lion section 965, with a upper 2~4136~
.
neck slot 970 and the upper neck slot base 975 supports the neck ring 945 of an identical connected bottle. A bottom body flange 980 is formed out of the bottomwall 960, the top body flan~e will twist-lock overtop of this to form a solid co~ e~;liol~. The bottom body flanges 980 have ~aps 985 to allow the top body flanges 935 (see FIG. 25) to pass through and twist-lock. The twist-lock action is described in the fifth embodiments. A plurality of structural support contours 990 help the bottom wall 960 maintain its structural shape.
In FIG. 27 this exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates two identical ,c _ " 1, ' '~ bottles 1000 and 1005 connected by Utwist-locking~ the body of the top of one bottle into the bottom of another. This ~twist-locking" term refers to how the bottles connect via the top body flan~es 935 of the bottom bottle 1005 are inserted into the gaps 985 in the female connection section 965,the bottles are then turned in opposite directions until the flan~es snugly engage.
This bottle 1000 and 1005 includes a top 925 with a top wall 930 a bottom 955 with a bottom wall 960, conl~e~,L~d by an annular re-~(pal~dabl~ side wall 1010 which is corrugated 1015 so that the side wall 1010 can corrugate. The top wall 930 has a neck 940 as illustrated in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, suitable for a closure.
This illustration shows the bottom bottle 1005 and the top bottle 1000 with a cap but the bottles can be con,le~ d without having a cap. The bottom 955 has a female connection section 965 with an upper neck slot 970. The upper neck slot 970 generally can acco"""oddl~ a bottle upper neck with or without a cap. This upper neck slot 970 can be made smaller to only acco"""o.l~ a upper neck ~41361 portion 1020 without a cap, and further it can be desi~n with thread ~rooves to en~a~e with the thread ~rooves on the upper neck portion of a bottle. A plurality of these bottles can be connected to~ether.
Turning to FIG. 28 this ninth exemplary e".L ~ r,l of the invention illustrates a ~ r !~ bottle 1030 that connects together into a plurality and hasa straw 1040. The straw 1040 in this embodiment is GOI~pS;~ and re-~ ,ud".laL!~. The straw 1040 in this embodiment is placed in the interior chamber of the c~ bottle 1030. The c~"~rs;~lQ bottle 1030 in this embodiment has a means for co~1~1e~ ,g into a plurality 1050, the col~,1e~li"~ means illustrated in this embodiment is a method where a neck 1060 of an identical bottle screws intothe bottom of an identical bottle. The straw 1040 may be placed in any of the earlier exemplary embc( ~ llL~ and in co", .ldliOI~ with the earlier embodiments.
Turnin~ to FIG. 29 this tenth exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates a CQ"iql.s:~ lc bottle 1070 that connects together into a plurality and has a means for reducing the re-expansion 1080 of the cullapsi~le bottle 1070. The co~ bottle in this embodiment has a means for connecting into a plurality 1085, the connecting means illustrated in this embodiment is a method where a neck 1090 of an identical bottle screws into the bottom of an identical bottle. The re-~ .a,,~iull reducer 1080 in this e",bodi.ll~,ll consists of two ratchet surface strips of plastic 1100 stretching from either side of the neck 1090 to the bottom portion 1095 of the container 1070. The ratchet surface strips of plastic 1100 engage with a ratchet lock 1105 that holds the strips from movin~ in an opposite -21 4 ~ 36 1 directlon. This makes the ratchet lock 1105 i.llid;.t:~ional. A ratchet flexor 1110 is a strip of plastic that is bowed to apply out ward pressure for the ratchet lock 1 105 this also allows inward flexibility as the ratchet strips 1100 are pulled tight by re~ pa"~ion pressure. A foreign object can be inserted into the bottle to push the ratchet flexor 1110 down causin~ the ratchet locks 1105 to lift off the ratchet surface strips 1100 allowing the bottle to re-expand freely while pressure is applied to the ratchet flexor 1110. After the ratchet strips 1100 pass throu~h their ratchet lock 1105 the ratchet strips 1 100 then rap around the interior bottom portion 1095 of the bottle below the ~ means portion of the bottle.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:
a container; and at least one means for connecting the container in a plurality.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has:
portions defining a chamber; with at least one means for evacuating product.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container consists of at least some plastic.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the container is also a bottle.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the container is a PET process or device, type.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or 5, wherein the connecting means is strong enough to hold the inherent structural weight of at least one identical container hanging by the connection to the held container.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the container has at least one structural member that engages to another container to create the connection.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or 7, wherein the container has a portion with at least one means for collapsing.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collapsible re-expandable section is in the body of the container.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the container has a straw placed in the chamber of the container.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the container has at least one means for reducing the re-expansion of the container.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the reducing re-expansion means is:
at least one strip of material stretching from the upper portion of the container to the lower portion of the container; with a ratchet surface; and at least one means for controlling the ratchet strip from moving in an opposite direction.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the reducing re-expansion means is in the chamber of the container.

14. A device as claimed in claim 11 12 and/or 13 wherein the container has a straw.

15. A device comprising:
a container; with at least one means for collapsing; and a straw placed in the interior chamber of the container.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the container is for beverages.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the container is a plastic beverage bottle.

18. A device for aeration reduction, comprising:
a container; with at least one means for collapsing; and at least one means for reducing the re-expansion of the container.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the container has a straw.

20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the straw is placed in the interior chamber of the container.

21. A device for reduction in contained product volume, post-consumer waste volume and handling, comprising:
a container; with at least one means for collapsing; and at least one means for connecting the container in a plurality.

22. A device as claimed in claim 15, 18, 19 and/or 21, wherein the collapsing means is controlled collapsing to a compact configuration and the container is generally self-supporting stand alone both filled and empty.

23. A device as claimed in claim 7, 18 and/or 21, wherein the container is a plastic beverage bottle and the connecting means is by screwing the neck of one plastic beverage bottle into the bottom portion of an identical bottle.

24. A closure device, comprising at least one structural member that covers an opening to a container; and at least one means for connecting the closure device to two containers simultaneously.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the closure device is a cap.

26. A device as claimed in claim 24, in combination with a device as claimed in claim 1, 15, 18 and/or 21.