FR2771073A1 - SHRINKABLE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contractible container with a small footprint. It relates to a container having a mouth (2), a body (1A), a bottom (4) and a mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction, comprising a container retention device in the contracted state formed by the elongation-contraction mechanism (5). The latter causes an elongation or a contraction of the container, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at least one pair of complementary cooperation parts (7, 8), one of which is arranged on a cap (1B) intended to be mounted. on the mouth (2) and the other is placed at the bottom (4) .Application to retractable containers.

Description

The present invention relates to a container which can be set to a low

  size when empty so that it allows storage or transport in a small space during recycling, unloading or the like of the container. The invention relates more precisely to a container

  pient having a mechanism that can lengthen and contract

  ter, placed at least in a body part of the container.

  Figures 17a and 17b show a conventional container of the above type. This container, formed of a material in the form of a thin sheet of synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, comprises a body 3 having a peripheral wall 3A in the form of a bellows which

  forms a mechanism of elongation and contraction 5. Most

  several rigid rings 20 of metal wire spaced in the direction of elongation-contraction are mounted on this peripheral wall 3A. When the container is subjected to a force which exceeds a predetermined value in the direction of contraction..the folds ,, 6 constituting the peripheral wall 3A in the form of a bellows are pushed back into contact by the applied force, while an elastic force is applied by the wall 3A in the direction of folding or covering so that the container takes on a contracted state. Conversely, when the container is subjected to an opposite force in the direction of elongation, the folds of the wall 3A are pushed back by the force applied and are subjected to the elasticity of the part 3A in the direction which separates them so that the container assumes an elongated state (as described in the Japanese patent application for inspection

Hei n 6-345 095).

  Before the container is filled with a content or after it has been emptied of its content as indicated in FIG. 17a, the container is put in the contracted state, the folds 6 being placed against each other if although the space occupied by the container is reduced. When the container is filled with a content as indicated in FIG. 17a, the peripheral wall 3A in the form of a bellows elongates giving a volume for housing the content introduced into the container. The contraction or elongation of the wall 3A can be made very simple by grasping the opposite axial ends of the container and by applying a force in the direction of elongation or

of contraction.

  With the conventional container described above, when the container has been extended or contracted,

  this state is maintained only by the property of elas-

  ticity of the bellows-shaped peripheral wall. Although this feature advantageously reduces the force required in the manual switching operation, the state of the container can be easily changed unexpectedly

  when an external force greater than the elastic force-

  ticity is applied to the container. In addition, if content remains, foreign substances or the like are

  present near the folds, they do not fold fully

  and do not give a complete elastic contraction effect. In this case, the container cannot be placed

totally..contractual state.

  In summary, the conventional container poses problems of reliability of the state switching operation

  contracted and stability to that contracted state. Therefore

  quence, the container can not give the expected properties of reduction of storage space or transport facilitating recycling or discharge. In addition, it is necessary to be able to make the container even less bulky in the contracted state than the container described above. In view of the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an improved container which can be maintained in the contracted state in a reliable and efficient manner when exposed to an external force in the direction of elongation, so that the container can reliably give a reduction in storage or transport space for recycling or unloading the container. The invention also relates to the production of a container which can also be less bulky in the state

  contracted than the conventional container described above.

  To this end, a container according to the invention comprises

  a mouthpiece, a body, a bottom, an extension mechanism

  gement-contraction placed at least at the level of the body, and a

  retention mechanism in the contracted state given by the mechanic

  lengthening-contraction nism. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the

  elongation-contraction mechanism includes a peri-wall

  spherical bellows-shaped placed on the body, this peripheral wall being able to lengthen and contract along the vertical axis of the container. In addition, the retaining mechanism may for example comprise at least one pair of complementary cooperation parts, one of which is placed

  on the mouth and the other on the bottom. When the reci-

  pient is put into the contracted state by the contraction effect

  of the elongation-contraction mechanism, the parts

  of cooperation may be brought into cooperation so that they prevent the elongation of the container contracted under the action of an untimely external force in the direction of elongation or because of the presence of substances

  foreign for example inside the container.

  Alternatively, the retaining mechanism may include

  ter at least one pair of complementary parts of cooperation

  one of which is mounted on a cap intended to be

  placed on the mouth and the other is arranged on the bottom.

  In another variant, one of the cooperation parts can be placed on an upper part of the body and

  the other on a lower part. In all of these constructions

  tions, when the container has been brought into the contracted state by contraction of the elongation-contraction mechanism, the container can be reliably maintained in the state

  contracted through cooperation between the cooperative parties

  tion. Furthermore, in the case where the cap is used with the container and this cap is formed from a material different from the container, the cooperating parts can

  be made of different materials so that a selection

  suitable materials allows the respective formation of the cooperating parts in a manner which facilitates and

  regularizes the cooperation operation.

  In another embodiment, the

  restraint has at least one pair of complementary parts

  co-operating shields which hold together peripheral wall faces or flexible parts of the peripheral wall similar to a bellows, these flexible faces or parts being folded on each other when the

  peripheral wall is contracted. In this case, in cooperation

  ration with the contraction action of the stretching mechanism

  gement-contraction, at least one pair of cooperation parts formed on the faces or the flexible peripheral wall parts which are folded against each other come into cooperation when the peripheral wall is contracted. In addition, in this construction, the cooperation parts are placed at the level of the folds of the peripheral wall of the bellows so that these cooperation parts are hardly visible. Even if the container is transparent, its appearance is not significantly degraded

  by the., provision of the parts of cooperation.

  Preferably, the mouthpiece has a smaller diameter than the body and can retract in the internal part

  container. Thanks to this feature, the reci-

  can still be made less bulky than in the state

  contracted given by the lengthening-contraction mechanism.

  For this function to be implemented, the transition part of the container disposed between the mouthpiece and the body may be thinner than the mouthpiece or the body so that the recoil movement of the mouthpiece by bending the thin part transition is easier. In addition, the appropriate selection of the thickness and / or the material of the thin transition part allows easy maintenance and

  reliable in the flexed state. In this construction, the reci-

  pient may include several retention mechanisms described above, intended to ensure cooperation at several positions. In this way, it is possible to easily and reliably remember not only the state

  contracted but also the state retracted.

  In another embodiment, the mouthpiece has a diameter smaller than that of the body, and the bottom has a cavity

  into which can enter a mouth of another reci-

  pient. In this way, when a container in the contracted state is stacked on another contracted container, the mouth of one container is housed in the cavity of the other container. Thus, several containers can be

  stacked and stored with a small footprint.

  The container may also preferably include a pair of elongation cooperation parts which can cooperate with an automatic or manual operating tool.

  intended to extend the container in the direction of elongation.

  In this way, in an automatic production line intended for placing a content in the container or an automatic cleaning line for the interior of the container, several containers in the contracted state can be easily put in the extended state. In a preferred embodiment, one of the cooperation parts used for the elongation operation consists of a cooperation cavity formed on the underside of the bottom and having a diameter which increases with depth, and the another is a frame flange formed at the mouth. In a variant,

  the two parts of elongation cooperation consist of

  bellows cavities formed at opposite ends of the bellows-shaped peripheral wall. The cooperation cavity can also be used as a cavity formed at the bottom of the container for penetration of the mouth of a

other container.

  As described above, with the containers according to the invention, it is possible to reliably save space during storage or transport of the container by

  view of recycling or discharge. Therefore

  As a result, the recycling efficiency of the container can be increased with reduced transport costs, so that illegal dumping which leads to destruction of

  the environment can be avoided inherently.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will be better understood on reading the description which will

  follow of embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts

  torn from a container with an elongation mechanism-

  contraction and a retaining mechanism, figure 2 is a section of the container of figure 1, maintained in the contracted state, figures 3a and 3b are sections of the main

  parts and illustrate the functioning of the peripheral wall

  bellows-shaped risk, FIG. 3a being a section in the elongated state and FIG. 3b in the contracted state,

  Figure 4 is a section through a container having a mechanism

  retaining nism of a different type, FIG. 5 is a section through a container having a retaining mechanism of a different type, in the contracted state,

  Figure 6 is a section through a container having a mechanism

  retainer of a different type, in the contracted state, Figure 7 is a section through the main parts of a container having a retainer of a different type, Figure 8 is a section through the main parts of a container having a different retaining mechanism, FIG. 9 is a section through a container in a retracted state,

  Figure 10 is a section through a mouth of a container

  in the retracted state, FIGS. 11a and 11b show another container in section, FIG. 11a representing the container in the elongated state and FIG. 11b in the contracted state, FIG. 12 is a perspective view with parts broken away from another container having a shape different from that of the preceding containers, FIGS. 13a and 13b show another container having a different elongation-contraction mechanism, FIG. 13a being a perspective view with parts broken away representing the container in an elongated state and FIG. 13b representing it in the contracted state, FIGS. 14a and 14b are sections representing several stacked containers, FIG. 14a being a section in which the containers are stacked in the contracted state

  while Figure 14b is a section showing the reci-

  pients in the elongated state, FIGS. 15a and 15b are sections of another container having an elongation operating tool, FIG. 15a being a section showing the container in the contracted state before its cooperation with the tool and FIG. 15b in the elongated state after its cooperation with the tool, FIGS. 16a and 16b are sections of a container having a different member for manipulation during elongation and contraction, FIG. 16a being a section of the container in the contracted state before it is brought into cooperation with the tool and FIG. 16b being a section showing the container in the elongated state after it has been brought into cooperation with the tool, and

  Figures 17a and 17b show a standard container

  sic and its change of state, FIG. 17a being a side elevation view showing the container in the contracted state and FIG. 17b a view with parts

  torn off representing the container in the elongated state.

  In the following description, the containers considered

  for example are of a type intended to contain

soft drinks.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a container 1

  comprises a body lA essentially consisting of a mouthpiece

  chure 2, a body 3 and a bottom 4, and a cap lB is intended to cover the mouth 2. The container is formed from a bottle of polyethylene terephthalate which can be sealed by arrangement of '' a metal or synthetic resin cap 1B on the mouth 2 and by cooperation of a tapping of the internal periphery of the cap with a thread of the periphery

external of the mouth.

  The body 3 has a peripheral wall 3A in the form of a bellows which forms an elongation-contraction mechanism by which the container can lengthen and contract along its vertical axis. The container can be maintained in one of two different states, that is to say the elongated state or the contracted state, by an elastic force acting in the direction of elongation or contraction and

  applied by the peripheral wall 3A in the form of a bellows.

  More precisely, as shown in FIG. 3a, the wall 3A has folds 6 which overlap vertically, an upper fold 6a being longer than a lower fold 6b, the upper and lower folds 6a, 6b being connected by an annular reinforcing part 6c formed between them so that it

  limits the radial expansion towards the outside of the body 3.

  Thus, in the elongated state in which the folds 6a, 6b are not folded against each other, if a force is applied in the direction of contraction to the body 1A, an outer edge of the lower fold 6b cannot not extend radially outwards because it is retained by the annular reinforcing part 6c, while an internal edge is elastically deformed by being subjected to a compressive force in the radial direction inwards so that it pivots towards the upper fold 6a and the internal edge first aligns in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 1A, then folds against the upper fold 6a under the action of its own elasticity. This state is the contracted state shown in Figure 3b. When a force is applied in the direction of elongation of the body 1A which is contracted, an inverse operation to the previous one is executed and the body 1A returns

  in its original elongated state shown in Figure 3a.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cap 1B comprises, at the center of its internal face, a part 7 of cooperation having a spherical front end 7a projecting towards the inside of the body of the container. The bottom 5 comprises, in the corresponding position and at the center of its internal face, a cooperation part 8 having a split front end 8a constituting a cylindrical part of small diameter

  protruding inside the container body. During operation

  when the container is brought to its full state-

  ment contracted by the contraction provided by the mechanism, the cooperation parts 7 and 8 which are complementary cooperate and maintain the contracted state despite an external untimely force of small amplitude or despite an untimely internal force exerted by a

  foreign or similar object remaining inside the container

  pient. This construction constitutes a retaining mechanism K. More specifically, the split front end 8a of the cooperation part 8 delimits several cavities 9 which

  may have a radial elongation towards the outside.

  The front edges of this front end are also flared, that is to say curved radially outwards, so that cooperation with part 7 is facilitated. The spherical front end 7a of the part 7 advances into the flared opening of the part 8 and the external peripheral parts of the spherical front end 7a cooperate with the respective cavities 9. In this way, the container is retained at the 'contracted state. Consequently, as shown in Figure 2, the contraction force is applied to the body 1A so that it is contracted while the cap lB is fixed on the mouth 2 and the cap lB is tightened so

  that it puts the front end 7a in the respective cavities

  tives 9 of part 8 and is thus retained, and at the same time the container is closed in a sealed manner by the tightening cap. Thus, the contracted state of the container may

  be reliably maintained.

  In the case of the retention mechanism K described previously

  the shape and the dimensions are such that the

  nism K can operate when the cap is tightened and the cap is sealed. The shape and dimensions can also be such that the mechanism operates with a simple mounting of the cap lB on the mouth 2 of the

  container without the need to tighten the cap.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the particular construction and the number of the cooperation parts are only

  not limited to the above description as various other

  conventional constructions can be used insofar as the retaining mechanism K comprises at least one pair of complementary cooperation parts 7 and 8, one of which is placed on the cap lB intended to be mounted on

  the mouth 2 and the other is arranged on the bottom 4.

  We will now describe more precisely other embodiments of the retaining mechanism K. An additional retaining mechanism K shown on

  FIG. 5 comprises at least one pair of cooperating parts

  ration 7 (7a) and 8 (8a, 9) one of which is placed on the mouth 2 and the other on the bottom 4. When the container 1 is brought to the fully contracted state by the action of the mechanism elongation-contraction 5, the pair of cooperation parts 7 and 8 which are in cooperation

  keeps the container in the contracted state.

  In the case of another retaining mechanism K repre-

  felt in FIG. 6, one of the cooperation parts 7 and 8 is placed on an upper part of the body 3 and the other on a lower part of the latter. When the container 1 is put in the fully contracted state under the action of the mechanism 5, the two cooperation parts 7 and 8 engage so that they keep the container in the state

  contracted. More precisely, in this variant of cons-

  truction, several cooperation parts 7 are in the form

  elongated elements in the form of bands arranged vertically-

  ment at several locations along the lower periphery of the peripheral wall 3A of the body 3 and projecting upwards along this wall 3A. Each of the cooperation parts 7 has a front end 7a curved radially outwards so that it comes to cooperate with the other cooperation part 8 or to hang on it which is formed by the upper fold 6b of the

  peripheral wall 3A in the contracted state of the container.

  According to another variant, the retaining mechanism K can be constituted by at least a pair of complementary cooperation parts which, together, retain adjacent parts of peripheral surface or pivot parts of the bellows which are folded one on the other in the state

  contracted from the container. Such a construction is represented

  tee in FIG. 7. As shown, among the upper and lower adjacent folds 6 of the peripheral wall of the bellows which fold against one another in the contracted state, the lower fold 6b comprises, on its internal face, a projection 10 (or a cavity 11) forming a part 7 of cooperation. On the contrary, the upper fold 6a has, on its internal face, a cavity 11 (or a projection 10) as part 8 of cooperation. The projection 10 and the cavity 11 cooperate in the contracted state. Another variant of this type of construction is shown in Figure 8. In this

  case, among the two adjacent upper and lower parts

  pivot 12 which fold over one another in the contracted state, a pawl-shaped cooperation part 7 produced on the upper pivot part cooperates with a cooperation part similar to a cavity formed on the lower pivot part when the container is contracted. In this case, the pair of the cooperating parts 7, 8 can be formed on the parts

  external or internal pivot parts.

  We will now describe other constructions which allow deformation of the container to an even less bulky state. Figure 9 shows such a construction. In this case, the mouthpiece 2 has a diameter smaller than that of the body

  3 and can retract into the body 3. Thanks to this characteristic

  container 1 can be even less bulky

  that when using the only 5 extension mechanism-

  contraction. The retractable characteristic is easily obtained for example by making the transition part of the container, between the mouth 2 and the body 3, so that it is thinner than the mouth 2 and the body 3 themselves, if although the withdrawal action is obtained by bending the relatively thin part relative to the rest of the material. The thickness and the particular material of the relatively thin part can be chosen to facilitate the retraction action while

  ensuring reliable and stable retention in the retracted state.

  In this case, as shown in Figure 10, if the cooperation

  of the different types of restraint described above

  is obtained in the retracted state of the mouth 2 in the cavity of the container, the contracted state and the retracted state can both be easily and

stable.

  The container 1 can be formed from another resin or synthetic material than the polyethylene terephthalate described above. In addition, the content of the container 1 is not limited to carbonated drinks. The invention is not limited to the type of contents of the container. For example, the container may contain other liquids in the form of drinks or not or solids in the form of

powders, granules or the like.

  Furthermore, the invention does not limit the form of the container.

  pient to the cylindrical shape described above. For example, the container may have a column shape having

  angles as shown in Figures 12, 13a or 13b.

  This form of column having angles has the advantage of improving the use of space during storage or transport. The sectional shape of such a column can be a triangular, square, rectangular or polygonal shape

  of another type, as the case may be or for reasons of convenience

  dity in a particular application.

  In addition, as indicated in Figures 11a and 11b, the container 1 may include a spout 13 formed at the upper part of the body and communicating with the interior of the container. This container can be used as a fire extinguisher when it is loaded with a fire-fighting liquid 14 so that, in the event of a fire, the liquid 14 can be projected by the spout 13 by contraction of the elongation mechanism -contraction. In another embodiment of the elongation-contraction mechanism, the mechanism can be adapted

  so that it lengthens and contracts in perpetual direction

  perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container 1 and not along its axis. For example, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the container 1 which has a rectangular column shape

  has a peripheral wall in the form of a bellows

  located between opposite side walls of the body 3 and along the upper and lower sides. In this case, the container is extended or contracted in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container 1. This construction can also use the retaining mechanisms K comprising two cooperation parts 7, 8 described previously with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In this type of container 1 too, the space occupied during storage

  or transport can be reduced by contraction of the mechanism

  nism 5. In addition, if the container 1 is such a light and space-saving container, it can be used as a portable container which can be transported and stored in a pocket

clothes.

  Other embodiments allowing better

  occupying space when storing multiple containers

  pients are now described. A modified container shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b has a mouth with a diameter smaller than that of the body 3 and a bottom 4 of this container delimits a cavity 21 in which the mouth 2 of another container 1 can be housed or retracted. In this way, when a container is stacked on another, the mouth of one of them can be housed in the cavity formed at the bottom of the other. So, several containers

  can be stacked in a very space-saving way. The state of cooperation of the mouth and the bottom cavity can be a

  tight fit or with play. When the container 1, after manufacture, must be stored or shipped to a factory in which it is filled with its contents as shown in FIG. 14a, the containers 1 are contracted so that the mouth 2 of the lower container is housed in the lower cavity 21 of the upper container. In addition, when the container 1 is elongated and filled with the content and must be transported as shown in FIG. 14b, several containers can be stacked in the same way as above but, in this case, the cap 1B mounted on the mouth of the lower container

  is housed in the lower cavity of the upper container.

  In this case too, the occupation of space can be better. Other preferred embodiments are shown in Figures 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b. In these embodiments, at the upper and lower ends of the

  body 1A of the container are formed parts of cooperation

  ration 16a, 16b intended to cooperate with operating tools 15 used for the elongation of the body 1A of the container. The operating tools 15 are members comprising a device intended to be mounted in the production line for the lengthening of the container 1. For example, this lengthening operation can be carried out repeatedly on several containers 1 in the state contracted before the content was introduced into the containers. More specifically, as shown in Figures 15a and

  b, the cooperation part 16a used for the extension

  gement, formed at the lower end of the body of the container

  pient, includes a cooperation cavity 17 delimited on the underside of the bottom 4 of the container and having a diameter

  orifice which gradually increases with depth.

  The tool 15 which can cooperate with this cavity 17 has a front head having a flared shape which widens upwards and can have an enlarged or reduced diameter. During operation, the tool 15 advances in the cavity 17 when the element is maintained at a reduced diameter. Then, the tool 15 is manipulated so that the diameter of the front head is enlarged so that the tool cooperates firmly with the cavity 17. Furthermore, this cavity 17 can also be used so that it plays the role of cavity 21 described previously with reference to Figures 14a and 14b. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b, the other cooperation part 16a formed at the upper end of the body comprises a reinforcement flange 18 integral with the external periphery of the mouth 2. The other tool 15 which can cooperate with the flange 18 is a hook-shaped member as shown. During operation, when this tool is hung on the underside of the flange 18

  then is lifted, the container 1 can be extended.

  The elongation cooperation parts 16 are not limited to those which have been described in the preceding embodiment. For example, as indicated in FIGS. 16a and 16b, these parts can consist of bellows cavities 19 formed at the upper and lower ends of the peripheral wall 3A in the body 3. In this case, the operating tools 15 which cooperate with the upper and lower cooperation parts 16 can

  be hook-shaped members which are identical.

  During operation, the cooperation of the hook parts with the cavities 19 and the application of a force

  vertical traction which spreads them allows the extension

container management.

  In addition, the upper and lower parts 16 for cooperation in elongation can have a combination of the constructions shown in FIGS. 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b. For example, a combination of the flange 18 and the lower cavity 19 or another combination of the upper cavity 19 and the cavity 17, etc. can be used. Thus, the particular forms and constructions of.a cooperation parts for the elongation operation

  can vary in many different ways.

  Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the containers which have just been described solely by way of nonlimiting example.

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

  1. Container having a mouth (2), a body (1A), a bottom (4) and a mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction arranged on the body (1A) at least, characterized by a container retention device in the contracted state and   formed by the elongation-contraction mechanism (5).   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction causes an elongation or a contraction of the container along a vertical axis thereof, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at least a pair of complementary parts of   cooperation (7, 8) one of which is placed near the mouthpiece   chure (2) and the other near the bottom (4).   3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction causes an elongation or a contraction of the container along its vertical axis, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at least two complementary parts of cooperation (7, 8) one of which is arranged on a cap (1B) intended to be mounted on the mouthpiece (2) and the other is placed at the bottom (4). 4. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction causes an elongation or a contraction of the container along the vertical axis thereof, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at at least one pair of complementary cooperation parts (7, 8), one of which is placed on an upper part of the body (1A) and the other is placed on a part lower of it.   5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction comprises a peripheral wall (3A) in the form of a bellows placed on the body (1A), this peripheral wall (3A) being able to lengthen and contract along the vertical axis of the container, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at least two complementary cooperation parts (7, 8) which hold together peripheral faces or flexible parts of the peripheral wall (3A) in the form of a bellows, these flexible faces or parts being folded over one another when the peripheral wall (3A) in bellows shape is contracted.   6. Container according to any one of the claims   1, 4 and 5, characterized in that the mouth (2) is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the body (1A) and is   retractable to the hollow inner part of the container.   7. Container according to one of claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that the mouthpiece (2) is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the body (1A) and is retractable towards the hollow internal part of the container, and the mechanism   (K) retention is maintained in the contracted state.   8. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction causes an elongation or a contraction of the container in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container, the mechanism   (K) retainer comprising at least two complete parts   of cooperation (7, 8) one of which is placed at a   first end of the body (1A) in the direction of extension   gement-contraction of the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction-   tion and the other is placed at the other end of the body (1A) in the direction of elongation-contraction of the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction. 9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (5) of elongation-contraction comprises a peripheral wall (3A) in the form of a bellows placed on the body (1A) and the bottom (4), the peripheral wall (3A) in the form of a bellows which can lengthen and contract in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container, and the retaining mechanism (K) comprises at least two complementary cooperation parts (7, 8) which, together, retain faces of the peripheral wall (3A) or flexible parts of the peripheral wall (3A) similar to a bellows, these flexible faces or parts being folded over one another when the peripheral wall (3A) in bellows shape is contracted.   10. Container according to one of claims 8 and 9,   characterized in that the mouthpiece (2) is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the body (1A) and is retractable   towards the hollow inner part of the container.   11. Container according to any one of the claims   1 to 5, 8 and 9, characterized in that the mouthpiece (2) is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the body (lA), and the bottom (4) delimits a cavity in which the mouthpiece   (2) of another container is retractable.   12. Container according to claim 1, characterized by   a pair of elongation cooperation parts intended   born to cooperate with an operating tool (15) intended to   extend the contracted container in the stretching direction   gement. 13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the pair of parts for cooperation in elongation consists of a part having a cooperation cavity formed on a lower face of the bottom (4) and whose diameter increases with the depth, and the other part is a   reinforcement flange. formed at the mouth (2).   14. Container according to claim 12, characterized   in that the elongation-contraction mechanism (5) comprises   takes a peripheral wall (3A) in the form of a bellows placed at least on the body (1A), and the pair of parts for cooperation in elongation consists of bellows cavities placed at the opposite ends of the wall   device (3A) similar to a bellows.