Expandable Bottle

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/316,478, entitled “Expandable Bottle,” filed on May 12, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/341,349, entitled “Expandable Bottle,” filed on May 12, 2022, and this application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/789,743, entitled “Expandable Bottle,” filed on Apr. 16, 2025, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Typical bottled products include a volume of a liquid, e.g., water. This liquid is often relatively heavy. In addition, the volume adds a spatial requirement to shipping, storage, and display considerations.

Thus, a bottle is needed that provides for reduced weight and space considerations.

Embodiments described within disclose a vehicle for the sale of single-serving dehydrated foodstuffs in an expandable bottle. The foodstuff may include, e.g., baby formula, protein powder, powdered meal replacement, or the like. Embodiments may also be vehicles for containing condensed or dehydrated materials for later dilution or rehydration, including both foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs.

In a use case, an embodiment is distributed or sold with the material added and the bottle collapsed. In such an embodiment, a consumer may purchase the bottle individually or in bulk. When the ready to consume the product, the consumer opens the bottle, expands it, fills it with water or other liquid, and mixes the material and the liquid.

The expandability allows for the convenience of a liquid bottled product with the shelf-space, weight, and cost savings more similar to a dry product bought in a tub or bag.

Embodiments may also be stackable.

In an embodiment, the walls of the bottle may be bi-stable so the bottle remains in either of a fully collapsed or a fully extended position. For example, regarding the shape of the folds, in an embodiment, like a measuring tape which will happily coil, or when straightened remain rigid, the body of the bottle will remain in a collapsed or extended position, with force required to transition between. In a position mid-way between collapsed and extended, the outer edge of each fold will be stretched, or otherwise deformed, slightly, creating an over-center condition. In other words, when transitioning from collapsed to extended, as the neck is moved away from the bottom, for each fold, an outer apex of a fold follows an arc. Initially, the apex is relatively closer to a center axis of the bottle and, as the bottle is expanded, the apex arcs up and away from the center axis. At a mid-way point in the expansion, the arc of the apex is furthest from the bottle center axis. With further expansion, the apex travels further along the arc, becoming closer to the center axis along the way. In an embodiment, when expanding, for the apex of each fold (both circular and spiral) to arc away from the center axis requires a slight stretch of the bottle material. Similarly, compression requires a stretch of the bottle material for the apex to make the return arc. Thus, without effort being exerted to expand or compress the bottle and stretch the material in the process, the material will not, on its own or by the force of gravity, make the transition to the other state. Thus, the need to stretch the material to change states results in the bottle being bi-stable.

In an embodiment with a spiral fold, when expanding or compressing the bottle, the top section of the bottle twists relative to the bottom section. When the spiral is oriented with the spiral in a left-hand orientation (as shown in), the top section rotates counter clockwise (viewed from above) when expanding to feel like the opening of a normal threaded cap.

In an embodiment, the walls of the bottle may be expandable, but after being expanded, are not readily collapsible. In an embodiment, the body of the bottle may be configured to assume the extended position by default, with force required to compress the folds of the body, much that that required to compress a spring. The bottle may then be held in the collapsed position by vacuum when sealed. When the seal is breached, the folds would spring open and the bottle would return to the extended position.

In an embodiment, the wall of the body of the bottle, which contains the folds that provide for the expansion, For example, may have a thickness that is uniform at all locations of the fold, e.g., a spiral or pleat.

In an embodiment, a mesh or filter may be included in a bottle cap. In an embodiment, an arm may be attached to the cap to be inserted into the bottle and used in mixing the ingredients within the bottle.

In an embodiment, because the bottle is holding dry goods instead of water, the material from which the bottle is constructed is less robust than if the bottle were to be sold with the volume of liquid that will eventually be added to the dry goods. For example, less robust bottles may be more biodegradable and constructed of, e.g., bio-plastics (PHA), corn or mycelium plastic alternatives, etc.

Generally, embodiments are directed to collapsible bottles that may be or are provided with a dry food sealed within, and that may be expanded to allow the dry food within to be rehydrated or otherwise diluted. In addition, embodiments are directed to collapsible bottles that may be or are provided with a concentrated substance sealed within, and that may be expanded to allow the substance to be rehydrated or otherwise diluted.

is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In, collapsible bottleincludes a capsealing an opening (not shown) within a neck(), an upper section, an expandible body(shown expanded), a base, and a punt. Puntis configured to accommodate capand upper section. As shown, expandable bodyis expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold being a continuous spiral from baseto next. In embodiment, expandable bodymay be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion in which each fold makes a single circle (see bodyof). In an embodiment, a spiral fold may be selected for improved mixing, with the continuity of the spiral, which provides a single, continuous groove from bottle bottom to top, promoting fluid motion more than a circular fold, which may function something like a series of dams or fluid speed bumps.

is a side view illustrating the embodiment ofcollapsed. In, expandible bodyis shown collapsed.

is a side view illustrating the embodiment ofstacked. In, multiple collapsed bottles. . .are shown stacked, with caps,received within punts,. In an embodiment, puntsand capsmay be configured such that a press-fit is formed between them when stacked as shown in. Such a press-fit may be desired for maintaining the stack during loading, shipment, storage, and display.

is a side view illustrating a use case for collapsible bottle. Inbottleis provided with a dehydrated or condensed food or substance. In, body sectionhas been expanded, e.g., by removing cap, or unscrewing it enough to break the seal, and pulling upper sectionaway from bottom. In, a liquid, e.g., water, has been added to body section. In, condensed food or substanceand liquidhave been mixed to create a re-hydrated or diluted food or substance.

is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In, collapsible bottleincludes a capabout a neck, an upper section, an expandible body(shown expanded), a base, and a punt. In the embodiment, puntis configured to accommodate upper section. Neckincludes threads. As shown, expandable bodyis expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold making single circle about body, but bodymay be expandable in the spiral fashion shown inas well. In embodiments, puntmay be configured to accommodate capand upper section.

is a side view illustrating the embodiment ofcollapsed and with capopened to allow access to an opening. In the configuration of, and with capremoved, or with just armremoved and puntconfigured to receive cap, bottlemay be stacked to save space, similar to the stacking shown in.

is a side view illustrating detail of cap. Capincludes threads, which cooperate with threadsto attach capto neck. Capincludes a lipabove threads. A press-fit or partial press-fit of lipwithin capat inner diameterhelps keep capclosed. Capincludes a flange (or edge)that defines opening. An outer diameterof a postof capis received within flangeto also help keep capclosed. In an embodiment, capmay include an arm. Armmay be leveraged to cause capto pivot about a hingeand withdraw postfrom opening. With capdetached from threads, armmay be used to stir the contents the bottle.

is a side view illustrating the detail ofin an open configuration that allows access to opening.

is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In, collapsible bottleincludes an upper section, a neck, an expandible body(shown collapsed), a base, and a punt. Puntis configured to accommodate a cap, an insert, and neckwhen upper sectionis in a retracted position (). Neckis received within insert, which includes threads. Threadsof capcooperate with threadsto seal bottle. In some embodiments, insertmay include a filter or mesh. In other embodiments, the area shown occupied by meshmay be solid or open. In some embodiments, threadsmay be formed directly into neckwith insertnot extending past the outside diameter of neck. In an embodiment, insert, threads, and meshmay be one unit and welded into position on neck. In an embodiment, threadsmay be provided in on neckconventionally, and meshwelded in place, without insert.

Inbottleis provided with a dehydrated or condensed food or substanceto be rehydrated or diluted as discussed with regard to. . .D. As before, expandable bodymay be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold making single circle about body, or in the spiral fashion shown inas well.

is a side view illustrating the embodiment ofpartially expanded such that upper sectionis popped up, or extended. The ability of upper sectionto pop, by itself and with bodyremaining compressed, between a collapsed or retracted state () and an expanded or extended state () allows for bottleto stack compactly, as shown in. It is envisioned that bottlemay be used efficiently for relatively small servings of foodstuffs.

is a perspective view is a side view illustrating an embodimentof a collapsible bottle in a collapsed state. In, collapsible bottleincludes a cap, an upper section(shown retracted), an expandible body(shown compressed), a base, and a punt(). Bodyis compressed between upper sectionand base. Puntis configured to accommodate capand neck() when upper sectionis retracted. As shown, expandable bodyis expandable in an accordion or folded fashion with each fold being a continuous spiral from baseto upper section. Spiralindicates the longitudinal distance gained by one complete spiral in the compressed state. In an embodiment, expandable bodymay be expandable in an accordion or folded fashion in which each fold makes a single circle (see bodyof).

is a side view illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle ofin an expanded state. In the expanded state, each spiralhas been expanded and upper sectionextended as well from being concave into convex in.

-are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle.further illustrates that capincludes threads, which cooperate with threadsto attach capto neckand seal opening.

In, in a first step of a method, bottleand capare manufactured. In, upper sectionand bodyare compressed, separately or at the same time. In, compressed bottleis filled with a substance, e.g., a dehydrated or condensed material, such as a foodstuff. In, bottleis capped. In, bottlemay receive a label. And in, after multiple bottles have undergone the steps of, the bottles may be stacked, with capbeing received within punt, e.g., for packaging, shipment, and/or display. In an embodiment, it is envisioned that the steps illustrated by-would be performed by a manufacturer or other commercial entity.

In an embodiment, the volume of compressed bottle() and the volume of expanded bottle() may be both be predetermined volumes such that, for a particular substance, when compressed bottleis filled with the substance, and the bottleis subsequently expanded, filling expanded bottlewith a designated fluid brings the particular substanceto a predetermined concentration or consistency.

-are side views illustrating steps in an embodiment of a method of use of an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In, a bottleis obtained that has completed the method of-. In, body sectionhas been expanded, e.g., by removing cap, or unscrewing it enough to break the seal, and pulling upper sectionaway from bottom. In, bottleis uncapped and both upper sectionand bodyare fully expanded. In, a liquidis added, e.g., to the fill line. In, bottleis re-capped and shaken to mix. In, the mixing is shown to result in a reconstituted substance. In, reconstituted substanceis used, e.g., consumed or applied. And in, empty bottle may be recycled or re-used. In an embodiment, it is envisioned that the steps illustrated by-would be performed by a manufacturer or other commercial entity.

is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottleincluding an upper section, a body, and a bottom section. Bodyincludes a number of folds, each foldmaking a single circle about body. Upper sectionis the same for both bottleand bottle.

is a side view illustrating an embodiment of collapsible bottle, which, when compared to bottleof, illustrates the similarity of upper sectionsand the differences between bodies,, and between bottom section,.

is a perspective view is a side view illustrating bottlein a collapsed state.is a side view illustrating bottlein a partially expanded state.andillustrate that flexible sectionof upper sectionmay be pulled and extended with respect to the lower outer perimeter of upper sectionto go from the concave orientation ofto the convex orientation of.

is a side view illustrating the embodiment of collapsible bottleof. In, capis shown to include an undercut, which facilitates grasping capand pulling to expand bottle.

is side view illustrating an embodiment of a collapsible bottle. In, bottleincludes a body sectionthat is pleated so that it may be collapsed. Bottleincludes smooth sections. . ., corrugated sections. . ., outer fold lines. . ., inner fold lines. . .. Each corrugated section. . .includes a number of corrugations. . .or “flutes.” Bottleis otherwise similar to other embodiments in that features of the various caps, necks, upper sections, and bottoms may be incorporated into cap(), neck, upper section, and bottomof bottle.

Corrugated sections. . .are relatively more rigid than smooth sections. . ., which are more pliable. Thus, when compressive force is applied to the top and bottom of bottle, smooth sections. . .deform more easily than corrugated sections. . .and each smooth section deforms and nests within the corrugated section below it. That is, when bottleis compressed, the smooth, more pliable, sections. . .deform before corrugated sections. . .and section. . .nest within sections. . .. In the embodiment of, corrugated sections. . .are shown to include waves or scallops, each with a relatively inward and upward sectionbounded by relatively outward and downward sections,. In an embodiment, corrugations. . .may be sinusoidal. In the embodiment, the wave height of the sinusoidal wave corrugation is constant, given manufacturing tolerances, but in other embodiments the wave height may be varied.

Note that in the embodiments, the corrugations. . .are relatively narrower toward the center of the bottle and relatively wider as they extend radially outward, and at an angle to a center axis of the bottle, toward the outer perimeter of the bottle. In the embodiment, each corrugation, e.g., corrugation, may be shaped differently. For example, each central scalloped area, e.g., scalloped area, may be connected to each adjacent scalloped area by flat sections, e.g., sections,may be flat instead of wave shaped. In the embodiment of, the waves are of relatively shorter wavelength nearer the bottle center. Similarly, corrugations made of scallops and flat sections may be relatively narrower toward the bottle center. In other embodiments, either the flat sections, or the scallop, may maintain a constant width. In other embodiments, the corrugations may have different configurations. For example, v-shaped grooves or pleats connected to each other may be used in place of the waves of corrugations. . .to add rigidity to each corrugated section. . .without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Additionally, the waves of corrugations. . .may be squared off such that there are high and/or low flat sections with transitions in between. And the transition sections may be at various angles with respect to the flat sections, e.g., from a 90 degree with respect to each flat section proving a quick transition, to a greater angle between each flat section providing a more gradual transition. One of skill will realize that the corrugations may be shaped as desired and arbitrarily to provide a desired amount of stiffness. In an embodiment, ribs may be added to, e.g., flat sections, v-shaped grooves, or an otherwise smooth section (lacking scallops or v-shaped grooves) to add the desired rigidity. In an embodiment, the material of the smooth section may be relatively thinner than the second side of the fold, making the second side more rigid in comparison. Thus, corrugations. . .-shaped grooves, and relatively thicker material are examples of elements that may be added to sections to add rigidity.

In an embodiment, the wall thickness of bottlemay be intended to be constant, but due to the limitations of the manufacturing technique, e.g., blow-molding, the thickness may vary. For example, in a relatively lighter 16 gm embodiment, the thicknesses of the various section may be as follows: upper section0.18; lower section0.10 mm; the outer folds. . .may range from 0.07 mm to 0.15 mm; and the inner folds. . .may range from 0.21 to 0.26 mm. In a relatively heavier 20 gm embodiment, the thicknesses of the various section may be as follows: upper section0.15; lower section0.09 mm; the outer folds. . .may range from 0.03 mm to 0.12 mm; and the inner folds. . .may range from 0.19 to 0.22 mm.

In an embodiment, there are 30 corrugations. . .around the diameter with a spacing from ridge to ridge around 7 mm (each tapers from 8.4 to 6 mm), and a depth just over 1 mm. The embodiment may be 211.80 mm tall and have a diameter of 79.97 mm. In other embodiments, the spacing may vary and the number of corrugations may vary as well, e.g., from half (15) to twice as many (60) corrugations. One of skill will understand to adjust the number of corrugations, size, and spacing so that the corrugations supply sufficient structural rigidity in the desired direction. Preferably, the corrugations are also configured to facilitate a blow-molding process. In embodiments, a smaller diameter bottle may have fewer corrugations than a large bottle, but the relationship may not be strictly proportional as small corrugations may become too small to mold, i.e., a bottle half the size may have fewer corrugations, but not as few as half as many corrugations.

is an upper perspective view andis a top view of bottle, each further illustrating the embodiment of a collapsible bottle ofin the expanded state in which it is manufactured.

is a side view of an embodiment of a collapsible bottlein which the corrugations are on the other “upper” side of a pleat.illustrates that the corrugated sections. . .—with the “fluted” walls with corrugations. . .—may be on the upper side of each pleat. Bottleis otherwise similar to bottle. In comparison to bottle, bottleinverts the collapse of each pleat such that, e.g., the lower pleated sectionis driven up into the smooth sectionabove it. In comparison, with bottle, the smooth section is driven down into the corrugated section beneath it.

is an upper front perspective view of bottlein a first collapsed state in which body sectionhas been collapsed with each smooth section being received within the corrugated section below it, except for upper section.is an upper front perspective view of bottlein a second collapsed state in which body sectionhas been collapsed with each smooth section being received within the corrugated section below it, including upper section. In an embodiment, bottlemay be collapsed to the first collapsed state. In an embodiment, bottlemay be collapsed to the second collapsed state. In an embodiment, bottlemay be collapsed to either the first or second collapsed state.

-are side views of the embodiment of a collapsible bottleofillustrating a sequence of collapse from a first, expanded state to a second, collapsed state.-shows the process of collapse may begin at the top, with each layer driving the collapse of the next layer below. Corrugations. . .() maintain the structure of the corrugated layers. . .() and drive the collapse down of the smooth layers. . .(). Initially, smooth layerand upper sectionhave been driven down into corrugated layer, which as described with regard toandis an option. Neckis not shown in.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. In the embodiments, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.