US20230146064A1

US20230146064A1 - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: US20230146064A1
Application number: US17/054,426
Authority: US
Inventors: Kuang-Hung Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-11
Filing date: 2019-05-06
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: WO2019214566A1

Abstract

A collapsible container is provided, which includes an inner cup made of a soft waterproof material, an outer retractable cup, and an assembly kit for allowing the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup. The outer cup can be extended or contracted in height, making the collapsible container easy to carry. The inner cup can be detached for cleaning, making the collapsible container easy to use and provide good hygiene. Such a collapsible container is especially suitable for traveling use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application forms the European phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/085634 filed on May 6, 2019, in the State Intellectual Property Office of the P.R.C. which claims the priority of People’s Republic of China Patent Application No. CN 201810446936 and CN 110464179 A, in the State Intellectual Property Office of the P.R.C., the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a collapsible container.

Descriptions of the Related Art

Nowadays people like to bring their own cups for drinking water or other beverages when travelling, while normal cups however are not easy to carry because they occupy much space.
Accordingly, a collapsible cup, which is easy to carry and use, has been invented. The conventional collapsible cup is however not good enough as its liner is not replaceable. When the cup is used to hold different drinks at some occasions where it cannot be washed immediately, previous beverage residue left on the same liner would mix a drink the cup is holding, thereby adversely affecting the taste of the drink. Further, if there is sweet beverage residue remaining in the cup, without being washed away immediately, it may breed bacteria and cause a poor hygiene problem. Moreover, currently available retractable cups mostly have a single-layered structure and thus provide poor thermal insulation.
Therefore, how to invent a container, which is easy to carry and provides good hygiene and good thermal insulation, is an important task to be solved in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above drawbacks in the prior art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible container, which is easy to carry and use when going out.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a collapsible container, which has the advantage of hygienic use.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a collapsible container, which also has the function of heat preservation.
To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention is to provide a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom, wherein the outer cup body further includes: a first cup ring formed at its lower end with at least one first lower coupling structure; at least one second cup ring formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one second upper coupling structure and at least one second lower coupling structure respectively; and a third cup ring formed at its upper end with at least one third upper coupling structure; wherein the outer cup bottom is fixed to a lower end of the third cup ring to form a cavity, and the first cup ring, the second cup ring and the third cup ring are serially connected together in a manner that, the inner cup edge is detachably attached to the first cup ring, and the inner cup is detachably mounted in the outer cup; wherein when the outer cup body is being highly extended, the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring to make the first lower coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure so as to interlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring to make the second lower coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure so as to interlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is held in a highly extended status; the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to disengage the first lower coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure so as to unlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to disengage the second lower coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure so as to unlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly extended status; and wherein the first lower coupling structure includes a first lower guiding portion and a first lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the first cup ring; the second upper coupling structure includes a second upper guiding portion and a second upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the first lower guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move towards the second cup ring, and the first lower limiting portion matches the second upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable away from the second cup ring in order to prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring; and the second lower coupling structure includes a second lower guiding portion and a second lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the second cup ring; the third upper coupling structure includes a third upper guiding portion and a third upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the third cup ring, wherein the second lower guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move towards the third cup ring, and the second lower limiting portion matches the third upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable away from the third cup ring in order to prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with at least one first upper coupling structure, wherein when the outer cup body is being highly contracted, the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to make the first upper coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to make the second upper coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure, so as to keep the outer cup body in a highly contracted status; the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring so as to disengage the first upper coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure, and the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring so as to disengage the second upper coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly contracted status.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a first inner upper limiting portion; the second cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a second inner upper limiting portion and a second outer upper limiting portion; the third cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a third outer upper limiting portion, wherein, when the outer cup body is in the highly contracted status, the first inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the second outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable towards the second cup ring and prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring, and the second inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the third outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable towards the third cup ring and prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, wherein there is provided a force applying part at the outer cup bottom, for allowing a force to be applied to the force applying part to trigger movement of the third cup ring relative to the second cup ring.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first upper coupling structure further includes a first inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the first cup ring, wherein the first inner upper guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move away from the second cup ring; and the second upper coupling structure further includes a second inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the second inner upper guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move away from the third cup ring.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, when the outer cup body is highly extended, there is a space located between and separating the outer cup body and the inner cup body.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, further including: an assembly kit for being assembled with the inner cup edge and the outer cup edge, and being detachably attached to the outer cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup.
Furthermore, the present invention also provides a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; and an assembly kit for being assembled with the inner cup edge and the outer cup edge, and being detachably attached to the outer cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup.
Moreover, the present invention also provides a collapsible container including: an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; and an assembly kit for being assembled with the outer cup edge and the inner cup edge, and being detachably attached to the inner cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, there is formed at least one strengthening rib at an upper portion of the inner cup body, for enhancing structural strength and preventing the upper portion of the inner cup body from being collapsed by a force.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first binding part and the second binding part are combined by structural coupling or magnetic attraction.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, each of the first binding part and the second binding part is formed with a coupling structure for preventing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; the inner cup edge structurally matches the outer cup edge to make the first binding part and the second binding part combined together; there is provided an indicator on the outer cup body, for indicating an extent of rotation of the inner cup body relative to the outer cup body.
Preferably, in the collapsible container said above, the first binding part or the second binding part has a bearing structure for allowing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom, and there is a gap between the inner cup bottom and the outer cup bottom.
In summary, the collapsible container of the present invention which includes an inner cup made of a soft waterproof material and an outer retractable cup. The collapsible container advantageously is easy to carry and use and also provides good hygiene.
Moreover, the double-cup structure of the collapsible container provides desirable thermal insulation when in use due to a space located between and separating the outer cup and the inner cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure of a collapsible container according to the present invention when it is highly extended status;

FIG. 2 is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the collapsible container when it is in highly contracted status;

FIG. 4 is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a breakdown diagram of an assembly kit in the collapsible container according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembly kit combined with an inner cup of the collapsible container;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inner cup combined with the assembly kit of FIG. 5 to be placed in an outer cup;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing a lid assembled to the assembly kit of the collapsible container according to the present invention;

FIGS. 10 to 13 are schematic diagrams showing preferred embodiments of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container when it is in contracted status;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are side views showing preferred embodiment of the collapsible container in an extended status and a contracted status according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an overall structural diagram of the collapsible container when it is in highly extended status; and

FIG. 19 is a breakdown diagram of the collapsible container in FIG. 18 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components.
The following content will be combined with the drawings to illustrate the technical content of the present invention through specific embodiments. Those familiar with the technology can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content discussed in this specification. This invention can also be implemented or applied by other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and inventions without departing from the spirit of this invention. Especially, the quantitative relationship, proportional relationship, and relative position of each component in the drawings are only exemplary, and do not represent the actual implementation of this invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 , wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure of a collapsible container according to the present invention when it is in highly extended status. As shown in FIG. 1 , a collapsible container 1 according to the present invention includes an inner cup 11, an outer cup 12 and an assembly kit 13.
The inner cup 11 includes an inner cup edge 111 and an inner cup body 112 (also referring to FIG. 5 ). In an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body 112 is made of a soft waterproof material. It should be noted that, “soft” here means the material is bendable by a force, and any material, which is soft and able to block a liquid, in the invention, can be used as the waterproof material for making the inner cup body 112 of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6 , in an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body 112 includes an inner cup wall 113 and an inner cup bottom 114, wherein the inner cup bottom 114 is thicker than the inner cup wall 113 in order to prevent any undesirable collapse and deformation.
The outer cup 12 includes an outer cup edge 121 and an outer cup body 122 (also referring to FIG. 2 ). In an embodiment of the invention, the outer cup body 122 is retractable to adjust its height according to practical requirements, and the inner cup body 112 is soft and can be deformed to be placed in the outer cup body 122 that is being contracted or extended (referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 ). Moreover, the outer cup body 122 can be retracted and adjusted in height with various implementations, to be later described.
The assembly kit 13 is used to respectively join the inner cup edge 111 and the outer cup edge 121, and is detachably attached to the inner cup edge 111 and the outer cup edge 121 in a manner that the inner cup 11 can be detachably mounted in the outer cup 12. As shown in FIG. 5 , in an embodiment of the invention, the assembly kit 13 includes a first assembly component 131 and a second assembly component 132. The first assembly component 131 includes a first assembly portion 1311, and the second assembly component 132 includes a second assembly portion 1321 and a wing portion 1322, wherein the first assembly portion 1311 and the second assembly portion 1321 can fit each other so as to attach the first assembly component 131 to the second assembly component 132. When the first assembly component 131 is attached to the second assembly component 132, the inner cup edge 111 is fixed between the first assembly portion 1311 and the second assembly portion 1321 (see FIG. 5 ), and the inner cup 11 and the assembly kit 13 are assembled together. Then, the wing portion 1322 of the second assembly component 132 is hung on the outer cup edge 121 of the outer cup 12 (see FIG. 7 ), and the inner cup body 112 is placed in the outer cup body 122, thereby completing the assembly of the entire container.
It should be noted, the assembly kit 13 can also fit the outer cup edge 121. The assembly kit 13 is detachably assembled with the outer cup edge 121 while is also combined with the inner cup edge 111, such that the inner cup 11 combined with the assembly kit 13 can be detachably mounted in the outer cup 12. Alternatively, the assembly kit 13 is detachably assembled with the inner cup edge 111 while is also combined with the outer cup edge 121, such that the inner cup 11 can be detachably mounted in the outer cup 12 combined with the assembly kit 13.
Moreover, when the outer cup body 122 is highly extended or pulled out, there is a gap between the outer cup body 122 and the inner cup body 112 to separate them and provide a thermal insulation effect. It should be noted that, the outer cup body 122 can further be made hollow, such that the outer cup body 122 and the inner cup body 112, when being assembled together, have a multiple hollow structure and thus achieve better thermal insulation.
Referring to FIGS. 8 to 9 , in an embodiment of the invention, the collapsible container 1 further includes a lid 14, and the first assembly component 131 further includes a lid assembly portion 1312, wherein the lid 14 can be attached to the lid assembly portion 1312 to provide thermal insulation and prevent dust from entering the inner cup body 112 to assure good hygiene. Preferably, the lid 14 and the lid assembly portion 1312 are made waterproof to prevent any leakage. Moreover, at least one of the lid 14 and the lid assembly portion 1312 is made of an elastic material to improve closeness between the lid 14 and the lid assembly portion 1312.
Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11 , are schematic diagrams showing an entire structure of the collapsible container 1 according to the present invention. A collapsible container 1 according to the present invention includes an inner cup 11, an outer cup 12.
The inner cup 11 includes an inner cup edge 111 and an inner cup body 112. In an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup body 112 is made of a soft waterproof material, the inner cup body 112 includes an inner cup wall 113 and an inner cup bottom 114, wherein the inner cup bottom 114 is thicker than the inner cup wall 113
The outer cup 12 includes an outer cup edge 121 and an outer cup body 122, the outer cup body 122 is retractable to adjust its height, and the inner cup body 112 can be placed in the outer cup body 122. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 12 , in an embodiment of the invention, the inner cup edge 111 can be turned inside out twice to form a structure adapted to the outer cup edge 121 without falling off.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 , in an embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the inner cup body 112 can be formed with at least one strengthening rib 15 for providing better structural strength and preventing the upper portion of the inner cup body 112 from being undesirably collapsed and deformed.
Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15 , the outer cup body 122 further includes a first cup ring 51, at least one second cup ring 52, a third cup ring 53 and an outer cup bottom 54. The first cup ring 51 is formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one first upper coupling structure 511 and at least one first lower coupling structure 512 respectively. The second cup ring 52 is formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one second upper coupling structure 521 and at least one second lower coupling structure 522 respectively. The third cup ring 53 is formed at its upper end with at least one third upper coupling structure 531. The outer cup bottom 54 is attached to and seals a lower end of the third cup ring 53 to form the container.
The first cup ring 51, the second cup ring 52 and the third cup ring 53 are serially connected together in a manner that, the inner cup edge 111 is detachably attached to the first cup ring 51, and the inner cup 11 can be detachably mounted in the outer cup 12. Particularly, when the outer cup body 122 is being highly extended, it makes the first cup ring 51 move away from the second cup ring 52 until the first lower coupling structure 512 is engaged with the second upper coupling structure 521 to allow interlocking of the first cup ring 51 and the second cup ring 52, or it makes the second cup ring 52 move away from the third cup ring 53 until the second lower coupling structure 522 is engaged with the third upper coupling structure 531 to allow interlocking of the second cup ring 52 and the third cup ring 53, such that the outer cup body 122 stays in a highly extended status. Alternatively, the first cup ring 51 is allowed to move towards the second cup ring 52 to disengage the first lower coupling structure 512 from the second upper coupling structure 521 so as to unlock the first cup ring 51 and the second cup ring 52, or the second cup ring 52 is allowed to move towards the third cup ring 53 to disengage the second lower coupling structure 522 from the third upper coupling structure 531 so as to unlock the second cup ring 52 and the third cup ring 53, such that the outer cup body 122 is released from the highly extended status.
When the outer cup body 122 is being highly contracted or pushed in, it makes the first cup ring 51 move towards the second cup ring 52 until the first upper coupling structure 511 and the second upper coupling structures 521 are engaged with each other, or it makes the second cup ring 52 move towards the third cup ring 53 until the second upper coupling structure 521 and the third upper coupling structures 531 are engaged with each other, so as to keep the outer cup body 122 in a highly contracted status.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the first cup ring 51 at its upper end is further formed with a first inner upper limiting portion 516; the second cup ring 52 at its upper end is further formed with a second inner upper limiting portion 528 and a second outer upper limiting portion 529; the third cup ring 53 at its upper end is further formed with a third outer upper limiting portion 534. When the outer cup body 122 is in the highly contracted status, the first inner upper limiting portion 516 abuts the second outer upper limiting portion 529 in order to limit a maximum distance that the first cup ring 51 can move towards the second cup ring 52 and prevent separation between the first cup ring 51 and the second cup ring 52, and the second inner upper limiting portion 528 abuts the third outer upper limiting portion 534 in order to limit a maximum distance that the second cup ring 52 can move towards the third cup ring 53 and prevent separation between the second cup ring 52 and the third cup ring 53, such that the outer cup body 122 is held in the highly contracted status.
Alternatively, when the outer cup body 122 is highly contracted, the first cup ring 51 is allowed to move away from the second cup ring 52 so as to disengage the first upper coupling structure 511 from the second upper coupling structure 521, and the second cup ring 52 is allowed to move away from the third cup ring 53 so as to disengage the second upper coupling structure 521 from the third upper coupling structure 531, such that the outer cup body 122 is freed from the highly contracted status.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first lower coupling structure 512 includes a first lower guiding portion 513 and a first lower limiting portion 514, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the first cup ring 51. The second upper coupling structure 521 includes a second upper guiding portion 523 and a second upper limiting portion 524, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the second cup ring 52. The first lower guiding portion 513 matches the second upper guiding portion 523, for guiding the first cup ring 51 to move towards the second cup ring 52. The first lower limiting portion 514 matches the second upper limiting portion 524, for limiting a maximum distance that the first cup ring 51 can move away from the second cup ring 52 in order to prevent separation between the first cup ring 51 and the second cup ring 52.
The second lower coupling structure 522 includes a second lower guiding portion 525 and a second lower limiting portion 526, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the second cup ring 52. The third upper coupling structure 531 includes a third upper guiding portion 532 and a third upper limiting portion 533, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the third cup ring 53. The second lower guiding portion 525 matches the third upper guiding portion 532, for guiding the second cup ring 52 to move towards the third cup ring 53. The second lower limiting portion 526 matches the third upper limiting portion 533, for limiting a maximum distance that the second cup ring 52 can move away from the third cup ring 53 in order to prevent separation between the second cup ring 52 and the third cup ring 53.
Moreover, the first upper coupling structure 511 further includes a first inner upper guiding portion 515 formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the first cup ring 51. The first inner upper guiding portion 515 matches the second upper guiding portion 523, for guiding the first cup ring 51 to move away from the second cup ring 52. The second upper coupling structure 521 further includes a second inner upper guiding portion 527 formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the second cup ring 52. The second inner upper guiding portion 527 matches the third upper guiding portion 532, for guiding the second cup ring 52 to move away from the third cup ring 53.
As shown in FIG. 13 , there can be provided a force applying part 542 at the outer cup bottom 54, for a user to apply a force to the force applying part 542 to trigger movement of the third cup ring 53 relative to the second cup ring 52.
Further, referring to FIGS. 18 to 19 , in order to have a better effect, in an embodiment of the invention, there can be provided a first binding part 1121 at the inner cup bottom 114 of the inner cup body 112, and a second binding part 541 on the outer cup bottom 54 of the outer cup body 122. When the outer cup body 122 is highly extended, the first binding part 1121 and the second binding part 541 can be combined to fix the inner cup bottom 114 of the inner cup body 112 in position on the outer cup bottom 54 of the outer cup body 122. It should be noted that, the first binding part 1121 and the second binding part 541 can be magnetic parts or coupling parts, which match each other and can be combined by magnetic attraction or structural coupling.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first binding part 1121 and the second binding part 541 can each be formed with a coupling structure for preventing rotation of the inner cup bottom 114 relative to the outer cup bottom 54 when the inner cup bottom 114 is fixed on the outer cup bottom 54, and the inner cup edge 111 structurally matches the outer cup edge 121 to further make the first binding part 1121 and the second binding part 541 combined together. In an embodiment of the invention, there can be provided an indicator on the outer cup body 122, for indicating the extent of rotation of the inner cup body 112 relative to the outer cup body 122.
In the other embodiment of the invention, there is a gap between the inner cup bottom 114 and the outer cup bottom 54 (as shown in FIGS. 18 to 19 ) to reduce heat transmission and thus improve thermal insulation of the collapsible container according to the present invention.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17 , the first binding part 1121 or the second binding part 541 has a bearing structure for allowing rotation of the inner cup bottom 114 relative to the outer cup bottom 54 according to practical requirements when the inner cup bottom 114 is fixed on the outer cup bottom 54.
Therefore, the collapsible container of the present invention includes an inner cup made of a soft waterproof material and an outer retractable cup. The collapsible container advantageously is easy to carry and use, and the inner cup can be detached from the outer cup for cleaning, thereby providing good hygiene. Further, when the container is highly extended, there is a space located between and separating the outer cup and the inner cup, thereby providing desirable thermal insulation. Moreover, the outer cup can be made of a hard material for protecting the inner cup and preventing undesirable deformation or damage of the inner cup.
The examples above are only illustrative to explain principles and effects of the invention, but not to limit the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection range of the rights of the invention should be as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible container including:

an inner cup including an inner cup edge and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is made of a soft waterproof material, and the inner cup body includes an inner cup wall and an inner cup bottom; and

an outer cup including an outer cup edge and an outer cup body, wherein the outer cup body has an adjustable height, the inner cup body is allowed to be placed in the outer cup body, the outer cup body includes an outer cup bottom, wherein the outer cup body further includes:

a first cup ring formed at its lower end with at least one first lower coupling structure;

at least one second cup ring formed at its upper end and lower end with at least one second upper coupling structure and at least one second lower coupling structure respectively; and

a third cup ring formed at its upper end with at least one third upper coupling structure;

wherein the outer cup bottom is fixed to a lower end of the third cup ring to form a cavity, and the first cup ring, the second cup ring and the third cup ring are serially connected together in a manner that, the inner cup edge is detachably attached to the first cup ring, and the inner cup is detachably mounted in the outer cup;

wherein when the outer cup body is being highly extended, the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring to make the first lower coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure so as to interlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring to make the second lower coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure so as to interlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is held in a highly extended status; the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to disengage the first lower coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure so as to unlock the first cup ring and the second cup ring, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to disengage the second lower coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure so as to unlock the second cup ring and the third cup ring, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly extended status; and wherein,

the first lower coupling structure includes a first lower guiding portion and a first lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the first cup ring; the second upper coupling structure includes a second upper guiding portion and a second upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the first lower guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move towards the second cup ring, and the first lower limiting portion matches the second upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable away from the second cup ring in order to prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring; and

the second lower coupling structure includes a second lower guiding portion and a second lower limiting portion, which are formed on an inner wall at the lower end of the second cup ring; the third upper coupling structure includes a third upper guiding portion and a third upper limiting portion, which are formed on an outer wall at the upper end of the third cup ring, wherein the second lower guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move towards the third cup ring, and the second lower limiting portion matches the third upper limiting portion, for limiting a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable away from the third cup ring in order to prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring.

2. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with at least one first upper coupling structure, wherein when the outer cup body is being highly contracted, the first cup ring is allowed to move towards the second cup ring to make the first upper coupling structure engaged with the second upper coupling structure, or the second cup ring is allowed to move towards the third cup ring to make the second upper coupling structure engaged with the third upper coupling structure, so as to keep the outer cup body in a highly contracted status; the first cup ring is allowed to move away from the second cup ring so as to disengage the first upper coupling structure from the second upper coupling structure, and the second cup ring is allowed to move away from the third cup ring so as to disengage the second upper coupling structure from the third upper coupling structure, such that the outer cup body is released from the highly contracted status.

3. The collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein the first cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a first inner upper limiting portion; the second cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a second inner upper limiting portion and a second outer upper limiting portion; the third cup ring is further formed at its upper end with a third outer upper limiting portion, wherein,

when the outer cup body is in the highly contracted status, the first inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the second outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the first cup ring is movable towards the second cup ring and prevent separation between the first cup ring and the second cup ring, and the second inner upper limiting portion cooperates with the third outer upper limiting portion to limit a maximum distance that the second cup ring is movable towards the third cup ring and prevent separation between the second cup ring and the third cup ring.

4. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a force applying part at the outer cup bottom, for allowing a force to be applied to the force applying part to trigger movement of the third cup ring relative to the second cup ring.

5. The collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein,

the first upper coupling structure further includes a first inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the first cup ring, wherein the first inner upper guiding portion matches the second upper guiding portion, for guiding the first cup ring to move away from the second cup ring; and

the second upper coupling structure further includes a second inner upper guiding portion formed on the inner wall at the upper end of the second cup ring, wherein the second inner upper guiding portion matches the third upper guiding portion, for guiding the second cup ring to move away from the third cup ring.

6. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein when the outer cup body is highly extended, there is a space located between and separating the outer cup body and the inner cup body.

7. The collapsible container according to claim 1, further including:

an assembly kit for being assembled with the inner cup edge and the outer cup edge, and being detachably attached to the outer cup edge to allow the inner cup to be detachably mounted in the outer cup.

8. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein there is formed at least one strengthening rib at an upper portion of the inner cup body, for enhancing structural strength and preventing the upper portion of the inner cup body from being collapsed by a force.

9. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the inner cup bottom is thicker than the inner cup wall, the inner cup bottom is provided with a first binding part, and the outer cup bottom is provided with a second binding part, wherein with the first binding part and the second binding part being combined together, the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom.

10. The collapsible container according to claim 9, wherein the first binding part and the second binding part are combined by structural coupling or magnetic attraction.

11. The collapsible container according to claim 9, wherein each of the first binding part and the second binding part is formed with a coupling structure for preventing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom; the inner cup edge structurally matches the outer cup edge to make the first binding part and the second binding part combined together; there is provided an indicator on the outer cup body, for indicating an extent of rotation of the inner cup body relative to the outer cup body.

12. The collapsible container according to claim 9, wherein the first binding part or the second binding part has a bearing structure for allowing rotation of the inner cup bottom relative to the outer cup bottom when the inner cup bottom is fixed on the outer cup bottom, and there is a gap between the inner cup bottom and the outer cup bottom.