Reusable re-collapsible container and resealable cap

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container and associated cap assembly comprising a container body having a bottom peripheral wall, a relatively flexible peripheral wall and an open upper end defined by an annular rim, where the side wall is movable between axially extended and collapsed positions and, in the extended position, having lower and upper relatively thicker side wall portions and an intermediate relatively thinner side wall portion; and wherein said intermediate side wall portion is tapered downwardly radially inwardly, and said lower side wall portion is tapered downwardly radially outwardly substantially to said bottom wall, such that in said collapsed position, said lower side wall portion is partially telescoped within said upper side wall portion with said intermediate portion reverse folded therebetween, and with an uppermost edge of said lower side wall portion radially spaced away from said upper side wall portion, said rim having a substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface and a radially outwardly and downwardly extending bevelled surface extending between said upper edge and said peripheral side wall, said peripheral side wall having a first cap securing structure thereon in proximity to said rim; and a cap having a top wall, and a radially outer depending skirt, said radially outer depending skirt connected to said top wall by an internal cap surface which includes a downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion which engages said bevelled surface such that said substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface is axially spaced from said cap top wall upon full engagement between said cap and said container body, said radially outer depending skirt having a second cap securing structure thereon for cooperative engagement with said first cap securing structure and further wherein said cap comprises a radially inner depending skirt which engages an inner surface of said open upper end of said container body laterally adjacent said first and second cap securing structures.

2. The container and associated cap assembly of claim 1 wherein said internal cap surface lies radially between said radially outer and said inner skins.

3. The container and associated cap assembly of claim 2 wherein said internal cap surface includes a substantially horizontal surface portion which extends radially outwardly from said radially inner skirt and which merges with said downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion.

4. The container and associated cap assembly of claim 3 wherein said downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion merges with a radiused surface portion connected to said radially outer depending skirt.

5. The container and associated cap assembly of claim 1 wherein said downwardly and outwardly inclined surface is substantially straight.

6. A container and associated cap comprising a container body having a bottom wall and a relatively flexible, peripheral side wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall to an annular rim defining an open upper end, said side wall movable between axially extended and collapsed positions and, in the extended position, having lower and upper relatively thicker side wall portions and an intermediate relatively thinner side wall portion; and wherein said intermediate side wall portion is tapered downwardly radially inwardly, and said lower side wall portion is tapered downwardly radially outwardly substantially to said bottom wall, such that in said collapsed position, said lower side wall portion is partially telescoped within said upper side wall portion with said intermediate portion reverse folded therebetween, and with an uppermost edge of said lower side wall portion radially spaced away from said upper side wall potion, said rim having a substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface and a radially outwardly and downwardly extending bevelled surface extending between said upper edge and said peripheral side wall, said peripheral side wall having a first cap securing structure thereon in proximity to said rim; a cap having a top wall, and a radially outer depending skirt and a radially inner depending skirt, said radially outer depending skirt connected to said top wall by an internal cap surface which includes a first substantially horizontal surface portion extending radially outwardly to merge with a second downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion, which, in turn, merges with a third radiused surface portion connected to said radially outer skirt, said bevelled surface engaging said second downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion to thereby effectively seal said cap to said container body, said radially outer depending skirt having a second cap securing structure thereon for cooperative engagement with said first cap securing structure and further wherein said radially inner depending skirt of said cap is adapted to engage an inner surface of said open upper end of said container body laterally adjacent said first and second cap securing structures.

7. The container and associated cap assembly or claim 6 wherein an axial space is maintained between an uppermost edge of said annular rim and said first substantially horizontal surface portion to thereby create an adjustable sealing area along said bevelled surface and said second downwardly and outwardly inclined surface portion.

8. A container and associated cap assembly comprising a container body having an open upper end defined by an annular rim, said rim having a substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface and a radially outwardly and downwardly extending bevelled surface wherein the side wall is movable between axially extended and collapsed positions and, in the extended position, having lower and upper relatively thicker side wall portions and an intermediate relatively thinner side wall portion; and wherein said intermediate side wall portion is tapered downwardly radially