U.S. patent application number 10/173564 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for collapsible dispensing tube for non-solid materials.
Invention is credited to Yoshida, Mitsuo.
Application Number | 20030015549 10/173564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19026083 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030015549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida, Mitsuo |
January 23, 2003 |
Collapsible dispensing tube for non-solid materials
Abstract
A collapsible dispensing tube includes an internal tube element
made of a non-resilient flexible material and having a squeeze
spout from which contents in the internal tube element is
dispensed; an external tube element which accommodates the internal
tube element to form an air chamber between the internal tube
element and the external tube element, the external tube element
being made of a resilient material having a hardness greater than
that of the non-resilient flexible material of the internal tube
element; and a small opening formed on the external tube element to
be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, the air chamber being
communicatively connected to the outside of the external tube
element via the small opening.
Inventors: |
Yoshida, Mitsuo; (Saitama,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1941 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Family ID: |
19026083 |
Appl. No.: |
10/173564 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 35/14 20130101;
B65D 83/0055 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/103 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2001 |
JP |
2001-186669 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible dispensing tube comprising: an internal tube
element made of a non-resilient flexible material and having a
squeeze spout from which contents in said internal tube element is
dispensed; an external tube element which accommodates said
internal tube element to form an air chamber between said internal
tube element and said external tube element, said external tube
element being made of a resilient material having a hardness
greater than that of said non-resilient flexible material of said
internal tube element; and a small opening formed on said external
tube element to be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, said
air chamber being communicatively connected to the outside of said
external tube element via said small opening.
2. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 1, wherein
said internal tube element and said external tube element are each
elongated and connected to each other at one end opposite from said
squeeze spout.
3. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 2, wherein
the other end of said external tube element, at which said squeeze
spout is formed, comprises one of a round shape and an oval shape,
and wherein said one end of said external tube element is formed as
a flat end, said one and the other ends of said external tube
element being connected smoothly via a major portion of said
external tube element.
4. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 3, wherein
said internal tube element is connected to said external tube
element in a manner so as to be squeezed together with said
external tube element at the same time when said external tube
element is squeezed in a direction from said one end to said other
end of said external tube element.
5. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 1, wherein
said resilient material of said external tube element is
translucent.
6. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 1, wherein
said resilient material of said external tube element is
transparent.
7. The collapsible dispensing tube according to claim 1, wherein
said squeeze spout projects outwards from said external tube
element in an airtight fashion.
8. A collapsible dispensing tube comprising: an internal tube
element having a squeeze spout from which contents in said internal
tube element is dispensed, said internal tube element remaining
deformed after squeezed to dispense said contents therefrom even
when released from an external pressure applied to said internal
tube element; an external tube element which accommodates said
internal tube element to form an air chamber between said internal
tube element and said external tube element, said external tube
element returning substantially to an original shape thereof upon a
release from an external pressure applied to said external tube
element after being squeezed to dispense said contents from said
squeeze spout regardless of the remaining quantity of said
contents; and a small opening formed on said external tube element
to be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, said air chamber
being connected to the outside of said external tube element via
said small opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a collapsible dispensing
tube from which a non-solid material is dispensed by squeezing the
tube.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Collapsible dispensing tubes, or squeezable dispensing
tubes, which serve as a non-solid material container, and from
which the non-solid material (flowable material) is dispensed by
squeezing the tube as needed, have been widely used in various
fields. The non-solid material constituting the contents of the
collapsible dispensing tube can be, e.g., medical paste,
non-medical paste such as toothpaste, a cosmetic such as emulsion,
or an eatable paste such as ketchup or tomato sauce.
[0005] Typical conventional collapsible dispensing tubes can be
roughly divided into two types: a non-resilient type and a
resilient type. The non-resilient type collapsible dispensing tube
is made of, e.g., a soft metal or a single or multi-layered soft
synthetic resin film, so that the collapsible dispensing tube
remains deformed after squeezed to dispense the contents therefrom
even if released from an external pressure applied to the
collapsible dispensing tube. Due to this characteristic, air does
not come into the tube. Accordingly, the contents of the tube do
not easily change in quality, and is not easily contaminated by
bacteria. Nevertheless, the outward appearance of the tube is not
good.
[0006] On the other hand, the resilient type collapsible dispensing
tube is made of, e.g. a single or multi-layered hard and resilient
synthetic resin film, so that the collapsible dispensing tube
returns nearly to its original shape upon a release from an
external pressure applied to the tube after squeezed to dispense
the contents from the tube, regardless of the remaining quantity of
the contents. This feature does not disfigure the outward
appearance of the tube, however, escaped air is always allowed to
reenter into the tube (inflatable). This air oxidizes the contents
of the tube to thereby change the quality of the contents of the
tube, and accordingly becomes a leading cause of bacterial
contamination of the contents of the tube. To prevent such problems
from occurring, it is possible to put the cap (closure) back on the
squeeze spout of the tube with the tube remaining squeezed to
prevent air from coming into the tube, especially when the
remaining quantity of the contents of the tube becomes small.
However, even if the cap is put back on the squeeze spout in such a
manner, air cannot be entirely prevented from entering the tube;
furthermore, the ease of use of the collapsible dispensing tube is
not good.
[0007] To overcome such problems, a collapsible dispensing tube
having a flexible and resilient external tube element and a
flexible but non-resilient internal tube element provided inside
the external tube element has been proposed in, e.g., Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No.2000-106262, wherein a squeeze
spout of the internal tube element projects outwards from the
external tube element in an air-tight fashion and wherein the
external tube element is provided with a one-way valve (check
valve) so that the contents of the internal tube element is
dispensed from the squeeze spout thereof by squeezing the external
tube element. According to this type of collapsible dispensing
tube, the external tube element can be reused. However, it is
difficult to use up the contents of the collapsible dispensing
tube. In addition, even if the one-way valve is of a simple type,
it is costly to provide the collapsible dispensing tube with such a
one-way valve since it has to be prepared and fixed in position.
This is particularly true when mass-producing the collapsible
dispensing tube.
[0008] Moreover, in such a type of collapsible dispensing tube
using a one-way valve, the more efficient the one-way valve
operates, the greater the internal pressure relative to the outside
pressure becomes due to a variation of the outside air-temperature
or atmospheric temperature. Consequently, the possibility of the
contents of the collapsible dispensing tube blowing out therefrom
unexpectedly increases. If this happens, the reliability of the
collapsible dispensing tube is instantly lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a collapsible dispensing tube
wherein no air enters inside the tube even if the remaining
quantity of the contents of the tube is small, and wherein at least
the external part of the tube restores substantially to its
original shape after squeezed to maintain a desirable outward
appearance of the tube. The present invention further provides a
low-cost disposable collapsible dispensing tube without using a
conventional one-way valve.
[0010] For example, a collapsible dispensing tube is provided,
including an internal tube element made of a non-resilient flexible
material and having a squeeze spout from which contents in the
internal tube element is dispensed; an external tube element which
accommodates the internal tube element to form an air chamber
between the internal tube element and the external tube element,
the external tube element being made of a resilient material having
a hardness greater than that of the non-resilient flexible material
of the internal tube element; and a small opening formed on the
external tube element to be closable by one of a fingertip and a
palm, the air chamber being communicatively connected to the
outside of the external tube element via the small opening.
[0011] In this double-layered collapsible dispensing tube, the
internal pressure of the air chamber increases if an external
pressure is applied to the external tube element with the small
opening being closed by a fingertip or a palm of the user. This
increase of the internal pressure of the air chamber applies a
pressure to the internal tube element to dispense the contents from
the squeeze spout. Accordingly, the contents in the internal tube
element are dispensed from the squeeze spout by squeezing the
external tube element. Immediately after the external tube element
is released from an external pressure applied thereto after the use
of the collapsible dispensing tube, air comes into the air chamber
via the small opening, which causes the resilient external tube
member to return to its original shape, whereas the internal tube
member that has no resiliency remains deformed in accordance with
the remaining quantity of the contents. Accordingly, no air enters
inside the internal tube member, which reduces the possibility of
the contents of the collapsible dispensing tube changing in quality
and also the possibility of the contents of the collapsible
dispensing tube being contaminated by bacteria.
[0012] An advantage of the collapsible dispensing tube according to
the present invention is that a combination of the small opening of
the external tube member and a fingertip or a palm of the user
serves as a one-way valve (check valve). Since an area on the
external tube element where the user is likely to touch when he or
she uses the collapsible dispensing tube is almost fixed, it is
desirable that the small opening be formed on that -e specific
area. Since the air chamber is normally connected to the outside of
the collapsible dispensing tube via the small opening, the internal
pressure of the air chamber between the internal and external tube
elements does not increase relative to the outside pressure due to
a variation of the outside air-temperature or atmospheric
temperature. Accordingly, the contents of the collapsible
dispensing tube cannot blow out (explode) therefrom
unexpectedly.
[0013] It is desirable that the internal tube element and the
external tube element being each elongated and connected to each
other at one end opposite from the squeeze spout.. This structure
is advantageous for the collapsible dispensing tube to be squeezed
to dispense the contents therefrom.
[0014] In order to make it easy for the collapsible dispensing tube
to be squeezed, it is desirable that the other end of the external
tube element, at which the squeeze spout is formed, has a round
shape or an oval shape, and wherein the one end of the external
tube element is formed as a flat end, the one and the other ends of
the external tube element being connected smoothly via a major
portion of the external tube element. Namely, it is desirable that
the internal tube element be connected to the external tube element
so that the internal tube element be squeezed together with the
external tube element at the same time when the external tube
element is squeezed in a direction from the other end to the one
end of the external tube element.
[0015] It is desirable for the internal tube element to be
connected to the external tube element in a manner so as to be
squeezed together with the external tube element at the same time
when the external tube element is squeezed in a direction from the
one end to the other end of the external tube element.
[0016] It is desirable that the resilient material of the external
tube element be translucent or transparent so that the remaining
quantity of the contents in the internal tube element can be
visually checked from the outside of the collapsible dispensing
tube.
[0017] It is desirable for the squeeze spout to project outwards
from said external tube element in an airtight fashion.
[0018] According to another embodiment, a collapsible dispensing
tube is provided, including an internal tube element having a
squeeze spout from which contents in the internal tube element is
dispensed, the internal tube element remaining deformed after
squeezed to dispense the contents therefrom even when released from
an external pressure applied to the internal tube element; an
external tube element which accommodates the internal tube element
to form an air chamber between the internal tube element and the
external tube element, the external tube element returning
substantially to an original shape thereof upon a release from an
external pressure applied to the external tube element after being
squeezed to dispense the contents from the squeeze spout regardless
of the remaining quantity of the contents; and a small opening
formed on the external tube element to be closable by one of a
fingertip and a palm, the air chamber being connected to the
outside of the external tube element via the small opening.
[0019] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Japanese Patent Application No.2001-186669 (filed on Jun. 20,
2001) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention will be described below in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
collapsible dispensing tube according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along II-II line
shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along III-III line
shown in FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the collapsible
dispensing tube shown in FIG. 1, showing a large remaining quantity
of the contents of the collapsible dispensing tube;
[0025] FIG. 4B is a view similar to that of FIG. 4A, and
illustrates the collapsible dispensing tube in a squeezed state to
squeeze the contents thereof out of the tube; and
[0026] FIG. 4C is a view similar to that of FIG. 4A, and
illustrates the collapsible dispensing tube in a free state after
being squeezed in a way shown in FIG. 4B, showing a state where the
remaining quantity of the contents of the collapsible dispensing
tube is small.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] FIGS. 1 through 3 show the first embodiment of a collapsible
dispensing tube 10 according to the prevent invention. The
collapsible dispensing tube 10 is provided with an internal tube
element 20 and an external tube element 30 which accommodates the
internal tube element 20. The internal tube element 20 is flexible
but not resilient, and thus remains deformed after squeezed even if
released from an external pressure applied to the internal tube
element 20, whereas the external tube element 30 is flexible and
also resilient, thus returning nearly to its original shape upon
removal of pressure. The internal tube element 20 is made of a
relatively soft non-resilient flexible material such as a single or
multi-layered synthetic resin film. A squeeze spout 21 is fixed to
one end of the internal tube element 20. The squeeze spout 21 has a
sufficient strength so that a cap 22 can be taken off and put back
on the squeeze spout 21. The internal tube element 20 (at least the
inner surface thereof) is made of a material which is chemically
inert to the contents of the collapsible dispensing tube 10
accommodated in the internal tube element 20. When squeezed to
dispense the contents therefrom, the internal tube element 20 does
not suck air from the outside upon a release from an external
pressure applied to the internal tube element 20since the internal
tube element 20 has no resiliency. This type of tube material
having no resiliency is well-known in the art.
[0028] The external tube element 30 accommodates the internal tube
element 20 with an air chamber 40 being formed therebetween. The
external tube element 30 is made of a flexible and resilient
material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the
material of the internal tube element 20, e.g., a single or
multi-layered hard and resilient synthetic resin film. Accordingly,
the external tube element 30 returns substantially to its original
shape upon removal of pressure because of the resiliency thereof.
This type of resilient tube material is well-known in the art.
[0029] The external tube element 30 is provided on opposite sides
thereof with a round or oval spout-side end 32 and a flat end 33,
respectively, and these two opposite ends 32 and 33 are connected
smoothly via a major portion of the external tube element 30. The
spout-side end 32 is provided with a round hole 34 from which the
squeeze spout 21 projects outwards. The inner edge of the
spout-side end 32 in the round hole 34 is fixed (bonded or welded)
to the neck of the spout-side end 32 in an air-tight fashion. The
inner tube element 20 is provided, at the end thereof opposite from
the squeeze spout 21, with an extendable folding portion 23. The
rear end (the right end as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the
extendable folding portion 23 is fixed (bonded or welded) to the
flat end 33 of the external tube element 30 in an air-tight
fashion. The extendable folding portion 23 can be designed to form
a chamber therein for accommodating some of the contents of the
collapsible dispensing tube 10, or can be designed not to have such
a chamber.
[0030] The external tube element 30 is provided with a small
opening 31 having a small diameter which is closed by the fingertip
or the palm of the user the collapsible dispensing tube 10 is
squeezed. The small opening 31 is formed in an area on the external
tube element 30 where the user is likely to touch when the
collapsible dispensing tube 10 is in use. The air chamber 40 is
communicatively connected to the outside via the small opening 31.
The small opening 31 serves as an air-intake opening.
[0031] The internal tube element 20 and the external tube element
30 are coupled (assembled) to each other in the following described
manner. In a state where the rear end of the external tube element
30 is open, the internal tube element 20 is inserted into the
external tube element 30 from the rear open end thereof so that the
squeeze spout 21 fully projects outwards from the round hole 34 of
the spout-side end 32. Subsequently, the inner edge of the
spout-side end 32 in the round hole 34 is fixed (bonded or welded)
to a neck portion of the squeeze spout 21. Thereafter, the
respective rear ends of the internal tube element 20 and the
external tube element 30 are fixed (bonded or welded) to each other
at the flat end 33. The internal tube element 20 can be filled with
the contents of the collapsible dispensing tube 10 either before or
after the respective rear ends of the internal tube element 20 and
the external tube element 30 are fixed to each other at the flat
end 33. This operation coupling the internal tube element 20 to the
external tube element 30 is only an example, so that the internal
tube element 20 and the external tube element 30 can be coupled to
each other in any other appropriate manner.
[0032] In the present embodiment of the collapsible dispensing tube
10, the internal tube element 20 is filled with a non-solid
substance and the cap 22 is tightly screwed on the squeeze spout 21
before shipment (see FIG. 2). As known in the art, depending on
properties of the contents, the tip of the squeeze spout 21 is
closed by a film member or a seal (not shown) which is adhered to
the tip of the squeeze spout 21 before the cap 22 is screwed on the
squeeze spout 21. This structure is basically the same as
conventional structures of various ubiquitous collapsible
dispensing tubes, and thus is familiar to the user.
[0033] When the collapsible dispensing tube 10 is used to dispense
the contents therefrom, the external tube element 30 is squeezed
with the small opening 31 being closed by a fingertip or a palm of
the user after the cap (and also the seal if provided) is taken off
the squeeze spout 21. As a result of the external tube element 30
being squeezed, the internal pressure of the air chamber 40
increases to thereby apply a pressure higher than atmospheric
pressure to the internal tube element 20. Consequently, the
internal tube element 20 is deformed and squeezed to dispense the
contents from the squeeze spout 21.
[0034] Once the external tube element 30 is released from an
external pressure applied thereto, air enters inside the air
chamber 40 via the small opening 31, which causes the resilient
external tube member 30 to return to its original shape, whereas
the internal tube member 20, which has no resiliency, remains
deformed in accordance with the remaining quantity of the contents
(see FIGS. 4A and 4C). Accordingly, no air enters inside the
internal tube member 20. This prevents the contents of the
collapsible dispensing tube 10 from being changed in quality and
contaminated by bacteria. The extendable folding portion 23 extends
as the volume of the air chamber 40 increases as the contents of
the internal tube member 20 decreases. The extendable folding
portion 23 can be omitted depending on the shapes of the internal
tube member 20 and the external tube member 30. A shoulder portion
20a of the internal tube member 20 adjacent to the squeeze spout 21
is formed as a sloping, round shoulder portion having a smooth
curved surface. The shape of the shoulder portion 20a is
advantageous for dispersing the contents of the collapsible
dispensing tube 10 as much as possible.
[0035] The contents of the collapsible dispensing tube 10 can be
squeezed out therefrom by squeezing the collapsible dispensing tube
10 in a direction from the flat end 33 to the spout-side end 32,
especially when the remaining quantity of the contents of the
collapsible dispensing tube 10 is small. FIG. 4B shows a state
where the collapsible dispensing tube 10 is being squeezed to
squeeze the contents therefrom in a direction from the flat end 33
to the spout-side end 32. The small opening 31 does not always need
to be closed each time the collapsible dispensing tube 10 is
squeezed. Namely, the collapsible dispensing tube 10 can be
advantageously used in the same way as the way of a conventional
collapsible dispensing tube.
[0036] The external tube element 30 is desirably made of a
translucent or transparent material so that the remaining quantity
of the contents in the internal tube element 20 can be visually
checked. In this case, the remaining quantity of the contents in
the internal tube element 20 can be visually checked by seeing the
size of the internal tube element 20 through the transparent or
translucent external tube element 30. The internal tube element 20
can also be made of a translucent or transparent material.
[0037] As can be understood from the foregoing, according to the
present invention, no air comes into the collapsible dispensing
tube even if the remaining quantity of the contents of the tube is
small; moreover, at least the external part of the tube restores
substantially to its original shape after being squeezed, so that
the outward appearance of the tube is maintained. Furthermore, the
internal pressure of the air chamber between the internal and
external tube elements does not increase relative to the outside
pressure due to a variation of outside air-temperature or
atmospheric temperature. Therefore the contents of the collapsible
dispensing tube never blows out therefrom unexpectedly since the
air chamber is always communicatively connected to the outside via
the small opening.
[0038] Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of
the present invention described herein, such modifications being
within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is
indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does
not limit the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *