U.S. patent application number 11/650632 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for metal packaging insert for a collapsible, flexible, plastic tube.
Invention is credited to Robert T. Scott.
Application Number | 20070205217 11/650632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470621 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205217 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scott; Robert T. |
September 6, 2007 |
Metal packaging insert for a collapsible, flexible, plastic
tube
Abstract
A malleable metal insert installed longitudinally in the
container cavity of a squeezable, flexible, collapsible wall,
plastic container used to package and dispense viscous material.
The insert is made from malleable, bendable metal such as copper,
aluminum or steel and can be protectively coated to avoid chemical
reaction with the packaged product. The insert is installed before
or after the tube and contents are sealed. When the tube is
squeezed and folded/rolled, the malleable insert bends and conforms
to the folded/rolled tube holding the folded tube in position
permitting the tube to be either partially or fully emptied.
Inventors: |
Scott; Robert T.;
(Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert T. Scott
11875 Little Creek Xing
Alpharetta
GA
30005
US
|
Family ID: |
38470621 |
Appl. No.: |
11/650632 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60772935 |
Feb 13, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/107 ;
222/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 35/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/107 ;
222/92 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/00 20060101
B65D035/00 |
Claims
1- A metal insert installed in a squeezable, collapsible wall,
plastic tube container/dispenser comprising a length of malleable,
hand bendable metal material, corresponding to the inner dimensions
of the container, installed longitudinally in the contents cavity
of such type container/dispenser which holds the tube in position
as it is folded/rolled.
2- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a length of
standard, round, wire configured in a geometric shape to fit the
width and length of the tube cavity.
3- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a narrow strip
of flat sheet metal configured in a geometric shape to fit the
width and length of the tube cavity.
4- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a piece of flat
sheet metal sized to fit the width and length of the tube cavity
and further configured with openings in the body of the insert.
5- A metal insert installed in a squeezable, collapsible wall,
plastic tube container/dispenser comprising a length of malleable,
hand bendable metal coated with a protective non-corrosive material
sized to correspond to the inner dimensions of the container and
installed longitudinally in the contents cavity of such type
container/dispenser which holds the tube in position as it is
folded/rolled.
6- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a length of
standard, round, wire configured in a geometric shape to fit the
width and length of the tube cavity.
7- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a narrow strip
of flat sheet metal configured in a geometric shape to fit the
width and length of the tube cavity.
8- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a piece of flat
sheet metal sized to fit the width and length of the tube cavity
and further configured with openings in body of the insert.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims all rights and priorities under
provisional patent application No. 60/772,935 filed Feb. 13,
2006
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a malleable metal insert for a
plastic type flexible, squeezable tube. This device permits
efficient emptying of the tube and negates the tendency of this
type tube to return to the original shape when external pressure is
removed.
[0003] Many types of viscous materials, such as gels, liquids,
pastes, and the like, are sold in flexible, plastic tubes having
one sealed end and a narrow nozzle end with a closure means, such
as a valve or cap. The early collapsible wall dispensers were metal
tubes, constructed primarily of lead type material. This type tube
emptied easily as the tube was squeezed and rolled, retaining any
altered shape which made it very convenient for the ultimate user.
Metal gave way to plastic which has proved versatile and
economical. Presently the large majority of these flexible tubes
are made from either extruded or laminated plastic. The viscous
product to be dispensed from the flexible tube is inserted in the
end which has not been sealed. The filled tube is sealed and the
ultimate user dispenses the contents by squeezing and folding the
tube forcing the material out the dispensing end of the tube. It is
well known that such tubes do not efficiently expel the contents.
The plastic tube has an inherent tendency to return to the original
shape once external pressure is released. To empty the entire
contents at one time requires a constant pressure using a two
handed grip. If pressure is released, you have to start over. This
same tendency makes repeated use such as dispensing tooth paste,
creams and like materials particularly difficult, requiring a new
start with each subsequent use. Numerous attempts have been made to
solve the problem of emptying the tube. Known means include
external devices of slide tools, squeezing tools, rollers and
methods of keeping the contents at the dispensing end of the tube
by hanging the tube from the non-cap end or standing the tube on
the cap end. Various degrees of success have been obtained but
there still exists the need of an economical means for
expelling/dispensing viscous material packaged in modern flexible,
plastic tubes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention utilizes a one piece malleable, metal insert
installed inside a collapsible wall plastic tube container along
with the tube contents. As the tube is squeezed and folded/rolled,
the metal bends to conform to the tube and holds the tube in the
folded/rolled position. The metal insert enhances the plastic tube
with the desirable emptying and shape holding characteristics of a
metal tube.
[0005] The objective of this invention is a means that:
a--improves the dispensing of viscous material from a collapsible
wall, plastic tube container. b--incorporates the characteristics
of a metal collapsible tube container/dispenser into the versatile
and economical plastic tube container/dispenser. c--provides a user
friendly tube that is convenient, easy to use, economical and
compatible with present plastic tube designs and manufacturing
processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 represents a plastic tube.
[0007] FIG. 2 represents a -U-shaped bent wire insert with the legs
spread outward at an angle.
[0008] FIG. 3 represents a -V-shaped bent wire insert.
[0009] FIG. 4 represents a flat sheet metal insert with slotted
openings.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0010] 1--tube body
[0011] 2--dispensing end
[0012] 3--sealed end
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a collapsible wall plastic tube
representing the tube relating to this invention. This tube is made
from extruded plastic or laminated plastic and shipped to the
manufacture/distributor with the dispensing end (2) either a capped
or sealed dispensing spout. The closure end (3) is open permitting
the tube to be filled and sealed. The sealed end forms a narrow
flattened area across the end of the tube. The ultimate user
dispenses the product by squeezing and folding the tube forcing the
material out the dispenser end (2) of the tube. Release of external
pressure at any point allows the tube to return to the original
shape as plastic has this inherent characteristic.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a -U-shaped bent wire insert with the legs of
the insert spread outward. The insert is formed from a malleable
metal material such as copper, aluminum, steel or like material.
Some viscous products react with metal in which case the metal can
be coated with a protective material. An insert made of round wire
will be satisfactory for most size tubes. However the insert can be
rolled and flattened or made from flat metal strips. Wire sizes as
small as AWG 20 can be used in small tubes with wire sizes
increased as necessary. The wire size and material is determined by
the characteristics of a specific tube. The flexibility of plastic
tubes varies according to the type of material used and the
thickness and flexibility of the walls. The insert is installed in
the plastic tube during manufacturing process or during the filling
process. The metal insert does not require close fitting to the
tube length leaving adequate space for sealing of the tube end. The
width of the insert conforms to the tube diameter with the legs of
the insert sufficiently stiff enough to hold the insert in place
for shipping and filling. The function of the metal insert is to
allow the tube to be folded and rolled and then hold the tube and
insert in position once folded or rolled.
[0015] Many plastic tube containers such as used for tooth paste
and like materials have openings of 1/8 inch or larger in the
dispensing end of the tube. The -V-shaped insert design shown in
figure (3) can be inserted point first through this opening after
the tube is filled. An opening of 1/8 inch (0.125 in) will
accommodate an insert made of wire size AWG 16 (0.051 in) or
smaller. Care is taken to avoid tube punctures such as rounding the
point of the -V- and also limiting the depth of the insert. Once
inside the tube, the legs of the insert will spread outward. After
the first fold is made; the metal insert is secured in position.
The -V-shaped insert can also be use in the same manner as the
-U-shape described above. Wire diameters measuring less than 0.050
inch will handle most "bent wire designs" such as -U- and -V-.
Narrow metal strips of similar thickness with a width of 0.25 inch
or less can also be used in place of wire.
[0016] FIG. 4 represents a flat sheet metal insert with slotted
openings in the body of the insert. While slotted openings are
shown, most any shape would be satisfactory. Openings are necessary
to permit the packaged viscous contents to move freely through the
tube. This insert is made from sheet aluminum, copper or alloy
steel similar that used in the food canning industry. If desired,
this insert could be coated with a protective material. As with the
wire insert, material size, stiffness/malleability is determined by
the flexibility and stiffness of the tube. Sheet metal inserts
measuring 0.050 inch or less in thickness would be adequate for
most tubes. This insert is installed in the tube prior to sealing
the tube in the same manner as previously described for the
-U-shaped wire inserts. While the drawing in FIG. 3 shows a
rectangular shape for the strip insert, the outer edges can be
angled outward as described for the wire insert.
[0017] In most cases an uncoated metal material would be
satisfactory for any of the described inserts. Any petroleum based
product and many others will not react with metals. A plastic or
other type coating that would not react with the packaged product
could be used as necessary. Of the several insert materials
described, a steel or steel alloy material of the type used for
canned food products would be an economical choice for either the
wire or metal strip insert.
[0018] All of the described inserts can be installed from the open
end of the tube before it is filled and sealed. The -V-shaped
insert can also be installed through the dispensing end of the tube
after the tube is filled. Any of the described inserts will permit
the tube to be squeezed and rolled/folded from the bottom. This
will assist in expelling or dispensing the contents as well as hold
the shape of the rolled/folded empty tube or partially emptied
tube. All the desirable characteristics of the metal tube are
incorporated into the plastic tube at a reasonable cost. No
modifications are required in present tube designs. There is the
one added sequence of installing the insert.
[0019] While various bent wire designs can be used, the preferred
embodiment of this invention is the bent wire design of either the
-U-shape or the -V-shape depending on the user's choice. The
-V-shaped is particularly suited to installation through the
dispensing end of the tube, however, it can also be installed
before the tube is sealed. It's obvious that other bent wire or
narrow strip metal designs such as (T), (L) or other shapes could
be used. The objective is to have the insert extend the length of
the tube with sufficient width to hold the insert in position
during the filling process. The chemical make up of the packaged
contents would determine the need for a protective coating on the
insert.
[0020] Several embodiments of this invention have been disclosed.
The user has options of coated or uncoated metal materials shaped
from wire, flat sheet or flat strip metal stock. In addition to
material options, various geometric designs for the insert are
described. Insert size and design can be varied to suit the tube
size and construction material used for the plastic tube. Other
options would be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of this invention which is limited only as
defined by the following listed claims.
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