Paste dispenser

Abstract

The device of the present invention is a paste dispenser. The preferred embodiment is squeezable paste tube with a spout, without a neck and/or shoulders. The spout opens and closes by squeezing and releasing the paste tube, which forces the paste out of the spout. The paste tube spout may not have a cap per se, but serves as a seal when the tube is not squeezed. The present invention reduces paste wastages; eliminates additional manufacturing processes; and allows the use of one hand only.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] "Not Applicable"

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] "Not Applicable"

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] "Not Applicable"

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING "Not Applicable"

BACKGROUND

[0004] The device of the present invention is suitable for containing and dispensing pastes, such as toothpaste.

[0005] The objective of the device of this invention is to dispense paste through a self-closing spout, without having to have a tube cap, and without neck and shoulders. The tube is designed so as to open to allow the paste to be squeezed out through the spout and then close to keep the paste from oozing out. This feature can be achieved by using material that returns to its original position after use, such as firm rubber.

[0006] An advantage of having a dispenser with no cap, neck and/or shoulders, as in the present invention, is that the paste can be completely squeezed out, without the wastage that is left in ordinary toothpaste tubes. In ordinary toothpaste tubes, some of the paste accumulates around the neck and shoulders inside the dispenser.

[0007] Another advantage of the present invention is that a cap is not required. Instead of a cap, the present invention might require a freshness seal for shipping purposes. The present invention could consist of a cap, but one that may be clipped-on and is not required to be used frequently (perhaps, only in travel, for safety's sake).

[0008] Another advantage in not having a cap would also mean that the manufacturing process is affected in a way that would reduce the step of making a cap (whether screw-on, pop-open, etc.). This would also lend to a reduction in manufacturing costs and, by using less non-biodegradable material, to a more environmentally-safe product.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that one can easily squeeze out paste from the present invention by using only one hand. For instance, when using a toothpaste tube with a screw-on cap, one would need to hold the dispenser in one hand and unscrew the cap with the other. After use, the cap has to be screwed back on. The present invention eliminates this step, by having a spout that opens by squeezing the tube with one hand, thereby dispensing the paste, and then closes when the pressure on the tube is released.

[0010] An invention that is now on the market is a device that is used in squeezable containers for honey and other porous liquids. This device, however, consists of a kind of a vacuum seal that keeps the honey from pouring out, keeps the honey fresh and keeps insects from entering the container.

[0011] US Design 253,631, of Dec. 11, 1979, invented by Mr. Dennis L. Cuddy, is a "TOOTHPASTE TUBE OR THE LIKE." This device consists of a cap, neck and shoulders; whereas the device of the present invention does not have a cap, neck or shoulders. Rather, the present invention is sleek, and the flow of the paste is unimpeded by a neck and shoulders.

[0012] The preferred embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a one-piece device. It can be distributed and marketed with a freshness seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The objective of the present invention is to allow a paste dispenser to dispense paste by squeezing it and to cease dispensing the paste by releasing the pressure.

[0014] By not having a neck and/or shoulders, the present invention will significantly reduce the amount of paste wastage that accumulates inside the dispenser around the neck and shoulders.

[0015] The present invention does not require a permanent cap, thereby eliminating the process of uncapping the dispenser and eliminating the relevant manufacturing steps.

[0016] The present invention will allow one to use it using one hand only.

[0017] The preferred material is firm rubber. The spout should be made of somewhat tough or thick rubber so as to allow tight closure.

[0018] The preferred embodiment is a paste tube consisting of a spout in mouth-like form, although the spout can come in various shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a general view of the preferred embodiment with the spout in closed position.

[0020] FIG. 2. is a general view of the preferred embodiment with the spout in opened position.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 4 is side view of the preferred embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment with the spout in closed position.

[0024] FIG. 6. is a front view of the preferred embodiment with the spout in opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The following is an explanation based on the drawings of an embodiment of this invention.

[0026] A paste tube with a spout in the shape of lips as the preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows the first preferred embodiment and its physical features: a sleek shape without a neck or shoulders, and a spout in closed position 1a.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the first preferred embodiment and its physical features: a sleek shape without a neck or shoulders, and a spout in opened position 2a. Here the spout is in open position as the tube is being squeezed.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment showing a sleek shape without a neck or shoulders and a spout 3a.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment showing a sleek shape without a neck or shoulders and a spout in opened position 4a.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows the lips-shaped spout in closed position 5a.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the lips-shaped spout in opened position 6a.

DESCRIPTION

[0033] The device of the present invention is a paste dispenser. The preferred embodiment is squeezable paste tube with a spout, without a neck and/or shoulders. The spout opens and closes by squeezing and releasing the paste tube, which forces the paste out of the spout. The paste tube spout may not have a cap per se, but serves as a seal when the tube is not squeezed. The present invention reduces paste wastages; eliminates additional manufacturing processes; and allows the use of one hand only.

Claims

1. A paste dispenser comprising: a) a squeezable tube b) a spout without neck and/or shoulders

2. A paste dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the spout opens by squeezing the tube, thereby dispensing the paste, and closes by releasing the pressure on the tube, thereby containing the paste.

3. A paste dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the amount of paste wastage that accumulates inside the dispenser around the neck and shoulders is significantly reduced.

4. A paste dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the spout is made of somewhat tough or thick rubber so as to allow tight closure.

5. A paste dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the spout should be made of somewhat tougher or thicker rubber than the rest of the dispenser so as to allow tight closure.