U.S. patent application number 13/441919 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for collapsible tube container with one or more one-way valves.
This patent application is currently assigned to ANDREW CHEN. The applicant listed for this patent is ANDREW CHEN. Invention is credited to ANDREW CHEN.
Application Number | 20130264356 13/441919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49291501 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130264356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; ANDREW |
October 10, 2013 |
COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CONTAINER WITH ONE OR MORE ONE-WAY VALVES
Abstract
An improved collapsible tube container according to the present
invention is provided with one or more one-way valves affixed to
the interior of its flexible chamber to reduce backflow during the
dispensing and storage of fluid contents. Each one-way valve
approximates a hollow generalized cylinder that may be right or
tapered, and is composed of flexible material. Each valve is
arranged such that fluid moves through it in a preferred direction
toward the outflow nozzle. The functionality of the collapsible
tube container is improved by the resultant promotion of
unidirectional fluid movement.
Inventors: |
CHEN; ANDREW; (CUPERTINO,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHEN; ANDREW |
CUPERTINO |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CHEN; ANDREW
CUPERTINO
CA
|
Family ID: |
49291501 |
Appl. No.: |
13/441919 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 35/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/92 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/00 20060101
B65D035/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible tube container for dispensing and storing a fluid
product, said collapsible tube container comprising: a flexible
tubular chamber that is flattened closed and sealed at one end, and
provided at the opposite end with an outflow nozzle; a closure; and
one or more one-way valves affixed to an interior surface of the
flexible tubular chamber.
2. The collapsible tube container of claim 1, wherein walls of the
flexible tubular chamber are composed of inelastically-deformable
material.
3. The collapsible tube container of claim 1, wherein each one-way
valve approximates a hollow generalized cylinder composed of
flexible material, and is arranged coaxially with the flexible
tubular chamber and affixed to an interior surface of said flexible
tubular chamber along a periphery of a posterior edge of said
one-way valve that is distal to the outflow nozzle.
4. The collapsible tube container of claim 3, wherein an
unconstrained anterior edge of each one-way valve forms a narrower
opening than the posterior edge.
5. The collapsible tube container of claim 4, wherein each one-way
valve approximates a hollow truncated cone (frusto-conical
shell).
6. The collapsible tube container of claim 4, wherein each one-way
valve approximates a hollow truncated paraboloid
(frusto-paraboloidal shell).
7. The collapsible tube container of claim 4, wherein each one-way
valve approximates a hollow truncated neiloid (frusto-neiloidal
shell).
8. The collapsible tube container of claim 4, wherein the
unconstrained anterior edge of each one-way valve is beveled.
9. The collapsible tube container of claim 4, wherein walls of each
one-way valve embody non-uniform thickness.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to containers, and more
particularly to a collapsible tube container provided with one or
more one-way valves affixed to the interior of its flexible chamber
for the purpose of reducing backflow during the dispensing and
storage of fluid contents.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Collapsible tube containers are well-known in the prior art
and are employed in a host of applications, including the
dispensing and storage of toothpaste, pharmaceutical ointments,
cosmetics, food preparations, and other industrial and household
products.
[0008] Conventionally, a collapsible tube container embodies a
flexible, hollow cylinder that is flattened closed and transversely
sealed at one end. The opposite end of this tubular structure is
provided with a shoulder that tapers to an outflow nozzle. A
closure, such as removable cap, is provided to cover the nozzle and
seal the container for storage. The walls of the tubular chamber
may be composed of metal or plastic, or a combination thereof, as
exemplified in aluminum barrier laminate tubes. Aluminum barrier
laminate (ABL) is a material that comprises layers of metallic foil
and polymeric compositions, and is well-known to the industry. The
light-gauge metallic foil used in the ABL material allows the walls
of the collapsible tube container to deform inelastically under an
applied force.
[0009] The user dispenses the contents of a collapsible tube
container by squeezing together the walls of the tubular chamber.
This compression increases pressure within the chamber, expelling
an amount of fluid product from the container via the nozzle.
However, the squeezing action may also move an amount of fluid
product in the opposite direction, away from the nozzle and toward
the flat transverse seal. This fluid backflow effect is negligible
when the container is near full-capacity, but becomes increasingly
apparent as the container is progressively emptied. Depending on
the orientation of the tube container during storage, gravity may
also cause fluid backflow. Fluid backflow therefore introduces a
functional inefficiency to the design of the conventional
collapsible tube container, as it requires the user to repeatedly
manipulate the displaced fluid product back toward the nozzle for
dispensing.
[0010] In a prior attempt to address the fluid backflow issue in
collapsible tube containers, a movable plug, or "follower", is
provided within the chamber of a tube container (Ballin, 1967, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,297,207). According to this design, the fluid product is
situated between the nozzle and the follower, the latter of which
is sized to circumferentially abut the interior surface of the
tubular chamber. The user manipulates the follower toward the
nozzle to dispense the contents of the container. Although this
proposed design reduces the fluid backflow effect by providing a
barrier behind the advancing fluid product, it is not without
limitations. The follower occupies substantial volume within the
tube container, reducing the amount of space available for fluid
product while also increasing the overall bulk and weight of the
container.
[0011] Another previous attempt to address the fluid backflow issue
proposes a motorized dispenser for a collapsible tube container
(Bertrand, 1973, U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,533). A collapsible tube
container is situated between two rollers, which are driven toward
the nozzle by an electric motor to dispense the contents of the
container. This dispensing contraption is situated entirely within
an enclosure. While this design reduces the effect of fluid
backflow in the tube container, it suffers from several
limitations, such as the complexity of the contraption, the large
volume occupied by the enclosure, and the requirement of external
power to actuate the roller mechanisms.
[0012] The subject of one-way valves will be raised at this point,
as it is an integral concept of the present invention. One-way
valves, also referred to as "check valves" or "non-return valves",
are mechanical devices through which fluids move in one preferred
direction. The operation of one-way valves is typically automatic,
relying on the pressure differential across either end of the valve
to regulate fluid movement and promote unidirectional flow. One-way
valves are employed in a wide range of applications and embody
designs of varying materials and degrees of mechanical complexity.
Duckbill valves and the mitral valve (a.k.a. bicuspid valve), the
latter of which is situated between the left atrium and left
ventricle of the mammalian heart, are two examples of simple
one-way valves composed of flexible materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An improved collapsible tube container is provided with one
or more one-way valves affixed to the interior of its flexible
chamber. The one-way valve approximates a hollow generalized
cylinder that may be right or tapered, and is composed of flexible
material which enables it to conform to the dynamic cross-section
of the container's tubular chamber. The one-way valve is arranged
coaxially with the tubular container and is affixed to the interior
surface of the chamber along the periphery of the valve's edge that
is distal to the outflow nozzle. During dispensing, the fluid
product moves unrestricted through the one-way valve toward the
outflow nozzle, but is otherwise prevented from flowing back in the
opposite direction as the unconstrained edge of the valve collapses
together and forms a seal. The one-way valve may be provided with a
tapered profile, a beveled anterior edge, and/or non-uniform wall
thickness; these features serve to enhance the valve's sealing
capability. Multiple one-way valves may be implemented in a serial
configuration along the length of the collapsible tube container to
further reduce fluid backflow.
[0014] It is therefore a principal object of the present invention
to provide a collapsible tube container with one or more one-way
valves to reduce backflow during the dispensing and storage of
fluid contents.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to improve the
functionality of a collapsible tube container by enabling the user
to more easily and effectively dispense the contents of the
container.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved collapsible tube container that assumes a form factor and
dispensing method that are familiar to the user.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce
environmental waste by maximizing the amount of fluid product
extracted from the tube container.
[0018] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a one-way valve design that is simple, effective, and economical to
implement.
[0019] Another object of the present invention to provide a one-way
valve design that incurs a minimal increase to the bulk, weight,
and complexity of the container.
[0020] Still further objects of the present invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the present
invention, are set forth with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The present invention will be described in detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an isometric partial cutaway view of a filled
collapsible tube container with a single one-way valve, according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a filled collapsible tube
container with a tapered one-way valve, according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the arrangement from FIG.
2;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the improved collapsible
tube container from FIG. 2 during the dispensing process, in an
intermediate state of depletion;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the improved collapsible
tube container from FIG. 2 during the dispensing process, in an
advanced state of depletion;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a detailed sectional view of a collapsible tube
container with a tapered one-way valve that is provided with a
beveled anterior edge, according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a detailed sectional view of a collapsible tube
container with a tapered one-way valve that is provided with
non-uniform wall thickness, according to another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a filled collapsible tube
container with multiple one-way valves, according to yet another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Hereinafter, several embodiments of an improved collapsible
tube container provided with one or more one-way valves will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 is an isometric partial cutaway view showing the
configuration of a collapsible tube container 1 with a single
one-way valve 2, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The chamber 3 of the container 1 embodies a hollow tube
that is flattened closed at one end and provided with a transverse
seal 4. The opposite end of the tubular chamber 3 is provided with
a shoulder 5 that tapers to an outflow nozzle 6. A closure (not
shown) is provided to cover the nozzle 6 and seal the container 1
for storage. The walls of the tubular chamber 3 are composed of
flexible material such as aluminum barrier laminate, and the
container 1 is filled with a fluid product such as toothpaste.
[0032] A directional convention that will be referenced in the
ensuing descriptions and claims is hereby established: "anterior"
refers to the direction toward the outflow nozzle 6, and
"posterior" refers to the direction toward the transverse seal 4.
In a normal unstressed state, the one-way valve 2 approximates a
hollow generalized cylinder that is composed of flexible material,
which enables it to conform to the dynamic cross-sectional profile
of the tubular chamber 3. The one-way valve 2 is positioned between
the nozzle 6 and the transverse seal 4, and is arranged coaxially
with the tubular chamber 3. The one-way valve 2 is affixed to the
interior surface of the tubular chamber 3 along the periphery of
the valve's posterior edge 7.
[0033] FIG. 2 is an isometric view with visible hidden lines
showing the configuration of a collapsible tube container 8 with a
tapered one-way valve 9, according to another embodiment of the
present invention. The container 8 is filled with a fluid product
10 such as toothpaste. The one-way valve 9 is affixed to the
interior surface of the tubular chamber 3 along the periphery of
the valve's posterior edge 11. The narrower anterior edge 12 of the
one-way valve 9 protrudes unconstrained toward the outflow nozzle
6. To this effect, the one-way valve 9 may approximate a hollow
truncated cone (frusto-conical shell), a hollow truncated
paraboloid (frusto-paraboloidal shell), a hollow truncated neiloid
(frusto-neiloidal shell), or any axially-revolved profile with an
anterior edge that forms an opening narrower than the posterior
edge. The tapered profile of the one-way valve 9 causes fluid
product 10 that is moving in the posterior direction to be directed
away from the valve's lumen. This enhances the sealing capability
of the valve 9 and results in further reduction of fluid
backflow.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a medial sectional view showing the improved
collapsible tube container 8 from FIG. 2. The container 8 is filled
with a fluid product 10. The tapered one-way valve 9 is affixed to
the interior surface of the container's tubular chamber 3 along the
periphery of the valve's posterior edge 11. The valve's narrower
anterior edge 12 is unconstrained and protrudes toward the outflow
nozzle 6.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a medial sectional view showing the improved
collapsible tube container 8 from FIG. 2 during the dispensing
process, in an intermediate state of depletion. The user 13
unfastens the closure from the outflow nozzle 6 and dispenses the
fluid product 10 by squeezing together the walls of the tubular
chamber 3. Arrows 14 visualize the fluid product movement that
results from the compression applied by the user 13. The fluid
product 10 moves toward the nozzle 6 with negligible resistance
from the one-way valve 9. The walls of the tubular chamber 3
converge under the compressive force applied by the user 13, and
the flexible valve 9 conforms to the flattened profile of the
tubular chamber 3.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a medial sectional view showing the improved
collapsible tube container 8 from FIG. 2 during the dispensing
process, in an advanced state of depletion. The user 13 squeezes
together the walls of the tubular chamber 3 at a location between
the outflow nozzle 6 and the one-way valve 9. Arrows 15 visualize
the fluid product movement that results from this compression. The
user's squeezing action displaces the fluid product 10 in opposite
directions originating from the point of compression--both toward
the outflow nozzle 6 and toward the transverse seal 4. The fluid 10
that is moving backward in the direction of the transverse seal 4
causes the narrower anterior edge 12 of the flexible one-way valve
9 to collapse together. This forms a seal and prevents fluid 10
from flowing back through the lumen of the one-way valve 9 toward
the transverse seal 4.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a medial sectional view showing the detail of a
collapsible tube container 16 with a tapered one-way valve 17 that
is provided with a beveled anterior edge 18 during the dispensing
process, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The anterior edge 18 of the one-way valve 17 is beveled, causing
fluid product 10 that is moving in the posterior direction to be
directed away from the valve's lumen. Arrows 19 visualize the fluid
product movement. The beveled anterior edge 18 enhances the sealing
capability of the one-way valve 17, resulting in further reduction
of fluid backflow.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a medial sectional view showing the detail of a
collapsible tube container 20 with a tapered one-way valve 21, said
valve provided with non-uniform wall thickness, during the
dispensing process, according to another embodiment of the present
invention. The wall thickness of the one-way valve 21 is varied to
optimize its structural characteristics for the purpose of
enhancing the valve's sealing capability. Arrows 22 visualize the
fluid product movement. This feature further reduces the likelihood
of fluid product 10 entering back through the one-way valve 21 in
the posterior direction.
[0039] FIG. 8 is an isometric view with visible hidden lines
showing a filled collapsible tube container 23 with multiple
one-way valves 24, 25, according to yet another embodiment of the
present invention. The serial implementation of the one-way valves
24, 25 facilitates the control of fluid product movement,
particularly in tube containers of larger diameter and/or length.
Additionally, the one-way valves 24, 25 may be provided with
tapered profiles, beveled anterior edges, and/or non-uniform wall
thicknesses to further enhance their sealing capabilities.
[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above described
embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within a scope not
departing from the spirit or thought of the present invention that
can be read from the claims of the patent application and the whole
specification, and such a modified container is also included in
the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *