U.S. patent application number 14/968191 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for sealable packaging device and related method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Galderma S.A.. Invention is credited to Sebastien FILY.
Application Number | 20160167837 14/968191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54936777 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160167837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FILY; Sebastien |
June 16, 2016 |
SEALABLE PACKAGING DEVICE AND RELATED METHOD
Abstract
A packaging device includes an expandable and collapsible tube,
for receiving a product therein. The tube has a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end. A closed-cell foam plug is compressible and
insertable in the compressed state at least partially into the open
end of the tube. Upon expanding, the foam plug closes and seals the
open end of the tube.
Inventors: |
FILY; Sebastien; (Mont
Royal, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Galderma S.A. |
Cham |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
54936777 |
Appl. No.: |
14/968191 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62091231 |
Dec 12, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/200 ;
53/469 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 7/2878 20130101;
B65B 3/16 20130101; B65B 7/02 20130101; B65B 7/14 20130101; B65D
39/12 20130101; B65B 51/10 20130101; B65B 7/2821 20130101; B65D
35/44 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/12 20060101
B65D039/12; B65D 35/44 20060101 B65D035/44; B65B 51/10 20060101
B65B051/10; B65B 3/16 20060101 B65B003/16; B65B 7/02 20060101
B65B007/02 |
Claims
1. A packaging device comprising: an expandable and collapsible
tube, for receiving a product therein, the tube having a sidewall,
a closed end and an open end; and a closed-cell foam plug,
insertable in a compressed state at least partially into the open
end of the tube and thereafter permitted to expand to engage, close
and seal the open end of the tube.
2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the plug forms
substantially fluid-tight compression seal.
3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tube and the foam
plug define substantially the same melting point.
4. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tube and the foam
plug are both constructed of polyethylene.
5. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tube and the foam
plug are both constructed of polypropylene.
6. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tube and foam plug
are generally cylindrical, and wherein a diameter of the foam plug
in the expanded state is at least slightly greater than a diameter
of the open end of the tube.
7. A packaging method comprising: filling an expandable and
collapsible tube with a product via an open end thereof;
compressing a closed-cell foam plug; inserting the compressed foam
plug at least partially into the open end of the tube; and closing
and sealing the open end of the tube upon expansion of the foam
plug.
8. The packaging method of claim 7, wherein the tube and the foam
plug are generally cylindrical.
9. The packaging method of claim 8, wherein the compressing step
comprises compressing the closed-cell foam plug to a diameter
smaller than a diameter of the open end of the tube and wherein the
sealing step comprises permitting the foam plug to expand and
engage the tube, forming a substantially fluid-tight compression
seal.
10. The packaging method of claim 7, wherein the inserting step
comprises inserting the compressed foam plug a depth at least equal
to a width of the open end of the tube.
11. The packaging method of claim 7, wherein the sealing step
comprises heating the foam plug and the open end of the tube to
sealingly join together the foam plug and the tube.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/091,231, filed on Dec. 12, 2014, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to a packaging
device, and more particularly to a packaging device comprising a
tube for receiving a product therein, sealable by a foam plug.
[0003] Packaging products in some form of a collapsible tube or
pouch is common practice. For example, topical formulations, e.g.,
gel, ointment, cream, shampoo and lotion, pharmaceutical products,
cosmetic products and the like, are often packaged and sealed in a
form of collapsible tube or pouch. Typically, the tube is filled
with the product via an open end thereof, the open end being
thereafter heat sealed with the product contained inside the
tube.
[0004] One drawback of heat sealing the open end of the tube is
that the temperature at which the opposing layers of the
thermoplastic tube material, e.g., polyethylene and/or
polypropylene, are sealed together is often too high for a heat
sensitive product within the tube. Thus, heating sealing the tube
may damage or degrade the product contained therein. One approach
to addressing this drawback has been to form the tube of a material
which can be heat sealed at lower temperatures, e.g., Surlyn.RTM.
Ionomer Resin, sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of
Wilmington, Del., in order to mitigate damage or degradation of the
product. However, such materials are often not chemically
compatible with the product contained in the tube, or are not
recognized and/or approved by the appropriate regulatory
agency.
[0005] Therefore, it would be advantageous to manufacture an easily
sealable packaging device, sealable in a manner that avoids damage
or degradation to a product contained within the package, while
also not running afoul of associated regulatory requirements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, one aspect of the present invention is
directed to a packaging device. The packaging device comprises an
expandable and collapsible tube and a closed-cell foam plug. The
tube includes a sidewall, a closed end and an open end, and is for
receiving product therein. The foam plug is insertable in a
compressed state at least partially into the open end of the tube
and is then permitted to expand to close and seal the open end of
the tube.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention is directed a packaging
method comprising the steps of: (1) filling an expandable and
collapsible tube with a product via an open end of the tube, (2)
compressing a closed-cell foam plug, (3) inserting the compressed
foam plug at least partially into the open end of the tube, and (4)
sealing the open end of the tube by permitting the foam plug to
expand to close and seal the open end of the tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited
to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the
drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1A is an elevational view of a tube of a packaging
device of the present invention, depicting the step of filling the
tube with a product;
[0010] FIG. 1B is an elevational view of the tube of the packaging
device of FIG. 1A, and a foam plug of the packaging device of the
present invention in an original expanded state, depicting the step
of compressing the foam plug into a temporary compressed state for
insertion into an open end of the tube;
[0011] FIG. 1C is an elevational view of the foam plug of FIG. 1B
in the temporary compressed state, depicting the step of inserting
the plug into the tube; and
[0012] FIG. 1D is an elevational view of the foam plug after
insertion into open end of the tube, depicting the step of the foam
plug expanding and sealing the open end of the tube.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0013] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "lower," "bottom,"
"upper" and "top" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly," "outwardly," "upwardly"
and "downwardly" refer to directions toward and away from,
respectively, the geometric center of the packaging device, and
designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present
disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms "a,"
"an" and "the" are not limited to one element, but instead should
be read as meaning "at least one." The terminology includes the
words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar
import.
[0014] It should also be understood that the terms "about,"
"approximately," "generally," "substantially" and like terms, used
herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a
component of the invention, indicate that the described
dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and
does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally
similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical
parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and
industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding,
measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances,
etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.
[0015] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals
indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D a
packaging device, generally designated 10, according to the present
invention. The packaging device 10 is adapted for sealingly
packaging any of a numerous variety of products, such as, for
example, without limitation, topical formulations, e.g., gel, oil,
cream, shampoo, and lotion, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic
products and the like.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the packaging device 10 comprises a
pouch or tube 12, sealable by a foam plug 14. In the illustrated
embodiment, the tube 12 is generally cylindrical in shape, for,
example, without limitation, in the shape of a toothpaste tube,
having a sidewall 12a, a closed end 12b connecting to the sidewall
12a at one end, and an opposing open end 12c (prior to sealing).
However, as should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art, the tube 12 may take the form of any of numerous different
shapes, while having an opening sufficient for inserting a product
into the tube 12.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 12 is a flexible
tube that is expandable and collapsible, defining an initial
diameter D.sub.1 in the collapsed state. The tube 12 is preferably
formed of a polymeric material that is substantially impermeable to
direct light and oxygen, in order to minimize degradation or damage
to a product packaged within the tube 12. For example, the tube 12
may be formed of a thermoplastic material such as, for example,
without limitation, polyethylene ("PE") or polypropylene ("PP").
However, as should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art, the tube 12 may be formed of any of numerous different
materials, currently known or that later become known, providing
generally the same properties for the tube 12 as described herein.
Additionally, the tube 12 may be formed of a single layer of
material, or multiple laminated, or otherwise bound layers, e.g.,
via intermediate copolymer layers. As also should be understood,
the tube 12 may be appropriately sized for receiving the desired
volume of product, such as, for example, without limitation, within
the range of about 5 ml to about 200 ml.
[0018] Referring to the foam plug 14, the plug 14 is formed of a
closed-cell foam, such that the plug 14 is substantially fluid,
i.e., gas and liquid, impermeable as should be understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art, and conformable, i.e., squeezable,
from a naturally expanded state (FIG. 1B) to a temporarily
compressed state (FIG. 1C). In the illustrated embodiment, the foam
plug 14 is cylindrical in shape, to correspond with the shape of
the open end 12c of the tube 12, as described further below.
However, as should be understood, the foam plug 14 may take the
form of any of numerous different shapes, complimentary to the
opening 12c of the tube 12. In the expanded state, as shown in FIG.
1B, the foam plug 14 defines a diameter D.sub.2 which is greater
than the inside diameter D.sub.1 of the open end 12c of the tube
12. The foam plug 14 is compressible into the temporary compressed
state (FIG. 1C) to define a diameter D.sub.3 which is smaller than
the diameter D.sub.1 of the open end 12c of the tube 12, in order
to insert the foam plug 14 into the open end 12c of the tube 12, as
described further below.
[0019] The foam plug 14 is generally formed of the same or
substantially the same material as the inner surface of the tube
12, thereby avoiding undesirable interaction between the tube 12
and the foam plug 14 when the plug 14 is inserted into the open end
12c of the tube 12. For example, if the inner surface of the tube
12 is formed of PE, then the foam plug 14 is formed of PE, and if
the inner surface of the tube 12 is formed of PP, then the foam
plug 14 is formed of PP. Accordingly, the tube 12 and the foam plug
14 have substantially the same melting point.
[0020] In use, the foam plug 14 is initially unattached from the
tube 12, and the tube 12 is filled with a product via the open end
12c thereof, as shown in FIG. 1A. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1B
and 1C, the foam plug 14 is compressed into a compressed state,
such that the diameter D.sub.3 of the plug 14 is at least slightly
smaller than the diameter D.sub.1 of the open end 12c of the tube
12, and the foam plug 14 is inserted at least partially into the
open end 12c. Preferably, the foam plug 14 is inserted to a depth
into the tube 12 at least equivalent to the diameter (or width)
D.sub.1 of the open end 12c to ensure an appropriate fluid-tight
seal sufficiently resistant to inadvertent opening. Once inserted
into the open end 12c of the tube 12, as shown in FIG. 1D, the foam
plug 14 naturally returns to substantially the original expanded
state thereof, thereby elastically stretching the open end 12c of
the flexible tube 12 to define a diameter D.sub.4 of the open end
12c substantially equivalent to (but preferably at least slightly
less than) the diameter D.sub.2 of the foam plug 14 in the expanded
state. Thus, the plug 14 exerts a circumferential, radially
outwardly directed force onto the tube 12, and the tube 12 exerts a
circumferential, radially inwardly directed force onto the plug 14,
forming a substantially fluid-tight compression seal between the
open end 12c of the tube 12 and foam plug 14.
[0021] For removing the product from the sealed packaging device
10, the foam plug 14 must be pulled out from the tube 12 with
sufficient force to overcome the compressive force between the tube
12 and plug 14. Thereafter, the foam plug 14 may be compressed and
re-inserted into the tube 12 in the same manner as described above
to re-seal the tube 12. Alternatively, the foam plug 14 may be
permanently sealed in the open end 12c of the tube 12 and the
closed end 12b of the tube 12 may contain, for example, a removable
and resealable cap, to allow access to the product.
[0022] In some embodiments, adhesive, or some other such material,
may be applied around the exterior of the foam plug 14 prior to
insertion into the tube 12, such that a substantially fluid-tight
seal therebetween is formed both by the adhesive attachment of the
plug 14 to the tube 12 and the compression seal. In some
embodiments, the top portion 14a of the foam plug 14 that remains
external to the tube 12 after insertion of the plug 14 may also be
heated to sealingly join with the top edge 12d of the open end 12c
of the tube 12, thereby minimizing heat delivery to the product
contained within the tube 12 and avoiding damage thereto.
[0023] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiment described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof It is
understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *