U.S. patent number 3,726,446 [Application Number 05/189,154] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-10 for combined closure and dispensing cap for tubes and bottles.
Invention is credited to John A. Hays.
United States Patent |
3,726,446 |
Hays |
April 10, 1973 |
COMBINED CLOSURE AND DISPENSING CAP FOR TUBES AND BOTTLES
Abstract
Dual function of the closing device comprises an outer threaded
retainer encasing a valve including a flexible flap which functions
in one direction as dispenser and in the other direction as a seal
when forced against the valve seat. The threaded retainer is
constructed with threads at each end retaining a floating valve.
The device is constructed and arranged to function as a dispenser
when secured to a tube at one end and as a closure or seal when
secured at the opposite end.
Inventors: |
Hays; John A. (Raymondville,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
22696159 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/189,154 |
Filed: |
October 14, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/513; 222/96;
137/855; 222/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
47/2018 (20130101); Y10T 137/7891 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
47/04 (20060101); B65D 47/20 (20060101); B67d
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/493,96,490,491,492,511,512,544,494,539,495,496,545,513,562
;137/269.5,525.3,533,525.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Rolla; Joseph J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A closure device for a flexible paste tube or container
comprising:
a. an outer retainer comprising a cylindrical structure having an
inner wall, and an exterior wall, a cap end, and a discharge
end,
b. valve open threads constructed in the said inner wall adjacent
the cap end,
c. valve closure threads constructed in the said inner wall
adjacent the discharge end,
d. a floating valve of a substantially cylindrical configuration
mounted in said outer retainer juxtaposed said valve open threads
and said valve closed threads, said floating valve further
comprising,
1. a valve shoulder adjacent said discharge end of said outer
retainer, and
2. a valve closure ring adjacent said cap end of said outer
retainer, and
e. a flexible valve flap constructed integral with said floating
valve, said flexible valve positioned substantially at the center
of said floating valve, said floating valve further comprising:
f. a valve seat adjacent said flexible valve flap, said flap
contacting said seat and securely closing said container when said
floating valve is urged in the direction of the cap end of said
cylindrical outer retainer.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said floating valve comprises a
valve cone having a base an an apex projecting into said floating
valve, the base of said cone originating adjacent said valve
closure ring and the apex of said cone terminating adjacent said
flexible valve flap.
3. The invention of claim 1
further comprising a valve open retaining collar constructed in the
said discharge end of said outer retainer, said valve open
retaining collar receiving and retaining said floating valve in an
open configuration adjacent the discharge end of said cylindrical
structure.
4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a valve closure
retaining collar constructed in the said cap end of said outer
retainer, said closure retaining collar contacting and securely
retaining said valve closure ring thereby securely retaining said
flexible flap in contact with said flap valve seat.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a closure and
dispensing mechanism for containers of paste like material such as
toothpaste or creams. The invention is particularly suited as a
closure dispenser for collapsible tube-type container or a
collapsible plastic bottle.
2. Description of Prior Art
In the conventional tube cap or closure device, the cap is removed
to dispense and threadably screwed to the tube to close. When the
cap is removed, the content dries or the carrier evaporates and the
content hardens.
Numerous attempts have been made to solve this problem. All of the
specialized devices known to your inventor which permits a
loosening of the cap and dispensing while affording some measure of
sealing when not in use requires specialized construction of the
tube. The dispensing neck of a particularly designed tube is
utilized in conjunction with the modified cap. Numerous devices
have been conceived and patented; however, their scarcity in the
market place leads one to surmise the cost of construction of a
specialized tube has discouraged commercial use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention of this device is designed for use in combination
with the conventional widely known open neck threaded toothpaste
tube or similar containers. The closure device comprises an outer
retainer encasing a floating valve. The retainer is threaded at
each end above and below the floating valve which includes a
flexible hinge flap which is constructed in a particular manner
that when urged in one direction functions as a ribbon-like
dispenser and when urged in the opposite direction, contacts the
valve seat and securely closes the container. Either end of the
retainer may be screwably secured to the tube. In the open mode of
attachment the device functions as a dispenser under pressure and
as a flexed closure seal when under no pressure. In the closed mode
of attachment of the device, the valve flap is forced against the
valve seat and the container sealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the attached drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a sectionalized view of the assembled device
attached to a tube like container in the sealed mode of
attachment.
FIG. 2 depicts a sectionalized view of the assembled device
attached to a tube like container in the dispensing mode of
attachment.
FIG. 3 is a sectionalized view of the outer retainer.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the outer retainer taken substantially on
line 4--4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 5 is a sectionalized view of the floating valve.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the floating valve taken substantially on
line 6--6 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the floating valve taken substantially
on line 7--7 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For a detailed description of the construction and utilization of
the preferred embodiment reference is made to the attached several
views wherein like reference characters are utilized throughout the
several views and the following detailed description to depict
similar or equivalent components.
The device of this invention is designed to be used in conjunction
with a collapsible tube 9 of the conventional widely used
construction or similar type threadably enclosed container. The
device of this invention is constructed with a looped like outer
retainer 10 which may be constructed of plastic in two sections and
therma welded with the outer retainer 10 encasing the floating
valve 11 which is molded of a flexible plastic in a unitary
structure. The outer retainer 10 circling the floating valve 11 has
constructed in one end valve open threads 12 and in the opposite
end the valve closed threads 13. The outer retainer would
accordingly comprise a discharge end 14 and a cap end 15. The outer
retainer 10 has constructed in each end approximately three
threaded sections which project outward from each end of the
retainer 10 and comprise a valve open retaining collar 16 and a
valve close retaining collar 17. The floating valve 11 has
constructed adjacent the discharge end 14 of the outer retainer 10
a valve shoulder 18 which projects through and around the valve
open retaining collar 16 to present a smooth surface for dispensing
the contents of the tube 9 in the dispensing mode of operation. The
bottom edge of the floating valve has constructed in its
circumferential extremity a valve closure ring 19 which will
contact and be retained by the valve closure retaining collar 17
when the device is utilized in closure mode of operation as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Floating valve 11 has constructed in its
center section a flexible hingedly secured valve flap 20 which may
be constructed with grooved detents forming a valve hinge 21
illustrated in FIG. 5. Proceeding from the tube 9 when the device
is utilized in a dispensing mode of operation as illustrated in
FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, there is constructed in the body of the floating
valve 11 valve cone 22 which facilitates the transfer of pressure
to the flexible valve flap 20 to function dispensing the content of
the tube 9. When the outer retainer 10 is secured to the tube 9 in
the closure mode of operation as illustrated in FIG. 1 valve flap
20 is so constructed and arranged as to be forced against valve
seat 23 to seal the content of tube 9. The construction and
arrangement of this valve seat 23 and valve flap 20 is perhaps best
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.
The device of this invention and the assembly in the closure mode
of operation is illustrated in FIG. 1 depicting the product as
normally sold. The removal of the outer retainer 10 because the
compatible method of construction carries with it floating valve
11. The reversal of the device and the securing of the combination
to the tube 9 by means of the valve open threads 12 places the
device in a dispensing mode of operation. Pressure applied to the
tube 9 in the configuration assembly as illustrated in FIG. 2
results in the content of the tube transfer of pressure through
valve cone 22 applying pressure to the inner side of valve flap 20
which results in a ribbon like dispensing of the content of tube 9.
When pressure is no longer applied to tube 9 and is content, the
flexible valve flap 20 closes, sealing and retaining the moisture
content of the tube 9. For purpose of travel or other reasons the
outer retainer may be reversed and valve closure threads 13
attached to tube 9 and container securely sealed as illustrated in
FIG. 1.
Having described my invention, its construction and use in detail,
what is desired to be claimed is all equivalent structures not
departing from the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *