U.S. patent number RE36,035 [Application Number 08/966,424] was granted by the patent office on 1999-01-12 for plural chambered squeezable dispensing tube.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Enamelon, Inc.. Invention is credited to Norman Usen, Anthony E. Winston.
United States Patent |
RE36,035 |
Usen , et al. |
January 12, 1999 |
Plural chambered squeezable dispensing tube
Abstract
The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies
in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments
until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the
invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a
novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into
separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting
dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material
from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense
predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously
and effectively.
Inventors: |
Usen; Norman (Marlboro, NJ),
Winston; Anthony E. (East Brunswick, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Enamelon, Inc. (East Brunswick,
NJ)
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Family
ID: |
24245979 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/966,424 |
Filed: |
November 7, 1997 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
562363 |
Nov 22, 1995 |
05628429 |
May 13, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1; 222/94;
53/469; 53/474; 141/113; 215/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
35/22 (20130101); B65B 3/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
35/00 (20060101); B65D 35/22 (20060101); B67B
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/1,94,107
;53/469,474 ;141/113 ;215/2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Huson; Gregory L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Depaoli & Frenkel, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A substantially planar partition-forming member suitable for
insertion into a dispensing tube to form a partition and two
separate and discrete compartments within the tube; said tube
having a dispensing end with affixed thereto a shoulder and a neck
terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a
closing cap and an open filling end into which the
partition-forming member is inserted prior to filling;
said partition-forming member having a configuration such that when
inserted into the tube.[.;.]..Iadd.:.Iaddend.
(i) the end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the
dispensing end of the tube is substantially equal to the inner
diameter of the neck and extends into said neck,
(ii) the adjacent portion thereto conforms to the shape of the tube
shoulder,
(iii) the mid-portion extends within the tube and has a width
corresponding to at least one half the inner-circumference of the
tube; and
(iv) the terminal end of the partition-forming member corresponding
to the filling end of the tube has a width substantially equal to
one half the inner-circumference of said tube,
said partition-forming member .[.being scored.]. .Iadd.having
foldable portions .Iaddend.along each longitudinal side at a
distance from the edge thereof such that when fully inserted into
the tube the partition-forming member folds along the .[.scoring.].
.Iadd.foldable portions, .Iaddend.thereby providing a spine between
the .[.scoring.]. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and
.Iadd.further providing .Iaddend.two flaps adjacent .[.thereto.].
.Iadd.to the foldable portions.Iaddend.; and
said partition-forming member being comprised of a material
sufficiently resilient that such member tends to revert to its
original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps
against the inner surface of the tube and providing a seal along
the longitudinal edge with said inner surface of the tube.
2. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the dispensing
end of said member is provided with diametrically opposed notches
which engage a collet positioned on the inner periphery of the neck
when inserted therethrough.
3. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is
die cut.
4. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is
comprised of a material which is bondable with a surface of the
tube.
5. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is
formed from plastic sheet material, board material coated with a
polymeric material, or a combination thereof.
6. The partition-forming member of claim 5, wherein said member
comprises an inner layer of a board material and two outer layers
of polymeric sheet material, the total planar dimensions of said
polymeric sheets being greater than those of the paper board
thereby resulting in a polymeric sheet to polymeric sheet
overlapping in a plane with and around the edge of said member and
said overlappping of sheets being laminated together to form a
flexible sealing gasket in a plane with and around the edge of said
member.
7. The partition-forming member of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.39
.Iaddend.which is comprised of two similar .[.inserts.].
.Iadd.insert .Iaddend.members positioned and adhered together so as
to form one integral planar spine having four longitudinal scores
and four oppositally projecting folds.
8. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the edges of the
flaps are cut at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing
direction of each flap.
9. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the edges of
said member which contact the inner surface of the tube are
provided with noncontaminating sealing material.
10. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the terminal
dispensing end of said member is of a configuration which
compliments that of the inner surface of the closing cap and when
said member extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the
neck for a sufficient distance it forms a lineal seal within the
cap.
11. A dual compartment dispensing tube assembly, comprising:
a tubular container body having a dispensing end and affixed
thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice
and adapted to receive a closing cap, and a filling end which is
sealed after contents are placed in said compartments;
said tubular container body .[.have.]. .Iadd.having
.Iaddend.positioned therein a substantially planar
partition-forming insert which provides two adjacent compartments
defined by a common wall segment and a pair of outer arcuate
walls;
said planar insert having a configuration generally conforming to
that of the tube if flattened and comprising an end portion which
is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and which
extends .[.through the orifice formed by.]. .Iadd.into the
.Iaddend.the neck, an adjacent portion conforming to the inside
shape of the tube shoulder, a mid-portion extending axially within
the tube and having a width of at least about one half the inner
circumference of the tube, and a terminal end positioned within the
filling end of the tube and having a width substantially equal to
one half the inner-circumference of said tube;
said planar insert having .[.scoring.]. .Iadd.foldable portions
.Iaddend.along each longitudinal side to provide a spine between
the .[.scoring.]. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and .Iadd.to
provide .Iaddend.a flap at either side of the .[.scoring.].
.Iadd.foldable portions.Iaddend., wherein said insert can be folded
into a generally "Z" shape, and
said planar insert being comprised of a material sufficiently
resilient such that the insert tends to revert to its original
planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against
the inner arcuate walls thereby providing a pressure seal along the
longitudinal edges with the surface of said arcuate walls.
12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the planar insert is comprised
of a material which is bondable with a surface of tubular container
body.
13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the dispensing end of the
planar insert is provided with diametrically opposed notches which
engage a collet positioned on the inner periphery of the neck when
inserted therethrough.
14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said planar insert is die
cut.
15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said planar insert is formed
from plastic sheet material, board material coated with a polymeric
material, or a combination thereof.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said planar insert comprises
an inner layer of board material and two outer layers of polymeric
sheet material, the total planar dismensions of said polymeric
sheets being greater than these of the board, thereby resulting in
a sheet to sheet overlapping in a plane with and around the edge of
said insert and said overlapping of sheets being laminated together
to form a flexible sealing gasket in a plane with and around the
edge of said insert.
17. The assembly of claim .[.11.]. .Iadd.40 .Iaddend.wherein the
insert is comprised of two similar planar members positioned and
adhered together so as to form one integral insert having four
longitudinal scores which define a spine and four oppositally
projecting flaps.
18. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the edges of the flaps are cut
at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing direction of
each flap.
19. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the edges of the planar insert
which contact the inner surface of the tube are provided with
noncontaminating sealing material.
20. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the terminal dispensing end of
said planar insert is of a configuration which compliments that of
the inner surface of the closing cap and wherein said insert
extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck for a
distance sufficient to form a lineal seal within the cap.
21. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the shoulder and neck are
provided with slots into which the planar insert fits, said planar
insert having dimensions which substantially fill the voids
provided by said slots.
22. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the tubular body is an
extended tubular cylinder comprised of thermoplastic material,
aluminum, or a laminated combination of at least two materials from
any one or more of the above materials.
23. The assembly of claim 11 wherein, after filling, the filling
end is sealed to form a straight line seal at said filling end with
said planar partition-forming insert.
24. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the tubular container body has
a cross-section which is a circle or an ellipsoid.
25. A method for assembling a dual compartment dispensing tube
assembly, said assembly comprising:
a tubular container body having a dispensing end and a filling end,
and a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and
adapted to receive a closing cap affixed to the dispensing end of
the tube;
a substantially planar partition forming insert member having a
configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened
and comprising:
an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter
of the neck;
an adjacent portion thereto conforming to the inside shape of the
tube shoulder;
an elongated mid-portion having a width of at least one half the
inner circumference of the tube; and
a terminal end having a width sub-stantially equal to one half the
inner-circumference of the tube;
.[.scoring.]. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.along each
longitudinal side of the insert to provide a spine between the
.[.scoring.]. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and .Iadd.to provide
.Iaddend.an elongated flap at either side of the .[.scoring.].
.Iadd.foldable portions, .Iaddend.said insert .Iadd.being
.Iaddend.comprised of a material sufficiently resilient such that
the insert tends to maintain its planar configuration;
said method comprising:
(i) placing the tube in a position suitable for filling;
(ii) directing the planar insert into and through the filling end
of the tube until the end portion of the insert extends into the
orifice formed by the neck, the adjacent portion abuts the inside
of the shoulder, and the spine and flaps are folded into a
generally "Z" shape and provide a partition which divides the tube
into two compartments;
(iii) filling each of the compartments; and
(iv) sealing the filling end of the tube to form a straight line
seal with the planar insert.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the tube neck is cylindrical and
has a collet positioned on the inner periphery thereof which
engages diametrically opposed notches provided in the neck portion
of the planar insert.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the portion of the planar insert
corresponding to the neck and shoulder is guided into and
positioned in slots provided in the inner surface of the neck and
shoulder.
28. The method of claim 25 wherein the planar insert is comprised
of a material which is bondable with a surface of tubular container
body.
29. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is die
cut.
30. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is comprised
of a material which is bondable with a surface of the tube.
31. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is formed
from polymeric sheet material, board material coated with a
polymeric material, or a combination thereof.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said planar insert Comprises an
inner layer of board material and two outer layers of polymeric
sheet material, the total planar dismensions of said polymeric
sheets being greater than those of the board material, thereby
resulting in a sheet to sheet overlapping in a plane with and
around the edge of said insert and said polymeric sheet
overlappping being laminated together to form a flexible sealing
gasket in a plane with and around the edge of said insert.
33. The method of claim .[.25.]. .Iadd.41 .Iaddend.wherein the
insert is comprised of two similar planar members positioned and
adhered together so as to form one integral insert having four
longitudinal scores which define a spine and four oppositally
projecting flaps.
34. The method of claim 25 wherein the edges of the flaps are die
cut at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing direction
of each flap.
35. The method of claim 25 wherein the edges of the planar insert
which contact the inner surface of the tube are provided with
noncontaminating sealing material.
36. The method of claim 25 wherein the terminal dispensing end of
said planar insert is of a configuration which compliments that of
the inner surface of the closing cap and wherein said insert
extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck for a
distance sufficient to form a lineal seal within the cap.
37. The method of claim 25 wherein the tubular body is an extruded
tubular cylinder comprised of thermoplastic material, aluminum, or
a laminated combination of at least two materials from any one or
more of the above materials.
38. The method of claim 25 wherein the tubular container body has a
cross-section which is a circle or an ellipsoid. .Iadd.
39. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said foldable
portions comprise scoring disposed along each longitudinal side of
said partition-forming member at a distance from the edge thereof
such that when fully inserted into the tube the partition-forming
member folds along the scoring, said two flaps being adjacent to
said scoring and said spine being disposed between said
scoring..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said
foldable portions of said planar insert comprise scoring disposed
along each longitudinal side of said insert, each said flap being
disposed on either side of said scoring, and said spine being
disposed between said scoring..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The assembly of
claim 11 wherein said end portion of the planar insert extends
through the orifice formed by the neck..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The
method of claim 25 wherein said foldable portions of said planar
insert comprise scoring disposed along each longitudinal side of
said insert, each said elongated flap being disposed on either side
of said scoring, and said spine being disposed between said
scoring..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in
which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments
until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the
invention relates to dispensing means whereby the utilization of a
novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into
separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting
dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material
from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense
predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously
and effectively.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many products on the market today and many more waiting
to be marketed which require the separation of components thereof
due to their instability or the release of actives, and the like,
but must or, desirably, be dispensed simultaneously.
Some of the dual-dispensed products on the market today are
peroxide toothpastes, hair coloring, epoxy adhesives, and the like.
Many of these products require costly dispensers and fabricating
and packaging equipment to produce dispensing means which deliver
the separate components simultaneously. Besides the high cost, most
of the dual-dispensers available today are not reliable and require
a change in the target consumers normal use habits with the
product. These restrictions also keep many products, that can bring
major benefits to consumers but require dual-dispensing, from the
market.
Products consisting of two flowable components such as pastes,
gels, or liquids which must be stored separately are desirably
packaged in containers having two compartments. Tubular bodies
having chordal partitions are useful in providing two-compartment
containers for two-component products which must have predetermined
proportions of their components mixed at the time or point of
use.
A number of longitudinally partitioned tubular bodies and
dispensing containers having chordal partitions have been disclosed
in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,422, issued Dec. 6,
1966 to Michel, discloses a method of producing a dispensing
container by injection molding a head fitment and a longitudinally
extending partition onto and inside of, respectively, a tubular
body. Tubular containers having asymmetrically disposed chordal
partitions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,157, issued Apr.
14, 1970 to Dukess. Tubular bodies formed from sheet material are
also disclosed in the prior art in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,307,738, issued Mar. 7, 1967 to Scheindel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,464, issued Dec. 31, 1991 to Simon discloses a
deformable tubular container which includes at least one
longitudinal corrugated partition-forming wall which defines
distinct compartments and which lends itself to a flattened seal at
the end of the tube body. Here too, however, the body and wall are
produced by injection molding in a mold and the wall is permanently
molded to the body. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,244,120 and 5,269,411, issued
to O'Meara on Sep. 14, 1993 and Dec. 31, 1993 respectively are
similar in the scope of disclosure to the above earlier patent.
None of the referenced prior art has, however, solved all the
problems associated with providing longitudinally partitioned
tubular bodies such as, for example, simplicity of manufacture, at
a low cost and without changing consumers' habits in the manner of,
nor to the degree of, the present invention.
There are many cleaning, drug and personal products which are
marketed today in single dispensing packages which could be
dramatically improved if an inexpensive dual dispensing device were
available. For example, products containing oxidizing agents,
reducing agents, solvents, or materials with high or low pH's can
be improved aesthetically by separating the flavor, fragrance or
other components that normally would not withstand shelf life.
Many of the dually-dispensed products which are currently on the
market and those which are not yet on the market can be dispensed
from a tube rather than more costly dispensing means. A tube is a
dispensing device that is readily available, familiar to most
consumers, is comparatively less expensive and does not require
elaborate filling equipment. If commercially available tubes can be
easily and cheaply converted into dual-dispensing devices, it would
be a great advantage to those either currently marketing or
planning to market dually-dispensed products.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
This invention relates to an inexpensive insert that is die cut and
inserted into a commercially available tube on the product filling
line thereby dividing the tube volume into two distinct chambers
before filling by the addition of each of two materials. By the
addition of the novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be
divided into separate and distinct compartments for dispensing more
than one material from the same tube and, advantageously,
co-dispense incompatible materials simultaneously and at a low
cost.
By using commercially available tubes there is no need to interfere
with the tube manufacturing process, speed of production or cost,
and, advantageously, the later addition of the insert, possibly
during the product filling operation, to form the co-dispensing
unit, will cost far less, be more readily available in the size and
form needed than existing molded codispensing units, and will not
require a change in the consumers' use habits. To the consumer the
dual-chambered tube looks and operates the same as a tube with a
single compartment.
There are three major types of tubes commercially available which
are suitable for dispensing product for consumer and professional
use. The insert described by this invention will work in all three
tube types, i.e., laminated, plastic or aluminum, converting each
into a dual-dispensing tube. The insert material used for each
different tube type, is inexpensive to produce and can be of a
different base material or coating according to the tube into which
it will be inserted. Allowance must be made, however, for proper
sealing of the insert inside the tube so not to interfere with the
normal sealing or crimping of the tube after product addition.
Thus, the insert can be made from polycoated board, polyethylene
sheet, laminated board or any other inexpensive material that can
be formed, preferably be die cut, and able to heat seal or
mechanically crimp to commercially available tubes.
The insert of the present invention once installed into the tube,
seals against the walls of the tube by folded flaps formed by
scoring the insert material. The insert force fits against the
inside collar of the tube and the center or spine thereof extends
up through the tube neck and, if desired, out the top orifice. In
this way the insert divides the internal volume of the tube in half
so that each half can be filled with separate materials. After
filling the two compartments and sealing the bottom of the tube,
each product can be dispensed simultaneously but without contact
until it leaves the tube.
The insert can also be coated with materials that either chemically
or physically seal the two compartments from cross contamination
depending on the products to be separated and the degree of
separation required.
In accordance with the present invention, one embodiment thereof
relates to a substantially planar partition-forming member suitable
for insertion into a squeezable cylindrical tube so as to form a
partition and two separate and discrete compartments within the
tube;
said tube having a dispensing end with affixed thereto a shoulder
and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to
receive a closing cap and an open filling end into which the
partition-forming member is inserted prior to filling;
said partition-forming member having a configuration such that when
inserted into the tube;
(i) the end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the
dispensing end of the tube is substantially equal to the inner
diameter of the neck and extends into the neck and, preferably,
entirely through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck,
(ii) the adjacent portion thereto conforms to the shape of the tube
shoulder,
(iii) the mid portion extends within the tube and has a width
corresponding to at least one half the inner-circumference of the
tube; and
(iv) the terminal end of the partition-forming member corresponding
to the filling end of the tube has a width substantially equal to
one half the inner-circumference of said tube,
said partition-forming member being scored along each longitudinal
side at a distance from the edge thereof that when fully inserted
into the tube the partition-forming member folds along the scoring
thereby providing a spine between the scoring and two flaps
adjacent thereto; and
said partition-forming member being comprised of a material
sufficiently resillient such that such member tends to revert to
its original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the
flaps against the inner surface of the tube and providing a seal
along the longitudinal edge with said inner surface of the
tube.
In another embodiment of the present invention a squeezable dual
compartment dispensing tube assembly, comprising:
a tubular container body having a dispensing end and affixed
thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice
and adapted to receive a closing cap, and a filling end which is
sealed after contents are placed in said compartments;
said tubular container body have positioned therein a substantially
planar partition partition-forming insert which provides two
adjacent compartments defined by a common wall segment and a pair
of outer arcuate walls;
said planar insert having a configuration generally conforming to
that of the tube if flattened and comprising an end portion which
is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and which
extends into and, preferably, through and beyond the orifice formed
by the neck, an adjacent portion conforming to the inside shape of
the tube shoulder, a mid-portion extending axially within the tube
and having a width of at least about one half the inner
circumference of the tube, and a terminal end positioned within the
filling end of the tube and having a width substantially equal to
one half the inner-circumference of said tube,
said planar insert having scoring along each longitudinal side to
provide a spine between the scoring and a flap at either side of
the scoring, wherein said insert can be folded into a generally "Z"
shape, and
said planar insert being comprised of a material sufficiently
resilient such that the insert tends to revert to its original
planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against
the inner arcuate walls thereby providing a pressure seal along the
longitudinal edges with the surface of said arcuate walls. The
configuration into which the insert folds, advantageously, provides
that when the tube is filled with product(s) such product (s) exert
pressure against the surfaces of the flaps so as to force the flaps
against the inner surface of the tube and improve the seal of the
flaps against such tube inner surface wall.
In still another embodiment of this invention a method for
assembling a dual compartment dispensing tube assembly is provided
wherein said assembly comprises:
a tubular container body having a dispensing end and a filling end,
and a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and
adapted to receive a closing cap affixed to the dispensing end of
the tube;
a substantially planar partition forming insert member having a
configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened
and comprising:
an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter
of the neck; an adjacent portion thereto conforming to the inside
shape of the tube shoulder; an elongated mid-portion having a width
of at least one half the inner circumference of the tube; and a
terminal end having a width sub-stantially equal to one half the
inner-circumference of the tube; scoring along each longitudinal
side of the insert to provide a spine between the scoring and an
elongated flap at either side of the scoring said insert comprised
of a material sufficiently resilient such that the insert tends to
maintain its planar configuration;
The method comprises:
(i) placing the tube in a position suitable for filling;
(ii) directing the insert into and through the filling end of the
tube until the end portion of the insert extends into and,
preferably, through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck, the
adjacent portion abuts the inside of the shoulder, and the spine
and flaps are folded into a generally "Z" shape and provide a
partition which divides the tube into two compartments;
(iii) filling each of the compartments thereby concomitantly
exerting additional pressure of the flaps against the tube inner
wall; and
(iv) sealing the filling end of the tube to form a straight line
seal with said planar insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing
out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarding as forming
the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better
understood from the following description taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a verticial side elevation, partly in cross-section of
the dual-chambered dispenser of the present invention showing the
partition-forming insert member in a phantom view;
FIG. 2 is a vertical front elevation, partly in cross-section, of
the dual-chambered dispenser of the present invention showing the
partition-forming insert member in a phantom view and showing the
insert protruding beyond the seal and before the trimming
thereof;
FIG. 3 is a vertical front elevation of the partition forming
insert member showing a locking notch embodiment and a
multi-layered gasket embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tube taken along line
II--II of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectioned view showing a layered insert member
embodiment and the four sealing flaps thus formed.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder and neck taken
along line I--I of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a method of converting a standard
commercially available tube into a novel co- or dual-dispensing
tube by the insertion of an inexpensive divider before the filling
of the two individual components. This insert once installed in the
tube results in a novel co-dispensing means which will maintain the
individual integrity of the two separate components until they are
dispensed side by side in the proper proportion by the normal
action of squeezing the tube.
The dual-chambered dispenser of the present invention is best
viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
The dispensing tube illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a
tubular body generally designated 10, to one end of which is
integrally united a threaded headpiece or collar 12 and tube neck
14 adapted to receive a screw cap 16 shown in phantom view. The
headpiece or collar may be of any desired configuration and may be
united to the body 10 in any desirable manner. Preferably, the
headpiece is of a thermoplastic material and is formed by molding
and then fused to the body in any acceptable manner known in the
art.
Tubes of this type customarily are formed and capped by the tube
manufacturer and shipped to the packer with the bottom or filling
end open. After being filled through the bottom end with a product,
the tube is sealed with a transverse bottom end seal, such as at
18.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner periphery of the neck 14 is
molded or otherwise fitted to provide a collet 20. As used herein
the term "collet" is defined as a band, ferrule, flange or the like
which is molded, stamped or otherwise provided around the inner
diameter of the neck 14 at or near the terminus thereof. The
dimensions of the collet's diameter must therefore, be smaller than
the inside diameter of the neck and such collet essentially defines
a dispensing orifice if it is located at or near the terminus of
the neck.
The present invention contemplates the use of the three major types
of squeezable tubes commercially available and which are suitable
for dispensing product for consumer and professional use. They may
be classified as plastic, preferably thermoplastic tubes fabricated
from a mono-layer of sheet material, tubes fabricated from a sheet
or foil of metal, preferably aluminum, or tubes fabricated from one
or more sheets of the above materials which are laminated into a
single sheet.
This tube body 10 may be of single or of laminated construction
comprising several distinct layers bonded together. Generally, the
body is formed from a flat web or blank which has been fabricated
in a preliminary operation, an example of which is one wherein one
or more thermoplastic films are extruded directly onto and bonded
to opposite sides of an endless intermediate substrate. By way of
illustration and not limitation, tube body 10 can be made up of an
inner thermoplastic layer, an outer thermoplastic layer and an
intermediate barrier layer of metallic foil, e.g., aluminum, all
coextensively bonded together. Additional layers may be used,
including intermediate layers of paper and/or special bonding
thermoplastic adhesives formulated to provide good adherence of the
thermoplastic layers to the foil layer.
The present invention is predicated on the use of a novel insert 22
which is usually inserted into the tube 10 on the product filling
line thereby dividing the tube into two distinct chambers before
filling.
Reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings illustrates the basic
configuration of insert 22. The drawings also illustrate the basic
configuration in FIG. 4 of the installed insert 22 as it would
appear from the bottom of an unsealed tube 10 and the insert 22 as
it would appear in a sealed 10 tube in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The insert 22 can be made from a polymer coated board, e.g., paper
or cardboard, from plastic sheet material, e.g., thermoplastic
polymeric materials such as polyethylene, from laminated boards, or
from laminates of boards and polymeric sheet materials or from any
other inexpensive material that can be formed and can be heat
sealed or mechanically crimped to provide sealed closure 18 to
commercially available tubes.
The insert material must be thick enough to withstand insertion
without folding, buckling or crimping, yet be flexible enough to
change form when the lower portion of the tube is flattened and
sealed. The inserts can be formed, to fit any commercially
available tube size.
While the inserts can be formed by means of plurality of methods
including the relatively costly method of molding, the inserts are
preferably die cut. Thus, while the present invention provides for
any method known in the art to form the inserts, the description
herein shall refer to die cutting as the means of fabricating
inserts. Since die cutting merely involves the cost of a die and
not the cost of molds, inserts can be made available to fit all the
major tube sizes without a large investment.
Referring again to FIG. 3 an insert 22 which, as preferred, is die
cut with the width of the bottom thereof corresponding as nearly as
possible to the internal width of the seal 18 with the tube 10.
Scores 24 are provided, e.g., embossed, longitudinally along both
sides and near the edges of insert 22 such that the distance
between the scores 24 would be less than the diameter of the tube
10. This area or space between the scores is referred to herein as
the spine 26 and the two areas extending outwardly from the scores
24 and to the outer edge of the insert 22 are referred to as the
sealing flaps 28. The scores 24 are formed so the sealing flaps 28
can be folded in opposite directions. For example the right side
flap would fold upwards and if folded completely would fold onto
the front of the spine and the left side flap would fold downwards
and if folded completely would fold onto the back of the spine.
When inserted into the tube 10 the flaps 28 and the spine 26
generally conforms to a "Z" shape. This is illustrated in the
bottom view of FIG. 4.
The flaps 28 may vary in width from the top to the bottom of the
insert 22, including that area below the shoulder area, but must
maintain a consistant or constant width for the spine 26.
Increasing the overall width of the insert 22 results in wider
flaps which are desirable to maintain or improve flap-to-wall
interaction in the sealed tube and as closely as possible to the
flattened sealed end. The total width of the flaps 28 plus the
spine 26 cannot exceed one half the internal circumference of the
tube 10 at the flattened sealed end 18. Other than at said
flattened scaled end 18, the total of the flaps 28 and the spine 26
(with the spine having a constant width) can range up to about
50.0% greater than the dimension at the bottom.
The width of the spine 26 may range from about 50.0% to 99.0% of
the diameter of the tube 10 when measured substantially above its
flattened end, and is, preferably about 80.0% to 95.0% of the
diameter. These dimensions provide adequate clearance for insertion
of insert 22 into tube 10 and also optimum folding angles of the
flaps so as to provide the greatest pressure exerted against the
wall of the tube 10.
The scoring of whatever material the insert 22 is produced from is
critical because the bend formed by the spine 26 and flap 28 must
retain a memory of its flat or planer starting configuration yet
allow the flap to readily and evenly fold along the line provided
by the score 24. Thus, when the flap is bent it should tend to
return to the flat or planer original configuration so that when
the flap is restricted from returning to its original completely
flat condition it applies a force against the restricting object.
When placed in the tube 10 the restricting object will be the
surface of tube wall. Because of the combination of the
flexibility, shape and material of the flap 28 and the force
applied by the bent flap, a seal is formed between the flap 28 and
the tube wall 10. The seal can be improved if the ends of the flap
28 are die cut on an angle to form an edge in the sealing direction
of each flap. The angle of the edge formed should match as nearly
as possible the inner surface of the periphery of the tube at the
point of contact with the angled edge flap 28 of the insert
The flexibility of the flap 28 and the force provided by the score
24 is very critical to maintain a seal between the insert and the
tube wall during product addition and during and after tube
sealing. When a tube is sealed the bottom of the tube is flattened.
The insert 22 is always installed into the tube so it will be
parallel with the flattened portion at the tube seal 18.
The insert 22 is also designed so that in its full flattened
position it is substantially the exact inside dimension of the tube
if taken as completely flattened except for the shoulder 12 and
neck 14. In this way the positioned insert 22 transforms from a
configuration of folded flaps which are force-fitted against a
round tube's inner wall to a flattened form at the tube seal 18. A
typical commerical tube, when sealed, goes from a round cylinder
slowly flattening to being fully flattened at the seal, as seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2. A flap of the insert go from its maximum bend
against a round tube's inner surface to slowly unbending as the
tube flattens and the tube walls are further away from each other
when taken along the axis of the seal 18. As mentioned above, the
width of a flap 28 may vary and should preferably be sufficiently
wide to optimize flap-to-tube wall interaction. The force resulting
from the score 24 will maintain pressure and thereby a seal against
the tube wall until the insert is fully flat at the tube seal. The
flexibility of the insert and flap material therefore is critical,
for in order to maintain a seal while the tube wall flattens out
the flap itself must twist as it opens up to its full flat width.
The flap must also fold in a configuration so that when the tube is
filled the product exerts pressure against the flap with the result
that increased pressure is exerted so as to optimize the seal of
the flap with the wall of the tube.
The overall width of the insert 22 especially at the bottom seal
area, is critical for it must be the same or very nearly the size
of the flattened inside of the tube at the sealing area. It is
characterized therefore as being about one half the inside
circumference of the tube. The insert must seal or crimp between
the two inner sides of the flattened tube, and must be made from or
coated with material to produce an effective sandwich seal. The
seal is therefore made up of three layers which are tube, insert
and tube. Laminated and plastic tubes are heat sealed so the insert
must be made of material or coated with material that is compatible
and will seal with the tube.
The flaps 28 seal the insert 22 against the tube walls. The top
portion of the insert is die cut to exactly duplicate the shape of
the inside of the tube collar 12, and neck 14, see FIG. 2. The
insert 22 also protrudes beyond the neck 14 and out through the
tubes dispensing orifice (FIGS. 1 and 2). This extension beyond the
dispensing orifice of the tube can be shaped to form a linear seal
inside the tube cap 16. This maintains separation of the two
products even into the cap and provides a seal which prevents cross
contamination of the products within the filled tube.
The top of the insert 22 that extends beyond the dispensing orifice
of the tube, can have a notch 30 cut on both sides which catch on
or otherwise engage the flange of the collet 20 positioned in the
tube orifice to act as a positive lock to hold the insert 22 in
place during the product filling and sealing of the tube (FIG. 2).
This lock is designed and positioned so it forces the insert to
remain sealed against the inside of the tube collar 14.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an insert member 40 similar to
the basic insert design described above, except that it provides
better sealing of the insert 40 within the tube 10. In this
embodiment the flaps do not form a "Z" fold (one flap up and one
flap down) as in the basic insert unit shown in FIG. 4 for example,
but instead four flaps 42--42 and 44-44 fold up and down
respectively when two inserts 46 and 48 are attached back to back.
Each of the inserts 46 and 48 are made of thinner material than the
basic designed insert 22 so each of the four flaps would be more
flexible for better sealing, while the spine, which is comprised of
two laminated inserts (46 and 48) thick, has the structural
integrity to be forced into the tube without bending or crimping.
The two insert components 46 and 48 can be heat sealed or glued
together at the spine to form the laminated insert 40.
The portion of the flaps corresponding to the tube collar or
shoulder are tapered so as to fit the contour of the inside of said
tube collar 12, and inasmuch as the flaps are thinner they do not
have to be folded back out of the way before insertion into the
tube. The tapered portion of the insert 40 fits into the open tube
which begins splitting the adjacent flaps 42-44 apart as the insert
is pushed further into the tube.
In this embodiment, as with the single layer insert illustrated in
FIG. 4, the flaps do not have to be permanently prefolded with the
possible lose of some of their memory and the force required to
seal against the tube wall. Advantageously, this allows for easier
stacking (not unlike a deck of cards) and facilitation of the
handling of the inserts in automated inserting equipment.
In accordance with the invention, a plurality of embodiments are
also contemplated which provide chemical and/or mechanical
seal-means in addition to the basic pressure seal and thereby
improve the sealing of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. For
example, heat or sonic means may seal the insert or any part
thereof to tube from the outside of the tube, without effecting the
integrity or appearance of the tube or the contents therein. In
addition, noncontaminating materials can be put onto the edges of
the finished insert which will improve the seal between the insert
and the inner surface of the tube when inserted into said tube.
This chemical and/or mechanical seal enhancement can be
accomplished in several different ways:
i) Use of an adhesive and/or caulking type material which is
applied to the edges of the insert.
ii) A polymeric type material which is applied to the cut edges of
the insert and which swells and becomes tacky when contacted by
water or moisture contained in the product thereby forming the
desired seal. The polymer is chosen based on its speed of swelling,
tackiness and insolubility, so that it sets rapidly, remains in
place and does not contaminate the product.
iii) Another embodiment which serves to improve the sealing of the
partition forming inserts of FIGS. 4 and 5, utilizes a suitable
polymeric material to help seal the edges as described above except
the polymer is applied to the board before it is coated or
laminated with a polymeric material as hereinbefore described. The
sealing polymer is only exposed at the edges of the insert member
once the board is coated or laminated and then die cut. Only where
the cut edge, i.e., the sealing edge, of the board is exposed to
product moisture does the polymer swell. Consequently, this system
only forms a seal at the edge of the insert if moisture from the
product contacts it. If the product does not migrate and reach an
exposed edge due to effective pressure sealing, then the area is
not in need of additional sealing. As the filled tube is used by
consumers, if a slight shift of the insert or a change in the
tube's shape weakens a seal, the insert provides in situ polymer
where neeeded to continuously reform seals.
iv) The present invention provides still another embodiment which
can be utilized with either of the configurations of FIGS. 4 and 5.
This embodiment die cuts the insert before the polycoating or
lamination step and then laminates both sides of the insert with a
precut polymeric film or sheet or other tube sealing compatible
film. The film to be laminated over the already die cut board would
be patterned to the exact as possible to the outline of the flat
insert except that it overlaps by a short distance, such as about
one eighth inch, around the entire periphery of the flat insert.
The insert would be laminated front and back with this cut and thus
patterned sheet material. Where the front and back polymeric sheets
overlap the board they are sealed to each other. Where the two
sheets seal to each other they form a flexible gasket entirely
around the edge or periphery of the insert. When inserted into the
tube, such gasket provides improved sealing with essentially every
surface the insert contacts once installed into the tube.
FIG. 6 also illustrates an embodiment which improves sealing and
also facilitates positioning of the insert 22 within the tube 10.
Such embodiment comprises molding or otherwise performing a linear
slot 32 into the inner surface of the shoulder 12 and that portion
of the neck 14 below the collet 20. Such slot 32 which extends
fully across the shoulder 12 provides a linear space into which the
insert 22 fits and thereby provides a positioning guide and insert
support. The slot at the widest part of shoulder 12, i.e, the point
of insertion, is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the
shoulder as well as that of the neck 14 at the corresponding point.
The dimensions of the insert 22 would accordingly be increased at
the shoulder portion and the neck to correspond to depth of the
slot(s) 32 in the shoulder and neck. For illustrative purposes only
the dimensions of the shoulder generally are such that the
thickness of the molded shoulder is about 0.035 to 0.040 inch
(35-40 mil) with the slots being from about 0.010 to 0.015 inch
(10-15 mil) deep. The width of the slot should be from about 0.001
to 0.005 (1 to 5 mil) greater than the thickness of the insert 22.
The insert 22 will, accordingly, be increased correspondingly in
planar dimensions so as to fill the space provided by the slots 32.
Generally about 0.001 to 0.005 inch (1-5 mil) clearance is provided
for ease of insertion and in order to prevent buckling.
There are alternate methods of manufacturing the present
embodiment, such as die cutting the inserts and laminating them
between top and bottom continuous sheets of polymeric material.
This is followed by a second die cut of the now laminated insert,
but slightly larger than the outline of the insert itself, so the
polymeric material extends beyond the outline of the insert to form
a gasket.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for assembling
the dual-compartment dispensing tube assembly comprises placing the
tube on a filling line in an indexed position suitable for filling
and sealing and directing the insert into and through the filling
end of the tube until the end portion of the insert extends through
and, beyond the orifice formed by the neck and the shoulder portion
of the insert abuts the inside of the shoulder of the tube. The
insert is directed in such a manner so that the spine and flaps are
folded into either a generally "Z" shape of FIG. 4 or the four
flap, laminated spine, of FIG. 5 and provide a partition which
divides the tube into two compartments. Each of the compartments
are filled and the filling end of the tube is sealed by heat,
crimping or the like to form a straight line seal with planar
insert. Preferably, tube neck is cylindrical and has a collet on
the inner periphery thereof which engages diametrically opposed
notches provided in the neck portion of the insert when it is
directed into the tube. If desired the terminal dispensing end of
the planar insert is of a configuration which compliments that of
the inner surface of the closing cap such that directed into the
tube the insert extends through and beyond the orifice formed by
the neck for a distance sufficient to form a lineal seal within the
cap.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that various changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is
intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *