EP3277597A1 - Tube permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit - Google Patents

Tube permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit

Info

Publication number
EP3277597A1
EP3277597A1 EP15721927.0A EP15721927A EP3277597A1 EP 3277597 A1 EP3277597 A1 EP 3277597A1 EP 15721927 A EP15721927 A EP 15721927A EP 3277597 A1 EP3277597 A1 EP 3277597A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
recess
product
container
shoulder
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15721927.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
John C. Crawford
Scott Beckerman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Publication of EP3277597A1 publication Critical patent/EP3277597A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/02—Body construction
    • B65D35/04—Body construction made in one piece
    • B65D35/08—Body construction made in one piece from plastics material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/122—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap using squeeze bottles or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
    • B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
    • B65D79/008—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars
    • B65D79/0084—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof

Definitions

  • Toothpastes, ointments, creams, and other materials are commonly packaged for shipment and sale within a flexible tube.
  • the flexible tube which can be manufactured from a plastic or other polymer, a metal alloy, composites, etc., provides resilient protection for the product during shipment and storage, and allows controlled dispensing of the product by the user.
  • Some materials stored within the tube have a relatively high chemical stability, and thus the volume of material within the sealed tube remains largely unchanged.
  • Other materials for example dentifrices including hydrogen peroxide, may be more chemically unstable and/or outgas during shipment and storage, thereby resulting in pressure changes within the sealed tube.
  • An increase in pressure within the tube can result in inflation and bulging of the tube, an unattractive tube appearance, product expulsion and spillage from the tube when the tube is unsealed, and may result in decreased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
  • a pressure increase can result in rupturing of side and/or end seams, thereby rendering the product defective and unusable.
  • a flexible tube for packaging a paste or other material that overcomes the deficiencies of some conventional tubes would be desirable.
  • a tube for storing and dispensing a product can include a tube shoulder, a tube body attached to the tube shoulder, and at least one recess in at least one of the tube body and the tube shoulder, wherein the at least one recess is in a concave position relative to an exterior of the tube, the tube is configured to store the product within an interior of the tube, and the at least one recess is configured to deflect from the concave position toward a convex position relative to the exterior of the tube during an increase in pressure within the interior of the tube.
  • a method for accommodating an increasing pressure within a factory-sealed tube can include placing a product within an interior of a tube comprising a tube body attached to a tube shoulder and at least one recess in at least one of the tube body and the tube shoulder wherein, subsequent to placing the product within the tube, the at least one recess is in a concave position relative to an exterior of the tube.
  • the method can further include sealing the product within the interior of the tube using a factory seal and, with the product sealed within the interior of the tube by the factory seal, deflecting the at least one recess from the concave position toward a convex position relative to the exterior of the tube during an increase in pressure within the interior of the tube.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view depicting a tube including one or more recesses in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective depictions of a tube during use according to an embodiment of the present teachings.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross sections depicting volumetric expansion of a tube during storage and/or shipment according to an embodiment of the present teachings.
  • a “container” refers to a tube, receptacle, vessel, vial, bottle, canister, can, box or other holder that is used to store and/or ship a product within the container. While the embodiments below are discussed with regard to a "tube” for simplicity of explanation, it will be understood that the various embodiments may be used with other types of containers, as well as with a tube. Further, a “recess” refers to a dimple, depressions pressure panel, or indentation.
  • An embodiment of the present teachings can provide a tube for a fluid product, for example a gel product or a paste product such as a toothpaste including, for example, hydrogen peroxide, such that the tube reduces or eliminates the adverse effects of product expansion during, for example, shipping and/or storage.
  • a fluid product for example a gel product or a paste product such as a toothpaste including, for example, hydrogen peroxide
  • one or more recesses relative to the outside of the tube for example one or more concave recesses, dimples, depressions, pressure panels, or indentations, are formed as part of one or more walls of the tube.
  • the recess may be visible on an exterior of the tube unless, for example, covered by a separate label, sleeve, or other covering.
  • the tube is factory sealed, for example, with a threaded cap, a friction cap, a foil seal, and/or other cover. If expansion of the product within the factory-sealed tube occurs (including expansion or outgassing of the paste or gel product itself, or expansion of air or gas within the tube) the increasing pressure within the tube deflects, deforms, pushes, articulates, or actuates the one or more recesses outward, for example from an initial concave position to a deflected convex position relative to the outside of the tube. In effect, the interior volume of the tube is increased as needed and the disclosed tube maintains a more normal pressure within the tube compared to a tube that does not include the one or more recesses.
  • the shape and location of the one or more recesses can be controlled to provide a tube that is attractive in appearance regardless of whether the one or more recesses are in their initial concave position or their pressure-induced deflected, convex position.
  • the recesses can effectively increase the volume of the tube. For example, depending on the area, depth, and number of the recesses, the storage volume within the tube can be increased to maintain a desired pressure or pressure range within the interior of the tube.
  • the tube has a first volume when the one or more recesses are in an initial concave position and a second volume when the one or more recesses are in their deflected convex position, where the second volume is from about 5% to about 40% greater, or from about 5% to about 30% greater, or from about 10% to about 20% greater than the first volume.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a toothpaste tube 10 having features of an embodiment of the present teachings.
  • FIGS are generalized schematic depictions and that an actual structure in accordance with an embodiment may include other substructures that are not depicted for simplicity, while various depicted substructures may be removed or modified.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view depicting a tube 10 for a product 12 that is a fluid, such as a toothpaste, tooth gel, cream, lotion, etc., including a tube body 14, a tube shoulder 16, an exit nozzle 18 having an opening 20 therein from which the product 12 may be dispensed from the tube 10.
  • a bottom end 22 opposite the exit nozzle 18 may include an end seal or crimp 24.
  • a cap, foil, or other factory seal 26 may be placed over the exit nozzle 18 to factory seal the product 12 within the tube 10.
  • the exit nozzle 18 may be a threaded exit nozzle that receives a threaded cap 26 as depicted, or the cap 26 may be friction mounted to the exit nozzle 18.
  • the tube body 14 may include a seam 28, depending on the method used for fabrication of the tube body 14.
  • Various other tube, cap, and factory seal embodiments are contemplated, which are not individually depicted for simplicity of explanation.
  • An embodiment of the present teachings can further include one or more concave recesses, dimples, depressions, or indentations 30, 32, 34 formed within the tube 10, where the concaveness or concavity is relative to the outside of the tube 10.
  • a concave recess 30 may be formed in the tube shoulder 16 as depicted, (e.g., formed prior to attaching the tube shoulder 16 to the tube body 14), and/or concave recesses 32 and/or 34 may be formed in the tube body 14.
  • the perimeter of the concave recess 30, 32, 34 may be formed to have one or more shapes, for example circular, oval, square, cross-shaped, rectangular, etc.
  • the recess may be bilaterally symmetrical such as recesses 30 and 34, or radially symmetrical such as recess 32.
  • the concave recesses may be formed in the shape of a brand name 36 or other text, or as a graphic or icon 38, for example, to be less conspicuous or to provide a more esthetically pleasing component compared to a recess that is formed as a separate, standalone non-esthetic structure.
  • the material that forms the recesses 30, 32, 34 may have a thickness that is the same or is thinner than the thickness of the surrounding area.
  • the product 12 Prior to opening the factory seal, during shipment and/or storage, the product 12 may expand (e.g., due to product outgassing or expansion, a temperature increase, etc.) and pressure can build within the sealed tube 10 during shipping and/or storage prior to opening the factory seal by the end user.
  • the areas of the factory-sealed tube that form the recesses 30, 32, 34 can be deformed, pushed, or otherwise forced outward from an initially concave position relative to the exterior of the tube toward a deflected convex position which, in effect, increases the volume of the interior of the factory-sealed tube 10, thereby maintaining pressure within the tube at a more desirable level, preferably at or near 1 atmosphere.
  • the deflection of the one or more recesses may occur at an internal tube pressure of less than 35 pounds per square inch (psi), or at less than 25 psi, or at less than 20 psi.
  • the recesses 30, 32, 34 may require less pressure to deform, push, or deflect due to the increased pliability of the thinner material.
  • FIG. 2A is a perspective depiction of the tube 10 with the recesses 30 in an initial concave position
  • FIG. 2B depicts the tube 10 and the recesses 30 after increased pressure within the sealed tube 10 forces the recesses 30 into their deflected convex position.
  • the recesses 30-34 may be formed within a tube component, for example, the tube shoulder 16 and/or tube body 14, during fabrication.
  • Various mold processes may be used to form a suitable tube body 14 and/or tube shoulder 16 having recesses in accordance with the present teachings, for example using compression molding, injection molding, or another suitable recess formation process.
  • FIG. 3 A is a cross section depicting a portion of a structure 40, such as a tube body 14 or a tube shoulder 16, that includes recesses 42.
  • a structure 40 such as a tube body 14 or a tube shoulder 16, that includes recesses 42.
  • two exemplary shapes of recesses are depicted: semicircular or hemispherical cross section recesses 42A, and a U-shaped cross section recesses 42B, but other shapes are also contemplated.
  • the product and possibly a product outgas or air
  • the structure 40 may have a thickness 44.
  • At recess 42 locations, at least part of the structure 40 that forms a recess may have a thickness 46 that is the same or thinner than the thickness 44 at non- recess locations of the structure 40.
  • the distance 48 from an upper surface 50 to a lower surface 52 as measured at a recess 42 in the structure 40 is greater than the thickness 44 of the material itself.
  • Each recess may have a width 54. If repeating adjacent recesses are formed, the recesses 42 may have a uniform pitch 56. A length of each recess 42 will depend on the type of recess and where it is formed, for example whether the recess is an elongated recessed panel such as recess 34 (FIG. 1) or a recessed dimple such as recess 32. In an embodiment having two or more recesses, the recesses 42A and 42B may have a uniform pitch 56, although other regular or varying pitches are contemplated.
  • pressure at the interior of the tube may increase to gradually or suddenly deform, push, or deflect the recesses 42 from their initially concave position (relative to the exterior of the tube) depicted in FIG. 3A toward and up to the subsequent convex deflected position as depicted in FIG. 3B.
  • the one or more recesses 30-34 may articulate at a joint(s) where the one or more recesses intersect the wall of the tube body 14 or the tube shoulder 16.
  • the product 12 is placed into the tube 10, for example from the bottom end 22 of the tube 10 while the bottom end 22 of the tube 10 is open.
  • the end seal 24 may then be formed.
  • the cap 26, foil seal, and/or other cover is positioned over the opening 20 to factory seal the product 12 within the tube 10.
  • the recesses deflect in response to increasing pressure within the tube to increase the volume within the tube 10.
  • the recesses 30-34 are visible from the exterior of the tube 10 unless, for example, covered by another layer such as a sleeve, label, etc. (not individually depicted for simplicity).
  • the product tube described herein can provide a tube 10 that has a more stable pressure within the tube 10 during expansion of the product 12 inside.
  • Product expansion pushing out the recesses 30-34 increases the volume within the tube 10, thereby maintaining a more even pressure compared to conventional tubes.
  • an increase in pressure within the tube can result in inflation and bulging of the tube, an unattractive tube appearance, product expulsion and spillage from the tube when the tube is unsealed, which may result in decreased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
  • a pressure increase can result in rupturing of side and/or end seams of a conventional tube, thereby rendering the product defective and unusable.
  • a tube 10 in accordance with the present teachings can reduce or eliminate these deficiencies found with conventional tubes.
  • the tube can be configured such that the pressure required to dispense the product 12 from the opening 20 in the nozzle 18 (FIG. 1) is less than the pressure required to deform, push, articulate, actuate, or deflect the recesses.
  • the opening 20 can be of a sufficiently large size that compressive pressure on the tube 10 by the user dispenses product 12 through the opening 20 rather than deforming, pushing, articulating, actuating, or deflecting the recesses 30-32.
  • an embodiment can include two or more recess embodiments, for example, two or more of the embodiments as depicted and/or described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
  • the numerical values as stated for the parameter can take on negative values.
  • the example value of range stated as "less than 10" can assume negative values, e.g. - 1, -2, -3, -10, -20, -30, etc.
  • one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.
  • the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
  • the term “at least one of” is used to mean one or more of the listed items can be selected.
  • the term “on” used with respect to two materials, one “on” the other means at least some contact between the materials, while “over” means the materials are in proximity, but possibly with one or more additional intervening materials such that contact is possible but not required.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un tube ou autre récipient permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit tel que de la pâte dentifrice, une lotion, une crème, etc., comprenant un ou plusieurs évidements. Initialement, chaque évidement (30) se trouve dans une position concave par rapport à l'extérieur du tube scellé. En raison du dégazage ou d'autres facteurs, la pression à l'intérieur du tube scellé peut augmenter. Pendant l'augmentation de pression, le ou les plusieurs évidements (30) dévient de la position concave initiale vers une position convexe par rapport à l'extérieur du tube, augmentant ainsi de manière efficace un volume de l'intérieur du tube et maintenant la pression à l'intérieur du tube à un niveau plus souhaitable.
EP15721927.0A 2015-04-21 2015-04-21 Tube permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit Withdrawn EP3277597A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2015/026844 WO2016171669A1 (fr) 2015-04-21 2015-04-21 Tube permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3277597A1 true EP3277597A1 (fr) 2018-02-07

Family

ID=53175138

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15721927.0A Withdrawn EP3277597A1 (fr) 2015-04-21 2015-04-21 Tube permettant de stocker et de distribuer un produit

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20180105341A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3277597A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN107531366A (fr)
AU (1) AU2015392003B2 (fr)
IL (1) IL254807A0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2017013243A (fr)
WO (1) WO2016171669A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2766119A (en) * 1952-01-19 1956-10-09 Horizons Inc Aluminum photographic surfaces
US3353714A (en) * 1965-11-10 1967-11-21 Rexall Drug Chemical Collapsible flexible plastic container tube
US3690500A (en) * 1970-11-02 1972-09-12 Applic Gaz Sa Spherical containers for pressurized fluids
US4011968A (en) * 1973-08-31 1977-03-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Collapsible containers
USD338397S (en) * 1991-09-03 1993-08-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Tube dispenser
FR2715133B1 (fr) * 1994-01-18 1996-03-08 Oreal Récipient à paroi souple déformable, du type flacon, poche ou tube, et procédé de fabrication d'un tel récipient.
FR2766119B1 (fr) * 1997-07-21 1999-10-08 Dior Christian Parfums Procede de fabrication d'un tube en matiere plastique et tube obtenu par ce procede
HU226883B1 (en) * 1999-02-25 2010-01-28 David Murray Melrose A container for storing liquid
US6460714B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2002-10-08 Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag Pasteurization panels for a plastic container
FR2991972B1 (fr) * 2012-06-15 2015-07-17 Sidel Participations Recipient empilable ayant une epaule a trois positions stables
WO2016064427A1 (fr) * 2014-10-24 2016-04-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Procédé de fabrication d'un tube et tube
CN107531367A (zh) * 2015-04-21 2018-01-02 高露洁-棕榄公司 用于储存和分配产品的管子

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *
See also references of WO2016171669A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL254807A0 (en) 2017-12-31
AU2015392003B2 (en) 2018-05-10
MX2017013243A (es) 2018-02-15
WO2016171669A1 (fr) 2016-10-27
CN107531366A (zh) 2018-01-02
AU2015392003A1 (en) 2017-10-19
US20180105341A1 (en) 2018-04-19

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