GB2155448A - Caps - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothpaste tube 10 has a cap 12 thereon that permits escape of product through an orifice 20 in the outer cover 14 of the cap when pressure is applied to the tube so that the toothpaste moves a plunger 16 against a spring 18 to uncover the orifice. Normally the plunger covers the orifice. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Caps This invention concerns caps for toothpaste tubes and the like.

Toothpaste and many other products of a similar consistency are sold in tubes which are squeezed to dispense the product. To close these tubes a screw cap is provided, which can easily be lost.

When the cap is lost accidental spillage of the product can occur or the product may deteriorate.

There exists, therefore, a need for a cap for toothpaste or the like tubes which does not have to be removed to allow the product to be squeezed out.

Accordingly this invention proposes to provide such tubes with a cap that allows the product to escape when the tube is squeezed but closes when pressure on the tube is removed.

In a preferred embodiment the cap comprises an outer part in which a spring loaded plunger is free to travel the outer part having an orifice normally closed by the plunger. When pressure is applied to the tube the product acts against the plunger to push it further into the outer part to expose the orifice and so allowing release of product from the orifice.

The outer part may be of cylindrical shape being closed at one end and possibly being screw threaded on a lower part if its internal surface for attachment to a tube having a corresponding screw threaded opening. An air vent may be provided in the outer part above the highest position of the plunger.

The plunger is preferably sized so to move freely within the outer part without permitting passage of product past the plunger. For spring loading a coil spring could be provided between the plunger and the closed end of the outer part. The spring may be free or may be attached to one of both of the plunger or outer parts say by adhesive or by clip means.

The outer part and plunger of the cap of the invention is probably best constructed of plastics material from both the point of view of cost and ease. The plastics material may be coloured to given an attractive appearance for the cap.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cap of the invention in the closed position; and Figure 2 shows the cap in the open position.

Referring to the drawings, a toothpaste tube 10 has a cap 12 thereon, possibly attached by means of screwthreading. The cap 12 is made of plastics material.

The cap 12 comprises a cylindrical outer part 14 closed at its end remote from the tube. Slidable within the outer part 14 is a plunger 16 that is sized so as to move freely within the outer part but which will not permit passage of the contents of the tube beyond it. Between the inner end of the outer part and the plunger is a coil spring 18 which is, in fact, attached to the plunger by adhesive.

The outer part 14 has a circular opening 20 in its wall which as shown in Figure 1 is covered by the plunger. This is the normal position for the plunger. However, when pressure is applied to the tube, its contents force the plunger towards the the end of the outer part of the cap as in Figure 2, so that the opening is uncovered allowing the contents of the tube to escape through the opening.

When the pressure on the tube is released, the plunger under the action of the spring returns to its normal position, as in Figure 1, in which the plunger covers the opening.

To prevent air locks above the plunger 16, a small air vent 22 is provided in the top of the outer part 14.

Thus the invention can provide a simple but effective cap for the likes of toothpaste tube which can be left on the tube whilst allowing dispensing of the contents of the tube and automatic closing.

1. A cap for a tube containing a dispensable product said cap allowing the product to escape when the tube is squeezed but closing when squeezing pressure on the tube is removed.

2. A cap as claimed in claim 1 comprising an outer cover containing a spring loaded plunger which normally covers an orifice in the outer cover but which moves to uncover the orifice on the application of pressure to the tube to force the product against the plunger.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer cover is of cylindrical shape being closed at one end.

4. A cap as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer cover is screw threaded internally for connection to a product tube.

5. A cap as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the outer cover has an air vent above the plunger.

6. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the plunger is sized so as to move freely within the outer cover without permitting passage of product past the plunger.

7. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a coil spring is provided between the plunger and the closed end of the outer cover.

8. A cap for a tube of dispensable product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A tube of dispensable product having a cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Caps This invention concerns caps for toothpaste tubes and the like. Toothpaste and many other products of a similar consistency are sold in tubes which are squeezed to dispense the product. To close these tubes a screw cap is provided, which can easily be lost. When the cap is lost accidental spillage of the product can occur or the product may deteriorate. There exists, therefore, a need for a cap for toothpaste or the like tubes which does not have to be removed to allow the product to be squeezed out. Accordingly this invention proposes to provide such tubes with a cap that allows the product to escape when the tube is squeezed but closes when pressure on the tube is removed. In a preferred embodiment the cap comprises an outer part in which a spring loaded plunger is free to travel the outer part having an orifice normally closed by the plunger. When pressure is applied to the tube the product acts against the plunger to push it further into the outer part to expose the orifice and so allowing release of product from the orifice. The outer part may be of cylindrical shape being closed at one end and possibly being screw threaded on a lower part if its internal surface for attachment to a tube having a corresponding screw threaded opening. An air vent may be provided in the outer part above the highest position of the plunger. The plunger is preferably sized so to move freely within the outer part without permitting passage of product past the plunger. For spring loading a coil spring could be provided between the plunger and the closed end of the outer part. The spring may be free or may be attached to one of both of the plunger or outer parts say by adhesive or by clip means. The outer part and plunger of the cap of the invention is probably best constructed of plastics material from both the point of view of cost and ease. The plastics material may be coloured to given an attractive appearance for the cap. This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cap of the invention in the closed position; and Figure 2 shows the cap in the open position. Referring to the drawings, a toothpaste tube 10 has a cap 12 thereon, possibly attached by means of screwthreading. The cap 12 is made of plastics material. The cap 12 comprises a cylindrical outer part 14 closed at its end remote from the tube. Slidable within the outer part 14 is a plunger 16 that is sized so as to move freely within the outer part but which will not permit passage of the contents of the tube beyond it. Between the inner end of the outer part and the plunger is a coil spring 18 which is, in fact, attached to the plunger by adhesive. The outer part 14 has a circular opening 20 in its wall which as shown in Figure 1 is covered by the plunger. This is the normal position for the plunger. However, when pressure is applied to the tube, its contents force the plunger towards the the end of the outer part of the cap as in Figure 2, so that the opening is uncovered allowing the contents of the tube to escape through the opening. When the pressure on the tube is released, the plunger under the action of the spring returns to its normal position, as in Figure 1, in which the plunger covers the opening. To prevent air locks above the plunger 16, a small air vent 22 is provided in the top of the outer part 14. Thus the invention can provide a simple but effective cap for the likes of toothpaste tube which can be left on the tube whilst allowing dispensing of the contents of the tube and automatic closing. CLAIMS

1. A cap for a tube containing a dispensable product said cap allowing the product to escape when the tube is squeezed but closing when squeezing pressure on the tube is removed.

2. A cap as claimed in claim 1 comprising an outer cover containing a spring loaded plunger which normally covers an orifice in the outer cover but which moves to uncover the orifice on the application of pressure to the tube to force the product against the plunger.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer cover is of cylindrical shape being closed at one end.

4. A cap as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer cover is screw threaded internally for connection to a product tube.

5. A cap as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the outer cover has an air vent above the plunger.

6. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the plunger is sized so as to move freely within the outer cover without permitting passage of product past the plunger.

7. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a coil spring is provided between the plunger and the closed end of the outer cover.

8. A cap for a tube of dispensable product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A tube of dispensable product having a cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.