MXPA98002906A - Tube to tighten camera do - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter (A) for use in a dual tube dispenser comprising: (a) a body portion having a cylindrical base (B) and a tubular extension (TB) thereof in the part top; b) means provided in the cylindrical base (B) to be releasably secured with rct to a neck portion / small tube nozzle (n1); (c) means provided externally in at least a portion of the body portion, which include at least one shank (ST) to press fit the adapter (A) in the inner portion of the large tube (T) and retain the smaller tube (t) that is releasably fixed to the body portion in its cylindrical base portion (B), coaxially within and with rct to at least a portion of an inner surface (n2) of a large tube (T) the body portion defines at least one passage that is communicates with the inner part of the small tube (t); (d) at least one passage additional defined by the external surface of the body portion and the inner surface portion (n2) of the long tube (T) to communicate with the interspace between the two, the outer surface of the smaller tube (t) and the inner part of the largest tube (T) houses the smallest tube

Description

TOBO TO APRKTAR OF DOUBLE CHAMBER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dual tube dispenser and an adapter for use in such a double tube dispenser for separate storage of two different substances which are to be kept separate for some reason or another, for example because they are chemically reactive mutually and / or physically incompatible one with respect to the other, or because it is desired to have perceptually attractive product forms with, for example, different colors and simultaneous supply when the combined use of such substances is required by application of external pressure in the spout body, which is deformable. Certain health and beauty aids, cleansing compositions and in particular dental formulations sometimes require double or multiple compartment containers for storage of such different substances, for example, chemically reactive substances mutually and / or physically incompatible for simultaneous delivery thereof. for combined end uses and when desired. There are already dual compartment dispensers for known dental formulations wherein two dentifrice portions, each of which includes a component which is chemically reactive with another component in the other portion, and the portions are kept separated from each other in the dispenser by means of of a separating membrane which is formed of an extrudable material which is not reactive with any of the two dentifrice portions that are stored together. Although in such known dispensers the purpose of effective storage of the two reactive substances and / or physically incompatible substances and the simultaneous supply thereof for combined use is obtained, the manner of manufacture of such known dispensers is problematic, time consuming and is also expensive. Importantly, the manufacture of such dual compartment dispensers involves substantial modification in the dispensing machinery and requires special filling aids for the contents of the dispenser. EP-A-0564208 discloses a twin tube dispenser having a two-hole adapter which includes an internal duct service for supplying material within the tubes. Therefore, it is a basic objective of the present invention to provide a dispensing container which is effective to store separately two different substances which are mutually reactive and / or physically incompatible and / or perceptually different and which also provide simultaneous supply of both substances when required, for combined end uses by applying external pressure on the spout body portion which is deformable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a double-tube dispensing vessel utilizing fabrication and refilling with conventional tube auxiliaries. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an adapter by means of which conventional storage tubes such as toothpaste tubes of varying sizes can be used to produce dual tube dispensers for simultaneous storage and extrusion and, when necessary , of two different substances for combined end uses. Another additional objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost-effective way to manufacture dual tube dispensers. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, it provides a dual tube dispenser assembly for separate storage of two different materials such as described herein and the simultaneous delivery of such materials when required, comprising: a small tube that it contains a material and has a deformable body portion; an adapter fixed to the mouth and / or neck portion of the small-sized tube and having at least one conduit communicating with the interior of the small-sized tube; the adapter further has a means for coaxially retaining the small-sized tube fixed thereto integrally and with respect to a large tube that also has a deformable body portion; the intermediate space that exists between the outer surface of the small-sized tube with the adapter and the internal surface of the tube. The large size that contains the other of the different materials so that when force / pressure is applied on the deformable body portion of the large-sized tube, the different materials of the small-sized tube and the intermediate space simultaneously supply from the nozzle portion of the large-sized tube; and a closure for the large tube nozzle. According to a further aspect of the present invention, it provides an adapter for use in the dual tube dispenser, characterized in that it comprises: a body portion having a cylindrical base and a tubular extension thereof at the top; a means provided in the cylindrical base for releasably fixing with respect to the neck portion / small tube nozzle; means provided externally on at least a portion of the body portion for adjusting by pressure and retaining the smaller tube, releasably attached thereto in its cylindrical base portion, coaxially within and with res at least one portion of the inner surface of the large tube; the body portion defines at least one conduit communicating with the interior of the smaller tube and at least one additional conduit defined by at least a portion of the external surface of the body portion and the inner surface portion of the tube, larger for communication with the intermediate space that is between the outer surface of the smaller tube and the inside of the large tube that houses the smaller tube. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method for producing the dual tube dispenser having separately stored two different materials as described herein and having means for simultaneous delivery of the different materials when desirably, comprising: providing a small open end empty tube with a releasably secured closure placed thereon; filling the small size tube with a different material by means of a filling machine through the open end of the small size tube followed by clamping and sealing the open end after the filling is completed; replacing the releasable closure of the small-sized tube thus filled by the adapter as described herein to thereby secure the base of the adapter with respect to the nozzle / neck portion of the small-sized tube; providing a large empty tube with an open end, with its releasable closure placed thereon; insert the small size tube fitted with the adapter into the large-sized tube through its open end and snap the adapter outer surface portion with respect to the surface / internal configuration of the large tube to thereby retain the tube of small size coaxially inside the large-sized tube; fill in the intermediate space defined by the outer surface portion of the small-sized tube with the adapter and the inner surface of the large-sized tube with the other of the different materials through the open end of the large-sized tube by a machine of filling followed by clamping and sealing the open end of the large-sized tube after the filling is completed and thus providing a double-tube spout. Therefore, the adapter for use in the dual tube dispenser of the invention should allow the two prefabricated tubes such as toothpaste tubes of varying sizes to fit together, one inside the other to obtain a double tube spout to provide separate storage of two different substances and their coextrusion from the spout so that external pressure is applied to the latter when desired. Optionally, such jets can be placed with specifically designed covers (screwed or hinged lid) having an appropriate annular ring and a tang to securely protect against cross-contamination in the orifice. Preferably, the adapter according to the invention comprises a threaded component in the form of a modified cover with internal threads to coincide with the threads of the neck portion of conventional dentifrice tubes. One of the different configurations of the adapter is for the central duct provided in the adapter that communicates with the inside of the smaller tube with which it is adjusted by screwing. The adapter is additionally provided with pressure adjusting means for retaining the tube coaxially within the larger tube to obtain the dual tube spout of the invention, the pressure adjusting means being capable of forming a pressure adjusting connection in the Internal portion of the neck of the largest tube. The threaded component can be made by any conventional method and materials, and preferably manufactured by injection molding if plastic materials are used. The invention, its objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the adapter and the dual-tube dispenser using such an adapter according to the invention made with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation view of a first embodiment of the adapter according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the adapter according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional elevation view of the adapter taken along the line S -S 'in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the adapter of the present invention; Figure 5 is a top plan view of the adapter of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view of the adapter taken along the line S-S 'of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an elevation view of a third embodiment of the adapter of the invention; Figure 8 is a top plan view of the adapter of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a sectional elevation view of the adapter taken along the line S-S 'of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the adapter of the present invention; Figure 11 is a top plan view of the adapter of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a sectional elevation view of the adapter taken along the line S-S 'of Figure 11; Figure 13 is an elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the adapter according to the present invention; Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the adapter, according to Fig. 13; Figure 15 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line S-S 'of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of the adapter of the invention; Figure 17 is a sectional view taken along the line S-S 'of Figure 16; Figures 18A-18D are schematic illustrations showing the manufacture of a double tube dispenser according to the invention; Figure 19 illustrates a top plan view of the double tube dispenser of the invention (without the lid closure of the larger tube). Reference is first made to figures 1 to 3 which illustrate the first embodiment of the adapter of the invention. Figure 1 shows the adapter indicated generally with the reference letter (A) in an elevation view. As clearly illustrated in the figure, the adapter (A) is basically constituted by a cylindrical base portion (B) with a contiguous flange (S), the latter extending to form a tubular extension (TB) in the upper part. A plurality of extension rods (ST) is molded onto the adapter (A). Each rod (ST) originates near the base (B) and extends upwards towards the rim (S) just below the upper edge of the tubular extension (TB). Reference is now made to Figure 2, which illustrates the construction of the adapter in a top plan view.

As shown clearly in the figure, the adapter has a central duct (01) which communicates with the inside of a small tube (such as a tube of toothpaste with a nominal diameter of 19 mm) with which it is screwed in. . The figure represents in the top plan view the base (B), the flange (S), the tubular extension (TB) and the rods (ST) of the adapter formed according to the invention. In Figure 3, the adapter (A) is shown in a sectional view along the line SS 'of Figure 2. As shown in the figure, the adapter is provided with internal threads (TH) corresponding to the threads of the neck portion of any conventional tube, the tube has an orifice of smaller size than the tube in which it is placed by pressure (hereinafter referred to as the smallest and largest tube, respectively). In addition, the base (B), the flange (S) and the tubular extensions (TB) the rods (ST) and the central opening (01) of the adapter are illustrated in a sectional view. According to the first embodiment described above, it is shown that the central opening (01) has a circular and concentric interior opening with respect to the opening of the smaller tube in which the adapter is fixed by means of the threads (TH) of the adapter and the corresponding threads on the neck of the small tube. Reference is now made to Figures 4 to 17 which illustrate further embodiments of the adapter of the invention. The second embodiment illustrated with respect to Figures 4 to 6 shows the adapter having a cylindrical base (B) which extends along the rim (S) to form the tubular extension (TB). Shown are stems (ST) that originate from the base (B) and extend along the ridge (S) to a position just below the top of the tubular extension (TB). In this second embodiment, the basic characteristics of the adapter comprise the cylindrical base (B), the flange (S), the tubular extension (TB), the central opening (01) and the rods (ST) that are provided as in the first embodiment illustrated with reference to figures 1 to 3. However, in this second embodiment, an internal shape and configuration of the tubular extension (TB) is provided to obtain a central opening (01) in square shape to thereby obtain a supply in square form of the content of a smaller tube with which the opening (01) is in communication.

The third embodiment illustrated with respect to Figures 7 to 9 shows an adapter having a cylindrical base (B) which extends along the rim (S) to form the tubular extension (TB). The stems (ST) originating from the base (B) are shown and extend along the rim (S) to a position just below the top in the tubular extension (TB). . In this third embodiment, the basic characteristics of the adapter comprise the cylindrical base (B), the flange (S), the tubular extension (TB), the central opening (01) and the rods (ST) that are provided similar to those of the first embodiment illustrated with reference to figures 1 to 3. However, in the third embodiment, the internal shape and configuration of the tubular extension (TB) is provided so that it has a central opening (01) in the shape of a star for this way obtain a supply in star form of the content of the smaller tube with which the opening (01) is in communication. The adapter according to the fourth embodiment is illustrated with respect to Figures 10-12. In this fourth embodiment, the adapter also has the same basic characteristics of the cylindrical base (B), the flange (S), the tubular extension (TB), the central opening (01) and the rods (ST) similar to those of the first modality. However, according to this fourth embodiment it is shown to the tubular extension (TB) that is provided with a port hole (PH) on its side in addition to the central opening (01). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the content of the smaller tube can be supplied through an addition to the central opening (01), the port holes (PH) located on the side walls of the tubular extension (TB ). Optionally, the supply of the central opening (01) can be blocked appropriately, as desired. Reference is now made to the fifth embodiment of the adapter of the invention illustrated in Figures 13-15. As illustrated in the figures, the adapter of this fifth embodiment also has the basic characteristics of the cylindrical base (B), the flange (S), the tubular extension (TB), the central opening (01) and the similar rods (ST). to those of the first modality. However, in this embodiment the adapter having port holes (PH) provided in the flange (S) is shown. Thus, according to this embodiment, the contents of the smaller tube can be supplied through, in addition to the central conduit (01) the port holes (PH) in the flange. Optionally, the spout of the central opening (01) can be locked properly, when desired. The shape and number of port holes as illustrated in Figures 10-15 may vary based on the content to be supplied and / or the end use. It is also possible to vary the shape and configuration of the external surface of the adapter body portion in particular the tubular extension thereof and / or the rods with or without modification of the internal shape and the configuration of the tubular extension [the central opening 01] to obtain a spout of modified additional form of the contents through the adapter for use in a dual tube dispenser of the present invention. Reference is now made to a sixth additional embodiment of the adapter of the invention illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. As shown in Figure 17, the sectional view along SS 'of Figure 16, the adapter has a base cylindrical (B) which extends along the rim (S) to form a central opening (01) in a concentric semicircular shape as can clearly be seen in the upper plan view of figure 16. The rods (ST) in this also extend from the cylindrical base (B) upward, tapering just below the upper edge of the opening (01) in a semicircular shape. The central opening (01) in the sixth mode of this This method provides a non-concentric semicircular supply conduit for the content of the smaller tube in the dual tube dispenser assembly of the invention. The outer dimensions of the rods (ST) and at least a portion of the adapter body part provide a pressure adjustment connection with respect to the internal dimensions of the larger tube neck with which the adapter is snapped in order to retaining and housing the small sized tube coaxially within the larger tube in the dual tube dispenser of the invention. Although the illustrated exemplary embodiments represent variations of the adapter based on a unique differentiator (shape / size of the opening), inclusions of port holes), the plurality of such features may be combined as appropriate to obtain the desired adapter. Reference is now made to FIGS. 18A to 18D which show the method for producing the dual tube spout used in the adapter according to the present invention. In Figure 18A the smaller tube (t) which has already been filled with the material of a variety (by conventional filling machines), and has been sealed, shown around to be placed with the adapter (A) by movement rotating the tube (t) with respect to the adapter (A) along the direction of the arrow (ar). The internal threads (TH) of the adapter (A) and the external threads (thl) around the neck (ni) of the smaller tube (t) provide an adjustment by screwing the adapter (A) to the smaller tube. Once the adjustment by screwing the adapter (A) to the smaller tube (t) is obtained in the manner described above, the assembly of the smaller tube (t) is obtained with the adapter (A) shown in Figure 18B. After carrying out the assembly of the tube (t) and the adapter (A) as in the above, the double tube dispenser is manufactured following the process steps illustrated in Figures 18C and 18D. In Figure 18C, the smaller tube (t), duly filled and sealed with the adapter (A) screwed thereon, is shown when inserted into a large (empty) tube (T) through the rear end. open the largest tube (T). The mouthpiece of the large-sized tube (T) is closed by the releasable lid (C). In this way, the adapter with the smaller tube (t) is inserted into the larger tube (T), until the adapter rods (ST) provide pressure adjustment with respect to the inner portion of the neck (n2) of the tube larger (T) in order to retain and house the smaller tube (t) coaxially inside the larger tube (T). Such a pressure adjustment connection of the adapter (A) and the smaller tube (t) assembled internally within the larger tube (T) is further illustrated in Figure 18D, where only the largest tube (T) is shown in FIG. a view in elevation, in section. After assembling the smaller tube (t) inside the larger tube (T) with the adapter (A) as described above, there is an intermediate space between the outer part of the smaller tube (t) with the adapter (A ) and the inner part of the larger tube (T) is filled with the material of another variety (different and having a characteristic different from that of the material contained in the smaller tube) by means of a filling machine. The filling of the two different substances in the respective portions as mentioned above can be carried out by any conventional or specially designed tube filling aid. After completing the filling of the respective portions, the open rear end of the larger tube (T) is closed when pressing and sealing by mechanical, ultrasonic or impulse heating processes. Therefore, the double tube dispenser is adapted to store two separate substances separately and thus avoid, for example, some chemical reaction and / or problems due to physical incompatibility in the storage of such substances together. For the purpose of supplying the substances as they are stored before from a double tube dispenser of the invention, the spout is externally subjected to external pressure usually by the fingers so that pressure is exerted on the larger deformable body portion of the tube. (T) and also in the smallest tube (t) in order to coextrue the substance contained in the smaller tube (t) through the opening (01) and / or the opening (02) and the material contained in it. the space (SP) through the opening (02) and the common outlet end of the spout. The openings (01) and (02) are clearly illustrated in Figure 19.

As is evident, the double tube dispenser of the invention can be obtained by means of an effective use of conventional storage tubes, for example, those with holes of 35 and 19 mm in diameter, by providing the adapter as described and shows in the present. In addition, the invention can use tubes of various diameters, typically from 10-50 mm for the interior and from 15-60 or more for the exterior. In addition, the adapter of the invention provides effective use of conventional pipe making and filling aids in order to avoid modification in manufacturing technology and save considerable time and expense in the manufacture of double pipe spouts. It is possible to make obvious modifications to the construction of the dual tube dispenser of the invention as exemplified above, such as by means of the selection of the material of the adapter, the selection of the variety of the compressible storage tubes used, variations in the shape and configuration of the opening for the simultaneous supply of the content of the double tube dispenser, the number and shape of rods and the manner of refilling the contents of the double tube dispenser of the invention, and all modifications include the perceptibility, eg, transparent / translucent condition of the tubes or the product forms as directed to obtain the same objectives than those of the dispenser of the invention, which are within the scope of the foregoing description. The adapters and tubes can be manufactured from any suitable construction material. Preferred construction materials for tubes and adapters include metals (such as aluminum, laminated plastics, non-laminated plastics, transparent / translucent / opaque plastics, thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics, commercially available storage tubes with diameters that range from 10 inm to 60 mm can be easily used in this invention.The plastic tubes can be without side seam, prepared by a coextrusion monolayer or by a multilayer plastic or can be manufactured using conventional techniques from laminated plastics ( The present invention can find applications in various areas such as dental, food, skin care, hair, house cleaning, adhesives with catalysts, etc., where it is desired to store two mutually incompatible substances in a common dispenser and to supply both simultaneously to allow interaction between them during use to provide a unique / improved benefit. Some of the possible applications include: i. dental fluoride supply in a plaster-based paste; hydrogen peroxide gel supply simultaneously with a paste based on sodium carbonate; simultaneous supply of gels of different colors and textures. ii. simultaneous supply in the hair of an anionic shampoo with a cationic conditioner. The design of the adapter will depend mainly on the final use, that is, on the supply of two mutually incompatible substances. The proportions of the two substances, their rheology and other physical properties such as density, etc., will determine to a large extent the dimensions (design) of the adapter. These properties will also have a support in the selection of construction material for the adapter as well as for stored tubes. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (17)

1. An adapter for use in a double tube dispenser, characterized in that it comprises: a body portion having a cylindrical base and a tubular extension thereon, in the upper part; means are provided in the cylindrical base to releasably fix with respect to a neck portion / small tube nozzle; external means are provided on at least a portion of the body portion to press fit and retain the smaller tube, releasably secured thereto in its cylindrical base portion coaxially within and with respect to at least a portion of a surface internal of the big tube; the body portion defines at least one conduit communicating with the interior of the smaller tube and is characterized in that it is provided with at least one additional conduit defined by the external surface of the body portion and the inner surface portion of the tube large to communicate with the intermediate space between the outer surface of the smaller tube and the inside of the larger tube that houses the smaller tube.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical base portion is provided with a contiguously formed flange which extends further into the tubular extension at the top.

3. The adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for releasably fixing the cylindrical base with respect to the smaller tube comprises internal threads provided in the cylindrical portion corresponding to the threads provided in the neck region of the small tube .

4. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that means are externally provided in the body portion for pressure adjustment and retaining a small tube coaxially within the large-sized tube comprising at least one rod provided in the body portion.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of rods are provided along the peripheral surface of the body portion.

6. The adapter according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the rods are integrally formed in the body portion and have dimensions to adjust by pressure with respect to the internal surface portion of the neck of the large tube.

7. The adapter according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each rod originates from the cylindrical base and extends along the rim and upwards to the portion just below the upper edge of the tubular extension.

8. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical base and the tubular extension are coaxial and at least one conduit communicates with the interior of the smaller tube comprising an inner conduit communicating with the small tube.

9. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular extension has an internal shape and configuration to define a concentric circular and inner conduit with respect to the orifice of the smaller tube.

10. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit communicating with the smaller tube further comprises port holes provided on the sides of the tubular extension.

11. The adapter according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the conduit communicating with the smaller tube further comprises port holes provided in the flange of the body portion.

12. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular extension is provided to have an opening non-concentric with respect to its cylindrical base.

13. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical base at the top along a substantially semicircular portion thereof extends in an upwardly tapered flange and the remaining semicircular portion thereof extends vertically. upwards to form the tubular extension in the cylindrical base having a non-concentric semicircular shape, the inner conduit communicates with the smaller tube.

14. The adapter according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one rod extending from the cylindrical base and upwards, along the tapered flange upwards, the configuration / dimensions of the external surface of the rod and the The vertically extending semicircular portion of the tubular extension is provided for pressure fitting connection with respect to the inner surface / dimensions of the neck of the larger tube.

15. A double tube dispenser, characterized in that it has a. adapter according to any of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for producing a double tube dispenser according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises: providing a small tube, properly filled and sealed, containing a different material with its releasable closure fitted thereon; replace the releasable closure of the small-sized tube filled by the adapter to thereby secure the base of the adapter with respect to the nozzle / neck portion of the small-sized tube; providing a large, empty, open tube at one end, with its release lock fitted thereon; Insert the small sized tube fitted with an adapter into the large sized tube through its open end and snap the outer surface portion of adapter with respect to the. surface / internal configuration of the large-sized tube, preferably near its neck portion so as to retain the small-sized tube coaxially within the large-sized tube; filling in the intermediate space defined by the outer surface portion of the small-sized tube with the adapter and the inner surface of the large-sized tube with the other of the different materials through the open end of the large-sized tube by a machine of filling followed by pressing and sealing the open end of the large-sized tube after the filling is completed to thereby provide the dual-tube spout.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the step of providing the small sized tube properly filled with the closure fit therein comprises: providing a small empty tube with an open end, with a releasably secured closure, placed on it; apply as a filler a different material in the small-sized tube by means of a filling machine through the open end of the small-sized tube, followed by compression and sealing of the open end and after the filling is completed. SUMMARY The invention relates to an adapter which allows two prefabricated tubes, such as toothpaste tubes of different sizes, to be placed together, one inside the other, to obtain a double tube dispenser which provides for the separate storage of two different substances and their coextrusion from the spout and, when desired by applying external pressure in the last. The adapter comprises a threaded component in the form of a cap with internal threads to coincide with the threads of the neck portion of conventional dentifrice tubes. A central duct provided in the adapter (A) communicates with the inside of the tube with which it is adjusted by the threading. The adapter is provided with a pressure adjusting means (ST) to retain the tube coaxially within the larger tube to obtain a dual tube jet, the pressure adjusting means is capable of forming a pressure adjustment connection in the internal portion of the neck of the largest tube.