US1765281A - Dispensing tube - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1930. MacDQNALD 1,765,281

DISPENSING TUBE Filed March 14, 1928 Patented June 17, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK 1'1. MACDONALD, OF WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS DISPENSING TUBE Application filed March 14, 1928. Serial No. 261,633.

This invention relates to dispensing tubes and has as its object the provision of improved dispensing means for the container the contents of which are to be discharged 5 by means of pressure applied thereto, as in the case of the widely used collapsible tubes from which materials such as tooth-paste, shaving cream, paste, etc. are commonly dispensed. -T he conditions under which such containers are called upon to make delivery of their contents render it desirable to provide a dispensing means which can be opened and closed with a minimum of effort and delay. To these ends the invention provides a closure device for the tube of simple design adapted to be opened by the pressure of the contents when the tube is collapsed, and to close automatically when the pressure is relieved.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an elevation of a portion of a collapsible tube, showing the improved closure-device in place upon the neck of the tube, and partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, shown partly in section on line 2-2 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 3 is a view, in horizontal section on line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The dispensing tube with which the improved closure means is shown combinedis ofthe familiar type comprising the usual tubular container or body 1 of collapsible material such as thin soft metal which is provided with a neck 2 of rigid construction designed to deliver a fractional portion of the contents for localized application to a brush or the like spreading device. For the purposes of the invention this neck 2 is of smoothcylindrical exterior, is closed at its outer end by an end-wall 3, and is provided with an opening 4 of any desired shape formed in its cylindrical surface.

Over this cylindrical neck 2 fits a cap 5 having an interior shaped to conform to the neck 2. This cap fits upon the neck tightly enough to prevent accidental relative rotation thereon, or detachment therefrom, but still has capacity for being turned by the user when desired.

The cap is formed of suitable resilient material, which preferably also is yielding,- and in my experience rubber of the proper consistency hasbeen found to answer the requirementsv most satisfactorily. In the cylindrical surface of the cap there is cut a slit 6, at the proper point in the height of the cap, to, be brought-into register with the hole 4 in the side of the neck when the cap is in operating position upon the neck. The slit may be of any desired shape, but preferably is so made as to free a portion of the cap material of more or less definite tonguelike shape, depending on the stiffness of the material therein the slit shown is of arcuate shape, suitable for a cap of fairly firm rubber.

The slit 6 made in the resilient cap material forms a self-opening and self-closing seal. When placed in register with the hole 4 of the neck, as shown in the drawings, squeezing of the tube by the users hand will cause the tube contents to pass out through the hole 4. and issue from the slit 6, spreading apart the edges thereof to effect a passage. As soon as the pressure created by the I squeezing is relieved, the resiliency of the cap material asserts itself to return the edges of the slit to their normal position in close" proximity to each other, and the slit closes,

stopping the emission of the tubes contents V and sealing the opening 4.

It is important that the slit 6 shall extend across the cylindrical surface of the capv 5 or transversely to its axis in order that the stretching or radial expansion of the cap material, incident to a closefit upon the neck 2, shall tend to draw the edges of the slit toward each other. Preferably this slit is formed by the downward incision of a knife held with its cutting edge across the axis of the cap and with the plane of its blade oblique thereto. A out like that illustrated, extendingup and down the cap 5, would tend continually to gape open under the stretching strain on they cap material when the cap is in position upon the neck 2.

The sharping of the slit 6 as shown, to provide a tongue-like closure margin at one side of the slit, has an important bearing in providing closure means for tubes of shavmg cream and the like oily preparations. Freeing a tongue-like portion provides an area adjacent the slit in which the cap material hugs the neck with considerably less pressure than elsewhere. Thus the tube contents, when subjected to pressure, seek this low-pressure spot beneath the tongue, and easily lift the tongue to make their exit, with little or no tendency to spread laterally between the cap and the neck. Such spreadingwould act as a lubricant, destroying the caps grip on the neck and cause possible loss of the cap from oil the neck..

The closure effected automatically by the resilient sides of the slit 6 is entirely adequate under the ordinary conditions of use.

Where the tube is apt to be subjected to pressure at times when it is not desired to have it dispense its contents, as for instance when packed with other articles for transportation, the cap is intended to be rotated relative to the neck to move the slit out of register with the hole in the neck, in which relation the tube is effectually sealed against escape of its contents even When subjected to pressure. In this connection, the cap 5 is preferably provided with a flange or head 7 having a frictional exterior to facilitate easy gripping by the fingers in turning the cap relative to the neck.

The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated and its preferred embodiment having been specifically described,

what is claimed as new, is

1. A dispensing tube comprising a container having a tubular rigid neck provided with an outlet, a tubular elastic closure device revolubly mounted upon the exterior of said neck and having a discharge-slit the edges of which automatically close together, said closure device being stretched on the neck to thereby have a frictional fit-thereon to thus hold the tubular closure device after it is adjusted to the. points desired on the neck, said slit being so located that in one position of angular adjustment of the closure device it will register with said outlet to permit discharge of the container contents through the outlet and slit, and in another adjustment of the closure device it will be out of register with said outlet whereby the unslitted portion of the closure device seals the outlet. z

2. A dispensingtube comprising a container having a tubular rigid neck provided with an outlet, atubular elastic closure device revolubly mountedupon the exterior of said neck and having a transverse discharge-slit, said closure devlce being stretched on the neck to thereby have a frictional fit thereon to thus hold the tubular closure device in position after it is adjusted to the point desired on the neck and also a

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