US1859382A

US1859382A - Stopper and retracting device for collapsible tubes

Info

Publication number: US1859382A
Authority: US
Inventors: George R Cruze
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-04-28
Filing date: 1931-04-28
Publication date: 1932-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 1949-05-24

Description

G. R. CRUZE May 24, 1932.

STOPPER AND RETRACTING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed April 28, 1951 amnion 66099 R. Craze,

dbtoz M11 Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES GEORGE E. GRUZE, OF DANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA I STOPPER AND RETRACTING DEVICE FOR COLLAISIBLE TUBES Application filed April 28,

The present invention relates to a method of and device for stopping and regulating the flow of plastic or fluent material from dispensing containers and consists in the steps of procedure, and combinations and ar-- .29 it serves to clog or smear the tube opening when the closure cap is applied, or if not appliedwhich, is usually the casethe material solidifies or hardens through exposure.

Due to this last condition the tube end thus a sealed has greater strength than the material of the tube body with the result that when pressure is applied the tube itself breaks and the entire contents of the article must needs be discarded.

To overcome these disadvantages the ,present invention contemplates the-use of a device insertable in the tube at the time of filling which when collapsed acts to create an appreciable vacuum at a point near the discharge opening so that when pressure is stopped the emitting fluent substance is immediately retracted or withdrawn within the tube for a distance suflicient to entirely clear the neck opening. The device further acts to keepthe tube opening at all times clear and free from liability of hardening, and obviously there is no needless loss of substance due to the conditions above stated. This theory has heretofore been proposed but insofar as known'is believed not to have succeeded due probably to the defect of in'suflicient vacuum, or leakage between the diaphragm and the tube openlng. fault is that attempt was made to alter the m tube structure per se which is obviously imvwith the usual type of reduced end portions And a further probable" 1931. Serial No. 533,524.

practicable both in function and from the cost production standpoint. p

The invention as disclosed herein is especially designed for tubes of the collapsible type though it will be understood is equally as well applicable to fluent material containers of the non-collapsible type. It is proposed as an improvement over the construe? tion of article shown in co-pending applica tion for United States patent on Method and device for stoppin and regulating flow from collapsible tubes Serial No. 518,872,, filed February 27, 1931, and in which I am joint inventor.

The invention is shown by way of illustra-' tion in the accompanying drawings, wherein: a

Figure 1 is a central sectional view of the collapsible tube showingthe devce in applied position; 7

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the same in position for dispensing the material Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device per se; I

Figure 4 is a central sectional view of a modified construction of article 1 Figure 5 is a similar view showing the device at the time of dispensing, and;

Figure 6 is a perspectiveviewof the'modified construction of the article.

Referring to the construction in further detail and wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the. different views shown, 7 designates a collapsible tube having'neck 9 ordinarily closed by a screw cap, herein dispensed with. Said tube is of the conventional type employed fordispensing toothpaste, shaving soap, Vaseline, paints, and othersubstances and is no wise altered in its construction or changed in function by the application of this invention. That is to say, the device may be applied to tubes of this character generally. p The article per se consists of a disc or diaphragm 10 having an appreciably broad rim or marginal edge 11 that lies in intimate contact with the inner surface of the tube '1 at its juncture with the reduced end portiog 8. Said disc-or diaphragm 10 is constructe preferably of rubber and is formed with an integral and tubular neck portion 12 that extends through the neck 9 of the tube, and its outer end is provided with a cap or closure 13, as shown.

The cap or closure portion 13 is of double thickness as indicated in Figure 2 and is centrally orificed or slitted as 14, providing an opening through which the plastic material may be dispensed when the tube 7 is collapsed. And when pressure on the tube is released the created vacuum and pressure in the chamber 15 operate'to suck or draw in that oozing portion of the paste which otherwise would protrude beyond or lodge in the neck of the tube.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the disc portion 16 is formed in substantial thickness, or cone like, and shaped neck is of increasing thickness as at 19 to form the tapering end or chamber immediately adjacent 'the orifice 14, when closed, as

shown in Figure 1.

It is to be understood the invention as herein disclosed is not limited to the details of construction shown and described, as these may be varied widely without defpartmg from the spirit of the invention as de ned by the claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance, of a stopper and diaphragm of pliable material closely fitting in the tube at the discharge end, said stopper end being folded and apertured, and said diaphragm and stopper adapted to open and move with the material when the tube is collapsed and to close and retract the emittin substance when pressure is released, as an for the purpose set forth.

' 2. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance, of a combined stopper and diaphragmv of soft liable material fitting against the tube adJacent the discharge end, said stopper end being folded. and apertured and adapted to open and move with the material when the tube is collapsed, said diaphragm providing a vacuum adapted to close the stopper and retract the emitting substance when pressure on the tube is released, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a tube substance having a reduced discharging end for a fluent portion, of a combined stopper and diaphragm of resilient material provided with an orifice, said stopper and diaphragm closeily fitting against the tube end adjacent the ischarge portion and operable to open and move with the material when the tube is collapsed and providing a vacuum to close the stopper and retract the emitting portion of the fluent substance when pressure on the tube is released, substantially as set forth.

4. In combinationwithacollapsibletube for fluent substances having a terminating and apertured neck portion, of a closure member of elastic material comprising a hollow elongated neck fitting closely within the bore of said tube neck, and a diaphragm having its marginal edge in continuous contact with the wall of said tube thereby forming a seal between the tube end and the tube contents, the outer end of said elastic tube neck being folded'upon itself and slitted, and operable to open and dispense the tube contents when collapsed and to close and retract the emitting portion of the "contents when pressure is released, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance having a reduced discharging end portion, of a combined stopper and diaphragm therefor, said stopper. closely passing through the end of the tube and'havin its outer end folded and orificed, the marginal edge of the diaphragm being enlarged nd fitting against the reduced end portion of the tube, said diaphragm and stopper adapted to move with the fluent substance when the tube is collapsed and to withdraw the emitting fluent substance when pressure on the tube is released, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance having a reduced discharging end portion, of a closure device therefor comprising a cone shaped body portion 'fitting closely against the reduced end of the tube and having a tubular stopper passing through the end of the tube, said stopper having a folded and orificed discharge end and adapted to produce a vacuum and withdraw the emitting fluent substance when pressure on'the tube is released, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE R. GRUZE.