US20030106903A1 - Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube - Google Patents

Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030106903A1
US20030106903A1 US10/342,916 US34291603A US2003106903A1 US 20030106903 A1 US20030106903 A1 US 20030106903A1 US 34291603 A US34291603 A US 34291603A US 2003106903 A1 US2003106903 A1 US 2003106903A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
shoulder
cap
tube
divider
nozzle
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/342,916
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English (en)
Inventor
John Geoffrey Chan
Li Li
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
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Procter and Gamble 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 Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Priority to US10/342,916 priority Critical patent/US20030106903A1/en
Publication of US20030106903A1 publication Critical patent/US20030106903A1/en
Priority to US10/796,316 priority patent/US6845884B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B65D35/24—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 with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/242—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 with auxiliary devices for mixing or discharging of two or more components
    • 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
    • B65D35/22—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 with two or more compartments
    • 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
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
    • B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
    • B65D47/0833—Hinges without elastic bias
    • B65D47/0838—Hinges without elastic bias located at an edge of the base element

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-chambered tube for uniform dispensing of a composition comprised of differing components contained in each of the chambers of the tube, and is particularly useful for dispensing multi-phased dentifrice compositions.
  • Multi-chambered tubes for the simultaneous delivery of different substances when the tube is squeezed have previously been known.
  • Concentric type tubes in which chambers of generally circular cross section and of approximately equal volume are provided one within the other, as well as side by side type tubes, in which the chambers are generally adjacent to each other, have been proposed.
  • Another continuing problem is providing an attractive presentation of a dispensed multi-component composition contained in such a tube.
  • the amount of material dispensed from each chamber of a multi-chambered tube is dependent upon the decrease in volume of the chamber occasioned by the deformation of the walls of the chamber. This deformation, and thus the amount of material dispensed, depends upon several factors including the relative rheologies and viscosities of the substances to be dispensed, the size and shape of the orifice(s) through which the substances are dispensed, the pressure applied to the tube, and the configuration of the tube and chambers.
  • Concentric chambered tubes are generally believed to be less desirable as compared to side by side chambered tubes due to the increased skin friction seen by the composition in the outer chamber of a concentric tube that results from increased contact with the outer wall of the inner chamber.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,550 “Dual Chamber Tubular Container,” issued to Mack et al. on Jul. 27, 1999 discloses a side by side tubular container having a dividing wall that is attached longitudinally to the tubular chamber sidewalls.
  • the plane of the divider wall of the dispensing exit is offset from the plane of the crimp seal at the bottom of the tube preferably by about 90°.
  • Other previously described tubular containers include those in which the crimp seal and the exit divider wall are in the same plane, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,894,115 and 3,788,520; and German patent no. 2017292.
  • tubular container described in the above-mentioned Mack et al. U.S. patent is believed to be difficult to manufacture in terms of attaching the dividing wall to the tubular chamber sidewalls, and further in terms of connecting the dividing wall of the tube to the injected molded dividing wall of the tube shoulder.
  • this tube is not believed to be easy or cost-effective to manufacture.
  • this tube has no device for flow regulation, making it difficult to maintain an even volume change across the chambers upon dispensing.
  • the present invention is directed to a multi-chambered tube for containing and dispensing a contents comprised of portions having differing rheology and viscosity characteristics, the tube comprising: (a) a body divided by at least one body divider into at least two body chambers, each body chamber housing a portion of the contents, the body being sealed at one end by a crimp seal and one end of each body divider being sealed within the crimp seal; (b) a shoulder comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attached to the body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least two apertures, at least one aperture in communication with each of the body chambers, and the other end of each body divider disposed within the shoulder and being sealed at the face of the shoulder nozzle; (c) a cap comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and at least one cap divider that separates the cap body into at least two cap chambers, each cap chamber being in communication with one of the body
  • the present invention is further directed to a cap and shoulder assembly for use with a multi-chambered tube body.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the tube assembly of the present invention, comprising a body, a shoulder and a cap, with the interior of the assembly shown in perspective in dashed lines;
  • FIG. 1 a is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 1 b is a plan view of the divider wall 22 that is shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 1 c is a cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 1 d is a cross sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a portion of the tube of FIG. 1 with the cap removed;
  • FIG. 2 b is a top view of the portion of the tube shown in FIG. 2 a;
  • FIGS. 3 a - 3 c are a side view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the cap of the present invention, with the interior of the cap shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3 a ;
  • FIG. 4 is a portion of the preferred embodiment of the tube of FIG. 1, showing the assembly of the shoulder and the cap.
  • compositions or components include oral care compositions such as dual-phased dentifrices, food products, hair care products, cosmetic products, and the like.
  • dispensing such as toothpastes, gels, and combinations of such pastes and gels.
  • the tube 10 is generally comprised of a tube body 20 having an interior body divider 22 , a shoulder 30 (see FIG. 2) and a cap 40 (see FIG. 3) that is provided with a dispensing orifice 50 through which a desired amount of the contents of the tube can dispensed when the tube body is squeezed by the user.
  • the cap 40 is preferably provided with a flip open lid 60 that is hinged to the cap body 44 .
  • a screw-on type cap could be provided.
  • a dual chambered tube 10 is shown.
  • the body 20 is divided into two side by side chambers by the body divider 22 .
  • a first body chamber 18 houses a first portion of a contents and a second body chamber 19 houses a second portion of the contents.
  • Such a tube is useful, for example, in housing a dual phased dentifrice composition in which the first portion of the contents comprises ingredients that are reactive with ingredients contained in the second portion of the contents.
  • a non-limiting example is a dentifrice formulation in which the first portion comprises a soluble fluoride ion source and the second portion comprises a polyphosphate source such as linear “glassy” polyphosphates.
  • Such polyphosphates significantly react with ionic fluoride in oral compositions at ambient temperature; this reaction compromises the ability of the oral composition to provide stable ionic fluoride and polyphosphate to the oral surfaces.
  • the two component compositions must remain physically separated until the time of actual use.
  • a dentifrice is described in, e.g., WO98/22079, “Dentifrice Compositions Containing Polyphosphate and Fluoride,” published May 28, 1998.
  • FIG. 1 a shows a sectional view of the body taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.
  • the body 20 is sealed by a crimp seal 25 at the end of the tube that is opposite from the dispensing orifice 50 .
  • FIG. 1 b a plan view of the body divider 22 is shown.
  • One end (crimp seal end) 22 a of the body divider 22 is sealed within the crimp seal 25 .
  • the body divider 22 extends from the crimp seal 25 inside the body 20 and inside the shoulder 30 .
  • the other end (shoulder end) 22 b of the body divider 22 is sealed within the shoulder 30 , more specifically, to the interior surface of the shoulder nozzle 34 . More specifically, the shoulder end 22 b is sealed at the face 36 of the shoulder nozzle.
  • the longitudinal edges 22 c and 22 d of the body divider 22 are sealed along the interior surfaces of the body 20 and the shoulder 30 . These portions of the longitudinal edges 22 c , 22 d are generally indicated as L 1 on FIG. 1 b .
  • the portions generally indicated as L 2 are sealed to the shoulder base 32
  • the portions generally indicated as L 3 are sealed to the shoulder nozzle 34 .
  • a composition such as a dual phased dentifrice composition can be placed into each of the chambers 18 and 19 , and can be kept physically separate until the time of actual use.
  • Each component will have different viscosity and rheology characteristics and therefore different flow characteristics when a compressive (squeezing) force is applied to the tube by a user; hence, the source of the difficulties in uniform dispensing.
  • the component portions of the composition housed in the container may be formulated so that the compressive force required to cause each component to flow is substantially equivalent, as described in WO 97/46462.
  • the types of formulations that may be housed in such as container as well as the formulator's selection of ingredients are quite limited.
  • compositions in which the components have significantly different yield stresses and shear indicies are especially difficult to dispense.
  • Yield stress and shear index are relevant to viscosity according to the Hershcel-Bulkley viscosity model in which:
  • Viscosity (yield stress/shear rate)+(consistency factor ⁇ (shear rate) (n ⁇ 1) ).
  • the present invention there is no need to formulate the composition housed in the container such that the compressive forces required to cause each component to flow are substantially equivalent.
  • the container of the present invention and in particular the cap and shoulder assembly of the provides invention, provides regulation of the respective flow speeds of the components to provide uniform dispensing.
  • a wide range of formulations and ingredients may be used in connection with the container of the present invention without limitation.
  • FIG. 1 a a cross section of the body taken at a point that is about halfway between the crimp seal 25 and the dispensing orifice 50 , e.g., at section line A-A in FIG. 1, can be seen.
  • the two chambers 18 and 19 divided by the body divider 22 are shown.
  • the body divider 22 experiences no spiraling from the crimp seal 25 through the interior of the body 20 and into the shoulder 30 .
  • the body divider 22 it is not necessary that the body divider 22 be curved or have a sinusoidally shaped curve that matches the curvature of the cap divider 42 ; the body divider 22 preferably does not “turn” within the body of the tube. Its function is to separate the body into two chambers and to contribute to uniform dispensing as further described below.
  • the tube of the present invention is believed to provide manufacturing advantages over the previously developed side by side and concentric dual chambered tubes.
  • the tube 10 comprised of a body 20 and a body divider 22 according to the preferred embodiments herein may be assembled using conventional tube manufacturing processes that are simple and cost-effective.
  • the divider 22 is simply inserted into the body 20 and sealed along the edges as follows.
  • the web from which the tube body 20 is formed is rolled up and formed into a generally rounded or oval shape.
  • the divider 22 is inserted into the pre-finished rounded-shaped body; then the divider 22 is longitudinally sealed along the tube edges after the divider 22 has been correctly positioned within the body, see FIGS. 1 and 1 a.
  • the tube body 20 with the divider 22 sealed within it are simultaneously attached with the tube shoulder 30 in one step as follows.
  • a piece of hot donut shaped HDPE material is spitted into a tube shoulder mold, and then the rounded-shaped tube body with the divider fixed therein is compressed into the hot donut shaped HDPE to form the tube shoulder.
  • the tube body and divider wall can be assembled as follows.
  • the body divider is first sealed to the web that comprises the sidewall of the tube body, before this web is rolled into the pre-finished tubular shape. After the web has been rolled up and formed into the tubular shape, the body divider is then blown up so that it creates two side by side chambers.
  • the body divider is usually made from a less rigid material as compared to the material that forms the tube body, so that the body divider can be blown up to create the chambers.
  • a cross section of such a tube is shown in FIG. 1 c .
  • this type of tube is overall more difficult to manufacture and fill than the preferred embodiment with rigid body divider wall described above.
  • Another potential disadvantage of such a design is that the body divider tends to contact and follow the shape of the tube body sidewall instead of maintaining the separation between the two chambers.
  • the body is comprised of two separate chambers, a first chamber 18 in the shape of a “D” and a second chamber 19 being a mirror image of the first chamber 18 .
  • a cross section of such a tube body is shown in FIG. 1 d .
  • the divider wall is not a separate element as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 1 a, and 1 b.
  • the tube body 20 and the body divider 22 may be comprised of any materials known to those of skill in the art that provide adequate storage of the dentifrice or other product contained in the tube.
  • the materials comprising the body 20 should have no reaction with the components that comprise the contents, such that the contents could be rendered unsafe or otherwise unsuitable for consumer use. They should, of course, also be durable enough to withstand normal consumer use without leakage, tearing or breakage, etc.
  • suitable materials from which the tube body may be comprised include polyethylenes, such as low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), medial density polyethylene (“MDPE”), and high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), ethylene acrylic acid (“EAA”), foils, such as aluminum foil, or any of the above materials in any combination, for example, formed as a laminate structure.
  • the side walls of the tube body 20 are preferably from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm thick, with about 0.3 mm generally being suitable. It is possible to provide thicker or thinner sidewalls, but it is believed that such would not be particularly cost-effective and would not necessarily provide additional dispensing benefits.
  • Laminate materials are preferred for the body side walls.
  • the body divider is preferably from about 0.05 mm to about 0.30 mm thick, preferably from about 0.1 mm to about 0.25 mm thick.
  • the body divider 22 is made from a substantially rigid material so as to cooperate with the shoulder 30 and cap 40 to provide uniform dispensing of compositions comprised of components of widely varying relative viscosities and rheologies. “Rigid” as used herein means that the body divider 22 experiences minimal or negligible lateral shifting in response to any pressure differential existing in the tube interior. This is important to provide an even volume flow of each component from the body chambers 18 , 19 and into the cap chambers 48 , 49 .
  • the body divider 22 is not collapsible in either direction and is not displaced in either direction by a pressure differential across it.
  • the body divider 22 is substantially non-displaceable in response to application of compressive force to the tube body.
  • a preferred material for the divider wall is HDPE.
  • the tube body 20 is crimp sealed 25 at the end of the tube that is opposite the dispensing orifice 50 .
  • the other end of the tube body 20 is attached to the shoulder 30 in continuous bonded or sealed contact such that the contents of the tube are prevented from leaking out at the juncture 29 .
  • the cap 40 is assembled with the shoulder 30 as described in detail below such that the contents of the tube are similarly prevented from leaking.
  • the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 are desirably made by, e.g., injection molding. As described more fully below, in a preferred embodiment they are preferably comprised of separate pieces that are securely fitted to each other. In addition, the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 preferably have different material compositions, but alternatively may be comprised of the same material. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials from which the shoulder and the cap may be comprised include the polyethylenes described above.
  • the shoulder/cap assembly is shown in FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 1, 1 a, and 1 b are preferred herein, it is possible to combine the shoulder and cap assembly of the present invention with alternative tube body/divider wall combinations, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 c and 1 d and as described above, and such other combinations are within the scope of the present invention.
  • the shoulder 30 is generally comprised of a shoulder base 32 and a shoulder nozzle 34 .
  • the shoulder 30 is attached to the tube body 20 at the shoulder base 32 in a continuous bonded or sealed contact 29 such that the contents of the tube are prevented from leaking out at this juncture.
  • the shoulder nozzle 34 extends from the shoulder base 32 upwardly away from the tube body 20 and is received within the cap 40 when the shoulder and the cap are assembled. When assembled, there should be no leakage of contents during dispensing.
  • the shoulder nozzle 34 and the shoulder base 32 are preferably continuously formed from a unitary piece of material (e.g., by injection molding) as shown in FIG. 2 a ; alternatively, they may be comprised of separate pieces fused or otherwise securely attached to each other by any means known to those of skill in the art.
  • the shoulder 36 can be an integrated part of the tube body via injection or compression molding, can be screwed onto the tube by the use of mated threads, or can be heat sealed or glued to secure the shoulder face 36 with apertures 16 , 17 onto the tube shoulder.
  • shoulder nozzle 34 and the shoulder base 32 preferably have the same material composition, but alternatively may be comprised of different material compositions.
  • suitable materials include the polyethylenes described above.
  • FIG. 2 b is a top view of the tube and shoulder shown in FIG. 2 a (with the cap removed).
  • the face 36 of the shoulder nozzle 34 can clearly be seen in FIG. 2 b .
  • the shoulder face 36 is preferably separated into sections by a groove 33 .
  • the shoulder face 36 is comprised of at least a first section 36 a and a second section 36 b .
  • the shoulder face 36 will have as many sections as the tube has chambers.
  • the tube 20 has two chambers 18 and 19 ; correspondingly, the shoulder face 36 has two sections, first section 36 a and second section 36 b .
  • the shoulder face first section 36 a and the shoulder face second section 36 b can be an integrated one piece element or may be separate pieces.
  • the shoulder face 36 is provided with at least two apertures. At least one aperture 16 is in communication with the first body chamber 19 ; similarly, at least one aperture 17 is in communication with the second body chamber 18 . In other words, at least one aperture is in communication with each body chamber to provide a flow path for the component housed in that body chamber.
  • each aperture per chamber is shown in the Figures, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
  • the number of apertures in each section of the shoulder face 36 , as well as the characteristics of each aperture, e.g., shape and dimension of each individual aperture, is determined by matching the viscosity and rheology of the components contained in each of the chambers of the tube. This permits an even volume flow through the apertures in each chamber during squeezing. Thus, the contents housed in each chamber of the tube are dispensed simultaneously and at a uniform dispensing rate.
  • Multiple apertures in communication with each chamber may be provided, and may be of any size and/or shape, as long as they are chosen to provide the appropriate respective flow rates.
  • the groove 33 is preferably shaped such that at least a portion of the cap divider 42 is fitted into the groove when the shoulder 30 and the cap 40 are assembled, see FIG. 4.
  • this groove 33 receives the lowermost end of the correspondingly shaped cap divider 42 , see also FIG. 3 c , to provide a secure fit without leakage between the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 .
  • the groove 33 is shown in the Figures as having a waved or sinsusoidal shape, it should be understand that other shapes are within the scope of the present invention. However, it is believed that the illustrated wave shape of the cap divider 42 is desirable in term of provided the dispensed composition with an aesthetically appealing appearance.
  • the aperture(s) 17 located in the first section 36 a on one side of the groove 33 allow(s) the component contained in the first chamber 18 of the tube to pass through it to the toward dispensing orifice 50 , via the cap 40 .
  • the aperture(s) 16 located in the second section 36 b on the other side of the groove 33 allow(s) the component contained in the second chamber 19 of the tube to pass through it to the toward dispensing orifice 50 , via the cap 40 .
  • the shoulder nozzle 34 may further be provided with one or more alignment protrusions 35 that are located around the outer circumference of the shoulder nozzle 34 , see FIG. 2 a . Although only one such protrusion 35 is shown in FIG. 2 a for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that any number of such protrusions is within the scope of the present invention.
  • the shoulder nozzle is provided with one or more of such protrusions 35
  • the interior of the cap body 44 will be provided with an equal number of slots on the inside surface of the fitting ring 46 (slots are not shown in the Figures).
  • the alignment protrusions 35 sit within the slots to contribute to the stability of the fit between the cap and the shoulder.
  • the cap 40 has a cap body 44 provided with dispensing orifice 50 and a cap divider 42 .
  • the cap divider 42 separates the cap body 40 into two chambers, a first cap chamber 48 and a second cap chamber 49 .
  • the cap divider 42 acts as a continuation of the tube body divider 22 .
  • the cap 40 may also be provided with a flip open lid 60 that is hingedly attached 70 to the cap body 44 .
  • other types of caps e.g. screw on caps, can be provided and are within the scope of the present invention.
  • cap of the present invention may have more than two chambers.
  • at least one cap divider separates the cap body into as many cap chambers as there are tube body chambers.
  • Each cap chamber is in communication with one of the body chambers via at least one of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the shoulder nozzle is received within the cap body when the cap and the shoulder are assembled.
  • the cap body 44 is securely fitted to the shoulder 30 , and when the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 are so fitted, the cap body 44 receives the shoulder nozzle 34 , tightly encircling it so that no leakage at this juncture occurs.
  • This secure fit between the cap body 44 and the shoulder 30 may be provided for example via an integration of the molded parts 44 and 30 , a threaded screw on fit, or by a heat seal or glue.
  • the groove 33 and apertures 17 and 16 that are provided in the face 36 of the shoulder nozzle 34 are received within the cap body 44 when the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 are assembled.
  • This assembly provides a continuous path for the component streams flowing from each body chamber 18 , 19 into each of the cap chambers 48 , 49 , before the streams are mixed just prior to final dispensing out of the tube via the dispensing orifice 50 .
  • the cap chambers 48 , 49 of the present invention also serve as a damper to further regulate flow (volume/time) of the composition being dispensed.
  • the cap chambers 48 , 49 provide areas to rebuild volume before product exits the orifice 50 .
  • FIG. 3 c showing a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the cap 40 of the present invention
  • the cap divider 42 can be seen.
  • the fitting ring 46 can be seen.
  • the fitting ring 46 is to secure the cap 40 to the shoulder 30 .
  • the fitting ring 46 preferably has several notches 47 in its circumference. The notches 47 provide the fitting ring 46 with a certain amount of flexibility that assists in the securing of the cap 40 to the shoulder nozzle 34 .
  • the shoulder nozzle 34 may be preferably provided with an annularly projecting ring 31 (see especially FIGS. 2 b and 4 ), over which the fitting ring 46 of the cap 40 can be fitted. When the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 are assembled, this fitting ring 46 securely surrounds and holds the shoulder nozzle 34 .
  • the fitting ring 46 is concentrically disposed within an outer portion 45 of the cap body 44 , see FIGS. 3 a and 3 c , and there exists a small gap 34 between the cap outer portion 45 and the fitting ring 46 .
  • the cap outer portion 45 is contiguous with the tube body 20 , providing a generally continuous appearance, see FIGS. 1 and 4.
  • the shoulder 30 is not seen as part of the outward appearance of the assembled tube 10 .
  • the cap divider 42 is preferably mated with the correspondingly shaped groove 33 in the face 36 of the shoulder nozzle 34 when the cap and the shoulder are assembled. At its other end, the cap divider 42 preferably extends to a location just below the plane of the nozzle opening orifice 50 , i.e., slightly recessed from the plane of the orifice 50 , preferably by about 1 mm to about 3 mm, see FIG. 3 a .
  • This recess 52 allows the component streams, e.g., the first portion of the contents housed in the first body chamber 18 and the second portion of the contents housed in the second body chamber 19 , to merge just after clearing the uppermost end of the cap divider 42 and just before actually exiting the orifice 50 .
  • the component stream that is generally of higher comparative viscosity can help to “pull” the component stream that is of lesser comparative viscosity, avoiding separation of the two streams as they exit the orifice. Therefore, the dispensed composition comprised of two different component portions will have an attractive and uniform appearance upon dispensing.
  • the lid 60 may desirably be provided with a lid ring 62 that fits circumferentially around the dispensing orifice 50 when the lid is closed.
  • a lid ring 62 it is further desirable to provide a lid projection 64 that is mated to the shape of the cap divider 42 , such that the lid projection 64 is seated within the recess 52 , in mated contact with the uppermost end of the cap divider 42 , when the lid 60 is closed. This prevents drying of the composition after one use and before the next subsequent use.
  • the cap 40 /shoulder 30 assembly in combination with the rigid body divider 22 , provides uniform simultaneous dispensing.
  • the tube body 20 with divider 22 need not have a complex design since the flow rate and dispensing characteristics are primarily dependent upon the design of the cap 40 and the shoulder 30 . Accordingly, manufacture and filling of the tube as well as sealing of the divider wall to the tube body can be carried out using conventional tube manufacturing processes that need not be expensive.
  • the tube of the present invention can be made in many different sizes, including small volume sizes such as less than 50 grams, which is believed to be difficult with the currently available dual chambered tube designs.
  • the tube of the components of the dual-phased composition are contained in the first and second body chambers, respectively. Upon squeezing of the tube, each component flows from its body chamber, through its respective aperture(s) in the face of the shoulder nozzle, into its respective cap chamber. During all this time, the components are maintained physically separate by the body divider and the cap divider.
  • the components have rheology and viscosity characteristics that may greatly differ from one another, their natural tendency is to move through their respective chambers at different flow rates.
  • the faster flowing component will not be able to more quickly fill its respective cap chamber because its flow in terms of volume/time will be determined by the aperture(s) in the face of the shoulder nozzle that correspond to its chamber; in the case of the faster flowing component, its flow in terms of volume/time will be slowed down by the aperture(s).
  • the flow rate of the respectively slower flowing component into its cap chamber will be determined by the aperture(s) in the face of the shoulder nozzle that correspond to its chamber. Because the characteristics of the aperture(s), e.g., size, have been determined according the viscosity and rheology characteristics of this component, it must fill its cap chamber at a rate similar to that of the faster flowing component.
  • each component Once each component has filled its cap chamber, the components will be simultaneously dispensed from the dispensing orifice at a uniform rate, with an attractive appearance.
  • the embodiments represented by the previous examples have many advantages. For example, they provide there a multi-chambered dispensing tube that can consistently deliver the same amount, shape, and size of component compositions contained in each chamber simultaneously under the same dispensing rate.
  • the container of the present invention is effective in providing uniform dispensing of components that have largely differing relative viscosity and rheology characteristics and need not be limited to components that are of similar viscosity and rheology characteristics.
  • the container of the present invention is not limited to use with compositions that are formulated to be extrudable from the container at substantially equivalent compressive forces (i.e., compressive forces causing initiation of the components of the composition need not be be substantially equivalent).
  • the preferred embodiments herein are also cost effective to manufacture.

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  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
US10/342,916 2001-07-11 2003-01-15 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube Abandoned US20030106903A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/342,916 US20030106903A1 (en) 2001-07-11 2003-01-15 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube
US10/796,316 US6845884B2 (en) 2001-07-11 2004-03-09 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30467001P 2001-07-11 2001-07-11
PCT/US2002/021794 WO2003006331A1 (en) 2001-07-11 2002-07-11 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube
US10/342,916 US20030106903A1 (en) 2001-07-11 2003-01-15 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/021794 Continuation WO2003006331A1 (en) 2001-07-11 2002-07-11 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/796,316 Continuation US6845884B2 (en) 2001-07-11 2004-03-09 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030106903A1 true US20030106903A1 (en) 2003-06-12

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/342,916 Abandoned US20030106903A1 (en) 2001-07-11 2003-01-15 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube
US10/796,316 Expired - Lifetime US6845884B2 (en) 2001-07-11 2004-03-09 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/796,316 Expired - Lifetime US6845884B2 (en) 2001-07-11 2004-03-09 Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (2) US20030106903A1 (ru)
EP (1) EP1414707A1 (ru)
JP (1) JP3875687B2 (ru)
CN (1) CN1266004C (ru)
CA (1) CA2448818C (ru)
MX (1) MXPA04000234A (ru)
PL (1) PL201653B1 (ru)
RU (1) RU2271322C2 (ru)
WO (1) WO2003006331A1 (ru)

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US20050269356A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-12-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Controlling flow from multi-chamber containers
US20060198686A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 Cosmolab Inc. Multi-reservoir container with applicator tip and method of making the same
WO2006131163A1 (de) * 2005-06-08 2006-12-14 Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien Mehrkomponentenmittel zum färben keratinischer fasern
US20110127296A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Jeffrey Marc Hayet Apparatus for simultaneously dispensing two products
KR200464321Y1 (ko) 2010-10-19 2012-12-26 (주)연우 캡 일체형 용기
US8413845B1 (en) * 2009-07-20 2013-04-09 Thomas J. Duncan Dual-compartment dispensing container
WO2012164584A3 (en) * 2011-05-31 2014-06-19 Essel Propack Limited Aluminium barrier laminate
US20170203884A1 (en) * 2014-07-02 2017-07-20 Meyer Intellectual Properties Ltd. Edible paste dispenser
US20190261645A1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2019-08-29 James McHugh Soft serve ice cream spray canister

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US20040134438A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-07-15 Richard Ticktin Pet food dispensers and methods of dispensing pet food
JP3520448B1 (ja) * 2003-02-25 2004-04-19 昇 三浦 飲料用瓶の注ぎ口
US20070267436A1 (en) * 2006-05-19 2007-11-22 Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc. Container and a cap having simultaneous sealing of two orifices
JP2008062973A (ja) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-21 Sakura Color Prod Corp チューブ容器
US7980430B2 (en) * 2007-01-19 2011-07-19 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Valve carrier ring assembly
FR2914567B1 (fr) * 2007-04-05 2011-05-20 Philippe Roux Bouchon - tete de nebulisation fixee directement sur le flacon contenant le liquide a nebuliser
US20090065528A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Ithink Packaging Solutions, Llc Tube package system
US8622260B2 (en) * 2009-04-13 2014-01-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Multi-phase oral composition dispenser with adjustable flow
KR101088471B1 (ko) * 2010-04-26 2011-11-30 박은정 이중형 튜브용기 및 그 제조방법
MX2013006901A (es) 2010-12-17 2013-07-17 Colgate Palmolive Co Aparato dosificador.
JP5847293B2 (ja) 2011-04-19 2016-01-20 デンツプライ インターナショナル インコーポレーテッド 印象材送出システム
US9700128B2 (en) 2012-12-04 2017-07-11 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system
US9572418B2 (en) 2012-12-04 2017-02-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care dispenser
IN2015DN03318A (ru) 2012-12-04 2015-10-09 Colgate Palmolive Co
MD798Z (ru) * 2013-10-25 2015-02-28 Владимир ХМЕЛЬНИЦКИЙ Упаковка для хранения двух компонентов клея
US10004348B2 (en) 2014-01-19 2018-06-26 Runway Blue, Llc Lid for a container
US9392893B2 (en) 2014-01-19 2016-07-19 Runway Blue, Llc Closure for an opening in a lid
US11278139B2 (en) 2014-01-19 2022-03-22 Runway Blue, Llc Lid for a container
US10172488B2 (en) 2014-01-19 2019-01-08 Runway Blue, Llc Lid for a container
WO2018071589A1 (en) 2016-10-11 2018-04-19 Runway Blue, Llc Containers and container closures
US20180235839A1 (en) * 2017-02-17 2018-08-23 Leonidas A. Johnson Dual Container for Sterile Fabrication and Filling
EP4132471A1 (en) 2020-04-07 2023-02-15 Universität Basel A topical composition for treatment of pruritus
RU208520U1 (ru) * 2021-06-09 2021-12-22 Беслан Шудиевич Дадакаев Тюбик для вязких и жидких веществ с плоской двустворчатой крышкой
ES1279220Y (es) * 2021-06-25 2022-01-12 Valeriu Tacu Tubo cilíndrico con dos compartimentos individuales

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US1894115A (en) 1931-04-11 1933-01-10 Michael F Murphy Plural chambered collapsible tube
US3472423A (en) * 1967-10-13 1969-10-14 Stanley I Kaplan Means for dispensing separately stored substances
DE2017292A1 (de) 1970-04-10 1971-10-21 Dukess, Joseph William, Mamaroneck, N.Y. (V.St.A.) Verschluß in Verbindung mit einem zusammendrückbaren Behältnis
US3788520A (en) 1971-07-21 1974-01-29 J Dukess Multiple compartment tube with resilient divider
US5244120A (en) * 1992-08-19 1993-09-14 Cp Packaging, Inc. Dual chamber medicament dispenser
US5318203A (en) * 1993-07-01 1994-06-07 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Dual chamber dispenser
PL187283B1 (pl) 1996-06-06 2004-06-30 Colgate Palmolive Co Dozownik do równoczesnego współwytłaczania w uregulowanych równych proporcjach co najmniej dwóch komponentów środka do czyszczenia zębów
AU718698B2 (en) 1996-06-06 2000-04-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company, The Uniform dispensing multichamber tubular containers
US5927550A (en) 1996-12-04 1999-07-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Dual chamber tubular container
US5899361A (en) * 1997-06-10 1999-05-04 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Hinged closure for a dual chamber dispensing package
US6161729A (en) * 1998-12-14 2000-12-19 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa, Division Of Conopco Dual chamber dispenser

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050269356A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-12-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Controlling flow from multi-chamber containers
US7617950B2 (en) 2004-05-24 2009-11-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Controlling flow from multi-chamber containers
US20060198686A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 Cosmolab Inc. Multi-reservoir container with applicator tip and method of making the same
US7435027B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2008-10-14 Cosmolab Inc. Multi-reservoir container with applicator tip and method of making the same
WO2006131163A1 (de) * 2005-06-08 2006-12-14 Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien Mehrkomponentenmittel zum färben keratinischer fasern
US8413845B1 (en) * 2009-07-20 2013-04-09 Thomas J. Duncan Dual-compartment dispensing container
US20110127296A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Jeffrey Marc Hayet Apparatus for simultaneously dispensing two products
KR200464321Y1 (ko) 2010-10-19 2012-12-26 (주)연우 캡 일체형 용기
WO2012164584A3 (en) * 2011-05-31 2014-06-19 Essel Propack Limited Aluminium barrier laminate
US20170203884A1 (en) * 2014-07-02 2017-07-20 Meyer Intellectual Properties Ltd. Edible paste dispenser
US10086979B2 (en) * 2014-07-02 2018-10-02 Meyer Intellectual Properties Limited Edible paste dispenser
US20190261645A1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2019-08-29 James McHugh Soft serve ice cream spray canister

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL201653B1 (pl) 2009-04-30
JP3875687B2 (ja) 2007-01-31
US6845884B2 (en) 2005-01-25
EP1414707A1 (en) 2004-05-06
CA2448818C (en) 2007-10-09
CA2448818A1 (en) 2003-01-23
PL366618A1 (en) 2005-02-07
CN1266004C (zh) 2006-07-26
JP2004534702A (ja) 2004-11-18
US20040173632A1 (en) 2004-09-09
MXPA04000234A (es) 2005-03-07
WO2003006331A1 (en) 2003-01-23
CN1527781A (zh) 2004-09-08
RU2271322C2 (ru) 2006-03-10

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