US2056005A

US2056005A - Collapsible tube

Info

Publication number: US2056005A
Application number: US689547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph R Fleisch
Original assignee: Anchor Cap and Closure Corp
Current assignee: Anchor Cap and Closure Corp
Priority date: 1933-09-15
Filing date: 1933-09-15
Publication date: 1936-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 1953-09-29

Description

Sept. 29;'193 6. J. R. FLEISCH 5 COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed .Sept. 15, 1933 INVENTOR M ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims. (01. 221-60) The present invention relates to sealed packages, and more particularly to a collapsible tube and theparts thereof.

The commonv type of package for tooth paste,

shaving cream, salves and other pasty materials, comprises a tube formed of relatively soft metal having an outlet or nozzle and a cap threaded upon the outlet to seal the contents of the tube.

In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed by unscrewing and the tube is squeezed or collapsed to force portions of the product through the outlet. As a result, the caps are frequently lost or thrown away after they are removed, whereby no means are available for sealing the .15 remaining contents to prevent accidental discharge, deterioration, and hardening or caking of the product. Consequently, a substantial amount of the product is wasted or becomes unfit for further use. If the caps are dropped and found again, they may pick up dirt and contaminate the product, or the liner may fall out, causing the consumer considerable inconvenience.

In order to overcome the above objections, tubes having caps irremovably retained thereon have been utilized. The chief difiiculty with these is that they are too complicated, require expensive apparatus to manufacture andassemble them, and in'many instances they provide inadequate seals. These factorsv increase the cost of the packages to such an extent that packers cannot utilize them on a competitive basis.

The present invention aims to provide a simple, inexpensive sealed package for various products, such as tooth paste and other pasty or viscous materials. The present invention also contemplates the provision of a package which forms an effective seal, prevents loss of the cap or liner and provides an effective reseal for preserving the undispensed portions of the product.

The invention further contemplates the provision of an improved package which can be made at substantially the same cost as the cost of the inferior conventional package. In addition, the present invention aims to provide a cap which is attractive in appearance and is adapted to serve as an applicator for dispensing the contents.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive collapsible package for pasty substances and the like.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a tube which is closed at both ends and is provided with a conical portion adapted to be punctured to provide a dispensing aperture. Another object of the invention is to provide -mounted thereon which is adapted to form an effective reseal.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cap which is attractive in appear- 5 ance and may be used as an applicator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tube closed at both ends, the dispensing end thereof having a thinned portion to facilitate puncturing, formed by a depression on the ex- 10 tericr of the tube to make the location of the thin spot visible from the exterior of the tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap having a conical top portion facilitating the provision of a substantially larger aperture 15 for a cap of given diameter and facilitating the proper centering of the cap on the tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealed collapsible tube constructed of parts which maybe manufactured and assembled by 20 simple inexpensive operations.

Other and further objects of the invention will be'obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and de- 30 scription and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of the present 5 invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional v ew of a preferred closure cap of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a preferred container prior to applying the cap there- 40 Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the cap applied to the container;

- Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 45 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

and a top portion I adapted to receive a suitable closure cap. Preferably, the top portion 5 of the tube comprises a substantially conical portion 6 having a fiat apex portion I adapted to center the cap on the top portion. A suitable weakened portion or thin spot 9 is formed in the conical portion. This portion is adapted to be punctured to provide an aperture for dispensing the product from the tube and by reason of the conical shape of the top portion, a substantially large aperture is provided. The thinned portion 9 is preferably formed by a depression from the exterior of the tube. In this way, the location of the thin spot is visible to the person puncturing and the aperture in the cap can be made to register with it more easily. In addition, the film being attached to the inner surface of the tube minimizes any tendency for the metal to break when it is rolled back during the punching operation.

A neck portion l0, merging into the shoulder 4, is formed beneath the conical portion 9 for receiving the skirt of a closure cap and preferably is inclined upwardly at an angle of about four degrees to facilitate centering the cap. A stop portion or projection I l is formed on the neck portion substantially at the junction of the neck portion and the shoulder portion for permitting limited rotation of the closure and, preferably, is in" radial alignment with the weakened portion 9.

A preferred closure cap i4 is shown herein formed of molding material such as phenolic condensation products and synthetic resins, which is attractive in appearance and'which is not affected by any chemical action of the product. Preferably, the cap comprises a conical top portion l9 adapted to conform to and fit the conical portion 9 of the container and having an inner apex it adapted to substantially fit the apex I of the container. The outer apex II of the cap is preferably rounded to improve the appearance thereof and to facilitate its use as an applicator for dispensing the contents of the package. when desired. A suitable aperture i9 is formed in the conical portion it below the apex H for dispensing the product, and is adapted to register with the thinned portion 9 of the tube. The lower portion of the cap is provided with an integral skirt portion 29 adapted to be rotatably-attached to the neckportion It and preferably has suitable-ribs or knurls 2| formed therein to decorate the cap and provide" gripping means to facilitate rotation thereof.

The thinned portion 9 of the tube hermetically seals the contents of the tube, which enables the product to reach the consumer in the best'possible condition. It also makes the package tamperproof. One cannot sample or tamper with the contents without puncturing the film 0. This onables the purchaser to know that the contents are in their original condition, a feature greatly de-.

sired by manufacturer and consumer. The utilization of the film 9 also reduces the cost of the tube. It is not practical to make an offset aper ture in the tube because of the accuracy required of the cooperating parts utilized in the manufacture. A variation of one or two thousandths of an inch in the thickness of the film, occasioned by wear or imperfections in the tool, is relatively immaterial but such variations in tools for puncturing the end would be fatal. For these reasons, it is less expensive to form the aperture in the tube by a separate punching operation, where it is desired to pack a product in an apertured tube. Preferably, the caps are also formed, for the same reasons. with a film of molded material over the aperture, which is broken away before the cap is applied to the container. By utilizing this method of manufacture, the tubes can be made to compete in cost with conventional tubes, which is important.

In order to attach the cap to the container, the inner part of the skirt is provided with an inwardly extending rib 22 tapered to fit the neck portion in and spaced from the lower edge of the skirt to form an annular recess 24 adapted to receive the stop portion or projection II on the shoulder of the tube. A substantially semicircular rib 23 is formed within the recess 24, having

end portions

26 and 26 adapted to abut against the stop portion II to permit limited rotation of the cap. Preferably, the recess 24 is in radial alignment with the aperture l9, so that upon assembling the package, entry of the projection il into the recess 24 is facilitated by aligning the aperture with the weakened portion. The lower portion of the rib 23 may be tapered at 21 to fit the shoulder of the container so that it does not interfere with the rotation of the cap. If desired, a pair of spaced projections may be provided in the recess 24 instead of the rib 29. In order to attach the cap, a suitable recess 29 is formed above the rib 22 for permitting a portion of the tube to be expanded therein, as described hereinafter.

In Fig, 4, the cap is shown applied upon the container and rotatably mounted thereon by forming a projection 30 in the neck portion to extend radially outwardly and fit into the groove 29. when the cap is in the position shown herein, the aperture i9 registers with the weakened portion 9 of the container, while the corresponding conical surfaces of the cap and container fit snugly to provide a seal and are relatively rotatable. As shown in Fig. 5, the end portion 25 of the rib 21 abuts against the stop portion II to prevent further counter-clockwise rotation of the cap and to facilitate registry of the aperture portion 9 and the aperture I9. If the cap is rotated in a clockwise direction, the end portion 2! permits substantially a half turn so that the conical portion of the cap seals the aperture portion 9.

In Fig. 6, a perspective view of the cap and container is. shown, with portion 9 punched out to provide an aperture 3| The metal of the tube is ductile, permitting the film to be punctured by any suitable instrument, such as a pointed wooden peg. The metal does not break but coils about the inner periphery of the opening, which gives a smooth contour to the exterior or visible side of the aperture. The cap fits the tube suillciently tight to seal the opening, when the cap is rotated to close the opening. In this manner, the cap forms an effective reseal in every instance, while the contents of the package are being dispensed.

The parts of the present invention may be made by utilizing thesimplest and least expensive methods. The closure caps may be molded by means of a mold memberproviding the outer contour of the cap, and a pin forming the inner portions thereof. When the pin is retracted from the mold member, the groove portion 29 will cause the cap to remain on the pin and be withdrawn from the mold. The cap may then be stripped from the pin by a stripping member,,due to the slightly plastic or flexible properties of the cap material. The caps are then polished and inspected and are ready for assembly upon the tubes. The tubes are preferably made in the conventional manner, but a closed upper end portion which prevents shifting thereof prior to being attached. A suitable tool is inserted into the open end of the tube to spin or expand a portion of the neck i0 radially outwardly to form the projection 30, which extends and fits into the recess 29, whereby the cap is rotatably mounted on the container. The recess 29 is preferably hook shaped incross-section to give a good grip under the projection 30 and ample clearance above the projection. The tapered neck It facilitates forming the projection 30' with less complicated tools and also facilitates application of caps. The containers may then be lithographed or otherwise decorated before or after the cap is applied and thereafter filled and closed at the lower end by existing machines utilized for these purposes.

As noted herein, the containers are securely sealed atboth ends to prevent leakage or spoilage of the product during shipment. When they reach the ultimate consumer, they are opened by turning the cap to the position shown in Fig. 4 and punching the weakened portion 9 inwardly to form the aperture 3i. By reason of the depression on the exterior, the location of the thin spot is visibleand can be made to register with the aperture in the cap without difficulty. To make this initial opening of the tube easy for the consumer, a suitable wooden peg may be included with each tube. The product, which may be tooth paste, for example, is then dispensed by squeezing the'tube to force out the desired'quantity of paste and applying it to a tooth brush by moving the conical portion across a tooth brush.- The apex portion ll, in this manner, is used as an applicator to place the paste properly upon the brush. After the desired quantity of paste has been used, the cap is rotated to its closed position, whereby the conical part seals the aperture 3| to preserve the remaining contents of the package and to prevent caking of the product, as frequently happens when caps are lost from conventional tubes.

It will be seen that the present invention provides an inexpensive container for tooth paste, shaving cream, salve and the like, which may be conveniently manufactured without complicated or expensive machinery. The parts of the package provide a hermetic seal which may easily be broken by the consumer and also provide an effective reseal. Furthermore, the cap or liner cannot be lost and cannot be dropped and contaminated. Likewise, the consumer is not inconvenienced with removing and replacing the cap or struggling with it to match the thread of. the caps with the threads of the tube. In addition, themeans for connecting the cap upon the container Having thus described my. invention, I claim: 1. A closure cap formed of thermo-plastic material such as synthetic resins, comprising in combination a conical top portion having an aperture therein, a depending skirt, a hook-shaped groove in said skirt for rotatably mounting the cap on a container, an annular inwardly projecting rib beneath said groove having an inclinedtion having an aperture therein, a skirt portion,

a groove substantially hook shaped in section for rotatably mounting the cap on a collapsible tube, and a rib concealed in said skirt beneath 'said'groove having a pair of stop faces for permitting limited rotation of. the cap. I

3. A sealed package comprising a collapsible tube having an upwardly tapered neck portion, and a closure cap having a.v tapered rib fitting against said neck portion and having a substantially hook shaped groove above said rib, said neck portion being provided with an outwardly extending arcuate bead fitting into said hook shaped groove for rotatably mounting said cap upon said tube.

4. A collapsible tube comprising the combination of a body part and a top portion having a weakened area adapted to be punctured to form an aperture, said weakened area being provided by a recess at the exterior of the top portion whereby said weakened area is visible'from the exterior of the tube and ascertainable without I the use of index means.

5. A collapsible tube comprising the combina-- tion of a body part, a top portion having a weakened area formed by a depression on the exterior of the tube, and a closure cap rotatablysecured .to said top portion having an aperture therein conical part,said conical part having a thinned a-rea formed by a recess on the exterior of said conical part, a closure cap having an internal conical part adapted to rest upon the conical part of said top portion, and having an aperture therein adapted to register with said recess, and means for rotatably securing said closure cap to said top portion.

7. A closure cap comprising, in combination, a conical top portion having an aperture therein, a skirt portion integral therewith, an annular radially inwardly extending rib having an inclined container engaging surface formed independently of the exterior of said skirt, a groove above said rib for rotatably mounting the cap on a container, and inwardly extending means beneath said rib formed independently of the exterior of said skirt for permitting limited ro- .tation of the cap on the container.

8. A sealed package comprising a collapsible container having an upwardly tapered neck portion and a projection on said neck portion, and a closure cap having a tapered rib fitting against said neck portion, an arcuate circumferential groove substantially hook-shaped in section above said rib adapted to receive a corresponding bead formed in said neck portion to rotatably mount said cap upon said container, and a second rib stop iace for permitting limitedrotation of said cap.

9. A sealed package comprising a collapsible tube having an upwardly tapered neck portion and a weakened portion above said neck portion adapted to be punctured, and a closure cap having a discharge opening adapted to register with said weakened portion, a tapered rib fitting against said neck portion, and a substantially hook-shaped groove above said rib, said neck portion being provided with an outwardly projecting rib fitting into said hook-shaped groove.

10. A closure cap comprising in combination, a top portion having an aperture therein, a depending skirt having an arcuate groove therein, said groove having its smaller diameter at the lower side thereof and its largest diameter at the upper side thereof, a rib below said groove having an inclined race for engaging the neck 01' a container and stop means tor permitting limited rotation of the cap on the container.

11. A collapsible tube comprising the combination of a body part, a top part having a thin portion formed by a substantially circular recess at the exterior of the top part adapted to be punctured to provide an aperture, and a closure cap covering said top part and rotatably attached to said tube having a substantial circular aperture therein adapted to register with said recess, whereby said recess is visibly ascertainable from the exterior of the tube without the use 01 index means.

JOSEPH R. FLEISCH.