US2604231A - Closure for collapsible dispensing tubes in the form of a pair of transversely swinging caps - Google Patents

Description

July 22, 1952 N. PROBSTEIN CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBES IN THE FORM OF A PAIR OF TRANSVERSEILY SWINGING CAPS Filed Aug. 27, 1949 INVENTOR Now-01v Peaas TE/N TTORN Patented July 22, 1952 I TUBES IN THE FORM OF A PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SWINGING CABS Norton Probstein; Brooklyn, Application August 27, 1949, Serial No. 112,806

This invention relates to closures for collapsible tubes or containers for dispensing pastes, creams, shaving soap, paints and the like, where a little is used at a time and it is necessary to keep the container closed when not in use to prevent hardening of the paste around the mouth of the tube or unwanted escape of the contents. Screw caps for such purpose are in wide use, but such caps get lost and the threads get so clogged with the paste after a little usage that it becomes exasperatingly difiicult to put the cap on tight.

By myinvention, I provide a'closure which can not become separated from the tube and lost, which can be operated by a flip of the thumb, and which, when closed, seals the paste in the tube so it cannot escape if the tubeis accidentally pressed when the closure is shut.

My closure is preferably inthe form of a pair of transversely swinging or rotatable caps',wone above and the other below the neck of the tube, but closely fitting an elongated opening in the top of the tube. Both caps are secured to a common vertical pin extending through the top of the container, the top cap operating both as a thumb piece for turning both caps and as a top closure fitting over the top of the aperture through which the paste is extruded. The bottom closure prevents paste from being accidentally squeezed out between the top of th tube and the top cap, by a sealing valve action. My improved closure may be made up as a separate cylinder or ferrule, insertable in the top of the container and having two holes therethrough, one for the extrusion of the paste and the other forming a bearing for the rod connecting the hinged top and bottom caps. Or the top or neck of the container itself may be provided with the necessary apertures.

Referring to the drawings showing several forms my invention may assume:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible container, with my improved closure thereon;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the top of the container, showing the closure in the open position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same;

Figs. 4 and 5 are two perspective views of the insert I use in one form of my invention, which mounts my closure-Fig. 4 showing the same closed and Fig. 5, open;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of my invention in which the top of the container itself forms the mounting for the closure;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section of the same, showing the cap open;

4 Claims. (Cl. 22292) Fig. 8 is'apers'pective view similar to.Fig.-1, showing a'safety seal broken open,that-maybe used on new tubes; This seal is shown unbroken in Fig. 1. r l

' Inthe'drawingspa typical collapsible container is 'sho'wn at I; which is provided witha top or neck portion" 2 havinga hole -3 therethrough, through which the paste is squeezed when in use. Accordingto my invention, Imake the neck 2 of substantial lengthinside so as to shape the extrudedpaste into a. uniform. column and make both top and bottom.4 and 5=smooth andfiat to cooperate with swinge-awayfcaps or closures: 6 and I, one on the outside and the other inside the tube. Both caps are preferably secured to a'hinge pin 8 extended through a second hole in then'eck, and'the upper oapis preferably thickcried and knurled to facilitate its being used as a thumb piece.

5- Normally both caps are closed as shown Kl Figs.

l, 6, and 8, but when the user desires to use the paste, he turns the top cap with the thumb as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and '7 and squeezes the tube. When through, the user turns the top cap back in place, thus efiectively preventing escape of the paste, even if the tube be squeezed, since the bottom cap or closure is pressed tight against its seat by pressure of the paste.

According to my preferred method of making my improved tube invention, I construct the neck portion in two main parts, namely an outer neck formed as a part of the tube itself and hence of soft metal and a cylindrical insert or ferrule It of harder metal (see Figs. 4 and 5) pressed into the hole in the neck as shown in Fig. 2. The insert has a hole 3 of moderate size therethrough to act as a guide for the extruded paste and a smaller hole for the hinge pin 8 to which are secured the two caps 6 and I. A smooth, snug fit is provided between the top and bottom of the insert and the caps. Or the neck may simply be made in one piece as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

To insure the buyer that each tube purchased has never been used, I may place around the outside of the neck and the top cap, a plastic seal ring ll (Fig. 1), which must be torn or cut before the cap can be turned to one side to uncover the hole 3.

From the foregoing, the advantages of my invention over the screw cap dispensing tubes will be apparent. To open and use the tube, one hand only is needed, since the thumb can turn the cap to open it as the fingers of the same hand squeeze the tube, thus leaving the other hand free to hold a toothbrush. The top also always 1. A collapsible tube for dispensing paste and I like substances by squeezing the tube having a top with a neck portion having an elongated hole therethrough, a hollow ferrule having a press fit therein, the paste being extruded through the hole in said ferrule, inner and outer covers for said hole, the former being within the tube and the latter without, said covers being secured to a common pivot pin extending through a second hole insaid 'ferrule and inthe closed position fitting over thetop and bottom of the ferrule, whereby the hole is closed both inside and'out when the tube is closed.

2. A collapsible tube for dispensing tooth paste and like substances by squeezingthe tube, having a neck portion extending both beyond and'within the tube proper, said neck. having an elongated axial hole extending therethrough through which the paste is extruded in -a ribbon or rope upon squeezing, said neck having smooth raised surfaces at top and bottom, and a pairof closure caps-pivoted on said neck above and below said neckso as to swing across and tightly close both ends of thehole-by'resting firmly against said top and bottom surfaces, said caps being secured toacommon hinge pin to one side of said hole so that moving the outer cap 'also'moves'the inner cap.

3. A collapsible tube for dispenslngpaste and 4 the like as claimed in claim 2, having a detachable seal engaging both the neck oi the tube and upper cap to prevent opening until desired for use.

4. A collapsible tube for dispensing tooth paste and like substances by squeezing the tube, having a neck portion extending both beyond and within the tube proper, said neck having an elongated axial hole extending therethrough through which the paste is extruded in a ribbon or rope upon squeezing, said neck having smooth raised surfaces at top and bottom, and a pair of closure caps pivoted on said neck above and below said neck so as to swing across both ends of the hole and rest firmly against said top and bottom surfaces to seal-the hole at both ends, said caps being secured to a common hinge pin to one side of said hole so that moving the outer cap also moves the inner cap, and a seal engaging both the neck of the tube and upper cap to prevent opening until desired for use.

NORTON PROBSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 923,895 'Ryburg et al June 8, 1909 1,024,212 Lieb Apr. 23, 1912 1,051,920 Scheller ;.F'eb. 4, 1913 1,180,913 Foss Apr. 25, 1916 2,030,380 Love Feb. 11, 1936 2,056,956 Carpenter Oct. 13, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 405,953 Great Britain Feb. 13, 1934

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