US2657829A

US2657829A - Collapsible tube closure openable by pressure of the contents

Info

Publication number: US2657829A
Application number: US180002A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lila M Walch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-08-17
Filing date: 1950-08-17
Publication date: 1953-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1953 L. M. WALCH 2,657,829

COLLAPSIBLEI TUBE CLOSURE OPENABLE BY PRESSURE OF THE CONTENTS Filed Aug. 17, 1950 whm Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ooLLAPsIBLE TUBE CLOSURE OPENABLE BY PRESSURE OF THE CONTENTS Lila M. Walch, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 17, 1950, Serial No. 180,002 9 Claims. (01. 222-412) This invention relates to improvements in closures for collapsible tubes, such as are used to market pastes, creams, and the like which are expelled from the tube through an outlet opening formed in the neck of the tube.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved closure of this type designed to automatically open by the pressure within the tube when the tube is squeezed, and which, when the pressure is relieved, will automatically close the outlet opening.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a closure for collapsible tubes which will automatically open when pressure is created within the tube and which will automatically close when the pressure is relieved which is so designed that the parts thereof can be easily and economically manufactured and assembled, and when the assembly of the parts has been made they will be, in effect, firmly and permanently locked together.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointedout in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a. collapsible tube illustrating one form of closure embodying the present invention as having been applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a partial view in side elevation of the same, parts being broken away and shown in vertical section substantially upon the line 22 upon Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial view in side elevation of the tube shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and shown in section substantially upon the line 33 upon Fig. 2, and illustrating the manner in which the closure-forming elements and the tube may be assembled together;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionthrough the neck of the tube and illustrating the assembly as having been nearly completed;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the assembly as having been completed and the closure-forming elements in closing position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating the position assumed by the parts'when some of the contents of the tube are being expelled therefrom;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of one of the closureforming elements;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view througha neck of the tube but illustrating a modified or alternative form of construction; and

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the tube illustrated generally conforms to a conventional collapsible tube having flexible walls .III and a relativelystiff or rigid neck I I in which an outlet opening I2 is formed. While it is not essential to the present invention, the neck and outlet opening are illustrated as rectangular in plan, the neck having opposed side walls I3 and I4 and opposed end walls I5 and I6. I On the top of the neck there are opposed inwardly directed flanges I! and I8. These flanges are in length slightly less than the internal distance between theopposed end walls I5 and I6. They are slightly spaced from the top surface of the neck II so as to cooperate therewith to define grooves I9 and 20. The flanges I7 and I8 are considerably spaced from each other so asnot to materially interfere with thedischarge of contents of the tube through the outlet opening I2. The grooves I9 and 20 serve as ways for opposed closuremembers 2I and 22 which are slidably confined by the flanges I1 and I8 against the top surface of the neck I I. These closure elements have downwardly extending V-shaped springssecured thereto and which are preferably formed-integraltherewith, each spring consisting of'a spring arm 23 and a locking army 24 with the-arms connected to each other by a sharp bend 25.

In the preferred'form of construction the closure element and the spring are formed of re silient metal which is highly resistant to corrosion such as for example the ordinary stainless steel. The closure elements may be readily.

stamped from sheet steel stock and formed to provide the V-shaped springs integral with the closure elements.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, small webs 26 connect the under sides of the flanges I"! and I8 with the top surface of the neck II and these webs, in effect, provide abutments or terminals at the centers of the grooves I9 and 20 against which the inner ends of the closure elements 2I and 22 may abut. 'At the juncture between the closure elements and the spring arms 23 the closure elements are preferably recessed or notched as at 21 to accommodate the webs 26.

On the internal surfaces of the end walls I5 and I6 of the neck II there are formed inwardly facing

shoulders

28 and 29. These shoulders are spaced from the top surface of the neck II a distance approximately equal to the spacing of the top edge'of the locking-arm 2 4 with its respective closure element 2| or 22 as the case may be. The spacing of the ends of the flanges l1 and I! from the internal surfaces of the end walls l5 and I6 is such that when the

arms

24 and 23 are pressed together as illustrated in Fig. 3, they may be inserted between the ends of the flanges l1 and i8 and the end walls l5 and It. The width of the spring arms 23 is preferably approximately equal to the internal spacing between the side walls l3 and I4.

The body of the tube In and its neck H may be produced in conformity with conventional practice except that in the formation of the neck II the

shoulders

28 and 29 must be formed on the interior of the neck and on the top of the neck the flanges l1 and I8 and the webs 26 must be formed to provide the ways-providing grooves I9 and 20. The closure-forming elements may be stamped and formed as previously described. A feature of the present invention resides in the facility with which the closure-forming elements may be assembled with the neck. In so doing, the closure-forming elements 2| and 22 have their V-shaped springs collapsed as illustrated in Fig. 3 and while in the collapsed condition the sharp bend 25 is inserted in the small space between the ends of the flanges l1 and I8 and the end walls. When the springs are completely inserted they will, of course, be released and the locking arms 24 will be forced outwardly into engagement with the end walls. This occurs when the closureforming elements 2| and 22 assume positions at opposite ends of the grooves l9 and 20. When the closure-forming elements are released, the spring arms 23 serve to automatically shift the closureforming elements into the closing position shown in Fig. 5 wherein their inner ends abut the webs 26. In this position the locking arms 24 assume positions that are substantially vertical lying against their respective end walls l5 and i6 and abutting the inwardly facing

shoulders

28 and 29. The spring arms 23 assume positions that are upwardly and inwardly inclined towards each other extending transversely across the outlet opening from side wall to side wall. If the collapsible tube is then squeezed to develop pressure on the fluid or semi-fluid contents therein the pressure generated is effective on the inclined spring arms 23 to urge the spring arms to separate or assume a position illustrated in Fig. 6. When the spring arms separate from each other they merely slide their closure elements 2| and 22 outwardly in the grooves l9 and 20 in which they are slidable. When the desired quantity of the contents has been expelled the collapsible tube is released so that the pressure within the tube is likewise released and the V-shaped springs on the closure elements are effective to return the closure elements from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 5 thus automatically closing the outlet opening [2 until such time as pressure is again generated within the tube by pressing its collapsible side walls.

In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the construction is substantially the same as above described with the exception that there is a single locking shoulder 28a formed on the interior of only one of the end walls. In this form of construction the webs 26 are omitted and the closureforming elements 2la are of suflicient length to entirely bridge the outlet opening. The spring arm 23a assumes a position that is inclined from one end wall completely across the outlet opening to the opposed end wall. The locking arm 24a assumes a position lying against the end wall on which the shoulder 28a is formed and abutting against the shoulder. In this form of construc- 4 tion, when pressure is generated within the collapsible tube, it is effective on the spring arm 23 that extends transversely across the outlet opening to cause the spring arm to separate from the end wall of the neck against which it bears. This causes the closure 2Ia to slide from its position closing the outlet opening to allow contents of the tube to be expelled. When the pressure is released the spring arm 23a serves to automatically return the closure 2la to its closing position as shown in Fig. 8.

From the above-described construction it will be appreciated that the neck ll may be easily molded to shape and that the closure-forming element or elements with their attached springs can be easily stamped and formed. In assembling the parts it is merely necessary to collapse the springs on the closure elements and insert them between the ends of the flanges and the adjacent end wall of the neck until the closure-forming elements may slidably enter the grooves beneath the flanges. When this occurs the locking arms on the springs automatically seat themselves against the locking shoulders, thus forming a permanent assembly.

The closure thus provided automatically opens for the expelling of the contents when pressure is generated within the tube and when pressure is relieved and automatic closure is effected.

It is contemplated that the inner walls of the neck H of a collapsible tube may be provided with recesses to accommodate the locking arm 24, this construction of course providing shoulders similar to

shoulders

28 and 29 against which the locking arms engage.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deflned by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, spaced apart, opposed flanges on the sides of the opening and on the outer end thereof for slidably confining at least one closure element against the outer end of the opening, at least one closure element slidable beneath the flanges from open position to closing position, and a spring integral with the closure element and extending therefrom into the outlet opening and bearing against a wall thereof normally urging the closure into its closing position.

2. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, means for slidably guiding a closure element across the outlet end of the opening, at least one closure element slidable in said guide means, and a V-shaped spring secured to one end of the closure element and positioned within the outlet opening and bearing against a wall thereof normally urging the closure element into closing position, said closure element being urged to the open position by the material bearing against the side of the spring.

3. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, means for slidably guiding a closure element across the outlet end of the opening, at least one closure element slidable in said guide means, and a V-shaped spring secured to one end of the closure element and positioned within the outlet opening and bearing against a wall thereof normally urging the closure element into closing position, there being an inwardly facing locking shoulder on an internal wall of the out- {position to closing position,

let opening against which an arm of the V -shaped spring bears to lock the closure element against outward movement.

4. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, means for slidably guiding a closure element across the outlet end of the outlet opening, at least one closure element slidable in said guide means, said guide means being spaced apart and on the end walls of the outlet opening and V-shaped springs secured to the closure element and insertable into the outlet opening through said space.

5. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, flanges at the sides of the opening adjacent the outer end thereof for slidably con- :fining at least one closure element against the outer end of the opening, at least one closure element slidable beneath the flanges from open a V-shaped spring :integral with the closure element at one end :thereof, said spring having a spring arm extendiing transversely across the outlet opening and inclined to the axis thereof and a locking arm engageable with a wall of the outlet opening, and an inwardly facing shoulder on the mentioned wall of the outlet opening against which the locking arm may bear.

6. A collapsible tube having a neck in which an outlet opening is formed through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, a pair of opposed closure elements, flanges at the sides of the opening adjacent the outer end of the neck for slidably confining said pair of opposed closure elements, webs beneath the flanges forming abutments limiting the inward sliding movement of the closure elements, each closure element having a spring integral therewith having a spring arm adapted to assume a position inclined to the axis of the outlet opening, and a locking arm engageable with an inwardly facing shoulder on a wall of the neck.

7. A collapsible tube having a neck in which an outlet opening is formed through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, a :pair of opposed closure elements flanges at the sides of the opening adjacent the outer end of the neck for slidably confining said pair of opposed closure elements, webs beneath the flanges forming abutments limiting the inward sliding movement of the closure elements, each closure element hav'-' ing a spring integral therewith having a, spring arm adapted to assume a position inclined to the axis of the outlet opening, and a locking arm engageable with an inwardly facing shoulder on a wall of the neck, the flanges being spaced from the end walls of the neck a suflicient distance so that the springs on having their arms collapsed towards each other may be inserted through the space thus provided.

8. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, flanges at the sides of the opening adjacent the outer end thereof for slidably confining a closure against the outer end of the opening, a closure slidable beneath the flanges from open position to closing position, and a spring integral with the closure and extending therefrom adjacent one end wall of the outlet opening downwardly and toward the opposed end wall, said spring having a locking arm adapted to assume a position engaging an inwardly facing abutment formed on said opposed end wall.

9. A collapsible tube having an outlet opening through which the contents of the tube may be expelled, flanges at the sides of the opening adjacent the outer end thereof for slidably confining a closure against the outer end of the opening, a closure slidable beneath the flanges from open position to closing position, and a spring integral with the closure and extending therefrom adjacent one end wall of the outlet opening downwardly and toward the opposed end wall, said spring having a locking arm adapted to assume a position engaging an inwardly facing abutment formed on said opposed end wall, the ends of the flanges being spaced from said opposed end wall a sufiicient distance so that the spring arm and locking arm when collapsed towards each other may be inserted into the outlet opening through the space thus provided.

LlLA M. WALCH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS