WO2005035371A2 - Retained enclosed opening means - Google Patents

Retained enclosed opening means Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005035371A2
WO2005035371A2 PCT/US2004/025195 US2004025195W WO2005035371A2 WO 2005035371 A2 WO2005035371 A2 WO 2005035371A2 US 2004025195 W US2004025195 W US 2004025195W WO 2005035371 A2 WO2005035371 A2 WO 2005035371A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubular housing
opening means
enclosed opening
liquid
elongated tubular
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/025195
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005035371A3 (en
Inventor
Garry Tsaur
Original Assignee
Garry Tsaur
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
Priority claimed from PCT/US2003/030114 external-priority patent/WO2005040033A2/en
Priority claimed from US10/670,961 external-priority patent/US20050067316A1/en
Application filed by Garry Tsaur filed Critical Garry Tsaur
Publication of WO2005035371A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005035371A2/en
Publication of WO2005035371A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005035371A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
    • B65D75/585—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion the tear-lines being broken by deformation or bending
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/0008—Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
    • B65D75/5811—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness and defining, after tearing, a small dispensing spout, a small orifice or the like
    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/30—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during filling or closing of containers
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/40—Packages formed by enclosing successive articles, or increments of material, in webs, e.g. folded or tubular webs, or by subdividing tubes filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or plastic materials
    • B65D75/44—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes
    • B65D75/48—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes containing liquids, semiliquids, or pastes, e.g. cushion-shaped packages

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

An elongated sealed container (1) with a self-contained opening means (5) fully enclosed within the container to release the liquid (4) sealed within the container is disclosed. The retained enclosed opening means (5) may be operated by either squeezing or bending the elongated sealed container (1) at or near the retained enclosed opening means (5) to release the liquid (4) sealed within the elongated sealed container (1) for application. There are no loose parts that may be lost and all components are completely sealed within the container.

Description

PCT INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATION FOR RETAINED ENCLOSED OPENING MEANS
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to a sealed container with an enclosed opening means retained within the container for releasing the liquids sealed within the container.
BACKGROUND ART A variety of opening means exists for opening a container. Most opening means are in the form of a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. Some opening means are in the form of a frangible seal or a score line on the container that will allow the contents of the container to be released upon fracturing of the frangible seal or the container at the score line. All of these opening means are either attached to the container externally, such as the screw-on cap and the snap-on cap, or are formed as part of the container, such as the frangible seal and the score line on the container. None of the opening means are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and yet still allow the release of the liquids easily and reliably. The availability of an effective and easy to use opening means is particularly lacking for a small elongated container with a small cross-sectional area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an elongated sealed container with a retained opening means fully enclosed within the container to release the liquid sealed within the container. The retained enclosed opening means may be operated by either squeezing or bending the elongated sealed container at or near the retained enclosed opening means. Once the retained enclosed opening means is opened, the liquid sealed within the elongated sealed container may be released for application. When the elongated sealed container has a small cross-section such that the liquid within it cannot be released due to its surface tension, a guiding member may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of the liquid to release the liquid from the elongated sealed container. There are no loose parts that may be lost and all components are completely sealed within the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means. Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means. Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means in the closed condition. Figure 5 shows the retained enclosed opening means of figure 4 in the open position to release the liquids in the sealed container to be released. Figure 6 shows one embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means in the closed condition. Figure 7 shows the retained enclosed opening means of figure 6 in the open position to release the liquids in the sealed container to be released.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following description and figures are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description. Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means. In the preferred embodiment, the retained enclosed opening means comprises of an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3. A liquid 4 is enclosed within the elongated tubular housing 1 near the sealed end 2. An enclosed opening means 5 is affixed inside the elongated tubular housing 1 sealing the liquid 4 within the elongated tubular housing 1. The retained enclosed opening means 5 may be operated either by squeezing or bending the elongated tubular housing 1 at or near the retained enclosed opening means 5, When the elongated tubular housing 1 has a small cross-section such that the liquid 4 within it cannot be released simply by opening the retained enclosed opening means 5 due to its surface tension, a guiding member 6, 7 may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of the liquid 4 to release the liquid 4 from the elongated tubular housing 1 as shown in figure 2. One embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means 5 is shown in figure 3 wherein the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprises of a cylinder 8 with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing 1 defining a small liquid path from the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 to the liquid 4. The end near the liquid 4 has an elongated protrusion 9 that is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means 5 and is separable from the cylindrical body of the retained enclosed opening means 5. The elongated protrusion 9 seals the small liquid path in the cylinder 8 and prevents the liquid 4 in the elongated tubular housing 1 from being released through the retained enclosed opening means 5. The elongated protrusion 9 is further affixed to the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the elongated protrusion 9 will be retained at approximately the same position when it is separated from the cylindrical body. This will retain the separated elongated protrusion 9 at a predetermined position and prevent it from interfering with the compression of the liquid 4 in the elongated tubular housing 1. The affixation 55 may be in the form of one or more indentations or restrictions that project into the interior of the elongated tubular housing 1 and restricts the elongated protrusion 9 from movement within the elongated tubular housing 1. The affixation 55 may also be designed into the elongated protrusion 9, wherein the elongated protrusion 9 has a cross- section that will allow liquid 4 to pass around it yet has an interference fit within the elongated tubular housing 1. This may be accomplished by forming the elongated protrusion 9 with a cross-section other than a similar cross-section as the interior of the elongated tubular housing 1. The elongated protrusion 9 may have a cross-section in the form of a triangle, square, star shape, or any other shapes that will leave a liquid flow path from one end to the other. When the elongated tubular housing 1 is bent near the junction between the elongated protrusion 9 and the cylindrical body of the retained enclosed opening means 5, the elongated protrusion 9 will be separated from the cylindrical body and the small liquid path is exposed for the liquid 4 to be released from the elongated tubular housing 1 through the retained enclosed opening means 5. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means 5. In this embodiment, the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprises of a deformable cup 15 with a diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of the tubular housing 1 and a length that is longer than the diameter. The deformable cup 15 is inserted into the tubular housing 1 to seal the liquid 4 within the tubular housing 1. The deformable cup 15 is further affixed to the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the deformable cup 15 will be retained at approximately the same position when it is deformed. As shown in figure 5, upon bending or squeezing the tubular housing 1 at or near the retained enclosed opening means 5, the deformable cup 15 is deformed and a liquid flow path is exposed to allow the liquid 4 to be released from the tubular housing 1. A deformable sphere such as a plastic hollow ball with approximately that of the inside diameter of the tubular housing 1 may also be used instead of the deformable cup 15. The deformable sphere is also affixed to the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the deformable sphere will be retained at approximately the same position when it is deformed. Upon bending or squeezing the tubular housing 1 at the retained enclosed opening means 5, the deformable sphere will be deformed and a liquid flow path is exposed to allow the liquid 4 to be released from the tubular housing 1. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means 5 wherein the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprises of a cylindrical section 28 with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside the tubular housing 1. The cylindrical section 28 has a diagonal slit 29 formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material 30 connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section 28 and sealing the liquid 4 in the tubular housing 1 behind the cylindrical section 28. The cylindrical section 28 is further affixed to the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the cylindrical section 28 will be retained at approximately the same position when it is compressed. When the cylindrical section 28 is compressed by squeezing the tubular housing 1, the two halves of the cylindrical section 28 will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of the cylindrical section 28. A liquid flow path is therefore formed between the outside of the cylindrical section 28 and the inside wall of the tubular housing 1 to allow the liquid 4 to be released from the tubular housing 1 as shown in figure 7. Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means affixed inside said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position. 2. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing and that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path. 3. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing. 4. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a defoπnable sphere that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing. 5. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of said cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing wherein the two halves of said cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of said cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing. 6. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, an elongated member affixed to said sealed end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means affixed inside said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position. 7. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing and that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path. 8. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a hollow cylindrical body with an open end disposed toward said liquid and a sealed end affixed to said elongated tubular housing and with an elongated member extending therefrom to said open end of said elongated tubular housing with a frangible section formed on the hollow cylindrical body near said sealed end of said hollow cylindrical body. 9. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing. 10. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable sphere that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing. 11. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing the two halves of the cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of the cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing. 12. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, an elongated member affixed to said sealed end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means with an elongated member disposed inside and affixed to said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing with said elongated member extending towards said open end of said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position. 13. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion affixed to said elongated tubular housing that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path. 14. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a hollow cylindrical body with an open end disposed toward said liquid and a sealed end affixed to said elongated tubular housing and with an elongated member extending therefrom to said open end of said elongated tubular housing with a frangible section formed on the hollow cylindrical body near said sealed end of said hollow cylindrical body. 15. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup affixed within said elongated tubular housing. 16. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable sphere affixed within said elongated tubular housing. 17. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing the two halves of said cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of said cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing.
PCT/US2004/025195 2003-09-25 2004-08-03 Retained enclosed opening means WO2005035371A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/030114 WO2005040033A2 (en) 2003-09-25 2003-09-25 Sealed container with enclosed opening means
US10/670,961 2003-09-25
US10/670,961 US20050067316A1 (en) 2003-09-25 2003-09-25 Sealed container with enclosed opening means
USPCT/US03/30114 2003-09-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005035371A2 true WO2005035371A2 (en) 2005-04-21
WO2005035371A3 WO2005035371A3 (en) 2005-08-11

Family

ID=34437083

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/025195 WO2005035371A2 (en) 2003-09-25 2004-08-03 Retained enclosed opening means

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005035371A2 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3081006A (en) * 1958-10-13 1963-03-12 Land Walter Henry Tube like containers for food and a variety of other substances
US3118573A (en) * 1961-09-22 1964-01-21 Sta Safe Corp Squeeze bottle
US3179300A (en) * 1962-07-02 1965-04-20 Guild Molders Dispensing valve for squeezable tubes
US6041978A (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-03-28 Hagele; James Liquid dropper for upright eye drop instillation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3081006A (en) * 1958-10-13 1963-03-12 Land Walter Henry Tube like containers for food and a variety of other substances
US3118573A (en) * 1961-09-22 1964-01-21 Sta Safe Corp Squeeze bottle
US3179300A (en) * 1962-07-02 1965-04-20 Guild Molders Dispensing valve for squeezable tubes
US6041978A (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-03-28 Hagele; James Liquid dropper for upright eye drop instillation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005035371A3 (en) 2005-08-11

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