Abstract: A method of manufacture of a shaped flexible tube container, typically having a square or "D" section tube, from a flexible plastic tube (15) of substantially round cross section, in which longitudinally extending creases (31, 32) are formed in the wall of the tube by a creasing means (16, 17) acting on the external surface of the tube. The creasing means preferably comprise at least air of rollers (16 or 17) and the tube passes between the two rollers.

Abstract: A thermoplastic squeeze tube has a self-sealing orifice where a one-way valve member is secured in the tube neck and an exposed portion thereof enclosed and protected by a frangible closure member integral with the neck portion. A pocket in the bottom wall of the frangible closure member closely encloses the one-way valve member to seal the same. A replacement cup-shaped closure member may be provided to reseal the tube after removal of the frangible closure member, which may have downwardly depending sealing protrusions which contain the upper portion of the exposed section of the one-way valve member to reseal the same.

Abstract: A shoulder piece (31) for assembly to a flexible tube (15) to form a container (40) and which is made from a composition containing high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. The shoulder piece (31) has an annular lip (35) on its external surface (37) for positioning proximate an end (46) of a respective tube (15) to be assembled to the shoulder piece 31.

Abstract: A rigid thermoplastic squeeze container having a self-sealing dispensing valve, for use with flowable substances, has a cylindrical shell with a body portion, a first sealable open end and an opposite end having a head portion with a dispensing orifice closed off by a self-sealing valve. A thermoplastic cylindrical support sleeve is fitted within the cylindrical body portion which extends from a position adjacent the head portion to a location spaced from the sealable end of the cylindrical body portion of the shell, such that that end can be sealed. The cylindrical shell and cylindrical body portion may be bonded together, and the head portion of the cylindrical body portion of the shell may have a downwardly depending flange to trap an end of the cylindrical support sleeve between the flange and the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: A disc shaped container (2) comprising a body portion (4) and a lid (6) which is a press fit on the body portion (4); the body portion (4) having a base (8), a circumferential side wall (10) and a groove (12) in an outer face (14) of the side wall (10); the lid (6) having a top (16) and a circumferential side wall (18); the container (2) being such that the side wall (18) of the lid (6) overlaps the side wall (10) of the body portion (4) when the lid (6) is on the body portion (4); and the body portion (4) and the lid (6) both being made of a plastics material such that the side wall (18) of the lid (6) is pressable into the groove (12) in the outer face (14) of the side wall (10) of the body portion (4) in order to cause the lid (6) to separate from the body portion (4) with a sliding action.

Abstract: A thermoplastic squeeze tube has a tubular member and attached rotatable closure cap, the tubular member closed by a diaphragm having a closure plug, at least one dispensing aperture, and plurality of ramps, and the closure cap having a top wall with a central dispensing orifice and plurality of closure cap ramps. On rotation of the closure cap, the closure cap ramps ride along the diaphragm ramps to force the diaphragm away from the cap top wall and open a flow path between the closure plug and top wall. Preferably a spout is provided on the closure cap so that the tube contents may be radially discharged and stop members are provided to limit rotation of the closure cap on the tubular member.

Abstract: A package including a container assembly, such as a tube having a dispenser spout, and a closure assembly having a concealed hinge, is provided for use in dispensing a consumer product such as toothpaste or medicinal ointment. The concealed hinge of the closure assembly permits a lid to be opened up to 180.degree. away from an associated closure base to provide maximum access to the container assembly to which the closure assembly is assembled. The closure assembly, including the lid and base, is capable of being molded in a single mold cavity and having maximum ease of opening and closing together with either one or two seals.

Abstract: A rotatable spout dispensing tube has a tubular member and associated closure cap with a nozzle. The tubular member neck portion has a planar wall with a central discharge aperture and an upwardly extending arcuate projection, the projection having a gap therethrough. The closure cap has a top wall with a spout thereon, the spout having a passageway which communicates with a central bore, the bore surrounded by a circular rim that seats in the central discharge aperture of the tubular member. An arcuate channel is also provided in the closure cap top wall in which the arcuate projection on the tubular member is slidably fitted. Contents of the tubular member are dispensed by aligning the passageway of the spout with the gap in the arcuate projection and application of pressure on the side wall of the tubular member.

Abstract: A dispensing closure device for sealing engagement over the mouth of a container comprises a body with an orifice therethrough, a stopper mounted on the body positionable within the orifice and a cap movable relative to the body between open and closed positions. The cap has a closure, e.g. in the form of a cam, for retaining the stopper in an orifice-closing position when the cap is in its closed position and for enabling the stopper to move out of its orifice-closing position when the cap is in its open position. The stopper is resiliently biased away from its orifice-closing position.

Abstract: A closure especially adapted for use with a dispenser spout, said closure having a concealed hinge arranged to permit the lid to be opened 180.degree. away from its associated base to provide maximum access to a container to which the closure is assembled, the closure, consisting of a closure base and a lid, being capable of being molded in a single mold cavity.

Abstract: A water soluble, or water dispersible, polymeric film comprising a layer of a first polymer resistant to dissolution and/or softening on handling with wet hands, and a layer of a second polymer resistant to insolubilization in water by perborate ions. Such films have a variety of uses particularly when they have a layer of an at least cold water soluble polymer between the layers of the said first and second polymers, for example in the packaging log washing products or agrochemicals. The first polymer layer is preferably discontinuous so that in the large body of water the film has reduced strength so that water can pass through the film when the film is agitated in the water.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tube, and method for forming such a tube, has a tube body portion formed from an inner layer of thermoplastic material, a barrier layer, and an outer layer of thermoplastic material. The outer layer does not extend completely about the periphery of the tube body and a strip of thermoplastic material having the same composition as the inner layer, fills each gap in the outer layer to form a smooth surface about the tube. The strip may be transparent or of a color different than the color of the outer layer. In a preferred tube, a first layer of adhesive material is provided between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and a second layer of adhesive material is provided between the barrier layer and the outer layer and strip.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tube, and method for forming such a tube, has a tube body portion formed from an inner layer of thermoplastic material, a barrier layer, and an outer layer of thermoplastic material. The outer layer does not extend completely about the periphery of the tube body and a strip of thermoplastic material having the same composition as the inner layer, fills each gap in the outer layer to form a smooth surface about the tube. The strip may be transparent or of a color different than the color of the outer layer. In a preferred tube, a first layer of adhesive material is provided between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and a second layer of adhesive material is provided between the barrier layer and the outer layer and strip.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, cylinder by positioning the cylinder over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion. The inner surface of the exposed portion is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the cylinder. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched cylinder.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, cylinder by positioning the cylinder over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion. The inner surface of the exposed portion is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the cylinder. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched cylinder.

Abstract: An aseptic system and filling head wherein the container is presterilized and has a rupturable membrane over the inlet which membrane is broken by the filling machine prior to filling. The membrane may be a laminate which is broken by pressure of the product with which the container is to be filled. In that case the outermost layer of the laminate is dissolved prior to the filling step to weaken the membrane. Alternatively the membrane may be pierced by a reciprocating tool which also functions as a valve member in the filling head or by a fixed blade arranged around the outlet nozzle of the filling head.

Abstract: Small containers are filled and formed from a large preformed and presterilized container, which incorporates communicating compartments. The volume of contents of each compartment are equalized by pressure application and then the compartments are sealed off and severed to form individual containers.

Abstract: A container for use in aseptic packaging which contains a resilient plug to seal the container. The plug is attached to the periphery of the inlet opening by resilient straps which allow the plug to be pushed into the opening to close it and which allow the plug to be displaced to open the container by pressure of product flow into the container.