TUBE-TYPE CONTAINER

A tube-type container is disclosed that can be squeezed to dispense its remaining contents for 1˜2 additional times of use and refilled with contents. The container includes: a tube that is configured by a cylindrical body whose inside is hollow, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal, and whose other end has an opening, the tube having a receiving space therein; a closure for closing the opening of the cylindrical body of the tube, the closure having a spout at its outer surface, wherein the spout forms a dispensing hole at its center and forms a thread on its outer surface; and a lid that is coupled to the thread and closes the dispensing hole. The container further includes a cutting means or a coupling member. The cutting means is formed close to the opening of the cylindrical body and separates the cylindrical body into two parts. The coupling member is located between the tube and the closure and uncouples and couples the tube and closure from and to each other.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a tube-type container that can be squeezed to dispense its remaining contents for 1˜2 additional times of use, such as toothpaste or gel-type cosmetics, and refilled with contents.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many types of containers for storing contents. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a conventional tube-type container. The tube-type container includes a tube 3, a closure 7, and a lid 8.

The tube 3 has a body 1 that is shaped as a cylindrically hollow form, i.e., a receiving space 2, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal and whose other end is opened. The closure 7 is coupled to the opening of the body 1 of the tube 3. The closure 7 has a spout 6 at its outer surface, where the spout 6 forms a dispensing hole 4 at its center and forms a thread 5 on its outer surface. The lid 8 is coupled to the thread 5 and closes the dispensing hole 4.

The conventional tube-type container dispenses contents from the receiving space 2 through the dispensing hole 4 by squeezing the body 1 of the tube 3. It is, however, disadvantageous in that it is difficult to squeeze the tube 3 to completely dispense the remaining contents for additional 1˜2 times of use, located between the closure 7 and the opening of the body 1, and thus it wastes the contents.

In order to use the remaining contents, the tube must be cut by other means, such as scissors. The tube, however, is cut using the scissors and then the remaining contents are taken out, so the contents may be contaminated with insanitary foreign matters from the scissors. These are the disadvantages of the conventional tube-type container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above problems, and provides a tube-type container whose tube can be relatively easily cut and squeezed to dispense its remaining contents for additional 1˜2 times of use.

The present invention further provides a tube-type container that can be refilled with contents, configured in such a way to form a coupling member between a tube and a closure for closing the opening of the tube, where the coupling member allows the tube and the closure to be separated from each other and then coupled to each other after the receiving space is refilled with contents.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a tube-type container including: a tube that is configured by a cylindrical body whose inside is hollow, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal, and whose other end has an opening, the tube having a receiving space therein; a closure for closing the opening of the cylindrical body of the tube, the closure having a spout at its outer surface, wherein the spout forms a dispensing hole at its center and forms a thread on its outer surface; a lid that is coupled to the thread and closes the dispensing hole; and a cutting means that is formed close to the opening of the cylindrical body and separates the cylindrical body into two parts.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a tube-type container including: a tube that is configured by a cylindrical body whose inside is hollow, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal, and whose other end has an opening, the tube having a receiving space therein; a closure for closing the opening of the cylindrical body of the tube, the closure having a spout at its outer surface, wherein the spout forms a dispensing hole at its center and forms a thread on its outer surface; a lid that is coupled to the thread and closes the dispensing hole; and a coupling member that is located between the tube and the closure and uncouples and couples the tube and closure from and to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional tube type container;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the conventional tube type container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tube-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the tube-type container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tube-type container, taken along line A-A, in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tube-type container according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the tube-type container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an assembled side view illustrating a primary part of the tube-type container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tube-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the tube-type container of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tube-type container, taken along line A-A, in FIG. 3.

The tube-type container includes a tube 3, a closure 7, a lid 8, and a cutting means 10.

The tube 3 is configured by a cylindrical body 1 whose inside is hollow. The cylindrical body 1 is closed at one end by a crimp seal and is opened at other end, which thus forms a receiving space 2 in the tube 3. The tube 3 made of an elastic material. The closure 7 closes the opening of the cylindrical body 1 of the tube 3. The closure 7 has a spout 6 at its outer surface where the spout forms a dispensing hole 4 at its center and forms a thread 5 on its outer surface. The lid 8 is coupled to the thread 5 and closes the dispensing hole 4. In particular, the cutting means 10 is formed close to the opening of the cylindrical body 1 of the tube 3 and separates the cylindrical body 1 into two parts.

The cutting means 10 is formed in such a way that: two lines 11 are formed in parallel close to the opening of the cylindrical body 1 along the periphery of the cylindrical body 1, spaced apart from each other with a certain distance; and a band 12 is formed between the two lines 11. The band 12 forms a head part 13 at its one end, where the head part 13 is attached to the other end of the band 12 by heat.

The band 12 can be formed from 0° up to 350° along the periphery of the cylindrical body 1. In that case, the head part 13 attaches its one side to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 1 by heat.

When the tube-type container, configured as described above, is used until contents which constitute 1˜2 times of use remain in the receiving space 2 of the tube 3, a user detaches the head part 13 of the band 12 from the tube 3 and then pulls and rotates it with respect to the tube 3, so that the band 12 is separated from the tube and thus the cylindrical body 1 of the tube is separated into two parts.

After that, the user can obtain the remaining contents for 1˜2 additional times of use from the one side of the closure 7.

For example, if the content is toothpaste, it can be obtained by the tooth brush. If the content is gel-type cosmetics, the user can obtain it by using his or her finger.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tube-type container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the tube-type container of FIG. 6.

The tube-type container includes a tube 3, a closure 7, a lid 8, and a coupling member 20.

The tube 3 is configured by a cylindrical body 1 whose inside is hollow. The cylindrical body 1 is closed at one end by a crimp seal and is opened at other end, which thus forms a receiving space 2 in the tube 3. The tube 3 made of elastic material. The closure 7 closes the opening of the cylindrical body 1 of the tube 3. The closure 7 has a spout 6 at its outer surface where the spout forms a dispensing hole 4 at its center and forms a thread 5 on its outer surface. The lid 8 is coupled to the thread 5 and closes the dispensing hole 4. In particular, the coupling member 20 is located between the tube 3 and the closure 7 and uncouples and couples the tube 3 and closure 7 from and to each other.

The coupling member 20 is formed to include a first band 22 and a second band 24, which are shaped as a ring form. The first band 22 is coupled to the tube 3 in such a way that the one end is fitted into the opening of the cylindrical body 1 of the tube 3 and then fixed thereto by heat. The first band 22 also forms an outer thread 21 on its outer surface at the other end. The second band 24 forms an inner thread 23 on its inner surface at one end, which corresponds to the outer thread 21 of the first band 22. The second band 24 couples its other end to the closure 7.

FIG. 8 is an assembled side view illustrating a primary part of the tube-type container of FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the direction of the outer thread 21 of the first band 22 is opposite to that of the thread 5 of the spout 6, so that the first band 22 cannot be uncoupled from the second band 24 while the lid 8 is coupled to the spout through the thread 5.

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a coupling member 20 according to the present invention. The first band 22, shaped as a ring form, is formed in such a way that the outer surface is cut out at the other end and forms a first step 25 whose bottom surface 26 forms an outer thread 21. The second band 24, shaped as a ring form, is formed in such a way that the inner surface is cut out at one end and forms a second step 27 whose bottom surface 28 forms an inner thread 23 corresponding to the outer thread 21.

It is preferable that the first and second bands 22 and 24 are formed to have the same inner and outer diameters, considering the appearance and the grip of the product.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention. The first band 22 further forms a third step having a bottom surface 29 on the outer surface at one end. The outer diameter of bottom surface 29 is equal to the inner diameter of the opening of the tube 3 so that the bottom surface 29 is placed to the opening and then attached to the tube 3 by heat.

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention. It is preferable that the first and second steps 25 and 27 form a groove 31 for receiving an O-ring 30, respectively, so that contents cannot leak from the receiving space 2 through the gap by the screw coupling between the first and second bands 22 and 24 while the tube is squeezed and the contents are dispensed.

The groove 31 for receiving an O-ring 30 may be formed at the first step 25 or the second step 27. It is preferable that the groove 31 is formed at both the first and second steps 25 and 27 to prevent the contents from leaking through the gap in the steps.

FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of a coupling member 20′ according to the present invention. The coupling member 20′ is formed to include a first band 22′ and a second band 24′, which are shaped as a ring form. The first band 22′ couples its lower portion to the opening of the tube 3. The first band 22′ forms a hook protrusion 22′-1 on the upper end. The second band 24′ couples its upper end to the closure 7. The second band 24′ forms a hook groove 24′-1 on the lower end, into which the hook protrusion 22′-1 is fitted.

The first band 22′ forms a plurality of hook protrusions 22′-1 that are arranged on the upend end at a certain distance. Similarly, the second band 24′ forms the hook grooves 22′-1 so as to correspond to the number of the hook protrusions 22′-1.

The coupling member 20′ of a hook-type allows the first and second bands 22′ and 24′ to be coupled and uncoupled, so that the remaining contents can be used several times without exposing them to the air for an extended period of time so as not to be contaminated with foreign matters.

FIG. 13 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention. The coupling member 20′ is formed in such a way that its first band 22′ forms a first step 25′ on the outer surface at the upper part to form a first bottom surface 26′, where the first step 25′ forms a hook protrusion 22′-1, and its second band 24′ forms a second step 27′ on the inner surface at the lower part to form a second bottom surface 28′, where the second step 27′ forms a hook groove 24′-1 at the lower end, corresponding to the hook protrusion 22′-1 of the first step 25′. The hook protrusion 22′-1 is fitted into the hook groove 24′-1. It is preferable that the second step 27′ forms a groove 31′ for receiving an O-ring 30 so as to prevent contents from leaking.

FIG. 14 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention. The coupling member is formed in such a way that the tube 3 covers the first and second bands 22′ and 24′ and a cutting means 10 is formed at the periphery of the part coupled between the first band 22′ and the second band 24′. The cutting means 10 prevents contents from leaking through the coupled portion while the tube is squeezed to dispense the contents through the dispensing hole.

The tube-type container, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, allows the remaining contents to be used for 1˜2 additional times of use in the receiving space 2 to be used as the first and second bands 22 and 24 are rotated and separated from each other so that the closure 7 is separated from the tube 3.

After that, the user can obtain the remaining contents for 1˜2 additional times of use from one side of the closure 7.

The tube-type container having a coupling member can reused as contents are refilled in the receiving space 2 of the tube 3 and the first and second bands 22 and 24 are coupled to each other by the screw coupling.

As described above, the tube-type container according to the present invention allows the remaining contents to be used for 1˜2 additional times of use, such as toothpaste or gel-type cosmetics, to be easily used using the separating means.

The tube-type container can allow the remain contents which constitute 1˜2 additional times of use to be used by a coupling member that couples and uncouples the tube and the closure, mounted to the opening the tube, thereby using the remaining contents several times and storing them safely while used in this manner.

The tube-type container can be reused as contents are refilled in the receiving space thereof.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tube-type container comprising:

a tube that is configured by a cylindrical body whose inside is hollow, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal, and whose other end has an opening, the tube having a receiving space therein;
a closure for closing the opening of the cylindrical body of the tube, the closure having a spout at its outer surface, wherein the spout forms a dispensing hole at its center and forms a thread on its outer surface;
a lid that is coupled to the thread and closes the dispensing hole; and
a cutting means that is formed close to the opening of the cylindrical body and separates the cylindrical body into two parts.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cutting means comprises:

a band formed along a periphery of the tube; and
a head part formed at one end of the band, wherein one side of the head part is attached to the outer side of the other end of the band.

3. A tube-type container comprising:

a tube that is configured by a cylindrical body whose inside is hollow, whose one end is closed by a crimp seal, and whose other end has an opening, the tube having a receiving space therein;
a closure for closing the opening of the cylindrical body of the tube, the closure having a spout at its outer surface, wherein the spout forms a dispensing hole at its center and forms a thread on its outer surface;
a lid that is coupled to the thread and closes the dispensing hole; and
a coupling member that is located between the tube and the closure, and uncouples and couples the tube and closure from and to each other.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member comprises:

a first band shaped as a ring form, the first band coupling its one end to the opening of the tube and forming an outer thread on an outer surface at its other end; and
a second band shaped as a ring form, the second band coupling its other end to the closure and forming an inner thread on an inner surface at its one end, wherein the inner thread is coupled to the outer thread.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the outer thread is formed in the opposite direction to the thread of the spout.

6. The container according to claim 4, wherein:

the first band is formed in such a way that the outer surface is cut out at the other end and forms a first step whose bottom surface forms an outer thread; and
the second band is formed in such a way that the inner surface is cut out at one end and forms a second step whose bottom surface forms the inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the first band further forms a third step having a bottom surface on the outer surface at one end, in which the outer diameter of the bottom surface is equal to an inner diameter of the opening of the tube so that the bottom surface is placed in the opening of the tube.

8. The container according to claim 6, wherein the first step and the second step forms a groove for receiving an O-ring.

9. The container according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member comprises:

a first band, shape as a ring form, which couples its lower portion to the opening of the tube and forms a hook protrusion on an upper end; and
a second band, shaped as a ring form, which couples its upper end to the closure and forms a hook groove on a lower end, into which the hook protrusion is fitted.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein:

the first band forms a first step on the outer surface at an upper part to form a first bottom surface, in which the first step forms the hook protrusion;
the second band forms a second step on the inner surface at a lower part to form a second bottom surface; and
the second step forms the hook groove at the lower end, corresponding to the hook protrusion of the first step.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the second step further forms a groove for receiving an O-ring.

12. The container according to claim 9, wherein:

the tube covers the first band and the second band; and
a cutting means is further formed at the periphery of a part coupled between the first band and the second band.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the cutting means comprises:

a band formed along the periphery of the tube; and
a head part formed at one end of the band, wherein one side of the head part is attached to the outer side of the other end of the band.

14. The container according to claim 10, wherein:

the tube covers the first band and the second band; and
a cutting means is further formed at the periphery of a part coupled between the first band and the second band.
Patent History
Publication number: 20090139884
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 5, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 4, 2009
Inventor: Chang-Ho Kim (Seoul)
Application Number: 12/205,015
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Squeeze Tube (e.g., Toothpaste Tube) (206/277)
International Classification: B65D 85/14 (20060101);