Abstract: The machine of the present invention is a means for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine is a single apparatus having an indexing table with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The manufacturing path of the machine of the present invention is a series of stations which are mechanical devices for carrying out the manufacturing steps necessary to produce tubes from thermoplastic blank sleeves. The stations of the manufacturing path are modular so that they may be removed, added or rearranged; may be optionally connected to a process logic controller and may optionally have sensors for information feedback to the PLC device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine used in the method is a single apparatus having an indexing device with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The method involves advancing sleeves around the closed manufacturing path to form tubes from the sleeves.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine is a single apparatus having an indexing table with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The manufacturing path of the machine is a series of stations which are mechanical devices for carrying out the manufacturing steps necessary to produce tubes from thermoplastic blank sleeves. The stations of the manufacturing path are modular so that they may be removed, added or rearranged; may be optionally connected to a process logic controller and may optionally have sensors for information feedback to the PLC device.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube having a closure member is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion and heating the exposed portion. The heated exposed portion is shaped into a head in a single step by contacting the exposed portion with a closure means which is later retained on the head after initial contact. The internal cavity of the closure means, which may have threads or grooves formed in the internal cavity, is made of an incompatible material to facilitate the forming of a head in said cavity. The closure means may also have tamper evident features.

Abstract: The plant for manufacturing and packing thermoplastic tubes of the present invention is an efficient arrangement of a plurality of single machines, each one producing the same finished thermoplastic tubes as from a conventional line. The machines are arranged into small groups or production cells. The manufacturing and packing plant of the present invention is at least one production cell associated with a common product transportation line. The method of operating the plant of the present invention involves marking each tube with an indicia and identifying, recording, and monitoring each tube with an indicia.

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 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 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 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: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved flexible eduction tube for discharging a liquid product from a container with a dispensing mechanism comprising a mixture of a flexible material with a dense filler material distributed within said flexible material to provide a specific gravity greater than the liquid product within the container for enabling an input aperture of the eduction tube to remain below the level of the liquid product within the container when the container is tipped from a vertical orientation. In another embodiment of the invention, the eduction tube comprises a flexible material and rigid means for providing a non-flexible eduction tube prior to insertion of the eduction tube within the container and for providing a flexible eduction tube upon contact with the liquid product within the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for an improved aerosol spraying device comprising an aerosol valve being moveable between an open and a closed position for releasing a product from the aerosol container. The aerosol valve is resiliently biased into the closed position. A valve button having a terminal orifice is movable between a first and a second position with the valve button being biased into the first position. The valve button opens the aerosol valve when the valve button is moved into the second position and allows the aerosol valve to close when the valve button is in the first position. A vent cooperating with the valve button and the aerosol valve is closed when the valve button is moved into the second position to direct the product release from the aerosol valve to the terminal orifice.

Abstract: An improved applicator device is disclosed for applying an applicator liquid such as a chemical, a coating, a solvent or other suitable liquids to a surface. The device comprises a container for containing the applicator liquid and a tilt valve secured to the container. The tilt valve has a valve element normally biased into a closed position. The valve element inhibits the flow of the applicator liquid from the container when the valve element is in the closed position and permits the flow of the applicator liquid from the container when the valve element is tilted into an open position. A surface applicator has a proximal end for receiving the applicator liquid flowing through the tilt valve and has a distal end adapted to apply the applicator liquid to the surface.

Abstract: A liquid applicator device and the method of making the applicator device is disclosed for applying a liquid such as a paint, a perfume, a chemical, a coating or the like to a surface by writing, marking or painting. The liquid applicator device includes a container for the liquid and an applicator dispensing mechanism. The applicator dispensing mechanism includes an inner subassembly having a valve and an outer subassembly having the surface applicator. The valve regulates the flow of the liquid from the container to the surface applicator. The valve of the applicator device may be opened to allow the liquid to flow from the container to the surface applicator upon depression of the surface applicator or upon depression of a valve actuator. The liquid applicator device incorporates an improved sealing member for sealing with the sides of the surface applicator for reducing the flow of the applicator liquid along the side of the surface applicator.

Abstract: An improved applicator device is disclosed for applying an applicator material such as a liquid or a flowable solid to a surface. The device comprises a material container and a surface applicator for applying the applicator material to the surface. A valve having a valve element is interposed between the material container and the surface applicator to permit the flow of applicator material to the surface applicator when the valve element is in an open position and to inhibit the flow of applicator material to the surface applicator when the valve element is in a closed position. The valve includes a valve closure having an internal closure cavity with a first end being connected to the material container and with a second end defining a surface applicator opening therein. The valve element has a distal end portion which extends through the applicator opening of the valve closure when the valve element is biased into the closed position.