Metal packaging insert for a collapsible, flexible, plastic tube

Abstract

A malleable metal insert installed longitudinally in the container cavity of a squeezable, flexible, collapsible wall, plastic container used to package and dispense viscous material. The insert is made from malleable, bendable metal such as copper, aluminum or steel and can be protectively coated to avoid chemical reaction with the packaged product. The insert is installed before or after the tube and contents are sealed. When the tube is squeezed and folded/rolled, the malleable insert bends and conforms to the folded/rolled tube holding the folded tube in position permitting the tube to be either partially or fully emptied.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims all rights and priorities under provisional patent application No. 60/772,935 filed Feb. 13, 2006

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a malleable metal insert for a plastic type flexible, squeezable tube. This device permits efficient emptying of the tube and negates the tendency of this type tube to return to the original shape when external pressure is removed.

Many types of viscous materials, such as gels, liquids, pastes, and the like, are sold in flexible, plastic tubes having one sealed end and a narrow nozzle end with a closure means, such as a valve or cap. The early collapsible wall dispensers were metal tubes, constructed primarily of lead type material. This type tube emptied easily as the tube was squeezed and rolled, retaining any altered shape which made it very convenient for the ultimate user. Metal gave way to plastic which has proved versatile and economical. Presently the large majority of these flexible tubes are made from either extruded or laminated plastic. The viscous product to be dispensed from the flexible tube is inserted in the end which has not been sealed. The filled tube is sealed and the ultimate user dispenses the contents by squeezing and folding the tube forcing the material out the dispensing end of the tube. It is well known that such tubes do not efficiently expel the contents. The plastic tube has an inherent tendency to return to the original shape once external pressure is released. To empty the entire contents at one time requires a constant pressure using a two handed grip. If pressure is released, you have to start over. This same tendency makes repeated use such as dispensing tooth paste, creams and like materials particularly difficult, requiring a new start with each subsequent use. Numerous attempts have been made to solve the problem of emptying the tube. Known means include external devices of slide tools, squeezing tools, rollers and methods of keeping the contents at the dispensing end of the tube by hanging the tube from the non-cap end or standing the tube on the cap end. Various degrees of success have been obtained but there still exists the need of an economical means for expelling/dispensing viscous material packaged in modern flexible, plastic tubes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention utilizes a one piece malleable, metal insert installed inside a collapsible wall plastic tube container along with the tube contents. As the tube is squeezed and folded/rolled, the metal bends to conform to the tube and holds the tube in the folded/rolled position. The metal insert enhances the plastic tube with the desirable emptying and shape holding characteristics of a metal tube.

The objective of this invention is a means that:

a—improves the dispensing of viscous material from a collapsible wall, plastic tube container.
b—incorporates the characteristics of a metal collapsible tube container/dispenser into the versatile and economical plastic tube container/dispenser.
c—provides a user friendly tube that is convenient, easy to use, economical and compatible with present plastic tube designs and manufacturing processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a plastic tube.

FIG. 2 represents a −U-shaped bent wire insert with the legs spread outward at an angle.

FIG. 3 represents a −V-shaped bent wire insert.

FIG. 4 represents a flat sheet metal insert with slotted openings.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1—tube body

2—dispensing end

3—sealed end

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a collapsible wall plastic tube representing the tube relating to this invention. This tube is made from extruded plastic or laminated plastic and shipped to the manufacture/distributor with the dispensing end (2) either a capped or sealed dispensing spout. The closure end (3) is open permitting the tube to be filled and sealed. The sealed end forms a narrow flattened area across the end of the tube. The ultimate user dispenses the product by squeezing and folding the tube forcing the material out the dispenser end (2) of the tube. Release of external pressure at any point allows the tube to return to the original shape as plastic has this inherent characteristic.

FIG. 2 shows a −U-shaped bent wire insert with the legs of the insert spread outward. The insert is formed from a malleable metal material such as copper, aluminum, steel or like material. Some viscous products react with metal in which case the metal can be coated with a protective material. An insert made of round wire will be satisfactory for most size tubes. However the insert can be rolled and flattened or made from flat metal strips. Wire sizes as small as AWG 20 can be used in small tubes with wire sizes increased as necessary. The wire size and material is determined by the characteristics of a specific tube. The flexibility of plastic tubes varies according to the type of material used and the thickness and flexibility of the walls. The insert is installed in the plastic tube during manufacturing process or during the filling process. The metal insert does not require close fitting to the tube length leaving adequate space for sealing of the tube end. The width of the insert conforms to the tube diameter with the legs of the insert sufficiently stiff enough to hold the insert in place for shipping and filling. The function of the metal insert is to allow the tube to be folded and rolled and then hold the tube and insert in position once folded or rolled.

Many plastic tube containers such as used for tooth paste and like materials have openings of ⅛ inch or larger in the dispensing end of the tube. The −V-shaped insert design shown in figure (3) can be inserted point first through this opening after the tube is filled. An opening of ⅛ inch (0.125 in) will accommodate an insert made of wire size AWG 16 (0.051 in) or smaller. Care is taken to avoid tube punctures such as rounding the point of the −V- and also limiting the depth of the insert. Once inside the tube, the legs of the insert will spread outward. After the first fold is made; the metal insert is secured in position. The −V-shaped insert can also be use in the same manner as the −U-shape described above. Wire diameters measuring less than 0.050 inch will handle most “bent wire designs” such as −U- and −V-. Narrow metal strips of similar thickness with a width of 0.25 inch or less can also be used in place of wire.

FIG. 4 represents a flat sheet metal insert with slotted openings in the body of the insert. While slotted openings are shown, most any shape would be satisfactory. Openings are necessary to permit the packaged viscous contents to move freely through the tube. This insert is made from sheet aluminum, copper or alloy steel similar that used in the food canning industry. If desired, this insert could be coated with a protective material. As with the wire insert, material size, stiffness/malleability is determined by the flexibility and stiffness of the tube. Sheet metal inserts measuring 0.050 inch or less in thickness would be adequate for most tubes. This insert is installed in the tube prior to sealing the tube in the same manner as previously described for the −U-shaped wire inserts. While the drawing in FIG. 3 shows a rectangular shape for the strip insert, the outer edges can be angled outward as described for the wire insert.

In most cases an uncoated metal material would be satisfactory for any of the described inserts. Any petroleum based product and many others will not react with metals. A plastic or other type coating that would not react with the packaged product could be used as necessary. Of the several insert materials described, a steel or steel alloy material of the type used for canned food products would be an economical choice for either the wire or metal strip insert.

All of the described inserts can be installed from the open end of the tube before it is filled and sealed. The −V-shaped insert can also be installed through the dispensing end of the tube after the tube is filled. Any of the described inserts will permit the tube to be squeezed and rolled/folded from the bottom. This will assist in expelling or dispensing the contents as well as hold the shape of the rolled/folded empty tube or partially emptied tube. All the desirable characteristics of the metal tube are incorporated into the plastic tube at a reasonable cost. No modifications are required in present tube designs. There is the one added sequence of installing the insert.

While various bent wire designs can be used, the preferred embodiment of this invention is the bent wire design of either the −U-shape or the −V-shape depending on the user's choice. The −V-shaped is particularly suited to installation through the dispensing end of the tube, however, it can also be installed before the tube is sealed. It's obvious that other bent wire or narrow strip metal designs such as (T), (L) or other shapes could be used. The objective is to have the insert extend the length of the tube with sufficient width to hold the insert in position during the filling process. The chemical make up of the packaged contents would determine the need for a protective coating on the insert.

Several embodiments of this invention have been disclosed. The user has options of coated or uncoated metal materials shaped from wire, flat sheet or flat strip metal stock. In addition to material options, various geometric designs for the insert are described. Insert size and design can be varied to suit the tube size and construction material used for the plastic tube. Other options would be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is limited only as defined by the following listed claims.

Claims

1- A metal insert installed in a squeezable, collapsible wall, plastic tube container/dispenser comprising a length of malleable, hand bendable metal material, corresponding to the inner dimensions of the container, installed longitudinally in the contents cavity of such type container/dispenser which holds the tube in position as it is folded/rolled.

2- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a length of standard, round, wire configured in a geometric shape to fit the width and length of the tube cavity.

3- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a narrow strip of flat sheet metal configured in a geometric shape to fit the width and length of the tube cavity.

4- The metal insert described in claim 1 comprises a piece of flat sheet metal sized to fit the width and length of the tube cavity and further configured with openings in the body of the insert.

5- A metal insert installed in a squeezable, collapsible wall, plastic tube container/dispenser comprising a length of malleable, hand bendable metal coated with a protective non-corrosive material sized to correspond to the inner dimensions of the container and installed longitudinally in the contents cavity of such type container/dispenser which holds the tube in position as it is folded/rolled.

6- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a length of standard, round, wire configured in a geometric shape to fit the width and length of the tube cavity.

7- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a narrow strip of flat sheet metal configured in a geometric shape to fit the width and length of the tube cavity.

8- The metal insert described in claim 5 comprises a piece of flat sheet metal sized to fit the width and length of the tube cavity and further configured with openings in body of the insert.