Abstract: A tube clip for use with flexible wall dispensing tubes to aid in the dispensing of the tube contents includes a body having a slot in which the closed end of the tube is received so that movement of the body along the tube squeezes the tube to displace the tube contents toward the tube cap. The clip body includes a retainer for retaining that portion of the tube which has been squeezed and emptied, and the retainer permits the emptied tube end to be folded and tucked under the retainer to maintain the tube of a concise configuration and shape as it is used.

Abstract: A reusable contents expeller for collapsible tube which prevents contents from reverting back into the collapsible tube and that can easily be removed and installed on another tube without the need to firstly insert it through the base of the collapsible tube. The expeller is comprised of an oblong element with two extremities, which is comprised of a place where it is thin at its thickness and across its breadth so that it is flexibly pliable to allow the oblong element to fold upon itself to the point where the two extremities join, thus forming two pressure plates. The pressure plates are further held and secured together by the use of a hinged flap contiguous and part of one of the pressure plates. The flap acts like a hook to secure both pressure plates tightly together. Once closed about a collapsible tube, the contents expeller for collapsible tube expels the contents when it is slid across the length of the tube.

Abstract: A blood transfusion device has at least one blood accelerating pump, a variable volume reservoir, at least one single-use blood supply bag, a platen, a blood reheater, a single-use blood reheater bag, a filtration system and a perfusion line. The variable volume reservoir varies in volume using an accordion-like bellows or a flexible pocket acted upon by the blood accelerating pump. The single-use blood supply bag contains concentrated corpuscles, plasma, or a solution of albumin. The blood supply bag is disposed between two plates precisely spaced apart. The platen is acted upon by the accordion-like bellows or the flexible pocket to slide in parallel to the two plates, and is disposed between the variable volume reservoir and the blood supply bag. The blood reheater includes an assembly of two double plates, each double plate having a preheating plate heated to a constant temperature slightly less than 38.degree.

Abstract: A packaged food warmer and dispenser that includes an open interior sized to receive a pair of collapsible containers including food product. A paddle assembly including a movable paddle member is positioned within the open interior to divide the open interior into a storage area and a dispensing area. A collapsible container of food product is received in both the dispensing area and storage area. The collapsible bag of food product in the dispensing area is connected to a pump assembly and dispensed from the food product warmer and dispenser. The collapsible container of food product in the storage area exerts a bias force on the pivotable pressure paddle to urge the food product from the collapsible container in the dispensing section. The pressure paddle includes a heating element positioned between a front face surface and a back face surface to heat each of the collapsible containers.

Abstract: In a film tube containing a flowable substance, a fold 11 is formed in the film, which fold is so shaped that it abruptly decreases the cross-section at this location of the tube. The fold 11 may be fixed by a V-shaped weld 12. When the film tube is compressed, maximum stress is exerted on the area of the film close to the apex 13 of the V-shaped weld 12, so that the tube starts to rupture and form a dispensing opening at this location.

Abstract: A rigid container for transporting flexible sachets of bio-pharmaceutical fluid having a volume of 50 liters or more has a bottom wall and one or more lateral walls. At the top it has a contention plate for the sachet adjustable in height to compress the sachet.

Abstract: Attachment for emptying a thin plastic bag containing a viscous liquid, especially a bag filled with adhesive. Said attachment comprising a base plate (3), which preferably is designed as a lid, which fits onto the working container. In said base plate an opening (4) is made, which opening has a tapered section (5), which tapers to a point (8). The side edges (6, 7) of said tapered section being connected to one another at said point (8) via a suitable rounded section. At least along said rounded section an upwards projecting wall (9) has been arranged, said wall forming a guiding surface for the thin bag, whereas on the bottom side of the base plate a wall (11) is arranged, said wall forming a screen near the said point (8). The wall (9) and the screen (11) can together with the rounded section be designed as an insert, that can be clamped into the tapered section (5) of the opening (4) of the base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to extrusion equipment C in that a pushing plate 12 is disposed on a base plate 1 to incline vertically with both tubes 2 containing two-part reactive curing materials interposed between them, the pushing plate 12 is inclined downward to squeeze both tubes 2 to simultaneously extrude both materials when a grip 8 disposed on the bottom face of the base plate 1 is held to pull a lever 9 positioned in front of the grip 8, and a coating device A provided with a nozzle B which is connected to both tubes 2 set on the extrusion equipment C to jointly discharge both materials which are extruded from both tubes 2.

Abstract: A device (10) which attaches to a tube dispenser (106) containing a viscous liquid (110). when the attached device (10) is grasped and pushed forward, the rear section of the dispenser (106) is flattened causing the remaining liquid to be displaced near the front end of the dispenser (106). The device (10) includes a rectangular frame having a front section (12), a rear section (24), a right section (36) and a left section (52). Extending downward and inward from the rear section (24) is a ramp (68) extending upward from the upper surfaces (46,62) of the right and left sections (36,52) is a vertical section (84) which adds rigidly to the device (10) and is suitable for applying indicia (112). Between the front section (12) and the vertical section (84) is located a tube insertion slot (102) and between the vertical section (84) and the ramp (68) is located a tube exit slot (104). The two slots allow the rear section of the tube dispenser (106) to be inserted into the device (10).

Abstract: A device used as an aid for squeezing the contents from a tube of toothpaste includes a spring clip engageable with the folded end of the tube. Flat tabs are pivoted to the spring clip, and in a flipped forward position overlie the tube sides to facilitate flattening of the tube as material is squeezed out. In a flipped back position the tabs facilitate opening of the spring clip jaws for reinstallation on a further rolled up end of the tube.

Abstract: A holder includes a generally cylindrical barrel portion having an opening formed in the walls thereof. A pair of angularly related generally planar plates are joined to each side of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion to form a diverging angle between the plates. A conventional container/dispenser such as a toothpaste tube is received between the plates and extends therebeyond such that the closed end and a flattened portion of the tube passes through the opening and is coiled within the barrel portion. The material within the tube container/dispenser may be dispensed by squeezing the angularly disposed plates inwardly toward each other in an action which forces material from the tube interior while gripping and further coiling the flattened end of the tube. In an alternate embodiment, the holder further includes a supporting leg which extends downwardly from the barrel to support the combination of the holder and a tube container/dispenser in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser which includes a housing having a chamber for holding a collapsible tube of liquid, a front opening to the chamber, and a side opening to the chamber. An actuating lever is pivotally connected to the housing and has a protrusion extending into the side chamber through the side opening for engaging and compressing the tube. The tube has a dispensing nozzle which extends through the front opening of the housing. A stop mechanism limits the movement of the actuating lever toward the tube for limiting the compression of the tube and the amount liquid dispensed from the tube. More specifically, the stop mechanism is adjustable and the dispenser is fabricated from a plurality of modules.

Abstract: A toothpaste dispenser includes, a base, a first wall, a second wall, a squeeze flap, a tube retainer, and a dispenser nozzle. The first and second walls are mounted to the base such that a toothpaste tube may be easily inserted therebetween. A second end of the squeeze flap is pivotally mounted to second ends of the first and second walls. A tube retainer is mounted to the base at a first end thereof. The tube retainer retains the tooth paste tube when pressure is exerted thereupon. There are two preferred embodiments of dispenser nozzles. The first preferred embodiment is a side dispensing nozzle. The second preferred embodiment is a swing nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism is primarily intended for dispensing food products, such as ice cream, in semi-solid form. The machine has particular application in dispensing portion-sized containers of product. The containers (10) are filled with product through an open end which is then fitted with a closure member (11). The containers are then located in a discharge unit (25, 29) and the container (10) or the closure member (11) is deformed on operation of the unit. The product is discharged through an outlet which may be in the closure member or in the container.

Abstract: The present application relates to a device for the emptying of a tube, comprising a base plate and a cover plate, joined by a hinge connection, so that when the tube is arranged between the base plate and the cover plate, with the tube seam line situated in the vicinity of the hinge, the folding of the cover plate onto the base plate drives the product toward the opening of the tube. According to the invention, the cover plate can comprise at least two segmented parts hingedly connected, in such a way as to make it possible to selectively bring all or part of the cover plate to bear on the base plate, thereby allowing the total or fractional emptying of the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to the safe and effective biotreatment of circulating fluids. In one general aspect of the invention, an apparatus (e.g., liver assist system) for circulating and bioprocessing a fluid (e.g., plasma) includes a conduit for circulating the fluid, an oxygenator for supplying oxygen to the fluid, a pump adapted to circulate the fluid through the conduit, a bioreactor unit, connected within the conduit, adapted to process the fluid, and a container connected within the conduit for receiving and releasing a portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and an extractor for pressing out plasma and buffy coat from a collapsible blood container (1), in which blood has been divided, by centrifugation, into a plasma layer, a buffy coat layer and a layer of red blood cells. The plasma and then the buffy coat are pressed out each through a separate outlet tube (2) or through a common outlet tube (2), which is connected to the top portion of the blood container, a pulsating pressure being applied to a top section of the blood container (1) during the end phase of the pressing-out of buffy coat. The extractor has a stationary support surface (6) and a movable pressing member (7), between which the blood container is suspended and subjected to a compressive force in order to press out the plasma and then the buffy coat through the outlet tube (2).

Abstract: A dispensing device is adapted to dispense metered amounts of a liquid substance from a pouch (10) made from a pair of superposed flexible sheets. The pouch defines a liquid containing chamber (15-17) and a narrow liquid discharge passage (18) communicating with the chamber at a junction position (34) and being self-sealing at that position. The device comprises liquid discharge mechanism (23, 27) for applying a pressure to the liquid substance present in the lower part of the chamber (16). The liquid discharge mechanism comprises a devices (31) for applying an inwardly directed pressure to a pouch wall closely adjacent to the junction position (34) so as to increase the angle (62) defined between the pouch wall and the plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis (13) of the discharge passage (18), whereby the discharge passage (18) may be opened.

Abstract: A flexible device for efficiently emptying the viscous contents of a flexible, plastic tube having a longitudinal, overlapping, sealed seam. The flexible device is a generally planar, elongated body having a slot of shorter length extending entirely through the body. The slot has a wider entrance and tapers to a narrower exit to allow an embossed, flattened and sealed end of the plastic, flexible, walled tube to be inserted, and to enable the flexible device to be pushed along the plastic, flexible, walled tube and to have the slot of the device stay in position by a spring-like, clamping action of the slot with the knife-like scrapping rear edge, gripping the flattened flexible wall tube.

Abstract: A wall mountable toothpaste dispenser operated by electrical power from the bathroom outlet or batteries. A sliding horizontal cylindrical wedge presses a toothpaste tube against a fixed vertical planar wedge with an inclined surface for squeezing a dose onto a toothbrush. The cylindrical wedge is moved by a line and pulley system driven by a motor and spur gearing. The dispenser is made from inexpensive materials and any mechanical part can be repaired by the user. Other viscous liquid products can be dispensed by this device.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an easy to use and more cost effective medication injector. The injector comprises a fluid container (1) made, preferably, of one bent, or two straight, edge heat-sealed neutral, flexible, pressure resistant and autoclavable plastic films, containing, at the discharge side, a rigid plastic tube (2) with reinforcement wings (3), in whose distal end is attached a needle (4), tightly enclosed in a plastic tube (5), closed at its distal end (6), the set being enclosed in an air-tight envelope (7) with rims (8). For large volumes infusion, the container (1) is attached to an infusion tubing (9) with a simple drip chamber (40) and an optional clamp (11) and a three-way stopcock (41) adapted to connect a syringe (42) for an initial bolus in a biphasic administration. For large volumes pressure injections, the container (1) is placed between pressing plates (14and 17) respectively attached to a lower (13) and upper (15) elements, both connected by the main link (16).

Abstract: A dispenser for a collapsible tube, such as a tube of toothpaste, is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body which has a base, a pair of opposing sides and a stopper. The stopper extends across one end of the base and has an opening in it which is large enough that the neck of the tube can extend through it, but not large enough for the rest of the tube to pass through. A reversible push block is designed to engage the opposing sides of the dispenser body and to slide along the length of the base to come into contact with the tube and force out its contents. One edge of the push block is thinner than the other. The thinner edge is used when the tube still has much of its original contents. The thicker edge is used by reversing the push block and is used when the tube is nearly empty to force out the last bit of useable product.

Abstract: A massager system for facilitating the rapid unloading of bulk material stored in a semi-rigid bag. The system includes a frame from which the bag is suspended. The bag has a discharge spout in the bottom end thereof that is secured to a complementary hopper. The system includes two massager paddles that are seated against the bottom end of the bag on opposed sides of the hopper. The massager paddles are secured to the frame so as to be able to pivot upwardly. A single actuator, such as a pneumatic drive cylinder, is suspended directly from the massage paddles. The actuation of the drive cylinder causes the simultaneous upward movement of the paddles so that the paddles enhance the movement of the contents of the bag out through the bag discharge spout.

Abstract: A tube squeezer that is replaceably attachable to a tube with contents and prevents the contents of the tube from flowing backwards therein when the tube is no longer squeezed and thereby allowing the contents of the tube to be readily and constantly available without waste. The squeezer includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion has two pair of vertically-disposed legs with inboard surfaces that oppose each other and define a longitudinal space therebetween. The lower portion further has a lateral space between each pair of legs at the pair of lateral sides of the lower portion. The top surface of the lower portion has a groove. The upper portion is replaceably interlocked with the lower portion. The upper portion further has a pair of tabs, each of which releasibly and frictionally engages its respective lateral space in the lower portion when the upper portion is interlocked with the lower portion.

Abstract: A container for housing body fluids, preferably blood in its component form. The container comprises a body defined by flexible walls having an interior for housing the body fluid. Additionally, a means for allowing selective fluid flow allows the blood components to be expressed from one chamber of the container into another to separate and separately house the blood components. The present invention also provides a method for separating blood into its components and individually storing same.

Abstract: A squeezing device for dispensing flowable contents from a compressible tube comprising two planar members hinged together transversely with an axle means. The lower member is a support plate for the tube and the upper member is a pressor plate being adapted to provide a variable width transverse gap at their hinged end which is dependent upon the inclination of that member and to slidingly engage and intermittently retain the collapsible tube while its contents are being expressed uniformly from the normally capped end. The transverse support axis for the hinged members can either be a dual prong element integral of the pressor member or it can be a separable rigid rod spanning the sidewalls of both members and capped externally at each longitudinal end to be retained in place.

Abstract: A dispenser designed to be used in conjunction with a compressible tube of fluent material. The dispenser includes a pair of flexible bands between which the tube is inserted. A compressing mechanism is employed to press the bands together and thereby cause a localized area of the tube to be compressed. Movement of the compressing mechanism is achieved by turning a bottom-located handle. The handle is connected to an inner housing having a helical thread to which the compressing mechanism is engaged. Rotation of the handle causes the helical thread to rotate and thereby forces the compressing mechanism to move along the bands and thereby compress adjacent portions of the contained tube.

Abstract: A venous reservoir bag subassembly which is adapted to cooperate with a mounting assembly having a bracket frame and a front plate reproducibly relatively movable to enable constant accurate blood volume readout, a cooperating mechanism between the subassembly and the mounting assembly to provide against unduly low blood volume, and an angled conduit cooperating with the bag and recesses in the subassembly and assembly to provide further failsafe against passage of the undesirable gas.

Abstract: A paint pouch assembly includes a pair of facing sidewalls sealed along their periphery. A fitting has a fluid passage that terminates in an inlet disposed within a cavity of the pouch and the inlet faces outwardly toward one of the sidewalls. By depressing the sidewall over the opening, fluid can be regulated through the fitting. The collapsible pouch may be used in a number of different applications. It may be incorporated into a dispensing apparatus that uses a hinged presser member to urge paint through the fitting and out through a pivoting head received on the opposite end. Removable attachments can be secured to the head to provide for a fine marker, foam brush, etc. Alternatively, the collapsible pouch can be used with a well structure that is secured to an artist's palette.

Abstract: A paint pouch assembly includes a pair of facing sidewalls sealed along their periphery. A fitting has a fluid passage that terminates in an inlet disposed within a cavity of the pouch and the inlet faces outwardly toward one of the sidewalls. By depressing the sidewall over the opening, fluid can be regulated through the fitting. The collapsible pouch may be used in a number of different applications. It may be incorporated into a dispensing apparatus that uses a hinged presser member to urge paint through the fitting and out through a pivoting head received on the opposite end. Removable attachments can be secured to the head to provide for a fine marker, foam brush, etc. Alternatively, the collapsible pouch can be used with a well structure that is secured to an artist's palette.

Abstract: The present end-lap retainer is a one-piece device having a particular configuration so as to fit snugly over the end of a pliable tube used to dispense viscous materials, such as, toothpaste, glue, ointment, etc. During the normal use process, a toothpaste user will lap or fold the bottom end of the tube when the tube becomes partially depleted. This lapping process forces the remaining paste upward toward the top of the tube for easy dispensing of its contents. The end-lap retainer device is attached to the laps or folds, holding them firmly in place, thereby preventing any unlapping or back flow of the contents when pressure is applied to the tube during dispensing.

Abstract: A outer cardboard box is provided for an inner bag, the box having a spout so that viscous, creamy or pasty material can be dispensed from the spout. In this box, the bottom wall opposite to the pouring spout is connected with only two sidewalls so that when the sidewalls are compressed to cause a flow of material from the inner bag and through the spout, the bottom wall bulges inwardly and the other sidewalls bulge outwardly.

Abstract: A device for squeezing out a desired quantity of pasty contents from a collapsible tube. Two elongated members connected by a frame are provided with at least one resilient tongue disposed therebetween. The tongue is a U-shaped leaf spring having one side integrally attached to a respective elongated member and-another side being free. An opening is provided between the two tongues (or between the tongue and the other elongated member) with this opening narrowing gradually from a relatively wide entrance through which the sealed end of the tube is inserted to a narrow slot which exerts a pressure on the walls of the tube while the device slides on the tube. A slot, and more particularly the tongue(s) exerts a constant force on the flattened walls of the tube to prevent the contents of the tube from escaping through the slot into that portion of the tube which has been emptied.

Abstract: The present device discloses a first plate and a second plate which are joined by a live hinge. In the preferred embodiment, the first plate, second plate and live hinge are integrally molded from a resilient material. At the ends of first and second plates distally located from the live hinge there are placed elastomeric bands which can be placed over the spout of the squeezable tube to maintain pressure over the length of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting liquids different in kind from a flexible primary container storing therein liquid components fractionated into three layers to some satellite containers, by virtue of forming a adhering portion inside the primary container, and communicating with a first outlet and a second outlet, and guiding the upper liquid component to either outlets and the lower liquid component to the remaining outlet.

Abstract: A clip for controlling a toothpaste tube when the end of the tube is folded into flattened coil. The clip is made of a resilient material and comprises an integrally attached front and back member. The front member terminates in an inwardly depending lip which, when engaging the edge of a fold made in the emptied part of the tube, prevents the coil from unfolding and the tube from slipping from the clip. The short lip near the open end of the clip holds the tube in the clip without having the clip clamp onto the tube. Thus the clip opening can be large enough to enable the tube to be easily inserted. The back member flares outwardly, allowing the contents of the tube to be easily expressed therefrom.

Abstract: A dispenser for single or limited use wedge shaped packages is disclosed having a pair of press surfaces between which the package is positioned. The product is dispensed from the package by opening the package and compressing the package between the two press surfaces causing the product to be discharged from the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing adhesives having first and second parts including premeasured adhesive portions contained in compartments of a package. A dispenser includes a top portion hingeably coupled to a bottom portion, with the portions defining a cavity dimensioned to receive a package containing adhesives therein. A squeegee slideably engages the dispenser and the package. The dispenser further includes a retaining structure for holding the package in place in the dispenser while the squeegee moves the adhesives through the package to a package nozzle.

Abstract: Device and method for dosing a liquid product from a tubular container are provided. The container includes a plurality of doses of the liquid product and a plate for pinching the container together locally such that it is divided into a plurality of separate liquid chambers containing a desired dose.

Abstract: A venous reservoir bag subassembly is provided which is adapted to cooperate with a mounting assembly having a bracket frame and a front plate reproducibly relatively movable to enable constant accurate blood volume readout, cooperating means between the subassembly and the mounting assembly to provide against unduly low blood volume, and angled conduit means cooperating with the bag and recesses in the subassembly and assembly to provide further failsafe against passage of the undesirable gas.

Abstract: A positive displacement infusion pump for delivery of intravenous fluid at a predetermined rate from a standard, flexible intravenous bag to a patient. The pump includes a bag chamber with a moveable side opposing a stationary side. The bag chamber has a volume which is greater that of the bag so the bag may be easily inserted into the chamber. The moveable side is controlled such that adjustments are made to the reduction of the chamber volume and/or rate of reduction of the chamber volume to precisely control the fluid flow out of the bag in accordance with information in the computer memory.

Abstract: An appliance for accumulating a viscid material from a pliant tube including a structural frame which defines a wedge-shaped channel having a major longitudinal open end and a minor longitudinal open end. The appliance may include a transversely pliant, longitudinally arcuate flap positioned laterally along the forward edge of the frame at the minor end of the channel for selectively compressing a tube operably retained with the appliance between the flap and a rear panel by pressing the flap towards the rear panel. The appliance is particularly well adapted for dispensing toothpaste from a standard toothpaste tube.

Abstract: A liquid infusion system includes a flexible, flat, collapsible bag for storing liquid. An outlet communicates with the bag and a valve is used to control liquid outflow through the outlet tube. A rigid housing encloses the bag with the outlet tube projecting therefrom. A spring biased rigid pivot plate is positioned within the housing. The plate exerts pressure on the bag, tending to urge the bag toward a flat collapsed position and to expel liquids through the outlet when any liquid is present in the bag. Spring members are positioned in wells formed in the housing and the plate. The spring members exert a force against the plate.

Abstract: A device suitable for holding a collapsible tube and dispensing the contents thereof is provided. The device has a base which supports and holds the tube, an upper plate pivotally attached to the base and adapted to pivot or rotate one or more times towards said base to compress the collapsible tube and dispense the contents thereof. The device also includes a forward wall having a vertically disposed slot which receives the neck of the collapsible tube and allows the tube to slide vertically as the tube is compressed and the contents are dispensed. Repeated rotations of the upper plate results in a milking of the contents of the tube and thus a controlled dispensing of the contents.

Abstract: A closed system for flushing an IV site comprises a unitary reservoir assembly of a first fluid reservoir for containing a first flush fluid, a second fluid reservoir for containing a second flush fluid, a tubing array for connecting the first and the second reservoirs to an IV site comprising a common tube having a connector on one end thereof for connection to the site, and mounted in a housing having depressible panels for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid from each of the first and the second reservoirs.

Abstract: A container made of a substantially dielectric material adapted to contain and preserve a perishable substance, comprising:a substantially elongated tubular portion defining an enclosure adapted to contain a perishable substance, the tubular portion being made from a flexible dielectric material, and defining an opening adapted to release said perishable substance through the opening by squeezing the tubular portion;a first magnet coupled to an interior wall of the tubular portion and extending substantially the length of the tubular position;a second magnet coupled to said interior wall of the tubular portion of a substantially opposite side of the tubular portion relative to the first magnet and facing the first magnetic defining a magnetic field between the first and second magnets; said magnetic field adapted to substantially encompass said perishable substance; anda porous material located between the first and second magnets to prevent contact between the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for draining flexible fluid containers, in particular blood bags which form part of an extracorporeal system in a single needle-type arrangement, having a movable plate (4b) and a fixed plate (4a) in which both plates are configured to confront a flexible fluid container. A force member (14), and a force transfer means (8, 18), are arranged in such a way that the force acting upon the movable plate (4b) increases as the container is drained.

Abstract: Disclosed is packaging which includes two separate compartments, a first compartment for storing a flowable product such as cheese spread, and a second compartment for storing a solid product such as crackers. The first compartment, housing the flowable product, includes a lid having a scored portion which is broken upon bending of the packaging along a longitudinal bending region. To prevent unintentional discharge of the flowable product prior to its intended use, such as during shipping or other handling in which the flowable compartment may inadvertently be bent in the longitudinal direction, and thereby rupture the lid at the score line with the flowable product being dispensed therethrough, the flowable product compartment is separably attached to the solid product compartment along a side of the flowable compartment perpendicular to the longitudinal bendable region to increase its rigidity to bending in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a tube press designed to squeeze excess toothpaste, ointments, and similar materials trapped at the bottom of a collapsible tube dispenser. Two rods having oblongated cross-sections are positioned in parallel and have notches to guide and hold two bands or O-rings at each end. The rods have preferred cross-sections of ellipses or football shapes. A tube-receiving slot is formed by gradual slopes towards a nip. The bands or O-rings provide pressure against the tube which is sandwiched between the two rods within the nip. Sliding the whole assembly up the length of the tube forces the residual contents to the top.

Abstract: A tool for squeezing out a high-viscosity liquid from a flexible plastic tube container includes a spool having a slot in which the bottom of the tube container is received and locked, and a container holder having a pair of opposed bearing portions frictionally and rotatably supporting thereon a body of the spool, and a pair of opposed engagement portions engageable with a body of the tube container as the tube container is wound on the spool body from the bottom thereof. When a rotational force or torque on the spool is released, the spool is urged to rotate in the reverse direction by a resilient force stored in a portion of the flexible plastic tube container wound on the spool body. However, partly due to a friction acting between the spool body and the bearing portions, and partly due to the engagement between one of the engagement portions and the tube container, the spool is held immovable relative to the container holder against the resilient force of the tube container.