Nonmetallic Patents (Class 222/107)
  • Patent number: 5656346
    Abstract: The invention concerns a packaging tube comprising a multi-layer pure plastic laminate and a sealing arrangement for tube heads for the packaging of materials with volatile substances such as flavouring or scent substances, which has a resistance to diffusion which is the same as or comparable to tubes which in their laminate structure have a metal layer as a diffusion barrier and which improves the recycling of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: KMK Lizence Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Hirt
  • Patent number: 5647511
    Abstract: A substantially flat collapsed plastic bag with an evacuation form unit insert positioned therein as manufactured to serve as a form about which the filled bag will collapse as it is emptied. The form unit comprises a ring for mounting the unit on the spout of the bag and a multi-channel form extending radially from the ring and hingedly connected thereto. A simple method is provided for manufacturing the bag with the form unit insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis J. Bond
  • Patent number: 5645527
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within a bioelectrode element for use in an iontophoretic delivery device. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode element for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired. At that time, the removable hydration assembly can be activated by the user through application of force to a pocket in a side of the sealed liquid-storage component to cause the pocket to become inverted and substantially aligned within an opposing pocket in the other side such that the sealed liquid-storage component unseals at a predetermined release location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: IOMED, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon E. Beck
  • Patent number: 5636765
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metered dispensing cap with manifold cover for containers such as tubes and the like. The metered dispensing cap with manifold cover has a base element, a meter element housing a one-way valve, a manifold cover and a open-close valve for permitting flow of material from a meter chamber to a manifold chamber and out through the manifold cover. The present invention provides for an even, metered dispensing of material through the manifold cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart DeJonge
  • Patent number: 5632416
    Abstract: A pouch for holding viscous food product for dispensing from a specific hand held or similar type dispenser, is formed so as to include a tear strip to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout formed to be sealingly held in the specific dispenser. The pouch includes a pair of alignment/holding openings formed on either side of the outlet spout for securing the pouch in a fixed position in the dispenser. The invention also includes head seal tooling having a pair of heated jaws which are brought together to simultaneously form the bottom seal of a top unfilled, pouch and the outlet spout and angularly disposed top seals of a filled lower pouch, while at the same time forming perforations for the tear strip, the pair of openings in the lower pouch and cutting-off the formed, filled and sealed lower pouch from the upper pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
  • Patent number: 5622283
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Testor Corporation
    Inventor: Adam P. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5617974
    Abstract: A packaging, storage and dispensing container particularly useful for agricultural products. The container is constructed of a flexible material such as multi-wall paper or a flexible plastic material. The invention is a flattened tubular bell shaped design having a bottom closed terminal portion. A two part plastic strip with a multiplicity of evenly spaced discharge openings is just above this seam and generally across the same. By adjusting the discharge openings in the two part strip to become partially to fully aligned a variety of different size aperture openings can be achieved in which to dispense the product in the container. If all the product is not used, then the two strips can be manipulated to fully mis-align the discharge openings, thus re-sealing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas K. Sawyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5611461
    Abstract: An ink container comprising a flexible bag is of a polygonal cross-section when it is filled with a sufficient quantity of ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidemi Kubota, Torachika Osada
  • Patent number: 5609899
    Abstract: A collapsible canteen having deposited therein a charge of water-soluble flavor crystals such that when the canteen is erected and water is poured therein, the crystals are then dissolved to produce, in situ, a soft drink. The canteen includes square top and bottom walls, the top wall having a projecting neck to receive a removable cap. Also included are a first pair of opposing side walls that are inwardly foldable in half whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the folded in first side walls are then sandwiched between the top and bottom walls, and a second pair of opposing side walls that are outwardly foldable in half and are each provided with a triangular gusset that is joined to a side wall in the first pair of side walls, whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the gussets are then folded into the folded out second pair of side walls to define a pair of outstretched wings, the wings being then folded under the bottom wall to create a square-shaped pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5608437
    Abstract: An ink container includes a cylindrical member having a closed end and an opposite open end; and a flexible member covering the open end of the cylindrical member to define an ink containing portion. The flexible member has a bottom portion and a bent portion that is movable along an internal surface of the cylindrical member with consumption of the ink therein, wherein the bottom portion is less easily deformable than the bent portion and movement of the bent portion is irreversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Iwata, Masanori Takenouchi, Kenjiro Watanabe, Toshihiko Ujita, Torachika Osada, Kazuhiro Nakajima, Hidemi Kubota, Yasuo Kotaki, Keiichiro Tsukuda, Yohei Sato, Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 5600933
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment. The package has a planar enclosed body extending between a bottom end and a top end. The package further includes a planar gusset panel sealed to the body at the top end. The gusset panel is sealed to the body such that the package can be folded so that the gusset panel will lie flat against and in the same plane as the body of the package. The gusset panel further includes an aperture disposed therein. A dispensing fitment extends through the aperture on the gusset panel for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jerald R. Wiles, Dana P. Gruenbacher
  • Patent number: 5593066
    Abstract: A container including a cylindrical main body having front and rear end portions opposite each other and being axially collapsible along the longitudinal axis thereof to discharge contents therein through the first end portion. The rear end portion is sealed, and a reinforcing member having a discharge aperture extending therethrough is secured to the front end portion of the cylindrical main body. Additionally, a lid is disposed on the reinforcing member to cover the discharge aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Hosokawa Yoko, Kabushiki Kaisha Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Ritaro Konuma, Yoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5590798
    Abstract: A cap and tube assembly comprising: a tube for containing a product. A nozzle at one end of the tube has a thin wall portion defining a diaphragm puncturable to provide a discharge opening for dispensing of products. The cap is engagable over the nozzle and has puncturing means depending inwardly from the top of the cap operable upon actuation of the cap relative to the nozzle to puncture the diaphragm. Rib means on the interior of the cap snugly embraces the nozzle during axial movement of the cap to ensure alignment of the piercing element with a diaphragm during the piercing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Wheaton Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O'Connell
  • Patent number: 5590780
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a container having a body portion and a nozzle at one end of reduced cross-section, a closure cap engagable over the nozzle portion, at least one internal rib in the container adjacent the juncture of the body portion and nozzle extending downwardly into the body portion a predetermined depth whereby when container and cap are nested, and the cap portion of a first container cap assembly engages interiorly the body portion to a point where it abuts the ribs, there is defined a gap of predetermined axial distance between the lower edge of the body portion of the first container cap assembly and the transition shoulder between the body portion and nozzle of a second container cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Wheaton Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. O'Meara
  • Patent number: 5584418
    Abstract: A flexible container for dispensing a fluid product includes a flexible tube-like sleeve having a closed end and a head end, as well as a dispensing head secured to the head end of the sleeve. The dispensing head includes a tip portion having an aperture for discharge of a fluid product in the container, and a substantially truncated conical base portion extending radially outwardly from the tip portion so as to define a substantially annular shoulder portion. A depending portion depends from the shoulder portion and extends generally away from the tip portion. The headed end of the sleeve is secured to, and terminates at, the depending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Tubed Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Schroeder, William B. Kenyon, Jr., James T. Farley, Jr., Russell P. Cisek
  • Patent number: 5582328
    Abstract: A container for toiletries, personal hygiene products and articles, said container comprising a body formed of a sealable, preferable heat-sealable material for storing said product or article and having a first portion defining a sealed aperture through which aperture said product or article was added to said body; a second portion defining an aperture through which said product is operatively dispensed from said body; an outer surface adjacent said first portion; and identification means associated with said outer surface such that opening of said body at or adjacent said first portion to provide a third aperture and subsequent sealing of said third aperture effects a visual change in said identification means. The containers are so adapted as to enable, through visual inspection, whether the container has been unsealed and refilled with undesirable materials or articles such as drugs or sharp objects by patients, residents or inmates of detention or correctional institutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Saundria L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5579956
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a disposable fastener which is adaptable to many different size tubes. The fastener comprises a creasable strip portion having dead fold properties and a tab portion. The tab portion is attached to the creasable strip portion and has a pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface. The tab portion extends from the creasable strip portion. A method for attaching a fastener of the type described above is also disclosed. There is also provided a fastener with no adhesive properties and a method for using the same with a collapsible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Milton A. Seale
  • Patent number: 5577636
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-tube container having multiple tubes in parallel. The container includes a plurality of body portions, each of which having a hollow portion for containing contents, a plurality of twistable head portions formed at one end of each of the body portions, a plurality of neck portions, each of which can be broken off by twisting of the head portion, creating an opening for extruding the contents from the hollow portion and is located between the body portion and the head portion, and a plurality of sealing portions formed at the other end of each of said body portions. Each of the sealing portions are breakably connected to the adjacent sealing portions, and at least one of the head portions and the neck portions are breakably connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Fukuoka, Kenzo Teshima, Yoshiharu Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 5560517
    Abstract: Packaged toothpaste formulations which contain air sensitive components, e.g. vitamin C, are prevented from discoloring or otherwise degrading, by placing adjacent to an area of the packaging which may allow air access to the formulation, e.g. an air permeable collar, a nozzle, or the wall of an air permeable tube, a body (e.g. plug or layer) of material which does not contain any air sensitive components. Preferably, the latter body of material is the packaged toothpaste but without the air sensitive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Creeth, Paul I. Riley, Mark E. Laing
  • Patent number: 5546728
    Abstract: Device constituting packaging for quantities of a glutinous substance, including first and second superposed sheets soldered together, of which a first, formable sheet has, for each quantity, a deformation extending away from the junction surface joining the two sheets and exists as a cavity forming a volume which holds the quantity of glutinous substance. The device also includes a duct for expelling the quantity of glutinous substance, which duct is open at one end thereof and which has a second end which opens into the cavity, as well as a flexible membrane forming a seal and producing a separation between the cavity and the duct in the area of the duct, the seal is attached to the first sheet so as to constitute a fragile seal at that site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Michel Dekeyser
  • Patent number: 5540358
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment. The package has a planar enclosed body extending between a bottom end and a top end. The package further includes a planar gusset panel sealed to the body at the top end. The gusset panel is sealed to the body such that the package can be folded so that the gusset panel will lie flat against and in the same plane as the body of the package. The gusset panel further includes an aperture disposed therein. A dispensing fitment extends through the aperture on the gusset panel for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jerald R. Wiles, Dana P. Gruenbacher
  • Patent number: 5531358
    Abstract: A package includes opposed flexible sides and a circumferential peripheral seal determining an interior sealed enclosure for storing a material, typically a viscous liquid. The package includes a depending seal which divides the enclosure into a storage reservoir and a dispensing channel in fluid communication. The dispensing channel includes an open upper end and a closed lower end, the upper end being in fluid communication with the storage reservoir, and the lower end being contiguous to the peripheral seal and to an aperture within the depending seal that is adapted to be torn open. Tearing the aperture results in collaterally tearing open the lower end of the dispensing channel and the contiguous portion of the peripheral seal, thereby enabling removal of package contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Arthur P. Corella
  • Patent number: 5529224
    Abstract: A self-closing liquid dispensing package comprises a liquid container and a self-closing flat channel valve. The channel valve has an inlet adjacent to and in liquid communication with the liquid container. It also has a mouth, a first sheet member, and a second sheet member wherein the first and second sheet members have an original planar position and longitudinal edges, are indexed face-to-face, and are sealed together along longitudinal edges and wherein the first and second sheet members are sufficiently flexible to arch away from each other to form a flow channel therebetween to permit a flow of contained liquid in response to external pressure applied to the liquid container. At least one of the sheet members is sufficiently resilient to return the first and second sheet members to the original planar position when the external pressure is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John G. Chan, Tatsuya Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5511697
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch package for dispensing a product has a fitment in a folded end of the pouch. A substantially rigid fitment has an inner end, an outer end, and an orifice therethrough extending from the inner end to the outer end. The fitment also has a planar flange at the inner end. The pouch is formed from a substantially rectangular piece of thermoplastic film. The piece of film has a hole therein. Around the hole a depression is formed in the film either by thermoforming or cold forming. The depression is sized such that when the flange of the fitment is bonded to the film at the hole, and the piece of film is folded away from the fitment and fin-sealed closed, the folded end of the resulting pouch has minimal concavity and the pouch has parallel side seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dana P. Gruenbacher, Dale E. Barker
  • Patent number: 5505338
    Abstract: The product dispenser (1) comprises a container (4) inside which is located a bag (2) made from a deformable plastic compound; a base (7) carrying the dispensing member (8) is mechanically held with respect to the container (4), a bottom end of the bag (2) being welded along a band (33). The bag (2) is formed from a sheath obtained by welding, along at least one longitudinal band (32), the longitudinal edges of a strip. The longitudinal band of weld (32) welds an inner face of a longitudinal edge of the strip, from which the bag (2) is formed, to the inner face of the other longitudinal edge of the strip situated on the same side of the strip as the previous face. The base (7) includes a weld surface (10), and the welded assembly of the two longitudinal edges of the strip is folded back against the outer surface of the sheath and welded in this position by the weld for welding the end of the bag (2) onto the weld surface (10) of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 5499743
    Abstract: A flexible tank for liquids constructed from an inner layer of waterproof, thin-walled flexible polypropylene foil and an outer layer of flexible, highly compressed, tear-resistant polypropylene cloth. The construction provides a light weight tank which may be rolled up and easily transported. The tank is provided with an inlet and one or more large diameter (5 cm) outlet valves from which liquid in the tank may be dispensed without the use of a pump although a water or air pump may be used as an aid in dispensing the liquid. An insulating layer may be located above and/or below the tank or between the inner and outer layers. A heat absorbing layer may be placed above the tank and may be used in combination with an insulating layer under the tank. The tank may be provide with flow lines, valves and connectors for connection to other tanks to form a multiple arrangement of tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Jorge L. Blumenkron
  • Patent number: 5497911
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hand-pump or pressurized container that can dispense the contents when held at any orientation. A flexible bladder with a dip tube having multiple openings in order to provide a flow path for the liquid regardless of the orientation of the container. In another embodiment, the liquid path is provided by the configuration of the inner surface of the bladder without the need of a dip tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventors: M. Edmund Ellion, James C. Pfautz
  • Patent number: 5494192
    Abstract: A stress concentrator aperture-forming structure for containers or packages for flowable products, which allow controlled dispensing of the flowable products with one hand. The stress concentrator includes a substantially flat, relatively stiff sheet, one or more elongated, thin-walled, generally channel-shaped protrusion members, and a fault area crossing one or more of the protrusion members. An enclosed pouch containing the flowable products may also be attached to the stress concentrator. Rupturing the stress concentrator protrusion members across the fault line forms an aperture-forming pattern, which upon application of pressure to the container or package expands to form a larger aperture. Alternate embodiments incorporate the rupturable stress concentrator onto containers or dispenser packages including a pouch type package having a slit opening, whereby upon rupturing the stress concentrator, the flowable products flow out from the container or package through the stress concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 5484083
    Abstract: A receptacle (1) with a deformable flexible wall (2), of the bottle, pouch or tube type, is adapted to contain a liquid or pasty product adapted to be distributed through an outlet opening (3), under the effect of pressure exerted from outside on the flexible wall (2) of the receptacle, leading to the collapse of this wall and a diminution of the internal volume of the receptacle. The receptacle wall has at least one longitudinal strip (4) of a more rigid material and of a peripheral extent (1) sufficient to maintain, within the receptacle, a longitudinal channel adjacent this strip (4), when the regions facing the internal surface of the flexible wall of the receptacle come to bear against each other as a result of the collapse of this wall, progressively with the distribution of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Gerard Joulia
  • Patent number: 5480067
    Abstract: A hose-shaped bag (1) is formed of a composite foil made up of a metal foil (3c) and at least one plastic foil (3a) arranged as an outer layer on an outer surface of the metal foil (3c). A weakened location is provided in the outer plastic foil (3a) produced by a thermal heat effect and affording a rated failure location. The weakened location reduces the overall mechanical strength of the composite foil (1), so that an opening member on a dispensing tool can reliably open the hose-shaped bag at this location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Sedlmeier
  • Patent number: 5477985
    Abstract: The product dispenser (10) comprises a container (4) inside which is located a bag (2) made from a deformable plastic compound; a base (7) carrying the dispensing member (8) is mechanically held with respect to the container (4), a bottom end of the bag (2) being welded along a band (33). The bag (2) is formed from a sheath obtained by welding the longitudinal edges of a strip along at least one longitudinal band (32). The longitudinal band of weld (32) welds an inner face of a longitudinal edge of the strip, from which the bag (2) is formed, to the inner face of the other longitudinal edge of the strip situated on the same side of the strip as the previous face. The base (7) includes a weld surface (1), and the welded assembly of the two longitudinal edges of the strip is folded back against the outer surface of the sheath and welded in this position by the weld for welding the end of the bag (2) onto the weld surface (10) of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 5467897
    Abstract: A resilient collapsible tube for dispensing viscous material has an elastic device for retaining the tube in progressively rolled positions as the contents of the tube are dispensed. The elastic retaining device defines elastic loops extending longitudinally around the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: David E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5454896
    Abstract: A method for scaling a flexible inner bag inside a squeezebottle so that the flexible inner bag will invert in order to dispense viscous fluids. The method is particularly useful in single-piece squeezebottles which have a small ratio of discharge opening cross-section to body cross-section. In practicing the present invention, a flexible inner bag has heat-activated adhesive stripes applied to the upper half of its exterior. The flexible inner bag is inserted into a squeezebottle through the discharge opening and then expanded inside the squeezebottle by compressed air. After the flexible inner bag is fully expanded, and with pressure applied to the inside of the flexible inner bag, heat is applied either to the inside of the bag or to the outside of the squeezebottle by hot air, steam, radiation, or induction heating of metal particles in the adhesive. The adhesive is heat-activated and the upper half of the flexible inner bag is thereby attached to the inner side wall of the squeezebottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Harding, Charles G. Yeazell, Ronald W. Kock
  • Patent number: 5431304
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Aliseo Gentile
  • Patent number: 5413250
    Abstract: The invention concerns a unit for dispensing at least one fluid product; this unit comprises at least one dispensing duct, each comprising at its end portion a closing system opening towards the outside. The closing system is formed by an obturator which forms part of a component made of an elastically deformable material and a seat which forms part of another component of the dispensing head. The obturator is in contact with its associated seat in the absence of any dispensing action, moving away from the seat by elastic deformation under the pressure of the product to be dispensed, and returning by elasticity into contact with the seat when the dispensing stops. The obturator is subjected to the action of a constraining element tending to keep it applied to the seat wherewith it cooperates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 5411178
    Abstract: A pliable, fluid dispensing pouch is provided which includes a flexible shot-chamber having a venturi shaped outlet passageway leading to a discharge opening at one end of the pouch. The discharge opening is initially sealed closed by the presence of a sealing tab. The discharge opening is unsealed by tearing off the tab. The venturi shaped outlet passageway has a throat section in which a liquid meniscus forms during use which acts to prevent leakage from the pouch when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Beeton Holdings Limited
    Inventors: George W. Roders, Stewart Banks
  • Patent number: 5409125
    Abstract: A liquid containing thermoplastic unit dose container (1) which comprises a body portion (2), a neck portion (3) and an outlet opening (7) at the end of the neck portion (3) which is sealed by a non-resealable cap (4). The outside wall of the neck portion (3) comprises a thread engagement portion (8) which is located at or proximate the outermost edge of the neck portion (3) so that after removal of cap (4) thread engagement portion (8) is adapted to engage within an inwardly facing screw thread channel (14) at the end of a syringe. This enables sealing connection of the container (1) to the syringe so that liquid within container (1) may be directly transferred from the container (1) to the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Astra
    Inventors: Michael B. Kimber, Anders T. Kers, Borje Jonsson
  • Patent number: 5407742
    Abstract: A structure which is useful for making containers for dentifrices, such as tubes, is comprised of a structure where the layer which contacts the dentifrice consists of a blend of polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene. Other layers can consist of adhesives, paper, foils, other polymers and the like depending on the properties desired. A polybutylene terephthalate-polyethylene layer has been found to have a low degree of absorption of flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Tavss, John Santalucia, Richard S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5398853
    Abstract: The present invention is a discharge nozzle for flexible dispensing tubes containing paste-like or semi-liquid substances. It solves the problem of having to contact the discharge opening of the dispensing tube against a secondary surface to cut off the flow of substance. This is advantageous for eliminating the transfer of germs between the discharge opening of the dispensing tube and the secondary surface. Additionally, it solves the problem of eliminating unwanted accumulation of substance at the nozzle discharge, even when the dispensing tube is used in a repetitive manner, over a long period of time. The nozzle is small in size, has a symmetrical interior surface, and has a discharge portion formed at least partially from a material possessing a low coefficient of friction. This discharge portion has an elongated slit and is attached to a tubular neck. The elongated slit may be configured in the shape of an "I" to form two displaceable tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Peter A. Latham
  • Patent number: 5395031
    Abstract: A stress concentrator aperture-forming structure for containers or packages for flowable products, which allows controlled dispensing of the flowable products with one hand. The stress concentrator includes a substantially flat, relatively stiff sheet, one or more elongated, thin-walled, generally channel-shaped protrusion members, and a fault area crossing one or more of the protrusion members. An enclosed pouch containing the flowable products may also be attached to the stress concentrator. Rupturing the stress concentrator protrusion members across the fault line forms an aperture-forming pattern, which upon application of pressure to the container or package expands to form a larger aperture. Alternate embodiments of the present invention incorporate the rupturable stress concentrator onto containers or dispenser packages for use with a wide variety of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 5383577
    Abstract: A plastic tube produced by blow molding has a main section with an essentially constant cross-section over its length, which is formed by an even number of level wall sections. The wall sections are located opposite to each other and preferably have the same width. At the front end of the main section there is a tubular opening section with a smaller diameter than that of the main section. The rear end the main section converges to an essentially straight end edge which lies in a plane extending through the central longitudinal axis of the main section and which joins two longitudinal edges of the main section to form the end edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Harald Prahs
  • Patent number: 5380110
    Abstract: A packet for use in treating a surface and having an applicator formed of a plastic sheet material. The applicator has at least one hole therein and has a first and second sides. A reservoir of a liquid is formed on the second side of the applicator. A plastic sheet overlies the first side of the applicator and the hole therein. A first inner heat seal circumscribes the hole and bonds the plastic sheet to the applicator. A removable plastic pull tab sheet is provided. A second inner heat seal secures the pull tab sheet to the plastic sheet and is disposed within the first heat seal and circumscribes the hole whereby when the pull tab sheet is lifted off of the plastic sheet an opening is provided which exposes the hole to permit liquid carried within the liquid reservoir to be expelled through the opening for application to the surface to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph F. Festa
  • Patent number: 5373968
    Abstract: A holder for a wound collapsible tube wherein a strip of non-resilient, non-elastic, flexible fabric is positioned in the center of a rolled up tube, the strip having protruding end portions which are folded over the unwound portions of the tube and fastened together to keep the rolled-up portion from unwinding. The medial portion of the fabric strip is provided with a reinforcing member to rigidify the medial portion of the fabric strip to thereby provide a mandrel to facilitate the winding of the tube around the fabric strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Monte G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5373965
    Abstract: A collapsible container for extrudable viscous fluids comprising a tube, two opposing side walls of the tube being deformable under applied compressive pressure, the tube closed at one end and open at the other, the open end having a nozzle and openable cap means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventors: Hans Halm, Manfred Hansen, Stefan Bender
  • Patent number: 5373966
    Abstract: A single use dispensing sachet (10) which is made up of flexible sheet sections (14,16) peripherally sealed (12) to define an outer envelope, and within the outer envelope is a sealed compartment containing the sachet contents. The compartment is ruptured to displace the contents into an expansion chamber within the sachet so as to retard the flow of the contents and prevent splashing. The sachet may have a baffle (32) defined by a line of sealing connecting the outer sheet sections of the sachet, the baffle forming an obstruction between the contents emerging from the ruptured sealed compartment to an outlet at the periphery of the sachet. Also described is a method and machine for manufacturing the sachets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Reilly, John Maloney
  • Patent number: 5372863
    Abstract: A laminate-tube container having a shoulder with improved barrier properties is characterized in that the shoulder comprises a material composed of (A) 0 to 50% by weight of polyethylene, (B) 10 to 50% by weight of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and (c) 10 to 90% by weight of a carboxylic acid-modified adhesive polyethylene resin. The laminate-tube is markedly improved in the gas barrier property at the shoulder thereof and, thus, the quality of the contents of the container can be maintained for a long period of time. The laminate-tube container according to the present invention is extremely useful as containers used for toothpaste, medicine, food, drinks, adhesives or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Kansai Tube Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 5366116
    Abstract: A hand-held grout-dispensing tool having a body portion defining a generally triangular envelope member made of a flexible and expandable elastic material, an open but sealable-by-folding top edge, a grip portion on one lower edge, and a spout portion enabling adjustable dispensing of grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Warren A. Burtis
  • Patent number: 5356039
    Abstract: A pouch for storing and dispensing liquid product in incremental amounts having a body portion and a pump tube portion, wherein the pouch can be held within a dispensing apparatus for squeezing the pump tube portion to release the incremental amounts. The improved pouch provides a pump tube portion made of thermoplastic polypropylene and butyl terpolymer rubber which can be readily sealed to the body without fitments or couplers. The improved pouch provides a built-in "duck bill" check valve assembly or alternatively an O-ring check valve assembly, which further reduces the number of parts required as compared to the prior art. The check valve assembly provides a socket connector for mounting a separate nozzle assembly to the check valve assembly. A break-off tab for initially opening the nozzle assembly for dispensing is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Inpaco Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Christine, Scott A. Roth
  • Patent number: 5348732
    Abstract: Packaged toothpaste formulations which contain air sensitive components, e.g. vitamin C, are prevented from discoloring or otherwise degrading, by placing adjacent to an area of the packaging which may allow air access to the formulation, e.g. an air permeable collar, a nozzle, or the wall of an air permeable tube, a body (e.g. plug or layer) of material which does not contain any air sensitive components. Preferably, the latter body of material is the packaged toothpaste but without the air sensitive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Creeth, Paul I. Riley, Mark E. Laing
  • Patent number: 5348191
    Abstract: A device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of pasty material. The device is formed from two juxtaposed formable sheets including, respectively, a compartment forming a volume housing the measured quantity and a passage forming a duct for ejection of the measured quantity, as well as deformable membrane constituting a sealing mechanism which separates the compartment from the passage. The invention is applicable to packaging and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Michel Dekeyser