Flexible tube structure and method of fabrication

Abstract

A tubular container and container forming device and method according to the present invention provides a dispensing tubular container having a dispensing end, a sealed end, and a region along the length of the tubular container having surface variations (e.g. outward extending teeth) formed along the length of the tubular container as part of the tubular container over which a movable compression device may move, engage and be longitudinally retained as it is advanced toward the dispensing end. The teeth may have a radial and lateral wall thicknesses similar or equal to the tubular container wall thickness, to thicknesses greater than the tubular container wall thickness, and further include varying radial thickness or profile along an exterior dimension (e.g. length) of the tubular container. Also included are structures and processes to provide an injection molded polyethylene or polypropylene tubular container having longitudinal formations of desired wall thicknesses or profile.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.