Containers simulating collapsible tubes, packages including such containers, and methods of making them

A package for liquid material, comprising:

• (a) a container holding a body of liquid material and including
• (i) a substantially rigid, hollow inner member having an open proximal end, a closed distal end smaller in cross-sectional area than the proximal end, and an axial length therebetween, the inner member tapering progressively toward the distal end over at least part of its length;
• (ii) a flexible sleeve with an axial length greater than that of the inner member, laterally surrounding the inner member and having a first end adjacent the proximal end of the inner member and a closed and flattened second end disposed distally of the distal end of the inner member, simulating the appearance of a collapsible tube of oil paint or the like;
• and
• (iii) a neck fixedly disposed in the open proximal end of the container and having a central passage;
• (b) a closure member engageable with the neck;
• and
• (c) an applicator carried by the closure member and insertable into the interior of the container inner member for transporting a quantity of the contained liquid material therefrom, the inner member having internal dimensions and configuration for accommodating the applicator therewithin when the closure member engages the neck.

A mascara package comprising:

• (a) a container holding a body of mascara and including
• (i) a substantially rigid, hollow inner member having an open proximal end, a closed distal end smaller in cross-sectional area than the proximal end, and an axial length therebetween, the inner member tapering progressively toward the distal end over at least part of its length;
• (ii) a flexible sleeve with an axial length greater than that of the inner member, laterally surrounding the inner member and having a first end adjacent the proximal end of the inner member and a closed and flattened second end disposed distally of the distal end of the inner member, simulating the appearance of a collapsible tube of oil paint or the like;
• and
• (iii) a neck fixedly disposed in the open proximal end of the container and having a central passage;
• (b) a closure member engageable with the neck;
• and
• (c) an applicator carried by the closure member and insertable into the interior of the inner member for transporting a quantity of the contained mascara therefrom, the inner member having internal dimensions and configuration for accommodating the applicator therewithin when the closure member engages the neck.

A method of making a container for liquid material which is to be removed therefrom in small quantities by an applicator, the container including a substantially rigid, hollow container member for holding a body of liquid material, the container member having an open proximal end, a closed distal end smaller in cross-sectional area than the proximal end, and an axial length therebetween, the container member tapering progressively toward the distal end over at least part of its length;

• and a flexible sleeve with an axial length greater than that of the container member, laterally surrounding the container member and having a first end secured to the proximal end of the container member and a closed and flattened second end disposed distally of the distal end of the container member, simulating the appearance of a collapsible tube of oil paint or the like;
• said method comprising:
• (a) integrally molding the container member and the sleeve of plastic, the second end of the sleeve being open when molded;
• and
• (b) subsequently flattening and closing the second end of the sleeve.

A method of making a container for liquid material which is to be removed therefrom in small quantities by an applicator, the container including a substantially rigid, hollow container member for holding a body of liquid material, the container member having an open proximal end, a closed distal end smaller in cross-sectional area than the proximal end, and an axial length therebetween, the container member tapering progressively toward the distal end over at least part of its length;

• and a flexible sleeve with an axial length greater than that of the container member, laterally surrounding the container member and having a first end secured to the proximal end of the container member and a closed and flattened second end disposed distally of the distal end of the container member, simulating the appearance of a collapsible tube of oil paint or the like;
• said method comprising:
• (a) providing the container member and the sleeve as initially separate elements, the sleeve being a flexible metal tube with a closed and flattened second end and an open first end;
• and
• (b) inserting the container member, distal end first, into the open end of the sleeve until the proximal end of the container member is pressed into the first end of the sleeve.

A method of making a container for liquid material which is to be removed therefrom in small quantities by an applicator, the container including a substantially rigid, hollow crush shield having an open proximal end, a distal end smaller in cross-sectional area than the proximal end, and an axial length therebetween, the crush shield tapering progressively toward the distal end over at least part of its length;

• and a flexible sleeve with an axial length greater than that of the inner member, laterally surrounding the inner member and having a first proximal end and a closed and flattened second end disposed distally of the distal end of the inner member, simulating the appearance of a collapsible tube of oil paint or the like;
• said method comprising:
• (a) providing the crush shield and the sleeve as initially separate elements, the sleeve being a flexible metal tube having a proximal end with an integral metal neck and an initially open distal end,
• (b) inserting the crush shield, proximal end first, into the open distal end of the tube, and
• (c) flattening, folding and crimping the distal end of the tube.