US 5,398,853 AGranted

Discharge nozzle

OwnerPeter A. Lathaminventor

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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.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A discharge nozzle for use with a tube having a discharge spout, comprising:

a first wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, and an interior surface, said interior surface of said first wall being fabricated from a material having a low coefficient of friction;
a second wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, and an interior surface, said interior surface of said second wall being fabricated from a material having a low coefficient of friction, said top edge of said second wall being joined to said top edge of said first wall;
an elongated slit formed between a portion of the top edges of said first and second walls;
a first pair of additional slits, each of said first pair of additional slits extending from an opposite end of said elongated slit and into said first wall;
a second pair of additional slits, each of said second pair of additional slits extending from an opposite end of said elongated slit and into said second wall;
and
a throat having a top end, a bottom end, and a cylindrical interior surface, said top end of said throat being attached to said bottom edges of said first and second walls, whereby said interior surfaces of said first and second walls and said interior surface of said throat collectively form a nozzle interior, said nozzle interior being symmetrical about an axis parallel to said top edges of said first and second walls, said nozzle interior also being symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to said top edges of said first and second walls.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.