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US 5,628,429 AGranted
Plural chambered squeezable dispensing tube
AssigneeEnamelon, Inc.
InventorsNorman Usen, Anthony E. Winston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.
Claims38
A substantially planar partition-forming member suitable for insertion into a dispensing tube to form a partition and two separate and discrete compartments within the tube;
- said tube having a dispensing end with affixed thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap and an open filling end into which the partition-forming member is inserted prior to filling;
- said partition-forming member having a configuration such that when inserted into the tube;
- (i) the end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the dispensing end of the tube is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and extends into said neck,
- (ii) the adjacent portion thereto conforms to the shape of the tube shoulder,
- (iii) the mid-portion extends within the tube and has a width corresponding to at least one half the inner-circumference of the tube;
- and
- (iv) the terminal end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the filling end of the tube has a width substantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of said tube,
- said partition-forming member being scored along each longitudinal side at a distance from the edge thereof such that when fully inserted into the tube the partition-forming member folds along the scoring thereby providing a spine between the scoring and two flaps adjacent thereto;
- and
- said partition-forming member being comprised of a material sufficiently resillient that such member tends to revert to its original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against the inner surface of the tube and providing a seal along the longitudinal edge with said inner surface of the tube.
7 more elements
A dual compartment dispensing tube assembly, comprising:
- a tubular container body having a dispensing end and affixed thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap, and a filling end which is sealed after contents are placed in said compartments;
- said tubular container body have positioned therein a substantially planar partition-forming insert which provides two adjacent compartments defined by a common wall segment and a pair of outer arcuate walls;
- said planar insert having a configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened and comprising an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and which extends through the orifice formed by the neck, an adjacent portion conforming to the inside shape of the tube shoulder, a mid-portion extending axially within the tube and having a width of at least about one half the inner circumference of the tube, and a terminal end positioned within the filling end of the tube and having a width substantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of said tube;
- said planar insert having scoring along each longitudinal side to provide a spine between the scoring and a flap at either side of the scoring, wherein said insert can be folded into a generally "Z" shape, and
- said planar insert being comprised of a material sufficiently resilient such that the insert tends to revert to its original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against the inner arcuate walls thereby providing a pressure seal along the longitudinal edges with the surface of said arcuate walls.
2 more elements
A method for assembling a dual compartment dispensing tube assembly, said assembly comprising:
- a tubular container body having a dispensing end and a filling end, and a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap affixed to the dispensing end of the tube;
- a substantially planar partition forming insert member having a configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened and comprising:
- an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck;
- an adjacent portion thereto conforming to the inside shape of the tube shoulder;
- an elongated mid-portion having a width of at least one half the inner circumference of the tube;
- and
- a terminal end having a width sub-stantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of the tube;
- scoring along each longitudinal side of the insert to provide a spine between the scoring and an elongated flap at either side of the scoring said insert comprised of a material sufficiently resilient such that the insert tends to maintain its planar configuration;
- said method comprising:
- (i) placing the tube in a position suitable for filling;
- (ii) directing the planar insert into and through the filling end of the tube until the end portion of the insert extends into the orifice formed by the neck, the adjacent portion abuts the inside of the shoulder, and the spine and flaps are folded into a generally "Z" shape and provide a partition which divides the tube into two compartments;
- (iii) filling each of the compartments;
- and
- (iv) sealing the filling end of the tube to form a straight line seal with the planar insert.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.