Device, method, and system for controlling volume of collapsible squeeze tubes, and methods of making and using the same
OwnerRobert M. Ruben, Bradley N. Rubeninventors
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Abstract
The invention provides a novel squeezable dispensing container, a sleeve for conventional squeezable dispensing containers, and a tab strip that can be used to convert conventional squeeze tubes into those of the present invention, that can be secured in an at least partially rolled up configuration after at least a portion of the contents of the container have been extruded.
Claims15
A dispensing container, comprising:
- a) a tubular housing having a sealed end, a dispensing end, an outer surface, and an inner volume, the housing adapted for extrusion of a material therein by squeezing and adapted to be rolled up at least partially;
- and
- b) essentially inelastic tab means, attached to the outer surface and extending therefrom and effective to traverse the same, comprising at least one substrate, each substrate having a first end attached to the outer surface and a second free end and said substrate having an extent between said first and second ends effective to, when wrapped transversely around said housing, to overlap itself if a single substrate or, if more than one substrate, to overlap a second substrate, and attached to each said substrates a mechanically engagable fastener for securing at said overlap said substrate to itself or to a second substrate and thereby securing the housing in an at least partially rolled up geometry and effective when said fastener is fastened to resist the force of a material contained in the container when forced towards the at least partially rolled up portion of the tube from unrolling that portion of the tube when the container is squeezed.
A reusable sleeve, consisting essentially of:
- a squeezable tubular housing having an outer surface, a sealed end, and an open end, said open end adapted to receive into an interior of the housing a filled squeezable tubular dispensing container adapted for extrusion of a material therein by squeezing;
- means for releasably retaining the container in the housing;
- and
- essentially inelastic means on said outer surface comprising a mechanically engagable fastener for securing said housing and the container received therein in an at least partially rolled up geometry and effective when engaged to resist the force of a material contained in the container when forced towards the at least partially rolled up portion of the tube when the container is squeezed while received in the sleeve.
A device for releasably maintaining a squeezable dispensing tubular container in an at least partially rolled up geometry, consisting essentially of:
- an essentially inelastic tab strip having opposing ends and opposing sides;
- means attached to said opposing sides for releasably mechanically engaging said opposing ends to each other when said opposing ends are disposed in overlapping relationship;
- and adhesive coated onto one of said opposing sides for adhering said tab strip to said container;
- said tab strip having an extent between said ends effective to traverse said container and to allow said ends to overlap and mechanically engage each other.
A device for releasably maintaining a squeezable dispensing tubular container in an at least partially rolled up geometry, consisting essentially of:
- an essentially inelastic tab strip having opposing ends and opposing sides;
- means attached to said opposing sides for releasably mechanically engaging said opposing ends to each other when said opposing ends are disposed in overlapping relationship;
- and adhesive coated onto one of said opposing sides for adhering said tab strip to said container;
- said tab strip having an extent between said ends effective to traverse said container and to allow said ends to overlap and mechanically engage each other and a release layer disposed over said adhesive coating.
A device for releasably maintaining a squeezable dispensing tubular container in an at least partially rolled up geometry, consisting essentially of:
- an essentially inelastic tab strip having opposing ends and opposing sides;
- means, attached to said opposing sides for releasably mechanically engaging said opposing ends to each other when said opposing ends are disposed in overlapping relationship;
- and adhesive coated onto one of said opposing sides for adhering said tab strip to said container;
- said tab strip having an extent between said ends effective to traverse said container and to allow said ends to overlap and mechanically engage each other and adhered to a squeezable tubular dispensing container by said adhesive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.