CZ2001696A3 - Tube for retention and dispensing of a product - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a tube for containing and dispensing contents, comprising: (a) a body portion (12); (b) a shoulder portion (14) sealingly attached to the body portion, the shoulder portion and the body portion bounding a shoulder area (5) in the interior of the tube, and the shoulder portion provided with at least one extension (18) extending into the interior of the tube from the shoulder portion in the direction of the body portion; and (c) a nozzle (16) sealingly attached to the shoulder portion and provided with an orifice through which the contents can be dispensed; wherein the contents contained in the shoulder area of the tube are substantially prevented from being dispensed when the tube is squeezed.

Description

Tube for product retention and dispensing

Technical field

The invention relates to an embodiment of an upper tapered portion for tubes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an embodiment of an upper tapered portion for tubes in which the dispensed amount of product (cartridge) from this tube region is minimized. The invention is particularly useful for tubes containing mixtures of dentifrices such as toothpastes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer packaging is still provided in the form of tubes and is used to retain various types of products, for example, food products, hair care products, cosmetic products and dentifrice compositions such as toothpastes, gels or combinations containing part of the paste and part gel. These tubes are generally formed with an upper tapered portion in which the tube body tapers into a nozzle with an opening that can be releasably closed or covered by a cap. When a user wishes to obtain a certain amount of product contained in the tube, this simply removes cap and squeezed until tubp _of the nozzle hole in the desired amount given higher-Iku and then reattach the cap for the purpose of storing. In standard tubes, the product is generally dispensed in a direct flow fashion, ie, the product located immediately below the nozzle is discharged first, with the remainder of the product that is gradually mixed into the discharge stream as the tube is squeezed during subsequent use.

Tubes formed from laminates containing plastic materials such as polyethylenes are sometimes used to retain the dentifrice and sometimes additionally comprise a sheet or layer of acetate. The dentifrice products contained therein typically contain a (flavor) additive to enhance consumer acceptance of a product in addition to effective ingredients that promote oral hygiene. However, the dentifrice contained in these laminate tubes may lose some of its flavor due to loss in absorption and transfer to packaging materials that include the tube.

The consequence of this loss of (taste) tends to be particularly pronounced for that portion of the content that is retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube, which is also the first extruded portion by the user. This is due to the fact that the rate of movement of the product flavor in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube tends to be slower than its rate of material transfer through the upper tapered portion. Thus, the loss or change in the characteristics of the original flavor may be perceived by many consumers, particularly with the product being discharged during the first few squeezes of the tube. Consequently, during the initial use of the product, the consumer perception of the product or brand as a whole may be significantly and negatively affected, despite the fact that the characteristics of the original taste of the rest of the product are substantially unchanged.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tube in which the flow of product retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube can be effectively minimized, in particular by minimizing the perceptible differences in the flavor of the dentifrice retained in different regions of such tube.

Nothing in the prior art provides all the advantages and benefits of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tube for retaining and dispensing some contents, comprising: (a) a portion of the main body; (b) an upper tapered portion of the tube sealed to the main body portion, the upper tapered portion and the main body portion define (limit) the region of the upper tapered portion in the interior of the tube, and the upper tapered portion is provided with at least one extension extending therefrom tubes in the direction of a portion of the main body; and (c) a nozzle, sealed to the upper tapered portion, and provided with an opening through which said contents can be dispensed; wherein the cartridge retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube is substantially prevented from flowing out when the tube is squeezed.

These and other features of the invention are described below

reading the present qualified in this field Overview of the drawings description oru. ; ch will happen obvious persons Although competent description terminated patent Claims specifically pointing out na a distinctly claimants given invention, it is considered that this will be easier to understand from

the following descriptions of its preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same designations are used to designate substantially identical parts, and in which:

Giant. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a tube of the present invention.

Giant. 2a-c show a qualitative comparison of the original dispensing of a dentifrice from a traditional tube and a tube according to the present invention.

Giant. 3-7 are partial cross-sectional views of other preferred embodiments of a tube of the present invention.

Giant. 8 is a graphical representation of the percentage of flavoring present per gram of dentifrice, showing the profiles of a traditional tube and a profile for a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the following detailed description is provided primarily in the context of a tube containing a dentifrice product, it is understood that the tube may be useful for retaining and dispensing other products where it is desirable to prevent the dispensing of retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube, for example , hair care products, beauty products, and the like. In addition, the use of the term dentifrice herein should be understood not to be limited to oral hygiene compositions such as toothpastes, gels, and combinations of these pastes and gels.

The tube of the present invention is desirably provided with a cap to protect the cartridge from exposure to the atmosphere when the tube is not in use. Any type of cap or lid that is releasably fitting on the nozzle of the tube may be used with the tube of the present invention, for example, a screw cap. The cap may further be provided with a hinged top opening for more convenient use by the consumer. For ease of illustration, this cap is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a tube of the present invention. The tube 10 generally comprises a portion 12 of the tube main body, an upper tapered portion 14, and a nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 is provided with an opening 20 through which the cartridge is dispensed when the tube main body 12 is squeezed by the user. The nozzle 16 may be threaded 22 to facilitate the fit of the cap (not shown) to the nozzle 16.

The main body portion 12 may be comprised of any materials known to those skilled in the art that provide adequate storage of the dentifrice or other product contained in the tube. Materials comprising the main body portion 12 should not react at all to the constituents that make up the fill so that the content could be rendered unsafe or otherwise unsuitable for consumer use. However, they should also be durable enough to withstand normal consumer use without leakage, tearing or cracking, etc.

To retain the dentifrice, the tubular main body portion 12 may comprise non-limiting examples of suitable polyethylene-containing materials such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), low density linear polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene acrylic acid ( EAA), a foil such as an aluminum foil, or any of these materials in any combination, for example, formed as a laminate structure.

The upper tapered portion 14 is connected to a portion of the main body 12 by an uninterrupted bonding or sealing contact such that the tube filling is prevented from leaking in the seam. The nozzle 16 and the upper tapered portion 14 are preferably continuously formed from a unitary piece of material (for example, by injection molding) as shown in the figures; alternatively, they may be composed of discrete pieces, fused or otherwise securely connected to each other by any means known to those skilled in the art. Moreover, the nozzle 16 and the upper tapered portion 14 preferably have the same material composition, but alternatively may be composed of different mixtures of suitable materials of which the portion 14 and the nozzle 16 comprise

Upper chamfer part 14 of the material. Non-limiting examples may be composed of the top tapered polyethylenes described above.

further comprising an extension 18 into the interior of the tube.

upper bevel

Preferably, the portion 14 and the nozzle of a unitary piece of material extending inwardly 18 are all (for example, formed by injection molding as shown in the figures; alternatively, the pieces, fused or otherwise attached by any other means could be folded together safely by means known to persons). In addition, they preferably have the same material composition but alternatively may be composed of materials of different compositions Inside the tube 10 at least one elongation 18 is disposed and extends from the upper tapered portion 14 in the overall direction of the portion of the main body 12 (v). as opposed to the overall direction of the nozzle 16. This extension 18 may be provided in various configurations, as will be explained in more detail below.

The elongation 18 functions as some baffle allowing the portion of the cartridge contained in the central region C of the tube 10 (i.e., totally below the nozzle 16) to be dispensed while substantially preventing the dispensing of the cartridge contained in the regions S of the upper tapered portion (i.e. an area of the tube which is generally limited by a portion of the main body and an upper tapered portion 14) when the tube 10 is squeezed by the user. Without the elongation 18, the cartridge contained in the areas S of the upper tapered portion is not limited to mixing into the dispensed flow. Thus, the elongation 18 maintains a static layer of the cartridge in the areas S of the upper tapered portion of the tube.

In the context of a dental care product contained in a traditional tube, the overall flavor characteristics tend to diminish as a result of the absorption and transfer of the flavor additive into packaging materials such as the tube laminate, the upper tapered portion of the tube and the barrier liner. In addition, some flavorings are composed of several different ingredients, and in such cases there may be unequal rates of movement between the different ingredients in the tube wrapping materials. This causes a loss of the original taste characteristics. In traditional tubes, that portion of the filling that is most likely to have a reduced overall flavor and / or loss of original flavor characteristics is located in the regions S of the upper tapered portion 14.

In traditional tubes, the amount of flavor that is lost by transmission in the regions S of the tapered portion 14 tends to be particularly noticeable during the first 5-10 use of the dentifrice. Thus, the first consumer impression of the dentifrice composition as a whole may be negative. This is particularly undesirable because the initial use of a product creates a first impression for the consumer and a negative first impression tends to adversely affect his or her view of the overall product and the whole brand.

The lack or alteration of flavor upon initial use is particularly noticeable for tubes of smaller sizes, for example, 10 g, 20 g, 40 g, and may intensify during the storage period prior to purchase and use. For the above reasons, it is highly desirable to avoid the dispensing of a cartridge retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube.

An embodiment of the tube 10 of the present invention is able to substantially prevent the flow of filling retained in the region of the upper tapered portion 0 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

9 ··· ·· ·· ········· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

The extension 18 forms a static layer of cartridge in the region

With top squeeze.

loss of the tapered portion 14 that is not dispensed when the static layer is comprised of a filler, and / or a change to the original tube 10 that has undergone due to movement and transfer due to preventing a portion of the filler of the present invention from providing flavor characteristics. Thus, it has not been dispensed with the tube 10 more faithful and more uniform to the user of the tube

Above the following taste

10.

characteristic throughout the cycle described phenomenon way.

it may be without stretching the chamfer

First filled with colored and white qualitatively presented is the traditional paste 10 represents that part with paste W in the gel gel composition G in the region of the top of the tube. It is desirable to maintain color cleaning of the teeth that the gel has a noticeable loss within the tube (i.e., not to dispense or change the taste characteristics). The white paste W represents that portion of the cleaning composition which has the full size of the original taste characteristics and is desirable for dispensing. The filled tube is shown in FIG. 2a.

In the initial dispensing of the traditional paste 100 shown in FIG. 2b, almost all of the content dispensed from tube 100 includes color gel G. In addition, even after initial dispensing, the white paste, which is dispensed later, is covered at its periphery with color gel G. Without being bound by theory, color gel G is believed continues to coat the white paste W after at least an initial 10 grams of dispense. This means that a dentifrice having reduced or altered taste characteristics is dispensed for at least the first 5-10 uses of the product by the consumer. Depending on the amount of filler that a particular consumer prefers to dispense disposable, the above effect may continue for a longer period of time.

• · 4 4 4 44 4 · 44 444 * 44 44 444

444 4 * 44

4444 44 44

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 2c, when the same procedure is performed using the tube 10 of the present invention, during initial dispensing almost no color gel G is squeezed out. And with continued dispensing there is no color gel G covering the white paste W on its periphery. This indicates that the colored gel G, i.e. the tooth cleaning product portion in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube that loses or changes taste, is successfully retained in the region S of the upper tapered portion of the tube 10 of the present invention.

Many other preferred embodiments of the present invention are possible in which the tube 10 is provided with an inward extension 18. The following non-limiting description illustrates an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Giant. 3 shows a preferred embodiment in which the elongation 18 is of a tapered shape to provide it with a degree of flexibility. This shape can provide those users who wish to utilize all of the product contained in the tube (i.e., those who do not want to leave the remainder of the tube at the top of the tapered portion when discarding the tube) to squeeze the tapered portion 14 to completely empty the product. The tapered shape is preferably formed so that the elongations 18 can easily collapse when pressure is applied to the upper tapered portion 14.

Giant. 4 shows a preferred embodiment in which the elongation 18 has dimensions defined by the overall dimensions of the tube. Without being bound by theory, and depending on the size of the tube and the size of the orifice of the nozzle, it is believed that the length c of the elongation 18 may desirably be at least 3 mm in length and up to a maximum length equal to the diameter d of the tube main body portion 12. The diameter e of the elongation 18 may desirably equal or be greater than the diameter Y of the opening of the tube.

Giant. 5a-c illustrate a preferred embodiment in which the elongation 18 is provided in the form of at least one ring 18. As shown in FIG. 5a-c, multiple rings 18a-c may be provided, each ring having a corresponding radius Ra-c that emanates outwardly from the imaginary centerline 25 drawn longitudinally by tube 10 from the center of the orifice opening. Although the illustrated rings 18a-c are concentric and evenly spaced, the location, shape and gap of each ring 18a-c may vary. For example, the shape may be circular, triangular, oval, square, or any other shape and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The rings 18a-c may be discontinuous (see rings 18b and 18c as shown in Fig. 5b) or continuous (see rings 18a-c as shown in Fig. 5c), or a combination of continuous and discontinuous rings ( as shown in Fig. 5b). Moreover, although in FIG. 5, three rings 18a-c are shown, it being understood that preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited in number to three, and may include more or less rings 18.

In the previously described preferred embodiments of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 5a, the elongations 18 (or multiple elongations 18) extend into the interior of the tube in a direction parallel to the nozzle 16 (and also parallel to the imaginary centerline 25, drawn longitudinally through the tube 10 from the center of the nozzle opening). In the preferred embodiments shown in FIG. 6a and 6b, the elongations 18 are not parallel to the nozzle 16. Instead, the elongations 18 are provided at an angle alpha formed with respect to the imaginary line 27 drawn in the longitudinal direction of the tube 10 from the inner wall 16a of the nozzle 16. up to 60 degrees in both directions with respect to the imaginary line 27. For example, FIG. 6a illustrates the elongation 18 at an angle to the intended

Střed φ φ střed »střed center axis 25, while FIG. 6b shows the elongation 18 at an angle to the main body portion 12. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that 60 degrees is an approximate functional maximum that, when exceeded, may cause difficulties in releasing the tube from the injection molding apparatus typically used in tube production.

Giant. 7a and 7b show a preferred embodiment in which the elongation 18 is further provided with a (collar) end 19. This end 19 is provided at an angle β formed with respect to the imaginary line 29 drawn in the longitudinal direction of the tube 40 from the elongation 18. The angle beta is preferably up to about 45 degrees with respect to line 29. The end 19 can be oriented in both directions with respect to the intended line 29. For example, FIG. 7a shows the end 19 at an angle to the main body portion 12, while FIG. 7b shows the elongation 18 at an angle to the imaginary line 25. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that 45 degrees is an approximate functional maximum which, when exceeded, may cause difficulties in releasing the tube from the injection molding apparatus typically used in manufacturing. tubes. It should also be understood that the terminator 19 may be provided with any of the preferred embodiments of elongations described herein and is not limited to slanted embodiments.

In addition to preventing the dispensing of the cartridge retained in the region of the upper tapered portion of the tube, the use of preferred embodiments of the present invention can also provide reduced packaging costs. Traditional toothpaste tubes generally comprise a barrier liner in the region of the upper tapered portion, which is intended to provide the tube with oxygen and flavor barrier properties. The barrier insert is typically a preformed piece that is placed on the ram tool before a portion of the main body itself is brought into position. The barrier liner is often made of polybutylene terephthalate, which can withstand the pressures and temperatures of injection of this plastic material and does not crack at the top. The top plastic portion of the tube, which is generally made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), locks the barrier liner in position when attached to the rest of the tube main body portion. These barrier liners tend to be expensive and therefore the overall cost of packaging increases.

In the tube of the present invention, this expensive barrier can be eliminated. The barrier liner is intended to diminish the effects of flavor inconsistencies by reducing flavor transfer through the tube walls, but the barrier liner itself still tends to absorb the flavor. Thus, it is not truly effective in preventing taste inconsistencies or changes. It is believed that a preferred embodiment of the present invention better serves the purpose of avoiding taste inconsistency or change, thereby eliminating the need for a barrier liner.

EXAMPLES

The following examples further describe and demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention. These examples are provided solely for the purpose of documentation and are not to be construed as limiting the invention, since many variations are possible therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The following example is a 20 gram toothbrush tube. The percentage of flavor present in a given amount of grams, dispensed after the indicated storage time at the indicated temperature, is measured for tubes of three assemblies: (1) with elongation refers to a tube assembled in accordance with the present invention; (2) with liner refers to a traditional tube provided with a barrier liner; and (3) no liner is concerned

a traditional tube in which the barrier liner has been removed but which is not provided with an extension according to the present invention.

The same dentifrice is used in all tubes. The term% flavoring herein refers to the amount of flavoring agent by weight of the total composition. The initial percentage by weight of the flavor present in the dentifrice at the beginning of storage is 1.0%.

The term accelerated state herein refers to the storage of a sample for a specified number of months at 40 ° C. This condition is believed to represent a certain period of storage under external conditions. For example, an accelerated state of 1.5 months is considered to be 1 year of storage and an accelerated state of 4.5 months is considered to be 3 years of storage.

Example: tube 20 grams, accelerated condition 1.5 months

Grams released % flavor - with stretching % flavor - with insert % flavor - without liner 1 0, 821 0,798 0.710 2 0, 948 0,929 0,877 3 0, 960 0, 944 0,883 4 0, 962 0, 947 0, 870 5 0, 960 0,943 0, 877 6 0, 947 0, 936 0, 875 7 0, 919 0,928 0,886 8 0, 900 0, 921 0,885 9 0, 882 0, 913 0, 900 10 0, 857 0.899 0,894 11 0, 832 0,890 0.879 12 0, 825 0, 894 0,819 13 0.839 0, 877 0,854 14 0, 814 0,835 0, 844

4 ·· 44 4 4 4 4 · ♦ <· 44 4 4 44 4 • 44 444444 • ••• 4 4 4 * 4 44 • 44 4444 4 * 4 * ··· · ♦ 44 4 · <····

The preceding example is shown graphically in FIG. 8, in which a traditional tube provided with elongation is represented by circularly shaped data points, a traditional tube with an insert is represented by diamond shaped data points, and a traditional tube without an insert is represented by triangular shaped data points.

FIG. 8, it can be seen that for at least about the first seven grams of the cartridge dispensed from these tubes, the tube 10 of the present invention allows greater flavor retention than any of the other two traditional embodiments of tubes.

Although small package sizes, such as 20 gram tubes, are believed to be the most serious case of flavor transmission and subsequent loss of flavor or change in flavor, larger tube sizes, such as 40 g or 120 g, are also expected to exhibit flavor profiles similar to that shown in FIG. 8, i.e., an approximately equal flavor loss should be expected. This can be explained as follows. The tube diameter is traditionally the same for a 20 g tube and a 40 g tube, and the diameter of a 120 g tube with a dentifrice is typically only slightly larger than a 20 g tube. Of course, the respective lengths of these tube sizes vary. However, it is believed that the area of the upper tapered portion of the tube is the most relevant dimension in determining the amount of dentifrice product that undergoes loss or flavor change. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that about the same amount of fill will pass through loss or change in flavor, regardless of tube volume, and that this simply represents a larger total percentage of fill held in a smaller size tube. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention are believed to provide the same advantages for any tube size.

····

The embodiments represented by the preceding examples have many advantages. For example, they can provide an improved product in which consumers can enjoy a pleasant, uniform taste characteristic throughout the cycle of use of the product from start to finish. Lower manufacturing costs are also possible, since there is no need to add more flavor to the product to compensate for its loss near the area of the upper tapered portion of the tube. Eliminating the need for a barrier liner can reduce the overall cost of packaging and it is further believed that these tubes are environmentally friendly. In addition, since some flavorings are easily escaped by tubes without liners, suggesting that consumers may easily perceive the loss of original flavor characteristics, some dentifrices cannot be placed in these tubes without liners. However, using the tubes of the present invention, all formulations can be provided in an equally advantageous manner.

As used herein, the term comprising means that other steps and other ingredients that do not adversely affect the end result may be added. The term includes terms consisting of and consisting essentially of.

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments described and illustrated herein are for documentation purposes only and that a person skilled in the art will suggest various modifications and / or changes therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

PATENT CLAIMS 1, which is approximately equal to (18) have the same or greater some diameter as 4 4 • 4 4 4 •••• 44 · 4 · 4 44 4 ········ 4 4 · 44 444 A tube (10) for retaining and dispensing some content, comprising: (a) a portion of the main body (12); (b) an upper tapered portion (14) of the tube sealed to the main body portion (12), the upper tapered portion and the main body portion define (limit) the area (S) of the upper tapered portion within the tube, and the upper tapered portion is provided with at least one extension (18) extending therefrom into the interior of the tube in the direction of a portion of the main body; and (c) a nozzle (16) sealed to the upper tapered portion and provided with an opening (20) through which the contents may be dispensed; wherein the cartridge retained in the region (S) of the upper tapered portion of the tube is substantially prevented from flowing out when the tube is squeezed. 2. that The tube of claim 1 wherein the elongation (18) has a tapered shape. í m, 3 mm and some approximately diameter through the diameter of the extension of the main body portion (12). 3. The tube of claim 1, wherein a portion of the main body of n (12) has a length of between about 4. Tube according to that each hole has an elongation diameter (18) of a hole diameter (20). claim (20) confesses and stretches Tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (18) is composed of at least one ring (18); 18a, 18b, 18c (radially extending from the intended central axis (25), extending longitudinally through the tube body from the center of the orifice (20) of the nozzle (16). Tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (18) extends into the interior of the tube in a direction parallel to the inner wall (16a) of the nozzle (16). Tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongation (18) is formed at an angle of up to about 60 degrees, formed with respect to the imaginary line (27), drawn in the longitudinal direction of the tube from the inner wall (16a) of the nozzle (16). /. Tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension (18) has an end (19) which is formed at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the imaginary line (29) drawn in the longitudinal direction of the tube from the extension (18). /. 9. The tube of claim 1, you from us j í c and by that its filling is a cleaning agent of teeth. 10. The tube of claim 1, you from us j í c and by that upper chamfer / 14 /, stretching / 18 / and nozzle / 16 /, are formed from unit piece of material.