WO1996026120A1 - Tube designed to dispense its product to the very last and a production process therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube designed to dispense its product to the very last, and to a production process therefor. Each tube (9) has a shoulder that is adequately formed so that contact pressure from an appropriate part of the head onto an inside surface (12) of the tube shoulder (1) allows the tube to be emptied to a much greater extent. Further, the claimed tube can be kept in any position and still ensure that the tube can be emptied almost completely. Even a partially dried-on (thickened) product can be pressed out. To accomplish this the invention provides that a tube (9) of the above-mentioned type is designed so that an inside surface (12) of a tube shoulder (1) which connects a head (2) to a dispensing aperture (8) of a tube serves as contact surface for the head as the product is being dispensed, and arches with a regular or irregular curvature, facing an interior space (14) in such a way that proper dispensing of the product can empty the tube almost completely. The height (H) of the arch, the shape of the inside surface, thickness (d) and elasticity of the head wall, stiffness and the way the tube shoulder and the head are joined make it possible to freely regulate the degree of emptying so that a certain application of force produces the greatest possible contact application of the head onto the inner surface (12).

Description

Tube with the possibility of dispensing residual material and its manufacturing process

The invention relates to a tube with the possibility of dispensing residues, as well as a manufacturing method of the same, in which each tube has an appropriately designed tube shoulder, as a result of which a corresponding area of the main section is pressed against an inner area Surface of the tube shoulder a significantly improved degree of emptying of a tube is achieved. Furthermore, the tube according to the invention can be stored in any position and nevertheless an almost complete emptying is guaranteed. A partially dried (thickened) donation can also be pressed out.

The tubes known from the prior art, which are primarily intended for the storage of viscous or pasty donated goods, and which consist of a temporarily or permanently deformable main section and a rigid tube shoulder which has an outlet opening, must meet several requirements, such as:

- A correspondingly stable design of the tube shoulder to which a mostly oversized closure cap is fastened, on which a tube is usually placed, in order to bring about a favorable displacement of the donated goods in the direction of an outlet opening;

- The shape of the tube shoulder is also usually designed as an oversized funnel to prevent the flow of a donation in the direction of the above. To positively influence outlet opening;

- usually a single storage position is required by the manufacturer, such as "Turn the tube upside down" in a toothpaste in order to achieve some residual emptying, in which up to 15% of a donated item remains unreached for a user, since there is no possibility of the donated item due to a rigid design of the tube shoulder -Remove leftovers.

Furthermore, the degree of emptying of such a tube depends very much on the "suck back" problem and the ambient temperature, which can also be assessed as a very great disadvantage.

All of the prompts and design features mentioned here help to ensure that such a tube and cap: - cause unnecessary environmental pollution;

- unnecessarily increase the price of a product;

- drive up DSD fees;

- have an uncomfortable handling with a donation-residue removal

In addition, the storage instructions can usually not be perceived, since a "head position" of a tube during e.g. a trip quite problematic, if impossible.

It is an object of the invention to create a tube that all of the above. Fixed disadvantages and the following advantages such as:

- Significantly improved emptying, thereby;

- a cheaper product and

- enable significant environmental relief.

To achieve this object, a tube of the type mentioned at the outset is designed according to the invention in such a way that an inner surface of a tube shoulder connects a main section to an outlet opening of a tube and serves as a support surface for the main section during the removal of donated goods, which is the same or different ¬ evenly curved and facing an interior as desired, that with a convenient donation, an almost complete emptying of a tube can take place, with a degree of emptying by means of a bulge height, a shape of the inner surface, a thickness and elasticity of the wall of a main section, one Stiffness and a type of connection between a tube shoulder and a main section can be freely regulated in such a way that the greatest possible leaning of the main section against the inner surface is achieved under a certain force.

Preferably, a tube shoulder, a separate insert or a separate tube shoulder has a type of curvature which opens into the interior of a main section, so that the main section is almost completely leaned against this curvature in a normal pressing-out process in which:

- In the case of a free (open) dispensing opening, all residues of a donated item are first applied by means of a suitable pressure on an elastic or plastic one deformable main section of a tube or by rolling the main section, in the area of a tube shoulder. An almost complete emptying of the tube can be achieved by appropriately pressing the main section against an appropriately designed surface of an insert and at the same time preventing the remains of the donated goods from moving back into the interior of the main section.

There are any designs of an inner surface of a tube shoulder, an insert or a separately produced tube shoulder, which can be designed uniformly or unevenly and can face any interior space of a tube, whereby it should be noted that they serve as a bearing surface for the main section at a Donation goods remnants should serve and must be designed accordingly.

The invention also includes an embodiment in which a main section of a tube is permanently closed by means of a separate tube shoulder including a discharge opening in such a way that its curved inner surface faces an interior of a main section at any angle and in any position and that the connection between a main section is designed so that, for example, both during the entire removal process of the entire donated goods in the case of a tube which can be used once, and also in the case of tubes where the removal is carried out several times and in portions, a corresponding density of the connection between the main section and an insert is always guaranteed.

As already mentioned, a tube can have any cross-section and shape and any thickness of a main section. The shape of the inner surface is also independent of the thickness of the main section wall, whereby the desired and necessary elasticity of the latter, which allows a predetermined dispensing of the donated material from the interior of a main section, must always be guaranteed.

This invention achieves that an uncomfortable and not completely emptied standing tube known from the prior art for viscous or pasty products which have to be kept constantly with an outlet opening in which an amount of donated material which cannot be brought out is up to 15%, although they often have almost a liquid consistency, replaced by a tube in any position can be stored and in which an ineligible donation amount can be reduced to approx. 1%. The consistency of the donated goods can also be freely selected, whereby the external appearance of a tube can remain unchanged.

A very great advantage of this invention is that a tube in the closed and / or opened state - with or without a closure cap - has the same or comparable optical effect as a corresponding closed or opened tube known from the prior art. For this purpose, a suitably designed cover cap is appropriately attached to a tube, or a corresponding separately manufactured insert is appropriately integrated into a tube, so that even in the opened state (without a closure cap) it is optically of a comparable, from the stand indistinguishable from the known tube.

The tube according to the invention can be produced in a blow molding, injection molding or another usual method, the shaping of the curvature on a tube shoulder being able to be integrated in a manufacturing process, or as a separate insert or a separate tube shoulder which will later be connected to the main part ¬ cut is permanently connected, can be produced.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal view and partially broken over a one-piece, partially filled tube or container with a curved surface inside a main section, with a closure cap in the rest position

2 shows a longitudinal section and partially broken open over an empty tube, with almost complete emptying, in which an expedient area of a main section lies against the curved surface of a tube shoulder.

3 and 4 show examples of how a shape of the inner surface of a tube shoulder can look in cross section.

Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal view and partially opened over a one-piece tube with a cap in the closed state. Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section and partially opened over a one-piece tube with a cap in an almost completely empty state, which was caused by a pressure in the direction C.

Fig. 7 shows a tube according to Fig. 1, with the difference that the tube shoulder is made separately and has been permanently connected to the main section.

8 shows a longitudinal section and partially broken open via a tube which consists of a main section including a tube shoulder as a unit, in which a separately produced insert including the dispensing opening is expediently fastened. In this case too, the partially filled tube is in the rest position.

Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section and partially opened via a tube consisting of a main section including the tube shoulder and dispensing opening, in which a separate, appropriately designed insert is permanently attached.

The one-piece tube (9) shown in FIG. 1 shows an inner surface (12) which is curved specifically into the interior of the main section (2) and in this case has a radius "R". The bulge height "H" of the inner surface (12) and the thickness "d" of the main section wall are also visible. The closure cap (3), which can be attached to the tube (9) in any desired manner, ensures that the outer appearance of the tube does not differ from a comparable tube known from the prior art.

Figure 2 shows the shape of the almost completely emptied tube (9), in which a preferred leaning of the corresponding part of the main section (2) was achieved by means of the pressure "C". A step out of the donated item (5) from the dispensing opening (8) is also visible.

3 and 4 show examples of differently shaped inner surfaces (12) of a tube shoulder (1), which are designed uniformly in these examples. However, an irregular arrangement of the inner surface (12), which is inclined at any angle to a longitudinal axis of a tube (9), is also possible. These examples are also one-piece tubes or containers, which are shown without a cover cap (7). Analogously to FIG. 1, FIG. 5 shows the same tube (9) with the difference that this tube (9) has a cover cap (7) which compensates for its front region. It is thereby achieved that even in the open state - tube (9) without closure (3) - the appearance of such a tube (9) compensates for the appearance of a comparable tube known from the prior art.

Fig. 6 shows a tube (9) analogous to FIG. 2, the irregularities of a z. B. made of aluminum main section (2) in the transport of the donated goods in the area of the tube shoulder (1) are clearly visible. A complete leaning of the corresponding area of the main section (2) against the curved surface (12) can also be clearly seen. The tube (9) shown here has no external differences compared to a corresponding tube known from the prior art, since the corresponding recess in the tube shoulder is covered by means of an appropriately designed cover cap (7).

7 shows a longitudinal section and partially broken open over a partially filled tube (9) which is closed with a closure cap (3) and which consists of a separate main section (2) and a suitably curved, separately manufactured tube shoulder (10) including dispensing opening ( 8). The tube shoulder (10) and the main section (2) are tightly and permanently connected in the area (15).

Fig. 8 shows a longitudinal section and partially broken over a partially filled, with a cap (3) closed tube (9) consisting of a main section (2) including the tube shoulder (1), and a separately produced insert (13) including a dispensing opening (8) exists. In this case, too, the two parts (2), (13) were tightly and permanently connected in area (15).

9 shows a longitudinal section and partially broken open via a one-piece, partially filled tube (9) which is closed with a closure cap (3) and which consists of the main section (2), a tube shoulder (1) and an outlet opening (8). thus corresponds to a comparable tube known from the prior art. The difference is that inside the tube (9), an insert (13) adapted to the inside of the tube is permanently and tightly attached. Reference list

1. Tube shoulder

2nd main section

3. Cap

4. Donated goods in the dispensing opening

5. Escaping donation

6. Donation goods in a main section

7. Cover cap

8. Dispensing opening

9. Tube

10. separately manufactured tube shoulder

11th rib

12. inner surface

13. Separately made insert

14. Interior of a main section

15. Connection area H - bulge height

C - Direction of force when removing donated goods d - Thickness of a main section

Claims

claims 1. Tube with a possibility of dispensing remnants, in which a tube mainly made of plastic or metal is filled with donated goods such as: paste, cream, gel or puree-like agents, consisting of an essentially constant cross section over its length comprising main section, at one end of which a tubular discharge opening with a smaller diameter than the main section, which connects via a tube shoulder and which converges at the rear end to a substantially straight end edge, or to any other bottom, with which Tube, the end edge lies in a plane running through the longitudinal central axis of the main section, characterized in that an inner surface (12) of a tube shoulder (1) which has a main section (2) with an outlet opening (8) of a tube (9 ) connects, and serves as a support surface for the main section (2) during the removal of donated goods, d It can be arched as uniformly or unevenly as possible and an interior (14) faces such that when the donation material is removed appropriately, a tube (9) can be almost completely emptied, with a degree of emptying by means of a bulge height (H), a form of the inner one Surface (12), a thickness (d) and elasticity of the wall of a main section (2), a stiffness and a type of connection between a tube shoulder (1) and a main section (2) can be freely regulated so that under a certain one The greatest possible leaning of the main section (2) against the inner surface (12) is achieved. 2. Tube with a possibility of dispensing residual donation, in which a tube made predominantly of plastic or metal is filled with donated goods such as: paste, cream, gel or puree-like agents, consisting of an essentially constant cross section over its length having main section, at one end a tubular discharge opening with a smaller diameter than the main section, which connects via a tube shoulder and which converges at the rear end to a substantially rectilinear end edge, or to any other bottom, with which Tube the end edge in one through the The longitudinal central axis of the plane of the main section lies, characterized in that a separate insert (13) is positioned inside a tube (9), adjacent to a tube shoulder (1), in such a way that its uniformly or unevenly shaped surface (12) an interior (14) of a tube (9) faces as desired and serves as a support surface for the main section (2), in particular in the case of removal of donated goods, the removal of donated goods taking place in the following manner: - With a free (open) dispensing opening (8), all residues of a donated item (6) are first applied by appropriate pressure on an elastically or plastically deformable main section (2) of a tube (9) or by rolling the main section (2) in Area of a tube shoulder (1) shifted. Almost complete emptying can be achieved by appropriately pressing the main section (2) against an appropriately designed surface (12) of an insert (13) and at the same time preventing the remains of the donated goods from being moved back into the interior of the main section (2) the tube (9) can be reached. 3. Tube with a possibility of dispensing residual material, in which a tube made mainly of plastic or metal is filled with donated goods such as: paste, cream, gel or puree-like agents, consisting of an essentially constant cross section over its length having main section, at one end a tubular discharge opening with a smaller diameter than the main section, which connects via a tube shoulder and which converges at the rear end to a substantially rectilinear end edge, or to any other bottom, with which Tube the end edge lies in a plane running through the longitudinal central axis of the main section, characterized in that a main section (2) of a tube (9) is permanently closed by means of a separate tube shoulder (10) including dispensing opening (8), that their curved inner surface (12) an interior (14) of a main section (2) below r facing any angle and in any position and that the connection (15) between a main section (2) is designed so that both during the entire removal process of the entire donated material (1-time tube), as well as tubes where the removal takes place several times and in portions, an appropriate density of the connection is always guaranteed. 4. Tube with a possibility of dispensing residual material, in which a tube made predominantly of plastic or metal is filled with donated goods such as: paste, cream, gel or puree-like agents, consisting of an essentially constant cross section over its length having main section, at one end of which a tubular discharge opening with a smaller diameter than the main section, which connects via a tube shoulder and which converges at the more rigid end to a substantially straight end edge, or is designed to any other bottom, with the Tube the end edge lies in a plane running through the longitudinal central axis of the main section, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that a tube (9) in the closed state - with the cap (3) has the same or comparable optical effect as a corresponding, from the prior art known sealed tube. If an appropriately designed cover cap (7) is appropriately attached to a tube (9), or if a corresponding separately produced insert (13) is appropriately integrated into a tube (9), it is also visually open (without a closure cap (3)) indistinguishable from a comparable tube known from the prior art. 5. Tube with a dispensable residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that a claim of the area in which the main section (2) abuts the inner surface (12) can be done one or more times without damaging him. 6. tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the filling of a tube (9) with a donation good (6) can be the same as in the prior art. 7. tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that a tube (9) can be made in one or more parts. 8. tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that a main section (2), tube shoulder (1) and an outlet opening (8) of any cross-section and shape and any, of the thickness ( d) of a main section (1) can have an independent thickness (thickness), which, however, should always be adapted to the shape, size and stability of a tube (9). 9. tube with a dispensable residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the shape of an inner surface (12) must be adapted to the desired and necessary elasticity of the respective main section (2) that a desired degree of emptying a tube (9) is always reached. 10. tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the main section (2) of a tube (9) during the delivery (squeezing) of a donation (6) can be deformed arbitrarily, permanently or temporarily . 11. tube with a donation residue removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that removal of the donation residue from a tube (9) can also be done with one hand. 12. Tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the sealing of a dispensing opening (8) by means of any suitable cap (3), a first removal seal, or any distribution element such as sponge applicator, flat applicator etc. or the like can be made permanent or removable. 13. tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that the features of the respective design of the tubes which are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, can be combined with one another as desired and also to any, appropriately designed Containers are transferable. 14. Tube with a donation residue removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 13, characterized in that a partially thickened (dry) donation material (6) can be pressed out by an appropriate pressure on the main section (2). 15. Tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 14, characterized in that the rigidity of a tube shoulder (1) by means of a cover cap (7) or by means of an insert (13) can be improved such that the tube shoulder ( 1) may have a smaller thickness. 16. Tube with a dispensable residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 15, characterized in that both a cover cap (7) and an insert (13) can be attached to a tube (9) by means of a snap-in collar or by means of an adhesive 17. Tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 16, characterized in that an insert (13) without, or with a discharge opening (8) can be produced as a unit. 18. Tube with a donation residue removal option, according to claim 1 to 17, characterized in that a tube (9) from a main section (2) which merges into a tube shoulder (1) and from an insert (13) connected to it can exist with dispensing opening (8) 19. Tube with a dispensable residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 18, characterized in that the space between a cover cap (7) and a tube shoulder (1) or between a tube shoulder (1) and an insert (13) also as an empty space, which is supported by appropriate ribs (11), can be formed 20. Tube with a donation-residual removal possibility, according to claim 1 to 19, characterized in that an insert (13) or tube shoulder (10), before filling a tube (9) with a donation (6), to a main section (2) must be permanently attached. 21. A process for the production of a one-part or multi-part tube with a dispensable residual removal option made of plastic or metal in a blow molding or injection molding process, which can be filled as usual from the open rear end, characterized in that during In any manufacturing process of a one-piece tube (9), such as blow molding, injection molding, the inner surface (12) is designed to have a uniform or non-uniform curvature, in which an appropriately designed outer shape has a corresponding curvature and which is movable or rigid attached stamp has a counterpart of the inner surface (13) 22 .. A method for producing a one-part or multi-part tube with a donation good residual removal possibility according to claim 21, characterized in that in the case of a tube (9) consisting of several parts, a suitable tube shoulder (10) is produced which is later permanently connected to a hose from which a main section (1) is formed.