US2502918A - Twisting type collapsible tube dispenser - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1950 D. BERESFORD TWISTING TYPE COLLAPSIBLE TUBE DISPENSER 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed O01". 25, 1945 HTTORN EYS BY y@ April 4, 1950 n. BEREsFoRD TWISTING TYPEI COLLAPSIBLE TUBE DISPENSER y Filed oct. 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS- Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES NT OFFICE TWISTING TYPE COLLAPSHBLE TUBE DISPENSER This invention relates to an improved container. f

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved container which will serve not only as a commercial package in which merchandise is displayed and sold and as a receptacle for holding and storing materials but also as a dispenser for dispensing materials of a fluid, semi-huid or plastic character.

My invention pertains particularly to containers having an envelope or inner casing made of flexible material in which the contents of the container are packed. The contents may be expelled or dispensed from the envelope by twisting a portion of the envelope around its longitudinal axis. Containers of this type have not heretofore been satisfactory orv practical.r

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the difficulties heretofore encountered and to provide an improved container having an envelope made of flexible material which is so formed that the contents of the package will be securely retained therein and protected against leakage but which will readily dispense the contents by twisting one portion of the envelope with respect to the remainder. I accomplish the desired results by providing a supporting casing or caused to shift towards the open end of the en-k velope with the result that the contents are dispensed therefrom. The double diaphragm arrangement aiords maximum protection against leakage and also gives increased torque or leverage for facilitating the operation of the dis-v. pensing unit.

A further object isA the provision ofI im proved method of making v the,.container bv forming the diaphragms while the envelope is disposed around a mandrel. pliiies the method of manufacture but` also provides a maximum amount of usable space inside the envelope for the contents of the container` Other objects of my invention include the provision of an improved container which is attractive in appearance, whichv is relatively inexpen-v sive to manufacture, which may be used for4 many purposes such as a commercial package or dispensing unit and which is strong in construc` This not only sim- 4 Claims. (Cl. 222--104) tion so as to give satisfactory service over along period of time.

This application is similar to my co-pending application Serial No. 559,183, led on October 18, 1944, and which has since become abandoned.

In. the drawings l Fig. l is a mandrel which may be used in making a package embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 shows a ring which may be used in forming. the base of the package,

Fig, 3 shows a cap used in making the base cap of the package,

Fig. 4 illustrates a step in one method of mak# ing my container,

Fig. 5 illustrates a tube which may be Usedin forming the wall of the outer casing, f, Fig. 6 illustrates another step in one metho of making my container, l Fig. 7 illustrates a completed container embodying my invention, Figs. 8 and 9 are elevational views in section of a modied type of container embodying myA invention,

Figs. 10 and 11 are elevational views in section of another modied type of container embodying my invention, l

Fig. l2 is a bottom plan view partially broken away of the form of container shown in Figs. I10 and 11 and, y

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are elevational viewsin section of a further modiiied container embodying my invention.

As previously stated my invention comprises a rigid outer casing or frame and an inner iiexible envelope connected adjacent its open end to the outer casing and formed at another portion with a pair of spaced diaphragms and an interme-v diate twisted portion.

The container and inner envelope may be made in any desired manner, however, one very satisfactory manner is shown in Figs. l-'I of the drawings. In accordance with this method I provide a mandrel 20 having a stepped portion of slightly lesser` diameter at one end as indi.-

cated .at 2l As the first step in making the con-,L

tainerI place a ring 22 made of cardboard, bre,

mandrel and ring 22. so as to form a tubular envelope 23. The sheet .material employed should be idexible,y and sufficiently strong to hold the contents of the container, also chemically re-. sistant to the contents Lof the container and capable of withstanding twisting without rupture a or tearing. I have found that satisfactory sheet materials for this purpose include rubber base materials of the type commercially available under the names of Pliolm and Thermolm and also plastic sheet materials such as cellulose acetate and also cellulose sheet materials particularly moisture-proof cellophane.

In forming the sheet material into an envelope I first :pre-coat the exterior surface of ring 22 with a suitable adhesive then wrap the sheeifl material around the ring and mandrel with the longitudinal edges in overlapped relationship as shown in Fig. 4 and with the end opposite ring 22 projecting slightly beyond the mandrel. Where a thermoplastic material is employed such as Pliofilm or cellulose acetate the overlapped edges may be sealed together by means of heat and pressure applied thereto. Where a non-thermoplastic material is employed such as moistureproof cellophane the overlapped edges can be secured by a suitable adhesive. In either case the overlapped edges in the portion of the envelope projecting beyond mandrel 2li are not secured together but are left 'unattached In order to form a rigid outer casing or frame for the container I next provide a tubular member 24 of such a diameter that it can be fitted over the mandrel and envelope. The tubular member is somewhat shorter than the mandrel and envelope and is slipped over the mandrel and envelope to the extreme left-hand end of the mandrel as viewed in Fig. 4 and the protruding end of the envelope is folded back over the exterior of the tubular member and adhesvely secured thereto as shown at 25 in Fig. 6.

Thereafter base cap 26 is connected toV ring 22. Thus, base cap 26 has a central disc portion 21 suitably attached thereto which fits into and is` adhesvely secured to ring 22 and a peripheral flange 28 spaced therefrom which surrounds and overlaps the ring and the end of the envelope 23. When the, base cap. is applied to the end of the container, ring 22 ts into the tubular member and flange 28 embraces the lower end thereof.

Ifr desired an outer layer of moisture-proof or grease-proof material may be secured around casing 24 asshown at 29. The layer 29 preferably terminates a short distance from the open or left-handed end of casing 2G and extends downwardly terminating at or near the base thereof.

The mandrel 2D is then partially withdrawn from the container as shown in Fig. 6 so that the right-hand end of the mandrel is within tubular casing 24 and the base cap is rotated preferably in a clockwise directionforming a pair of diaphragm portions 3D and 3| with an intermediate twisted .portion 32. Twisting the base cap so as to form the two diaphragm lportions andthe intermediate twisted portion results in a shortening` of the envelope. The cap should be twisted suiiicently so that the ring portion 22 may be inserted inside tubular casing 24 as shown in. Fig. 7 While the diaphragms are being formed the mandrel should be left inside, the envelope and casing with its end positioned near theY righthand end of the casing as shown in Figo. In. this manner the. diaphragms are formed in close proximity to each. other and to the base. of the con.- tainer leaving a maximum amount of space in the envelope for the contents of the. container.

Up to this point the mandrel 2B is left inside.- the container a short distance from the inner or lower end of. the casing 2,4 so that diaphragm portion 3B will be formed near-,the lower end of the casing. Thereafter the mandrel is removed and the contents may be placed inside the envelope and a suitable cap or closure 33 may be provided for the upper end thereof.

Referring to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the diaphragms are spaced in close proximity to each other and to the base thereby leaving a maximum amount of space available for the contents.

To dispense the contents from the container the closure cap is removed and the base cap is rotated in a clockwise direction. This increases the length of the twisted portion 32 and causes diaphragm portion 30 to shift upwardly toward the open end of the container dispensing or ejecting the contents therefrom. The double diaphragm arrangement affords adequate protection against leakage and facilitates the operation of the dispensing mechanism.

It will be seen that the container may be used for holding many different types of materials and articles however, it is particularly suitable for holding and dispensing uid, semi-fluid, and yplastic materials or finely divided material having some of the characteristics of fluids. Thus, it may be used for cold cream, shaving cream, petroleum jelly, hydrogenated oil products, lard nely divided or powdered materials and the like.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a modified form of the container in which I provide the flexible envelope 23, having diaphragm portions 30 and 3l and twisted portion 32, rigid casing 24 having the outer transparent` protecting layer 29 an intermediate decorative layer 29'; and a slightly modified type of base cap 34 having a peripheral flange 35 which fits against the lower end of the rigid casing and a ring 36 projecting into the casing. The flexible envelope is adhesvely secured to the exterior of ring 36 at its lower end and extends over and is secured to the outer surface of rigid casing, 24 at its upper end.

At the top of the container I provide a dispensing spout 31. through which the contents of the4 container may be dispensed upon the rotation of base cap 3.4. The spout is centrally positioned on a cap 38 attached to the top of the rigid casing. In this connection I form the cap 38 in the manner indicated with the central portion projecting downwardly at an angle inside the container for the purpose. of insuring complete dispensing of the contents of the container. When cap 34 is rotated the twisted area 32 becomes more elongated causing diaphragm portion 3l! to shift upwardly. Fig. 8y shows the container with a small iportion of the contents dispensed therefrom and it, will be noted, that; the diaphragms assume .a conical formation. Cap 38 is made to conform with the shape of diaphragm 30. Thus, when base cap 34 has been rotated so as to shift diaphragm 3.0 to. thev top of the container the diaphragm is in contact with cap 38 as shown in Fig. 9 with the result that the contents of the container havebeen completely dispensed into the spout.. It desired aremovable closure 39 may be fitted over the end of the container.

Referring now to the form of my invention shown in. Figs. 10, 1l and 12 I have here illustrated another type of container which permits all. of the,v contents to be: ejected therefrom. Thus, I have. provided: an envelope, 23 made of flexible material and similar in. construction to the envelope in the. other forms of my invention. It is open at its upper end and is provided with a twisted area. 32 at an intermediate point thereby forming; diaphragm portions 3U and 3l. The

upper end of the envelope is attached to the rigid casing 40 which may be made of several layers of material as shown. The casing extends over the top of the container as shown at 4! and is provided with a centrally disposed dispensing rsJout 42 which may be closed -by a closure cap At its lower end the casing may be provided with a peripheral supporting bead 44 upon which the container rests. The lower end of envelope 23 particularly the periphery of diaphragm 3| is secured around the periphery of disc 45 which is positioned in the lower end of casing 4U and serves as an operating handle. When cap 43 is removed and disc 45 is rotated in a clockwise direction the twisted area 32 of the envelope becomes more elongated shifting diaphragm portion 30 upwardly and forcing the contents of the container outwardly through spout 42. When the container has been more than 50% emptied and the diaphragm portion 30 has been shifted to adjacent the top of the container it is of angular or conical formation as shown .in Fig. 10. In order to dispense the remaining contents of the container, disc 45 is manually pressed upwardly as shown in Fig. 11. To facilitate the rotation of disc 45 I preferably provide a pair of recesses 46.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 15 I have shown another form of my invention by means of which a measured or predetermined amount of the contents may be dispensed. As in the prior forms of my invention the container includes the envelope 23 made of flexible material having twisted area 32 which forms diaphragm portions 30 and 3l. It is also provided with a rigid outer casing but in this form of my invention the rigid outer casing is telescopic consisting of a lower section 41 and upper section 48 which has a sliding nt with the exterior of the lower section.

The upper or open end of envelope 23 extends over the top of upper section 48 and is suitably secured around the outside thereof. A rigid ring 49 is tightly fitted inside the upper portion of lower casing section 4l. The ring either has tight frictional engagement with the envelope and casing section 41 at this point or an adhesive is used to secure the ring to the inner surface of the envelope and the envelope to the upper portion of casing section 41 in the area of the ring. A cap 50 is fitted over the top of casing section 48 and is provided with a dispensing spout 5i which may be provided with a removable closure 52. In order to provide for complete dispensing of the entire contents of the container I preferably provide a rigid disc 53 inside the envelope immediately above diaphragm portion 30. The disc is provided with a peripheral portion 54 of substantial width which serves as a guide to maintain the disc in hori Zonta] position as it is fed upwardly. The disc is inserted inside the envelope before filling the container.

The lower portion of the envelope particularly the peripheral edge of diaphragm portion 3l is secured to disc 55 which has a plug portion ttecl into the lower end of the casing and a base portion upon which the lower end of the casing rests. twisted area and to shift diaphragm portion 30 and disc 53 upwardly.

In using this form of my container the casing sections are arranged in extended position as shown in Figs. 13 and 15 with cap 52 in place.

Rotation of disc 55 serves to elongate the Disc 55 is rotated in a clockwise direction until the upper portion of the container above ring'` 49 has Ibeen filled. Thereafter cap 52 may be removed and the upper casing section is tele-. scoped or shifted downwardly over the lower casing until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 14. The result is that the material in the upper portion of the container above ring 49 is dispensed therefrom. The casing sections can again be extended, closure cap 52 replaced, and the operation repeated. In this manner a` uniform predetermined amount can always be dispensed from the container.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that I have provided an improved container which may serve as a commercial package or as a receptacle or as a dispenser. It will also be appreciated that the container is of relatively inexpensive construction but nevertheless will per--I form its intended function over a relatively long period of time. Modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodiments without departing from my invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. The method of making a container having a rigid tubular casing and a flexible envelope therein which comprises arranging the flexible envelope on a mandrel so that the envelope projects beyond at least one end of the mandrel, superimposing the rigid tubular casing over the envelope and mandrel, then twisting the portion of the envelope which projects beyond the mandrel to provide a diaphragm portion and a twisted portion projecting therefrom, and next withdrawing the mandrel from the envelope and casing.

2. The method of making a container having a rigid tubular casing and a flexible envelope therein which comprises arranging the flexible envelope on a mandrel with the envelope projecting substantially beyond the mandrel at one end, superimposing the rigid tubular casing over the envelope and mandrel with the casing projecting slightly beyond the mandrel at the same end, then twisting the projecting end of the envelope so as to provide a diaphragm portion and a twisted portion projecting therefrom, and next withdrawing the mandrel from the envelope and casing.

3. The method of making a container having a rigid tubular casing and a exible envelope therein which comprises rst forming the flexible envelope around a mandrel, then superimposing the rigid tubular casing over the envelope and mandrel and attaching a handle member to one end of the envelope, next partially withdrawing the mandrel from the envelope and casing so that the end of the envelope to which the handle is attached projects substantially beyond the mandrel and so that the corresponding end of the casing projects slightly beyond the mandrel then rotating the handle relative to the casing, envelope and mandrel so as to provide a pair of diaphragms and an intermediate twisted portion in the envelope adjacent the end of the casing, and then withdrawing the mandrel from the envelope and casing.

4. A container comprising a relatively rigid tubular casing having a dispensing opening at one end and a base opening at the other` end, a tubular envelope made of flexible material open at one end and connected adjacent said open end to said tubular casing at a point adjacent the dispensing opening. said envelope being twisted around its longitudinal axis at a point spaced 7T f'uf. the; opening! i'xif-tl-Ie;v envelope sol as to provide 'ai diaphragm withl ai twisted portion extending therefrom anda plug tte'd relatively snugly into thelba's'e Opening ofthe casing and rotatable and shiftable" longitudinally for substantially the entire.A length of the casing and connected to the emvelopefbeyond the diaphragm portion, said plug Bei'g Cooperable when rotated to cause an elongation of the twisted area and a shifting of the diaphragm portion towards the opening in tHe' envelope and saidrplug being also manually sl-iiftable longitudinally of the casing to shift the diaphragm and the contents of the envelope t0- Wa-rds the aforesaid opening in the envelope.

DOROTHY BERESFOR-D.

REFERENCES CITED lThe follo'ufing references are of record in the me" Of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davis Mar. 13, 1917 Grimes Aug. 11, 1931 Jezler May 11, 1937 Boehrner Nov. 1, 1938 Lautmann Nov. 2, 1943 Walton June 27, 1944 Barlow May 15, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 21, 1931 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1937

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