GB2287017A - Virus guard device for tube - Google Patents
Virus guard device for tube Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2287017A GB2287017A GB9418916A GB9418916A GB2287017A GB 2287017 A GB2287017 A GB 2287017A GB 9418916 A GB9418916 A GB 9418916A GB 9418916 A GB9418916 A GB 9418916A GB 2287017 A GB2287017 A GB 2287017A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- sheath
- dispenser
- toothpaste
- nozzle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 title abstract description 9
- 229940034610 toothpaste Drugs 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000000606 toothpaste Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002421 anti-septic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000014599 transmission of virus Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
- B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
- B65D35/36—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices for applying contents to surfaces
- B65D35/38—Nozzles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
- B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
- B65D47/2037—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure the element being opened or closed by actuating a separate element which causes the deformation, e.g. screw cap closing container slit
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tubes (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Abstract
A virus guard for use on, for example, a toothpaste tube comprises a tubular sheath 10 having an open end 12 for fitting over the outlet neck of the tube and a dispensing orifice 16 at the other end, the sheath being closable at a position spaced from the orifice. The sheath may be closed off by twisting a loop 21 thereby tightening wire 20 around the sheath or by means of a one way, self closing valve 44 openable under pressure when the tube is squeezed, The sheath is left on the tube until it is to be used again, the next user replacing it with another sheath and so guarding against contamination. The sheath may be flexible and attached to the tube by clamping, by a twistable loop 18, 19, or by screw threads 32. <IMAGE>
Description
Virus auard device e.g. for toothpaste tubes
This invention relates to a device for use on a tube or other dispenser of toothpaste or other composition, to guard against the transmission of virus from one user to another.
Often the same toothpaste tube (or other toothpaste dispenser) is used by two or more people. On each occasion of use, the toothpaste comes into wiping contact with the nozzle of the toothpaste tube or other dispenser. Should any one of the users carry a transmissible virus, for example the AIDs virus, there is the risk that the virus might be transferred to that user's toothbrush and thence to the nozzle of the toothpaste tube and subsequently to other users of the same toothpaste tube or other dispenser. A similar risk for the transmission of virus can arise in the case of tubes or dispensers of other compositions, e.g. antiseptic gel, where the same tube or dispenser is shared by two or more people.
I have now devised a device for use on a tube or other dispenser of toothpaste or other composition, to guard against the risks outlined above.
In accordance with this invention there is provided a device for use on a tube or other dispenser of toothpaste or other composition, the device comprising a tubular member having an open end for fitting over a nozzle of a dispenser and an opposite end which is closed but formed with a dispensing orifice, means, spaced inwardly from the dispensing orifice, for closing off the tubular member, and means for holding the open end of the tubular element in position when fitted onto said nozzle of the dispenser.
In use, toothpaste or other composition is dispensed through the orifice in the closed end of the device. The device is however removed and discarded and replaced by another such device before the next person uses the toothpaste tube or other dispenser. Accordingly, the risk is avoided of transmitting a virus from one user to the next.
The means for closing off the tubular member enables each user, after using the dispenser, to close off the guard device and leave it fitted to the toothpaste tube or other dispenser, for the next user to remove and discard the guard device and replace it with a fresh device.
Preferably the tubular member of the device of this invention is flexible. The means for closing off the device may comprise a clamping means or a tightening means. In the latter case, the tightening means may comprise a wire encircling the tubular member and having a projecting loop which can be twisted to tighten the encircling wire.
Alternatively, the closing off means may be a one-way valve.
The means for holding the device to the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle may comprise a clamping means or a tightening means. In the latter case, the tightening means may comprise a wire encircling the tubular member adjacent its open end and having a projecting loop which can be twisted to tighten the encircling wire around the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle. Alternatively, the device may include a ribbed or threaded grip in the base of the tubular member to engage the dispenser nozzle.
However, it will be appreciated that other means may be envisaged for holding the device to the dispenser nozzle and/or for closing off the device when required.
Two embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of a device in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;
FIGURE 2 is a view of the device in accordance with
Figure 1 when fitted to a toothpaste tube;
FIGURE 3 is a side view of a device in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention when fitted to a toothpaste tube;
FIGURE 4 is a view of a one-way valve of the device of
Figure 2; and
FIGURES 5a, 5b and Sc are views of the device when the one-way valve is in operation.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a device comprises a tubular sheath 10 of flexible plastics materials, e.g. latex or vinyl. The sheath 10 has a wider end 12 which is open for fitting over the nozzle of a toothpaste tube, and a narrower end 14 which is closed to a rounded shape and formed at its centre with an orifice 16. Adjacent its wider end 12, the sheath 10 is -provided with means for tightening it around the nozzle of the toothpaste tube: in the example shown, this means comprises a wire 18 encircling the sheath 10 and preferably moulded into the material of the sheath, the wire 18 further having a projecting loop 19 which can be twisted to tighten the wire around the nozzle of the toothpaste tube.Part way along its length, the sheath 10 is provided with a similar encircling wire 20, also preferably moulded into the sheath and having a projecting loop 21 which can be twisted to tighten the wire 20 so as to close off the sheath at this point along its length.
In use, and referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the open end 12 of the tubular sheath 10 is fitted over the screwthreaded nozzle 32 of a toothpaste tube 30 and the user twists the projecting loop 19 to tighten the encircling wire 18 around the toothpaste tube nozzle 32 so that the sheath 10 is held tightly to the nozzle 32. The user then dispenses toothpaste onto his or her toothbrush by squeezing the toothpaste tube 30 in the usual way, the toothpaste being expelled through the orifice 16 in the rounded end of the sheath 10. The user then closes off the projecting loop 21 to tighten the encircling wire 20: the position of this wire 20, lengthwise of the sheath 10, is such that it lies outwardly of the end of the toothpaste tube nozzle and is so able, upon tightening, to close off the sheath 10.
The toothpaste tube is now left with the sheath 10 still held to its nozzle but closed off by the wire 20, until another user wishes to use the tube. That next user then loosens the fixing wire 18 and removes and discards the sheath 10, fits a fresh sheath to the toothpaste tube nozzle and proceeds in the same manner as described above.
Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a device of similar structure to that shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Accordingly, the device comprises a tubular sheath 10, again of plastics material, e.g. latex or vinyl. The sheath 10 has a wider end 12 which is open for fitting over the dispensing nozzle 32 of a toothpaste tube 30, and a narrower end 14 which is closed and formed at its centre with an orifice 16. The wider end 12 may optionally be provided with a cuff grip 34.
However, in this embodiment, the means provided for holding the open end 12 of the tubular sheath 10 in position when fitted over the nozzle 32 of a toothpaste tube 30 comprises a ribbed or threaded grip 40 formed internally in the base of the sheath 10, to engage the screw-thread on the nozzle 32.
The device further includes a one-way valve 42 which serves to close-off the tubular sheath 10 when the device is not in use. The construction and operation of the one-way valve 42 will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, the valve 42 is constructed as a membrane of flexible plastics material, e.g. latex extending across the tubular sheath 10 and preferably integral therewith.
The plastics material membrane is formed with cuts 44, for example cuts radiating from a central point as shown in Figure 4. It will be readily apparent, however, that variations in the configurations of the cuts 44 will not depart from the scope of the present invention.
In use, when the device has been fitted over the nozzle 32 of a toothpaste tube 30 by means of the threaded grip 40, the user dispenses the toothpaste onto his or her toothbrush by squeezing the toothpaste tube 30, as described above with regard to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sections of plastics material formed by the cuts 44 which form the one-way valve 42 are forced apart by the pressure of the toothpaste being squeezed out through the nozzle 32 behind the valve 42, as shown in Figure 5a. When the pressure is released, the valve 42 returns to its original closed position, as shown in Figure 3, thereby closing off the sheath 10.
Again, the toothpaste tube 30 is left with the sheath 10 still held to the nozzle 32 but closed off by the one-way valve 42, until another user wishes to use the tube. That next user then removes the sheath 10 from the nozzle 32 by unscrewing it and discards the device. A fresh device is fitted to the toothpaste tube nozzle 32 as before and the user proceeds in the same manner as described above.
Accordingly, should any virus or other contamination be transmitted from one user's toothbrush to the sheath 10 fitted when that person uses the toothpaste tube, because that sheath is removed and discarded before the next person uses the toothpaste tube, the risk is avoided of transmitting the virus or other contamination from one user to the next.
The one-way valve 42 may optionally be provided with supports 46 (Figures 5b and 5c) in order to ensure that the valve 42 opens in one direction only. At rest, the valve 42 and supports 46 will be in the position shown in Figure 5b.
In use, the valves 42 will open as described above and the supports 46 will bend as shown in Figure 5c.
Whilst use of the device of this invention has been described on a toothpaste tube, it will be appreciated that the device can be used in the same manner on other types of toothpaste dispenser which have a projecting dispenser nozzle.
Moreover, the device of this invention can equally well be used on tubes or dispenses of compositions other than toothpaste (e.g. antiseptic gel).
Claims (11)
1) A device for use on a tube or other dispenser of toothpaste or other composition, the device comprising a tubular member having an open end for fitting over a nozzle of a dispenser and an opposite end which is closed but formed with a dispensing orifice, means, spaced inwardly from the dispensing orifice, for closing off the tubular member, and means for holding the open end of the tubular element in position when fitted onto the nozzle of the dispenser.
2) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is flexible.
3) A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for closing off the device comprises clamping means.
4) A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for closing off the device comprises tightening means.
5) A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tightening means comprises a wire encircling the tubular member and having a projecting loop which can be twisted to tighten the encircling wire.
6) A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for closing off the device comprises a one-way valve.
7) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for holding the device to the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle comprises a clamping means.
8) A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for holding the device to the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle comprises tightening means.
9) A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tightening means comprises a wire encircling the tubular member adjacent its open end and having a projecting loop which can be twisted to tighten the encircling wire around the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle.
10) A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for holding the device to the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle comprises a ribbed or threaded grip in the base of the tubular member to engage the toothpaste tube or other dispenser nozzle.
11) A device for use on a tube or other dispenser of toothpaste or other composition substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9404257A GB9404257D0 (en) | 1994-03-05 | 1994-03-05 | Virus guard device e.g. for toothpaste tubes |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9418916D0 GB9418916D0 (en) | 1994-11-09 |
| GB2287017A true GB2287017A (en) | 1995-09-06 |
Family
ID=10751341
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9404257A Pending GB9404257D0 (en) | 1994-03-05 | 1994-03-05 | Virus guard device e.g. for toothpaste tubes |
| GB9418916A Withdrawn GB2287017A (en) | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-20 | Virus guard device for tube |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9404257A Pending GB9404257D0 (en) | 1994-03-05 | 1994-03-05 | Virus guard device e.g. for toothpaste tubes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9404257D0 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2376226A (en) * | 2001-06-08 | 2002-12-11 | Patrick James Shea | Dispensing device with contaminant guard |
| WO2006060055A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-08 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
| US8100294B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2012-01-24 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US8403178B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2013-03-26 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US8910830B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2014-12-16 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US10392163B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2019-08-27 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB560545A (en) * | 1941-10-22 | 1944-04-07 | Leo Pernu | Closure for collapsible tubes and like containers |
| GB773761A (en) * | 1955-08-30 | 1957-05-01 | Santiago Maria Alberdi | Improvements in closure caps for collapsible containers |
| GB2226014A (en) * | 1988-12-15 | 1990-06-20 | Jex Co Ltd | Nipple for nursing bottles |
| GB2258860A (en) * | 1991-08-07 | 1993-02-24 | Polytop Plastics | Valved closure |
-
1994
- 1994-03-05 GB GB9404257A patent/GB9404257D0/en active Pending
- 1994-09-20 GB GB9418916A patent/GB2287017A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB560545A (en) * | 1941-10-22 | 1944-04-07 | Leo Pernu | Closure for collapsible tubes and like containers |
| GB773761A (en) * | 1955-08-30 | 1957-05-01 | Santiago Maria Alberdi | Improvements in closure caps for collapsible containers |
| GB2226014A (en) * | 1988-12-15 | 1990-06-20 | Jex Co Ltd | Nipple for nursing bottles |
| GB2258860A (en) * | 1991-08-07 | 1993-02-24 | Polytop Plastics | Valved closure |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2376226A (en) * | 2001-06-08 | 2002-12-11 | Patrick James Shea | Dispensing device with contaminant guard |
| WO2006060055A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-08 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
| US7581899B2 (en) | 2004-11-30 | 2009-09-01 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
| US8100294B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2012-01-24 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US8403178B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2013-03-26 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US8910830B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2014-12-16 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US10017316B2 (en) | 2007-12-18 | 2018-07-10 | James Alexander Corporation | Container assembly |
| US10392163B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2019-08-27 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
| US11034486B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2021-06-15 | James Alexander Corporation | Dispenser and process |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9404257D0 (en) | 1994-04-20 |
| GB9418916D0 (en) | 1994-11-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |