US1881378A - Collapsible tube - Google Patents

Description

et. 4, 1932- F. w. scHooNMAKER, JR 1,831,373

' COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed April 15, 1951 ATTORNEY Patented 9:21;. 4, 1932 NETED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK W. SCHOONMAKER, JR, OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SCI-IOONMAKER LABORATORIES, INC., 015 OF NEW JERSEY CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Application filed April 15,

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible tube containers, such as are widely used for holding preparations of different kinds, to be expelled by squeezing the tube.

An object of my invention is to provide a collapsible tube designed to facilitate the discharge of a portion of its contents. In its practical embodiment, the invention comprises a nozzle united to the tube as a member thereof, with an air bulb attached to the nozzle, for enabling compressed air to be employed as the medium by which a quick discharge from the tube is effected.

The nature and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following description,

taken with the drawing, which illustrates the best form of my invention known to me, and

I reserve the right to make changes which are consistent with the principle of the invention and are embraced within the scope and meaning of the appended claim.

On said drawing Figure 1 is a side view of a collapsible tube according to my invention; Figure 2 is a View of-what appears in Figure 1, seen from the right with the air bulb omitted; and

Figure 3 presents a detail.

The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

In the particular description of what the drawing presents, the numeral 1 indicates the body of a collapsible tube, having a conical top 2 with a central outlet neck 3. Usually this neck is threaded outside to receive a screw cap, but in my invention the neck is prolonged to form adischarge nozzle. This nozzle is open at its outer end, and at its inner end it has internal screw threads 4.

At one side is a hollow boss or coupling neck 5 to which is attached an air bulb 6.

The bulb is compressible, and may be secured by drawing the contracted mouth 7 thereof over the end of the neck 5, which may have a rib or flange 8 thereon; or by cementing the bulb and neck together, if desired.

In operation the tube is squeezed to transfer a portion of its contents into the nozzle 3.

The neck 5 is diagonal and communicates with the inside of the nozzle between the 1931. Serial No. 530,182.

two ends of the latter, and the nozzle can be filled without causing it to overflow by pressing upon the outside of the tube to a suflicient extent. Then the bulb 6 is smartly compressed by pressing it between the fingers. Thus the air in the bulb expels the charge from the nozzle with some force and spreads it out over the place on which it is to be deposited.

When not in use, the nozzle 4 is closed by a stopper 8 comprising a head 9, and shank 10, with threads 11 at the end thereof. This shank is screwed into the internal threads 4 of the nozzle 3. The head of the stopper engages the outlet end of the nozzle and closes it, and the shank projects in far enough to close up the nozzle where it communicates with the tube 1. That is, it shuts the nozzle at its inner end and cuts off communication between the nozzle and the tube.

This construction of nozzle and stopper also permits convenient filling of the tube. Such a tube is filled through the end opposite the outlet or nozzle 3, which is generally too small for filling. When filled said end is closed and held shut by a clip 12. To fill the tube, the stopper is screwed in, and the contents, as they enter through the end afterwards held shut by the clip 12, then cannot enter the nozzle. If the threads 4 are any where else than at the inner end of the nozzle, such as between the neck 5 and the discharge end of the nozzle, the contents would run into the bulb 6, even if the stem 10 extended in past the neck 5; because it would be difficult to make the stem fit the inside of the nozzle with sufficient tightness. But by disposing the threads 4 at the inner end of the nozzle adjacent the conical portion 2, and shaping the stopper accordingly, the nozzle and bulb are effectively sealed during the filling operation.

The shank of the stopper thus prevents the bulb 6 from filling up, as it would otherwise do, both when the tube is being filled and afterward when it is not in immediate use.

The invention is thus very simple, and can be easily and cheaply produced. By making the nozzle 3 in one piece with the tube, it cannot become separated and lost, and does 100 not require the buyer to go to the trouble of attaching it. All that is necessary to make use of the tube is to remove the stopper, and then squeeze the tube and collapse the bulb 6. Having described my invention, what I believe to be new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is: V a v t A collapsible tube having a straight longitudinally extending discharge nozzle projecting therefromsaid nozzle having a coupling neck extending diagonally from one side between its outer end and said top, the neck being inclined toward the top, a pressure bulb attached to said neck to expel a portion of the contents0f the tube through thenozzle, the latter having screw threads therein betweenthe neck and the top of the tube, and a stopper having a threaded shank to enter the nozzle and engage said threads to close the nozzle between the tube and the neck.

Signed at Caldwelhin the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, this 21st day of July, A. D. 1930.

FREDERICK W. SCHOONMAKER, Jr.

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