US2107355A - Closure for collapsible tubes - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 8, 1938. F. WINKLER CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed 001;. 6, 1937 Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 6,

3 Claims.

The invention relates to closures of collapsible tubes for containing a paste-like material such as shaving cream and other products of this na ture, and particularly concerns a closure that automatically opens upon compression of the tube in order to effect discharge of the paste, and similarly closes upon relaxation of the compression to seal the tube.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved closure of this type, one that is not only efficient and serviceable but which is inexpensive to, manufacture and can be readily assembled without the aid of tools.

The invention consists essentially in the novel constmction and arrangement of the neck portion of the tube, which is provided with a discharge opening normally closed by a jaw having a rounded boss seated in a groove in the neck to serve as a hinge. A spring band is secured on o the neck over the hinged portion of the jaw to prevent displacement and leakage. The spring band has a finger or bill that permits the contents of the tube to discharge on compression of the tube.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tube showing the closure in open position for discharge of paste in a ribbon-like form. t

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on line 22 0 Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a lengthwise section of the neck with an adjoining part of the tube.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the neck with 35 the closure member omitted.

Figure 5 is a similar view of the closure memher.

Figure 6 is a similar view of the spring band. Like numerals of reference indicate correspond- 40 ing parts in each figure of the drawing.

In the drawing the reference numeral I denotes a conventional collapsible tube body having a reduced end portion integral with a neck 8 which is forwardly extended from the usual dis- 45 charge passage 8' in order to provide a dispensin opening 9.

In carrying out the invention it is preferred to make the neck of a rectangular cross section, as illustrated, so as to provide a bottom wall It), a

top wall I I and side walls n. It will be observed that the bottom wall extends to the front edge of the neck to compose a fixed transverse lip IS. The top wall is terminated short of the lip to furnish the dispensing opening, and the side walls 1937, Serial No. 167,522

are curved so as to-recede from the lip toward the top wall.

The jaw I4 is a rigid plate curved in conformity to the upper edges of the side walls and of a width to contiguously engage the inner faces of these 6 walls with its side edges snugly contacting said faces, but free to move relative thereto as required in operation. The jaw is lodged in the dispensing opening. The front edge forms a transverse lip l5 normally engaged with the i0 mating lip i3. The rear edge portion is inwardly enlarged and curved in cross section in the arc of a circle to form a boss it that is seated in a similarly shaped recess l1 formed in the top wall ii slightly below the top surface thereof.

The boss and the recess hingedly mount the jaw to enable it to open and close for discharge of paste in ribbon form between the companion lips.

To secure the jaw so that it may open and close a without the use of a pintle, a spring band It is employed, which is made of a flat resilient material such as spring steel. The band is split and of a U-shaped configuration having a top piece is fitted over the top wall II with an intermeg diate. portion depressed to bear on the boss It to firmly retain it in its seat and preclude leakage of the paste thereabouts. Side arms 2| extend over the side walls I! and terminate in inwardly cursed hooks 22 that are sprung into recesses 23 in the side walls respectively. The arms thus have a clip or latch engagement that positively secures the band in place. The recesses may be slightly inwardly inclined if so desired for the purpose of affording a more secure grip.

The side walls are preferably supplied with transverse grooves as at 23' that seat the arms 2| and shoulder them so that they not only lie flush with the outer faces thereof but also are more securely held against dislodgement. The top piece i9 is constructed integral with a forwardly extending and inwardly curved bill or spring finger 24 having an inturned front edge that resiliently presses on the forward part of the jaw to hold it closed.

It will be manifest that by means of the aforesaid structure, a serviceable and reliable closure is produced of which the component parts may readily be assembled by hand in an expeditious manner, and that upon compression of the body ,0

the flat spring bill will yield to permit parting of the lip of the jaw to furnish a discharge orifice through which the paste will emanate. 'I'ife spring bill automatically closes the jaw when the pressure is discontinued, and the band part of 5 the spring member at all times retains the hinge ofthe Jaw in firm contact with its seat in the neck.

I claim:

1. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a discharge orifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining said opening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess oi an arcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edge portion forming a lip engaged with the aforesaid lip and having an opposite edge provided with a boss of a similar cross section to the said recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the Jaw on the neck without physical connection therewith, and a spring band fitted over the Jaw and secured to the neck such as .to retain the boss in the recess and to tension the lip oi the jaw against that of the neck.

2. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a discharge orifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining said opening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess of an arcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edge portion forming a lip engaged with theaioresaid lip and having an opposite edge provided with a boss oi a similar cross section to the said recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the jaw on the neck without physical connection therewith, and a flat split band of spring metal fitted over the neck and the Jaw to retain the boss in the recess and in tension the lip of the Jaw against that oi the neck, said band having means 5 providing a latching connection with the neck.

3. In combination, a collapsible tube having a. neck and a discharge orifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining said opening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess of an arcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edge portion forming a lip engaged with the aforesaid lip and having an opposite edge provided with a boss of a similar cross section to the said recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the jaw on the neck without physical connection therewith, and a U-shaped fiat' spring fitted on the neck and having a bight depressed intermediate of a pair 01' arms and bearing on the jaw over-its boss to retain the boss in the recess, said arms straddling the neck and having inturned hook ends lodged in recesses therein, and the bight having a finger piece or bill extending over the jaw toward its lip and bearing thereon so as to normally retain the lip closed against that of the neck.

FRIEDRICH ,WINKLER.

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