Tube for compressible material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tube for containing a compressible material, consisting of a first internal tube containing the compressible material and a second external tube, arranged around the first internal tube and containing non-compressible material. The non-compressible material consists of a liquid, such as water, and rigid pellets or nets made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane. In this way, applying Pascal's principle, when pressure is applied to any point of the second external tube, this pressure is also transmitted to all points of the first internal tube, consistently throughout the tube, regardless of the amount of material present in the first internal tube. Consequently, the increase in pressure in one portion of a non-compressible fluid is transmitted to all portions of the fluid itself, facilitating the release of the material from the first internal tube (once the cap provided on the tube is removed), even when the tube is squeezed with just one hand.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube for toothpaste, cream, or similar compressible material. Specifically, the present invention relates to such a tube consisting of an internal tube containing the compressible material and an external tube containing a non-compressible material, such as water.Background.

[0002] Numerous applications of external tools for containers of creamy, pasty, or food-grade materials, etc., in the form of tubes or similar containers, are known in the art, for squeezing them with mechanical and sometimes even electrical applications.

[0003] In advertising, these are called "tube squeezers", but due to their bulk, cumbersomeness, and impracticality, they have not been very successful.

[0004] These proposals have not been particularly well received by users. Actual devices are offered on the market, but they do not appear to be very widespread.

[0005] The Applicant has noted that when using common tubes of squeezable material such as toothpaste, creams, cosmetic products, medicines, ointments, pastes, etc., the main problem is that applying pressure with one hand is only effective when the product is in its initial use. Conversely, during subsequent uses, when the material inside the tube is small, two hands are required because applying pressure with one hand does not facilitate the material release. The user is forced to press differently and / or squeeze the tube with both hands.

[0006] Documents KR200319117 Y1 and KR200351945 Y1 describe a tube consisting of a first internal tube containing compressible material and a second external tube, arranged around the first internal tube and containing non-compressible material. However, the tube described in these documents is heavy, and the material contained therein is difficult to compress enough to allow it to escape from the tube.

[0007] Therefore, the Applicant posed the technical problem of how to create a product that can be used with one hand from the start of its use until the material is completely released, during use at different times.Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a tube or similar container for containing compressible material of claim 1.

[0009] The applicant of this application has surprisingly found that the above-mentioned technical problem can be solved effectively and reliably using a tube for containing a compressible material. The tube consists of a first internal tube containing the compressible material and a second external tube, arranged around the first internal tube and containing non-compressible material, characterized in that the non-compressible material consists of a liquid and rigid pellets or nets made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane.

[0010] In this way, by applying Pascal's principle, when pressure is applied to any point of the second external tube, this pressure is also transmitted to all points of the first internal tube, consistently throughout the tube, regardless of the quantity of material present in the first internal tube. Consequently, the pressure increase in one portion of a non-compressible fluid is transmitted to all the portions of the fluid itself, facilitating the material release from the first internal tube (once the cap is removed), even when the tube is squeezed with just one hand.

[0011] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of rigid plastic beads or nets added to the liquid, the used liquid amount is reduced based on the final product weight. The final product weighting can thus be limited, if necessary, by reducing the increase in liquid weight added before closing the internal tube.

[0012] During use, the compressible material release from the tube reduces the first internal tube volume. This also reduces the second external tube volume, but the second external tube contents remain unchanged. The entire complete tube reduces its volume.

[0013] The pressure system operation does not change until the compressible material inside the internal tube is exhausted or until ease of use is achieved.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the tube of the present invention is provided with a removable cap.

[0015] In this way, once the cap is removed, the compressible material contained within the first internal tube is allowed to escape from it by pressure applied to any point of the second external tube. Conversely, with the cap present, the compressible material contained within the first internal tube is prevented from escaping from it by accidental pressure.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, said compressible material is a creamy or pasty material selected from the group consisting of toothpastes, creams, cosmetic products, medicines, ointments, pastes, shoe polish, or similar products.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, said liquid is water, or any other liquid with suitable characteristics for the purpose.

[0018] In this way, the non-compressible material can transmit the pressure force to the internal tube.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, said rigid balls have a diameter ranging preferably from 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0020] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, said non-compressible material consists of water and a mesh made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane.

[0021] In this way, the thickness of the mesh itself fulfils the purpose of lightening, while at the same time preventing the improper bead accumulation and their unbalanced distribution.

[0022] According to a further alternative preferred embodiment, said non-compressible material consists of water and said mesh, at whose intersections are placed said beads, wherein said mesh and said beads are made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane. In this way, the force distribution with the non-compressible liquid is not impeded.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, said second external tube is made of transparent material.

[0024] In this way, it is possible to see the first internal tube from the outside.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, said first internal tube and said second external tube have substantially the same shape.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the tail of said first internal tube and said second external tube also have substantially the same shape, where "tail" refers to the part of the tube positioned on the opposite side of the cap. In other embodiments, said tail may take on other shapes, based on the type of machinery related to the manufacturing technology.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, a distance D between said first internal tube and said second external tube varies in the preferred range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the tube of the present invention also includes a one-way valve located at the internal tube outlet.

[0029] In this way, thanks to the presence of the one-way valve, external air is prevented from entering the internal tube instead of the compressible material that has escaped from it, thus restoring equilibrium.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, said one-way valve is of the silicone type.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, said one-way valve is of the expandable funnel type.

[0032] According to an alternative embodiment, said one-way valve is equipped with an antagonist spring, or other commonly applied typology.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the cap is press-fit.

[0034] This eliminates the need for screwing, simplifying the use of the container.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the tube of the present invention also includes a first hole passing through a surface of said second external tube. This provides a means for adding liquid, allowing it to access the interior of said second external tube.

[0036] In this way, it is possible to pass the needle of a syringe through said hole; the water contained in the syringe is thus inserted into the second external tube.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the tube of the present invention also includes a second hole passing through a surface of said second external tube.

[0038] In this way, it is possible to let escape the air present inside the second external tube while the water contained in the syringe is inserted into it.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, said first hole has a diameter of approximately 1 mm.

[0040] In this way, the hole is large enough to allow the insertion of a syringe needle.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the tube of the present invention is provided with a thermos-fusion hole closure after filling said external tube with a non-compressible liquid.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, said first internal tube and said second external tube are made of polyethylene, HD polyethylene, or another material, including metal or metal laminate.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, said first internal tube and said second external tube are made of polyethylene or HD polyethylene, with a low recycling coefficient (recycling code 2).

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, said first internal tube and said second external tube are made of polyethylene treated, for example, with polymer mortars of various grain sizes.

[0045] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the internal tube is made of rubber or silicone or equivalent material, with characteristics suitable for the contents, such as a suitably preformed "balloon"-type material.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, said second external tube is made of deformable material of the metallic type, such as aluminium or by lamination of aluminium or polyethylene coupled with aluminium lamination, or something else with an equivalent deformation function (as currently in use, for example, in tubes of medicines or food pastes).

[0047] In this way, the internal tube contents can be properly balanced without the unwanted ingress of external air pressure, thus eliminating the need for a valve or its reduced function, and possibly a pressure-sealed cap.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the cap is made of polypropylene (with recycling code 5) or another metal or metal laminate.

[0049] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by examining the following detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments, illustrated for illustrative and non-limitative purposes only with the aid of the attached drawings. Specifically, in these drawings: Fig. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a tube of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the tube of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a detail of the tube of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a further detail of the tube of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 shows various points where pressure can be applied to the tube in Fig. 1. Detailed Description

[0050] The following detailed description refers to specific embodiments of a tube 1 of the present invention, without limiting its contents.

[0051] With reference to Figs. 1-5, an embodiment of the tube 1 of the present invention is described, suitable for containing a compressible creamy or pasty material 4, such as toothpaste, cream, cosmetic product, medicine, ointment, or pasta.

[0052] The tube 1 consists of a first internal tube 2 and a second external tube 3, arranged entirely around the first internal tube 2, having substantially the same shape (as shown in the side view of Fig. 1 and the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2). The second external tube 3, in one embodiment, is made of transparent material so as to allow the user to see the first internal tube 2.

[0053] The first internal tube 2 contains the compressible creamy or pasty material 4 indicated above.

[0054] The tube 1 of the present invention is also provided with a removable cap 7, connected to the tube 1 by a threaded or pressure-fitted manifold 9 (as shown in Fig. 4). Once the cap 7 is removed, the compressible material 4 contained within the first internal tube 2 is allowed to escape from it by applying pressure to any point of the second external tube 3.

[0055] The second external tube 3 contains a liquid, non-compressible material 5, such as water 5, to which rigid plastic beads 6 have been added (as better shown in Fig. 3), such as polystyrene or polyurethane. The addition of the rigid plastic beads 6 allows for the use of a smaller quantity of water and therefore reduces the overall weight of the non-compressible material 5 to be inserted into the second internal tube 3. In one embodiment, these beads may be part of a net of the same material for secure positioning. The mesh itself, with adequate thickness, can perform the required lightening function. The mesh can be integral with the container / external tube.

[0056] The first internal tube 2 and the second external tube 3 are made, for example, of polyethylene, HD polyethylene, or other materials, including metal or metal laminate. They are separated from each other by a distance D that varies, for example, between 2 mm and 4 mm (as better shown in Fig. 3).

[0057] The tail 12 of the first internal tube 2 and the tail 13 of the second external tube 3 also have the same shape (as better shown in Fig. 4), where "tail" refers to the part of the tube positioned opposite the cap 7.

[0058] Tube 1 is also equipped with a one-way valve 8 located at the outlet of the first internal tube 2 (as better shown in Fig. 4). In this way, thanks to the presence of the one-way valve 8, external air is prevented from entering the first internal tube 2 in place of the compressible material 4 that has escaped from it, in an attempt to re-establish the balance. The one-way valve 8 is of the silicone type, but can also be made in other alternative ways, such as being equipped with an antagonist spring, or other commonly applied typology.

[0059] The tube 1 also includes a first through hole 9 (as better shown in Fig. 1) through a surface of the second external tube 3 to allow the non-compressible liquid 5 to be inserted into the internal part of the second external tube 3. In fact, operationally, it is possible to pass the needle of a syringe (not shown in the figures) through the through hole 9 to deposit the water 5 contained in the syringe inside the second external tube 3. At the same time, another through hole 10 (shown in Fig. 1) allows the air previously present inside the second external tube 3 to escape to make space for the water 5 injected via the syringe. The hole 9 diameter is approximately ≤1 mm to allow the syringe needle insertion. At the end of the operation, the holes, prepared for this purpose, are closed by thermo-fusion.

[0060] Operationally, applying Pascal's principle and thanks to the presence of the non-compressible liquid 5 inside the second tube 3, when pressure is exerted on any point 11 of an external surface of the second external tube 3 (as shown in detail in Fig. 5), this pressure is also transmitted to all the points of the first internal tube 2, consistently throughout, regardless of the quantity of material present in the first internal tube 2. Consequently, the pressure increase in a portion of a non-compressible fluid 5 is transmitted to all the portions of the fluid itself, facilitating the compressible material 4 release from the first internal tube 2 (once the cap 7 with which tube 1 is provided is removed), even when tube 1 is pressed with just one hand at any point.

[0061] During use, the reduction in the compressible material 4 released from the first internal tube 2 produces a reduction in the volume of the first internal tube 2 itself. This also reduces the volume of the second external tube 3, but the contents of the second external tube 3 remain unchanged. The entire complete tube 1 reduces its volume.

[0062] The operation of the pressure system remains unchanged until the compressible material 4 inside the first internal tube 2 is exhausted.

[0063] Naturally, many modifications and variations of the preferred embodiments described above will be evident to those skilled in the art, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0064] For example, in the accompanying figures, the dimensions and proportions of the objects depicted are purely indicative: for example, the volume of water contained in the second external tube 3 will be minimized in relation to the size of the complete tube 1.

[0065] Furthermore, generally but not exclusively, the second external tube 3 follows the final shape of the first internal tube 2, but the internal tube 2 and external tube 3 may also have different shapes, depending on market needs.

[0066] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, illustrated only for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, but is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Tube (1) for containing a compressible material (4), wherein said tube (1) consists of a first internal tube (2) containing said compressible material (4) and a second external tube (3), arranged around said first internal tube (2) and containing non-compressible material (5), characterized in that said non-compressible material (5) is made of a liquid and rigid balls or nets (6) made of plastic.

2. Tube (1) according to claim 1, wherein said non-compressible material (5) is made up of water and a net made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane.

3. Tube (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said non-compressible material (5) is made up of water and said net at whose intersections are said balls made of plastic, such as polystyrene or polyurethane.

4. Tube (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said compressible material (4) is a creamy or pasty material selected from the group consisting of toothpastes, creams, cosmetic products, medicines, ointments, pastes, shoe polish, or similar products.

5. Tube (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first internal tube (2) and said second external tube (3) are made of polyethylene, HD polyethylene, or another material, including metal or metal laminate, or silicone or rubber.

6. Tube (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first internal tube (2) and said second external tube (3) have substantially the same shape.

7. Tube (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second external tube (3) is made of transparent material.

8. Tube (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a distance (D) between said first internal tube (2) and said second external tube (3) varies in the range generally between 2 mm and 4 mm.

9. Tube (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising an outlet valve (8) for said compressible material.

10. Tube (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one through hole (9) through a surface of said second external tube (3) to allow non-compressible liquid material (5) to access the internal part of said second external tube (3).

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