Collapsible Tube Internal Securing for Complete Product Emptying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current toothpaste tubes are difficult to fully empty due to their design, leading to waste and recyclability issues, especially for individuals with dexterity issues, as they require precise alignment for internal securing mechanisms and can be challenging to squeeze, resulting in leftover product.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible tube with hook-to-hook material on its interior that securely zippers together when squeezed, allowing for easy collapsing and securing of the tube without the need for precise alignment, and can be refilled by cutting off sealed portions and resealing with a refill device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If male/female interlocking protrusions are used to secure the tube, then the tube can be secured in collapsed position, but the mechanism requires precise alignment and can be clogged by product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidalignment precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the securing function from complex male/female interlocking protrusions and implements it through a simpler sealing member that can be clogged by product, thereby eliminating the alignment precision requirement while maintaining securing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the securing mechanism from interlocking protrusions requiring precise alignment to a sealing member with a sealing surface that can accommodate misalignment, transforming the alignment sensitivity parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If male/female interlocking protrusions are used to secure the tube, then the tube can be secured in collapsed position, but additional thickness and weight are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidtube weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the excessive material from the male/female interlocking protrusions and retains only the essential sealing function through a thinner sealing member, reducing tube weight while maintaining securing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is implemented as a thin film structure with a sealing surface, replacing the thick interlocking protrusions, thereby reducing the tube wall thickness and overall weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If hard plastic tube material is used, then tube durability is improved, but it becomes difficult to expel all gel or paste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube material strengthVSAvoidproduct expulsion completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the tube structure into a hard shoulder portion for structural support and a softer body portion for easy collapse and complete product expulsion, reconciling durability with product extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the tube - hard plastic for the shoulder to maintain durability and softer material for the body to enable complete product expulsion, implementing local quality differentiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If external securing mechanism is used, then tube can be secured in collapsed position, but it can get dirty and attract lint and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the securing mechanism location from external to internal, placing the sealing member inside the tube where it is protected from external contaminants like lint and debris while maintaining the tube collapsing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures that toothpaste tubes can be efficiently emptied and recycled, providing ease of use for all users, including those with dexterity issues, while maintaining durability and allowing for refilling, thus reducing waste and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The tube has hook-to-hook material on opposing sides of an interior of the tube... securing a portion of the tube in the collapsed configuration by pushing opposing sides of hook-to-hook material together

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11560258B2Internal securing system for a collapsible tube

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 SALTZBERG JACK

AI summary

Squeezable tubes for holding creams and gels such as toothpaste and a method for progressively collapsing and internally securing a tube in a flattened state. As the user squeezes the tube proximal to one end, the tube collapses. An internal mechanism to retain that portion of the tube in a collapsed position engages. The portion of the tube that no longer holds toothpaste remains in a relatively flat configuration of which sections may be cut off and thrown away. In an alternative embodiment, the internal mechanism is recyclable and/or releasable and the tube is refillable. Tubes may alternatively be used with many other types of contents such as hair shampoo and conditioner, paint, sunscreen, oil, frosting, pudding, ointments, powders, and liquids.