Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – With wall-collapsing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-29
2001-05-22
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
With wall-collapsing means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234353
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved dispensing tube compressor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved dispensing tube compressor which is effective, inexpensive, has an uncomplicated structure, and which enables the compression of substantially all of the flowable material contained within and to be dispensed from the tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There has been a need for an effective, simple and inexpensive apparatus for compressing a flowable material out of a collapsible dispensing tube. There has been a need for an apparatus wherein the material may be uniformly and substantially completely compressed from the closed end of the tube to the outlet of the tube.
Various attempts have been made in the past to produce such an apparatus including those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,148,321—Oplinger; U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,579—Woldorf; U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,029—Chapman et al; U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,736—Schneider; U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,238—Borkenhagen et al; U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,727—Spears; U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,727 Shmelkin; U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,345—McCombs, as well as U.K. Patent 974,849 and Swedish Patent 124,759.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus for compressing a flowable material out of a tube wherein substantially all of the material may be compressed through the nozzle or outlet of the tube.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus of the present invention may be utilized with any type of flowable material including toothpaste, creams, caulking materials, adhesives or any other flowable material packaged in a collapsible tube for dispensing of the flowable material.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it is effective, cost efficient and has an uncomplicated structure. The apparatus of the present invention is effective for compressing the tube in a uniform manner from its closed end to its outlet end wherein only the thickness of the tubing material remains. The present invention is cost effective in that the present invention may be manufactured at low cost and is effective in removing substantially all of the flowable material out of the tube. Even the last remaining material may be substantially completely compressed by turning the outlet to an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the remainder of the tube and compressing the collapsible portion of the tube such that the flowable material is expressed through the outlet.
Briefly and basically in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for compressing flowable material out of a tube is provided. The apparatus includes a base member wherein the base member includes at a first end a flange rising at a predetermined angle to the flat surface of the base member. A compressing member is pivotally mounted to the base member in proximity to the first end. The compressing member is provided with a compressing flat surface and a compressing curved surface. The curved surface forms in cross section a sector of substantially circular shape having an axis of rotation coincident with an axis of rotation of the pivotally mounted compressing member. The compressing member is pivotally mounted to the base member such that a constant spacing is maintained between the curved member and the base member and the constant spacing is substantially equal to the thickness of the compressed layers of the tube.
In a preferred embodiment, a hole is formed in the flat surface of the base member near a second end of the base member. This hole is adapted to receive the outlet of the tube where the outlet is bent substantially at a right angle to the tube.
In a preferred embodiment, the entire apparatus is constructed of a moldable synthetic plastic.
Another aspect of the invention, a friction enhancing structure is provided on the curved surface of the compressing member, which is preferably ridges running parallel to the axis of rotation of the curved surface of the compressing member.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 35587 (1997-08-01), Okamra et al.
patent: 2148321 (1939-02-01), Oplinger
patent: 2643029 (1953-06-01), Chapman et al.
patent: 2790579 (1957-04-01), Woldorf
patent: 2830736 (1958-04-01), Schneider
patent: 3219238 (1965-11-01), Borkenhagon et al.
patent: 3291345 (1966-12-01), McCombs
patent: 3961727 (1976-06-01), Spears
patent: 4019656 (1977-04-01), Spears
patent: 4365727 (1982-12-01), Shmelkin
patent: 5743434 (1998-04-01), Light
Petock, Esq. Michael F.
Shaver Kevin
Willatt Stephanie L.
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