US2005642A - Combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1935. H. A. THORNTON COMBINED CLOSING AND OUTLET CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed June 4, 1934 F/il.

l As no 0 w 3 W1) ova "0'! Harry J. Thom ion Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED CLOSING AND OUTLET CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined closing and outlet cap for the discharge end of collapsible tubes of that type whereby the contents thereof are discharged in ribbon-like-form, but it is to be understood that the cap in accordance with this invention may be employed in any connection for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide an article of the class referred to, in a manner as hereinafter set forth to automatically permit of the contents of the tube to be discharged when pressure is applied to the latter and to automatically cut-oil the expelled part of the tube contents and to automatically close the discharge end of the tube when pressure is relieved upon the latter.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a. manner as hereinafter set forth a combined tube closing and outlet cap for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, compact. readily installed with respect to the discharge end of the tube, automatic in its action to permit of discharge from and for closing the discharge end of the tube, thoroughly efficient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts and such combination of parts as fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:--

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a collapsible tube having the discharge end thereof provided with a combined closing and outlet cap in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the cap,

Figure 3 is an inverted plan of the cap,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the cap and tube, the cap being attached to the neck of the tube and in position for closing the opening for the discharge of the contents of the tube,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the cap in position to constitute an outlet for the contents of the tube,

Figure 6 is a disassembled View of the cap body and sealing disc, and

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the cap taken at right angles to Figure 2.

The drawing illustrates a collapsible tube 6, formed of a body I, closed at one end, as at 8, and having its other end constituting a breast 9, which terminates in a peripherally threaded annular neck Ill. The latter at its outer end has its inner face formed integral with a fiat disc I I, provided with a diametrically disposed slot I2 constituting a passage for the contents of the tube 6 when pressure is applied to the latter. The slot I2 provides for the contents of the tube 6 to be discharged therefrom in ribbon-like-form. The threads on neck ID are designated I3. 5

As is generally well known, a collapsible tube of the type referred to includes a removable cap, not shown, which engages with the neck III for closing the slot I2. When the contents of the tube are to be used, the cap is removed and pres- 10 sure is applied to the tube for the purpose of expelling a part of the contents of the latter through slot I2. After the expelled part has been utilized, the cap is restored to its position on neck ID to close slot I2. Now with respect to the cap, in ac- 5 cordance with this invention, it forms a permanent part of the tube, and when it is desired to expel a part of the contents of the tube, it is not necessary to remove the cap, as the latter automatically functions to provide a closure for the discharge end of thetube and an automatically opening and closing outlet for the contents of the tube.

The cap in accordance with this invention may be an original part of the tube, or the latter may be set up with the ordinary form of cap which is to be removed by the user of the contents of the tube and the cap in accordance with this invention substituted. Preferably the cap as herein set forth will form an original and permanent part of the tube and be formed with a removable or severable sealing agent to be referred to for temporarily closing the outlet provided by the cap.

The cap, in accordance with this invention, and generally indicated at I4, includes a resil-fi ient body I5 of a rubber formed of a hollow coupling portion I6 of uniform outer diameter, a hollow tapered portion I1 and a flat outer end portion l8 of disc-like form integral with the inner face and flush with the end edge of portion H8. The portion I'I provides a receiver or chamber which is normally closed at its outer end by the portion I 8. The inner face of .portion I6 is threaded throughout. The body I5 is formed with a pair of spaced parallel oppositely disposed segmental parts I9, 20 lengthwise thereof extending from the inner end of portion I6 to the outer end of portion II. The inner faces of parts I9, 20 are straight or perpendicular with respect to the axis of the cap. That portion of each of the parts I9, 20 fonned by the portion I'I gradually decreases in width from the portion I6 to the portion I8. The body I5 is also formed with a pair of spaced oppositely 5 disposed segmental parts 2|, 22 extending from the inner end of portion IE to the outer end of portion I'I, having oppositely curved inner faces. That portion of each of parts 2|, 22 formed by the portion slopes inwardly from the portion' Hi to the portion I8. The parts 2|, 22 are ofless thickness than that of and are alternately disposed with respect to the parts I9, 20. The setting up of the parts I9, 20, 2| and 22 in the manner as referred to provides the interior of body l of substantially oval contour. The portion l8 at its center is formed with a normally closed slot 23 disposed diametrically thereof. The portion I8 is of less thickness than the portions l6 and I1. Arranged within the body I5 is a pair of oppositely disposed ribs 24, 25 which are arranged in endwise opposed alignment and gradually decrease in width towards each other, The ribs are arranged at right angles to the slot 23, are integral with the lower face of portion l8 and have their larger ends integral with the inner faces of the parts 2|, 22. The ribs have their smaller ends arranged substantially at the sides of slot 23. The ribs are disposed at a diametric center of portion i8.

The chamber provided by portions l1 and I8 'is designated 26' and when the body part 1 of tube 6 is collapsed the contents of the tube will be forced into said chamber.

The manner of setting up the parts I9, 20 and ribs 24 relative to the parts 2|, 22 and portion l8, provide, when the portion I6 is secured to the neck In, for the side walls of slot 23 to abut throughout for the purpose of closing the latter and whereby body I5 will appear as is shown in Figure 4. When pressure is applied to tube 6 for the purpose of expelling the contents thereof, the latter acting against portion l8 will distend it in the manner as shown in Figure 5 whereby the side Walls'of the slot are spread apart to form an outlet for the material from the tube. When pressure is relieved upon the tube, the side walls of slot 23 will move to abutting relation thereby cutting off the expelled material which is outwardly of portion l8. Due to the resiliency of body I5 and the inner contour of portion l6 when the latter is applied to neck II] for permanent connection thereto, a pull will be exerted on parts I9, 20 when portion I6 is made to snugly encompass throughout said neck I0, and this action causes the side walls of the slot 23 to be held in abutting relation until pressure is applied against the inner face of portion H3.

The cap has a part thereof provided with a removal seal 26 in the form of a thin disc 21, which is molded to the outer face of portion I8 whereby the slot 23 in the latter is sealed. When it is desired by the user to have access to the contents of the tube, the seal 26 is removed permanently from portion Hi.

What I claim is:

l. A combined closing and outlet cap for'collapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including a part for encompassing and permanent connection to the neck to the tube and a part extended outwardly from the said other part and merging into the disc, said parts providing the walls of the cap, the said outer part in connection with the disc providing a chamber for the reception of material expelled from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, that part of said body connected with the neck having means to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face of said disc.

2. A combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible'tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including a part for permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a part for extension from the neck to provide in connection with said disc a chamber for the reception of material expelled from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, said body being formed with oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof having straight inner faces and oppositely disposed endwise opposed tapered ribs on the inner face of said disc, said ribs and segmental parts coacting to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against/the inner face of said disc.

3. A combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the fprm of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including, an inner part for ecompassing and permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a tapered hollow outer part extending outwardly from the said other part terminating in said disc and providing in connection with the latter a chamber for the reception of material from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, said parts forming the side wall of the cap, said inner part having means coacting with the outer part to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face on the discontinuing of the collapsing application to the tube.

4. A combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including a part for permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a tapered part terminating in said disc and providing in connection with the latter a chamber for the reception of the material on the application of a collapsing action on the tube, and said body being formed with oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof having straight inner faces and oppositely disposed endwise opposed tapered ribs on the inner face of said disc, said ribs and segmental parts coacting to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face of said disc.

' 5. A cap for the purpose set forth comprising a hollow one-piece resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a slot, said body having oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof terminating at their outer ends in said disc and formed with straight inner faces and oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof alternately disposed with respect to said other parts terminating in said disc and having curved inner faces with the forward portions thereof sloping inwardly, and endwise ribs integral with the inner face of said disc and said curved inner faces and disposed at right angles to said slot.

6. A cap for the purpose set forth comprising a hollow one piece resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a slot, said body having oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof terminating at their outer ends in said disc and formed with straight inner faces and oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof alternately disposed with respect to said other parts terminating in said disc and having curved inner faces with the forward portions thereof sloping inwardly, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner face of said disc and said curved inner faces and disposed at right angles to said slot, and means on said straight and curved faces rearwardly of said forward portions for permanently anchoring the cap in position.

7. A combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including, an inner part for encompassing and permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a hollow outer part extending from said other part beyond the neck to provide in connection with said disc a chamber for the reception of material expelled from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, and said inner part having means acting upon said outer part to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face of said disc, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of said disc.

8. A- combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes of that type including a neck hav ing a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including a part for permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a part for extension from the neck to provide'in connection with said disc a chamber for the reception of material expelled from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, said body being formed with oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof having straight inner faces and oppositely disposed endwise opposed tapered ribs on the inner face of said disc, said ribs and segmental parts coacting to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face of said disc, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of said disc.

9. A combined closing and outlet cap for collapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including an inner part for encompassing and permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a hollow tapered part extending outwardly from the said other part beyond the neck, said tapered part terminating in said disc and providing in connection with the latter a chamber for the reception of material from the tube on the collapsing of the latter, and said inner part having parts thereof coacting to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face on the discontinuing of the collapsing application to the tube, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of said disc.

10. A combined closing and outlet cap for 001- lapsible tubes of that type including a neck having a discharge slot for the contents of the tube, a. hollow resilient body open at its inner end and having its outer end in the form of a thin disc provided with a diametrically disposed normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube, and automatically closing on the relieving of pressure on the inner face of the disc, said body including a part for permanent connection to the neck of the tube and a tapered part terminating in said disc and providing in connection with the latter a chamber for the reception of the material on the application of a collapsing action on the tube, and said body being formed with oppositely disposed spaced segmental parts lengthwise thereof having straight inner faces and oppositely disposed endwise opposed tapered ribs on the inner face of said disc, said ribs and segmental parts coacting to provide for the automatic closing of said outlet on the relieving of pressure against the inner face of said disc, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of said disc.

11. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube on a collapsible action upon the latter and automatically closing on the discontinuing of such action, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner faces of said body and disc and disposed diametrically of the latter.

12. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube on a collapsible action upon the latter and automatically closing on the discontinuing of such action, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner faces of said body and disc and disposed diametrically of the latter, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of the disc for said slot.

13. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having its outer end in the form of a, disc provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube on a collapsible action upon the latter and automatically closing on the discontinuing of such action, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner faces of said body and disc and disposed diametrically of the latter, and means on the inner face of said body and spaced from the disc for connecting the cap to the neck of the tube.

14. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube on a collapsible action upon the latter and automatically closing on the discontinuing of such action, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner faces of said body and disc and disposed diametrically of the latter, and a removable sealing means on the outer face of the disc for said slot.

15. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having its outer end in the form of a disc provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening on the application of pressure against the inner face of the disc to provide an outlet for the contents of the tube on a collapsible action upon the latter and automatically closing on the discontinuing of such action, and endwise opposed ribs integral with the inner faces of said body and disc and disposed diametrically of the latter, and means on the inner face of said body and spaced from the disc for connecting the cap to the neck of the tube, the inner face of said body being formed with straight and inwardly inclined parts alternately disposed with respect to each other, positioned outwardly with respect to said means and terminating in said disc, and said ribs being integral with said inclined parts.

16. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having a closed outer end in the form of a thin disc-like part provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening and closing respectively for discharge and to prevent discharge respectively on the application and relieving of pressure against and from the inner face of said part, said body including an inner or coupling part having its inner face in the form of a pair'of opposed spaced parallel straight surfaces and a pair of oppositely disposed curved surfaces connected to the ends of said straight surfaces, said inner part open at its inner end, a tapered outer part extended outwardly from said inner part and terminating at its outer end in the marginal portion throughout of the inner face of said disc-like part adiacent said slot, the said parts forming the side walls of said body, and the said tapered part and disc-like part forming a chamber between the inner or coupling part and the disc-like part.

17. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes a hollow resilient body having a closed outer end in the form of a thin disclike part provided with a normally closed slot automatically opening and closing respectively for discharge and to prevent discharge respectively on the application and relieving of pressure against and from the inner face of said part, said body including an inner or coupling part having its inner face in the form of a pair of opposed spaced parallel straight surfaces and a pair of oppositely disposed curved surfaces connected to the ends of said straight surfaceasaid inner part open at its inner end, a tapered outer part extended outwardly from said inner part and terminating at its outer end in the marginal portion throughout of the inner face of said disclike part adjacent said slot, the said parts forming the side walls of said body, the said tapered part and disc-like part forming a chamber between the inner or coupling part and the disclike part, and a pair of oppositely tapered oppositely extending ribs integral with the inner face of said disc-like part and the inner face of said tapered part.

18. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes, a hollow resilient body having a closed outer end in the form of a disc-like part having a normally closed slot automatically opening and closing respectively for discharge and to prevent discharge respectively on the application and relieving of pressure against and from the inner face of said part, said body having a tapered part merging at its outer end into the marginal portion throughout of the inner face of said disc-like part, said body having a cou-' pling part therefor merging at its outer end into the inner end of said tapered part, said coupling part being formed with means coacting with the said other parts for automatically closing the slot when the inner face of the disc-like part is relieved of pressure, and said tapered part and disc-like part coacting to provide a chamber outwardly of said coupling part.

19. In a combined closing and outlet means for collapsible tubes,a hollow resilient body having a closed outer end in the form of a disc-like part having a normally closed slot automatically opening and closing respectively for discharge and to prevent discharge respectively on the application and relieving of pressure against and from the inner face of said part, said body having a tapered part merging at its outer end into the marginal portion throughout of the inner'face of said disc-like part, said body having a coupling part therefor merging at its outer end into'the inner end of said tapered part, said coupling part being formed with means coacting with the said other parts for automatically closing the slot when the inner face of the disc-like part is relieved of pressure, said tapered part and disc-like part coacting to provide a chamber outwardly of said coupling part, and said body having ribs integral with the inner face of said disc-like part and said tapered part,

HARRY A. THORNTON.

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