GB2328927A - Apparatus for holding sealable tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for holding sealable tubes of pastes or gets comprises a first member and a second member movable into engagement from a first open position to a second closed position, said first and second members cooperating in said second closed position to provide a bore communicating between a first slit [2] in one face of said apparatus, and a second slit [2a] in an edge where said first and second members abut one another, said bore having therein an L-shaped turn, and said slits and said bore being appropriately dimensioned to receive a flattened tube.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HOLDING SEALABLE'IUBES This invention relates to apparatus for holding sealable tubes. More specifically, this invention relates to apparatus for holding such tubes so as to assist In emptying them of their contents of pastes or gels, such as toothpaste, shaving cream or gel, adhesives, etc.

It is a matter of common experience that tubes of the type mentioned above are difficult to empty completely, especially since the replacement of malleable metals by plastics materials, which have a strong tendency to retain their original shape. Especially with tubes of adhesives, there is the further problem that air, with its inevitable moisture content, can pass into the tube as adhesive is squeezed out. When the cap is replaced on the tube, this air can produce hardening of the adhesive. With such adhesives for household use, which may be used only occasionally and in small quantities, this can have the effect that a large proportion of the original contents of the tube may become hardened and unusable.

Various devices exist to assist in emptying tubes and ensuring that the end of the tube furthest from the cap (hereinafter referred to as the "tail") remains squeezed to prevent the contents flowing back into that portion. For instance, DE-A-161 1934 and -2148801 disclose a device comprising a channel member having a flattened bottom, with a constriction at its upper end. The tail of a tube is Inserted through the constriction and rolled around a rotatable key. A flexible arch is fitted into the bottom of the channel to force the key with the rolled tube upwards against the constriction.

The need remains, however, for simple devices for holding tubes.

The present invention provides apparatus for holding sealable tubes of pastes or gels, which apparatus comprises a first member and second member, movable into engagement from a first open position to a second closed position, said first and second members cooperating in said second closed position to provide a bore communicating between a first slit in one face of said apparatus, and a second slit in an edge where said first and second members abut one another, said bore having therein an L-shaped turn, and said slits and said bore being appropriately dimensioned to receive a flattened tube.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a view of one embodiment of the invention, in closed position with a tube held within it; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1, in its open position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, in its closed position with a tube held within it; and Figure 4 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 3 in its open position.

Referring now to the Drawings, the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a first member [11 and a second member [8] which, it will be seen, are hingedly connected. In the embodiment shown, the hinge between the first and second members is provided by the flexibility of the plastics material, the first and second members being formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the members may be separate, held together by separate hinges. The first member [1] is provided with a first slit [2] through which the tail of the tube may be threaded. When the apparatus is closed, the tail of the tube emerges through the second slit t2A], the emptied portion of the tube emerging at 143, and the unemptied portion contacting slit [2] at [3].

It will be seen from Figure 2 that the underside of the first member has a channel between the slit [2] and the rear edge at [4]. The bore between the two slits is thereby provided when the apparatus is in the closed position.

Alternatively, the channel may be provided on the upper surface of the second member [5].

As will be seen from Figure 2, one of the members, in this case the second member 151 is provided with a fastening means to hold the first and second members closely together with in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, this is provided by members [121 formed as a unit with the second member 151. The natural resilience of plastics material will serve to snap over the first member [1], but other holding means may be provided if desired.

Such holding means may be provided either on the first member [1] or the second member [21. In the embodiment shown, press fasteners 161 may be provided, either as an alternative to the releasable, resilient and resealable clips 112] or to provide a more positive and accurate alignment. A further optional feature is a slightly raised ridge [7] on the surface of the second member 15].

It is aligned with the interior of the slit [21 providing added pressure on the tube when the first and second members are held together in the closed position.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings. In this embodiment, the first member {9] comprises a channel member of substantially U-shaped cross-section. As will be seen, there is a cut-away portion [13] in the upper limb of the channel member t9]- The second member [8] comprises, in one embodiment an aperture 1143, through which a partially empty tube may be inserted and bent around the underside of the second member [8]. The member plus tube may then be pushed into the channel of the first member [9] until the edge [10] abuts on the interior of the channel portion of the first member [9]. This edge may be rounded, angled or otherwise profiled to ease entry of the second member [8] into the first member [9]. When this is done, the tail of the tube will emerge through the slit, provided between the rear edge [11] of the first member [9] and a cut-away portion [15] of the second member [9]. In an alternative construction, the second member [8] may be cut away in a manner similar to the cut-away portion [13], so that the first slit [2] is formed between the parallel edges of the respective cut-away portions.

It will be seen that the gripping effect of the first and second members when in the closed position permits emptying of the tube by pulling on that portion of the tail of the tube emerging from the slit.

The apparatus according to the present invention may be formed in a range of sizes, and with slits and bores of various dimensions for use with different sizes of tube. It may be formed from a variety of materials. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus may be moulded from plastics materials having sufficient resilience to permit the first and second members to be moulded as a single unit, able to be moved apart and together and then held by the members [12]. Materials suitable for this are well known and are in common general use. Alternatively, other materials may be employed, with separate hinges, etc.

Operation of the device according to the invention to assist in squeezing the contents of a tube from its opening, and to hold the emptied portion of the tube which may be pulled through the second slit as the contents are emptied from the tube. The L-shaped turn in the bore, when the apparatus is in the closed position, assists in preventing flowback of unused tube contents into the tail end of the tube. The portion of the tube holding unused contents may be pushed downwards towards the upper surface of the first member to assist the squeezing. Depending on the resilience of the materials from which the tube is constructed, the partially-emptied tube may remain in this pusheddown position.

It will be apparent that the embodiments above are provided by way of example only.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus for holding sealable tubes of pastes or gels, which apparatus comprises a first member [1, 9] and a second member [5, 8], movable into engagement from a first open position to a second closed position, said first and second members cooperating in said second closed position to provide a bore communicating between a first slit [2] in one face of said apparatus, and a second slit [2a] in an edge where said first and second members abut one another, said bore having therein an L-shaped turn, and said slits and said bore being appropriately dimensioned to receive a flattened tube.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said first member [1] and second member [5] are hingedly connected, at least one of said members being provided with holding means [12] operable to engage the other of said members to hold the said apparatus in said closed position.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said first member [1] and second member [51 are formed as a unitary member linked by a flexible linking portion, and said first slit [2] being formed in said first member.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said second member [8] is adapted to fit slidably within a corresponding recess in said first member [9].

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said first slit is formed in a face of said second member.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said first slit is formed between engaging edges of said first and second members.