Patent ID: 7431178
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an internal cavity defined in part by side walls and an end wall having an opening therein; a cover pivotally attached to the housing adjacent the end wall thereof, the cover having a closed position relative to the housing and providing access to the internal cavity when in an open position; squeezing means slidably received in the internal cavity of the housing, the squeezing means comprising a threaded surface facing the cover and a pair of opposing surfaces that define a slot, therebetween, the slot being aligned with the opening in the end wall of the housing and increasing in width in a direction toward the end wall; and a rod rotatably mounted to the cover so as to be pivotable therewith relative to the housing, the rod having an external thread surrounding an exterior cylindrical surface thereof that becomes threadably engaged with the threaded surface of the squeezing means by the act of closing the cover and becomes disengaged from the threaded surface of the squeezing means by the act of opening the cover, wherein rotation of the rod causes the squeezing means to move along the rod and through the internal cavity selectively toward and away from the end wall of the housing.