Closure for a collapsible tube

A closure for a collapsible tube having a base portion mounted on the reinforced dispensing end of the tube. The base portion of the closure defines a bore communicating at one of its ends with the interior of the tube. The opposite end of the bore opens on the surface of a substantially spherical portion of the base member and serves as an outlet through which the tube contents are dispensed. This outlet is selectively opened and closed by a cap member fabricated from a semi-rigid material which defines a cavity which rotatably receives the spherical member therein. The tube contents are dispensed by rotating a port defined in the cap member into alignment with the base portion outlet and collapsing a portion of the tube wall. In one embodiment means are provided to assist in guiding the rotation of the cap member with respect to the spherical member for purposes of aligning the base portion opening and the cap member opening.

This invention relates to a tube closure and more particularly to a closure 
for a collapsible tube. 
Collapsible tubes are used for dispensing a wide variety of malleable 
materials, particularly materials having a paste-like consistency. In this 
connection, the material to be dispensed is disposed in a tube permanently 
closed at one of its ends. The opposite end or dispensing end of the tube 
in conventional constructions is provided with a conical shaped 
reinforcement member which is substantially rigid and serves to maintain 
the tube walls adjacent the dispensing end of the tube at a spaced 
location to enhance movement of the material from the tube upon collapsing 
a portion of the tube wall. To this end, a discharge port which may be 
defined by a neck portion having a bore therethrough and secured to the 
reinforcement member at one of its ends may be provided. The neck portion 
is mounted on the reinforcement member such that the neck bore and an 
opening provided in the reinforcement member are in fluid communication. 
Various types of closures are known for selectively closing the discharge 
port of the tube. One conventional closure comprises an internally 
threaded cap which is adapted for being received by an externally threaded 
neck portion having a bore which communicates with the interior of the 
tube. Moreover, it is known to provide a spherical type socket mounted on 
the tube outlet. A cooperating spherical member is inserted into the 
socket and provided with a port extending therethrough which is 
selectively moveable into register with a port defined in the socket for 
dispensing the tube contents. 
Various of the prior art devices suffer certain disadvantages, however. For 
example, in closure systems employing a cap or the like for closing the 
outlet port, the cap may be lost resulting in drying of the contents of 
the tube, particularly the contents which are disposed in the neck or 
discharge port of the tube. Moreover, in certain devices employing a 
spherical valve member, which is rotatably mounted in a socket secured at 
the discharge end of the tube, a portion of the contents of the tube is 
trapped in the spherical valve member and rotated upon movement of the 
valve to its closed position partially or completely out of contact with 
the remainder of the tube contents. The tube contents trapped in the valve 
member may be exposed to the ambient atmosphere resulting in its drying 
out and a consequent clogging of the valve. It will also be recognized 
that drying of the tube contents also causes waste inasmuch as the 
material which has dried prior to its being dispensed is generally 
undesirable for its intended purpose. Certain of the valve members are 
also expensive to manufacture or difficult to assemble. 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a closure for a 
collapsible tube which assists in preventing drying out of the portion of 
the tube contents trapped in the closure mechanism subsequent to 
dispensing a predetermined amount of such contents. It is a further object 
of the invention to provide a closure which is readily adapted for use in 
connection with conventional collapsible tubes. It is another object of 
the invention to provide a collapsible tube closure which assists in 
preventing the accumulation of waste proximate the dispensing end of the 
tube. A still further object of the invention is to provide a closure 
which is easy to assemble. Other objects and advantages will become 
apparent upon reading the following specification and drawings wherein:

In accordance with various features of the invention, a closure for a 
collapsible tube is provided. The closure includes a base member having a 
spherical portion mounted at the discharge end of the tube. This spherical 
portion defines a bore therethrough which receives the contents of the 
tube urged from an opening in the tube responsive to applying compression 
forces to the tube wall. One end of the spherical portion bore opens on 
the surface thereof and is selectively opened and closed by a cap member 
which defines a cavity for receiving the spherical portion of the base 
member. More specifically, the cap member is rotatably mounted on the 
spherical portion of the base member and defines a port which can 
selectively be rotated into alignment with the spherical member outlet for 
purposes of dispensing the tube contents. The spherical portion opening is 
selectively closed to seal the contents of the tube by rotation of the cap 
member port away from this opening. 
Referring now to the drawings, a collapsible tube 10 of conventional design 
is shown in FIG. 1. The illustrated tube 10 includes a substantially 
cylindrical wall 12 which is collapsible for purposes of dispensing the 
malleable contents, such as paste, powder or the like disposed within the 
tube. In this connection, one end (not shown) of the tube wall 12 is 
closed. A substantially conical reinforcement member 14 serves to 
partially close the dispensing or discharge end 16 of the collapsible tube 
wall 12. More specifically, the reinforcement member is secured along its 
marginal edge 18 to the end portion 20 of the tube wall 12 and defines an 
opening 22 through which the contents of the tube are discharged. This 
reinforcement member 14 assists in maintaining the discharge end of the 
wall 12 at a spaced location to facilitate discharging the tube contents. 
In order to selectively dispense and seal the contents of the tube 10, a 
closure 24 is provided. The illustrated closure 24 includes a base member 
26, which in one embodiment comprises a substantially cylindrical neck 
portion 28 which is secured at its end 30 to the portion of the 
reinforcement member 14 proximate the opening 22. This cylindrical neck 
portion defines an elongated bore 32, which opens at its end 34 on end 
surface 36 of the neck portion and which is disposed in fluid 
communication with the opening 22 in the reinforcement member 14 for 
purposes of receiving the contents of the tube as the tube wall 12 is 
collapsed by compression forces. The opposite end 38 of bore 32 opens on 
end surface 40 of the neck portion. 
The base member 26 includes a substantially spherical portion 42 which is 
carried by the neck portion 28 and defines a substantially spherical 
surface 44. This spherical portion 42 defines a bore 46 which includes a 
first end 48 that communicates with end 38 of the bore 32 of the neck 
portion and an opposite end 50 which opens on the surface 44 of the 
spherical portion 26 at a predetermined location and serves as an outlet 
through which the contents of the tube are discharged. 
Outlet 50 is selectively opened and closed by a cap member 52 which is 
rotatably mounted on the spherical portion 42 of the base member 26. More 
specifically, the illustrated cap member 52 includes a wall 54 fabricated 
from a semi-rigid material such as plastic and defines a cavity 56 
proportioned for rotatably receiving a section of the spherical portion 42 
therein. In this connection, the cap member wall 54 defines a rim 58 which 
expands to receive a portion of the spherical surface and snaps into 
position upon receiving the spherical portion. To assist in preventing the 
cap member 52 from disengaging the spherical member 42 upon rotation of 
the cap member 52, rim 58 extends beyond a major diameter 53 of the 
spherical portion 42 when mounted on the spherical member. 
The wall 54 of the cap member 52 defines at least one port 60 which is 
selectively rotated into and out of register with bore outlet 50 for 
purposes of dispensing and sealing the contents of the tube, respectively. 
As shown in the Figures, the cap member wall 4 defines a pair of ports 60a 
and 60b, either of which may be moved into register with the outlet 50 for 
purposes of dispensing the tube contents. 
As shown in FIG. 4, 6 and 8 each of the ports 60a and 60b in the cap member 
52 are flared outwardly from their respective end portions 62a and 62b 
which open into the cavity 56. In this connection, the contents of the 
tube are less likely to lodge within the port and cause clogging 
subsequent to dispensation. For example, when the closure 24 is used on a 
paste containing tube, such as a toothpaste tube, the port can readily be 
wiped clean with a tooth brush subsequent to dispensing a portion of the 
tube contents. 
Means are provided to assist in guiding the rotation of the cap member 52 
such that one of the cap ports 60 can be aligned with end 50 of the bore 
46 to dispense the contents of tube 10 upon collapsing the tube wall. In 
the illustrated embodiment the guide means comprises a cooperating tongue 
64 and groove 66. The illustrated tongue 64 is arcuate and integrally 
formed with the surface 44 of the spherical portion 42. This tongue 64 
defines a bore 68 therethrough which communicates at one of its ends with 
the end 50 of the spherical portion bore 46. The opposite end of the bore 
68 which opens on the curved surface 70 (See FIG. 3) of the tongue serves 
as an outlet from which the contents of the tube exit the base portion. As 
shown in FIG. 3, the diameter of the bore 68 is less than the width of the 
tongue 64, for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter. 
Surface 72 of the cap member wall 54 is provided with groove 66 which opens 
into the cavity 56 and is proportioned for slidably receiving the tongue 
64 upon mounting the cap member 52 on the spherical portion 42. As 
illustrated in the Figures, the groove 66 is arcuate and extends 
substantially along the inner circumference of the cap wall 54 from its 
opposite ends 74 and 76 which terminate at diametrically opposed location 
on the rim 58. In this connection the cap member can readily be mounted on 
the base spherical portion by aligning the ends 74 and 76 of the groove 
with the tongue 64 and pressing the top portion 78 of the cap member such 
that the cap rim expands around the spherical portion 42 and receives the 
spherical portion 42 in the cavity 56. 
To facilitate rotation of the cap member 52 a suitable tab 80 is provided. 
The illustrated tab 80 extends radially outwardly from surface 82 of the 
cap member 52 and may be gripped or engaged by the finger or fingers of an 
operator for rotation such that one of the cap ports 60 can be moved into 
alignment with the bore 68 to the end that the contents of the tube 10 are 
dispensed upon collapsing a portion of the tube wall. Subsequent to 
dispensation of a portion of the tube contents the cap member 52 is 
rotated such that the ports 60 are moved to a position for sealing the 
port with the tongue, i.e., the port is rotated to a location which is out 
of alignment with the bore 68 extending through the tongue 64. 
Inasmuch as the ports 60 and the bore 68 open into the groove 66 and on the 
surface 70 of the tongue 64, respectively, the contents of the tube 
dispensed through the closure are not trapped between the cap member and 
the spherical portion upon rotations of the cap member to a sealing 
position. Moreover, the ends 62 of the ports 60 serve to cut away the 
contents of tube which may be trapped in the ports 60 which are flared or 
tapered outwardly and can readily be wiped clean. 
In order to secure the cap member 52 in a closed position for sealing the 
contents of the tube subsequent to discharging a portion of the tube 
contents, a suitable locking means is provided. The illustrated locking 
means comprises a detent 86 defined by the cap wall 54 which projects into 
the groove 66. This detent 86 is proportioned for being received in recess 
88 provided on the tongue 64 proximate the tongue end portion 90. Upon 
movement of the detent 86 into register with the recess 88, the detent 
snaps into the recess and secures the cap member in a position for closing 
the outlet bore 68 and sealing the contents of the tube from exposure to 
air. 
In certain applications it is desirable to mount the closure of the type 
shown in FIG. 1 on a conventional collapsible tube having an externally 
threaded neck 90 (See FIG. 9). In this connection, closure 24' is provided 
with a base member 26' which includes a bore 46' having an end portion 92 
which is of increased diameter and internally threaded. The end portion 92 
of the bore 46' is adapted for threadably receiving the neck 90 of the 
tube 10' with the bore (not shown) extending through the neck 90 being 
disposed in fluid communication with the spherical member bore 46'. 
An alternate closure system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 11 and includes a 
base member 102 which comprises a substantially cylindrical neck portion 
104 which is secured at its end 106 to the portion of the reinforcement 
member 14 proximate the opening 22. This cylindrical neck portion defines 
an elongated bore 108 which opens at its end 110 on the end surface 112 of 
the neck portion and which is disposed in fluid communication with the 
opening 22 in the reinforcement member 14 for purposes of receiving the 
contents of the tube as the tube wall 12 is collapsed. The opposite end of 
the bore opens on end surface 116 of the neck portion. 
End 118 of the neck portion 104 is integrally formed with a spherical 
portion 120 which defines a bore 122 therethrough. This spherical portion 
120 includes a first section 124 which has a substantially circular 
outline that is integrally formed with the neck portion 104 of the base 
member 102. Section 124 of the spherical portion 120 is integrally formed 
with a further section 126 having a substantially circular outline and a 
reduced diameter. The juncture of section 124 and section 126 of the 
spherical portion 120 of the base member define an arcuate track 128 
having stops 130 and 132 at the opposite ends thereof. 
As shown in FIG. 18 the bore 122 defined by the spherical portion 120 has 
one end 134 which communicates with the end of the bore 108 terminating on 
surface 116 of the neck portion 104. The opposite end 136 of the bore 122 
opens on surface 138 of section 126 and serves as an outlet such that upon 
collapsing a portion of the wall of the tube 10 the contents of the tube 
pass through the communicating bores 108 and 122 for purposes of 
dispensing. 
In order to selectively open and close the outlet 136 of the bore 122 a cap 
member 140 is provided. The illustrated cap member includes a wall 142 
fabricated from a semi-rigid material such as hard plastic, which serves 
to define a hemispherical cavity 144 which is adapted for receiving 
section 126 of the spherical portion 120 upon mounting the cap member on 
the base member 102. 
In this connection, the cap member wall 142 defines a rim 146 which expands 
to receive section 126 of the spherical portion 120 and snaps into 
position when the cavity 144 is filled with the section 126. To assist in 
preventing the cap member 140 from disengaging the spherical member 120, 
upon rotation of the cap member, rim 146 extends beyond a major diameter 
119 of the member 120 when mounted thereon. 
Wall 142 of the cap member 140 defines a port generally illustrated at 150 
which may be selectively rotated into alignment with the outlet 136 for 
purposes of dispensing the contents of the tube. In the illustrated 
embodiment this port 150 is flared outwardly from its end 152, which opens 
into the cavity 144, towards the end 154 of increased diameter. In this 
connection, an edge is defined at end 152 of the port 150 which serves to 
cut the columnar contents urged from tube upon rotation of the cap member 
to a sealing position. The portion of the contents trapped in the port 
150, if any, can then be readily wiped away through the flared end of the 
port. 
It will be recognized that the cap member 140 is rotated about the 
longitudinal axis of the tube 10 for purposes of opening and sealing the 
outlet 136. This rotational movement of the cap member 48 is partially 
guided by the arcuate projection 160 which extends from the rim 146 of the 
cap member 140 and is integrally formed therewith. This projection rides 
in the track 128 defined at the juncture of sections 124 and 126 of the 
spherical portion and includes an edge 162 which slides across the track 
surface 164. Rotation of the cap member 140 is terminated upon movement of 
the projection 160 into contact with either stop 130 or 132. 
In order to facilitate gripping the cap member 140 during rotation, the 
external surface 170 of the wall 142 is provided with a plurality of 
grooves 172 of predetermined length which serve to assist in preventing 
slippage of the operator's fingers. 
As necessary or desired the base member 120 may be adapted for mounting on 
a collapsible tube having an externally threaded neck such as shown in 
FIG. 9. To this end, the base member neck 104 can include a bore 108 which 
is of increased diameter and internally threaded at its end portion 108 
for receiving the neck 90 therein. Alternatively, the neck 104 can be 
removed and the bore within the spherical member provided with an 
increased diameter and internally threaded section for receiving the tube 
neck (See FIG. 9 for example). 
From the foregoing detailed description it will be recognized that a 
closure is provided for selectively dispensing and sealing the contents of 
a collapsible tube which incorporates certain advantages over the prior 
art. The illustrated closure includes components which can be readily 
assembled by hand and are adapted for being mounted on a conventional 
collapsible tube which may or may not be provided with a neck. Moreover, 
the cap member serves to selectively seal the contents of the tube and 
assists in preventing waste which may otherwise be occasioned by trapping 
the tube contents at a location which may be exposed to air. Further, the 
closures may be operated by the operator's hand which grips the tube, 
leaving his other hand free. 
It will be understood that although a preferred embodiment of the present 
invention has been illustrated and described, various modifications 
thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and accordingly 
the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and 
equivalents thereof.