TUBE FOR A FLOWABLE MATERIAL SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLAVOR LOSS

Abstract: A tube for a flowable material comprising, an elon­ gated collapsible inner body portion (12) comprising a laminate, and defining a chamber (26) to receive the material (28) with the body portion having an outer end. The tube has a top portion (14) of a material which is resistant to causation of flavor loss in the material. The top portion comprises a tapered shoulder (32), and a hollow neck (34) communicating with the chamber, with the top portion having an annular body portion extending inwardly from the shoulder and having an inner end. The inner end (38) of the top portion is secured to the outer end (30) of the body portion.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tube for a flowable material which is susceptible to flavor loss. The use of collapsible tubes for a flowable material, such as dental cream, is known. The tubes normally define a chamber, have a tapered shoulder, and have a neck extending from the shoulder. The tubes are normally constructed from a laminate, such as polyethylene, aluminum foil, paper, and polyethylene. Although the tubes operate satisfactorily in dispensing the material, it has been found that the material is subject to flavor loss in the region of the shoulder. The normal solution to this problem has been to use plastics in the tube with enhanced flavor barrier properties. However, these materials have been found to be excessively expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a tube for a flowable material susceptible to flavor loss. The tube of the present invention comprises, an elongated collapsible inner body portion comprising a laminate and defining a chamber to receive the material, with the body portion having an outer end. The tube has a top portion comprising a tapered shoulder, and a hollow neck communicating with the chamber. The top portion has an annular body portion extending inwardly from the shoulder and having an inner end. A feature of the present invention is that the top portion is constructed of a material which is resistant to causation of flavor loss in the material. Thus, a feature of the present invention is that the tube prevents flavor loss of the material which is dispensed from the tube. Another feature of the invention is the provision of means for securing the inner end of the top portion to the outer end of the body portion. Further features will become more fully apparent in the following description of the embodiments of this invention and from the appended claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a tube for a flowable material of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a tube generally designated 10 comprising an elongated collapsible inner body portion 12, and an outer top portion 14 which is secured to the body portion 12. The body portion 12 comprises a laminate 16, such as polyethylene 18, aluminum foil 20, paper 22, and polyethylene 24. The body portion 12 defines a chamber 26 to receive a flowable material 28, such as dental cream, which is susceptible to flavor loss. As shown, the body portion 12 has an outer end 30. The top portion 14 is constructed of a material which is resistant to causation of flavor loss in the material 28, such as aluminum. The top portion 14 has a tapered shoulder 32, and a hollow neck 34 for dispensing the material 28 through the neck 34 when the body portion 12 is squeezed or collapsed. The top portion 14 has an annular body portion 36 extending inwardly from the shoulder 32 and having an inner end 38 which is tapered. The tapered inner end 38 of the top portion 14 is received in the outer end 30 of the body portion 12, and the inner end 38 of the top portion 14 is secured to the outer end 30 of the body portion 12 by suitable means, such as crimping. As shown, the neck 34 of the top portion 14 has outer threads 40. The tube 10 has a cap 42 with inner threads 44 which cooperate with the threads 40 of the neck 34 in order to secure the cap 42 onto the neck 34 and close the neck 34. The cap, 42, may also be of the captive or flip-top variety. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the tube 10 has a top portion 14 constructed of a material which is resistant to causation of flavor loss of the material 28 to prevent dispensing of material 28 through the neck 34 with flavor loss. At the same time, the top portion 14 has the appearance of the laminate 16 for a pleasing appearance of the tube 10.

Claims: A tube for flowable material susceptible to flavor loss, comprising: an elongated collapsible inner body portion (12) comprising a laminate (16) and defining a chamber to receive the material, said body portion having an outer end; and an outer top portion (19) of a material which is resistant to causation of flavor loss in the material, said top portion comprising a tapered shoulder (32) and a hollow neck (34) communicating with the chamber, said top portion having an annular body portion (36) extending inwardly from the shoulder and having an inner end (38); and means for securing the inner end of the top portion to the outer end of the body portion. The tube of claim 1 wherein the laminate (16) of the body portion comprises polyethylene, aluminum foil, paper, and polyethylene. The tube of claim 1 wherein the top portion (14) comprises aluminum. The tube of claim 1 wherein the outer surfaces of the neck has threads (40), and including a cap (42) having inner threads to secure the cap onto the neck by the threads to close the neck. The tube of claim 1 wherein the inner end of the top portion (14) is tapered, with the taper being received inside the laminate of the outer end of the inner body portion. The tube of claim 5 wherein the securing means comprises crimping of the outer end of the inner body portion and the inner end of the top portion. The tube of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the neck is suitable for the fitment of a captive of flip-top cap.

Inventors: HAYES, HARRY, NIMMEY, ALAN
Applicants: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65D35
IPC codes: B65D35