Abstract:
A collapsible tube container with a fastening structure located at the sealed end of the tube. The two arms of the fastening structure wrap around the wound portion of the tube and then fasten or lock together. As the contents of a tube are progressively utilized, the fastening structure works to secure the wound portion of the tube in place in order to prevent it from unwinding. By preventing the tube from unwinding, the fastening structure simplifies the extraction of the contents from the collapsible tube container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 1,894,152, issued Jan. 10, 1933, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE DISPENSING MEANS, by C. BOLZ et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0002]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 1,941,631, issued Jan. 2, 1934, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Jack J. Kaufman et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0003]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 1,945,932, issued Feb. 6, 1934, for HAIR CURLER OR WAVER, by Wendell J. Caley et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0004]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 1,983,462, issued Dec. 4, 1934, for EJECTOR FOR THE CONTENTS OF, by Stanley G. Johnson et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0005]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,713, issued Mar. 31, 1936, for DISPENSING DEVICE, by Fred J. Mcmackin et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0006]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,054,990, issued Sep. 22, 1936, for PASTE TUBE KEY, by George H. Adamson et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0007]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,133,754, issued Oct. 18, 1938, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE COMPRESSOR, by Harry Oscar et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0008]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,415,914, issued Feb. 18, 1947, for HAIR CURLER, by William Silverman et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0009]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,430,046, issued Nov. 4, 1947, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Camille Dreyfus et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0010]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,060, issued Nov. 21, 1950, for ADAPTER FOB COLLAPSIBLE TUBE WIND, by Albert A. F. Krueger et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0011]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,614,729, issued Oct. 21, 1952, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE ROLLER, by Albert H. Jung et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0012]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,031, issued Jul. 10, 1956, for COILING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBE, by G. OSTROV et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0013]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,647, issued Dec. 2, 1958, for LOCKING CURLER FOR RESILIENT TUBES, by William C. F. Dietz et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0014]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,162, issued Sep. 8, 1959, for WINDING KEY FOR COLLAPSIBLE WALL TYPE CONTAINERS, by John E. Regan et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0015]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. D206857, issued Feb. 7, 1967, for TOOTH PASTE TUBE SQUEEZER, by Gerald Dalton et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0016]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,696, issued Dec. 21, 1971, for DISPENSER FOR FLEXIBLE WALL TUBE CONTAINERS, by Collingswood Road et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0017]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,670, issued Mar. 31, 1987, for TWO-PIECE WINDING KEY FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES, by James D. Kendrick, included by reference herein. 
         [0018]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,293, issued May 12, 1987, for TUBE WINDER, by William L. Sheppard, included by reference herein. 
         [0019]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,800, issued Mar. 29, 1988, for TUBE AND A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING OF THE TUBE, by Carl-Axel Bjorkengren et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0020]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,082, issued Oct. 18, 1988, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE SQUEEZING DEVICE, by Roy S. Vitelle, included by reference herein. 
         [0021]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,782, issued Feb. 28, 1989, for CONTENTS-SAVER PLASTIC DISPENSING TUBE, by Wesley C. Meinerding et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0022]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,879, issued May 14, 1991, for LOCKABLE TUBE ROLLER, by Robert Hill, included by reference herein. 
         [0023]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,144, issued Jan. 21, 1992, for RETAINER CLIP FOR FLEXIBLE TUBE, by Clinton J. Sundstrom, included by reference herein. 
         [0024]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,008, issued Apr. 28, 1992, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE END TIE, by Francis E. Ryder, included by reference herein. 
         [0025]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,567, issued Jul. 21, 1992, for COMPRESSOR FOR EXPRESSING THE CONTENTS OF TUBES, by Robert E. Lipsey, included by reference herein. 
         [0026]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,348, issued Dec. 1, 1992, for TUBE SQUEEZER, by Alvin S. Okami, Denny W. Kwock, included by reference herein. 
         [0027]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,301, issued Jan. 12, 1993, for LOCKING TUBE SQUEEZER, by Leo F. McGanty, included by reference herein. 
         [0028]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,193, issued Jun. 21, 1994, for TUBE DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING THE CONTENTS OF A COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Howard F. Sunderland, included by reference herein. 
         [0029]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,968, issued Dec. 20, 1994, for HOLDER FOR A WOUND COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Monte G. Nelson, included by reference herein. 
         [0030]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,929, issued Jan. 17, 1995, for LEVERAGED TUBE-WINDER WITH PASSIVE UNWINDING RESTRAINT, by Robert B. Salz, included by reference herein. 
         [0031]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,839, issued Aug. 22, 1995, for CONTROL CLIP FOR USE WITH A TOOTHPASTE TUBE, by George C. Miller, included by reference herein. 
         [0032]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,897, issued Nov. 21, 1995, for RESILIENT COLLAPSIBLE TUBE WITH DEVICE FOR PREVENTING TUBE UNROLLING, by David E. Williams, included by reference herein. 
         [0033]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,118, issued Dec. 5, 1995, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE WINDER AND LOCK DEVICE, by Monte G. Nelson, included by reference herein. 
         [0034]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,956, issued Dec. 3, 1996, for TUBE TAB AND METHOD OF USE, by Milton A. Seale, included by reference herein. 
         [0035]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,270, issued Sep. 8, 1998, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE AND ITS HEAD, by Syukiti Kawamura et al, included by reference herein. 
         [0036]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,811, issued Mar. 23, 1999, for COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBE WITH INTERLOCKING INTERNAL MEMBERS, by Mark R. Bunchman, included by reference herein. 
         [0037]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,458, issued Dec. 5, 2000, for CONTENTS EXPELLER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Jacques Picard, included by reference herein. 
         [0038]    The present application is related to United States patent number US20010040172, issued May 15, 2001, for TOOTHPASTE TUBE ROLL-UP RETAINER, by Frank G. Pirrallo, included by reference herein. 
         [0039]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,560, issued Dec. 25, 2001, for COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBE, by Max Rosenberg, included by reference herein. 
         [0040]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,675, issued May 28, 2002, for METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RETAINING PARTIALLY ROLLED-UP COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS, by Hubert J. Gaetke, included by reference herein. 
         [0041]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,115, issued Jul. 16, 2002, for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE EMPTYING OF TUBE DISPENSERS, by William D. Logan, Jr, included by reference herein. 
         [0042]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,385, issued May 13, 2003, for TOOTHPASTE TUBE FOLD-HOLDER, by Harry O. Jacobs, included by reference herein. 
         [0043]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,057, issued Feb. 3, 2004, for CLIP FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE, by Earl B. Sullivan, included by reference herein. 
         [0044]    The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,087, issued Jun. 15, 2004, for TUBE CLIP FOR A COILED TOOTHPASTE TUBE, by Donald F. Robinson, included by reference herein. 
         [0045]    The present application is related to United States patent number 20090095769, issued Apr. 16, 2009, for COLLAPSIBLE TUBE WITH ROLL-UP FASTENER STRUCTURE, by Roei Avraham, included by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    The present invention relates to collapsible tube containers. More particularly, to a collapsible tube container with its own fastening structure which secures the rolled up or wound portion of the collapsible tube container and prevents the tube from unwinding. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    Collapsible tube containers are in inexpensive means for companies to distribute their products. These products include toothpaste, beauty products, gels, medical supplies, etc. Unfortunately, their usability is less than optimal. As the contents are utilized, it requires the collapsible tube to be rolled up or wound as a means to effectively withdraw all of the contents contained within the collapsible tube container. 
         [0048]    As a result, there has been a need to secure the wound portion of the collapsible tube container (like toothpaste) ever since collapsible tube containers were invented. 
         [0049]    The prior art relates to external devices and clips for collapsible tube containers which have been utilized to prevent the wound portion of the collapsible tube from unwinding. 
         [0050]    External devices and clips for collapsible tubes are simply not cost effective for the manufacturer to include with each tube purchase. 
         [0051]    What is needed is a fastening structure which is incorporated into the collapsible tube container. A fastening structure that can easily prevent the collapsible tube from unwinding and that is cost effective to both the manufacturer and end user. 
         [0052]    It is therefore an object of the invention to prevent the wound portion of the collapsible tube container from unwinding by securing the wound portion of the tube with a fastening structure located at the bottom or sealed end of the tube container. 
         [0053]    It is another object of the invention to provide a fastening structure that is cost effective to manufacture as the fastening structure can be affordably incorporated into the manufacturing process of existing collapsible tube containers of all sizes. 
         [0054]    It is another object of the invention to offer a new and improved collapsible tube container which features the fastening structure. 
         [0055]    It is another object of the invention to provide a collapsible tube fastening structure that is simple to use by the end user. 
         [0056]    It is another object of the invention to provide a collapsible tube fastening structure that is convenient to use by the end user. 
         [0057]    It is another object of the invention to provide a collapsible tube container and fastening structure to maximize the use of a tube container by allowing the end user to effectively and efficiently excrete the contents contained within it. 
         [0058]    It is another object of the invention to provide a fastening structure or mechanism that is not limited by the size or width of the tube. 
         [0059]    Other objects and advantages for this invention will become more apparent by examining the drawings and additional descriptions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0060]    In accordance with the present invention, the collapsible tube with fastening structure provides an improved method for effectively and efficiently dispensing and maximizing the use of the contents contained within the collapsible tube container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0061]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0062]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the present invention. 
           [0063]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the fastening structure. 
           [0064]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container and the arms of the fastening structure are in the unlocked or open position. 
           [0065]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the locking mechanism used on the fastening structure portion of the collapsible tube container. 
           [0066]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the locking mechanism of the fastening structure. 
           [0067]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the dispensing end of a collapsible tube container with the cap removed from the dispenser. 
           [0068]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container and just prior to the two fastening arms of the fastening structure being placed in the locked position. 
           [0069]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container in which the two fastening arms of the fastening structure have been fully engaged and are in the locked position. 
           [0070]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container with an alternative locking mechanism in the unlocked or open position. 
           [0071]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism for the fastening structure of the collapsible tube container. 
           [0072]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container and just prior to the two fastening arms being secured and placed into the locked position. 
           [0073]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a partially wound collapsible tube container with the two fastening arms of the fastening structure fully engaged and in the locked position. 
           [0074]      FIG. 9  shows 1934 prior art, (U.S. Pat. No. 1,945,932) Hair Curler or Waver. 
           [0075]      FIG. 10  shows 1989 prior art, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,782) Resilient strip attached to bottom of tube. 
           [0076]      FIG. 11  shows 1994 prior art, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,968) Holder shown on a rolled-up tube. 
           [0077]      FIG. 12  shows 2001 prior art, (U.S. Pub. No. 2001/0040172) Roll-up retainer device attached to tube. 
           [0078]      FIG. 13  shows 2002 prior art, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,115) Tube inserted into slot of device. 
           [0079]      FIG. 14  shows 2004 prior art, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,057) Retainer attached to unrolled end of tube. 
       
    
    
       [0080]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0081]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional, collapsible tube container  4  with a dispensing end  3  and a sealed end  24 . The dispensing end  3  is closed by using a removable tube cap  2  which attaches to the dispenser  5 . The collapsible tube container  4  incorporates two fastening arms  6 , 8  at the sealed end  24  of the collapsible tube container  4 . The preferred locking elements  10 , 12 , 14  are located on the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  which are not engaged and in the unlocked or open position. The fastening structure  26  can be locked when the collapsible tube container  4  is either wound  22  or not wound. 
         [0082]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the fastening structure  26  located at the sealed end  24  of the collapsible tube container  4 . The fastening structure  26  is in the unlocked or open position. The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are flexible, like the collapsible tube container  4 . The two fastening arms  6 , 8  are designed to bend to either side of the collapsible tube container  4  in order to lock the two fastening arms  6 , 8  together. One fastening arm  6  has prong ends  10 , 12  located on each side of the end of the fastening arm  6 . Having the two prong ends  10 , 12  on each side of the fastening arm  6  enables the user to lock the two fastening arms  6 , 8  together on either side of the collapsible tube container  4 . The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are locked together by inserting either prong end  10  or  12  of fastening arm  6  into the recessed end  14  of the opposite fastening arm  8 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 2  illustrates a collapsible tube container  4  in which some of the contents have been excreted from the collapsible tube container  4 . This enables the user to roll up the collapsible tube container  4  and put it in the wound  22  position. The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the collapsible tube container  4  are in the open or unlocked position. Since the two fastening arms  6 , 8  are located at the sealed end  24  of the collapsible tube container  4 , they remain at the bottom of the collapsible tube container  4  each time the collapsible tube container  4  is wound  22 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the prong ends  10 , 12  and recessed end  14  which are embodiments of the locking mechanism  28  located on the two fastenings arms  6 , 8 . The prong ends  10 , 12  are located at the end and on each side of the fastening arm  6 . The prong ends  10 , 12  are identical in size and shape and are one embodiment of the locking mechanism  28  used to lock the two fastening arms  6 , 8  together. Another embodiment of the locking mechanism  28  is the recessed end  14  located at the end of the other fastening arm  8  and is the receiving end for either prong end  10  or  12 . The recessed end  14  located on fastening arm  8  is slightly smaller in design than the two identical prong ends  10 , 12  and is designed to receive the prong ends  10  or  12  located on fastening arm  6 . In order to secure larger collapsible tube containers  4 , addition prong ends  10 , 12  and recessed ends  14  may simply be added to the two fastening arms  6 , 8 , as needed. 
         [0085]      FIG. 2B  shows the embodiments of the locking mechanism  28 . The prong ends  10 , 12  and recessed end  14  are located on the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26 . In order to lock the two fastening arms  6 , 8  together, either prong  10  or  12  is to be inserted into the recessed end  14  of the opposite fastening arm  8 .  FIG. 2B  demonstrates how prong end  10  will be inserted into the recessed end  14  located on the opposite fastening arm  8 . The recessed end  14  is designed to be slightly smaller in diameter than the two identical prongs  10 , 12  located on fastening arm  6 . The prongs  10  and  12  will alternate in use each time the collapsible tube container  4  is folded or wound  22  one time by being inserted into the recessed end  14  of fastening arm  8  in order to lock the two fastening arms  6  and  8  together and prevent the collapsible tube container  4  from unwinding. The recessed end  14  on fastening arm  8  is designed so prongs  10  and  12  can be inserted into the recessed end  14  on either side of the fastening arm  8 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 3  shows the top of the collapsible tube container  4 , a dispensing end  3 , a dispenser  5  located on the dispensing end  3 , and the tube cap  2  which is removed from the dispenser  5 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partially wound  22  collapsible tube container  4 . The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are in the process of being locked together. The recessed end  14  located on the fastening arm  8  is being lowered onto prong end  10  of the opposite fastening arm  6 . Prong ends  10  and  12  of fastening structure  6  will alternate in use each time the tube is wound  22  one time. As a result, the next time the collapsible tube container  4  is folded or wound  22 , the recessed end  14  on the fastening structure  8  would be rotated to the opposite side of the collapsible container  4  and placed onto prong end  12  of fastening arm  6 . The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are flexible, just like the collapsible tube container  4 , and easily bend to each side of the collapsible container  4 . The two fastening arms  6  and  8  of the fastening structure  26  can be locked when the collapsible tube  4  is full of fluid material or when the collapsible tube container  4  has been partially utilized and is in the wound  22  position. 
         [0088]      FIG. 5  illustrates the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  in the locked position. The locking mechanism  28  of the fastening structure  26  is in the locked position in order to prevent the wound  22  portion of the collapsible tube container  4  from unwinding. The recessed end  14  located on fastening arm  8  can be easily disengaged or unlocked by gently pulling upward on the pull tab end  16  located at the very end of the fastening arm  8 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment for an alternative locking mechanism  28  which can also be utilized on the fastening structure  26 . Numerous forms and designs of locking mechanisms  28  may be utilized to secure the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  together. Like  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 6  shows a collapsible tube container  4  in which some of the contents have been utilized. The collapsible tube container  4  has been partially wound  22  and the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are in the open or unlocked position. 
         [0090]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism  28  located on the two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  in which the arrow end  20  of the fastening arm  6  would be inserted into the elongated hole  18  of the opposite fastening arm  8 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partially wound  22  collapsible tube container  4 . The two fastening arms  6 , 8  of the fastening structure  26  are in the process of being locked together. The arrow end  20  of the fastening arm  6  has been twisted 90 degrees (in either direction) in order to insert the arrow end  20  into the elongate hole  18  that is located on the opposite fastening arm  8 . Once inserted into the elongated hole  18 , the fastening arm  6  is to be rotated in reverse, by the same 90 degrees used previously, and fastening arm  6  will then sit flat on top of fastening arm  8  and the collapsible tube container  4 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism  28  in the locked position. After properly entering the elongated hole  18  in  FIG. 7 , the fastening arm  6  is twisted back 90 degrees and both fastening arms  6 , 8  sit flush on each other as shown. To unlock the two fastening arms  6  and  8  from each other, simply reverse the locking process by turning fastening arm  6  90 degrees, in either direction, and pull the arrow head end  20  out of the elongated hole  18  located on fastening arm  8 . 
         [0093]    The specific descriptions should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention but to demonstrate the preferred embodiments. It should be understood that elements may be altered by individuals skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as many other variations and modifications are feasible. 
         [0094]    Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalent and not by the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0095]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0096]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.