Patent Abstract:
A container with push-pull opening means comprising an axially extendable and compressible elongated housing enclosing a fluid therein and with an enclosed opening means therein sealing the fluid in the elongated housing. The enclosed opening means is operated by stretching or compressing the elongated housing to open and close the enclosed opening means and comprises of a hollow tube with an applicator tip affixed to one end and an operable plug at the other end sealing one or more fluid flow path from the fluid within the elongated housing to the applicator tip.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a sealed container with an opening means enclosed within the container for releasing a fluid enclosed within the container.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A variety of opening means exists for opening a container. Most opening means are in the form of a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. Some opening means are in the form of a frangible seal or a score line on the container that will allow the contents of the container to be released upon fracturing of the frangible seal or the container at the score line. All of these opening means are either attached to the container externally, such as the screw-on cap and the snap-on cap, or are formed as part of the container, such as the frangible seal and the score line on the container. None of the opening means are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and yet still allow the release of the liquids easily and reliably. The availability of an effective and easy to use opening means is particularly lacking for a small elongated container with a small cross-sectional area.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A container with push-pull opening means comprising an axially extendable and compressible elongated housing enclosing a fluid therein and with an enclosed opening means therein sealing the fluid in the elongated housing. The enclosed opening means is operated by stretching or compressing the elongated housing to open and close the enclosed opening means. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosed opening means comprises of a hollow tube with an applicator tip affixed to one end and an operable plug at the other end sealing one or more fluid flow path from the fluid within the elongated housing to the applicator tip. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means in the closed position.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  shows the preferred embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means in the open position after the elongated housing is stretched axially.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  shows the preferred embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means in the open position after the elongated housing is compressed axially.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0023]      FIG. 18  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0024]      FIG. 19  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0025]      FIG. 20  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0026]      FIG. 21  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0027]      FIG. 22  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0028]      FIG. 23  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0029]      FIG. 24  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0030]      FIG. 25  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0031]      FIG. 26  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0032]      FIG. 27  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0033]      FIG. 28  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0034]      FIG. 29  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0035]      FIG. 30  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0036]      FIG. 31  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0037]      FIG. 32  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0038]      FIG. 33  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0039]      FIG. 34  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0040]      FIG. 35  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0041]      FIG. 36  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0042]      FIG. 37  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means.  
         [0043]      FIG. 38  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0044]     The following description and figures are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  4  show the current preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the container with push-pull opening means comprises of an elongated tubular housing  1  with a bellow section  2  between its two ends that can be stretched and compressed by pulling or pushing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . A fluid  3  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . One end of the elongated tubular housing is sealed and a hollow tube  4  with a sealed end and an open end is affixed at the other end of the elongated tubular housing  1  with the sealed end inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . An applicator tip  5  such as a cotton swab or a foam material may be affixed to the open end of the hollow tube  4 . An opening  6  such as a hole is formed on the cylindrical surface near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4 . A sealing plug  7  in the form similar to an o-ring is disposed around the hollow tube  4  sealing the opening  6 . The bellow section  2  is positioned between the sealing plug  7  and the open end of the hollow tube  4 . In one embodiment, the sealing plug  7  may be slidable inside the elongated tubular housing  1  along the length of the hollow tube  4 , opening and closing the opening  6  on the hollow tube  4 , by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the sealing plug  7  thereby affix the position of the sealing plug  7  relative to the elongated tubular housing  1  and pulling or pushing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . In another embodiment, the sealing plug  7  may be affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  and slidable along the hollow tube  4  when the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched or compressed.  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  4  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  7  thereby exposing the opening  6  near its sealed end. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the resulting opening in the sealing plug  7 , into the opening  6  in the hollow tube  4 , and out through the hollow tube  4  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 . The opening means may also be operated by compressing the bellow section  2  as shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  will be urged towards the fluid  3  and the opening  6  near the sealed end will be exposed. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the opening  6  near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  and through the hollow tube  4  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows a variation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the opening  6  in the hollow tube  4  is positioned away from the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  wherein the opening  6  is position away from the sealing plug  7  and opposite of the fluid  3  in the elongated tubular housing  1 . In this embodiment, when the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  4  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  7  thereby exposing the opening  6  to the fluid  3 . The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the resulting opening in the sealing plug  7 , into the opening  6  in the hollow tube  4 , and out through the hollow tube  4  into the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0048]     In another embodiment, the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  has an enlarged section  8  that is greater than the opening in the sealing plug  7  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this configuration, when the elongated tubular housing  1  is compressed, the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  will be urged towards the fluid  3  and the opening  6  near the sealed end will be exposed. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the opening  6  near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  and through the hollow tube  4  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched back to its initial position, the enlarged section  8  at the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  will stop the travel of the hollow tube  4  at a position that enable the sealing plug  7  to positively re-seal the opening  6  on the hollow tube  4  thereby allow repeated opening and closing of the container.  
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  9  is in the form of a cup or a short section of a tube with a sealed end and an open end. The sealing plug  9  is removably affixed to the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  sealing the opening  6  near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4 . In one embodiment, the sealing plug  9  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  9  is removed by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the sealing plug  9  thereby affix the position of the sealing plug  9  relative to the elongated tubular housing  1  and pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . In another embodiment, the sealing plug  9  may be affixed to the wall of the elongated tubular housing  1  and provided with fluid flow path from one side of the sealing plug  9  to the other side such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  4  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  9  thereby exposing the opening  6  near its sealed end. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the opening  6  in the hollow tube  4  and out through the hollow tube  4  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0050]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  may also be provided with a snap-open safety feature wherein the sealing plug  9  is provided with a fracture line on the wall of the sealing plug  9  positioned above the opening  6  near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4  when the sealing plug  9  is placed over the sealed end of the hollow tube  4 . The open end of the sealing plug  9  is affixed to the hollow tube  4  above the fracture line. In this configuration, the sealing plug  9  cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  4  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line on the sealing plug  9  to separate the sealing plug  9  at the fracture line into two portions, a top portion that is affixed to the hollow tube  4  and a bottom portion that seals the opening  6  near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4 . The bottom portion may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  4  to expose the opening  6  near the sealed end and allow the fluid  3  to be released through the opening  6 .  
         [0051]     Another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the container with push-pull opening means comprises of an elongated tubular housing  1  with a bellow section  2  between its two ends that can be stretched and compressed by pulling or pushing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . A fluid  3  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . One end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is sealed and a hollow tube  10  is affixed at the other end of the elongated tubular housing  1  with an applicator tip  5  such as a cotton swab or a foam material affixed to the end of the hollow tube  10  outside of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  9  is in the form of a cup or a short section of a tube with a sealed end and an open end. The sealing plug  9  is removably affixed to the end of the hollow tube  10  enclosed in the elongated tubular housing  1  thereby sealing the open end. In one embodiment, the sealing plug  9  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  9  is removed by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the sealing plug  9  thereby affix the position of the sealing plug  9  relative to the elongated tubular housing  1  and then pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . In another embodiment, the sealing plug  12  may be affixed to the wall of the elongated tubular housing  1  and provided with fluid flow path from one side of the sealing plug  12  to the other side such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  10  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  12  thereby exposing its open end. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the open end of the hollow tube  10  and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0052]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  may also be provided with a snap-open safety feature wherein the sealing plug  9  is provided with a fracture line  11  on the wall of the sealing plug  9  positioned above the open end of the hollow tube  10  when the sealing plug  9  is placed over the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The open end of the sealing plug  9  is affixed to the hollow tube  10  above the fracture line  11 . In this configuration, the sealing plug  9  cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line  11  on the sealing plug  9  to separate the sealing plug  9  at the fracture line  11  into two portions, a top portion that is affixed to the hollow tube  10  and a bottom portion that seals the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The bottom portion may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  to expose the open end and allow the fluid  3  to be released through the open end of the hollow tube  10 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the container with push-pull opening means comprises of an elongated tubular housing  1  with a bellow section  2  between its two ends that can be stretched and compressed by pulling or pushing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . A fluid  3  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . One end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is sealed and a hollow tube  10  is affixed at the other end of the elongated tubular housing  1  with an applicator tip  5  such as a cotton swab or a foam material affixed to the end of the hollow tube  10  outside of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  13  is in the form of a cup or a short section of a tube with a sealed end and an open end. An opening  14  is provided on the wall of the sealing plug  13  near the sealed end. The sealing plug  13  is removably affixed to the end of the hollow tube  10  sealing the open end of the hollow tube  10 . In one embodiment, the sealing plug  13  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  13  is urged to slide away from the open end of the hollow tube  10  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the sealing plug  13  thereby affix the position of the sealing plug  13  relative to the elongated tubular housing  1  and pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . When the opening  14  in the wall of the sealing plug  13  slides past the end of the hollow tube  10 , a fluid flow path is exposed and the fluid  3  within the elongated tubular housing  1  may be released. The sealing plug  13  may remain at the end of the hollow tube  10  without obstructing the fluid flow path.  
         [0054]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  may also be provided with a snap-open safety feature wherein the hollow tube  10  is provided with a fracture line on the wall of the hollow tube  10  positioned above the open end of the hollow tube  10  with the end of the hollow tube  10  affixed to the sealing plug  13 . In this configuration, the sealing plug  13  cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line on the hollow tube  10  to separate the end of the hollow tube  10  that is affixed to the sealing plug  13  from the remainder of the hollow tube  10 . The sealing plug  13  may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  to expose a fluid flow path through the opening  14  in the sealing plug  13  through the fractured open end of the hollow tube  10  and allow the fluid  3  to be released.  
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the container with push-pull opening means comprises of an elongated tubular housing  1  with a bellow section  2  between its two ends that can be stretched and compressed by pulling or pushing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . A fluid  3  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . One end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is sealed and a hollow tube  10  is affixed at the other end of the elongated tubular housing  1  with an applicator tip  5  such as a cotton swab or a foam material affixed to the end of the hollow tube  10  outside of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  9  is in the form of a cup or a short section of a tube with a sealed end and an open end. The sealing plug  9  is removably affixed to the open end of the hollow tube  10  sealing the end of the hollow tube  10 . The sealing plug  9  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . A restriction  15  is affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  above the sealing plug  9  wherein the sealing plug  9  is removed by simply pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . The sealing plug  9  will be pulled away from the open end of the hollow tube  10  due to the resistance of the restriction  15  affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  thereby exposing the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the open end of the hollow tube  10  and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  16  is provided with a protrusion  17  with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . The protrusion  17  on the sealing plug  16  is inserted into the open end of the hollow tube  10  thereby sealing the end of the hollow tube  10 . When the sealing plug  16  is removed from the end of the hollow tube  10  by pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  as disclosed herein, a fluid flow path is exposed through the open end of the hollow tube  10 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, the body of the sealing plug  18  is affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  and provided with fluid flow path  19  from one side of the sealing plug  18  to the other side. When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  10  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  18  thereby exposing its open end. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the open end of the hollow tube  10  and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  20  is in the form of a cup or a short section of a tube with a sealed end and an open end wherein the open end has approximately the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . An opening  21  is provided on the wall of the sealing plug  20  that is obstructed by the hollow tube  10  when the sealing plug  20  is placed over the end of the hollow tube  10 . In the center of the sealing plug  20  is a protrusion  22  with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10  and is shorter than the wall of the sealing plug  20 . When the sealing plug  20  is pulled away from the hollow tube  10 , the opening  21  in the wall of the sealing plug  20  and the open end of the hollow tube  10  will form a fluid flow path for the fluid  3  in the elongated tubular housing  1  to be released. The sealing plug  20  may remain at the end of the hollow tube  10  without obstructing the fluid flow path.  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  16  is provided with a protrusion  17  with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . The protrusion  17  on the sealing plug  16  is inserted into the open end of the hollow tube  10  thereby sealing the end of the hollow tube  10 . The body of the sealing plug  16  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . A restriction  23  is affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  above the sealing plug  16  wherein the sealing plug  16  is removed by simply pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . The sealing plug  16  will be pulled away from the open end of the hollow tube  10  due to the resistance of the restriction  23  affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  thereby exposing the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the open end of the hollow tube  10  and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0060]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  may also be provided with a snap-open safety feature as shown in  FIG. 15  wherein the hollow tube  10  is provided with a fracture line  24  positioned at the protrusion of the sealing plug  18  when the protrusion is inserted into the hollow tube  10 . The open end of the hollow tube  10  is affixed to the body of the sealing plug  18  at a position below the fracture line  24 . In this configuration, the sealing plug  18  cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line  24  on the hollow tube  10  to separate the hollow tube  10  and the sealing plug  18  at the fracture line  24 . The sealing plug  18  may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  to expose the open end of the hollow tube  10  and to allow the fluid  3  to be released through the opening. In a variation of this embodiment, the body of the sealing plug  18  may affixed to the elongated tubular housing  1  and provided with fluid flow path  19  from one side of the sealing plug  18  to the other side.  
         [0061]     Another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In this embodiment, the sealing plug  25  has a hollow body with a sealed end and an open end. An opening  26  is disposed near the sealed end of the sealing plug  25 . The sealing plug  25  is inserted with its sealed end into the hollow tube  10 . The opening  26  near the sealed end of the sealing plug  25  may be inside the hollow tube  10  as shown in  FIG. 16  or outside of the hollow tube  10  as shown in  FIG. 17 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the hollow tube  10  will be pulled away from the sealing plug  25  thereby exposing its open end. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the opening  26  near the end of the sealing plug  25 , through the open end of the hollow tube  10 , and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0062]     Another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means is shown in  FIG. 18 . In this embodiment, the sealing plug  27  is disposed at a restriction  28  in the elongated tubular housing  1 . The restriction  28  has an opening approximately that of the outside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . The sealing plug  27  has approximately the same diameter as the outside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . The open end of the hollow tube  10  is inserted into one end of the restriction  28  in the elongated tubular housing  1  with the sealing plug  27  sealing the fluid flow path through the other end of the restriction  28 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is compressed, the hollow tube  10  will be urged against the sealing plug  27  and push the sealing plug  27  out of the restriction  28  in the elongated tubular housing  1  thereby exposing a fluid flow path through the restriction  28  and the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the restriction  28 , through the open end of the hollow tube  10 , and out through the hollow tube  10  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 19  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  27  is disposed within a cylinder  30  with a sealed end and an open end. The cylinder  30  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1 . Multiple openings  31  are formed in the cylindrical walls near the sealed end of the cylinder  30  positioned between the sealing plug  27  and the sealed end of the cylinder  30 . The open end of the cylinder  30  is affixed to and sealed with its outside surface against the elongated tubular housing  1  sealing the fluid  3  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The open end of the hollow tube  29  is formed at an angle such as by cutting the end of the open end at an angle. The open end with the angle is inserted into the cylinder  30  to just above the sealing plug  27 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is compressed, the open end of the hollow tube  29  with the angle will urge the sealing plug  27  past the openings  31  in the cylindrical walls thereby exposing a fluid flow path. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the openings  31  in the cylindrical walls through the open end of the hollow tube  29 , and out through the hollow tube  29  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 20  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, a tubular member  32  with one end affixed to and sealed by the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . The tubular member  32  extends to, overlaps, and seals against the open end of the hollow tube  10 . The inside diameter of the tubular member  32  at the overlap is approximately that of the outside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . A fluid  3  is sealed between the outside wall of the hollow member  32 /hollow tube  10  and the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the tubular member  32  and the hollow tube  10  will separate and the seal between them is broken. The fluid  3  will then be release through the resulting opening at the open end of the hollow tube  10 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 21  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, a tubular member  33  with one end affixed to the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . An opening  34  is provided on the wall of the tubular member  33  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The tubular member  33  extends to, overlaps, and seals against a sealed end of the hollow tube  4 . An opening  6  is provided in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  4  near the sealed end. The inside diameter of the tubular member  33  at the overlap is approximately that of the outside diameter of the hollow tube  4 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched, the tubular member  33  and the hollow tube  4  will separate and the seal between them will be broken. The fluid  3  will then be release through the opening  6  in the cylindrical wall near the sealed end of the hollow tube  4 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 22  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the opening means comprises a first elongated hollow tube  36  with two ends wherein one end has a smaller diameter than the remainder of the first elongated hollow tube  36 . A second elongated hollow tube  35  with two ends wherein one end has a larger diameter than the remainder of the second elongated hollow tube  35  and also larger than the diameter of the end of the first elongated hollow tube  36  with the smaller diameter slidably engaged to the first elongated hollow tube  36  on a common axis with the larger diameter of the second elongated hollow tube  35  disposed inside the smaller diameter end of the first elongated hollow tube  36 . The two elongated hollow tubes  35 ,  36  will form a seal at their interface as shown in  FIG. 22 . A fluid  3  is sealed between the outside walls of the two elongated hollow tubes  35 ,  36  and the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing  1 . In this configuration when the elongated tubular housing  1  is compressed the seal at the interface between the two elongated hollow tubes  35 ,  36  will be broken. The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the second elongated hollow tube  35  into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 23  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, a sealing plug  37  is affixed to the end of an elongated member  38 . The sealing plug  37  may also be formed as an integral part of the end of an elongated member  38 . The other end of the elongated member  38  is affixed to the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The sealing plug  37  is disposed at a restriction  39  inside the elongated tubular housing  1  thereby sealing the fluid  3  within the elongated tubular housing  1  near the sealed end. When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched at the bellow section  2 , the sealing plug  37  will be pulled away from the restriction  39  thereby opening a fluid flow path from the fluid  3  to the hollow tube  10  at the other end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . The fluid  3  enclosed within the elongated tubular housing  1  is then released through the hollow tube  10  and into the applicator tip  5  by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 24  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  40  is an elongated member with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . One end  41  of the elongated member is formed with a profile such that when that end of the elongated member is inserted into the hollow tube  10  it will not seal the fluid flow path from the fluid  3  through the hollow tube  10 . The non-sealing end  41  may have a square, triangular, or any other geometric profile other than a circle with approximately the same diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10 . The elongated member is inserted with the non-sealing end  41  and a short length of the sealing portion with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  10  inside the hollow tube  10 . A length of the elongated member extends outside of the hollow tube such that it may be grasped by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the elongated member that extends outside of the hollow tube  10  thereby affix the position of the elongated member relative to the elongated tubular housing  1  and pulling the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . When the elongated member is partially pulled out of the hollow tube  10  such that the non-sealing end is exposed to the fluid  3 , a fluid flow path is exposed to allow the fluid  3  to be release from the elongated tubular housing  1 . The non-sealing end will remain in the hollow tube  10  thereby retain the elongated member at the end of the hollow tube  10 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 25  shows another application of the embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 24 . The structure shown in  FIG. 24  is inverted and affixed within the elongated tubular housing  1  with the hollow tube  10  sealing against the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing  1  to seal the fluid  3  within the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated member is partially pulled out of the hollow tube  10  such that the non-sealing end is exposed outside of the hollow tube  10 , a fluid flow path is exposed to allow the fluid  3  to be release from the elongated tubular housing  1 . The non-sealing end  41  will remain in the hollow tube  10  thereby retain the elongated member at the end of the hollow tube  10 .  
         [0070]     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25  may also be provided with a snap-open safety feature wherein the hollow tube  10  is provided with a fracture line positioned at the sealing portion of the elongated member. The end of the hollow tube  10  with the protruding elongated member is affixed to the elongated member. In this configuration, the elongated member cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line on the hollow tube  10  to separate the hollow tube  10  and the elongated member at the fracture line. The elongated member may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  10  to expose a fluid flow path and to allow the fluid  3  to be released through the fluid flow path.  
         [0071]      FIG. 26  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the sealing plug  40  is an elongated member with a profile such that when the elongated member is inserted at a restriction  42  in the elongated tubular housing  1  it will not seal the fluid flow path from the fluid  3  through the restriction  42 . The profile may be a square, triangular, or any other geometric profile other than a circle with approximately the same diameter as the inside diameter of the restriction  42 . One end of the elongated member has a sealing profile with approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the restriction  42 . The elongated member is inserted with the end with the sealing profile and a short length of the elongated member inside the restriction  42 . A length of the elongated member extends outside of the restriction  42  such that it may be grasped by squeezing the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the elongated member that extends outside of the restriction  42  thereby affix the position of the elongated member relative to the elongated tubular housing  1 . The elongated member may be urged to move through the restriction  42  by compressing the elongated tubular housing  1  on either side of the bellow section  2 . When the end of the elongated member with the sealing profile is pushed out of the restriction  42 , a fluid flow path is exposed to allow the fluid  3  to be release from the elongated tubular housing  1 . The elongated member will be retained at the restriction  42 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 27  shows a variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 26 . In this embodiment, an opening  44  is provided on the cylindrical wall of a hollow tube  43  on the side of the end of the elongated member with the sealing profile opposite the fluid  3 . The hollow tube  43  has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing  1  and is sealed against the elongated tubular housing  1  at the end of the hollow tube  43  with the protruding elongated member. When the elongated tubular housing  1  is compressed, the end of the elongated member with the sealing profile will slide past the opening  44  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  43  and expose a fluid flow path from the fluid  3  through the side of the elongated member, through the opening  44  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  43 , through the space between the outside wall of the hollow tube  43  and the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing  1 , and out to the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 28  shows a variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 27 . In this embodiment, the end of the hollow tube  45  opposite the protruding elongated member is sealed thereby limiting the travel of the elongated member past the opening  46  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  45 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 29  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 28 . In this embodiment, the hollow tube  47  that is affixed at the end of the elongated tubular housing  1  has a sealed end positioned inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . An elongated member  40  as shown and described in reference to  FIGS. 24 through 28  is inserted with the end with the sealing profile into the hollow tube  47  and affixed to the sealed end of the hollow tube  47 . A snap-open safety feature in the form of a fracture line  48  is provided on the hollow tube  47  at the position of the end of the elongated member  40  with the sealing profile. The elongated member  40  cannot be pulled away from the hollow tube  47  by accident. The elongated tubular housing  1  must first be bent at the fracture line  48  on the hollow tube  47  to separate the hollow tube  47  and the elongated member  40  at the fracture line  48 . The elongated member  40  may then be pulled away from the hollow tube  47  to expose a fluid flow path and to allow the fluid  3  to be released through the fluid flow path.  
         [0075]      FIG. 30  shows another application of the embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 29 . The structure shown in  FIG. 29  is inverted and affixed within the elongated tubular housing  1  with the outside diameter of the open end of the hollow tube  49  sealing against the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing  1  to seal the fluid  3  within the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is bent at the fracture line  50 , the hollow tube  49  will be separated from the elongated member  40  and the elongated member  40  may then be partially pulled out of the hollow tube  49 . When the non-sealing end  41  of the elongated member  40  is exposed outside of the hollow tube  49 , a fluid flow path is exposed to allow the fluid  3  to be released from the elongated tubular housing  1 . The non-sealing end  41  will remain in the hollow tube  49  thereby retain the elongated member  40  at the end of the hollow tube  49 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 31  shows another variation of the embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 30 . In this embodiment, the elongated member  51  extends a substantial length out of the open end of the hollow tube  49 . After the elongated tubular housing  1  is bent at the fracture line  50  to separate the hollow tube  49  into two sections, the elongated tubular housing  1  may then be compressed at the bellow section  2 , pushing the non-sealing end  52  of the elongated member  51  into the hollow tube  49 . The sealing end of the elongated member  51  will urge the sealed end of the hollow tube  49  to separate from the remainder of the hollow tube  49  thereby exposing a fluid flow path around the elongated member  51 , through the hollow tube  49 , exit the hollow tube  49  at the fracture  50 , and into the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 32  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, a hollow tube  53  with a sealed end is affixed to the end of the elongated tubular housing  1  with the sealed end inside the elongated tubular housing  1 . A plug  54  with a shorter length than the hollow tube  53  is affixed to the sealed end of the hollow tube  53  inside the hollow tube  53 . An opening  55  is provided on the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  53  at a position along the length of the plug  54  inside the hollow tube  53 . A fracture line  56  is formed on the hollow tube  53  below the opening  55  at a position along the length of the plug  54  inside the hollow tube  53 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is bent near the fracture line  56  on the hollow tube  53 , the hollow tube  53  will be separated into two sections. The section with the plug  54  attached may then be pulled out of the remainder of the hollow tube  53  to open a fluid flow path through the opening  55  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  53  by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 33  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, the hollow tube  4  with a sealed end is inserted into the elongated tubular housing  1  with its sealed end inside the elongated tubular housing  1  extending into a restriction  57  in the elongated tubular housing  1 . An opening  6  is provided in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  4  near the sealed end positioned inside and sealed by the restriction  57 . The seal end of the hollow tube  4  is further provided with a protrusion  58  extending away from the sealed end with a profile such that when that protrusion  58  is inserted into the restriction  57  in the elongated tubular housing  1  it will not seal the fluid flow path from the fluid  3  through the restriction  57 . The protrusion  58  may have a square, triangular, or any other geometric profile other than a circle with approximately the same diameter as the inside diameter of the restriction  57 . In this embodiment, when the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched at the bellow section  2 , the hollow tube  4  will be pulled away from the restriction  57 . When the opening  6  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  4  is exposed outside of the restriction  57 , a fluid flow path will be opened. The fluid  3  may then be released through the opening between the protrusion  58  and the restriction  57 , out of the restriction  57 , into the opening  6  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  4 , and out of the hollow tube  4 .  
         [0079]     The restriction  57  in the elongated tubular housing  1  may be in the form of a sealing plug. The sealing plug may be affixed to the wall of the elongated tubular housing  1  and provided with fluid flow path from one side of the sealing plug to the other side such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . The hollow tube  4  shown in  FIG. 33  may also be sealed and affixed to the sealing plug at a location between the opening  6  in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  4  and the open end of the hollow tube  4  with the opening  6  disposed within the sealing plug. A fracture line is provided on the circumference of the sealing plug at a position between the opening  6  and where the hollow tube  4  is sealed and affixed to the sealing plug. With this embodiment, the sealing plug must first be separated into two sections at the fracture line by bending the elongated tubular housing  1  at the location of the fracture line before the hollow tube  4  maybe pulled out of the sealing plug by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 34  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, a first hollow tube  59  with a thru bore and an outside dimension at one end  60  that is smaller than the inside diameter of a second hollow tube  61  with a sealed end is inserted into and affixed with the smaller end  60  to the sealed end of the second hollow tube  61 . A fracture line  62  is provided around the circumference at the smaller end  60 . After the elongated tubular housing  1  is bent at the location of the fracture line  62 , the two hollow tubes  59 ,  61  may be pulled apart by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 . When the smaller end  60  of the first hollow tube  59  is revealed outside of the second hollow tube  61 , a fluid flow path is opened through the thru bore in the first hollow tube  59 .  
         [0081]     If the first hollow tube  59  is not affixed to the second hollow tube  61 , the first hollow tube  59  must have a sealing outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of the second hollow tube  61  such that when it is inserted into the second hollow tube  61 , it will seal the fluid flow path between the two hollow tubes  59 ,  61 . The two hollow tubes  59 ,  61  may be pulled apart by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 . When the smaller end  60  of the first hollow tube  59  is revealed outside of the second hollow tube  61 , a fluid flow path is opened through the thru bore in the first hollow tube  59 . In a variation of this embodiment, the first hollow tube  59  may be sealed against and affixed to the second hollow tube  61  near the open end of the second hollow tube  61  and provided with a fracture line on the second hollow tube  61  between the open end of the second hollow tube  61  and the smaller end  60  of the first hollow tube  59 . In this variation, after the two hollow tubes  59 ,  61  are separated at the fracture line, the sealed end of the second hollow tube  61  may be pulled away from the first hollow tube  59  to open a fluid flow path.  
         [0082]      FIG. 35  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, an elongated member  63  is inserted into a restriction  64  inside the elongated tubular housing  1  and extends toward the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . When one squeezes the elongated tubular housing  1  at the position of the elongated member  63  and grasps both the elongated tubular housing  1  and the elongated member  63 , the elongated member  63  may be pulled away from the restriction  64  in the elongated tubular housing  1  by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2  and open a fluid flow path through the restriction  64  in the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0083]      FIG. 36  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, two restrictions  64 ,  67  are provided inside the elongated tubular housing  1  with one on either side of the bellow section  2 . The restriction  67  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is provided with one or more fluid flow paths  68  through it such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . A hollow tube  65  with a sealed end is inserted with its open end towards the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  through both of the restrictions  64 ,  67  in the elongated tubular housing  1  and is affixed to the restriction  67  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . An opening  66  is formed in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  65  near the open end of the hollow tube  65  and positioned at the restriction  64  such that the restriction  64  will seal the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched at the bellow section  2 , the hollow tube  65  will be pulled away from the restriction  64  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  opening a fluid flow path. The fluid  3  may then be released through the open end of the hollow tube  65 , through the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65 , through the fluid flow path  68  through the restriction  67  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 , and into the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 37  shows a variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 36 . In this embodiment, the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65  is positioned between the two restrictions  64 ,  69  in the elongated tubular housing  1  and no fluid flow path is provided through the restriction  69  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched such that the sealed end of the hollow tube  65  passes the restriction  69  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 , a fluid flow path is opened to release the fluid  3 . The fluid  3  is released through the open end of the hollow tube  65 , out of the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65 , and out of the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 38  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, two restrictions  64 ,  67  are provided inside the elongated tubular housing  1  with one on either side of the bellow section  2 . The restriction  67  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is provided with one or more fluid flow paths  68  through it such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . A hollow tube  65  with a sealed end is inserted with its open end towards the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  through both of the restrictions  64 ,  67  in the elongated tubular housing  1 . An opening  66  is formed in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  65  and positioned between the restriction  64  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1  and the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . A plug  70  in the form of a short section of a tube with a sealed end is placed over the open end of the hollow tube  65  sealing the open end. The plug  70  is affixed to the restriction  67  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched at the bellow section  2 , the plug  70  will be pulled away from the hollow tube  65  thereby opening a fluid flow path. The fluid  3  may then be released through the open end of the hollow tube  65 , through the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65 , and into the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0086]     A variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 38  affixes the open end of the plug  70  to the outside wall of the hollow tube  65  with a fracture line  71  provided between where the plug  70  is affixed to the hollow tube  65  and the sealed end of the plug  70 . In this embodiment, when the fracture line  71  is broken open by bending the elongated tubular housing  1 , the plug  70  may be separated from the open end of the hollow tube  65  by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 . Without fracturing the fracture line  71 , the plug  70  cannot be removed.  
         [0087]      FIG. 39  shows another embodiment of the container with push-pull opening means. In this embodiment, two restrictions  64 ,  67  are provided inside the elongated tubular housing  1  with one on either side of the bellow section  2 . The restriction  67  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  is provided with one or more fluid flow paths  68  through it such as that shown in  FIG. 8 . A hollow tube  65  with a sealed end is inserted with its open end towards the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1  through both of the restrictions  64 ,  67  in the elongated tubular housing  1 . An opening  66  is formed in the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube  65  and positioned between the restriction  64  near the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1  and the open end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . A plug  72  in the form of a short section of a tube with a sealed end and a protrusion  73  inside the plug  72  at the sealed end is placed over the open end of the hollow tube  65  sealing the open end. The protrusion  73  has approximately the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the hollow tube  65  and ends with a section  74  that has a smaller profile than the inside diameter of the hollow tube  65 . The plug  72  is affixed to the restriction  67  near the sealed end of the elongated tubular housing  1 . When the elongated tubular housing  1  is stretched at the bellow section  2 , the plug  72  will be pulled away from the hollow tube  65  thereby opening a fluid flow path. The fluid  3  may then be released through the open end of the hollow tube  65 , through the opening  66  in the hollow tube  65 , and into the applicator tip  5 .  
         [0088]     A variation of the container with push-pull opening means shown in  FIG. 39  affixes the open end of the plug  72  to the outside wall of the hollow tube  65  with a fracture line  75  provided between where the plug  72  is affixed to the hollow tube  65  and the sealed end of the plug  72 . In this embodiment, when the fracture line  75  is broken open by bending the elongated tubular housing  1 , the plug  72  may be separated from the open end of the hollow tube  65  by stretching the elongated tubular housing  1  at the bellow section  2 . Without fracturing the fracture line  75 , the plug  72  cannot be removed.  
         [0089]     Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1