US3456650A - Blowback eliminator for collapsible tube - Google Patents

Description

y 1969 G. SCHWARTZMAN ,45 0

BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Nov. 29, 1986 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmmummmummlunmmluum.

- y 1969 G. SCHWARTZMAN BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Nov. 29, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-7 INVENTOR. 62866/ fi/mMe/z MAM #rroeMars United States Patent 3,456,650 BLOWBACK ELIMINATOR FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Nov. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 597,612 Int. Cl. A61m 7/00 US. Cl. 128-449 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A closure device for controlling the flow of fluid so arranged so that the harder the container is squeezed, the more fluid is permitted to flow through the valve. Means are provided for preventing feedback of air into the tube and include a valve member movable with respect to a transverse web, the valve member having a tapered solt opening into the upper surface thereof and extending into the stern of the valve member.

This invention relates to a closure for a fluid applicator and more particularly to a device for use in applying cosmetics or medications on the person of the user or for application of oils, lubricants, polishes, waxes, soaps, or the like, on any suitable surface.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of means facilitating the application of cosmetics or medications on the person of the user, and wherein the user can see from the shape of the tube how much has been used.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means controlling the flow of fluid through a captive closure device so that the harder the container is squeezed, the more fluid is permitted to flow through the valve utilized therein, and feedback of air into the tube is prevented thus preserving the contents against rancidity, spoilage, etc.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a dauber employing a novel valve structure in which a captive valve member having an applicator head provides a seal.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of means affording protection for the surface of the body of the user applying the applicator by providing a rather large area contact for the applicator head, yet providing better control for the flow of fluid from the applicator by employing a squeeze operated mechanical valve structure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device for facilitating the application of an eyewash or medication through an eyecup to the eye of the user while controlling the flow of fluid to the eye.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel closure having a measuring cylinder associated therewith.

The construction of this invention features a closure device for use with a squeeze container having a neck terminating in an open end. The invention includes a retainer ring disposed in the neck and having a transverse web provided with a bore therethrough. The web has at least one fluid delivery aperture therethrough and the web has a concave upper surface. A valve member including a stem and an applicator head is provided with the stem being resiliently engaged in the bore. The applicator head is provided with a flexible peripheral edge and is engageable with the web to overlie and close the aperture when in a closed position. The valve member is movable with respect to said web to permit fluid flow out of the aperture and between the web and the peripheral edge. It is the concept of the invention to employ noval arrangements of measuring cylinders and eye cups in the invention.

Still further objects and features of the invention reside in the provision of a novel captive closure for a squeeze container that is simple in construction, has only two parts, and may be formed out of various readily available materials.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this device, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the device illustrated with a measuring cylinder threadedly secured thereto, with the valve member in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the device with the valve in an open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the plane of line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the invention wherein a measuring cylinder is integrally formed with the container;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative form of the invention wherein a measuring cylinder is integrally formed with the retaining ring;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a further modification of the invention including an eye cup integral with the retaining ring; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a yet further form of the invention employing an eye cup integrally formed with the container.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a squeeze container such as a toothpaste tube, squeeze type bottle of resilient flexible synthetic plastic material, or the like. The container 10 is provided with a neck 12 having an open end 14. The neck is externally threaded at 16.

A retainer ring 18 has a cylindrical projecting portion 20 which seats in the neck 12 and is provided with a peripheral flange 22 which seats on the open end 14. Integrally formed with the retainer ring is a web 24 having a central bore 26 therethrough as well as a plurality of apertures 28 therethrough which are spaced about the bore 26.

The upper surface 30 of the web is concave and is recessed below the flange 22 forming a vertical shoulder 32.

A captive valve member 34 includes a stem 36 having a tapered conical end portion 38, the balance of the stem 36 being cylindrical. The valve member 34 includes an applicator head 40 having a convex upper surface 42 and a flat under surface 44 cooperating to form a relatively thin and flexible peripheral edge 46 which is resiliently engageable with shoulder 32 and surface 30 to form a seal. When the valve member is inserted through the bore 26 into the position shown in FIG. 2 and then pressed down tight against the concave surface 30, it will assume the arcuate shape shown in FIG. 2. A tapered V-shaped slot 48 is formed in the applicator head 40 and extends through the major depth of the stem.

In use, the valve member 34 is force fitted in the bore 26. Because of the slot 48, the valve member will be securely grasped by the web forming a depression at the web and an enlargement 37 making the cap become captive. The seal formed by the peripheral edge 46 and the shoulder 32 will prevent fluid flow to the outer surface of the applicator head 40. Application of pressure on the squeeze container in the direction of arrows P will raise the valve member and permit fluid flow in the direction of arrows F. The fluid flow will urge'the under surface 44 to assume the arcuate shape shown in FIG. 3. The suction resulting from the release of the tube will return the valve member 34 to a sealed position with its lower surface being drawn flush against the concave surface 30. The valve member 34 remains captive to the tube because of the tapering shape of the slot 48 causing the effective enlargement 37 of the lower end of stem 36. Air is prevented from entering the tube allowing the tube to remain in its squeezed condition, giving a visual indication of the contents thereof.

The curved convex outer surface 42 of the valve member 34 provides for a relatively large applicator surface when applying fluids.

As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent plastic measuring cylinder generally designated at 50 is provided with a contoured lower end 52 adapted to seat on container 10 and internal threads 54 threadedly secured over threads 16 with shoulder 56 engaging the open end 14 of the neck 12.

The measuring cylinder 50 is provided with indicia for marking the contents or amounts of material therein delivered upon squeezing container 10 through apertures 28.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, it will be noted that the squeeze container 110 has a measuring cylinder 150 integral therewith. The flange 122 of the retaining ring 118 seats on shoulder 114 of neck 112. The valve member 134 is similar to valve member 34.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a modified arrangement of parts wherein a squeeze container 210, similar to container 10, is provided with an externally threaded neck 212. The retaining ring 218 has a flange 222 integral therewith. Integrally formed with the flange 222 is a measuring cylinder which is internally threaded at 254 for threaded engagement on the neck 212. The valve member 234 is similar to valve member 34.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a modification of the invention for use in applying an eye wash or eye medication wherein a container 310 is provided with a threaded neck 312. The flange 322 integrally connects the retaining ring 318 with a cylindrical member 360 which terminates in an eye cup 362. The valve member 334 seats in the retainer ring 318.

The eye cup 462 is formed at the free open end of the container 410 which has retainer ring 418 seated therein. The flange 422 rests on shoulder 412 and the valve member 434 is fitted in the retainer ring 418.

I claim:

1. A closure device comprising a squeeze container having a neck terminating in an open end, a retainer ring having means for mounting said retainer ring in said neck, said retainer ring having a transverse Web provided with a bore therethrough, said web having at least one fluid delivery aperture therethrough, said web having a concave upper surface, a valve member including a stem and an applicator head, said stem being resiliently engaged in said bore, said applicator head being provided with a flexible peripheral edge and being engage able with said web to overlie and close said aperture when in a closed position, said valve member being movable with respect to said Web to permit fluid flow out of said aperture and between said web and said peripheral edge, said retainer ring including a peripheral flange forming a shoulder surrounding said concave upper surface, said peripheral edge being resiliently engageable with said shoulder to form a seal, said valve member having a tapered slot opening into the upper surface of said applicator head and extending into said stem.

2. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said stem has a conical lower end having a portion of larger diameter than the upper part of said stem to capture said valve member to said retainer ring.

3. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said applicator head has a convex upper surface.

4. A closure device according to said 1, wherein said open end of said neck extends above said flange and is provided with an eye cup.

5. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said neck is externally threaded, and a transparent measuring cylinder threadedly secured to said neck and extending beyond said applicator head.

6. A closure device according to claim 1, including a transparent measuring cylinder forming an integral extension of said neck.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,276 2/ 1933 Peterson 222-496 2,699,888 1/1955 Crane 2222 12 2,754,821 7/1956 Burbig et al. 128249 2,999,498 9/1961 Matheson 128146.5 3,179,300 4/1965 Davidson et al. 222497 XR 3,203,454 8/1965 Micallef 22220S XR 3,319,837 5/1967 Mueller 222212 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner DONALD L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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