PLASTIC TUBE DESIGNED FOR PRESSING OUT A LIQUID TO PASTY MASS

Abstract

A plastic tube designed for pressing out a liquid to pasty mass, comprising a discharge opening, a supply space designed to be compressed, and a tube neck, which connects the supply space to the discharge opening, wherein a mass line having a line cross-section through which mass can flow extends through the tube neck, which cannot be used to press out the mass by means of a manual force of a user. In order to design a plastic tube of the type in question in an improved manner in such a way that a residual amount of mass remaining in the tube neck is minimized after the mass has been pressed out of the supply space, the tube neck is designed, with regard to a free space that can be filled with mass as mass is pressed out, in such a way that a volume of the mass located in the tube neck during the pressing out corresponds to a third or less of a volume that is given by the dimensions of the tube neck.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A plastic tube (1) designed for pressing out a liquid to pasty mass (2), comprising a discharge opening (6), a reservoir (3) designed for being compressed and a tube neck (4) connecting the reservoir (3) to the discharge opening (6), wherein a mass line (19) with a line cross section, through which the mass (2) can flow, extends through the tube neck (4), which cannot be used for pressing out the mass (2) by means of the manual force of a user, and wherein the tube neck is with respect to a free space, which can be filled with the mass (2) while it is pressed out, designed such that a volume of the mass (2) located in the tube neck (4) while the mass is pressed out corresponds to one-third or less of the volume defined by the dimensions of the tube neck (4), wherein the tube neck (4) features a free space (F), which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (x) and is not infiltrated by the mass (2).

22. A plastic tube (1) designed for pressing out a liquid to pasty mass (2), comprising a discharge opening (6), a reservoir (3) designed for being compressed and a tube neck (4) connecting the reservoir (3) to the discharge opening (6), wherein a mass line (19) with a line cross section, through which the mass (2) can flow, extends through the tube neck (4), which cannot be used for pressing out the mass (2) by means of the manual force of a user, wherein the tube neck (4) features a free space (F), which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (x) and is not infiltrated by the mass (2).

23. The plastic tube according to claim 22, wherein the tube neck (4) is with respect to a free space, which can be filled with the mass (2) while it is pressed out, designed such that a volume of the mass (2) located in the tube neck (4) while the mass is pressed out corresponds to one-third or less of the volume defined by the dimensions of the tube neck (4).

24. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein multiple mass lines (19) are provided.

25. The plastic tube according to claim 24, wherein the mass lines (19) are arranged in an annular surface viewed in a cross section.

26. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein the discharge opening (6) features one or more dispensing apertures (11).

27. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein a mounting projection (10) extending in the mass transport direction (r) is formed in the tube neck (4).

28. The plastic tube according to claim 25, wherein the mounting projection (10) is arranged on the side of the discharge opening.

29. The plastic tube according to claim 25, wherein the mounting projection (10) is realized integrally with and consists of the same material as the tube neck (4).

30. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein the tube neck (4) can be assembled of multiple parts.

31. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein an insert part (12) is arranged in the tube neck (4) in order to form a mass line (19).

32. The plastic tube according to claim 29, wherein the insert part (12) is mounted on the mounting projection (10) on the side of the discharge opening.

33. The plastic tube according to claim 29, wherein the insert part (12) features a mounting projection (13) on the side of the reservoir.

34. The plastic tube according to claim 25, wherein the mounting projection (13) is designed for a clamp-type mounting in the tube neck (4).

35. The plastic tube according to claim 29, wherein the insert part (12) is realized integrally with the tube neck (4).

36. The plastic tube according to claim 29, wherein the insert part (12) is connected to the tube neck (4) on the side of the discharge opening.

37. The plastic tube according to claim 31, wherein the insert part (12) extends within the tube neck (4) only.

38. The plastic tube according to claim 29, wherein the insert part (12) extends within the tube neck (4), as well as within the reservoir (3).

39. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein the reservoir (3) has a longitudinal center axis (y), and in that the longitudinal center axes (x, y) of the reservoir (3) and the tube neck (4) coincide.

40. The plastic tube according to claim 37, wherein a length of the tube neck (4) in the direction of the longitudinal center axis (x) is equal to or greater than a length of the reservoir (3) in the direction of the longitudinal center axis (y).

41. The plastic tube according to claim 21, wherein the tube neck (4) has a greater wall thickness than the reservoir (3).

Description

[0032] The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings, which merely show exemplary embodiments. A component, which is only described with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments and not replaced with another component in another exemplary embodiment, is therefore also described as a potentially existing component in this other exemplary embodiment. In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plastic tube;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the plastic tube before a reservoir of the plastic tube is filled and closed;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the assembled plastic tube before it is filled and closed;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the region of a discharge opening of the plastic tube in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 6;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the filled and closed reservoir of the plastic tube along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the region VII in FIG. 6;

[0040] FIG. 8 shows the region according to FIG. 7, however, in the form of an exploded view;

[0041] FIG. 9 shows an intermediate position during the discharge of the mass from the reservoir in the form of an illustration that essentially corresponds to FIG. 6;

[0042] FIG. 10 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 9 after the reservoir has been emptied;

[0043] FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the plastic tube in the form of an illustration according to FIG. 3; and

[0044] FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment of the plastic tube in the form of a longitudinal section according to FIG. 6.

[0045] A plastic tube 1 designed for pressing out a liquid to pasty mass 2 from a reservoir 3 is initially described below with reference to FIG. 1.

[0046] The reservoir 3 is elastically resilient and accordingly designed for being compressed in order to discharge the mass 2.

[0047] A tube neck 4 is connected to the reservoir 3. This tube neck essentially has an elongated, circular-cylindrical design, wherein the tube neck preferably is conically tapered from the reservoir 3 toward the end facing away from the reservoir 3.

[0048] The tube neck 4 and the reservoir 3 are preferably realized integrally and consist of the same material, wherein the wall 5 of the tube neck 4 has a greater wall thickness than the wall of the reservoir 3. For example, the wall 5 of the tube neck 4 has a thickness, which is approximately 4-times to 5-times greater than that of the reservoir wall.

[0049] The tube neck 4 has—measured along a longitudinal center axis—a length d, which approximately corresponds to 1.2-times to 2-times, particularly about 1.5-times, the length e of the reservoir 3.

[0050] The tube neck 4 has a longitudinal center axis x and the reservoir 3 has a longitudinal center axis y. Both longitudinal center axes x and y preferably coincide.

[0051] The tube neck 4 connects the reservoir 3 to a discharge opening 6 arranged on the end of the tube neck 4.

[0052] While the plastic tube 1 is not in use, the end of the tube neck on the discharge side is covered by a cap 7. In the closed position, this cap covers the discharge opening 6, which is essentially aligned transverse to the longitudinal center axis x, by means of a cap top 8. The cap wall 9 encompasses the tube neck end on the outer side of the tube neck wall. The cap 7 is preferably fixed by means of a screw mounting.

[0053] A ratio of the tube neck outside diameter a to the tube neck inside diameter b may lie between 1.2:1 and 1.5:1, particularly at about 1.3:1.

[0054] The tube neck 4 has a high buckling stability due to the chosen wall thickness thereof. Furthermore, the tube neck 4 cannot be compressed by means of the normal manual force of a user.

[0055] A mounting projection 10, which is aligned concentric to the longitudinal center axis x and points into the interior of the tube neck 4, is integrally formed on the tube neck 4 on the side of the discharge opening. The outer side of its wall extends with radial clearance from the inner surface of the tube neck 4.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment shown, four dispensing apertures 11, which are respectively realized in the form of a an annular segment, are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal center axis x in the transition area between the mounting projection 10 and the corresponding end section of the tube neck 4 on the side of the discharge opening. These dispensing apertures connect the discharge opening 6 to the annular space remaining between the outer wall of the mounting projection and the inner wall of the tube neck.

[0057] A volume-reducing insert part 12 is accommodated in the tube neck 4. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, this insert part may be realized in the form of a separate part that is assigned to the tube neck 4. Accordingly, the tube neck 4 is realized such that it can be assembled of multiple parts.

[0058] The insert part 12 is essentially realized in the form of an elongated hollow cylinder with an outside diameter c, which corresponds to 0.6-times to 0.9-times the inside diameter b of the tube neck 4.

[0059] The insert part 12 is aligned concentric to the longitudinal center axis x of the tube neck 4 and mounted on the mounting projection 10 with its end facing the discharge opening 6.

[0060] The mounting projection 10 penetrates into the tubular insert part 12 such that the wall of the mounting projection is supported on the inner side of the wall of the insert part 12 in a sealed fashion.

[0061] The insert part 12 preferably ends with axial clearance from the dispensing apertures 11 such that a section of the annular space remains between the mounting projection 10 and the inner wall of the tube neck 4.

[0062] On the side facing away from the mounting projection 10, the insert part 12 forms a mounting projection 13 on the outer side of its wall. This mounting projection is essentially formed by two radially protruding annular ribs 14, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction.

[0063] The annular ribs 14 engage into a localization area 15, which is radially enlarged in comparison with the inside diameter b of the tube neck 4 in the transition area from the tube neck 4 to the reservoir 3.

[0064] The tubular insert part 12 is closed in the direction of the reservoir 3 by means of a bottom 16. This bottom 16 essentially extends transverse to the longitudinal center axis x of the tube neck 4, preferably in the transition area from the tube neck 4 to the reservoir 3.

[0065] In the localization area 15, the annular ribs 14 engage into correspondingly positioned and designed annular depressions 17.

[0066] The installation of the insert part 12 takes place from the side of the reservoir, wherein the bottom of said reservoir 3 is initially open for fitting and filling purposes.

[0067] The insert part 12 is inserted into the tube neck 4 and then captively held on the tube neck 4 due to the interaction between the annular ribs 14 and the annular depressions 17.

[0068] Due to the design of the insert part 12 in the form of a hollow profile, a central free space F extending in the axial direction is formed in the installed state, wherein said free space is closed relative to the surroundings, through which the mass flows.

[0069] The insert part 12 is centered by means of a rib-like support thereof. On the inner side of its wall, the tube neck 4 features multiple ribs 18, which are directed radially inward and uniformly distributed over the circumference, in order to support the outer wall of the insert part 12.

[0070] Mass lines 19, which are essentially aligned along the longitudinal center axis x, are consequently formed between the ribs 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown, twelve mass lines 19 are formed outside the longitudinal center axis x and in an annular surface between the insert part 12 and the tube neck 4 referred to a cross section according to FIG. 4.

[0071] The clear flow diameter of the tube neck 4 and therefore its clear volume, through which the mass can flow, are reduced due to the arrangement of the insert part 12. Consequently, a fillable space, which is essentially defined by the mass lines 19 and corresponds to one-sixth to one-tenth, preferably about one-eighth, of the volume defined by the tube neck 4 only without consideration of the insert part 12, is formed between the tube neck 4 and the insert part 12.

[0072] In another preferred embodiment, the volumetric capacity in the cross-sectionally reduced tube neck region is—based on a volume of approximately 10.61 ml without an insert part 12—reduced to 1.35 ml or 3.35 ml by inserting the insert part 12.

[0073] In an embodiment, the mass lines 19 have the same circumferential lengths and/or radial depths over their entire axial length. The sectional view in FIG. 6, in particular, shows that the radial depth of each mass line 19 may—starting from the engagement of the insert part 12 in the transition area from the tube neck 4 to the reservoir 3—be reduced in the direction of the discharge opening 6, for example, as far as a radial dimension corresponding to half of the maximum radial dimension of a mass line 19.

[0074] Once the tube neck 4 has been fitted with the insert part 12, the plastic tube 1 is ready to be filled with the mass 2. This takes place in an upside-down position of the plastic tube according to the illustration in FIG. 3.

[0075] After the filling process, the region of the reservoir 3 facing away from the tube neck 4 is closed by means of welding. The welded region 20 preferably includes the longitudinal center axis y of the reservoir 3.

[0076] Due to the insert part 12, the residual volume remaining in the tube neck after the mass 2 has been discharged from the reservoir 3 is significantly reduced in comparison with a tube neck 4 of identical dimensions without an insert part 12, wherein it is simultaneously ensured that the tube neck 4 still has the required stability.

[0077] The mass 2 is discharged in the mass transport direction r through the mass lines 19, which extend in the direction of the reservoir 3 beyond the engagement region between the insert part 12 and the tube neck 4, and through the dispensing apertures 11 by compressing the reservoir 3 (see arrows P in FIG. 9).

[0078] A small residual amount remains in the region of the tube neck 4 after the mass 2 has been discharged.

[0079] According to FIGS. 11 and 12, the volume of a tube neck 4 with constant outside diameter and constant wall thickness can also be reduced by means of an insert part 12 formed thereon, i.e. an insert part that is realized integrally with the tube neck 4 and the reservoir 3.

[0080] Such an integral insert part 12 is formed on a pot-like connecting section 21, which is reduced axially inward and radially in accordance with the mounting projection 10 of the first embodiment. The dispensing apertures 11 are formed in this connecting section 21 in the region of the pot walls.

[0081] The insert part 12 is integrally connected to and consists of the same material as the connecting section 21, wherein said insert part extends concentric to the longitudinal center axis x of the tube neck 4, as well as eccentric to the longitudinal center axis y of the reservoir 3 and also through this reservoir.

[0082] The plastic tube 1 is filled in the annular space formed radially outside the insert part 12 in the outside-down position.

[0083] During the subsequent closing process, the free end of the insert part 12 facing away from the discharge opening 6 is welded to the wall of the reservoir 3 in the region 20 such that the interior of the insert part (free space F) is in this embodiment also sealed relative to the surrounding space, in which the mass 2 is respectively accommodated or transported.

[0084] The preceding explanations serve for elucidating all inventions that are included in this application and respectively enhance the prior art independently with at least the following combinations of characteristics, namely:

[0085] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the tube neck 4 is with respect to a free space, which can be filled with the mass 2 while it is pressed out, designed such that a volume of the mass 2 located in the tube neck 4 while the mass is pressed out corresponds to one-third or less of the volume defined by the dimensions of the tube neck 4.

[0086] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the tube neck 4 features a free space F, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis x and is not infiltrated by the mass 2.

[0087] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that one or more mass lines 19 are provided.

[0088] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the mass lines are arranged on an annular surface viewed in a cross section.

[0089] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the discharge opening 6 features one or more dispensing apertures 11.

[0090] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that a mounting projection 10 extending in the mass transport direction r is formed in the tube neck 4.

[0091] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the mounting projection 10 is arranged on the side of the discharge opening.

[0092] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the mounting projection 10 is realized integrally with and consists of the same material as the tube neck 4.

[0093] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the tube neck 4 can be assembled of multiple parts.

[0094] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that an insert part 12 is arranged in the tube neck 4 in order to form a mass line 19.

[0095] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 is mounted on the mounting projection 10 on the side of the discharge opening.

[0096] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 features a mounting projection 13 on the side of the reservoir.

[0097] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the mounting projection 13 is designed for a clamp-type mounting in the tube neck 4.

[0098] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 extends within the tube neck 4 only.

[0099] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 is realized integrally with the tube neck 4.

[0100] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 is connected to the tube neck 4 on the side of the discharge opening.

[0101] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the insert part 12 extends within the tube neck 4, as well as within the reservoir 3.

[0102] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the reservoir has a longitudinal center axis y, and in that the longitudinal center axes x, y of the reservoir 3 and the tube neck 4 coincide.

[0103] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that a length of the tube neck 4 in the direction of the longitudinal center axis x is equal to or greater than a longitudinal center axis y of the reservoir 3.

[0104] A plastic tube, which is characterized in that the tube neck 4 has a greater wall thickness than the reservoir 3.

[0105] A plastic tube, characterized by one or more of the characterizing features of one of the preceding claims.

[0106] All disclosed characteristics are essential to the invention (individually, but also in combination with one another). The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority documents (copy of the priority application) is hereby fully incorporated into the disclosure of this application, namely also for the purpose of integrating characteristics of these documents into claims of the present application. The characteristic features of the dependent claims characterize independent inventive enhancements of the prior art, particularly in order to submit divisional applications on the basis of these claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0107] 1 Plastic tube [0108] 2 Mass [0109] 3 Reservoir [0110] 4 Tube neck [0111] 5 Wall [0112] 6 Discharge opening [0113] 7 Cap [0114] 8 Cap top [0115] 9 Cap wall [0116] 10 Mounting projection [0117] 11 Dispensing aperture [0118] 12 Insert part [0119] 13 Mounting projection [0120] 14 Annular rib [0121] 15 Localization area [0122] 16 Bottom [0123] 17 Annular depression [0124] 18 Rib [0125] 19 Mass line [0126] 20 Region [0127] 21 Connecting section [0128] a Outside diameter [0129] b Inside diameter [0130] c Outside diameter [0131] d Length [0132] e Length [0133] r Mass transport direction [0134] x Longitudinal center axis [0135] y Longitudinal center axis [0136] F Free space [0137] P Arrow