DISPENSING TUBE WITH SHOULDER TIP APPLICATOR & SUCTION BASED LID

Abstract

A novel dispensing tube system and method of making the same. The system enables one-handed application while maintaining cleanliness. Comprising three parts, the dispensing tube system includes a Body Cylinder Hollow Tube Container for holding tube contents, an Applicator Tip Shoulder with a central hole, and a Suction Cup-Based Lid featuring a finger for a secure seal. Addressing the limitations of traditional tube application methods requiring two hands, the invention is particularly advantageous in scenarios where users have only one free hand or need to apply ointments in challenging areas. The Applicator Tip, replacing conventional shoulder parts, ensures hygienic, controlled, and mess-free distribution, while the Suction Cup-Based Lid facilitates one-hand application by securely attaching to a hard, flat surface. The system's design streamlines mass production without additional costs, offering a user-friendly and sanitary solution for diverse application needs.

Claims

1. A tubular dispensing system, comprising: a body cylinder hollow tube container with a tube rim; a shoulder applicator tip, comprising: a shoulder permanently affixed to the tube rim, said shoulder being substantially round, said shoulder comprising a shoulder rim and shoulder securing means; an applicator exterior attached to the shoulder; said applicator exterior comprising an applicator tip; and a hole in the applicator tip; a suction cup based lid, comprising: a lid base; a lid exterior attached to the lid base, said lid exterior being substantially cylindrical, and said lid exterior having a substantially circular lid rim; a suction cup secured to the lid base; lid securing means on the lid rim, for temporarily securing the lid rim to the shoulder rim; and a finger seal secured to the lid base, positioned so that the finger seal plugs the hole when the lid rim is temporarily secured to the shoulder rim.

2. A tubular dispensing system as described in claim 1, wherein: the shoulder securing means comprises a rim lip on the shoulder rim; and the lid securing means comprises an indentation in the lid exterior; so that the indentation grips the rim lip when the lid rim is temporarily secured to the shoulder rim.

3. A tubular dispensing system as described in claim 1, wherein: the shoulder securing means comprises female threads on the shoulder rim; and the lid securing means comprises male threads on the lid rim.

4. A tubular dispensing system as described in claim 2, wherein the applicator exterior is formed from a soft plastic material.

5. A method of manufacturing a tubular dispensing system, comprising the steps of: providing a body cylinder hollow tube with a tube rim on one end and a tube top on the other end; using a first injection mold process to fabricate a shoulder applicator tip with a shoulder and an applicator exterior attached to the shoulder, said applicator exterior comprising an applicator tip with a hole, said shoulder being substantially round, said shoulder comprising a shoulder rim and shoulder securing means; placing the body cylinder hollow tube container upright in a filling machine; filling the body cylinder hollow tube container with a dispensable product; using a first heat-sealing method to permanently seal the tube top; using a second heat-sealing method to permanently attach the tube rim to the shoulder rim; using a second injection mold process to fabricate a suction cup based lid, comprising a lid base, a lid exterior attached to the lid base, said lid exterior being substantially cylindrical, and said lid exterior having a substantially circular lid rim, a suction cup secured to the lid base, lid securing means on the lid rim, for temporarily securing the lid rim to the shoulder rim, and a finger seal secured to the lid base, positioned so that the finger seal plugs the hole when the lid rim is temporarily secured to the shoulder rim.

6. A method of manufacturing a tubular dispensing system as described in claim 5, wherein: the shoulder securing means comprises a rim lip on the shoulder rim; and the lid securing means comprises an indentation in the lid exterior; so that the indentation grips the rim lip when the lid rim is temporarily secured to the shoulder rim.

7. A tubular dispensing system as described in claim 5, wherein: the shoulder securing means comprises female threads on the shoulder rim; and the lid securing means comprises male threads on the lid rim.

8. A tubular dispensing system as described in claim 6, wherein the applicator exterior is formed from a soft plastic material.

Description

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is the straight front view of the prior art tube (tube tunnel, shoulder threads, and twist-on lid) with all parts disconnected.

[0036] FIG. 2 is the straight front view of the prior art tube with shoulder threads attached to the tube tunnel and the tube filled with contents such as cream and sealed at the base.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the invention's side perspective view (tube tunnel, applicator tip, and suction-based lid) with disconnected parts.

[0038] FIG. 4 is the side perspective with all parts of the invention connected, including a permanent seal between the applicator rim shoulder Part 13 and Part 14, the base of the tube tunnel.

[0039] FIG. 5 is the perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is the side perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is the back perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is the front perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is the top perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 is the bottom view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 11 is the top view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 12 is the side perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention attached to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base.

[0047] FIG. 13 is the side view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention attached to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base.

[0048] FIG. 14 is the front view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention attached to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base.

[0049] FIG. 15 is the back view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention attached to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base.

[0050] FIG. 16 is the bottom perspective view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention with a clear exterior so you can see Part 21The finger seal part of the lid.

[0051] FIG. 17 is the bottom perspective view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 18 is the top perspective view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention with a clear exterior so you can see Part 21The finger seal part of the lid.

[0053] FIG. 19 is the top perspective view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 20 is the top view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention.

[0055] FIG. 21 is the bottom view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention.

[0056] FIG. 22 is the front view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention connected to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base, with the front view of the suction cup-based lid detached.

[0057] FIG. 23 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 22, where you can see the inside of the tube and suction cup-based lid.

[0058] FIG. 24 is the front view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention connected to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base, with the front view of the suction cup-based lid attached.

[0059] FIG. 25 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 24, where you can see the attachment of the tube and suction cup-based lid.

[0060] FIG. 26 is the bottom perspective view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention connected to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base, with the suction cup-based lid detached.

[0061] FIG. 27 is the bottom perspective view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention connected to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base, with the suction cup-based lid attached.

[0062] FIG. 28 is the bottom perspective view of the round-head tip applicator version of the invention with the body of the tube tunnel detached.

[0063] FIG. 29 is the top perspective view of the round-head tip applicator version of the invention with the body of the tube tunnel detached.

[0064] FIG. 30 is the straight-side view of the round-head tip applicator version of the invention.

[0065] FIG. 31 is the top view of the roundhead tip applicator version of the invention.

[0066] FIG. 32 is the straight perspective view of the invention's round head tip applicator version connected to the tube's body and sealed at the top, and the suction cup-based Lid detached.

[0067] FIG. 33 is the straight perspective view of the invention's round head tip applicator version connected to the tube's body and sealed at the top and the suction cup-based Lid attached.

[0068] FIG. 34 is the front view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention connected to the body part of the tube and sealed at the base, with the front view of the suction cup-based lid attached.

[0069] FIG. 35 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 34, where you can see the attachment of the tube and suction cup-based lid, with the additional version including the threads inside where part B Shoulder applicator tip is attached to the threads.

[0070] FIG. 36 is the upclose zoom in view of the seal between Part 13Shoulder part of the invention sealed (via injection mold) with Part 14Rim of the tunnel part of the tube, snapped into the lid part of the invention.

[0071] FIG. 37 is the top perspective view of the suction cup-based Lid part of the invention with male threads on the inner rim.

[0072] FIG. 38 is the side perspective view of the Applicator's shoulder part of the invention with female threads that is attached to the body part of the tube.

[0073] FIG. 39 is the bottom perspective view of the Applicator shoulder part of the invention with male theads connected to the lid part of the invention via the female threads.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0074] The preferred embodiment replaces Part 5the shoulder part of the prior art and Part 4male threads of the shoulder part of the prior art with Part 8the applicator tip part of the invention, which has a Part 9Applicator: the hole (Female) part of the applicator where the contents of the tube come out of. The applicator can be seen independently (not attached to the body of the tube) in its various views in FIGS. 5-11 and attached to the body of the tube in FIGS. 12-15.

[0075] Part 8the applicator tip part of the invention has a flat surface that acts as a spread and a curved tip edge that tapers toward the tip making it accessible for fitting into tight crevices of the body such as in between the butt cheeks, armpits, under the breast area of the user or under the testicle area, making it extra user friendly during the application process in those hard to reach spots.

[0076] There are many scenarios where the user would need an extra free hand during the application process. When applying diaper ointment, a free hand is beneficial for holding the baby safely and preventing any potential falls. In the case where the user would apply ointment underneath the testicles for jock itch relief, it is beneficial to have an extra free hand to hold the testicles out of the way so that the user can easily apply the ointment onto the desired area without the testicles being in the way. In addition, when ointment needs to be applied underneath the breast area, the user will need the hand to hold the breast up and out of the way for the application process. There are also many uses where the user would have only one hand at all times; if they have an injury on the other hand or are handicapped from using the other hand at all times, a one-hand cream applicator would make applying ointment possible for these people.

[0077] The one-hand cream application process is achieved with Part 17The suction cup base part of the lid to be secured onto Part 24a hard flat surface. This allows the applicator to snap in and out of the standing docked lid and stand upright for easy access.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the lid snaps in and out of the application with Part 11the rim part of the shoulder of the invention that is smaller in diameter than Part13, the shoulder part of the invention, which acts as a support and seals tightly against Part 20top rim part of the lid. There is also an indention on the inside of Part 20top rim part of the lid that grips the Part 12rim lip that allows the lid to stay securely snug on the applicator by the pressure of the Part 12 rim lip against the interior of the lid.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the rim part of the shoulder screws into the top rim part of the lid with screw threads.

[0080] Part 9Applicator: the hole (Female) part of the applicator, where the contents of the tube come out of, is in the exact center of the applicator so that when Part 21finger part of the lid (Male) is placed inside of it, it aligns perfectly from any direction. This allows for a secure seal of Part 9Applicator: the hole (Female) part of the applicator, thus preventing any tube contents from coming out.

[0081] During the manufacturing process, the original shoulder, Part 5 with the threads Part 4, would be replaced by the preferred embodiment (Applicator) where Part13The shoulder part of the invention would be attached to Part 14Rim of the tunnel part of the tube. This would keep the filling process of the tube to remain the same, allowing mass manufacturing production to be performed without any disruptions, such as waste of time or material. But now, with the added benefits and solutions that the preferred embodiment offers, including:

[0082] (1) Applicator tip that allows hygienic distribution of the contents without getting the user's hands messy and without cross-contamination of germs from the user's fingers onto the surface skin area.

[0083] (2) Applicator tip that easily fits between the crevices of hard-to-reach places such as between butt cheeks, under the arm, under the breast, and under a male's testicles.

[0084] (3) The applicator tip part of the invention allows for smooth and even distribution of the ointment. When the user is applying diaper ointment, a thicker layer of ointment is preferred, especially at night, to prevent and treat a diaper rash, and the applicator allows the user to control the thickness of the ointment applied easily.

[0085] (3) Applicator tip can be both made of a hard or soft material; in the case where it is made of a soft material, the application is more gentle and pleasant than the feel of one's fingers.

[0086] (5) The Applicator does not add extra material to the manufacturing costs because it replaces the prior art shoulder and threads. And allows the filling process of the tube to remain the same; this keeps the costs of time and material down for mass production.

[0087] (6) The Applicator has a hole (Part 9hole (Female) part of the applicator where the contents of the tube come out of) that perfectly aligns with the Part 21finger seal part of the lid (Male) that goes inside the Part 9, this allows the user to snap the lid in and out of the tube without worrying about aligning the hole with the seal.

[0088] (7) Lid that snaps in and out of the applicator with a suction cup-based lid, allowing the user to easily take the lid off and on with just one hand by suctioning Part 17 Suction cup part of the lid onto Part 24hard flat surface. This allows for the fast and easy one-hand cream application because the suction cup-based lid would remain on the flat hard surface when the user grips the body of the tube from the standing docked lid. In other words, the suction cup would allow the applicator attached to the tube's body to stand upright, as illustrated in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

[0089] How the invention works: When it is time to apply the ointment, the user would simply (1) pull the tube from the standing docked lid, (2) squeeze the desired amount of ointment that would come of it Part 9 hole part of the Applicator. (3) Then apply the ointment directly from the tube onto the desired surface using Part 8Applicator tip part of the invention. And (4) place the tube attached to the applicator back into the standing docked suction cup-based lid.

[0090] Cleaning: If the user would prefer to clean the applicator tip in between applications, that can be easily accomplished with a sanitary wipe to the tip of the applicator, and the interior of the lid can be washed with soap and water or placed in a dishwasher.