Collapsible tube with dispenser pump and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

 The collapsible tube is composed of a soft tube and a pump assembly. The soft tube has a tube body with a storing room and a connecting end with a first engagement portion. The pump assembly has a pressing head with a nozzle and a pump body with a second engagement portion. The pump body is disposed in the storing room and the first engagement portion firmly engages with the second engagement portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to dispensers for gels or viscous liquids, particularly to collapsible tubes with pump caps.

(2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] With progress of technologies, people always expect higher life quality. Also, use efficiency of daily necessities of life is required by moderns.

[0003] Collapsible tubes are extensively applied to serve as packaging containers for cleansing cream, toothpaste and cosmetics. Because these products are of single-use daily necessities, such collapsible tubes are in great demand.

[0004] Collapsible tubes can be simply pressed with a hand, but they are not very suitable for high-priced skincare products because a given quantity is hard to be obtained by a hand-press operation to a collapsible tube. It will cause waste when pressing too much. Besides, a liquid product held in a collapsible tube tends to rot because a frequently opened cap of collapsible tube is easy to cause microorganism breeding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a collapsible tube with a dispenser pump, which allows a user to access the liquid content by a pressing operation. Not only can a given quantity be obtained, the valve of the pump assembly can also enhance a sealing effect to prevent the liquid content from polluting.

[0006] To accomplish the above objects, the collapsible tube of the invention is composed of a soft tube and a pump assembly. The soft tube has a tube body with a storing room and a connecting end with a first engagement portion. The pump assembly has a pressing head with a nozzle and a pump body with a second engagement portion. The pump body is disposed in the storing room and the first engagement portion firmly engages with the second engagement portion.

[0007] Also, the invention provides a method for manufacturing a collapsible tube with a dispenser pump. The method includes the steps of:

a) providing a soft tube a soft tube comprising a tube body with a storing room and a connecting end with a first engagement portion;

b) providing a pump assembly comprising a pressing head with a nozzle and a pump body with a second engagement portion;

c) disposing the pump body in the storing room, and

d) firmly engaging the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the soft tube and the connecting end are integrally formed into a single piece. The connecting end further includes a blocking portion, the bump body is formed with a flange portion, and the flange portion abuts against the blocking portion. The connecting end further includes a receiving space for receiving the pressing head and providing a reciprocating action compartment. A cap is optionally added, the connecting end is formed with a third engagement portion for engaging with a fourth engagement portion of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the collapsible tube of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a partially enlarged view of the soft tube of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the dispenser pump of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the connecting end of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the collapsible tube of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a collapsible tube 100 with a dispenser pump of the invention. The collapsible tube 100 includes a soft tube 10 and a pump assembly 20. The soft tube 10 includes a tube body 11 and a connecting end 12. A storing room 111 is formed in the tube body 11 for storing a liquid material such as cream or gel. In this embodiment, the tube body 11 and the connecting end 12 is integrally formed into a single piece, for example, injection molding. The tube body 11 and the connecting end 12 can be made of any suitable material, and polyethylene (PE) is preferable. The connecting end includes a first engagement portion 122 for engaging with the pump assembly 20.

[0011] Please refer to FIG. 1A, which shows the soft tube 10. The soft tube 10 may be formed by one or more layers depending upon actual requirements. Different layers may be identical or different in material. FIG. 1A depicts the soft tube 10 composed of two layers, namely, a first layer 11a and a second layer 11b.

[0012] The pump assembly 20 includes a pressing head 21 and a pump body 22. The pressing head 21 is provided with a nozzle 211. When the pressing head 21 is depressed, the pump assembly 20 will draw the liquid content in the storing room 111 to drain away for being used.

[0013] It should be noted that a conventional collapsible tube is only provided with a single opening and a user must press the tube to drain the liquid content away through the opening. Once a user exerts a force unduly, the liquid content will be drained away overmuch. Furthermore, a plastic collapsible tube has elasticity, it will rebound after it has been pressed. The tube will suck the liquid content which has been drained away at the opening back into the tube while the tube is rebounding. Thus, the liquid content may rot due to microorganism breeding. Therefore, the invention provides a collapsible tube 100 with a dispenser pump, so that a user can access the liquid content by a pressing operation. Not only can a given quantity be obtained, the valve 23 of the pump assembly 20 can also enhance a sealing effect to prevent the liquid content from polluting.

[0014] Besides, the soft tube 10 and the connecting end 12 are integrally formed into a single piece. The connecting end 12 includes a first engagement portion 122 and the pump body 22 has a second engagement portion 221. The bump body 22 is disposed in the storing room 111 by the engagement of the first engagement portion 122 and the second engagement portion 221. Thus, an additional element or process is not necessary to secure the bump assembly 20. This can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the manufacturing costs.

[0015] In the single-pieced soft tube 10, the connecting end 12 further includes a blocking portion 123. The bump body 22 is formed with a flange portion 222. The flange portion 222 can abut against the blocking portion 123 to firmly secure the bump assembly 20 and the soft tube 10.

[0016] On the other hand, the connecting end 12 further includes a receiving space 121 for receiving the pressing head 21 and providing a reciprocating action compartment.

[0017] Please refer to FIG. 2, which shows the collapsible tube 100. The invention may further include a cap 30. The connecting end 12 is formed with a third engagement portion 124 for engaging with a fourth engagement portion 31 of the cap 30. As a result, the nozzle 211 can keep moist and prevent pollution of dust.

[0018] The liquid content can be filled into the soft tube 10 through a filling aperture 112. The filling aperture 112 will be sealed up after the liquid content has fully filled.

[0019] Please refer to FIG. 3. As shown, the first engagement portion 122 is further formed with a guiding slant 1221 and a hook portion 1222. The guiding slant 1221 can guide the second engagement portion 221 of the bump assembly 20 to slide into the connecting end 12 and the hook portion 1222 can withhold the second engagement portion 221, so that the pump assembly 20 can be firmly installed in the soft tube 10.

[0020] Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the invention. The method includes the steps of:

S01) providing a soft tube 10. The soft tube 10 includes a tube body 11 with a storing room 111 and a connecting end 12 with a first engagement portion 122;

S02) providing a pump assembly 20. The pump assembly includes a pressing head 21 with a nozzle 211 and a pump body 22 with a second engagement portion 221;

S03) disposing the pump body in the storing room, and

S04) firmly engaging the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion.

[0021] In the above method, the soft tube 10 and the connecting end 12 are integrally formed into a single piece. The connecting end 12 further includes a blocking portion 123. The bump body 22 is formed with a flange portion 222. The flange portion 222 can abut against the blocking portion 123 to firmly secure the bump assembly 20 and the soft tube 10.

[0022] On the other hand, the connecting end 12 further includes a receiving space 121 for receiving the pressing head 21 and providing a reciprocating action compartment.

[0023] Of course, the invention may further include a cap 30. The connecting end 12 is formed with a third engagement portion 124 for engaging with a fourth engagement portion 31 of the cap 30. As a result, the nozzle 211 can keep moist and prevent pollution of dust.

Claims

1. A collapsible tube with a dispenser pump, comprising:

a soft tube, comprising a tube body with a storing room and a connecting end with a first engagement portion; and

a pump assembly, comprising a pressing head with a nozzle and a pump body with a second engagement portion;

wherein the pump body is disposed in the storing room, and the first engagement portion firmly engages with the second engagement portion.

2. The collapsible tube of claim 1, wherein the soft tube and the connecting end are integrally formed into a single piece.

3. The collapsible tube of claim 2, wherein the connecting end further includes a blocking portion, the bump body is formed with a flange portion, and the flange portion abuts against the blocking portion.

4. The collapsible tube of claim 2, wherein the connecting end further includes a receiving space for receiving the pressing head and providing a reciprocating action compartment.

5. The collapsible tube of claim 2, further comprising a cap, wherein the connecting end is formed with a third engagement portion for engaging with a fourth engagement portion of the cap.

6. A method for manufacturing a collapsible tube with a dispenser pump, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a soft tube comprising a tube body with a storing room and a connecting end with a first engagement portion;

b) providing a pump assembly comprising a pressing head with a nozzle and a pump body with a second engagement portion;

c) disposing the pump body in the storing room, and

d) firmly engaging the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the soft tube and the connecting end are integrally formed into a single piece.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the connecting end further includes a blocking portion, the bump body is formed with a flange portion, and the flange portion abuts against the blocking portion.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the connecting end further includes a receiving space for receiving the pressing head and providing a reciprocating action compartment.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising a cap, wherein the connecting end is formed with a third engagement portion for engaging with a fourth engagement portion of the cap.

Drawing