AR034176A1

Extrusion blow-molded squeezable tube-shaped container and method for making same

Abstract

A method of producing a plastic container with a compressible tube shape, intermediate article for use in the formation of a plastic container with a compressible tube shape, and a plastic container with a compressible tube shape. The plastic container has a one-piece construction formed by extrusion blow molding techniques. The container has a retractable end wall that is positionable in an outward projecting position and an inverted position. The end wall, as it is blown, is in the projecting position outward, and is then inverted so that an intrusion indication cover can be linked to the end of the container, thereby sealing the end wall. The inverted end wall allows the container to be self-stable on the stop ring. In use, the flexible side wall of the container is pressed to quickly pass the end wall of the inverted position to a projecting outward position to allow easy access to an administration opening in the end wall.

AR034176A1, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 27

Term

No projected expiry on record.

27 claims: 4 independent, 23 dependent

1
. ^raducción de las reivindicaciones de la Patente US 6 673 301 1. Un mètodo de producción de un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible, que comprende Ias etapas de:moldear por soplado por extrusión en un molde de soplado un cuerpo plàstico intermedio que tiene una pared lateral tubular flexible con un anillo parante y una pared extrema en un primer extremo del mismo, siendo dicha pared extrema, segùn formada, proyectante hacia afuera de dicho primer extremo de dicha pared lateral;e invertir dicha pared extrema proyectante hacia afuera segun formada de dicho cuerpo intermedio alrededor de dicho anillo parante a una posición invertida de modo que dicha pared extrema se disponga totalmente dentro de dicha pared lateral por debajo de un plano imaginario pasante a través de dicho anillo pasante;en el que, durante dicha etapa de moldeo por soplado, una interconexión abisagrada es formada entre dicho anillo parante y dicha pared extrema que permite que dicha pared extrema pase ràpidamente de dicha posición invertida a una posición proyectante hacia afuera en relación a dicha pared lateral durante una operación de administración.
2
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 1, que comprende ademâs las etapas de quitar dicho cuerpo intermedio de dicho molde de soplado y cortar un segundo extremo de dicha pared lateral de dicho cuerpo intermedio ubicada opuestamente a dicha pared extrema de modo que dicho segundo extremo esté abierto.
3
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 2, que comprende ademâs las etapas de llenar dicho cuerpo intermedio por medio de dicho segundo extremo abierto y a continuación sellar dicho segundo extremo con una junta para crear un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible, en el que dicha etapa de llenar dicho cuerpo intermedio se efectùa después de dicha etapa de invertir dicha pared extrema.
4
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 3, en el que dicho anili forma una superficie de soporte sobre la cual dicho cuerpo intermedio es soportable en una posicion vertical cuando dicha pared extrema esta posicionada en dicha posicion invertida.
5
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 3, que comprende ademâs la etapa de unir una cobertura similar a una làmina indicadora de intromisión a dicho anillo parante de dicho cuerpo intermedio para disponerse sobre dicha pared extrema y para sellar y evitar la contaminación de dicha pared extrema, siendo dicha etapa de union de dicha cobertura a dicha pared extrema efectuada después de dicha etapa de invertir dicha pared extrema.
6
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 3, que comprende ademâs la etapa de formar en dicho molde de soplado un apéndice removible integrai con dicha pared extrema, siendo dicho apéndice finalmente removible de dicha pared extrema para crear una abertura de administración en el envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible.
7
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 3, en el que dicha pared lateral tubular flexible tiene una forma sustancialmente cilindrica, segùn es formada, y en el que dicha pared extrema es de forma còncava y en arco tanto en dicha posicion proyectante hacia afuera corno en dicha posicion invertida.
8
Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 7, en el que dicha pared extrema, segùn es formada, en dicha posicion proyectante hacia afuera tiene un apice, y en el que una abertura de administración es provista en dicho àpice. de aplicar una étiqueta a dicho cuerpo intermedio en dicho molde de soplado simultàneamente con dicha etapa de moldeo de soplado por extrusion.
9
10. Un mètodo de producción de un envase plastico de forma en tubo comprimible, que comprende las etapas de:moldear por soplado por extrusion en un molde de soplado un cuerpo plastico intermedio que tiene una pared lateral tubular flexible con un anillo parante y una pared extrema en un primer extremo del mismo, siendo dicha pared extrema, segûn formada, proyectante hacia afuera de dicho primer extremo de dicha pared latéral;después de dicha etapa de moldeo de soplado por extrusion, invertir dicha pared extrema proyectante hacia fuera, corno formada, de dicho cuerpo intermedio alrededor de dicho anillo parante a una posicion invertida de modo que dicha pared extrema se disponga totalmente dentro de dicha pared lateral por debajo de un piano que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante;cortar un segundo extremo de dicha pared lateral de dicho cuerpo intermedio ubicado opuestamente a dicha pared extrema de modo que dicho segundo extremo sea abierto;llenar dicho cuerpo intermedio por medio de dicho segundo extremo abierto después de dicha etapa de inversion;y sellar dicho segundo extremo con una junta después de dicha etapa de llenado para crear un envase plastico de forma en tubo comprimible llenado;con lo que un cierre y un apéndice formado integralmente es removible de dicha pared extrema para crear una abertura de administracion en el envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible.
10
11. Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 10, en el que, durante la antedicha etapa de moldeo por soplado, una interconexiôn abisagrada es formada entre dicho FOLIO Κ1Λ.. . -^anillo parante y dicha pared extrema que permite que dicha pared extró'rQa^p^s® ràpidamente entre dicha posición invertida y dicha posición proyectante hacia afuera relativa a dicha pared lateral del envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible llenado, cuando dicha pared lateral flexible del envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible llenado es comprimido para permitir el fâcil acceso a una abertura de administración en dicha pared extrema.
11
12. Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 11, que comprende ademas la etapa de aplicar por lo menos una étiqueta a dicha pared lateral de dicho cuerpo intermedio en dicho molde de soplado simultàneamente con dicho moldeo de soplado por extrusión.
12
13. Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 11, en el que dicha pared lateral tubular flexible tiene una forma sustancialmente cilindrica, segùn es formada, en el que dicha pared extrema es de forma en arco tanto en dicha posición proyectante hacia afuera corno en dicha posición invertida, y tiene un apice central, y en el que dicha abertura de administración es formada en dicho apice de dicha pared extrema.
13
14. Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 13, que comprende ademas la etapa de unir una cobertura de indicación de intromisión similar a una làmina a dicho anillo parante de dicho cuerpo intermedio después de dicha etapa de inversion y antes de dicha etapa de llenado para sellar y evitar la contaminación de dicha pared extrema.
14
15. Un mètodo de acuerdo a la reivindicación 10, que comprende ademas una etapa de moldeo por compresión en dicho molde de soplado de un apéndice removible integrai con dicha pared extrema, produciéndose dicha etapa de moldeo por compresión sustancialmente en forma simultànea con dicha etapa de moldeo por soplado. • -4 /
15
16. Un articulo intermedio para utilización en la formación de un envasösg^^feo de forma en tubo comprimible, que comprende:una pared lateral tubular plastica flexible moldeada por soplado por extrusion que tiene un extremo cerrado y un extremo abierto, e incluyendo dicho extremo cerrado de dicha pared lateral un anillo parante perifèrico y una pared extrema en forma de domo en arco, siendo dicha pared extrema en forma de domo movible en relación a dicho anillo parante y dicha pared lateral entre una posición proyectante hacia afuera, segùn formada, y una posición invertida en la que dicha pared extrema de forma en domo està dispuesta dentro de dicha pared lateral por debajo de un piano que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante, siendo dicha posición proyectante hacia afuera también una posición de administración.
16
17. Un articulo intermedio de acuerdo a la reivindicación 16, en el que, cuando dicha pared extrema de forma en domo està posicionada en dicha posición invertida, dicho anillo parante forma una superficie de soporte sobre la cual dicho cuerpo intermedio es soportable en una posición autoestable con dicho extremo abierto enfrentado hacia arriba.
17
18. Un articulo intermedio de acuerdo a la reivindicación 17, que comprende ademâs una cobertura de indicaciôn de intromisión similar a una lamina unida a dicho anillo parante y dispuesta sobre dicha pared extrema de forma en domo en dicha posición invertida para sellar y prevenir la contaminación de dicha pared extrema en forma de domo.
18
19. Un articulo intermedio de acuerdo a la reivindicación 17, en el que dicha pared lateral tubular flexible tiene una forma sustancialmente cilindrica, en el que dicha pared extrema de forma en domo es en arco tanto en dicha posición proyectante hacia arriba como en dicha posición invertida y tiene un àpice, y en el que administración està ubicada en dicho apice.
19
20. Un articulo intermedio de acuerdo a la reivindicación 16, que comprende ademâs un apéndice removible moldeado integralmente que proyecta de dicha pared extrema de forma en domo y finalmente es removible de dicha pared extrema de forma en domo para crear una abertura de administración en el envase plastico de forma en tubo comprimible, estando dicho apéndice ubicado dentro de dicha pared lateral debajo de un piano que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante cuando dicha pared extrema de forma en domo esta en dicha posición invertida y es facilmente accesible cuando dicha pared extrema esta en dicha posición proyectante hacia arriba.
20
21. Un envase plastico de forma en tubo comprimible, que comprende:una pared lateral plâstica flexible moldeada por soplado por extrusion que tiene un extremo de administración definido por un anillo parante circular perifèrico y un extremo de llenado opuesto sellado y cerrado por una junta;y una pared extrema moldeada por soplado integralmente con dicha pared lateral, dispuesta desde dicho anillo parante, y que cierra dicho extremo de administración, siendo dicha pared extrema posicionable en una posición de almacenamiento de modo que dicha pared extrema sea còncava y se disponga hacia adentro dentro de dicha pared extrema completamente por debajo de un piano imaginario que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante, y siendo posicionable en una posición de administración de modo que dicha pared extrema se disponga hacia afuera de dicha pared lateral por sobre dicho piano imaginario que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante.
21
22. Un envase plastico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 21, en el que una bisagra dinamica es formada en la intersección de dicho anillo parante y dicha pared extrema y permite que dicha pared extrema pase ^ràpidamente hacia afuera de dicho extremo de administración de dicha pareo^taierary se disponga en una forma sustancialmente convexa por sobre dicho plano imaginario que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante cuando dicha pared lateral flexible es comprimida para permitir el fâcil acceso a una abertura de administración en dicha pared lateral.
22
23. Un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 22, en el que, cuando dicha pared extrema està en dicha posición de almacenamiento, dicho anillo parante forma una superficie de soporte sobre la cual el envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible es soportable en una posición autoestable con dicha junta enfrentada hacia afuera.
23
24. Un articulo intermedio de acuerdo a la reivindicación 13, que comprende ademâs una cobertura de indicación de intromisión similar a una làmina unida a dicho anillo parante y dispuesta sobre dicha pared extrema de forma en domo en dicha posición invertida para sellar y prevenir la contaminación de dicha pared extrema.
24
25. Un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 23, en el que dicha pared extrema es de forma en arco y tiene una région de àpice central, y en el que dicha abertura de administración està ubicada en dicha région de àpice centrai.
25
26. Un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 23, en el que el envase es fabricado corno un envase integrai plàstico de una pieza hecho totalmente con un material predeterminado.
26
27. Un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 21, que comprende ademâs un apéndice removible para crear una integralmente con dicha pared extrema y estando ubicado entre dicha pared extrema y dicho plano imaginario que pasa a través de dicho anillo parante cuando dicha pared extrema esté en dicha posición de almacenamiento.
27
28. Un envase plàstico de forma en tubo comprimible de acuerdo a la reivindicación 27, en el que dicho apéndice tiene por lo menos una proyección lateral que es utilizable para taponar dicha abertura de administración después que dicho apéndice ha sido inicialmente removido de dicha pared extrema para crear dicha abertura de administración.

Independent claims27

82 paragraphs in 7 sections, as filed

METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF A PLASTIC CONTAINER IN A COMPRESSIBLE TUBE, INTERMEDIATE ARTICLE FOR USE IN THE FORMATION OF A PLASTIC CONTAINER IN A COMPRIMIBLE TUBE, AND PLASTIC CONTAINER IN A COMPRIMIBLE TUBE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container in the form of an extrusion blow molded compressible tube for packaging food products, cosmetics or other products, and, in particular, the present invention relates to a container in the form of a plastic tube of a novel piece. which has an administration opening. The present invention also relates to a single method for producing a one-piece plastic tube-shaped container using extrusion blow molding techniques.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various products, such as drinks, are sold to consumers in flexible plastic breezes. For example, United States of America Patent No. 5,941,642 issued in favor of Darmstadter; 5,884,758 issued in favor of Sigouin et al .; 5,860,743 issued in favor of Larkin and others; 5,782,344 issued in favor of Edwards and others; 5,350,240 and 5,018,646 issued in favor of Billman and others; 4,806,021 issued in favor of Kousdstaal and others; and 5,937,617 issued in Yeager's favor reveal flexible compressed blister packs for fluid or viscous food products. Most revealed breezes require the use of a sorbet, and are self-stable at one end thereof in an upwardly directed position. All revealed windings are made from sheet material that is folded at one end and fused together according to remaining confronting edges.

207445 cnm

Another similar type of packaging typically used to package personal care or cosmetic products, such as toothpaste and lotions, is a compressible tube-shaped container that has a tubular body with a heat-sealed end along a line joint. straight. For example, see United States of America patents No. 5,632,951 issued in favor of Smith; No. 3,197,532 issued in favor of Maas; No. 5908124 issued in favor of Klauke et al. And No. 5,213,235 issued in favor of Miranda which reveal the use of blow molding techniques to form tube-shaped containers. In addition, Klauke's patent reveals the formation of an integral closure for twisting start in order to eliminate the need to provide a separately manufactured closure. Also, see United States of America Patent No. 11540.542 which discloses a production method of an extrusion blow molded container with a removable integral closure and United States of America Patent No. 5,141,136 which discloses a compressible bottle that has dual openings.

Another method for producing a container for packaging a fluid, such as a carbonated beverage, is disclosed by United States patents No. 4,529,108 and No. 4,619,797 issued in favor of Chlystun. The method includes blow molding a container body with an open exterior and a closed end.

The closed end, as it is formed, includes a dome arranged outwards that has an integral and retractable administration peak and a resealable closure for it. Before filling through the open end, the dome arranged outwardly and the spout are inverted into the body of the container below an outer peripheral stop ring, and preferably, a thin protective sheet is attached to the stop ring to protect and prevent pollution of

dome and peak. After filling, the open end is fixed <_____ disk shape manufactured separately.

Although the above-mentioned compressible bag, the tube-shaped containers and other containers and methods for their manufacture can function satisfactorily for the purposes for which they are intended, there is a need for a novel compressible plastic tube-shaped container that has a construction of an effective piece for the cost and that can be used to efficiently pack liquid products, taies corno juice, or other beverages, viscous products taies corno yogurt, applesauce, puddings, lotions, and hand soaps, and solid products, such as small portions of caramel in the form of small balls, or the like. Preferably, the package should have a closed end that provides an administration opening and a filling end that is sealed with a gasket after filling. The tube-shaped container must be able to be self-stable on its administration end and must be flexible to allow the administration of its contents by compressing its lateral part. In addition, when the contents of the package are food products or beverages, the administration end must be protected from contamination and / or unrecognizable interference before purchase and use by the final consumer. Finally, it must be made with a minimum of plastic, it must be easily recyclable, and it must be able to be manufactured in an efficient way for the cost.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a novel method of manufacturing a tube-shaped container having a one-piece construction.

Compressed tube shape capable of providing a package for a variety of different products, including juices, milk, yogurt, puddings, sauces, lotions, hand soaps, gels, ball-shaped objects, candies and the like.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a compressible tube-shaped container having an unequally configured administration end that provides a surface to support the container in a self-stable position directed upwards, which can be easily protected from contamination and of unrecognizable interference and that provides a unique way to manage content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, the present invention provides a method of producing a plastic container in a compressible tube form in which a plastic intermediate body is blow molded by extrusion into a blow mold. The intermediate body has a flexible tubular wall with a stop ring located at a first end closed by an integrally formed end wall which, as blow molded, projects outward from the first end of the side wall. A removable appendix is simultaneously molded integrally with the end wall in the blow mold during the blow molding of the intermediate body, or alternatively, the end wall is blown with an upwardly directed termination that can be filled with a separately manufactured lid. After extrusion blow molding the body, the end wall is inverted around the stop ring, so that the end wall is fully disposed within the side wall by

under a piano arranged through the stop ring. An opposite end of the side wall of the intermediate body is arranged to form a filling opening and after the end wall is inverted, the intermediate body is filled. Next, the open end is sealed with a gasket to create a plastic container filled with a compressible tube. In use, the appendix, or the lid, is removed from the end wall to create an administration opening in the plastic container in the form of a filled compressible tube.

Preferably, the method includes the formation of a dynamic hinge between the stop ring and the end wall so that the end wall quickly passes from an inverted position to an outward projecting position, when the flexible side wall of the plastic tube-shaped container compressible is compressed to allow rapid access and removal of the integrally formed appendix, or the lid formed separately, for easy administration through the administration opening.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate article is provided for use in the formation of a plastic container in the form of a compressible tube. The article includes a flexible plastic tubular side wall molded by extrusion blow which has an administration end and an open end. The administration end has a peripheral stop ring that includes an end wall shaped like an arc dome. The end wall rotates hinges in relation to the stop ring from an outward projecting position as it is formed to an inverted position in which the dome-shaped end wall is disposed within the side wall under a piano that passes through the ring stop. A compression molded appendix projects outward from the end wall and is removable from the end wall dome-shaped to create an administration opening in the plastic container in the form of a compressible tube. Alternatively, the end wall has a directed termination

upward that provides an administration opening and that is sealed with a lid manufactured separately. The appendix, or the cover, is positioned within the side wall below a plane that passes through the stop ring when the end wall is in the inverted position.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a plastic container in a compressible tube shape is provided with a flexible plastic side wall molded by extrusion blow having an administration end defined by a peripheral circular stop ring and an opposite filling end sealed closed with a gasket. An end wall is blow molded integrally with the side wall, is disposed from the stop ring, and closes the administration end of the container. The end wall is positionable in a storage position in which the end wall is concave and disposed inwards, within the side wall completely below a plane that passes through the stop ring. A twisted start appendage, or a termination that receives a cover projects outward from the end wall and is located between the end wall and the plane passing through the through ring when the end wall is in the storage position. The twisted start appendix, or the lid, is removable from the end wall to create an administration opening in the plastic container in the form of an oppressive tube.

Preferably, the container has a dynamic hinge between the stop ring and the end wall to allow the end wall to quickly pass out of the administration end of the side wall, and a substantially convex shape is disposed above the plane passing through of the stop ring when the flexible side wall is pressed. This allows easy access and removal of the twisted starter appendix, or the lid, and the easy

Ί administration through the administration opening created by removal of the twisted starter appendix, or the lid.

)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preceding objectives, and other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention, will be evidenced in the following description with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plastic container in the form of a compressible tube incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1, taken along line 2-2

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the administration end of the container of Figure 1 having an intrusion indicating coverage attached thereto;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the package of Figure 1, in which the package is being grasped and pressed and the twisted start appendage is being removed;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the administration end of the container of Figure 1, which has the twisted start appendage removed that is being used as a plug to close the administration opening;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a closed blow mold having an internal cavity against which a tubular molding mass has been blown to form an intermediate article;

Figure 7 is an elevation view of the intermediate article illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate article of Figure 6 in which the administration end has been inverted and the filling end has been cut and opened;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate article taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an elevation view illustrating the steps of the heat filling and sealing method of the open end of the intermediate article to form a sealed compressible tubular plastic container;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the administration end of an alternative embodiment of a plastic container in a compressible tube shape incorporating the present invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the administration end of the container shown in Figure 11 in which the end wall has been displaced outwards (i.e., the body of the container is being pressed) and the lid manufactured separately is being removed ;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the package of Figure 11 taken along line 13-13 and having an intrusion indicating coverage attached thereto;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the administration end of the container of Figure 11, in which the end wall is being displaced outward, such as when the body of the package is being pressed;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a closed blow mold having an internal cavity against which a tubular molding mass has been blown to form an alternative embodiment of an intermediate article according to the present invention; Y

Figure 16 is an elevation view of the administration end of the intermediate article illustrated in Figure 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 illustrates a container 10 in a compressible tube shape incorporating the present invention. The package 10 has a one-piece construction and is uniformly made of a monolayer plastic material, such as low density polyethylene, or a multilayer plastic material. The package 10 can be used to package a wide variety of liquid, viscous or solid products including, for example, juices, other beverages, yogurt, sauces, puddings, lotions, soaps in liquid or gel form, and ball shaped objects Taies like candies. The package 10 is made with a novel method that uses extrusion blow molding techniques and that includes the formation of a single intermediate article, both of which will be described in detail.

With reference first to the structural aspects of the tube-shaped container 10, it has a flexible side wall 12 with opposite ends 14 and 16. A first end 14 is the administration end of the container 10, and the second end 16 , which is opposite the administration end 16, is used to fill the container 10 and is then heat sealed to preferably form a flat gasket 18 in a straight line as illustrated in Figure 1.

Preferably, the side wall 12, as formed, is substantially tubular, and has a circular cross-section. The side wall 12 is flexible and allows the end 16 to be flattened to form the flat gasket 18 thereby providing a conventional tube-shaped configuration. The side wall 12 ends adjacent to the end of

administration 14 in a circular stop ring 20 on which the container can be stopped in a self-stable way with the seal 18 facing up. For example, see Figure 10. Preferably, a circumferential groove 22 inwardly disposed is formed in the side wall 12 at a spaced distance from the stop ring 20 to prevent ovalization of the stop ring 20 and reinforce the adjacent section of the side wall 12 . In addition, preferably, a side label 24 is applied to the side wall 12.

The administration end 14 of the filled tube-shaped container 10 has an arc-shaped end wall 26 disposed from the stop ring 20 and which closes the administration end 14. As illustrated in Figures 1-3, the end wall 26 is provided in a concave position arranged inward from the side wall 12 and below an imaginary plane "P" that passes through the stop ring 20. Thus, the end wall 26, as illustrated in Figures 1-3, has an inverted dome shape and can be said to be in a storage position since the end wall 26 does not interfere with the self-stability of the container 10 on the stop ring 20 and allows an intrusion indicator cover 28 to be attached to the stop ring 20 as best illustrated in Figure 3. The cover 28 can be a thin metal sheet or other cover similar to a sheet and can be used to avoid unrecognizable contamination or intrusion of the administration end 14 of the container 10 before its removal by the buying consumer.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1-9, a removable appendix 30, such as a twisted start appendage, provides an element for creating an administration opening 32 and an end wall 26. For this purpose, the appendix 30 is integrally formed with the end wall 26 and projects outwardly therefrom in relation to the side wall 12 of the container. Preferably, the appendix

The twisted starter 30 is arranged from a central region 32, or the end of the arched wall 26 is applied so that, when the end wall 26 is in the concave or inverted position, the twisted starter appendix 30 is confined within of the side wall 12 and between the end wall 26 and the imaginary piano "P" that passes through the stop ring 20. See Figures 2 and 3. Thus, when the end wall 26 is in the storage position, both the end wall 26 and the twisted starter appendage 30 are located under the stop ring 20 to allow the self-stability of the container 10 over the stop ring 20 and to allow joining of the intrusion indicator cover 28 to the stop ring 20.

One of the novel aspects of the present invention is that a dynamic hinge 34 is formed in the interconnection of the stop ring 20 and the end wall 26, which allows the end wall 26 to quickly pass from the concave position illustrated in figures 1 - 3 to an outward, or concave, projecting position, as best illustrated in Figure 4. Thus, in use, the cover 28 is removed, and the flexible side wall 12 is taken and compressed causing the end wall 26 to be disposed outwards. This elevates the twisted start appendage 30 to an easily accessible position and allows the appendix 30 to be easily grasped and broken by twisting out of the end wall 26, thereby creating the administration opening 32. Next, a desired quantity of the contained product can be administered by compressing the flexible wall 12. Preferably, the twist-start appendix 30 can be formed with lateral projections 36 that can be used to plug the administration opening 32 created by the removal of the Appendix 30. Thus, as best illustrated in Figure 5, the administration opening 32 may be

Figures 11-14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a container 100 in a compressible tube shape incorporating the present invention. The package 100 is identical in all respect to the package 10, except that the package 100 is provided with an upwardly directed termination that is sealed with a lid manufactured separately as will be described.

Thus, the tube-shaped container 100 has a flexible side wall 112 with opposite ends. A first end 114 is the administration end of the container 100, and a second end (not shown) is the opposite of the administration end 114 and is used to fill the container 100 and is then heat sealed to form a joint. (not shown).

Preferably, the side wall 112, as formed, is substantially tubular and has a circular cross-section. For example, see Figures 15 and 16. The side wall 112 is flexible and allows the filling end to be closed with a gasket. The side wall 112 ends adjacent to the administration end 114 in a circular stop ring 120 on which the container can be standing self-reliably with the joint facing up. Preferably, an inward circumferential groove 122 is formed in the side wall 112 at a spaced distance from the stop ring 120 to prevent ovalization of the stop ring 120 and reinforce the adjacent section of the side wall 112. In addition, an ethic is preferably applied 124 to the side wall 112.

The administration end 114 of the filled tube-shaped container 100 has an end wall 126 in a tray-shaped arrangement disposed from the stop ring 120 and which closes the administration end 114. As illustrated in Figures 11 and 13, the end wall 126 is provided in an arranged concave position

inside the side wall 112 and under an imaginary plane "P<sub>TO</sub>"What ~ passes through the stop ring 120. Thus, the end wall 126, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 13, has an inverted dome shape and can be said to be in a storage position since the end wall 126 does not interfere with the self-stability of the container 100 on the stop ring 120 and allows an intrusion indicator cover 128 to be attached to the stop ring 120 as best illustrated in Figure 13. The cover 128 may be a thin metal sheet or other sheet-shaped cover and may be used to avoid contamination or unrecognizable interference of the administration end 114 of the container 100 before removal by the acquiring consumer.

According to the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11-16, a separately manufactured closure 130 is used to seal an upwardly directed termination 132 projecting from the center of the end wall 126. For this purpose, the cover 130 and the termination 132 may be provided with cooperating rosea fillets, as shown, or alternatively, they may be friction shrouded or pressure shod with elastic effect and retention. Preferably, when the end wall 126 is in the concave or inverted position, the cover 130 and the termination 132 are confined within the side wall 112 and below the imaginary plane "P<sub>TO</sub>”Passing through the stop ring 120. See Figure 11. Thus, when the end wall 126 is in the storage position, the end wall 126, the cover 130 and the termination 132 are all located below the ring stop 120 to allow the self-stability of the container 100 on the stop ring 120 and to allow the binding of the intrusion indicator cover 128 to the stop ring 120.

Similar to container 10, container 100 has a dynamic hinge 134 formed in the interconnection of the stop ring 120 and the end wall 126,

which allows the end wall 126 to pass quickly from the concave position illustrated in Figures 11 and 13 to a projecting outward position, or convex as best illustrated in Figures 12 and 14. Thus, in use, the cover 128 is removed, and the flexible side wall 118 is taken and compressed causing the end wall 126 to be disposed outwards. This elevates the termination 132 and the removable cover 130 to an easily accessible location and allows the cover 130 to be easily grasped and twisted and removed from the end wall 126, thereby creating an administration opening. Next, a desired amount of the contained product can be administered by compressing the flexible side wall 112. The lid 130 can be reapplied to the termination 132 to reseal the container and the end wall 126 will be returned to its original concave storage position after the side wall of the container is compressed. D

Thus, packages 10 and 100 provide a particularly useful single package as a single service package for food products or beverages, or a package for cosmetic products or other products. The package 10 does not require the use of a separately manufactured closure, and the administration ends of the packages 10 and 100 can be protected from contamination and unrecognizable interference before use by an acquiring consumer. Containers 10 and 100 provide a novel retractable end wall structure that includes an integrally formed removable appendage, or upwardly directed termination and removable lid, which allows packages 10 and 100 to stand vertically on their stop rings, and allow application of intrusion indicating coverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED METHOD

wherein the flexible side wall 12 and the end wall 26 are formed with extrusion blow molding techniques. For this purpose, a fused tube of thermoplastic material, or plastic tubular mass is extruded in relation to a pair of open mold halves 38 and 40. As best illustrated in Figure 6, the blow mold halves 38 and 40, close around the tubular molding mass and cooperate to provide a cavity 42 within which the tubular molding mass is blown to form an intermediate article 44. The cavity 42 forms a substantially tubular side wall 12 and an upwardly projecting end wall 26 as illustrated in Figure 6. The cavity 42 also includes a compression molding section 46 that compresses a portion of the tubular mass to form the appendix 30. This is done simultaneously with the blowing of the side wall 12 and the end wall 26. Thus, the appendix 30 twist starter is integrally molded with the end wall 12 convaled outward in the blow mold, 38 and 40.

Preferably, the blow mold, 38 and 40, is also used to attach the labels 24 to the side wall 12. For this purpose, the labels 24 are positioned in the cavity 42 of the blow mold, 38 and 40, immediately before The tubular mass is going to be inflated. Thus, when the molding mass is inflated, the molten plastic is blown to fit the labels 24, and a heat sensitive adhesive in the labels 24 is activated to attach the labels 24 to the side wall of the intermediate blown body. 44. As the labels 24 are applied in the mold, the side wall 12 is formed around the labels 24, so that the labels 24 are sunk into the side wall 12 creating a smooth outer surface of the container even in the transition of the edges of ethics 24. As best illustrated in Figure 7, intermediate body 44 is removed from mold halves, 38 and 40, having a wall

projecting end 26 outwardly, a substantially cylindrical side wall 12, and waste, or waste material 48, disposed from said side wall opposite to said end wall 26.

After being removed from the blow mold halves, 38 and 40, the side wall 12 is cut in the "cut line" identified in Figure 7 to remove the waste material 48 from the side wall 12 and to create a open fill end 16 opposite the end wall 26. The fill end 16 is flexible and has a substantially circular cross section. In addition, the end wall 26 of the intermediate body 42 is inverted around the stop ring 20 of its projecting outward position, as it is blown, to a concave inward position. This locates the end wall 36 and the removable appendix 30 completely within the side wall 12 below the imaginary plane "P" that passes through the stop ring 20. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 8, the intermediate body 44 has a side wall 12 labeled tubular with an inverted end wall 26 and an open fill end 16. If the intermediate body 44 is to be filled with a food or beverage product, a cover 28 of evidence of intrusion is attached to the stop ring 20 before the intermediate body 44 is filled to avoid contamination of the end wall 26 and the integral appendix 30 start by twisting.

As illustrated in Figure 10, the intermediate body 44 is processed through a filling station 50 in which a product 52 is supplied through the open end 16 into the intermediate body 44. After filling, the open end 16 of intermediate body 44 is processed through a heat sealing station 54 to close the open end 16 and produce a sealed flat gasket 18. The result is a container 10 in a compressible tube-filled form as illustrated on the left side of Figure 10.

As noted above, the structure of the administration end 14 creates a dynamic hinge 34 at the interconnection of the stop ring 20 and the end wall 26. This allows the end wall 26 to be retracted to a concave position before filling and stored horn, and then be carried out suddenly so that the container 10 can be opened and its contents managed. The side wall 12 is flexible and is compressed to exit the end wall 26 suddenly outwards.

The container 100 is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the package 10 is manufactured. However, an upwardly directed termination 132 is formed in the blow mold instead of a twist start appendage. See Fig. 15. The excess material is removed from termination 132 to create an administration opening and to allow application of a separately manufactured closure 130. The closure 130 can be used to reverse the end wall 126 of the intermediate article 144 illustrated in Figure 16 when it is initially applied to the termination 132, and the closure 130 and the intrusion protection strip 128, if desired, must be applied at termination 132 before container 100 is filled.

Thus, the packages described, the intermediate articles, and the methods of production of the packages provide a single and effective packaging for the cost that can be produced at low cost by extrusion blow molding techniques. The container and method provide a tube-shaped container that has a retractable end wall that allows for easy and uncomplicated application of an intrusion indicating coverage and prevents contamination, which allows the container to be self-stable, and which allows for easy access and removal of the appendage boot by integrally formed twist, or the applied closure.

Although containers, intermediate articles and preferred methods have been described in detail, various modifications, alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Contents7

21 members in 15 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim5 more offices are in the list below

Priority claims8

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
24677800	United States of America	P	2000-11-08
24677800	United States of America	P	2000-11-08
31815501	United States of America	P	2001-09-07
31815501	United States of America	P	2001-09-07
60246778	–	–	–
60318155	–	–	–
US20000246778P	–	–	–
US20010318155P	–	–	–

Members21

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
WO0238360A1	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A1	2002-05-16
CA2396651A1	Canada	A1	2002-05-18
AU2009502A	Australia	A	2002-05-21
PE20020482A1	Peru	A1	2002-07-08
BR0107465A	Brazil	A	2002-10-15
ECSP024285A	Ecuador	A	2002-11-19
US2002180114A1	United States of America	A1	2002-12-05
TR2002001858T2	Türkiye	T2	2003-03-21
TR200201858T2	Türkiye	T2	2003-03-21
EP1332036A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2003-08-06
US6673301B2	United States of America	B2	2004-01-06
AR034176A1This record	Argentina	A1	2004-02-04
EP1332036A4	European Patent Office (EPO)	A4	2004-04-28
CR6744A	Costa Rica	A	2004-08-16
MXPA02006681A	Mexico	A	2004-09-10
EP1332036B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2006-11-02
AT344125T	Austria	T	2006-11-15
ATE344125T1	Austria	T1	2006-11-15
DE60124291D1	Germany	D1	2006-12-14
DE60124291T2	Germany	T2	2007-05-10
ES2274912T3	Spain	T3	2007-06-01