Twist-off container plug

Abstract

A container having a removable tab which creates a dispensing opening when removed and where a lateral projection on said tab can be used to reseal the tube.

1 . A container comprising: 
 an elongated, tubular tip, tapered at one end;    a tab having a lateral projection and a joining piece, said tab being removably connected to said tip at the tapered end,    wherein the tab and tip are integrally molded.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a tubular receptacle at the end of the tip, opposite to the end at which the tab sits.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is adapted for containing a viscous substance.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral projection of the tab is tapered at one end.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab has two lateral projections, at least one of which is tapered.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the joining piece is substantially circular.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is adapted to create a dispensing opening in the tip once removed.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of the tab defined by said lateral projection is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the tubular tip before removal of the tab.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein a lateral projection of the tab is adapted to plug the tip once the tab is removed.  
   
   
       10 . A method comprising: 
 (a) providing a container having a tip which is tapered at one end and a tab with a lateral projection and joining piece; and    (b) removing said tab to create an opening in said tip.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein removing the tab creates a dispensing opening in the tip.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a lateral projection of the tab is tapered and the method further comprises plugging the tip by inserting said lateral projection into the opening.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the container further comprises a tubular receptacle at the end of the tip, opposite the end at which the tab sits.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the receptacle is adapted for containing a viscous substance.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising expressing the viscous substance through the tip.  
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a container comprising: 
 (a) extruding a parison between two mold halves;    (b) closing said mold halves; and    (c) blowing air into the parison to expand the parison to produce a container that comprises: 
 (1) a hollow tube that is tapered at one end; and  
 (2) a tab with a lateral projection and a joining piece attached to said tab.  
   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the tab is formed by compression molding when the mold halves close.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said tab is solid.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising filling said container.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising sealing said container.