Collapsible tube container with one or more one-way valves

Abstract

An improved collapsible tube container according to the present invention is provided with one or more one-way valves affixed to the interior of its flexible chamber to reduce backflow during the dispensing and storage of fluid contents. Each one-way valve approximates a hollow generalized cylinder that may be right or tapered, and is composed of flexible material. Each valve is arranged such that fluid moves through it in a preferred direction toward the outflow nozzle. The functionality of the collapsible tube container is improved by the resultant promotion of unidirectional fluid movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible tube container for dispensing and storing a fluid product, said collapsible tube container comprising:
 a flexible tubular chamber that is flattened closed and sealed at one end, and provided at the opposite end with an outflow nozzle;   a closure; and   one or more one-way valves affixed to an interior surface of the flexible tubular chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the flexible tubular chamber are composed of inelastically-deformable material. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 1 , wherein each one-way valve approximates a hollow generalized cylinder composed of flexible material, and is arranged coaxially with the flexible tubular chamber and affixed to an interior surface of said flexible tubular chamber along a periphery of a posterior edge of said one-way valve that is distal to the outflow nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 3 , wherein an unconstrained anterior edge of each one-way valve forms a narrower opening than the posterior edge. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 4 , wherein each one-way valve approximates a hollow truncated cone (frusto-conical shell). 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 4 , wherein each one-way valve approximates a hollow truncated paraboloid (frusto-paraboloidal shell). 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 4 , wherein each one-way valve approximates a hollow truncated neiloid (frusto-neiloidal shell). 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 4 , wherein the unconstrained anterior edge of each one-way valve is beveled. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible tube container of  claim 4 , wherein walls of each one-way valve embody non-uniform thickness.