Systems and methods for plastic-free button-lock tube containers

Abstract

A plastic-free, button-lock tube container comprising: a first tube assembly having a cylindrical body with an open end, a closed end, and a first opening formed in the wall of the body; a second tube assembly having a cylindrical body configured to telescopically interface with the first tube assembly along a portion of its length and having a second opening formed therein; a locking apparatus including a manually actuatable button and an elastically deformable structure mechanically coupled to the manually actuatable button such that, when the button-lock tube container is in a closed state, the elastically deformable structure applies an outward radial force to the manually actuatable button such that it projects through the first and second openings and prevents sliding motion between the first and second tube assemblies; wherein the first tube assembly, the second tube assembly, and the locking apparatus are plastic-free components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plastic-free, button-lock tube container comprising:
 a first tube assembly having a cylindrical body with an open end, a closed end, and a first opening formed in the wall of the body;   a second tube assembly having a cylindrical body configured to telescopically interface with the first tube assembly along a portion of its length and having a second opening formed therein;   a locking apparatus including a manually actuatable button and an elastically deformable structure mechanically coupled to the manually actuatable button such that, when the button-lock tube container is in a closed state, the elastically deformable structure applies an outward radial force to the manually actuatable button such that it projects through the first and second openings and prevents sliding motion between the first and second tube assemblies;   wherein the first tube assembly, the second tube assembly, and the locking apparatus are plastic-free components.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the locking apparatus comprises a button portion and a collar portion that is coiled within the first tube assembly and makes contact with a backside surface of the button portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein collar portion has a length that is less than the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly such that a gap of about 1.0 inch to 0.1 inch remains between the two ends of the collar portion when the locking apparatus is inserted within the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the locking apparatus comprises a button portion and integral, laterally extending lateral wings whose total length is greater than half the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein collar portion has a length that is less than the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly such that a gap of about 1.0 inch to 0.1 inch remains between the two ends of the lateral wings when the locking apparatus is inserted within the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plastic free components contain a fiber-based mixture including at least one of softwood, bagasse, bamboo, and old corrugated containers. 
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a plastic-free, button-lock tube container comprising:
 forming, from a plastic-free material, a first tube assembly having a cylindrical body with an open end, a closed end, and a first opening formed in the wall of the body;   forming, from a plastic-free material, a second tube assembly having a cylindrical body configured to telescopically interface with the first tube assembly along a portion of its length and having a second opening formed therein;   forming a locking apparatus including a manually actuatable button and an elastically deformable structure mechanically coupled to the manually actuatable button such that, when the button-lock tube container is in a closed state, the elastically deformable structure applies an outward radial force to the manually actuatable button such that it projects through the first and second openings and prevents sliding motion between the first and second tube assemblies;   wherein forming the locking apparatus comprises: providing a wire mesh mold in the shape of the button; immersing the mold in a fiber-based slurry; drawing a vacuum across the wire mold to cause fiber particles to accumulate at the wire mesh surface; and removing the mold and attached fiber particles from the slurry; and subsequently drying the fiber particles to yield the button.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further including introducing a strength additive to the fiber-based slurry. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the strength additive is in the range of 1.5%-4.0% by weight. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the locking apparatus comprises a button portion and a collar portion that is coiled within the first tube assembly and makes contact with a backside surface of the button portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein collar portion has a length that is less than the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly such that a gap of about 1.0 inch to 0.1 inch remains between the two ends of the collar portion when the locking apparatus is inserted within the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the locking apparatus comprises a button portion and integral, laterally extending lateral wings whose total length is greater than half the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein collar portion has a length that is less than the circumference of the inner surface of the first tube assembly such that a gap of about 1.0 inch to 0.1 inch remains between the two ends of the lateral wings when the locking apparatus is inserted within the first tube assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the plastic free components contain a fiber-based mixture including at least one of softwood, bagasse, bamboo, and old corrugated containers.