Plural chambered squeezable dispensing tube

Abstract

The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A substantially planar partition-forming member suitable for insertion into a dispensing tube to form a partition and two separate and discrete compartments within the tube; said tube having a dispensing end with affixed thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap and an open filling end into which the partition-forming member is inserted prior to filling; said partition-forming member having a configuration such that when inserted into the tube. .;.!..Iadd.:.Iaddend. (i) the end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the dispensing end of the tube is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and extends into said neck,   (ii) the adjacent portion thereto conforms to the shape of the tube shoulder,   (iii) the mid-portion extends within the tube and has a width corresponding to at least one half the inner-circumference of the tube; and   (iv) the terminal end of the partition-forming member corresponding to the filling end of the tube has a width substantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of said tube,     said partition-forming member . .being scored.!. .Iadd.having foldable portions .Iaddend.along each longitudinal side at a distance from the edge thereof such that when fully inserted into the tube the partition-forming member folds along the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions, .Iaddend.thereby providing a spine between the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and .Iadd.further providing .Iaddend.two flaps adjacent . .thereto.!. .Iadd.to the foldable portions.Iaddend.; and   said partition-forming member being comprised of a material sufficiently resilient that such member tends to revert to its original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against the inner surface of the tube and providing a seal along the longitudinal edge with said inner surface of the tube.   
     
     
       2. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the dispensing end of said member is provided with diametrically opposed notches which engage a collet positioned on the inner periphery of the neck when inserted therethrough. 
     
     
       3. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is die cut. 
     
     
       4. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is comprised of a material which is bondable with a surface of the tube. 
     
     
       5. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said member is formed from plastic sheet material, board material coated with a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       6. The partition-forming member of claim 5, wherein said member comprises an inner layer of a board material and two outer layers of polymeric sheet material, the total planar dimensions of said polymeric sheets being greater than those of the paper board thereby resulting in a polymeric sheet to polymeric sheet overlapping in a plane with and around the edge of said member and said overlappping of sheets being laminated together to form a flexible sealing gasket in a plane with and around the edge of said member. 
     
     
       7. The partition-forming member of claim . .1.!. .Iadd.39 .Iaddend.which is comprised of two similar . .inserts.!. .Iadd.insert .Iaddend.members positioned and adhered together so as to form one integral planar spine having four longitudinal scores and four oppositally projecting folds. 
     
     
       8. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the edges of the flaps are cut at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing direction of each flap. 
     
     
       9. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the edges of said member which contact the inner surface of the tube are provided with noncontaminating sealing material. 
     
     
       10. The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein the terminal dispensing end of said member is of a configuration which compliments that of the inner surface of the closing cap and when said member extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck for a sufficient distance it forms a lineal seal within the cap. 
     
     
       11. A dual compartment dispensing tube assembly, comprising: a tubular container body having a dispensing end and affixed thereto a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap, and a filling end which is sealed after contents are placed in said compartments;   said tubular container body . .have.!. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.positioned therein a substantially planar partition-forming insert which provides two adjacent compartments defined by a common wall segment and a pair of outer arcuate walls;   said planar insert having a configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened and comprising an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck and which extends . .through the orifice formed by.!. .Iadd.into the .Iaddend.the neck, an adjacent portion conforming to the inside shape of the tube shoulder, a mid-portion extending axially within the tube and having a width of at least about one half the inner circumference of the tube, and a terminal end positioned within the filling end of the tube and having a width substantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of said tube;   said planar insert having . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.along each longitudinal side to provide a spine between the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and .Iadd.to provide .Iaddend.a flap at either side of the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions.Iaddend., wherein said insert can be folded into a generally "Z" shape, and   said planar insert being comprised of a material sufficiently resilient such that the insert tends to revert to its original planar configuration thereby causing pressure of the flaps against the inner arcuate walls thereby providing a pressure seal along the longitudinal edges with the surface of said arcuate walls.   
     
     
       12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the planar insert is comprised of a material which is bondable with a surface of tubular container body. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the dispensing end of the planar insert is provided with diametrically opposed notches which engage a collet positioned on the inner periphery of the neck when inserted therethrough. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said planar insert is die cut. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said planar insert is formed from plastic sheet material, board material coated with a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said planar insert comprises an inner layer of board material and two outer layers of polymeric sheet material, the total planar dismensions of said polymeric sheets being greater than these of the board, thereby resulting in a sheet to sheet overlapping in a plane with and around the edge of said insert and said overlapping of sheets being laminated together to form a flexible sealing gasket in a plane with and around the edge of said insert. 
     
     
       17. The assembly of claim . .11.!. .Iadd.40 .Iaddend.wherein the insert is comprised of two similar planar members positioned and adhered together so as to form one integral insert having four longitudinal scores which define a spine and four oppositally projecting flaps. 
     
     
       18. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the edges of the flaps are cut at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing direction of each flap. 
     
     
       19. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the edges of the planar insert which contact the inner surface of the tube are provided with noncontaminating sealing material. 
     
     
       20. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the terminal dispensing end of said planar insert is of a configuration which compliments that of the inner surface of the closing cap and wherein said insert extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck for a distance sufficient to form a lineal seal within the cap. 
     
     
       21. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the shoulder and neck are provided with slots into which the planar insert fits, said planar insert having dimensions which substantially fill the voids provided by said slots. 
     
     
       22. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the tubular body is an extended tubular cylinder comprised of thermoplastic material, aluminum, or a laminated combination of at least two materials from any one or more of the above materials. 
     
     
       23. The assembly of claim 11 wherein, after filling, the filling end is sealed to form a straight line seal at said filling end with said planar partition-forming insert. 
     
     
       24. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the tubular container body has a cross-section which is a circle or an ellipsoid. 
     
     
       25. A method for assembling a dual compartment dispensing tube assembly, said assembly comprising: a tubular container body having a dispensing end and a filling end, and a shoulder and a neck terminating as a dispensing orifice and adapted to receive a closing cap affixed to the dispensing end of the tube;   a substantially planar partition forming insert member having a configuration generally conforming to that of the tube if flattened and comprising: an end portion which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck;   an adjacent portion thereto conforming to the inside shape of the tube shoulder;   an elongated mid-portion having a width of at least one half the inner circumference of the tube; and   a terminal end having a width sub-stantially equal to one half the inner-circumference of the tube;   . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.along each longitudinal side of the insert to provide a spine between the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions .Iaddend.and .Iadd.to provide .Iaddend.an elongated flap at either side of the . .scoring.!. .Iadd.foldable portions, .Iaddend.said insert .Iadd.being .Iaddend.comprised of a material sufficiently resilient such that the insert tends to maintain its planar configuration;     said method comprising: (i) placing the tube in a position suitable for filling;   (ii) directing the planar insert into and through the filling end of the tube until the end portion of the insert extends into the orifice formed by the neck, the adjacent portion abuts the inside of the shoulder, and the spine and flaps are folded into a generally "Z" shape and provide a partition which divides the tube into two compartments;   (iii) filling each of the compartments; and   (iv) sealing the filling end of the tube to form a straight line seal with the planar insert.     
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25 wherein the tube neck is cylindrical and has a collet positioned on the inner periphery thereof which engages diametrically opposed notches provided in the neck portion of the planar insert. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 25 wherein the portion of the planar insert corresponding to the neck and shoulder is guided into and positioned in slots provided in the inner surface of the neck and shoulder. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 25 wherein the planar insert is comprised of a material which is bondable with a surface of tubular container body. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is die cut. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is comprised of a material which is bondable with a surface of the tube. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 25 wherein said planar insert is formed from polymeric sheet material, board material coated with a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31, wherein said planar insert Comprises an inner layer of board material and two outer layers of polymeric sheet material, the total planar dismensions of said polymeric sheets being greater than those of the board material, thereby resulting in a sheet to sheet overlapping in a plane with and around the edge of said insert and said polymeric sheet overlappping being laminated together to form a flexible sealing gasket in a plane with and around the edge of said insert. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim . .25.!. .Iadd.41 .Iaddend.wherein the insert is comprised of two similar planar members positioned and adhered together so as to form one integral insert having four longitudinal scores which define a spine and four oppositally projecting flaps. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 25 wherein the edges of the flaps are die cut at an angle to form a biased surface in the sealing direction of each flap. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 25 wherein the edges of the planar insert which contact the inner surface of the tube are provided with noncontaminating sealing material. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 25 wherein the terminal dispensing end of said planar insert is of a configuration which compliments that of the inner surface of the closing cap and wherein said insert extends through and beyond the orifice formed by the neck for a distance sufficient to form a lineal seal within the cap. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 25 wherein the tubular body is an extruded tubular cylinder comprised of thermoplastic material, aluminum, or a laminated combination of at least two materials from any one or more of the above materials. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 25 wherein the tubular container body has a cross-section which is a circle or an ellipsoid. .Iadd. 
     
     
       39.  The partition-forming member of claim 1 wherein said foldable portions comprise scoring disposed along each longitudinal side of said partition-forming member at a distance from the edge thereof such that when fully inserted into the tube the partition-forming member folds along the scoring, said two flaps being adjacent to said scoring and said spine being disposed between said scoring..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said foldable portions of said planar insert comprise scoring disposed along each longitudinal side of said insert, each said flap being disposed on either side of said scoring, and said spine being disposed between said scoring..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said end portion of the planar insert extends through the orifice formed by the neck..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The method of claim 25 wherein said foldable portions of said planar insert comprise scoring disposed along each longitudinal side of said insert, each said elongated flap being disposed on either side of said scoring, and said spine being disposed between said scoring..Iaddend.