Handy fluid tube

Abstract

A handy fluid tube includes a tube having a top end and a bottom end, a first fluid, for example, medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid contained in the tube, a second fluid with high viscosity and high adhesive contained in the tube and forming a floating stopper to seal the bottom end of the tube, and a sealing cap fastened to the tube and movable relative to the tube between a first position to seal the top end of the tube for causing the second fluid to seal the bottom end of the tube and a second position to open the top end for letting the atmospheric pressure enter the tube.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid tube and more particularly to a handy fluid tube that carries a first fluid for application and a second fluid that seals the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tube is sealed and opens the bottom end of the tube for enabling the first fluid to flow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tube is opened.

2. Description of the Related Art

When applying a fluid to the surface of an electronic component or the skin of a person for the purpose of cleaning or skin care, a cotton pad, sponge or any other applicator means may be used. When using a cotton pad, sponge or fluid applicator to pick up a fluid from a fluid container for application, the fluid may drop from the fluid container accidentally, causing contamination.

There is a fluid tube sealing a fluid. The fluid tube has a breakable neck. When the user breaks the breakable neck, the fluid tube is opened for allowing the contained fluid to flow out of the tube. This design of fluid tube is convenient for use, carrying and keeping. However, the breakable neck of the fluid tube tends to be broken accidentally, causing the contained fluid to flow out of the tube. Further, when breaking the breakable neck, the contained fluid may splash, causing contamination.

There is known another design of fluid tube, which comprises a tube holding a fluid, a floating stopper formed of a high-viscosity, high-adhesion fluid and adapted to seal the bottom end of the tube, and a plug plugged into the top end of the tube. When the plug is unplugged from the top end of the tube, the atmospheric pressure enters the tube to force the fluid and the floating stopper. At this time, the floating stopper is adhered to the inside wall of the tube for enabling the fluid to flow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube. This design of fluid tube is still not satisfactory in function. Because of limited contact area between the plug and the tube, the plug tends to be moved away from the tube accidentally. Further, frequently plugging and unplugging the plug may cause contamination, affecting the quality of the contained fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a handy fluid tube that carries a first fluid for application and a second fluid that seals the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tube is sealed and opens the bottom end of the tube for enabling the first fluid to flow out of the tube through the bottom end of the tube when the top end of the tube is opened. It is another object of the present invention to provide a handy fluid tube, which is convenient for carrying without causing contamination.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a handy fluid tube comprises a tube having a top end and a bottom end, a first fluid, for example, medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid contained in the tube, a second fluid with high viscosity and high adhesive contained in the tube and forming a floating stopper to seal the bottom end of the tube, and a sealing cap fastened to the tube and movable relative to the tube between a first position to seal the top end of the tube for causing the second fluid to seal the bottom end of the tube and a second position to open the top end for letting the atmospheric pressure enter the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a handy fluid tube in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a handy fluid tube in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a handy fluid tube in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a tube 1, a first fluid 2 contained in the tube 1, a second fluid 3 set in one end, namely, the bottom end 12 of the tube 1 and working as a floating stopper to stop the bottom end 12 of the tube 1 and a sealing cap 4 capped on the other end, namely, the top end 11 of the tube 1. The first fluid 2 can be medical fluid, alcohol or cosmetic fluid. The second fluid (floating stopper) 3 has the characteristics of high molecular weight, high purity and high viscosity, high chemical stability and low volatility. The second fluid (floating stopper) 3 does not react with or dissolve in the first fluid 2. The second fluid (floating stopper) 3 effectively prohibits the first fluid 2 from flowing out of the tube 1 through the bottom end 12.

The sealing cap 4 has rounded flanges 41 protruded from the inside wall thereof and press-fitted onto the upper part 13 of the tube 1 to seal the top end 11 of the tube 1, and a handle 42 extended from the top wall thereof for the hand to grasp. Through the handle 42, the user can cap the sealing cap 4 onto the upper part 13 of the tube 1 or remove the sealing cap 4 from the tube 1 conveniently.

When operating the handle 42 to move the sealing cap 4 relative to the tube 1 for enabling outside air to enter the tube 1, the air pressure forces the first fluid 2 and the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 to flow downwards. At this time, the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 is adhered to the inside wall of the tube 1 subject to its physical characteristics, allowing the first fluid 2 to flow out of the tube 1 through the bottom end 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a handy fluid tube in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception of the structure of the sealing cap 4. The sealing cap 4 according to this second embodiment has a plurality of rounded flanges 41 press-fitted into the inside of the upper part 13 of the tube 1 to seal the top end 11 of the tube 1. Similar to the aforesaid first embodiment, the user can operate the handle 42 to move the sealing cap 4 relative to the tube 1, the atmospheric pressure enters the tube 1 to force the first fluid 2 and the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 downwards. At this time, the second fluid (floating stopper) 3 is adhered to the inside wall of the tube 1 subject to its physical characteristics, allowing the first fluid 2 to flow out of the tube 1 through the bottom end 12.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A handy fluid tube, comprising a tube having an inside wall, an outside wall, a top end and a bottom end, a first fluid contained in said tube, a second fluid having the characteristics of high viscosity and high adhesion contained in said tube to form a floating stopper to seal said bottom end in such a manner that when said top end is sealed, said second fluid seals said bottom end to prohibit flowing of said first fluid out of said tube through said bottom end; when said top end is opened to let the atmosphere pressure enters said tube, said second fluid is forced to adhere to the inside wall of said tube for enabling said first fluid to flow out of said tube through said bottom end, wherein said top end of said tube is detachably sealed with a sealing cap, said sealing cap being movable relative to said tube between a first position to seal said top end of said tube for causing said second fluid to seal said bottom end of said tube and a second position to open said second end for letting the atmospheric pressure enter said tube, said sealing cap having a plurality of rounded flanges kept in contact with said tube.

2. The handy fluid tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing cap is capped on the outside wall of said tube to keep said rounded flanges in close contact with the outside wall of said tube.

3. The handy fluid tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing cap is press-fitted into said tube to keep said rounded flanges in close contact with the inside wall of said tube.