TUBE ASSEMBLY

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20240343441
  • Publication Number
    20240343441
  • Date Filed
    April 11, 2024
    9 months ago
  • Date Published
    October 17, 2024
    2 months ago
Abstract
A tube assembly is disclosed. The tube assembly may include a tube with an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The tube may have a cylindrical shape. The tube assembly may also include a top integrally formed with the tube such that the tube and the top are a monolithic structure. The top may include an outer lid, a cap with a cap pull tab protruding outwards from the tube assembly, and a breakable portion disposed between the cap and the outer lid. The breakable portion may be configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas to allow for breaking off and separating completely the cap at the breakable portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to containers for storage and delivery of material, and particularly to a tube assembly.


BACKGROUND

Materials are often stored in in a container in which the container may be employed with a device to deliver the material. For example, grease may be stored within a tube or cartridge and then inserted within a grease gun system for the application of the grease. Conventional grease tubes or cartridges may be limited by their cost and their tendency to be damaged and/or leak during transport and use.


SUMMARY

A tube assembly is disclosed in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. In one illustrative embodiment, the tube assembly may include a tube with an outer diameter and an inner diameter. In another illustrative embodiment, the tube may have a cylindrical shape. In another illustrative embodiment, the tube assembly may include a top integrally formed with the tube such that the tube and the top are a monolithic structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the top may include an outer lid. In another illustrative embodiment, the top may include a cap with a cap pull tab protruding outwards from the tube assembly. In another illustrative embodiment, the top may include a breakable portion disposed between the cap and the outer lid. In another illustrative embodiment, the breakable portion may be configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas to allow for breaking off and separating completely the cap at the breakable portion.


In a further aspect, the tube and the top may include material comprising plastic. In another aspect, a mold release angle of the outer lid may be different than a mold release angle of the cap pull tab. In another aspect, the mold release angle of the outer lid may be shallower than the mold release angle of the cap pull tab, thereby aiding in a release of a mold. In another aspect, the mold release angle of the outer lid may be 35 degrees or less relative to a radial plane. In another aspect, the mold release angle of the cap pull tab may be 47.5 degrees or more relative to a radial plane.


In a further aspect, the mold release angle of the lower recess may be less than 90 degrees. In another aspect, the breakable portion may be circle-shaped. In another aspect, the breakable portion may define an outer edge of the cap. In another aspect, the outer edge of the cap may be at least 1.472 inches in diameter. In another aspect, the thickness of the cap may be at least 0.09 inches. In another aspect, the breakable portion may span each side of the top of the tube assembly. In another aspect, a tube side wall thickness of the tube may be 0.035 inches or less. In another aspect, the inner diameter of the tube may be at least 2.03 inches. In another aspect, the total diameter of the tube assembly may be at least 2.2 inches.


A tube assembly is disclosed in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. In one illustrative embodiment, the tube assembly may include a tube and a top integrally formed with the tube. In another illustrative embodiment, the top may include a breakable portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the breakable portion may be configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas.


In a further aspect, the tube and the top may be a monolithic structure including material including plastic. In another illustrative embodiment, the top may include an outer lid and a cap, where the outer lid is coupled between the tube and the cap. In another illustrative embodiment, the cap may include a cap pull tab protruding outwards from the tube assembly. In another illustrative embodiment, a mold release angle of the outer lid may be different than a mold release angle of the cap pull tab.


It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures.



FIG. 1 is a container.



FIG. 2 are views of a disassembled tube assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3A is a three-dimensional view of a tube assembly being formed via a mold, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3B is a side view of a tube assembly being formed via a mold, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3C is a three-dimensional of a tube assembly being formed via a mold, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a top of a tube assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a tube assembly including a top, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.



FIG. 6 are enlarged views of a side cross-sectional view of a tube assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.


Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a tube assembly. Advantageously, the tube assembly may be configured to withstand damage. The tube assembly may be a relatively rigid, low-cost device for the storage and delivery of material such as grease.


The tube assembly may be a monolithic form factor able to be injected molded and which addresses issues such as leakage and higher costs of conventional containers.


As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional container 10 is shown. A conventional container 10 may be produced using three parts, a tube 14 formed of fiber or plastic, a fill cap 16 formed of plastic, and a particular style of removable top 12 (e.g., a common style of pop-top) is formed of metal or plastic. In the manufacture of a grease tube 10, the tube 14 and removable top 12 may be manufactured separately and then assembled using spin welding, crimping, or adhesives. The fill cap 16 may be applied after the tube 14 and removable top 12 are filled with grease. The assembly of the tube 14 and removable top 12 may relatively consume large amounts of machine time and labor. During the filling process, the tube 14 and removable top 12 may be subject to damage and leaks. Embodiments of the present disclosure may address these issues.



FIG. 2 illustrates views of a disassembled tube assembly 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.


The tube assembly 100 includes a top 102. The tube assembly 100 may include a tube 104. The tube may include a cylindrical shape as shown.


The tube assembly may include or be configured to receive a fill cap 106, to retain the material.


The top 102 and the tube 104 of the tube assembly 100 may be integrally formed. The tube 104 and the top 102 of the tube assembly 100 may be a monolithic structure including material. For example, the material may include plastic. For example, the tube assembly 100 may include the top 102 and the tube 104 as a single monolithic part, such as an injection molded plastic part.


For instance, the top 102 and the tube 104 may include the same material (e.g., plastic) and be formed as one part.



FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a three-dimensional view of the tube assembly 100 (of FIG. 2) being formed via a mold 304, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.


The tube assembly 100 may be configured to be formed from a mold. For example, the design may allow for mold tooling. For instance, surfaces may be angled to allow for the mold tooling to be pulled away from the tube assembly 100.


The tube assembly 100 may be formed via a mold slide 304 that allows the tube assembly 100 to be injected through a port/drop 302 in a center of what will become a top portion 108 (e.g., center of a break-away portion). Such a configuration may allow liquid plastic to flow down side walls of the tube assembly 100, thereby creating one continuous, and integral part.


In embodiments, the tube assembly 100 is configured to be formed by two or more mold slides 304. The tube assembly 100 may allow for the mold slides 304 to mechanically withdraw (slide) away from the tube assembly 100 as the mold 306 opens. When the tube assembly 100 is extracted from the mold, the tube assembly 100 may be one, solid, integral part. For example, the two or more mold slides 304 may include a set of radially arranged mold slides 304 positioned around the tube assembly 100. For example, the two or more mold slides 304 may include a mold slide 304 on each side of the tube assembly 100. For example, the two or more mold slides 304 may include three mold slides 304 around the tube assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 3C, the mold slide 304 may occupy roughly 120 degrees (i.e., one-third) of the radial circumference. The mold may include one or more mold slides (not shown) to form the outside and the inside of the tube as well. Note that the examples shown and described herein are non-limiting and any number and shapes of mold parts and methods may be used.



FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a top 102 of a tube assembly 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.


The top 102 of the tube assembly 100 may include an outer lid 110 (e.g., rim) and a cap 114. The outer lid 110 may be coupled between the tube 104 and the cap 114. The outer lid may be the edge of the top 102 and stay behind when the cap 114 is broken off to allow release of the material.


The cap 114 may include a cap pull tab 112 protruding outwards from the tube assembly 100. The cap pull tab 112 may protrude so that a user may pull it off. For example, the cap pull tab 112 may be angled backwards to provide a “lip” for grabbing.


A mold release angle 504 of the outer lid 110 may be different (e.g., nonparallel) than a mold release angle 502 of the cap pull tab 112. The mold release angle 504 of the outer lid 110 may be shallower than the mold release angle 502 of the cap pull tab 112, thereby aiding in a release of a mold.



FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a tube assembly 100 including a top 102 and a breakable portion 506, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The breakable portion 506 may, for example, include a weak, break-away recess 506 to allow for pulling off the cap 114.


The breakable portion 506 of the top 102 may be disposed between the cap 114 and the outer lid 110. The breakable portion 506 may be configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas to allow for breaking off (e.g., separating completely) the cap 114 at the breakable portion 506. For example, the breakable portion 506 may include a thin portion including at least one of an upper recess 506a or a lower recess 506b. For instance, the breakable portion 506 may include both the upper recess 506a and the lower recess 506b.


The breakable portion 506 may span each side of the top 102 of the tube assembly 100. For example, the breakable portion 506 may span a continuous loop (e.g., circle shape or the like).


The breakable portion 506 may be any shape. For example, the breakable portion 506 may be circle-shaped.


The breakable portion 506 may define an outer edge 508 of the cap 114. The outer edge 508 of the cap 114 may be at least 1.472 inches in diameter.


The mold release angle 504 of the outer lid 110 may be 35 degrees or less relative to a radial plane (e.g., a horizontal plane normal to a central axis of the tube 104). The mold release angle 502 of the cap pull tab 112 may be 47.5 degrees or more relative to the radial plane.



FIG. 6 illustrates enlarged views of a side cross-sectional view of a tube assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.


A thickness 622 of the cap 114 may be at least 0.09 inches.


A tube side wall thickness 618, 610 of the tube 104 may be 0.035 inches or less.


A mold release angle 620 of the lower recess 506b may be less than 90 degrees.


A corner lip width 612 of the top 102 may be 0.125 inches. A total top thickness 614 may be at least 0.24 inches.


A pull tab thickness 624 of the pull tab may be at least 0.1 inches.


An inner diameter 608 of the tube 104 may be at least 2.03 inches.


A total diameter 602 of the tube assembly 100 may be at least 2.2 inches. A total length 604 of the tube assembly 100 may be at least 9.255 inches.


Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a system/device and components that may be used to implement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.


In a general sense, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary.


The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.


While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims.


With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

Claims
  • 1. A tube assembly, comprising: a tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the tube comprises a cylindrical shape; anda top integrally formed with the tube such that the tube and the top are a monolithic structure, wherein the top comprises: an outer lid;a cap, wherein the cap comprises a cap pull tab protruding outwards from the tube assembly, wherein the outer lid is coupled between the tube and the cap; anda breakable portion disposed between the cap and the outer lid,wherein the breakable portion is configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas to allow for breaking off and separating completely the cap at the breakable portion, wherein the breakable portion comprises a thin portion comprising at least one of an upper recess or a lower recess.
  • 2. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube and the top comprise material comprising plastic.
  • 3. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a mold release angle of the outer lid is different than a mold release angle of the cap pull tab.
  • 4. The tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the mold release angle of the outer lid is shallower than the mold release angle of the cap pull tab, thereby aiding in a release of a mold.
  • 5. The tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the mold release angle of the outer lid is 35 degrees or less relative to a radial plane.
  • 6. The tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the mold release angle of the cap pull tab is 47.5 degrees or more relative to a radial plane.
  • 7. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a mold release angle of the lower recess is less than 90 degrees.
  • 8. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the breakable portion is circle-shaped.
  • 9. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the breakable portion defines an outer edge of the cap.
  • 10. The tube assembly of claim 9, wherein the outer edge of the cap is at least 1.472 inches in diameter.
  • 11. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the cap is at least 0.09 inches.
  • 12. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the breakable portion spans each side of the top of the tube assembly.
  • 13. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a tube side wall thickness of the tube is 0.035 inches or less.
  • 14. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the tube is at least 2.03 inches.
  • 15. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a total diameter of the tube assembly is at least 2.2 inches.
  • 16. A tube assembly, comprising: a tube; anda top integrally formed with the tube, wherein the top comprises a breakable portion, wherein the breakable portion is configured to be relatively structurally weaker than surrounding areas.
  • 17. The tube assembly of claim 16, wherein the tube and the top are a monolithic structure comprising material comprising plastic.
  • 18. The tube assembly of claim 16, wherein the top comprises an outer lid and a cap, wherein the outer lid is coupled between the tube and the cap.
  • 19. The tube assembly of claim 18, wherein the cap comprises a cap pull tab protruding outwards from the tube assembly.
  • 20. The tube assembly of claim 19, wherein a mold release angle of the outer lid is different than a mold release angle of the cap pull tab.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/459,036, filed Apr. 13, 2023, entitled TUBE ASSEMBLY, naming Troy Carswell, as an inventor, which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.

Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
63459036 Apr 2023 US