Collapsible dispensing tube for non-solid materials

Abstract

A collapsible dispensing tube includes an internal tube element made of a non-resilient flexible material and having a squeeze spout from which contents in the internal tube element is dispensed; an external tube element which accommodates the internal tube element to form an air chamber between the internal tube element and the external tube element, the external tube element being made of a resilient material having a hardness greater than that of the non-resilient flexible material of the internal tube element; and a small opening formed on the external tube element to be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, the air chamber being communicatively connected to the outside of the external tube element via the small opening.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A collapsible dispensing tube comprising: 
 an internal tube element made of a non-resilient flexible material and having a squeeze spout from which contents in said internal tube element is dispensed;    an external tube element which accommodates said internal tube element to form an air chamber between said internal tube element and said external tube element, said external tube element being made of a resilient material having a hardness greater than that of said non-resilient flexible material of said internal tube element; and    a small opening formed on said external tube element to be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, said air chamber being communicatively connected to the outside of said external tube element via said small opening.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal tube element and said external tube element are each elongated and connected to each other at one end opposite from said squeeze spout.  
     
     
         3 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 2 , wherein the other end of said external tube element, at which said squeeze spout is formed, comprises one of a round shape and an oval shape, and wherein said one end of said external tube element is formed as a flat end, said one and the other ends of said external tube element being connected smoothly via a major portion of said external tube element.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 3 , wherein said internal tube element is connected to said external tube element in a manner so as to be squeezed together with said external tube element at the same time when said external tube element is squeezed in a direction from said one end to said other end of said external tube element.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient material of said external tube element is translucent.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient material of said external tube element is transparent.  
     
     
         7 . The collapsible dispensing tube according to  claim 1 , wherein said squeeze spout projects outwards from said external tube element in an airtight fashion.  
     
     
         8 . A collapsible dispensing tube comprising: 
 an internal tube element having a squeeze spout from which contents in said internal tube element is dispensed, said internal tube element remaining deformed after squeezed to dispense said contents therefrom even when released from an external pressure applied to said internal tube element;    an external tube element which accommodates said internal tube element to form an air chamber between said internal tube element and said external tube element, said external tube element returning substantially to an original shape thereof upon a release from an external pressure applied to said external tube element after being squeezed to dispense said contents from said squeeze spout regardless of the remaining quantity of said contents; and    a small opening formed on said external tube element to be closable by one of a fingertip and a palm, said air chamber being connected to the outside of said external tube element via said small opening.