Multi-chambered, uniform dispensing tube

Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-chambered tube for containing and dispensing a contents comprised of portions having differing rheology and viscosity characteristics, the tube comprising: (a) a body divided by at least one body divider into at least two body chambers, each body chamber housing a portion of the contents, the body being scaled at one end by a crimp seal and one end of each body divider being sealed within the crimp seal; (b) a shoulder comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attached to the body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least two apertures, at least one aperture in communication with each of the body chambers, and the other end of each body divider disposed within the shoulder and being sealed at the face of the shoulder nozzle; (c) a cap comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and at least one cap divider that separates the cap body into at least two cap chambers, each cap chamber being in communication with one of the body chambers via at least one of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the shoulder nozzle being received within the cap body when the cap and the shoulder are assembled. Further disclosed is a cap and shoulder assembly for use with a multi-chambered tube body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-chambered tube for containing and dispensing a contents comprised of portions having differing rheology and viscosity characteristics, the tube comprising: 
 (a) a body divided by at least one body divider into at least two body chambers, each body chamber housing a portion of the contents, the body being sealed at one end by a crimp seal and one end of each body divider being sealed within the crimp seal;    (b) a shoulder comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attached to the body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least two apertures, at least one aperture in communication with each of the body chambers, and the other end of each body divider disposed within the shoulder and being sealed at the face of the shoulder nozzle;    (c) a cap comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and at least one cap divider that separates the cap body into at least two cap chambers, each cap chamber being in communication with one of the body chambers via at least one of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the shoulder nozzle being received within the cap body when the cap and the shoulder are assembled.    
     
     
         2 . A dual chambered tube for containing and dispensing a contents comprised of portions having differing rheology and viscosity characteristics, the tube comprising: 
 (a) a body divided by a body divider into a first body chamber housing a first portion of the contents and a second body chamber housing a second portion of the contents, the body being sealed at one end by a crimp seal and one end of the body divider being sealed within the crimp seal;    (b) a shoulder comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attached to the body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least two apertures, at least one aperture in communication with each of the body chambers, and the other end of the body divider disposed within the shoulder and being sealed at the face of the shoulder nozzle;    (c) a cap comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and a cap divider that separates the cap body into a first cap chamber and a second cap chamber, the first cap chamber being in communication with the first body chamber via at least one of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the second cap chamber in communication with the second body chamber via at least another of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the shoulder nozzle being received within the cap body when the cap and the shoulder are assembled.    
     
     
         3 . The tube of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the body divider is made from a substantially rigid material.  
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the body divider has a thickness of from about 0.05 mm to about 0.3 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the body divider is substantially non-displaceable in response to application of compressive force to the tube body.  
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the characteristics and number of the apertures in the shoulder face are determined based on the viscosity and rheology characteristics of the portions of the contents.  
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the contents is a multi-phased dentifrice composition, each phase being housed in a separate body chamber.  
     
     
         8 . A cap and shoulder assembly for use with a multi-chambered tube body, wherein: 
 (a) the shoulder is comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attachable to the tube body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least as many apertures as there are tube body chambers, at least one aperture being in communication with each of the body chambers; and    (b) the cap is comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and a cap divider that separates the cap body into as many cap chambers as there are tube body chambers, each cap chamber being in communication with the one body chamber via at least one of the apertures in the face of the shoulder nozzle, and the shoulder nozzle being received within the cap body when the cap and the shoulder are assembled.    
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the shoulder face is provided with at least one groove into which a portion of each cap divider is received.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the characteristics and number of the apertures in the shoulder face are determined based on the viscosity and rheology characteristics of compositions to be housed in the chambers of the tube body.