Plastic squeeze tube squeezer (PSTS)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Plastic Squeeze Tube Squeezer (PSTS) as a tool to squeeze nearly all the contents (paste like materials e.g. tooth paste) packaged in plastic squeeze tubes. It is observed that some paste like material remains in the many pockets and deformities that are created in the normal use of the plastic squeeze tube. The PSTS mounted from the sealed end of the tube when operated upon provide an efficient means to dispense most of the plastic squeeze tube contents approximately 98%. With the established & growing market in USA of packaging paste type materials in plastic squeeze tubes, the PSTS can be a useful tool in managing the waste. The use of PSTS will benefit the consumer.

1 . I claim that the invention, Plastic Squeeze Tube Squeezer (PSTS) is a tool, which can squeeze nearly all the content out of the plastic squeeze tube. It is observed that during the use of the plastic squeeze tube, uneven pressures are exerted/applied from all sides of the tube over the lifetime to dispense the paste. This deforms the tube disorderly and as it crumbles many pockets and unevennesses are created where the paste like material gets trapped. As the useful life of the tube nears the end, it becomes more difficult to extract all the paste out of the tube especially the large plastic squeeze tubes 8 oz or larger (the smaller tubes e.g. 4 oz seems to be managed with ease in dispensing the paste even without the use of PSTS). It is believed consumers discard many tubes with some remaining paste material approximately 10-15%. One solution to avoid the waste could be, to keep the plastic squeeze tube organized by neatly rolling the partially empty tube keeping the contents pushed towards the nozzle like aluminum tubes. Unfortunately the plastic tube spring like tendency prevents from keeping the empty tube rolled in place. Nevertheless with the many advantages of the plastic tube over other materials to dispense paste like materials, its disadvantage to manage with ease the used portion of the tube creates problem in dispensing all the contents of the tube. The PSTS mounted on the tube either from the factory where the tube is filled or by consumer if packaged separately will over come the disadvantage cited above and will dispense nearly all the contents of the tube. It is claimed that the PSTS will provide an efficient means to dispense most of the plastic squeeze tube content approximately 98% (some paste materials approximately 2-4% do remain trapped in the dispensing cap end due to the shape of the tube as it funnels to the screw cap). The installation & operation of PSTS is easy too. The high-density plastic or metal PSTS slips on the tube from the sealed end. Holding the tube in one hand and pushing the PSTS with the right hand fingers the PSTS travels over the empty collapsed tube and collects/gathers all the remaining content trapped in the various pockets of the tube and pushes it towards the dispensing nozzle. With the established and growing market in USA of packaging the paste type material in plastic squeeze tubes, the PSTS can be a useful tool in managing the waste. The inventor believes there can be considerable saving over the years and benefit to the consumer.