Tube holder

Abstract

An apparatus for securing squeezable tubes therein includes a plurality of vertical compartments that are each adapted to hold one squeezable tube. A plurality of moveable front members are adapted to move up or down between an opposite pair of sidewalls to retain an upper portion of the tube in position. An open top allows easy tube insertion or removal while a lower shelf retains the bottom of each tube. A bottom strip ensures that each tube will remain in position. According to a first modification, the interior sidewalls are adjustable to accommodate a variable spacing between them. Modified moveable front members include a variable width to accommodate the variable spacing between the adjustable interior sidewalls. According to a second modification, each tube is retained by a pair of curved side members that narrow toward the bottom of each compartment. An apparatus to secure a tube in an inverted position and to dispense a substance from a bottom opening is described.

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       16 . A tube holder adapted for use with a squeezable tube, comprising:
 (a) a substantially planar base that is adapted for attachment to a flat surface; and   (b) a pair of curved sidewalls each of which extend out from said substantially planar base and wherein each of said pair of curved sidewalls include a radius that extends vertically along said curved sidewall at a predetermined distance away from said base, and wherein each of said curved sidewalls includes a portion that is disposed beyond said radius and wherein said portion of each curved sidewall extends toward a corresponding portion of a remaining one of said pair of curved sidewalls and wherein a distance intermediate said pair of curved sidewalls is greater at a first end of said curved sidewalls than at an opposite second end, and wherein a space intermediate said pair of curved sidewalls form a compartment that is adapted to receive said squeezable tube therein.   
   
   
       17 . The tube holder of  claim 16  including a gap intermediate said portions and wherein said gap is adapted to receive a portion of a finger therein sufficient to contact said tube. 
   
   
       18 . The tube holder of  claim 16  wherein when said tube is disposed in said compartment said tube is prevented from rotating about a longitudinal axis thereof, and wherein a cap of said tube is adapted to be removed from said tube while said tube is retained in said tube holder. 
   
   
       19 . The tube holder of  claim 18  including a gap intermediate said portions and wherein said gap is adapted to receive a portion of a finger therein sufficient to compress a portion of said tube sufficient to urge a portion of a substance in said tube out of said tube after said cap has been removed from said tube. 
   
   
       20 . The tube holder of  claim 16  wherein said compartment includes a plurality of compartments that are disposed in a side by side orientation to form a first row of compartments and including a plurality of compartments that are disposed in a side by side orientation to form a second row of compartments and wherein said second row is disposed below said first row. 
   
   
       21 . A method for storing a squeezable tube in a vertical position, including the steps of:
 (a) providing a tube holder that is adapted for attachment to a flat surface and which includes a compartment that is adapted to receive and to retain said tube therein, and including the step of providing a moveable member attached to said tube holder, said moveable member disposed intermediate said compartment; and wherein said moveable member is adapted to be urged upward along a linear longitudinal length of said compartment that does not include any curvature, and down along said linear longitudinal length of said compartment; and   (b) placing said tube in said compartment in said tube holder.   
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for securing a tube in an inverted position with a cap on a bottom end of said tube removed, comprising:
 a. means for securing said tube in said inverted position; and   b. means for dispensing a quantity of a substance from said tube when a compressive force is applied to said tube, and wherein said means for dispensing a quantity includes a roller assembly that is adapted to move in a downward direction that is linear and which does not include any curvature thereto, or in an opposite upward direction, and wherein said roller assembly includes a roller that is adapted to bear against said tube sufficient to supply said compressive force when said roller is urged in said downward direction.   
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said roller assembly includes an opposite pair of side rails and wherein said side rails engage with a pair of longitudinal slots that are parallel with a longitudinal length of said tube and wherein said roller is disposed between said pair of side rails and wherein said roller is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said roller, and a lower member that includes a pair of opposite ends that engage respectively with each of said pair of longitudinal slots, and wherein said lower member includes an enlarged opening that is adapted to pass over a neck of said tube, and wherein when a sufficient force is applied to said lower member, said lower member is able to be urged upward or downward along said pair of longitudinal slots to a desired position, and wherein said lower member is retained in said desired position until a subsequent sufficient force is applied to said lower member that is sufficient to urge it away from said desired position.