Tube dispensing device

Abstract

This invention provides a deformable dispensing tube ( 1 ) with an internal device ( 8 ). The device is contained within the deformable dispensing tube but is a separate physical entity to the deformable dispensing tube and has the ability to move within the deformable dispensing tube. The object of the device is to aid the dispensing of part or all of the contents ( 16 ) of the deformable dispensing tube by the user.

1 . A deformable dispensing tube having a first end portion which is closed and a second end portion with an opening through which, when the tube has been filled, contents can be dispensed by deformation of the tube, the tube comprising:
 a dispensing device moveable inside the tube and positioned so that on filling contents are disposed generally between the dispensing device and the opening so that on application of external pressure to the tube by a user contents can be dispensed through the opening;   wherein the dispensing device comprises a device filled with fluid under pressure and having a top portion arranged to be in contact with the tube contents for transferring pressure between the tube contents and the fluid, and a sealing portion for applying a sealing force against an internal wall of the tube for resisting the transgression of contents between the sealing portion and the tube, the sealing portion being located against the internal wall by pressure of fluid in the device,   the sealing portion comprises a flexible annular seal lip projecting towards the opening of the tube from the top portion and having an internal surface against which pressure of the tube contents bears for increasing the sealing force by which the seal lip seals against the internal wall of the tube.   
     
     
         2 . A tube as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible annular seal lip is compressed to fit within the tube and the pressure of fluid contents on the internal surface of the seal tip expands the seal lip to apply increased sealing against the internal wall, 
     
     
         3 . A tube as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seal portion comprises a further seal and application of external pressure to the tube at the dispensing device generates an increase in the pressure of fluid in the device causing the top portion to deform towards the tube opening thereby increasing the pressure of contents in the tube for dispensing the contents and causing an increased sealing force to be applied between the further seal and the tube; and application of external pressure to the tube away from the dispensing device dispenses contents and generates an increase in pressure of contents in the tube causing the device top to deform towards the closed end of the tube thereby increasing the pressure on the fluid in the device and causing an increased sealing force to be applied between the further seal and the tube.