Tubular container with an outer tube and an inner container

Abstract

Tubular container (1) made of a flexible material, which comprises an outer tube (10) and an inner container (30) housed inside the outer tube (10) and intended to come into contact with the packaged product (51). A flexible shoulder (32) of the inner container (30) is secured to a head (12) of the outer tube (10), there remaining an intermediate cavity (7) between the outer tube (10) and the inner container (30). At least one orifice (24) communicates the intermediate cavity (7) with the exterior of the tubular container (1). The head (12) may include a one-way airless valve. The outer tube (10) may recover its shape whilst the inner container (30) remains compressed during the use of the tubular container (1). The outer tube (10) and the inner container (30) are preferably made out of materials that fulfil different requirements. The distal end (36) of the inner container (30) is preferably flared against the outer tube (10).

1 . Tubular container ( 1 ) of flexible material, comprising:
 an outer tube ( 10 ), having a skirt ( 11 ) and a head ( 12 ), wherein the skirt ( 11 ) has a proximal end ( 15 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the head ( 12 ) extends from the proximal end ( 15 ) of the skirt ( 11 ), and wherein the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) delimit an inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) that can communicate with the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) through an orifice ( 21 ) in the head ( 12 );   an inner container ( 30 ), having a skirt ( 31 ) and a flexible shoulder ( 32 ), wherein the skirt ( 31 ) has a proximal end ( 35 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the shoulder ( 32 ) extends from the proximal end ( 35 ) of the skirt ( 31 ), and where the skirt ( 31 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) delimit an inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) ends in an edge ( 38 ) that delimits an orifice ( 37 ) that is communicated with the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ); wherein   the inner container ( 30 ) is arranged in the inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ), and the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is secured to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ), the orifice ( 21 ) of the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) being communicated with the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) of the inner container ( 30 ).   
     
     
         2 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises at least one one-way valve ( 23 ) that enables a fluid to exit the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) to the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) and that prevents the entry of air from the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) to the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) of the inner container. 
     
     
         3 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 2 , characterised in that the one-way valve ( 23 ) is arranged in the hole ( 21 ) of the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 1 , characterised in that the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) does not protrude from the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         5 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 1 , characterised in that the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is secured to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by the edge ( 38 ) of the shoulder ( 32 ). 
     
     
         6 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 1 , characterised in that the shoulder ( 32 ) is secured to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through a sealed union ( 40 ) extending continuously along a full perimeter around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         7 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 1 , characterised in that an intermediate cavity ( 7 ) is delimited between the outer tube ( 10 ) and the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         8 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 7 , characterised in that the shoulder ( 32 ) is secured to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through a sealed union ( 40 ) extending continuously along a full perimeter around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         9 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 8 , characterised in that the intermediate cavity ( 7 ) is radially exterior to the sealed union ( 40 ) with respect to the central longitudinal axis ( 4 ). 
     
     
         10 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 9 , characterised in that the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is only joined to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) along the sealed union ( 40 ), whereby the rest of the shoulder ( 32 ) is radially exterior to the sealed union ( 40 ) and separated from the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         11 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 8 , characterised in that the intermediate cavity ( 7 ) extends from the sealed union ( 40 ) to the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) throughout the full perimeter of the skirt ( 31 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         12 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 11 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         13 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 9 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) throughout an entire perimeter around the central longitudinal axis ( 4 ). 
     
     
         14 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 10 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is secured to the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) along at least part of said perimeter. 
     
     
         15 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 7 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 10 ) comprises at least one orifice ( 24 ) communicating the intermediate cavity ( 7 ) with the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         16 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 15 , characterised in that a one-way valve ( 25 ) is arranged in the orifice ( 24 ), the one-way valve ( 25 ) allowing the entry of air from the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) to the intermediate cavity ( 7 ) and preventing the exit of air from the intermediate cavity ( 7 ) to the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         17 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 16 , characterised in that the intermediate cavity ( 7 ), the orifice ( 24 ) and the one-way valve ( 25 ) are radially exterior to the sealed union ( 40 ) with respect to the central longitudinal axis ( 4 ). 
     
     
         18 . Method of manufacturing a tubular container ( 1 ) of flexible material, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) having a skirt ( 11 ) and a head ( 12 ), wherein the skirt ( 11 ) has a proximal end ( 15 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the head ( 12 ) extends from the proximal end ( 15 ) of the skirt ( 11 ), and wherein the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) delimit an inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) that can communicate with the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) through an orifice ( 21 ) in the head ( 12 );   obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) having a skirt ( 31 ) and a flexible shoulder ( 32 ), wherein the skirt ( 31 ) has a proximal end ( 35 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the shoulder ( 32 ) extends from the proximal end ( 35 ) of the skirt ( 31 ), and wherein the skirt ( 31 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) delimit an inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) ends in an edge ( 38 ) that delimits an orifice ( 37 ) that is communicated with the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ); wherein   inserting the inner container ( 30 ) into the inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ), and   securing the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) to the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ), the orifice ( 21 ) of the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) communicating with the inner space ( 34 ,  39 ) of the inner container ( 30 ).   
     
     
         19 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by extrusion and forming the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         20 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by injection moulding and forming the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         21 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the outer tube ( 10 ) through a joint injection moulding of the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         22 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) by extrusion and forming the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         23 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) by injection moulding and forming the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         24 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the inner container ( 30 ) through a joint injection moulding of the skirt ( 31 ) and the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         25 . Method, in accordance with  claim 18 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining a first film of a plastic or metal-plastic complex material, deforming the first film until a tubular shape is obtained, sealing the adjacent edges of the tubular shape to maintain the tubular shape, thereby obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ); obtaining a second film of a plastic or metal-plastic complex material; making an orifice in the second film; stamping the second provided with said orifice, thereby forming the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ); and securing the shoulder ( 32 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) to the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         26 . Tubular container ( 1 ) of flexible material, comprising:
 an outer tube ( 10 ), comprising a skirt ( 11 ) and a head ( 12 ), wherein the skirt ( 11 ) has a proximal end ( 15 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the head ( 12 ) extends from the proximal end ( 15 ) of the skirt ( 11 ), and wherein the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) delimit an inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) that can communicate with the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) through an orifice ( 21 ) in the head ( 12 );   an inner container ( 30 ), comprising a skirt ( 31 ) having a proximal end ( 35 ) and a distal end ( 16 ); wherein   the inner container ( 30 ) is arranged in the inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ), and the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is flared and in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ).   
     
     
         27 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 26 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is flared and in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) along a full perimeter around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         28 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 26 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is arranged flush with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         29 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 26 , characterised in that a length (h 1 ) of the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) protrudes from the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         30 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 26 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is secured to the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) in at least part of a perimeter around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         31 . Tubular container ( 1 ), in accordance with  claim 30 , characterised in that the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is secured to the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by welding, an adhesive or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . Method of manufacturing a tubular container ( 1 ) of flexible material, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprising a skirt ( 11 ) and a head ( 12 ), wherein the skirt ( 11 ) has a proximal end ( 15 ) and a distal end ( 16 ), wherein the head ( 12 ) extends from the proximal end ( 15 ) of the skirt ( 11 ), and wherein the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) delimit an inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) that can communicate with the exterior of the outer tube ( 10 ) through an orifice ( 21 ) in the head ( 12 );   obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprising a skirt ( 31 ), wherein the skirt ( 31 ) has a proximal end ( 35 ) and a distal end ( 16 );   inserting the inner container ( 30 ) into the inner space ( 14 ,  22 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ); and   flaring the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ), the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) remaining flared and in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ).   
     
     
         33 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of flaring the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) comprises flaring an entire perimeter of the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ), the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) remaining flared and in contact with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) throughout said entire perimeter. 
     
     
         34 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of flaring the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) comprises inserting a conical part ( 50 ) into the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) and deforming the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) against the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         35 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of inserting the inner container ( 30 ) comprises inserting the inner container ( 30 ) until the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) is flush with the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         36 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of inserting the inner container ( 30 ) comprises inserting the inner container ( 30 ) until a length (h 1 ) of the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) protrudes from the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         37 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that it further comprises the step of securing the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) to the distal end ( 16 ) of the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) along at least part of a perimeter around a central longitudinal axis ( 4 ) of the tubular container ( 1 ). 
     
     
         38 . Method, in accordance with  claim 37 , characterised in that the step of securing the distal end ( 36 ) of the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) comprises welding, adhering or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by extrusion and forming the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         40 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) by injection moulding and forming the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ) through over-injection moulding onto the skirt ( 11 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         41 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an outer tube ( 10 ) comprises obtaining the outer tube ( 10 ) through a joint injection moulding of the skirt ( 11 ) and the head ( 12 ) of the outer tube ( 10 ). 
     
     
         42 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) by extrusion. 
     
     
         43 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ) by injection moulding. 
     
     
         44 . Method, in accordance with  claim 32 , characterised in that the step of obtaining an inner container ( 30 ) comprises obtaining a laminate of a plastic or metal-plastic complex material, deforming the laminate until a tubular shape is obtained, sealing adjacent edges of the tubular shape to maintain the tubular shape and obtaining the skirt ( 31 ) of the inner container ( 30 ). 
     
     
         45 - 59 . (canceled)