Tube seal cap assembly

Abstract

A tube seal cap assembly for use with a product tube having a top wall and a nozzle comprises a primary cap and a gripper ring. The primary cap includes a top end and a bottom end. The gripper ring is operatively connected to the primary cap proximate the bottom end, and the gripper ring and the primary cap include mating features configured and arranged to prevent rotation of the gripper ring relative to the primary cap. The gripper ring includes at least one inwardly extending protrusion. In use, when the tube seal cap assembly is operatively connected to the product tube, the primary cap is configured and arranged to receive the nozzle and the at least one inwardly extending protrusion is configured and arranged to carve into the nozzle.

1 . A tube seal cap assembly for use with a product tube having a top wall and a nozzle, comprising:
 a primary cap having a top end and a bottom end;   a gripper ring operatively connected to the primary cap proximate the bottom end, the gripper ring and the primary cap having mating features configured and arranged to prevent rotation of the gripper ring relative to the primary cap, the gripper ring including at least one inwardly extending protrusion;   wherein in use, when the tube seal cap assembly is operatively connected to the product tube, the primary cap is configured and arranged to receive the nozzle and the at least one inwardly extending protrusion is configured and arranged to carve into the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a skirt extending from the bottom end and configured and arranged to seal against the top wall of the product tube. 
     
     
         3 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the skirt is flexible and configured and arranged to conform to the top wall of the product tube. 
     
     
         4 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mating features include one of:
 a nub in one of the primary cap or the gripper ring and a notch in another of the primary cap or the gripper ring; or   an aperture in the gripper ring configured and arranged to receive one of an adhesive or a portion of the primary cap interconnecting the primary cap and the gripper ring.   
     
     
         5 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top end is closed thereby being configured and arranged to seal an opening in the nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the top end is configured and arranged to be cut to form an opening in the top end. 
     
     
         7 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary cap configured and arranged to receive a portion of the top end and releasably engage the top end. 
     
     
         8 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the primary cap is configured and arranged to be used with one of a plurality of secondary caps and the secondary caps are interchangeable. 
     
     
         9 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the primary cap includes a ridge configured and arranged to be received in a groove of the secondary cap for snap engagement. 
     
     
         10 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a sealing member operatively connected to the secondary cap, the sealing member including a rod extending downward from the secondary cap and configured and arranged to extend through the primary cap, through the nozzle, and into product tube when the tube seal cap assembly is operatively connected to the product tube. 
     
     
         11 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing member is integral with the secondary cap. 
     
     
         12 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing member is rotatable relative to at least the primary cap. 
     
     
         13 . The tube seal cap assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing member is rotatable relative to the secondary cap. 
     
     
         14 . The rube seal cap assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the rod includes a helical portion along its length.