Patent · US Expired

Tube multi-pack methods of manufacture

US5536461A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
11References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1994
Grant dateJul 16, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/608
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Tube multi-pack methods of manufacture are disclosed. The tube multi-packs that are produced by the method of the present invention are one-piece tube multi-pack including an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element. According to the present invention, the method for making the one-piece tube multi-pack includes the extrusion of the elongated thin-walled tubular element at the same time that at least one thin-walled web section is extruded with greater flexibility than the tubular element. When formed to extend at differ…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.