Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02643404 2008-11-06
RETRACTABLE PACKAGING
BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an elongated packaging that is
retractable. More specifically the present invention is an elongated packaging
that
can be axially compressed and elongated and encloses an elongated member.
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Packaging comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most packagings are in the
form of a square or rectangular box. Some packagings for elongated members are
in
the form of a fixed hollow tube. The tube is generally a hollow cylinder with
a
circular or polygonal cross-section. Most of these packaging for elongated
members
are for large elongated members. Efficient and cost effective packagings for
small
individual elongated members are virtually non-existent.
Individual packaging for small elongated members such as swab applicators,
crayons, and chalks are virtually non-ezistent. Also, packagings for small
samples of
lipsticks, eye shadows, and eye liners are non-existent. Generally, multiple
small
elongated members such as swab applicators, crayons, and chalks are packaged
in a
small box and are not separately packaged individually. Individual packaging
of the
small elongated members is either not cost effective or the packaging will be
difficult
to open and use.
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an elongated retractable packaging that can be
compressed and elongated axially and encloses an elongated member. The
retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing with a
flexible
bellow section between the two ends of the elongated hollow tube housing. Both
ends of the elongated hollow tube housing may be sealed with an opening means
such
as a weakened section in the form of a score line provided near one sealed end
or one
end of the elongated hollow tube housing may be sealed and the other end may
be
opened. The elongatea hollow tube housing encloses an elongated member. The
elongated member may have an applicator at one of its ends. When the elongated
hollow tube housing is retracted, the applicator at the end of the elongated
member is
exposed for application. After application, the elongated hollow tube housing
may be
stretched back to its original length to enclose the applicator end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the retractable packaging before
the retractable packaging is retracted.
Figure 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the retractable packaging after
the retractable packaging is retracted.
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaginb.
Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
Figure 6 shows the embodiment of the retractable packaging shown in figure
4 after the retractable packaging is retracted.
Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
Figure 1 I shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the
preferred embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated
hollow
tube housing 1 with a flexible bellow section 2 between the two ends 3, 4 of
the
elongated hollow tube housing 1. One end 3 of the elongated hollow tube
housing 1
is sealed. The elongated hollow tube housing 1 encloses an elongated member 5.
One end 6 of the elongated member 5 may be affixed to the sealed end 3 of the
elongated hollow tube housing 1. The elongated member 5 may have an applicator
7
at one of its ends 8. The elongated member 5 may be a crayon, a chalk, a
lipstick, an
eyeliner, or a swab applicator. As shown in figure 2, when the elongated
hollow tube
housing 1 is retracted, by compressing the flexible bellow section 2 axially,
the
applicator 7 at the end 8 of the elongated member 5 is exposed for
application. The
elongated member 5 will provide structural support when the flexible bellow
section
2 is being compressed to ensure smooth linear axial compression. After
application,
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
the elongated hollow tube housing 1 may be stretched back to its original
length to
enclose the applicator end 8.
Figure 3 shmtis another embodiment of the retractable packaging. ~hhis
embodiment of the retractable packaging coinprises a first elongated hollow
tube
housing 9 with two ends 10, 11 wlierein one end 10 has a snialler diameter
than the
remainder of the first elongated holloNv tube housing 9. A second elongated
hollo"Ntube liousing 12 Nvith t~,N-o ends 13, 14 wherein one end 13 has a
larger diameter than
the reniainder of the second elongated hollow tube housing 12 and larger than
the
diameter of the end 10 of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9 with the
smaller
diameter. "I'he second elongated hollow tube housing 12 is slidably engaged to
the
tii-st elongated hollow, tube housing 9 on a common axis. An elongated member
15 is
affixed to the end 11 of the first elongated hollow tube liousing 9 with the
larger
diameter and disposed within the elongated hollow tube housings 9, 12 wherein
the
First and second elongated hollow tube housings 9, 12 enclose the elongated
meinber
15. One end 151 of the elongated member 15 may have a largei- diameter section
where it affixes to the end 11 of the first elongated hollow tube housing
9with the
approximate dimension of the inside of the first elongated hollow tube
hotising 9.
The other end of the elongated member 15 may have a swab applicator 152
niounted
thereon. and the swab applicator 152 inay be a crayon, a chalk, a lipstick, an
eyeliner,
or a swab applicator.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. This
einbodiment of the retractable packaging comprises an elongated hollow tube
housing
90 and an elongated member 91. "The elongated hollow tube housing 90 having
two
ends 901, 902, which are both opened, wherein one end 902 lias a smaller
diameter
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
than that of the remainder of the elongated hollow tube housing 90. One end of
the
elongated member 91 may liave a swab applicator 911 inounted thereon. wherein
the
swab applicator 911 can be a crayon, a chalk, a lipstick. an ev'eliner, or a
swab
applicator. And, the otlier end 912 of the elongated member 91 has a larger
diameter
than that of the remainder of the elongated member 91 and than the end 902 of
the
elongated hollow tube housing 90. The elongated tneniber 91 is slidably
engaged to
the elongated liollow tube housing 90 so that the elongated hollow tube
housing 90
encloses the swab applicator 911, and when the elongated niember 91 is
retracted into
the end 902 of the elongated hollow tube housing 90, the swab applicator 911
can be
exposed out of the end 901 of the elongated hollo = tube housing 90.
Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. This
embodiment of the retractable packaging comprises a first elongated hollow
tube
housing 9 with two ends 10, 11 wherein one end 10 has a smaller diameter than
the
remainder of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9. A second elongated
hollow
tube housing 12 with two ends 13, 14 wherein one end 13 has a larger diameter
than
the remainder of the second elongated hollow tube housing 12 and larger than
the
diameter of the end 10 of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9 with the
smaller
diameter. The second elongated hollow tube housing 12 is slidably engaged to
the
first elongated hollow tube housing 9 on a common axis. An elongated member 15
is
affixed to the end 11 of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9 with the
larger
diameter and disposed within the elongated hollow tube housings 9, 12 wherein
the
first and second elongated hollow tube housings 9, 12 enclose the elongated
member
15. The elongated member 15 may have a larger diameter section where it
affixes to
the end 11 of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9 with the approximate
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
dimension of the inside of the first elongated hollow tube housing 9. The
elongated
member 15 may be a crayon, a chalk, a lipstick, an eyeliner, or a swab
applicator.
As shown in figure 6, when the second elongated hollow tube housing 12 is
retracted into the first elongated hollow tube housing 9, one end 16 of the
elongated
member 15 is exposed for application. After application, the second elongated
hollow tube housing 12 may be moved back to its original position to enclose
the
applicator end 16.
Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. In this
embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube
housing 17 with a flexible bellow section 18 between the two ends of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 17. Both ends of the elongated hollow tube housing 17 are
sealed with an opening means 19 provided near one end of the elongated hollow
tube
housing 17. The opening means 19 may be a weakened section such as a score
line
or may be a thin rupturable membrane sealing the sealed end. The elongated
hollow
tube housing 17 encloses an elongated member 20. One end 21 of the elongated
member 20 may be affixed to the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube
housing 17
opposite the end with the opening means 19. The end 23 of the elongated member
20
near the opening means 19 has a diameter approximately that of the inside
diameter
of the elongated hollow tube housing 17. A substance 22 such as a liquid, a
cream, or
a powder is disposed between the end 23 of the elongated member 20 and the
sealed
end near the opening means 19. When the elongated hollow tube housing 17 is
retracted, by compressing the flexible bellow section 18 axially, the
elongated
member 20 will exert a force on the substance 22 which is transmitted to the
opening
means 19 to force the opening means 19 to open the sealed end of the elongated
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
hollow tube housing 17 and also force the substance 22 out of the elongated
hollow
tube housing 17 to be applied as desired. The elongated member 20 will provide
structural support when the flexible bellow section 18 is being compressed to
ensure
smooth linear axial compression. After application, the elongated hollow tube
housing 17 may be stretched back to its original length to enclose the
elongated
member 20 for disposal.
Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. In this
embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube
housing 17 with a flexible bellow section 18 between the two ends of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 17. Both ends of the elongated hollow tube housing 17 are
sealed with an opening means 19 provided near one end of the elongated hollow
tube
housing 17. The opening means 19 may be a weakened section such as a score
line
or may be a thin rupturable membrane sealing the sealed end. The elongated
hollow
tube housing 17 encloses an elongated member 24. One end of the elongated
member
24 may be affixed to the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube housing 17
opposite
the end with the opening means 19. A solid substance 25 such as a vitamin pill
or
other medications in the form of a pill is disposed between the end 26 of the
elongated member 24 and the sealed end near the opening means 19. When the
elongated hollow tube housing 17 is retracted, by compressing the flexible
bellow
section 18 axially, the elongated member 24 will exert a force on the solid
substance
which is transmitted directly to the opening means 19 to force the opening
means
19 to open the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube housing 17 and also
force the
solid substance 25 out of the elongated hollow tube housing 17. The elongated
member 24 will provide structural support when the flexible bellow section 18
is
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
being compressed to ensure smooth linear axial compression. After use, the
elongated hollow tube housing 17 may be stretched back to its original length
to
enclose the elongated member 24 for disposal.
Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. In this
embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube
housing 17 with a flexible bellow section 18 between the two ends of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 17. Both ends of the elongated hollow tube housing 17 are
sealed with an opening means 19 provided near one end of the elongated hollow
tube
housing 17. The opening means 19 may be a weakened section such as a score
line
or may be a thin rupturable membrane sealing the sealed end. The elongated
hollow
tube housing 17 encloses a swab applicator 27. One end of the swab applicator
27
may be affixed to the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube housing 17
opposite the
end with the opening means 19. The end of the swab applicator 27 near the
opening
means 19 has a swab such as a cotton swab or foam swab. A substance 28 such as
a
cream or a powder is disposed between the end of the swab applicator 27 and
the
sealed end near the opening means 19. When the elongated hollow tube housing
17
is retracted, by compressing the flexible bellow section 18 axially, the swab
applicator 27 will exert a force on the substance 28 which is transmitted to
the
opening means 19 to force the opening means 19 to open the sealed end of the
elongated hollow tube housing 17 and also force the substance 28 out of the
elongated hollow tube housing 17 along with the exposed swab applicator 27 to
be
applied as desired. The swab applicator 27 will provide structural support
when the
flexible bellow section 18 is being compressed to ensure smooth linear axial
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CA 02643404 2008-11-06
compression. After application, the elongated hollow tube housing 17 may be
stretched back to its original length to enclose the swab applicator 27 for
disposal.
Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. In this
embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube
housing 17 with a flexible bellow section 18 between the two ends of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 1". Both ends of the elongated hollow tube housing 17 are
sealed with an opening means 19 provided near one end of the elongated hollow
tube
housing 17. The opening means 19 may be a weakened section such as a score
line
or may be a thin rupturable membrane sealing the sealed end. A swab 29 such as
a
cotton swab or a foam swab encloses the end of the elongated hollow tube
housing 17
with the opening means 19 and the opening that will be generated by the
opening
means 19. The elongated hollow tube housing 17 encloses an elongated member
20.
One end 21 of the elongated member 20 may be affixed to the sealed end of the
elongated hollow tube housing 17 opposite the end with the opening means 19.
The
end 23 of the elongated member 20 near the opening means 19 has a diameter
approximately that of the inside diameter of the elongated hollow tube housing
17. A
substance 22 such as a l;quid, a cream, or a powder is disposed between the
end 23 of
the elongated member 20 and the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube
housing 17
near the opening means 19. When the elongated hollow tube housing 17 is
retracted,
by compressing the flexible bellow section 18 axially, the elongated member 20
will
exert a force on the substance 22 which is transmitted to the opening means 19
to
force the opening means 19 to open the sealed end of the elongated hollow tube
housing 17 and also force the substance 22 out of the elongated hollow tube
housing
17 into the swab 29 covering the opening means 19 for application. The
elongated
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member 20 will provide structural support when the flexible bellow section 18
is
being compressed to ensure smooth linear axial compression.
Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the retractable packaging. In this
embodiment, the retractable packaging comprises of an elongated hollow tube
housing 30 with a flexible bellow section 31 between the two ends of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 30. One end of the elongated hollow tube housing 30 is
sealed
and the other end of the elongated hollow tube housing 30 is open. A swab 32
such
as a cotton swab or a foam swab encloses the open end of the elongated hollow
tube
housing 30. The elongated hollow tube housing 30 encloses an elongated member
33.
One end of the elongated member 33 may be affixed to the sealed end of the
elongated hollow tube housing 30. The end of the elongated member 33 near the
open end has a diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of the
elongated
hollow tube housing 30. A first substance 34 such as a liquid or a cream is
disposed
between the end of the elongated member 33 and the open end. Another viscous
substance 35 such as silicone is disposed between the first substance 34 and
the open
end to act as a stopper plug to seal the first substance 34 and to retain the
first
substance 34 within the elongated hollow tube housing 30. When the elongated
hollow tube housing 30 is retracted, by compressing the flexible bellow
section 31
axially, the elongated member 33 will exert a force on the first substance 34
which is
transmitted to the viscous substance 35 to force the first substance 34
through the
viscous substance 35 and out of the elongated hollow tube housing 30 into the
swab
32 covering the open end for application. The elongated member 33 will provide
structural support when the flexible bellow section 31 is being compressed to
ensure
smooth linear axial compression.
CA 02643404 2008-11-06
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not
be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing
illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this
invention. Thus
the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and
their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
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