The present invention relates generally to delivery tubes, and more particularly to delivery tubes designed for coaxial stackable engagement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of stackable containers are known in the prior art. A typical example of stackable container includes a plurality of equal diameter cylindrical containers. It comprises a connector for securing the containers in coaxial stacked relation. The connector forms a removable lid for one of the containers and may be utilized to package snack food items for marketing.
[0003] Another example of stacked containers discloses container stacked in tandem, wherein a pair of containers may be held together rigidly in tandem relationship for transportation. Particularly, a threaded connection is used to join two cylindrical containers.
[0004] Yet another example for stacked containers illustrates containers having means for stacking and holding containers together and for sealing each container. More particularly, it discloses a plurality of stacked cylindrical food containers secured by a connector having locking pins selectively receivable in bayonet-type slots.

[0005] While the above mentioned devices are directed to stackable containers, they refer to cylindrical stackable containers. None of the cited prior art discloses stackable delivery tubes which are flexible enough to be folded into forms as per the requirement of the user. Additionally, none of the aforesaid devices disclose a tubular container which is flexible enough to be squeezed in order to extrude the compositions contained within it, particularly in the form of a paste or a liquid. Notwithstanding the numerous prior art documents disclosing myriad stackable containers, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for improved stackable containers which are of compact structure and are flexible, and in this respect, the present invention addresses this need.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention, to provide a novel and improved delivery tube meant for stacking which has all the advantages of the prior art stackable container and none of the disadvantages.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stackable delivery tube which is easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stackable flexible assembly which is of a durable, reliable and flexible construction for easy packaging during travelling.
[0009] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stackable flexible assembly which allows multi-functional product to be stored and stacked in one another.
[0010] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stackable flexible delivery tube assembly wherein the delivery tubes of the assembly may act independently and are easily replaceable.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stackable flexible delivery tube assembly wherein the flexible delivery tubes of the tubular assembly may provide multiple products to the consumer in one packaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention aims to provide a new and improved delivery tube which has all the advantages of the prior art stackable containers and none of the disadvantages.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a delivery tube (100), comprising a tubular container (20) made of a flexible material; a top portion (30) and a bottom portion (40) . The top portion (30) adjoins the flexible tubular container (20) at a radially extending flange (45) at a first end (50) and bears an outlet (55) at a second end
(60) for delivering the contents of the flexible tubular container (20). The bottom portion (40) comprises a partition (65) at a proximal end (70). The partition (65) has a first end (64) and a second end (67), wherein the first end (64) is crimped for sealing and is connected with the flexible tubular container (20) and the second end (67) extends into a cylindrical portion (75) with an open distal end (80), wherein the cylindrical portion
(75), is meant for removable coaxial stackable engagement. The cylindrical portion (75) facilitates stacking to form a stackable flexible assembly (200) .
[0014] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the cylindrical portion (75), facilitates stacking of delivery tubes (100), or stacking of delivery tubes of dimensions substantially equivalent to delivery tubes (100) or stacking of other containers of dimensions substantially equivalent to delivery tubes (100) to form a stackable flexible assembly (200) .

[0015] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein cylindrical portion (75) is dimensioned to removably engage the flange (45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container (20) of the another delivery tube (100) frictionally. Further, the flange
(45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container
(20) of another delivery tube (100) may be engaged by internal threads in the cylindrical portion (75) and external threads on another flexible tubular container
(20) .
[0016] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the outlet (55) is a nozzle closed by a cap having internal threads which mate with external threads on the nozzle. The outlet (55) is a valve based nozzle, a nozzle with clips, or a pressure sensitive nozzle.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the outlet (55) is covered by an air-tight cap or a thread less air-tight cap.
[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the said delivery tube is foldable at the partition (65) at the proximal end (70) . The stackable

flexible assembly (200) is foldable in direction perpendicular to co-axial axis at the partition (65).
[0019] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the delivery tube (100) comprises a means for hanging (85).
[0020] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100) made from the material selected from the group comprising of multilayer laminates, metalized sheet preferably of aluminium, High Density Polyethylene (HDP), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Aluminium alloys, Polyamide, and combination thereof.
[0021] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the diameter is in a range of 15mm to 100mm, length is in a range of 50mm to 300mm and thickness is in a range of 100 mm to 300 mm of the said delivery tube
(100) .
[0022] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is a delivery tube (100), wherein the said delivery tube (100) store compositions of different functionalities like dentifrice compositions, food compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, personal care products, cosmetic compositions or adhesives.

[0023] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a delivery tube (100), wherein the said delivery tube (100) stores compositions of similar functionalities selected from the group comprising of gel toothpaste, chalk toothpaste, herbal toothpaste, or mouthwash.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments for enabling the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.
[0025] Figure 1. is a perspective view of a delivery tube (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 2. is a perspective view illustrating a stackable flexible tubular assembly (200) utilizing a plurality of delivery tubes according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are described in more detail herein after

with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosed subject matter may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosed subject matter to those skilled in the art. Likewise reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
[0028] It is to be noted, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0029] With reference to the drawings, and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, a new and improved stackable flexible delivery tube embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 100 will be described.
[0030] More specifically, the first embodiment of the invention is a delivery tube (100) comprising of a top portion (30); flexible tubular container (20) and a bottom portion (40) . The top portion (30) has an outlet

(55) in the form of nozzle which may be without any limitation, a valve based nozzle, a nozzle with clips, or a pressure sensitive nozzle. Valve based nozzle are nozzle with inbuilt valves that opens on application of pressure and closes on release of pressure. Nozzle with clips is a nozzle is closed with external apparatus such as clips to prevent from flowing. Pressure sensitive nozzle is a nozzle which opens upon the pressure generated by squeezing. The description of aforestated nozzle does not limit the scope of the invention. A person skilled in art may think of other suitable variant of the nozzle which may serve the purpose. The nozzle in the top portion (30) is closed by a cap having internal threads which mate with external threads on the nozzle. The top portion (30) intersects the flexible tubular container (20) at a radially extending flange (45) at a first end (50) and bears an outlet (55) at a second end
(60) for emptying the contents of the flexible tubular container (20) . The bottom portion (40) of the flexible tube (10) comprises a partition (65) at a proximal end
(70) . The partition (65) has a first end (64) and a second end (67), wherein the first end (64) is crimped for sealing and is connected with the flexible tubular container (20) and the second end (67) extends into a cylindrical portion (75) with an open distal end (80), wherein the cylindrical portion (75), is meant for removable coaxial stackable engagement. The bottom portion (40) has a means for hanging (85).

[0031] The delivery tubes of the present invention are cylindrical, hollow with a round or oval profile with a round orifice at one end for delivering the contents and a cylindrical portion at the other end for stacking.
[0032] The flexible material used for manufacturing the delivery tubes of the present invention are selected from the group comprising of multilayer laminates, metalized sheet preferably of aluminum, High Density Polyethylene (HDP) , Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) , Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tubes, Aluminum alloys, Polyamide, and combination thereof. The material selected for manufacturing usually has a bursting strength of 1.5 bar-3.0 bar. The bursting strength is measured as per bursting strength method IS 1060 part-1. It may be apparent to a person skilled in art that bursting strength is the hydrostatic pressure applied at right angles to the surface at which rupture of a circular area of the tube occurs under prescribed conditions of test. The durability of the stackable flexible assembly is measured through Bursting strength method (IS 1060 part-1) •
[0033] Multilayer laminates used in the present invention are laminates consisting of two or more polymers (BOPET, PE, PP film, paper, etc.). Barrier characteristics can be increased by aluminum metallization.

[0034] Metalized sheets (or metalized laminates) are polymer films coated with a thin layer of metal, usually aluminum. They offer the glossy metallic appearance of an aluminum foil at a reduced weight and cost. Other metals such as nickel or chromium are also used for metallization. While oriented polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the most common films used for metallization, nylon, polyethylene and cast polypropylene are also used. The coating also reduces the permeability of the film to light, water and oxygen.
[0035] The delivery tube (100) of the present invention has a diameter in a range of 15mm- 100mm. Further, the delivery tube (100) of the present invention has a length in a range of 50mm-300mm. Furthermore, the delivery tube
(100) of the present invention has a thickness in a range of 100mm-300mm.
[0036] The delivery tube (100) of the present invention is made from material compatible with the product and are pre-capped which gets crimped immediately after filling thus it protects the content from any contamination.
[0037] The delivery tube (100) may store compositions of different nature like dentifrice compositions, food compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, personal care products, cosmetic compositions or adhesives. The

delivery tube (100) may store compositions of same nature like gel toothpaste, chalk toothpaste, herbal toothpaste, or mouthwash.
[0038] The stackable flexible tubular assembly (100) of the present invention comprises of plurality of flexible tubes, preferably 2, or more preferably 3.
[0039] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a stackable flexible tubular assembly (200) utilizing a plurality of delivery tubes (100) which are secured in coaxial vertically stacked relation by a cylindrical portion (75). The cylindrical portion (75), removably engages the flange (45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container (20) of another delivery tube
(100), for securing the delivery tubes (100) in coaxial stacked relation. The stackable flexible tube assembly
(200) may comprise a means for hanging (85).
[0040] The stackable flexible assembly (200) of the present invention comprises of flexible tubes with identical or different compositions. The stackable flexible assembly (200) of the present invention refers to a multifunctional product stacked in one another. The assembly is of handy size and flexible to make it easier to store at home or to carry during travelling. The stackable flexible assembly (200) of the present invention can combine multi-usage toothpaste stacked in a single packing format and can be termed as family pack.

On the other grounds, it can also be designed as multi-product in one packing like toothpaste, sprinkle powders, mouthwashes etc to meet the specific need of a person.
Embodiment 1
[0041] In embodiment 1, a stackable flexible assembly (200) is formed by stacking a delivery tube (100) as of the present invention. The cylindrical portion (75) of first delivery tube engages the flange (45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container (20) of the flexible tube (100) frictionally. The removable engagement may also be provided by means of internal threads in the cylindrical portion (75) of one delivery tube and external threads on the another flexible tubular container (20) . The delivery tube (100) has diameter from 15 to 100 mm, length from 50 to 300 mm and thickness of tube from 100 to 300 mm. The material that may be utilized for manufacturing the delivery tube may be selected from the group comprising of multilayer laminates, metalized sheet preferably of aluminium, High Density Polyethylene (HDP), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Aluminium alloys, Polyamide, and combination thereof.
Embodiment 2
[0042] In embodiment 2, a stackable flexible assembly
(200) is formed by stacking a delivery tube (100) of the
present invention with a tube of substantially equivalent
dimensions as to that of delivery tube (100) . The tube

may have diameter from 15 to 100 mm, length from 50 to 300 mm and thickness of tube from 100 to 300 mm. The tube may be squeezable or flexible enough to release content on applying pressure or on squeezing. The tube may be made of material selected from the group comprising of multilayer laminates, metalized sheet preferably of aluminium, High Density Polyethylene (HDP), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Aluminium alloys, Polyamide, and combination thereof.
Embodiment 3
[0043] In the embodiment 3, a stackable flexible assembly (200) is formed by stacking a delivery tube
(100) of the present invention with a container of substantially equivalent dimensions to that of delivery tube (100). The container can be of any of any shape such as cylindrical, cuboids, oval or other shape modifications that are obvious to a skilled person in the art. The other container is having the dimension substantially equivalent to the delivery tube of the present invention. The other container may be made from flexible plastic, hard plastic or glass, etc.
Embodiment 4
[0044] In the embodiment 4, a hanging means is provided on the bottom portion (40) to allow the user to hang the stackable flexible assembly (200) for convenience. The hanging means may be without any

limitation a hook, clasp, holder, crimped hole or adhesive means.
[0045] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

We Claim:

1.A delivery tube (100) comprising:
a tubular container (20) made of a flexible material;
a top portion (30) adjoins the flexible tubular container (20) at a radially extending flange (45) at a first end (50) and bears an outlet (55) at a second end (60) for delivering the contents of the flexible tubular container (20);
a bottom portion (40) comprises a partition (65) at a proximal end (70); and
the partition (65) has a first end (64) and a second end (67), wherein the first end (64) is crimped for sealing and is connected with the flexible tubular container (20) and the second end (67) extends into a cylindrical portion (75) with an open distal end (80), wherein the cylindrical portion (75), is meant for removable coaxial stackable engagement.
2. The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the cylindrical portion (75), facilitates
stacking to form a stackable flexible assembly
(200) .
3. The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and
2, wherein the cylindrical portion (75), facilitates

stacking of delivery tubes (100) to form a stackable flexible assembly (200) .
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the cylindrical portion (75), facilitates stacking of delivery tubes of dimensions substantially equivalent to delivery tube (100) to form a stackable flexible assembly (200).
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the cylindrical portion (75), facilitates stacking of other containers of dimensions substantially equivalent to delivery tube (100) to form a stackable flexible assembly (200).
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein cylindrical portion (75) is dimensioned to removably engage the flange (45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container (20) of the another flexible tube (100) frictionally.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein the cylindrical portion (75) is dimensioned to removably engage the flange (45) and a portion (46) of the flexible tubular container (20) of the another flexible tube (100) by internal threads in

the cylindrical portion (75) and external threads on the another flexible tubular container (20).
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet (55) is a nozzle closed by a cap having internal threads which mate with external threads on the nozzle.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the outlet (55) is one of a valve based
nozzle, a nozzle with clips, and a pressure
sensitive nozzle.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 8 and 9, wherein the outlet (55) is covered by an air-tight cap or a thread less air-tight cap.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said delivery tube is foldable at the partition (65) at the proximal end (70).
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the stackable flexible assembly (200) is foldable in direction perpendicular to co-axial axis at the partition (65) .

The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delivery tube (100) comprises a means for hanging (85) .
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1 is made from the material selected from the group comprising of multilayer laminates, metalized sheet preferably of aluminium, High Density Polyethylene (HDP), Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Aluminium alloys, Polyamide, and combination thereof.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the said delivery tube (100) is in a range of 15mm to 100mm.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the said delivery tube (100) is in a range of 50mm to 300mm.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the said delivery tube (100) is in a range of 100 mm to 300 mm.

The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said delivery tube (100) store compositions of different functionalities like dentifrice compositions, food compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, personal care products, cosmetic compositions or adhesives.
The delivery tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said delivery tube (100) store compositions of similar functionalities like gel toothpaste, chalk toothpaste, herbal toothpaste, or mouthwash.