Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a tube comprising an elongated strip having a body portion with two longitudinal edges, the strip being spirally wound to overlap and interlock said two longitudinal edges, a first of said longitudinal edges including a locking rib and a second of said longitudinal edges including a longitudinal socket sized to mechanically receive and engage said locking rib, the improvement comprising one of said longitudinal edges has a sealing flap extending laterally from said generally parallel to said body portion, said sealing flap being resilient relative to said body portion, said sealing flap having a surface for sealing engagement with the other of said longitudinal edges, said surface having a locking protuberance extending therealong, the other of said longitudinal edges including a mating surface on said body portion in engagement with said surface of said sealing flap, said mating surface comprising a recess which is shaped to conform to said surface of said flap whereby said tube includes a helically extending, fluid-tight seam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a tube comprising an elongated strip having a body portion with two longitudinal edges, the strip being spirally wound to overlap and interlock said two longitudinal edges, a first of said longitudinal edges including a locking rib and a second of said longitudinal edges including a longitudinal socket sized to mechanically receive and engage said locking rib, the improvement comprising one of said longitudinal edges has a sealing flap extending laterally from said generally parallel to said body portion, said sealing flap being resilient relative to said body portion, said sealing flap having a surface for sealing engagement with the other of said longitudinal edges, said surface having a locking protuberance extending therealong, the other of said longitudinal edges including a mating surface on said body portion in engagement with said surface of said sealing flap, said mating surface comprising a recess which is shaped to conform to said surface of said flap whereby said tube includes a helically extending, fluid-tight seam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking protuberance comprises a hook-like edge portion projecting out from said surface, said hook-like edge portion tapering to a feathered edge at the outermost edge of said sealing flap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sealing flap has been mechanically deflected by said mating surface to form a continuous seal which is biased closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a tube comprising an elongated strip having a body portion with two longitudinal edges, the strip being spirally wound to overlap and interlock said two longitudinal edges, a first of said longitudinal edges including a locking rib and a second of said longitudinal edges including a longitudinal socket sized to mechanically receive and engage said locking rib, the improvement comprising one of said longitudinal edges has a sealing flap extending laterally from and generally parallel to said body portion, said sealing flap being resilient relative to said body portion and comprising a locking protuberance and a central portion interconnecting said locking protuberance with said body portion, said central portion having a thickness dimension substantially less than the thickness dimension of said body portion, the other of said longitudinal edges including a mating surface on said body portion in engagement with said locking protuberance of said sealing flap, whereby said tube includes an helically extending fluid-tight seam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a tube comprising an elongated strip having a body portion with two longitudinal edges, the strip being spirally wound to overlap and interlock said two longitudinal edges, a first of said longitudinal edges including a locking rib and a second of said longitudinal edges including a longitudinal socket sized to mechanically receive and engage said locking rib, the improvement comprising one of said longitudinal edges has a sealing flap extending laterally from and generally parallel to said body portion, said sealing flap being resilient relative to said body portion and comprising a locking protuberance and a central portion interconnecting said locking protuberance with said body portion, said central portion having a thickness dimension substantially less than the thickness dimension of said body portion, the other of said longitudinal edges including a mating surface on said body portion in engagement with said locking protuberance of said sealing flap, whereby said tube includes an helically extending fluid-tight seam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tube as set forth in claim 4 wherein said locking protuberance comprises a hook-like edge portion which tapers to a feathered edge at the outermost edge of said sealing flap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tube as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sealing flap has been mechanically deflected by said mating surface to form a continuous seal which is biased closed.