CA1047459A

CA1047459A - Container suitable for smaller quantities of fluid or semi-fluid substances

Info

Publication number: CA1047459A
Application number: CA246,993A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Bo T. Af Ekenstam; Erik G. P. Nordqvist
Original assignee: HELINOS AB
Current assignee: HELINOS AB
Priority date: 1975-03-03
Filing date: 1976-03-02
Publication date: 1979-01-30
Also published as: NL7602203A; US4072249A; DK141895B; DK84076A; DK141895C; JPS51143481A; SE7502318L; FR2302936A1; DE2608794A1; CH605328A5; IN145108B; FR2302936B1; GB1539598A; US4282986A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to a container, for example a tube, intended for substances such as for example fluid or semi-fluid liquids or pastes which can be rather crude. The container is composed of two more or less dome-shaped parts, the opening-ends of which are joined to each other. At least one of the dome-shaped parts is made of flexible material, in such a way that this part can be pressed down into the other part having the effect that the container becomes emptied. In accordance with the invention, the opening-ends of the two dome-shaped parts have arbitrary cross sections, i.e., they can be circular, eggshaped or elliptical, and the size of the container is appropriate for being held between human fingers adjacent to each other. The container also has organs for resting on the fingers. In addition, one or both of the dome-shaped parts are specially shaped or coated in order to prevent the fingers from slipping when using the container. Several containers may form blocks having one or several rows, whereby the containers are joined to each other via the organs used for resting on the fingers.

Description

` 1047459 ~.,.
This invention has reference to a container for fluid or semi-fluid substances of smaller quantities. The substances to be packed according to the invention are mainly drugs consequently the following description deals ~Jith such substances, howeve~, it should be obvious that also other substances can be packed in the described container. Administering drugs, it is common that they are packed in conventional tubes and on tubes for this purpose the medical doctors Mona Hall, Percy Nordqvist, Eva Palmgren and Irene Wilhelmsson have reported on a study at the National Medical Conference 1974 in Sweden, that the conventional tube, irrespective of used material, is very difficult to handle for especially older people. The testobjects use~ by the doctors have been various types of existing tubes, containing substances having pharmacological effects. The study is considered to be highly representative for the kind of problems appearing in the use of tubes, and it is related in Svensk Lakartidning 1975 (Swedish Medlcal Journal).
Tubes are sometimes intended for one-time use and -otherwise for repeated use. The tube shall always be such that :
by squeezing, a predetermined amount of the .~
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substance can be applied on a wanted spot on the patient, however experience shows that it is completely impossible to meet this requirement by using conventional tubes.
n the periodical ~ord Emballage, Febr. 1975, Vol. 2, page 4 it is mentioned, that it is possible to get more exact doses by using a specially designed valve this is of course an improvement, but patients have difficulties in handling tubes equipped with such valves. This kind of tubes are also expensive which is a serious disadvantage considering the large consumption of tubes in hospitals.
The objective of this invention is to make a container, which is simpliest possible and which a patient, irrespective of age, can handle without difficulties. According to the invention the primary is that the container can be placed between two fingers and that a thumb can be used to squeeze the content out of the container. The container according to the invention has sub-sequently organs such that it can rest upon and between for ex-ample the index finger and the middle finger. Due to these organs resting on the fingers it is also possible to manufacture blocks of containers, where the containers are joined to each other by the mentioned organs. In the joints there shall be indications of fracture,facilitating that one container at the time can be separated from the block and used by the patient. By having the containers joined to each other they form units which easily can slide in boxes. Such packages containing several containers can have such dimensions that a number of packages can form units of multiple packages, subsequently the handling of containers from factory to hospital becomes simpliest possible.
A container according to this invention contains a top-part and a bottom-part and outside the joint are protruding mem-bers forming the organs that rest upon the fingers when being squeezed. The bottom-part is normally made of rigid material and the top-part of flexible material. Both the top- and bottom-parts ~ -2-: ~ 1047459 .
are mainly having a domed shape, preferably spherical or similar.
Naturally both parts can be made of flexible material, but when so there must be arranged a rigid envelope having the protruding ,~ .
members and which envelope to lesser or greater degree encloses the bottom-part. According to the invention it is appropriate that the top-part is fitted with some kind of an organ keeping a thumb securely in place. Such an organ can be a friction lining ' or a particular shape of the upper part.
The top-part might also contain an organ, for example a spring or other element ~,,.
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10~7~S9 ~ of metal, arranged such that the shape of the top-part remains .,. :
~; after having been squeezed, like it was just when the pressure was taken away.
The container may also have permanent rib shaped de-- formations or similar arranged such that squeezing the top-part is made against a retaining force.
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The top-part of the container might have a circular organ arranged such that when the container is squeezed, this circular organ scrapes substance sticking to the walls.
The bottom-part of the container might have an opening r,:' - which can be sealed with a cap. The bottom-part may have any "
' kind of appropriate opening for emptying the container. The i- .
i~ opening may be small or big and can be sealed by a cap having a locking device or threads.
The container according to the invention can also be ` fitted in a special device having a plunger such that the content -can be squeezed by the plunger. This special device also has organs such that it can rest upon fingers and these organs normally can take the corresponding organs of the container.
; 20 According to the invention it is advantageous to make a number of bottom-parts forming one piece and then to fit the top-parts. The separate containers in such a unit can be filled with substance at the same time, for example via the bottom parts, and when using this method it might be convenient that the top-parts are initially fully depressed into the bottom-parts and that the substance used for filling is preheated.
In accordance with a specific embodiment, there is pro-vided a container for dispensingfluid and semi-fluid liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end, a bottom dome also made of a flexible material 104'7~5~
and having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the ~:
contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a ~ :
desired point outside of said container, flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced outwardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means.
In accordance with a further embodiment, there is pro- :
vided a container for dispensing fluid and semi-fluid liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said 20 first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end; a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes . .
being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes .. . .
through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point outside of said container, flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced outwardly through said I

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- ~0~7~59 -~ means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first , closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into ~:, said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means, and said top dome further comprising thumb engagement means positioned at said first closed end, whereby a thumb pressing down on said second closed end of said top dome does not slip therefrom; means surrounding said thumb engagement means, means for holding said top dome in said bottom dome after said top dome has been pressed and forced into said bottom dome to squeeze out the contents of the container, said means for holding having a central opening for receiving therethrough said thumb gripping means and an upwardly extending outer edge pointing away from said second open ends.
In accordance with a still further embodiment, there , . . .
~ is provided a container for dispensing fluid and semi-fluid '~ liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed ` end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so !,' that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end, a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said ; domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome.,~:,, is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said ,-;, second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point outside of said container' flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced out-wardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses down-wardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby ~ - 3b -` 104~7~59 force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means, and mechanical : .
-~ dispensing means for said top dome, said mechanical dispensing means comprising a plunger having a press plate for reciprocable movement to force said top dome into said bottom dome, and a double rim constituting a pocket for the reception therein of said flange means so that said mechanical dispensing means can be supported on said top dome and so that said rim may be :
gripped by fingers to force the contents out through said bottom dome by said plunger.
In accordance with a still further embodiment, there is . provided a plurality of containers connected together to form . a block of containers which may be easily transported and shipped, ; each of said plurality of containers comprising: a top dome having . a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible -material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end, a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when -. 20 said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of .
said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said ;
first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point outside of said container, and flange means sur-rounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the : :
container may be forced outwardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said ~ 3c :

. 1047459 - means, said flange means being of rectangular shape and sur-rounding said top and bottom ends, said containers being con-nected together at said flange means.
Additional characteristics appear in the enclosed claims.
The invention is described in greater detail in con-nection with enclosed 30 diamgrams, where yP^ Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container according ~ to the invention, in a state where it is .~ ~
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~ 10 filled or will be filled with a substance, , .
where Fig. 2 shows the same container as in Fig. 1 but after content has been emptied, where Fig. 3 shows a gripped container arranged as a one-.; -.
time syringe and just before the squeezing ....
takes place, where ~;~ Fig. 4 shows the container in Fig. 3 when it is emptied, where ;~ Fig. 5 shows a section of the container in Fig. 1, , 20 where Fig. 6 shows a section of the container in Fig. 2, where Pig. 7 shows a closed spout, where , ,'-- 3d -. .
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Fig. 8 shows an open spout, where ig. 9 shows another embodiment of a spout, where Fig. 10 shows the spout in Fig. 9 after being opened, where Fig. 11 shows a container similar to the container in Fig. 1, ; however, having a more cylindrical shape and fitted with '~ an organ for the squeezing finger,,where Fig. 12 shows the container in Fig. 11 modified such that it has an inturned circular bead, designed to act as an organ ` scraping substance sticking to the walls when emptying -, the container, where `~ Figures 13 and 14 show details of the container in Fig. 12 during two different states, where Fig. 15 shows a detail of the bottom-part of a container having an opening with a screw cap, where Fig. 16 shows a container similar to the container in Fig. 12, s where both the top-part and the bottom-part is made of - --flexible material and where the bottom-part is to a - certain degree enclosed by an envelope of hard material, ~, , where Figures 17 and 18 show two examples of additional elements on the top-part of a container and the objective of which elements is to act on the top-part that it is brought down against the bottom-part when depressed, where Fig. 19 shows an organ arranged on the outside of the top-part of a container, which organ acts as a locking device keeping the top-part in the position it gets when pressed by a finger, where ~ -Fig. 20 shows an embodiment called cylglobid (embodiment 1), where -Fig. 21 shows a cylglobid having a flat bottom, where - Fig. 22 shows an embodiment called cylovid (embodiment 2) in a side view and a top view, where Fig. 23 shows another embodiment called cyleliden in a topview and a side view, where ..

Fig. 24 shows a container similar to the one shown in Fig. 11 and where the top~part ha~ a spiralformed bead acting as a spring, where Fig. 25 shows the same container as in Fig. 24 but with different spiralbead, where Fig. 26 shows a squeezing device for a container according to one ': .
or several of shown diagrams, where ~ Fig. 27 shows the same container as in Fig. 1 seen in an angle s from the side and from the top, where the organs for resting on the fingers are rectangular, such that a number of containers by joints between these organs can form a block, where .;,.
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, ., -4a-: - ~0474S9 Fig. 28 shows a container according to Fig. 27 seen from the side and from the bottom, where Fig. 29 shows a number of containers forming a block which can slide into a box and where '~ Fig. 30 shows a unit containing a number of the boxes shown in ; Fig. 29. ~-In the diagrams, index 1 refers to a dome-shaped part ' which is made of soft and ductile material. Index 2 refers also ~-~ to a dome-shaped part, which is made of stiffer material and meant . ....................................................................... .
to retain its shape. The two dome-shaped parts are with their '~ openings joined to each other as shown in Fig. 1, forming a container which is mainly spherical. However, it is obvious that .,.,;
the two joined parts can have any other shape. They could be for exampl~ cubical, rectangular or pyramidical, in other words the shape of the two joined parts can be varied in numerous ways.
The two parts can for example be cylindrical and the free ends closed by semi spherical parts. It could be convenient to make a flat top on one of the dome-shaped parts, whereby the container can be placed on a table top or similar without rolling. The dome-shaped part 2 has a sealed spout 3 which can be opened : . .
,i whenever wanted. At the joint between the two dome-shaped parts is an encircling lug arranged which is elliptical such that two lips 4 and 5 are formed. Naturally the lug can be given any suitable shape. It would be pertinent to keep the size down of -, the dome-shaped parts in order to facilitate the use of the con-'- tainer as shown in Figures 3 and 4. To the spout 3 any suit-able organ can be connected for applying the substance leaving ., the spout. Consequently a hypodermic needle can be connected to the container, when it contains a liquid substance. A flexible '~ or stiff tube could be connected to the container. There are numerouR examples of what could be connected to the spout 3.
In the Figures 7 and 8 is a spout 3 shown, which has a sealing 6, which together with the spout forms one single unit.
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This kind of sealing can be cut off as shown in Fig. 8.
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Fig. 9 shows a spout 3', which is sealed by a cap 6', which is tied by a link 7 a to the spout 3' or the cap could have ` been tied by the link to the container. Fig. 9 shows the spout 3' sealed by the cap and Fig. 10 when the cap is off.

The container according to the invention shall be S'.'.
; such in nature that the dome-shaped part 1 can be squeezing or ~,...
'~ otherways take the shape shown in Fig. 2, in other words that the wall of the dome-shaped part 1 is flexible that it to lesser or greater extent adjust~ to the inside of the dome-shaped part 2.
For the invention subsequently all materials can pe used which .;. .
fullfill the function shown in Figures 1 and 2. Suitable material for both parts 1 and 2 would be plastic, where the plastic in part 1 is flexible and in part 2 rather stiff. Naturally it is also possible that part 2 is made of metal and part 1 of metal foil. Combinations like stiff and thin cardboard or glass and rubber are also possible.
It would be practicable to construct the wall of part 1 in such a way that when the container has been squeezed the wall remains as it is just before the squeezing finishes. To this effect elements like,for example ribs of suitable material could be moulded as integral parts of part 1. It would also be possible to include additional elements such that the dome-shaped part 1 gets a tendency to instantly switch over to the position shown in Fig. 2, when triggered by pressure on top of part 1.

The container as described is for example used in the following way. The user opens the spout 3, eventually he connects something like for example a tube or a hypodermic needle and then he takes the container as shown in Fig. 3. In Figures 3 and 4 the container is fitted with a hypodermic needle 8. Holding the container as shown in Fig. 3 the needle is inserted in the part of the body to receive the injection. Now the user uses his thumb to press the top of the dome-shaped part 1 as shown in 74~9 Fig. 4, the pressure is applied until part 1 is in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, whereby the container is emptied.
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Fig, 11 shows a container similar to the above des-cribed and where the both dome-shaped parts are indicated with 1~ respectively 2'. They differ from the dome-shaped parts above in that they are cylindrical and one end of each part forms a semi-sphere. The dome-shaped part 1' has on its top a wart 7 i.; .
suitably shaped to be pressed by a finger. The wart can of course have a smooth surface, but it would be more adequate, that the surface has such properties that a finger does not slip when pressing the container.
The container in Fig. 12 differs from the one in Fig.
11 in that the dome-shaped part 1' has an inturned circular bead 8, preferably situated where the cylindrical shape turns into a semi-spherical shape. The semi-spherical part of the dome-shaped part 1' is indicated with the number lA. The circular bead 8 is designed to act as an organ scraping substance sticking to the walls when emptying the container. This is especially shown in ;
Fig. 14, when part lA is pressed down it shows how the circular bead 8 fits into the cylindrical part of the container.
Fig. 16 shows a container made in one piece which is indicated with the number 12. The shape of the container is the same like the container according to Fig. 11. The container 12 is made of flexible material and in order to have the necessary rigidity the end with the spout has an envelope 13 of hard mat-erial. Said envelope has two organs 4'' and 5'' for the fingers, similar to the organs 4' and 5'. The envelope also has an open-ing 14 for the spout 3'. The container has a circular bead as described in connection with Fig. 11 and also a wart 7'.

Fig. 17 shows how the top-part 1' can have an integrally moulded spiral 15, the objective of which is to distribute applied pressure to a greater area of the top of part 1' when emptying the container.

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., lO~Yi'~59 ~'~ Fig. 18 shows another integrally moulded element 16 having the same function as the spiral in Fig. 17.
The two elements in Figures 17 and 18 can be made of any material as long as ~unction is as desired.
Fig. 19 shows the top-part of a container according , to Fig~ 12 fitted with a disc 17, shaped somewhat like a plate and with its outer edge pointing out from the container. In the ` center the disc has a hole matching and fixed to the wart 7 on the part lA. The disc can be made of any suitable material, for ; example plastic or metal and it may be resilient. The purpose ; of the disc 17 is to act as a catching device inside the cylinder , , being formed when part 1' is pushed. When pressure on the wart 7 ceases the disc 17 prevents the part 1' to spring back. How said cylinder is being formed is for example shown in Fig. 14.
The containers according to Fig. 1 or to Fig. 11 naturally can be used in a device containing a plunger replacing ;.
S a human thumb. Some important embodiments will be described.
Fig. 20 shows a container having a central part 27 of a length H which central part preferably have a noncircular cross section. However, a container can be made having a cylin-drical central part with semi-spheres as top-part 1 and bottom-; part 2. See Fig. 11. This embodiment, having the length H bigger than zero is given the names cylglobid and embodiment 1. If the , length H is equal to zero the container becomes the same as , shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 21 shows the same container as in Fig. 20 but where the bottom-part 2'' has a large opening covered by a lid 28.
The embodiments according to the Figures 22 and 23 are giv,en shapes which are an optimum regarding adaption to fingers and suitability for its purpose, when using the thumb together with the indexfinger and the middlefinger for emptying the con-tainer.
,' In Fig. 22 the top-part 1'' is adopted to the shape of , , . ~34~4S9 ' .
the thumb. The fingerprint of the thumb in combination with the crosssection of the tip of the thumb, forms a volume alike half an egg cut from tip to tip. When the container is made with a central part 27 and a top-part and a bottom-part shaped like the said volume, it will be easy using the thumb, the index and the middle fingers to press the top-part 1 " through the central part 27 down to the corresponding bottom-part 2''. The spout is preferably positioned in the very lowest area of the bottom-part.
If the container is made without a central part which is the same as H = zero, it takes the shape of an egg. The embodiment having the length H bigger then zero as shown in the figure is known as the cylovid.
Fig. 23 shows a container having a top-part 1''' and a bottom-part 2''' each part shaped like a semi-ellipsoid when the cutting is made along the biggest diameter. When such top- and bottom-parts are joined with a cental part 27 an embodiment is formed called the cylelid. If the length H of the central part is equal to zero, the shape of the container will be a full ellipsoid.
Common for all the embodiments according to the figures 20 - 23 is that when ~ is bigger than zero the top- and bottom-parts are separated by an envelope surface forming the central part, which envelope surface is theoretically formed when a generatrix is moved perpendicular to and along all of the envelope of the maximum cross section of an end part.
Fig. 24 shows a container corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 11. On the top-part lIV is arranged a spiral-shaped bead 29. The container has like the ones previously described a part 7IV for a thumb and two organs 4 and 5, for resting on the L
forefinger and the middlefinger when used and additionally a bottom-part 2IV. The bottom-part has an opening 9' which can be r sealed with a cap 10'. The spiral-shaped bead 29 gives a resis-tance to the pressure from a thumb, facilitating conditions for a smooth and controlled application of the substance stored in the container.

_g _ g Fig. 25 shows a container having exactly the same pro.
perties as the container in Fig. 24, but where the single bead is modified such, that the top-part has a number of beads as shown by the diagram.
Fig. 26 shows a device for emptying a container according to the invention.
The device has a cylindrical cap 18, which at its open end has a circular pocket 21 formed by a doublefolded corbelled rim 19 and 20. The circular pocket 21 is intended to take the organs 4' and 5' for the fingers of a container 1' - 2'. The :
cap 18 is fitted with a plunger 22 which has a press plate 23 and a fingerpart 24. For emptying a container according to this invention using a device as described, all the unit is placed between two fingers in such a way that part 20 of the rim is resting on said fingers. The thumb is put on the fingerpart 24 and by pressing the plunger 22 the container 1' - 2' becomes emptied.
The spout 3 can be made cylindrical and with threads 9 as shown by Fig. 15. A cap 10 is adapted to the spout by corr-esponding threads 11.
Again should be noted that all the organs of the con-tainer adapted to the fingers, are made such that the emptying is made smoothly and controllable. This implies that the design-work has to be based on an empirical study of the fingers and their physiological coordination. Embodiments and sizes of said containers should be designed taking a number of parameters into consideration like for example length, angle, surface and volume of fingertips, fingerjoints and all the fingers in order to have optimal effects and as few types as possible.
Figures 27 and 28 show a container having a top-part lV

and a bottom-part 2V. The container has two fingerorgans 4V and 5V together forming a rectangular surface- The bottom-part 2V has an opening with a sealing organ 10V which is cylindrical and ~0~7~9 - . ;
prevents the container from staying upright on a horizontal surface. secause of the rectangular shape of the said finger- -organs a nwnber of containers can be joined to each other, forming a block as shown by Fig. 29. Between the fingerorgans are in-dications of fracture making it possible to break off one container at the time from the block. By making blocks of containers these blocks can conveniently be packed in boxes 31 which boxes can form multiple packs enclosed in wrapping 32, which is for example ,, .
' thermoplastic foil.

~-~ When manufacturing the blocks according to Fig. 29 the .~
bottom-parts together with the fingerorgans can be made in one step in one tool, after which this part is fitted with the top-parts, separately made or equally made as one unit.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-

1. A container for dispensing fluid and semi-fluid liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end; a bottom dome also made of a flexible material and having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome; means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit there-from to a desired point outside of said container; flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced outwardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means.

2. A container for dispensing fluid and semi-fluid liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end; a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point out-side of said container, flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced outwardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means, and said top dome further comprising thumb engagement means positioned at said first closed end, whereby a thumb pressing down on said second closed end of said top dome does not slip therefrom, means sur-rounding said thumb engagement means, means for holding said top dome in said bottom dome after said top dome has been pressed and forced into said bottom dome to squeeze out the contents of the container, said means for holding having a central open-ing for receiving therethrough said thumb gripping means and an upwardly extending outer edge pointing away from said second open ends.

3. A container for dispensing fluid and semi-fluid liquids or pastes, comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end, a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point outside of said container, flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced out-wardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses down-wardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forcing the contents out through said means, and mechanical dispensing means for said top dome, said mechanical dispensing means comprising a plunger having a press plate for reciprocable movement to force said top dome into said bottom dome, and a double rim constituting a pocket for the reception therein of said flange means so that said mechanical dispensing means can be supported on said top dome and so that said rim may be gripped by fingers to force the contents out through said bottom dome by said plunger.

4. A plurality of containers connected together to form a block of containers which may be easily transported and shipped, each of said plurality of containers comprising: a top dome having a first closed end and a second open end and made of a flexible material so that said first closed end may be pressed downwardly toward and through said second open end, a bottom dome having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open ends of each of said domes being connected to each other so that when said top dome is pressed downwardly said first closed end of said top dome passes through said second open end of said top dome and said second open end of said bottom dome toward said first closed end of said bottom dome, means located on said bottom dome near said first closed end thereof for allowing the contents in said top and bottom domes to exit therefrom to a desired point outside of said con-tainer, and flange means surrounding said top and bottom domes near said connected second open ends for gripping by fingers so that the contents of the container may be forced outwardly through said means for allowing when a thumb presses downwardly upon said first closed end of said top dome to thereby force said top dome into said bottom dome while at the same time forc-ing the contents out through said means said flange means being of rectangular shape and surrounding said top and bottom ends, said containers being connected together at said flange means.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein said bottom dome is made of a rigid material that is non-yielding.

6. The container according to claim 4, wherein said means for allowing comprises a spout positioned at said first closed end of said bottom dome, and means for selectively closing off or opening up said spout to permit the contents of said container to exit.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein said means for selectively closing off and opening up said spout comprises a cap, and linking means connecting said cap to said spout so that said cap may pivot thereabout, whereby when said cap is mounted over said spout said spout is closed off, and when said cap is pivoted away from said spout said spout is opened up.

8. The container according to claim 6, wherein said means for selectively closing off and opening up said spout comprises a threaded cap, and said spout comprises mating threads thereon for said threaded cap, whereby said threaded cap may be rotated in a first direction to close off said spout and a second direction to remove said threaded cap and open up said spout.

9. The container according to claim 4, wherein said top and bottom domes are both shaped as a hemisphere so as to form a container shaped as a sphere.

10. The container according to claim 4, further comprising means for connecting said second open ends of said top and bottom domes, and said flange means being mounted about said means for connecting, whereby said container takes on a shape that is elongated.

11. The container according to claim 4, wherein each of said top and bottom domes is shaped as a cylinder and said first closed ends of each of said top and bottom domes has a hemi-spherical shape.