U.S. patent application number 10/538257 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for packing container with an originality marking and method for the production thereof.
Invention is credited to Raju Narayanan.
Application Number | 20060151526 10/538257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32477145 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060151526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Narayanan; Raju |
July 13, 2006 |
Packing container with an originality marking and method for the
production thereof
Abstract
A packaging tube provided with an originality marking and a
method for the production thereof. Normally the price of tubes
increases according to the type of marking. This is avoided by
virtue of the fact that weld joints, e.g. between the head and the
tube are made visible and the joining materials are colored
differently than the part of the tube that they connect.
Inventors: |
Narayanan; Raju; (Mumbai,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C.
900 CHAPEL STREET
SUITE 1201
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
32477145 |
Appl. No.: |
10/538257 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB03/05804 |
371 Date: |
June 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/00 20130101;
B65D 35/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/092 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/00 20060101
B65D035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2002 |
CH |
2083/02 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A packaging tube (10) having anticounterfeiting feature (15)
for pasty packaging materials comprising a tube body (11) made of a
flexible foil having at one end a non-flexible prefabricated tube
head (12) of plastic material, comprising a shoulder (14) and
extending therefrom a closable outlet (16), whereby the shoulder
(14) is attached to the body (11) by means of a material portion
(17) of plasticized and squeeze formed plastic material connecting
an inner surface of one end of body (11) with an outer
circumference of the shoulder (14), wherein the shoulder (14)
carries an anticounterfeiting feature (15) of a different colour as
that of the shoulder (14).
14. Packaging container according to claim 13, wherein the
anticounterfeiting feature (15) is formed as a ring arranged upon
the shoulder (14) and encirculating same.
15. Packaging container according to claim 13, wherein the
anticounterfeiting feature (15) is formed by part of the squeezed
material portion (17).
16. Packaging container according to claim 13, wherein the
anticounterfeiting feature (15) has an outer (27) and an inner (28)
demarcation, both encircling the head (12) upon its shoulder
(14).
17. Packaging container according to claim 13, wherein the
anticounterfeiting feature (15) is delimited by an outer running
round demarcation (27) and an inner running round demarcation (28),
whereby the inner running round demarcation (28) is formed by
plastic material freely flowing upon shoulder (14) and displaced
from portion (17) in direction of outlet (16).
18. Packaging container according to claim 16, wherein the outer
run around demarcation (27) is formed by a freely running round
edge (26) of an annular section (22) of body (11) and that the
inner running round demarcation (28) is formed by an in the
direction of outlet (16) upward directed surface (30) of a stepped
arrangement (29) arranged upon the outer surface of shoulder
(14).
19. Packaging container according to claim 18, wherein the annular
section (22) is bent over in direction of shoulder (14) covering an
annular room (35) between shoulder (14) and annular section
(22)
20. A method for manufacturing a packaging tube according to claim
13, wherein the tube body (11) is placed upon the outer
circumference of a mandrel (20) leaving an annular section (22)
extending axially therefrom and that a prefabricated head (12) of
first colouring is placed upon a mandrel slope (24) of mandrel (20)
a material portion (17) abutting and encircling the inner surface
of the annular section (22) is deposited upon an annular room (35)
between head (12) and inner surface of section (22) said portion
(17) of different colour than said first colouring and mandrel (20)
being entered into matrix (39) bending section (20) and pressing
thereby a first part of material portion (17) in direction of
annular room (35) and a second part of material portion (17)
between section (22) and shoulder (14) in direction of an outlet
(16) and flowing a head a freely running round edge (26) of section
(22) thereby connecting tube body (11) and tube head (12) and
forming the anticounterfeiting feature (15).
21. Method for manufacturing a packaging tube according to claim
20, wherein the feature (15) upon shoulder (14) is formed by the
part of the material portion (17) flowing ahead of the annular
section (22).
22. Method for manufacturing a packaging tube according to claim
21, wherein the second part of material portion (17) is pressed
into stepped arrangement (29).
23. Method for manufacturing a packing tube according to claim 22,
wherein the material portion (17) is being pressed against an
upward directed surface (30) of stepped arrangement (29).
24. Method for manufacturing a packaging tube according to claim
21, wherein the part of material portion (17) flowing ahead of the
annular section (22) is without forming elements freely expanding
toward outlet (16).
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a packaging container, especially a
packaging tube for pasty packaging materials with an
anticounterfeiting feature according to preamble of claim 1 and a
method to manufacture same according to the preamble of claim
6.
[0002] Next to metal tubes, packaging containers of plastic
materials (plastic tubes) are widely accepted for packaging,
advertising and promotion of technical, cosmetical and
pharmaceutical packaging materials of pasty consistence. Due to
their diffusion resistance metal tubes used to show for oxidation
sensitive packaging materials superiority over plastic tubes. Due
to the development of new plastics and laminates, for instance for
the manufacture of sheet materials to be used for the manufacture
of tube bodies by way of extrusion or by way of the so called side
seaming the superiority of metal tubes was widely eliminated, so
that metal- and plastic tubes are now considered equals as
deformable or squeezable packaging means for oxidation sensitive
packaging materials. As addition to the development of new plastics
and laminates (tube materials) a highly developed manufacturing
technique for plastic has to be considered assuring zero defects
tubes. Tube materials and manufacturing techniques result in
deformable tubes assuring a consistent quality of the packaging
material starting with filling and emptying the tubes. The tubes
besides their function as packaging container do next quality as a
carrier of advertisement, whereby the displayed advertisement may
include identification of the packaged material and other
information relevant with respect to the origin thereof.
[0003] The invention concerns a packaging container, especially a
packaging tube for pasty packaging materials with an
anticounterfeiting feature according to preamble of claim 1 and a
method to manufacture same according to the preamble of claim
8.
[0004] Next to metal tubes, packaging containers of plastic
materials (plastic tubes) are widely accepted for packaging,
advertising and promotion of technical, cosmetical and
pharmaceutical packaging materials of pasty consistence. Due to
their diffusion resistance metal tubes used to show for oxidation
sensitive packaging materials superiority over plastic tubes. Due
to the development of new plastics and laminates, for instance for
the manufacture of sheet materials to be used for the manufacture
of tube bodies by way of extrusion or by way of the so called side
seaming the superiority of metal tubes was widely eliminated, so
that metal- and plastic tubes are now considered equals as
deformable or squeezable packaging means for oxidation sensitive
packaging materials. As addition to the development of new plastics
and laminates (tube materials) a highly developed manufacturing
technique for plastic has to be considered assuring zero defects
tubes. Tube materials and manufacturing techniques result in
deformable tubes assuring a consistent quality of the packaging
material starting with filling and emptying the tubes. The tubes
besides their function as packaging container do next quality as a
carrier of advertisement, whereby the displayed advertisement may
include identification of the packaged material and other
information relevant with respect to the origin thereof. With
respect to mass volume articles like tooth pastes the advertisement
upon the tubes in its design specifically directed toward
identification of origin and producer, so that consumer decide by
way of an optical identification which product they are going buy
from what manufacturer, expecting always repeatedly to acquire a
product of same quality. With this expectation an optical
identification will always be superficial which considering
counterfeiting parties will result in problems for the manufacturer
of the packaged material and/or the packer with respect to their
warranties for origin, quality and consistence of quality.
Counterfeitors are for example in a position to provide packaging
tubes devoid of any defects in comparison of the originals, under
provision here above is understood copying of a specific tube form
and design carrying thereon the same imprints as the originals,
whereby these counterfeit tubes usually contain packages materials
of different quality as the quality offered by non counterfeiting
manufacturer. In the event counterfeit products with respect to
tubes and/or packaged materials should show quality defects the
consumer, not being aware of having acquired a counterfeit product,
will attribute the quality defects to the manufacture of original
materials which will result for said manufacturer in problems with
respect to origin, quality and guaranties of his products.
[0005] In consideration of the above described background the
inventors did define the object of the herein described invention
to provide a packaging container preferable a packaging tube having
an anticounterfeiting feature (following in short also feature) and
a method to economically manufacture same, whereby a tube with this
feature even superficially scrutinised visually presents itself as
an original and this object is solved with respect to tube by way
of the characterising features of claim 1 and for the method by way
of the characterising features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments
of the tube are characterised through the claims 2 to 7 and those
of the method through the claims 9 to 12.
[0006] Two different techniques dominate the manufacture of plastic
tubes. The ready made head technique teaches attachment of a ready
made head to a tube body, employing as one mode of attachment so to
say the melting head on to body by way of application of heat and
pressure, while in the second mode head and body are attached to
each other by way of an injection moulding process. The form on
technique differs there from to the extent that the head and body
are attached to each other during formation or moulding of a head
in a matrix whereby the moulding of the occurs for one through
shaping of a portion of plasticized material or in a second
embodiment through injection moulding. Known is also a method which
teaches the use of plasticized material portions to connect a
prefabricated head with a tube body. The development of these
methods did aim at two objectives namely for one to satisfy
technical and as a second one appearance requirements. Professional
circles strive for the manufacture of leak proof and mechanically
strong seams which have to be however optically unobstructive. To
provide for a tube with anticounterfeiting feature the invention
departs from the teaching of the involved professional circles as
set forth above maintaining the mechanical qualities of a seam
between head and body however making the seam or parts thereof
visible. According to the invention the head carries a feature of
different colour as the head. It is preferred to form the feature
as a ring encircling the or running around upon the shoulder of the
head, which ring is formed and made visible during squeeze pressing
of an annular portion of plasticized plastic material of a
different colour as the colour of the head or the body to effect
the attachment of the head to the body. Advantageously to
manufacture tubes with a feature as set forth above a method is
used employing for attachment a body to a head a portion of
plasticized plastic material in form of a ring preferably of round
or lenticular cross-section, the portion being positioned so that
it abutts the inner surface of an annular section of the body and
rests between or partially upon the outer circumference of the
shoulder of the head, thereafter bending the freely extending
annular section and squeeze pressing the portion by means of
mandrel and matrix in direction of an outlet of the head. After
termination of the squeeze pressing or squeeze forming step the
annular feature joins the freely running round edge of the annular
section so that the ring is positioned from the transition from
shoulder to body corresponding to the length of the annular
section. This has the advantage that the position of the feature
upon the shoulder can be varied by way of varying the length of the
annular section. This provides for the opportunity to change the
visual appearance of the tube if so required or necessary and
further by way of the position of the feature upon the shoulder
manufacturing series of tubes can be identified.
[0007] Further advantages, features and individual items of the
invention can be taken from the following description of the tubes,
the process and of an apparatus adapted to practise the process and
the drawings, which drawings show:
[0008] FIG. 1 A tube according to the invention in its side
view;
[0009] FIG. 2 a mandrel with head having a stepped arrangement;
[0010] FIG. 3 a mandrel with head and a multi-chamber stepped
arrangement;
[0011] FIG. 4 a mandrel with head with the circumferential surface
in an inclinded position;
[0012] FIG. 5 a matrix the pressing operation not having commenced
yet;
[0013] FIG. 6 a matrix after the pressing operation has been
performed.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the headside end of a packaging tube 10,
following called in short tube 10. The tube 10 consists of a tube
body 11, following called body 11 and a tube head 12, following
called head 12 which head 12 is comected with the body 11 and
carries a cap 13. The head 12 comprises a shoulder 14 and an outlet
16 (FIG. 2). The shoulder 14 carries on its outer visible surface,
as opposed to its inner surface directed toward the hollow space of
the body 11, the anticounterfeiting identification 15 or
antiocounuterfeiting feature 15 according to the invention.
Depending upon the requirements of the diffusion resistance of tube
10 the body is made of a plastic monofoil, plastic laminate foil or
a plastic/metal laminate foil which cut in strips are formed into a
tubular body and welded together a long its longitudinal edges.
Bodies 11 can also be extruded, in this case the welding operation
is not necessary. The bodies 11 are at one of its open ends
connected to prefabricated heads 12. The heads 12 are made
separately from the tubemanufacture by way of injection moulding.
The head comprises a disk like shoulder 14 extending therefrom an
outlet 16 which can be opened or closed by means of cap 13.
[0015] The outer diameter of shoulder 14 of head 12 is slightly
smaller than the inner diameter of the body 11 and dimensioned in
such a way that the material used for connecting body 11 and head
12 can during the squeeze forming operation can flow around the
circular outer edge of shoulder 14 at the same time filling the gap
in form of a ring between the circular edge of shoulder 14 and the
inner surface of body 11. Head 12 and body 11 are connected by
means of material portion of plasticized plastic which plastic has
to be selected so that it connects upon application of pressure and
selectively heat with the plastic of head 12 and with the plastic
of body 11, in case of a laminate with the inner layer of plastic
of body 11.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows in schematically a round mandrel 20 as part of
a pressing die carrying upon its in longitudinal direction
extending surface a tube body 11. The upper free end of mandrel 20
is shaped (contoured) in such a way so that head 12 with its inner
surface can be completely deposited thereon. The head 12 is formed
by the disk like shoulder 14 extending therefrom the hollow
cylindrical outlet 16 into which extends a centrically arranged
mandrel extension 21 so that the head 12 is concentrically held on
the contoured free end of mandrel 20.
[0017] According to FIG. 2 an annular section 22 of body 11 in
axial direction extends from the front face starting from the
passage 23 between mandrel scope 24 and outer circumference of the
mandrel. The axial extension of the annular section 22 is
determined (see FIG. 4) by the distance A within which the freely
running round edge 26 of annular section 22--seen from the
center-line of head 12--is to rest upon the outer surface of the
head 12 thus forming the outer running round demarcation 27 of the
anticounterfying feature 15 (following in short feature 15). The
head shows according to FIG. 2 a stepped arrangement 29 upon its
outer surface which arrangement 29 runs around the outer
circumference of shoulder 14 having in direction of outlet 16
upward directed surface 30 forming the inner running round
demarcation 28.
[0018] According to the invention it can be advantageous to provide
the passage 24 between mandrel scope 24 and outer circumference of
mandrel 20 with a multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31.
Advantageously the multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31 (following
in short arrangement 15) comprises two chambers 32, 33 whereby the
first chamber 32 originating from the outer circumference of
mandrel 20 and in direction of center-line M structured as a
slanted surface joins up with the second chamber 33 which chamber
33 ends in mandrel slope 24. The diameter of the orifice closest to
the center-line, that is to say the circumference of the second
chamber is dimensioned in such a way that it is covered by the
outer circumference of shoulder 14 of head 12, so that the chamber
33 forms with a head 12 arranged on the mandrel 20 and the shoulder
14 of a head 12 an undercut 34 arranged on the front face of
mandrel 20, while seen in axial direction the first chamber 32
together with the inner circumferential surface of section 22 of
body 11 and the outer surface of shoulder 14 forms an open annular
room or space 35 extending in the same axial direction as mandrel
20. As is shown in FIG. 3 that way by way of the second chamber 33,
arranged under shoulder 14 and by way of annular room 35 adjoining
the second chamber 33 a die cavity is provided into which the
portion 17 of plastic material plasticized by way of heat and of
different colour that the plastic material of the head 12 and if so
desired the plastic material of the body 11 can be pressed.
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts a circumferential surface arranged parallel
to the center-line of head 12 (said parallel surface not shown)
whereby the surface of that kind shown is arranged as a slope 36 in
respect to the center-line.
[0020] FIG. 2, 3 and 4 shown different mouldable connections
between body 11 and head 12. The connection according to FIG. 2
satisfies normal average requirement, while the connection
according to FIG. 4 satisfies higher requirements to be full filled
by a connection as for instance the one according to FIG. 2, since
the slope 36 is a greater one sided connecting surface than
parallely arranged surface according to FIG. 2. The connection
between head 12 and body 11 according to FIG. 3 is meant to meet
very high requirements to be satisfied which connection combines by
way of the undercut 34 the inner surface (surface directed to the
inner room of the body) of head 12 with the surfaces of annular
room 35. The arrangement 29 upon the outer surface of shoulder 14
may also be used with head 12 according to FIG. 3 and 4. To use the
material portion 17 as a ring is preferred, it is also preferred
that the ring of circular, lenticular or drop like cross-section is
prior to pressing attached to the inner surface of the annular
section 22 covering the annular rooms 35.
[0021] FIG. 5 and 6 show the means to connect the body 11 to the
head 12. In FIG. 5 reference numeral 39 depicts a ring shaped or
annular matrix into which prior to commencement of the pressing
operation a mandrel 20 is entered into carrying a body 11 and head
12 and a material portion 17, whereby the end of the pressing
operation is shown in FIG. 6. The matrix 39 (shown only in
schematic form) can have an inner ring 40 spring biased and movable
in the direction of movement of mandrel 20, which ring serves as a
hold down device for the head 12 upon mandrel 20 and which serves
with its outer diameter as an axially movable moulding wall and
resting upon the shoulder 14 will form for instance the inner
running round demarcation 28. The moulding contour of matrix 39 is
being formed by a cylindrical section 41 and a radius formed
section 42. The inner diameter of cylindrical section 41
corresponds to the outer diameter of mandrel 20 with body 11
arranged thereon. The radius formed section 42 is dimensioned in
such a way that is moulds the backward part of the annular section
22 as round or radius formed transition from body 11 to head 12
while its forward part during the pressing operation is brought
into contact with the outer surface of the shoulder 14.
[0022] The method to connect a prefabricated head 12 with a body 11
by means of forming a ring like connection or seam upon the
shoulder 14 of head 12 is operated essentially in six partial
steps. The first partial step is loading mandrel 20 with a body 11
in such a way that an annular section 22 of body 11 extends beyond
the transition 23 of mandrel slope 24 to outer circumference 25 of
mandrel 20. The axial dimension of annular section 22 depends upon
the radial distance which the freely running round edge 26 of
section 22, which edge 26 forms the outer running round demarcation
28, is designed to show after the pressing operation. Increasing
the length of section 22 means that the position of the outer
running round demarcation 28 moves up toward the outlet 16 while
decreasing its length means the outer running round demarcation 28
would move down toward the transition 23 that means towards the
outer circumference of mandrel slope 24. In a second partial step a
prefabricated head is arranged upon the mandrel whereby it is
arranged thereon by way of the opening of outlet 16 and mandrel
extension 21 and in that position the head 12 is being surrounded
by the axially extended section 22. In a third partial step the
material portion 17 of connecting material is deposited upon the
visible outer surface of shoulder 14. It is preferred that the
material portion 17 rests against the inner circumference or
surface of the annular section 22 completely running around said
surface. The material portion 17 consists of a plasticized plastic
the composition of which is to be selected in such a way that it
connects itself with upon application of pressure and if necessary
heat with the plastic of the head 12 and that of the body 11 in
case a laminate is used with the inner plastic layer of body 11.
The material portion 17 can be deposited into the die in
prefabricated form or extruded upon shoulder 14 preferably covering
the annular rooms 35. Preferred a material portions 17 shaped ring
like that means as closed rings and the cross-section thereof is
preferable of circular, lenticular or drop like configuration. To
form or establish the anticounterfeiting feature 15 upon the
shoulder 14 the plastic material of portion 17 has a different
colour which is significantly different from the colour of the
plastic material of the head and if so desired from the colour of
the body 11. In a forth partial step head 12 and portion 17 enter
into the open annular matrix 39. In case there is provided an inner
ring 40 the outer surface of the shoulder 14 gets into contact with
the inner ring 40 and moves same during the entering movement of
mandrel 20 into the matrix 39 against it's spring biased
resistance. During a fifth partial step the pressing and forming of
the feature 15 is effected. During this step by way of entering
mandrel 20 into matrix 39 the material portion 17 is pressed into
annular room 35, stepped arrangement 29 and into the first 32 and
second 33 chambers of multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31
connecting head 12 and body 11 at the same time bending the annular
section 22 in direction of the outer surface of shoulder 14. The
pressing operation is finished when the inner surface of section 22
abutts or is in contact with the outer surface of shoulder 14.
During the bending operation part of the material potion 17 is
being pressed and flowing by way of the annular section 22 in
direction of the outlet 16 until the plastic squeezed over the
surface of the shoulder 14 runs or flows against the upward
directed surface 30 of the stepped arrangement 29 or flows against
the outer circumference of inner ring 40. In partial step 5 the
connection of body 11 and head 12 is effected, the annular section
22 is by means of the plastic of portion 17 squeezed in direction
of outlet 16 connected to the shoulder 14 and a ring formed feature
15 on shoulder 14 is formed in a distance encircling the outlet 16,
which feature is formed by an inner 28 and outer 27 demarcation
circulating upon the outer surface of shoulder 14 means (upward
directed surface 30, inner ring 40) forming the inner encirculating
demarcation 28 are preferred for a precise configuration of feature
15, it is however possible to let the plastic material flowing in
front of the freely running round edge 26 (forming the outer edge
of the ring) to flow freely, that means without the means mentioned
above over the outer surface of shoulder 14. In a sixth partial
step mandrel 20 with tube 10 is moved out of matrix 39, tube 10 is
ejected from mandrel 20 whereupon the method to manufacture a tube
with feature 15 can be repeated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The invention concerns a packaging container, especially a
packaging tube for pasty packaging materials with an
anticounterfeiting feature.
[0024] Next to metal tubes, packaging containers of plastic
materials (plastic tubes) are widely accepted for packaging,
advertising and promotion of technical, cosmetical and
pharmaceutical packaging materials of pasty consistence. Due to
their diffusion resistance metal tubes used to show for oxidation
sensitive packaging materials superiority over plastic tubes. Due
to the development of new plastics and laminates, for instance for
the manufacture of sheet materials to be used for the manufacture
of tube bodies by way of extrusion or by way of the so called side
seaming the superiority of metal tubes was widely eliminated, so
that metal- and plastic tubes are now considered equals as
deformable or squeezable packaging means for oxidation sensitive
packaging materials. As addition to the development of new plastics
and laminates (tube materials) a highly developed manufacturing
technique for plastic has to be considered assuring zero defects
tubes. Tube materials and manufacturing techniques result in
deformable tubes assuring a consistent quality of the packaging
material starting with filling and emptying the tubes. The tubes
besides their function as packaging container do next quality as a
carrier of advertisement, whereby the displayed advertisement may
include identification of the packaged material and other
information relevant with respect to the origin thereof. With
respect to mass volume articles like tooth pastes the advertisement
upon the tubes in its design specifically directed toward
identification of origin and producer, so that consumer decide by
way of an optical identification which product they are going buy
from what manufacturer, expecting always repeatedly to acquire a
product of same quality. With this expectation an optical
identification will always be superficial which considering
counterfeiting parties will result in problems for the manufacturer
of the packaged material and/or the packer with respect to their
warranties for origin, quality and consistence of quality.
Counterfeitors are for example in a position to provide packaging
tubes devoid of any defects in comparison of the originals, under
provision here above is understood copying of a specific tube form
and design carrying thereon the same imprints as the originals,
whereby these counterfeit tubes usually contain packages materials
of different quality as the quality offered by non counterfeiting
manufacturer. In the event counterfeit products with respect to
tubes and/or packaged materials should show quality defects the
consumer, not being aware of having acquired a counterfeit product,
will attribute the quality defects to the manufacture of original
materials which will result for said manufacturer in problems with
respect to origin, quality and guaranties of his products.
[0025] In consideration of the above described background the
inventors did define the object of the herein described invention
to provide a packaging container preferable a packaging tube having
an anticounterfeiting feature (following in short also feature) and
a method to economically manufacture same, whereby a tube with this
feature even superficially scrutinised visually presents itself as
an original.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The object is achieved by providing a packaging tube having
anticounterfeiting feature for pasty packaging materials comprising
a tube body made of a flexible plastic foil or of a flexible
plastic/metal laminate foil with at one end arranges thereon a
non-flexible prefabricated tube head of plastic material,
comprising a shoulder and extending therefrom a closable outlet,
whereby the shoulder is attached to the body by means of a material
portion of plasticized and squeeze formed plastic material
connecting an inner surface of one end of body with an outer
circumference of the shoulder, characterised thereby that the
shoulder carries an anticounterfeiting feature of a different
colour as that of the shoulder.
[0027] Two different techniques dominate the manufacture of plastic
tubes. The ready made head technique teaches attachment of a ready
made head to a tube body, employing as one mode of attachment so to
say the melting head on to body by way of application of heat and
pressure, while in the second mode head and body are attached to
each other by way of an injection moulding process. The form on
technique differs there from to the extent that the head and body
are attached to each other during formation or moulding of a head
in a matrix whereby the moulding of the occurs for one through
shaping of a portion of plasticized material or in a second
embodiment through injection moulding. Known is also a method which
teaches the use of plasticized material portions to connect a
prefabricated head with a tube body. The development of these
methods did aim at two objectives namely for one to satisfy
technical and as a second one appearance requirements. Professional
circles strive for the manufacture of leak proof and mechanically
strong seams which have to be however optically unobstructive. To
provide for a tube with anticounterfeiting feature the invention
departs from the teaching of the involved professional circles as
set forth above maintaining the mechanical qualities of a seam
between head and body however making the seam or parts thereof
visible. According to the invention the head carries a feature of
different colour as the head. It is preferred to form the feature
as a ring encircling the or running around upon the shoulder of the
head, which ring is formed and made visible during squeeze pressing
of an annular portion of plasticized plastic material of a
different colour as the colour of the head or the body to effect
the attachment of the head to the body. Advantageously to
manufacture tubes with a feature as set forth above a method is
used employing for attachment a body to a head a portion of
plasticized plastic material in form of a ring preferably of round
or lenticular cross-section, the portion being positioned so that
it abutts the inner surface of an annular section of the body and
rests between or partially upon the outer circumference of the
shoulder of the head, thereafter bending the freely extending
annular section and squeeze pressing the portion by means of
mandrel and matrix in direction of an outlet of the head. After
termination of the squeeze pressing or squeeze forming step the
annular feature joins the freely running round edge of the annular
section so that the ring is positioned from the transition from
shoulder to body corresponding to the length of the annular
section. This has the advantage that the position of the feature
upon the shoulder can be varied by way of varying the length of the
annular section. This provides for the opportunity to change the
visual appearance of the tube if so required or necessary and
further by way of the position of the feature upon the shoulder
manufacturing series of tubes can be identified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further advantages, features and individual items of the
invention can be taken from the following description of the tubes,
the process and of an apparatus adapted to practise the process and
the drawings, which drawings show:
[0029] FIG. 1 a tube according to the invention in its side
view;
[0030] FIG. 2 a mandrel with head having a stepped arrangement;
[0031] FIG. 3 a mandrel with head and a multi-chamber stepped
arrangement;
[0032] FIG. 4 a mandrel with head with the circumferential surface
in an inclinded position;
[0033] FIG. 5 a matrix the pressing operation not having commenced
yet;
[0034] FIG. 6 a matrix after the pressing operation has been
performed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1 shows the headside end of a packaging tube 10,
following called in short tube 10. The tube 10 consists of a tube
body 11, following called body 11 and a tube head 12, following
called head 12 which head 12 is comected with the body 11 and
carries a cap 13. The head 12 comprises a shoulder 14 and an outlet
16 (FIG. 2). The shoulder 14 carries on its outer visible surface,
as opposed to its inner surface directed toward the hollow space of
the body 11, the anticounterfeiting identification 15 or
antiocounuterfeiting feature 15 according to the invention.
Depending upon the requirements of the diffusion resistance of tube
10 the body is made of a plastic monofoil, plastic laminate foil or
a plastic/metal laminate foil which cut in strips are formed into a
tubular body and welded together a long its longitudinal edges.
Bodies 11 can also be extruded, in this case the welding operation
is not necessary. The bodies 11 are at one of its open ends
connected to prefabricated heads 12. The heads 12 are made
separately from the tubemanufacture by way of injection moulding.
The head comprises a disk like shoulder 14 extending therefrom an
outlet 16 which can be opened or closed by means of cap 13.
[0036] The outer diameter of shoulder 14 of head 12 is slightly
smaller than the inner diameter of the body 11 and dimensioned in
such a way that the material used for connecting body 11 and head
12 can during the squeeze forming operation can flow around the
circular outer edge of shoulder 14 at the same time filling the gap
in form of a ring between the circular edge of shoulder 14 and the
inner surface of body 11. Head 12 and body 11 are connected by
means of material portion of plasticized plastic which plastic has
to be selected so that it connects upon application of pressure and
selectively heat with the plastic of head 12 and with the plastic
of body 11, in case of a laminate with the inner layer of plastic
of body 11.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows in schematically a round mandrel 20 as part of
a pressing die carrying upon its in longitudinal direction
extending surface a tube body 11. The upper free end of mandrel 20
is shaped (contoured) in such a way so that head 12 with its inner
surface can be completely deposited thereon. The head 12 is formed
by the disk like shoulder 14 extending therefrom the hollow
cylindrical outlet 16 into which extends a centrically arranged
mandrel extension 21 so that the head 12 is concentrically held on
the contoured free end of mandrel 20.
[0038] According to FIG. 2 an annular section 22 of body 11 in
axial direction extends from the front face starting from the
passage 23 between mandrel scope 24 and outer circumference of the
mandrel. The axial extension of the annular section 22 is
determined (see FIG. 4) by the distance A within which the freely
running round edge 26 of annular section 22--seen from the
center-line of head 12--is to rest upon the outer surface of the
head 12 thus forming the outer running round demarcation 27 of the
anticounterfying feature 15 (following in short feature 15). The
head shows according to FIG. 2 a stepped arrangement 29 upon its
outer surface which arrangement 29 runs around the outer
circumference of shoulder 14 having in direction of outlet 16
upward directed surface 30 forming the inner running round
demarcation 28.
[0039] According to the invention it can be advantageous to provide
the passage 24 between mandrel scope 24 and outer circumference of
mandrel 20 with a multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31.
Advantageously the multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31 (following
in short arrangement 15) comprises two chambers 32, 33 whereby the
first chamber 32 originating from the outer circumference of
mandrel 20 and in direction of center-line M structured as a
slanted surface joins up with the second chamber 33 which chamber
33 ends in mandrel slope 24. The diameter of the orifice closest to
the center-line, that is to say the circumference of the second
chamber is dimensioned in such a way that it is covered by the
outer circumference of shoulder 14 of head 12, so that the chamber
33 forms with a head 12 arranged on the mandrel 20 and the shoulder
14 of a head 12 an undercut 34 arranged on the front face of
mandrel 20, while seen in axial direction the first chamber 32
together with the inner circumferential surface of section 22 of
body 11 and the outer surface of shoulder 14 forms an open annular
room or space 35 extending in the same axial direction as mandrel
20. As is shown in FIG. 3 that way by way of the second chamber 33,
arranged under shoulder 14 and by way of annular room 35 adjoining
the second chamber 33 a die cavity is provided into which the
portion 17 of plastic material plasticized by way of heat and of
different colour that the plastic material of the head 12 and if so
desired the plastic material of the body 11 can be pressed.
[0040] FIG. 4 depicts a circumferential surface arranged parallel
to the center-line of head 12 (said parallel surface not shown)
whereby the surface of that kind shown is arranged as a slope 36 in
respect to the center-line.
[0041] FIG. 2, 3 and 4 shown different mouldable connections
between body 11 and head 12. The connection according to FIG. 2
satisfies normal average requirement, while the connection
according to FIG. 4 satisfies higher requirements to be full filled
by a connection as for instance the one according to FIG. 2, since
the slope 36 is a greater one sided connecting surface than
parallely arranged surface according to FIG. 2. The connection
between head 12 and body 11 according to FIG. 3 is meant to meet
very high requirements to be satisfied which connection combines by
way of the undercut 34 the inner surface (surface directed to the
inner room of the body) of head 12 with the surfaces of annular
room 35. The arrangement 29 upon the outer surface of shoulder 14
may also be used with head 12 according to FIG. 3 and 4. To use the
material portion 17 as a ring is preferred, it is also preferred
that the ring of circular, lenticular or drop like cross-section is
prior to pressing attached to the inner surface of the annular
section 22 covering the annular rooms 35.
[0042] FIG. 5 and 6 show the means to connect the body 11 to the
head 12. In FIG. 5 reference numeral 39 depicts a ring shaped or
annular matrix into which prior to commencement of the pressing
operation a mandrel 20 is entered into carrying a body 11 and head
12 and a material portion 17, whereby the end of the pressing
operation is shown in FIG. 6. The matrix 39 (shown only in
schematic form) can have an inner ring 40 spring biased and movable
in the direction of movement of mandrel 20, which ring serves as a
hold down device for the head 12 upon mandrel 20 and which serves
with its outer diameter as an axially movable moulding wall and
resting upon the shoulder 14 will form for instance the inner
running round demarcation 28. The moulding contour of matrix 39 is
being formed by a cylindrical section 41 and a radius formed
section 42. The inner diameter of cylindrical section 41
corresponds to the outer diameter of mandrel 20 with body 11
arranged thereon. The radius formed section 42 is dimensioned in
such a way that is moulds the backward part of the annular section
22 as round or radius formed transition from body 11 to head 12
while its forward part during the pressing operation is brought
into contact with the outer surface of the shoulder 14.
[0043] The method to connect a prefabricated head 12 with a body 11
by means of forming a ring like connection or seam upon the
shoulder 14 of head 12 is operated essentially in six partial
steps. The first partial step is loading mandrel 20 with a body 11
in such a way that an annular section 22 of body 11 extends beyond
the transition 23 of mandrel slope 24 to outer circumference 25 of
mandrel 20. The axial dimension of annular section 22 depends upon
the radial distance which the freely running round edge 26 of
section 22, which edge 26 forms the outer running round demarcation
28, is designed to show after the pressing operation. Increasing
the length of section 22 means that the position of the outer
running round demarcation 28 moves up toward the outlet 16 while
decreasing its length means the outer running round demarcation 28
would move down toward the transition 23 that means towards the
outer circumference of mandrel slope 24. In a second partial step a
prefabricated head is arranged upon the mandrel whereby it is
arranged thereon by way of the opening of outlet 16 and mandrel
extension 21 and in that position the head 12 is being surrounded
by the axially extended section 22. In a third partial step the
material portion 17 of connecting material is deposited upon the
visible outer surface of shoulder 14. It is preferred that the
material portion 17 rests against the inner circumference or
surface of the annular section 22 completely running around said
surface. The material portion 17 consists of a plasticized plastic
the composition of which is to be selected in such a way that it
connects itself with upon application of pressure and if necessary
heat with the plastic of the head 12 and that of the body 11 in
case a laminate is used with the inner plastic layer of body 11.
The material portion 17 can be deposited into the die in
prefabricated form or extruded upon shoulder 14 preferably covering
the annular rooms 35. Preferred a material portions 17 shaped ring
like that means as closed rings and the cross-section thereof is
preferable of circular, lenticular or drop like configuration. To
form or establish the anticounterfeiting feature 15 upon the
shoulder 14 the plastic material of portion 17 has a different
colour which is significantly different from the colour of the
plastic material of the head and if so desired from the colour of
the body 11. In a forth partial step head 12 and portion 17 enter
into the open annular matrix 39. In case there is provided an inner
ring 40 the outer surface of the shoulder 14 gets into contact with
the inner ring 40 and moves same during the entering movement of
mandrel 20 into the matrix 39 against it's spring biased
resistance. During a fifth partial step the pressing and forming of
the feature 15 is effected. During this step by way of entering
mandrel 20 into matrix 39 the material portion 17 is pressed into
annular room 35, stepped arrangement 29 and into the first 32 and
second 33 chambers of multi-chamber stepped arrangement 31
connecting head 12 and body 11 at the same time bending the annular
section 22 in direction of the outer surface of shoulder 14. The
pressing operation is finished when the inner surface of section 22
abutts or is in contact with the outer surface of shoulder 14.
During the bending operation part of the material potion 17 is
being pressed and flowing by way of the annular section 22 in
direction of the outlet 16 until the plastic squeezed over the
surface of the shoulder 14 runs or flows against the upward
directed surface 30 of the stepped arrangement 29 or flows against
the outer circumference of inner ring 40. In partial step 5 the
connection of body 11 and head 12 is effected, the annular section
22 is by means of the plastic of portion 17 squeezed in direction
of outlet 16 connected to the shoulder 14 and a ring formed feature
15 on shoulder 14 is formed in a distance encircling the outlet 16,
which feature is formed by an inner 28 and outer 27 demarcation
circulating upon the outer surface of shoulder 14 means (upward
directed surface 30, inner ring 40) forming the inner encirculating
demarcation 28 are preferred for a precise configuration of feature
15, it is however possible to let the plastic material flowing in
front of the freely running round edge 26 (forming the outer edge
of the ring) to flow freely, that means without the means mentioned
above over the outer surface of shoulder 14. In a sixth partial
step mandrel 20 with tube 10 is moved out of matrix 39, tube 10 is
ejected from mandrel 20 whereupon the method to manufacture a tube
with feature 15 can be repeated.
* * * * *