U.S. patent application number 12/294226 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for semifinished product for producing a plastic tube and tube of plastic produced from it.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alpla-Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Johann Kunz.
Application Number | 20090101672 12/294226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35985879 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kunz; Johann |
April 23, 2009 |
SEMIFINISHED PRODUCT FOR PRODUCING A PLASTIC TUBE AND TUBE OF
PLASTIC PRODUCED FROM IT
Abstract
A description is given of a semifinished product (20) for
producing plastic tubes comprising a substantially cylindrical body
(1), the one longitudinal end of which goes over into a head part
(2) with a closable squeezing-out opening and the other
longitudinal end (5) of which is formed in an open manner. The
semifinished product (20) is produced in an extrusion blow-moulding
process, in which an extruded parison of plastic comprising one or
more layers is inflated in a blow mould in conformity with the
cavity of the blow mould. The squeezing-out opening provided in the
head part (2) is provided with a one-way closure (27), which has
been created during the inflation process within the blow mould. A
plastic tube comprising an elongated body (1) which is sealed by a
pinch/weld portion (6) is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kunz; Johann; (Hard,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISS OBRYANT COMPAGNI, P.C.
734 EAST 200 SOUTH
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84102
US
|
Assignee: |
Alpla-Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh &
Co. KG
Hard
AT
|
Family ID: |
35985879 |
Appl. No.: |
12/294226 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP06/11241 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/107 ;
222/541.9; 428/542.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29B 2911/14093
20130101; B29B 2911/14173 20130101; B29C 65/02 20130101; B29B
2911/1408 20130101; B65D 35/08 20130101; B29B 2911/14066 20130101;
B29C 66/5344 20130101; B29C 49/04 20130101; B29C 66/1122 20130101;
B29C 49/22 20130101; B29D 23/20 20130101; B65D 1/095 20130101; B29B
2911/14053 20130101; B29B 2911/14126 20130101; B65D 1/0238
20130101; B29B 2911/1412 20130101; B29B 2911/1418 20130101; B29C
66/43123 20130101; B29L 2009/00 20130101; B29L 2023/20 20130101;
B29B 11/14 20130101; B29K 2105/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/107 ;
428/542.8; 222/541.9 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/00 20060101
B65D035/00; B65D 47/10 20060101 B65D047/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2005 |
CH |
02014/05 |
Claims
1. A semifinished product for producing plastic tubes, comprising:
a substantially cylindrical body, one longitudinal end of which
transitions into a head part a with a closeable squeezing-out
opening, and another longitudinal end of which is formed in an open
manner; the substantially cylindrical body formed from an extruded
plastic tube comprising one or more layers inflated in a blow mold
in conformity with a cavity of the blow mold; the squeezing-out
opening having a single-use closure that is generated during the
inflation process within the blow mold.
2. The semifinished product of claim 1, wherein the single-use
closure (27) is a twist tab closure.
3. The semifinished product a of claim 1, wherein the twist tab
closure is an integral part of the head part, is designed to be of
one piece with the head part, and is made of the same material as
the body and the head part.
4. The semifinished product of claim 3, wherein the twist tab
closure has a cap section that is connected to a section of the
head part bordering the squeezing-out opening by a weakened area
that is designed as a planned break point, and further comprising a
grip section extending from the cap section.
5. The semifinished product of claim 4, wherein the planned break
point is produced in the cavity of the blow mold, and the grip
section is formed from a flattened section of the extruded plastic
tube.
6. The semifinished product of claim 1, wherein the head part has
an outer contour that deviates from a circular shape, and that is
provided with at least one venting surface.
7. The semifinished product of claim 1, wherein the extruded
plastic tube has multiple layers, and has a barrier layer that
provides a barrier against light, oxygen, and moisture.
8. The semifinished product of claim 1, wherein the extruded
plastic tube has multiple layers, and has a getter layer for
oxygen.
9. A plastic tube, comprising a longitudinal body for containing a
pasty mass, the longitudinal end of which has a head part with a
squeezing-out opening and the opposite longitudinal end closed off
using a pinch/weld section; the substantially cylindrical body
formed from an extruded plastic tube comprising one or more layers
inflated in a blow mold in conformity with a cavity of the blow
mold; the squeezing-out opening having a single-use closure that is
generated during the inflation process within the blow mold; and
whereby the pinch/welding section is generated after filling the
longitudinal body with a pasty mass.
10. The plastic tube of claim 9, wherein the single-use closure
comprises a twist tab closure.
11. The plastic tube of claim 10, wherein the twist tab closure is
an integral part of the head part, is designed to be of one piece
with the head part, and is made of the same material as the body
and the head part.
12. The plastic tube of claim 11, wherein the twist tab closure has
a cap section that is connected to a section of the head part
bordering the squeezing-out opening by a weakened area that is
designed as a planned break point, and further comprising a grip
section extending from the cap section.
13. The plastic tube of claim 12, wherein the planned break point
is produced in the cavity of the blow mold, and the grip section is
formed from a flattened section of the extruded plastic tube.
14. The plastic tube of claim 9, wherein the head part has an outer
contour that deviates from a circular shape and is provided with at
least one venting surface.
15. The plastic tube of claim 9, wherein the extruded plastic tube
has multiple layers and has a barrier layer that provides a barrier
against light, oxygen, and moisture.
16. The plastic tube of claim 9, wherein the extruded plastic tube
has multiple layers and has a getter layer for oxygen.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to PCT Patent Application
No. PCT/EP2006/011241 filed on Nov. 23, 2006 and Swiss Patent
Application No. 02014/05 filed on Dec. 20, 2005, the entirety of
each of which are incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a semifinished product for
producing a plastic tube, which is produced in an extrusion
blow-molding process, and a filled plastic tube produced from it
according to the preambles of each of the category-defining
independent claims.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] Containers made of aluminum sheet, of glass, or of ceramic,
which were typical in the past, are increasingly being replaced by
containers made of plastic. This is particularly true of tube-like
containers that had previously often been made of metal foil. The
low weight and low cost surely play a significant role in this
substitution. The recyclability of the plastics used is also a
significant factor in the increasing acceptance of plastic
containers by the end consumer.
[0006] Containers for storing and one-time provision of, for
example, hair dyes and the like, the contents of which are intended
for a single use, must be disposed of after the single use. There
is great interest in keeping the volume taken up by the empty
container as low as possible. This requirement can be best met
particularly by tube-like plastic containers. Precisely for this
type of single-use products, there is a desire to keep the
production cost and effort as low as possible for the container
that must be disposed of after the single use. The tube-shaped
containers should be able to be produced using an extrusion blow
molding process that is known as such and that ensures great
flexibility in production with regard to the plastics used, layer
sequencing, and shaping. The tube-shaped containers should be able
to be handled as usual, particularly by the bottler, and should be
sealable. Reclosable caps or closures should not be necessary. The
function of the tube-like container should be self-evident to the
end consumer, and the single emptying of the container should be
accomplished without effort.
[0007] Consideration should also be given to the circumstance that
permanent hair coloring dyes are typically sold in combination with
a developer, which is usually provided in a separate bottle. Prior
to use, the tube contents and the developer must be mixed together.
Only when combined with the developer does the hair dye develop the
desired effect. Therefore, according to the invention, a tube
allows simplified and contaminant-free mixture of the dye contained
in the tube and a developer.
[0008] This object is achieved by a semifinished product that can
be produced in an extrusion blow molding process for producing
plastic tubes, and by filled plastic tubes produced from the
semifinished product, each having the characteristics listed in the
corresponding independent claims. Further developments and/or
advantageous embodiments of the invention are the objects of the
dependent claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the invention, a semifinished product for
producing plastic tubes is made as a substantially cylindrical
body, one longitudinal end of which transitions into a head part
with a closeable squeezing-out opening, and the other longitudinal
end of which is formed in an open manner. The semifinished product
is produced in an extrusion blow molding process, in which an
extruded plastic tube comprising one or more layers is inflated in
a blow mold in conformity with the cavity of the blow mold. The
squeezing-out opening provided in the head part is provided with a
single-use closure that is created within the blow mold during the
inflation process.
[0010] The semifinished product according to the invention already
has a single-use closure and is delivered to the filler in this
form. The filler need only fill the planned amount of a pasty mass
into the body of the semifinished product through the open
longitudinal end, and then seal the open end of the body. This is
typically done by pinching together and welding an end section of
the open longitudinal end of the body. It can also be, however,
that the open end of the body is sealed after filling by sealing or
gluing.
[0011] For the filler, the advantage of the use of the semifinished
product according to the invention is the need only to fill and
seal. Complicated and expensive systems for extruding, blowing,
filling, and sealing are not needed. The effort for the operation,
maintenance, and repair of the required systems is also thus
reduced. The production of the semifinished product is done by
companies that are specialized and equipped for it. It is
simplified and made less expensive, in that a reclosable opening is
eliminated and a single-use opening is provided. The head section
can thereby be much more simple in design. The single-use closure
is generated in the production of the semifinished product, during
inflation within the blow mold. The production of the semifinished
product is done in a proven extrusion blow molding process, made of
an extruded plastic tube comprising one or more layers.
[0012] The end user receives a plastic tube with a single-use
closure. Specifically for products that are used only once, the
probability is thus increased that the entire contents of the tube
will actually be used to obtain the desired effect. Mistaken
"frugality" that could lead to unsatisfactory and undesired results
is prevented, because the end user can no longer close the tube. By
eliminating a reclosable closure, the volume of the container to be
disposed of after use is also reduced.
[0013] A very advantageous embodiment of the invention is to design
the single-use closure of the semifinished product as a twist tab
closure. Rotating twist tab closures of this type are known and
tested, for example, from soft drink bottles. The twist tab closure
is an integral part of the head part of the semifinished product.
It is of one piece with the head part, and is made of the same
material as the body and the head part of the semifinished product,
and is produced already during the blow process within the mold
cavity of the blow mold. This has the advantage that the end user
can dispose of the tube and the twisted-off closure at the same
time when disposing of the empty tube, because they are made of the
same material.
[0014] The twist tab closure has a cap section that is connected to
the area of the head part around the squeezing-out opening by a
weakened area that is intended as a planned break point. A grip
section protrudes from the outside of the cap section. To open it,
the body of the plastic tube is held in one hand, and the grip
section is gripped with the thumb and index finger of the other
hand. By twisting the twist tab relative to the body, the weakened
area of the head part designed as a circumferential planned break
point breaks open, and the cap section can be removed. The
squeezing-out opening is now exposed, and the tube contents can be
dispensed from the squeezing-out opening.
[0015] The twist tab closure is advantageously produced already
when the semifinished product according to the invention is
extrusion blow molded. The circumferential planned break point is
formed in the cavity of the blow mold. The grip section is formed
from a pinched section of the extruded plastic tube. The production
of the twist tab closure during the extrusion blow molding process
does not require any additional process step or additional
time.
[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the semifinished product
according to the invention is that the head part has an outer
contour that deviates from the circular, and has at least one
venting surface. For permanent hair dye products, the dye in the
tube and the developer in a bottle are sold as a set. The dye
contained in the tube must be mixed with developer before the
mixture can be applied. The neck width of the bottle and the tube
are thereby advantageously matched to one another, so that the head
part of the tube can be introduced into the bottleneck. With the
design according to the invention, the at least one venting surface
allows the air in the bottle to escape that is compressed when the
tube contents are squeezed out into the developer in the bottle.
This can prevent contamination of the working surface.
[0017] The semifinished product is advantageously formed from a
multiple layer extruded plastic tube that has a barrier layer to
keep out light, oxygen, and moisture. Particularly in the
embodiment of the semifinished product with a twist tab, the
multiple layer construction is ensured even in the area of the
closure cap, and a 100 percent barrier can be achieved. In a
further, very convenient embodiment of the invention, the
semifinished product formed from a multiple layer plastic tube has
a getter layer for oxygen. The multiple layer semifinished product
can have 3 to 6 or more layers. According to the invention, at
least one of the layers can be made from regenerated plastic waste
and residue, known as reclaimed grind.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Additional advantages and characteristics are found in the
below description of an embodiment of the application example of
the invention, with reference to the schematic drawing, Shown, not
to scale, are:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an application example of
the semifinished product according to the invention, with
integrally designed single-use closure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the semifinished product of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a section view of the head part of the
semifinished part as in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross section through the transition of the
single-use closure into the head part of the semifinished
product;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross section through the head part of the
semi-finished product;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of a filled plastic tube produced from
the semifinished product as in FIG. 1-5; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plastic tube as in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1-5 show an application example of the semifinished
product according to the invention in various views and sections.
The semifinished product as a whole is identified as 20. The
semifinished product 20 produced in an extrusion blow molding
process for the production of a plastic tube has an elongated,
substantially cylindrical body 1, on one longitudinal end of which
a head part 2 abuts. The opposite longitudinal end 5 of the body 1
is formed in an open manner. To produce the semifinished product
20, an endless plastic tube comprising one or more layers is
extruded using an extrusion orifice, then cut, and inflated with
positive pressure in a blow mold in conformity with the cavity of
the blow mold. The extrusion and inflation process is done using
extrusion blow molding machines that are sufficiently known from
the state of the art, and that allow the simultaneous production of
a plurality of semifinished products.
[0027] The head part 2 has a squeezing-out opening 3 that is
surrounded by an edge section. The squeezing-out opening is closed
by a single-use closure made of one piece with the head part 2,
said closure being particularly designed as a twist tab closure 27.
The twist tab closure 27 has a cap section 30 that is connected to
the area of the head part 2 around the squeezing-out opening 3 by a
weakened area 29 that is intended as a planned break point. A grip
section 28 protrudes from the outside of the cap section 30, said
grip section having a flattened form and, for example, a rippled
contour. The grip section 28 makes it easier to grip the twist tab
closure 27, which is twisted relative to the head part 2 to break
open the planned break point 29. The production of the twist tab
closure 27 takes place during the inflation of the extruded plastic
tube within the mold cavity of the blow mold. The grip section 28
is produced, for example, simply by pinching a section of the
tube.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the weakened area 29 designed
as a planned break point at the transition from the cap section 30
to the head part 2. Constrictions are planned, for example, that
lead to a cross-sectional contour of the weakened area 29 that
deviates from the circular cross sectional shape.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the head part 2. This has an
outer contour that deviates from the circular form, and is
achieved, for example, by a sequence of sealing surfaces 24 and
venting surfaces 25. The sealing surface 24 has approximately the
radius of curvature of a complete circular outside contour. The
venting surfaces 25, in contrast, are concavely indented. For
permanent hair dyes, the dye in the tube and a developer in a
bottle are sold as a set. The dye contained in the tube must be
mixed with the developer before the mixture can be used. The neck
width of the bottle and the tube are thereby advantageously matched
to one another, so that the head part of the tube can be introduced
into the bottleneck. With the design according to the invention,
the sealing surfaces 24 on the head part 2 provide support and a
certain sealing location in the bottleneck. The concave venting
surfaces 25 allow the air in the bottle to escape that is
compressed when the tube contents are squeezed out into the
developer in the bottle. This can prevent contamination of the
working surface.
[0030] The semifinished product 20 produced by an extrusion blow
molding process, with the integrated twist tab closure 27, is
filled by the filler with a pasty mass or the like, such as a hair
dye product, through the open longitudinal end. The longitudinal
end 5 is then closed off. This is done, for example, by pinching
together and welding, or by sealing or gluing, and is shown in FIG.
6 and FIG. 7 as a pinched/welded section 6. This results in the
characteristic shape of a filled plastic tube 21. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7
show the plastic tube 21 with an intact twist tab closure 27. By
twisting the twist tab closure 27 relative to the head part of the
body 1, the planned break points are broken open and the
squeezing-out opening is exposed. The contents of the plastic tube
21 can be simply squeezed out, aside from a small remnant. The
twist tab closure 27 is made of the same material as the body 1 of
the plastic tube 21 and can be disposed of with it after the
contents are squeezed out.
* * * * *