Tube shoulder for universal cap, packaging tube and manufacturing method of tube shoulder

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube shoulder (01) for a packaging tube, having a connection (02) for connection to a tube body (08) or a tube shell; the connecting part (02) has a shoulder (03) at which the cross-section of the connecting part (02) is reduced to the cross-section of the outlet part (04), and wherein a profiled collar (05) is formed in the outlet part (04) for attaching the tube cap (14) and sealing the outlet opening (07) by cooperating with the tube cap (14) in the closed state, the additional opening collar is formed on the inner side with respect to the profiled collar (05) and defines the cross-section, in particular the diameter (D), of the outlet opening (07).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoulder for a packaging tube according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a packaging tube according to the preamble of claim 9, comprising a tube body, a shoulder, and a cap. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for producing a shoulder for a packaging tube, comprising the features of claim 10. Background Art

[0002] Various methods for packaging tubes and their production are known from the prior art. In many cases, the tube body or tube skirt, which can be produced by extrusion or blow molding of a laminate, is connected, for example, in the axial direction at one end to a tube shoulder, which essentially serves to reduce the cross section or diameter of the tube body or tube skirt to the cross section or diameter of the tube opening or tube cap.

[0003] The outlet portion of the tube shoulder, which has a correspondingly reduced cross-section or diameter, is then typically provided with means for removably or detachably attaching the tube cap to the tube shoulder. In a simple example, this can be achieved by corresponding threads in the outlet portion and on the side of the cap, which allow the tube cap to be screwed on and off. In other known embodiments, a hinged cap or a snap-on cap can be attached to the tube shoulder or formed integrally, if necessary, even as a single piece with the tube shoulder.

[0004] In the generally described methods for designing and producing packaging tubes, the goal is essentially to determine the dimensions of the tube skirt or body, as well as the dimensions of the discharge opening of the packaging tube, based on the substance to be packaged or stored, so that the user can dispense the substance in a reasonable manner and at a desired or recommended flow rate when using the packaging tube or discharging the packaged substance. In the past, this typically involved customizing the tube body, shoulder, and cap during tube design and production to individually suit the specific application or product to be packaged or stored. This, on the one hand, requires considerable design effort and has the added disadvantage of requiring the production, storage, and maintenance of a large number of different machines, methods, and tools.

[0005] Furthermore, the above-described method of individually planning / designing the tube body, tube shoulder and tube cap has the disadvantage that often more material or raw material is used in the production of the tube than is strictly necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a tube shoulder for packaging tubes which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enables the universal use of a single, preferably particularly material-saving tube cap, so that requirements on the packaging tube, in particular with regard to the available volume and the size / cross-section or diameter of the discharge opening, can be met without requiring complex redesigns, and in particular, in addition to the use of a universal tube cap, a largely universal tube shoulder can also be used and produced.

[0007] With regard to the tube shoulder, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. With regard to the packaging tube, this object is achieved by the features of claim 9. With regard to the method for producing a tube shoulder for a packaging tube, this object is achieved by the features of claim 10.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the following description, the description of the figures, the drawings and the dependent claims.

[0009] In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, features disclosed with respect to the apparatus should also be considered disclosed and claimed with respect to the method, and vice versa.

[0010] The present invention provides a tube shoulder for a packaging tube, comprising: a connecting portion for connecting to a tube body or a tube skirt; a shoulder portion for reducing the cross section of the connecting portion to the cross section of the discharge portion; and a discharge portion comprising a molded collar for attaching a tube cap and sealing a discharge opening by interacting with the tube cap in a closed state, and according to the invention also comprising an additional opening collar formed inwardly, preferably radially inwardly, from the molded collar, the additional molded collar defining the cross section, in particular the diameter, of the discharge opening.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the following basic idea: to design a molded collar that is as standard as possible in order to accommodate and attach a standard tube cap, particularly preferably a material-saving tube cap, such as a cap for a beverage container, and to provide a sealing effect or an initial sealing effect when the standard tube cap is closed, while not defining the actual size or actual area of ​​the discharge opening of the packaging tube via the tube cap and the opening inside the tube cap, but rather using an opening collar that is additionally arranged inside or radially inward from the molded collar to specify or define the actual or effective discharge opening of the packaging tube. In addition to the standard use of this advantageous tube cap, which is particularly designed to save material, this allows the tube shoulder to be adapted to define the discharge opening, and thus reduces the production of packaging tubes to the production of opening collars that are individually adapted to the respective purpose or tube type.

[0012] However, as will be described in more detail below, in particular with reference to the method provided by the present invention, a change in the opening collar, and therefore a change in the discharge opening of the tube shoulder, and therefore a change in the discharge opening of the entire tube, can be achieved more easily and efficiently via the respective effective diameter / cross-section of the discharge opening compared to the general adaptation of known tube caps or the adaptation of the tube shoulder.

[0013] As an exemplary and correspondingly advantageous tube cap, the cap sold by the company "Betapack SAU" under the product name "Snap Click Pelican" can be used. The function and structure of the cap are described, for example, in EP 4 039 613 A1, which can preferably be used as a standard tube cap in conjunction with the tube shoulder of the present invention. The disclosure of the advantageous tube cap and its interaction with the known molded collar is referred to herein as the "cylindrical portion 8" of the "neck 2," the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and the relevant technical disclosure is incorporated into the present application by reference.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the tube shoulder according to the invention is designed or configured for use with standardized or uniform tube caps, which are essentially designed as bottle caps or caps with relatively large cap openings. This allows the cross section, in particular the diameter, of the outlet opening of the tube shoulder to be varied within wide ranges by implementing and adapting the opening collar of the tube shoulder according to the invention.

[0015] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the tube shoulder, the split collar can be formed in one piece, in particular in one piece, with the molded collar. This enables, for example, a stable design of the molded collar and the split collar and efficient production of the tube shoulder in a single molding process, as described in more detail below.

[0016] Furthermore, a one-piece, in particular monolithic, design of the split collar and the molded collar enables an optimal adaptation of the arrangement and alignment of the molded collar and the split collar.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment of the tube shoulder, the split collar can branch off from the molded collar, particularly in cross-section. This advantageously provides stability for the split collar while enabling consistent, problem-free, or unhindered use of the molded collar with the advantageously standardized tube cap. For example, an annular extension of the tube cap, extending substantially in the axial direction, can contact the inner side or inner surface of the molded collar when the tube cap is closed, and can also create a sealing effect there. Since the split collar can branch off from the molded collar while preferably being recessed in the axial direction, the cap extension or annular extension can continue to interact with the molded collar without interference, and at the same time, the desired definition of the discharge opening can be achieved through the configuration of the split collar.

[0018] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the tube shoulder, the split collar can form an S-shaped profile in cross section. This provides the split collar with sufficient stability and, in particular, allows the outlet opening to be adjusted or modified in a particularly simple and advantageous manner via the end of the S-shaped profile, as will be described in detail below.

[0019] According to another particularly desirable variation of the tube shoulder, the molded collar and the split collar can have identical or nearly identical dimensions in the axial direction. This allows for various advantageous effects. For example, it ensures that when the tube cap is closed, the split collar, or a portion of it, also forms a seal with the tube cap. This, in turn, has the advantage that when the cap is closed, for example due to pressure on the packaging tube, no stored material can accumulate or deposit in the space between the molded collar and the split collar. Furthermore, the identical or nearly identical dimensions of the split collar and the molded collar in the axial direction ensure that the tube shoulder is easily handled during the production process of the packaging tube and during the production process of the tube shoulder itself.

[0020] According to another particularly desirable variant of the tube shoulder, the split collar can have a sealing ridge protruding in the axial direction, which preferably protrudes slightly from the other axial end of the molded collar. As already mentioned above, this has the particular advantage that a sealing effect between the split collar and the tube cap can also be achieved via the split collar when the tube cap is closed.

[0021] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment of the tube shoulder, the open collar and the molded collar can form a Y-shaped profile in cross section. Such a profile is particularly easy and advantageous to implement in a molding process, such as casting or injection molding, and offers in particular the advantages of the above-described configuration.

[0022] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the tube shoulder, the opening collar can have an inner extension extending substantially in the radial direction, the inner edge of which defines the cross section, in particular the diameter, of the discharge opening. The substantially radially extending inner extension has the advantage of allowing the diameter or cross section of the discharge opening to be easily varied and also provides a good and reliable sealing effect of the opening collar against or on a closed standard tube cap.

[0023] The object defined at the outset is also achieved by a packaging tube comprising a tube shoulder which is arranged at one end of the tube body or is connected to one end of the tube body, and a tube cap which is attached to the tube shoulder in the discharge section, wherein, according to the invention, when the cap is opened, the tube shoulder is configured according to one of the aforementioned embodiments such that the discharge opening of the packaging tube is defined by an opening collar of the tube shoulder which is arranged inwardly from the molded collar.

[0024] The packaging tube provided by the present invention makes it possible to connect almost any tube body or tube skirt to the packaging tube using a correspondingly adapted tube shoulder and using a completely or at least largely standardized tube cap, by correspondingly adapting the connecting portion of the tube shoulder to the respective tube body or tube skirt and modifying or adapting the opening collar to the desired, effective or actual discharge opening of the packaging tube.

[0025] This minimizes the scope of different individual components or maximizes the use of identical components.In addition, particularly when this material-saving tube cap is combined with a tube shoulder, this achieves considerable material saving.

[0026] The tube cap can advantageously be configured according to the teaching of EP 4 039 613 A1.

[0027] The tube cap can preferably be a hinged or snap-on cap and can be configured in such a way that it remains stable or can be fixed in at least one, preferably two, opening positions.

[0028] The present invention provides a method for producing a tube shoulder, in particular a tube shoulder according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the tube shoulder comprises a discharge portion, a molded collar is formed in the discharge portion, the molded collar is used to attach a tube cap and seal the discharge opening by interacting with the tube cap in a closed state, and the discharge portion has an additional opening collar formed inwardly from the molded collar. The following process steps are provided for implementing the present invention: A molding tool is provided for forming the tube shoulder.

[0029] The moulding tool is preferably temporarily modified by means of an insert or a movable part of the moulding tool in order to define the inner cross section, in particular the diameter, of the split collar.

[0030] The modified molding tool is filled with molding material, preferably molten plastic or dry fiber mass.

[0031] The cured or hardened molding material is demolded from the modified molding tool.

[0032] In this context, temporary modification of the molding tool should mean that the molding tool, based on its basic shape and / or basic state, and therefore also having a shape defined by the molding tool, preferably has at least its internal cross-section, in particular its geometry, modified during or before the process run for producing the tube shoulder, preferably by inserting or removing components of the molding tool. The process run describes the execution of the aforementioned method steps for producing the tube shoulder. The basic shape of the molding tool may vary for different process products.

[0033] Temporary modification of the molding tool can involve a single modification or multiple modifications, which can be introduced at one or more points in time and modify the molding tool, particularly its geometry, at one or more locations. A modification can remain in place until the end of a process run, or be reversed during a process run, or be extended or reduced by subsequent modifications. It is also conceivable that a modification remains in place for several process runs, for example, to obtain multiple tube shoulders from the same temporarily modified shape. Different modifications can remain in place for different periods of time.

[0034] The method provided by the invention allows the production of individually adapted tube shoulders in a particularly efficient manner, without requiring a complete redesign of the tube shoulder and in particular without requiring the design and production of a plurality of different molding tools, preferably without, or at least without, significant reworking, allowing the provision of individually adapted discharge openings that preferably cooperate with standardized molded collars, making it possible to use likewise preferably standardized tube caps in the manufacture or production of corresponding packaging tubes.

[0035] Preferably, in a similar manner, preferably via inserts and / or movable parts of the molding tool, an adaptation of the connection of the tube shoulder can also be achieved, allowing flexible adaptation to different tube bodies with minimal effort.

[0036] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to a purely schematic diagram which is provided for illustration purposes only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tube shoulder provided by the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a tube shoulder provided by the present invention, which comprises a portion of an integrally molded / connected tube body.

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of section A.

[0040] Figure 4 Schematic cross-section illustrating the interaction between the tube shoulder provided by the present invention and a preferred standardized tube cap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 The tube shoulder 01 provided by the present invention is shown. A connecting portion 02 is formed at a first end 17 of the tube shoulder 01. The first end 17 extends in an axial direction L and defines the maximum dimension of the tube shoulder 01 in a radial direction R. The connecting portion 02 is used to connect to the tube body or tube skirt of the packaging tube. The connecting portion 02 merges into a shoulder 03. The shoulder 03 is used to reduce the cross-section of the connecting portion 02 to the cross-section of the discharge portion 04.

[0042] A known, universal molded collar 05 is formed in the discharge portion 04. Figure 1 In the example shown, the molded collar 05 is formed as a substantially cylindrical annular molded collar 05. The molded collar 05 is used to attach the pipe cap and cooperates with the pipe cap to seal the discharge opening in the closed state (see also Figure 4 ). According to the invention, the opening collar 06 is formed inwardly from the molded collar 05 and is provided in addition to the molded collar 05. The opening collar 06 defines the cross section, in particular the diameter D, of the discharge opening 07 of the tube shoulder.

[0043] Figure 1 It is shown that the effective or actual discharge opening 07 is not defined by the molded collar 05 or the tube cap connected to the molded collar 05, as in known packaging tubes. Instead, regardless of the configuration of the tube cap, the opening collar 06, which is arranged inward from the molded collar 05, defines and / or limits the discharge opening 07. This also means that different discharge openings 07 can be achieved by changing the opening collar 06 while keeping the tube shoulder unchanged and in combination with an unmodified, preferably standardized tube cap. Furthermore, by appropriately adapting the shoulder 03 and the connecting portion 02, the tube shoulder 01 provided by the present invention can be adapted to different tube bodies, in particular, the diameter of the tube body or tube skirt.

[0044] Figure 2 The side view and partial cross-sectional view of the present invention show the coupling of a tube shoulder 01 and a tube body 08. The tube body 08 is joined to the connecting portion 02 of the tube shoulder in a form-fitting manner, preferably adhesively bonded. The molded collar 05 may have a structure and shape, particularly on its outer surface 09, for interacting with a tube cap, and in particular, for attaching a tube cap to lock or snap it into place and promote a seal with the tube cap in the closed state.

[0045] The open collar 06 formed inwardly from the molded collar 05 can be formed in one piece, preferably in one piece with the molded collar 05 , and particularly preferably in one piece or in one piece with the entire tube shoulder 01 .

[0046] exist Figure 3 shown Figure 2 In the enlarged section A of FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the open collar 06 has an approximately S-shaped profile in the cross section, which means that the open collar 06 as a whole is rotationally symmetrical, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, for example, it essentially has the shape of a truncated cone.

[0047] The lower portion 10 of the opening collar 06 serves both to narrow or reduce the opening cross section and to have the advantageous purpose of not hindering or restricting the interaction of the other portions of the opening collar 06 with the annular extension of the pipe cap extending in the axial direction L (see also Figure 4 ). The inclined portion 11 of the opening collar 06 further reduces the opening cross section and allows the axial end of the opening collar 06 to be positioned at substantially the same height as the axial end of the molded collar 05. The upper portion 12 of the opening collar 06 ultimately defines the discharge opening 07 or the cross section / diameter D of the discharge opening 07, essentially via its dimension in the radial direction R. By varying the length or dimension of the upper portion 12 in the radial direction R, the discharge opening 07 can be modified, in particular, enlarged or reduced, in a simple and effective manner.

[0048] Figure 3The illustration in FIG also shows that the split collar 06 has a sealing ridge 13 which protrudes slightly on the axial end of the molded collar 05 . Figure 3 The enlarged view in FIG also shows that the split collar 06 and the molded collar 05 form a Y-shaped profile in cross section, wherein the split collar 06 branches off from the molded collar 05 .

[0049] Figure 4 The interaction of the tube shoulder 01 provided by the invention with a preferably standardized tube cap 14 is shown. The tube cap 14 as well as the molded collar 05 essentially correspond to the disclosure in EP 5 039 613 A1, which is why reference is made to the above disclosure regarding the basic configuration of the tube cap 14 and the interaction with the molded collar 05, which is incorporated into the present description by reference. Figure 4 As shown, the tube cap 14 is in a closed, generally initially unopened / sealed state.

[0050] A total of three sealing points 15 are formed between tube shoulder 01 and tube cap 14. Two sealing points 15 are achieved by the interaction of tube cap 14 with molded collar 05. However, the third sealing point 15 is achieved by the interaction of split collar 06, in particular sealing ridge 13, with tube cap 14. To this end, sealing ridge 13 may, for example, come into contact with inner surface 16 of tube cap 14. Figure 4 It is also shown again using dashed lines that the upper portion 12 of the opening collar 06 can have different lengths, whereby the cross section or diameter D of the discharge opening 07 of the tube shoulder 01 and thus the effective cross section of the discharge opening of the packaging tube in question can be modified and adapted without having to use a different tube cap 14 or a different configuration of the molded collar 05.

[0051] The variable design of the upper part 12 of the open collar 06 can be achieved in the method provided by the invention by adapting the molding tool with the aid of an insert or a movable part, which then leads to or ensures different lengths or dimensions of the upper part 12 of the open collar 06 in the radial direction when the molding tool is filled with molding material.

[0052] This means that in the method provided by the invention, a particularly wide range of different tube shoulders 01 with different outlet openings 07 can be realized with essentially unmodified molding tools and only minor modifications to the forming tools, the different tube shoulders 01 also being suitable for all tube shoulders that interact with the same, preferably standardized, tube cap 14, e.g. Figure 4 The tube cap 14 is shown.

[0053] Reference numerals 01 Tube Shoulder 02 Connection 03 Shoulders 04 Discharge section 05 Molded Collar 06 Split Collar 07 Discharge opening 08 pipe body 09 External Surface 10 lower part 11. Inclined part 12 upper part 13 Sealing Ridge 14 pipe caps 15 sealing points 16 Inner surface 17 end Section A L Axial direction D diameter R Radial direction.

Claims

1. A tube shoulder (01) for packaging a tube, the tube shoulder comprising: a connecting portion (02) for connecting to a tube body (08) or a tube skirt; a shoulder (03) which reduces the cross section of the connecting portion (02) to the cross section of the discharge portion (04); and a molded collar (05) formed in the discharge portion (04), the molded collar (05) being used to attach a tube cap (14) and sealing the discharge opening (07) by interacting with the tube cap (14) in the closed state, It is characterized by: The discharge opening (07) has an additional opening collar (06) formed inwardly from the molded collar (05), the additional opening collar (06) defining the cross section, in particular the diameter (D), of the discharge opening (07).

2. The tube shoulder according to claim 1, It is characterized by: The open collar (06) is formed as a single piece with the molded collar (05).

3. The tube shoulder according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by: The open collar (06) branches off from the molded collar (05).

4. A tube shoulder according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The split collar (06) forms an S-shaped profile in cross section.

5. A tube shoulder according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The molded collar (05) and the split collar (06) have the same or almost the same dimensions in the axial direction (L).

6. A tube shoulder according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The open collar (06) has a sealing ridge (13) protruding in the axial direction (L), the sealing ridge (13) preferably protruding on the axial end of the molded collar (05).

7. A tube shoulder according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The open collar (06) and the molded collar (05) form a Y-shaped profile in cross section.

8. A tube shoulder according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The opening collar (06) has an inner extension extending substantially in a radial direction (R), the inner edge of which defines the cross section, in particular the diameter (D), of the discharge opening (07).

9. A packaging tube comprising: a tube body (08) forming a tube shoulder (01) at one end; and a tube cap (14) attached to the tube shoulder (01) in the discharge portion (04), It is characterized by: The tube shoulder (01) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and when the tube cap (14) is opened, the discharge opening (07) of the packaging tube is defined by the opening collar (06), which is arranged inwardly from the molded collar (05).

10. A method for producing a tube shoulder (01), in particular a tube shoulder (01) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the tube shoulder (01) comprising a discharge portion (04), in which a molded collar (05) is formed, the molded collar (05) being used to attach a tube cap (14) and sealing a discharge opening (07) by interacting with the tube cap (14) in the closed state, the discharge portion (04) having an additional opening collar (06) formed inwardly from the molded collar (05), the method comprising the following method steps: providing a molding tool for forming a tube shoulder; temporarily modifying the molding tool, preferably by means of an insert or a movable part, so as to define the inner cross-section, in particular the diameter, of the open collar (06); filling the modified molding tool with molding material, preferably molten plastic or dry fiber mass; The molding material is demolded from the modified molding tool.

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