Tube packaging and method for its manufacture

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a tube packaging. State of the art

[0002] Plastic tube packaging is known in the art in a wide variety of designs. Tube packaging generally consists of a tubular or hose-shaped tube body and a tube shoulder, manufactured as a molded plastic part, which includes a tube nipple and the dispensing opening of the tube. The tube shoulder is inserted into one of the open ends of the tube body with a tube shoulder section opposite the dispensing opening and is connected to the tube body in a suitable manner, for example by welding.

[0003] The outer shell of such tube packaging is often multi-layered, consisting of an outer plastic layer and a barrier layer that defines the interior of the tube. For example, DE 10 2011 101 260 B4 discloses a tube packaging in which the outer shell and the tube shoulder are provided with an oxygen barrier layer. The barrier layers on the outer shell and the tube shoulder are designed so that they connect directly to each other in the area of ​​the joint between the tube shoulder and the outer shell, resulting in a continuous barrier layer from the dispensing opening to the end of the tube opposite the dispensing opening, which is sealed after filling.

[0004] Also known from EP 1 520 796 A1 is a tube with a tube body and a tube head, wherein the tube body and tube head are provided with a barrier layer on their inner sides.

[0005] In addition, it is often desirable to equip the dispensing opening of the tube packaging with a tamper-evident seal, which must be removed before the product is dispensed for the first time. EP 2 703 312 B1 discloses in this context a plastic tube head connected to a tube body. The tube head contains an insert made of aluminum or vinylethylene alcohol, which seals the dispensing opening. Before the tube is used for the first time, the insert is pierced with a spike located on the tube cap, thus releasing the opening for dispensing the product.

[0006] EP 0 873 942 A1 describes a packaging tube with a tube head manufactured as an injection-molded or pressed part, wherein the tube head has a diffusion barrier layer on the side facing the tube contents. The diffusion barrier layer, designed as a film-shaped insert, also serves as a tamper-evident seal and closes the dispensing opening on the tube head.

[0007] From EP 0 983 945 A1, a closure cap made of a plastic material is known, the base of which consists of a disc made of a material different from the plastic material, wherein a layer of the plastic material of the closure cap, formed integrally with the closure cap, is provided on a surface of the disc.

[0008] EP 2 868 591 A1 discloses a tube packaging according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] Conventional tube packaging, including tamper-evident packaging, has the disadvantage that after the initial dispensing and after each subsequent removal of contents, air, and therefore oxygen and water vapor, can penetrate the tube's interior through leaks, particularly around the cap. While the commonly incorporated barrier layers provide an effective barrier against oxygen and water vapor penetrating through the tube's outer shell, especially its sealed rim, they cannot prevent this ingress through the dispensing opening near the cap.

[0010] Despite the solutions known from the state of the art, there is still a need for tube packaging equipped with an effective barrier against penetrating oxygen and water vapor. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a tube packaging equipped with an effective barrier against the ingress of oxygen and water vapor. This objective is achieved according to the invention by the tube packaging according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0012] The present invention provides a tube packaging comprising a tube body, a tube head having a tube shoulder and a tube nipple, and a closure cap comprising a body section and a lid section. The closure cap encompasses the tube nipple with at least a portion of its body section. The tube nipple has a dispensing opening in a section facing away from the tube shoulder. The tube shoulder is connected to the tube body in an edge region facing away from the tube nipple, with the tube nipple projecting in a direction away from the tube body over the surface of the tube shoulder. The tube head with tube shoulder and tube nipple is formed as a one-piece molded part made of plastic, wherein the tube head and the tube body define an interior tube space. The closure cap has at least one barrier layer on its inner surface of the lid section facing the body section.

[0013] The barrier layer provided according to the invention on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the jacket section of the closure cap represents a highly effective barrier against the penetration of oxygen and water vapor through the dispensing opening in the area of ​​the closure cap.

[0014] It has been found that the unavoidable ingress of oxygen and water vapor during the initial and subsequent dispensing of the product poses a lesser problem with regard to the shelf life and usability of the remaining product in the tube. The oxygen and water vapor entering during dispensing can be effectively contained by optionally provided layers inside the tube that absorb these substances. A far greater problem is the amount of oxygen and water vapor that enters the tube during storage through leaks around the cap. These leaks can be caused by improper capping, minor damage around the dispensing opening, or manufacturing tolerances.The barrier layer provided according to the invention on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the jacket section of the closure cap prevents the penetration of oxygen and water vapor and results in a significant extension of the shelf life and freshness of the remaining contents contained in the tube packaging.

[0015] Preferably, the tube shell comprises a tube body layer and at least one barrier layer. The barrier layer is arranged on an inner surface of the tube body layer facing the interior of the tube and / or on an outer surface of the tube body layer facing away from the interior of the tube. Tube packaging is frequently provided with a so-called barrier layer on its surface facing the interior of the tube and / or on its surface facing away from the interior of the tube, which is intended, in particular, to prevent the penetration of oxygen and water into the interior of the tube. The preferred embodiments of the present invention described below have such barrier layers in an increasing area of ​​the surface facing the interior of the tube and / or facing away from the interior of the tube. This creates an increasingly effective barrier against the penetration of oxygen and water.

[0016] Preferably, the tube shoulder has at least one barrier layer on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior and / or on its inner surface facing the tube interior. According to a further preferred embodiment, the tube nipple is provided with at least one barrier layer on its inner surface facing the tube interior and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a tamper-evident element is provided in the area of ​​the tube nipple, wherein the tamper-evident element completely separates the dispensing opening from the interior of the tube. In this case, the tube head consists of the tube shoulder, the tube nipple, and the tamper-evident element.

[0018] Particularly preferred is the design of the tube head, consisting of the tube shoulder, tube nipple, and tamper-evident element, as a single-piece molded plastic part. This allows for particularly simple and cost-effective production by injection molding or compression molding. In particular, no subsequent application of a foil or other seal is required to ensure the authenticity of the tube packaging containing the tube head. The tamper-evident element is located in the area of ​​the tube nipple and completely separates the dispensing opening from the inside of the tube. When manufacturing the tube head by injection molding or compression molding, the authenticity of the tube packaging containing this tube head can thus be ensured by a plastic bridge, produced in the same operation, which seals the tube opening.In this context, it should be mentioned that the tube head is preferably designed with a geometry suitable for coating. As is known to those skilled in the art, edges are particularly avoided which could cause problems during the coating process by resulting in an insufficient coating thickness.

[0019] Preferably, the tube nipple has at least one barrier layer on its inner surface facing the interior of the tube head and / or on its outer surface facing away from the interior of the tube head.

[0020] The tamper-evident element preferably has at least one barrier layer on its inner surface facing the inside of the tube and / or on its outer surface facing away from the inside of the tube.

[0021] As already mentioned, the tamper-evident element is located in the area of ​​the tube nipple and completely separates the dispensing opening from the inside of the tube. The tamper-evident element can be positioned directly at the transition between the tube shoulder and the tube nipple, or at any desired distance from this transition. Preferably, the tamper-evident element is positioned at a distance from the tube shoulder; more preferably, it is positioned adjacent to the dispensing opening. In these embodiments, preferably only the portion of the inner surface of the tube nipple that is in contact with the inside of the tube, and thus, after the tube packaging is complete, with the contents, is equipped with a barrier layer.For example, if the tamper-evident element is arranged equidistantly between the dispensing opening and the area where the tube nipple and tube shoulder meet, it is particularly preferred that only the lower half of the tube nipple, facing the interior of the tube, is equipped with a barrier layer.

[0022] Preferably, the tamper-evident element has at least one predetermined breaking point. After the tube head and tube body are joined, the resulting tube packaging is filled with the product. The tamper-evident seal closing the dispensing opening must be broken before the first product is dispensed. The preferably provided predetermined breaking point, and especially the particularly preferably provided two predetermined breaking points, facilitate this breaking of the tamper-evident element.

[0023] The tamper-evident feature preferably has at least one predetermined bending point. The destruction of the tamper-evident feature is also facilitated by a predetermined bending point, and especially by the two, three, and in particular four predetermined bending points that are particularly preferred.

[0024] Particularly preferably, predetermined breaking points and predetermined folding points are provided simultaneously, and especially preferably two predetermined breaking points and four predetermined folding points are provided. The four predetermined folding points essentially form a square base, the corners of which are located adjacent to the inner surface of the tube nipple. The two predetermined breaking points form the diagonals of the square predetermined folding points. In this embodiment, when the tamper-evident element is broken, four triangular flaps are formed, which fold inwards along the respective predetermined folding point towards the interior of the tube. When the contents are dispensed, these flaps are moved upwards again towards the dispensing opening, without impeding the dispensing process.Once the dispensing process is complete, the triangular flaps, due to their material elasticity, at least partially fold back into their original position, thus ensuring at least partial closure of the dispensing opening even after a dispensing process.

[0025] It is clear to those skilled in the art that any variation in the number and orientation of the predetermined breaking points and the predetermined folding points is conceivable. For example, a polygon of predetermined folding points can be provided along the tube nipple-side rim of the tamper-evident element. If the corners of the polygon are connected by predetermined breaking points, preferably running through the center point of the tamper-evident element, a star-like structure is created from which, after the tamper-evident element is destroyed, a larger number of acute-angled triangles are formed, facilitating the folding process described above. However, any other variations with regard to the number and orientation of the predetermined breaking points and the predetermined folding points are also conceivable.

[0026] The closure cap provided according to the invention is preferably a screw cap, a hinged lid or a dispenser. InIn any case, the cap has a sleeve section that encompasses the nipple at least in part and a lid section that closes the dispensing opening.

[0027] If the cap is a screw-on cap, the tube nipple has an external thread on its outer surface. The cap has an internal thread in its outer section that corresponds to the external thread of the tube nipple, with the external thread of the tube nipple and the internal thread of the cap sharing a common axis of rotation. This allows for easy closure of the tube packaging by screwing the cap onto the tube nipple.

[0028] In the case of a screw-on cap, it is particularly preferred that it has a second outer section in addition to its outer section. In this case, the lid section separates the outer section from the second outer section. The tube nipple is also equipped with an external thread on its outer surface in this embodiment. The screw-on cap has an internal thread in its outer section that corresponds to the external thread of the tube nipple, thus enabling easy closure of the tube packaging by screwing the cap onto the tube nipple. Furthermore, a projection is provided in the area of ​​the lid section of the screw-on cap facing the second outer section, and this projection engages through the dispensing opening and into the tube nipple when the screw-on cap is placed on the tube nipple.This embodiment describes the generally known procedure of providing a device on the cap with which the tamper-evident seal closing the dispensing opening can be removed before the first withdrawal of contents. The cap, which is fixed to the tube by screwing it on using the corresponding threads of the tube nipple and cap, is unscrewed from the tube packaging, rotated 180°, and placed onto the tube nipple with the second section of the cap facing forward. The projection provided on the inside of the second section of the cap, which can be a cone-shaped, tapered, hollow cylinder-shaped, or otherwise shaped projection, is inserted into the dispensing opening and pressed towards the inside of the tube until the tamper-evident element is sufficiently destroyed to allow the contents to be dispensed.

[0029] Preferably, the outer diameter of the projection is between 90% and 99% of the inner diameter of the tube nipple. This precisely matched diameter allows the tamper-evident element to be completely removed with high reproducibility.

[0030] The cap preferably has an annular projection on its inner surface facing the tube's interior, wherein the projection tightly engages the tube nipple in the area of ​​the dispensing opening. This tight engagement of the tube nipple ensures a particularly tight seal and, in particular, a particularly tight resealing of the dispensing opening after dispensing. This further impedes the ingress of oxygen and water vapor. The projection preferably has at least one barrier layer on its surface facing the tube nipple. This additional barrier layer further impedes the ingress of oxygen and water vapor and ideally prevents it completely.

[0031] For the expert, it is clear that "ring-shaped circumferential projection" does not exclusively mean "circular circumferential projection." While the dispensing opening in horizontal section typically has the shape of a circular disk, and the tube nipple usually has a circular shape in its rim area defining the dispensing opening, other geometries, such as ellipses, are also conceivable, particularly in the case of hinged caps. Regardless of the geometry of the tube nipple, the projection is always designed to fit flush around the tube nipple in the area of ​​the dispensing opening.

[0032] The tube body layer of the tube shell is preferably made of plastic or metal, in particular a single plastic material or a plastic laminate, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Polyethylene, and especially HDPE, is particularly preferred. These materials exhibit favorable properties during the manufacturing process and also advantageously provide the elastic deformability of the tube shell required to maintain its shape stability. The use of a single plastic material offers the particular advantage that the tube body layer of the tube shell can be extruded in a tube.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the barrier layer of the closure cap, the barrier layer of the tube body, the barrier layer of the tube shoulder, the barrier layer of the tube nipple, the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element and the barrier layer of the projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the body section of the closure cap are made independently of one another of aluminium, SiOx, SiNx, silicon, chromium, stainless steel or mixtures thereof.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the barrier layer of the cap, the barrier layer of the tube body, the barrier layer of the tube shoulder, the barrier layer of the tube nipple, the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element, and the barrier layer of the projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the cap facing the body section of the cap are made of either aluminum, SiOx, SiNx, silicon, chromium, stainless steel, or a mixture thereof. According to these embodiments, the entire surface bounding the interior of the tube is provided with a barrier layer of the same material, at least on the inside or outside, but also on both the inside and outside.

[0035] In principle, the tube shoulder and tube body can be equipped with a barrier layer independently of each other, either internally and / or externally. It is possible for the tube shoulder to have a barrier layer on its surface facing the tube's interior, and the tube body on its surface facing away from the interior. Conversely, it is also possible for the tube shoulder to have a barrier layer on its surface facing away from the interior, and the tube body on its surface facing the interior. Similarly, it is conceivable that, for example, the tube shoulder is equipped with a barrier layer both internally and externally, while the tube body is equipped only internally or only externally. The reverse is also possible, as is the possibility of the tube head and tube body each having two barrier layers, one on the inside and one on the outside.

[0036] The materials used in this application ensure extremely good barrier layer properties with regard to its ability to block substances such as oxygen and water, preventing their penetration into the tube's interior. This property is particularly advantageous when all barrier layers are made of the same material.

[0037] Chromium in the purity grades 2N5 or 3N5 is particularly preferred, while stainless steel is used in the form of grades 1.4301, V4A, or 1.4571. Silicon bonded to molybdenum is used as the silicon source. In principle, any electrically conductive material, or one that can be made electrically conductive through additives, can be used for a sputtering process. Generally, all materials with a specific electrical resistance of less than 1 Ωcm are suitable for the barrier layers.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the barrier layer of the closure cap and / or the barrier layer of the tube body and / or the barrier layer of the tube shoulder and / or the barrier layer of the tube nipple and / or the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element and / or the barrier layer of the projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the body section of the closure cap are formed in two layers, the second layer being an oxygen-absorbing layer. This is, for example, a coating that contains an oxygen-reactive and thereby oxygen-absorbing additive in a product-neutral matrix, e.g., a plastic matrix such as a polyethylene matrix. Particularly suitable oxygen-absorbing additives are base metals in powder form, e.g.,Iron, preferably annealed and / or electrolytically reduced base metals such as metal halides.

[0039] The oxygen-absorbing coating removes oxygen from the inside of the tube and from the product inside. This effectively prevents oxygen from affecting the product, particularly its shelf life, quality, and taste. Air, and therefore oxygen, can enter the tube when a vacuum is created during dispensing, which ends with a reduction in external pressure. This oxygen is immediately bound by the oxygen-absorbing coating before it can damage the product through oxidation.

[0040] Particularly preferred is the barrier layer of the closure cap, the barrier layer of the tube body, the barrier layer of the tube shoulder, the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element, the barrier layer of the projection on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the body section, and the barrier layer of the tube nipple, all formed in two layers and provided with the oxygen-absorbing coating.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment described above, the oxygen-absorbing coating is provided in addition to the barrier layer, so that any oxygen that has passed through the barrier layer or through leaks in the barrier layer is also absorbed by the oxygen-absorbing coating before it can react with the contents of the tube. It is understood that the oxygen-absorbing coatings are always arranged on the surface of the tube body and / or tube head and / or tamper-evident element and / or cap facing the interior of the tube.

[0042] The barrier layer of the closure cap and / or the barrier layer of the tube body and / or the barrier layer of the tube shoulder and / or the barrier layer of the tube nipple and / or the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element and / or the barrier layer of the projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the body section of the closure cap acts or act preferably as a barrier at least against water vapor and / or at least against oxygen.

[0043] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the barrier layer of the closure cap and / or the barrier layer of the tube body and / or the barrier layer of the tube shoulder and / or the barrier layer of the tube nipple and / or the barrier layer of the tamper-evident element and / or the barrier layer of the projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the body section of the closure cap are formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrical deposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer.

[0044] Further advantages of the present invention become apparent when the barrier layer provided according to the invention on the inner surface of the lid section of the cap facing its outer shell is combined with a barrier layer that extends over the entire surface area defining the interior of the tube, i.e., a barrier layer that is applied to the surfaces of the tube shell, the tube shoulder, the tamper-evident seal, and the tube nipple facing the interior of the tube. If, in this case, the same material is used for the entire barrier layer and this material is applied using the same method in all cases, the entire interior of the tube, including the cap, can be provided with a barrier layer in a single step.For manufacturing reasons, it is often more economical to coat the cap and tube body with the tube head as separate units with a barrier layer and then join them together. In this case, the entire tube body and tube head, including the shoulder and nipple, can still be coated with a barrier layer on the inner and / or outer surface in a single step. It is also possible to coat the tube head and tube body separately with a barrier layer and then join the two elements together.

[0045] When the tube head and tube body are joined after the barrier layers have been applied, the barrier layers are advantageously designed in such a way that they connect directly to each other in the area of ​​the connection between the tube shoulder and the tube body, so that in this case too a continuous overall barrier layer is obtained from the dispensing opening to the end of the tube body opposite the dispensing opening, which is sealed after filling with product.

[0046] If the cap and tube body with tube head are provided with a barrier layer as separate units and only subsequently joined together, the advantage arises that the optional projection provided on the inner surface of the lid section of the cap facing the body section of the cap can be equipped with a barrier layer on its surface facing the tube nipple in one operation together with the inner surface of the lid section facing the interior of the tube.

[0047] The filling material is preferably a paste, cream, gel, or liquid. The present invention offers particular advantages when the filling material is a product sensitive to oxygen and water, as its shelf life can be significantly extended.

[0048] The present invention also comprises a method for manufacturing a tube packaging as described above, wherein the method comprises the steps: a) Providing a tube body, b) Manufacturing a tube head formed as a one-piece molded part from plastic by injection molding or compression molding, wherein the tube head consists of a tube shoulder and a tube nipple, the tube nipple having a dispensing opening in a section facing away from the tube shoulder, c) Firmly joining the tube body and tube head to form a tube interior such that the tube nipple projects in a direction away from the tube body beyond the surface of the tube shoulder, the tube shoulder being connected to the tube body in an edge region facing away from the tube nipple, d) Providing a cap, the cap having a body section and a lid section, e) Applying at least one barrier layer to the inner surface of the lid section of the cap facing the body section, f) Attaching the cap to the tube head such thatthat the cap, with at least a portion of its outer casing, surrounds the tube nipple.

[0049] As already explained, the barrier layer provided according to the invention on the inner surface of the lid section of the closure cap facing the jacket section represents a highly effective barrier against the penetration of oxygen and water vapor through the dispensing opening in the area of ​​the closure cap, thereby significantly extending the shelf life and freshness of the contents contained in the tube packaging.

[0050] The connection between the tube body and the tube head is made in a manner known to those skilled in the art, for example by snapping or welding the tube shoulder to the tube body.

[0051] In embodiments where the tube shell comprises a tube body layer and at least one barrier layer, the barrier layer being arranged on an inner surface of the tube body layer facing the interior of the tube and / or on an outer surface of the tube body layer facing away from the interior of the tube, the barrier layer of the tube shell is preferably applied by vapor deposition, sputtering, electrostatic deposition, and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer of the tube shell. These are methods known to those skilled in the art for applying barrier layers. Particular advantages arise in terms of time and cost savings if only one method is used for applying the entire barrier layer. This will be especially true if the entire barrier layer consists of a single material.If two or more different materials are used, different application methods can be used for the different materials.

[0052] In embodiments where the tube shoulder has at least one barrier layer on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior and / or on its inner surface facing the tube interior, the barrier layer is preferably applied to the tube shoulder by vapor deposition, sputtering, electrostatic deposition, and / or chemical deposition of the barrier layer material. Particular advantages arise when the tube head is only connected to the intended tube body after the respective barrier layers have been applied. The tube shoulder is then provided with a barrier layer separately from the tube body, and different materials, possibly applied by different methods, can easily be used for the tube shoulder and the tube body.In this context, it should be mentioned again that the tube head is preferably designed with a geometry suitable for coating. As is known to those skilled in the art, edges are avoided in particular, which could cause problems during the coating process by resulting in an insufficient coating thickness.

[0053] In embodiments in which the tube nipple has at least one barrier layer on its inner surface facing the tube interior and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI), this barrier layer of the tube nipple is preferably applied by vapor deposition and / or by sputtering and / or by electrical deposition and / or by chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer.

[0054] In embodiments in which the cap has an annular projection on its inner surface of the lid section facing the interior of the tube, wherein the projection snugly surrounds the tube nipple in the area of ​​the dispensing opening and the projection has at least one barrier layer on its surface facing the tube nipple, this barrier layer is preferably applied by vapor deposition and / or by sputtering and / or by electrodeposition and / or by chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer.

[0055] Significant time and cost savings result when only one method is used to apply all the different barrier layers. This is particularly true when the entire barrier layer covering the inner and / or outer surface of the tube head, body, and cap is made of a single material. If two or more different materials are used, different application methods can be employed for each material.

[0056] Advantageously, after attaching the cap to the tube head, the tube is filled with the product and the tube body is sealed at the end opposite the tube shoulder by welding its edge. Welding the tube body is a long-established method that ensures a secure, permanent seal and is also cost-effective.

[0057] Further developments, advantages and application possibilities of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0058] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show... Fig. 1 shows a schematic vertical section through a tube package without a cap; Fig. 2 shows a schematic vertical section through the tube package according to Fig. 1 with cap; Fig. 3 in schematic representation a vertical section through the tube packaging according to Fig. 2 with tamper-evident feature. Ways to implement the invention

[0059] The Figure 1 and 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vertical section through an embodiment of a tube packaging according to the invention. Figure 1 The tube packaging is shown without the cap, while in Figure 2 The same tube packaging with a cap is shown.

[0060] The tube packaging 1 comprises a tube shell 2 that defines an inner tube space TI and a tube head consisting of a tube shoulder 6 and a tube nipple 7. The tube nipple 7 projects outwards from the inner tube space TI beyond the surface of the tube shoulder 6 and has a dispensing opening 8 in a section facing away from the tube shoulder 6. The tube nipple 7 is also provided with an external thread 7.1 on its outer surface. The tube head, comprising the tube shoulder 6 and tube nipple 7, is formed as a one-piece molded plastic component and closes one end of the tube shell 2 in a known manner.

[0061] The tube jacket 2 is formed in two layers and comprises a tube body layer 3 and an inner barrier layer 4 facing the tube interior TI. The tube body layer 3 is made of a plastic laminate, while the inner barrier layer 4, which acts as a barrier against oxygen and water vapor, is made of silicon dioxide (SiOx). The tube body layer 3 of the tube jacket 2 is produced from a flat material by rolling the flat material into a tubular structure and joining the adjacent edge regions of the flat material after rolling.

[0062] The tube head is inserted into the open end of the tube shell 2 with the annular area 6.1 of the tube shoulder 6 located furthest from the dispensing opening 8 and is connected to it in a suitable manner, for example by welding, gluing, etc., in such a way that the tube shell 2 overlaps the tube shoulder 6 in a partial area on its outer side and thus partially rests against the outer surface of the sloping section of the tube shoulder 6, such that a stepless or substantially stepless transition is achieved from the outer surface of the tube shoulder 6 to the outer surface of the tube shell 2.

[0063] The joining of the tube head and tube body 2 can take place before or after the application of the various barrier layers. The present invention thus encompasses both embodiments in which the tube head and tube body are first joined and only subsequently the desired barrier layers are applied, and embodiments in which the desired barrier layers are first applied separately to the tube head and tube body, and only then are the tube head and tube body joined. Of course, embodiments are also conceivable in which either the tube head or the tube body is first provided with the desired barrier layers, then the tube head and tube body are joined, and subsequently the desired barrier layers are applied to either the tube head or the tube body, depending on which surface still lacks the barrier layer.

[0064] In the tube packaging 1 shown, the tube sleeve 2 has a barrier layer 4, the tube shoulder 6 is equipped with a barrier layer 9, and the inner surface of the tube nipple 7 has a barrier layer 12. All barrier layers 4, 9, The 12 components act as a barrier against oxygen and water vapor and consist of silicon dioxide (SiOx). The tube head, manufactured from polyethylene plastic by injection molding, is thus equipped with a barrier layer across its entire inner surface, i.e., across its entire surface facing the tube's interior (TI).

[0065] The in Figure 2The tube packaging 1 shown additionally includes a closure cap 13, which comprises a sleeve section 13.1 and a lid section 13.2. The tube nipple 7 is provided with an external thread 7.1 on its outer surface. The closure cap 13 has an internal thread 13.3 in its sleeve section 13.1 that corresponds to the external thread 7.1 of the tube nipple 7, wherein the external thread 7.1 of the tube nipple 7 and the internal thread 13.3 of the closure cap 13 share a common axis of rotation D. This allows for easy closure of the tube packaging 1 by screwing the closure cap 13 onto the tube nipple 7. The inner surface of the lid section 13.2 of the closure cap 13, which faces the interior of the tube TI, is provided with a barrier layer 11.

[0066] The cap 13 has an annular projection 5 on its inner surface of the lid section 13.2, which faces the outer section 13.1 of the cap 13 and thus also the interior of the tube TI. This projection 5 surrounds the tube nipple 7 flush in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 8. The projection 5 has a barrier layer 10 on its surface facing the tube nipple 7. Together with the flush surround of the tube nipple 7, the barrier layer 10 ensures a tight seal and, in particular, a tight resealing of the dispensing opening 8 after dispensing. This significantly hinders, and ideally completely prevents, the ingress of oxygen and water vapor.

[0067] The application of all barrier layers 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, which act as a barrier against oxygen and water vapor and consist of silicon oxide (SiOx), is preferably carried out by sputtering.

[0068] Due to the continuous and seamlessly adjoining barrier layers 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, the entire interior of the tube TI is sealed or substantially sealed against oxygen from the ambient air and is particularly suitable for containing products such as hair dyes, for which aluminum tubes are currently often used because of their aggressiveness towards plastic.

[0069] The in Figure 3 The tube packaging 1 shown additionally features a tamper-evident element 14, which is equipped with a barrier layer 15. The tamper-evident element 14 is located in the area where the tube nipple 7 and the tube shoulder 6 meet, but can be applied over the entire extent of the tube nipple 7, i.e., in extreme cases, even directly at the dispensing opening 8.

[0070] Although the inner surface of the tube nipple 7 is not in contact with the tube interior TI before the first dispensing of the contents, it is generally nevertheless equipped with a barrier layer 12. This is because, after the initial dispensing of contents and storage of any remaining contents, the ingress of oxygen and water vapor should be prevented in the area of ​​the tube nipple as well. The cap 13 has an annular projection 5 on its inner surface of the lid section 13.2, which faces the outer section 13.1 of the cap 13 and thus also the tube interior TI. This projection 5 surrounds the tube nipple 7 flush in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 8. The projection 5 has a barrier layer 10 on its surface facing the tube nipple 7.

[0071] At the in Figure 3In the tube packaging 1 shown, the tube body 2 has a barrier layer 4, the tube shoulder 6 is equipped with a barrier layer 9, the inner surface of the tube nipple 7 has a barrier layer 12, the cap 13 is provided with a barrier layer 11, and the tamper-evident seal 14 is provided with a barrier layer 15. The barrier layers 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15 are impervious to oxygen and water vapor and consist of silicon dioxide (SiOx).

[0072] Until the tube packaging 1 is filled with the product, the end of the tube body 2 opposite the tube head remains open. After the tube packaging 1 is filled, the end of the tube body 2 opposite the tube head 5 is closed in the usual manner, for example by heat sealing. Reference symbol list

[0073] 1 Tube packaging 2 Tube sleeve 3 Tube body layer 4 Barrier layer of the tube sleeve 5 Projection 6 Tube shoulder 7 Tube nipple 7.1 External thread of the tube nipple 8 Dispensing opening 9 Barrier layer of the tube shoulder 10 Barrier layer of the projection 11 Barrier layer of the cap 12 Barrier layer of the tube nipple 13 Cap 13.1 Sleeve section of the cap 13.2 Lid section of the cap 13.3 Internal thread of the cap 14 Tamper-evident seal 15 Barrier layer of the tamper-evident seal TITube interior Drotary axis

Claims

1. Tubular packaging (1) comprising - a tube casing (2), - a tube head with a tube shoulder (6) and a tube nipple (7), and - a closure cap (13) comprising a casing portion (13.1) and a lid portion (13.2), wherein the closure cap (13) surrounds the tube nipple (7) with at least a portion of its casing portion (13.1), wherein the tube nipple (7) has an outlet opening (8) in a section facing away from the tube shoulder (6), wherein the tube shoulder (6) is connected to the tube casing (2) in an edge region (6.1) facing away from the tube nipple (7), wherein the tube nipple (7) protrudes in a direction away from the tube casing (2) over the surface of the tube shoulder (6), wherein the tube head with tube shoulder (6) and tube nipple (7) is formed as a one-piece molded part made of plastic, wherein the tube head and the tube casing (2) delimit a tube interior (TI), characterized in that the closure cap (13) has at least one barrier layer (11) on its inner surface of the lid portion (13.2) facing the casing portion (13.1).

2. Tubular packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube casing (2) has a tube body layer (3) and at least one barrier layer (4), wherein the barrier layer (4) is arranged on an inner surface of the tube body layer (3) facing the tube interior (TI) and / or on an outer surface of the tube body layer (3) facing away from the tube interior (TI).

3. Tubular packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tube shoulder (6) has at least one barrier layer (9) on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI) and / or on its inner surface facing the tube interior (TI) and / or that the tube nipple (7) has at least one barrier layer (12) on its inner surface facing the tube interior (TI) and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI).

4. Tubular packaging (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a tamper-proof element (14) is provided in the area of the tube nipple (7), wherein the tamper-proof element (14) completely separates the outlet opening (8) from the tube interior (TI), wherein the tamper-proof element (14) preferably has at least one barrier layer (15) on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI) and / or on its inner surface facing the tube interior (TI).

5. Tubular packaging (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tamper-proof element (14) is arranged at a distance from the tube shoulder (6), in particular adjacent to the outlet opening (8) and / or the tamper-proof element (14) has at least one predetermined breaking point, in particular a predetermined buckling point.

6. Tubular packaging (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closure cap (13) is a screw-type cap or a flip-top cap or a dispenser.

7. Tubular packaging (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that - the closure cap (13) is a screw-type cap, wherein the screw-type cap has a casing portion (13.1) and a lid portion (13.2), - the tube nipple (7) has an external thread (7.1) on its outer side, and - the screw-type cap has an internal thread (13.3) in its casing portion (13.1) that corresponds to the external thread (7.1) of the tube nipple (7), wherein the external thread (7.1) of the tube nipple (7) and the internal thread (13.3) of the screw-type cap (13) have a common axis of rotation (D) and / or the closure cap (13) has an annular projection (5) on its inner surface of the lid portion (13.2) facing the tube interior (TI), wherein the projection (5) surrounds the tube nipple (7) flush in the area of the outlet opening (8), wherein the projection (5) preferably has at least one barrier layer (10) on its inner surface facing the tube nipple (7) and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube nipple (7).

8. Tubular packaging (1) according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the tube body layer (3) of the tube casing (2) consists of plastic or metal, in particular of a plastic monomaterial or a plastic laminate, of aluminum or of an aluminum alloy.

9. Tubular packaging (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the barrier layer (11) of the closure cap (13), the barrier layer (4) of the tube casing (2), the barrier layer (9) of the tube shoulder (6), the barrier layer (12) of the tube nipple (7), the barrier layer (15) of the tamper-proof element (14), and the barrier layer (10) of the projection (5) are independently made of aluminum, SiOx, SiNx, silicon, chromium, stainless steel, or mixtures thereof, or that both the barrier layer (11) of the closure cap (13) and the barrier layer (4) of the tube casing (2) and the barrier layer (9) of the tube shoulder (6) and the barrier layer (12) of the tube nipple (7), the barrier layer (15) of the tamper-proof element (14), and the barrier layer (10) of the projection (5) are made of either aluminum or SiOx or SiNx or silicon or chromium or stainless steel or a mixture thereof.

10. Tubular packaging according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the barrier layer (11) of the closure cap (13) and / or the barrier layer (4) of the tube casing (2) and / or the barrier layer (9) of the tube shoulder (6) and / or the barrier layer (12) of the tube nipple (7) and / or the barrier layer (15) of the tamper-proof element (14) and / or the barrier layer (10) of the projection (5) are designed in two layers, the second layer being an oxygen-absorbing layer and / or the barrier layer (11) of the closure cap (13) and / or the barrier layer (4) of the tube casing (2) and / or the barrier layer (9) of the tube shoulder (6) and / or the barrier layer (12) of the tube nipple (7) and / or the barrier layer (15) of the tamper-proof element (14) and / or the barrier layer (10) of the projection (5) are formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrodeposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer (4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15).

11. Method for manufacturing a tubular packaging (1) according to claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps a) providing a tube casing (2), b) producing a tube head designed as a one-piece molded part made of plastic by injection molding or pressing plastic, wherein the tube head consists of a tube shoulder (6) and a tube nipple (7), wherein the tube nipple (7) has an outlet opening (8) in a section facing away from the tube shoulder (6), c) firmly connecting the tube casing (2) and the tube head to form a tube interior (TI) in such a way that the tube nipple (7) protrudes in a direction away from the tube casing (2) over the surface of the tube shoulder (6), the tube shoulder (6) being connected to the tube casing (2) in an edge area (6.1) facing away from the tube nipple (7), d) providing a closure cap (13), wherein the closure cap (13) has a casing portion (13.1) and a lid portion (13.2), e) applying at least one barrier layer (11) to the inner surface of the lid portion (13.2) of the closure cap (13) facing the casing portion (13.1), f) fastening the closure cap (13) to the tube head in such a way that the closure cap (13) surrounds the tube nipple (7) with at least a partial section of its casing portion (13.1).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the tube casing (2) has a tube body layer (3) and at least one barrier layer (4), wherein the barrier layer (4) is arranged on an inner surface of the tube body layer (3) facing the tube interior (TI) and / or on an outer surface of the tube body layer (3) facing away from the tube interior (TI), wherein the barrier layer is formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrodeposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the tube shoulder (6) has at least one barrier layer (9) on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI) and / or on its inner surface facing the tube interior (TI), wherein the barrier layer (9) is formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrodeposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer (9) and / or that the tube nipple (7) has at least one barrier layer (12) on its inner surface facing the tube interior (TI) and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI), wherein the barrier layer (12) is formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrodeposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer (12).

14. Method according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the closure cap (13) has an annular projection (5) on its inner surface of the lid portion (13.2) facing the tube interior (TI), wherein the projection (5) surrounds the tube nipple (7) in the area of the outlet opening (8), wherein the projection (5) has at least one barrier layer (10) on its inner surface facing the tube nipple (7) and / or on its outer surface facing away from the tube interior (TI), wherein the barrier layer (10) is formed by vapor deposition and / or sputtering and / or electrodeposition and / or chemical deposition of the material forming the barrier layer (10).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14 , characterized in that after step f), the steps g) filling the tube interior (TI) with a filling material and h) sealing the tube casing (2) at its end opposite the tube shoulder (6) by welding its edge area are carried out.