Tube head for packaging tubes

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube head (10) for a packaging tube, comprising a tube shoulder (10a) and a tube cap (10b) connectable thereto, wherein the tube shoulder (10a) comprises a tube body section (1), a shoulder section (2) and an outlet section (3) with an outlet opening (3a) arranged therein, and a collar section (4) serving to fasten the tube cap (10b), and wherein the tube cap (10b) has a connecting section (5) connectable to the collar section (4) of the tube shoulder (10a) and a preferably pivotable lid element (6) connected thereto via a parting plane (T), which is designed to close the outlet opening (3a) of the tube shoulder (10a).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube head for packaging tubes according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a packaging tube according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0002] Various approaches are already known in the prior art for packaging tubes and their production. Often, tube bodies or tube sleeves, which may be made from a laminate, extruded, or blow-molded, for example, are connected at one end in an axial direction to a tube head having a tube shoulder, which essentially serves to reduce a cross-section or diameter of the tube body or tube sleeve to a cross-section or diameter of a tube outlet.

[0003] At an outlet section of the tube shoulder, with a correspondingly reduced cross-section or diameter, means are then generally provided for detachably or removably attaching a tube cap to the tube shoulder. In a simple example, this can be achieved via corresponding threads in the outlet section and on the sides of the lid, which allow a tube cap to be screwed on and off. In other known embodiments, hinged lids or snap-on lids can be connected to the tube shoulder or formed integrally, possibly even monolithically, with the tube shoulder.

[0004] In the very general approach to the design and manufacture of packaging tubes described above, the basic task is, on the one hand, to dimension the tube jacket or tube body accordingly, depending on the material to be packaged or stored. In addition, it is desirable to dimension the outlet opening of the packaging tube in such a way that the user can dose the contents effectively and with a desired or recommended volume flow when using the packaging tube or removing the packaged material.

[0005] Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a tube head that is as simple and cost-effective to manufacture as possible, while at the same time allowing the user to open and close the packaging tube easily and safely.

[0006] Based on the known prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved tube head for a packaging tube that addresses the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. The invention also addresses further problems, as will become apparent from the following description.

[0007] This object is achieved by a tube head according to independent claim 1 and a packaging tube according to independent claim 19. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the following description, description of the figures, the figures and the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a tube head for a packaging tube comprising a tube shoulder and a tube cap connectable thereto, wherein the tube shoulder comprises a tube body section, a shoulder section and an outlet section with an outlet opening arranged therein, as well as a collar section serving to fasten the tube cap, and wherein the tube cap has a connecting section connectable to the collar section of the tube shoulder and a preferably pivotable lid element connected thereto via a parting plane, which is designed to close the outlet opening, wherein in the connected state of the tube shoulder with the tube cap the outlet section extends a predefined length L2 in the axial direction beyond the parting plane T, wherein the length or extension length is at least 8% of a tube diameter of the tube body section.

[0009] The inventive design of the tube head, and in particular the inventive relationship between the extension length of the outlet section across a parting plane of the tube cap and the tube diameter, enables particularly simple and precise dosing when removing the substance contained in the packaging tube. In particular, very precise aiming is possible when dosing the substance, for example, toothpaste onto a toothbrush. Furthermore, a structurally simple and cost-effective design of the tube head is achieved, which simultaneously allows easy opening and secure closure by the user.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the extension length of the outlet section is between 10 and 50%, more preferably between 12 and 40%, even more preferably between 15 and 40% of the tube diameter of the tube body section.

[0011] In this case, the tube diameter D is understood to mean the outer diameter of the tube body section. The tube body section does not necessarily have to have a circular cross-section, but can also be oval, at least in sections. The tube diameter is the diameter of the circle whose circumferential length corresponds to the outer circumferential length of the tube body. Unless otherwise indicated, this also applies to the other diameters mentioned in the application. The tube body section is preferably a section of a tube body, or can itself be a known tube body.

[0012] In the present case, the parting plane is understood to be a flat plane arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube head, on which plane the connecting section and the lid element of the tube cap are arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction. The parting plane here represents a plane on which the two components, lid element and connecting section, can be separated from one another, in particular during an initial opening. A lower, preferably annular surface of the lid element and an upper, annular surface of the connecting section are preferably aligned opposite one another on the parting plane or arranged adjacent to one another. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of preferably axially extending connecting webs are arranged within the parting plane and connect the connecting section to the lid element. These are further advantageously designed so that they are spaced apart during the first orThe cap element is designed to break against the connecting element upon initial opening. This provides the user with haptic feedback regarding the initial opening of the tube head, or a first-opening guarantee.

[0013] In the present case, the shoulder section is understood to mean a transition section of the tube head in which the diameter of the connected tube body section or the tube body is reduced to form a shoulder of the tube head or a resulting packaging tube.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the collar portion used to secure the tube cap is arranged between the shoulder portion and the outlet portion. The collar portion preferably has a diameter D2, in particular a <Außendurchmesser, auf, welcher wenigstens 20%, weiter bevorzugt wenigstens 25%, noch weiter bevorzugt wenigstens 30% geringer ist, als der Tubendurchmesser D des Tubenkörperabschnitts. Der Durchmesser D2 des Kragenabschnitts ist vorzugsweise in Längsrichtung im Wesentlichen konstant ausgebildet. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform beträgt der Durchmesser des Kragenabschnitts D2 vorzugsweise 40 bis 80%, weiter vorteilhaft 40 bis 75% und noch weiter bevorzugt 50 bis 70% des Durchmessers D des Tubenkörperabschnitts.This enables an improved distribution and conveyance of the substance contained in the packaging tube towards the outlet section during the dosing process, so that an even more precise dosing from the outlet section is achieved.

[0015] The outlet section, the collar section, and the tube body section are arranged directly next to one another or directly adjacent to one another in the axial direction of the tube head. In one embodiment, the outlet section, the collar section, and / or the tube body section are arranged coaxially with one another. In an alternative embodiment, the outlet section and / or the collar section are arranged eccentrically with respect to the tube body section.

[0016] The outlet section preferably extends from the end of the collar section. Furthermore, the outlet section advantageously has a diameter D3, in particular an outer diameter, that preferably decreases continuously in the direction of extension. This enables further optimization of the dosing process from the outlet section or from the outlet opening arranged therein. Furthermore, the outlet section is advantageously designed to be stepless, i.e., it does not form any outer and / or inner steps and / or step-like diameter changes.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet section has a section with a continuously decreasing diameter D3 extending within a predefined length L3 in the axial direction, essentially starting from the parting plane T. The predefined length has a value of 20 to 80% of the length L2, which corresponds to the length of the outlet section. This section is arranged directly adjacent to the collar section with a preferably substantially constant diameter D2. The wall thickness of the outlet section is preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

[0018] In an adjacent region or section of the outlet section, towards the outlet opening, the diameter D3 can be constant towards an outlet diameter D4 of the outlet opening, or can be designed as a further, preferably continuously, decreasing diameter.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the collar portion of the tube shoulder serving to secure the tube cap comprises a substantially cylindrical collar element, preferably arranged coaxially with the outlet portion, with a contact projection or formation extending radially outward at the end of the collar portion and arranged between the collar element and the outlet portion. The collar portion preferably extends in the axial direction of the tube head over a predefined length L1, which is preferably between 10 and 30%, more preferably between 10 and 25%, and even more preferably between 15 and 20% of the diameter D of the tube body portion. The wall thickness of the collar portion is preferably between 0.6 and 2.2 mm.

[0020] When the tube cap is connected to the tube shoulder, the contact projection or the end formation of the collar section is arranged within the parting plane of the tube head.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion of the tube cap is designed as a substantially ring-shaped or cylindrical portion, in particular as a locking ring. This advantageously has a radially inwardly projecting projection. The projection preferably has a barb-like inner contour such that the connecting portion can be pushed or pressed onto the tube shoulder for the preferably non-detachable joining or connection of the connecting cap and the tube shoulder. The connecting portion, and in particular a projection encompassed thereby, can be continuous all the way around or around the circumference. Alternatively, the connecting portion, and in particular a projection encompassed thereby, can be interrupted around the circumference. In this case, the projection can, for example, have individual circular-arc-shaped segments or circumferentially distributed knobs, which form the projection and, further advantageously, the preferably barb-like inner contour.

[0022] The connecting portion and the cover element of the tube cap are preferably arranged so that they can pivot relative to one another. For this purpose, the tube cap preferably has a hinge element extending across the parting plane, which connects the cover element to the connecting portion. Furthermore, the cover element is advantageously arranged so that it can pivot relative to the connecting portion by at least 90°, preferably by at least 135°, to open the outlet opening.

[0023] The lid element further advantageously has a ring-shaped or substantially cylindrical section and a lid section terminating this section at the end. The lid section preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube head and is designed for selective interaction with the outlet opening for opening and closing the outlet opening. The tube cap further advantageously comprises a sealing element that projects inward from the lid element and is designed for selective interaction with a sealing section arranged on the outlet section, in particular a sealing bead arranged on the end of the outlet section.

[0024] Further advantageously, the tube cap can have support struts that project inward from the cover element, preferably radially extending, which are designed to rest on a lateral surface of the outlet section when connected. This enables a more stable support of the cover element on the tube shoulder section.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the tube cap also has a projection, preferably extending on a side opposite a hinge element, as a gripping aid. This allows the user to conveniently operate the tube head with one hand.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the diameter D4, in particular an outer diameter, of the outlet opening is between 2 and 12 mm, more preferably between 3 and 10 mm. The wall thickness of the outlet opening is preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the diameter D of the tube section, in particular the outer diameter, is between 15 and 40 mm, more preferably between 16 and 38 mm. The wall thickness of the tube section is preferably between 0.15 and 0.5 mm.

[0028] The tube cap and the tube shoulder are preferably made or formed from the same material. Both the tube body and the shoulder and cap can be made from a wide variety of materials. Suitable materials for the tube body include conventional plastics and plastic composite materials, as well as composite materials with a high paper content and generally multi-layer structures, where the layers do not need to be adhered to one another. For the tube shoulder, neck, and cap, fiber-based systems, for example, molded parts obtained by dry or wet pressing, are also possible, in addition to conventional, possibly multi-layered plastics. The materials used can also originate from a recycling process.

[0029] An orientation of the tube cap on the tube body section or a tube body of the resulting packaging tube is preferably such that it is aligned with a printed image arranged on the tube body.

[0030] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a packaging tube having a tube head. The packaging tube comprises a known tube body or tube sleeve connected to the tube head.

[0031] Details of the invention are explained below using purely exemplary, purely schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1: a sectional view of a side view of the tube head according to the invention with a tube shoulder and a tube cap in the unconnected state of the components; Fig. 2: a sectional view according to Fig. 1 in the connected state of the components of the tube head; and Fig. 3a, 3b show a perspective top view of the tube shoulder and a perspective bottom view of the tube cap.

[0032] With reference to the Fig. 1 bis 3 A preferred embodiment of the tube head 10 according to the invention is described below. This comprises a tube shoulder 10a and a tube cap 10b, which in Fig. 1 in the unconnected and in Fig. 2 are shown in the assembled state.

[0033] The tube shoulder 10a comprises, arranged one behind the other in the axial direction L, a tube body portion 1, a shoulder portion 2 reducing the tube diameter, a collar portion 4, and an outlet portion 3 with an outlet opening 3a arranged therein. The tube shoulder 10a is preferably rotationally symmetrical about the axis R.

[0034] The collar section 4 is designed for fastening or connecting the tube shoulder 10a to the tube cap 10b and comprises a cylindrical collar element 4a, preferably arranged coaxially to the outlet section 3, with a radially outwardly extending contact projection or formation 4b.

[0035] The tube cap 10b which can be connected to the tube shoulder has a connecting section 5 which can be connected to the collar section 4 and is arranged at the end, and a cover element 6 which is connected thereto via a parting plane T and can be pivoted relative thereto and which is designed to close the outlet opening 3a of the tube shoulder.

[0036] The connecting section 5 and the cover element 6 are arranged adjacent to one another along a parting plane T arranged perpendicular to the axial direction L or axis R. A lower, preferably annular surface 6c of the cover element 6 and an upper, annular surface 5c of the connecting section are preferably aligned opposite one another or arranged adjacent to the parting plane T. The parting plane here represents a plane at which the two components, cover element 6 and connecting section 5, can be separated from one another, in particular during an initial opening. For this purpose, the parting plane comprises a plurality of preferably axially extending connecting webs 7 which connect the connecting section 5 to the cover element 6 and in this case represent predetermined breaking points during a first initial opening of the cover element 6 relative to the connecting element 5.

[0037] The connecting section 5 is designed as a substantially annular or cylindrical section, in particular as a locking ring, with a radially inwardly directed projection 5a. This projection can be designed as a continuous or circumferentially interrupted projection.

[0038] The cover element 6 comprises an annular or cylindrical section 6a, which is arranged coaxially to the connecting section and is designed with respect to its diameter substantially equal to the connecting section 5, as well as a cover section 6b closing off the latter at its end.

[0039] The tube cap 10b further comprises a hinge element 11 extending across the parting plane T, which pivotally connects the cover element 6 to the connecting section 5. The hinge element 11 serves to secure the cover element 6 and the connecting section 5, even after an initial opening by breaking the connecting webs 7.

[0040] According to the invention, when the tube shoulder 10a is connected to the tube cap 10b, the outlet section 3 extends a predefined length L2 in the axial direction L beyond the parting plane T, wherein the length L2 is at least 10% of a tube diameter D of the tube body section 1. Advantageously, the extension length L2 is between 15 and 40%, preferably between 17 and 40%, more preferably between 20 and 40% of the tube diameter D of the tube body section 1.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the diameter D of the tube section 1 is between 15 and 40 mm, more preferably between 16 and 38 mm.

[0042] The collar portion 4 preferably has a diameter D2 that is at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%, and even more preferably at least 30% smaller than the tube diameter of the tube body portion. Advantageously, the diameter of the collar portion is 40 to 80%, preferably 40 to 75%, and even more preferably 50 to 70% of the diameter D of the tube body portion 1.

[0043] The collar portion preferably extends in the axial direction of the tube head over a predefined length L1, which is preferably between 10 and 30%, more preferably between 10 and 25%, even more preferably between 15 and 20% of the diameter D of the tube body portion 1.

[0044] The outlet section advantageously has a diameter D3 which, starting from a diameter of the collar section, preferably continuously, decreases towards the outlet opening 3a. The outlet section preferably has a section 3b with a continuously decreasing diameter D3 which extends within a predefined extension length L3 in the axial direction, essentially starting from the parting plane T. The predefined extension length has a value of 20 to 80% of the length L2. This section is arranged directly adjacent to the collar section 4 with a preferably essentially constant diameter D2. In an adjacent region or section 3c of the outlet section, towards the outlet opening 2a, the diameter D3 can be constant up to an outlet diameter D4 of the outlet opening, or can be designed as a further, preferably continuously, decreasing diameter.

[0045] The outlet opening 3a itself advantageously has a diameter D4 which is between 15 and 40%, preferably between 15 and 35%, and more preferably between 20 and 35% of the diameter D of the tube body portion 1. The diameter D4 is preferably between 2 and 12 mm, more preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

[0046] The tube cap 10b additionally comprises inwardly projecting, preferably radially extending support struts 8, which are designed to rest on a lateral surface 9 of the outlet section 3 in the connected state. Fig. 2 Due to the perspective view, this is not shown. The support struts 8 have a downward-facing contact surface 8a, which is designed to conform to the lateral surface 9.

[0047] Furthermore, the tube cap 10b comprises a sealing element 13 which projects inwards from the cover element 6 and is designed to interact with a sealing section 14 arranged on the outlet section 3, in particular a sealing bead arranged at the end of the outlet section 3.

[0048] Further advantageously, the tube cap 10b has a projection 12 extending on a side opposite to the hinge element 6 as a gripping aid.

[0049] In Fig. 2The tube cap 10b and the tube shoulder 10a of the tube head 10 are shown in the connected state. The radially inwardly projecting projection 5a of the connecting section 5 is pushed onto the collar section, which is supported by the barb-like inner contour of the projection 5a. This simultaneously secures the preferably non-detachable connection between the tube cap 10b and the tube shoulder 10a. The inner projection 5a interacts with the radially outwardly projecting projection 4b. As can be seen here, the tube cap 10b and the tube shoulder 10a are designed such that, in the connected state, the contact projection 4b of the collar section 4 is preferably located within or just below the parting plane T. Reference symbol

[0050] 1Tube body section, tube body 2Shoulder section 3Outlet section 3aOutlet opening 3bSub-section outlet 3cSub-section outlet 4Collar section 4aRing shoulder 4bCollar element 5Connecting section 5aInner projection 5cAnnular surface 6Cover element 6aRing section 6bCover section 6cAnnular surface 7Connecting webs 8Support struts 8aContact surface 9Shell surface outlet section 10aTube shoulder 10bTube body section 11Hinge element 12Protrusion handle 13Sealing element 14Sealing section RLongitudinal axis TParting plane LAxial direction L1Extension length of collar section L2Extension length of outlet section DTube diameter D2Diameter of collar section D3Diameter of outlet section

Claims

1. A tube head (10) for a packaging tube comprising a tube shoulder (10a) and a tube cap (10b) connectable thereto, wherein the tube shoulder (10a) comprises a tube body portion (1), a shoulder portion (2), an outlet portion (3) with an outlet opening (3a) arranged therein, and a collar portion (4) serving to fasten the tube cap (10b), and wherein the tube cap (10b) has a connecting portion (5) connectable to the collar portion (4) of the tube shoulder (10a) and a preferably pivotable lid element (6) connected thereto via a parting plane (T), which is designed to close the outlet opening (3a) of the tube shoulder (10a), characterized by thatin the connected state of the tube shoulder (10a) with the tube cap (10b), the outlet section (3) extends in a predefined length (L2) in the axial direction (L) beyond the parting plane (T), wherein the length (L2) is at least 8% of a tube diameter (D) of the tube body section (1).

2. Tube head according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension length (L2) of the outlet section (3) is between 10 and 50%, preferably between 12 and 40%, more preferably between 15 and 40% of the tube diameter (D) of the tube body section (1).

3. Tube head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collar portion (4) serving to fasten the tube cap (10b) is arranged between the shoulder portion (2) and the outlet portion (3) and preferably has a diameter (D2) which is at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%, even more preferably at least 30% smaller than the tube diameter (D) of the tube body portion (1).

4. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet section (3) has a diameter (D3) which preferably decreases continuously in the direction of extension (L2).

5. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet section (3) and preferably the collar section (4) are arranged coaxially to the tube body section (1).

6. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar section (4) of the tube shoulder (10a) serving to fasten the tube cap (10b) has a cylindrical collar element (4a) arranged preferably coaxially with the outlet section (3) and a radially outwardly extending contact projection (4b) which is arranged between the collar element (4a) and the outlet section (3).

7. Tube head according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe contact projection (4b) is arranged within the parting plane (T) when the tube cap (10b) and the tube shoulder (10a) are connected.

8. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of connecting webs (7) are arranged in the parting plane (T), which connect the connecting section (5) to the cover element (6) and which are designed to break when the cover element (6) is first opened.

9. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (5) is designed as a substantially ring- or cylindrical section, in particular as a locking ring, with a continuous or interrupted, radial inner projection (5a).

10. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe tube cap (10b) has a hinge element (11) extending over the parting plane (T) which connects the cover element (6) to the connecting section (5), wherein the cover element (6) is arranged such that it can be pivoted relative to the connecting section (5), preferably by at least 90°, preferably by at least 135°, for opening the outlet opening (3a).

11. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (6) has an annular or cylindrical section (6a) and a cover section (6b) closing off this end.

12. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (3a) has a diameter (D4) which is between 2 and 12 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

13. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter (D) of the tube section (1) is between 15 and 40 mm, preferably between 16 and 38 mm.

14. Tube head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet section (3) has a section (3b) extending within a predefined extension length (L3) in the axial direction (L), essentially starting from the parting plane (T), with a diameter (D3) continuously decreasing from the diameter (D2) of the adjacent collar section (4), wherein the predefined extension length (L3) is a value of 20 to 80% of the length (L2) of the outlet section (3).

15. Packaging tube comprising a tube head (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a tube body connected thereto.

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