Tube comprising a self-closing-valve and a shoulder made of a laminated material

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube (10) intended to contain a product and comprising a head (12) and a skirt (14) formed by a tubular sheet extending along a main axis (A), the head (12) comprising: - a neck (22), and - a shoulder (20) extending radially between an upper end section (16) of the skirt (14) and the neck (22) and made of an annular piece of laminated material (30), an annular outer section of the shoulder (20) being attached to the upper end section (16) of the skirt (14) and an annular inner section of the shoulder (20) being attached to an outer periphery of the neck (22), the neck (22) comprises an open central part delimiting by a peripheral inner wall (40) and configured to receive a self-closing valve (42), the self-closing valve (42) comprising a mounting flange, a valve head with a discharge orifice (48) and a connecting sleeve extending from the valve head to the mounting flange, the mounting flange being inserted tightly into an annular-shaped groove of the peripheral inner wall (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tube intended to contain a product and comprising a head and a skirt formed by a tubular sheet extending along a main axis, the head comprising: a neck comprising an open central part configured to receive a self-closing valve, and a shoulder extending radially between an upper end section of the skirt and the neck.

[0002] Nowadays, the worldwide plastic production represents one of the biggest packaging waste sources. The consumption and the recycling of these plastic products is a major concern for national and regional organizations. The non-recycled plastic materials are currently disposed of by a variety of processes from landfill disposal to energy recovery through thermal and chemical treatments.

[0003] In the case of cosmetic packaging industry, laminated materials comprising several plastic layers are widely used as they represent advantages in terms of product protection and mechanical properties.

[0004] However, for many applications, the head of the tube, and particularly the neck, has to be in a plastic material. This allows the neck to be sufficiently resistant over time as the tube is used.

[0005] Generally, the neck and the shoulder are made in one piece and the upper end of the skirt is attached to the shoulder.

[0006] The head of the tube represents a very significant quantity of plastic and solutions are being sought to reduce the quantities.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the regulation of the quantity of product released, it is possible to use a self-closing valve. These valves require the user to exert greater pressure on the skirt to release the product than for a container with a distribution orifice in the form of a simple opening.

[0008] The valves are generally inserted on a capsule independent of the tube head and fixed to it. This further increases the amount of plastic used and does not improve the recycling of these containers.

[0009] The invention relates to a tube intended to contain a product and comprising a head and a skirt formed by a tubular sheet extending along a main axis, the head comprising: a neck, and a shoulder extending radially between an upper end section of the skirt and the neck and made of an annular piece of laminated material, an annular outer section of the shoulder being attached to the upper end section of the skirt and an annular inner section of the shoulder being attached to an outer periphery of the neck, the neck comprises an open central part delimiting by a peripheral inner wall and configured to receive a self-closing valve, the self-closing valve comprising a mounting flange, a valve head with a discharge orifice and a connecting sleeve extending from the valve head to the mounting flange, the mounting flange being inserted tightly into an annular-shaped groove of the peripheral inner wall.

[0010] The invention can also comprise any of the following features taken individually or in any technically possible combination: the annular-shaped groove is delimiting downwards by an internal bottom ring, the annular-shaped groove is delimiting upwards by an end edge of the open central part, the mounting flange extends laterally outwards and comprises a free top end upwards and a free bottom end downwards, the free bottom end being housed in a recess formed by and / or of the internal bottom ring, the free top end is housed in a recess formed by and / or of an end edge of the open central part, the internal bottom ring is a flexible portion in the extension of the peripheral inner wall and folded towards the inside of the tube, the flexible portion of the peripheral inner wall is folded inwardly at 180° so that the flexible portion of the peripheral inner wall is arranged against the mounting flange, the flexible portion and the peripheral inner wall are connected by a thinned zone that allows the folding, the flexible portion and the peripheral inner wall form a hook delimiting the recess in which the free bottom end of the mounting flange is housed, the internal bottom ring is a snapped ring inserted in the bottom of the open central part so as to form the annular-shaped groove in which the mounting flange is inserted, the recess in which the free bottom end of the mounting flange is housed is an annular groove formed on the upper surface of the snapped ring, the snapped ring is maintained axially by at least one protrusion of an internal surface of the peripheral inner wall, the at least one protrusion is an annular bead, the valve head is formed of a membrane which is located inside a volume delimited by the peripheral inner wall, the membrane is concave towards the outside, the valve head is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the sheet forming the skirt is made of a laminated material comprising at least one paper layer comprising cellulose fibers, the laminated material of the shoulder is made of a laminated material comprising at least one paper layer comprising cellulose fibers, the shoulder and the skirt are made of the same laminated material, the laminated material of the annular piece is distinct from the laminated material of the sheet of the skirt, the cellulose fibers represent at least 70% in mass of the tube, preferably more than 80%, the laminated material comprises at least an internal polymeric layer, the neck is made of plastic material, such as PE, the neck comprises a peripheric flange, the shoulder comprising an annular inner section covering the flange and being attached to the flange, an outer edge of the flange is arranged radially at distance from the peripheral wall of the shoulder, the peripheral wall of the shoulder is tightly secured to the upper end section of the skirt by ultrasonic welding, the annular inner section of the shoulder is attached to the flange by ultrasonic welding.

[0011] The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description which is only indicative and which is not intended to limit said invention, accompanied with the following figures: figure 1 is a perspective view of a tube according to the invention; figure 2 is an axial sectional view of figure 1 which show the head of the tube according to a first embodiment and an upper section of the skirt; figure 3 is an axial sectional view similar to the view of figure 2 which shows the head of a tube according to a second embodiment; figure 4 is another axial sectional view similar to the view of figure 2 which shows the head of a tube according to the second embodiment of the figure 3; figure 5 is an axial sectional view similar to the view of figure 2 which shows the head of a tube according to a third embodiment with a cap in a closed position; figure 6 is an axial sectional view similar to the view of figure 2 which shows the head of a tube according to the third embodiment of the figure 5 with the cap in an open position; figure 7 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the figure 5 with the cap in the open position of the figure 6; figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the laminated material forming the shoulder of the tube according to any of the previous embodiments.

[0012] In the context of the invention, the axial orientation is defined in the direction of the main axis "A" of the tube directed from bottom. A radial orientation extends from the main axis "A" in every direction orthogonally from said main axis "A". An element facing or close to the axis "A" in a radial will be qualified as an "inner" element, whereas an element facing the opposite direction or far from the axis "A" will be qualified as an "outer" element.

[0013] The term "container" is used herein to refer to an item which may contain a product. Such products are usually liquids, gels or pastes. Preferred containers include tubes and pouches. The container may further comprise a lid or a cap and, if necessary, attachment means for the lid or cap (such as a tube head or shoulder) before it forms a useful commercial container. As a consequence, the laminated material can form a tube skirt, an insert of a tube head or a combination thereof.

[0014] The term "flexible laminate" as used herein describes a laminate or a container made thereof which can bend or be bent easily and which does not break (unless it is bent too much). Herein in connection with the containers the term flexible indicates that if the container is subjected to a force, for example, by being filled with a liquid, or by applying pressure with a finger or a hand, it will change its form without breaking. A flexible container can also be considered to be a "squeezable" container.

[0015] The term "polymer" refers to a large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits.

[0016] The term "PE" refers to polyethylene.

[0017] The term "paper layer" refers to a layer comprising cellulose fibers. This term includes bleached, unbleached, colored and barrier coated paper. It is preferably a bleached paper which is easier and quicker to recycle.

[0018] Figures 1 show a tube 10 extending along a main axis "A". The tube 10 comprises a head 12 and a skirt 14.

[0019] The tube 10 is intended to contain a product such as liquids, gels or pastes. Advantageously, the tube 10 is intended to contain a cosmetic product.

[0020] The skirt 14 is made by a cylinder of a sheet of extruded or laminated material. An upper section 16 of the skirt 14 is tightly secured to the head 12. A lower end 18 of the skirt 14 is tightly closed to enclose the content of the tube 10. For instance, the lower end 18 of the skirt 14 is pinched flat and welded.

[0021] As represented at figures 1 and 2, the tube head 12 may comprise a shoulder 20 and a neck 22.

[0022] The neck 22 extends axially upward from the center of the shoulder 20, along the main axis "A". The neck 22 is made of plastic material. For instance, the plastic material is PE. In the example, the neck 22 is more particularly made in one piece. As variant, the neck could be made in two pieces.

[0023] The neck 22 presents an open central part 24 which is intended to project upward outside the tube 10.

[0024] The neck 22 also comprises a peripheric flange 26 which extends radially from the base of the open central part 24. The peripheric flange 26 is radially delimited by an outer edge 28. The outer edge 28 here presents a continuous circular shape. The peripheric flange 26 is intended to be concealed under the shoulder 20, inside the tube 10.

[0025] The shoulder 20 is made exclusively of an annular piece. The annular piece is formed by a flat piece of laminated material 30 which presents an external edge and a central hole delimited by an inner edge. The annular piece is for instance cut in a larger sheet of laminated material 30.

[0026] The outer edge presents a closed outline, such as a circular or oval outline. The inner edge presents a shape which is complementary to the outline of the open central part 24 of the neck 22.

[0027] The shoulder 20 comprises a central section 32 which extends radially with respect to the main axis "A" between the upper end section 16 of the tube skirt 14 and the neck 22. The central section 32 here presents a flat shape extending in a radial plane.

[0028] As a variant not showed, the central section of the shoulder 20 may present a frustoconical shape.

[0029] The open central part 24 of the neck 22 here projects axially upward above the upper face of the central section 32 of the shoulder 20.

[0030] The central section 32 of the shoulder 20 comprises an annular inner section 34 covering externally the flange 26.

[0031] The annular inner section 34 of the shoulder 20 is tightly secured to the flange 26, for example by welding. For instance, the annular inner section 34 of the shoulder 20 is secured by ultrasonic welding.

[0032] The shoulder 20 also comprises an outer annular area folded upwardly to form a peripheral wall 36 extending axially from the periphery of the central section 32.

[0033] Therefore, the outer edge of the shoulder 20 forms an upper end of the peripheral wall 36. The shoulder 20 thus presents a fold 38 between the central portion 32 and the peripheral wall 36.

[0034] The peripheral wall 36 of the shoulder 20 is here straight, so that the outer edge, forms the upper end of the peripheral wall 36 and faces upwards.

[0035] For instance, the shoulder 20 is conformed from the annular piece by a stamping process.

[0036] The shoulder 20 thus shaped is fitted axially in the upper end section 16 of the skirt 14. The fold 38 of the shoulder 20 is arranged at the junction at the base of the upper end section 16 of the skirt 14. An outer face of the peripheral wall 36 is in contact with an inner face of the sheet forming the skirt 14. Said outer face is tightly secured to an inner face of the skirt 14. The shoulder 20 is attached to the skirt 14 by securing the inner face of the skirt 14 only to the outer face of the peripheral wall 36. More particularly, the skirt 14 is not in contact with an inner face of the peripheral wall 36.

[0037] The outer face of the peripheral wall 36 of the shoulder 20 is tightly secured to the inner face of the skirt 14 by welding. For instance, the outer face of the peripheral wall 36 is secured to the skirt 14 by ultrasonic welding.

[0038] As illustrated in figure 2, the upper end section 16 of the skirt 14 is straight so that the upper edge of the sheet forming the skirt 14 faces upwards. In this case, the upper end of the skirt 14 is formed by the upper edge of the sheet. The upper end of the peripheral wall 36 and the upper end of the skirt 14, formed by the upper edge of the sheet, are coplanar.

[0039] According to the invention, the open central part 24 of the neck 22 is delimited by a peripheral inner wall 40 and configured to receive a self-closing valve 42.

[0040] The self-closing valve 42 comprises a mounting flange 44, a valve head 46 with a discharge orifice 48 and a connecting sleeve 50 extending from the valve head 46 to the mounting flange 44.

[0041] Preferably, the self-closing valve 42, especially the valve head 46 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (PTE).

[0042] In the two embodiments illustrated, the self-closing valve 42 is similar.

[0043] The self-closing valve 42 is circular.

[0044] The valve head 46 is formed of a membrane 52 and the discharge orifice 48 of the valve head 46 is formed by two identical straights cuts 54 of the membrane 52 which cross each other. The cuts 54 form four flexible tongues that can move with the pressure exerted on the skirt 14 of the tube 10 and allow to open and / or close the discharge orifice 48. When pressure is exerted on the skirt 14, the pression exerted by the product contained in the tube 10 allows outward movement of the flexible tongues and the opening of the discharge orifice 48 and the exit of the product. When pression is released, the flexible tongues move in the opposite direction and the discharge orifice 48 closes.

[0045] The discharge orifice 48 may have different shapes and / or sizes. It may be formed by a single cut 54, or by three or more cuts 54, depending on the desired flow and / or the consistency of the product contained in the tube 10.

[0046] In the two examples illustrated, the membrane 52 is concave towards the outside in the closed position.

[0047] The connecting sleeve 50 has a J-shaped longitudinal cross-section shape. It comprises a cylindrical side wall 56 and a curved connection portion 58. The cylindrical side wall 56 extends axially from the outer periphery of the tube head 12 towards the curved connection portion 58 connected to the mounting flange 44. The curved connection portion 58 facilitates the movement of the tongues and the opening of the discharge orifice 48 when pressure is exerted on the skirt 14 of the tube 10.

[0048] The illustrated mounting flange 44 has an annular plan shape, and a cross-sectional configuration substantially in the shape of a trapezoid.

[0049] The mounting flange 44 extends laterally outwards.

[0050] The mounting flange 44 comprises a short inner edge 44A, a large outer edge 44B, a top edge 44C and a bottom edge 44D, the curved connection portion 58 of the connecting sleeve 50 being connected to the short inner edge 44A.

[0051] The mounting flange 44 further comprises, a free top end 44E upwards and a free bottom end 44F downwards.

[0052] The mounting flange 44 may have different shapes and / or sizes.

[0053] According to the invention, the mounting flange 44 is inserted tightly into an annular-shaped groove 60 of the peripheral inner wall 40.

[0054] The bottom edge 44D and top edge 44 C of the mounting flange 44 are elastically compressed into the annular-shaped groove 60 to form a tight seal.

[0055] Advantageously, the annular-shaped groove 60 is delimiting downwards by an internal bottom ring and upwards by an end edge 62 of the open central part 24.

[0056] In a first embodiment shown in the figure 2, the internal bottom ring is a snapped ring 64 inserted in the bottom of the open central part 24 so as to form the annular-shaped groove 60 in which the mounting flange 44 is inserted.

[0057] The free bottom end 44F of the mounting flange 44 is housed in a recess 66 of the internal bottom ring. More precisely, the recess 66 in which the free bottom end 44F of the mounting flange 44 is housed is an annular groove formed on the upper surface of the snapped ring 64.

[0058] The free top end 44E is housed in a recess 70 of an end edge of the open central part 24.

[0059] Advantageously, the snapped ring 64 is maintained axially by at least one protrusion of an internal surface of the peripheral inner wall 40. Here, the snapped ring 64 is maintained axially by an annular bead 72 on the internal surface of the peripheral inner wall 40.

[0060] Preferably, the snapped ring 64 is made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene. These are, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or recycled polyethylene (rPE).

[0061] In a second embodiment shown in the figure 3 and 4, the internal bottom ring is a flexible portion 74 in the extension of the peripheral inner wall 40 and folded towards the inside of the tube 10.

[0062] The free bottom end 44F is housed in a recess formed by the internal bottom ring, i.e., a recess 76 formed by the flexible portion 74.

[0063] As for the first embodiment, the free top end 44E of the mounting flange 44 is housed in the recess 70 of the end edge 62 of the open central part 24.

[0064] The flexible portion 74 of the peripheral inner wall 40 is folded inwardly at 180° so that the flexible portion 74 of the peripheral inner wall 40 is arranged against the mounting flange 44, particularly against the bottom edge 44D of the mounting flange 44.

[0065] The flexible portion 74 and the peripheral inner wall 40 are connected by a thinned zone 78 that allows the folding.

[0066] Thinned zone means a zone having a thickness less than the thickness of the peripheral inner wall 40 and less than the thickness of the flexible portion 74. Otherwise, the thickness of material is thinned at the level of the thinned zone 78, thinner than the thickness of material of the peripheral inner wall 40 and thinner than the thickness of material of the flexible portion 74.

[0067] Advantageously, the flexible portion 74 and the peripheral inner wall 40 form a hook delimiting the recess 76 in which the free bottom end 44F of the mounting flange 44 is housed.

[0068] Figure 3 shows the internal bottom ring before a fixing step of the self-closing valve 42. The flexible portion 74 is inclined inwardly and it does not yet retain axially the self-closing valve 42.

[0069] After inserting the self-closing valve 42, by pushing it upwardly for example, the flexible portion 74 is folded inwardly so as to compress the mounting flange 44, particularly at the level of the free bottom end 44F of the mounting flange 44 as shown in figure 4. The mounting flange 44 therefore becomes tightly clamped in the annular-shaped groove 60 of the peripheral inner wall 40 of the head 12 and it is axially maintained in the open central part 24.

[0070] As shown in the third embodiment of the figures 5 to 7, the head 12 of the tube 10 may also comprise a closure cap.

[0071] In this third embodiment, the cap 88 is a part distinct from the neck 22.

[0072] In another embodiment, the cap may be attached directly to the open central part 24 of the neck 22, for example by a hinge.

[0073] In this third embodiment, the self-closing valve 42 is identical to the one of the first and second embodiments and its fixing is similar to that of the first embodiment, i.e., fixed with a snapped ring 64.

[0074] Fixing according to the second embodiment is however possible.

[0075] The cap 88 includes a fixing ring 90 and a cover 92.

[0076] The fixing ring 90 surrounds the head 12 and allows the cap 88 to be fixed to the tube 10.

[0077] The fixing ring 90 is placed in a space between the shoulder 20 and the peripheral inner wall 40. The fixing ring 90 rests on the flange 26 of the neck 22.

[0078] The fixing ring 90 is clipped around the head 12 by cooperation of a bead 94 of the fixing ring 90 with a shoulder 96 of the peripheral inner wall 40 which extends radially from it. The bead 94 of the fixing ring 90 rests on a lower surface of the shoulder 96 of the peripheral inner wall 40 allowing axial blocking of the cap 88 and its holding in place, particularly when opening which requires the user to pull on it.

[0079] The cover 92 is connected to the fixing ring 90 around a tangential axis via a hinge 98. It is movable between a closed position, illustrated in Figure 5, and an open position, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The cover 92 here has an upper face of flat shape which extends in a radial plane in the closed position. The cover 92 has a contour identical in shape to that delimited by the peripheral inner wall 40, for example as here circular. The cover 92 thus covers the open central part 24 in the closed position.

[0080] The cap 88 is made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene. These are, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or recycled polyethylene (rPE).

[0081] Advantageously, the cover 92 includes a tab 100. The tab 100 makes it easier to grip the cover 92 when opening the cover 92, for example by the user's finger. The presence of the tab 100 is particularly appreciated for a head with reduced dimensions and low height.

[0082] Advantageously, the cover 92 comprises an internal skirt 101 allowing the open central part to be closed in a sealed manner when the cover 92 is in the closed position, as illustrated in Figure 5. The internal skirt has a cylindrical external wall intended to be inserted axially with a tight fit with the peripheral inner wall 40 of the open central part 24.

[0083] Preferably, the cover 92 comprises a lug 102 allowing the discharge orifice to be closed in a watertight manner when the cover 92 is in the closed position, as illustrated in Figure 5. The lug 102 has a free end 104 intended to be supported on the membrane 52 of the valve head 46 to prevent any movement of the flexible tongues if a pressure is exerted on the skirt 14 of the tube 10.

[0084] The cap 88 also includes at least one integrity indicator which makes it possible to detect whether the cover 92 of the cap 88 has already been opened once. These are three bridges 106 of material between the fixing ring 90 and the cover 92.

[0085] The head 12 of the tube 10, may be closed by a lid. It may be for example a detachable and disposable lid 86 placed on the end edge 62 of the open central part 24 as shown in figure 4. Such lid 86 allows protection of the self-closing valve 42 before first use. The user must then remove the lid 86 before first use.

[0086] Preferably, the lid 86 is made of a plastic barrier laminate, such as polyethylene-based plastic barrier laminate.

[0087] Preferably, the neck 22 is made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene. These are, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or recycled polyethylene (rPE).

[0088] The shoulder 20 is made exclusively of a laminated material 30 comprising at least one paper layer 80 comprising cellulose fibers. This paper layer 80 forms a structural layer of the laminated material 30 which confers mechanical strength and proper rigidity to the shoulder 20.

[0089] The paper is easily recyclable and the presence of a paper layer improves the recyclability of the laminated material. The thicker the paper layer, the higher the proportion of paper in the laminate and the more recyclable the laminate.

[0090] Preferably, the upper end of the neck 22 is arranged under the level of the upper end of the skirt 14. In this way, the tube 10 can stand upright on a flat surface, resting on the upper end of the skirt 14. Moreover, if the tube 10 falls vertically, neck 22 downwards, in this configuration the upper end will avoid that the neck 22 is pushed inside the tube 10, thereby protecting the welding area between the shoulder 20 and the flange 26 of the neck 22.

[0091] The laminated material 30 can comprises one or more paper layer 80.

[0092] As illustrated in figure 8, the laminated material 30 here comprises one paper layer 80.

[0093] The laminated material 30 can also comprise at least a polymeric layer. The polymeric layers can comprise any polymer suitable for their use in the field of cosmetic packaging such as PE. Advantageously, the polymeric layers all comprise PE. More advantageously, the polymeric layers are made of PE, especially LDPE (low density polyethylene).

[0094] Advantageously, the laminated material 30 comprises at least one barrier layer 82. The barrier layer 82 can comprise any material suitable for their use in the field of cosmetic packaging. Advantageously, the barrier layer 82 comprise aluminum and / or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). As a variant, the barrier layer can be made of other oxygen and / or water barrier materials such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), silicon dioxide (SiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), nano cellulose coating, etc.

[0095] Advantageously, the laminated material 30 may comprises adhesive layers (not showed) or tie layers, especially to establish contact between the barrier layer 82 and a neighboring layer. The adhesive layer can comprise any adhesive suitable for this use, such as Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA).

[0096] Advantageously, the cellulosic fibers represent at least 60% in mass of the laminated material 30. More advantageously, the cellulosic fibers represent at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, in mass of the laminated material 30. Such a ratio of paper in the laminated material 30 allows a good recyclability of said laminated material 30.

[0097] Preferably, the paper layer 80 has a thickness comprised between 100 and 400 µm. In a laminated material 30 comprising a plurality of paper layers 80, the total thickness of the paper layers 80 is comprised between 100 and 400 µm. In others words, the paper thickness could be achieved by using one or more paper layers 80.

[0098] For the flexibility of the tube 10, it is advantageous to have more than one paper thin layers than one thick paper layer. For the recycling, it is advantageous that such paper layers are glues by water based adhesive layers which can be dissolved and the paper layers are separated easily and quickly during a repulping process.

[0099] Preferably, the total thickness of the laminated material 30 is comprised between 300 and 450 µm. This range of thickness allows good mechanical properties for a laminated material 30 comprising around 84% of cellulosic fibers in mass.

[0100] Advantageously, the total thickness of the paper layer 80 represent more than 50% of the total thickness of the laminated material 30. More advantageously, the total thickness of the paper layer 80 represent more than 70% of the total thickness of the laminated material 30. Such a ratio of paper in the laminated material 30 allows a good recyclability of said laminated material 30 while keeping good mechanical properties.

[0101] In the example illustrated by figure 8, an external polymeric layer 84A is arranged above said paper layer 80. The external polymeric layer 84A is the first layer starting from the external surface of the laminated material 30.

[0102] An intermediate polymeric layer 84B is arranged under said paper layer 80. Under said intermediate polymeric layer 84B, an internal polymeric layer 84C is arranged under said intermediate polymeric layer 84B. A barrier layer 82 is sandwiched between the intermediate polymeric layer 84B and the internal polymeric layer 84C. The internal polymeric layer 84C is intended to be in direct contact with the product contained in the tube 10.

[0103] The outer edge of the flange 26 is arranged radially at distance from the fold 38 of the shoulder 20. This reduces the amount of plastic material used in the overall composition of the tube 10.

[0104] The radial distance between the fold 38 of the shoulder 20 and the outer edge of the flange 26 is preferably greater or equal to the radial width of the flange 26 between the open central part 24 of the neck 22 and its outer edge.

[0105] Therefore, the central section 32 of the shoulder 20 comprised between the upper end section 16 of the skirt 14 and the annular inner section of the shoulder 20 is not supported by the flange 26 of the neck 22. For instance, the radial width of said central section 42 of the shoulder 20 is greater or equal the radial width of the annular inner section 34 in contact with the flange 26. The shape integrity of the shoulder 20 is maintained by the laminated material 30 comprising cellulosic fibers.

[0106] The sheet of the skirt 14 is also formed by a laminated material comprising cellulosic fibers.

[0107] Preferably, the sheet of the skirt 14 presents the same thickness as the laminated material 30 of the shoulder 20.

[0108] Preferably, the sheet of the skirt 14 and the shoulder 20 are formed by the same laminated material 30.

[0109] The cellulose fibers represent at least 70% in mass of the tube 10, preferably at least 75%. For instance, the cellulosic fibers represent between 70% and 75% in mass of the tube 10, including the head 12 and taking the cap into account if any.

[0110] The invention allows to obtain a tube easy to recycle with a quantity of plastic minimized to further improve the recyclability of the tube.

[0111] Furthermore, the tube comprises a self-closing valve to facilitate the regulation of the quantity of product released. The self-closing valve is inserted directly into the head of the tube avoiding the use of excess plastic to improve once again the recyclability of the tube.

Claims

1. Tube (10) intended to contain a product and comprising a head (12) and a skirt (14) formed by a tubular sheet extending along a main axis (A), the head (12) comprising: - a neck (22), and - a shoulder (20) extending radially between an upper end section (16) of the skirt (14) and the neck (22) and made of an annular piece of laminated material (30), an annular outer section of the shoulder (20) being attached to the upper end section (16) of the skirt (14) and an annular inner section of the shoulder (20) being attached to an outer periphery of the neck (22), the neck (22) comprises an open central part (24) delimiting by a peripheral inner wall (40) and configured to receive a self-closing valve (42), the self-closing valve (42) comprising a mounting flange (44), a valve head (46) with a discharge orifice (48) and a connecting sleeve (50) extending from the valve head (46) to the mounting flange (44), the mounting flange (44) being inserted tightly into an annular-shaped groove (60) of the peripheral inner wall (40).

2. Tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein the annular-shaped groove (60) is delimiting downwards by an internal bottom ring.

3. Tube (10) according to claim 2, wherein the mounting flange (44) extends laterally outwards and comprises a free top end (44E) upwards and a free bottom end 44F downwards, the free bottom end (44F) being housed in a recess (66, 76) formed by and / or of the internal bottom ring.

4. Tube (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the free top end (44E) is housed in a recess (70) formed by and / or of an end edge of (62) the open central part (24).

5. Tube (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the internal bottom ring is a flexible portion (74) in the extension of the peripheral inner wall (40) and folded towards the inside of the tube (10).

6. Tube (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the flexible portion (74) of the peripheral inner wall (40) is folded inwardly at 180° so that the flexible portion (74) of the peripheral inner wall (40) is arranged against the mounting flange (44).

7. Tube (10) according to any one of the claims 5 to 6, wherein the flexible portion (74) and the peripheral inner wall (40) are connected by a thinned zone (78) that allows the folding.

8. Tube (10) according to any one of the claims 5 to 7 in combination with claim 3, wherein the flexible portion (74) and the peripheral inner wall (40) form a hook delimiting the recess (76) in which the free bottom end (44F) of the mounting flange (44) is housed.

9. Tube (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the internal bottom ring is a snapped ring (64) inserted in the bottom of the open central part (24) so as to form the annular-shaped groove (60) in which the mounting flange (44) is inserted.

10. Tube (10) according to the previous claim in combination with claim 3, wherein the recess (66) in which the free bottom end (44F) of the mounting flange (44) is housed is an annular groove formed on the upper surface of the snapped ring (64).

11. Tube (10) according to any one of the claims 9 to 10, wherein the snapped ring (64) is maintained axially by at least one protrusion of an internal surface of the peripheral inner wall (40).

12. Tube (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the valve head (46) is formed of a membrane (52) which is located inside a volume delimited by the peripheral inner wall (40).

13. Tube (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the sheet forming the skirt (14) is made of a laminated material comprising at least one paper layer comprising cellulose fibers.

14. Tube (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the laminated material of the shoulder (20) is made of a laminated material comprising at least one paper layer (36) comprising cellulose fibers.

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