Flexible Tube Head with Aluminium Foil Barrier Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging solutions for cosmetic and parapharmaceutical products lack adequate barrier protection against external factors such as air, moisture, and bacterial growth, particularly for sensitive substances like hair dyes, which are prone to oxidation and have aggressive properties, and existing solutions are either expensive or ineffective in preventing component loss and bacterial propagation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tube with a multilayered structure featuring an internal aluminium foil barrier layer and dispersed silver ions, where the aluminium foil laminate is used to create a tight seal within the head's internal surface, providing comprehensive barrier and antibacterial protection across the entire surface, including the flange and mouth, and is formed through a pressure forming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multilayered structure with barrier layer is used in the tube body, then barrier protection against oxidation and moisture loss is improved, but the mouth area remains unprotected when the insert is punctured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a specific barrier structure (insert made of aluminium foil or EVOH copolymer) localized at the mouth area where it is most needed. The insert is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mouth and includes a non-perforated disc that closes the mouth outlet, providing targeted barrier protection exactly where the product is most vulnerable to oxidation and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube structure is divided into segments with different barrier properties: the tube body has a multilayered structure with a barrier layer, and the head contains an additional insert barrier. This segmentation allows each part to provide appropriate protection for its specific function, with the insert specifically addressing the unprotected mouth area problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard plastic blow moulding is used for tube production, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the tube walls lack barrier properties causing product degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite multilayered structures for both the tube body and head. The tube body consists of multiple layers including a barrier layer, and the head contains an insert made of aluminium foil or EVOH copolymer. These composite materials provide the necessary barrier properties against oxidation and moisture loss while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is nested within the head structure, creating a protective barrier inside the head cavity. The insert is positioned such that it closes the mouth outlet and provides barrier protection for the product in the mouth area, while the head itself provides structural support and connection to the tube body.
3Reliability
If an aluminium foil insert is used to close the tube outlet, then barrier protection is improved, but the cost and complexity of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film materials (aluminium foil or EVOH copolymer) to create the insert barrier. These flexible thin films provide effective barrier protection while being easy to integrate into the head structure. The insert is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mouth, creating a simple yet effective closure that prevents oxidation and contamination without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a cost-effective, flexible tube with enhanced barrier and antibacterial properties that prevents gas and liquid penetration, maintains product freshness, and extends shelf life by ensuring the entire surface of the tube and head is protected, allowing for easy emptying and environmentally responsible disposal.
Implementation Method 1
one of the layers may be a barrier layer
Implementation Method 2
The internal insert also contains the dispersed silver ions which are in direct contact with the content of the tube
Implementation Method 3
at least one thermoplastic layer welded in longitudinal lap joint made of the edges of layers
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a head of a flexible tube intended for connecting with tube's body, consisting of a flange (2) connected with the end of threaded mouth (3), containing external thermoplastic layer (4) made of materials such as HDPE,LDPE, their mixture or the mixture of polyethylene with any copolymer and the internal insert (5) made of material containing the barrier layer, wherein the internal insert covers the internal surface of a flange (2), as well as the internal surface of a mouth (3), tightly closing the mouth's outlet (3), characterized in that the insert (5) is a laminate containing an aluminium foil and dispersed silver ions in the amount from 25 to 500 ppm. The another subject of the invention is a production method of flexible tube's head.