TUBE COMPRISING A CONNECTING RING BETWEEN A SHOULDER AND A SKIRT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to European Application No. 24167730.1, filed on Mar. 28, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

BACKGROUND

[0005]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.

[0006]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.

[0007]Some alternatives to plastics are studied in many technical fields. In the field of cosmetics packaging, it has already been envisaged to replace some plastic layers with a paper layer. As the paper is easily recyclable, 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.

[0008]However, for many applications, the head of the tube, and particularly the neck, must be in a plastic material. This allows the neck to be sufficiently resistant over time as the tube is used.

[0009]Generally, the neck and the shoulder are made in one piece and the upper end of the skirt containing paper is attached to the shoulder.

[0010]The present invention attempts to reduce the quantity of plastic material in the head of the tube.

[0011]The documents DE 8,407,074 U1; DE 2,154,602 A1; BE 419,299 A; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,513 A provide additional technological background.

SUMMARY

[0015]According to some embodiment, the connecting ring is a separate part from the neck.

[0016]According to some embodiment, the connecting ring comprises a first annular face onto which a face of the annular outer section of the shoulder is flat attached, and a second annular face, arranged externally around the first annular face onto which a face of the upper end section of the skirt is flat attached.

[0017]According to some embodiment, the connecting ring comprises an annular rib forming a dividing line between the first annular face and the second annular face, the annular rib protruding from each first annular face and second annular face.

[0018]According to some embodiment, the annular rib is interposed between an outer peripheral edge of the shoulder and the upper end of the skirt.

[0019]According to some embodiment, the first annular face and the second annular face of the connecting ring form an angle greater or equal to 90° in an axial section plane.

[0020]According to some embodiment, an internal face of the shoulder is flat attached against the first annular face of the connecting ring.

[0021]According to some embodiment, an internal face of the skirt is flat attached against the second annular face of the connecting ring.

[0022]According to some embodiment, the connecting ring is concealed inside the tube.

[0023]According to some embodiment, the annular outer section of the shoulder is attached to the first annular face of the connecting ring by ultrasonic welding.

[0024]According to some embodiment, the upper section of the skirt is attached to the second annular face of the connecting ring by ultrasonic welding.

[0025]According to some embodiment, the connecting ring is made of plastic material.

[0026]According to some embodiment, an outer rim of the neck is arranged radially at distance from an outer peripheral edge of the shoulder.

[0027]According to some embodiment, the laminated material forming the shoulder comprises at least one paper layer comprising cellulose fibers.

[0028]According to some embodiment, the skirt is made of laminated material comprising at least one paper layer comprising cellulose fibers.

[0029]According to some embodiment, the shoulder and the skirt are made of the same laminated material.

[0030]According to some embodiment, the cellulose fibers represent at least 70% in mass of the tube, preferably more than 80%.

[0031]According to some embodiment, the laminated material comprises at least an internal polymeric layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032]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:

[0033]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tube produced in accordance with the invention in which the shoulder is attached to the skirt by a connecting ring;

[0034]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tube of FIG. 1 showing all the components of the tube;

[0035]FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of FIG. 1 which show the head of the tube and an upper section of the skirt;

[0036]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the annular piece forming the shoulder of the tube of FIG. 1;

[0037]FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of the head of the tube of FIG. 1 before assembly of the shoulder with the neck;

[0038]FIG. 6 is a similar view to FIG. 1 in which the shoulder is attached to the neck;

[0039]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the laminated paper forming the shoulder of the tube according to any of the previous embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040]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 inside, near the main axis “A”, toward outside in every direction orthogonally from said main axis “A”.

[0041]The term “external” and “internal” are used to for an item which is respectively outside the tube or inside the tube.

[0042]The terms “outer” and “inner” are used to define a face which is respectively far from the main axis “A” or close to the main axis “A”.

[0043]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. Consequently, the laminated material can form a tube skirt, an insert of a tube head or a combination thereof.

[0044]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 a “squeezable” container.

[0045]The term “polymer” refers to a large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits.

[0046]The term “PE” refers to polyethylene.

[0047]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.

[0048]FIGS. 1 shows a tube 10 extending along a main axis “A”. The tube 10 comprises a tube head 12 and a tube skirt 14.

[0049]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.

[0050]The skirt 14 is made by a cylinder of a sheet of extruded or laminated material. An upper end 16 of the skirt 14 is tightly secured to the tube head 12. A lower end 18 of the skirt 14 is tightly closed, for instance by flat welding, to enclose the content of the tube 10. The FIG. 1 shows the skirt 14 after its lower end 18 is welded. FIG. 2 shows the skirt 14 with its lower end 18 opened, before it is welded and other components assembled.

[0051]As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube head 12 comprises a shoulder 20 and a neck 22.

[0052]The neck 22 extends axially upward from the middle of the shoulder 20, along the main axis “A”. The neck 22 is made of a rigid plastic material. For instance, the plastic material is PE, more particularly high density polyethylene (HDPE). In the example, the neck 22 is more particularly made in one piece. As variant, the neck could be made in two or more pieces, comprising for instance a separate closure cap.

[0053]The neck 22 of the tube 10 may also comprise a closure cap 24 here attached to a central part 26 of the neck 22 by a hinge. As a variant, the cap is a part distinct from the neck.

[0054]The central part 26 of the neck 22 is intended to project upward above the shoulder 20. The central part 26 comprises a distribution hole 28 from which the content of the tube 10 is intended to be distributed.

[0055]The neck 22 also comprises a peripheric flange 30 visible at FIGS. 2 and 3. The peripheric flange 30 extends radially from the base of the central part 26. The peripheric flange 30 is radially delimited by an outer rim 32. The outer rim 32 here presents a continuous circular shape. The peripheric flange 30 is intended to be concealed under the shoulder 20, inside the tube 10.

[0056]The shoulder 20 is made exclusively of an annular piece of laminated material 34. As showed on FIGS. 2 and 4, the annular piece forming the shoulder 20 is distinct from the skirt 14. The shoulder 20 is for instance made by a piece of laminated material 34 in the shape of a disc having a central orifice 36. The shoulder 20 is then radially delimited by an outer peripheral edge 38 and by an inner edge 40.

[0057]The central orifice 36 is intended to receive the central part 26 of the neck 22, while an annular inner section 42 of the disc is in contact with the upper face of the flange 30 of the neck 22. The annular inner section 42 of the shoulder 20 covers externally the flange 30. The annular inner section 42 of the shoulder 20 is tightly secured to the flange 30.

[0058]The shoulder 20 extends globally radially with respect to the main axis “A” between the upper end 16 of the tube skirt 14 and the neck 22. The shoulder 20 may present a flat shape extending in a radial plane, or it may present a frustoconical shape as showed in the figures.

[0059]The annular inner section 42 of the shoulder 20 is tightly secured to the flange 30 by welding. For instance, the annular inner section 42 of the shoulder 20 is secured by ultrasonic welding.

[0060]The outer peripheral edge 38 of the shoulder 20 is arranged at the junction with the upper end 16 of the skirt 14.

[0061]The outer rim 32 of the flange 30 is arranged radially at distance from the outer peripheral edge 38 of the shoulder 20. This reduces the amount of plastic material used in the overall composition of the tube 10.

[0062]The radial distance between the outer peripheral edge 38 of the shoulder 20 and the outer rim 32 of the flange 30 is preferably greater or equal to the radial width of the flange 30 between the central part 26 of the neck 22 and its outer rim 32.

[0063]According to the invention, the shoulder 20 and the skirt 14 are not directly attached to each other. An annular outer section 44 the shoulder 20 is attached to an upper end section 46 of the skirt 14 by mean of a connecting ring 48. More precisely, the annular outer section 50 of the shoulder 20 is attached to the connecting ring 48 which is itself attached to the upper end section 46 of the skirt 14.

[0064]As showed on FIG. 2, the connecting ring 48 is a separate part from the neck 22.

[0065]The connecting ring 48 is made of a rigid plastic material. The connecting ring 48 may be made in the same plastic material as the neck 22. This allows a good recyclability of the tube. The connecting ring 48 is for example made by molding, for instance by injection molding.

[0066]The connecting ring 48 comprises a first annular face 50 onto which a face of the annular outer section 44 of the shoulder 20 is flat attached. It also comprises a second annular face 52 arranged externally around the first annular face 50 and onto which a face of the upper end section 46 of the skirt 14 is flat attached.

[0067]The annular outer section 44 of the shoulder 20 is tightly secured to the first annular face 50 of the connecting ring 48 by welding. For instance, the annular outer section 44 of the shoulder 20 is secured to the first annular face 50 of the connecting ring 48 by ultrasonic welding.

[0068]The upper end section 46 of the skirt 14 is tightly secured to the second annular face 52 of the connecting ring 48 by welding. For instance, the upper end section 46 of the skirt 14 is secured to the second annular face 52 of the connecting ring 48 by ultrasonic welding.

[0069]The connecting ring 48 is intended to be concealed inside the tube 10, as showed on FIG. 3. For this purpose, the first annular face 50 is formed by an upper face of the connecting ring 48. The second annular face 52 is formed by an outer peripheral face of the connecting ring 48. In this way, an internal face of the annular outer section 44 of the shoulder 20 is flat attached against the first annular face 50 of the connecting ring 48. Also, an internal face of the upper end section 46 of the skirt 14 is flat attached against the second annular face 52 of the connecting ring 48.

[0070]In order to obtain a clean transition between the shoulder 20 and the skirt 14, the connecting ring 48 comprises an annular rib 54 forming a dividing line between the first annular face 50 and the second annular face 52. The annular rib 54 protrudes from each first annular face 50 and second annular face 52.

[0071]The annular projection is interposed between the outer peripheral edge 38 of the shoulder 20 and the upper end of the skirt. More particularly, the outer peripheral edge 38 of the shoulder 20 and the upper end of the skirt are in contact with the two opposed faces of the rib 54. The rib 54 protrude from the first annular face 50 and from the second annular face 52 by a height which roughly corresponds to the thickness of the laminated material 34 so that the top of the rib 54 is flush with the external face of the shoulder 20 and with the external face of the skirt 14.

[0072]The shoulder 20 and the skirt 14 form an angle “α” between each other. For this purpose, the first annular face 50 and the second annular face 52 of the connecting ring 48 forms an angle “α” greater or equal to 90° in an axial section. I this case, the annular rib 54 of the connecting ring 48 also allows to reinforce the solidity of this angle “α”.

[0073]An intermediate section 56 of the shoulder 20, radially comprised between the annular inner section 42 and the annular outer section 44, forms an unsupported annular section which is not in contact with the neck 22, nor with the connecting ring 48. For instance, the radial width of said intermediate section 56 of the shoulder 20 is greater or equal the radial width of the annular inner section 42 in contact with the flange 30. The shape integrity of the shoulder 20 is maintained by the laminated material 34 comprising cellulosic fibers.

[0074]In such a configuration, the outer peripheral edge 38 of the piece of laminated paper forming the shoulder 20 is not exposed to the product contained in the tube.

[0075]During the assembly of the shoulder 20 with the neck 22 to form the head 12, the shoulder 20 presents a flat configuration. It is placed over the neck 22 so that the central orifice 36 is in correspondence with the central part 26 of the neck 22, as showed on FIG. 5. Then the shoulder 20 is punched against the flange 30 of the neck 22 by an appropriate tool, giving it its frustoconical shape, as illustrated on FIG. 6. In this position, the annular inner section 42 of the shoulder 20 is welded with the flange 30. Thus, obtained head 12 is then ready to be assembled with the connecting ring 48.

[0076]For instance, the laminated material 34 forming the shoulder comprises at least one paper layer 58 comprising cellulose fibers. This paper layer 58 forms a structural layer of the laminated material 34 which confers mechanical strength and proper rigidity to the shoulder 20.

[0077]As illustrated in FIG. 7, the laminated material 34 here comprises one paper layer 58.

[0078]The laminated material 34 can also comprise at least a polymeric layer 60. The polymeric layers 60 can comprise any polymer suitable for their use in the field of cosmetic packaging such as PE. Advantageously, the polymeric layers 60 all comprise PE. More advantageously, the polymeric layers 60 are made of PE, especially LDPE (low density polyethylene).

[0079]Advantageously, the laminated material 34 comprises at least one barrier layer 62. The barrier layer 62 can comprise any material suitable for their use in the field of cosmetic packaging. Advantageously, the barrier layer 62 comprise aluminum. More advantageously, the barrier layer 62 comprise 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 (Six), aluminum oxide (AlOx), nano cellulose coating, etc.

[0080]Advantageously, the laminated material 34 may comprises adhesive layers (not showed) or tie layers, especially to establish contact between the barrier layer 62 and a neighboring layer. The adhesive layer can comprise any adhesive suitable for this use, such as EAA (Ethylene Acrylic Acid) or water-based adhesive.

[0081]Advantageously, the cellulosic fibers represent at least 60% in mass of the laminated material 34. More advantageously, the cellulosic fibers represent at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, in mass of the laminated material 34. Such a ratio of paper in the laminated material 34 allows a good recyclability of said laminated material 34.

[0082]Preferably, the paper layer 58 has a thickness comprised between 100 and 400 μm.

[0083]The paper layer 58 can comprise one or more paper layers, for instance two paper layers 58A, 58B.

[0084]To achieve a better flexibility of the tube, it is advantageous to have a paper layer 58 made of at least two paper layers glued together by any appropriate adhesive layer 59.

[0085]For recycling purpose, it is advantageous that such paper layers 58A, 58B are glued by water based adhesive layers 59. Such adhesive layer can be dissolved during repulping process so that paper layers are separated easily and quickly.

[0086]Preferably, the total thickness of the laminated material 34 is comprised between 300 and 450 μm. This range of thickness allows good mechanical properties for a laminated material 34 comprising around 84% of cellulosic fibers in mass.

[0087]Advantageously, the total thickness of the paper layer 58 represent more than 50% of the total thickness of the laminated material 34. More advantageously, the total thickness of the paper layer 58 represent more than 70% of the total thickness of the laminated material 34. Such a ratio of paper 36 in the laminated material 34 allows a good recyclability of said laminated material 34 while keeping good mechanical properties.

[0088]In the example illustrated by FIG. 7, an external polymeric layer 60A is arranged above said paper layer 58. The external polymeric layer 60A is the first layer starting from the external surface of the laminated material 34.

[0089]An intermediate polymeric layer 60B is arranged under said paper layer 58. Under said intermediate polymeric layer 60B, an internal polymeric layer 60C is arranged under said intermediate polymeric layer 60B. A barrier layer 62 is sandwiched between the intermediate polymeric layer 60B and the internal polymeric layer 60C. The internal polymeric layer 60C is intended to be in direct contact with the product contained in the tube 10.

[0090]The skirt 14 is also formed by a laminated material comprising cellulosic fibers.

[0091]Preferably, the skirt 14 and the shoulder 20 are formed by the same laminated material 34.

[0092]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 taking the cap 24 into account.

[0093]The invention allows to obtain a tube easy to recycle and comprising a very huge ratio by mass of cellulosic fibers. Moreover, the quantity of plastic is minimized to further improve the recyclability of the tube.