EP1718541A1

EP1718541A1 - Dual or multi-chamber tube

Info

Publication number: EP1718541A1
Application number: EP05707592A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Theodor Park; Beate Zirn; Susanne Bietz
Original assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2004-02-24
Filing date: 2005-02-23
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-23
Also published as: CN1922078A; ATE441596T1; EP1718541B1; WO2005080215A1; CA2579912A1; ES2330536T3; AU2005215913A1; US20070095702A1; DE102004009424A1; DE502005008044D1

Abstract

A multi-chamber tube package which comprises a first tube chamber having a tube nozzle channel extending from a tube shoulder and terminating in an outlet, and a second tube chamber having a tube nozzle channel terminating in an outlet adjoining the first outlet. The tube nozzle channels enable the dispensing of the multiple preparations from the chambers. The nozzle channels lead to an outlet where the first preparation and the second preparation meet and coalesce to form a common strand. The two channels and the chambers associated with them have a defined ratio to each other. One nozzle channel may be subdivided into one or more parallel branches and/or the nozzle channels may have orifice rims or edges which lie on different planes.

Description

Two or multi-chamber tube

The present invention relates to a multi-chamber tube, in particular a two-chamber tube, having an outer tube tube (tube jacket) with a tube neck seated on a tube shoulder, which opens into an outlet, a first chamber being able to be filled with a first preparation and a further chamber being able to be filled with a second preparation , a first through-channel provided for the passage of the first preparation and a second through-channel provided for the passage of the second preparation being arranged in the tube neck, the through-channels opening into the outlet, the first preparation and the second preparation coming together into a common strand in the outlet ,

Two- or multi-chamber tubes are already known in the state of the art, in principle two embodiments are common. In the first particularly simple embodiment, two tubular tubes are inserted into one another, the inner tube with its tube head being inserted into the through-channel of the outer tube. The two tubes of this "tube-in-tube" are welded or folded together at their end. The two tubes define an inner and an outer chamber, the chambers opening into the common head or outlet area. In another embodiment, a tube-shaped one Tube divided by a partition into two side-by-side chambers. In this form, too, the through-channels are designed so that the two are separate in the chambers existing compositions only come together in the mouth area at the end of the tube neck. The two preparations emerge from the tube together as soon as pressure is exerted on the outer tube. The design of the outlet determines the stripe pattern in which the preparations emerge from the tube. Known commercially available tubes have the same partial volumes of the different chambers and represent this ratio in a corresponding mixing ratio, in particular 50:50, in the outlet.

The known tubes are not suitable for products whose two phases have to be stored separately and whose mixing ratio deviates from the conventional value of 50:50. Even if multi-chamber tubes with different chamber volumes have become known, it has so far hardly been possible to reproduce the mixing ratio even in the expressed strand. Thus, multi-component products are still offered in separate containers if the components are to be mixed in an unequal ratio. This makes the handling of the product relatively uncomfortable for the user.

Another disadvantage of the known tubes is that the preparations in the outlet area mix unintentionally without the user pressing on the tube. Sometimes the tubes are provided with a tamper-evident seal, for example a removable film, which prevents mixing before first use. After the first use at the latest, mixing of the two components can hardly be prevented by the known screw caps. This mixing initially has an adverse effect on the aesthetic impression of the product. If the two components have different colors, as is known, for example, from toothpastes, then a smeared beginning always appears on the toothbrush before the stripes in the toothpaste strand stand out from one another in color. Another problem is that the compositions chemically contaminate each other, which has unpleasant consequences, especially with aggressive components.

The problem of mixing strongly depends on the nature of the components. It can be observed that especially direct Dyes or precursors of natural dyes are characterized by a particularly high willingness to diffuse (creeping ability). In such cases, the mixing is not limited to the exit area, but the dye diffuses from one chamber into the other chamber, so that the composition contained therein is permanently contaminated. This diffusion cannot be prevented by the usual sealing closures, which are screwed onto the head, even with high applied torque.

The tendency to mix also severely limits the shelf life of these products. It has been found that, in the case of storage for several weeks, diffusion of the components over the common outlet area cannot be prevented, despite the lid being firmly screwed on. The known films to be peeled off before the first use and thus serving as tamper-evident closures are hardly suitable in multi-chamber tubes because of the design of the outlet, since they cannot be reliably sealed.

The object of the present invention is first of all to create a multi-chamber tube which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is suitable as a reliable and storable dispenser for two-phase products. It is also the object of the invention to provide such a multi-chamber tube which has an arbitrary but fixed mixing ratio. Regardless of this, it is a further object of the invention to modify the multi-chamber tube in such a way that the risk of mixing the components in the outlet region and the diffusion from chamber to chamber is reduced.

These objects are achieved by multi-chamber tubes with the characterizing features of claim 1 and claim 7. Particular embodiments of the tube are described in the respective subclaims.

A first basic idea is to provide the volumes of the individual chambers in a ratio that differs from the previously known uniform division. The invention is intended to encompass any unequal distribution of volumes that has a significant difference. To ensure a mixture in the expressed strand that corresponds to the ratio of the chamber volumes To be able to, the exit area is designed accordingly. The ratio of the chamber volumes is also reflected in the cross-sections of the through channels that open into the outlet. A through channel can be divided into one or more parallel branch channels. Then the cross sections of the branch channels added to the cross section of the through channel. It should be noted that it is advantageous for the function of the multi-chamber tubes if the different components present in the chambers each have approximately the same viscosity.

The advantage of the design according to the invention is that the chambers filled with different volumes can now be expressed relatively evenly until the residue is emptied and the product expressed has the same mixing ratio almost constant. Such tubes can be manufactured and filled relatively easily using the known methods. You can use it as a safe and comfortable container for a sensitive multi-component product.

A particularly preferred area of use for such two-chamber tubes is the area of colorants and / or tinting agents for keratin fibers, in particular for human hair. Because of their chemical formulations, these agents require mixing ratios which differ from the uniform distribution. For these two-component agents in particular, the two preparations can be packaged separately from one another in a two-chamber tube according to the invention. At this point, the content of applications DE 103 59 538.4, DE 103 59 557.0 and DE 103 59 539.2, which all originate from the applicant of this application and all have the date of filing December 17, 2003, is explicitly included in the description text of this application. In these documents, fillings for two-chamber tubes are described, the preparation provided for the one chamber containing at least one substantive dye and / or at least one precursor of a nature-analogous dye, while the preparation intended for filling the second chamber contains at least one care substance.

A range between 1: 2 and 5: 1, preferably 2: 1 to 3: 1, is given for the ratio of the volumes and thus the outlet for the preparations, the Ratio 1: 1 should be excluded. In addition, a filling with at least one oxidation dye precursor and a filling with at least one oxidizing agent or a care substance is described as filling for the one chamber, the ratio of the volumes and thus the outlet for the preparations in a range between greater than 1 : 1 and 3: 1 lies.

Geometries of the tube openings which have a mixing ratio not equal to 50:50, namely from 80:20 to 60:40, preferably from 75:25, are advantageous in order to maintain the mixing ratios due to the recipe and to ensure a uniform product outlet. The ratio of 75:25 from outer tube to inner tube is advantageous in the case of a color pigmented phase and a care product with a volume of 100 ml. From an aesthetic point of view, the outer tube and / or the inner tube can be made transparent.

In view of the fact that the proportion of the color preparation in a tinting agent can make up about 75% and the proportion of the care preparation about 25%, and therefore the color preparation in the case of a "tube-in-tube" is advantageously introduced into the outer tube with the larger volume , it is particularly advantageous if the shoulder area of the outer tube is reinforced with round blanks which have particularly good barrier properties, so that diffusion of the dye from the shoulder area can be ruled out. To prevent the diffusion as effectively as possible, it is advantageous to insert the material of the tube shoulder Include aluminum or a suitable plastic, such as PTB.

As already mentioned, a general problem of the multi-chamber tubes is that the components mix in the outlet area and that components diffuse into one another via the common outlet area, so that mixing occurs in the chambers. In order to prevent the mixture from escaping during storage and to guarantee the integrity of the tube to the consumer, it can be advantageous for a discharge area with a relatively simple geometry, for example in the case of two coaxial cylinders, to use a tamper-evident closure, for example made of aluminum or Plastic film, to be sealed by the consumer before first use Will get removed. Such a tamper-evident closure, however, is, as I said, difficult to assemble and, moreover, cannot prevent the components from mixing after the first use. In particular, the dyes mentioned here have a relatively high ability to penetrate or diffuse.

The problem of undesired mixing is by no means limited to the multi-chamber tubes with different chamber volumes, but occurs with all multi-chamber tubes, even those with the same volumes. In this respect, another general idea of the invention is to design the outlet area of the multi-chamber tubes in such a way that the risk of mixing is drastically reduced. According to the invention, this problem is eliminated in that the mouth edge of the first through-channel is at a different level compared to the mouth edge of the second through-channel. Thus, one of the mouth edges is above or behind the other with respect to the emerging strand and forms a barrier to the composition which is in the chamber with the lower mouth edge. Finally, the composition can hardly overcome the step created by the raised rim of the mouth. In a way, it acts as a "diffusion brake".

At this point, it should again be expressly pointed out that the idea of placing the mouth edges of the through-channels at different levels is not limited to multi-chamber tubes with differently sized chamber volumes, but is an invention that makes sense for any multi-chamber tube. Of course, the two described and actually independent inventions of the multi-chamber tube with different chamber volumes and the multi-chamber tube with level difference of the mouth edges can be combined in any way.

This idea according to the invention has the particular advantage that the mixing of the components can be greatly reduced. This advantage initially pays off in the storage of the multicomponent products, the products packaged according to the invention being distinguished by high storage stability with regard to the mixture and / or the diffusion. In this way, the aesthetic demands of consumers can be met, in the case of differently colored components can now perceive a clear separation of the colors when used for the first time and even after the first use. They are largely spared the unsightly smearing of the components in the area of the tube head. In addition, because of the chemical reactivity, it is sometimes advantageous to avoid mixing. This is especially true when the two components react with each other to form a possibly less stable, volatile or aggressive end product.

The increased shelf life could be confirmed in tests. It has been shown that dyes do not diffuse through the wall of the inner tube as assumed and then lead to the distribution on the inner edge of the tube, but that the diffusion takes place over the common exit area. This diffusion is now greatly reduced according to the invention by the step-like arranged mouth edges.

There are various design options for realizing the stepped mouth edges in the tube head. A particularly simple and therefore advantageous type of implementation is to design the separate chambers as separate tubes, each with its own through-channel. Starting from the tube shoulder, the through-channels are designed in different lengths. If the tubes are then grouped together in the tube shark, by putting them side by side in a common holder, as is known from "side-by-side" tubes, or simply by inserting one into the other like "tube-in-tube" tubes, then, due to the different length of the through channels, there is a difference in level of the mouth edges. It is advantageous if, in the case of the “tube-in-tube” arrangement, the through-channel of the inner tube is arranged coaxially with the through-channel of the outer tube and protrudes somewhat further. Diffusion in the direction from the outer to the inner tube is thus almost prevented An advantage of the invention in the case of the “tube-in-tube” tubes is that the tolerances that inevitably occur when the tubes are inserted into one another no longer matter. When designing the level difference, care is advantageously taken to ensure that it is greater than the greatest possible tolerance. In principle, the present invention is intended to encompass any type of distribution of the chambers within the common tube. In the "side-by-side" tube, the two individual chambers are arranged side by side in an outer shell, while the above-mentioned "tube in tube" has an inner tube which is completely surrounded by an outer tube. This embodiment is characterized by a constant dosage of the two preparations.

It is of course particularly advantageous if the composition, the diffusion of which is to be avoided, for example the component to which intensive color pigments have been added, is provided in the chamber, the mouth edge of which is at a lower level.

If one speaks of a level difference in the context of this invention, this is greater than the tolerances customary in the manufacturing process, which can certainly amount to a size of a tenth of a millimeter. Level differences within the meaning of the invention have a size of at least 0.3 millimeters, preferably more than 0.5 millimeters and particularly preferably more than 1.0 millimeters. In this way, a diffusion-inhibiting level difference can be ensured despite the manufacturing tolerances. In the present case, a level difference of approximately 1.5 millimeters can develop. Differences in level of more than about 3 millimeters prove to be impractical, especially in the multiple tubes here.

The two-chamber tube according to the invention is preferably made of a material that is suitable for packaging toning and coloring agents of this type. It should be noted that due to the oxidation properties of the product, the barrier properties of commercially available plastic tubes are only sufficient. An aluminum laminate or pure aluminum is suitable as material for the direct dyes or their precursors, as well as for oxidizing agents and oxidation dye precursors, whereby pure aluminum tubes can only be used to a limited extent due to their mechanical properties. Aluminum laminate is understood here to mean an aluminum layer coated with multilayer plastic. A tube in which both the inner tube and the outer tube are made of aluminum laminate has proven to be particularly preferred according to the invention. For less aggressive preparations, tubes made of plastic laminate (PE, PET, PP) or plastic coextrudates (PE, PET, PP) with barrier layers, such as EVOH, for example. In addition, in one embodiment, the material of the inner tube can be selected independently of the material of the outer tube. As already mentioned, it can be advantageous for reasons of an attractive design to manufacture the outer tube but also the inner tube from transparent plastic.

In the multi-chamber tube designed according to the invention, the closure is of particular importance. This is preferably designed as a screw cap, the inner sleeve of which seals the outlet, as is known from such screw caps. In the present case, it is advantageous if there is a seal on the bottom of the inner sleeve, which has a thickness of several, for example 3 millimeters, and which essentially consists of a foam. This is covered with glued paper and an aluminum foil against the outlet. This seal is suitable for the mouth edges to press into the material so that the through-channels are sealed. In order to limit the contact pressure, it is advantageous if the torque with which the cap is screwed on is limited. For this purpose, an edge is provided on the inner diameter of the sleeve, which protrudes above the internal thread. When the cap is screwed on, this edge lies on a shoulder that surrounds the outlet on the front side.

Although the invention is not intended to be in any way limited in principle with regard to this exit pattern, it can be preferred according to the invention if the first preparation emerges as the main strand and the second preparation forms several colored strips running along this main strand. The invention should also not be restricted with regard to the number of these strips. According to the invention, a number of two to four strips can be particularly preferred for reasons of application technology or optics. The strips can be used to aesthetically enhance the product. In a first embodiment, the first preparation can form the strips, while the second preparation forms the main strand, and in a second embodiment, the second preparation form the strips, while the first preparation forms the main strand. Advantageously, however, is to make sure that the colored preparation is kept in the chamber, the rim of which is at the lower level.

In a further embodiment, it can be preferred if the two preparations form the main strand together, in particular in part. In a further embodiment, the outlet strand can consist of an inner region, formed from a first preparation, and an outer region, formed from the second preparation, the preparations also forming the outlet strand according to their arrangement in the tube.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 8. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a section through a two-chamber tube,

FIG. 2 different cross-sectional geometries of the outlet,

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the head of a two-chamber tube,

FIG. 4 shows a section through the head of a two-chamber tube,

FIG. 5 shows a view of the head of a two-chamber tube,

FIG. 6 tube heads with varying mixing ratios,

Figure 7 shows an open two-chamber tube with level difference between the mouth edges and

Figure 8 is a closed two-chamber tube with level difference of the mouth edges.

Figure 1 shows a section through the upper region of a two-chamber tube. This is designed in the manner of "tube-in-tube" and is suitable for two reactive preparations which are kept in separate chambers in a common tube. The mixing, or rather the confluence, of the two preparations only happens during application. The two-chamber tube has an outer tube tube 1 with a tube shoulder 2 formed thereon and an outer through-channel 3. The outer tube 1 forms a first chamber 21 for a preparation A as an outer tube. This first outer chamber 21 coaxially surrounds a tubular inner tube 4, which forms a further chamber 22 for a preparation B, the inner tube 4 in turn having an inner tube shoulder 5 with a corresponding inner through-channel 6. The inner tube 4 is inserted into the outer tube 1 and held in the outer through-channel 3 by means of latching noses (not shown). Crosspieces 7 form a stop when inserted and ensure the spacing of the tube shoulders 2 and 5, so that a passage to the passage 3 remains. The through channels 3 and 6 open into a common outlet.

In the through-channel 3, the inner through-channel 6 arranged therein forms a separating agent which, when pressure is exerted on the tube, enables preparations A and B to be conveyed initially separately. After the separate conveyance, the preparations combine in the area of the outlet in front of the discharge opening and leave them in a common strand. In this case, the outer tube and inner tube are formed by hoses which are closed at their rear end by means of a common fold.

It can already be seen in FIG. 1 that the outer wall 6a of the inner through-channel 6 is star-shaped. Different geometries for the walls of the inner through-channel 6 are shown in FIGS. 2a to 2i. In the embodiments according to 2a, 2c, 2d, 2h and 2i, the cross-sectional area 9 of the star, which can have three or four tips, defines the size of the partial flow for the preparation B (hatched) in the inner tube. In contrast, the gussets 11 remaining between the outer wall 8 of the inner through-channel and the round outer wall 10 of the outer through-channel define the branch flows for the preparation located in the outer tube. The size of the partial flow for the second preparation A is determined by the sum of the branch flows. The two chambers 21 and 22 have different volumes that are in a predetermined relationship to each other. According to the invention, the through-channels generate two sub-streams with at least almost the same ratio, whereby one of the sub-streams, as for example according to 2a or 2c, can be divided into several parallel branch streams. In order to produce a streakiness of the exiting product stream that is visible from all viewing angles, the embodiment according to FIG. 2c is particularly preferred. With the geometries 2a to 2i shown, outlet variants can be produced which form mixing ratios of at least 60:40 and preferably 75:25. The maximum achievable difference is around 80:20.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the head of a two-chamber tube, the cross-sectional geometry in the outlet area in front of the dispensing opening being clearly visible. This corresponds approximately to the example according to 2c. A round blank made of plastic is shown, which forms a tube shoulder 16, on which the neck 17 is molded. The outer tube, in particular made of aluminum laminate, is welded to the edge 18. FIG. 4 shows a section through the round blank according to FIG. 3. The tube head 12 of the inner tube can be seen, which is firmly inserted into the tube head 13 of the outer tube. In this example, the mouth edge 19 of the outer tube lies at the level of the mouth edge 20 of the inner tube. The through channels 3 and 6 can be clearly seen. In this case, the shoulder area 16 of the outer tube is reinforced by an incorporated plastic layer, which has particularly good barrier properties against the diffusion of dyes. FIG. 5 shows a view from below through the round blank according to FIGS. 3 and 4. The webs 7, which bear against the shoulder 16 from the inside, can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows how, by modifying the outer wall 8 of the inner through-channel, on the one hand the mixing ratio and on the other hand the width of the strips and thus the visual impression can be adjusted. FIGS. 6a to 6c each show an outer wall 8 in a star shape, the star each having three tips. The width of the tips 14 defines the width of the stripes in the expressed strand. The geometry of the tube head according to FIG. 6a results in a mixing ratio of 60:40 of the cross-sectional area consisting of three parts 11 of the outer through-channel to the cross-sectional area 9 of the inner through-channel. The tube head according to FIG. 6b has a mixing ratio of approximately 75 25 with relatively narrow strips. The head according to FIG. 6c shows deeper curvatures of the walls 8, whereby wider stripes are nevertheless produced with a smaller mixing ratio of approximately 73:27. The last two conditions are suitable for two-chamber tubes that serve as a dispenser for a tinting agent with about 75% color and 25% maintenance. By modifying the walls, of course, any mix ratios and stripe designs can be created.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6d shows a tube head which realizes a cylindrical inner strand 15 within the likewise cylindrical outer strand 25. The mixing ratio can be adjusted as required via the diameter of the inner strand. This embodiment is particularly suitable if the outer strand 23 is formed by a transparent preparation, while the preparation forming the inner strand is colored.

FIG. 7 shows a section through an open two-chamber tube with a difference in level of the mouth edges. It is a "tube-in-tube", as already described above. The first through channel 24 of the tube has a mouth edge 26 and the second through channel 27 has a mouth edge 28. It can be seen that the level of the mouth edge 26 is related to the tube shoulder 30 is clearly below the level of the mouth rim 28. The level difference is designated by 29. The double tube shown in this figure is particularly suitable for the exception of colored tinting agents, in which case the component with colored pigments is stored in the chamber 31 formed by the outer tube The difference in level 29 is sufficient to prevent the diffusion of the color pigments from the passage 24 through the exit area into the passage 27.

The inner tube forms the chamber 32 and contains a care substance. The tube head of the outer tube is in turn formed by a head piece 33 to which the tube 34 of the outer tube is attached. The shoulder area is reinforced with an inlay 35. The inner tube in turn has a head piece 36, which has the geometry of the Through channels forms. The hose 37 of the inner tube is molded onto the head piece 36. The hoses 34 and 37 are sealed together at the end, not shown, and thus closed. The head piece 36 is inserted into the through-channel 24 and locked by means of locking lugs 38 which engage in a groove 39. Web 40 in turn ensure the distance. Already at this point, reference is made to paragraph 41, which is provided at the upper end of the neck and on which an edge located in the screw cap lies when the cap is screwed on.

FIG. 8 now shows the “tube-in-tube” according to FIG. 7, but with the screw cap 42 screwed on. Screwing on the screw cap 42 is made possible by a thread of the known type. Inside the double-walled screw cap 42, an inner sleeve 43 is provided which At the bottom of the sleeve there is a seal 44, which has a thickness of several millimeters and which consists essentially of a foam, which is covered against the outlet with glued paper and an aluminum foil on it The rim 28 presses into the seal 44, while the seal 44 rests on the rim 26. The through-channels are tightly sealed, and an edge 45 is provided on the inside diameter of the sleeve 43, which protrudes above the internal thread Cap on the heel 41 (Figure 7) which surrounds the outlet on the end face, thus limiting the torque n. It is also ensured that the apron 46 of the screw cap 42 is not pressed onto the tube shoulder.

Claims

Expectations

1. Multi-chamber tube, in particular two-chamber tube, having an outer tube tube (1) with a tube neck seated on a tube shoulder, which ends in an outlet, a first chamber with a first preparation (A) and a further chamber with a second preparation (B) Can be filled, a first through-channel provided for the passage of the first preparation and a second through-channel provided for the passage of the second preparation being arranged in the tube neck (3), the through-channels opening into the outlet where the first preparation and the second preparation form one common strand come together, characterized in that the two chambers have different volumes, which are in a certain relationship to each other, the cross sections of the through channels have an at least almost corresponding ratio, wherein a through channel can be divided into one or more parallel branch channels.

2. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation (A) provided for filling the one chamber contains at least one substantive dye and / or at least one precursor of a nature-analogous dye and the preparation provided for filling the second chamber ( B) contains at least one care substance.

3. Multi-chamber tube according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of the volumes of the chambers and thus the ratio of the cross sections of the through channels is in a range between 1: 2 and 5: 1, the range between 4: 1 and 2.3: 1 and in particular the ratio 3: 1 is preferred and the ratio 1: 1 is excluded.

4. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation (A) provided for filling the one chamber contains at least one oxidation dye precursor and the preparation (B) provided for filling the second chamber contains at least one oxidizing agent.

5. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation (A) provided for filling the one chamber contains at least one oxidation dye precursor and the preparation (B) provided for filling the second chamber contains at least one care substance.

6. multi-chamber tube according to claim 4 or 5, characterized gekennzei that the ratio of the volumes of the chambers and thus the ratio of the cross sections of the through channels for the preparations (A) and (B) in a range between greater than 1: 1 and 3: 1 lies.

7. Multi-chamber tube, in particular two-chamber tube, having an outer tube tube (1) with a tube neck seated on a tube shoulder, which ends in an outlet, a first chamber with a first preparation (A) and a further chamber with a second preparation (B) Can be filled, a first through-channel provided for the passage of the first preparation and a second through-channel provided for the passage of the second preparation being arranged in the tube neck (3), the through-channels opening into the outlet where the first preparation and the second preparation become one common strand come together, characterized in that the first passage channel (3) and the second passage channel each have a mouth surrounded by a mouth edge, the mouth edge of the first through channel (3) is at a different level with respect to the tube shoulder than the mouth edge of the second through channel.

8. Multi-chamber tube according to claim 7, characterized in that the level difference is at least 0.3 millimeters and preferably more than 0.5 millimeters and particularly preferably more than 1.0 millimeters.

9. multi-chamber tube according to claim 7 or 8, gekennzeic net by an inner tube which is inserted into the through channel (24) of an outer tube, the through channel (27) of the inner tube by the level difference from the mouth of the through channel (24) protrudes.

10. Multi-chamber tube according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the composition, the diffusion of which is to be avoided, in particular the component mixed with intense color pigments, is provided in the chamber, the mouth edge of which is at a lower level.

11. Multi-chamber tube according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the volumes of the chambers are different and are in a certain relationship to one another, the cross sections of the through channels (24, 27) having an at least almost corresponding ratio, with a through channel in one or more parallel branch channels can be divided.

12. Multi-chamber tube according to one of claims 7 to 11, gekennzeic net by a screw cap (42) into which a seal (44) is introduced, wherein the mouth edge (28) with a higher level in the material of the seal (44) by about the level difference digs in, while the seal (44) on the mouth edge (26) rests sealingly at a lower level.

13. Multi-chamber tube according to claim 12, characterized in that a stop is provided which limits the torque when screwing on the screw cap (42).

14. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the outer tube (1) forms an outer tube which coaxially surrounds a tubular inner tube (4), the inner tube (4) having an inner through-channel (6), wherein the inner through channel (6) is inserted into the through channel (3) and wherein the outer wall (8) of the inner through channel forms a release agent.

15. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the outer wall (8) of the inner through-channel (9) is star-shaped, the cross-sectional area of the star defining the partial flow for the preparation in the inner tube (4) and The gussets (11) remaining between the outer wall (8) of the inner through-channel (9) and the round outer wall (10) of the outer through-channel (3) define branch flows for the preparation located in the outer tube (1).

16. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the outer tube (1) and inner tube (4) are formed by hoses which are closed at the rear end by means of a common fold.

17. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the outer tube and / or the inner tube is made of a plastic-coated aluminum foil, in particular an aluminum laminate, or of plastic laminates.

18. Multi-chamber tube according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the outer tube and / or the inner tube are made of transparent plastic.

19. A method for tinting keratin fibers, in particular human hair, characterized in that a two-component agent is pressed out of the tube according to one of claims 1 to 18, the application preparation is applied to the fibers and rinsed off again after an exposure time.