GB2195949A - Seaming a tube end - Google Patents

Seaming a tube end Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2195949A
GB2195949A GB08624669A GB8624669A GB2195949A GB 2195949 A GB2195949 A GB 2195949A GB 08624669 A GB08624669 A GB 08624669A GB 8624669 A GB8624669 A GB 8624669A GB 2195949 A GB2195949 A GB 2195949A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tube
seaming
folded
fold
plastic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08624669A
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GB2195949B (en
GB8624669D0 (en
Inventor
Antero Makilaakso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Printal Oy
Original Assignee
Printal Oy
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Printal Oy filed Critical Printal Oy
Publication of GB8624669D0 publication Critical patent/GB8624669D0/en
Publication of GB2195949A publication Critical patent/GB2195949A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2195949B publication Critical patent/GB2195949B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83421—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types band or belt types
    • B29C66/83423—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types band or belt types cooperating bands or belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C53/36—Bending and joining, e.g. for making hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/22—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip
    • B29C65/221—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip characterised by the type of heated wire, resistive ribbon, band or strip
    • B29C65/224—Heated wire resistive ribbon, resistive band or resistive strip characterised by the type of heated wire, resistive ribbon, band or strip being a resistive ribbon, a resistive band or a resistive strip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/24—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool
    • B29C65/30—Electrical means
    • B29C65/305—Electrical means involving the use of cartridge heaters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/02—Preparation of the material, in the area to be joined, prior to joining or welding
    • B29C66/022—Mechanical pre-treatments, e.g. reshaping
    • B29C66/0224—Mechanical pre-treatments, e.g. reshaping with removal of material
    • B29C66/02241—Cutting, e.g. by using waterjets, or sawing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/03—After-treatments in the joint area
    • B29C66/032—Mechanical after-treatments
    • B29C66/0324—Reforming or reshaping the joint, e.g. folding over
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B29C66/43121—Closing the ends of tubular or hollow single articles, e.g. closing the ends of bags
    • B29C66/43123—Closing the ends of squeeze tubes, e.g. for toothpaste or cosmetics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81415—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled
    • B29C66/81419—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled and flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81425—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being stepped, e.g. comprising a shoulder
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8161—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/14—Closing collapsible or resilient tubes, e.g. for tooth paste, for lighter fuel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
    • B29L2023/20—Flexible squeeze tubes, e.g. for cosmetics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7128—Bags, sacks, sachets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/004—Closing bags

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)

Abstract

A method for seaming the end of a tube (2) made of plastic or a laminated material consisting of plastic and aluminium foil layers, said tube being used as a container for the storage and application of e.g. toothpaste or cosmetic substances, and an apparatus for applying the said method. In known types of tube, the strength of the end seam is insufficient. In the method of the invention, this problem is solved in that the open end or one of the open ends of the tube (2), having at least one end open, is squeezed together, folded and then seamed by heating the folded end from the outer side of the fold and squeezing the fold against the rest of the flattened tube end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method for seaming a tube end and an apparatus for applying the method The present invention concerns a method for seaming the end of a tube made of plastic or a laminated material consisting of plastic and aluminium foil layers, said tube being used as a container for the storage and application of e.g. toothpaste or cosmetic substances, and an apparatus for applying the said method.
At present, there are three known main types of tube used for the storage and application of toothpaste or cosmetic substances and the like. Formerly, a commonly used type of tube was made of light metal, notably aluminium. The end of the tube was usually seamed by making several folds at the tube end. However, a seam like this is not reliable enough, because the end seam of aluminium tubes is often liable to be damaged in use.
A widely used type of tube is the plastic tube, in which the envelope is made of an elastic plastic material. Such a tube has the advantage that its form remains unchanged in use. Because of its unchanged esthetic appearance, this type of tube is especially suitable for use as a container of women's cosmetics.
Another common type of tube currently used is the laminated tube, in which the envelope is made of a laminated material consisting of alternate plastic and aluminium foil layers.
Unlike the all-plastic tube, due to the aluminium layers, the laminated tube is deformed in use. The plastic materials generally used in such tubes are polyolefines, such as high-pressure or low-pressure polyethylene or polypropylene. The end of a plastic or laminated tube is usually seamed e.g. by heating the open end of the tube, substantially circular or elliptical in sectional form, until it becomes soft, and then squeezing the tube sides together, so that a seam is produced between them.
The strength of a seam made in this way is equal to the tearing resistance of the plastic foil seamed together on the inside of the tube.
The strength of the seam is therefore insufficient, considering that the longitudinal seam of the tube envelope, if made by the newest manufacturing methods, will withstand up to twice as much pressure as the end seam can tolerate.
With time, the end seam of the tube is weakened e.g. by corrosion caused by factors like the aromatic substances present in~ the product, such as toothpaste, contained in the tube. Tests have proved that the strength of the end seam is reduced to half the original within six months. Observations like this have naturally created a need to take a closer look at the structure of the end seam. To make it easier to understand the present invention and the advantages it offers, it is necessary to explain the reasons why the seams currently used are inadequate in respect of durability.
The seam is normally about 5-10 mm long.The seam is evenly formed and its cross section has the form of a straight line. If a pressure is created in the tube, the sides of the seam tend to be torn apart, because the seam strength is insufficient to prevent this.
With time, the above-mentioned aromatic substances corroding the seam also contribute to the tearing apart of the seam sides. The rent advances in an elliptical sectional form until a hole appears in the end seam of the tube.
The object of the present invention is to create a method for seaming the end of a plastic or laminated tube so that the seam will have a greater resistance to strain. Another object of the invention is to create an apparatus for applying the said method. The method of the invention is characterized in that the open end or one of the open ends of a tube, having at least one end open, is squeezed together, folded and then seamed by heating the folded end at least on the outer side of the fold and squeezing the fold against the rest of the tube end.
An advantageous embodiment of the method of the invention is characterized in that the tube end is heated from both sides during seaming.
An advantageous embodiment of the method of the invention is characterized in that the open end of the tube is first cut so as to give it an oblique form, in such manner that the side of the envelope towards which the end is to be folded is shorter than the other side, thus producing the effect that after the end has been folded, the fold will have an even end.
Another advantageous embodiment of the method of the invention is characterized in that, before folding, the open end of the tube is cut so as to give it an oblique form, in such manner that the side of the envelope towards which the end is to be folded is considerably shorter than the other side, producing the effect that, after the end has been folded and seamed, the outer surface of the fold will be joined to that surface of the tube envelope which faces towards the fold.
The apparatus applying the method of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a conveyor which transports the tubes, placed upright with the open end up, to a folding device which bends the tube end double, and a seaming device comprising at least one heater and a squeezer.
An advantageous embodiment of the appa -ratus of the invention is characterized in that it comprises cooling and stamping devices ar ranged after the seaming device.
Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that the conveyor consists of a foam rubber belt and a conveyor belt.
A further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that the folding device consists of two successive bending discs.
A seam produced according to the invention has the advantage that the cross-section of the tube end will always retain its straight line-like form and no tearing can take place, since the opposite sides of the tube envelope can not move apart. This is due to the fact that another seam will be formed outside the tube, between the fold and the tube surface.
Therefore, the aromatics of the substance contained in the tube can not get into the seam. A seam made according to the invention has a considerably better resistance to strain than the known types of seam have, because its strength is equal to the tensile strength of the laminated material itself.
Another important advantage with the #method of the invention is that the whole seaming operation is accomplished while the tubes are moving along a continuous path in the same direction, involving no back-and-forth jerking movements.
In the following, the invention is described in detail by the aid of examples of advantageous embodiments, reference being made to the drawings attached, wherein: Figure 1 presents a top view of the apparatus applying the method of the invention, partly sectioned.
Figure 2 presents a section along the line Il-Il in Fig. 1.
Figure 3 presents a section along the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 1.
Figure 4 presents a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1.
Figure 5 presents a section along the line V-V in Fig. 1.
Figure 6 presents a section along the line VI-VI in Fig. 1.
Figure 7 presents a section along the line VIl-VIl in Fig. 1.
Figure 8 presents a section along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 1.
Figure 9 presents a section along the line IX-IX in Fig. 1.
Figure 10 presents a sectional view of a known tube end seam.
Figure 11 presents a sectional view of a tube end seam produced by the method of the invention, using the apparatus applying this method.
Figure 12 presents an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
In Fig. 1, the apparatus applying the method of the invention is shown in top view, partly sectioned. The apparatus incorporates foamrubber belts 1, with which the tubes 2 are transported in an upright position with the open end upwards. At this stage, the tubes have already been filled with the desired substance, such as toothpaste or the like. As the tubes get into the narrow space between the two oppositely placed conveyor belts 3, the upper end of each tube is squeezed together, whereupon the tubes 2 are moved further by the conveyor belts 3 into a folding device consisting of two successive bending discs 4, 5. The first bending disc 4 bends the tube end to an angle of 90 relative to the vertical plane, and the second bending disc 5 finishes the folding in the way shown in Fig. 6.On leaving the folding device, the tube 2 has an end bent double.
The tube is transported from the first bend ing disc to the second under positive guidance with the tube end in the position shown in Fig. 5. Thisa prevents the bent end from being straightened out. In a similar way, under posi tive guidance, the tube advances from the second bending disc 6 to a seamer consisting of two oppositely placed movable seaming belts 7 arranged so that-they slide over the heaters 8 and squeeze the tube ends. To keep the seaming belts 7 steadily in place in the vertical direction, the seamer is provided with wires 9 embedded in the heaters 8 and attached to the seaming belts 7 e.g. by vul canizing. The heaters 8 are provided with heating cartridges 10, from which the heat is conducted via the heaters and the belts to the folded tube end to be seamed.While the tube end is heated, it is also tightly squeezed to gether by means of the seaming belts 7. The structure of the seams thus produced is ex plained in detail in connection with Figs. 11 and 12. According to the invention, it is also possible to use the seamer with only one heater 8, in which case it is best placed on that side to which the tube end is bent.
In addition, the apparatus may be provided with cooling and stamping discs 11, placed after the seamer. By means of the stamping disc, e.g. the manufacturing number may be printed on the seam.
Fig. 10 shows a tube end with a seam pro duced by the method most commonly used at present. In that method, the seam 12 is formed between the envelope sides 13 and 14. The seam is made by heating the tube end and squeezing the tube sides tightly to gether between cold squeezing jaws.
Fig. 11 shows a tube end seam produced by the method of the invention. Before the seaming, the envelope 13, 14 is a tube with a substantially round sectional form. According to the invention, the envelope is either all plastic or laminated from alternate plastic and aluminium foils placed one upon the other.
The most advantageous plastic materials for Ahe purpose are polyolefines, such as low pressure and high-pressure#polyethylene or polypropylene. In the tube shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the envelope is made of a laminated material having two aluminium foil layers 15.
The number of aluminium foil layers used is arbitrary and in no way restricts the invention.
An advantage is gained by cutting the end of the envelope into a slightly oblique form in such a way as to make the envelope shorter on the side to which the end is to be bent.
This makes it possible to produce a seam with the ends of the envelope halves 13 and 14 flush. The seam 16 is created between the outer surface of the envelope half 13 and the inner surface of the fold. The seam 17 is created -within the fold between the two envelope halves 13 and 14. If necessary, the tube end may also be heated from the other side to produce a seam between the envelope halves 13 and 14 before the fold. This is the case in the examples of embodiments presented in the figures. However, as far as durability of tend seam is concerned, this is not necessary.
In Figs. 10-12, for technical reasons and to improve the readability of the figures, the size of the seam has been greatly exaggerated. For instance, in Fig. 11 the dimension L is about 4-5 mm and the dimension S about 1 mm. In the real proportions, the lower edge of the bend is not as round as implied by Figs. 11 and 12, but sharp.
Fig. 12 shows an advantageous embodiment of the invention in which, prior to folding, the end of the envelope 13, 14 has been cut into an oblique form in such manner that, after folding and seaming, the outer edge 19 of the envelope half 14 is joined to the outer surface of the envelope half 13. This improves the appearance and further increases the durability of the seamed end. Otherwise the structure of the tube end is the same as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, i.e. when heated from both sides, the seams 16, 17, 18 are produced.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the examples of its embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Method for seaming the end of a tube (2) made of plastic or a laminated material consisting of plastic and aluminium foil layers, said tube being used as a container for the storage and application of e.g. toothpaste or cosmetic substances, characterized in that the open end or one of the open ends of the tube (2), having at least one end open, under continuous positive guidance, is squeezed together, folded and then seamed by heating the folded end at least from the outer side of the fold and squeezing the fold against the rest of the tube end.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the tube (2) is heated from both sides during seaming.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, prior to seaming, the open end of the tube (2) is cut into an oblique shape in such manner that the side of the envelope towards which the end is to be folded is shorter than the other side, producing the effect that after the end has been folded, the fold will have an even end.
4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, prior to folding, the open end of the tube (2) is cut into an oblique shape in such manner that the side of the envelope towards which the end is to be folded is considerably shorter than the other side, producing the effect that, after the end has been folded and seamed, the outer surface (19) of the fold will be joined to that surface of the tube envelope which faces towards the fold.
5. Apparatus applying the method of claim 1, used for seaming the end of a tube (2) made of plastic or a laminated material consisting of e.g. alternate aluminium foil and plastic layers, said apparatus comprising a conveyor (1, 3, 4) for carrying the tubes with the open ends upwards, a folding device (5, 6) and a seaming device (7, 8), characterized in that the apparatus is provided with means for positive guidance of the tubes between the conveyor (1, 3, 4) and the folding device (5, 6) as well as between the folding device (5, 6) and the seaming device (7, 8), and that the conveyor, the folding device and the seaing device as well as the said means for positive guidance are arranged to convey the tubes (2) through the whole apparatus at a substantially constant speed.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveyor consists of a foam rubber belt (1) and two conveyor belts (3, 4), the open end of the tube being squeezed flat between the conveyor belts.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the folding device consists of a bendig disc (5) which bends the end of the tube (2) by 90 , a means for positive guidance which conveys the tube keeping its end in the bent position, and another bending disc (6) which bends the already bent end by a further 90 , so that the tube end is bent double.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a means for positive guidance arranged between the bending disc (6) and the seaming device (7, 8) conveys the tube (2) into the seaming device with the end of the tube (2) bent double.
9. Apparatus according to one of the claims 5-8, characterized in that the seaming device consists of oppositely placed movable seaming belts (7) constituting the means of compressing the ends of the tubes (2), and at least one heater (8) provided with heat cartridges (10) from which heat is conducted via the seaming belts to the tube ends.
10. Apparatus according to one of the claims 5-9, characterized in that it incorporates cooling and stamping means (11) arranged after the seaming device (7, 8).
GB8624669A 1986-10-23 1986-10-15 Method for seaming a tube end Expired - Fee Related GB2195949B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU86632A LU86632A1 (en) 1986-10-23 1986-10-23 METHOD FOR CLOSING THE END OF A TUBE AND PLANT FOR APPLYING THE METHOD

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8624669D0 GB8624669D0 (en) 1986-11-19
GB2195949A true GB2195949A (en) 1988-04-20
GB2195949B GB2195949B (en) 1990-11-21

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8624669A Expired - Fee Related GB2195949B (en) 1986-10-23 1986-10-15 Method for seaming a tube end

Country Status (7)

Country Link
BE (1) BE905618A (en)
CH (1) CH671748A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3637589A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2605289B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2195949B (en)
LU (1) LU86632A1 (en)
NL (1) NL8602618A (en)

Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2486042A (en) * 2010-08-25 2012-06-06 Mattress France Method and system of forming a folded welded joint between top and bottom covers of a mattress cover
EP4265401A1 (en) * 2022-04-21 2023-10-25 IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH Tube and method for closing a tube

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19852520A1 (en) * 1998-10-08 2000-04-20 Weckerle Gmbh Tube closure unit for double-walled tube filling machine, has jaws coated with silicon rubber or heat-resistant, deformable plastic, which press tube ends together during hot welding or adhesion
FR2813818B1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2003-05-30 Solvay Automotive Fuel Systems MULTILAYER HOLLOW BODY, PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH HOLLOW BODY AND COMPRESSION-BLOW MOLD
US20090017322A1 (en) * 2007-07-11 2009-01-15 Hayes Heather J Three dimensional molded thermoplastic article

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GB886334A (en) * 1959-04-30 1962-01-03 Union Bag Camp Paper Corp Method of closing bag tube end
GB1436158A (en) * 1973-02-17 1976-05-19 Haver & Boecker Apparatus for folding-over the upper edge portions of open-top bags and for feeding the bags towards a closure machine
GB1455570A (en) * 1973-02-08 1976-11-17 Metal Box Co Ltd Bags
GB1582496A (en) * 1977-02-24 1981-01-07 Buehler Ag Geb Apparatus for forming a fold near the open ends of filled bags
EP0133196A1 (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-02-20 PKL Verpackungssysteme GmbH Apparatus for folding and sealing the top of a folding box

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DE1964674A1 (en) * 1969-12-23 1971-07-01 Windmoeller & Hoelscher Heat-and pressure-sealing machine for lamin - ated plastic pouch
US4019305A (en) * 1973-07-16 1977-04-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Methods and apparatus for foldably closing the ends of laminated metal-plastic tubes
GB2073130B (en) * 1980-03-13 1983-12-14 Hammex Machines Ltd Re-closable package

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB886334A (en) * 1959-04-30 1962-01-03 Union Bag Camp Paper Corp Method of closing bag tube end
GB1455570A (en) * 1973-02-08 1976-11-17 Metal Box Co Ltd Bags
GB1436158A (en) * 1973-02-17 1976-05-19 Haver & Boecker Apparatus for folding-over the upper edge portions of open-top bags and for feeding the bags towards a closure machine
GB1582496A (en) * 1977-02-24 1981-01-07 Buehler Ag Geb Apparatus for forming a fold near the open ends of filled bags
EP0133196A1 (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-02-20 PKL Verpackungssysteme GmbH Apparatus for folding and sealing the top of a folding box

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2486042A (en) * 2010-08-25 2012-06-06 Mattress France Method and system of forming a folded welded joint between top and bottom covers of a mattress cover
GB2486042B (en) * 2010-08-25 2016-04-13 Mattress France Method of welding a mattress cover and system implementing the method
EP4265401A1 (en) * 2022-04-21 2023-10-25 IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH Tube and method for closing a tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2195949B (en) 1990-11-21
FR2605289A1 (en) 1988-04-22
NL8602618A (en) 1988-05-16
GB8624669D0 (en) 1986-11-19
CH671748A5 (en) 1989-09-29
DE3637589A1 (en) 1988-05-05
FR2605289B1 (en) 1991-12-13
LU86632A1 (en) 1987-04-02
BE905618A (en) 1987-02-16

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