MXPA97008140A

MXPA97008140A - Flexible tube and method of fabricac

Info

Publication number: MXPA97008140A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/008140A
Authority: MX
Inventors: J Krall Thomas; P Smith Roger; S Lugar Jeffery; D Norton Michael
Original assignee: Owensbrockway Plastic Products Inc
Priority date: 1996-10-23
Filing date: 1997-10-22
Publication date: 1998-04-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to an intermediate plastic article for use in the manufacture of an open end tube for dispensing viscous products, characterized in that it comprises: an injection molded finish, an integral flange portion, an integral flexible tubular body portion of substantially uniform thickness, and an integral bottom portion, the flange portion and the bottom portion have a thickness greater than the tubular body portion, a diametral projection on the base of the bottom portion to be used in engagement with the container and turn the container during decoration

Description

FLEXIBLE PIPE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible tubes used to contain and supply viscous products such as personal care products and the like.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one method of manufacturing such flexible tubes, an accessory defining a threaded neck is coupled to an open ended tube and then the product is filled through the other end of the tube and the other end is filled. close In another method of manufacturing such flexible tubes, a hollow container having an integral neck is formed, such as by blow molding, the base of the container is divided from the container, the container is placed in a mandrel on which the decoration to the open end container, a closure is applied to the finish and then the container is filled through the open end and the open end is sealed. Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a flexible tube having exceptional decoration or printed signs; which incofore a finish that does not require trimming or embellishments; and where the decoration can be applied by conventional silk screen printing equipment; wherein the decoration of such fabric stencil and thermal transfer can be done at high speeds; and where the closures can be applied to the hoses with a higher torque and at higher speeds.

REF: 25949 According to the invention, the method of forming a flexible plastic tube comprises the injection molding of a finish having an opening, extruding a tube integrally with the finish by the relevant movement of the finish with respect to a orifice of the extrusion apparatus, moving the finish axially away from the orifice of the extrusion apparatus while continuous extrusion of the tube is continued, closure of a blow mold around the extruded tube, blowing of the tube to a body of integral container that has a closed bottom, opening of the molds to provide an integral flexible tube with a finish on it. After this, the method consists of decorating the sign with printed signs and cutting the closed end of the tube to leave a tube with an open end of the end opposite the end and applying a closure to the finish. Preferably, a closure is applied before cutting the lower part of the container. Preferably, the closure is applied to the finished after decoration. Subsequently, the tube is filled through the open end and the open end is sealed. The decorating step includes rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube as long as the finish is contacted and the bottom. The decorating step preferably comprises rotating the container in relation to a silk screen printing device. The step of injection molding and extrusion molding preferably comprises injecting and extruding the linear low density polyethylene. However, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene and polypropylene can be used. According to a further aspect of the invention, a container structure is provided which facilitates the handling, rotation and decoration of the container before cutting the closed end. The base of the container is provided with a single diametral ear which is brought into contact by the complementary ear that is on the rotating mandrel. In a further form of the container, the container's core is reinforced by diametrically opposed surfaces which are arcuate in horizontal cross section and taper or become narrower axially downward and inward towards the base of the container. In another form of the container, the entire lower end of the container tapers or narrows axially downward and inward to form a tapered trunk surface. In yet another form of the container, a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits are provided on the tapered trunk surface. In another form of the container, the container is formed only with the tapered stem surface and the slits.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram of the stages in the manufacture of the flexible plastic tube that implements the invention. Figure 2 is a diagram of an apparatus for decoration with silk screen of the container. Figure 3 is an elevation view of the container, which is used to manufacture the tube. Figure 4 is a top plan view. Figure 5 is a bottom plan view. Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the lower end of the container.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary partial sectional view of a preferred method and apparatus for applying the closure. Figure 8 is a fragmentary partial sectional elevational view of an apparatus for dividing the lower part of the container after it is decorated. Figure 9 is a diagram of an apparatus in a modified form for decoration with silk stencil of a modified container. Figure 10 is an elevation view of a modified form of the container. Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a top plan view of the container shown in Figure 10. Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the base of the container shown in Figure 10, as seen from the left or the right. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is an elevation view of a modified form of the container. Figure 16 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the base of the container shown in Figure 15, as seen from the right or left.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is an elevation view of a modified form of the container. Figure 20 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in Figure 19. Figure 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 20. Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a scale enlarged portion of the base of the container shown in Figure 19, taken in the enclosed portion 22. Figure 23 is an elevation view of a modified form of the container. Figure 24 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in Figure 23. Figure 25 is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the base of the container shown in Figure 10, as seen from the right or the left. Figure 26 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 26-26 of Figure 24.

Description of the preferred embodiment With reference to Figure 1, which is a schematic view of the succession of steps A-F to produce a filled container, the first stage A consists in the manufacture of a hollow plastic container by a method and apparatus wherein the neck or container finish is injection molded first, then a tube is extruded integrally with the injection molded finish, the molds are closed around the tube and the tube is blown to form a container. Such a method and apparatus is shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,710,987 and 2,911,673, incorporated herein by reference and implemented in what is known as a BC-3 machine. Then, as further shown in Figure 1, the hollow-blown container receives printed signs (or distinguishing marks) or decoration in one or more colors and designs through stage B as may be desired. Stage C of figure 1 shows the application of a closure C to the container. Then the bottom of the container is cut in step D to leave a closed end tube as shown in step E. Stage E shows the tube with the closure on it as delivered to a customer. The purchaser of the open end tube fills the tube with the viscous product through the open end and then seals the open end in stage F. A closure can be applied either before or after decoration, in the present it is shown that it is applied after the first stage of decoration B. Preferably the closure is applied after decoration. According to the invention, the decorating steps are carried out by rotating the container with respect to the printing stations P with silk screen, as shown in FIG. 1, by holding the container and rotating the container in relation to the station. Alternatively, the decoration can be made by thermally adhering a label to the container or by applying a pressure-sensitive label. With reference to Figures 3-6, the container preferably comprises the injection-molded finish 10, the extruded side wall. or body 11 of sufficiently thin thickness that is flexible and the integral lower wall 12 which is thicker and relatively rigid to propel the tube to rotate, to rotate the tube in the operations of placing plugs and decoration. The wall 11 is preferably of a substantially constant thickness, for example of +/- 0.1524 mm (+/- 0.006 inches). As shown in figures 5 and 6, the lower wall 12 is formed with indentations or recesses or recesses 13, 14, which are used in such a way that they can be brought into contact with the ears or projections 16, 17 of a mandrel 18 (figure 2) for the printing and application of the closure. As shown in Figure 4, the finish 10 preferably includes a transverse or top wall 10a having a centrally located assortment orifice 10b. The container is preferably manufactured from linear low density polyethylene. A preferred composition is linear low density polyethylene having a dispersion index greater than 5. However, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or polypropylene can be used. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, a preferred form of the apparatus is shown in the copending application mentioned above Serial No. 08 / 228,048 filed on April 15, 1994, hereby incorporated by reference. With reference to Figure 8, the apparatus for dividing the lower part of a container comprises a stellated wheel or triangular tooth wheel , having recesses or recesses 21 for receiving the closures C on the inverted containers A and an associated guide rail 32. The apparatus also includes an upper star wheel 30 with recesses for the A-frame of the container and an associated guide rail 31 The upper end of the container is held by the blocks 26, 27 having recesses or recesses 28, 29, which are movable relative to each other to retain the upper end of the container A. A guillotine blade 24 is movable transversely to the lower part. of the closure by means of a cylinder, for dividing the lower part of the container A along a plane that is at 90 ° with respect to the vertical or longitudinal axis of the container A. The guillotine 24 is guided by the guide surfaces 25 in the blocks 26, 27. The apparatus of figure 7 is preferably positioned in a cap placing station, adjacent to a rotating tool holder 30, which is driven intermittently You go beyond the station for the placement of plugs, to apply the container to the closure. The apparatus shown in Figure 8 is located in a trimming station and the tool holder 30 moves the inverted containers beyond the cutting station to divide the lower part of the container. A guide rail 32 retains the lower end of the container capped in the recesses of the lower star wheel during division of the lower part of the container. According to a further aspect of the invention, a container structure is provided which facilitates the handling, rotation and decoration of the container before cutting the closed end. The base 42 of the blow molded container 40 is formed with a single ear or diametrical projection 44 which is brought into contact with the complementary ear or projection 46 on the rotary mandrel 48 (see Figure 9). Such a construction tends to stiffen the base, such that the container 40 can be retained and rotated more firmly for decoration. In addition, the protrusion or ear construction provides a thickness greater than the side wall of the container and a maximum surface for engagement by the projection 46 which is on the mandrel 48. Referring to Figures 10-14, in an additional form , the container 50 is formed with a diametral projection 44a. In addition, the body of the container 50 is reinforced by the diametrically opposed surfaces 52 on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base. Each surface 52 has an arcuate upper end and tapers or narrows axially downwardly and inward towards the base 54 of the container 50. The surfaces 52 function to structurally stiffen the base, while simultaneously reducing the amount of stretch of the parison to the base, to increase by this the thickness of the plastic in that area. With reference to Figures 15-18, in another form of the container 60, the entire annular bottom end 62 of the container 60 is tapered axially downward and inward, to form a tapered trunk surface. This works to reduce the amount of stretch from the parison to the base, to increase the thickness of the plastic in that area. In addition, opposite arcuate surfaces 64 are provided on the conical trunk surface. With reference to Figures 19-21, in still another form of the container 70, a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits 72 are provided apart from the tapered trunk surface 74. Opposite arched surfaces 76 are provided, as in Figures 15 - 18. The slits work to structurally stiffen the tapered area of the base of the bottle.

With reference to Figures 23-26, in another form of the container 80, the container is formed only with the tapered trunk surface 82 and the slits 84. Typical examples of the containers used to manufacture the tubes according to the invention comprise: Table I Tube diameter Thickness of tube wall Minimum Nominal Maximum (cm) O (cm) O (cm) n (cm) (") 5.08 (2) 0.0432 (0.017) 0.0508 (0.020) 0.0584 (0.023) 3. 81 (1-1 / 2) 0.0381 (0.015) 0.0457 (0.018) 0.0533 (0.021) 3. 49 (1-3 / 8) 0.0305 (0.012) 0.0381 (0.015) 0.0457 (0.018) Table II Along the projection Thickness, cm (") 44a 44b 0.0457 (0.018) 44c 0.0635 (0.025) 44d 0.0762 (0.030) 44e 0.0787 (0.031) 44f 0.0610 (0.024) 44g 0.0381 (0.015) The depth of the slits had a radius of approximately 0.0794 cm (1/32").

It can thus be seen that a method for forming a flexible plastic tube has been provided, comprising the injection molding of a finish having an opening, the extrusion of a tube integrally with the finish, by the relevant movement of the finish with respect to to a hole in the extrusion apparatus, moving the finish axially away from the orifice of the extrusion apparatus, while continuously extruding the tube, closing a blow mold around the extruded tube, blowing the tube to a integral container body having a closed bottom part, opening the molds to provide an integral flexible tube with a finish on it. After this the method consists of decorating the cue with distinctive markings and cutting the closed end of the tube to leave an open end tube of the opposite end of the finish and applying a closure to the finish. Preferably a closure is applied before cutting the lower part of the container. Preferably, the closure is applied to the finished after decoration. Subsequently, the tube is filled through the open end and the open end is sealed. The decorating step includes rotating the tube about its longitudinal axis, while coupling the finished and the lower part. The decorating step preferably comprises rotating the container in relation to a printing device with silk screen. The step of injection molding and extrusion molding preferably comprises injecting and extruding (or extruding) linear low density polyethylene. However, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or polypropylene can be used. In addition, a container construction facilitating decoration is provided by silk screen printing equipment where decoration such as silk stenciling and thermal transfer can be made at high speeds; and where the closures can be applied to the hoses with a high torque and at higher speeds. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims

Claims 1. An improved method for forming a flexible plastic tube for use in the assortment of a viscous product, which comprises: injection molding of a neck finish, having a flange portion and an opening in the neck finish; extruding a tube portion integrally with the finish by relative movement of the finish with respect to an extrusion apparatus; moving the finish axially away from the extrusion apparatus, while continuous extrusion of the tube portion continues, closing a blow mold around the extruded tube, blowing the portion of the tube into a container body integral having a closed bottom part, opening the molds to provide an integral container having an integral finish, a flange portion, a tubular body portion and a closed bottom part, decorating the body portion with distinctive markings by engaging the finished the neck, rotating the container about its longitudinal axis during decoration, and then cutting the closed bottom of the container, to leave a flexible plastic tube having a finish, a flange portion and a portion of a tube flexible having an open end, the improvement is characterized in that: the blow molding stage comprises providing a s Diametral projection wave on the base of the container and the decoration stage comprises rotating the diametral projection during decoration.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces such that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwardly and inwardly with respect to the portion thereof. tube towards the base.
4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming the diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base, and the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces so that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwardly and inwardly relative to the tube portion toward the base.
5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of blow molding the container comprises forming an annular lower end of the tube portion of the container adjacent to the base, which is tapered axially downward and inward to form a surface of conical trunk.
6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes the formation of a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits extending axially on the conical trunk surface.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming the diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each surface in such a way that it has an upper end arched and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the portion of tube towards base.
9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming the diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base, and the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces in such a manner that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the tube portion towards the base.
10. An improved method for forming a flexible plastic tube for use in the assortment of a viscous product, comprising: injection molding a neck finish having a flange portion and an opening in the neck finish, extruding a portion of tube integrally with the finish, by relative movement of the finish with respect to an extrusion apparatus, moving the finish axially away from the extrusion apparatus while continuously extruding the tube portion, closing a blow mold around the extruded tube, blowing the tube portion to an integral container having a closed bottom part, opening the molds to provide an integral container having an integral finish, a flange portion, a tubular body portion and a closed bottom portion , the blow molding step provides at least one gap on the base of the container, decorating the portion of the body with Distinctive ways to contact the gap, rotate the container about its longitudinal axis, by rotating the gap during decoration, and then cut the bottom closed part of the container, to leave a flexible plastic tube that has a finish, a flange portion and a portion of flexible tubing having an open end, the improvement is characterized in that: the blow molding step comprises forming diametrically opposite surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base.
11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces in such a manner that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the portion of tube towards the base.
12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming the diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base, and the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces in such a manner that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the tube portion towards the base.
13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of blow molding the container comprises forming an annular lower end of the tube portion of the container adjacent to the base, which is tapered downwards and inwards to form a surface of conical trunk.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes the formation of a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits extending axially on the conical trunk surface.
15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming the diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base.
16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces in such a way that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the portion of tube towards the base.
17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of blow molding comprises forming diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the container adjacent to the base, and the step of forming the diametrically opposed surfaces comprises forming each of the surfaces of such that it has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwardly and inwardly relative to the tube portion toward the base.
18. An intermediate plastic article for use in the manufacture of an open end tube for dispensing viscous products, characterized in that it comprises: • an injection molded finish; an integral flange portion; an integral flexible tubular body portion of substantially uniform thickness, and an integral closed lower portion, the flange portion and the lower portion have a thickness greater than the tubular body portion, a diametral projection on the base of the lower portion, for contacting the container and rotating the container during decoration.
19. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the article adjacent to the lower portion.
20. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 19, characterized in that each of the surfaces has an upper end arched and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the tube portions towards the lower portion.
21. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes a tapered, annular trunk surface on the lower end of the tube portion adjacent to the lower portion tapering downwardly and inward toward the body portion. .
22. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 21, characterized in that it includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits extending axially on the tapered trunk surface.
23. An intermediate plastic article for use in the manufacture of an open end tube for dispensing viscous products, characterized in that it comprises: an injection molded finish; an integral flange portion; an integral flexible tubular body portion of substantially uniform thickness, and an integral closed lower portion, the flange portion and the lower portion have a thickness greater than the tubular body portion, diametrically opposed surfaces on the lower end of the article adjacent to the body portion.
24. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 23, characterized in that each surface has an arcuate upper end and tapers axially downwards and inwards with respect to the tube portions towards the lower portion.
25. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 23, characterized in that it includes a conical, annular trunk surface on the lower end of the tube portion, adjacent to the lower portion, tapering downward and inward towards the portion of cuefo.
26. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 25, characterized in that it includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits, which extend axially on the conical trunk surface.
27. An intermediate plastic article for use in the manufacture of an open end tube for dispensing viscous products, characterized in that it comprises: an injection molded finish; an integral flange portion; an integral flexible tubular body portion of substantially uniform thickness, and an integral closed lower portion, the flange portion and the lower portion have a thickness greater than the tubular body portion, a tapered, annular trunk surface, on the lower end of the tube portion, adjacent to the body portion, tapering downward and inward towards the body portion.
28. The intermediate plastic article according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits extending axially on the surface of the comed trunk.