NL2013834B1 - Method of forming a tube-like container, with a viscous liquid, and tube-like container. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of forming a tube-like container for a viscous liquid. The method comprises the step of forming, by means of injection moulding, a tube body having a filling opening, a cover body provided near the filling opening, and a closing element on the cover body. The method further comprises the step of filling the tube-like container with a viscous liquid via the filling opening. The method further comprises the step of sealing the tube body, by closing the filling opening by means of the cover body. The invention furthermore relates to a tube-like container obtained by the method.

Description

Title: Method of forming a tube-like container, with a viscous liquid, and tube-like container.

Description

The invention relates to a container for viscous liquids comprising a container body, a cover body and a closing element.

Such containers are generally known as containers for cosmetic liquids, such as for instance cream tubes. The generally known containers are usually formed in practice from a relatively soft material. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the internal volume of the container in order to urge the liquid out of the container through the dispensing opening, for instance by means of squeezing the bottle or tube.

The generally known tube-like containers are made in practice by first forming a tube and, separately thereof, a cap. The tube has a fill-opening at a back end thereof. The cap is screwed onto a screw thread on the tube, remote from the fill-opening. The cap and the tube each comprise a correspondingly formed screw thread. The tube-like container may be filled from the fill-opening, after placement of the cap, and then the end of the tube near the fill-opening is sealed, for closing the internal volume of the tube-like container. A drawback of the known method for producing and filling the tube-like container resides in the fact that these tube-like containers are relatively expensive and time-consuming to manufacture.

The present invention has for its object to provide a method for forming a tube-like container for viscous liquids which alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art tube-like containers.

To this end, the invention provides a method for manufacturing a tube-like container, with a viscous liquid, the method comprising the steps of: forming, by means of injection moulding: o A container body with a peripheral wall which defines an internal volume of the container body and a filling opening: o A cover body connected integrally to the container body near the filling opening and having a dispensing opening formed therein; o A closing element connected to the cover body and movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element leaves the dispensing opening clear, and wherein in the closed position the closing element closes the dispensing opening;

Filling the internal volume of the container body with a viscous liquid via the filling opening, following the step of forming the container body and the cover body, and

Closing the filling opening for closing the internal volume of the container body by connecting the cover body non-releasably to the peripheral wall of the container body following the filling step.

By filling the tube-like container via the filling opening, and using the cover body connected to the container body for closing off said filling opening, at least one step in the forming of conventional tube-like containers may be omitted, since the method according to the invention allows for only one opening, the filling opening, to be closed, whereas the tube-like containers known from the art, always require two openings to be closed: the filling opening at the back end of the tube, and the cover opening near the outlet opening of the tube. Thus, the method according to the invention allows for a more cost-effective production of a tube-like container, with which object of the invention is achieved.

According to the invention, the steps of forming the container body, the cover body and the closing element may take place in a single integral step, in particular by means of injection moulding. With this, it is possible to integrally form the tube-like container in a first step, to fill the tube-like container in a second step, and to seal the internal volume of the tube-like container in a third step. With this, only three, relatively easy and cost-effective steps are necessary for producing a tube-like container with a filled interior, which is not possible with methods known from the prior art.

In an embodiment, the cover body comprises a substantially smooth connection edge, arranged to be brought in fittingly contact with an edge of the container body defining the filling opening. This not only allows for an easy production of the container, for instance by means of injection moulding, but also improves the ease and speed with which the internal volume of the container may be sealed afterwards.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of forming the container by means of injection moulding, wherein the container body is formed, at least partly, from a first component, and wherein the cover body and the closing element are formed from a component differing from the first component. This multiple-component injection moulding allows for a larger degree of freedom in designing the characteristics of the tube-like container, but it also improves, in certain embodiments, the ease and speed of manufacturing and/or filling of the container, as will be described next.

In an embodiment, the first component comprises a material which is softer compared to the material of the second component. With this, it is possible to produce a relatively soft container body, which allows for easy compression of the internal volume of the container for dispensing the viscous liquid inside the container body, as well as a relatively harder cover body with improved strength characteristics. It should be noted that the method according to the invention allows this design to be achieved without the use of a screw thread.

In an embodiment, the edge of the container body, which defines the filling opening, is formed from the second component which is relatively hard, and wherein the connection edge of the cover body is also made of the second component. This improves the strength of the tube-like container, but it also improves the ease with which the interior volume of the tube-like container may be closed off. In other words, it enables the cover body and the container body to be connected to each other in a relatively quick and reliable manner.

In an embodiment, the filling opening has a substantially circular cross-sectional form. The substantially circular cross-sectional form of the filling opening preferably is the largest cross-sectional part of the tube-like container. This maximises the ease with which the container may be filled, but also improves the ease with which the container may be produced.

In an embodiment, the step of non-releasable connection of the cover body to the container body comprises the step of sealing, spot welding or ultrasonic spot welding. This allows for an easy and reliable means of connecting the cover body to the container body.

According to an aspect, the invention provides an integrally formed tube-like container for a viscous liquid, comprising: A tube-like container body with a peripheral wall which defines an internal volume of the container body and a filling opening, wherein the internal volume only is accessible by means of the filling opening; A cover body connected integrally to the container body near the filling opening and having a dispensing opening therein; and A closing element connected to the cover body and which is movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element leaves the dispensing opening clear, and wherein in the closed position the closing element closes the dispensing opening.

The advantages of such a tube-like container body have been described already by means of the method according to the invention. In particular, the tube-like container according to the invention may be filled via the filling opening, and may be closed thereafter by closing the filling opening by means of the cover body. The ease and speed of production and filling of tube-like containers with viscous liquids is improved this way, compared to prior art tubes.

In an embodiment, the cover body is connected integrally to the container body by means of a connecting element. The connecting element may be placed at least partially in the internal volume of the container. The connecting element allows the cover body to be moved, such that the cover body is able to seal of the filling opening, after filling of the tube-like container with a viscous liquid. In particular, the cover body is arranged to be non-releasably connectable to the peripheral wall, for instance by means of sealing, welding, spot welding, gluing or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the container body, the cover body and the closing element are integrally formed, in particular by means of injection moulding. The tube-like container may thus be easily produced in a single step, which allows for producing and filling the container in just three steps: production, filling, and sealing off.

In an embodiment, the cover body comprises a substantially smooth connection edge, arranged to be brought in fittingly contact with an edge of the container body defining the filling opening. Preferably, this edge of the container is smooth as well. This allows for a tight and secure sealing between the cover body and the container body.

In an embodiment, the container body is formed, at least partly, from a first component, and wherein the cover body and the closing element are formed from a second component, which differs from the first component. In particular, the first component may comprise a material which is softer compared to the material of the second component. With this, it is possible to produce a relatively soft container body, which allows for easy compression of the internal volume of the container for dispensing the viscous liquid inside the container body, as well as a relatively harder cover body with improved strength characteristics.

The invention will be further elucidated using the accompanying figures, in which several advantageous embodiments of a container according to the present invention are shown.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an outer end of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention during manufacture thereof.

Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention during manufacture thereof.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention with an opened closing element.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention with a closed closing element.

Figure 5 shows a further perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention with an opened closing element.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the container according to the present invention at different stages of the manufacture thereof.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the container according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an outer end of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention during manufacture thereof. The container 1 comprises a container body 2 with an internal volume in which a viscous liquid can be held. The internal volume is enclosed by a peripheral wall 4 of the container body 2 and is accessible through a filling opening V defined by the peripheral edge 5 of the peripheral wall 4. It can be seen that in this embodiment the internal volume is only accessible through the filling opening V. A cover body 8 is connected non-releasably to the container body 2 by means of a connecting element 7. This connecting element 7 is connected integrally to the container body 2. The connecting element 7 is configured such that the cover body 8 is movable relative to the container body 2. The cover body 8 is configured to at least partially close off the internal volume of the container body 2, wherein the cover body 8 is placed substantially over the filling opening. The form of the cover body 8, in particular the form of the cover edge 14 of the cover body 8, hereby corresponds to the form of the container body 2. These take a round form in figure 1, which improves the ease with which the internal opening of the container may be closed off by the cover body, although other forms such as ovals or polygons can of course be envisaged.

In addition, the cover body 8 is provided with a dispensing opening 11 which is in liquid flow connection with the internal volume of the container body in order to carry liquid out of the internal volume of the container body 2. A closing element 13 is provided in order to enable closing of the dispensing opening 11. This closing element 13 is connected non-releasably to the cover body 8 and is movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element 13 leaves the dispensing opening 11 clear so that it is possible to dispense liquid from the internal volume of the container body 2, and wherein in the closed position the closing element 13 closes the dispensing opening 11 so that the liquid can be wholly confined inside the container 1. The closing element 13 in figure 1 is provided with a pin which in the closed position fits into the dispensing opening 11.

Further provided in the cover body 8 is a recess 17 with which a user can take hold of the closing element 13. The recess is placed adjacently of the closing element 13. The recess is preferably easily accessible to for instance a finger or nail of a user for the purpose of opening the closing element 13.

Further provided on the cover body 8 are support means 15 on which the container 1 can be supported. In figure 1 the support means 15 are embodied as a support edge 15 provided on the cover body 8. In figure 1 the support means 15 extend substantially in the peripheral direction of the cover body 8, wherein the support means 15 partially surround the closing element 13. In Figure 1 the support edge 15 is interrupted close to the recess 17. A surface of the support edge 15 remote from the internal volume of the container body 2 takes a flat form in figure 1 so that stable placing of the container is possible. In the closed position the closing element 13 extends in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 between the support means 15 and the dispensing opening 11. The support means 15 define on the one hand a support surface which optionally coincides with the surface on which the container 1 rests. The dispensing opening 11 on the other hand defines in the transverse direction of the container 1 a dispensing opening plane in which the dispensing opening 11 is arranged. In the closed position the closing element 13 lies substantially between this support surface and this dispensing opening plane. The closing element 13 in any case lies at a distance from the support surface in a direction toward the container body 2.

The container 1 as shown in figure 1 can be filled through the filling opening 11. After filling of the internal volume of the container body 2 the cover body 8 can be pivoted in the direction of the container body 2. The connecting element 7 serves here as it were as a pivot point around which the cover body 8 can pivot. The cover body 8 can be placed on the peripheral edge 5 such that it substantially covers the filling opening. During manufacture thereof the cover body 8 is connected non-releasably in this position to the container body 2 over the whole periphery 5 of the peripheral wall 4. This is possible for instance by fusing the container body 2 and the cover body 8. This non-releasable connection is preferably realized by means of sealing, (ultrasonic) welding, spot welding, glueing or a combination thereof. Exit of liquid from the internal volume of the container body 2 is now only possible via the dispensing opening 11 in the cover body 8.

Thus, it can be seen that, according to an aspect of the invention, a tube-like container 1 is produced, and filled with a viscous liquid, by using the steps of forming a container body 2, a cover body 8 with a dispensing opening 11 and a closing element 13 for opening and/or closing said dispensing opening 11; subsequently filling the internal volume of the container body with a viscous liquid via the filling opening (as indicated by arrow V), following the step of forming the container body 2 and the cover body 8; and subsequently closing the internal volume of the container body by connecting the cover body 8 non-releasably to the peripheral wall 4 of the container body 2. It is noted in this respect that the form and arrangement of the cover body 8 and the closing element 13 are not essential for obtaining the benefits associated with this method according to an aspect of the invention.

The closing element 13 is connected pivotally to the cover body 8 on the one hand for closing of and on the other for dispensing liquid through the dispensing opening 11. The liquid can thus be stored in the container 1 for a long period without the risk of undesirable leakages.

In figure 1 the dimensions of the closing element 13 are substantially smaller than those of the cover body 8. It is hereby possible to provide the support means 15 on the cover body 8 such that they partially surround the closing element 13. In the closed position the closing element 13 does not extend beyond the support means 50. The container 1 can hereby be placed in stable manner with the support means 15 on the underside of the container 1. The support means 15 here as it were protect the closing element in that forces, for instance during placing or due to the self-weight of the container 1, are absorbed by the support means 15. In the closed position the closing element 13 does not come into contact with a possible placing surface on which the container 1 is placed. There are thus hardly any forces acting on the closing element 13, whereby the closure of the container 1 is guaranteed and undesirable damage resulting in faulty closing is prevented. A further advantage is that the container 1 can be easily stored, wherein the liquid in the container 1 moves by means of the gravitational force in the direction of the dispensing opening 11. The liquid is then easier to dispense because there is substantially no air present between the dispensing opening 11 and the liquid.

Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention during manufacture thereof. The container body 2 in figure 2 is embodied as a V-shaped tube. Other forms such as tubes or bottles with optionally round or polygonal sectional areas can also be envisaged.

Figure 2 clearly illustrates that the filling opening in a container 1 according to the present invention is maximized. The filling opening V, which is defined by the peripheral edge 5 of the peripheral wall 4, comprises in figure 2 a maximum sectional area of the container body 2, whereby highly filling speeds can be achieved. In figure 2 a sectional area of an outer end of the container body 2 located close to the cover body 8 amounts to substantially 100% of the maximum sectional area of the container body 2. It is also possible to envisage providing the filling opening such that this sectional area amounts to at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the maximum sectional area. The form of the container body 2 can thus be configured for instance in accordance with aesthetic requirements for the container 1.

The container body 2 is preferably formed from a substantially smooth peripheral wall 4. In figure 2 this peripheral wall 4 is smooth on the outside, but also on the inside. Owing to the non-releasable connection between cover body 8 and container body 2 there is no necessity to provide screw thread, ribs or grooves for attachment of the cover body 8 to the container body 2. This has the advantage that such a container 1 requires less material.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention in a manufactured state with an opened closing element 13. The cover body 8 extends at least partially into the internal volume of the container body 2. The cover edge 14 of the cover body 8 is preferably at least partially received here inside the container body 2. Container body 2 and cover body 8 are in contact with each other at the peripheral edge 5, where the non-releasable connection is preferably also arranged. As already stated, this connection can be realized by sealing.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention in a manufactured state with a closed closing element 13. The closing element 13 is, at least in the closed position, located wholly within a contour defined by the cover body 8. The cover body 8 defines as it were a plane remote from the internal volume with which the closing element 13 lies flush. The closing element 13 at least does not extend here beyond the support means 15 in the longitudinal direction. Nor in the shown embodiment does the closing element extend beyond the dispensing opening 11. The surface of the cover body 8 in which the closing element 13 lies in the closed position takes a curved form in figure 4. It is however possible to envisage the surface being a flat surface. In addition, other curvatures such as convex and concave can also be envisaged.

Figure 5 shows a further perspective view of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention with an opened closing element 13. Figure 5 shows clearly that the connecting element 7 is placed at least partially in the internal volume of the container 1. It can clearly be seen in figure 5 that a recess for the connecting element 7 is provided in the cover body 8. It is also possible to envisage this recess being provided in the container body 2. The connecting element 7 is tucked away inside the periphery of the container 1 such that undesired taking hold of the connecting element 7 is hereby prevented.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention at different stages in the manufacture thereof. Figure 6a shows the container 1 following the forming step. A container 1 is formed with a container body 2 with a peripheral wall 4 which defines an internal volume of the container body 2 as well as a filling opening V, with further a cover body 8 connected integrally to the container body 2 and having a dispensing opening 11 formed therein, and with support means 15 on which the container 1, at least in wholly manufactured state, can be supported. Further formed is a closing element 13 which is connected to the cover body and which is movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element 13 leaves the dispensing opening 11 clear, and wherein in the closed position the closing element 13 closes the dispensing opening 11 and extends between the support means 15 and the dispensing opening 11.

In an embodiment the forming of the container body 2, the cover body 8 and the closing element 13 take place in a single integral step, in particular by means of injection moulding.

It is in addition possible in an embodiment to form the closing element 13 separately of the cover body 8, wherein it is possible to form the closing element 13 with a forming technique other than that applied for the cover body 8 and/or container body 2. After forming thereof the closing element must then be connected to the cover body 8. This connection can take place before filling of the container body 2, but also after the filling step. Although injection moulding is recommended, it is possible to envisage manufacturing the container 1 by means of other forming techniques such as die-drawing, deep-drawing, thermoforming, a form/fill/seal process or other techniques per se known to the skilled person.

It is further possible to print the container body, or optionally the container 1, in order to arrange for instance a logo or relief thereon. The technique of inmould labelling is particularly suitable for this purpose. The container 1 then no longer requires a separate step for providing a label. It is however possible to envisage the container 1 nevertheless being labelled in an additional step.

Following the forming the container 1 is brought into a filling orientation. In figure 6a this is an upward orientation. The container 1 is subsequently filled through the filling opening defined by the peripheral edge 5 of the peripheral wall 4.

The filled container 1 is shown in figure 6b, wherein the liquid level is indicated schematically and illustratively with a broken line (as also in figures 6b-e). The indicated liquid level is shown at random, and such a container 1 can be filled as desired.

Following filling the cover body 8 is pivoted onto the peripheral wall 4. The cover body 8 pivots here about the connecting element 7 which is then received inside the internal volume of the container 1. This connecting element 7 is therefore not visible in figure 6c. When the cover body 8 and the container body 2 are in contact, the non-releasable connection is arranged. As discussed above, this preferably takes place by fusing the cover body 8 and the container body 2, for instance by spot welding or ultrasonic welding.

Figure 6d shows the container 1, wherein the closing element 13 is in the closed position. In order to confine the liquid in the container 1 it is necessary to close the closing element 13. The pin of the closing element 13 preferably fits here into the dispensing opening 11. Closing of the closing element 13 can take place before or after filling of the container body 2. In addition, it is further possible to envisage closing the dispensing opening 11 with a preferably once-only breakable closing foil.

Figure 6e shows a container 1 in a situation where it can be placed on a surface B. The support means 15 form for this purpose a substantially flat surface. The container 1 rests here wholly on the support means 15, whereby there is no contact between the surface on which the container 1 rests and the closing element 13.

As follows from Figures 6a to 6e, in effect a method for manufacturing a tube-like container 1 is described, and filling it with a viscous liquid. The method according to this aspect contains the steps of: forming a container body 2 with a peripheral wall 4 which defines an internal volume of the container body 2 and a filling opening V; and a cover body 8 connected integrally to the container body 2 near the filling opening V and having a dispensing opening 11 formed therein. The method further comprises the step of forming a closing element 13 connected to the cover body 8 and movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element 13 leaves the dispensing opening clear, and wherein in the closed position the closing element 13 closes the dispensing opening 11. Following the step of forming the container body 2 and the cover body 8, the method comprises the step of filling the internal volume of the container body 2 with a viscous liquid via the filling opening V. Then, in a subsequent step, the internal volume of the container body 2 is closed by connecting the cover body 8 non-releasably to the peripheral wall 4 of the container body 2, for closing the filling opening. It should be noted that according to this aspect, the exact design and features of the cover body are not essential for the benefits obtained by this method, for as long as the cover body 8 comprises a closing element 13, and is integrally connected to the container body 2. Furthermore, it is advantageous when the internal volume of the container 1 is only accessible via the filling opening, after having produced the container 1, and before the step of filling the container. According to this aspect, an integral tube-like container 1 is formed, having only a single opening (i.e., the filling opening V) for accessing the internal volume of the container body 2. This allows for quick and easy filling, and subsequent closing of the internal volume of the container 1. Preferably, the steps of forming the container body 2, the cover body 8 and the closing element 13 take place in a single integral step, in particular by means of injection moulding.

As can be seen in Figures 6b and 6c, the cover body 8 comprises a substantially smooth connection edge 14, arranged to be brought in fittingly contact with an edge 5 of the container body 2 defining the filling opening V.

It is in this sense preferred when the container 1 is formed by means of injection moulding, wherein the container body 2 is formed, at least partly, from a first component, and wherein the cover body 8 is formed, at least partly, from a second component differing from the first component. The first component may comprise, for instance, a material which is softer than the second component. This way, it is relatively easy to deform the container body 2 in order to dispense the viscous liquid from the container body, whilst the cover body 8, and additionally the closing element 13, may be formed from a relatively harder material, for providing strength to the tube-like container.

In particular, it is conceivable that the edge 5 of the container body 2, which defines the filling opening V, is formed from the second component which is relatively hard, and wherein the connection edge 14 of the cover body 8 is also made of the second component. This allows for an easy and tight connection between the cover body 8 and the container body 2. In particular, this may be achieved by means of sealing, spot welding or ultrasonic spot welding.

Figure 7 discloses a further improvement of the container 1 according to the present invention, which merely differs from the embodiments already described, in that a functional element 16 is provided on an end of the container body 2 remote from the cover body 8. In particular, this embodiment may be produced integrally, by means of a multicomponent injection moulding process. In particular, the functional element 16 may be produced from a component which differs from the component from which the container body 2 is made. For instance, this functional feature 16 may be produced from a relatively harder component, compared to the material from which the container body 2 is made. The production of the container 1 disclosed in Fig. 7 may be identical as described above. In particular, it is envisaged that the container 1 of Fig. 7 having the container body 2, the cover body 8 and closing element 13, and additionally also the functional feature 16, is integrally formed, preferably by means of multicomponent injection moulding.

The functional feature 16 may be a manipulating member 16, which is arranged for manipulating the viscous liquid released from the container 1. For instance, the viscous liquid may be a glue, or a filling material such as a resin, and the manipulating member may be used to form, move or smear the viscous liquid. Alternatively, or additionally, the functional feature 16 may be provided with a serrated edge for manipulating the viscous liquid, or any other material, during or after use of the viscous liquid. It is noted that the functional feature may also be present on other tube-like containers, and that the presence of the functional feature 16 is in principle not limited to the kind of cover body 8 used.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the present invention has been described above by way of elucidation on the basis of several embodiments thereof. The invention is not however limited to these embodiments.

The container is thus not limited to the type of viscous liquid held therein. The container according to the present invention is for instance further suitable for holding cosmetic liquids, such as shampoo, as well as food products. In addition, the container according to the present invention is particularly suitable for viscous liquids, although it is also possible to envisage it being applied for other liquids, or optionally solid products such as fine-grained materials such as salt. Many equivalent adjustments and modifications are possible within the requested scope of protection, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

A method for manufacturing a tubular container (1) with a viscous liquid, the method comprising the steps of: Injection molding to form: o A container body (2) with a peripheral wall (4) that has an internal volume of the container body (2) and a filling opening; o A lid body (8) integrally connected to the container body (2) near the filling opening with a dosing opening (11) formed therein; o A closing element (13) connected to the lid body (8) which is movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the lid member (13) releases the dosing opening (11), and wherein in the closed position the closing element (13) close the dispensing opening (11); Filling the inner volume of the container body (2) with a viscous liquid after the step of forming container body (2) and lid body (8) via the filling opening, as well as; Closing the filling opening, and therewith of the internal volume of the container body (1), after the filling step, by inseparably connecting the lid body (8) to the container body (2). A method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of forming the container body (2), the lid body (8), and the closure element (13) take place in a single, integral step. 3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid body comprises a substantially smooth mounting edge which is adapted to be in close contact with a substantially smooth edge of the container body which determines the filling opening. Method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, comprising the step of manufacturing the container by means of multi-component injection molding, wherein the container body is at least partially manufactured from a first component, and wherein the lid body is substantially manufactured from a second component which differs from the first component. The method of claim 4, wherein the material of the first component is a softer material than the material of the second component. 6. Method as claimed in claims 3 and 5, wherein the edge of the container body, which edge defines the filling opening, is made from the second, relatively hard, component, and wherein the fixing edge of the lid body is also made from the second component. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling opening has substantially a round cross-section. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of releasably connecting the lid body (8) to the container body (2) comprises the step of sealing, (ultrasonic) welding, spot welding, gluing or a combination thereof. A tube-shaped container (1) for a viscous liquid, comprising: A tube-shaped container body (2) with a circumferential wall (4) which determines an internal volume of the container body (2), as well as a filling opening, the internal volume of the container body is only accessible through the filling opening; A lid body (8) connected to the container body (2), the lid body (8) comprising a dispensing opening (11) formed therein, and A closing element (13) connected to the lid body (8) and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position the closing element (13) releases the dosing opening (11), and wherein in the closed position the closing element (13) closes the dosing opening (11). Container (1) according to claim 9, wherein the lid body (8) is integrally connected to the container body (2) by means of a connecting element (7), and wherein the connecting element (7) is at least partially in the internal volume of the holder (1) is placed. Container according to claim 9, wherein the cover body (8) and the closing element (13) are integrally formed, in particular by means of injection molding. A container according to claims 9-11, wherein the lid body (8) comprises a substantially smooth attachment edge that can be brought into close contact with a substantially smooth edge of the end of the container body (2). A container according to claims 9-12, wherein the container body (2) is at least partially made of a first component, and wherein the lid body (8) is substantially made of a second component that differs from the first component. The container of claim 13, wherein the first component is a softer material than the material of the second component. 15. Container as claimed in claims 9-14, wherein a functional element (16) is provided at an end of the container body which is situated at a distance from the lid body (8).