Abstract: A thermoplastic tube, and method for forming such a tube, has a tube body portion formed from an inner layer of thermoplastic material, a barrier layer, and an outer layer of thermoplastic material. The outer layer does not extend completely about the periphery of the tube body and a strip of thermoplastic material having the same composition as the inner layer, fills each gap in the outer layer to form a smooth surface about the tube. The strip may be transparent or of a color different than the color of the outer layer. In a preferred tube, a first layer of adhesive material is provided between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and a second layer of adhesive material is provided between the barrier layer and the outer layer and strip.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tube, and method for forming such a tube, has a tube body portion formed from an inner layer of thermoplastic material, a barrier layer, and an outer layer of thermoplastic material. The outer layer does not extend completely about the periphery of the tube body and a strip of thermoplastic material having the same composition as the inner layer, fills each gap in the outer layer to form a smooth surface about the tube. The strip may be transparent or of a color different than the color of the outer layer. In a preferred tube, a first layer of adhesive material is provided between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and a second layer of adhesive material is provided between the barrier layer and the outer layer and strip.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, cylinder by positioning the cylinder over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion. The inner surface of the exposed portion is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the cylinder. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched cylinder.

Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched, cylinder by positioning the cylinder over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion. The inner surface of the exposed portion is heated above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material to render the inner surface molten while the outer surface provides support for the exposed portion of the cylinder. The heated exposed portion is then shaped into a conical shape, such as by heating the outer surface, and pressure applied to the conical shaped exposed portion to form a headed thermoplastic tube. The headed tubes produced have a body portion, shoulder portion and neck portion, without any seams, all of which are formed from the starting thermoplastic extruded, stretched cylinder.

Abstract: A method for producing thermoplastic tubular containers having a tubular wall section, open neck, and integral sealed bottom where a thermoplastic disc, is sealed to the inner wall of the tubular wall section, and the disc, while in a moldable state, is formed into a bottom wall by application of either a vacuum to the exterior surface of the disc or a fluid pressure to the interior of the tubular wall section, or both, to mold the disc in a mold cavity to a desired shape. A supporting sleeve surrounds the tubular wall section during application of the fluid pressure. Thermoplastic containers can be formed from a single thermoplastic material or from laminates, such as a laminate material containing an oxygen impermeable layer.

Abstract: A tamper-evident container assembly comprises a container and a cap. The container has a dispensing end that includes an opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, a threaded surface, and a frangible tab extending outwardly from the threaded surface. The cap is internally threaded with the threads of the cap being complementary to those of the threaded surface of the dispensing end of the container and being formed prior to the cap being placed on the dispensing end of the container. The cap has a vertical notch therein extending from the lower edge thereof of a size sufficient to receive at least a portion of the tab so that the tab is readily visible therethrough. The cap is initially placed axially over the dispensing end of the container so that the tab is received within the notch in the cap.The cap can not be initially removed from the container without separating at least a portion of the tab from the threaded surface of the dispensing end of the container.

Abstract: A unit dose dispensing collapsible tube adapted to dispense a viscous liquid therefrom includes a collapsible tube portion and a unit dose dispenser. The unit dose dispenser includes a cap member on the collapsible tube portion, and a closure element connected to the cap member. The cap member has an opening therein to provide a path of flow for the viscous liquid in the collapsible tube portion from the collapsible tube portion to the unit dose dispenser, and an indentation therein to define a unit dose-measuring section adapted to hold a unit dose of a viscous liquid. The closure element has a lower surface with a configuration complementary to the bottom surface of the unit dose-measuring section of the cap member and a passageway therethrough in fluid flow communication with the viscous liquid in the collapsible tube portion and the unit dose-measuring section.

Abstract: An integral seal member is formed across the outlet in the neck of a tamper evident, thermoplastic container by adding to the thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, 3% to 16%, and preferably about 8% by weight, of an anhydrous solid inorganic particulate additive such as an anhydrous siliceous material or calcium carbonate so that the material becomes brittle enough that the seal member tears cleanly from the neck within the confines of an undercut at the interface between the seal member and neck. Torque is applied to the seal member by providing in the top of a conventional screw cap which forms a resealing closure for the container once opened, a recess with serrations which, when the cap is removed and turned upside down, engage serrations on the peripheral edge of the seal.

Abstract: A desired decorative design on packaging such as tubes is made up of a combination of printed matter and a decorative foil such as a metal, pigmented or textured pattern foil. The method involves the steps of first applying the printed matter to the material with an ink treated to prevent adherence of the foil to the printed matter. Thereafter, the foil coated with an adhesive is positioned against the material and heat and/or pressure applied so that a foil transfer will occur onto all areas of the material engaged by the foil that are devoid of the printed matter. The foil is applied with a smooth continuous silicone pad. Exact registration is assured and the use of complicated die designs is wholly avoided.

Abstract: A thin resilient plastic preform is provided for suspending a shampoo tube or the like having an elongated bottom sealing flange from a hook, showerhead, or faucet handle. The preform includes a tube attachment portion and a hanger portion. The hanger portion is adapted to engage conveniently located objects protruding from the shower wall and can comprise intersecting slits or a cut-out area in the plastic or a handle means. The tube attachment portion is an elongated straight cut through the plastic having a length about equal to the tube body width, but less than the length of the tube bottom sealing flange.

Abstract: A system for successively curing resinous printing or coatings about the exterior of tubular articles with ultraviolet radiation. A housing is provided having inlet and outlet openings for an endless chain having transversely extending stationary pins. The chain is directed by guide rollers over a sprocket wheel located concentric with an elongated ultraviolet lamp. The axis of the lamp and pins extend parallel to each other so that when the tubular articles are placed on the pins and conveyed around the wheel, a major portion of all the U.V. radiation emitted is utilized for curing and all surfaces of the tube exterior are exposed. The efficiency of the system is further enhanced with the use of a radiation reflector shield positioned radially outward from the sprocket wheel. The system includes a cooling means to remove heat from the housing generated by the ultraviolet lamp.

Abstract: A laminated settable tubular package is disclosed having integral end and body portions of the same material. The tubular package is formed with a process and apparatus which permits head and shoulder portions to be formed as a continuation of the tubular body through folding and shaping operations. The package is substantially impermeable and has particular use for containing toothpaste, essential perfumes, oils, solvents, flavorings, and other substances in which permeation of the atmosphere and/or volatization losses are problems.