NEW PRODUCTS
Decorating Capabilities
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Through multimillion-dollar machinery investments and plant modernization efforts, a company offers a range of decorating capabilities. The optimization of screens in combination with ink formulations and special curing techniques enables the firm to produce customized glitter, sparkle, and high-gloss decorating effects. Custom foil colors can be created by silk-screen printing over the original foil. This specialized process ensures branding consistency throughout decorating. Tactile silk-screen inks have a high-profile look, as well as a built-in, nonslip finish. Three more decorating techniques include pearlessence, wood grain, and leather-simulated silk-screen inks. The company produces PE tubes in all densities (with or without EVOH barrier) and post-consumer resin tubes in all standard tube sizes (3/4 to 2 3⁄16 in.) with compatible head and neck finishes that include B22-400, M8, M5, ND20.6, and dome or slanted (3/4 in. only). Decorating options include one-to-eight color offset, one-to-six color screen printing, hot stamping, spot- and full-wrap labeling, and a variety of custom combination decorating options. CCL Tube Inc., Los Angeles, CA; 541/550-0402; www.ccltube.com.
Printing Services
A company’s tube-printing capabilities include an eight-color printing process. Additional services are available, such as silk-screen printing of up to six colors, whole-tube hot stamping, labeling of more than eight colors, and heat-transfer printing of more than eight colors. Products that can be processed include round tubes with diameters of 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 30, 38, 40, 45, 48, 50, 55, or 60 mm; oval tubes with diameters of 13, 16, 25, 30, 35, 38, 40, 45, or 50 mm; super oval tubes with diameters of 30, 35, 40, or 50 mm; and airless tubes with diameters of 25, 30, or 35 mm. Arminak & Associates Inc., Azusa, CA; 626/358-4804; www.arminak-associates.com.
High-Barrier-Shoulder Tube Packaging
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Machines can produce plastic tubes with high-barrier Bacomex shoulders and coextruded sleeves. The PTH 100 Bacomex units can produce tubes in 50-mm diameter with capacities of up to 300 ml. The produced plastic tubes have an improved oxygen barrier of factor 12 and an aroma barrier improvement of 100 over standard coextruded tubes, according to the manufacturer. The machines have a nominal output of 100 tubes per min. The company has installed a PTH 100 Bacomex machine at Witoplast in Poland, a leading manufacturer of polyethylene tubes in Central Europe. AISA Automation Industrielle SA, Vouvry, Switzerland; +41 0 244820110; www.aisa.com.
Small Tubes
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A company has launched a new machine to produce small laminate tubes for toothpaste and pharmaceutical products. The new Mini 120 tube making machine produces small diameter tubes from 1/2 inch to 7⁄8 inch (12.7 to 22.2 mm). It opens up possibilities for lower production costs by way of a complete laminate operation tube line integrated into one small footprint. No more than 172 square feet (16m²) are required to produce 120 tubes per minute, including capping application and optional top seal. It includes seaming, heading, top seal application (optional), capping application, and tube packing (optional). PackSys Global, Evanston, IL; 847/425-3601; sales@packsysglobal.com; www.packsysglobal.com.
Tubes with Pumps and More
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A full-service beauty packaging supplier offers high-quality, yet cost-competitive, products and services. Close proximity to Asian factory sources allows the company to provide hands-on quality control and on-site production supervision. A wide range of plastic tubes are available with innovative designs, cutting-edge technology, and fun decorative options. Recent innovations include tubes with pumps for both airless and non-airless packages. Tube factory manufacturing sources are ISO 9001:2000 certified; comply with health, safety and environmental regulations; and have passed various audits. International Cosmetic Suppliers Ltd., Hong Kong, SAR; +852 2201 6207; www.ics-world.com.
Empty-Tube Feeding System
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A feeding system automatically loads empty tubes onto the infeed system of a tube filler. The CR-1 robotic machine reaches speeds of up to 300 tubes per min. It is positioned next to the tube filler and is designed to avoid any possible tube contamination while providing maximum visibility and accessibility. The system can also be used with most brands of tube-filling machines; it can be customized for various applications. The company’s other products include filling and sealing machines for metal and plastic tubes, with speeds ranging from 30 to 300 tubes per min. Capable of handling almost every type of product, CO.MA.DI.S tube fillers are simple to clean and feature 5-min toolless changeover to reconfigure the filler from plastic to metal tubes, or vice versa. The fillers are also available for special applications, such as multicolor products, mascara filling, and explosion-proof requirements. IMA Nova, Leominster, MA; 978/537-8534; www.imanova.com.
Squeezable Tubes
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A system that quantitatively measures how users dispense products with tube packaging is available as an aid in evaluating where and how a tube fatigues, as well as when labels or appliqués delaminate. This testing can help design engineers improve the functionality and ergonomics of a container by improving the grip and contact area. The Tactilus Tube testing system comprises a matrix-based tactile surface sensor element, software, and electronic hub that plugs into any Windows-compatible PC. The sensor element is essentially an electronic skin that records and interprets pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting or mating surfaces. An electronic hub transmits the data collected into a Windows-based software tool kit. The sensor element encases a tube. When pressure is exerted upon the tube, a pressure profile rapidly illustrates exactly where and how much force is being applied. The unit reveals the time and force required to expel contents from a tube, and gives insight into squeezing techniques used by different demographic segments. Sensor Products Inc., Madison, NJ; 973/884-1755; www.sensorprod.com.
Oval Tubes
A tube that can accommodate metallic effects is now available in an oval form. The Polyfoil tubes are offered in sizes of 46.5 x 31 and 58 x 40 mm. They have a capacity of 75 to 300 ml. Initially, screw caps with a possibility of a top seal are provided. A flip-top cap will be available next. The tube can also be delivered with a PE finish and can be printed all around, offering shape retention. The company also has perfected hot-stamping film with platinum 3-D effect that is a security feature for customized brand protection. The film, called Platinumfoil, enables hologram effects to be combined with fine-resolution 3-D elements, such as pictures, logos, or codes. Hidden features and microtext may also be incorporated. The film has the same properties with respect to abrasion, adhesion, and resistance to the contents of tubes as a standard hot-stamping foil in gold or silver. Hoffman Neopac AG, Oberdiessbach, Switzerland; +41 0 317701215; www.neopac.ch.
Sponge-Top Applicator
A sponge-top applicator is available for tubes ranging from 1.8 to 4.5 fl. oz., with a shrink band over the cap and fitment for added security. The sponge-top tube eliminates the need to apply product by hand, thus reducing product waste and mess. A tube with such a top is a suitable package for topical creams and ointments and other products where direct application is necessary. Alcan Packaging Cebal, Washington, NJ; 908/835-5315; www.alcanpackaging.com.
