DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
5 [0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to packaging of products,
and in particular, but not exclusively, relates to a packaging tube for packaging
of an oxidizable product and a method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging
tube for oxidizable products.
BACKGROUND
10 [0002] In various industries, including, but not limited to, pharmaceuticals,
paints and coatings, cosmetics and personal care, chemicals, art and crafts,
packaging tubes are generally used for storing various products having non-
solid consistencies. Examples of products having non-solid consistencies may
include, but are not limited to, liquids, gels, foams, and creams. These products
15 can be of various types, for instance, for oral care, a toothpaste may be packaged
within a packaging tube. In another instance, for haircare, skincare and makeup
products, including hair dye, foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen lotion,
petroleum-based products, etc. may be packaged within their respective
packaging tubes. The packaging tube is generally a hollow structure, storing the
20 product having non-solid consistency, and may have a closed end and an
opening at another end, for dispensing the stored product. Further, packaging
tubes aimed at storing products having non-solid consistencies, are usually made
of materials which can serve the purpose of preserving the stored product, while
also providing enough strength and flexibility to the packaging tube such that
25 any given user can safely store the packaging tube and also obtain (for example,
by pressing the packaging tube) the stored product at will. Examples of materials
which may be used for the packaging tubes include, but are not limited to,
plastics, metals, papers, laminates, or combinations thereof.
30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2
[0003] In a first aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a
recyclable packaging tube for oxidizable products. The recyclable packaging
tube comprises a sleeve having a first peripheral sleeve edge, wherein the sleeve
is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate. The recyclable packaging tube also
5 comprises a shoulder extending upward from the first peripheral sleeve edge to
form a through passage for the oxidizable products, wherein the shoulder is
made of plastic material and wherein the shoulder comprises a shoulder barrier
liner made of a second polymeric barrier laminate. Further, in the first aspect of
the present subject matter the sleeve and the shoulder barrier liner are to cause
10 the recyclable packaging tube to achieve an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)
of less than 0.005 cc/pkg.day. The sleeve, the shoulder, and the shoulder barrier
liner are to cause the recyclable packaging tube to achieve recyclability in bottle
grade HDPE stream.
[0004] In the said aspect the first polymeric barrier laminate and the second
15 polymeric barrier laminate can be same or different.
[0005] In the said aspect, the shoulder barrier liner is positioned adjacent to the
first peripheral sleeve edge of the sleeve and spans across a plane of the first
peripheral sleeve edge.
[0006] In the said aspect, the shoulder barrier liner comprises a first protrusion
20 extending above the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge, where the first
protrusion is to position the shoulder barrier liner exactly beneath the shoulder.
[0007] In the said aspect, the first protrusion of the shoulder barrier liner is
inverted flat bottomed cup-shaped.
[0008] In the said aspect, the shoulder is formed with a first shoulder portion
25 extending above the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge and a second
shoulder portion extending below the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge.
[0009] In a second aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a
method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging tube for oxidizable products.
The method comprises forming a sleeve having a first peripheral sleeve edge,
30 where the sleeve is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate. The method
further comprises placing a shoulder barrier liner over the first peripheral sleeve
3
edge of the sleeve, where the shoulder barrier liner is made of a second
polymeric barrier laminate. Further, the method comprises forming a shoulder
on the shoulder barrier liner, where the shoulder extends upward from the first
peripheral sleeve edge to form a through passage for the oxidizable products,
5 where the shoulder is made of a plastic material. The sleeve and the shoulder
barrier liner are to cause the recyclable packaging tube to achieve an Oxygen
Transmission Rate (OTR) of less than 0.005 cc/pkg.day, and where the sleeve,
the shoulder, and the shoulder barrier liner are to cause the recyclable packaging
tube to achieve recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream.
10 [0010] In the said aspect, placing the shoulder barrier liner over the first
peripheral sleeve edge of the sleeve comprises placing a first protrusion of the
shoulder barrier liner at a center of the sleeve, wherein the first protrusion is
inverted flat bottomed cup-shaped.
15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:
[0012] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of a packaging tube in accordance
with an example implementation of the present subject matter;
[0013] Figure 1B illustrates a partial sectional view of a packaging tube in
20 accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter;
[0014] Figure 1C illustrates a sectional view of a packaging tube in accordance
with an example implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging
tube for oxidizable products in accordance with an example implementation of
25 the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Conventional packaging tubes, storing products having non-solid
consistency, are traditionally manufactured using materials including single or
30 multi-layer plastics comprising mono-materials such as Polyethylene (PE) or
Polypropylene (PP) or single-layer metals comprising Aluminum. Conventional
4
packaging tubes using single or multi-layer plastics provide basic protection of
the stored product but are ineffective in providing a secure protection from
environmental factors including air, moisture, light, and heat. This seriously
degrades the quality of the stored product within the conventional packaging
5 tube, especially in instances where the stored product, having a non-solid
consistency, is oxidizable or reactive. As the stored product interacts with
environmental factors, for instance, air and/or moisture within the conventional
packaging tube, the stored product undergoes undesirable reactions, for
instance, the stored product may get oxidized. As a result, packaged products
10 within the conventional packaging tubes undergo undesirable effects including,
but not limited to, altering of the chemical composition of the stored product,
damage to the molecular structure of the stored product, loss of
nutritional/functional value of the stored product, and changes in sensory
attributes of the stored product. This not only reduces the shelf-life of the
15 oxidizable product stored within the conventional packaging tubes but also
contributes to safety concerns, for instance, microbial growth or formation of
harmful compounds in the packaged product. Further, conventional packaging
tubes using single-layer metals including Aluminum provide improved
protection of the oxidizable stored product over conventional single or multi-
20 layer plastic packaging tubes. However, such conventional single-layer metal
packaging tubes offer very limited flexibility and are highly prone to denting,
deformation, and increased product wastage, as higher product retention is
experienced within the conventional packaging tubes using single-layer metal
packaging. These compromises the aesthetic and functional integrity of the
25 conventional packaging tubes. Further, single-layer metal based conventional
packaging tubes are also not a sustainable option due to the high carbon footprint
associated with metal processing. Additionally, glass packaging is therefore
sometimes used for storing oxidizable products that have non-solid
consistencies; however, glass-based packaging does not provide protection
30 against sunlight, and is also extremely heavy and fragile. This makes glass-
packaging of oxidizable products unsuitable for practical usage.
5
[0017] In some instances, different manufacturing processes have been used to
obtain conventional packaging tubes having Plastic Barrier Laminate (PBL) or
Aluminum Barrier Laminate (ABL). Conventionally, this involves preparing a
laminate material that includes multiple layers comprising polymer layers and a
5 barrier layer. Examples of barrier layers include, but are not limited to,
Aluminum foil for ABL and Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) film for PBL,
which are combined with other polymer layers. This includes an appropriate size
slit laminate formed into a tubular shell by rolling and side seaming its edges
using heat or ultrasonic welding. The long tubular shell is cut into individual
10 tube lengths to form a sleeve portion of conventional packaging tube’s body.
The sleeve portion of the conventional packaging tube’s body is then attached
to an (in-situ or pre-formed) shoulder and/or neck, typically made from plastic,
through heat or ultrasonic welding. The shoulder portion has an opening, which
is the provision for dispensation of the packaged product and is often sealed
15 with a Top Seal or Induction seal to ensure proper sealing of entire packaging
tube till the beginning of customer usage. Finally, the conventional packaging
tube is obtained with PBL or ABL and is capped with a closure, including a cap,
to ensure it is fully sealed or covered. Thus, components comprising – sleeve
portion, shoulder portion, nozzle top seal and cap make the complete
20 conventional tube packaging. Although conventional packaging tubes be it PBL
or ABL provide improved barrier properties over conventional packaging tubes
made of single or multi-layer mono-material plastics or equivalent barrier
properties like single-layer metals, they do suffer from limitations of their own
specially during instances when storing oxygen sensitive products and also,
25 from sustainability aspects. Barrier materials on such conventional packaging
tubes – either aluminum or polymeric oxygen barrier layer (EVOH, PVOH,
BVOH, etc.,), are incorporated properly only within the sleeve portion, thereby
providing oxygen barrier properties only within the sleeve portion of the
conventional packaging tubes, however, the shoulder portion is molded with
30 polymeric materials and does not have comparable oxygen barrier properties
when compared to the sleeve portion. Thus, the tube components in the
6
conventional packaging tubes – sleeve portion, shoulder portion, top seal and
cap have different levels of oxygen barrier properties. Therefore, for products,
which are moderately sensitive to moisture and/or oxygen ingress or egress, the
aforesaid conventional tube packaging provides decent results, however, for
5 highly oxygen sensitive and/or reactive products stored with the conventional
packaging tubes including Hair Dye, cross-linkable Adhesives, etc., the
protection from moisture and/or oxygen ingress or egress is not satisfactory.
Therefore, complete oxygen protection for the entire tube is not even available
for PBL and ABL based conventional packaging tubes at least due to presence
10 of air permeable areas such as the shoulder portion. The oxygen sensitive stored
product within the conventional packaging tube thus loses its utility, as it
undergoes oxidation. As a result, oxygen sensitive products including Hair Dye,
and other similar products are still largely packaged in Aluminum based
packaging tubes, which provides highly improved protection against oxidation
15 to the stored product from environmental factors especially oxygen but has its
own drawbacks including but not limited to denting, deformation, increased
wastage of stored product, and high carbon footprint.
[0018] Further, conventional packaging tubes made from ABL, having a sleeve
thickness ranging from 175 to 300 microns having aluminum foil in the sleeve
20 portion can be utilized. These ABL based conventional packaging tubes can give
the same level of protection as an aluminum tube (single-layer metal packaging
tube, especially if a pre-formed foil is used as an insert in the shoulder), but the
challenge with ABL is the mechanical recyclability. Incorporation of Aluminum
foil in the sleeve laminate makes it practically impossible to melt process the
25 ABL based conventional packaging tube using the traditional plastic mechanical
recycling methods. This is because, multi-material composition of conventional
ABL based packaging tubes including metals and polymers require separation
of each layer before employing different recycling processes, which need to be
tailored specifically for each layer. Therefore, the Aluminum foil and the
30 different polymer layers require specialized recycling processes making
recycling of conventional ABL based packaging tubes susceptible to different
7
energy, labor and cost intensive processes making the entire upcycling
(recycling into a same category of product or better product) process practically
unviable. Also, negative environmental effects are associated with mining and
refining metals like Aluminum. Aluminum further has a high processing
5 temperature, typically above 600 Degree Centigrade, which necessitates
substantially high energy requirements for melting Aluminum for recycling,
which in turn substantially increases the cost associated with recycling
conventional ABL based packaging tubes. As a result, conventional ABL based
packaging tubes are also usually preferred for one time use thereby further
10 adding to the unsustainability aspect associated with conventional ABL based
packaging tubes.
[0019] Furthermore, conventional packaging tubes made from PBL, have a
sleeve thickness ranging from 200 to 500 microns, and usually do not offer
absolute impermeability in the sleeve portion of the conventional packaging
15 tube. Non-absolute impermeability leads to an ingress of oxygen within
conventional PBL based packaging tubes. In an example, Oxygen Transmission
Rate (OTR) of conventional PBL based packaging tubes having polymer layers
comprising Polyethylenes and EVOH lies around 1.5 cc/m2.day (Cubic
centimeter per square meter per day). As a result, the oxidizable stored product,
20 within the conventional PBL based packaging tube, having non-solid
consistency, remains stable only for short durations, which is insignificant when
compared to improving the overall shelf-life expected out of the oxidizable
product.
[0020] Furthermore, conventional PBL and ABL based packaging tubes rely on
25 the barrier protection provided by the multi-layer laminate forming the sleeve,
however, the shoulder portion of such conventional PBL and ABL based
packaging tubes is made of polymers like Polyethylenes and are not constituted
with barrier materials or laminates, due to limitations in manufacturing
processes. The shoulder portion of such conventional PBL and ABL based
30 packaging tubes therefore allows oxygen transmission, in and out of the
conventional packaging tubes, through the shoulder portion. Therefore,
8
oxidization of the oxidizable product stored within the conventional PBL based
packaging tubes is inevitable. Therefore, there exists at least one or more
problems with current packaging tube formats for packing of oxidizable
products. These problems include low shelf-life of the oxidizable stored product
5 within the packaging tube, sustainability aspect associated with the packaging
tube, user-friendliness, product retention, etc.
[0021] Thus, there is a demand for modified packaging tubes having increased
impermeability providing extremely low OTR throughout the modified
packaging tube, and improved sustainability while maintaining the strength and
10 flexibility of the modified packaging tube. The modified packaging tube should
have the ability to resist the ingress and/or egress of the oxygen from outside
and/or inside of the modified packaging tube from its components including
sleeve portion as well as shoulder portion. As stated, sleeve laminate should
have barrier layer, and the shoulder portion has to be augmented with a laminate
15 liner to prevent the oxygen and/or moisture ingress and /or egress. The laminate
liner may be of substantially same or similar or equivalent material as that of
the sleeve portion of the modified packaging tube resisting ingress and/or egress
of oxygen from outside and/or inside of the modified packaging tube from the
shoulder portion of the modified packaging tube. This may help in all tube
20 components being recyclable in the same recycling stream. All components of
the tube (which may include sleeve, shoulder, and shoulder barrier liner) may
have very low oxygen permeation, and comprise of same or similar materials
and should be mechanically integrated so as to make the entire modified
packaging tube with low oxygen permeation and at the same time in
25 recyclable/up-cyclable manner. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved
compositions of materials and designs of packaging tubes along with alternative
manufacturing processes to meet afore-mentioned objectives. Further, improved
composition of materials should be amenable to existing industrially practiced
and accepted recycling stream such as APR or RecyClass or IS 14534: 2016 as
30 developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Such innovative sustainable
tubes for oxygen sensitive or reactive products can significantly help to lower
9
plastic pollution and reduce carbon footprint compared to conventional
Aluminum tubes or ABL based conventional packaging tubes. These
compositions may majorly comprise HDPE and/or MDPE and will contribute
to High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) bottle grade recycling stream.
5 [0022] Various implementations of the present subject matter describe a
modified recyclable packaging tube for oxidizable products having very low
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) along with high strength and flexibility and
a method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging tube for oxidizable products.
The modified packaging tube of the present subject matter, due to its superior
10 material composition, structure and geometry, may facilitate enhanced shelf-life
of the oxidizable product stored within the modified packaging tube, and further
facilitate sustainability by allowing easy recyclability of the modified packaging
tube.
[0023] In an example implementation, a recyclable packaging tube includes a
15 sleeve, a shoulder, and a shoulder barrier liner. The terms “modified packaging
tube” and “recyclable packaging tube” may be interchangeably used hereinafter.
In an example, shoulder material may include but is not limited to Polyethylene
(High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE),
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
20 or combinations thereof. In an example, the sleeve of the modified packaging
tube may comprise a laminate having materials including, but not limited to,
Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Coated-PE (comprising metal, ceramic,
etc.,), Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH), Maleic
Anhydride-grafted-PE (Tie layer material), etc. The tie layer may be selected
25 from the group consisting of maleated polyethylene, anhydride grafted
ethylene/1-butene copolymer, anhydride grafted ethylene/1-hexene copolymer,
propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene
methyl acrylate copolymer, and anhydride grafted ethylene/1-octene copolymer.
In an example, various layers forming the laminate of the sleeve for the modified
30 packaging tube may have a sequential order which may include, but is not
limited to, layers of PE-Tie-EVOH (optionally with one or more PE, Coated-
10
PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-Tie-PE. One or more layers of the laminate forming
the sleeve of the modified packaging tube may act as barrier layers providing
extremely high impermeability for oxygen and moisture. The sleeve of the
modified packaging tube may have a resulting thickness ranging from 180 to
5 400 microns. In an example, the sleeve of the modified packaging tube may be
manufactured into a cylindrical tubular shape enclosing a hollow volume for
storing of an oxidizable product. In an example, the cylindrically shaped tubular
sleeve of the modified packaging tube may have a first peripheral sleeve edge
and a second peripheral sleeve edge, where the second peripheral sleeve edge
10 may be opposite to the first peripheral sleeve edge. The first peripheral sleeve
edge and the second peripheral sleeve edge of the sleeve may form a first sleeve
opening and a second sleeve opening respectively. In an example, the second
sleeve opening may be closed using various techniques including, but not
limited to, thermal-sealing, snap fitting a bottom cap, and screw based fastening
15 to provide an airtight sealing of the second sleeve opening of the sleeve of the
modified packaging tube.
[0024] In an example, the modified packaging tube, may have the shoulder
barrier liner within the first sleeve opening, adjacent to the first peripheral sleeve
edge. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner of the modified packaging tube
20 may comprise a laminate which may be same, similar, substantially same or
equivalent to the laminate forming the sleeve of the modified packaging tube.
In another example, the shoulder barrier liner may comprise a laminate different
from the laminate forming the sleeve of the modified packaging tube. In an
example, the laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner may have materials
25 including, but not limited to, PP, PE, coated-PE (metal, ceramic, etc.,), EVOH,
PVOH, Butenediol Vinyl Alcohol co-polymer (BVOH), Maleic Anhydride-
grafted-PE (Tie layer material), etc. In an example, various layers forming the
laminate of the shoulder barrier liner for the modified packaging tube may have
a sequential order which may include, but is not limited to, layers of PE-Tie-
30 EVOH (optionally with one or more PE, Coated-PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-
Tie-PE. One or more layers of the laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner of
11
the modified packaging tube may act as barrier layers providing extremely high
impermeability for oxygen and moisture. The shoulder barrier liner of the
modified packaging tube may have a resulting thickness ranging from 100 to
220 microns.
5 [0025] In an example, the shoulder barrier liner of the modified packaging tube
may have one or more protrusions. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner of
the modified packaging tube may have one or more recesses. In an example, the
shoulder barrier liner may lie across a plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge.
The one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses of the shoulder barrier
10 liner may facilitate the shoulder barrier liner to extend above and below the
plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge. Further, the shoulder barrier liner may
have a first peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge and a second peripheral
shoulder barrier liner edge. The first peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge may
form the closure of shoulder opening. The shoulder barrier liner drastically
15 reduces oxygen transmission rate when the oxidizable product is stored in the
packaging tube till the time of first use by an end user. The shoulder barrier layer
when punctured serves as a passage for product stored within the packaging
tube. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner may be punctured using a sharp
object (feature of cap) by a user of the modified packaging tube. In an example,
20 the cap may be made of polypropylene. In another example, the cap may be
made of polyethylene. The first peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge and the
second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge may form a first shoulder barrier
liner opening (after inner barrier liner is punctured by the user of the modified
packaging tube) and a second shoulder barrier liner opening respectively. In an
25 example, the first shoulder barrier liner opening may be completely closed
before puncturing of the shoulder barrier liner and the second shoulder barrier
liner opening may be pre-formed before molding of the modified packaging
tube. In another example, the first shoulder barrier liner opening, providing
through passage for dispensing the stored product, may be completely sealed
30 and the second shoulder barrier liner opening may be formed after molding the
modified packaging tube. In an example, the first and the second peripheral
12
shoulder barrier liner edges may lie above and below the plane of the first
peripheral sleeve edge of the modified packaging tube respectively. Further, in
an example, the one or more recesses of the shoulder barrier liner may extend
along the entire second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge and may lie
5 entirely below the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge. In an example, the
shoulder barrier liner laminate may have different tear initiation structures
including but not limited to de-bossing, thinned section, piercing node, etc.,
coinciding with shoulder opening.
[0026] In an example, the modified packaging tube including the sleeve and the
10 shoulder barrier liner may have the shoulder that may extend between the sleeve
of the modified packaging tube and the shoulder barrier liner of the modified
packing tube. In an example, the shoulder of the modified packaging tube may
include materials comprising HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE or combinations
thereof. In an example, the shoulder of the modified packaging tube may be
15 such, that when extended between the shoulder barrier liner and the sleeve of
the modified packaging tube, the shoulder may have one or more shoulder
portions lying above the plane of the first peripheral edge of the sleeve. In an
example, the shoulder of the modified packaging tube may be such, that when
extended between the shoulder barrier liner and the sleeve of the modified
20 packaging tube, the shoulder may have one or more shoulder portions lying
below the plane of the first peripheral edge of the sleeve. Further, in an example,
the shoulder of the modified packaging tube may have one or more shoulder
openings, which may be formed pre or post molding of the modified packaging
tube. The shoulder of the modified packaging tube may also be extended to form
25 a neck of the modified packaging tube. In other examples, the shoulder of the
modified packaging tube may be attached to neck of the modified packaging
tube, where the neck may be manufactured separately. The neck of the modified
packaging tube may include one or more neck openings for dispensing the
oxidizable product out of the modified packaging tube. Further, the neck of the
30 modified packaging tube may allow closing means including screw fastening a
cap to threads which may be provided on the neck of the modified packaging
13
tube. In an example, the cap may be made of polypropylene. In another example,
the cap may be made of polyethylene.
[0027] The modified packaging tubes having the sleeve, the shoulder barrier
liner, and the shoulder provide extremely high impermeability compared to
5 conventional packaging tubes. The modified packaging tubes therefore provide
enhanced resistance to oxygen transmission, thereby significantly reducing the
amount of oxygen which may enter the modified packaging tubes. Further, the
laminate where layers of different materials may be placed sequentially, allows
the laminate to be tailored to specific needs thereby enhancing usability and
10 adaptability without compromising on the oxygen transmission resistance. For
instance, the laminate of the sleeve and the shoulder barrier liner may be tailored
differently to have different OTRs. In another instance, the laminate of the
sleeve and the shoulder barrier liner may be tailored similar to each other to have
the same OTRs. The enhanced impermeability of the laminate along with the
15 ability to tailor the laminate to specific needs facilitates in achieving extremely
low OTRs associated with the modified packaging tubes. This significantly
reduces the exposure of the oxidizable product to atmospheric oxygen and
moisture. The shelf-life of oxidizable products stored within the modified
packaging tube is therefore significantly extended.
20 [0028] Additionally, the presence of the shoulder barrier liner having the
laminate with extremely high oxygen impermeability and portions extending
above and below the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge allows the one or
more shoulder portions of the shoulder of the modified packaging tube to be
sandwiched between the sleeve and the shoulder barrier liner. As a result, the
25 shoulder of the modified packaging tube can also be extended to have one or
more shoulder portions above and below the plane of the first peripheral sleeve
edge. This provides a substantially airtight arrangement having multiple layers
of enhanced barrier laminate within shoulder region of the modified packaging
tubes along with no gaps or spaces, which further limits transmission of oxygen
30 or moisture to enter the modified packaging tube. Also, the use of laminate
comprising materials described in the aforementioned paragraphs for the
14
shoulder barrier liner facilitates the shoulder barrier liner to be easily integrated
within the modified packaging tube without any deformations, damages, and
misalignments. Therefore, there is substantially no oxygen transmission within
the modified packaging tube from the shoulder of the modified packaging tube.
5 The presence of shoulder barrier liner having high impermeability laminate,
substantially airtight arrangement in the shoulder region of the modified
packaging tube, and the sleeve having high impermeability laminate
complement and compound each other’s effect to provide superior oxygen
transmission resistance to the entire modified packaging tube compared to
10 conventional packaging tubes. For instance, an OTR less than 0.005 cc/pkg.day.
may be achieved for the modified packaging tube. As used herein, cc/pkg.day is
cubic centimeter per package per day. As a result, the modified packaging tubes
can provide long term stability of the oxidizable product stored within the
modified packaging tube even when stored for extremely long durations.
15 [0029] Further, the use of the laminate, for the sleeve and the shoulder barrier
liner, comprising materials where one or more layers of the laminate may be
placed sequentially in an order including, but not limited to, PE-Tie-EVOH
(optionally with one or more PE, Coated-PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-Tie-PE
provide improved sustainability of the modified packaging tube over
20 conventional packaging tubes. The absence of any Aluminum foil in the
laminate used for the modified packaging tubes ensures that the recycling
process associated with the modified packaging tube has lower energy
requirements compared to conventional packaging tubes and also does not
contribute to the negative effects of mining and refining Aluminum. Costs
25 associated with recycling of the modified packaging tubes are thus further
reduced. In an example, the modified packaging tube may use a laminate
comprising a blend of HDPE with other types of polyethylene like MDPE,
LDPE, or LLDPE to enhance strength and reduce environmental stress cracking.
This blend, with a density range of 0.935 g/cc to 0.99 g/cc, may be recyclable
30 in the HDPE bottle grade recycling stream, following the Association of Plastic
Recyclers (APR) guidelines. This blend, having density on the higher side,
15
allows easy recyclability in the HDPE recycling stream. The modified
packaging tube may also include less than 5% EVOH to improve barrier
properties without affecting recyclability. This modified packaging tube may
thus be effectively recycled into new HDPE products, promoting a sustainable
5 lifecycle for packaging, including plastic packaging of oxidizable products.
[0030] Thus, the present subject matter provides modified packaging tubes
having increased impermeability providing extremely low OTR throughout the
modified packaging tube, and improved sustainability while maintaining the
strength and flexibility of the modified packaging tube. The modified packaging
10 tube also has the ability to resist the ingress and/or egress of the oxygen inside
and outside of the modified packaging tube from sleeve portion as well as
shoulder portion while using substantially same or similar materials for a
laminate forming the sleeve portion of the modified packaging tube and a
laminate for forming a shoulder barrier liner, resisting ingress and/or egress of
15 oxygen within and outside of the modified packaging tube from the shoulder
portion of the modified packaging tube. Further, the described modified
packaging tubes may be easily manufactured with only slight modifications to
existing manufacturing techniques, further saving costs associated with the
modified packaging tubes.
20 [0031] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the
accompanying figures. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are
used in the figures and the following description to refer to the same or similar
parts. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate
principles of the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various
25 arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown
herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all
statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present
subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass
equivalents thereof.
30 [0032] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of a modified packaging tube 100
in accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter. In
16
an example, the modified packaging tube 100, which may hereinafter be
interchangeably referred to as tube 100 may comprise a sleeve 102. The sleeve
102 may form main body of the tube 100, and may be manufactured through an
extrusion blown film and/or lamination process comprising plastic materials
5 including, but not limited to, Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP). The
sleeve 102 may comprise a laminate including multiple layers of materials
comprising, but not limited to PP, PE, Coated-PE (comprising metal, ceramic,
etc.,), Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH), Maleic
Anhydride-grafted-PE (Tie layer material), etc. In an example, the layers of
10 materials forming the laminate for the sleeve 102 may be placed in a sequential
order including layers of PE-Tie-EVOH (optionally with one or more PE,
Coated or metallized-PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-Tie-PE. In an example,
laminate of the sleeve 102 may hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as a
first laminate. The sleeve 102 of the tube 100 may be designed as a hollow
15 structure to hold contents of the tube 100, which may be non-solid oxidizable
products, and may be produced in varying lengths, thicknesses and diameters to
accommodate different product volumes. In an example, the sleeve 102 may be
customized with decorative elements like printing or labeling on its exterior
surface. In an example, the sleeve 102 may also be extruded and can be
20 integrated with other components of the tube 100. Structure of the sleeve 102
may provide the primary containment for the oxidizable product and may serve
as foundation for the overall tube assembly. The terms - modified packaging
tube, the tube, the packaging tube, and the recyclable packaging tube are
interchangeably used throughout.
25 [0033] In an example, to enhance functionality of the sleeve 102, the
manufacturing process may be fine-tuned to create specific sleeve thicknesses
or internal surface textures that may increase or decrease the compatibility of
the tube 100 with certain products which may exist inside or outside the tube
100. In an example, the sleeve 102 may be manufactured using multi-layer
30 extrusion techniques, potentially incorporating different materials in its
structure to enhance barrier properties or other characteristics, all while
17
maintaining its primary role as the tube's main body and simultaneously
providing robustness and flexibility. In an example, laminate sheet rolled to
form the sleeve 102 of the packaging tube 100 may have length (L), which may
hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as tube length (L) and diameter of
5 circular edge formed from rolling of the laminate sheet to form the sleeve 102
may hereinafter be referred to as tube diameter (D).
[0034] In an example, the tube 100 may comprise a shoulder 104. The shoulder
104 of the tube 100 may be manufactured using injection or compression
molding comprising plastic materials including, but not limited to, Polyethylene
10 (High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE),
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
or combinations thereof. In an example, different materials may be used to form
the shoulder 104 of the tube 100. The shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may form
upper part of the tube 100 and may include a threaded neck (not shown in Figure
15 1A) for attaching a closure, for instance cap 106. In an example, the cap 106
may be made of polypropylene. In another example, the cap 106 may be made
of polyethylene. In an example, the shoulder 104 may include a design which
may facilitate transition of the tube 100 from its cylindrical body to dispensing
opening, which may feature a tapered or curved shape to facilitate product flow
20 stored within the tube 100. The shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may provide
structural integrity to tube's top and may create a secure seal with the closure,
i.e., the cap 106. In an example, the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may be molded
with specific internal contours or features to enhance its integration with other
tube components. Its exterior may be designed with various aesthetic elements
25 or functional features, such as ridges for improved grip. The injection or
compression molding process of the shoulder 104 may allow for precise shaping
of the shoulder 104, including creation of accurate thread patterns on a neck
portion for reliable attachment of the cap 106.
[0035] In an example, to further enhance functionality of the shoulder 104, the
30 shoulder 104 may be molded with a stepped interior profile. This design may
include a lower step designed to overlap with upper portion of the sleeve 102,
18
providing a secure connection point. The shoulder's internal structure may also
incorporate ridges or grooves that correspond to the exterior surface of other
components, ensuring a tight fit and proper alignment during assembly. In an
example, the shoulder 104 may comprise threaded neck portion which may be
5 customized with specific dimensions and thread patterns to accommodate
standardized caps or closures, ensuring compatibility across different packaging
systems. In an example, the shoulder 104 may be designed with additional
features like built-in dispensing mechanisms or specialized sealing elements to
enhance the tube's overall performance and user experience.
10 [0036] In an example, combination of the sleeve 102 and the shoulder 104 in
design of the tube 100 may provide improved resistance to Oxygen
Transmission Rate (OTR). For instance, an OTR less than 0.005 cc/pkg.day may
be achieved for the tube 100. As used herein, cc/pkg.day is cubic centimeter per
package per day. As a result, the tube 100 can provide long term stability of the
15 oxidizable product stored within the tube 100 even when stored for extremely
long durations. The sleeve 102, which may be a laminate extruded from different
materials may provide barrier properties against Oxygen permeability, while the
molded shoulder may be molded from similar or complementary materials
having a laminate liner as an insert, creating a multi-layer barrier. Further, the
20 shoulder 104 having stepped interior profile may provide a design to overlap
with the sleeve 102, thereby creating an extended barrier path, increasing the
distance oxygen molecules may travel to penetrate the tube 100. The precise fit
between the sleeve 102 and the shoulder 104, and the shoulder's internal
contours are achieved through over-molding the shoulder on the sleeve, which
25 will minimize gaps or weak points where oxygen may potentially penetrate. In
an example, the fusion process joining the sleeve 102 and the shoulder 104 may
create a strong, leak-proof seal at their interface, acting as an additional barrier
against oxygen transmission.
[0037] Figure 1B illustrates a partial sectional view of the tube 100, in
30 accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter. In an
example, the tube 100 may include the sleeve 102, the shoulder 104, and a
19
shoulder barrier liner 108. In an example, the sleeve 102 of the tube 100 may
comprise the laminate, where the laminate for the tube 100 may be
manufactured using processes including but not limited to, film and/or laminate
making processes, such as a blown/cast film process, lamination, tube forming,
5 etc. In the blown film process, a polymer-based resin component which may be
in the form of pellets may be fed into an extruder through a hopper for melting
and mixing. The melted resin may be blown as a bubble film by means of an
annular die. The final product may be a roll of blown film. Further, the blown
film(s) may undergo a lamination process for producing the laminate having
10 required properties and thickness. In an example, flat laminate may then be slit,
printed with desired text and images. The printed laminate may then be
developed in the form of tubular cylinders from appropriately cut laminate to
form the sleeve 102 of the tube 100. The laminate forming the sleeve 102 may
be referred to as first polymeric barrier laminate. In an example, various layers,
15 which may comprise various films of polymers and/or metallized films, where
the polymers and/or metallized films may be similar or different, forming the
laminate of the sleeve 102 for the tube 100, may have a sequential order. One or
more layers of the laminate forming the sleeve 10 2 of the tube 100 may act as
barrier layers providing extremely high impermeability for oxygen and moisture
20 without compromising the recyclability in HDPE stream.
[0038] In an example, the sleeve 102 of the tube 100 may have a resulting
thickness ranging from 180 to 400 micron. In an example, the sleeve 102 may
enclose a hollow volume 110 for storing of oxidizable product within the tube
100. In an example, the sleeve 102 may be cylindrically shaped tubular sleeve.
25 In an example, the cylindrically shaped tubular sleeve 102 of the tube 100 may
have a first peripheral sleeve edge 112 and a second peripheral sleeve edge 114,
where the second peripheral sleeve edge 114 may be opposite to the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112. The peripheral first and second peripheral sleeve
edges may form a first sleeve opening 116 and a second sleeve opening 118
30 respectively. In an example, the second sleeve opening 118 may be closed (not
shown in Figure 1B) using various techniques including, but not limited to,
20
thermal-sealing, snap fitting a bottom cap, and screw based fastening to provide
an airtight sealing of the second sleeve opening 118 of the sleeve 102 of the tube
100. In an example, the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 forming the first sleeve
opening 116 may have a contour where two given points on the contour of the
5 first peripheral sleeve edge 112 may have a first distance L1 between them. The
first distance L1 may be increased or decreased, based on requirement, during
manufacturing of the tube 100.
[0039] In an example, the tube 100, may have the shoulder barrier liner 108
within the first sleeve opening 116, adjacent to the first peripheral sleeve edge
10 112. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may comprise
a laminate which may be of same, similar, substantially same or equivalent to
the laminate forming the sleeve 102 of the tube 100. In another example, the
shoulder barrier liner 108 may comprise a laminate different from the laminate
forming the sleeve 102 of the tube 100. The laminate forming the shoulder
15 barrier liner 108 may hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as second
polymeric barrier laminate. In an example, the laminate forming the shoulder
barrier liner 108 may have materials including, but not limited to, PP, PE,
coated-PE (metal, ceramic, etc.,), EVOH, PVOH, BVOH, Maleic Anhydride-
grafted-PE (Tie layer material), etc. In an example, various layers forming the
20 laminate of the shoulder barrier liner 108 for the tube 100 may have a sequential
order which may include, but is not limited to, layers of PE-Tie-EVOH
(optionally with one or more PE, Coated-PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-Tie-PE.
In an example, laminate of the shoulder barrier liner 108 may hereinafter be
interchangeably referred to as a second laminate. One or more layers of the
25 laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may act as barrier
layers providing extremely high impermeability for oxygen and moisture. The
shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may have a resulting thickness ranging
from 100-250 microns.
[0040] The presence of the shoulder barrier liner 108 having the laminate with
30 extremely high oxygen impermeability and portions extending above and below
the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 allows the one or more shoulder
21
portions of the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 to be sandwiched between the sleeve
102 and the shoulder barrier liner 108. As a result, the shoulder 104 of the tube
100 can also be extended to have one or more shoulder portions above and below
the plane of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112. This provides a substantially
5 airtight arrangement having multiple layers of enhanced barrier laminate within
shoulder region of the tube 100 along with no gaps or spaces, which further
limits transmission of oxygen or moisture to enter the tube 100. Also, the use of
laminates for the shoulder barrier liner 108 facilitates the shoulder barrier liner
108 to be easily integrated within the tube 100 without any deformations,
10 damages, and misalignments. Therefore, there is substantially no oxygen
transmission within the tube 100 from the shoulder of the tube 100. The presence
of shoulder barrier liner 108 having high impermeability laminate, substantially
airtight arrangement in the shoulder region of the tube 100, and the sleeve 102
having high impermeability laminate complement and compound each other’s
15 effect to provide superior oxygen transmission resistance to the entire tube 100
compared to conventional packaging tubes. For instance, an OTR less than
0.005 cc/pkg.day may be achieved for the tube 100. As used herein, cc/pkg.day
is cubic centimeter per package per day. As a result, the tube 100 can provide
long term stability of the oxidizable product stored within the tube 100 even
20 when stored for extremely long durations.
[0041] Figure 1C illustrates a sectional view of the tube 100, in accordance with
an example implementation of the present subject matter, having one sleeve end
closed.
[0042] In an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may be
25 thermoformed to have one or more protrusions. In an example, the one or more
protrusions may include, but are not limited to, a first protrusion 120. In an
example, the first protrusion 120 may be a flat-bottomed inverted cup structure.
In an example, the first protrusion 120 may be flat-bottomed and having an
inverted shape conforming to the shape requirements of the sleeve 102. In an
30 example, the first protrusion 120 may be frustoconical. In an example, the
shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may be thermoformed to have one or
22
more recesses. In an example, the one or more recesses may include, but are not
limited to, a first recess 122. The first recess 122 may be a trough-shaped
structure. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108 may lie across a plane
(XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112. The one or more protrusions and
5 the one or more recesses of the shoulder barrier liner 108 may facilitate the
shoulder barrier liner 108 to extend above and below the plane (XX`) of the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112. For instance, as shown in Figure 1C, the shoulder
barrier liner 108 may have the Flat-bottomed inverted cup’s first protrusion 120
lying above the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 and the
10 trough-shaped first recess 122 lying below the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral
sleeve edge 112.
[0043] Further, in an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108 may have a first
peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge (not shown in Figure 1C), on a top part
124 of the first protrusion 120. The top part 124 covers and prevents oxygen
15 transmission rate when the oxidizable product is stored in the packaging tube
till the time of first use by an end user. The top part 124 when punctured serves
as a passage for product stored within the packaging tube. In an example, the
top part 124 of shoulder barrier liner 108 may be punctured using a sharp
object/sharp feature made part of the cap 106, by a user of the modified
20 packaging tube, i.e., the tube 100. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108
may have a second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge 126 forming a second
shoulder barrier liner opening 128. In an example, the first peripheral shoulder
barrier liner edge and the first shoulder barrier liner opening (created after
puncturing of the shoulder barrier liner 108 by a user of the tube 100), on the
25 top part 124 of the first protrusion 120 may lie above the plane (XX`) of the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112 of the tube 100. In an example, the first shoulder
barrier liner opening may be completely closed before puncturing the shoulder
barrier liner 108 by user of the tube 100. In an example, the second peripheral
shoulder barrier liner edge 126 and the second shoulder barrier liner opening
30 128 may lie below the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 of the
tube 100. In an example, the first shoulder barrier liner opening, providing
23
through passage for dispensing the stored product, may be completely sealed
and the second shoulder barrier liner opening 128 may be formed after molding
the tube 100. Further, in an example, the one or more recesses of the shoulder
barrier liner 108, for instance, the first recess 122, may extend along the entire
5 second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge 126 and may lie entirely below the
plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 of the tube 100. In an
example, the second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge 126 forming the
second shoulder barrier liner opening 128 may have a contour where two given
points on the contour of the second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge 126
10 may have a second distance L2 between them. The second distance L2 may be
increased or decreased, based on requirement, during manufacturing of the
shoulder barrier liner 108 and the tube 100. In an example, as shown in Figure
1C, the second distance L2 between the two given points of the contour of the
second peripheral shoulder barrier liner edge 126 may be greater than the first
15 distance L1 between the two given points of the contour of the first peripheral
sleeve edge 112. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner laminate may have
different tear initiation structures including but not limited to de-bossing,
thinned section, piercing node, etc., coinciding with shoulder opening.
[0044] In an example, as shown in Figure 1C, the overlapping of the sleeve 102,
20 of the tube 100, over the shoulder barrier liner 108, in a region of the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112, may facilitate the second distance L2 to be greater
than the first distance L1. The sleeve 102 may be curved towards the hollow
volume 110. Simultaneously, the second shoulder barrier liner edge 126 may be
curved away from the hollow volume 110. Inward curve of the sleeve 102
25 towards the hollow volume 110 and outward curve of the second shoulder
barrier liner edge 126 away from the hollow volume 110, in the region of the
first peripheral sleeve edge 112, may be to an extent where the contour of the
first peripheral sleeve edge 112 crosses over the contour of the second shoulder
barrier liner edge 126, along the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge
30 112. The extent of overlapping or crossover of the sleeve 102 over the shoulder
barrier liner 108 may be tailored to specific needs and requirements.
24
[0045] In an example, the tube 100 including the sleeve 102 and the shoulder
barrier liner 108 may have the shoulder 104 that may extend between the sleeve
102 of the tube 100 and the shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100. In an
example, the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may be such, that when extended
5 between the shoulder barrier liner 108 and the sleeve 102 of the tube 100, the
shoulder 104 may have one or more shoulder portions, for instance, a first
shoulder portion (A) (as indicated by circles/bubbles in Figure 1C), lying above
the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral edge 112 of the sleeve 102. In an example,
the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may be such, that when extended between the
10 shoulder barrier liner 108 and the sleeve 102 of the tube 100, the shoulder 104
may have one or more shoulder portions, for instance, a second shoulder portion
(B) (as indicated by small diagonal lines in Figure 1C) lying below the plane
(XX`) of the first peripheral edge 112 of the sleeve 102. Further, in an example,
the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may have one or more shoulder openings. The
15 shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may also be extended to form a neck 130 of the
tube 100. In other examples, the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 may be attached
to the neck 130 of tube 100, where the neck 130 may be manufactured separately
or along with the shoulder. The neck 130 of tube 100 may include one or more
neck openings (not shown in Figure 1C) for dispensing the oxidizable product
20 out of the tube 100. Further, the neck 130 of the tube 100 may allow closing
means including screw fastening a cap (not shown in Figure 1C) to one or more
threads, for instance a first thread 132 which may be provided on the neck 130
of the tube 100. In an example, the cap 106 may be made of polypropylene. In
another example, the cap 106 may be made of polyethylene. In an example, the
25 tube 100 achieves the OTR less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per package per day
(cc/pkg.day). As a result, the tube 100 can provide long term stability of the
oxidizable product stored within the tube 100 even when stored for extremely
long durations.
[0046] In an example, manufacturing method/process for the tube 100 may
30 include manufacturing of individual components which may comprise the
sleeve 102, the shoulder barrier liner 108, and the shoulder 104 including several
25
specialized steps. The sleeve 102 may be a laminate extruded from different
materials, which may be bonded sequentially, into a tubular shape, cut to the
desired length, and optionally printed and decorated. The shoulder barrier liner
108 may be thermoformed and may comprise laminate including various
5 different materials which may be bonded sequentially. In an example, the
shoulder barrier liner 108 may be shaped into the desired form, and trimmed and
may comprise a plastic sheet including EVOH or nylon. The shoulder 104 may
be injection or compression molded, from plastic, into the appropriate shape
with a threaded neck 130. Assembly of the tube 100 may include placing the
10 sleeve 102 onto a mandrel or holding fixture. The pre-thermoformed shoulder
barrier liner 108 may then be inserted into the first peripheral sleeve edge 112
of the tube 100 ensuring proper structural alignment and shoulder 104 may then
be compression molded while having the shoulder barrier liner 108 insert
covering the open end of the sleeve 102, over the shoulder barrier liner 108.
15 Heat and pressure may then be applied to fuse the shoulder 104 to the sleeve
102 and the shoulder barrier liner 108, along with the neck 130, which may be
threaded, where portion of the neck 130 may extend beyond the sleeve 102. In
an example, quality checks may be performed to verify proper assembly, seal
integrity, and exterior finish. Finally, a cap or closure may be applied to the neck
20 130, and the tube 100 may be packaged for shipping. The components may be
manufactured at separate facilities or produced and assembled at a single site.
[0047] In an example, the thermoforming process for the shoulder barrier liner
108 may include heating the laminate comprising plastic sheet, vacuum-forming
it into a mold, cooling, and trimming. Further, in an example, variations may
25 include manufacturing the sleeve 102 and shoulder 104 as a single component
or co-extruding multiple materials to form an integrated barrier layer within
walls of sleeve 102. Furthermore, in an example, to achieve the specific
structure described with respect to Figures 1A to 1C, the shoulder barrier liner
108 may be thermoformed to have a tapered shape that matches interior contour
30 of the shoulder 104. This tapered shape may allow the shoulder barrier liner 108
to fit snugly between the sleeve 102 and the shoulder 104, providing a seamless
26
leak-proof barrier. In some instances, an additional sealing compound or
adhesive may be applied at the junction of the sleeve 102, shoulder barrier liner
108, and shoulder 104 to enhance integrity of achieved sealing. In an example,
the second peripheral sleeve edge 114 (as shown in Figure 1B) forming the
5 second sleeve opening 118 (as shown in Figure 1B) may be closed using various
techniques including, but not limited to, thermal-sealing, snap fitting a bottom
cap, and screw based fastening to provide an airtight sealing of the second sleeve
opening of the sleeve 102 of the tube 100 (as shown in Figure 1C).
[0048] While executing manufacturing method/process for the tube 100, the
10 shoulder barrier liner 108 having the laminate with extremely high oxygen
impermeability and portions extending above and below the plane of the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112 allows one or more shoulder portions of the shoulder
104 of the tube 100 to be sandwiched between the sleeve 102 and the shoulder
barrier liner 108. As a result, the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 can also be
15 extended to have one or more shoulder portions above and below the plane of
the first peripheral sleeve edge 112. This provides a substantially airtight
arrangement having multiple layers of enhanced barrier laminate within
shoulder region of the tube 100 along with no gaps or spaces, which further
limits transmission of oxygen or moisture to enter the tube 100. Also, the use of
20 laminates for the shoulder barrier liner 108 facilitates the shoulder barrier liner
108 to be easily integrated within the tube 100 without any deformations,
damages, and misalignments. Therefore, there is substantially no oxygen
transmission within the tube 100 from the shoulder of the tube 100. The presence
of shoulder barrier liner 108 having high impermeability laminate, substantially
25 airtight arrangement in the shoulder region of the tube 100, and the sleeve 102
having high impermeability laminate complement and compound each other’s
effect to provide superior oxygen transmission resistance to the entire tube 100
compared to conventional packaging tubes. For instance, an OTR less than
0.005 cubic centimeter per package per day (cc/pkg.day) may be achieved for
30 the tube 100. As a result, the tube 100 can provide long term stability of the
27
oxidizable product stored within the tube 100 even when stored for extremely
long durations.
[0049] Further, FIG. 2 illustrates a method (200) of manufacturing a recyclable
packaging tube (100) for oxidizable products, according to an example. The
5 order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be construed as a
limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in
any order to implement the methods, or an alternative method.
[0050] At block 202, the method 200 includes forming a sleeve 102 having a
first peripheral sleeve edge 112. The sleeve 102 may be made of a first
10 polymeric barrier laminate. In an example, the laminate for the tube 100 may be
manufactured using processes including but not limited to, film and/or laminate
making processes, such as a blown/cast film process, lamination, tube forming,
etc. In an example, in the blown film process, a polymer-based resin component
which may be in the form of pellets may be fed into an extruder through a hopper
15 for melting and mixing. The melted resin may be blown as a bubble film by
means of an annular die. The final product may be a roll of blown film. Further,
the blown film(s) may undergo a lamination process for producing the laminate
having required properties and thickness. In an example, flat laminate may then
be slit, printed with desired text and images. The printed laminate may then be
20 developed in the form of tubular cylinders from appropriately cut laminate to
form the sleeve 102 of the tube 100. The laminate forming the sleeve 102 may
be referred to as first polymeric barrier laminate. In an example, various layers,
which may comprise various films of polymers and/or metallized films, where
the polymers and/or metallized films may be similar or different, forming the
25 laminate of the sleeve 102 for the tube 100, may have a sequential order. One or
more layers of the laminate forming the sleeve 102 of the tube 100 may act as
barrier layers providing extremely high impermeability for oxygen and moisture
without compromising the recyclability in HDPE stream. Further, opposite ends
or edges of the laminate are joined to form the sleeve 102 and therefore resulting
30 the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 and the second peripheral sleeve edge 114.
The second peripheral sleeve edge 114 may be opposite to the first peripheral
28
sleeve edge 112. The peripheral first and second peripheral sleeve edges may
form the first sleeve opening 116 and the second sleeve opening 118
respectively. In an example, the second sleeve opening 118 may be closed using
various techniques including, but not limited to, thermal-sealing, snap fitting a
5 bottom cap, and screw based fastening to provide an airtight sealing of the
second sleeve opening 118 of the sleeve 102 of the tube 100. In an example, the
first peripheral sleeve edge 112 forming the first sleeve opening 116 may have
a contour where two given points on the contour of the first peripheral sleeve
edge 112 may have a first distance L1 between them. The first distance L1 may
10 be increased or decreased, based on requirement, during manufacturing of the
tube 100.
[0051] At block 204, the method 200 includes placing a shoulder barrier liner
108 over the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 of the sleeve 102. The shoulder
barrier liner 108 may be made of a second polymeric barrier laminate. In an
15 example, for placing the shoulder barrier liner 108 over the first peripheral
sleeve edge 112 of the sleeve (102), the method 200 includes placing the first
protrusion 120 of the shoulder barrier liner 108 at a center of the sleeve 102. In
an example, the first protrusion 120 is inverted flat bottomed cup-shaped.
Particularly, the shoulder barrier liner 108 may be placed within the first sleeve
20 opening 116, adjacent to the first peripheral sleeve edge 112. In an example, the
shoulder barrier liner 108 of the tube 100 may comprise a laminate which may
be of same, similar, substantially same or equivalent to the laminate forming the
sleeve 102 of the tube 100. In another example, the shoulder barrier liner 108
may comprise a laminate different from the laminate forming the sleeve 102 of
25 the tube 100. The laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner 108 may
hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as second polymeric barrier laminate.
In an example, the laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner 108 may have
materials including, but not limited to, PP, PE, coated-PE (metal, ceramic, etc.,),
EVOH, PVOH, BVOH, Maleic Anhydride-grafted-PE (Tie layer material), etc.
30 In an example, various layers forming the laminate of the shoulder barrier liner
108 for the tube 100 may have a sequential order which may include, but is not
29
limited to, layers of PE-Tie-EVOH (optionally with one or more PE, Coated-
PE, EVOH, PVOH, Layers)-Tie-PE. In an example, laminate of the shoulder
barrier liner 108 may hereinafter be interchangeably referred to as a second
laminate. One or more layers of the laminate forming the shoulder barrier liner
5 108 of the tube 100 may act as barrier layers providing extremely high
impermeability for oxygen and moisture. The shoulder barrier liner 108 of the
tube 100 may have a resulting thickness ranging from 100-250 microns.
[0052] At block 206, the method 200 includes forming a shoulder 104 on the
shoulder barrier liner 108. The shoulder 104 may extend upward from the first
10 peripheral sleeve edge 112 to form a through passage for the oxidizable
products. The shoulder 104 is made of a plastic material. The sleeve 102 and the
shoulder barrier liner 108 are to cause the recyclable packaging tube 100 to
achieve an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of less than 0.005 cubic
centimeter per package per day (cc/pkg.day). The sleeve 102, the shoulder 104,
15 and the shoulder barrier liner 108 are to cause the recyclable packaging tube 100
to achieve recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream. The presence of the
shoulder barrier liner 108 having the laminate with extremely high oxygen
impermeability and portions extending above and below the plane of the first
peripheral sleeve edge 112 allows the one or more shoulder portions of the
20 shoulder 104 of the tube 100 to be sandwiched between the sleeve 102 and the
shoulder barrier liner 108. As a result, the shoulder 104 of the tube 100 can also
be extended to have one or more shoulder portions above and below the plane
of the first peripheral sleeve edge 112. This provides a substantially airtight
arrangement having multiple layers of enhanced barrier laminate within
25 shoulder region of the tube 100 along with no gaps or spaces, which further
limits transmission of oxygen or moisture to enter the tube 100. Also, the use of
laminates for the shoulder barrier liner 108 facilitates the shoulder barrier liner
108 to be easily integrated within the tube 100 without any deformations,
damages, and misalignments. Therefore, there is substantially no oxygen
30 transmission within the tube 100 from the shoulder of the tube 100. The presence
of shoulder barrier liner 108 having high impermeability laminate, substantially
30
airtight arrangement in the shoulder region of the tube 100, and the sleeve 102
having high impermeability laminate complement and compound each other’s
effect to provide superior oxygen transmission resistance to the entire tube 100
compared to conventional packaging tubes. For instance, an OTR less than
5 0.005 cc/pkg.day may be achieved for the tube 100. As used herein, cc/pkg.day
is cubic centimeter per package per day. As a result, the tube 100 can provide
long term stability of the oxidizable product stored within the tube 100 even
when stored for extremely long durations.
[0053] As per an implementation of the present subject matter, manufacturing
10 method for the recyclable packaging tube 100 may include manufacturing of
individual components which may comprise the sleeve 102, the shoulder barrier
liner 108, and the shoulder 104 including several specialized steps. The sleeve
102 may be a laminate extruded from different materials, which may be bonded
sequentially, into a tubular shape, cut to the desired length, and optionally
15 printed and decorated. The shoulder barrier liner 108 may be thermoformed and
may comprise laminate including various different materials which may be
bonded sequentially. In an example, the shoulder barrier liner 108 may be
shaped into the desired form, and trimmed and may comprise a plastic sheet
including EVOH or nylon. The shoulder 104 may be injection or compression
20 molded, from plastic, into the appropriate shape with a threaded neck 130.
Assembly of the tube 100 may include placing the sleeve 102 onto a mandrel or
holding fixture. The pre-thermoformed shoulder barrier liner 108 may then be
inserted into the first peripheral sleeve edge 112 of the tube 100 ensuring proper
structural alignment and shoulder 104 may then be compression molded while
25 having the shoulder barrier liner 108 insert covering the open end of the sleeve
102, over the shoulder barrier liner 108. Heat and pressure may then be applied
to fuse the shoulder 104 to the sleeve 102 and the shoulder barrier liner 108,
along with the neck 130, which may be threaded, where portion of the neck 130
may extend beyond the sleeve 102. In an example, quality checks may be
30 performed to verify proper assembly, seal integrity, and exterior finish. Finally,
a cap or closure may be applied to the neck 130, and the tube 100 may be
31
packaged for shipping. In an example, the cap may be made of polypropylene.
In another example, the cap may be made of polyethylene. The components may
be manufactured at separate facilities or produced and assembled at a single site.
[0054] Further, experimental details are detailed with respect to the OTR and
5 Recyclability.
[0055] Table 1 (below) represents experimental details associated with the
implementation of the present subject matter in some examples: The following
tube configurations are tested for the oxygen permeability and also utilize the
sensitive product shelf-life study.
10 Sr. No. 1: A tube with no barrier in the sleeve and no barrier liner in the shoulder
Sr. No. 2: A tube with a typical barrier in the sleeve, but no barrier liner in the
shoulder
Sr. No. 3: A tube with a higher barrier layer in the sleeve, but no barrier liner in
the shoulder
15 Sr. No. 4: A tube with a high barrier layer in the sleeve and also high barrier
liner in the shoulder
Table 1
Sr.
No.
Tube Specification
Diameter - 25 mm & Length - 145 mm
OTR* (cc/Tube.day)
23° C & 0 %
Relative Humidity
1 PE Tube w/o Sleeve Barrier and w/o SBL#0.835
2 PBL Tube (PE-Tie-EVOH-Tie-PE) w/o SBL#0.514
3
PBL Tube (PE-Tie-EVOH-Tie-EVOH-Tie-PE) w/o
SBL#
0.024
4
PBL Tube (PE-Tie-EVOH-Tie-EVOH-Tie-PE) with
SBL#
0.0016
*Testing Standard is ASTM F 1307 for OTR-Package Testing
#
SBL - Shoulder Barrier Liner
20 [0056] The above presented experimental details clearly show, as indicated in
Sr. No. 4 of the Table 1, that the tube 100 comprising the shoulder barrier liner
108, where the sleeve 102 and the shoulder barrier liner 108 comprise laminates
made of multiple layers of materials achieves substantially low OTR when
32
compared to conventional packaging tubes, as indicated in Sr. No. 1, 2, and 3 of
the Table 1.
[0057] The substantially low OTR, which may be 0.0016 cm3/tube in a day, of
the tube 100, may result in a more stable oxidizable product, stored within the
5 tube 100, over long storage durations, compared to conventional packaging
tubes. In an example, the experimental procedure may include filling the
packaging tubes with an oxidizable product, for instance, a hair dye, after
nitrogen flushing the tube and sealing immediately. The packaging tubes may
be kept at 50ºC for stability study, and at a frequency of every seven days, each
10 packaging tube may be taken outside, cut, open, and observed for color change.
[0058] Immediate color change of the hair dye (getting darker) may be observed
at start in (Sr. No. 1) PE Tube w/o Sleeve Barrier and w/o SBL, indicating
oxidization of the hair dye. After the first seven days a very light color change
in shoulder and sleeve of the packaging tubes may be observed as the hair dye
15 gets oxidized. The darkest color may be observed for PE Tube w/o Sleeve
Barrier and w/o SBL, Sr. No. 1 of Table 1, and may reduce gradually as we move
towards Polymeric High Barrier Layer Tube with Shoulder Barrier Liner (SBL),
Sr. No. 4 of Table 1, with least amount of color change observed at the Polymeric
High Barrier Layer Tube with Shoulder Barrier Liner (SBL), i.e., tube 100. After
20 the next seven days the process may be repeated, and it may be observed that
the hair dye within the (Sr. No. 4) PBL Tube with Shoulder Barrier Liner (SBL)
is lightest in color compared to color of the hair dye in packaging tubes
mentioned in serial entry 1, 2, and 3 of Table 1. The hair dye’s color may turn
dark brown to black in PE Tube w/o Sleeve Barrier and w/o SBL, whereas in
25 the other two packaging tubes, i.e., (Sr.No.2) PBL Tube w/o Shoulder Barrier
Liner (SBL) and (Sr.No.3) PBL Tube w/o Shoulder Barrier Liner (SBL), the hair
dye may just start to turn brown. The shoulder of Sr. No. 4 PBL Tube with SBL
may only be light yellow in color as compared to other packaging tubes of Table
1. The sleeve of Sr. No. 4 also may have only slight color change compared to
30 other packaging tubes of Table 1.
33
[0059] Another observation may be made after the next seven days. The color
of the hair dye inside Sr. No. 4 PBL Tube with SBL may be Pale white and the
hair dye’s color may be turned from dark brown to black in Sr. No. 1 PE Tube
w/o Sleeve Barrier and w/o SBL. For the other two packaging tubes, i.e., entry
5 2, and 3 of Table 1, the hair dye may just start to turn brown. The shoulder of
Sr. No. 4 PBL Tube with SBL may only be light yellow in color as compared to
other packaging tubes of Table 1. The sleeve of Sr. No. 4 PBL Tube with SBL
may have only slight color change compared to other packaging tubes of Table
1. Therefore, after twenty eight days for the tube 100, i.e., Sr. No. 4- PBL Tube
10 with SBL, the change in color of the oxidizable product, i.e., the hair dye, the
change in color of the sleeve 102 and the change in color of the shoulder 104 is
the least compared to other conventional packaging tubes as indicated in Table
1. Therefore, the oxidization of the oxidizable product is least, substantially
negligible, for the tube 100 compared to conventional packaging tubes.
15 [0060] Table 2 (below) represents test details associated with the recyclability
of the packaging tube of present subject matter. The packaging tube is the tube
mentioned under Sr. No. 4 in Table 1.
[0061] Packaging tube recyclability-Various parameters, such as melt index,
pellet colors, and screen pack pressure build were calculated for the packaging
20 tube of the present disclosure. The test methods used for these experiments are
listed in Tables 2 and 3 below.
[0062] One of the well-established recycle streams is blow moulded HDPE
bottles. The properties of the recycled HDPE resin obtained from present
packaging tube can be compared with this established recycling stream to
25 establish equivalence in performance.
[0063] For this study, the properties of a blend of 50% recycled HDPE
packaging tube based resin + 50% recycled HDPE blown bottle grade resin
(test) was compared with 100% recycled HDPE blown bottle grade (control).
Table 2 illustrates the results obtained for the 250 µm packaging tube.
30 Table 2: HDPE Critical Guidance Pellet Summary
34
Property Critical value Control Test - 250
µm
Melt index
(g/10min)
ASTM D1238: < 0.75
g/10minutes delta to control
0.350 0.366
Screen Pack
Pressure Build
End pressure no greater than
25% over starting pressure
value
3.04% 3.38%
% Volatiles in
Pellets
< 0.5% 0.0029 0.0315
% Polypropylene
in Pellets
ASTM D7399: < 5% PP in
test
sample B (up to 10%
allowable in innovation)
<5% <5%
DSC ASTM D3418: Primary
Melting Peak on 2nd Heat
not to exceed 140?
132.03 130.17
Pellet colour L* For natural HDPE** ?63 81.06 64.51
Pellet colour a* For natural HDPE** ?-4.5 -1.71 -11.33
Pellet colour b* For natural HDPE** ?13 1.37 -6.59
Pellet Colors ?E Record and Report N/A 20.74
Table 3: HDPE Critical Guidance Part Summary
Property Critical Value Control Test – 250 µm
Melt Index
(ASTM D1238)
< 0.75 g/10min delta
to control
0.242 0.290
Density (ASTM
D792)
= 0.941 g/cm³ for
50% innovation
0.946 0.951
Flexural Modulus
(psi)
No more than 25%
decrease compared
to control
157499 130736 (-
16.99%)
Tensile @ Yield
(psi)
No more than 25%
delta compared to
control
4129 3320 (-
19.60%)
35
Elongation at
Break (%)
No more than 50%
decrease compared
to control
93.934 193.282
(+105.76%)
Notch Izod Impact
Break Type
All break types
should be the same
as control
Partial Partial
[0064] As can be seen from the Table 2 and Table 3 above, the test packaging
tube (250 µm) obtained from recycled material of the present packaging tubes
showed equivalent performance as per the standard recycled material. Hence,
5 the present packaging tubes can be recycled in code 2 (HDPE) stream as the
values for all the parameters fall within the specification of the benchmark resin.
[0065] Further, under the pellet colors test, the degree of yellowness under
daylight illumination of transparent, translucent, or opaque plastics is measured
for the packaging tube of the present disclosure. The test method used for these
10 experiments is listed in Table 4 below. During such a test method, the color
analyzing equipment is set up on reflectance and calibrated using pure white and
black standards. The sample cell is filled to the brim with the pellets or flakes
being tested. If parts are tested Izod bars a lined up and run under reflectance
settings. The cell is inserted into the testing location, and the equipment runs the
15 color test. The test indicates L*, a*, b* values.
Table 4: Pellet Colors
Run#
L*
Values
a*
Values
b*
Values
?E
values
L*
Average
a*
Average
b*
Average
?E
Average
Control 81.29 -1.69 1.28 N/A 81.06 -1.71 1.37 N/A
81.43 -1.71 1.35 N/A
79.36 -1.66 1.25 N/A
81.73 -1.75 1.44 N/A
81.51 -1.74 1.55 N/A
Test –
250 µm 65.14 -11.26 -6.67 20.24 64.51 -11.33 -6.59 20.74
64.92 -11.32 -6.35 20.31
65.37 -11.49 -6.65 21.99
64.26 -11.54 -6.74 21.09
APR HDPE Guidelines: Optional Record and Report
36
References: ASTM D6290, HDPE-CG-01
[0066] As can be seen from the Table 4 above, the test packaging tube (250 µm)
obtained from recycled material of the present packaging tubes showed
equivalent performance as per the standard recycled material in terms of pellet
5 colors.
[0067] Although implementations for design and manufacturing of tube 100
have been described in a language specific to structural features and/or steps, it
is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific
features and/or the steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are
10 disclosed as exemplary implementation for tube 100.
37
I/We claim:
1. A recyclable packaging tube (100) for oxidizable products, the recyclable
packaging tube (100) comprising:
a sleeve (102) having a first peripheral sleeve edge (112), wherein the
5 sleeve (102) is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate;
a shoulder (104) extending upward from the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112) to form a through passage for the oxidizable products, wherein the
shoulder (104) is made of plastic material, wherein the shoulder (104) comprises
a shoulder barrier liner (108) made of a second polymeric barrier laminate,
10 wherein the sleeve (102) and the shoulder barrier liner (108) are to cause
the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve an Oxygen Transmission Rate
(OTR) of less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per package per day (cc/pkg.day),
and
wherein the sleeve (102), the shoulder (104), and the shoulder barrier
15 liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve
recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream.
2. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
polymeric barrier laminate and the second polymeric barrier laminate are the
same.
20 3. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
polymeric barrier laminate and the second polymeric barrier laminate are
different.
4. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
shoulder barrier liner (108) is positioned adjacent to the first peripheral sleeve
25 edge (112) of the sleeve (102) and spans across a plane (XX`) of the first
peripheral sleeve edge (112).
5. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
shoulder barrier liner (108) comprises a first protrusion (120) extending above
the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge (112), wherein the first
30 protrusion (120) is to position the shoulder barrier liner (108) exactly beneath
the shoulder (104).
38
6. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
protrusion (120) of the shoulder barrier liner (108) is inverted flat bottomed cup-
shaped.
7. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
5 shoulder (104) is formed with a first shoulder portion (A) extending above the
plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) and a second shoulder
portion (B) extending below the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112).
8. A method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging tube (100) for oxidizable
10 products, the method comprising:
forming a sleeve (102) having a first peripheral sleeve edge (112),
wherein the sleeve (102) is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate;
placing a shoulder barrier liner (108) over the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112) of the sleeve (102), wherein the shoulder barrier liner (108) is made of a
15 second polymeric barrier laminate;
forming a shoulder (104) on the shoulder barrier liner (108), wherein the
shoulder (104) extends upward from the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) to
form a through passage for the oxidizable products, wherein the shoulder (104)
is made of a plastic material, wherein the sleeve (102) and the shoulder barrier
20 liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve an
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per
package per day (cc/pkg.day), and wherein the sleeve (102), the shoulder (104),
and the shoulder barrier liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube
(100) to achieve recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream.
25 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein placing the shoulder barrier liner
(108) over the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) of the sleeve (102) comprises
placing a first protrusion (120) of the shoulder barrier liner (108) at a center of
the sleeve (102), wherein the first protrusion (120) is inverted flat bottomed cup-
-shaped.
30
39
Date 17 January 2025
MALATHI LAKSHMIKUMARAN
IN/PA-1433
Agent for the Applicant
To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office at Mumbai
ABSTRACT
PACKAGING TUBES
The present subject matter relates to a recyclable packaging tube (100) for
oxidizable products and a method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging tube
5 (100) for oxidizable products. In an example, the recyclable packaging tube
(100) includes a sleeve (102) having a first peripheral sleeve edge (112). The
sleeve (102) is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate. The recyclable
packaging tube (100) further includes a shoulder (104) extending upward from
the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) to form a through passage for the
10 oxidizable products. The shoulder (104) is made of plastic material and includes
a shoulder barrier liner (108) made of a second polymeric barrier laminate. The
recyclable packaging tube (100) achieves an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)
of less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per package per day (cc/pkg.day) and is
recyclable in bottle grade HDPE stream.
15
40
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A recyclable packaging tube (100) for oxidizable products, the recyclable
packaging tube (100) comprising:
a sleeve (102) having a first peripheral sleeve edge (112), wherein the
5 sleeve (102) is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate;
a shoulder (104) extending upward from the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112) to form a through passage for the oxidizable products, wherein the
shoulder (104) is made of plastic material, wherein the shoulder (104) comprises
a shoulder barrier liner (108) made of a second polymeric barrier laminate,
10 wherein the sleeve (102) and the shoulder barrier liner (108) are to cause
the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve an Oxygen Transmission Rate
(OTR) of less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per package per day (cc/pkg.day),
and
wherein the sleeve (102), the shoulder (104), and the shoulder barrier
15 liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve
recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream.
2. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
polymeric barrier laminate and the second polymeric barrier laminate are the
same.
20 3. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
polymeric barrier laminate and the second polymeric barrier laminate are
different.
4. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
shoulder barrier liner (108) is positioned adjacent to the first peripheral sleeve
25 edge (112) of the sleeve (102) and spans across a plane (XX`) of the first
peripheral sleeve edge (112).
5. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
shoulder barrier liner (108) comprises a first protrusion (120) extending above
the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge (112), wherein the first
30 protrusion (120) is to position the shoulder barrier liner (108) exactly beneath
the shoulder (104).
6. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
protrusion (120) of the shoulder barrier liner (108) is inverted flat bottomed cup-
shaped.
7. The recyclable packaging tube (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
5 shoulder (104) is formed with a first shoulder portion (A) extending above the
plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) and a second shoulder
portion (B) extending below the plane (XX`) of the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112).
8. A method of manufacturing a recyclable packaging tube (100) for oxidizable
10 products, the method comprising:
forming a sleeve (102) having a first peripheral sleeve edge (112),
wherein the sleeve (102) is made of a first polymeric barrier laminate;
placing a shoulder barrier liner (108) over the first peripheral sleeve edge
(112) of the sleeve (102), wherein the shoulder barrier liner (108) is made of a
15 second polymeric barrier laminate;
forming a shoulder (104) on the shoulder barrier liner (108), wherein the
shoulder (104) extends upward from the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) to
form a through passage for the oxidizable products, wherein the shoulder (104)
is made of a plastic material, wherein the sleeve (102) and the shoulder barrier
20 liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube (100) to achieve an
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of less than 0.005 cubic centimeter per
package per day (cc/pkg.day), and wherein the sleeve (102), the shoulder (104),
and the shoulder barrier liner (108) are to cause the recyclable packaging tube
(100) to achieve recyclability in bottle grade HDPE stream.
25 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein placing the shoulder barrier liner
(108) over the first peripheral sleeve edge (112) of the sleeve (102) comprises
placing a first protrusion (120) of the shoulder barrier liner (108) at a center of
the sleeve (102), wherein the first protrusion (120) is inverted flat bottomed cup-
-shaped.