Tube (container)

A tube (from the Latin tubus, pipe ') is an elongated, rigid and moldable container which contain, among other paste-like substances such as creams and toothpaste, adhesives, shoe polish and hair color, but also foods such as mustard can. The round tube body is made of plastic or 99.7 % sodium aluminum either. In order to fill the tube filling machine serves.

Properties

The main advantage of the aluminum tube to a box or a jar is that the content is only at the top with air or bacteria into contact and thereby lasts longer and does not dry out. Another advantage, also plastic tubes, is the easy and precise dosing without additional tools, such as adhesive, mustard or toothpaste. A disadvantage is that more limited form a residual amount in the tube remains, and can not be used.

Production

Aluminum tubes are manufactured in the backward extrusion process. For plastic and oval shapes are possible, but rather the exception, also due to the feel and handling. The opening of the tube is either a foil sealed (usually the case in toothpastes ), or in aluminum tubes with an aluminum membrane that is pierced by a motor mounted on screwed- lock plastic mandrel.

History

The painter John Rand received for the tube on September 11, 1841 in the United States a patent ( No 2252 ). He had been annoyed at one- drying colors and developed a tube of lead. Later, the tinfoil tube made ​​of tin, the aluminum tube came. Previously, balms, creams or pastes were stored in bottles or other containers. The now familiar plastic tube developed mid-20th century. For plastic tubes, one distinguishes between co-extruded seamless tubes and laminate tubes, which are made ​​from a film, which is previously printed and glued later to a tube. For complete emptying of a tube, a tube key are used.