Functional tubes

PCR Tube

Constructed from a combination of virgin and clean recycled resins, a tube is engineered to provide marketers with an environmentally friendly packaging alternative. The post-consumer-resin tubing is available in most standard tubing sizes and is compatible with B22-400, M8, M5, ND20.6, and dome head/neck finishes. It may be decorated in the same fashion as standard resin tubes since the outer layer of the tube is made from virgin resins. Decorating options include one- to eight-color offset and one- to three-color silk-screen printing, hot stamping, and pressure-sensitive-label application. CCL Plastic Packaging, Los Angeles, CA; 310/635-4444; www.cclplastic.com. 

Airless Tube

To help prevent products from losing their effectiveness upon exposure to air, a company has designed a tube specifically for sensitive formulations. The airless tube has a plastic spring mechanism fitted into the tube's head. The mechanism moves to dispense the product and then repositions itself to automatically close the orifice. This protects the product from risk of degradation from air contact because no air is drawn back into the tube. The tubes are available in fill sizes from 0.75 to 1.75 oz. Cebal Americas, Norwalk, CT; 203/845-6301; www.cebalamericas.com. 

Tubes

A tube supplier manufactures aluminum tubes and laminate tubes. Its patented process, M-Deco, is ideal for short runs and product launches. Photo quality graphics are possible. Aluminum tubes provide ideal barriers for products needing maximum protection and shelf life, while M-Laminate Tubes offer optimum barrier and superior brand appearance. Custom caps are available for every product delivery application. Montebello Packaging, Oak Park, IL, 800/548-TUBE; www.montebellopkg.com.  

PrismaPak

A supplier of sample packaging and contract filling services offers a printed see-through unit-of-use tube that allows the product to become an integral and visible part of the package design. Both the overall color of the PrismaPak tube and the message or graphics on it can be printed end to end for maximum design flexibility. In addition, both the tip and the butt of the tube can be custom shaped to provide even more design possibilities. The tubes are available in sizes ranging from 5 to 30 ml. The see-through color printing on the tube is available in virtually any color. Unette Corp., Wharton, NJ; 973/328-6800; www.unette.com. 

Multidose Dispenser

A multidose dispenser is made up of two elements: the five-dose reclosable strip proper for dispensing 0.05-ml calibrated drops and a strip with five caps. The tamper-evident cap features a ring that remains attached to the neck of the multidose dispenser after opening, thus giving witness to the tampering. The cap pin that allows reclosing of the dispenser is inserted in the latter's orifice after assembly of the cap strip with the multidose strip to avoid the risk of contamination from external agents. The multidose strip can be produced either in PE or PP with capacities from 0.33 to 10 ml. Lameplast SpA, Novi di Modena, Italy; +39 059 673911; www.lameplast.it. 

Stand-Up Tube

A blow-molded stand-up plastic tube has a flexible, resealable pop-up dome. The Flexa Tube is a one-piece construction with no welds. The user simply presses the flexible dome. The dome inverts and tucks inside so the tube can stand on end. When the user squeezes the tube, the dome pops back out. The tube can be made with a variety of resins and filled and sealed on conventional tube equipment. Decoration options include pressure-sensitive labeling, dry offset printing, and heat transfer graphics. Graham Packaging Co., York, PA; 717/849-8500; www.grahampackaging.com.