The Latest in Tubes

Tube Filler
The redesigned MTS Tube Filler is the first and only U.S.A.-designed and built semiautomatic tube filler with hot-air technology. The ProSys MTS series is a state-of-the-art, semiautomatic squeeze tube filling and closing system. Designed for short-run and low-volume tube-filling applications, the system produces up to 25 finished tubes per minute. Features include automatic indexing, a wide range of tube sizes, speeds up to 25 per minute, and a small footprint. Custom seals are available, and the system can handle plastic, laminate, and metal tubes. Service and  on-line support are available via Ethernet and modem. ProSys Innovative Packaging Equipment, 417/673-6550;  kjohnston@reagentchemical.com; www.prosysfill.com.

Oval Tubes
Penn Bottle and Supply Co., celebrating its 90th year, presents a new line of Oval Tubes to complement its broad range of products. Available in 35-mm, 40-mm, and 50-mm widths, the tubes offer numerous closure and appearance options. Decoration includes hot-stamp, offset, pressure-sensitive, and silk-screen, with finishes in gloss, matte, and soft touch along with quick turnaround and short lead times. Additionally, round and super flat tubes as well. Penn Bottle and Supply Co., Philadelphia; 610/521-6000; www.pennbottle.com.

Tube in a Tube
World Wide Packaging Inc., a leading provider of cosmetic packaging components, has announced a partnership with Nu-World Beauty to introduce the new “Tube in a Tube” manufacturing/filling technology. For this partnership, World Wide Packaging has developed 50-mm outer tubes with 35-mm inner tubes, in addition to 19-mm outer tubes with 10-mm inner tubes. Nu-World Beauty’s new high-speed machine will be capable of filling and crimping both sizes of these unique double tubes. World Wide Packaging provides the cosmetics and skin care industries with a complete range of packaging components, custom and stock molding, and turnkey operations. World Wide Packaging’s extensive product line includes a wide selection of innovative tube packaging options, jars, compacts, lotion bottles, and pumps. World Wide Packaging Inc., Florham Park, NJ; 973/805-6500; 800/950-0390; www.wwpinc.com; Nu-World Beauty, Carteret, NJ; 732/541-6300; www.nuworldcosmetics.com.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Solution
Neopac, the Swiss-based provider and inventor of high-barrier Polyfoil tubes for the biotech, pharmaceutical, personal care, and cosmetic industries, has introduced new green additions to its family of innovative designs: its new Greenpix technology, an eco-friendly way of decorating tubes with high-impact visuals; and the Feather Tube Top, a new ultra-light cap. An alternative to traditional labeling, Greenpix offers the ability to print photorealistic pictures and graphics directly onto Neopac’s seamless tubes, instead of using paper labels and thereby reducing the impact to the environment. Plus, instead of using thermal varnishes, all of the colors used are UV-curable, reducing solvent emissions. Greenpix is produced on hydropowered flexo printing equipment, which minimizes energy consumption. Greenpix is capable of printing multiple four-color images on a single tube using decorative metallic colors or partial lacquering for special effects.
The new Feather Tube Top, an ultralight cap weighing only 3.3 to 5.6 grams, requires less material used in production and generates less waste after being discarded at the consumer level. The company is also fully committed to meeting the highest standards of ecoconsciousness as mandated by the Swiss government, including everything from reuse of postindustrial waste and reduced oil consumption, to less material consumption by reduced tube wall thicknesses and paperless production.
Neopac also offers the Polyfoil Tube with Ribbontip, a new addition to the existing SofTips line of closures offered by Seaquist Closures. The newly designed, wide-shaped, Ribbontip is equally as effective in combining even product distribution and streamlined dispensing in one smooth application. Neopac Polyfoil tubes with SofTips points offer users a high-barrier package that delivers maximum ease of use. Through the dispensing valve, the product is applied directly to the skin, avoiding finger contact and reducing contamination. After releasing pressure on the tube, the silicone valve recloses to cut-off the product flow and keep the package hygienic at all times. The Neopac Polyfoil Tube with Ribbontip has a slit size of 3.8 mm. It is available in varying lengths from 45–160 mm and can hold solutions from 5–25 ml. Its high-barrier properties, soft and clean aesthetics, and maximum user-friendliness make it the perfect tube to house and dispense antiaging formulations as well as solutions for a variety of eye and skin care. Neopac, Oberdiessbach, Switzerland; Millington, NJ; 973/670-8367; richard.misdom@neopac.ch; www.neopac.ch.

Compact Tube Filler
The compact Unipac U 2060 tube-filling machine offers a surface area of less than one-and-a-half square meters. Equipped with eight stations, the system offers a maximum output of up to 70 tubes per minute, depending on the viscosity and density of the product. The unit is able to process aluminum or plastic tubes in sizes from 60 to 270 millimeters. After filling, the tubes are crimped or sealed in several subsequent stations. A special system ensures the exact alignment of the tubes in the transportation stations, thereby providing correct positioning of the graphic design during sealing. This fully automatic alignment occurs from below, so that no rotating machine components come into contact with the open tube ends. In this way, the Unipac U 2060 ensures a secure processes in the filling of pharmaceuticals. Romaco Group, Karlsruhe, Germany; +49 (0) 7631 7067 0; www.romaco.com.

True Color Sensor
A true color sensor is designed to perform as well as an instrument or a spectrometer. The new SMARTEYE ColorWise Sensor can be used for intricate color sorting or inspection problems on today’s high-speed packaging and production lines. A four-channel monitor provides users with a continual visual confirmation of performance. Sensor performance is controlled by the operator, who can select from a range of speeds, resolutions, digital or analog outputs, and more. The system can be used to solve difficult shade-to-shade or color-to color applications. Color can be captured from HMI, PLC, or remote buttons. Tri-Tronics Company, Inc., Tampa, FL; 813/886-4000; www.ttco.com.

Tube Filler
Offering reliability, ergonomic features, and ease of use, a tube filler features a  compact and simplified size. The C970 reaches a mechanical speed of 70 tubes/minute and can handle aluminium, polyethylene, and laminate tubes. With a sturdy stainless-steel frame, the system utilizes a nine-station turntable with direct drive, diving nozzles with positive shut-off valve, and nozzle cleaning by air blow. The electrical cabinet is integrated within the machine’s footprint, hinged and completely insulated from mechanical drive, allowing easy access to the four sides of the basement for maintenance operations. Innovative features of the C970 include a dosing pump that can be dismounted without tools, a quick and ergonomic changeover from aluminium to plastic tubes (and vice versa), and a smart programmable panel, suitable for memorizing most working parameters. Available also in special executions for handling tubes with different body shapes, it also can perform, on request, different seal shapes on polyethylene tubes. A full range of versatile cartoning and wrapping machines, tray packers, case packers, and palletizers can be fully integrated and synchronized in tube packaging lines. IMA SAFE offers complete primary and secondary packaging lines solutions to the pharmaceutical, toiletry, cosmetic, and food industries. Tube fillers are manufactured by IMA SAFE
CO.MA.DI.S., while horizontal and vertical cartoners are manufactured by IMA SAFE. IMA SAFE LINE offers a complete range of end of line equipment which includes over-wrapping, shrink-wrapping, case packing, and palletizing solutions. IMA SAFE S.r.l. (Packaging Solutions), +39 051 6514111; mktg.packaging@ima.it; www.ima.it.

Extended Text Label
A multiple-ply wrap label is designed for plastic tubes and small-diameter containers. A patent has been awarded to WS Packaging Group for its FlexWrap extended-text label, which is part of its MultiVision line of extended-text labels. Engineered specifically for diameters as small as three-eighths inch, FlexWrap allows a large enough print area to accommodate regulatory compliance, consumer education, multiple languages, health and safety warnings, and pharmaceutical labeling requirements. FlexWrap can be used for labeling OTC products, including unit-dose applications. FlexWrap labels offer a large print area in a very small footprint, which can be used for consumer education and regulatory compliance without the need for additional packaging. They also offer a sustainable solution by making it possible to eliminate unit cartons because all product and consumer information can be incorporated into the label. Extended-text labels can be used with secondary packaging, such as blister packs, to ensure consumers use products correctly. FlexWrap labels are composed of a base label the diameter of the package and a hinged top ply. The hinge is treated during machine application, which is two-thirds faster than a continuous wrap label. The base label and top ply can be a combination of materials, but the majority of applications involve a clear base with a white top ply. WS Packaging custom-designs each label to be machine-applied on its own equipment, as well as on the equipment of other manufacturers. FlexWrap labels are suitable for a broad range of applications, including fully conformable squeeze tubes, glass vaccine vials, and any small-diameter structure such as barrel containers for lip balms or brushes. The label materials are completely water-resistant. They can also be combined with inks and special coatings that are resistant to the product itself, as well as stand up to extensive use. FlexWrap labels withstand the Sutherland Rub Test using four pounds of pressure and 25 rubs. WS Packaging Group Inc., 920/487-6344; mmoorhead@wspackaging.com.

PCR Tubes
A new postconsumer regrind (PCR) flexible plastic tube consists of a polyethylene sleeve manufactured from 50% PCR material while the shoulder uses 100% PCR. The company states that PCR plastic conserves energy and nonrenewable resources as recycling replaces the need for primary extraction and the manufacture of new plastics. In addition to giving plastic a new life to reduce environmental impact, the use of PCR supports customers’ commitments to reducing their carbon footprint. M&H offers a wide range of materials to meet the increased demand for environmentally responsive products, which includes  PCR, PIR (postindustrial regrind), biodegradable products, and PLA (Polylactic Acid). M&H works in partnership with customers to ensure delivery of first-class products that are kinder to the planet while not compromising on quality. M&H Plastics is one of the premier suppliers of plastic components and manufactures bottles, jars, flexible tubes, and closures for many end-users including personal care, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and nutrition. The company offers more than 1000 standard products. A full custom-molding service is available for exclusive designs. Virtually everything is conducted in-house, on site, from concept design to toolmaking, production, artwork, and decoration. M&H Plastics, Suffolk, United Kingdom; +44 (0) 1502 715518; www.mhplastics.com.

Foam Applicator Tips
A manufacturer and contract packager of unit-dose dispensing systems has expanded its line of traditional foam applicator tips for both its glass and plastic ampules. These new foam tips are now available in both round and rectangular shapes with flat, slanted, or rooftop profile cuts and are offered in a variety of different materials and densities. The firm’s patented Plastic Ampoule is available in pencil shape (maximum fill volume of 2 ml) or triangular shape (maximum fill volume of 5 ml) or two-part configurations with the solution(s) packaged in hermetically sealed crushable Glass Ampoules. The glass package can be used for volatile formulas or solutions that are not compatible with plastic. Among the many services provided by James Alexander are packaging design and development, compounding, sample runs, prototyping, sterilization, and further packaging. Standard or hot stamp foil printing is available for logos, marketing messages, and product branding to appear on the single-use dispensers. The company’s packages are sold in a variety of markets, including cosmetics, skincare, personal care, dental products, pharmaceuticals, over the counter healthcare products, and much more. James Alexander Corp., Blairstown, NJ; 908/362-9266; www.james-alexander.com.

Roller Balls
Newly developed 30-mm diameter tubes can be supplied with either a single steel roller ball (13-mm-diam roller ball) or three miniature steel roller balls (4-mm-diam to 5-mm-diam roller balls). These innovative tubes also offer a PP threaded cap that helps prevent product leakage and evaporation. The tube’s sleeve material can be designed to best fit a specific formulation, including LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, or coextruded materials. In addition to the PP threaded cap, ICS also offers an aluminum cap. These tubes provide ideal packaging for cosmetic, skin care, bath, and body formulations. ICS also offers tubes with rollerballs in 16 mm diam, 19 mm diam, and 35 mm diam sizes. International Cosmetic Suppliers (ICS) Ltd., Hong Kong, +852 2802 9938; www.ics-world.com;  jody.schreffler@ics-world.com.