Extruded and Labelled Packaging Tube

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the extrusion and labelling of a packaging tube ( 14 ), comprising the following successive steps performed on an extrusion-labelling line, namely: a) forming a partially or fully tubular label ( 17 ) from a film ( 12 ); b) introducing the label ( 17 ) into a calibration element ( 22 ); c) extruding a tubular body ( 13 ) on the side of the concave surface of the label ( 17 ); d) bringing the external surface of the tubular body ( 13 ) into contact with the concave surface of the label ( 17 ), step (c) being performed in the calibration element ( 22 ). The invention also relates to an extrusion-labelling device and a packaging tube.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An extruded and labelled packaging tube, the packaging tube manufactured by the steps of:
 forming a partially or fully tubular label from a film;   introducing the tubular label into a calibration device;   extruding a tubular body on a side of a concave surface of the tubular label; and   bringing an external surface of the tubular body into contact with the concave surface of the tubular label,   wherein the step of extruding is performed in the calibration device, and   wherein the film is welded or embedded in a wall of the tubular body.   
     
     
         11 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular body includes a resin having a blowing agent to cause the tubular body to inflate either in a molten state or after the step of extruding. 
     
     
         12 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular label includes two ends which are arranged end to end or overlap or are spaced apart by a space, the space being filled with the resin that forms the tubular body. 
     
     
         13 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the tubular body is increased at a joining point of ends of the film. 
     
     
         14 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein a reinforcing strip is added that joins ends of the film. 
     
     
         15 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , the method further comprising the step of:
 enclosing the tubular label within a wall of the packaging tube by extruding a second tubular body and applying the second tubular body in a molten state to the external surface of the tubular label.   
     
     
         16 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular label has a monolayer or multilayer structure. 
     
     
         17 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 16 , wherein the multilayer structure includes at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, paper, aluminum, metallization or silicon oxide layers, and adhesive layers. 
     
     
         18 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular label is printed. 
     
     
         19 . An extruded and labelled packaging tube comprising:
 a tubular body made of thermoplastic resin; and   a tubular label having a concave surface, the concave surface being in contact with the tubular body by extrusion of the thermoplastic resin against the concave surface of the tubular label.   
     
     
         20 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular label is surrounding the tubular body such that the two ends of the tubular label overlap each other. 
     
     
         21 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular label is partially surrounding the tubular body such that the two ends of the tubular label are spaced apart by a space, the space being filled with resin that forms the tubular body. 
     
     
         22 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 21 , wherein an outer surface of the tubular body and the partially surrounding tubular label form a continuous smooth tubular surface with no discontinuities. 
     
     
         23 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein the contact between an outer surface of the tubular body and an inner surface of the tubular label is caused by blowing agents contained in a resin that forms the tubular body. 
     
     
         24 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular label has a multilayer structure. 
     
     
         25 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 24 , wherein the multilayer structure includes at least one of polyethylene material, polypropylene material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, polyamide material, ethylene vinyl alcohol material, paper, aluminum, metallization layer, silicon oxide layer, and an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         26 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein thermoplastic resin of an outer surface of the tubular body is fused to the concave surface of the tubular label. 
     
     
         27 . The extruded and labelled packaging tube of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular label is surrounding the tubular body such that the two ends of the tubular label are in contact with each other, the tubular label forming a barrier layer.