Key takeaways
- Tube filling: automated machines for aluminum, plastic, or laminated tubes with diameters ranging from 13.5 to 50 mm, for liquid to paste-like products.
- Inspection: Regular weighing of filled tubes and inkjet printing of the lot number and best-by date.
- Choice of tube: plastic for cost-effectiveness, aluminum for solvent-based or moisture-sensitive products, and laminate for a combination of protection and flexibility.
- Eco-friendly tubes: plant-based PE, post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), or 100% PE to facilitate recycling.
Need to fill tubes, but don't know how? Filling is a job in itself; so you can focus on your sales, outsource the filling to a professional.
Tube fillers
The filling of tubes is done with the help of automated machines and allows to fill aluminium, plastic, or alumino-plastic tubes with liquid or viscous products, for tube diameters ranging from 13,5 to 50mm.
The filling of tubes requires technique: it is a question of making adjustments adapted to the type of tube and the type of product which will be conditioned. In order to ensure a perfect filling, the filled tubes are weighed regularly to control the right dosage. This whole process is subject to precise regulations. At the end of the filling process, the tube is marked with an ink jet with a batch number and a DLU in order to guarantee a good traceability.
The packaging of the tubes is carried out according to the requirements of the customers but also according to the constraints of the product. It is important to have a complete and varied equipment for versatility and reactivity.
The filling machines also allow the packaging of eco-friendly tubes: they can be made of PE of vegetable origin, PCR or 100% PE for a perfect recycling. Each project needs a specific equipment and principle to achieve good results. The efficiency and productivity of the filling process depends on the choice of equipment.
For liquid, semi-pasty and pasty products, the nozzles must be adapted.
The main types of tubes to be filled
There are three main types of tubes to be filled with a specific machine.
Plastic tubes
Plastic tubes are an economical solution. They do not require additional packaging. Several types of caps are possible for the end of these tubes. A European hole can be added in the weld to facilitate its placement on the shelf.
Aluminum tubes
Aluminum tubes are particularly suitable for solvent-based or moisture-sensitive products, as they provide a good protective barrier. They are fragile and require over-wrapping such as a blister pack or a case.
Laminated tubes
Because of the effective protection they offer and their flexibility, laminate pipes are popular. Easy to use, they have a particular composition which is PE/Alu/PE or PP/Alu/PP for example. Just like plastic pipes, they have different possibilities of end caps and plugs.
Contact a packaging company
It is important to have a reliable partner for your packaging needs. So when it comes to filling your industrial or household products, you can count on ETRAVES.
ETRAVES puts all its know-how at the service of its customers and thanks to its experience of more than 30 years in the packaging of tubes, the company will deliver a quality product that meets your requirements in every respect.
The job of chemical product packer requires a good knowledge of regulations and safety. Subcontracting to ETRAVES is also a way to master these subjects.
ETRAVES has also always worked to limit its environmental impact. It is this combination that makesETRAVES the best industrial subcontractor. All its teams are at your disposal.
FAQ — Filling Tubes
How is a tube sealed after it has been filled?
A tube is filled from the bottom, which is left open, and then sealed depending on the material. Aluminum tubes are sealed by folding and crimping the end. Plastic and laminated tubes are sealed by welding, using hot air or ultrasound; a European-style hole may be added to the seal for shelf display. The lot number and best-by date are often marked at this stage.
What is a PCR tube?
A PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) PCR tube is made in part from recycled plastic sourced from packaging collected from consumers. It reduces the amount of virgin plastic used while maintaining the functionality of a standard tube. Along with plant-based PE tubes and 100% PE tubes, which are easier to recycle, it is one of the eco-friendly options for tube packaging.
What tube sizes can be filled?
Etraves fills tubes ranging from 5 to 300 ml, with diameters from 13.5 to 50 mm. Several finishes are available: cannula, cap, single-dose tip, or raised lettering for the visually impaired. The format is selected based on the amount used per application and the nature of the product, ranging from liquids to very thick pastes.
