Tubes and tubular containers

Abstract

A tubular container 1 comprises a tubular body 1 having an inner sleeve 4 , an outer strip 6 spirally wound about, and bonded to, the sleeve 4 , a top cap 8 and a bottom cap 10 . The inner sleeve 4 is made from a spirally wound strip of transparent PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and the outer strip 6 is made from a board material, for example paperboard or cardboard. The inner sleeve 4 is exposed between the turns of the outer strip 6 , which means that the container contents, for example a bottle 12 , can be seen through a spiral window 14 defined between the turns of the strip 6.

1 . A tubular container comprising an inner tubular sleeve and an outer strip of material spirally wound around the sleeve such that the inner sleeve is exposed between the turns of the strip.  
     
     
         2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner sleeve comprises at least one spirally wound, inner, strip.  
     
     
         3 . A tubular container comprising at least two spirally wound, inner and outer, strips, a portion of the inner strip being visible between the turns of the outer strip.  
     
     
         4 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the width of the inner strip and the winding pitch are such that, when wound, the edges of the strip abut or overlap so as to provide a substantially continuous inner sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the turns of the inner strip are joined together, for example bonded together, by the outer strip.  
     
     
         6 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the outer strip is positioned such that it covers the joint between the turns of inner strip.  
     
     
         7 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the outer strip is narrower than the inner strip.  
     
     
         8 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the materials or properties of the inner strip and the outer strip are different.  
     
     
         9 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the inner strip is of a plastics material.  
     
     
         10 . A container as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the plastics material is a polyester, acetate or polypropylene.  
     
     
         11 . A container as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the plastics material is PET.  
     
     
         12 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the outer strip is of a board material.  
     
     
         13 . A container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the inner strip is wholly or in part transparent or translucent, whereby the inside of the tube or container can be viewed between the turns of the outer strip.  
     
     
         14 . A tubular container comprising an inner tubular sleeve and an outer strip of material spirally wound around the sleeve such that the inner sleeve is exposed between the turns of the strip, the inner strip being wholly, or in part, transparent or translucent, whereby the inside of the tube or container can be viewed between the turns of the outer strip.  
     
     
         15 . A container as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the inner sleeve comprises a spirally wound inner strip.  
     
     
         16 . A container as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the turns of the inner strip are joined together, for example bonded together, by the outer strip.  
     
     
         17 . A container as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the outer strip is positioned such that it covers the joint between the turns of inner strip.  
     
     
         18 . A container as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the outer strip is narrower than the inner strip.  
     
     
         19 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the inner strip is of a plastics material.  
     
     
         20 . A container as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the plastics material is a polyester, acetate or polypropylene.  
     
     
         21 . A container as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the plastics material is PET.  
     
     
         22 . A container as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outer strip is of a board material.  
     
     
         23 . A tube comprising an inner tubular sleeve and an outer strip of material spirally wound around the sleeve such that the inner sleeve is exposed between the turns of the strip, the inner sleeve being wholly, or in part, transparent or translucent, whereby the inside of the tube or container can be viewed between the turns of the outer strip.  
     
     
         24 . A tube as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the inner sleeve comprises a spirally wound strip.  
     
     
         25 . A tube as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the turns of the inner strip are joined together, for example bonded together, by the outer strip.  
     
     
         26 . A tube as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the outer strip is positioned such that it covers the joint between the turns of inner strip.  
     
     
         27 . A tube as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the outer strip is narrower than the inner strip.  
     
     
         28 . A tube as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the inner strip is of a plastics material.  
     
     
         29 . A tube as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the plastics material is a polyester, acetate or polypropylene.  
     
     
         30 . A tube as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the plastics material is PET.  
     
     
         31 . A tube as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the outer strip is of a board material.  
     
     
         32 . A tube comprising an inner tubular sleeve and an outer strip of material spirally wound around the sleeve such that the inner sleeve is exposed between the turns of the strip, the inner sleeve being made from a plastics material.  
     
     
         33 . A method of manufacturing a tube or a tubular container comprising winding at least one inner strip of wholly, or in part, transparent or translucent material around a mandrel and then winding a second, outer, strip of material around the mandrel such that a portion of the inner strip is visible between the turns of the outer strip.  
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the strips are continuously wound around a mandrel in close succession and formed tube drawn off continuously from the mandrel.  
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the second strip is fed onto the mandrel such that it covers the joint between consecutive turns of the first strip.  
     
     
         36 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein adhesive is coated onto the second strip prior to its application to the first strip.