Chinese made injection-moulded lids and bases are brought together with a 'sleeve' made from PVC or PET to form a rigid tube that can be printed in up to 8-colour litho and foil blocked. The lids and bases can be produced in any colour from PP, HIPS or ABS and to varying dimensions. The lids can be individually branded.
High frequency soft creasing is used to form the creases on the sleeves to allow for a smoother shape once packed. Initially, the concept will be targeted at the confectionery and alcohol markets with a cosmetic and fine fragrance application soon to be introduced.
Tooling costs on medium and large runs are said to be negligible. Tools are being developed for other shapes for the lid and base elements.
Fibonacci International md Julian Haswell said: "The patented tube concept has many advantages over spiral wound tube formats, not least the ability to deliver flat packed packaging that will dramatically reduce pre-pack storage and inland freight charges."
