Glass tube bottles offer a seamless, sleek look along with the squeezability and dosing control of tube packaging. Producing these glass containers requires expert glass blowing techniques.
Glass Tube Bottle Manufacturing
The production process for glass tube bottles starts with gathering molten glass at the end of a blowpipe. A metal mold is then clamped around the end of the pipe and blown into to form the tube shape. This is known as mold blowing.
The glassblower will blow a short puff into the molten glass to create an air pocket, then quickly inflate it further to push the glass outward into the mold interior. Air is constantly blown to maintain pressure as the glass cools and sets.
The mold gives the tube bottle its basic shape including the threads and shoulder. When removed from the mold, the glass tube bottle will have a narrow blowpipe opening at one end.
The next steps involve forming the tube bottle neck and finish features:
- The thread and shoulder are shaped using metal tools and smoothed with flame polishing.
- A funnel-shaped punty rod is attached to the blowpipe end to keep the tube bottle supported.
- The blowpipe is then cracked off and ground smooth.
- The tube bottle mouth is heated and shaped using jacks and blocks to mold the neck profile and finish.
- The finished opening may be a continuous thread, bead, or tapered shape designed to accept the tube dispenser components.
Throughout production, the glass must be kept rotating to maintain an even thickness and prevent sagging. Skilled coordination is required between blowing, tools, and heating.
Tube Bottle Design Considerations
The production process allows some flexibility in the tube bottle design:
- Diameter can range from small fine-line tubes to larger bottles with 1-2 inch diameters.
- Wall thickness is controlled through the blowing and molding. Thicker walls increase durability.
- Shoulder and neck profiles are shaped for strength, function, and aesthetics.
- Length can be adjusted from compact 2-3 inch tubes to over 12 inches.
- Decorative color twists and accents can be added by layering colored glass.
Glass tube properties like clarity, brilliance, and impermeability make them ideal for many cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. The handmade look commands a premium aesthetic. Proper mold design and precision glassblowing are crucial to achieving defects-free production.
Once formed, tube bottles move through final steps like annealing to strengthen the glass, cooling, grinding to smooth rough edges, and quality control. The tube bottle is then ready for functional closures and stylish packaging to deliver a distinctive look and experience. With skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail, glass tubes bring artisanal sophistication to squeezeable packaging.
Post time: Aug-25-2023