Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating General Is there a way to fill already sealed tubes?

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  • Is there a way to fill already sealed tubes?

    Posted by VitalikButerin on March 1, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    Tube sealing machines are expensive and cheaper ones are said to breakdown easily.. 

    Is there a way to fill tubes from the main nozzle after you purchase the tubes sealed? 

    Dr Catherine Pratt replied 5 years, 8 months ago 6 Members · 10 Replies
  • 10 Replies
  • Gunther

    Member
    March 1, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    Did you mean tubes like these?

    If so, then there are some sturdy, metal “syringes” that work fine and are cheap.
    Make sure you do NOT have an airthight seal, as you want air to be able to escape.
    Such “syringes” may need an extension nozzle tube to reach the bottom of the cosmetic tube to begin filling it from the bottom, as to avoid trapping air.

    Some of them even have a caulk gun grip
    Something like this, only with a longer outlet tube

  • Gunther

    Member
    March 1, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    For low viscosity formulations, something like this may work fine for very small volume production

  • VitalikButerin

    Member
    March 1, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Gunther said:

    Did you mean tubes like these?

    If so, then there are some sturdy, metal “syringes” that work fine and are cheap.
    Make sure you do NOT have an airthight seal, as you want air to be able to escape.
    Such “syringes” may need an extension nozzle tube to reach the bottom of the cosmetic tube to begin filling it from the bottom, as to avoid trapping air.

    Some of them even have a caulk gun grip
    Something like this, only with a longer outlet tube

    That’s a lot for both explanations… 

    Is there a semi automatic machine that can do it? 

    Or will I have to weld a pneumatic semi automatic machine with a syringe haha 

  • JonahRay

    Member
    March 1, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    Doesn’t the regular sealing process trap air at the sealed end of the tube to allow the product to be squeezed out?

  • Gunther

    Member
    March 4, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    JonahRay said:

    Doesn’t the regular sealing process trap air at the sealed end of the tube to allow the product to be squeezed out?

    I don’t think they do.
    If they did, the air will be the first thing to come out, with disgusting bubbles or even a farting sound.

  • Margaret

    Member
    March 4, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    What’s the matter with a farty sound? Adds some humor/humour  to using the product. ?

  • MDULAK

    Member
    March 5, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    can use a simplex with a fine nozzle
    but depends on the orifice size and does it have a seal on it already.
    product goes in and air has to get out at the same time.

  • Dr Catherine Pratt

    Member
    March 8, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    How many are you making? I tried syringes and lotions are too thick, serums might be OK? but without spending a lot of money (if you only need to do 20 at a time) I use bakers piping bags and it works fine. You find a jug or container that you can fill all the tubes with the top open at the top next to each other until it is full and they don’t move. Then you just go to each one filling them. You can even get a cheap pack of disposable piping bags and a tiny pointy funnel type thing you put at the end (from the supermarket) and it makes it really easy. Plus the tubes don’t move because they are all next to one another in the container. I hope that makes sense. Have fun!

  • Gunther

    Member
    March 8, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    Speaking of bakery, icing pumps would work fine too
    some are made of metal and very sturdy, widely available at any cakemaking shops

  • Dr Catherine Pratt

    Member
    March 8, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    Looks good @Gunther you should definitely go for something like this.

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