Patent Description:
In addition to exterior packaging such as a box or carton, some products such as toothpaste, various food items, lotions, etc., include internal packaging within the exterior packaging. The interior packaging may be in the form of a flexible tube that stores the product until use. Some items may use the tube itself as the exterior packaging. In either case, the look and feel of the tube is important in either attracting a potential customer to consider the item for purchase, or in retaining the customer for subsequent sales and word-of-mouth advertising.

Holograms have been used for product packaging due, for example, to their attractive and high-quality appearance. Holograms have been limited to cellulosic materials (e.g., cardboard, paper, etc.) as other non-cellulosic materials are chemically inert and do not lend themselves to the surface formation of a hologram.

Formation of a sharp hologram requires at least two structures, including an embossed surface to generate light interference and a reflective surface to magnify the holographic effect. The formation of a holographic film can include depositing a metal onto a plastic film and then embossing the metallized film with a suitable grating pattern. Other methods of hologram manufacture include the formation of the reflective surface and the embossed surface on the same film surface, for example, by embossing a grating pattern onto a film surface and then depositing a thin aluminum coating to create the reflective surface.

Relocating decorative package and product information from an exterior carton to a product tube, such as a plastic tube, would provide the potential to omit the exterior packaging altogether while still displaying an attractive hologram to a potential consumer prior to product purchase. Reducing the amount of packaging (e.g., omitting the exterior packaging) reduces costs and packaging waste. As such, structures that include a hologram on the exterior of a plastic package and their methods of formation would be desirable.

Attempts have been made to transfer an attractive and high quality holographic film to a tube laminate and subsequently print a pattern such as text or graphics onto the holographic film. However, the printing of patterns has met with limited success. It is difficult to obtain sufficient adhesion of an ink to the holographic film and insufficient adhesion results in peeling of the pattern from the tube during, for example, conventional industry product testing, such as a tape test. <CIT> refers to a flexible tube skirt, obtained by adhesive-lamination, which comprises, from an inside to an outside: a primary film, an adhesive layer, a base layer, a decoration, another adhesive layer, and a sealable outer layer.

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present teachings. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings, nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its primary purpose is merely to present one or more concepts in simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description presented later. The present invention relates to a laminate as defined in claim <NUM>, a tube as defined in claim <NUM>, and a method as defined in claim <NUM>.

A laminate includes an inner polyolefin layer, an outer polyolefin layer, and a barrier layer interposed between the inner polyolefin layer and the outer polyolefin layer. The laminate further includes a holographic film attached to the outer polyolefin layer, the holographic film having a holographic grating layer, a reflective layer physically contacting the holographic grating layer, an adhesive layer formed on the holographic grating layer, and a release layer formed on the adhesive layer. The laminate further includes a primer coating layer on the release layer and a patterned layer on the primer coating layer.

Optionally, the laminate further includes a varnish layer on the patterned layer.

Optionally, the holographic grating layer and the reflective layer are visible through the varnish layer, the primer coating layer, the release layer, and the adhesive layer, and may be visible through the patterned layer.

Optionally, the adhesive layer is a first adhesive layer, and the laminate further includes a second adhesive layer that attaches the outer polyolefin layer to the barrier layer and a third adhesive layer that attaches the inner polyolefin layer to the barrier layer.

Optionally, the laminate further includes a transfer adhesive that attaches the reflective layer to the outer polyolefin layer.

Optionally, the laminate further includes a seam having a first edge of the laminate and a second edge of the laminate, wherein the first edge overlaps, and is physically attached to, the second edge, and a crimp at a third edge of the laminate.

A tube for storing a product includes a laminate. The laminate includes a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge, an inner polyolefin layer, an outer polyolefin layer, a barrier layer interposed between the inner polyolefin layer and the outer polyolefin layer, and a holographic film attached to the outer polyolefin layer. The holographic film includes a holographic grating layer, a reflective layer physically contacting the holographic grating layer, an adhesive layer formed on the holographic grating layer, and a release layer formed on the adhesive layer. The laminate further includes a primer coating layer on the release layer, a patterned layer on the primer coating layer, a seam including the first edge of the laminate and the second edge of the laminate, wherein the first edge overlaps, and is physically attached to, the second edge, and a crimp at the third edge of the laminate. The tube further includes a tube shoulder attached to the fourth edge the laminate.

Optionally, the tube further includes a cap that attaches to the tube shoulder.

Optionally, the tube further includes a transfer adhesive that attaches the reflective layer to the outer polyolefin layer.

A method for forming a laminate may include attaching an inner polyolefin layer and an outer polyolefin layer to a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is interposed between the outer polyolefin layer and the inner polyolefin layer, providing a holographic film, wherein the holographic film includes a hologram having a holographic grating layer and a reflective layer that physically contacts the holographic grating layer, a release layer attached to the holographic grating layer, a backing layer, wherein the release layer attaches the backing layer to the holographic grating layer, and a protective coating over the reflective layer of the hologram. The method may further include forming a transfer adhesive on the outer polyolefin layer, attaching the protective coating to the outer polyolefin layer using the transfer adhesive, thereby attaching the holographic film to the outer polyolefin layer and, subsequent to attaching the holographic film to the outer polyolefin layer, separating the backing layer from the release layer.

Optionally, the method further includes priming the release layer and forming a patterned layer on the priming layer, wherein the patterned layer includes at least one of text and graphics.

Optionally, the priming of the release layer includes forming a primer coating layer on the release layer.

Optionally, the method further includes forming a varnish layer over the patterned layer, wherein the holographic grating layer and the reflective layer are visible through the varnish layer, the primer coating layer, and the release layer.

Optionally, the method further includes applying an adhesive layer to the release layer and attaching the holographic film to the release layer using the adhesive layer, wherein the holographic grating layer and the reflective layer are visible through the adhesive layer.

Optionally, the method further includes exposing the outer polyolefin layer to a corona discharge plasma to increase a surface tension of the outer polyolefin layer prior to forming of the transfer adhesive.

It should be noted that some details of the FIGS. have been simplified and are drawn to facilitate understanding of the present teachings rather than to maintain strict structural accuracy, detail, and scale.

As used herein, a "plastic" layer can include any suitable thermoplastic polymer that softens when heated to or above a melting temperature and solidifies when cooled to below the melting temperature. For example, a "plastic" layer can include, but is not limited to, a polyethylene, such as a high density polyethylene (HDPE), a low density polyethylene (LDPE), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE); a polypropylene such as a homo-propylene or co-propylene ; a polyethylene terephthalate (PET); an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH); a functional copolymer of ethylene, for example, in tie (i.e., adhesive) layers such as ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), etc.. A "polyolefin" is a polymer produced from a simple olefin. A "polyolefin" may include, but is not necessarily limited to, one or more of the following: polypropylene (PP); polyethylene (PE); polymethylpentene (PMP); polybutene-<NUM> (PB-<NUM>); polyolefin elastomers (POE) such as copolymer of ethylene and <NUM>-butane, copolymer of ethylene and <NUM>-hexene, copolymer of ethylene and <NUM>-octene, etc., polyisobutylene (PIB), and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR).

The present teachings include the manufacture of a holographic tube, and a tube resulting from the manufacture, having acceptable adhesion of a printed patterned layer to a holographic film of the tube. A tube manufactured according to the present teachings may provide a tube with a holographic layer and a printed patterned layer that is sufficient to pass industry testing, for example, one or more tests that include a tape test, a tube soap immersion test, and/or a crush test, a printed tube product resistance test, a tube pinch-unzip test, a tube burst test, a tube leaking test, as well as others.

An exemplary method for forming a tube, such as a toothpaste tube, including polymer layers having a hologram that is visible from the exterior of the tube is depicted in <FIG>. It will be understood that a method and structure in accordance with the present teachings may include other elements that are not depicted or described herein for simplicity, while various elements that are depicted and/or described may be removed or modified.

<FIG> depicts a portion of a tube laminate <NUM> such as an aluminum barrier laminate (ABL) or a plastic barrier laminate (PBL). The tube laminate <NUM> includes a barrier layer <NUM> interposed between polymer layers <NUM>, <NUM>, such as between an inner polyolefin layer <NUM> and an outer polyolefin layer <NUM>. The tube laminate <NUM> may include adhesive layers <NUM>, <NUM> to adhere the barrier layer <NUM>. The barrier layer <NUM> may include one or more of a metal layer such as an aluminum foil, a metal alloy, EVOH, nylon or other polyamide or polymer, etc., and combinations thereof. The barrier layer <NUM> may have a thickness of, for example, from about <NUM> micrometers (µm) to about <NUM>. The outer polyolefin layer <NUM> may have a thickness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> may have a thickness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The adhesive layers <NUM>, <NUM> may include a material such as EAA, and may each have a thickness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The tube laminate <NUM> thus includes a multilayer structure that provides a flavor barrier to prevent a decrease in the potency of the flavor of the product and/or a decrease in the number flavor molecules within the product as well as a gas barrier to prevent a gas, such as oxygen, from reaching a product stored within the completed tube, which may adversely affect the flavor and/or another characteristic of the product. The tube laminate <NUM> further provides a moisture barrier that seals the product within the completed tube. A tube laminate <NUM> such as that depicted in <FIG> may be manufactured by one of ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> depicts a holographic film <NUM> that may be transferrable to another structure such as the tube laminate <NUM> of <FIG>. The holographic film <NUM> may be or include a cold foil transferrable holographic film having a structure that includes various layers, such as those depicted in <FIG>. For purposes of description, a holographic film is a film that includes at least a holographic grating layer <NUM> and a reflective layer <NUM>. The holographic film <NUM> may be or include a typical or off-the-shelf cold transfer holographic film that may be provided by a supplier. Typical cold transfer holographic films are available, for example, from Leonhard Kurz Stiftung&Co. KG of Fuerth, Germany.

The holographic film <NUM> of <FIG> may include a backing film <NUM> such as a polymer backing film <NUM>. The backing film may be or include a polymer such as a polyester, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

<FIG> further depicts a release layer <NUM> attached to the backing film <NUM>. The release layer <NUM> may be or include a custom-made adhesive in which one or more releasing agents, e.g., stearates, polymers with long side-chains, etc., are added to the regular adhesive to reduce its bonding strength to the back film.

The holographic film <NUM> of <FIG> may further include an adhesive layer <NUM> that attaches the release layer <NUM> to the holographic grating layer <NUM> having an embossed surface. The adhesive layer <NUM> may be or include an adhesive such as polyurethane.

The holographic grating layer <NUM> may be or include a UV-curable layer that has been applied onto layer <NUM>. The hologram pattern may be pressed onto the adhesive layer <NUM> via an industry-standard embossing process, and then UV cured. The thickness of adhesive layer <NUM> may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The reflective layer <NUM> is typically formed to physically contact the holographic grating layer <NUM>. The reflective layer <NUM> is a light-reflective layer that enhances the appearance of the holographic grating layer <NUM>, and thus the completed tube. The reflective layer <NUM> may be, for example, a deposited metal layer having a high light reflectivity. The reflective layer <NUM> of the hologram may be formed using any known process. The reflective layer <NUM> may be formed as a conformal layer over the exposed surface of the holographic grating layer <NUM>, or the reflective layer <NUM> may be formed as a flowable layer that fills in surface topography with a substantially planar upper surface that covers the holographic grating layer <NUM>.

In some implementations of the present teachings, a protective coating <NUM> may be formed over and/or on the surface of the reflective layer <NUM> to prevent, for example, physical contact with the reflective layer during subsequent manufacture of the tube. The protective coating <NUM> may further be chemically inert relative to the reflective layer <NUM>, thereby preventing chemical interaction with more chemically reactive materials the reflective layer <NUM> may come in contact with in the absence of the protective coating <NUM>. The protective coating <NUM> may include, for example, a polymer such as one or more acrylics having a thickness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

After forming the tube laminate <NUM> and providing the holographic film <NUM>, the holographic film <NUM> is transferred to the tube laminate <NUM> using, for example, a cold transfer process at ambient room temperature. The transfer may include exposing the exposed surface of the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> to a corona discharge plasma to provide a corona treatment that increases a surface tension of the outer polyolefin layer <NUM>. For example, the outer surface of the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> may have a surface tension of about <NUM> dynes per centimeter (dyn/cm) or less prior to the corona treatment. Subsequent to corona treatment, the exposed surface of the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> may have a surface tension of about <NUM> dyn/cm or greater. In one example, the corona treatment may include exposing the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> to a corona discharge plasma having a power or intensity of from about <NUM> watts per minute per square foot (watt/min/ft2 ) and about <NUM> watt/min/ft2 for a duration of from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds. This corona treatment is exemplary, and other corona treatments having other intensities for other durations that increase the surface tension of the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> to about <NUM> dyn/cm or greater are contemplated.

Next, a transfer adhesive <NUM> is applied to the corona-treated outer polyolefin layer <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The transfer adhesive <NUM> may be, for example, a UV-curable adhesive or another suitable adhesive. Various UV-curable and other transfer adhesives are contemplated, including, but not limited to: FoilbondTM TC UVH <NUM> and TC UVH <NUM> available from Flint Group of Charlotte, NC; UVAFLEX UV adhesive U0842 available from Zeller+Gmelin of Eislingen, Germany; and NewV flex cold foil adhesive 67UF0004 available from Stehlin&Hostag AG of Lachen, Germany.

Subsequently, to complete the transfer of the holographic film <NUM> onto the tube laminate, the protective coating <NUM> is placed onto the transfer adhesive <NUM>, then the transfer adhesive <NUM> is cured using, for example, exposure to a suitable wavelength of UV light to result in the structure of <FIG>. The transfer adhesive <NUM> thus physically secures and bonds the holographic film <NUM> to the tube laminate <NUM>.

Next, after transferring the holographic film <NUM> to the tube laminate <NUM>, the backing film <NUM> is peeled or otherwise removed from the release layer <NUM>, leaving the structure as depicted in <FIG> and exposing the release layer <NUM> to air.

To improve the adhesion of a subsequent printed pattern, the exposed upper surface of the <FIG> structure is primed. The upper exposed surface of the <FIG> structure is primed by applying a primer (i.e., a priming layer, adhesion promotor, or primer coating layer) such as a primer coating layer <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The primer may include a UV-curable primer such as product number HCC00108 available from Flint Group, IDS-PR-<NUM> adhesion promotor available from Innovative Digital Systems of Indian Trail, NC, or SolarClear available from Sun Chemical of Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. The primer layer <NUM> may cover the entire release layer <NUM>. The primer layer <NUM> may be a clear or transparent coating, or a semi-transparent coating.

The primer coating layer may have a thickness of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. This primer coating layer <NUM> may be applied to fully cover the release layer <NUM> in its entirety to provide an improved surface for over printing of a subsequent printed layer such as a printed patterned layer. After application, the primer coating layer <NUM> may be cured using a suitable curing process, such as by exposing the primer coating layer <NUM> to UV light.

Next, a patterned layer <NUM> including text, graphics, and other artwork or product information may be printed or transferred onto the upper surface of the <FIG> structure (e.g., on the top of the primer coating layer <NUM>), as depicted in <FIG>. The patterned layer may include a printed or silkscreened pigmented liquid layer that is subsequently cured, a colored plastic or polymer layer that is transferred to the upper surface, etc. The patterned layer may be, for example, translucent such that the holographic grating layer and the reflective layer are visible through the patterned layer, or the patterned layer may be opaque. The primer layer <NUM> may function as an adhesion layer to bond the patterned layer <NUM> to the release layer <NUM>.

The transfer of the holographic film <NUM> onto the tube laminate <NUM>, the removal of the backing film <NUM> from the release layer <NUM>, the formation of the primer layer <NUM> over the release layer <NUM>, and the formation of the patterned layer <NUM> on the primer layer <NUM> may be performed at a single workstation such as a press. In one exemplary aspect of the present teachings, these processing acts may be carried out consecutively at a printing station of, for example, a Lombardi INVICTA press. In an alternative, the method may be performed at two or more different workstations. Performing several processing stages at a single workstation may minimize processing time and therefore reduce processing costs.

Next, a varnish layer <NUM> may be applied over the patterned layer <NUM> to provide a top sealer coating to further protect the patterned layer <NUM> and to provide a completed laminate (e.g., a laminate sheet) <NUM> that may be used as described below to form a tube or other packaging structure. The varnish layer <NUM> may help prevent wear and damage to the patterned layer <NUM> during use of the product by the user and reduce lifting of the patterned layer <NUM> off the primer layer <NUM>. In various embodiments, the varnish layer <NUM> may be clear, transparent, or semi-transparent. In addition, the material that forms the varnish layer <NUM> may be selected to provide a coefficient of friction of the laminate <NUM> that is, for example, <NUM> or greater. A coefficient of friction of <NUM> or greater may provide a laminate <NUM> that is particularly suitable for the tube making process described below. In an example, the varnish layer <NUM> may be formed from a material such as epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates, polyester acrylates and combinations of two or more of these.

In various implementations, the application of the varnish layer may be carried out consecutively and subsequently to the transferring of the holographic film <NUM> onto the tube laminate <NUM>, the removal of the backing film <NUM> from the release layer <NUM>, the formation of the primer layer <NUM> over the release layer <NUM>, and the formation of the patterned layer <NUM> on the primer layer <NUM> at a single workstation such as a press, for example, the Lombardi INVICTA press. In an alternative, the method may be performed at two or more different workstations.

<FIG> is a plan view of the <FIG> structure, where <FIG> is a cross section along <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. The laminate <NUM> may include a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM> along which the holographic film <NUM> is not attached to or formed. Along the edges <NUM>, <NUM>, the tube laminate <NUM> and, more specifically, the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> of the tube laminate <NUM>, is exposed. This provides edges <NUM>, <NUM> with exposed polyolefin to facilitate tube making as described below. <FIG> also depicts a patterned layer <NUM> that includes text and graphics, where the printed layer <NUM> is visible under the varnish layer <NUM>. The laminate <NUM> may also include a third edge <NUM> and a fourth edge <NUM>.

After forming the laminate <NUM> of <FIG>, the laminate <NUM> may be formed or assembled into a tube, such as the tube <NUM> of <FIG>. In one exemplary aspect for forming the tube <NUM>, the laminate <NUM> may be rolled and overlapped into a cylinder as depicted in the cross section of <FIG>, such that the first edge <NUM> of the laminate <NUM> overlaps the second edge <NUM> of the laminate <NUM>. Because the exposed edges <NUM>, <NUM> are not covered by the holographic film <NUM>, the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> physically contacts the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> at the overlapping side seam <NUM> during this process. In various embodiments, the edge <NUM> may be physically attached to the edge <NUM> using any means or techniques known in the art.

In one particular aspect of the present teachings, the edge <NUM> may be physically attached to the edge <NUM> by forming a self-sealing side seam <NUM> without using additional adhesive as depicted in <FIG>, in which the first edge <NUM> is overlapped with the second edge <NUM>, then positioned and held under pressure by a clamp <NUM>. The first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> are heated. A clamping pressure exerted by an outer clamp portion 902A and an inner clamp portion 902B onto the overlapped side seam <NUM> may be from about <NUM> bar to about <NUM> bars, which is sufficient to maintain physical contact and pressure between the surfaces of the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> and the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> to facilitate a suitable seal, but insufficient to deform and thin the heated and softened materials.

In various implementations, the clamp <NUM> may be heated which, in turn, heats the portion of the laminate <NUM> that is positioned within the clamp <NUM>, and more particularly the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> and the inner polyolefin layer <NUM>. The heating and softening of layers <NUM>, <NUM> is localized in the region of contact between the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> of the laminate <NUM> and the clamp <NUM>, and the clamp <NUM> heats and softens the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> and the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> only in proximity to the overlap.

The outer clamp portion 902A may be heated to a different temperature than the inner clamp portion 902B, or to the same temperature. For example, the outer clamp portion 902A may be heated to a first temperature of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example about <NUM>, and the inner clamp portion 902B may be heated to a second temperature of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example about <NUM>.

The layers <NUM>, <NUM> may be heated by the clamp <NUM> to a temperature of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or to a temperature sufficient to soften, melt, and flow the layers <NUM>, <NUM> without excessively decreasing their viscosity. The heating and pressure from the clamp <NUM> causes the outer polyolefin layer <NUM> and the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> to soften and flow together to seal the edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the complete laminate <NUM> as depicted in the simplified magnified cross section of <FIG>. After heating the edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the tube laminate <NUM> and the laminate <NUM>, the layers are cooled to form a completed, self-sealing side seam <NUM>. In the <FIG> structure, the laminate <NUM> forms a cylindrical tube body <NUM> having an inner wall <NUM> that may be provided by the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM> provided by the varnish layer <NUM>. For simplicity, the magnified view of <FIG> depicts the tube laminate <NUM> as a single layer, and further depicts the holographic film <NUM> as a single layer.

Subsequently, as depicted in <FIG>, a tube shoulder <NUM> that may include an exit nozzle <NUM>, such as a threaded exit nozzle, can be attached to an open end <NUM> at the fourth edge <NUM> of the cylindrical tube body <NUM>. The tube shoulder <NUM> may include an internal ridge (i.e., flange) <NUM> that fits within the open end <NUM> of the cylindrical tube body <NUM>. The tube shoulder <NUM> may be heat sealed to the cylindrical tube body <NUM> to attach the tube shoulder <NUM> to the cylindrical tube body <NUM>.

After attachment of the tube shoulder <NUM>, a cap <NUM>, for example a threaded cap, may be attached to the exit nozzle <NUM>. It will be appreciated that other non-threaded cap and exit nozzle designs are contemplated, such as a hinged flip cap that snaps onto the exit nozzle under the application of pressure by a user. After attachment of the cap <NUM>, the cylindrical tube body <NUM> may be filled with the product <NUM> through the open end of the cylindrical tube body (at the third edge <NUM> at a lower end of the cylindrical tube body <NUM> in the <FIG> orientation). The product <NUM> may include, for example, a toothpaste, a food item, a lotion, etc..

After placement of the product <NUM> within the cylindrical tube body <NUM>, the open end of the cylindrical tube body <NUM> can be crimped such that a first section of the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> physically contacts a second section of the inner polyolefin layer <NUM> at the inner wall <NUM>(<FIG>) of the cylindrical tube body <NUM>. The inner polyolefin layer <NUM> may be heated and softened to form a self-sealing end seal <NUM> and a completed tube <NUM> as depicted in the side view of <FIG>. Thus the laminate <NUM> forms a completed tube body of <FIG>. Any deformation of the holographic film <NUM> from the application of heat may be localized to the area of the crimp <NUM> and thus any loss in the holographic effect is also localized to the relatively small region of the crimp <NUM>. In another exemplary aspect, the holographic film <NUM> may be formed such that it does not extend to the third edge <NUM> of the laminate <NUM> to provide a region at the third edge <NUM> of the laminate <NUM> that is similar to the edges <NUM>, <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, and thus the holographic film <NUM> is not heated during formation of the crimp <NUM>. During use, a user may dispense the product <NUM> from an opening in the exit nozzle <NUM> of the tube shoulder <NUM>.

Thus the present teachings can include a tube and method for forming the tube. The completed tube includes a polymer tube laminate and a holographic film attached to the polymer tube laminate. The holographic film may include a hologram provided by at least a holographic grating layer and a reflective layer that are visible from an exterior of the tube. The holographic grating layer and the reflective layers may be visible through other layers, such as a varnish layer, a primer layer, a release layer, and an adhesive layer. The holographic film may be preassembled with a release layer and a backing layer that protects the release layer. The backing layer may be peeled from the release layer, then an adhesive layer may be formed to physically attach the holographic film to the tube laminate. A patterned layer that may include text and/or graphics may be printed onto the holographic film.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present teachings are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "less than <NUM>" can include any and all sub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and the maximum value of <NUM>, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal to or less than <NUM>, e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>. In certain cases, the numerical values as stated for the parameter can take on negative values. In this case, the example value of range stated as "less than <NUM>" can assume negative values, e.g. - <NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, etc..

Claim 1:
A laminate, comprising:
an inner polyolefin layer (<NUM>);
an outer polyolefin layer (<NUM>);
a barrier layer (<NUM>) interposed between the inner polyolefin layer (<NUM>) and the outer polyolefin layer (<NUM>);
a holographic film (<NUM>) attached to the outer polyolefin layer (<NUM>), comprising:
a holographic grating layer (<NUM>);
a light-reflective layer (<NUM>) physically contacting the holographic grating layer (<NUM>);
an adhesive layer (<NUM>) formed on the holographic grating layer (<NUM>);
a release layer (<NUM>) formed on the adhesive layer (<NUM>);
a primer coating layer (<NUM>) on the release layer (<NUM>); and
a patterned layer (<NUM>) on the primer coating layer (<NUM>);
wherein the release layer (<NUM>) comprises a custom-made adhesive which includes one or more releasing agents configured to reduce a bonding strength of the release layer (<NUM>) with respect to a backing film (<NUM>) that is attachable to the release layer (<NUM>), the backing film (<NUM>) being configured to be removed from the release layer (<NUM>) before applying the primer coating layer (<NUM>) on the release layer (<NUM>).