EN 15387:2011

Packaging - Flexible laminate tubes - Test methods to assess the strength of the side seam

This European Standard specifies methods for the assessment of the strength of the side seam of flexible laminate tubes.
It is applicable to flexible laminate tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other household products.

Packmittel - Laminattuben - Prüfverfahren zur Beurteilung der Festigkeit der Längsnaht

Diese Europäische Norm legt Verfahren zur Beurteilung der Festigkeit der Längsnaht von Laminattuben fest.
Sie gilt für Laminattuben, die für die Verpackung von Produkten der Pharmazie, der Kosmetik, der Hygiene
sowie von Lebensmitteln und anderen Haushaltsprodukten verwendet werden.

Emballage - Tubes souples laminés - Méthodes d'essai pour déterminer la résistance de la soudure longitudinale

La présente Norme européenne spécifie des méthodes d’évaluation de la résistance de la soudure
longitudinale des tubes souples laminés.
Elle s’applique aux tubes souples laminés utilisés pour emballer des produits pharmaceutiques, cosmétiques,
alimentaires, des produits d’hygiène et autres produits de première nécessité.

Embalaža - Prožne laminatne tube - Preskusne metode za ugotavljanje trdnosti stranskih zvarov

Ta evropski standard določa metode za ugotavljanje trdnosti stranskih zvarov prožnih laminatnih tub. Uporablja se za prožne laminatne tube, namenjene pakiranju farmacevtskih, kozmetičnih, higienskih, prehrambenih in drugih gospodinjskih izdelkov.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Aug-2011
• Withdrawal Date: 28-Feb-2012
• ICS: 55.120 - Cans. Tins. Tubes
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 261 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: WG 39 - Flexible tubes
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 01-Feb-2023
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15387:2012 - Packaging - Flexible laminate tubes - Test methods to assess the strength of the side seam

Overview

EN 15387:2011 - Packaging - Flexible laminate tubes - Test methods to assess the strength of the side seam - is a European Standard (CEN) that defines laboratory methods to evaluate the mechanical integrity of the side seam (longitudinal weld/overlap) of flexible laminate tubes. It applies to tubes used for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and household products and is intended for quality control, product development and supplier acceptance testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Two complementary test methods

  • Burst test (pressure resistance): checks whether the tube withstands a defined internal air pressure without failure at the side seam/overlap.
    • Equipment: compressed air system (compressor with ≥2 bar initial pressure and regulator), pressure gauge, clamp, adaptor and protective enclosure.
    • Procedure: place tube with side seam centred in clamp, close one end and pressurise from the other.
    • Pressure/time: for tube diameter ≤ 40 mm apply 2.0 bar for 10 s; for diameter > 40 mm apply 1.8 bar for 10 s.
    • Acceptance: the tube shall not burst in the overlap/side seam during the 10 s. If it bursts elsewhere or not at all the requirement is met.
    • Note: for laminate thickness below 250 µm, testing conditions should be agreed between customer and supplier.

• Overlap test (visual/measurement): measures the physical overlap of layers in the side seam to identify insufficient overlap or laminate flow issues.

  • Sample prep: cross-section cut ~10 mm from open end; make inner layer visible or use contrast agents.
  • EVOH barrier detection: stain with iodine solution (example recipe: 2.5 g iodine, 2.5 g potassium iodide, 15 g distilled water, 80 g ethanol) to darken EVOH for observation.
  • Measurement: under magnification, read overlap in mm from a graticule. Minimum overlap = 1 mm.
  • Not applicable for edge-to-edge joined walls; if no aluminium or EVOH barrier is present, a mutually agreed procedure is required.

• Test reporting: reports should reference EN 15387 and include sampling method (if applicable), batch and tube identification, number checked, number of defects, test results, influencing factors/unspecified operating details, date/place and tester name.

Applications and users

• Primary users:
  • Packaging manufacturers and tube converters
  • Quality control and laboratory personnel
  • Brand owners in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and hygiene sectors
  • Procurement and supplier compliance teams
• Practical uses:
  • Incoming inspection of flexible laminate tubes
  • Process control after sealing / welding adjustments
  • Failure analysis when seam defects or leaks occur
  • Supplier specification and acceptance testing

Related standards

• Published by CEN/TC 261 (Packaging). EN 15387 complements other packaging and material test standards used in tube manufacture and barrier verification; users should reference company or industry-specific sampling and acceptance criteria as needed.

Keywords: EN 15387:2011, flexible laminate tubes, side seam strength, burst test, overlap test, packaging testing, EVOH, laminate thickness, quality control, tube sealing.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Embalaža - Prožne laminatne tube - Preskusne metode za ugotavljanje trdnosti stranskih zvarovPackmittel - Laminattuben - Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Festigkeit der LängsnahtEmballage - Tubes souples laminés - Méthodes d'essai pour déterminer la résistence de la soudure longitudinalePackaging - Flexible laminate tubes - Test methods to assess the strength of the side seam55.120Cans. Tins. TubesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15387:2011SIST EN 15387:2012en,fr,de01-marec-2012SIST EN 15387:2012SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15387
August 2011 ICS 55.120 English Version
Packaging - Flexible laminate tubes - Test methods to assess the strength of the side seam
Emballage - Tubes souples laminés - Méthodes d'essai pour déterminer la résistence de la soudure longitudinale
Packmittel - Laminattuben - Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Festigkeit der Längsnaht This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1 July 2011.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15387:2011: ESIST EN 15387:2012
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