What’s the difference between a “core” and a “tube”?
Paper cores and paper tubes are structurally the same, how each is used determines what it’s called. A paper tube is called a “core” when something is wrapped or wound around it. Think of a roll of tape, paper towels, or holiday wrapping paper – these are all products wrapped around a paper core. A paper tube is called a “tube” when something is put inside of it. Think of posters, cosmetics, and Pringles – these products are all packaged inside of a paper tube.
What are “carpet cores”?
Carpet cores are a heavy duty cores used for a specific purpose: store and transport carpet. Most carpet cores have a 3.5 inch inside diameter, are 12 feet long, with an eighth of an inch wall thickness (3.5″ ID x 144″ long x .125″ thick). As carpet manufacturers make their carpet, they wind it around the paper core.
After each roll is completed, the finished product (including the core) is wrapped with plastic. To protect the entire roll of carpet, the plastic wrap is extra long and is tied off at each end (pictured below).
The purpose of the unique star-shaped design is to eliminate the need for end ties and provide a faster, recyclable packaging solution.
“Star crimped” carpet core inserts
After decades of making carpet cores, we have a new solution to introduce to carpet manufacturers: “star crimped” carpet core inserts. Our engineers have designed and fabricated tooling that is revolutionizing carpet manufacturing. The “star crimped” carpet core insert is 6 inches long and “crimped” at one end. The crimped end looks like a star, which also gave this unique solution its name.