Method for forming hermetically sealed tubing caps

A method of forming a container from a tubular member, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the tubular member on a positioner of a support such that the positioner of the support locates the tubular member relative to a post of the support, the post configured to define a first side of a cavity for receiving a material injected into the cavity,
• moving a platen of an injection molding die to engage with the tubular member, the platen moving a portion of structure configured to define a second side of the cavity for receiving the material injected into the cavity, and defining one or more side walls of the cavity that are coincident with and parallel to the outer surface of the tubular member, and
• injecting a material into the cavity, the material forming a plug that engages an inner surface of the tubular member to form a hermetic seal therewith, the material further forming a cap for the tubular member which fills any space between a terminus of the tubular member and the cavity to form an extension of the walls of the tubular member such that the container has a length defined by a distance between the positioner and a terminal end of the cavity.