TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to dispensers for products in stick form, for example cosmetics, deodorants, lipsticks, lip balms, adhesives and other products for topical application to a surface, for example to a person’s skin or lips.

BACKGROUND

Stick products such as lipsticks are supplied in a number of dispensers. The most common dispenser comprises a tubular plastics shell having a removable cap. The container receives a cartridge of a material for application which can, after removal of the cap, be twisted in order to extend the stick of material from the shell and to retract the stick material into the shell after application, whereupon the cap may be closed once more.

Whilst this is a very effective form of dispenser, it is desirable to reduce the amount of plastic material used in the dispenser.

SUMMARY

From a first aspect the present invention provides a dispenser for a product in stick form. The dispenser comprises a base part and a removable cap. The base part comprises an outer tube, an inner tube and a product carrier. The outer tube may be made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The inner tube is rotatably and slidably received within the outer tube, projects upwardly from the outer tube and has an axially extending helical slot formed therein. The product stick carrier supports a product stick and is rotationally fixed relative to the outer tube. The product stick is arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube (16) and projects upwardly from the outer tube. A helical element is rotationally fixed with respect to the outer tube and is received in the helical slot such that rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube will move the helical slot along the helical element thereby lowering or raising the inner tube within the outer tube to expose or cover the product stick.

Thus in a dispenser in accordance with the invention, the product stick remains static and is selectively exposed by movement of an inner tube of the dispenser.

One or more of, for example all of the outer tube, inner tube, product stick carrier and helical element may be made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. This facilitates recycling of the dispenser after use. The inner tube may be made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard.

The helical element may extend from a tubular collar fixed with respect to the outer tube. This may facilitate the attachment of the helical element to the outer tube.

The outer diameter of the inner tube and the outer diameter of the tubular collar may be the same. This may facilitate manufacture, allowing the inner tube and collar to be made from a single tubular element.

The dispenser may further comprise a stop mechanism which prevents the inner tube from being completely withdrawn from the outer tube.

The stop mechanism may comprise stop formations formed on the helical slot and the helical element respectively.

In one embodiment, the stop formations may comprise a single tab formed on one side of the helical slot and a cooperating single tab formed on one side of the helical element. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it may allow an entire edge of the helical element to engage with an entire edge of the helical slot during use.

The product stick carrier may comprise a carrier disc, which may be made of a paper-based or card-based material, to which the product stick is mounted. The carrier disc may be mounted to a carrier tube, which may be made from a paper-based or card-based material. The carrier tube is arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube, whereby the inner tube is sandwiched radially between the carrier tube and the outer tube. This may allow for precise guidance of the inner tube.

An upper end of the carrier tube may extend above the carrier disc. This may advantageously protect the connection between the product stick and the carrier.

In embodiments including the tubular collar, a lower end of the carrier tube may be bonded to the collar.

The dispenser may further comprise a base disc mounted in a lower end of the outer tube. The base disc may be made from a paper-based or card-based material

In embodiments which include the carrier tube, the lower end of the carrier tube may be located against an upper surface of the base disc.

In embodiments including the tubular collar a lower edge of the collar may locate against an or the upper surface of the base disc.

The helical slot may extend axially over less than half the length of the inner tube.

The helical slot may extend between 30 degrees and 105 degrees around the axis of the inner tube.

The helical slot may extend to the bottom edge of the inner tube. This may facilitate assembly of the dispenser.

The inner tube preferably projects from the outer tube in all operative positions in order to fully protect the product stick.

In embodiments, the removable cap may be received over an upper end of the inner tube. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the inner tube and helical element of a dispenser in accordance with the invention. The method comprises cutting the helical element out from a tube of material, the remainder of the tube then forming the inner tube of the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a dispenser in accordance with the invention in a closed configuration;

Figure 2 shows the dispenser of Figure 1 with the outer parts thereof only shown in section;

Figure 3 shows the dispenser with its cap removed.

Figure 4 shows the dispenser with its product stick partially exposed;

Figure 5 shows the dispenser with its product stick fully exposed;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the dispenser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a more detailed vertical cross section through the dispenser;

Figure 8 shows a view of an inner tube of a dispenser;

Figure 9 shows a view of the helical element of a dispenser.

Figure 10 shows a view of an alternative inner tube of a dispenser; and

Figure 11 shows a view of an alternative helical element of a dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the Figures 1 a dispenser 2 for a product in stick form is shown.

The dispenser 2 comprises a base part 4 and a removable cap 6. In this embodiment, the base part 4 and cap 6 are tubular in shape. They may for example be circular in cross section, although other cross sectional shapes may be possible.

The cap 6 is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. Its upper end 8 may be closed by a disc 10 of such a material in a conventional manner which locates against a rolled over lip 12 formed at the upper end 8. The disc 10 may be a laminated structure, for example comprising a plurality of layers of card material bonded together, or a unitary, one piece construction. The disc 10 could of course be located in some other manner. In another embodiment, for example the upper end 8 of the cap 6 need not be rolled and the disc 10 may simply be bonded in position.

The base part 6 comprises an outer tube 14 which is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The outer tube 14 may be a spirally wound tube for example. However, other constructions such as a wrapped tube construction may be used.

Advantageously, the outer tube 14 and the cap 6 are made from a length of tube of material cut transversely to form the cap 6 and the outer tube 14. In this way, the cap 6 may lie flush with the outer tube 14.

The base part 4 further includes an inner tube 16 which is rotatably and slidably received within the outer tube 14. The inner tube 16 is also made from a paper- based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. As can be seen from Figure 3 for example, the inner tube 16 projects upwardly from the outer tube 14. In fact, the cap 6 is received on the inner tube 16 to close the dispenser 2. As best shown in Figure 7, the cap closing disc 10 may be formed with an annular recess 18 on its lower face 20 to receive the upper edge 22 of the inner tube 16, thereby improving location of the cap 6 on the base part 4. The inner tube 16 comprises an axially extending helical slot 24 formed therein. In this embodiment, and as can best be seen in Figure 8, the helical slot 24 extends to a lower edge 26 of the inner tube 16. A stop, in this embodiment formed by a pair of stop tabs 28 projecting across the open end 30 of the slot 24, is provided for purposes which will be described further below.

The helical slot 24 may typically extend axially over less than half the length of the inner tube 16. It may also extend between 30 degrees and 105 degrees around the axis of the inner tube 16. Typically the helix angle of the helical slot 24 may be about 60 degrees. The particular value of helix angle chosen will determine the degree of rotation required to extend or retract the inner tube by a predetermined amount.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 7, the upper end 32 of the helical slot 24 is arranged below the upper edge 36 of the outer tube 14. In other embodiments, the upper end 32 of the helical slot 24 may project slightly above the upper edge 36 of the outer tube 14.

A helical element 38 made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard is mounted in the outer tube 14 so as to be rotationally fixed with respect thereto. As illustrated, it is a strip-like element, having a width greater than its thickness. The helical element 38 is received in the helical slot 24 of the inner tube 16 such that relative rotation of the inner tube 16 and the outer tube 14 will move the helical slot 24 along the helical element 38 thereby lowering or raising the inner tube 16, as will be described further below.

The free end 40 of the helical element 38 is formed with a pair of stop tabs 42. The stop tabs 42 cooperate with the stop tabs 28 provided at the end 30 of the helical slot 24 to prevent the inner tube 16 from disengaging from the helical element 38.

In this embodiment and as can best be seen in Figure 9, the helical element 38 extends from a tubular collar 44. The helical element 38 and tubular collar 44 may therefore be made as unitary component. The tubular collar 44 may be bonded to the lower end 46 of the outer tube 14 to secure the helical element 38 relative to the outer tube 14. The helical element 38 may alternatively or additionally be bonded to the outer tube 14.

Advantageously, the helical element 38, the tubular collar 44 and the inner tube 16 may be made from the same tube of material, for example a spiral wound or wrapped tube. The helical element 38 may be formed by cutting two helical cuts through the tube of material of an appropriate shape to define the helical element 38 and any stops 28, 42. Also, as the outer diameter Dc of the collar 44 and the outer diameter Dt of the inner tube 16 are the same, the inner tube 16 may be snugly received within the outer tube 14.

The dispenser further comprises a product stick carrier 48 which is formed of a paper-based or card-based material and which supports a product stick 50.

The product stick carrier 48 is rotationally fixed relative to the outer tube 14. The product stick 50 is arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube 16 and projects upwardly from the outer tube 14, as can be seen for example in Figures 4, 5 and 7. As the product stick carrier 48 is rotationally fixed to the outer tube 14, both it and the product stick 50 remain static during use of the dispenser 2. As will be described further below, raising or lowering of the inner tube 16 relative to the outer tube 14 due to relative rotation thereof by means of the helical slot 24/helical element 38 displacement mechanism will therefore expose or cover the product stick 50.

The product stick carrier 48 may comprise a carrier disc or plug 52 which may be formed of a paper-based or card-based material. The disc 52 may be of a laminated structure, for example comprising a plurality of layers of card material bonded together, or a unitary, one piece construction. The product stick 50 may for example be adhered to the product carrier disc 52 by an adhesive, or by a layer of unset product.

The product stick carrier 48 further comprises a carrier tube 54 optionally of a paper-based or card-based material in the upper end 56 of which the carrier disc 52 is mounted. The carrier tube 54 may be of any suitable construction, for example spiral wound or wrapped. The inner tube 16 is rotatably and slidably received over the carrier tube 54. The carrier tube 54 is arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube 16 such that the inner tube 16 and the helical element 38 is sandwiched radially between the carrier tube 54 and the outer tube 14. The outer tube 14 and carrier tube 54 thus maintain the radial engagement of the helical element 38 within the helical slot 24.

As can be seen from Figure 7 for example, the upper end 56 of the carrier tube 54 extends above the carrier disc 52. This protects the attachment of the product stick 50 to the carrier disk 52. The lower end 58 of the carrier tube 54 may be bonded to the tubular collar 44 and so fixed relative to the outer tube 14.

As can further be seen in Figure 7 for example, the lower end 46 of the outer tube 14 is closed by a base disc or plug 60 which is located against a rolled lip 62 formed at the lower end 46 of the outer tube 14. The base disc 60 could of course be located in some other manner. In another embodiment, for example the lower end 46 of the outer tube 14 need not be rolled and the base disc 60 may simply be bonded in position. The base disc 60 may be formed of a paper-based or card- based material. The base disc 60 may be of a laminated structure, for example comprising a plurality of layers of card material bonded together, or a unitary, one piece construction. A bottom end 64 of the collar 44 and a bottom end 66 of the carrier tube 54 may locate against the upper surface 68 of the base disc 60.

Having described the overall construction of the dispenser 2, its mode of operation will now be described.

T urning to operation of the dispenser 2, prior to first use, the dispenser 2 is in the closed configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. To use the dispenser 2, the cap 6 is first removed, as shown in Figure 3. It will be seen from this Figure that the inner tube 16 projects from the outer tube 14 and covers the product stick 50.

The inner tube 16 is then rotated relative to the outer tube 14 as illustrated by arrow A in Figure 4. The user may grip the exposed section of the inner tube 16 and the outer tube 14 and simply twist. The relative rotation of the inner tube and the outer tube will cause the inner tube 16 to retract into the outer tube as illustrated by the arrow B in Figure 4, thereby exposing the product stick 50. This is due to the interaction between the helical slot 24 on the inner tube 16 and the helical element 38 which is rotationally fixed relative to the outer tube 14.

Relative rotation of the inner tube 16 and outer tube 18 can continue until such time as a bottom edge 70 of the inner tube 16 contacts an upper edge 72 of the collar 44, as illustrated in Figure 4. At this point, the product stick 50 is fully exposed.

The inner tube 16 need not of course be fully retracted for application of the product.

The length of the helical slot 24 and the helical element 38 and their helix angle will determine how much rotation is required to fully retract the inner tube 16. In preferred embodiments, full retraction may be achieved with a relative rotation of 90 degrees or less, allowing the user to hold say the inner tube 16 fixed in one hand and easily rotate the outer tube 14 with the other hand.

After application of the product, the inner tube 16 and outer tube 14 may be rotated in the opposite direction in order to extend the inner tube 16 further from the outer tube 14. The axial movement of the inner tube 16 will be limited by the engagement of the stops 28, 42 on the inner tube 16 and helical element 38. In this position, the product stick 50 will once more be fully covered and protected by the inner tube 16.

The cap 6 can then be replaced over the inner tube 16 to close the dispenser. It should be noted that as shown in Figure 5, a portion of the inner tube 16 still projects from the outer tube 14 even when the inner tube 16 is fully retracted. This means that the cap 6 may still be replaced on the dispenser 2 in that condition.

It will be seen from the above description that a dispenser 2 in accordance with the invention operates in a completely different way from a traditional dispenser in that rather than extending and retracting a product stick, the product stick is selectively exposed by the extension and retraction of a tubular shield relative to an outer tube. This may make the product easier to handle, provide greater stability to the product stick and allow the exposure of the product stick to be more finely controlled

The dispenser 2 as described above is advantageous in that apart from the product stick 52, it may be and preferably is made entirely from a paper-based or card- based material. It will therefore be fully recyclable. At least the tubular elements of the dispenser are preferably made from a paper-based or card-based material. However, the components of the dispenser 2 may be made from different materials in different embodiments. For example, the various tubular members and helical element may all be made from a plastics or a metallic material. In other embodiments, selected components, for example the external components (cap 6 and outer tube 14) and/or the inner tube 16 only may be made from such materials. This may provide improved strength and/or appearance.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiment disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, a different form of stop may be provided for preventing disengagement of the inner tube 16 from the static structure. In one alternative embodiment, a single tab 28’ may be provided on just one side of the slot 24, with a corresponding single tab 42’ provided on the helical element 38. Such arrangements are shown in Figures 10 and 11. Such arrangements may be preferable to the ones shown in Figures 8 and 9 as it allows an edge 100 of the helical element 38 run along the opposed edge 102 of the helical slot 24, assisting in guidance.

In another modification, the carrier tube 54 may be a solid cylindrical element rather than a tube. The carrier disc 52 may then be mounted to or simply be constituted by an upper end of that element. The inner tube 16 and helical element 38 will still be sandwiched radially between the outer tube 14 and this cylindrical element.