The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a consumable preferably being a personal care product. The consumable is preferably presented in stick form such as but not limited to a deodorant stick. The dispenser is preferably re- fillable by being replenished with a new stick once a prior stick has been consumed.

BACKGROUND

Deodorant dispensers that use a worm drive mechanism are known. These are traditionally used to dispense solid "stick" deodorants. They but do not lend themselves easily for refill-ability. Once the deodorant is consumed, the dispenser is thrown away by the consumer.

Worm actuator mechanisms are usually manufactured by "reverse filling".

The deodorant dispenser housing is filled with deodorant substance upside-down, with a worm actuator covered by the deodorant substance and dispensed by rotating such worm, against a non-rotating plate, which displaces its content out for user application.

Attempting to use the worm actuator concept for our refillable dispenser may create a number of problems. It may require tedious un-winding of the actuator every time a new refill is reloaded all the way into the reusable dispenser. It may require the refills to have a disposable worm and base plate inside them (potentially creating single-use plastic) or requiring a formed cavity in the refill to allow room for worm insertion. It may also require an external sleeve actuator mechanism (potentially creating even more single-use plastic).

It may therefore be an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing a consumable that addresses the abovementioned disadvantages and/or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It may also be an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing a consumable presented in stick form such as but not limited to a deodorant stick that addresses the abovementioned disadvantages and/or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a dispenser for dispensing a consumable preferably presented in one of (a) stick form and (b) flowable form, (herein after referred to as "stick form"), the dispenser comprising: a housing comprising a stick form containment region in which the stick form is able to be contained, enclosed by the housing save for an opening via which the stick form is able to translate to be caused to extend from the housing (and preferably retract back into the housing), a housing guided elevator to locate at an end of the stick form to travel with the stick form as it translates, a mechanism to cause the stick form to translate to extend from the housing and comprising a flexible rack located inside said housing and that at one end is coupled to said elevator and is able to be driven by a rotary pinion located inside the housing at a location relative to the stick form opposite the opening to cause the elevator to translate to cause the stick form to extend from the housing, said location including a storage region for said flexible rack to contract into in a curved format, a handle presented outside the housing and able to be actuated by a user, mechanically coupled to said pinion to cause the pinion to rotate to dispense the rack from its storage region and cause the stick form to extend from the housing.

Preferably the flexible rack extends in a first direction from the pinion to the elevator in a straight format and extends from the pinion in a direction opposite the first direction (herein after "second direction") in said curved format.

Preferably the curved format of the flexible rack is determined by a curved surface (preferably defined by a curved channel) of the housing by which the flexible rack is able to be guided in said second direction.

Preferably the flexible rack in the first direction is guided by a second channel of the housing.

Preferably the flexible rack in the first direction is guided by the elevator.

Preferably the flexible rack has a first distal end connected to the elevator and a second distal end opposite the first distal end.

Preferably the second distal end is a free distal end.

Preferably the flexible rack comprises of an elongate band with a plurality of equi-spaced apertures and the pinion comprises a plurality of radially located teeth to locate into the apertures and to drive said flexible rack thereat. Preferably the flexible rack comprises of an elongate band with a plurality of equi-spaced teeth and the pinion comprises a plurality of radially located receptacles to receive the teeth of the flexible rack and to drive said flexible rack thereat.

Preferably the band has two parallel elongate edges that are each located at least in part, in the second direction, in a said curved channel of the housing to guide the band in its curved format.

Preferably in moving from the pinion in the first direction, the flexible rack transitions from a curved format to a straight format.

Preferably the flexible rack is causes to move to a coiled format in said storage region.

Preferably the flexible rack when in said storage region is in a curved and preferably coiled format.

Preferably the flexible rack remains located below the elevator.

Preferably the flexible rack, save for its first distal end is located below the elevator.

Preferably the flexible rack extends downwardly from said elevator and remains below said elevator.

Preferably the storage region for the rack is below the elevator.

Preferably the storage region extends no more than 40% to the opening from the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the storage region extends no more than 30% to the opening from the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the storage region extends no more than 25% to the opening from the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the elevator is able to travel more than 50% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the elevator is able to travel more than 55% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the elevator is able to travel more than 60% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the elevator is able to travel more than 65% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the elevator is able to travel more than 70% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the stick form is able to be contained in the housing to at least more than 50% to the end of the housing opposite the opening. Preferably the stick form is able to be contained in the housing to at least more than 60% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the stick form is able to be contained in the housing to at least more than 65% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the stick form is able to be contained in the housing to at least more than 70% to the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Preferably the stick form containment region is at least 60% of the overall dispenser volume.

Preferably the stick form containment region is at least 70% of the overall dispenser volume.

Preferably the stick form is located in said stick form containment region.

Preferably the volume ratio of stick form volume able to be contained in said housing to overall dispenser volume to is greater than 2:3.

Preferably the dispenser is a non-single use dispenser able to receive a recharge of stick form once a prior stick form has been at least partly consumed and ejected.

Preferably the stick form is a consumable and the dispenser is re-useable.

Preferably the handle is coupled to the pinion via a clutch mechanism to allow for mechanical coupling and decoupling of the handle with the pinion.

Preferably the handle is able to rotate relative the housing to cause the pinion to rotate.

Preferably the handle comprised a lever that is able to pivot relative to the housing, between a first condition and a second condition, the first condition corresponding to the handle being locked for rotation to the housing and a second condition corresponding to the handle being free to rotate and rotate the pinion.

Preferably in said first condition, the handle is keyed to the housing preventing it from rotation thereby locking the pinion and hence the stick form relative to the housing.

Preferably the handle and the housing are able to engage in a manner to lock the handle to the housing to prevent it being rotated relative the housing.

Preferably the handle and the housing are able to engage in a manner to lock the handle to the housing to prevent it being rotated relative the housing by a complimentary toothed interface.

Preferably the elevator and stick form include a dovetail interface to allow the elevator and stick form to couple together.

Preferably the elevator is shaped and configured to receive and hold the stick form in a dovetail like manner. Preferably the elevator is shaped and configured to key with the stick form in a dovetail like manner.

Preferably the stick form is able to couple with the elevator in a sliding manner sliding in a direction lateral to the direction of translation.

Preferably the stick form and the elevator are shaped and configured to, in the sliding direction, key together.

Preferably the elevator presents a projection to match a rebate in the stick form to allow the stick from to slide engage with the elevator.

Preferably the stick form without the rebate cannot slide engage with the elevator.

Preferably the containment region of the housing is of a cross section to snugly receive the stick form.

Preferably a cap is provided to close the opening.

Preferably the cap is able to locate onto the housing.

Preferably the cap is able to releasable secure to the housing.

Preferably the cap is able to at least partly sleeve over the housing.

Preferably a grill is provided to cover the opening.

Preferably the grill is able to locate onto the housing.

Preferably the grill is able to locate into the housing.

Preferably the grill is able to releasable secure to the housing.

Preferably the grill is able to at least partly sleeve over the housing or into the housing.

Preferably the stick form is of a non Newtonian fluid.

Preferably the stick form is a paste or cream.

Preferably the stick form is of a solid configuration.

Preferably the stick form is a deodorant.

In a second aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a consumable presented in a stick form able to be received by the elevator of the dispenser as herein before described.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a consumable in stick form comprising a base that comprises a coding surface that is of a configuration to be received in a coded manner with an elevator of a dispenser.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a system comprising a dispenser as herein above described and a consumable with a base that is able to key with the elevator of the dispenser. Preferably the keying is provided by a base to elevator interface that comprises an undercut region to allow a sliding engagement in a direction lateral to the translation direction of the stick form to occur to lock the base and elevator together in the translation direction.

Preferably the interface prevents disengagement in the direction lateral to the translation direction once the elevator is moved from towards the retracted position.

Preferably the interface prevents disengagement in the direction lateral to the translation direction once interface is inside the housing.

Preferably the interface only allow engagement in the direction lateral to the translation direction once the elevator is at its fully extended position presenting the interface outside of the housing.

Preferably the interface includes a coding feature that requires both the base and the elevator to be matched to allow the sliding engagement to occur.

Preferably the dispenser is of a kind as herein before described.

Preferably the stick is packaged, prior to loading into the dispenser, in recyclable or resusable or compostable material.

Preferably the stick is packaged in a paper or paperboard of pulp paper packaging.

Preferably the base of the stick is also so packaged assembled with the stick.

Preferably the base of the stick and the stick are able to be removed from the packaging in an assembled configuration with each other.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a stick form consumable as herein described packaged in a recyclable or reuseable or compostable packaging together with a base that is used for engaging the stick form with the dispenser as herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a stick form consumable packaged in a recyclable or reuseable or compostable packaging together with a base that is used for engaging the stick form with the dispenser as herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a deodorant stick refill, engaged to a base packaged inside packaging of a recyclable or reuseable or compostable nature able to be removed with said base from said packaging to engage with and be loaded into a dispenser as herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a personal care stick refill, engaged to a base packaged inside packaging of a recyclable or reuseable or compostable nature able to be removed with said base from said packaging to engage with and be loaded into a dispenser as herein described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of a dispenser,

Figure 2 is a view of the dispenser of Figure 1 with the cap removed and the deodorant stick fully extended from the housing,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser with the cap removed and no deodorant stick present, to show an example of an elevator of the present invention, Figure 4 is a side view of a deodorant stick and elevator,

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the dispenser of Figure 1 showing the cap removed and the deodorant stick fully extended from the housing,

Figure 6 is a front view of the dispenser showing the handle in a first condition,

Figure 7 is a front view of the dispenser showing the handle in the second condition,

Figure 8 is a side view of the dispenser showing the handle in the first condition as seen in Figure 6,

Figure 9 is an exploded parts view of part of the dispenser,

Figure 9A and B show the elevator in the extended and retracted positions, Figure 9C and D shows a close up of parts of the dispenser,

Figure 10 is an exploded parts view of parts of the dispenser including a view of the deodorant stick,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the dispenser and a deodorant stick with mounting plate about to engage with the elevator of the deodorant stick,

Figure 12 is a perspective view from another direction of Figure 11,

Figure 13 is a close-up view of the elevator of the deodorant stick and the base of the deodorant stick,

Figure 14 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure 6,

Figure 15 is a sectional view through section BB of Figure 6,

Figure 16 shows a close up view of the elevator and the interface for connecting to the base of the consumable,

Figure 17 is a close up view of the base of the consumable,

Figure 18 is a view of the dispenser with a removable grill,

Figure 19 is a front sectional view of the deodorant stick with the base attached and packaged,

Figure 20 is a side sectional view of the deodorant stick with the base attached, Figure 21 is a perspective view of the deodorant stick with the base detached and with packaging to be fitted over the top, and

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the deodorant stick with the base attached and with packaging to be fitted over the top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the Figures.

In Figure 1 there is shown an example of a dispenser 1. The dispenser is able to dispense a consumable for use such as by a person. The consumable is preferably presented in stick form 2 as seen in for example in Figure 2. The consumable is preferably of a composition for it to be of a solid nature. But in some forms the stick form may be of a more fluid nature of material such as a cream or gel or paste. The consumable may be used for personal hygiene or personal care or beauty. It may be for makeup or other. In the most preferred example, the consumable is a deodorant provided in stick form. The invention herein described will hence primarily be for use with or include a deodorant stick 2. Alternatives to the deodorant stick may include:

A. shampoo

B. sunscreen

C. moisturiser.

Other personal care products may also be envisaged. The stick 2 may herein generally be described as a deodorant stick for convenient reference.

The dispenser 1 preferably comprises of a housing 3 and optionally a lid 4 which together, when assembled as seen in Figure 1, provide an aesthetic exterior shape to the dispenser of the present invention.

The dispenser may have a base region 5 and a top region 6 and may be of a general elongated shape extending in direction LL.

The housing 3 preferably defines a containment region inside of the housing 3 within which the deodorant stick 2 is able to be contained. Within this stick containment region, the housing 3 preferably substantially encloses the deodorant stick 2, save for an opening 8 via which the deodorant stick 2 is able to move to extend from the housing 3 and to retract back into the housing 3. A fully extended condition of the deodorant stick 2 is shown in, for example, Figure 2. In a fully retracted condition, the deodorant stick 2 is preferably fully located in the housing 3 below the opening 8. In a preferred form the deodorant stick 2 is able to translate in and out of the housing 3 via the opening 8. In a preferred form the shape of the opening 8 is complimentary to the shape in cross-section of the deodorant stick 2. The deodorant stick 2 is preferably of a constant cross section along its length in direction XX. It may have a rounded or curved or tapered top end. The top end of the deodorant stick 2 is where it is consumed. The top end hence preferably migrates to the base of the deodorant stick 2 as it is consumed.

In a retracted condition, the deodorant stick 2 is preferably fully located within the housing 3 or may be partially located in the housing 3 and extend partially through the opening 8 out of the housing. A cap or lid 4 is able to engage with the housing 3 to fully enclose the deodorant stick 2 when it is fully or partially retracted inside of the housing. The lid or cap 4 may at least partially sleeve over at least part of the housing 3 when moving into a closed condition to close the dispenser.

The dispenser 1 preferably includes an elevator 10 located in the housing 3 and to locate at an end (eg the base) of the deodorant stick 2 as shown in Figures 2,

11 and 12. The deodorant stick 2 is able to register with the elevator 10 in a manner that will hereinafter be described. Such registration is to cause a coupling or keying of the elevator 10 with the deodorant stick 2 so that the deodorant stick 2 remains attached to the elevator 10 for use, until it is removed by a user for replacement of the deodorant stick 2. The dispenser 1 is hence preferably of a kind able to be refilled with replacement deodorant sticks. The dispenser is hence able to be re-used with replacement deodorant sticks of the same kind or different kind.

A refill consumable (eg the stick) is able to be loaded with the dispenser of the present invention once a previous consumable has been at least partially and potentially fully depleted. The consumable may also be replaced at will before consumed such as if a person wants to start using a different smelling deodorant with the dispenser.

The elevator 10 is provided inside the housing 3 to move in a linear manner (i.e. to translate) inside the housing between two limits of travel. The elevator 10 as seen in Figure 9, may be guided for movement inside the housing by having a peripheral profile that is commensurate the cross-sectional shape of the housing in which the elevator is to travel. The elevator may include a lip 20 that is able to register in a guide rail or rails 21 of the housing for further guidance during its movement within the housing. In a preferred form the elevator 10 can travel from a location at or proximate the opening 8 of the housing towards the base 5 of the housing and back. This distance may be more than 50% and preferably more than 60% and preferably more than 70% to the base from the opening 8. The elevator 10 is able to cause the deodorant stick 2 to translate relative to the housing and is able to cause the deodorant stick 2 to extend from the housing and retract back into the housing.

The elevator itself is controlled for movement, (at least some of its movement) by a mechanism that will now be described.

The mechanism preferably comprises of a flexible rack 40 that is coupled or able to be coupled to the elevator at a first end 21 of the flexible rack. The flexible rack is elongated and has a second distal end 42 opposite the first distal end 41. The flexible rack may be of a belt shape and include parallel sides 43A and 43B and has an array of apertures 44 extending there along. The plurality of apertures located in the array as seen in Figure 9 are able to receive the plurality of teeth 45 of a pinion 46.

The flexible belt is of a material and shape that allows it to bend yet is sufficiently rigid to not buckle when under compression, whether on its own due to its interface with the housing.

The pinion is mounted for rotation about an axis YY relative to the housing 3. The pinion is able to be rotated by a handle 47 that will hereinafter be described.

The flexible rack is able to extend from the pinion 46 to a first distal end in a first direction and from the pinion 46 to its second distal end in a second direction.

The pinion is preferably located within a cavity or region 49 of the housing that is also able to receive the flexible rack 40. The flexible rack is able to extend from the pinion 46 in a straight manner to the elevator 10 as seen in Figure 9B.

The flexible rack preferably extends from the pinion to its second distal end 42 in a curved format. This can be seen in figure 9A. This allows for the flexible rack to be stored in a lower region 50 of the housing and provides for a compact configuration of the flexible rack when the elevator, is for example, in its fully retracted condition as seen in Figure 9A. In the curved condition the flexible rack may assume a coiled format. The cavity 49 of the housing may include a curved surface such as defined by a curved channel 51 in which the flexible rack is able to retained and to help define the curved format of the flexible rack therein. In moving from the pinion in the first direction the flexible rack transitions from a curved format to a straight format.

Utilising a flexible rack allows for a rack and pinion mechanism for dispensing of the deodorant stick 2 from the housing to be used yet allowing for a compact format of the dispenser to be provided. The belt can be stored in a lower part of the housing. It may not extend above the elevator. It preferably extends from the elevator down towards the base and remain below the elevator both when the elevator is up and down. A curved rack helps improve space utilisation inside of the housing thereby allowing for a reduced volume of housing to be provided yet still allow for rack and pinion type dispensing of the deodorant stick 2.

The rack is preferably sufficient flexible to assume a curved format when stored yet rigid enough to be able to act in compression between the deodorant stick 2 and the pinion to apply a lifting force to the deodorant stick 2 to move it to the extend condition. The flexible rack in hence sufficiently rigid to not buckle in compression, whether additionally supported or not, between the pinion and the elevator.

The use of the rack and pinion style mechanism within the housing of the dispenser may allow for a person to push the deodorant down back into the housing without requiring a turning of the handle of the mechanism to retract the deodorant stick. The force able to be applied by a person to the deodorant stick is sufficient to cause the deodorant stick to retract back into the housing without requiring a person to interact with the mechanism to facilitate such retraction.

A handle 47 is presented outside of the housing for a user to interact with.

The handle is preferably coupled to the pinion so that a rotation of the handle relative to the housing will cause a rotation of the pinion relative to the housing. A drive shaft 55 may be used to connect the pinion to the handle 47. The handle may include a lever 56 that is able to be pivoted about a pivot axis that may be defined by the pivot pins 18 to move the lever 56 between a first condition as seen in Figure 6 and a second condition as seen in Figure 7. In the condition seen in Figure 7 the lever 56 is more readily capable of being grasped by a user to rotate the handle and thereby rotate the pinion inside the housing. In the second condition as seen in Figure 6, the lever is more flush with the housing. The lever 56 is able to actuate a clutch mechanism that is described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The clutch mechanism allows for a locking of the rotation of the pinion when the lever is in the second condition seen as in Figure 7. This corresponds to the position of the lever shown in Figure 14. When the lever 56 is in the second position as seen in Figure 7 and 15, the pinion is not locked for rotation and a rotation of the handle when the lever is in the first condition thereby causes the pinion to rotate and for the flexible rack to move relative to the pinion. The locking maybe provided by a toothed interface between the housing (100) and the handle (not shown). The handle is pressed onto the housing and the teeth 100 when the lever is down. The spring shown helps draw the handle onto the housing to lock it for rotation.

In an alternative form the flexible rack may comprise of teeth and the pinion may comprise of apertures with which the teeth of the flexible rack can engage to transfer force between the two. Flowever, in the preferred form it is the flexible rack that has the apertures and the pinion that has the teeth. The base of the deodorant stick 2 as seen in Figure 4 may be of a shape that is complimentary to part of the shape of the elevator 10. In the example seen in Figure 4 a dove-tail relationship can exist between the base 65 of the deodorant stick 2 and the elevator 10. By presenting the elevator at the opening of the housing a deodorant stick 2 is able to slide in a direction lateral to the translation direction, to couple to the elevator 10. Decoupling can also happen in such manner. Such coupling then ensures the deodorant stick 2 remains attached to the elevator 10 as it moves in and out of the housing.

As seen in Figure 10-13 the deodorant stick 2 may have a base 65 that is of a different material to the body 2A of the deodorant stick 2. The deodorant stick 2 may comprise of a body 2A that is of the consumable material and a base 65 that may be of a plastic material that is secured to the body 2k. The base 65 of the deodorant stick 2 includes a region or regions or features of shape and configuration to allow for a locking of the deodorant stick with the elevator 10 of the dispenser. The elevator 10 may comprise of a receptacle region 83 that is for example of a U shape when seen in plan view. The U shape may be defined by flanks 85A and 85B that define a lip with an undercut 86A and 86B.

The base 65 of the deodorant stick 2 may include a region to locate in the receptacle region 83 and is able to slide over the flanking members 85A and 85B and/or register at the undercut 86A and 86B to prevent separation between the base 65 and the elevator in the direction LL. The U-shaped receptacle with an end wall 88 helps align the base 65 with the elevator in the direction AA. The elevator as seen in figure 13 and 17 has a coding feature 110 that provides a coding or a go-no-go relationship between the base and an elevator. The base 65 has a receptacle 111 that must compliment the coding feature 111 of the elevator.

Instead of a solid stick the consumable may be of a flowable substance. Such as shampoo or other. Where it's a flowable substance the elevator may have a wiping interface with the housing so that substantially all of the substance remains above the elevator. A rubber ring or wiper may be incorporated with the elevator to help wipe the consumable from the wall of the housing as the elevator travels towards the opening.

Where the consumable is of a flowable material such as a non-Newtonian fluid, the opening of the housing may have a grill 1200 located at it. The grill 1200 may have a plurality of small openings 1210 that allows for the flowable material to be pushed or squeezed out. The grill may be removable from the housing. It may snap fit into place or be otherwise removably locked to the housing. The dispenser may be able to convert between a kind able to dispense flowable material and solid material as the consumable. The consumer may appropriately configure the dispenser to suit by adding or removing the grill 1200.

The consumable, where it is of a solid stick form material may be packaged in packaging 7 made from a recyclable or compostable material such as a paperboard or pulp paper material. The deodorant stick 2 may be shipped to a consumer or otherwise acquired by a consumer in such packaging 7. The packaging 7 may be of a two-part clam-shell configuration to allow the consumer to separate the two parts and expose the deodorant stick 2 inside. Alternatively, the packaging 7 may be a sleeve that can be pulled off the deodorant stick 2, which may be facilitated by a slight taper of the deodorant stick 2 or the packaging 7. Once the packaging 7 is removed, the consumer can then take the deodorant stick 2 and load it into the dispenser.

Preferably the deodorant stick 2 has its base 65 pre-attached and shipped inside the packaging 7 as shown in Figures 19 to 22. This means it is a simple process to load the deodorant stick 2 into the dispenser.

Advantages

The dispenser is a refillable dispenser. The process of reloading process is easy. The dispenser is sturdy and compact and there is minimal use of single-use plastic components. The actuator mechanism allowing for swift reloading operation, while still enabling easy and accurate dispensing of the product during use and reducing unsustainable waste. Being able to curve, wrap or coil the flexible rack out of the way while in its "retracted position" is important for the dispenser to remain compact in the users hand.