Deostick refill

Abstract

A refill for a stick deodorant container is provided and comprises a hollow body, a cap which can be fitted to the hollow body at one end thereof and a piston which can be fitted to the hollow body at the other end thereof. The hollow body releasably houses deodorant material.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a solution for a deodorant stick refill.Background of the Invention

[0002] Antiperspirant / deodorant sticks are used to reduce underarm wetness and control body odour. These products are typically made by blending active ingredients with waxes, oils, and silicones and moulding the mixture into stick form. The sticks are typically packaged in hollow tubes with a piston or elevator platform inside that moves up and down to dispense the product. In some packages, this platform can be pushed up by hand, in others it is elevated by turning a screw that causes it to travel up along a central threaded post.

[0003] WO 02 / 03830 Al discloses a solid stick composition surrounded by a removable tubular body and having at the bottom an elevator platform with a threaded aperture.Summary of the Invention

[0004] An aspect provides a stick deodorant container and a refill for the stick deodorant container, as claimed in claim 1.

[0005] US 5857793 A discloses a refill for a stick, the refill comprising a cap, the cap comprising a stem.

[0006] The refill comprises a hollow body, a cap which can be fitted to the hollow body at one end thereof and a piston which can be fitted to the hollow body at the other end thereof, the hollow body releasably housing deodorant material. The cap comprises a stem, the stem receivable by the piston. In some embodiments the refill is configured so that the cap can be fitted onto the hollow body at one end thereof and the piston can be fitted into the hollow body at the other end thereof.

[0007] In some embodiments the piston can be moved (e.g. slid) through the body (by pushing and / or pulling) to remove the material and the cap from the body.

[0008] The cap may be removable from the material. For example the cap may be a temporary protective cover removable from the material.

[0009] The piston may comprise a socket, recess or the like for receiving a stick deodorant container elevator post. The socket and post may, for example, have corresponding connection means (for example screw thread formations).

[0010] The deodorant material may be formed (for example by moulding) onto and / or around at least part of the cap and / or the piston. In one embodiment, for example, the material is formed around the piston.

[0011] The body may comprise a plurality of internal axial ribs.

[0012] The piston may comprise a peripheral collar, a central hub and radially extending spokes. In some embodiments the hub may comprise a through hole, which may serve as a receptacle for a cap stem and / or a container post.

[0013] The refill may comprise a removable outer sleeve or sheath. This may serve, for example, to protect the pack during transport and / or storage.

[0014] The body may, for example, be generally cylindrical. In other embodiments the body may be ellipsoidal or square, for example.

[0015] The hollow body may comprise an inwardly extending step at the piston end thereof for providing a depth stop.

[0016] Some embodiments provide or relate to a deostick 75ml refill, for example.

[0017] In some embodiments the body, cap and piston are formed from recycled or recyclable material, such as plastics materials.

[0018] Packing may be made in biosourced polymer; in corn starch, for example, it is recyclable.

[0019] A further aspect provides a method of refilling a stick deodorant container , as claimed in claim 14.

[0020] In some embodiments an example of how to use the refill is as follows: when you have finish your deostick, you remove the support; and after removing the body of the refill (made in biosourced polymer), you place your refill above then you unscrew your deo to fit inside the cosmetic.

[0021] Example Application Segments prestige market mass market

[0022] Example Benefits and Added Values increase use of recyclable or recycled materials full recycling after using make the deostick refillable make / sell destock and refill

[0023] Sustainability recycling after using Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a refill formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 1C is an exploded view of the refill; Figure 2 shows a piston; Figure 3 is a side view of the refill; Figure 4 is a section of the refill of Figure 3 taken along line A-A; Figure 5A is a side view of a body forming part of the refill; Figure 5B is a section of the body of Figure 5A taken along line B-B; Figure 5C is a magnified view of the region E of Figure 5B; Figure 5D is a plan view of the body; Figure 5E is a top perspective view of the body; Figure 5F is a bottom perspective view of the body; Figure 6A is a top perspective view of a cap forming part of the refill; Figure 6B is a bottom perspective view of the cap; Figure 6C is a plan view of the cap; Figure 6D is a section of the cap of Figure 6C taken along line F-F; Figure 6E is a section of the cap of Figure 6C taken along line G-G; Figure 6F is a magnified view of the region H of Figure 6E; and Figures 7A to 7G show various stages in a refilling process. Detailed Description

[0025] Referring first to Figures I to 4 there is shown a stick deodorant refill generally indicated 10.

[0026] The refill 10 comprises a body 20, a cap or bonnet 30 and a piston or platform 40.

[0027] The body 20, which is also shown in Figures 5A to 5F, comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall 21 open at a first end 22 and a second end 23.

[0028] At the first end 22 the sidewall terminates with a thinned section 24 (shown best in Figure 5C).

[0029] At the second end 23 the sidewall terminates with a radially inward step comprising a thicker step portion 25 and a thinner step portion 26.

[0030] Along the interior of the sidewall 21 a plurality of mutually spaced axial ribs 27 extend.

[0031] The cap 30, which is also shown in Figures 6A to 6F, comprises a head 31 and a depending cylindrical post / stem 32. The head 31 comprises a domed top plate 33 and a sidewall 34 which depends from the periphery of the top plate. The sidewall 34 includes a thicker upper portion 34a and a thinner terminal portion 34b, forming a radial step 34c.

[0032] At the centre of the top plate 33 a recess 35 is formed and extends down into the stem.

[0033] A plurality of radial ribs 36 extend across the top plate from the recess 35 to the sidewall 34.

[0034] The piston 40 comprises an annular outer collar 41 and a central, hollow cylindrical hub 42. Four (in this embodiment) radial spokes 43 extend from the top of the collar to a first end 44 of the hub.

[0035] The interior of the first end 44 of the hub 42 is smooth. The interior of the opposite, second end 45 of the hub is provided with a screw thread formation 46.

[0036] The exterior face of the collar is provided with surface formations that provide a plurality of circumferential recesses each of which comprises a mouth 47 at a lower end which narrows to a slot 48 at an upper end.

[0037] The refill is assemblable by fitting the piston into the body. The piston 40 is presented to the first end 22 of the body sidewall, oriented with the recess mouths of the collar facing down. This means that the wider mouths can more easily engage onto sidewall ribs, following which the ribs move through the mouths and then engage through the slots. The piston then moves through the body until the piston sidewall reaches the inward step, as best show in Figure 4.

[0038] The cap 30 fits onto the end 22 of the body sidewall, with the cap sidewall step abutting against the thinned section 24 and the terminal portion 34b extending down the outside of the sidewall, as shown best in Figure 4. The free end of the cap step engages in the first end 44 of the hub.

[0039] The deodorant material fills the space within the sidewall between the cap and the piston. In some embodiments the material is formed onto the assembled cap / piston, which is then inserted into the body, for example.

[0040] Figures 7A to 7G illustrate some steps in an example refilling procedure.

[0041] In Figure 7A a refill pack 110 formed in accordance with the present invention is provided. The body 120 is shown closed by the cap 130. In this embodiment a protective sheath / sleeve 150 is provided to protect the refill pack.

[0042] Also shown in Figure 7A is an empty stick deodorant container 160. The container includes a container body 162 with a turnable elevator base 164 and also shown in the interior of the body is a central elevator post 166 (turnable by the base).

[0043] In Figures 7B to 7D, with the sheath removed the piston is pushed from below through the body by pushing it through the second end towards and out of the first end. At this stage the cap 130 is still connected to the material stick / block 175 and the material stick is moulded around the piston 140 (best shown in Figure 7D).

[0044] In Figure 7E the material / piston / cap is presented to the open end of the container body. The container elevator post enters the second end of the piston hub. The container base is then turned so that the posted first screws into the hub and then retracts the products into the container body (Figure 7F). As this happens the cap stem is pushed out of the material block.

[0045] With the refill material stick in the container body then cap is removed (Figure 7G). The container cap 170 can then be replaced and the container has been refilled.

[0046] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]Referring first to Figures I to 4 there is shown a stick deodorant refill generally indicated 10.

[0026]The refill 10 comprises a body 20, a cap or bonnet 30 and a piston or platform 40.

[0027]The body 20, which is also shown in Figures 5A to 5F, comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall 21 open at a first end 22 and a second end 23.

[0028]At the first end 22 the sidewall terminates with a thinned section 24 (shown best in Figure 5C).

[0029]At the second end 23 the sidewall terminates with a radially inward step comprising a thicker step portion 25 and a thinner step portion 26.

[0030]Along the interior of the sidewall 21 a plurality of mutually spaced axial ribs 27 extend.

[0031]The cap 30, which is also shown in Figures 6A to 6F, comprises a head 31 and a depending cylindrical post / stem 32. The head 31 comprises a domed top plate 33 and a sidewall 34 which depends from the periphery of the top plate. The sidewall 34 includes a thicker upper portion 34a and a thinner terminal port...

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a solution for a deodorant stick refill.Background of the Invention

[0002] Antiperspirant / deodorant sticks are used to reduce underarm wetness and control body odour. These products are typically made by blending active ingredients with waxes, oils, and silicones and moulding the mixture into stick form. The sticks are typically packaged in hollow tubes with a piston or elevator platform inside that moves up and down to dispense the product. In some packages, this platform can be pushed up by hand, in others it is elevated by turning a screw that causes it to travel up along a central threaded post.

[0003] WO 02 / 03830 Al discloses a solid stick composition surrounded by a removable tubular body and having at the bottom an elevator platform with a threaded aperture.Summary of the Invention

[0004] An aspect provides a stick deodorant container and a refill for the stick deodorant container, as claimed in claim 1.

[0005] US 5857793 A discloses a refill for a stick, the refill comprising a cap, the cap comprising a stem.

[0006] The refill comprises a hollow body, a cap which can be fitted to the hollow body at one end thereof and a piston which can be fitted to the hollow body at the other end thereof, the hollow body releasably housing deodorant material. The cap comprises a stem, the stem receivable by the piston. In some embodiments the refill is configured so that the cap can be fitted onto the hollow body at one end thereof and the piston can be fitted into the hollow body at the other end thereof.

[0007] In some embodiments the piston can be moved (e.g. slid) through the body (by pushing and / or pulling) to remove the material and the cap from the body.

[0008] The cap may be removable from the material. For example the cap may be a temporary protective cover removable from the material.

[0009] The piston may comprise a socket, recess or the like for receiving a stick deodorant container elevator post. The socket and post may, for example, have corresponding connection means (for example screw thread formations).

[0010] The deodorant material may be formed (for example by moulding) onto and / or around at least part of the cap and / or the piston. In one embodiment, for example, the material is formed around the piston.

[0011] The body may comprise a plurality of internal axial ribs.

[0012] The piston may comprise a peripheral collar, a central hub and radially extending spokes. In some embodiments the hub may comprise a through hole, which may serve as a receptacle for a cap stem and / or a container post.

[0013] The refill may comprise a removable outer sleeve or sheath. This may serve, for example, to protect the pack during transport and / or storage.

[0014] The body may, for example, be generally cylindrical. In other embodiments the body may be ellipsoidal or square, for example.

[0015] The hollow body may comprise an inwardly extending step at the piston end thereof for providing a depth stop.

[0016] Some embodiments provide or relate to a deostick 75ml refill, for example.

[0017] In some embodiments the body, cap and piston are formed from recycled or recyclable material, such as plastics materials.

[0018] Packing may be made in biosourced polymer; in corn starch, for example, it is recyclable.

[0019] A further aspect provides a method of refilling a stick deodorant container , as claimed in claim 14.

[0020] In some embodiments an example of how to use the refill is as follows: when you have finish your deostick, you remove the support; and after removing the body of the refill (made in biosourced polymer), you place your refill above then you unscrew your deo to fit inside the cosmetic.

[0021] Example Application Segments prestige market mass market

[0022] Example Benefits and Added Values increase use of recyclable or recycled materials full recycling after using make the deostick refillable make / sell destock and refill

[0023] Sustainability recycling after using Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a refill formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 1C is an exploded view of the refill; Figure 2 shows a piston; Figure 3 is a side view of the refill; Figure 4 is a section of the refill of Figure 3 taken along line A-A; Figure 5A is a side view of a body forming part of the refill; Figure 5B is a section of the body of Figure 5A taken along line B-B; Figure 5C is a magnified view of the region E of Figure 5B; Figure 5D is a plan view of the body; Figure 5E is a top perspective view of the body; Figure 5F is a bottom perspective view of the body; Figure 6A is a top perspective view of a cap forming part of the refill; Figure 6B is a bottom perspective view of the cap; Figure 6C is a plan view of the cap; Figure 6D is a section of the cap of Figure 6C taken along line F-F; Figure 6E is a section of the cap of Figure 6C taken along line G-G; Figure 6F is a magnified view of the region H of Figure 6E; and Figures 7A to 7G show various stages in a refilling process. Detailed Description

[0025] Referring first to Figures I to 4 there is shown a stick deodorant refill generally indicated 10.

[0026] The refill 10 comprises a body 20, a cap or bonnet 30 and a piston or platform 40.

[0027] The body 20, which is also shown in Figures 5A to 5F, comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall 21 open at a first end 22 and a second end 23.

[0028] At the first end 22 the sidewall terminates with a thinned section 24 (shown best in Figure 5C).

[0029] At the second end 23 the sidewall terminates with a radially inward step comprising a thicker step portion 25 and a thinner step portion 26.

[0030] Along the interior of the sidewall 21 a plurality of mutually spaced axial ribs 27 extend.

[0031] The cap 30, which is also shown in Figures 6A to 6F, comprises a head 31 and a depending cylindrical post / stem 32. The head 31 comprises a domed top plate 33 and a sidewall 34 which depends from the periphery of the top plate. The sidewall 34 includes a thicker upper portion 34a and a thinner terminal portion 34b, forming a radial step 34c.

[0032] At the centre of the top plate 33 a recess 35 is formed and extends down into the stem.

[0033] A plurality of radial ribs 36 extend across the top plate from the recess 35 to the sidewall 34.

[0034] The piston 40 comprises an annular outer collar 41 and a central, hollow cylindrical hub 42. Four (in this embodiment) radial spokes 43 extend from the top of the collar to a first end 44 of the hub.

[0035] The interior of the first end 44 of the hub 42 is smooth. The interior of the opposite, second end 45 of the hub is provided with a screw thread formation 46.

[0036] The exterior face of the collar is provided with surface formations that provide a plurality of circumferential recesses each of which comprises a mouth 47 at a lower end which narrows to a slot 48 at an upper end.

[0037] The refill is assemblable by fitting the piston into the body. The piston 40 is presented to the first end 22 of the body sidewall, oriented with the recess mouths of the collar facing down. This means that the wider mouths can more easily engage onto sidewall ribs, following which the ribs move through the mouths and then engage through the slots. The piston then moves through the body until the piston sidewall reaches the inward step, as best show in Figure 4.

[0038] The cap 30 fits onto the end 22 of the body sidewall, with the cap sidewall step abutting against the thinned section 24 and the terminal portion 34b extending down the outside of the sidewall, as shown best in Figure 4. The free end of the cap step engages in the first end 44 of the hub.

[0039] The deodorant material fills the space within the sidewall between the cap and the piston. In some embodiments the material is formed onto the assembled cap / piston, which is then inserted into the body, for example.

[0040] Figures 7A to 7G illustrate some steps in an example refilling procedure.

[0041] In Figure 7A a refill pack 110 formed in accordance with the present invention is provided. The body 120 is shown closed by the cap 130. In this embodiment a protective sheath / sleeve 150 is provided to protect the refill pack.

[0042] Also shown in Figure 7A is an empty stick deodorant container 160. The container includes a container body 162 with a turnable elevator base 164 and also shown in the interior of the body is a central elevator post 166 (turnable by the base).

[0043] In Figures 7B to 7D, with the sheath removed the piston is pushed from below through the body by pushing it through the second end towards and out of the first end. At this stage the cap 130 is still connected to the material stick / block 175 and the material stick is moulded around the piston 140 (best shown in Figure 7D).

[0044] In Figure 7E the material / piston / cap is presented to the open end of the container body. The container elevator post enters the second end of the piston hub. The container base is then turned so that the posted first screws into the hub and then retracts the products into the container body (Figure 7F). As this happens the cap stem is pushed out of the material block.

[0045] With the refill material stick in the container body then cap is removed (Figure 7G). The container cap 170 can then be replaced and the container has been refilled.

[0046] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]Referring first to Figures I to 4 there is shown a stick deodorant refill generally indicated 10.

[0026]The refill 10 comprises a body 20, a cap or bonnet 30 and a piston or platform 40.

[0027]The body 20, which is also shown in Figures 5A to 5F, comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall 21 open at a first end 22 and a second end 23.

[0028]At the first end 22 the sidewall terminates with a thinned section 24 (shown best in Figure 5C).

[0029]At the second end 23 the sidewall terminates with a radially inward step comprising a thicker step portion 25 and a thinner step portion 26.

[0030]Along the interior of the sidewall 21 a plurality of mutually spaced axial ribs 27 extend.

[0031]The cap 30, which is also shown in Figures 6A to 6F, comprises a head 31 and a depending cylindrical post / stem 32. The head 31 comprises a domed top plate 33 and a sidewall 34 which depends from the periphery of the top plate. The sidewall 34 includes a thicker upper portion 34a and a thinner terminal port...

Claims

1. A refillable stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) for the said stick deodorant container (160), the refill (10) comprising a hollow body (20), a cap (30) which can be fitted to the hollow body (20) at one end (22) thereof and a piston (40) which can be fitted to the hollow body (20) at the other end (23) thereof; the hollow body (20) releasably houses deodorant material (175); characterised by the cap (30) comprising a stem (32), the stem (32) receivable by the piston (40).

2. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap (30) can be fitted onto the hollow body (20) at one end (22) thereof and the piston (40) can be fitted into the hollow body (20) at the other end (23) thereof.

3. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the piston (40) can be moved through the hollow body (20) to remove the deodorant material (175) and the cap (30) from the hollow body (20).

4. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cap (30) is removable from the deodorant material (175).

5. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the piston (40) comprises a socket for receiving a stick deodorant container (160) elevator post (166).

6. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the deodorant material (175) is formed onto and / or around at least part of the cap (30) and / or the piston (40).

7. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow body (20) comprises a plurality of internal axial ribs (27).

8. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the piston (40) comprises a peripheral collar (41), a central hub (42) and radially extending spokes (43).

9. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in claim 8, in which the central hub (42) comprises a through hole.

10. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a removable outer sleeve or sheath (150).

11. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow body (20) is generally cylindrical.

12. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow body (20) comprises an inwardly extending step at the piston end (23) thereof for providing a depth stop.

13. A stick deodorant container (160) and a refill (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow body (20), cap (30) and piston (40) are formed from recycled or recyclable plastics material.

14. A method of refilling a stick deodorant container (160) comprising the steps of: providing a refill (10), the refill (10) comprising a hollow body (20), a cap (30) fitted to the hollow body (20) at one end (22) thereof and a piston (40) fitted to the hollow body (20) at the other end (23) thereof, the hollow body (20) releasably housing deodorant material (175), in which the cap (30) comprises a stem (32), the stem (32) received by the piston (40); pushing the piston (40) through the hollow body (20) to remove the deodorant material (175) from the hollow body (20); and following removal of the piston (40) and deodorant material (175) from the hollow body (20), retracting the piston (40) with the deodorant material (175) into the stick deodorant container (160).

15. The method of refilling a stick deodorant container (160) of claim 14, wherein the step of pushing the piston (40) through the hollow body (20) to remove the deodorant material (175) from the hollow body (20) removes the cap (30) from the hollow body (20).

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