Personal hygiene applicator

Abstract

There is described a solid personal hygiene bar applicator, said applicator comprising a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing.

Description

[0001] Personal Hygiene Applicator

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a novel form of applicator and uses thereof and methods related thereto.

[0004] In particular the present invention relates to an applicator for use in relation to solid personal hygiene bar, such as a solid soap bar, deodorant bar, and the like.

[0005] Background to the Invention

[0006] Soap dispensers are well known and are generally designed for dispensing liquid soap.

[0007] When soap is dispensed in liquid form, it is generally from a squeeze bottle or a plastic pump bottle. For personal use, e.g. in the home, plastic pump bottles are the most common soap dispensers.

[0008] However, such plastic pump bottles are disposable and are therefore discarded after use.

[0009] This is becoming an increasing environmental problem. It was estimated in 2017 that the number of people in the United States using body wash in disposable bottles was about 238 million; and 1.4 billion disposable body wash bottles are used every year (not including shampoo or conditioner bottles). It is further estimated that over 1 billion plastic bottles of body wash are emptied and enter the waste and recycling stream each year.

[0010] It is further estimated that of the 9 billion tons of plastic waste in the world, approximately 75% of that waste is in landfills, the ocean and waterways. About 10 million tons of plastic enters the oceans each year; and it can take 450 years for a plastic bottle to decompose.

[0011] Stick deodorants used for personal hygiene typically comprise a plastic casing with an exposed deodorant stick which, in use, is rubbed under a user's underarms, which causes some of the stick to be applied to the user while wearing down the exposed end. As the end wears down, a rotatable cap or dial is rotated to cause a screw to turn, which in turn causes a plunger to move toward the top opening. Stick deodorant casing are also generally disposable, adding to the aforementioned problems encountered with soap dispenser.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a reusable solid personal hygiene bar applicator which overcomes or mitigates the problems associated with conventional plastic soap dispensers.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] We have now found a novel type of applicator suitable for use with a solid personal hygiene bar, such as a solid soap bar, a deodorant bar, and the like; and which may be refilled and reused. Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an applicator for a solid personal hygiene bar, said applicator comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing.

[0015] According to one aspect of the base and side walls of the tubular container may be integral, i.e. they comprises a single part. However, in another aspect of the invention the base and side walls may comprises separate pieces.

[0016] The support of the personal hygiene bar housing will generally comprise a pusher, such that when the biasing means acts upon the support, the support urges the personal hygiene bar towards the open end of the applicator.

[0017] Furthermore, the personal hygiene bar housing may optionally include a ratchet mechanism. Said ratchet mechanism may comprise an array of resilient protruding lips each of which is capable of engaging with a single corresponding protrusion or lip located on an inner wall of the tubular container. The ratchet mechanism operates such that one of the resilient protruding lips on the personal hygiene bar housing engages with the protrusion on the tubular container, thus limiting the extent to which the personal hygiene bar can be pushed towards or beyond the open end of the container.

[0018] When a ratchet mechanism is present the tubular container will generally also be provided with a push mechanism in a wall of the container, said push mechanism being located adjacent the ratchet mechanism, so that a user can operate the push mechanism to release the ratchet, enabling the biasing means to urge the pusher, and consequently, the personal hygiene bar, further towards the open end of the container.

[0019] Biasing means will generally comprise a spring loaded biasing means, e.g. a coiled or leaf spring. However, it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that other biasing means may suitably be employed.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention the container or the housing may also include a collar that secures the personal hygiene bar inside the container and / or the personal hygiene bar housing.

[0021] In one aspect of the invention the collar is affixed to the tubular body.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention the collar is affixed to the personal hygiene bar housing.

[0023] The tubular body may also be provided with a ring of bristles, such that the solid personal hygiene bar passes through the bristle ring. The bristle ring is desirably an integral part of the applicator, i.e. it is not an add-on pad. The personal hygiene bar may comprise a solid soap bar, a solid deodorant bar, or the like. In one aspect of the invention the personal hygiene bar is a solid soap bar. In another aspect of the invention the personal hygiene bar is a solid deodorant bar.

[0024] In use, the exposed end of the personal hygiene bar is worn or washed away, as the end wears away, the user uses the push mechanism to allow the biasing means to urge the pusher to move towards the top opening. The personal hygiene bar, located on or attached to the pusher, is likewise extruded through the open end of the container, exposing more of the personal hygiene bar for further use. It will be understood that the personal hygiene bar reaches the end of its use when the pusher becomes exposed. At this point, any used unused personal hygiene bar can be removed and discarded; and be substituted with a replacement personal hygiene bar, thus the plastic container may be reused without the need to dispose of it.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a solid personal hygiene bar, said method comprising locating a solid personal hygiene bar in a solid personal hygiene bar applicator, said dispenser comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing. A replacement personal hygiene bar may be provided on its own as an insert or may optionally be provided in a replacement personal hygiene bar housing.

[0026] According to this aspect of the invention there is provided a personal hygiene bar insert suitable for use with a personal hygiene bar applicator as herein described.

[0027] According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a personal hygiene bar applicator kit, said comprising:

[0028] (i) a personal hygiene bar applicator comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing; and

[0029] (ii) at least one solid personal hygiene bar.

[0030] The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following examples and figures, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a disassembled view of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator;

[0032] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator;

[0033] Figures 2(b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator;

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a base of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator;

[0035] Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view of a support and an inner personal hygiene bar housing; and

[0036] Figure 6 is an assembled perspective view of a base and an inner personal hygiene bar housing.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1 a solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 comprises a generally tubular container 2 comprising a base 3, a body 4 comprising side walls 4a, and an openable top 5 and a bristle ring 4b; an inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar 7 located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 comprises a support 8 and a retaining member 9; and biasing means 10 located between the base 3 of the tubular container 2 and the support 8 of the personal hygiene bar housing 6. The support 8 is provided with a ratchet mechanism 11.

[0038] Referring to Figures 2(a) to (c) a solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 comprises a generally tubular container 2 and a cover 12. The body of the tubular container 2 is provided with a push mechanism 13 adapted to engage with the ratchet mechanism 11 (not shown). A coiled spring biasing member 9 is located between the base 3 of the tubular container 2 and the support 8 of the personal hygiene bar housing 6. A solid personal hygiene bar 7 is located on the support 8 of the inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 is provided with a retaining member 9 in the form of a shoulder 14.

[0039] Referring to Figure 3 an inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 comprises a generally tubular sleeve 15. The body 16 of the personal hygiene bar housing 6 is provided with a ratchet mechanism 13 in the form of an array of resilient protruding lips 17, each of which is capable of engaging with a single corresponding protrusion (not shown) on an inner wall of the tubular container 2.

[0040] Referring to Figure 4 a base 3 of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 comprises a chamber 18 for locating the inner personal hygiene bar housing 6; and means 19 for engaging with the side walls 4 of the tubular container 2. A pusher 18a is attached to the base handle 3b, a snap fit at the top 18c of the base handle 18b allows the pusher 18a to pass over but not come back off.

[0041] Referring to Figure 5 a solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 is shown being assembled. A base 3 and base handle 3b of a personal hygiene bar applicator 1 is shown with an inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 and pusher 18a located therein. The pusher 18a is provided with a ratchet mechanism 13. A first end 20 of a personal hygiene bar 7 is positioned to be located on the support the support 8 of the inner personal hygiene bar housing 6. A second end 21 (not shown) of the personal hygiene bar 7 is located inside the body 4 of the tubular container 2. The push mechanism 13 is also shown the body 4 of the tubular container 2.

[0042] Referring to Figure 6 an assembled solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 is shown. A base 3 of a solid personal hygiene bar applicator 1 is engaged with a body 4 of the tubular container 2. The second end 21 of the personal hygiene bar 7 is shown, located inside the inner personal hygiene bar housing 6 and protruding the rough the bristle ring 4b. In use, the exposed end 21 of the solid personal hygiene bar 7 is worn or washed away, as the end 21 wears away, the user uses the push mechanism 13 to allow the biasing means (not shown) to urge the pusher (not shown) to move towards the top opening (22). The solid personal hygiene bar 7, located on or attached to the pusher (not shown), protrudes through the open end 23 of the container 2, exposing more of the solid personal hygiene bar 7, protruding through the bristle ring 4b, for further use. The solid personal hygiene bar 7 reaches the end of its use when the pusher (not shown) becomes exposed. At this point, any used unused personal hygiene bar can be removed and discarded; and be substituted with a replacement solid personal hygiene bar, thus the plastic container may be reused without the need to dispose of it.

Claims

Claims1. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator, said applicator comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing.

2. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 1 wherein the base and side walls of the tubular container comprises separate pieces.

3. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 1 wherein the support of the personal hygiene bar housing comprise a pusher, such that when the biasing means acts upon the support, the support urges the solid personal hygiene bar towards the open end of the dispenser.

4. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the personal hygiene bar housing includes a ratchet mechanism.

5. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 4 wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises an array of resilient protruding lips each of which is capable of engaging with a single corresponding protrusion or lip located on an inner wall of the tubular container.

6. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claims 4 or 5 wherein the tubular container is provided with a push mechanism in a wall of the container.

7. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the biasing means comprises a spring loaded biasing means.

8. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 7 wherein the spring loaded biasing means comprises a coiled spring.

9. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container or the housing includes a collar that secures the solid personal hygiene bar inside the container and / or the soap housing.

10. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 9 wherein the collar is affixed to the tubular body.

11. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 9 wherein the collar is affixed to the personal hygiene bar housing.

12. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the personal hygiene bar comprises a solid soap bar, a solid deodorant bar, or the like.

13. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 12 wherein the personal hygiene bar comprises a solid soap bar.

14. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to claim 12 wherein the personal hygiene bar comprises a solid deodorant bar.

15. A method of applying a solid personal hygiene bar, said method comprising locating a solid personal hygiene bar in a solid soap dispenser personal hygiene bar applicator, said applicator comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; and biasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing.

16. A replacement solid personal hygiene bar insert suitable for use with a solid personal hygiene bar applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator kit, said comprising:(i) a solid personal hygiene bar applicator comprising: a generally tubular container comprising a base, side walls and an openable top; an inner solid personal hygiene bar housing adapted to have a solid personal hygiene bar located therein; said inner personal hygiene bar housing comprising a support and a retaining member; andbiasing means located between the base of the tubular container and the support of the personal hygiene bar housing; and(ii) at least one solid personal hygiene bar.

18. A solid personal hygiene bar applicator, method, replacement personal hygiene bar insert or kit as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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