GLUE stick refill container

Abstract

GThe present invenon relates to a glue sck refill container comprising a housing having a first closed end, a second opposed open end, and a side poron extending therebetween defining a cavity for receiving a glue sck; and a lid configured in use to extend across and substanally seal the second opposed open end of the housing, in which the housing is composed of PET, and the lid is composed of PET or HDPE.

Description

[0001] GLUE STICK REFILL CONTAINER

[0002] The present invention relates to a glue stick refill container, and to a method of manufacturing the glue stick refill container.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0004] Glue sticks are traditionally a single-use item meaning that once the glue has been dispensed, the container becomes a waste product. Glue stick containers are theoretically recyclable however due to the multiple different types of plastic required in order to make the glue stick barrel and dispensing mechanism, together with the grade of plastic used, the end of life purpose of the materials does not fit into the circular economy. As a result, the majority of glue stick containers end up in landfills. In line with the United Nations sustainability goals, it is important that consumers are encouraged to reduce and reuse plastic where possible before the items are recycled.

[0005] There is therefore a need for an apparatus to reduce the amount of glue stick containers being sent to landfill.

[0006] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glue stick refill container comprising: an elongate housing having a first closed end, a second opposed open end, and a side portion extending therebetween defining a cavity for receiving a glue stick; and a lid configured in use to extend across and substantially seal the second opposed open end of the housing, in which the housing is composed of PET, and in which the lid is composed of HDPE or PET.

[0008] Preferably, the housing is composed substantially entirely of PET, for example at least 95% w / w, preferably at least 97% w / w, for example 100% w / w PET. Preferably, the lid is composed of HDPE. Preferably, the lid is composed substantially entirely of either HDPE or PET, for example at least 95% w / w, preferably at least 97% w / w, for example 100% w / w of either HDPE or PET.

[0009] Conventional glue stick dispensers are formed from polypropylene amongst other plastics. Most recycling centres are not equipped to recycle polypropylene. The post-consumer recycling rate or polypropylene worldwide is 1%. As a result, the glue stick dispensers end up in landfill where it can take over 20 years for these products to decompose.

[0010] The glue stick refill container of the present invention enables consumers to keep and reuse the original glue stick dispenser by providing a mechanism in which the body of the glue can be refilled within the dispenser. The lifespan of the original glue stick dispenser is therefore greatly increased and the amount of glue stick dispensers sent to landfill is greatly reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, the refill container can be refilled with a furtherglue stick and used to fill further original glue stick dispensers. This means that a single refill container can be used many times during its life span to refill a significant number of original glue stick dispensers. At the end of its lifespan, the refill container may then be recycled. PET and HDPE are recyclable and therefore the glue stick refill container is preferably configured to fit into a circular economy.

[0012] The container is preferably composed of less plastic than the equivalent glue stick dispenser. Preferably the container is composed of no more than 50%, preferably no more than 50% of the amount of plastic than the equivalent glue stick dispenser. Preferably the container is composed of at least 10%, for example about 20% of the amount of plastic compared to the equivalent glue stick dispenser.

[0013] Preferably, the thickness of the side portion of the housing is no more than 1 mm, preferably no more than 0.7 mm, for example no more than 0.5 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the housing is at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm, for example 0.4 mm. The thickness of the side portion of the housing is preferably within the range of between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, preferable between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, for example 0.4 mm.

[0014] In comparison, the thickness of a conventional glue stick dispenser is approximately 1.5 mm. The height of the housing (as measured between opposed ends thereof) is preferably no more than 105 mm, preferably no more than 100 mm. Preferably the height of the housing is at least 85 mm, preferably at least 90 mm, for example 95 mm. The height of the housing is preferably within the range of between 85 mm and 105 mm, preferably within the range of between 90 mm and 100 mm, for example 95 mm.

[0015] In comparison, the height of a conventional glue stick dispenser is approximately 115 mm.

[0016] The width of the housing (as measured between opposing side portions thereof) is preferably no more than 40 mm, preferably no more than 37 mm. The width of the housing is preferable at least 30 mm, for example 35 mm. The width of the housing is preferably within the range of 30 mm and 40 mm.

[0017] In comparison, the height of a conventional glue stick dispenser is approximately 30 mm.

[0018] As a result, the glue stick refill container requires less raw materials (e.g. virgin materials) to be used to provide the container compared to the equivalent glue stick dispenser. Furthermore, the overall amount of plastic used to form the refill container is significantly reduced compared to the equivalent glue stick dispenser.

[0019] In one embodiment, the housing is composed of recycled PET.

[0020] In one embodiment, the lid is composed of recycled PET or recycled HDPE, preferably recycled HDPE.

[0021] It has been found that the use of PET for the housing is capable of providing sufficient support for the glue stick during transportation and storage of the container. The use of PET for the housing (optionally together with PET or HDPE (preferably HDPE) for the lid) has been found to be capable of being sufficiently waterproof to protect the glue stick during transportation and storage of the container. The humidity conditions within the cavity of the housing are important consideration when transporting glue. Exposure to dry environmental conditions during storage and / or transportation will result in the glue stick drying out resulting in the glue stick being ineffective when used. The use of PET for the housing (optionally together with PET or HDPE (preferably HDPE) for the lid) has been found to be capable of protecting the glue stick from external environmental conditions, and in particular from drying out, during transportation and storage of the container. In one embodiment, the housing is cylindrical in shape. In one embodiment, the housing defines a cylindrical cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive a glue stick.

[0022] The housing is preferably colourless. The lid is preferably colourless. Preferably, the housing and lid are colourless. The housing and / or lid are preferably transparent providing a line of sight for the user. The transparency of the materials can aid the user in aligning a glue stick refill (located within the cavity of the housing) with a cavity of a glue stick dispenser.

[0023] The second opposed open end of the housing is preferably configured in use to abut or to be received within or to receive an open end of a glue stick dispenser to provide a continuous path for movement of a glue stick from the cavity of the housing and into a cavity of a glue stick dispenser. Preferably, the width of the second opposed end of the housing is greater than the width of an open end of a glue stick dispenser such that the open end is received within the second opposed end of the housing for transfer of the glue stick.

[0024] The second opposed end of the housing preferably defines a first threaded portion, and the lid preferably defines a second threaded portion configured in use to threadingly engage the first threaded portion of the housing.

[0025] In one embodiment, the diameter of the lid (when measured between opposing surfaces thereof) is greater than the diameter of the housing, for example the second opposed end of the housing, (when measured between opposing surfaces thereof).

[0026] The outer surface of the lid preferably provides a grip portion.

[0027] Preferably, the glue stick refill container comprises a glue stick refill within the cavity of the housing.

[0028] The glue stick refill preferably comprises a glue stick mount configured in use to support a body of glue and to cooperatively engage a dispensing mechanism of a glue stick dispenser. The glue stick mount preferably cooperatively engages the dispensing mechanism of a glue stick dispenser through rotation of the dispensing mechanism.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a glue stick refill container comprising: forming an elongate housing from PET, in which the elongate housing has a first closed end, a second opposed open end, and a side portion extending therebetween defining a cavity for receiving a glue stick; and forming a lid from HDPE or PET, in which the lid is configured in use to extend across and substantially seal the second opposed open end of the elongate housing.

[0030] The method may further comprise providing a first threaded portion at the second opposed open end of the elongate housing.

[0031] The method may further comprise providing a second threaded portion on the lid, in which the second threaded portion is configured in use to threadingly engage the first threaded portion of the elongate housing.

[0032] The method preferably comprises forming the elongate housing and / or lid by one or more of: injection moulding, for example injection stretch blow moulding, blown moulding, extrusion, or any combination thereof.

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in relation to the accompanying Figures:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a glue stick refill container according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the lid is mounted on the elongate housing; and

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an exploded perspective view of the glue stick refill container of Figure 1.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] With reference to the Figures, there is provided a glue stick refill container 1 comprising an elongate housing 2 having a first closed end 4, a second opposed open end 6, and a side portion 8 extending therebetween defining a cavity 10 for receiving a glue stick. In the illustrated embodiment the elongate housing is elongate in shape. It is to be understood that the housing may have any suitable shape and is not limited to being cylindrical in shape. The cavity 10 is cylindrical in shape to receive a complementary shaped glue stick. The elongate housing 2 is composed entirely of PET.

[0038] The elongate housing 2 is colourless.

[0039] The glue stick refill container 2 further comprises a lid 12 configured in use to extend across and substantially seal the second opposed open end 6 of the elongate housing 2. The lid 12, in the illustrated embodiment, has a substantially circular cross-section. It is however to be understood that the lid may have any suitable shape and is not limited to having a circular cross-section.

[0040] The lid 12 is composed entirely of HDPE.

[0041] The lid 12 is colourless. The diameter of the lid 12 (when measured between opposing surfaces thereof) is greater than the diameter of the housing 2. The outer surface of the lid 12 provides a grip portion 14.

[0042] The second opposed end 6 of the housing 2 defines a first threaded portion 16. The lid 12 defines a second threaded portion 18 configured in use to threadingly engage the first threaded portion 16 of the housing 2.

[0043] The container 1 is composed of no more than 50%, preferably no more than 50% of the amount of plastic than the equivalent glue stick dispenser. As a result, the glue stick refill container requires less raw materials to be used to provide the container compared to the equivalent glue stick dispenser.

[0044] The thickness of the side portion of the housing 2 is 0.4 mm. The width of the housing is 35 mm.

[0045] The second opposed open end 6 of the housing 2 is configured in use to receive an open end of a glue stick dispenser (having a width of approximately 30 mm) to provide a continuous path for movement of a glue stick from the cavity 10 of the housing 2 and into a cavity of a glue stick dispenser.

[0046] In use, a glue stick refill is received within the cavity 10 of the housing 2. The glue stick refill comprises a glue stick mount configured in use to support a body of glue and to cooperatively engage a dispensing mechanism of a glue stick dispenser. The lid 12 is engaged to the second opposed end 6 of the housing 2 to seal the cavity 10 from the external environment.

[0047] It has been found that the use of PET is capable of providing sufficient support for the glue stick refill during transportation and storage of the container. The use of PET (optionally and an HDPE lhas been found to be capable of being sufficiently waterproof to protect the glue stick refill during transportation and storage of the container. The humidity conditions within the cavity of the housing are important consideration when transporting glue stick refills. Exposure to dry environmental conditions during storage and / or transportation will result in the glue stick refill drying out resulting in the glue stick refill being ineffective when used. The use of PET (optionally with an HDPE lid) has been found to be capable of protecting the glue stick refill from external environmental conditions, and in particular from drying out, during transportation and storage of the container.

[0048] When a glue dispenser has dispensed all of the glue, a user may remove the lid 12 from the second opposed end 6 of the housing 2. The second opposed end 6 of the housing 2 is aligned with the open end of a glue dispenser. The second opposed end 6 of the housing 2 may abut the open end of a glue dispenser. Preferably, at least a portion of the second opposed end 6 of the housing 2 receives an open end of the glue dispenser. The glue stick refill within the cavity 10 of the housing 2 is then moved into the cavity of the glue dispenser. The glue stick mount preferably cooperatively engage a dispensing mechanism of a glue stick dispenser.

[0049] The glue stick refill container is configured to fit into a circular economy. In particular, the glue stick refill container enables consumers to keep and reuse the original glue stick dispenser by providing a mechanism in which the body of the glue can be refilled within the dispenser. The lifespan of the original glue stick dispenser is therefore greatly increased and the amount of glue stick dispensers sent to landfill is greatly reduced.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A glue stick refill container comprising: a elongate housing having a first closed end, a second opposed open end, and a side portion extending therebetween defining a cavity for receiving a glue stick; and a lid configured in use to extend across and substantially seal the second opposed open end of the elongate housing, in which the elongate housing is composed of PET, and the lid is composed of PET or HDPE.

2. A glue stick refill container as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing is composed substantially entirely of PET.

3. A glue stick refill container as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the lid is composed substantially entirely of PET or HDPE.

4. A glue stick refill container as claimed in claim 3, in which the lid is composed substantially entirely of HDPE.

5. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is composed of recycled PET.

6. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid is composed of recycled PET or recycled HDPE.

7. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is colourless.

8. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate housing is cylindrical in shape.

9. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid is substantially circular in cross-section.

10. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diameter of the lid is greater than the diameter of the second opposed end of the elongate housing.

11. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second opposed open end of the housing is configured in use to abut, to be received within, or to receive an open end of a glue stick dispenser to provide a continuous path for movement of a glue stick from the cavity of the housing and into a cavity of a glue stick dispenser.

12. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the second opposed end of the housing defines a first threaded portion, and the lid defines a second threaded portion configured in use to threadingly engage the first threaded portion of the housing.

13. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the outer surface of the lid provides a grip portion.

14. A glue stick refill container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a glue stick within the cavity of the housing.

15. A glue stick refill container as claimed in claim 14, in which the glue stick comprises a glue stick mount configured in use to support a body of glue and to engage a dispensing mechanism of a glue stick dispenser.

16. A method for manufacturing a glue stick refill container as claimed in method for manufacturing a glue stick refill container comprising:forming an elongate housing from PET, in which the elongate housing has a first closed end, a second opposed open end, and a side portion extending therebetween defining a cavity for receiving a glue stick; and forming a lid from PET or HDPE, in which the lid is configured in use to extend across and substantially seal the second opposed open end of the housing.

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