The present invention relates generally to applicators for deodorants, anti-perspirants and the like, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a rechargeable stick-type applicator, such as a rechargeable deodorant stick.

Antiperspirant/deodorant sticks are used to reduce underarm wetness and control body odour. These products are made by blending active ingredients with waxes, oils, and silicones and moulding the mixture into stick form.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to stick-type applicators.

An aspect of the present invention provides a rechargeable stick-type applicator comprising a reusable tubular body part and a recharge part, the body part has a dispensing end and a refill end, the recharge part comprises a base, a spindle, an elevator and a pre-filled stick of material, the recharge part can be removably introduced into the refill end of the body.

A further aspect provides a rechargeable stick-type applicator comprising a reusable tubular body part and a recharge part, the body part has a dispensing end and a refill end, the recharge part comprises a base, a spindle, an elevator, the recharge part can be removably introduced into the refill end of the body, the recharge part base includes a filling opening for allowing initial filling when the applicator has been preassembled, and thereafter recharging of the applicator is possible.

The base may be releasably connectable to the refill end of body part. For example the base and body may be provided with cooperating formations, such as snap beads so that the base can be pushed on and pulled off the body.

The spindle may be a threaded post. The body may have a generally circular section. In such embodiments the elevator and the body may comprise some means of preventing relative rotation, such as cooperating surface formations.

The elevator comprises a plurality of external ribs. The interior of the refill end of the body may comprise guide formations for receiving the ribs. In some embodiments the guide formations are arranged like a funnel to assist assembly of the recharge part into the body.

In some embodiments the body has a generally oval section. An oval elevator/piston will not turn in the body, so anti-rotation formations are not required.

In some embodiments all or part of the base is rotatable to cause the elevator to travel along the spindle inside the body. For example, the whole base may rotate, or a rotatable part may be provided as part of the base.

A removable cap may be provided for closing the dispensing end of the body.

In some embodiment an inner cap is provided. This may be used, for example to protect the material stick.

In some embodiments a pushable insert is provided that can be pushed to release the recharge part. This can be used, for example, to release a recharge part whilst helping to prevent damage to the material stick. Guides may be provided for the pushable insert (for example to prevent it from tilting when pushed).

The body may include a stop for preventing travel of the elevator through the dispensing end.

In some embodiments the base and elevator are releasably locked together in a maximally withdrawn, filling position.

The base may comprise a generally conical central portion. In some embodiments the recharge part base can be connected to a filling and/or transport container. The recharge part may be supplied with the container attached; the container can be removed prior to charging the body.

In use, for example, a pre-filled recharge part may be provided. The transport container is removed and the recharge part is offered up to the (empty) body part.

The recharge part is introduced into the body and fully inserted until the base snap fits onto the body. The body cap can then be removed and product can be accessed through the dispensing end of the body. When the material is exhausted the recharge part can be separated from the body. A new recharge part can then be introduced into the body and the now empty recharge part can be sent for re-filling or recycling. Meanwhile the body is re-used.

A further aspect provides a recharge part comprising a base, a spindle and an elevator, the part can be pre-filled with a stick of material.

The part may further comprise a filling container. The filling container may be releasably attachable to the base.

A pre-filled recharge part may be provided.

The present invention also provides a method of providing a rechargeable stick applicator comprising the steps of: providing a recharge part, the recharge part comprising a base, a spindle, an elevator and a filling container, the filling container is releasably attachable to the base; providing a reusable tubular body part with a dispensing end and a refill end; pre-filling the recharge part to provide a stick of material; removing the filing container; introducing the recharge part into the refill end of the body; removing the recharge part once the stick of material is used; whereby the recharge part can be re-filled and re-used. In some aspects the present invention may provide or relate to a quick recharge stick deodorant applicator.

Some embodiments are configured to allow bottom-filling of a complete pre-filled stick.

An elevator platform may be provided. In some embodiments the platform can be pushed by hand; in others it is elevated by turning that causes it to travel along a threaded post.

Options for a recharge body include: one piece; two piece with pushable insert.

In some embodiments a cylindrical version is provided. In some embodiments an oval version is provided.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Figure I shows a stick applicator generally indicated 10.

In Figure 2 a reusable part 20 comprising a body 21 is shown with a removable top cap 22 fitted. The body 21 has a recharge end 15 and a dispensing end 17.

Figure 3 shows a recharge pack 30, which in this embodiment includes a base 32 and a stick of deodorant material 34 and is fitted with a removable transport/filling container 40.

Figure 4A shows the reusable part 20 in an empty state. In Figure 4B the recharge part 30 is shown with the transport container 40 being removed to expose the stick of deodorant material 34. In Figure 4C the recharge part 30 is introduced into the recharge end 15 of the body 20. In Figure 4D the charged/filled body is shown.

To use the applicator the cap 22 is removed (e.g. by unscrewing). The stick 34 is then exposed at the dispensing end 17. To advance the material stick as it is gradually used up the base is rotated, which causes the elevator to travel up the spindle. When the material has been used up the recharge part is removed from the body part, back through the recharge end, as illustrated in Figure 4E. The empty recharge pack could be collected for refilling.

Figures 5A to 5D illustrate preparation of a recharge pack formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5A shows a transport container 140 which is generally cylindrical, is closed at one end 142 and open at its other end 144.

Towards the open end 144 a radially inward step 146 is provided. Closer to the open end a flange 148 is provided and even closer to the end a radially outward bead 150 extends.

The ingredients for the material stick are first melted and then filled into the container through the open end 144.

After the container has been filled (Figures 5A) the recharge part is presented (Figure 5B).

The recharge part base 132 is generally cylindrical and includes an inwardly directed retention bead 133 at one end. At the other end a conical portion 135 extends and carries a screw threaded spindle 136. An elevator 137 is carried on the spindle 136. The elevator 137 comprises a central tube 138 which is internally screw threaded to cooperate with the spindle. The elevator 137 includes a cylindrical skirt 139 on which are provided a plurality of axial ribs 141.

The recharge part is inserted into the filled container (Figure 5C). The base 132 abuts against the flange 148. The skirt 139 abuts against the step 146 and the bead 133 clips over the bead 150.

The material then cools and solidifies (Figure 5D) onto the elevator 137, with the spindle 136 embedded centrally.

Figure 6A and 6B show a reusable 220 part and Figures 6C and 6D a recharge pack 230 formed according to a further embodiment (notionally a 75ml version).

Figure 6B shows curved guides 255 formed on the interior surface of the body 220, at its recharge end. The curved guides 255 receive the elevator ribs 241 as the recharge pack is introduced into the body. The curved guides 255 lead to axial groove 256 into which the ribs 241 move. Engagement of the ribs 241 in the grooves 256 prevent relative rotation between the elevator and the body in use, which constrains movement of the elevator to be substantially axial along the spindle when the base is rotated. This makes assembly of the recharge pack into the reusable part easier, because a specific relative orientation between the parts is not initially required when the recharge pack is presented to the body in order to result in final engagement of the ribs in the grooves.

Figure 6E shows an assembled applicator 210.

Figure 6F shows a section along line A-A of Figure 6E.

Figure 6G is a magnified view of area Y of Figure 6F. This illustrates a stop 260 formed on the interior of the body. The stop prevents the piston/elevator from passing out of the dispensing end.

Figure 6H is a magnified view of area X of Figure 6F. The central elevator tube 238 includes a retaining bead 262 that clips it onto the base of the spindle. This is a temporary hold, useful during the filling process to hold the elevator in position. In use the bead is easily overcome when the base starts to turn, leaving the elevator free to travel up the spindle.

Figure 61 is a magnified view of area Z of Figure 6F. The screw threaded connection between the cap and the body is shown. In this embodiment the cap comprises an outer cap 222a and an inner sealing cap 222b (which is in contact with or adjacent the free end of the stick.

Figures 7A to 7H show an applicator formed according to a further embodiment (notionally a 40ml version).

Figures 8A to 8H show an applicator 410 formed according to a further embodiment (notionally a 20ml, mono-material, bottom-filled version). Figures 9A to 9H show an applicator 510 formed according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment the applicator is generally oval.

In this embodiment the whole base 532 itself is not turned, but rather a rotatable plug 570 is provided that causes the spindle to rotate (and in turn cause movement of the elevator). An optional sealing ring 572 is provided between the plug and the base in this embodiment. The base includes a filling spout/tube 571 through which stick material can be introduced.

Initial (first) filling could be achieved either by first pre-assembling the applicator (Figure 9B), filling (through the spout 571 and around the spindle and the elevator platform) and then closing the spout 571 with the plug 570 (Figure 9A) after initial filling. Alternatively, pre-filling of the recharge part (similar to Figures 5A to 5D) and then assembly could be used for initial filling. Thereafter recharging of the application could be achieved as described herein.

Figures I0A to I0G show an applicator 610 formed according to a further embodiment. The applicator 610 is similar to the applicator 510, but having a larger filling volume (e.g. a 50ml usable product output volume).

Figures I IA to I I H show an applicator 710 formed according to a further embodiment. The applicator is similar to the applicator 510.

In this embodiment, the applicator includes a pushable insert 780. The insert 780 enables easy release of the refill body and reduces the risks of breaking sticks.

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 and their equivalents.