Stick product dispensing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9433275-B2
Application number	US-201214441495-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2012
Priority date	Nov 16, 2012
Publication date	Sep 6, 2016
Grant date	Sep 6, 2016

Abstract

A stick product dispensing system is disclosed which prospectively provides an advance or early warning to a user that the product will soon be depleted. In one embodiment, the product dispensing system includes a dispenser ( 10 ) having a tubular barrel ( 20 ) with an open end ( 24 ), a solid stick product ( 12 ) disposed in the barrel ( 20 ), and a moveable platform ( 40 ) disposed in the barrel ( 20 ) for supporting and dispensing the product ( 12 ) through the open end ( 24 ). The platform ( 40 ) includes a plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions ( 100 ) extending outwards from the platform ( 40 ) forming interstitial spaces holding a reserve amount of product. After repeated uses of the dispenser, the protrusions ( 100 ) eventually emerge from the top of the stick product ( 12 ) signaling the user that one or a few additional applications remain. This allows the user to purchase another dispenser in advance to avoid running out of product. In one embodiment, the product may be a deodorant/anti-perspirant.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing system for dispensing a solid stick product comprising:
a dispenser having a tubular barrel with an open end and defining an axial centerline;
a solid stick product disposed in the tubular barrel;
a moveable platform disposed in the tubular barrel and supporting the solid stick product;
an actuator mechanism operable to move the moveable platform axially in the tubular barrel towards the open end for dispensing the solid stick product; and
a plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions extending axially outwards from the moveable platform, the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions being embedded in the solid stick product and forming interstitial recesses holding a reserve volume of the solid stick product;
wherein after repeated applications of the solid stick product by [[the]] a user, the solid stick product abrades away and the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions become exposed to provide a tactile and visual indication that the solid stick product is near depletion, and
wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are formed of a first material and the moveable platform is formed of a second material, the second material having a higher Shore A hardness than the first material.

2. A dispensing system for dispensing a solid stick product comprising:
a dispenser having a tubular barrel with an open end and defining an axial centerline;
a solid stick product disposed in the tubular barrel;
a moveable platform disposed in the tubular barrel and supporting the solid stick product;
an actuator mechanism operable to move the moveable platform axially in the tubular barrel towards the open end for dispensing the solid stick product; and
a plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions extending axially outwards from the moveable platform, the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions being embedded in the solid stick product and forming interstitial recesses holding a reserve volume of the solid stick product;
wherein after repeated applications of the solid stick product by a user, the solid stick product abrades away and the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions become exposed to provide a tactile and visual indication that the solid stick product is near depletion,
wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are shaped as bristles each having a height greater than a maximum diameter of the bristle, and
wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are resiliently moveable, such that directly engaging the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions with the skin of the user results in deforming the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.

4. The dispensing system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are molded to the moveable platform.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are discrete separate components attached to the moveable platform and made from a different material than the moveable platform, the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions being deformable in response to a user rubbing the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions across their skin.

6. The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions includes a base portion for attaching the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions to the moveable platform, the base portions being individually attached to a top surface of the moveable platform.

7. The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein at least some of the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions share a common base portion for attaching a group of the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions to a top surface of the moveable platform.

8. The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein the moveable platform includes a plurality of raised anchors, the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions being formed around at least some of the plurality of raised anchors for securing the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions to the moveable platform.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are shaped as elongated raised bars extending transversely to the axial centerline of the dispenser and having a length greater than a height of the elongated raised bars.

10. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are shaped as round pegs in top plan view.

11. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are shaped as bristles each having a height greater than a maximum diameter of the bristle.

12. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions are shaped to collectively form alphanumeric symbols or a logo.

13. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the reserve volume of the solid stick product is sufficient to provide at least one additional application to the user.

14. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the solid stick product comprises a deodorant or anti-perspirant.

15. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism includes a rotatable elevator screw and actuator knob rigidly connected thereto, the rotatable elevator screw being coupled to the moveable platform and operable such that turning the actuator knob translates the moveable platform towards the open end of the tubular barrel.

16. A dispenser for a solid stick product comprising:
a tubular barrel having an open end, the solid stick product disposed in the tubular barrel;
a moveable platform disposed in the tubular barrel, the moveable platform having a top surface supporting the solid stick product;
an actuator mechanism operable to move the moveable platform in the tubular barrel to dispense the solid stick product through the open end; and
at least one indicator protrusion extending from the top surface of the moveable platform, the at least one indicator protrusion being embedded in the solid stick product;
wherein after repeated applications of the solid stick product by a user, the solid stick product abrades away and the at least one indicator protrusion becomes exposed to provide an indication that the solid stick product is near depletion, and
wherein the at least one indicator protrusion is formed of a first material and the moveable platform is formed of a second material, the second material having a higher Shore A hardness than the first material.

17. The dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the indication is a tactile and visual indication.

18. The dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one indicator protrusion is a different color than the solid stick product.

19. The dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the solid stick product is a different color or texture than the moveable platform.

20. The dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one indicator protrusion comprises an elastomeric material and the moveable platform comprises a rigid material.

21. The dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one indicator protrusion comprises an upper indicator surface, and wherein a reserve volume of the solid stick product is located below the upper indicator surface of the at least one i

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Crawford John C
• Toh Kiat-Cheong
• Reed Kenneth

Classifications

• A45D2040/0025

  Details of lipstick or like casings · CPC title

• A45D40/205

  Holders for stick-shaped cosmetics whereby the stick can move axially relative to the holder (casings for lipstick A45D40/02, A45D40/06; refill sticks or moulding devices for producing sticks A45D40/16) · CPC title

• A45D40/04 Primary

  effected by a screw · CPC title

• A45D2040/208

  the relative movement being made by a rotating action, e.g. effected by a screw · CPC title

• A45D40/14

  Casings with ejector for waste stick or the like · CPC title