AU642463B2

AU642463B2 - Dispensing container

Info

Publication number: AU642463B2
Application number: AU71148/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Bernard Mitchell
Original assignee: Trigon Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Tube Pack Ltd
Priority date: 1990-04-18
Filing date: 1991-02-19
Publication date: 1993-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-19
Also published as: AU7114891A

Description

6426 Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952-62 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: *****Published: Priori: 0 RelatecLArt: 0* 00 class Int. Class Name of Applicant: Addtiesgof Applicant: Actual inventor: Add?fess for Service: a 0 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT TRIGON INDUSTRIES LIMITED 317 Sunset Road, DMairangi Bay Auckland, New Zealand Paul Bernard MITCHELL Care of R.K. MADDERN ASSOCIATES, 345 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "DISPENSING CONTAINER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing It known to rmX{ us.

This invention relates to dispensing containers.

Containers of the type which the present invention relates are particularly suitable for packaging and dispensing materials such as lip sticks and deodorant sticks. Such products are packaged in compact containers which can be conveniently carried in a hand or sports bag. The containers are provided with winding mechanisms so that the product can be gradually wound out of the container as it is used. Over recent years there have been a number of developments in this area each aimed at improving manufacture and/or filling techniques. Examples are:- 1 0 United States patent No. 4369158 which discloses a method of filling a container of this type with a solidifiable liquid wherein the winding mechanism is inserted after filling.

US patent No. 42980306 which discloses a method of bottom filling where the solidifiable liquid is poured through a hollow base and an assembled stem structure.

GB patent No. 2163729A by Proctor and Gamble of the USA discloses which a further variation of a container which is filed in an inverted position.

Whilst each of the above structures represents a step forward in the art the 20 designs have provided limited access through which solidifiable material S can be poured during packaging.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container for solidifiable materials which can be filled in a pre-assembled inverted condition and which provides improved access for filling.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser for a material in solidified stick form, comprising a container of tubular form having an open first end through which said stick material can be extended; a rib-like bridge adjacent an opposite end of said container extending transversely of said container and secured to said container at opposite ends of said bridge, said bridge leaving substantially the entire transverse cross-section of said container unobstructed; a threaded shaft journalled for rotation in an aperture in said bridge, said threaded shaft extending axi&lly within said container and being threadably engaged in an aperture of a platform extending transversely of the interior of said container, said platform being held against rotational movement within said container, and having apertures extending therethrough through which said material in heated liquified form can readily flow; a wall at said opposite end of said container providing a circular aperture that opens directly into the interior of said container, said wall providing a journal for a winding knob engageable with e.

said threaded shaft, and providing a means for restraining s: said winding knob from axial movement in a direction out of S25 said circular aperture whereby, prior to insertion of said winding knob into said circular aperture, free access is provided to the interior of said container permitting filling of said container with said material in a heated liquified :00 form for casting in situ within said container, said winding knob being insertable into said aperture to close said aperture after filling of said container with said winding knob in driving engagement with said threaded shaft.

Preferably the winding shaft is rotatably supported by the open frame.

gvt3 Ile OYo The thumbwheel is fitted to the shaft after filling.

A filling cap is fitted to the first end of the container prior to filling.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: is a side view of a container in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 2: is a bottom view of the container of Figure 2, and Figure 3: is a cross-sectional drawing taken through line III:III of Figure 1, and Figure 4: is a further cross-sectional drawing taken through line IV:IV of Figure 2, and 4 4 4 0* 0 0

;A

i '2~ Figurn..fr is a view of the container of Figure 1 in an inverted position with the thumbwheel removed, and Fjgmar is a plan view of the container of Figure 1 in an inverted position with the thumbwheel removed, Fizuire..Z: is a cross-section at VII:VHI of Figure 5, and Fiue is a cross-section at VIII:VIII of Figure With respect to the drawings the dispensing container illustrated comprises a container body generally indicated by arrow 1 having a first end 2 through which a stick of solidified material 3 can be extended and a 0 winding mechanism generally indicated by arrow 4 located with respect to a second end 5 of the body 1 by an open frame 6. The winding mechanism 4 comprises a threaded winding shaft 7, a circular thumbwheel 8 which can be joined to the shaft 7, and an open platform 9 mounted on the threaded part 10 of the shaft 7.

1 5 Prior to filling the container in an inverted position (see Figures 5 and 6) the first end 2 is capped with a cap 11 and solidifiable material 3 is poured as indicated by the arrows A past the open frame 6 and open platform 9 to a 66 level which covers Lie open platform 9 but which is below the open frame 6.

The material solidifies on both sides of the open platform 9 encapsulating the platform 9 and when the thuxnbwheel 8 and winding shaft 7 are turned .040*: the platform 9 and the solidified material wil~l, after initial resistance until the surface tension betweon the walls of the container and the stick is overcome, be free to travel up and down within the container as the open frame 9 moves along the threaded shaft as a result of turning the thumbwheel 8.

The open frame 6 provides a bearing support 12 for a plain portion 13 of the winding shaft 7. Adjacent the plain portion 13 of the winding shaft 7 the shaft is formed with a drive head 14 complimentary to a socket 15 in the thumbscrew 8 so that when the thumbscrew is applied to the drive head and rotated the shaft 7 also rotates with resulting movement of the open platform 9 and solidified stick 3.

The container can be partially assembled prior to filling by fixing the shaft 7 in position, via end 5, fitting the open platform onto the shaft via end 2, winding the shaft so that the desired pre-filling position for the open 1 0 platform is obtained and fitting cap 11. The cap 11 is fitted to cover the opening. After filling the thumbwheel 8 is fitted.

A closure cap 16 can be fitted before or after filling.

S

The container may be of oval or circular cross-section or a combination of both. Where the container is of an oval cross-section of the container can be 1 5 partially enclosed by an appropriately shaped end housing 17. An inner flange 17A of the housing is used to lock the flange 8A of the thumbwheel in place although other means (not shown) may be used to lock the "0 thumbwheel on the shaft.

Figures 6 and 7 and 8 of the drawings serve to illustrate that the structure described provides generous openings 18, 19 through which the solidifiable material can be poured. In the form illustrated the open frame 6 comprises ribs 1.8 joining support 12 to the sides of the body. Openings in the platform 9 are of slightly reduced size and include an internally threaded hub 19 supported from a ring 20 by ribs 21. Horizontal flanges 22 reduce the size of the opening and ensure there is sufficient surface contact between the stick material on opposite sides of the flanges to maintain the desired unity between the material and platform 9.

By comparison with existing containers of this type intended to be filled in an inverted position the aforesaid openings present a very small obstacle to incoming material. The container is simply pre-assembled prior to filling with the addition of the thumbwheel being all that is required to complete the assembly.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and modification and additions thereto may be made without 1 0 departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims

1. A dispenser for a material in solidified stick form, comprising a container of tubular form having an open first end through which said stick material can be extended; a rib-like bridge adjacent an opposite end of said container extending transversely of said container and secured to said container at opposite ends of said bridge, said bridge leaving substantially the entire transverse cross-section of said container unobstructed; a threaded shaft journaled for rotation in an aperture in said bridge, said threaded shaft extending axially within said container and being threadedly engaged in an aperture of a platform extending transversely of the interior of said container, said platform being held against rotational movement within said container, and having apertures extending therethrough through which said material in heated liquified form can readily flow; a wall at said opposite end of said container providing a circular aperture that opens 15 directly into the interior of said container, said wall providing a journal for a winding knob engageable with said threaded shaft, and providing a means for restraining said winding knob from axial movement in a Sdirection out of said circular aperture whereby, prior to insertion of said winding knob into said circular aperture, free access is provided to 20 the interior of said container permitting filling of said container with S: said material in a heated liquified form for casting in situ within said container, said winding knob being insertable into said aperture to close said aperture after filling of said container with said winding knob in driving engagement with said threaded shaft.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, in which said container is of oval cross- 'onsection.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, in which said bridge extends across the minor axis of said container.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said means for restraining said winding knob from axial movement comprises lugs on said winding knob that are a snap-fit within said aperture, and which are operative to locate said knob in an axially fixed position while permitting rotation of said knob relative to said container. A dispenser for a material in solidified stick form substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Oe 0 *500** 4 *a S S S. S Dated this 16th day of TRIGON INDUSTRIES LIMITED, By its Patent Attorneys R K MADDERN ASSOCIATES h s July 1993.