DISPENSER

Abstract: A container-dispenser (10) for stick-form material, for example glue sticks, antiperspirants, solid perfumes, and the like, enabling the stick to be advanced step-wise from the container, comprises a hollow tubular body (12) with one open end (16); a central rod (20) extending internally from the base (14) of the body; a spring-loaded (26) actuator (22) to impart short axial movements to the rod on depression of the actuator, the rod and actuator returning to their original positions on release of the actuator; a follower (28) within the body having slidable co-operative engagement with the body and with the rod, permitting free axial movement of the follower only in the direction away from the base, so as to advance the stick from the body.

Description: The present invention relates to a container-dispenser for materials in solid or semi-solid stick or rod form, for example glue sticks, blackboard chalk, and various cosmetic and personal health products, such as eye make-up, lip stick, antiperspirants, deodorants, solid perfumes, medicated sticks, and the like. Examples of such container-dispensers are described in EP-0295369-A, DE 678288-C and FR 2350278, in which a piston is progressed along a tubular container body by a pressing action applied to the piston. In EP-2095369-A and DE 678288-C means are provided to cause a stepwise progression of the piston. The present invention provides a container-dispenser for a stick-form material comprising: a hollow tubular body open at one end and closed at the base end; a central rod coaxial with the body and extending internally from the base of the body for a major part of the length of the body; a spring-loaded actuator secured to the basal end of the rod and arranged to impart a short axial movement to the rod on depression of the actuator, the rod and actuator returning to their original positions on release of the actuator; an annular follower situated within the body and surrounding the rod, and having attached to its base side an annular retaining member having peripheral legs and central legs, both sets of legs being angled toward the base, the peripheral legs being adapted to cooperatively engage with the interior wall of the body, the central legs being adapted to cooperatively engage with the central rod, the respective engagement of the legs with the body and central rod being such as to permit axial movement of the follower within the body only in the direction away from the base. One form of container-dispenser according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of one form of container-dispenser according to the invention. The container-dispenser 10 comprises a hollow plastics cylindrical body 12 provided at one end with a recessed annular base plate 14 and at its other, open end 16 with a push-fit plastics cap 18 (although a screw-fit or other type of cap could alternatively be used). A cylindrical central plastics rod 20 coaxial with the body, and having an essentially smooth surface, extends through the base plate 14 internally within the body 12 for a major part of the body 12. An actuator button 22 is mounted within the recess 24 of the base plate 14 and is secured to the basal end of the rod 20. A coiled spring 26 holds the button 22 a short distance off the bottom of the recess 24 in the rest position. An annular shoulder 27 on the rod 20 abuts the top surface of the base plate 14 in the rest position and thus limits the downward movement of the rod 20 and of the button 22. An annular follower 28 is located, in its start position, in the base of the body 12 around the rod. It comprises an annular plastics piston 30, containing an annular recess 32, to the base of which is attached an annular metal retaining member 34 having downwardly angled peripheral legs 36 and downwardly angled central legs 38. The peripheral legs 36 co-operatively engage with the smooth interior wall of the body 12 permitting the follower 28 to slide upward (but not downward) within the body 12. Likewise, the central legs 38 co-operatively engage with the central rod 20 permitting relative axial movement of the follower 28 only in the direction away from the base, that is to say, permitting the follower 28 to move upward only or the rod 20 to move downward only. A stick-form material 40, for example a glue stick, substantially fills the hollow body 12 above the piston 30 and around the rod 20, being retained in the annular groove 32 in the piston 30. With the cap 18 removed from the body 12, the button 22 is depressed into the basal recess 24, against the coiled spring 26, thus causing the rod 20 to move a short distance axially toward the open end 16 of the container 10. During that movement the central legs 38 of the metal retaining member 34 engage the rod 20, with the result that the follower 28, and thus also the stick 40, advance upward, the peripheral legs 36 sliding against the inner wall of the body 12. On release of the button 22, the spring 26 returns the button 22 and rod 20 to their rest position as shown. During that return movement, the rod 20 slides against the central legs 38 while the peripheral legs 36 engage the inner wall of the body 12 thus preventing the follower 28 from returning to its previous position and maintaining the stick 40 in its advanced position. Repeated depression and release of the button 22 will advance the stick 40 step-wise out of the open end 16 of the container 10, with the follower 28 'walking' up the rod 20, thus permitting the stick material 40 to be dispensed. After use, the cap 18 may be replaced. The space 42 within the cap 18 above the open end 16 of the container 10 permits the cap 18 to be replaced while the upper end of the stick 40 is protruding from the container 10.

Claims: 1. A container-dispenser for a stick-form material comprising: a hollow tubular body (12) open at one end and closed at the base end; a central rod (20) coaxial with the body (12) and extending internally from the base of the body (12) for a major part of the length of the body (12); a spring-loaded actuator (22) secured to the basal end of the rod (20) and arranged to impart a short axial movement to the rod (20) on depression of the actuator (22), the rod (20) and actuator (22) returning to their original positions on release of the actuator (22); a follower (28) situated within the body (12) and surrounding the rod (20), characterised in that the follower (28) has attached to its base side an annular retaining member (34) having peripheral legs (36) and central legs (38), both sets of legs (36, 38) being angled toward the base, the peripheral legs (36) being adapted to cooperatively engage with the interior wall of the body (12), the central legs (38) being adapted to cooperatively engage with the central rod (20), the respective cooperative engagement of the legs (36, 38) with the body (12) and rod (20) being such as to permit only axial movement of the follower (28) within the body (12). 2. A container-dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the follower (28) is made of plastics material and the retaining member (34) is made of metal. 3. A container-dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the follower (28) has an annular groove (32) in its side away from the base of the body (12), for retention of the stick-form material contents (40). 4. A container-dispenser according to any one of claims 1,2 or 3 characterised in that a stick-form material (40) is present within the container-dispenser and is a glue.

Inventors: HALM, HANS
Applicants: BEECHAM GROUP PLC
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D83
IPC codes: A45D40, B65D83