STICK PACKAGE WITH APPLICATOR SURFACE

Abstract: A package for a stick product (1), such as an antiperspirant stick (4), comprises a barrel (3) for containing the stick, the barrel having an opening through which the stick can be exposed for use, and a product support member (8) for supporting the end of the stick product opposite the end of the stick which is to be exposed. The package, including an applicator surface (6), allows the consumer to rub the product in while avoiding the problem of contacting the underarm with the relatively narrow edge of the barrel. The surface of the product support member (8) has a configuration, in cross section, like that of the applicator surface (6) adjacent the periphery of the opening, so that the product can be used to the bottom of the stick.

Description: Description Stick Package with Applicator Surface Technical Field The present invention is directed to a package for a stick type product (e.g., a solid stick product). More particularly, the invention is directed to an antiperspirant (we include within the term "antiper- spirant" a deodorant, deodorant/antiperspirant or antiperspirant) stick package (e.g., for underarm use) . Background Art A conventional package for a solid stick type product, such as a conventional antiperspirant stick package, comprises a barrel for containing an antiper¬ spirant stick. The barrel has an opening through which a first end of the stick can be exposed for use. A second, opposite end of the antiperspirant stick is supported on a movable product support member within the barrel. The support member can be moved as by pushing or with the use of a screw feed mechanism, for example, for adjusting the amount of the antiperspirant stick which extends beyond the barrel opening. The upper edge of the barrel about the opening is a relatively narrow edge which is not itself adapted to be used in applying the product. To use the antiperspirant stick of this type of conventional package, the user adjusts the stick relative to the barrel until the end of the stick protrudes through the opening of the barrel a suffi¬ cient distance for rubbing the end of the stick against the underarm. This distance is typically one quarter inch to one half inch. The product is elevated with respect to the barrel- to this extent so as to avoid contacting the underarm with the relatively narrow edge of the barrel. The elevated portion of the stick is subject to crumbling, cracking and breakage during use because of the stresses placed on the stick during application, all of the application forces being borne by the stick itself. This conventional antiperspirant stick package is also disadvantageous in that it does not allow the user to precisely control the amount of product which is being applied and, further, because the stick itself cannot be used to the very bottom of the stick without the possibility of contacting the underarm with, e,g., the movable product support member and/or the relatively narrow edge of the barrel. An example of a package for a solid stick type product is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,605,330. The package disclosed in this patent includes a tubular container body with an open, upper end and a lower end substantially closed by a base member. Included within the container body is a follower embedded in and adhered to the solid stick product, the follower being able to be fully retracted within the container body so that the entire inner volume of the container body may be filled with the solid stick product, thereby minimizing wastage of container space. This patent further discloses that the upper edges of the follower structure are curved such that the effective upper surface of the follower is dome-shaped, such curved upper surface being preferred for followers for, e.g., solid antiperspirant packages to maximize consumer comfort and minimize product waste. However, this patent does not contemplate an applicator surface for applying the solid stick type product. Furthermore, this patent does not describe any correspondence between an applicator surface, as part of the package, and the bottom support for the stick-type product. U.S. Patent No. 2,917,765 discloses a dispensing container for materials such as creams, pastes and salves, using a screw-operated piston assembly to expel the material from the container through dispensing openings in a dispensing head onto the dispensing head, the dispensing head then acting as an applicator for applying the material. The material expelled is not a stick-type product; and the dispensing head of this patent, having a plurality of openings therein but not being entirely open over the container, is not usable with a stick-type product within the contemplation of the present invention. Thus, the above-discussed documents do not overcome the disadvantages of prior packages for stick-type products, with respect to application of the product and minimizing product waste. Disclosure of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an improved package for a stick type product which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages with conven¬ tional packages. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide an improved package for a stick type product, such as an antiperspirant product, which overcomes the deficiency of current stick packages related to crumbling, cracking and product breakage during use. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved package for a stick type product having a means for applying the stick with reduced drag (by reduced drag, we mean that the stick can glide more easily on the skin) while allowing the consumer to rub the product in without a relatively narrow barrel edge contacting his or her skin. An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved package for a stick type product which enables the product to be used to the very bottom of the stick. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved package for a stick type product which permits the consumer to deliver a visible adjustable dose of product to be applied and then to apply and rub in the predetermined visible amount of product using the package. These and other objects are attained with the package for a stick type product of the invention which comprises means for supporting a stick type product such that an end of the stick type product can be exposed for use, and an applicator surface provided about at least a portion of the periphery of the stick type product, at the exposed end of the stick type product, to facilitate application of the product. Crumbling, cracking and product breakage during use are prevented with the package of the invention due primarily to the fact that the product " "need only be elevated a slight amount about the-applicator surface as compared to the current stick packages which are elevated much further to avoid contacting the underarm with the relatively narrow edge of the barrel. The reason why breakage and crumbling are prevented or reduced is that the moment arm formed by the product is reduced. According to a preferred form of the invention, the means for supporting the stick type product comprises a barrel for containing the stick type product. The barrel has an opening through which the end of the product can be exposed for use. The applicator surface extends outwardly from the opening of the barrel about at least a portion of the periphery of the opening-, and preferably about the entire periphery. The applicator surface is formed integrally with the barrel in the disclosed, preferred embodiment of the invention but may be formed as a separate member and attached to the barrel. The applicator surface has an inner surface portion, closest to the opening in the barrel, and an outer surface portion extending toward an outer end of the applicator surface. The outer surface portion of the applicator surface is rounded for reducing drag during application of the stick type product. .. The applicator surface has a width sufficient to aid in applying and rubbing in the product. This width is preferably at least about 3/16 inch and more preferably about 1/4 inch or more; and the outer surface portion is rounded with, e.g., a preferred radius of curvature of about 3/16 inch when the width of the applicator surface is 1/4 inch. The applicator surface of the present invention has an inside edge, closest to the opening at the top of the barrel, and an outside edge furthest from the opening at the top of the barrel. When the barrel is held vertically, with the opening at the top, the outside edge of the applicator surface is below the level of the inside edge (with respect to the top of the barrel) , so as to provide a surface to reduce drag during application of the stick type product. For example, the applicator surface can be curved, in extending away from the opening at the top of the barrel, so as to have such outside edge below the level of the inside edge; alternatively, the applicator surface can have a flat portion extending from the inside edge thereof, with a further, curved portion extending from such flat portion, so as to provide the outside edge below the level of the inside edge. The means for supporting the stick type product further comprises a movable product support member for supporting the end of the stick type product opposite the end which can be exposed from the package for use; while not limiting, push-up or propel/repel type packages, among others, can be used to provide support member (and thereby stick) movement. The support member is movable for adjusting the amount of the stick type product which is exposed for use. The support member has a support surface which contacts the stick product. The support surface and at least the portion of the applicator surface adjacent the exposed end of - the stick have like configurations as seen in cross section so that the product can be used to the very bottom of the stick. In one, preferred form of the invention the support surface and the applicator surface have the same outwardly convex configuration as seen in cross section which facilitates application and rubbing in of the product on the curved underarm. In another form of the invention, the support surface and the applicator surface adjacent the exposed end of the stick are both flat as seen in cross section. The applicator surface and the barrel are oval shaped in the preferred form of the invention but could be any other shape including round. The package of the invention is designed to allow the user to deliver a visible adjustable dose of product above the level of the applicator surface which can then be rubbed in. This permits the user to accurately control the amount of product that is applied. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purposes of illustration, several embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the invention for a stick type product, particularly an antiperspirant stick; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of th.e package taken along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the barrel and integral applicator of the package; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and applicator taken along the line A-A in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and applicator taken along the line B-B of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a top view of the movable support member for supporting the bottom of the antiperspirant stick in the package; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the movable support member taken along the line A-A in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the movable- support member taken along the line B-B of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the barrel and applicator for the package of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a top view of a package for a stick type product according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cap for the package not being shown; and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the package of Figure 10 taken along the line A-A.. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to the drawings, a package 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention and its component parts are illustrated in Figures 1-8. The package 1 is especially adapted for use with an antiperspirant stick, but could be used with other stick products such as lip balm, insect repellant, etc. The package 1 comprises a removable cap 2 for closing the package to protect the product therein. The cap is removed to permit application of the product by the user (e.g., where the product is an antiper¬ spirant, the product can be applied to a person's underarms) . The package 1 further comprises a barrel 3 containing an antiperspirant stick 4. The wall of the barrel 3 closely surrounds the stick 4 as shown in Figure 2. Both the stick and barrel are oval shaped in the embodiment of Figures 1-8 but other shapes could be used.- An applicator 5 having an upwardly facing ' applicator surface 6 as shown in Figure 2 is formed integrally with the barrel 3 at the top end thereof. Fig. 5 also shows applicator 5 having applicator surface 6, and also shows back edge 26 of the barrel. The applicator surface 6 extends outwardly from and completely around the periphery of an opening 7 (see Fig. 4) at the upper end of the barrel 3 through which the stick 4 is dispensed for use. The lower end or bottom 8 of the stick 4 is supported within the package on the oval-shaped, movable support member 9 for movement up or down within the package relative to the barrel 3. A central portion of the movable support member 9 is provided with a threaded coupling sleeve 10 for cooperation with an elevator screw 11. The lower end of the elevator screw is axially fixed but rotatable within an opening 12 in the closed, bottom end of the barrel 3. The elevator screw 11 includes a tapered section 13 which can be snap fitted within the opening 12 using resilient tabs 20, in the bottom of the barrel 3 to retain the elevator screw 11 in the position shown in Figure 2 while permitting the screw to be rotated by means of a knob 14 provided on the lower end of the screw. The bottom of the barrel 3 is dished inwardly to accommodate the knob 14 so that the package 1 can stand upright with the lower, outer peripheral portion of " the barrel 3 resting on a flat supporting surface. Rotation of the knob 14 permits the user to raise or lower the movable support member 9 relative to the barrel 3 and thus raise and lower the stick 4 relative to the barrel 3. The stick 4 is shown in its lowered position in Figure 2 with the top of the stick flush with the applicator surface. The several components of the package 1, including the cap 2, barrel 3, applicator 5 and coupling sleeve 10 are preferably each formed of plastic as by molding, although other materials can be used. For example, the cap, barrel and applicator can be made of polypro¬ pylene, with the movable support member made of high-density polyethylene. The elevator screw can be made of talc-filled polypropylene. The molding technique is known in the art. The applicator 5 is formed integrally with the barrel 3 in the embodiment of Figures 1-8 but can be formed as a separate com¬ ponent and attached to the barrel as by snap fitting, for example, as illustrated in the form of the invention shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. The applicator surface 6 about the opening 7 is outwardly convex, as seen in cross section, in the direction of elongation of the oval shaped barrel. This contour lends itself to the smooth application of the antiper¬ spirant stick 4 to the underarm. The applicator surface 6 of the applicator 5 extends outwardly from the stick 4 a sufficient distance to aid in applying and rubbing in the antiperspirant. In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator surface 6 extends approxi¬ mately 1/4 inch beyond the periphery of the stick 4 about the entire periphery of the stick. The outer surface portion of the applicator surface 6 is rounded (curved downward) for reducing drag during application of the antiperspirant. The outer surface portion ends in free end 15, which is below the applicator surface edge adjacent the barrel. The outer surface portion part that downwardly extends to free end 15 of the applicator is a cooperating surface upon which the lower skirt 16 of the cap 2 can be slidably fitted and removed with slight resistance. The cap 2 can have ribs 27 associated therewith to maintain the cap in a proper position relative to the barrel 3. Various well-known techniques can be used to fill the barrel 3 with the stick-type product. For example, the known top-fill method (wherein molten product is poured into the open top of the barrel and the product allowed to solidify) can be used. Moreover, to form a product with a curved upper surface as shown in Fig. 2, the molten product can be poured into the open top of the barrel and allowed to solidify, with the product then being raised to protrude from the top of the barrel (or barrel/applicator) , and the protruding portion then milled or shaved so as to provide the curved upper surface. Such milling or shaving to provide the curved upper surface are techniques known in the art. To use the antiperspirant stick 4 within the package 1, the cap 2 is first removed and then the knob 14 is turned to advance the stick 4 to cause a slight amount, 1/16 inch, for example, of the stick to protrude above the applicator surface 6. The user can then apply the slight amount of the stick above the applicator surface to the skin by rubbing the pro¬ truding end of the stick 4 and the applicator surface 6 against the skin while grasping the package 1. The applicator surface 6 about the periphery of the stick 4 aids in applying and rubbing in the desired amount of antiperspirant. Once the protruding amount of the stick has been applied to the skin, the level of the stick will be essentially flush with the level of the surrounding applicator surface 6. With current stick packages, the stick is normally protruded 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch above the barrel opening, the-reason being- o avoid contacting the underarm with the relatively narrow edge of the barrel. With the present invention a much smaller protrusion of the stick can be used, whereby the moment art formed by the product is reduced to reduce or prevent crumbling, cracking and breakage of the product during use. In addition, the relatively wide, smooth applicator surface 6 which is rounded at its outer edge allows the user to comfortably rub the product into the skin without significant drag. As shown in Figs. 6-8, the movable support member 9 has an upwardly facing support surface 17 for supporting the stick . The support surface and at least the portion of the applicator surface 6 about the opening 7 adjacent the exposed end of the stick have like configurations as seen in cross section. In particular, in the embodiment of Figures 1-8 both the support surface 17 of support member 9 and the appli¬ cator surface 6 have the same outwardly convex curva¬ ture in their direction of elongation as seen in cross section. This is particularly advantageous in that it permits the stick 4 to be used to the very bottom of the stick over substantially the entire cross section of the stick. Figure 9 shows another form of the barrel and applicator, where the applicator is formed as- a separate member and attached to the barrel. Thus, in Figure 9 applicator 5' has a protruding portion 22 which snap-fits into indent 24 on extension 23 of barrel 3. The applicator further includes protrusion 25 which fits against the barrel 3. As can be appre¬ ciated, the applicator 5' is fixedly held on the barrel by protruding portion 22 held in the indent 24. Other means for attaching the separately formed applicator to the barrel, such as adhesives or a friction fit of the applicator on the barrel, can be used within the scope of the present invention. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the applicator 19 and barrel 18 are circular rather than oval shaped as in the embodiment of Figures 1-8. Further, the applicator surface 21 is flat as seen in cross section except that its outer edge is rounded downwardly. The barrel 18 and appli¬ cator 19 shown in Figures 10 and 11 are integrally formed. However, these components could be formed as separate pieces and joined together as by snap fitting, for example. From the above description, taken with the accompanying drawings, it is readily seen that the package for a stick type product of the invention enables the user to protrude only a slight amount of the product above the applicator surface before use to reduce breakage and crumbling of the .product during application and permit accurate control of the amount of the product being applied. The applicator surface of the package also reduces drag. In addition, the package permits the product to be used to the very bottom of the stick. Industrial Applicability As is clear from the foregoing, the package of the present invention has applicability as a package for antiperspirant/deodorant stick products. However, the present package is not limited to antiperspirant/ deodorant stick products, and has applicability to other solid- -stick-type products (e.g., insect repel lant solid stick products) , as exemplary uses. While we have shown and described only several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to numerous changes and modifi- cations as known to those skilled in the art. There¬ for, we do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Claims 1. A package for a stick product comprising means for supporting a stick product such that an end of the stick product can be exposed for use, and an applicator surface provided about at least a portion of the periphery of said stick product, at the exposed end thereof, to facilitate application of the product. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least an outer surface portion of said applicator surface is rounded downwardly for reducing drag during application of the stick product. 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting a stick product comprises a barrel for containing said stick product, said barrel having an opening through which said end of the ' product can be exposed for use, and wherein said applicator surface extends outwardly from said opening about at least a portion of the periphery of said opening. 4. The package according to claim 3, wherein the barrel has an edge forming the opening, the edge being relatively narrow, and the applicator surface is relatively wide as compared to the relatively narrow edge. 5. The package according to claim 4, wherein at least an outer surface portion of said applicator surface is .rounded downwardly for reducing drag during application of the stick product. 6. The package according to claim 3, wherein said applicator surface is formed integrally with said barrel. 7. The package according to claim 6, wherein said applicator surface extends about the entire periphery of said barrel opening. 8. The package according to claim 6, wherein said stick product is an antiperspirant stick. 9. The package according to claim 1, wherein said stick product is a solid stick product. 10. The package according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting includes a product support member for supporting the end of the stick product opposite said end which can be exposed, said support member being movable for adjusting the amount of said stick product which is exposed for use, said support member having a support surface for supporting said product, at least the applicator surface adjacent said exposed end of said stick and said support surface of the support member having like configurations as seen in cross section whereby the product can be used substantially to the bottom of the stick. 11. The package according to claim 10, wherein said support surface and said applicator surface are both outwardly convex as seen in cross section. 12. The package according to claim 10, wherein said support surface and the applicator surface adjacent said exposed end of said stick are both flat as seen in cross section. 13. The package according to claim 1, wherein said applicator surface is oval shaped and outwardly convex in cross section in the elongated direction of said oval shape. 14. A package for a stick product comprising means for containing a stick product,, means for adjusting the product relative to the container means so that an adjustable and visible amount of the product can be exposed beyond an opening in the container means, for using the product, and an applicator surface provided about the periphery of said opening for application and rubbing in of the visible amount of product. 15. The package according to claim 14, wherein at least an outer surface portion of said applicator surface is rounded downwardly for reducing drag during application of the stick product. 16. In an antiperspirant stick package comprising a barrel for containing a stick of antiperspirant, the barrel having an edge forming an opening through which the stick can be -exposed for use, and means for adjusting the stick relative to the barrel ' so that an adjustable and visible amount of the stick can be exposed through said opening of the barrel, the improvement comprising an applicator surface provided about at least a portion of the periphery of said opening for application and rubbing in of the visible amount bf product. 17. The antiperspirant stick package according to claim 16, wherein the barrel edge is relatively narrow, and the applicator surface is relatively wide as compared to the width of the barrel edge. 18. The antiperspirant stick package according to claim 17, wherein the applicator surface has an outer surface portion, the outer surface portion being rounded downwardly for reducing drag during application of the antiperspirant. 19. The antiperspirant stick package according to claim 17, wherein the applicator surface extends - outside of the barrel edge. 20. A package for a stick product comprising means for supporting a stick product such that an end , of the stick product can be exposed for use, the means for supporting a stick product including a stick surrounding member for surrounding the stick and having an open end such that the stick product can be exposed, the stick surrounding member, at said open end, being outwardly convex as seen in cross section. 21. The package according to claim 20, wherein the stick surrounding member is a barrel, the barrel having an open end such that the stick product can be exposed. 22. The package according to claim 20, wherein the stick surrounding member is oval shaped and outwardly convex in cross section in the elongated direction of the oval shape. 23. A package for a stick product comprising means for containing a stick product, and means for adjusting the product relative to the containing means so that an adjustable and visible amount of the product can be exposed beyond an opening in the containing means, for using the product, said opening being in an end of the containing means, wherein the containing means, at the open end, is outwardly convex as seen in cross section. 24. The package according to claim 23, wherein the means for adjusting includes a product support member, said support member being movable for adjusting the amount of said stick product which is exposed for use, and wherein the containing means, at the open end, and the support member, have like configurations as seen in cross section. 25. The package according to claim 24, wherein the support member has a support surface for supporting said product; and wherein the containing means, at the open end thereof, and the support surface, have like configurations as seen in cross section whereby the product can be used substantially to the bottom of the stick.

Inventors: FATTORI JOSEPH E, SUFFIS ROBERT, FATTORI, JOSEPH, E., SUFFIS, ROBERT
Applicants: MENNEN CO, THE MENNEN COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A45D40
IPC codes: A45D40