Patent Publication Number: US-10315832-B2

Title: Consumer product package

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The consumer products industry is continually releasing a variety of new and improved consumer products. As such, the consumer products industry is continually providing to the consumers a wide variety of product packages to dispense and deliver this ever-growing variety of products. However, each new package platform creates added design, manufacturing, inventory, and ancillary costs. As such, there is a need for improved consumer product packages that can serve as dispensing and delivery packages for multiple products. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a dispensing package includes a longitudinal axis; a shell including a chamber disposed within the shell, a first end, a plurality of shell protrusions extending downwardly from the first end, and a second end opposite the first end; a screw assembly including a protrusion extending from the screw assembly, the protrusion of the screw assembly constructed to engage at least one of the plurality of shell protrusions, a screw base disposed adjacent to the first end and rotatably associated with the shell, and a spindle extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis from the screw base through the bottom wall into the chamber, wherein the spindle includes threads disposed about an outer surface of the spindle; and an elevator platform threadably engaged to the threads of the spindle. 
     In another aspect, a dispensing package includes a longitudinal axis; a shell including a chamber disposed within the shell and constructed to contain a consumer product; a first end including a plurality of shell protrusions extending downwardly, and a second end opposite the first end; a screw assembly including a protrusion extending from the screw assembly, the protrusion of the screw assembly constructed to engage at least one of the plurality of shell protrusions, a screw base disposed adjacent to the first end and rotatably associated with the shell, and a spindle extending from the screw base through the bottom wall into the chamber coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the package, wherein the spindle includes threads disposed about an outer surface of the spindle; and an elevator platform threadably engaged to the threads of the spindle, wherein a dose of product defined by the movement of the protrusion of the screw assembly from a first space between a first set of adjacent shell protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions to a second space between a second set of adjacent protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions is from about 0.05 g to about 2.0 g. 
     In yet another aspect, a dispensing package includes a longitudinal axis; a shell, a chamber disposed within the shell and constructed to contain a consumer product, a first end including a plurality of shell protrusions extending downwardly from the first end and a second end opposite the first end; a screw assembly including a protrusion extending from the screw assembly, wherein the protrusion of the screw assembly constructed to engage at least one of the plurality of shell protrusions, a screw base disposed adjacent to the first end and rotatably associated with the shell, and a spindle extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis from the screw base through the bottom wall into the chamber, wherein the spindle including threads disposed about an outer surface of the spindle; and an elevator platform threadably engaged to the threads of the spindle, wherein when the screw base is rotated causing the protrusion of the screw assembly to engage and slide over one of the plurality of shell protrusions, such engagement does not cause the elevator platform to deflect along the longitudinal axis. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric of a dispensing package according to one or more aspects; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded top isometric view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top planar view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is bottom planar view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an inner shell of the dispensing package of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of the inner shell of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of another dispensing package according to one or more aspects; 
         FIG. 11  is a detail, cross sectional view of a plug of the dispensing package of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of another dispensing package according to one or more aspects; and 
         FIG. 13  is a detail view of the dispensing package of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following text sets forth a broad description of numerous different aspects. The description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible aspect since describing every possible aspect would be impractical, if not impossible, and it will be understood that any feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein can be deleted, combined with or substituted for, in whole or part, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein. Numerous alternative aspects could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this specification, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). No term is intended to be essential unless so stated. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such a claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. 
     In one or more aspects described and shown herein, the personal care product or composition may be an antiperspirant and deodorant composition which can be formulated as any known or otherwise effective product suitable for delivering an antiperspirant and deodorant active to the desired area of the skin. Nonlimiting examples of such product forms include liquids such as roll-ons; solids such as gel solids, solid sticks, and suspensoids; semi-solids/liquids such as soft solids, creams and lotions. 
     The one or more aspects of the dispensing package described and shown herein may dispense these personal care compositions which are intended for topical application to the underarm or other suitable areas of the skin. The personal care composition may be deodorant and antiperspirant compositions. The personal care composition may comprise an active ingredient and a suspending or thickening agent incorporated into a suitable liquid carrier. In this context, the term “active” may be antiperspirant actives, deodorant actives, or fragrances, and include any known or otherwise safe and effective antiperspirant, deodorant, or fragrance active material. The terms “antiperspirant active” and “deodorant active” may be topical materials which can prevent, decrease, or eliminate malodors and/or perspiration wetness. 
     The term “fragrance” as used herein specifically refers to any topical material which covers or masks malodors resulting from perspiration, or which otherwise provides the composition with the desired perfumed aroma. 
     In some aspects, the personal care product includes a composition that does not weep under pressure, including but not limited to, compositions that do not include silicone, functional equivalents, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , an illustrative dispensing package is shown as  1 . The dispensing package  1  includes a longitudinal axis L-L′. In some aspects the dispensing package  1  may include an outer shell  10 . The outer shell  10  may comprise any variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and/or configurations. In some aspects, such as the one shown in the figures, the outer shell  10  may include a side wall  12 , a first open end  14 , and a second open end  16 , opposite the first open end. The side wall  12  may form a chamber  18  therein, connecting the first and second open ends  14  and  16 , respectively. In some aspects, the chamber  18  may be constructed to receive a second shell that is at least partially inserted therein (e.g., inner shell  20  shown and described below). 
     The dispensing package  1  may further include an inner shell  20  that may insert at least partially into the chamber  18  of the outer shell  10 . In some aspects the outer shell  10  and inner shell  20  are coaxially-aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis L-L′. In some aspects such as the one shown in the figures, the inner shell  20  may include a side wall  22 , a bottom wall  23 , a first open end or opening  24  disposed through the bottom wall, and a second open end or opening  26 , opposite the first open end. The side wall  22  and bottom wall  23  of the inner shell may form a chamber  28  therein, connecting the first and second open ends  24  and  26 , respectively. In some aspects, such as the example shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , the first open end or opening  24  may comprise an angled opening such that first open end or opening  24  may have a first diameter (D) and then angle radially inwardly to a second diameter (d) spaced apart from the first diameter as best shown in  FIG. 8 . In this aspect, the chamber  28  of the inner shell  20  may be constructed to contain and/or hold a consumer product such as those described herein until the consumer product is dispensed therefrom. 
     In the aspect shown, the first open end  24  of the inner shell  20  may include a plurality of shell protrusions  34  that extend downwardly away from the first open end  24  and/or the bottom wall  23 . In some aspects, each one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  are disposed sequentially adjacent to the next one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  about the first open end  24 . In some aspects, the first open end  24  is circular in shape and thus the shell protrusions  34  are disposed about the first open end  24  in a circular shape. In the aspect shown, the bottom wall  23  and first open end  24  are integral to the side wall  22 . In some aspects, the shell protrusions  34  comprise from about 1 protrusion to about 60 protrusions, from about 10 protrusions to about 50 protrusions, or from about 15 protrusions to about 40 protrusions. 
     In some aspects, each pair of adjacent protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  does not include a gap between them. However, in the aspects shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , each pair of adjacent protrusions  34  includes a gap  35  (e.g., first gap  35   a , second gap  35   b , any subsequent gap  35   n , shown in, for example,  FIG. 9 ) between them. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , another aspect of package  1  is shown. The package  1 , in this aspect, may include some or substantially all of the same components and features as the aspect described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-9 . In this aspect, the inner shell  20  does not include a bottom wall integrally connected to the side wall  22 . As such, the side wall  22  forms the first end opening  24 . Instead, the inner shell  20  includes an attachable bottom wall or plug  25  that may be inserted into the first open end  24  and connected and/or sealed to the side wall  22  at the first open end  24  as conventionally known. In some aspects such as the one shown, the plug  25  snap-fits into the inner shell  20  via snap tabs that insert into snap apertures. In some aspects the plug  25  is welded to the inner shell  20 . 
     The plug  25  may include an opening  27  centrally positioned and disposed therethrough. As shown, the opening may be an angled opening such that at one end the opening may have a first diameter (D) and then angle inwardly to a second diameter (d). The bottom wall or plug  25  may include the plurality of shell protrusions  34  extending downwardly away from the bottom wall (or a portion of bottom wall such as, for example, plug wall  29 ) and disposed about the opening  27 . In other words, the bottom wall, its opening, and the shell protrusions  34  are not integrally formed with the side wall  22  (i.e., a plug-style package) as shown and described above with regard the first aspect. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-13 , another aspect of package  1  is shown. In this aspect, the package  1  does not include a separate outer shell  10 . Rather, shell  20  acts as both an inner and outer shell. Shell  20  may include some of or all of the features and components of the one or more aspects shown and described above herein. As shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , the aspect includes the plurality of shell protrusions  34  extending downwardly from the first open end  24  and/or from the bottom wall  23 . 
     The shell protrusions  34  described and shown above are only examples of one or more configurations. It is understood that the shell protrusions  34  in the one or more aspects set forth above herein may include any variety of types of protrusions having any variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and configurations, including but not limited to nubs, pawls, tabs, ramps, cams, teeth, ratchet teeth, the like, and/or combinations thereof. In the aspects shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , the protrusions  34  are shell pawls. 
     In some aspects, the shell protrusions  34  may including teeth having a cam surface (not shown) and a side wall (not shown), but well known in the art and as described and shown in co-pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/971,943, titled Package for Consumer Care Products, filed Dec. 16, 2015; U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,356, Johnson et al., issued Mar. 19, 1991, P&amp;G; U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,483, Szekely, issued Mar. 21, 2000, The Plastek Group, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. The chamber teeth may have a height (H) from about 0.010 in. to about 0.100 in. The cam surface may also have a cam angle a from about 10 degrees to about 75 degrees, form about 15 degrees to about 50 degrees, from about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees, or from about 40 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some aspects, cam angle a is about 20 degrees. These teeth and their position on the inner shell  20  may be constructed to not provide pressure relief to the product contained within the chamber  20 . 
     In the aspect shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , the protrusions  34  are pawls or nubs having a height (h) from about 0.005 in. to about 0.060 in., or from about 0.010 in. to about 0.050 in., or from about 0.025 to about 0.040 in. In some aspects, the protrusions  34  are constructed in order to provide no pressure relief to reduce and/or eliminate weeping of the product contained within the chamber  28 . In this aspect, the protrusions  34  are positioned about the first open end  24  such that there is the gap  35  between each adjacent pair of protrusions  34  (e.g., first gap  35   a , second gap, etc.). The protrusions  34  are constructed to provide micro-dosing indicia to the consumer through audio queues such as, an audio signal (e.g., a “clicking” sound) and/or tactile queues such as resistance to the rotation of the screw base  52 . In some aspects, a micro-dose may comprise a dose of product from about 0.05 grams to about 2.0 grams (e.g., per click), or from about 0.05 grams to about 0.19 grams (e.g., per click), or from 0.05 grams (e.g., per click) to about 0.15 grams (e.g., per click), or less than about 0.2 grams (e.g., per click). It is understood that such doses may also be provided by requiring multiple clicks to achieve such dosage. 
     It should also be understood that, in some aspects, the plurality of shell protrusions  34  may also be disposed at the first open end  14  of the outer shell  10  rather than the first open end  24  of the inner shell  20 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , in one or more of the aspects described and shown above herein, the dispensing package  1  may include a screw assembly  50 . The screw assembly  50  may be partially or fully inserted into the first open end  24  of the inner shell  20 . The screw assembly  50  may include a screw base  52 , a spindle  54  extending from the screw base  52  and having an outer surface  56 , and threads  58  disposed along the outer surface  56  about at least a portion of the spindle  54 . 
     The screw base  52  may include one or more protrusions extending upwardly from the screw base. In the aspect shown in the figures, the screw base  52  may include a top surface  60  and protrusions  62  (e.g., four protrusions) extending upwardly from the base  52 . The protrusions  62  extend radially outward from the center of the screw base  52  (and the longitudinal axis L-L′) and are spaced apart about 90 degrees from each other. The screw assembly  50  and protrusions  62  are constructed such that each one of the protrusions  62  may engage at least one of the shell protrusions  34  when the screw assembly  50  is inserted within the first open end  24  of the inner shell  20 . The screw assembly  50  may be partially or fully inserted into the first open end  24  of the inner shell  20  such that the spindle  54  is movably associated with and disposed within the chamber  28 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, each one of the protrusions  62  may be positioned within a first space (e.g., first space  35   a ,  FIG. 9 ) between adjacent protrusions of the second plurality of protrusions  34  when the screw assembly  50  is assembled with at least the inner shell  20 . 
     The package  1  may also include an elevator platform  70  movably engaged to the spindle  54  of the screw assembly  50 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the elevator platform  70  may include an aperture  72  disposed therethrough having internal threads  74 . The external threads  58  of the spindle  54  are constructed to threadingly engage the internal threads  74  of the elevator platform  70 . The threads  58  may have a variety of pitches constructed to move the elevator platform  70  a certain linear distance per an entire 360 degree rotation of the screw base  52 . 
     As an example, when a rotational force (e.g., illustrated by arrow A or arrow B) is applied to the screw base  52  by a user, the screw assembly  50 , including the spindle  54 , rotates causing the threads  58  to rotate within the aperture  72  and moving the elevator platform  70  in a linear direction along the longitudinal axis L-L′. Simultaneously, when the screw base  52  rotates, each one of the protrusions  62  moves from the first space  35   a , engaging (e.g., sliding up and over the protrusions  34 ) a respective one of the protrusions  34  and into a second adjacent space  35   b  on the opposite side of the engaged protrusions  34 . When the screw assembly  50  is rotated, the elevator platform  70  is displaced a linear length along the longitudinal axis L-L′ due to the pitch of the threads  58 . In an aspect, the engagement and movement of the protrusions  62  over the protrusions  34  does not displace the elevator platform  70  such as for example, a distance equal to the protrusions (h). Such engagement and movement of the protrusions displaces the screw base  52  downwardly and does not displace or move the elevator platform  70 . In other words, in an aspect, the elevator platform is only moved by the pitch of the threads  58  of the spindle and not by the engagement of the protrusions  62  with the protrusions  34 . 
     The movement and/or engagement of the protrusions  62  with the respective protrusions  34  from the first space  35   a  to the subsequent positioning into the second space  35   b  may create an audio queue or signal such as, for example, a “click.” It should be understood that the user may continue to rotate and cause the protrusions  62  to engage one or more of the shell protrusions  34  and into one or more of the adjacent spaces  35   n  until a desired dose is achieved. Additionally, such movement and/or engagement of the protrusions  62  with the shell protrusions  34  may provide a resistance to the rotation of the screw base  52  that the user may sense, providing a tactile queue to the user as well. Such queues may identify to the user that a dose of the product has been dispensed. Instructions may be provided to the user, in some aspects, identifying how many “clicks” and/or rotations into adjacent spaces  35   n  are required for a normal product dose. By controlling parameters such as, for example, the shape, size (e.g., height), spacing, and/or frequency of protrusions  34 , the user&#39;s dosing experience and control is impacted. The protrusions  62  and the shell protrusions  34  may be constructed to not provide pressure relief to the product contained within the chamber  28 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     
         
         1. A dispensing package  1 , the dispensing package comprising:
       a longitudinal axis;   a shell  20  comprising
           a chamber  28  disposed within the shell  20 ,   a first end  24 ,   a plurality of shell protrusions  34  extending from the first end  24 , and   a second end  26  opposite the first end  24 ;   
           a screw assembly  50  comprising
           a protrusion  62  extending from the screw assembly, the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  constructed to engage at least one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34 ,   a screw base  52  disposed adjacent to the first end  24  and rotatably associated with the shell  20 , and   a spindle  54  extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis from the screw base  52  through the bottom wall  23  into the chamber  28 , the spindle  54  including threads  58  disposed about an outer surface  56  of the spindle  54 ; and   
           an elevator platform  70  threadably engaged to the threads  58  of the spindle  54 .   
     
         2. The dispensing package according to example 1, wherein a dose defined by the movement of the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  from a first space  35   a  between a first set of adjacent shell protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions to a second space  35   b  between a second set of adjacent shell protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions is from about 0.05 g to about 2.0 g. 
         3. The dispensing package according to example 1 or 2, wherein the dose is from about 0.05 g to about 1.0 g. 
         4. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-3, wherein one of the shell protrusions  34  in the first set and second set of adjacent shell protrusions is in common. 
         5. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-4, wherein the shell  20  further comprises a bottom wall  23  disposed at the first end  24  such that the plurality of shell protrusions  34  extend away from the bottom wall and preferably wherein the shell  20  further comprises a opening  24  disposed within the bottom wall  23  for bottom filling. 
         6. The dispensing package according to any one of the examples 1-5, wherein the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from the screw assembly, and wherein each one is constructed to engage a shell protrusion  34  of the plurality of shell protrusions. 
         7. The dispensing package according to example 6, wherein each one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  extends downwardly from the bottom wall  23 , and wherein preferably each one of the plurality of protrusions  62  of the screw assembly  50  extends upwardly from the screw base  52  such that each one the plurality of protrusions  62  of the screw assembly  50  is constructed to engage at least one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  and wherein preferably the protrusions  62  extending from the screw assembly  50  comprise four protrusions extending from the screw assembly disposed about 90 degrees from each other about the longitudinal axis. 
         8. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 5 or 7, wherein the bottom wall is a plug  25  that is constructed to insert into and connect to an open end disposed at the first end  24  of the shell  20  after filling the chamber  28  with product. 
         9. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-6, wherein the plurality of shell protrusions  34  extend upwardly away the bottom wall  23 , and wherein the screw assembly  50  preferably further comprises a platform  64  extending radially from the spindle  54  and spaced apart from the screw base  52 , and wherein each one of the plurality of protrusions  62  of the screw assembly  50  extend downwardly from the platform and is constructed to engage a protrusion of the plurality of shell protrusions  34 . 
         10. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-9, wherein when the screw base  52  is rotated causing the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  to engage and slide over one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34 , such engagement does not cause the elevator platform  70  to deflect along the longitudinal axis. 
         11. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-10, wherein the plurality of shell protrusions  34  comprises from 1 protrusion to 60 protrusions, preferably from 10 protrusions to 50 protrusions, and preferably the plurality of shell protrusions have a height (h) from about 0.005 in to about 0.060 in. 
         12. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-11, wherein the plurality of shell protrusions  34  or the plurality of protrusions  62  of the screw assembly  50  are selected from the following group of protrusions: teeth, pawls, ratchet, cams, ramps, and combinations thereof and preferably the plurality of shell protrusions and the plurality of protrusions of the screw assembly are non-removably associated with the chamber. 
         13. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-12, wherein the screw assembly  50  is removably attached to the chamber  28 . 
         14. The dispensing package according any one of the examples 1-13, further comprising an outer shell  10 . 
         15. The dispensing package according to example 1, wherein the chamber  28  disposed within the shell  20  and is constructed to contain a consumer product, and wherein a dose of the product is defined by the movement of the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  from a first space  35   a  between a first set of adjacent shell protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  to a second space  35   b  between a second set of adjacent protrusions of the plurality of shell protrusions  34  is from about 0.05 g to about 2.0 g. 
         16. A dispensing package according to example 1 wherein when the screw base  52  is rotated causing the protrusion  62  of the screw assembly  50  to engage and slide over one of the plurality of shell protrusions  34 , such engagement does not cause the elevator platform  70  to deflect along the longitudinal axis. 
       
    
     It should be understood that any feature and/or element of any one of the aspects and/or examples shown and described above herein may be removed from the aspect and/or example, replaced with a feature or element from another aspect or example herein or replaced with an equivalent feature or element. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.