Patent Publication Number: US-2022232947-A1

Title: Reusable deodorant stick device

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The claimed invention relates generally to deodorant, and more specifically to a reusable deodorant stick device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A “deodorant” or “deodorant composition” or “deodorant substance,” is a substance applied to the human body to prevent or mask body odor due to bacterial breakdown of perspiration. Typically, deodorants are used in the armpit region, but can be applied to any part of the human body prone to perspiration. A subclass of deodorants—antiperspirants—prevents sweating itself, typically by blocking sweat glands. Antiperspirants are used on a wide range of body parts, at any place where sweat would be inconvenient or unsafe, since unwanted sweating can interfere with comfort, vision, and grip. Generally, deodorant is packaged into “deodorant sticks” using rigid material to enclose the deodorant and includes a rotatable mechanism to displace a platform—positioned at the base of the deodorant—along a threaded shaft to expose the deodorant through an aperture at one end of the deodorant stick. After the deodorant has been consumed (e.g., the deodorant stick is empty) the empty deodorant stick is discarded. One long felt need of the deodorant industry is to reduce the quantity of resources used for deodorant stick packaging. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Aspects of the disclosure include a deodorant stick device to apply a deodorant composition to a surface of a human body. The deodorant stick device comprising a body component configured to contain a deodorant composition; a base component configured to couple a first end of the body component to a first surface of the base component; a handle component configured to rotate a shaft component extending from a handle surface, wherein the shaft component extends through a first hole positioned on the base component; a cartridge adapter positioned along the shaft component; and a cap component configured to couple to a second end of the body component. The cartridge adapter positioned approximately opposite the handle component. The base component positioned along the shaft component between the handle component and the cartridge adapter. The cartridge adapter configured to engage a cartridge component. The cartridge adapter configured to impart a rotational force on the cartridge component using the handle component. The body component further comprising: an elongate body extending between the first end and the second end; a first aperture positioned at the first end; a second aperture positioned at the second end; and a channel extending between the first and the second along the length of the elongate body. The first hole extends between the first surface of the base component and a second surface of the base component, wherein the second surface is positioned opposite the first surface. The elongate body includes a first thickness and a second thickness. The cartridge component further comprising a cartridge base component configured to couple the cartridge component to the base component; a rotatable cartridge component configured to engage the cartridge adapter; 
     a cartridge shaft extending from a top surface of the rotatable cartridge component, wherein the cartridge shaft includes a shaft thread that extends substantially along the length of the cartridge shaft from a first cartridge shaft end to a second cartridge shaft end; and a cartridge platform positioned along the cartridge shaft, wherein the cartridge shaft extends through a threaded hole positioned on the cartridge platform. The cartridge platform displaced linearly along the length of the cartridge shaft when the body component is coupled to the base component and the handle component is rotated. 
     Further aspects of the disclosure include a cartridge device to apply a deodorant composition to a surface of a human body. The cartridge device comprising: a cartridge base component configured to couple the cartridge device to a base component of a deodorant stick device; a cartridge component configured to couple to a cartridge adapter of the deodorant stick device; a cartridge shaft extending from a top surface of the cartridge component, wherein the cartridge shaft includes a shaft thread that extends substantially along the length of the cartridge shaft from a first end to a second end; and a cartridge platform positioned along the cartridge shaft, wherein the cartridge shaft extends through a threaded hole positioned on the cartridge platform. The cartridge base may include a snap hook mechanism extending from a first surface of the cartridge base. The snap hook mechanism configured to extend through an aperture positioned on the base component to couple the cartridge device to the base component. The cartridge adapter configured to impart a rotational force on the cartridge shaft through the cartridge adapter using a handle component, wherein the handle component is coupled to the cartridge adapter. The cartridge shaft configured to impart a rotational force on the cartridge platform. The cartridge platform configured to displace linearly along the length of the cartridge shaft when the rotational degrees of freedom of the cartridge platform are limited. 
     Further aspects of the disclosure include a method of assembling a deodorant stick device. The method comprising: connecting a cartridge component to a base component, wherein the cartridge component includes a mechanism to couple the cartridge to the base component, a rotating shaft and a platform positioned along the length of the shaft; and connecting a body component to the base component, wherein the body component is an elongate rigid body that couples to the base component and substantially encloses the deodorant composition positioned on the platform. The method further comprising connecting a cartridge component to a handle component configured to impart a rotational force on the rotating shaft to displace the platform linearly along the length of the shaft. Connecting the body component to the base component may include a snap fit hook mechanism to couple the body component to the base component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 2C  depicts an exploded orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a bottom view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 3D  depicts a cross-sectional front view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 3E  depicts a cross-sectional front view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a body component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a body component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 4C  depicts a bottom view of an illustrative embodiment of a body component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cover component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cartridge component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cartridge component of a deodorant stick device. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of a deodorant stick device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to a deodorant stick device configured to apply a deodorant composition to a surface of the human body. A deodorant stick device may include a plurality of components configured to enable a user to apply a deodorant composition and refill the deodorant stick device after the deodorant composition is consumed. A deodorant stick device may include a plurality of components such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following: a base component, a handle component, a body component, a cartridge component, and a cover component. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a base component may include a top surface and a bottom surface of the base having oval dimensions—in further implementations, the top surface and/or bottom surface of the base component may include different geometric configurations such as, e.g., rectangular, circular, triangular, etc. A base component may include a side surface extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the base component. A base component may include a mechanism to engage a body component such that the body component couples to the base component. A base component may include a mechanism to engage a handle component such that the handle component couples to the base component. A base component may include a hole positioned on, or proximate to, the center of a top surface of the base component that extends through a bottom surface of the base component. A base component may include a recess positioned on, or proximate to, the center of a top surface of the base component. A base component may include a recess and a hole positioned on a top surface of the base component, the recess having a diameter greater than the hole. A base component may extend between a top surface and a bottom surface such that a height of the base component, h base , is greater than the depth of a recess, h recess , extending from a top surface of the base component toward a bottom surface of the base component. A base component may include a cavity, or plurality of cavities, positioned between a top surface and a bottom surface of the base component such that a portion of the base component is devoid of material. A base component may include a cavity extending from a bottom surface to an upper portion of the base component. A base component may have one or more apertures positioned on a top surface of the base component. A base component may have an aperture positioned on a top surface of the base component extending from the top surface to a cavity of the base component. A base component may include one or more overhangs positioned along an inner surface of the base component between a top surface and a bottom surface of the base component. A base component may include an overhang on an inner surface configured to couple a separate component to the base component by engaging a complementary aspect of the separate component such as, e.g., a snap hook mechanism. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a handle component may include a rigid member configured to rotate about a central axis of rotation. A handle component may include a shaft extending from a rigid member. A handle component may include a cartridge adapter positioned along a shaft that extends from a rigid member. A handle component may include a rigid member configured to impart a rotational force on a cartridge adapter positioned along a shaft extending from the rigid member. A handle component may include a cartridge adapter configured to engage—and impart torque on—a cartridge component. A handle component may include a cartridge adapter with dimensions complementary to a recess positioned along a top surface of a base component. A handle component may be configured to couple to a base component. A handle component may couple to a base component by inserting a shaft extending from a rigid member of the handle component through a hole positioned on a surface of the base component. A handle component may include a cartridge adapter configured to engage a shaft extending from a rigid member such that the handle component couples to a base component. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a deodorant stick device includes a base component coupled to a handle component. The base component may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole extending from the bottom surface to the top surface through a body of the base component. The hole of the base component positioned at about a center point of the top surface. The handle component may include a shaft extending from a rigid member and a cartridge adapter positioned opposite the rigid member along the shaft. The handle component configured to couple to a base component by inserting the shaft through a hole in a bottom surface of the base component such that a cartridge adapter is positioned proximate to a top surface of the base component. When assembled (e.g., the handle component is coupled to the base component), the handle component configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the top surface of the base component such that rotating the handle component imparts a rotational force on the cartridge adapter. The base component may include a recess on a top surface of the base component where the recess has complementary dimensions to a cartridge adapter. The base component may include a recess having a larger surface area than a cartridge adapter. The base component may be configured to couple to a handle component where the base component is positioned between a rigid member and a cartridge adapter of the handle component. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a body component may include an elongate body that includes a rigid outer surface extending between a top end of the body component and a bottom end of the body component. The top surface and the bottom surface may have an oblong shape. Further implementations may include different geometric configurations for the top surface and bottom surface—such as, e.g., rectangle, circle, etc. The body component may include a hollow channel extending from a top surface to a bottom surface. The body component may include a hollow channel extending along the length of an elongate rigid member. The body component may include a first aperture on a top surface and a second aperture on a bottom surface. The body component may include a protruding member, or a plurality of protruding members, configured to engage a base component. The body component may include a magnet configured to engage a base component. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a deodorant stick device includes joining a body component and a base component using a coupling mechanism. A body component may include a bottom surface of the body component substantially similar in geometric configuration (e.g., complementary) to a top surface of the base component such that the bottom surface of the body component may mate with the complementary top surface of the base component. A body component may include a coupling mechanism such as, but not limited to, a mechanical mechanism (e.g., mechanical joint, snap hook, cantilever, screw, rod, etc.) or a magnetic mechanism (e.g., a first magnet proximate to a surface of the body component and a second magnet proximate to a surface of the base component). A body component may include one or more buttons configured to engage, or disengage, the body component and a base component. Disassembly of the deodorant stick device may include separating the body component and the base component. Disassembly may include using the coupling mechanism, or applying an external force, to separate the body component and the base component. Disassembling a deodorant stick device may include using a tool configured to disengage two or more components from each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  depicting a cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of a deodorant stick device. Deodorant stick device  100  may be configured to store, transport, dispense, etc., a deodorant composition contained within deodorant stick device  100 . Deodorant stick device  100  may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of components such as: a handle component  200 , a base component  300 , a body component  400 , a cover component  500 , and a cartridge component  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A  depicting an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component. In the present embodiment, a handle component  200  includes a rigid member  202  with an rigid member top surface  204 . A shaft  210  extends from the rigid member top surface  204  perpendicular to rigid member  202 . A cartridge adapter  220  positioned opposite rigid member  202  along shaft  210 . The cartridge adapter  220  may include a mechanism configured to couple cartridge adapter  220  to and shaft  210 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B  depicting a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component. In the present embodiment, a cartridge adapter  220  may include a recess  222  that extends into cartridge adapter  220  toward rigid member top surface  204 . Recess  222  may include a plurality of teeth  224  configured to engage a separate component—such as, e.g., a cartridge component  600 . Plurality of teeth  224  may be inset of a top surface circumference  226  having a thickness in which the plurality of teeth  224  protrude from. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C  depicting an exploded orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a handle component. In the present embodiment, a cartridge adapter  220  is configured to couple/decouple from a shaft  210  extending from an rigid member top surface  204  of rigid member  202 . Shaft  210  including a first shaft end  212  configured to engage cartridge adapter  220 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A  depicting an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component. In the present embodiment, a base component  300  includes an elongate body  302  with a base top surface  304  and a base top surface  306 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B  depicting a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component. In the present embodiment, a base top surface  304  includes a hole  310  extending from base top surface  304  through an elongate body  302  to base bottom surface  306 . The hole  310  may be positioned at about a center point of base top surface  304 . The hole  310  may be configured to engage the shaft  210  of handle component  200 . Base top surface  304  may include a base recess  312  configured to engage a cartridge adapter  220  of handle component  200 . Base recess  312  is positioned at about a center point of the base top surface  304 . Base recess  312  may extend into elongate body  302  toward base bottom surface  306 . Base recess  312  may extend a depth, Di, that is less than the height, H 1 , of elongate body  302  between base top surface  304  and base bottom surface  306 . Base recess  312  may include a radius, R 1 , that is greater than a radius, R 2 , of hole  310 . Base top surface  304  may include a pair of outer apertures  322  configured to engage a body component  400 , and couple body component  400  to base top surface  304  of the base component  300 . Base top surface  304  may include a pair of inner apertures  320  configured to engage a cartridge component  600 , and couple cartridge component  600  to base top surface  304  of the base component  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C  depicting a bottom view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component. In the present embodiment, a base bottom surface  306  of base component  300  is positioned opposite top surface  304 . Base bottom surface  306  may include a hole  310 , a pair of inner apertures  320 , a pair of outer apertures  322 , and base cavities  330 . Hole  310  may extend from base top surface  304  through elongate body  302  to base bottom surface  306 . Base cavities  330  may include one or more portions of base component  300  that are devoid of material. Base cavities  330  may extend from base bottom surface  306  to an upper portion of base component  300 . Pair of inner apertures  320  may extend from base top surface  304  through base component  300  to base cavities  330 . Pair of outer apertures  322  may extend from base top surface  304  through base component  300  to base cavities  330 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D  depicting a cross-sectional front view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component. In the present embodiment, base component  300  may include a base shaft  310  and a base recess  312  within elongate body  302 . Base component  300  may be configured to engage a handle component—such as, e.g., handle component  200 . Base shaft  310  may be configured to engage the shaft of a handle component—such as, e.g., shaft  210  of handle component  200 . Base recess  312  may be configured to engage a separate component—such as, e.g., cartridge adapter  220  of handle component  200 . Base component  300  may be configured such that a rigid member  202  of handle component  200  may rotate about an axis of rotation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3E  depicting a cross-sectional front view of an illustrative embodiment of a base component. Base component  300  may be configured to engage a handle component, a body component, and a cartridge component—such as, e.g., handle component  200 , body component  400 , and cartridge component  600 . Base component  300  may include a pair of base cavities.  330  (two cavities of base cavities  330  are shown by way of example, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited to two). Base cavities  330  may be positioned within the interior of base component  300  such that a portion of base component  300  is hollow or substantially devoid of material. Base cavities  330  may be configured to enable a user to disengage one or more components of deodorant stick device  100 . Base cavities  330  may be configured to enable a user to access a protrusion that couples a separate component to base component  300 —such as, e.g., access a protrusion of body component  400  and/or cartridge component  600 . Base cavities  330  may include one or more portions of base component  300  with a hollow interior accessible from base bottom surface  306  of base component  300 . Although shown as substantially rectangular, base cavities  330  may be of any conceivable geometric configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A  depicting an orthogonal view of an illustrative embodiment of a body component  400 . Body component  400  may include an elongate body  402 , a body top end  404 , a body bottom end  406 , and/or body protrusions  410 . Elongate body  402  may be made of a durable material configured to encase a chemical composition (e.g., a deodorant). Elongate body  402  may be hollow, or substantially devoid of, material such that elongate body  402  may enclose, or substantially enclose, a chemical composition or other components (e.g., mechanical/electrical components). Body component  400  may include a body top end  404  positioned along elongate body  402 . Body component  400  may include a body bottom end  406  opposite body top end  404  relative to elongate body  402 . Body top end  404  or body bottom end  406  may be of any two-dimensional shape from a top view perspective. Elongate body  402  may include one or more protrusions  410  (two protrusions is shown by way of example and is non-limiting). Protrusions  410  may be positioned opposite, or substantially opposite, top end  404  with respect to elongate body  402 . Protrusions  410  may be useful to connect elongate body  402  to a second component. In alternative embodiments, a magnetic device (e.g., individual magnet, magnetic ring around a surface of elongate body  402 , etc.) may be utilized to perform one or more functional aspects described for protrusions  410 . 
       FIG. 48  depicts a top view of body top end  404  of body component  400 . Body top end  404  may include a top surface  420  and a top surface aperture  422 . Body top end  404  may be configured to couple to a separate component—such as, e.g., a deodorant cap, cover etc. Body top surface  420  as shown is an oblong shape but may be of any two-dimensional configuration from a top view perspective (e.g., square, circle, triangle, etc.). Top surface aperture  422  extends from body top end  404  through elongate body  402  to body bottom end  406 . 
       FIG. 4C  depicts a top view of body bottom end  406  of body component  400 . Body bottom end  406  may include a bottom surface  430  and a bottom surface aperture  436 . Body bottom end  406  may be configured to couple to a separate component—such as, e.g., a base component  300 . Body bottom end  406  may be configured to couple to a separate component using a mechanical mechanism—such as, e.g., protrusions  410 —to engage a separate component. Protrusions  410  may be any means by which two or more separate components couple such as, e.g., a cantilever, a snap hook, etc. Protrusions  410  may be alternatively, or additionally, a magnetic component configured to engage a magnetic component positioned on a complementary surface of a separate component—such as, e.g., a magnet on a surface of base component  300 . Protrusions  410  may include any geometric configuration on, or proximate to, bottom surface  430  that enables body component  400  to couple to base component  300 . Body bottom surface  430  as shown is an oblong shape but may be of any two-dimensional configuration from a top view perspective—such as, e.g., square, circle, triangle, etc. Bottom surface aperture  436  may extend from body bottom end  406  through elongate body  402  to body top end  404 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cover component. In the present embodiment, cover component  500  may include a cover exterior  502  and a cover interior  504  (shown in phantom). Cover component  500  may be configured to engage body top end  404  of a body component  400 . Cover component  500  may engage body top end  404  via magnets. Cover component  500  may include a hollow, or substantially hollow, cover interior  504 . Cover interior  504  may be configured to contain, store, etc., a deodorant composition. Cover interior  504  may be configured to complement body top end  404 . Cover interior  504  may be configured to identify what deodorant composition is in the deodorant device—such as, e.g., by including a groove along cover interior  504  such that a label, or other identifier, could be placed along the interior of cover component  500 . 
       FIG. 6A  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cartridge component. In the present embodiment, cartridge component  600  may include a male cartridge adapter  602  positioned along a cartridge rod  604 . Male cartridge adapter  602  may be in a fixed, or substantially fixed, position at one end of cartridge rod  604 . Male cartridge adapter  602  may be configured to engage a separate component—such as, e.g., cartridge adapter  220  of handle component  200 . Cartridge rod  604  may include a groove, or a plurality of grooves, configured to engage a complementary component. Cartridge component  600  may include a cartridge platform  606  positioned along cartridge rod  604 . Cartridge platform  606  may be configured to linearly displace along cartridge rod  604 . Cartridge platform  606  may be configured to linearly displace a deodorant composition along the length of cartridge rod  604 . Cartridge component  600  may include a cartridge base  610  positioned along cartridge rod  604 . Cartridge base  610  may be in a fixed, or substantially fixed, position at one end of cartridge rod  604 . Cartridge base  610  may include one or more cartridge protrusions  612 A/ 612 B. Cartridge protrusions  612 A/ 612 B may be configured to engage a separate component—such as, e.g., base component  300 . Cartridge protrusions  612 A/ 612 B may be configured to couple cartridge component  600  to a separate component—such as, e.g., base component  300 . Cartridge protrusions  612 A/ 612 B may include a mechanical means to couple to a separate component—such as, e.g., cantilever, snap-hooks, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, cartridge protrusions  612 A/ 612 B may include a magnetic element configured to engage base component  300 . 
       FIG. 6B  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a cartridge component. Cartridge component  600  may include a deodorant composition  615 —such as, e.g., a deodorant composition. Cartridge component  600  may be configured to linearly displace a deodorant composition  615  along the length of a cartridge rod. For example, a cartridge component  600  having a deodorant composition  615  is coupled to a deodorant stick device  100 . A cartridge adapter  220  of a handle component  200  engages a male cartridge adapter  602  of the cartridge component  600 . A user rotates a rigid member  202  of handle component  200  such that a rotation force is imparted on a cartridge rod  604  of cartridge component  600 . Cartridge component  600 —having limited degrees of rotational freedom because of a body component  400 —linearly displaces a cartridge platform  604  along the length of cartridge rod  604  such that the deodorant composition  615  linearly displaces along the length of cartridge rod  604 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of a deodorant stick device.  100 . In the present embodiment, deodorant stick device  100  may include a handle component  200 , a base component  300 , a body component  400 , a cover component  500 , and a cartridge component  600 . Handle component  200  may engage base component  300 . Body component  400  may engage base component  300 . Cartridge adapter  600  may engage base component  300 . Cartridge adapter  600  may engage handle component  200  such that handle component  200  rotates and exerts torque on cartridge adapter  600 . Cover component  500  may engage body component  400 . 
     An alternative embodiment of deodorant stick device  100  may include, for example, one or more buttons positioned on a surface of deodorant stick  100  in which the buttons are configured to engage/disengage components of deodorant stick  100 . For example, body component  400  may include two buttons positioned opposite each other on elongate body  402  of body component  400 . The two buttons may be configured to physically displace protrusions  410  extending from body component  400  such that protrusions  410  engage and/or disengage with base component  300 . As a further alternative embodiment, deodorant stick device  100  may include one or more electrical components configured to linearly displace a deodorant composition along a rod of cartridge component  600 . Deodorant stick device  100  may include, for example, an electrical component configured to rotate about the axis of the electrical component such that the electrical component imparts torque on a rod of cartridge component  600  to linearly displace a deodorant composition. Deodorant stick device  100  may include, for example, one or more buttons configured to control one or more electrical components of deodorant stick device  100  such that the one or more buttons direct the one or more electrical components to linearly displace a deodorant composition along the length of a rod of cartridge component  600 . For example, deodorant stick device  100  may include a servo motor positioned along the interior of base component  300 . Base component  300  may include a first button (e.g., an “UP” button) and a second button (e.g., a “DOWN” button) that are in electrical communication with the servo motor within base component  300 . The first button directs the servo motor to rotate in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) such that a deodorant composition within deodorant stick device  100  displaces linearly along the cartridge component  600  away from base component  300 . The second button directs the servo motor to rotate in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) such that a deodorant composition within deodorant stick device  100  displaces linearly along cartridge component  600  toward the base component  300 .