Patent Description:
Stick products such as lipsticks are supplied in a number of dispensers. The most common dispenser comprises a tubular plastics shell having a removable cap. The container receives a cartridge of a material for application which can, after removal of the cap, be twisted in order to extend the stick of material from the shell and to retract the stick material into the shell after application, whereupon the cap may be closed once more.

Whilst this is a very effective form of dispenser, it is desirable to reduce the amount of plastic material used in the dispenser.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a prior art dispenser for a product in stick form as set forth in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Form a first aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser for a product in stick form as recited in claim <NUM>.

Thus in accordance with the invention, a dispenser has a tubular body having a base part which is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. A removable cap for closing an open end of the base part is also preferably made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The product is received within the tubular body and is extended and retracted from the tubular body by means of a carrier having a lug which extends through the wall of the body. This carrier is also made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The basic components of the dispenser are therefore formed of non-plastics material, which is advantageous from an environmental perspective. However, the dispenser also provides a mechanism by which the product can still be dispensed in a satisfactory manner.

The base part comprises a pair of slots extending through the wall of the base part and the carrier comprises a pair of lugs, each extending through a respective slot. Multiple lugs and slots may provide for improved stability during extension and retraction of the product stick. Two slots and lugs provide for easier manipulation by a user. The slots and lugs are diametrically opposed. Of course, more slots and lugs may be provided. Thus in some arrangements outside the claims a single lug and slot may be provided while in embodiments within the claims more than two, for example three or more lugs and slots may be provided. Such lugs and slots may be circumferentially equi-spaced.

The carrier may be a friction fit within the base part. This may assist in maintaining the product stick in an extended position during application and also assist in maintaining the product stick in its retracted position during non-use, thereby reducing the possibility of the product stick inadvertently moving within the base part and touching the cap.

In certain embodiments, the at least one slot may extend downwardly from an upper edge of the base part. This may facilitate manufacture of the slot.

In other embodiments, however, the at least one slot may extend downwardly from a location spaced from an upper edge of the base part. This effectively provides a closed upper end for the slot for retaining the carrier and thus the product stick.

In some embodiments, the carrier may comprise an annular part for receiving the product stick. The product stick may then be received within the opening of the carrier. This may provide an improved mount for the product stick. The product stick may be adhesively secured, press fitted or mechanically interlocked with the carrier for example. In other embodiments, however, the carrier may be solid rather than annular and the product stick suitably attached to the upper surface of the carrier.

The lug or lugs of the carrier may be formed on the annular part.

In certain embodiments, the carrier may further comprise a plug part arranged below the annular part and substantially spanning the internal space of the base part. This part may be a frictional fit within the tubular part and provide a base against which the product stick may rest.

In other embodiments the carrier comprises a disc for receiving the product stick. The product stick may then be mounted to an upper surface of the disc. The product stick may be bonded thereto using any suitable technique e.g. using adhesive. The lug or lugs of the carrier may project from the circumference of the disc.

The shield covering the at least one slot of the base part ensures that the product stick is not visible therethrough. This may be particularly useful during retail as it prevents access to the product stick while the dispenser is on display. The shield may also act to prevent the product coming into contact with the internal wall of the base part.

In various embodiments, the shield may be a tubular body.

In other embodiments, however not falling under the scope of the claims, the shield is de-coupled from axial movement of the carrier. Accordingly, the shield may be configured so as not to move axially in response to axial movement of the carrier.

In such arrangements, the shield may comprise at least one axially extending slot for receiving the at least one lug of the carrier such that the carrier may move axially relative to the shield.

In embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims where the shield is decoupled from axial movement with the carrier, a stop may be provided for preventing or limiting axial movement of the shield within the base part. The stop can therefore retain the shield axially in the base part.

In certain embodiments, the stop may comprise a collar adhesively attached to the internal wall of the base part, for example adjacent the upper end of the base part. While the stop may be a standalone element, advantageously it may be formed by an upper end of the shield which is detachable from the shield along a line of weakness defined in the shield.

In certain embodiments, the shield may be rotatable by the carrier when the carrier rotates within the base part.

In embodiments as discussed above in which the stop is formed by a collar of the shield, rotation of the shield may act to break the line of weakness, thereby leaving the collar attached to the internal wall of the base part, but allowing the remainder of the shield to rotate.

In various embodiments, the carrier may be mounted so as to be rotatable within the base part. In such embodiments, at least one axially extending slot of the shield may be aligned with the at least one slot of the base part in a first rotational position of the carrier in which the carrier is movable axially within the base part, and misaligned with the at least one slot of the base part in a second rotational position of the carrier so as to cover the at least one slot of the base part.

In embodiments where the carrier is rotatable, the at least one slot of the base part may comprise a circumferential extension at a lower end thereof. This circumferential extension is configured to receive the at least one lug of the carrier and thereby permit rotation of the carrier within the base part when it is in a retracted position. This will, for example, permit misalignment of the base part slot and shield slot.

The at least one lug may be sized so as to be a friction fit within the circumferential extension. This may assist in retaining the carrier in its "closed" position.

In various embodiments, the shield may extend the entire visible length of the at least one slot of the base part when the cap is positioned on the base part. This will hide the product stick from view.

The shield may also advantageously be made from a paper-based or card-based material. It may advantageously be moisture resistant to avoid absorption of the product stick material into the shield. Thus, the shield may be a coated or impregnated paper or card material for example.

The tubular body may be of any suitable construction. In certain embodiments it may be a spiral wound tube, for example.

In certain embodiments, the at least one slot in the base part may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base part so that the carrier will move in a purely axial direction along the base part without rotation. In other arrangements, however, the at least one slot in the base part may extend at an angle to parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base part. In such constructions, the carrier will rotate about the axis of the base part as it moves axially along the base part. The slot may, therefore be a helical slot in some embodiments.

In accordance with the invention in any of its embodiments, a lower end of the cap may comprise at least one cut out, each cut out receiving a respective one of the at least one lugs of the product stick carrier when the product stick carrier is in a retracted position and the cap is located over the base part to close the open end of the base part. The external circumferential surfaces of the cap, base part and lug may be flush with one another when the product stick carrier is in a retracted position and the cap is located over the base part to close the open end of the base part. The base part may comprise a shoulder at a lower end thereof. A lower end of the cap may then engage the shoulder when the cap is located over the base to close the open end of the base. The dimensions of the shoulder should be selected with regard to the extent to which the lug(s) project from the slot(s) to ensure that the lug(s) project to a sufficient degree to enable them to be manipulated by a user, but while still providing the flush fit when the cap is fitted over the base with the product carrier retracted. The shoulder may be below the slot(s). A lower end of the or each slot may extend from the shoulder toward a top edge of the base. The slot(s) may or may not extend all the way to the top edge. The base part may comprise upper and lower sections, with the shoulder defined therebetween. The upper and lower sections may be provided by separate tubes, or may be integrally formed. In these embodiments the base part, cap and product carrier are preferably each made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard.

The invention also provides, from a different aspect a dispenser comprising a paper-based or card-based tubular body having a base part and a removable cap for closing an open end of the base part. The cap has an annular spacer received and fixed in the base thereof. A twist cartridge containing a stick of product is mounted in the annular spacer so as to project from the cap whereby the cartridge may be manipulated by a user to extend and retract the stick of product from the cartridge.

In this dispenser, therefore, a product cartridge is mounted in a paperboard or cardboard cap. This avoids the need for a plastics cap or body for the dispenser.

The twist cartridge may be received in the opening of the annular spacer and may be suitably secured therein, for example by adhesive.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only wit reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, a first exemplary embodiment of dispenser <NUM> of the invention is illustrated.

The dispenser <NUM> comprises a paper-based, e.g. paperboard or cardboard tubular body <NUM>. The tubular body <NUM> includes a base part <NUM> and a removable cap <NUM> for closing an open upper end <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. In this embodiment both the base part <NUM> and the cap <NUM> are formed of the paper based material but certain embodiments may only have a base part <NUM> so formed.

In this embodiment, the base part <NUM> and cap <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM> are spiral wound tubes, with the bottom end <NUM> of the base part <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the cap <NUM> being closed by respective discs. The upper end <NUM> of the base part <NUM> is formed with a shoulder <NUM> to receive the lower edge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The external circumferential surfaces of the base part <NUM> and cap <NUM> are flush in this embodiment. Tubes of this general type are known in the art and are manufactured for example by Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company Inc. of Chicago USA. Other tube constructions can, however, be used within the scope of the invention. For example, the tubes need not be spiral wound but could be formed as wrap around tubes.

The base part <NUM> comprises a pair of diametrically opposed slots <NUM> which extend along and through the side wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. More or fewer slots <NUM> may be provided. Thus, in certain embodiments, just a single slot <NUM> may be provided. Where more than one slot <NUM> is provided, the slots <NUM> may be circumferentially equi-spaced around the base part <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the slots <NUM> extend downwardly from the upper edge <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. This may facilitate manufacture as the slots <NUM> can be formed by routing the slot <NUM> from the upper edge <NUM>. Of course, the slots <NUM> can be formed in any convenient manner, for example by cutting. The slots <NUM> extend to a location near the bottom end <NUM> of the base part <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the slots <NUM> extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base part <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the slots <NUM> may extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the base part <NUM>, such that the slots are helical for example.

A product carrier <NUM> (for example for lipstick) is slidably received in the base part <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG> for example, the carrier <NUM> comprises lugs <NUM> which project through the slots <NUM> in the side wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM> for manipulation by a user. The carrier <NUM> is formed from paperboard or cardboard and supports a product stick <NUM> (for example lipstick) for reciprocating movement within the base part <NUM>. For reasons which will be described further below, the carrier <NUM> is a friction fit within the base part <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the carrier <NUM> comprises a lower plug part <NUM> which substantially spans the internal space of the base part <NUM> and engages the sidewall <NUM> of the base part. The carrier <NUM> further comprises an annular upper part <NUM> which is mounted atop the plug part <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG>, the external surface <NUM> of the annular upper part <NUM> is spaced inwardly from the external surface <NUM> of the plug part <NUM>. This provides a shoulder <NUM> on the upper surface of the plug part <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the plug part <NUM> and annular part <NUM> are formed as separate components which are adhesively secured together. In other embodiments, however, the plug part <NUM> and annular part <NUM> may be formed integrally.

In this embodiment the plug part <NUM> and annular part <NUM> are fabricated from individual sheets of paper or card laminated together. However, other forms of construction, such as corrugated sheet or board or moulded paper or card may be used.

The lower plug part <NUM> spaces the annular part <NUM> from the bottom of the base part <NUM> and may act as a support for the product stick <NUM>.

As can be seen for example from <FIG>, the lugs <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> are formed on and project from the annular part <NUM>.

As can also be seen from <FIG> the annular part <NUM> has a central opening <NUM>. This opening <NUM> receives the base <NUM> of the product stick <NUM>. The base <NUM> of the product stick <NUM> may be adhesively or otherwise secured within the opening <NUM>, for example through mechanical interlocking, interference fit or magnetically. This mounting arrangement spaces the product stick <NUM> from the internal surface of the base part wall <NUM> thereby reducing the possibility of the product stick <NUM> contacting that surface.

In some embodiments, the lower plug part <NUM> may be dispensed with, the carrier <NUM> then being formed of the annular part <NUM> alone. The annular part <NUM> may then engage the side wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. In other embodiments, the upper part <NUM> having the lugs <NUM> need not be annular, and the product stick <NUM> may be attached to an end surface of the upper part <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment further comprises a shield <NUM> which is mounted to the product carrier <NUM>. The shield <NUM> lies between the external peripheral surface of the product stick <NUM> and the internal surface of the base part wall <NUM>. The shield <NUM>, in this embodiment, is made of paper or a thin card material. The material is advantageously moisture resistant so as to avoid absorption of the stick material into the shield <NUM>. The shield <NUM> may therefore be paper, paperboard or card coated or treated, e.g. impregnated, with a moisture resistant material. The shield <NUM> could for example be made from greaseproof paper.

As can best be seen from <FIG>, the shield <NUM> is received in the annular space formed about the annular upper part <NUM> of the product carrier <NUM>. It is advantageously adhesively secured to the outer peripheral surface of the annular upper part <NUM>. To enable it to engage the shoulder <NUM> on the upper surface of the plug part <NUM>, the shield <NUM> is provided with cut outs <NUM> which receive the lugs <NUM> projecting from the annular upper part <NUM>.

In this embodiment, an axially extending gap <NUM> is formed in the shield <NUM>. In other embodiments however, no gap <NUM> may exist and the shield <NUM> may be circumferentially continuous.

As illustrated, in this embodiment, the shield <NUM> extends longitudinally such that it covers the entire visible length of each slot <NUM> in the base part <NUM> of the dispenser when the cap <NUM> is on the base part <NUM>. This ensures that the product stick <NUM> is not exposed through the slots <NUM>, particularly before the dispenser <NUM> is used for the first time, for example while the dispenser <NUM> is on the shelf prior to sale.

As shown in <FIG>, when the product stick <NUM> is extended, the guide <NUM> may cover a significant portion of the product stick <NUM>. To improve access to the product stick <NUM>, the user may tear or otherwise remove an upper part of the guide <NUM> if necessary. In other embodiments, the guide <NUM> may be shorter, for example extending longitudinally only as far as the dotted line <NUM> shown in <FIG>. This will improve access to the product stick <NUM> when it is extended yet still provide some shielding of the product stick <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the carrier <NUM>, together with the product stick <NUM> (and guide <NUM> if present) can be preassembled and then inserted into the base part <NUM>, the lugs <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> engaging in the slots <NUM> of the base part.

Having described the construction of the above embodiment, its operation will now be described. To dispense the product, the cap <NUM> is first removed from the base part <NUM> and the user then slides the product stick <NUM> upwardly from the base part using the lugs <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. The friction between the carrier <NUM> and the wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM> will assist in maintaining the product stick <NUM> at the desired position in use. After the product stick <NUM> has been applied, it can be retracted into the base part <NUM> once more using the lugs <NUM> and the cap <NUM> then replaced. The friction between the carrier <NUM> and the wall <NUM> of the base part will assist in retaining the product stick <NUM> in its retracted position, preventing it from moving around within the base part <NUM>, thereby inadvertently engaging the cap <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiment above without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it may be possible to dispense with the shield <NUM> in certain embodiments.

In another embodiment, the slots <NUM> in the base part wall <NUM> may not extend to the upper edge <NUM> of the base part <NUM> and be closed at its upper end. Such an embodiment is illustrated in <FIG>.

Here, slots <NUM>' extend only as far the external shoulder <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. In other embodiments, depending on the degree of travel required for the product stick <NUM>, the slots <NUM>' may terminate closer to or further away from the upper edge <NUM> of the base part <NUM>.

This arrangement has the potential advantage that it will prevent the carrier <NUM> and product stick <NUM> inadvertently disengaging from the base part <NUM>. However, it may make it more difficult to produce the slots <NUM>', requiring a plunge cut to be made through the base part wall <NUM>. Insertion of the carrier <NUM> may be more difficult, and it may be necessary to insert the plug part <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> into the base part <NUM> prior to introduction of the upper annular part <NUM>. Due to the lugs <NUM>, the upper annular part <NUM> will need to be introduced with its longitudinal axis transverse to the base part (as shown in <FIG>) and then rotated in the direction of arrow A to engage the lugs <NUM> in the slots <NUM>'. The plug part <NUM> and annular part <NUM> may be brought together and attached to one another, for example through contact adhesive. The product stick <NUM> may then be mounted to the assembled carrier <NUM>. In other embodiments, it may be possible to insert the upper annular part <NUM> into the slots <NUM>' before finishing the base part.

The dispenser <NUM>' of this embodiment is otherwise similar to the dispenser of the first embodiment.

In other embodiments, not falling within the scope of the claims, the shield <NUM> may also be constructed such that it does not move axially into and out of the base part <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> during use. An embodiment incorporating such a modification is illustrated in <FIG>.

In this embodiment (shown in exploded form) the base part <NUM>' has a pair of diametrically opposed slots <NUM>" similar to those of the embodiment of <FIG>, extending only as far as the external shoulder <NUM>' of the base part <NUM>'. At its lower end, however each slot <NUM>" includes a circumferential extension <NUM>. The extensions <NUM> extend in the same circumferential direction from the bottom of each slot <NUM>". The base part <NUM>' may have a closure (not shown) at its lower end.

A shield <NUM>' is received within the base part <NUM>'. The shield may be made from the same types of material as in the first embodiment, i.e. from a paper-based or card-based material. The shield <NUM>' has an external diameter which is generally similar to the internal diameter of the base part <NUM>'. The shield has a pair of diametrically opposed axial slots <NUM> formed therein. The slots <NUM> extend parallel to the axis of the base part <NUM>'. In this embodiment, the slots extend to the upper edge <NUM> of the shield <NUM>' although in other embodiments, the slots may terminate short of the upper edge <NUM>.

The shield <NUM>' has a line of weakness <NUM>, for example perforations, formed around its upper end <NUM>. This defines a collar <NUM> of material above the line of weakness <NUM>. As will be described further below, the shield <NUM>' is initially adhesively secured to the internal surface of the base part <NUM>' by means of the collar <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM>' also includes, as in the earlier embodiments, a product carrier <NUM>'. In this embodiment, the carrier <NUM>' comprises an annular part <NUM> having opposed lugs <NUM>. The annular part <NUM> is generally similar to that of the earlier embodiments. Thus, as in the earlier embodiments, the annular part <NUM> is fabricated from a paper-based or card-based material, for example being formed from laminated sheets of card or paper. The central opening <NUM> of the annular part <NUM> will receive a product stick as in the earlier embodiments.

A spacer <NUM> (which may be annular, as shown, or solid) is provided for spacing the carrier <NUM> from the base of the base part <NUM>' and may be attached to the annular part <NUM>. It may have a similar construction to the plug part <NUM> of the earlier embodiments.

To assemble the dispenser shown in <FIG>, the shield <NUM>' is firstly introduced into the base part <NUM>' and adhesively secured to the base part <NUM> only in the region of the collar <NUM>, i.e. above the line of weakness <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> of the guide may lie flush with the upper edge <NUM> of the base part <NUM>'. The guide <NUM>' should be positioned such that the lower ends of the slots <NUM> extend at least to the lower ends of the slots <NUM>" in the base part <NUM>' and such that the slots <NUM> in the guide <NUM>' are circumferentially aligned with the slots <NUM>" in the base part <NUM>'.

The spacer <NUM> and carrier <NUM>' may then be introduced into the base part <NUM>' in a similar manner to the embodiment of <FIG>. The lugs <NUM>' of the carrier <NUM>' are received in the aligned slots <NUM>" in the base part <NUM>' and the slots <NUM> in the guide <NUM>'. A product stick may then be mounted to the carrier <NUM>'.

The carrier <NUM>' is then fully retracted into the base part <NUM>' such that the lugs <NUM>' lie at the bottom of the slot <NUM>" of the base part <NUM>'. The lugs <NUM>' are sized such that they may be received in the circumferential extensions <NUM> of the slots <NUM>" so that in this position, the lugs <NUM>' may be rotated into the circumferential extensions <NUM>.

As the lugs are rotated, they act on the walls of the slots <NUM> of the shield <NUM>' so as to rotate the guide <NUM>'. This rotation breaks the line of weakness <NUM>, leaving the collar <NUM> of the guide <NUM>' at the upper end <NUM> of the shield <NUM>' adhesively attached to the upper end of the base part <NUM>'. However, the remaining lower part of the shield <NUM>' will be free to rotate within the base part <NUM>'. This rotation brings the slots <NUM> of the shield <NUM>' out of alignment with the slots <NUM>" of the base part <NUM>', thereby effectively covering the slots <NUM>" of the base part <NUM>' such that the product is not exposed through the slots <NUM>" of the base part <NUM>'.

The lugs <NUM>' may be a friction fit within the slot extensions <NUM> to assist in retaining the carrier <NUM>' and thus the shield <NUM>' in their rotated positions. This may be helpful in preventing the product stick becoming exposed through aligned base part and shield slots during periods of non-use.

A cap may be mounted to the base part <NUM>' before or after the rotation of the carrier <NUM>'. A cover (not shown) may also be placed in or over the open bottom end of the base part <NUM>' if desired.

To extract the product, the carrier <NUM>' is rotated in the opposite direction so as to disengage from the slot extensions <NUM> and the carrier <NUM>' then pushed axially along the base part <NUM>' to extend the product stick. However, unlike the earlier embodiments, the shield <NUM>' is retained in the base part <NUM>' by virtue of the collar <NUM> which is attached to the base part <NUM>. This provides unobstructed access to the product stick.

The product stick may be retracted by a reverse sequence, the final rotation of the carrier <NUM>' once more acting to rotate the shield <NUM>' to internally cover the slots <NUM>" in the base part <NUM>'.

A modified form of the embodiment of <FIG> is illustrated in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, a base part <NUM>" is provided with angled slots <NUM>‴ rather than with axial slots <NUM>", and the shield <NUM>" provided with angled slots <NUM>'. The slots <NUM>' are generally helical in this embodiment. Otherwise the embodiments are similar. The assembly, extension and retraction mechanisms are the same as in the earlier embodiment.

A yet further example illustrated in <FIG>, said example falling outside the wording of the claims.

In this example, the dispenser <NUM> comprises a paperboard or cardboard tubular body which includes a base part <NUM> and a removable cap <NUM> for closing an open end <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. As in the earlier embodiments, the base part <NUM> and cap <NUM> may be spiral wound tube constructions, with their ends closed by closure discs <NUM>, <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> comprises an annular spacer <NUM> received and fixed in the base thereof. The annular spacer <NUM> may be adhesively secured to the peripheral wall <NUM> of the cap <NUM> and/or the underlying closure disc <NUM>.

A twist cartridge <NUM> which includes a stick of product (not shown) is mounted to the annular spacer <NUM> so as to project from the cap <NUM>. The base <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> may be press fitted and/or adhesively secured in the annular spacer <NUM>. The twist cartridge <NUM> is of the type usually mounted within a plastics tube, so no further details need be given of its construction. The user will be able to extend and retract the stick of material from the cartridge <NUM> by holding the cap <NUM> in one hand and twisting the barrel <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> in the other.

This example is advantageous in that it uses less plastics material than a traditional dispenser and allows simple mounting of the cartridge <NUM> in the cap <NUM>.

A dispenser <NUM> in accordance with a further embodiment will now be described by reference to <FIG>. The dispenser is similar to the embodiments of <FIG> above. The main differences will now be described. The dispenser of this further embodiment as illustrated does not include a shield <NUM>, although a shield <NUM> is provided. Similar parts are described using reference numerals corresponding to those of the embodiment of <FIG>, incremented by <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the dispenser <NUM> includes a base part <NUM> and a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is a spirally wound tube. The base part <NUM> is formed from two spirally wound tubes <NUM>, <NUM>. The tube <NUM> has a greater diameter than the tube <NUM> but a lesser length and provides a bottom section of the base part <NUM>, while the tube <NUM> provides an upper section thereof. The tube <NUM> is fitted into the open upper end of the tube <NUM>, and the tubes <NUM>, <NUM> are bonded e.g. adhered to one another. The bottom end <NUM> of the base part <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the cap <NUM> are closed by respective discs <NUM>, <NUM>. In this embodiment a shoulder <NUM> is formed at a lower end <NUM> of the base part <NUM> to receive the lower edge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The shoulder is defined by the upper edge of the tube <NUM> which provides the bottom section of the base part <NUM>. The external circumferential surfaces of the base part <NUM> and cap <NUM> are again flush in this embodiment when the cap <NUM> is located over the base part with the product carrier <NUM> retracted. The tubes used for the cap and sections of the base part may again be of a general type known in the art and manufactured, for example, by Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company Inc. of Chicago USA, or may be of another type of construction, whether or not spirally wound.

As before, the base part <NUM> comprises a pair of diametrically opposed slots <NUM> which extend along and through the side wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. More or fewer slots may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots do not extend to the upper edge <NUM> of the base part <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, they may do so. The length of the slots may be chosen as desired based on the factors described previously. Only one such slot is shown in <FIG>.

As in the earlier embodiments, a product carrier <NUM> is slidably received in the base part <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> comprises lugs <NUM> which project through the slots <NUM> in the side wall <NUM> of the base part <NUM> for manipulation by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap <NUM> has a cutout <NUM> extending upwardly from the lower edge of the cap for receiving a lug <NUM> of the product carrier <NUM> disposed in the base part <NUM> when the carrier <NUM> is in a retracted position. A corresponding diametrically opposed cutout will be present for receiving the opposed lug of the product carrier. Where a different number of lugs is provided, one cutout per lug will be provided in the cap <NUM>.

In this embodiment, when the lug <NUM> is disposed in the cutout <NUM> i.e. when the product carrier is retracted and the cap located over the open upper end of the base part, as shown in <FIG>, the external circumferential surface of the lug is flush with the external circumferential surfaces of the base part <NUM> and cap <NUM>. This may provide a more attractive overall appearance of the dispenser. The cap may also help to maintain the carrier in position with the lug at the bottom end of the slot in the base, helping to maintain a product stick in a retracted position, and preventing the product stick from moving around.

<FIG> is an exploded view illustrating the components of the dispenser of the embodiment of <FIG> in more detail Here the discs <NUM>, <NUM> for closing the ends of the base <NUM> and cap <NUM> respectively are shown. The shoulder <NUM> may be seen more clearly in this Figure. Only one slot is visible in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the product carrier <NUM> of this further embodiment of <FIG> in more detail. In contrast to the earlier embodiments, in this embodiment, rather than being fabricated from multiple sheets of paper or card laminated together, the carrier <NUM> is formed from a single layer of thicker card (although in alternative embodiments, a laminated construction may be used). In the illustrated embodiment, the product carrier <NUM> is shown as a disc, rather than an annular part, to which a stick of product may be mounted e.g. adhered. Of course, an annular carrier may alternatively be used.

In this embodiment, the lugs may project to a lesser extent from an outer circumferential edge of the main body of the carrier i.e. from the outer circumferential edge of the disc than in the earlier embodiments, to provide the flush fit between the lid, base part and lugs. The dimensions of the shoulder and extent of projection of the lugs should be selected as appropriate to provide the flush fit when the cap is located over the base with the product carrier retracted, with the lug(s) still projecting from the slot in the assembled dispenser to a sufficient degree to enable them to be manipulated by a user when the cap is removed.

Dispensing of product using the dispenser of this further embodiment may proceed in the same manner described with respect to the first embodiment of <FIG> or the second embodiment of <FIG>. The user will remove the cap <NUM> from the base part <NUM> and then slide the product stick upwardly from the base part using the lugs <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. After use, the product stick may be retracted into the base part <NUM> once more using the lugs, and the cap then replaced. The cooperation between the base and the cap in this embodiment will assist in retracting the product stick in its retracted position.

Claim 1:
A dispenser (<NUM>) for a product in stick form comprising:
a tubular body (<NUM>), the tubular body (<NUM>) including a base part (<NUM>) and a removable cap (<NUM>) for closing an open end of the base part (<NUM>), the base part (<NUM>) comprising at least one slot (<NUM>) extending along and through the side wall (<NUM>) of the base part (<NUM>), the base part (<NUM>) at least being made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard;
a product stick carrier (<NUM>) slidably received in the base part (<NUM>) and having at least one lug (<NUM>) projecting through the slot (<NUM>) in the side wall (<NUM>) of the base part (<NUM>) for manipulation by a user,
the product stick carrier (<NUM>) being formed of a paper-based or card-based material and supporting a product stick (<NUM>) for reciprocating movement within the base part (<NUM>),
characterised in that
the dispenser further comprises a shield (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>") extending between an external peripheral surface of the product stick (<NUM>) and the internal surface of the wall (<NUM>) of the base part (<NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>") for covering the at least one slot (<NUM>) of the base part (<NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>"), wherein the shield (<NUM>) is attached to the carrier (<NUM>) so as to move axially therewith.