Multi composition stick product and a process and system for manufacturing same

Abstract

A multi-composition stick product, such as a lip balm, sun screen, deodorant, or glue stick. The multi-composition stick product including a stick composition molded in the container so as to contact the walls thereof and be advanceable or ejected therefrom. The stick composition includes a first composition and a second composition. The first and second compositions differ in at least one component, such as a medicament, colorant, fragrance, flavorant, sunscreen, preservative, conditioner, moisturizer, emollient, or surfactant. Furthermore the first and second compositions are arranged in a predetermined non-random pattern that is reproducible. Also described is the method and apparatus for manufacturing the multi-composition stick product.

1 . A multi-composition stick product, comprising: 
 (a) a container having walls, an exterior contour, and an interior contour; and    (b) a molded stick composition disposed so as to contact the walls of the container and be advanceable in the container, the stick composition comprising: 
 (i) a first composition; and  
 (ii) a second composition;  
 wherein the first and second compositions differ by at least one component and the compositions are arranged in a predetermined non-random pattern that is reproducible.  
   
   
   
       2 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the interior and exterior contours of the container are different.  
   
   
       3 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the component is a medicament, colorant, fragrance, flavorant, sunscreen, preservative, conditioner, moisturizer, emollient, or surfactant.  
   
   
       4 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the component is a colorant.  
   
   
       5 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the compositions form a predetermined discrete multicolor image.  
   
   
       6 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the image is a heart; evergreen tree; ying-yang; 5-pointed star; 6-pointed star; sun; circle; half and half circle; heart with an arrow; lateral stripes; diagonal stripes (barber pole); longitudinal stripes; happy face; sad face; tree; crescent moon; cross; 4-pointed star; flower ellipse; wave; lightning bolt; pinwheel; flag; lips; one or more alphanumeric letters; any other geometric shape; or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the stick composition has a longitudinal axis and for at least a portion thereof, each cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the composition contains the same multicolor image.  
   
   
       8 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the stick composition is for topical application to an animal in need thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the stick composition is lip balm, lipstick, lip gloss, sunscreen stick, or deodorant.  
   
   
       10 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the stick composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The multi-composition stick product in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the stick composition further comprises a medicament, a sunscreen, a preservative, a flavorant, a fragrance, a colorant, a conditioner, a moisturizer, an emollient, a cleansing agent, an antioxidant, an antistatic agent, a stabilizer, a pH adjuster, a surfactant, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . A multi-color stick product, comprising: 
 (a) a container having walls; and    (b) a molded multi-color stick composition disposed so as to contact the walls of the container and be advanceable in the container, the stick composition comprising: 
 (i) a first composition; and  
 (ii) a second composition;  
 wherein the first and second compositions differ in color and are arranged in a predetermined non-random image that is reproducible.  
   
   
   
       13 . The multi-color stick product in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the stick product is a lip balm.  
   
   
       14 . A method for manufacturing a multi-composition stick product advanceable from an open end of a container, the method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a mold shaft into the container;    dispensing a first composition of stick composition into the container around the mold shaft;    removing the mold shaft from the container to form a cavity; and    filling at least a portion of the cavity with a second composition of stick composition, the first and second compositions differing by at least one component and being arranged in a predetermined non-random pattern that is reproducible.    
   
   
       15 . The method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the inserting step comprises inserting a portion of a first filling nozzle into the container, the first filling nozzle including a first mold shaft having a first predetermined shape and a first outer barrier disposed about at least a portion of the first mold shaft.  
   
   
       16 . The method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the dispensing step comprises dispensing the first composition of stick composition into a passageway, defined between the outer surface of the first filling nozzle and the inner surface of the first outer barrier, and into the container around the mold shaft.  
   
   
       17 . The method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the first mold shaft is hollow.  
   
   
       18 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the filling step comprises dispensing the second composition of stick composition through the first mold shaft and into the container so as to fill at least a portion of the cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the first mold shaft is solid or semi-hollow.  
   
   
       20 . The method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the filling step comprises dispensing, using a second filling nozzle having a second hollow mold shaft of a second predetermined shape, the second composition of stick composition into the second mold shaft so as to fill at least a portion of the cavity.  
   
   
       21 .- 70 . (canceled)