Dispensers

Abstract

A dispenser for a product in stick form comprises a base part ( 4 ) and a removable cap ( 6 ). The base part ( 6 ) comprises an outer tube ( 14 ) optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard and an inner tube ( 16 ) rotatably and slidably received within the outer tube ( 14 ) and optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The inner tube ( 16 ) projects upwardly from the outer tube ( 14 ) and has an axially extending helical slot ( 24 ) formed therein. The base part further comprises a product stick carrier ( 48 ) optionally formed of a paper-based or card-based material and supporting a product stick ( 50 ). The product stick carrier ( 48 ) is rotationally fixed relative to the outer tube ( 14 ), is arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube ( 16 ) and projects upwardly from the outer tube ( 14 ). The base part ( 6 ) further comprises a helical element ( 38 ) optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. The helical element ( 38 ) is rotationally fixed with respect to the outer tube ( 14 ) and is received in the helical slot ( 26 ) such that rotation of the inner tube ( 16 ) relative to the outer tube ( 14 ) will move the helical slot ( 24 ) along the helical element ( 38 ) thereby lowering or raising the inner tube ( 16 ) within the outer tube ( 14 ) to expose or cover the product stick ( 50 ).

1 . A dispenser ( 2 ) for a product in stick form comprising:
 a base part ( 4 ) and a removable cap ( 6 );   the base part ( 6 ) comprising:   an outer tube ( 14 ) optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard;   an inner tube ( 16 ) rotatably and slidably received within the outer tube ( 14 ) and optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard, the inner tube ( 16 ) projecting upwardly from the outer tube ( 14 ) and having an axially extending helical slot ( 24 ) formed therein;   a product stick carrier ( 48 ) optionally formed of a paper-based or card-based material and supporting a product stick ( 50 ), the product stick carrier ( 48 ) being rotationally fixed relative to the outer tube ( 14 ), the product stick ( 50 ) being arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube ( 16 ) and projecting upwardly from the outer tube ( 14 ); and   a helical element ( 38 ) optionally made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard, the helical element ( 38 ) being rotationally fixed with respect to the outer tube ( 14 ), the helical element ( 38 ) being received in the helical slot ( 26 ) such that rotation of the inner tube ( 16 ) relative to the outer tube ( 14 ) will move the helical slot ( 24 ) along the helical element ( 38 ) thereby lowering or raising the inner tube ( 16 ) within the outer tube ( 14 ) to expose or cover the product stick ( 50 ).   
     
     
         2 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the helical element ( 38 ) extends from a tubular collar ( 44 ) fixed with respect to the outer tube ( 14 ). 
     
     
         3 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the outer diameter DT of the inner tube ( 14 ) and the outer diameter Dc of the tubular collar ( 44 ) are the same. 
     
     
         4 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a stop mechanism which prevents the inner tube ( 16 ) being completely withdrawn from the outer tube ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the stop mechanism comprises interengaging stop formations ( 28 , 42 ;  28 ′, 42 ′) formed on the helical slot ( 24 ) and the helical element ( 38 ) respectively. 
     
     
         6 . A dispense as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the stop formations comprise a single tab ( 28 ′), formed on one side of the helical slot ( 24 ), and a cooperating single tab ( 42 ′) formed on one side of the helical element ( 38 ). 
     
     
         7 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the product stick carrier ( 48 ) comprises a carrier disc ( 52 ) optionally of a paper-based or card-based material to which the product stick ( 50 ) is mounted. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a carrier tube ( 54 ) optionally of a paper-based or card-based material to which the carrier disc ( 52 ) is mounted, the carrier tube ( 54 ) being arranged radially inwardly of the inner tube ( 16 ), whereby the inner tube ( 16 ) is sandwiched radially between the carrier tube ( 54 ) and the outer tube ( 14 ). 
     
     
         9 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein an upper end ( 56 ) of the carrier tube ( 54 ) extends above the carrier disc ( 52 ). 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 8  or  9  as dependent directly or indirectly upon  claim 2 , wherein a lower end ( 58 ) of the carrier tube ( 54 ) is bonded to the collar ( 44 ). 
     
     
         11 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base disc ( 60 ) optionally of a paper-based or card-based material mounted in a lower end ( 46 ) of the outer tube ( 14 ). 
     
     
         12 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 11  as dependent directly or indirectly on  claim 8  wherein a or the lower end ( 58 ) of the carrier tube ( 54 ) is located against an upper surface ( 68 ) of the base disc ( 60 ). 
     
     
         13 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 11  or  12  as dependent directly or indirectly upon  claim 2 , wherein a lower edge ( 64 ) of the collar ( 44 ) locates against an or the upper surface ( 68 ) of the base disc ( 54 ). 
     
     
         14 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the helical slot ( 24 ) extends axially over less than half the length of the inner tube ( 16 ). 
     
     
         15 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the helical slot ( 24 ) extends between 30 degrees and 105 degrees around the axis of the inner tube ( 16 ). 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the helical slot ( 24 ) extends to the bottom edge ( 66 ) of the inner tube ( 16 ). 
     
     
         17 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner tube ( 16 ) projects from the outer tube ( 14 ) in all operative positions. 
     
     
         18 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the removable cap ( 6 ) is received over an upper end of the inner tube ( 16 ). 
     
     
         19 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer tube ( 14 ) is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         20 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner tube ( 16 ) is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         21 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier ( 48 ) is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         22 . A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the helical element ( 38 ) is made from a paper-based or card-based material such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         23 . A method of manufacturing the inner tube ( 16 ) and helical element ( 34 ) of a dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising cutting the helical element ( 34 ) out from a tube, the remainder of the tube then forming the inner tube ( 16 ) of the dispenser.