Product dispensers

Abstract

A dispenser for a product in stick form includes a product stick carrier ( 210 ), an outer sleeve ( 206 ) and a product concealing sleeve ( 208 ). The product stick carrier ( 210 ) includes a product stick support ( 225 ). The outer sleeve ( 206 ) is a cylindrical tube disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier ( 210 ). The product stick carrier ( 210 ) is fixed relative to the outer sleeve ( 206 ). The product concealing sleeve ( 208 ) is a cylindrical tube disposed radially inwardly of the outer sleeve ( 206 ) and is retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve ( 206 ) and product stick carrier ( 210 ) for concealing a product stick ( 204 ) supported by the product stick support ( 225 ) in use in order to expose the product stick ( 204 ). The product concealing sleeve ( 208 ) is disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier ( 210 ) between the product stick carrier ( 210 ) and the outer sleeve ( 206 ). Inter-engaging formations are associated with either the product concealing sleeve ( 208 ) and the outer sleeve ( 206 ) or the product stick carrier ( 210 ) and product concealing sleeve ( 208 ). The inter-engaging formations cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve ( 208 ) relative to the outer sleeve ( 206 ) and product stick carrier ( 210 ) beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position. The outer sleeve ( 206 ), product concealing sleeve ( 208 ) and product stick carrier ( 210 ) are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.

1 . A dispenser for a product in stick form comprising:
 a product stick carrier comprising a product stick support for supporting a product stick in use;   an outer sleeve in the form of a cylindrical tube disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier, wherein the product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and   a product concealing sleeve in the form of a cylindrical tube disposed radially inwardly of the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in use in order to expose the product stick;   wherein the product concealing sleeve is disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve;   wherein inter-engaging formations are associated with either the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve or the product stick carrier and product concealing sleeve, wherein the inter-engaging formations cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position;   and wherein the outer sleeve, product concealing sleeve and product stick carrier are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the product stick carrier is in the form of a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the product stick carrier cylindrical tube is formed from a blank of paper-based or card-based material, optionally wherein the blank is a single piece blank. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve cylindrical tubes are each formed from a respective blank of paper-based or card-based material, optionally wherein the blank is a single piece blank. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 3  or  claim 4  wherein the interior surface of the outer sleeve tube and/or product concealing sleeve tube comprises a helically extending seam provided by an edge of the blank from which the tube is formed. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the inter-engaging formations are inter-engaging flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 6  wherein the inter-engaging flaps are associated with the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the inter-engaging flaps comprise a set of one or more locking flaps at the distal end of the outer sleeve and a set of one or more engagement flaps at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve, wherein:
 each locking flap is folded inwardly at the distal end of the outer sleeve so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve; and 
 each engagement flap is folded outwardly at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve so as to extend along the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end of the product concealing sleeve. 
 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein each locking flap is connected along a foldline to the sidewall of the outer sleeve at the distal end of the outer sleeve, and each engagement flap is connected along a foldline to the sidewall of the product concealing sleeve at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 8  or  claim 9  wherein the inter-engaging flaps are defined by a single pair of inter-engaging flaps, wherein a single locking flap is provided at the distal end of the outer sleeve and a single engagement flap is provided at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the locking flap extends substantially fully around the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve and the engagement flap extends substantially fully around the longitudinal axis of the product concealing sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 10  or  11  wherein axially extending edges of the locking flap abut one another, and wherein axially extending edges of the engagement flap abut one another. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 10 to 12  wherein axially extending edges of the locking flap are substantially aligned with an axially extending seam on the interior surface of the outer sleeve along which the flap extends, the seam optionally being provided by an edge of a blank from which the outer sleeve tube is formed;
 and/or wherein axially extending edges of the engagement flap are substantially aligned with an axially extending seam on the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve along which the flap extends, the seam optionally being provided by an edge of a blank from which the product concealing sleeve tube is formed. 
 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 8 to 13  wherein the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve cylindrical tubes are each formed from a respective blank of paper-based or card-based material;
 and wherein the or each locking flap is provided by a respective tab connected along a foldline to an axial end edge of the blank from which the outer sleeve is formed and the or each engagement flap is provided by a respective tab connected along a foldline to an axial end edge of the blank from which the product concealing sleeve is formed. 
 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 8 to 14  wherein axially extending edges of the or each locking flap associated with the outer sleeve extend in the same direction edge relative to the distal end edge of the outer sleeve as an axially extending seam on the interior surface of outer sleeve, the seam optionally being provided by an edge of a blank from which the outer sleeve tube is formed;
 and/or wherein axially extending edges of the or each engagement flap associated with the product concealing sleeve extend in the same direction relative to the proximal end of the product concealing tube as an axially extending seam on the exterior surface of product concealing sleeve, the seam optionally being provided by an edge of a blank from which the product concealing sleeve tube is formed. 
 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 8 to 15  wherein axially extending edges of the or each locking flap associated with the outer sleeve extend along a helical path;
 and wherein the interior surface of the outer sleeve comprises a helically extending seam, the seam optionally being provided by an edge of the blank from which the outer sleeve tube is formed. 
 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 8 to 16  wherein opposed end edges of ones of the set of one or more locking flaps and the set of one or more engagement flaps are configured to engage one another to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end of the outer sleeve to define the first, fully extended position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 1  or  2  wherein the inter-engaging formations are provided by a first component separate from and joined to the product concealing sleeve and a second component separate from and joined to either the outer sleeve or the product stick carrier, wherein a distal end edge of the first component engages a proximal end edge of the second component to define the first, fully extended position, and wherein the first and second components are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 18  wherein the first component extends distally from the proximal end edge of the product concealing sleeve and the second component extends proximally from the distal end edge of the outer sleeve or product stick carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 18  or  claim 19  wherein the second component is joined to the product stick carrier, the first component being joined to the interior of the product concealing sleeve and the second component being joined to the exterior of the product stick carrier. 
     
     
         21 . The dispenser  claim 20  wherein the first and second components are tubular components, wherein the first component extends over only a portion of a length of the product concealing sleeve and the second component extends over only a portion of a length of the product stick carrier; optionally wherein one or both of the first and second components is formed from a spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         22 . The dispenser of  claim 20  or  21  wherein the second component is a collar. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the product concealing sleeve is rotatable relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier. 
     
     
         24 . The dispenser of  claim 23  wherein a helical element is associated with the product concealing sleeve which is received in a helical recess associated with the interior of the outer sleeve or the exterior of the product stick carrier for guiding movement of the product concealing sleeve as it moves relative to the product stick carrier and outer sleeve, wherein the helical element moves within the helical recess as the product concealing sleeve moves relative to the product stick carrier and outer sleeve. 
     
     
         25 . A dispenser for a product in stick form comprising:
 a product stick carrier in the form of a cylindrical tube comprising a product stick support for supporting a product stick in use;   an outer sleeve in the form of a cylindrical tube disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier, wherein the product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and   a product concealing sleeve in the form of a cylindrical tube disposed radially inwardly of the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from an extended position relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in use in order to expose the product stick;   wherein the product concealing sleeve is disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve;   wherein the outer sleeve, product concealing sleeve and product stick carrier are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard;   wherein the product concealing sleeve is rotatable relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier;   and wherein a helical element is associated with the product concealing sleeve which cooperates with a helical recess associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier or the interior of the outer sleeve for guiding movement of the product concealing sleeve as it moves relative to the product stick carrier and outer sleeve, wherein the helical element moves within the helical recess as the product concealing sleeve moves relative to the product stick carrier and outer sleeve.   
     
     
         26 . The dispenser of  claim 24  or  claim 25  wherein the helical element is associated with the interior of the product concealing sleeve and the helical recess is associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser of  claim 26  wherein the helical recess associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier is defined between turns of a helical element associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier. 
     
     
         28 . The dispenser of  claim 27  wherein the helical element associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier is bonded to and projects from the exterior surface of the product stick carrier; optionally wherein the product stick carrier is a spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         29 . The dispenser of  claim 27  or  claim 28  wherein the helical recess associated with the product stick carrier extends from the proximal end edge of the product stick carrier. 
     
     
         30 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 26 to 29  wherein the helical element associated with the interior of the product concealing sleeve is bonded to and projects from the inner surface of the product concealing sleeve tube; optionally wherein the product concealing sleeve is a spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         31 . The dispenser of  claim 25  wherein the extended position of the product concealing sleeve is a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier, the dispenser further comprising a first component separate from and joined to the interior of the product concealing sleeve and a second component separate from and joined to the exterior of the product stick carrier, wherein a distal end edge of the first component engages a proximal end edge of the second component to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position, wherein the first and second components are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard, wherein the first component is a first tubular component and the second component is a second tubular component, such as a collar, and wherein the first component extends over only a portion of a length of the product concealing sleeve and the second component extends over only a portion of a length of the product stick carrier; optionally wherein one or both of the first and second components is formed from a spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         32 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 26 to 29  as dependent directly or indirectly on any one of  claims 20-22 , or the dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein the helical element associated with the interior of the product concealing sleeve is bonded to and projects from the inner surface of the first component; optionally wherein the first component is a spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         33 . The dispenser of  claim 32  wherein the helical element associated with the interior of the product concealing sleeve extends over the full length of the first component. 
     
     
         34 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 32  or  33  wherein the helical recess associated with the exterior of the product stick carrier extends at least to the proximal end edge of the second component. 
     
     
         35 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 24 to 34  wherein the or each helical element is of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard. 
     
     
         36 . The dispenser of  claim 35  wherein each helical element is defined by a strip of such material. 
     
     
         37 . The dispenser of  claim 36  wherein the or each helical element is bonded to and projects from the surface of a component of the dispenser formed from a spiral wound tube; optionally wherein the helical element has been formed as part of the process of winding the spiral wound tube. 
     
     
         38 . The dispenser of any one of  claims 18 to 37  wherein the product concealing sleeve, outer sleeve and product stick carrier are each in the form of spiral wound tubes. 
     
     
         39 . A method of forming the dispenser of  claim 37 , the method comprising providing the or each helical element by spirally winding the strip of card-based or paper-based material forming the helical element around the same mandrel used to provide a spiral wound tube for providing the spiral wound tube component, wherein the helical element and spiral wound tube are formed around one another, optionally wherein the helical element and spiral wound tube are formed simultaneously. 
     
     
         40 . The dispenser of  claim 23  as dependent upon any one of  claims 6 to 17  wherein the locking flaps of the set of one or more locking flaps and the engagement flaps of the set of one or more engagement flaps are arranged such that at least one of the set of one or more engagement flaps will engage at least one of the set of one or more locking flaps irrespective of the rotational position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier beyond the set point so as to define the first, fully extended position. 
     
     
         41 . The dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the product stick carrier has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal portion comprising the product stick support; optionally wherein the product stick support comprises an end disc at the distal end of the product stick carrier, the end disc being recessed from the distal end edge of the product stick carrier; and/or the dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the product stick carrier is bonded to a base of the outer sleeve to fix the product stick carrier relative to the outer sleeve; optionally wherein the outer sleeve comprises a base disc closing a proximal end of the outer sleeve, and the product stick carrier is bonded to the base disc. 
     
     
         42 . The dispenser of  any preceding claim , wherein the product stick carrier, outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve together define a base part of the dispenser, wherein the dispenser further comprises a removable cap for closing an open end of the base part. 
     
     
         43 . A method of providing the dispenser in accordance with  any preceding claim  wherein the inter-engaging formations are inter-engaging flaps, the method comprising;
 providing a first blank of paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard, and wrapping the first blank around a mandrel to provide the outer sleeve tube; 
 providing a second blank of paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard, and wrapping the second blank around a mandrel to provide the product concealing sleeve tube; 
 and optionally, where the product stick carrier is in the form of a tube, providing a third blank of paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard, and wrapping the second blank around a mandrel to provide the product stick carrier tube. 
 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the first and second blanks each comprise first and second opposed edges for providing proximal and distal end edges of the outer sleeve tube or product concealing sleeve tube respectively, the first and second edges being connected at their respective ends by opposed third and fourth edges, wherein the third edge provides a leading edge of the blank as it is wrapped around the mandrel to provide the resulting tube, and the fourth edge a trailing edge of the blank;
 wherein the first blank comprises one or more tab connected along a foldline to the second edge thereof and extending over a portion of the length of the second edge for providing a set of one or more of the inter-engaging flaps associated with the outer sleeve; 
 and wherein the second blank comprises one or more tab connected along a foldline to the first edge thereof and extending over a portion of the length of the first edge for providing a set of one or more of the inter-engaging flaps associated with the product concealing sleeve. 
 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising deflecting the or each tab of the first blank such that the tab extends along the surface of the blank that forms an interior surface of the outer sleeve in the formed outer sleeve tube, and optionally bonding the tab to that surface of the blank;
 and deflecting the or each tab of the second blank such that the tab extends along the surface of the blank that forms an exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve in the formed product concealing sleeve tube, and optionally bonding the tab to that surface of the blank. 
 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44  or  claim 45  wherein the third edge is connected to the first edge so as to define an angle other than 90 degrees with the first edge and is connected to the second edge so as to define an angle other than 90 degrees with the second edge so as to provide a sloping leading edge of the blank. 
     
     
         47 . An assembly comprising the dispenser of any one of  claims 1 to 42  further comprising a product in stick form supported by the product support; and/or the assembly, method or dispenser of  any preceding claim  wherein the product stick is a stick of personal care product, such as lipstick.