PRODUCT DISPENSERS

Abstract

There is provided herein a dispenser (2) for a product in stick form. The dispenser (2) includes a product stick carrier (10), an outer sleeve (6) and a product concealing sleeve (8). The product stick carrier (10) includes a product stick support for supporting a product stick in use. The outer sleeve (6) is disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier (10). The product stick carrier (10) is fixed relative to the outer sleeve (6). The product concealing sleeve (8) is disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve (6) and is retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve (6) for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in use in order to expose the product stick. The product concealing sleeve (8) and the outer sleeve (6) include inter-engaging flaps (110A-D) which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve (8) relative to the outer sleeve (6) beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position. The outer sleeve (6), product concealing sleeve (8) and product stick carrier (10) are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.

Claims

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 disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier, wherein the product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and a product concealing sleeve disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve 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 and the outer sleeve comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve 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.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the product stick carrier has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal portion comprising the product stick support.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the product concealing sleeve is disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve.

4. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier comprises a proximal end and a distal end connected by one or more sidewalls.

5. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product stick carrier comprises a plurality of sidewalls, and the product stick support comprises a cradle portion, wherein the cradle portion comprises: a first opposed pair of flaps, each one of the opposed flaps being attached, at a proximal end of the flap, to a distal end of a respective one of a first pair of opposed sidewalls of the product stick carrier along a foldline; wherein each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps includes a proximal portion extending from the distal end of the product stick carrier sidewall with which it is associated along the interior surface thereof toward the proximal end of the product stick carrier sidewall, the proximal portion of the flap optionally being bonded to the interior surface of the product stick carrier sidewall; each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps further comprising a distal portion connected along a foldline to the proximal portion of the flap, the distal portion of the flap extending across the interior of the product stick carrier from the product stick carrier sidewall to which the flap is attached along a foldline toward the opposed carrier sidewall; wherein the distal portions of the opposed pair of flaps are bonded to each other in a surface-to-surface relationship to create a support for the product in stick form.

6. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier, each comprise three or more sidewalls, such as four sidewalls.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve each have the same number of sidewalls; optionally wherein each of the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve has a square or rectangular cross section.

8. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier, are each formed from a respective blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material.

9. 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.

10. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier has a length of at least 50% of a length of the outer sleeve, optionally of at least 75% of the length of the outer sleeve, and optionally greater than a length of the outer sleeve.

11. An assembly comprising a dispenser for a product in stick form and a product in stick form located therein; wherein the dispenser comprises; an outer sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick, wherein the product stick is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and a product concealing sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick between the product stick and the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve for concealing the product stick in use in order to expose the product stick; wherein the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position; and wherein the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve each comprise three or more sidewalls, such as four sidewalls.

13. The assembly of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the product concealing sleeve has the same number of sidewalls as the outer sleeve; optionally wherein each of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve has a square or rectangular cross section.

14. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve are each formed from a respective blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material.

15. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the inter-engaging flaps of the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise at least one pair of inter-engaging flaps, each pair of inter-engaging flaps comprising a locking flap at the distal end of the outer sleeve and an engagement flap at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve, wherein: the 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 the 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 concealing sleeve.

16. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein, in each pair of inter-engaging flaps, an end edge of the locking flap is configured to engage an end edge of the engagement flap 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.

17. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the engagement flap is bonded to the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve and/or wherein the locking flap is bonded to the interior surface of the outer sleeve.

18. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the outer sleeve comprises one or more stopper flaps at the proximal end of the outer sleeve, each stopper flap being folded inwardly so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve from the proximal end of the outer sleeve toward the distal end of the outer sleeve, wherein each stopper flap is configured to engage a proximal end of the product concealing sleeve to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a second set point in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve so as to define a second, fully retracted position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.

19. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 18 as dependent directly or indirectly upon claim 15, wherein each engagement flap is connected along a foldline to a proximal end of a sidewall of the product concealing sleeve, and wherein the stopper flap engages the foldline at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve connecting a respective one of said one or more engagement flaps to the sidewall.

20. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product stick carrier, outer sleeve and, where provided, 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.

21. The dispenser or assembly of claim 20, wherein a proximal end of the removable cap is configured to abut a distal end of the outer sleeve when located over the base part with the product concealing sleeve is in the first, fully extended position.

22. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, wherein: the dispenser has a width of less than 30 cm, or less than 20 cm, such as less than 10 cm or less than 5 cm, or less than 3 cm, or less than 2 cm, and/or the dispenser has a length with the product concealing sleeve in the first, fully extended position, of less than 50 cm, or less than 30 cm or less than 20 cm, or less than 15 cm.

23. An assembly comprising the dispenser of any one of claims 1-10, or any one of claims 15 to 22 as dependent directly or indirectly on any one of claims 1-10, further comprising a product in stick form supported by the product support.

24. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising an outer packaging arranged to house the dispenser.

25. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the product stick is a stick of personal care product, such as lipstick.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0146] Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0147] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0148] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the product dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0149] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product dispenser of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a cap removed and a product concealing sleeve in a fully extended position;

[0150] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the product dispenser of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, with the concealing sleeve in a fully retracted position and the product shown in dotted lines;

[0151] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the product dispenser, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, and additionally showing a product located in the product stick carrier;

[0152] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the product dispenser, taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 and additionally showing a product located in the product stick carrier;

[0153] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the product stick carrier erected;

[0154] FIG. 5B is a partially erected product stick carrier of FIG. 5A;

[0155] FIG. 5C is a blank for the product stick carrier of FIG. 5A;

[0156] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the product concealing sleeve erected;

[0157] FIG. 6B is a partially erected product concealing sleeve of FIG. 6A;

[0158] FIG. 6C is a blank for the product concealing sleeve of FIG. 6A;

[0159] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the outer sleeve erected;

[0160] FIG. 7B is a partially erected outer sleeve of FIG. 7A;

[0161] FIG. 7C is a blank for the outer sleeve of FIG. 7A;

[0162] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the cap erected;

[0163] FIG. 8B is a partially erected cap of FIG. 7A;

[0164] FIG. 8C is a blank for the cap of FIG. 7A.

[0165] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an outer packaging which may be used in a package including the dispenser of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0166] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a dispenser 2 for a product 4 in stick form is shown.

[0167] The dispenser 2 comprises an outer sleeve 6, a product concealing sleeve 8, a product stick carrier 10 and may comprise a cap 12.

[0168] Each component of the dispenser 2, i.e. the outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8, product stick carrier 10, and, where provided cap 12, is made of paper-based or card-based material. In the illustrated embodiment, each component is constructed from a respective single piece blank of such material. However, it is not necessary that each need be a single piece blank, or, indeed, that any component need be folded from a blank at all.

[0169] An outer packaging 14 (shown in FIG. 9) may be provided to house the dispenser 2. The outer packaging 14 may be in the form of an outer carton made of cardboard or paperboard. Together, the outer packaging 14, dispenser 2 and product stick 4 then form a package.

[0170] For ease of illustration, the product 4 is shown only in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0171] The dispenser 2 defines an axial direction X which extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the dispenser 2 between a proximal end 16 of the dispenser 2 and a distal end 18 of the dispenser 2. The terms distal and proximal may, in some arrangements, correspond to upper and lower, or top and bottom, when the dispenser 2 is arranged in a vertical position, such that, when assembled, the cap 12 is vertically above the outer sleeve 6. Transverse directions Y, Z may be defined perpendicular to the axial direction X. Transverse may correspond to radial.

[0172] The concealing sleeve 8 is dimensioned to fit snugly (i.e., so that it touches, but can still slide) within the outer sleeve 6 in the transverse directions Y, Z. The carrier 10 (product stick carrier) is dimensioned to fit snugly within the concealing sleeve 8. The carrier 10 is bonded to the outer sleeve 6. The bonding may be by adhesion, or any other suitable technique, such as heat sealing. The bonding of the carrier 10 to the outer sleeve 6 does not inhibit the ability for the product concealing sleeve 8 to slide. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the end panel (base flap) 40A of the product stick carrier 10 is bonded to the end wall panel (base panel) 100 of the outer sleeve 6.

[0173] The cap 12 is dimensioned such that the concealing sleeve 8 fits snugly within the cap 12 in the transverse directions Y, Z. A proximal end 20 of the cap 12 is configured to abut a distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 as shown in the arrangement of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surface 24 of the cap 12 is flush with the exterior surface 26 of the outer sleeve 6. The cap 12 has a length so as to fit over the concealing sleeve 8 and abut the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 when the concealing sleeve 8 is in a first, fully extended position relative to the product stick carrier 6 (and outer sleeve 10).

[0174] The concealing sleeve 8 may move (e.g., slide) between a first, fully extended position 11, as shown in FIG. 2, and a second, fully retracted position 13 relative to the outer sleeve 6 and product carrier 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The movement is a linear movement which occurs without relative rotation between the components. This movement may be driven by a force applied by a user to the concealing sleeve 8. The interaction of the concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve 6 which leads to the limits at the fully extended and fully retracted positions can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and is described in more detail further below.

[0175] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the carrier 10, as assembled (or erected), as partially erected and as a blank 28 respectively.

[0176] The carrier 10 is a product stick carrier 10.

[0177] The carrier 10 is constructed from a single piece blank 28, as shown in FIG. 5C.

[0178] The carrier 10 comprises a product support 30 to hold the product 4 in stick form at a distal end 32 of the carrier 10 such that the product 4 extends beyond the distal end 32. The position of the product 4 is illustrated with respect to FIGS. 4A and B below.

[0179] The carrier 10 comprises a plurality of carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, for example, first, second, third and fourth carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, connected to one another along axial side edges (i.e. that extend axially) along foldlines 36A, 36B, 36C. The carrier 10 also comprises an assembly flap 38 e.g. glue flap 38 attached to an axial side edge (i.e., that extends axially) of the first carrier sidewall 34A along a foldline 36D. The assembly flap 38 is trapezoidal, which may provide for easier assembly. When erected, as shown in FIG. 5A, the assembly flap 38 is bonded to a surface, e.g., the exterior surface, of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D. The assembly flap 38 may be bonded to either the interior surface or the exterior surface of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D. If the assembly flap 38 is bonded to the exterior surface of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D then the presence of a visible cut edge at the distal edge of the assembly flap in the fully erected dispenser may be avoided.

[0180] The carrier 10 also includes a plurality of base flaps 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, each attached to a proximal end 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D of a respective one of the carrier walls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D along a foldline 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D. The base flaps 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D form a closed base 46 of the carrier 10. The proximal i.e. outer side of the lowermost base flap 40C is bonded to the outer sleeve 6 in the assembled dispenser 2. It will be appreciated that the shape and number of the base flaps may differ from that illustrated. At least one of the flaps 40A and C will typically close the open area at the base of the carrier, with the other flaps not needing to provide full area coverage.

[0181] The carrier 10 thereby forms a square cross section. The cross section is the transverse cross section. It will be appreciated that the carrier 10 may in other embodiments be of another multi-sided shape, such as a hexagon, or any other shape. The outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8, and cap 12, where provided, will then be of corresponding cross sectional shape.

[0182] The product support 30 of the product carrier 10 includes a cradle portion at the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 that forms a platform for supporting the product stick 4 in use. The cradle portion includes a first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C (or cradle flaps) attached along foldlines 52A, 52C, at a proximal end of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C, to the distal end 54A, 54C of a first pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34A, 34C, such as the first and third carrier sidewalls 54A, 54C. Each flap 50A, 50C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C includes a proximal portion 56A, 56C and a distal portion 58A, 58C. The proximal portion 56A, 56C extends inwardly from the distal end 54A, 54C of the carrier sidewall 34A, 34C with which it is associated along the interior surface thereof, being bonded to the interior surface of the carrier sidewall 34A, 34C. The distal portion 58A, 58C is connected along a foldline 60A, 60C to the proximal portion 56A, 56C of the flap 50A, 50C. The distal portion 58A, 58C of the flap 50A, 50C extends across the interior of the product stick carrier 10 toward the opposed carrier sidewall 34C, 34A. The distal portions 58A, 58C of the opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C are bonded to each other in a face-to-face (surface-to-surface) relationship to create a cradle for the product in stick form 4.

[0183] The product carrier 10 also includes a second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D attached to the distal end 54B, 54D of a second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D, such as the second and fourth carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D, wherein the second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D are folded inwardly from the distal ends 54B, 54D of the carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D and bonded to the interior surface of the second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D.

[0184] The proximal portions 56A,56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C and the second pair of opposed flaps 50B, 50D reinforce the distal end of the product carrier 10, providing the region which will extend along the sides of a product stick in use with a multi- ply thickness. The sidewall 34D will be located between the flap 50D and the assembly flap 38 in the erected product carrier 10 in the embodiment illustrated. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the flap 50D is located between the sidewall 34D and the assembly flap 38 in the erected product carrier 10. However, it is envisaged that the flaps 50B, 50D could be omitted in other embodiments.

[0185] The product stick 4 is sized to fit snugly between the proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C and the second pair of opposed flaps 50B, 50D and is affixed to the distal portions 58A, 58C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C which are bonded to one another and provide a cradle portion including a platform supporting the base 62 of the product 4. The proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 58A, 58C space the product supporting platform from the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10. By recessing the platform in this way, some support is additionally provided to the sides of the product 4 at the base 62 thereof.

[0186] In other words, the product carrier 10 includes a product support 30 that includes a platform (the distal portions 58A, 58C of the first opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C) for supporting the base 62 of the product 4 and also extending up the sides (the proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C, and the second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D) of the product carrier 10.

[0187] Alternatively or additionally, the product support for holding the product 4 may include any other suitable features for holding the product 4 at the distal end 32 of the carrier 10, for example, the product support may include one or more spikes enabled to secure the product 4 in place. The product support may be arranged to provide an interference fit with a product.

[0188] Other types of product support may be used to those illustrated. For example, a cradle portion constructed as described above need not necessarily be used. Furthermore, the assembly of the product stick carrier may be performed in a different manner to that described. The configuration and/or shape of any assembly flap or set of flaps for providing a closed base may differ from that described.

[0189] With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the concealing sleeve 8 (or product concealing sleeve 8) and the blank 64 thereof will be described below.

[0190] The concealing sleeve 8 includes first, second, third and fourth concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. However, other numbers of sidewalls may be used as previously discussed with respect to the product carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D. The concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D are attached along axial sides thereof along foldlines 68A, 68B, 68C. The concealing sleeve 8 includes an assembly flap 70, e.g., glue flap 70, attached to the first concealing sleeve sidewall 66A along a foldline 68D. The assembly flap 70 may be trapezoidal. In the erected concealing sleeve 8, the assembly flap 70 is bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the inner side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D. Alternatively, the assembly flap 70 may be bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the outer side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D. However, bonding the assembly flap 70 to the inner side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D reduces the length of visible cut edge of the assembly flap 70 as compared to an arrangement with the assembly flap 70 bonded to the outer side.

[0191] In the embodiment illustrated, the concealing sleeve 8 also includes a plurality of end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D attached to the distal ends 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D of the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D and a side flap 72E attached to the axial side edge 75 of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D respectively along foldlines 76A, 76B, 76C, 76D, 76E. The end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D and side flap 72E are folded inwardly (i.e., towards the side of the blank 64 for the concealing sleeve 8 that faces inwards in the erected concealing sleeve 8) and are bonded to the inner face of the respective concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. In the embodiment illustrated the end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D attached to the distal ends 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D are at least as long as the length of the concealing sleeve 8 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the carrier 10 in the first, fully extended position 11 (as shown in FIG. 2). The end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D thereby make the concealing sleeve 8 multi-ply at a distal end 78 thereof (and over a distal portion thereof below the distal end 78) and acts to reinforce the sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. Imparting the regions in which the end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are present with an additional layer avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the sidewall.

[0192] As may be seen in FIG. 6B, the end flap 72D and side flap 72E have complimentary shapes, such that when the end flap 72D and side flap 72E are folded inwardly, they do not overlap. This may help avoid creating areas of the wall 66D which are excessively thick, supporting obtaining a snug fit between the concealing sleeve 8, product carrier 10 and outer sleeve 6. This may be particularly useful in the context of the relatively small dispenser 2 required for use with at least some types of product stick 4 e.g. lipsticks.

[0193] The assembly flap 70 is bonded to the interior of the side flap 72E (which in turn is on the interior of the sidewall 66D) in the erected product concealing sleeve 8. The assembly flap 70 underlies the inner surface of the side flap 72E. The shape of the side flap 72E corresponds to that of the assembly flap 70, again helping to avoid excessive thickness of the wall 66D of the product concealing sleeve 8 i.e. such that the assembly flap 70 does not overlap the end flap 72D.

[0194] As described above, the assembly flap 70 may, in alternative embodiments, be bonded to the exterior side of the sidewall 66D.

[0195] It will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated is merely exemplary, and a lesser number of end flaps may be used. Furthermore, the details of the assembly flap and the shapes of the various flaps may differ from that shown.

[0196] The concealing sleeve 8 includes engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C at its proximal end 122, which each form part of a pair of inter-engaging flaps with locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6, described below. In the embodiment illustrated, the concealing sleeve 8 includes one fewer engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C than the number of concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D (this also applies to the other sidewalls, e.g., the product carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D). It will be appreciated that while three engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C are shown, a greater or lesser number of engagement flaps may be provided. For example, for a four sided concealing sleeve, one, two, three or four such locking flaps may be provided. In general, the concealing sleeve 8 includes at least one such locking flap 80A, 80B, 80C. Each inter-engaging flap provided will form a pair of inter-engaging flaps with a locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6. Thus, for each engagment flap 80A, 80B, 80C of the concealing sleeve, an inter-engaging locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D is provided associated with the outer sleeve 6.

[0197] There may be any number of pairs of inter-engaging flaps. For example, there may be one fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps than outer sleeve sidewalls. Alternatively, there may be more than one fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps than outer sleeve sidewalls. In the context of a four sided outer sleeve, there may, for example, be 2 or 3 pairs of inter-engaging flaps provided. Including fewer pair of inter-engaging flaps than sidewalls may help facilitate sliding of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. However, the number of pairs of flaps may be selected depending upon various factors, such as the intended properties of the dispenser and the materials forming it etc.. For example, including the same number of pairs of inter-engaging flaps as sidewalls may help to support more secure inter-engagement between the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve being obtained,.

[0198] Each engagement flap 80A, 80B, 80C is connected to a proximal end 82A, 82B, 82C of a respective concealing sleeve sidewall 66A, 66B, 66C along a foldline 84A, 84B, 84C.

[0199] In the erected concealing sleeve 8, each engagement flap 80A, 80B, 80C is folded outwardly (i.e., in a direction away from the centre of the erected concealing sleeve 8) such that it is flat against the outer surface of the respective concealing sleeve sidewall 66A, 66B, 66C to which it is attached.

[0200] The concealing sleeve 8 in the erected dispenser is retractable from the first, extended position to the second, fully retracted position. The concealing sleeve 8 is freely movable between the first and second positions. The concealing sleeve 8 is mounted for reciprocating movement between the first and second positions between the carrier 10 and the outer sleeve 6.

[0201] As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a greater portion of the concealing sleeve 8 extends beyond a distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the first, extended position 11 than when in the second, fully retracted position 13. The concealing sleeve 8 includes a distal portion 86 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the second, fully retracted position (and also, in the first, extended position). The concealing sleeve 8 includes a proximal portion 88 that does not extend beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the first, extended position 11 (and also in the second, fully retracted position 13). The concealing sleeve 8 includes an intermediate portion 90 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 in the first, extended position, but that does not extend beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 in the second, fully retracted position.

[0202] The end flaps 72A-D have a length such that they reinforce a portion (the distal and the intermediate portions 86, 90) of the product concealing sleeve 8 that extends beyond the distal end of the product carrier 10 when in the first, fully extended position 11.

[0203] With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, an exemplary outer sleeve 6 and an exemplary blank 92 thereof will be described below.

[0204] In the embodiment illustrated the outer sleeve 6 includes first, second, third and fourth outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D. However, other numbers of sidewalls may be used as previously discussed with respect to the product carrier and concealing sleeve sidewalls 34A-D, 66A-D. The outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D are connected to one another along foldlines 96A, 96B, 96C along the side edges thereof.

[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve 6 includes an assembly flap 98, e.g., glue flap 98 attached to the fourth outer sleeve sidewall 94D along a foldline 96D at a side edge of the fourth outer sleeve sidewall 94D. When the outer sleeve 6 is erected, the assembly flap 98 is bonded face-to-face to one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, being the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A as illustrated. The assembly flap 98 is bonded to the interior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A. Of course, the assembly flap 98 may in alternative arrangements be bonded to the exterior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A; however, the arrangement with the assembly flap 98 bonded to the interior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A may avoid visible cut edges of the assembly flap 98 in the fully erected dispenser 2.

[0206] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve 6 includes a base panel 100 to a proximal end 102 of the assembly flap 98 along a foldline 104. The outer sleeve 6 also includes a plurality of base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C attached to the base panel 100 along foldlines 108A, 108B, 108C at side edges of the base panel 100. The base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are configured such that, when the outer sleeve 6 is erected, the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are each in face-to-face contact with (and each flap 106A, 106B, 106C optionally bonded to) to a respective one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94D, 94C, 94B on interior surfaces of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94D, 94C, 94B. In some embodiments, some or all of the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are bonded to exterior surfaces of respective carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C. In other embodiments the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are not bonded to the carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C. The most appropriate arrangement will depend upon factors such as the packing line assembly, product stick carrier arrangement and security of closure required. The assembly flap 98 is bonded face-to-face to the interior of the outer sleeve sidewall 94A. As described above, in other arrangements the assembly flap may be bonded to the exterior of the outer sleeve sidewall 94A.

[0207] The base panel 100, in the erected dispenser 2 is bonded to the lowermost base flap 40 of the product carrier 10, such that the product carrier 10 is centred in the transverse directions Y, Z with respect to the outer sleeve 6.

[0208] The outer sleeve 6 includes locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, each being attached to the distal end 112B, 112C, 112D of a respective one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D along a foldline 114B, 114C, 114D. In the embodiment illustrated, the outer sleeve 6 includes three locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, for example one fewer than the number of outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D. It will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D may be provided. For example, for a four sided outer sleeve 6, one, two, three or four such locking flaps may be provided. In general, the outer sleeve 6 includes at least one such locking flap. An additional flap 110A is provided attached to the distal end 112A of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A along a foldline 114A. The additional flap 110A reinforces the distal end 112A of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A, so it is also multi-ply, similarly to the distal ends 112b, 112C, 112D of the other outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

[0209] In the erected dispenser 2, the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, together with the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C of the concealing sleeve 8, provide pairs of inter-engaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D configured to prevent further movement of the concealing sleeve 8 relative to the outer sleeve axially in a direction away from the proximal end and toward the distal end of the concealing sleeve 6.. This is illustrated in FIG. 4A.

[0210] While FIG. 2 does not show a product located in the product stick carrier, the product is shown in FIG. 4A.

[0211] The inter-engaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D cooperate with one another to prevent the travel of the concealing sleeve 8 as it is extended relative to the outer sleeve 6 and product carrier 10 further beyond the first, fully extended position and thereby retain the product concealing sleeve 8 between the product carrier 10 and the outer sleeve 6.

[0212] In the embodiment illustrated, the ends 81A, 118B, 81B, 118C, 81C, 118D of the interengaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D engage one another to provide a locking effect.

[0213] The locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D are folded inwardly (i.e., towards the centre of the dispenser 2), and each locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D is bonded to the interior surface of the respective outer sleeve sidewall 94B, 94C, 94D to which it attached along a foldline 114B, 114C, 114D. This may improve engagement with the ends of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and provide a slimmer dispenser 2.

[0214] Alternatively, it is envisaged that in other embodiments the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D might slide underneath the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C between the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and the outer surface of the concealing sleeve 8 so the ends 118B, 118C, 118D of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D may engage with the foldlines 84A, 84B, 84C that connect the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C to the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C. In these embodiments, the locking flaps 110B, C, D would not be bonded to the interior surfaces of the respective outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

[0215] In other embodiments only one set of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C may be bonded to the interior surfaces of the respective outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D or the outer surface of the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C respectively.

[0216] The choice of which of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C ae bonded to the respective sidewall surfaces and which are not bonded will depend on a variety of factors, such as manufacturing and cost considerations and the rigidity requirements of the various components of the dispenser for various different uses. Bonding down the engagement flaps may, for example, facilitate manufacture where the product concealing sleeve is pushed into the distal end of the outer sleeve. It may then be less important to bond down the locking flaps, since the product concealing sleeve will be pushed past them in the direction of folding. However, the reverse may be the case. In general, one or both of the engagement flaps and locking flaps may be either bonded down or unbonded. Thus, combinations of bonded and unbonded flaps are envisaged.

[0217] In the erected dispenser 2, the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D are located between the product concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

[0218] The outer sleeve 6 also includes stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D attached to the proximal end 120 of the outer sleeve 6 along foldlines 117B, 117C, 117D. Each stopper flap 116B, 116C, 116D is folded about the respective foldline 117B, 117C, 117D into the interior of the outer sleeve 6 and is bonded to the interior surface thereof. In the embodiment illustrated, an edge 115B, 115C, 115B of each stopper flap 116B, 116C, 116D closer to the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 is configured to engage with the base 122 of the concealing sleeve 8 along one of the foldlines 84A, 84B, 84C connecting the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C to the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C. As with the engagement and locking flaps, it will be appreciated that the stopper flaps need not be bonded down.

[0219] In the erected dispenser 2, the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D are located between the product concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

[0220] The stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D are thereby configured to restrict the axial movement of the concealing sleeve 8 relative to the outer sleeve 6 in the direction toward the proximal end 16 of the outer sleeve 6 so as to define the second, fully retracted position 13 of the concealing sleeve 8. This is shown in FIG. 4B. It will be appreciated that such stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D need not necessarily be used. For example, the proximal end 16 of the concealing sleeve 6 may simply engage a base of the dispenser 2 to define a fully retracted position. However, the use of stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D which cooperate with the base of the engagement flaps 80A, B, C may provide a space efficient arrangement to define the fully retracted position 13.

[0221] The extent of travel of the product concealing sleeve 8 between the fully retracted and fully extended positions 13, 11 may be controlled in the embodiments illustrated by selecting the extent of the inter-engaging flaps 80A, 80B, 80C, 110B, 110C, 110D, and, where provided, stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D, appropriately. The extent of the travel may correspond to a distance separating the opposed ends of the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D and locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6 minus the length of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C of the product concealing sleeve 8 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0222] While FIG. 3 only shows the product 4 located in the product stick carrier 10 with dotted lines, the product 4 is shown in FIG. 4B with solid lines and hatched shading.

[0223] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic drawings that are not drawn to scale, but are included for ease of understanding the functioning of certain features of the dispenser 2. For example, the space between the outer sleeve 6 and the product carrier 10 has been exaggerated. Similarly, the thickness of the paperboard or cardboard of the components has been exaggerated. The product may have a greater length than illustrated, and a greater portion of the product may be exposed when the product concealing sleeve is retracted. The product concealing sleeve may have a greater length than illustrated. More accurate illustrations are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0224] The outer sleeve 6 in the illustrated embodiment also includes a side flap 124 attached to an axial edge of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A along a foldline 96E. The side flap 124 is optional. In the illustrated embodiment, the side flap 124 is folded back along foldline 96E and bonded to the interior of the sidewall 94A. In the erected outer sleeve 6, the side flap 124 is sandwiched between the sidewall 94A and the assembly flap 98. The side flap 124 avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the sidewall 94A and acts to reinforce the sidewall 94A, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

[0225] With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, an exemplary cap 12 and an exemplary blank 126 thereof will be described below.

[0226] As suggested above, it is envisaged that the dispenser 2, though described herein as comprising a cap 12, may in some embodiments not include a cap 12.

[0227] The cap 12 is replaceably removable from the base part (i.e., the outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8 and product carrier 10) of the dispenser 2.

[0228] For some products in stick form 4, a cap 12 may be beneficial, for example, by keeping the end of the product 4 from being exposed to air and thereby drying out.

[0229] In the embodiment illustrated, the cap 12 includes first, second, third and fourth cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D. However, as described above for the components of the base part, the cap 12 may include any number of sidewalls. The cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D are attached along axial sides thereof along foldlines 130A, 130B, 130C.

[0230] The cap 12 includes an assembly flap 132, e.g., a glue flap 132 attached to the fourth cap sidewall 128D along a foldline 130D at a side edge of the fourth cap sidewall 128D. When the cap 12 is erected, the assembly flap 128 may be bonded face-to-face to one of the cap sidewalls 128A, for example, the first cap sidewall 128A. The assembly flap 132 may be bonded to the interior side of said cap sidewall 128A.

[0231] The cap includes a lid panel 134 attached to the assembly flap 132 attached to a distal end 136 of the assembly flap 132 along a foldline 138. The cap 12 also includes a plurality of lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C attached to the lid panel 134 along foldlines 142A, 142B, 142C at side edges of the lid panel 134. The lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C are configured, such that when the cap 12 is erected, the lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C are bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to each of the cap sidewalls 128D, 128C, 128B on interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls 128D, 128C, 128B. The assembly flap 132 is bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the cap sidewall 128A. The assembly flap 132 may be bonded to the interior surface of the cap sidewall 128A to avoid visible cut edges on the fully erected dispenser 2; however, in alternative arrangements it is feasible that the assembly flap 138 could be bonded to the exterior surface of the cap sidewall 128A.

[0232] The cap 12 includes a plurality of distal end flaps 144A, 144B, 144C, 144D, each attached to the distal end 146A, 146B, 146C, 146D of a respective one of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D along a respective foldline 148A, 148B, 148C, 148D. The cap 12 also includes a plurality of proximal end flaps 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, each attached to the proximal end 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D of a respective one of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D along a respective foldline 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D. In the erected cap 12, the proximal and distal end flaps 144A-D, 150A-D are folded inwardly (i.e., toward the centre of the cap 12) and bonded to the interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D. The presence of the proximal and distal end flaps 144A-D, 150A-D avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the cap sidewalls 128A-D and acts to reinforce the cap sidewalls 128A-D, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

[0233] The cap 12 also includes a side flap 156 attached to a side edge of the first cap sidewall 128A along a foldline 130E. The side flap 156, in the erected cap 12 is folded inwardly (i.e., toward the centre of the cap 12) and bonded to the interior surface of the first cap sidewall 128A. The side flap 156 avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the first cap sidewall 128A and acts to reinforce the first cap sidewall 128A, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

[0234] It will be seen that the shapes of end flaps 144A, 150A and side flap 156 are complimentary in the illustrated embodiment to avoid creating excessive thickness in the sidewall 128A of the cap 12 to which they are bonded.

[0235] The form of the cap 12 shown in FIGS. 8A-C is merely exemplary, and other types of cap may be used.

[0236] The external surfaces of the outer sleeve 6 and the cap 12 are flush in the arrangement described. The cap 12 is sized to fit over the product concealing sleeve 8 when the sleeve 8 is in the fully extended position 11, with the proximal end 20 of the cap 12 abutting the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6.

[0237] The dispenser 2 is used in the following manner. Firstly, the dispenser is removed from housing 14, in embodiments where housing 14 is present. Then the cap 12 is removed from the dispenser 2. The concealing sleeve 8 is then manually retracted to reveal the product 4. The concealing sleeve 8 is, in some embodiments, prevented from traveling more further than the second, fully retracted position 13 (as shown in FIG. 3) by the engagement of the base of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D. The product may then be used, for example by being applied to a surface (e.g., lips, or face). Then the concealing sleeve 8 is manually slid to the first, fully extended position 11 (as shown in FIG. 2), thereby concealing the product 4. The concealing sleeve 8 is prevented from further travel in an axial direction by the engagement of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C.

[0238] The dimensions of the dispenser 2 may be selected as desired. For example, in one exemplary embodiment of a lipstick dispenser, the dispenser 2 may be less than 15 cm long with the product concealing sleeve 8 in the fully extended position, and less than 3 cm wide.

[0239] These dimensions are only exemplary, and similar dimensions and sizes may be used for the dispenser 2 and the components thereof.

[0240] In exemplary embodiments, the product stick carrier 10 may have a length greater than that of both the outer sleeve 6 and the product concealing sleeve 8. The outer sleeve 6 and product concealing sleeve 8 may be of similar lengths.

[0241] The range of travel of the product concealing sleeve 8 between the first, fully extended, position and the second, fully retracted, position may vary widely depending upon the desired properties of the dispenser 2, such as the desired strength and stability properties thereof, the nature and configuration of product stick 4 with which it is to be used etc. A greater range of travel may be useful in providing greater product exposure and ease of use.

[0242] The embodiment illustrated is merely exemplary of one form of a dispenser 2 including a product concealing sleeve 8, product stick carrier 10 and outer sleeve 6 cooperating in the manner of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the dispenser 2, and the components thereof, may differ in construction from the exemplary embodiment shown. For example, while the components are each shown as being folded from a single piece blank of material, this need not be the case. While each component is shown as being four sided in the illustrated embodiment, other polygonal shapes in cross section having a greater or lesser number of sides, may be envisaged. These include, for example, a six sided shape. The sides of the shape defined in cross section need not be of equal length. For example, a rectangular rather than square cross section might be used.

[0243] While the product concealing sleeve has been shown as extending around the full circumference of the product stick, this need not be the case.

[0244] It will be appreciated that the number of sidewalls of each component of the dispenser may differ from the illustrated embodiment and from each other. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the product concealing sleeve may have fewer sidewalls than the outer sleeve, such as one less sidewall than the outer sleeve. In this regard, where the outer sleeve has four sidewalls, the product concealing sleeve might, in exemplary embodiments, have 3 or 4 sidewalls.

[0245] Each component may, for example, have 3, 4, 5, or 6 sidewalls in some exemplary embodiments.

[0246] The product stick carrier could be of a different form to the product stick carrier illustrated. The product stick carrier could take the form of anything that can support the product in stick form, for example at the base thereof. For example, the product stick carrier could be a planar member, or any other element confined to the base of the dispenser. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the dispenser might not comprise a product stick carrier at all with the product in stick form instead being secured directly to the base of the outer sleeve. The other components of the dispenser may then be as described herein. The outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve will have inter-engaging flaps as described in relation to the illustrated embodiment.

[0247] While, in the illustrated embodiments, the components include various end flaps (which do not form part of any of the pairs of inter-engaging flaps contributing to the cooperation between the various components) and side flaps which may avoid the presence of a cut edge and can increase strength of the components, such additional end flaps and side flaps are only optional. For example, where the visibility of cut edges is of less concern, and where other factors e.g. quantity of material used, is of greater concern, some or all of the flaps may be omitted.