PACKAGED DEODORANT STICK PRODUCT

Abstract

A packaged deodorant stick product comprising a deodorant stick composition, a retaining member and a holder, the deodorant stick composition being mounted on the retaining member and the retaining member comprises one of a bayonet element and a socket and the holder comprises the other of the bayonet element and the socket, wherein the bayonet element is lockably receivable within the socket such that the retaining member is removably connectable to the holder.

Claims

1. A packaged deodorant stick product comprising a deodorant stick composition, a retaining member and a holder, wherein the deodorant stick composition is mounted on the retaining member, the retaining member comprises one of a bayonet element and a socket and the holder comprises the other of the bayonet element and the socket, and wherein the bayonet element is lockably receivable within the socket such that the retaining member is removably connectable to the holder.

2. A packaged deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a first connection surface from which the bayonet element extends, and wherein the holder comprises a second connection surface on which the socket is positioned.

3. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the socket comprises a retention shelf, and the bayonet element comprises a protrusion engageable with the retention shelf, whereby when the protrusion is engaged with the retention shelf the bayonet element is locked within the socket.

4. A deodorant stick product according to claim 3, wherein the bayonet element comprises a pair of flanges and each flange comprises a protrusion.

5. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises one of a detent and an indent and the holder comprises the other of the detent and the indent, wherein the indent is adapted to receive the detent.

6. A deodorant stick product according to claim 5, wherein the bayonet element is rotatable relative to the socket between a first position and a second position such that in the first position a radial protrusion is not engaged with a retention shelf, and the detent is not received by the indent and in a second position the radial protrusion is engaged with the retention shelf and the detent is received by the indent.

7. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a retaining structure which projects from a retaining surface of the retaining member.

8. A deodorant stick product according to claim 7, wherein the retaining structure is embedded in the deodorant stick composition.

9. A deodorant stick product according to claim 7, wherein the retaining structure comprises a plurality of bridge structures.

10. A deodorant stick product according to according to claim 1, having an oval cross section.

11. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, comprising a cap, wherein the deodorant stick composition is receivable within the cap and the cap is attachable to the holder.

12. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises an upper element and a lower element, which lower element is adapted to receive and hold the upper element.

13. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein the deodorant stick composition has a hardness of at least 600-gram force.

14. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an initial height of the deodorant stick composition to a height of a holding material is from 1:2 to 3:2.

15. A deodorant stick product according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an initial height of the deodorant stick composition to a breadth of the deodorant stick composition is from 1:2 to 3:2.

Description

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

[0085] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0086] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a deodorant stick product according to the first aspect of the invention comprising a retaining member separated from a holder;

[0087] FIG. 2 is a top view of the retaining member shown in FIG. 1.

[0088] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional representation of a bayonet element forming part of the retaining member of FIG. 1;

[0089] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional representation of a socket forming part of the holder of FIG. 1;

[0090] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the deodorant stick product of FIG. 1 showing the bayonet element and the socket;

[0091] FIG. 5 is a view of the deodorant stick product shown in FIG. 1 showing the retaining member positioned ready to connect with the holder;

[0092] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining member and the holder positioned as they are in FIG. 5;

[0093] FIG. 7 is a view of the deodorant stick product (1) shown in FIG. 1, showing the retaining member connected to the holder;

[0094] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining member and the holder positioned as they are in FIG. 7.

[0095] FIG. 9 is close-up view of the retaining member of FIG. 1, positioned in the process of attachment to the holder;

[0096] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the deodorant stick product of FIG. 1 with a cap attached to the holder.

[0097] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the deodorant stick product (1) shown in FIG. 10.

[0098] The Figures are not necessarily to the same scale.

[0099] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a deodorant stick product according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 1. The deodorant stick product (1) comprises a retaining member (3) and a holder (4) which are shown here separated from one another.

[0100] The retaining member (3) comprises a bayonet element (6), a retaining structure (9), a retaining surface (30), a first connection surface (31) and a pair of end portions 40. The bayonet element (6) extends from the first connection surface (31) which is spaced apart from the retaining surface (30). An end portion (40) extends parallel to the bayonet element (6) from each end of the retaining member (3).

[0101] A deodorant stick composition (not shown) may be mounted to the retaining member (3) wherein the retaining structure (9) is embedded within the deodorant stick composition and the deodorant stick composition extends from the retaining surface (30). The retaining structure (9) comprises a plurality of bridge structures (18) which projects away from the first connection surface 31. The plurality of bridge structures (18) are adapted to enhance the retention of the deodorant stick composition to the retaining member.

[0102] The holder (4) comprises an upper element (4A) and a lower element (4B). The upper element (4A) comprises a second connection surface (32) and a socket (7) positioned on the second connection surface (32). The lower element (4B) is adapted to receive and hold the upper element (4A). Typically, the upper element (4A) and the lower element (4B) are moulded independently and then fitted together.

[0103] Referring now to FIG. 2, the retaining structure (9) of retaining member (3) is shown in more detail. In this embodiment of the invention the retaining structure (9) comprises four bridge structures (18). Each bridge structure (18) forms a bridge extending from one side of the retaining member (3) to the other substantially parallel to the minor axis of the retaining member (3). In other embodiments the plurality of bridge structures may be any suitable number of bridge structures.

[0104] The retaining structure (9) further comprises a plurality of apertures (19) that separate the bridge structures and that extend through the retaining member from the retaining surface (30) to the first connection surface (31).

[0105] During manufacture, molten deodorant stick composition passes through the apertures (19) and surrounds the bridge structures (18). When the molten composition is cooled and solidified, the bridge structures (18) are embedded therein. This greatly strengthens the retention of the deodorant stick composition by the retaining structure (9), reducing the likelihood that the composition becomes fractured or shears off during use.

[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bayonet element (6), end portions (40) and socket (7) are shown in more detail. In FIG. 3A, a cross-section of the bayonet element (6) and the end portions (40) is provided. In this embodiment the bayonet element (6) comprises a pair of flanges (6a, 6b) wherein each flange extends parallel to one another from the first connection surface (31) of the retaining member (3).

[0107] Each flange (6a, 6b) comprises a protrusion (10) that extends outwards from the bayonet element (6). Each protrusion (10) comprises an outside edge (20) wherein the distance between the outside edge (20) of each protrusion (10) is shown as X.

[0108] Each end portion (40) comprises a detent support (42) and each detent support (42) comprises a detent (41).

[0109] In FIG. 3B, a cross-section of the second connection surface (32) is shown. The socket (7) comprises a pair of retention shelves (11) that extend inwardly from an opening of the socket (7). Each retention shelf (11) comprises an inner edge (21) wherein the distance between the inner edge (21) of each retention shelf (11) is shown as Y. The protrusions (10) and the retention shelves (11) are adapted such that distance X is greater than distance Y. (The distances X and Y are also shown in FIG. 4.)

[0110] The second connection surface (32) further comprises an indent (44) at each end thereof. Each indent (45) is adapted to receive a respective detent (41).

[0111] Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the retaining member (3) and the upper element of the holder (4A) is shown. Here the protrusions (10) are shown extending outwardly from the bayonet element (6) and the retention shelves (11) extend inwardly from the opening of the socket (7). It can be seen that, in this orientation, the bayonet element (6) cannot be fully inserted into the socket (7) because distance X is greater than distance Y. Or in other words, the retention shelves (11) prevent movement of the protrusions (10) into the socket (7).

[0112] Referring now to FIG. 5, the deodorant stick product (1) is shown with the retaining member (3) positioned ready to be connected with the holder (4). The bayonet element (6) may be is inserted into the socket (7) by lowering the retaining member (3) into contact with the holder (4).

[0113] In FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view is provided of the deodorant stick product (1) in the configuration shown in FIG. 5. It can be seen that, in this orientation, the relative positions of the socket (7) and the retention shelves (11) allow the bayonet element (6) to be fully inserted into the socket (7) when the bayonet element (6) is in a first position wherein the protrusions (10) are not engaged with the retention shelves (11).

[0114] Once the bayonet element (6) is inserted into the socket (7) in the orientation shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions (10) sit lower in the socket (7) than the retention shelves (11). This allows the bayonet element (6) to be rotated from the first position to a second position wherein the protrusions (10) slide under the retention shelves (11) such that the protrusions (10) are engaged with the retention shelves (11).

[0115] The rotation may be achieved by rotating the retaining member (3) relative to the holder (4) about its central axis by 90° (or vice versa).

[0116] Referring now to FIG. 7, the bayonet element (6) is in the second position and the retaining member (3) is thereby connected to the holder (4). In this orientation, the end portions (40) extend past the ends of the second connection surface (32). This allows the detents (41) to be received by the indents (45) (as is shown in FIG. 8).

[0117] Referring now to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view of the deodorant stick product shown in FIG. 7 is provided. As shown, the retention shelves (11) overlap the protrusions (10), and therefore the protrusions (10) engage with the retention shelves (11). This means that the bayonet element (6) is locked within the socket (7) until the bayonet element (6) is rotated back to the first position.

[0118] In order to prevent the bayonet element (6) from rotating back to the first position accidentally, the indents (45) are adapted to receive the detents (41) when the bayonet element (6) is in the second position.

[0119] Herein, the maximum diameter of the second connection surface (32) is defined as the largest possible distance between any two points on the perimeter of the second connection surface (32). Also herein, the minimum distance between the pair of detents (41) is defined as the smallest possible distance between a point on one of the pair of detents and a point on the other of the pair of detents. The pair of detents are integrally formed as part of the retaining member, therefore the minimum distance between them is set by the size and shape of the retaining member.

[0120] The maximum diameter of the second connection surface (32) is adapted to be greater than the minimum distance between the pair of detents (41). Therefore in order for the retaining member (3) to be rotated relative to the holder (4) so that the bayonet element (6) can rotate from the first position to the second position, each detent support (42) deforms as shown in FIG. 9 to allow each detent (41) to move outwards (away from the bayonet element (6)), thereby increasing the minimum distance between the pair of detents (41). The outward movement of the detents (41) allows the bayonet element (6) to be rotated fully towards the second position.

[0121] The shape of each end portion (40) is adapted such that a rotational force applied to the retaining member (3) causes the detents (41) to slidably abut against the second connection surface (32) and result in the necessary deformation of the detent supports (42) to move the detents (41) sufficiently outwards.

[0122] The detent supports (42) comprise a resiliently deformable material so that when each detent (41) aligns with its respective indent (45) the detent supports (42) return to their undeformed shape and each indent (45) receives a respective detent (41). Once the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is reached, a further rotational force is required to cause deformation to the detent supports (42) again before the detents (41) can be moved outwards and the bayonet element (6) can be rotated away from the second position. The end portions (40) are adapted such that the rotational force required to cause deformation of the detent supports (42) is larger than would typically be applied during use of the deodorant stick product (1) but also easy for a user to apply intentionally in order to connect or disconnect a retaining member (3) from a holder (4). Hence it would be unlikely that the retaining member (3) would disconnect from the holder (4) accidentally during use of the deodorant stick product (1).

[0123] Further, the end portions (40) are adapted such that the detent supports (42) may resiliently deform to allow movement of the detents (41) while the overall retaining member (3) deforms very little. This is advantageous because if the retaining member (3), and particularly the retaining structure (9), were to deform significantly when the retaining member (3) is connected to the holder then the deodorant stick composition in which the retaining structure (9) is embedded may deform also. The deodorant stick composition is a wax-like structure and is not resiliently deformable, therefore deformation of the composition may cause it to become loose from the retaining structure (9). It is very undesirable for the composition to fall off the retaining member (3), hence it is beneficial to minimise deformation of the overall retaining member (3).

[0124] Referring now to FIG. 10, the deodorant stick product (1) comprises a cap (5). The cap (5) is shown attached to the retaining member (3) and holder (4) which are connected together as they are in FIG. 7.

[0125] FIG. 10 provides a cross-section view of each of the cap (5), the retaining member (3) and the holder (4). The holder 4 comprises a ledge (12) that extends around the outer perimeter of the holder (4). The lower edge of the cap (5), sits on this ledge (12) when such a cap (5) is employed.

[0126] Referring now to FIG. 11, an exploded view of the deodorant stick product (1) shown in FIG. 10 is provided. In particular, the holder (4) is shown in more detail with the upper element (4A) separated from the lower element (4B).

[0127] The cap (5) comprises a retaining ring (13) that extends around its inner surface while the retaining member (3) comprises a small projection (8) that extends around the outer perimeter of the retaining member (3). The retaining ring (13) is adapted to accommodate the small projection (8) when the cap (5) is slid into place over the retaining member to sit on the ledge (12). The projection (8) and the retaining ring (13) form a reversible “click-lock” attachment of the cap (5) to the retaining member (4).