CA2269124C - Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2269124C CA2269124C CA002269124A CA2269124A CA2269124C CA 2269124 C CA2269124 C CA 2269124C CA 002269124 A CA002269124 A CA 002269124A CA 2269124 A CA2269124 A CA 2269124A CA 2269124 C CA2269124 C CA 2269124C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- holder
- plunger
- refill cartridge
- tube
- sleeve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/02—Casings wherein movement of the lipstick or like solid is a sliding movement
- A45D40/04—Casings wherein movement of the lipstick or like solid is a sliding movement effected by a screw
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/16—Refill sticks; Moulding devices for producing sticks
Abstract
For an adhesive stick (14) comprising - a tube (15) optionally closable by a cap and having an opening at at least one end and - a plunger (19) designed for axial displacement over the length of the holder (15) along a screwthreaded spindle (17) to apply the spreadable product mass (23) acommodated in the holder (15), the invention seeks to enable the stick to be refilled with product mass.
This is achieved by a refill cartridge (1e) comprising a tube (22) which accommodates a moulding (2) of adhesive mass (23) surrounding the plunger (19) at one end and which is connected at its end surrounding the upper edge (19a) of the plunger to a sleeve (27) which encircles the plunger (19) at a distance.
Figure 7 is to be published with the abstract.
This is achieved by a refill cartridge (1e) comprising a tube (22) which accommodates a moulding (2) of adhesive mass (23) surrounding the plunger (19) at one end and which is connected at its end surrounding the upper edge (19a) of the plunger to a sleeve (27) which encircles the plunger (19) at a distance.
Figure 7 is to be published with the abstract.
Description
Method and Ap~~aratus for Refillable Stick Dispenser This invention relates to a method for refilling a stick which releases product by application to a surface and which consists of - a holder with a solid base and an opening at one end into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted, the stick which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder being formed by a screwthreaded spindle beyond one side of the base and by a hand-operated knurled nut beyond the other side of the base outside the holder, and of - a feed element which is non-rotatably mounted in the holder, being designed for displacement longitudinally of the holder by means of the screwthreaded spindle engaging in a screwthreaded bore extending throughout the feed element to apply a product mass accommodated in the holder and optionally of - a closure cap designed to be pushed on over the upper edge of the holder, in which method for refilling the stick a moulding of the product mass adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder and optionally formed with a bore, preferably a blind hole, concentrically to the longitudinal axis is inserted into the holder from the opening at the end thereof.
The invention also relates to a refill cartridge for a stick which releases product by application to a surface and which comprises - a holder with a solid base and an opening at one end into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted, the stick which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder being formed by a screwthreaded spindle beyond one side of the base and by a hand-operated knurled nut beyond the other side of the base outside the holder, and - a feed element which is non-rotatably mounted in the holder, being designed for displacement longitudinally of the holder by means of the screwthreaded spindle engaging in a screwthreaded bore extending throughout the feed element to apply a product mass accommodated in the holder, and optionally - a closure cap designed to be pushed on over the upper edge of the holder, the refill cartridge comprising a moulding of the product mass adapted to the free internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder and optionally formed with a bore, preferably a blind hole, concentrically to the longitudinal axis.
There are already various known sticks which release product by application to a surface, such as deodorant, adhesive, lipstick, release agent, shaving soap or colouring sticks, comprising a holder which is optionally de-signed for closure by a cap, has an opening at at least one end' and comprises a plunger designed for axial displacement over the length of the holder to apply a preferably spreadable product mass accommodated in the holder. These known sticks have the disadvantage that they are generally not refillable.
For example, the adhesive sticks known from the prior art have to be discarded after the adhesive has been used up or has dried out although, in general, the adhesive stick mechanism is still in perfect working order after the original adhesive filling has been used up. Accordingly, known sticks and adhesive sticks, as plastic waste, are a significant source of environmental pollution. In addition, new material (plastic) always has to be used in the production of a new stick which, besides the production costs, adversely affects the manufacturing price. Finally, the consumer is also forced to buy a completely new stick every time.
A process of the type mentioned at the beginning for refilling a stick which releases product by application to a surface and a refill cartridge of the type mentioned at the beginning are known from GB-A-246,657. This ' 3 document discloses a shaving soap dispenser from which the shaving soap is dispensed by a spindle-driven disc and which is designed to be refilled with a stick of shaving soap formed with a blind bore. To refill the dispenser, the stick of shaving soap with the blind bore is pushed via the spindle into the housing of the dispenser. This method of refilling is not suitable for adhesive sticks comprising a moulding of spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive mass, because when the product is pushed in - which is done by hand - it is in danger of being deformed or even breaking so that it can no longer be introduced cleanly and exactly in the stick holder.
In addition, processes for filling lipsticks and corresponding refill cartridges are known from DE-B-1 003 411, FR-A-1 205 370 and US-A-2,753,991. In these cases, the refill of lipstick mass is provided at one end with a plunger or holder, the lipstick mass otherwise being surrounded by a tube. To refill a lipstick, the plunger or holder at the end of the refill is inserted into a lipstick mechanism accommodated in a stick tube, after which the moulding is drawn with the plunger into the tube of the lipstick, the tube sun-ounding the moulding of lipstick mass - supported by the front edge of the lipstick tube - detaching itself frorn the moulding of lipstick mass. Refill cartridges such as these are unsuitable for refilling known adhesive sticks with a screwthreaded spindle because on the one hand they disclose a cup-like plunger with a solid base, into which the screwthreaded spindle of known adhesive sticks cannot be inserted, and because adhesive sticks such as these do not have a feed mechanism which is designed to be lowered into the stick tube and into which the plunger or holder at the end of the refill can be introduced.
The problem addressed by the present invention was to enable an adhesive stick comprising a screwthreaded spindle to be refilled with product mass.
In a refilling method of the type mentioned at the beginning, the solution to the problem stated above as provided by the invention is characterized in that the feed element is a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass is a spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive and in that in that, to refill the stick, the plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which a tube which surrounds a plunger at its upper edge and is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance and of which the internal diameter is such that the sleeve can be pushed on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and has an inner annular stop surface for the front end of the holder, is fitted with the moulding with the plunger at one end onto the tube and, by rotation of the knurled nut, the plunger is drawn with the moulding into the holder up to the base thereof, the tube being completely withdrawn and finally removed from the moulding with the sleeve.
In a refill cartridge of the type mentioned at the beginning, the solution provided by the invention to the problem stated above is characterized in that the feed element is a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass is a spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive and in that the moulding with the plunger at one end is disposed in a tube which surrounds the upper edge of the plunger and which is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance, the internal diameter of the sleeve being such that the sleeve can be pushed on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and has an annular stop surface for the front end of the holder.
Not only does this provide for safe fixing of the refill cartridge on the stick holder, it also - and above all - guarantees centering of the tube of the refill cartridge and the holder. The wall thicknesses of the holder and tube no longer have to be exactly adapted to one another.
According to another aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the sleeve are preferably such that the free end of the sleeve is level with, or projects slightly beyond, the base of the plunger. Looking in the axial direction, a sufficiently long annular space is thus created between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the plunger.
~5 In a first embodiment, the sleeve and the tube are made in one piece, more particularly by injection moulding, the cross-section then being widened radially at the junction between the tube and the sleeve to create an annular stop surface for the front of the cylinder.
Alternatively, however, the tube and the sleeve may be made in two parts joined together by a preferably annular snap-in connection.
In another embodiment of the invention, the plunger and the sleeve are joined to one another by several bridges which break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder, i.e. act as artificially weakened points.
In this embodiment, the plunger and the sleeve may be made as a one-piece injection moulding, optionally together with the tube. Alternatively, the plunger and the sleeve may be joined together by a drop-in or snap-in connection designed to break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder, for example by forming small drop-in noses or hooks or the like in the injection moulding process. These connections also separate from the sleeve after insertion of the screwthreaded spindle during the refill process.
Accordingly, the invention starts out from the basic concept of providing the user of a stick of the above-mentioned type with a moulding of the particular spreadable product mass which is adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder and which the user can draw into the holder of the stick from the opening at its end. After the original product filling has been used up, the consumer is thus able to refill the stick. The consumer no longer has to buy a complete new stick. Because the key, non-consumable parts of a stick are reused, the amount of waste, typically plastic waste (because the sticks are normally made of plastic), is reduced. The consumption of plastic is also reduced because the manufacturer no longer has to market each product filling together with a stick containing the entire stick mechanism.
In one embodiment of the invention, refilling of the stick is facilitated by the fact that a tube with a moulding of the spreadable product mass accommodated therein and adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder is fitted onto the holder and the moulding is drawn into the holder. This prevents the product mass, which is soft and plastic, particularly in the case of adhesive sticks, from being locally stripped at the front edge of the stick holder during refilling so that the stick is not soiled.
In another embodiment of the invention, convenient refilling without stripping of a soft and plastic mass during introduction of the moulding into the stick can also be obtained if the moulding is provided with a plunger. To this end, the plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which the moulding of the spreadable product mass with a plunger at one end is drawn into the holder at the plunger end.
The moulding may be formed with a bore, preferably a blind hole, concentrically to its longitudinal axis. Because a moulding formed with a bore or blind hole is introduced into the holder during refilling, little, if any, product mass has to be displaced by the screwthreaded spindle during introduction of the moulding so that no volume into which the product mass could escape has to be provided in the stick or rather the holder for this purpose. In addition, no surplus volume of product mass escapes from the stick so that the stick is not soiled.
To enable the moulding to be readily inserted into the holder, a central blind hole for the screwthreaded spindle may be provided along the axis of the moulding. This embodiment enables the holder and the tube to have the same internal diameter. If no central blind hole is provided for the scxewthreaded spindle, the internal diameter of the tube should be smaller in accordance with the increase in the diameter of the moulding brought about by the cutting screwthreaded spindle.
Instead of a blind hole; it is of course also possible to provide a bore extending over the entire longitudinal axis of the moulding.
To enable a stick with a screwthreaded spindle to be conveniently and advantageously refilled, i.e. with no risk of soiling, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a tube with a moulding disposed therein is fitted onto the holder and the moulding is drawn into the holder.
The plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which the moulding of the spreadable product mass comprising the plunger with a screwthreaded bore at one end is fitted at the plunger end onto the screwthreaded spindle and, by actuation of the knurled nut, the plunger is drawn with the product mass up to the base of the holder.
Particularly convenient refilling of the stick is possible when the moulding is surrounded by a tube and provided at one end with a plunger.
To this end, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the plunger is introduced into the holder surrounded by the tube at its upper edge and, when the product mass is drawn into the holder, the tube is completely pushed off or pulled off the plunger and the moulding and, finally, is removed.
Basically, the spreadable product mass is filled into a tubular holder of which the base is formed by the plunger in such a way that the outer surface of the plunger is surrounded by the holder at its upper end. Now, if for example the scxewthreaded bore of the plunger is screwed onto the screwthreaded spindle and if the plunger together with the product mass is drawn up to the base of the holder by rotation of the knurled nut, the tube is continuously withdrawn from the moulding at the same time so that, finally, it can be removed. The dimensions of the tube are advantageously such that, as the plunger is screwed down, the front end of the tube impinges on the opposite end of the holder wall.
To facilitate insertion of the refill cartridge into the stick holder, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, at its end, the moulding comprises a plunger formed throughout with a central screwthreaded bore.
To prevent the product mass from drying out on the side facing the plunger, the screwthreaded bore may be closed by a (thin) membrane designed to be pierced by the screwthreaded spindle. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the screwthreaded bore of the plunger has a single or multiple screwthread.
In the same way as all the other parts, the screwthreaded spindle of the stick is made of inexpensive plastic, optionally having a certain flexibility.
To facilitate introduction of the spindle end into the screwthreaded bore of the plunger of the refill cartridge, the base of the plunger is formed internally with a cone as an insertion aid.
The tube may also be closed at that end opposite the plunger to prevent the product mass from drying out. For example, it is possible in this embodiment to prefabricate the tube in the form of a cup and to fill this prefabricated cup with product mass before it is closed by the plunger on the open side of the cup.
So far as the dimensions of the tube are concerned, the only crucial factor is the internal diameter adapted to that of the holder. By contrast, the wall thickness of the tube may basically be selected as required, although to save material it should be at most equal to the wall thickness of the holder.
Similarly, the tube may basically be made of any material providing it remains rigid during withdrawal of the moulding of preferably spreadable product mass. The tube is preferably made of plastic or paperboard which may be coated. By contrast, the plunger should preferably consist of plastic.
To facilitate withdrawal of the moulding, the tube or rather the inner surface of the tube is preferably made slightly conical in shape, the conical taper towards that end opposite the plunger forming a cone angle of at most 3°.
In another embodiment of the invention, the refill cartridge is characterized in that the tube has a length adapted to the free internal holder height of the stick, an internal diameter adapted to the internal diameter of the holder and a base serving as a plunger for the stick.
As mentioned above, this refill cartridge comprises a tube which surrounds the spreadable product mass and of which the length substantially corresponds to the free internal height of the stick tube, but may even be only a fraction of the internal height of the stick holder. The tube has an adapted internal diameter in the same way as the stick holder so that the moulding can be drawn into the interior of the holder with simultaneous removal of the tube.
To use the refill cartridge, that part of the plunger which is not covered by the tube is inserted into the holder to such an extent that, on rotation of the knurled nut, the screwthreaded spindle engages in ttie screwthreaded bore of the plunger. On further rotation of the knurled nut, the plunger is gradually drawn towards the base of the holder, the tip of the screwthreaded spindle -after passing through the screwthreaded bore in the moulding - drawing the product mass equally into the cylinder with simultaneous "cutting" of a screwthread. Rotation of the knurled nut is continued until the plunger reaches the base of the holder. In this position, the moulding has been fully withdrawn from the tube so that the tube may be removed. The refilled stick can now be closed by a closure cap at the open end of the holder, as known from the prior art. The refilling process may be repeated indefinitely because the plastic parts are not subjected to any significant wear when the knurled nut is rotated either to apply the particular product or to refill the holder.
To prevent air from being trapped in the stick holder during introduction of the refill cartridge into the holder, a further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the moulding is formed in its outer circumference with a longitudinal groove or notch.
The invention is described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a moulding.
Figure 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of a moulding.
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a moulding with part of a mould.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a moulding.
1 ~0 Figures 5 and 6 are each side elevations, partly broken and in section, of an adhesive stick surmounted by a moulding in another embodiment.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectioNside elevation of a refill cartridge according to the invention.
The example described in the following relates to an adhesive stick where the product mass 23 consists of spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive.
The cylindrical moulding 2 shown in Fig. 1 consists of soft and plastic, spreadable adhesive mass 23. In its three-dimensional form, the moulding 2 is so adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the adhesive mass - and internal configuration of the holder that it can be introduced into the holder of the adhesive stick in the direction of the arrow 3 and pushed andlor drawn completely into the holder. One example of such a stick is described in the following with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In its most simple form, the stick is a smooth-surface cylindrical moulding 2.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a cylindrical moulding 2 which is provided on its outer circumference with a longitudinal groove or notch 4. Air is able to escape from the interior of the adhesive stick holder along this groove 4 when the moulding 2 is introduced into the holder.
Figure 3 shows a moulding 2 of spreadable adhesive mass 23 which is provided at one end with a plunger. Figure 3 shows the moulding 2 still in the mould 6 (partly shown) immediately after casting of the adhesive mass 23, which is still liquid during the production process, and its solidification.
Overall, the plunger is cup-shaped with a cylindrical projection 7 at its center.
Annularly projecting collars 8 and 9 are formed on the inside of the plunger and the outside of the cylindrical projection 7. These collars ensure safe anchoring of the adhesive mass 23 in the cup-shaped plunger and prevent the plastic adhesive mass 23 from being torn or sheared off during introduction of the moulding 2 into the holder of an adhesive stick.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a moulding 2 of spreadable adhesive mass 23 comprising at one end a plunger 11 formed at its center with a screwthreaded bore 10 extending over the entire length of the plunger 11. The plunger 11 is cup-shaped and is provided on its inside with annularly projecting collars 12. A blind bore 13 is formed in the moulding 2 concentrically to its longitudinal axis.
The mouldings shown in Figs. 1 to 4 are longitudinally surrounded (not shown) by a tube, as described in the following with reference to the embodiment of the refill cartridge 1 e.
The adhesive stick 14 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is known in principle from the prior art. It consists of a holder 15 with a solid base 16 into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted by means of a snap-in joint (not shown). The stick, which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder, is formed by a screwthreaded spindle 17 beyond one side of the snap-in joint and by a hand-operated knurled nut 18 beyond the other side of the snap-in joint outside the holder 15. A plunger 19 is mounted in the holder 15 for longitudinal displacement by means of the screwthreaded spindle 17.
Since fitted mouldings 2 with plungers 19 and tubes 22 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the Gosure cap which is normally designed to be pushed on over the upper edge of the holder is not shown. It can be removably fixed to the outside of the holder by means of drop-in connections 20 or screwthreaded or snap-in joints.
In its base, the plunger 19 is formed with a screwthreaded bore 21 in which the screwthreaded spindle 17 is designed to engage. The plunger 19 forms the bottom part of a refill cartridge which otherwise consists of a tube 22 of which the lower rim encloses and/or surrounds the upper edge of the plunger. The upper end 22a of the tube (Fig. 6) may be closed to prevent the spreadable adhesive mass 23 from drying out. In addition, the plunger base may have a breakable membrane 24 (Fig. 6) which closes the screwthreaded bore 21. The cone 25 formed on the inside of the plunger base acts as an insertion aid. In addition, the plunger 19 is formed on its outer surtace along its longitudinal axis with groove-like depressions 26 which widen triangularly ' 12 towards the underneath of the plunger and which, in conjunction with corresponding ribs 32 on the inner surface of the holder, prevent the plunger 19 from rotating when the knurled nut 18 is turned.
An embodiment of a refill cartridge 1 a according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7 which is largely distinguished by the development and use of a sleeve 27. In the same way as the tube 22, the sleeve 27 is cylindrical in shape and is connected to the tube 22, for example by an annular snap-in joint 28. The sleeve 27 has such an internal diameter 29 that it can be pushed onto the outside of the holder 15 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The holder 15 slips into the annular space 30 between the sleeve 27 and the plunger 19, the refill cartridge 1 a being securely fixed and centered in relation to the adhesive stick 14.
In the present case, the sleeve 27 is pushed over the holder 15 until the face 15a (see Fig. 5) and the annular stop surface 27a are in contact with one another.
However, the sleeve 27 can also be made in one piece with the tube 22, in which case the inner radial cross-section is increased in the vicinity of the connection between the tube 22 and the sleeve 27 with formation of an annular face similar to the stop surface 27a.
The plunger 19 is joined to the sleeve 27 by radially extending bridges 31 which break during the refill process, i.e. when the plunger 19 is moved towards the base 16 of the holder, so that the plunger is separated from the sleeve 27. Above all in the embodiment in which the tube 22 and the sleeve 27 are made in one piece, the plunger 19 may also be connected to the above-mentioned one-piece moulding 22, 27 by a releasable drop-in or snap-in connection. All parts may be injection mouldings which, if they are in one piece or are to be joined to one another, may even be produced in a single operation.
The cross-sectional geometry of the refill cartridge 1 a must of course be adapted to that of the holder 15 of the adhesive stick 14; for example, the 1~3 adhesive stick could even be polygonal rather than cylindrical.
The blind hole 13 is preferably of such a diameter that, on entering the blind hole 13, the screwthreaded spindle 17 cuts only slightly into the adhesive mass 23 so that there is little, if any, radial expansion of the moulding 2 or displacement of the adhesive mass 23 on introduction into the holder 15.
The refill cartridge 1 a may be packed in the usual way in films, paper or filmlpaper composites. Sealed-rim bags, thermoformed parts, mouldings of mechanical wood pulp or starch derivatives, for example, are also possible.
Several refill cartridges may also be accommodated in a single pack from which they may be individually removed, for example by tearing or breaking off.
It is also possible to line the mould 6 with packaging material, for example plastic film, before it is filled with the adhesive mass 23. In this case, the packaging material acts as a separation aid. To this end, the packaging material is introduced before the adhesive mass 23 is poured into the mould 6 and before the optional introduction of plungers 11, 19 andlor the tube 22 with the sleeve 27, preferably in such a way that it conforms closely to the inner surfaces of the mould.
To refill adhesive sticks, the packaging material surrounding the particular refill cartridge is first completely or partly removed.
A packaging-free sleeve end of the refill cartridge 1 a is then applied to the opening in the end of an adhesive stick holder 15 and the moulding 2 is subsequently drawn into the holder 15. The refill cartridge 1 a is first pushed gently with the plunger 19 into the holder 15 until the end 17a of the screwthreaded spindle 17 engages in the screwthreaded bore 21. Through continued rotation of the knurled nut 18, the plunger 19 is drawn further downwards until the annular contact surface 27a comes into contact with the opposite front face 15a of the holder 15. With continued rotation of the screwthreaded spindle 17 through rotation of the knurled nut 18, the plunger 19 is drawn continuously downwards, the screwthreaded spindle 17 simultaneously cutting a thread into the adhesive mass 23 and pulling the moulding 2 uniformly downwards. The position of the tube 22 relative to the holder 15 remains unchanged so that, finally, the column of adhesive 23 is completely removed from the tube 22. Since the length of the tube is adapted to the internal height of the holder, the free end face of the adhesive mass is flush with the upper edge of the holder 15 so that the tube 22 can be removed completely empty with the sleeve 27. The adhesive stick 14 has been refilled and can be reused.
The invention also relates to a refill cartridge for a stick which releases product by application to a surface and which comprises - a holder with a solid base and an opening at one end into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted, the stick which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder being formed by a screwthreaded spindle beyond one side of the base and by a hand-operated knurled nut beyond the other side of the base outside the holder, and - a feed element which is non-rotatably mounted in the holder, being designed for displacement longitudinally of the holder by means of the screwthreaded spindle engaging in a screwthreaded bore extending throughout the feed element to apply a product mass accommodated in the holder, and optionally - a closure cap designed to be pushed on over the upper edge of the holder, the refill cartridge comprising a moulding of the product mass adapted to the free internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder and optionally formed with a bore, preferably a blind hole, concentrically to the longitudinal axis.
There are already various known sticks which release product by application to a surface, such as deodorant, adhesive, lipstick, release agent, shaving soap or colouring sticks, comprising a holder which is optionally de-signed for closure by a cap, has an opening at at least one end' and comprises a plunger designed for axial displacement over the length of the holder to apply a preferably spreadable product mass accommodated in the holder. These known sticks have the disadvantage that they are generally not refillable.
For example, the adhesive sticks known from the prior art have to be discarded after the adhesive has been used up or has dried out although, in general, the adhesive stick mechanism is still in perfect working order after the original adhesive filling has been used up. Accordingly, known sticks and adhesive sticks, as plastic waste, are a significant source of environmental pollution. In addition, new material (plastic) always has to be used in the production of a new stick which, besides the production costs, adversely affects the manufacturing price. Finally, the consumer is also forced to buy a completely new stick every time.
A process of the type mentioned at the beginning for refilling a stick which releases product by application to a surface and a refill cartridge of the type mentioned at the beginning are known from GB-A-246,657. This ' 3 document discloses a shaving soap dispenser from which the shaving soap is dispensed by a spindle-driven disc and which is designed to be refilled with a stick of shaving soap formed with a blind bore. To refill the dispenser, the stick of shaving soap with the blind bore is pushed via the spindle into the housing of the dispenser. This method of refilling is not suitable for adhesive sticks comprising a moulding of spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive mass, because when the product is pushed in - which is done by hand - it is in danger of being deformed or even breaking so that it can no longer be introduced cleanly and exactly in the stick holder.
In addition, processes for filling lipsticks and corresponding refill cartridges are known from DE-B-1 003 411, FR-A-1 205 370 and US-A-2,753,991. In these cases, the refill of lipstick mass is provided at one end with a plunger or holder, the lipstick mass otherwise being surrounded by a tube. To refill a lipstick, the plunger or holder at the end of the refill is inserted into a lipstick mechanism accommodated in a stick tube, after which the moulding is drawn with the plunger into the tube of the lipstick, the tube sun-ounding the moulding of lipstick mass - supported by the front edge of the lipstick tube - detaching itself frorn the moulding of lipstick mass. Refill cartridges such as these are unsuitable for refilling known adhesive sticks with a screwthreaded spindle because on the one hand they disclose a cup-like plunger with a solid base, into which the screwthreaded spindle of known adhesive sticks cannot be inserted, and because adhesive sticks such as these do not have a feed mechanism which is designed to be lowered into the stick tube and into which the plunger or holder at the end of the refill can be introduced.
The problem addressed by the present invention was to enable an adhesive stick comprising a screwthreaded spindle to be refilled with product mass.
In a refilling method of the type mentioned at the beginning, the solution to the problem stated above as provided by the invention is characterized in that the feed element is a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass is a spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive and in that in that, to refill the stick, the plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which a tube which surrounds a plunger at its upper edge and is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance and of which the internal diameter is such that the sleeve can be pushed on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and has an inner annular stop surface for the front end of the holder, is fitted with the moulding with the plunger at one end onto the tube and, by rotation of the knurled nut, the plunger is drawn with the moulding into the holder up to the base thereof, the tube being completely withdrawn and finally removed from the moulding with the sleeve.
In a refill cartridge of the type mentioned at the beginning, the solution provided by the invention to the problem stated above is characterized in that the feed element is a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass is a spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive and in that the moulding with the plunger at one end is disposed in a tube which surrounds the upper edge of the plunger and which is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance, the internal diameter of the sleeve being such that the sleeve can be pushed on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and has an annular stop surface for the front end of the holder.
Not only does this provide for safe fixing of the refill cartridge on the stick holder, it also - and above all - guarantees centering of the tube of the refill cartridge and the holder. The wall thicknesses of the holder and tube no longer have to be exactly adapted to one another.
According to another aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the sleeve are preferably such that the free end of the sleeve is level with, or projects slightly beyond, the base of the plunger. Looking in the axial direction, a sufficiently long annular space is thus created between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the plunger.
~5 In a first embodiment, the sleeve and the tube are made in one piece, more particularly by injection moulding, the cross-section then being widened radially at the junction between the tube and the sleeve to create an annular stop surface for the front of the cylinder.
Alternatively, however, the tube and the sleeve may be made in two parts joined together by a preferably annular snap-in connection.
In another embodiment of the invention, the plunger and the sleeve are joined to one another by several bridges which break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder, i.e. act as artificially weakened points.
In this embodiment, the plunger and the sleeve may be made as a one-piece injection moulding, optionally together with the tube. Alternatively, the plunger and the sleeve may be joined together by a drop-in or snap-in connection designed to break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder, for example by forming small drop-in noses or hooks or the like in the injection moulding process. These connections also separate from the sleeve after insertion of the screwthreaded spindle during the refill process.
Accordingly, the invention starts out from the basic concept of providing the user of a stick of the above-mentioned type with a moulding of the particular spreadable product mass which is adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder and which the user can draw into the holder of the stick from the opening at its end. After the original product filling has been used up, the consumer is thus able to refill the stick. The consumer no longer has to buy a complete new stick. Because the key, non-consumable parts of a stick are reused, the amount of waste, typically plastic waste (because the sticks are normally made of plastic), is reduced. The consumption of plastic is also reduced because the manufacturer no longer has to market each product filling together with a stick containing the entire stick mechanism.
In one embodiment of the invention, refilling of the stick is facilitated by the fact that a tube with a moulding of the spreadable product mass accommodated therein and adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the product mass - and internal configuration of the holder is fitted onto the holder and the moulding is drawn into the holder. This prevents the product mass, which is soft and plastic, particularly in the case of adhesive sticks, from being locally stripped at the front edge of the stick holder during refilling so that the stick is not soiled.
In another embodiment of the invention, convenient refilling without stripping of a soft and plastic mass during introduction of the moulding into the stick can also be obtained if the moulding is provided with a plunger. To this end, the plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which the moulding of the spreadable product mass with a plunger at one end is drawn into the holder at the plunger end.
The moulding may be formed with a bore, preferably a blind hole, concentrically to its longitudinal axis. Because a moulding formed with a bore or blind hole is introduced into the holder during refilling, little, if any, product mass has to be displaced by the screwthreaded spindle during introduction of the moulding so that no volume into which the product mass could escape has to be provided in the stick or rather the holder for this purpose. In addition, no surplus volume of product mass escapes from the stick so that the stick is not soiled.
To enable the moulding to be readily inserted into the holder, a central blind hole for the screwthreaded spindle may be provided along the axis of the moulding. This embodiment enables the holder and the tube to have the same internal diameter. If no central blind hole is provided for the scxewthreaded spindle, the internal diameter of the tube should be smaller in accordance with the increase in the diameter of the moulding brought about by the cutting screwthreaded spindle.
Instead of a blind hole; it is of course also possible to provide a bore extending over the entire longitudinal axis of the moulding.
To enable a stick with a screwthreaded spindle to be conveniently and advantageously refilled, i.e. with no risk of soiling, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a tube with a moulding disposed therein is fitted onto the holder and the moulding is drawn into the holder.
The plunger of the stick is first removed from the product-free holder, after which the moulding of the spreadable product mass comprising the plunger with a screwthreaded bore at one end is fitted at the plunger end onto the screwthreaded spindle and, by actuation of the knurled nut, the plunger is drawn with the product mass up to the base of the holder.
Particularly convenient refilling of the stick is possible when the moulding is surrounded by a tube and provided at one end with a plunger.
To this end, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the plunger is introduced into the holder surrounded by the tube at its upper edge and, when the product mass is drawn into the holder, the tube is completely pushed off or pulled off the plunger and the moulding and, finally, is removed.
Basically, the spreadable product mass is filled into a tubular holder of which the base is formed by the plunger in such a way that the outer surface of the plunger is surrounded by the holder at its upper end. Now, if for example the scxewthreaded bore of the plunger is screwed onto the screwthreaded spindle and if the plunger together with the product mass is drawn up to the base of the holder by rotation of the knurled nut, the tube is continuously withdrawn from the moulding at the same time so that, finally, it can be removed. The dimensions of the tube are advantageously such that, as the plunger is screwed down, the front end of the tube impinges on the opposite end of the holder wall.
To facilitate insertion of the refill cartridge into the stick holder, another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, at its end, the moulding comprises a plunger formed throughout with a central screwthreaded bore.
To prevent the product mass from drying out on the side facing the plunger, the screwthreaded bore may be closed by a (thin) membrane designed to be pierced by the screwthreaded spindle. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the screwthreaded bore of the plunger has a single or multiple screwthread.
In the same way as all the other parts, the screwthreaded spindle of the stick is made of inexpensive plastic, optionally having a certain flexibility.
To facilitate introduction of the spindle end into the screwthreaded bore of the plunger of the refill cartridge, the base of the plunger is formed internally with a cone as an insertion aid.
The tube may also be closed at that end opposite the plunger to prevent the product mass from drying out. For example, it is possible in this embodiment to prefabricate the tube in the form of a cup and to fill this prefabricated cup with product mass before it is closed by the plunger on the open side of the cup.
So far as the dimensions of the tube are concerned, the only crucial factor is the internal diameter adapted to that of the holder. By contrast, the wall thickness of the tube may basically be selected as required, although to save material it should be at most equal to the wall thickness of the holder.
Similarly, the tube may basically be made of any material providing it remains rigid during withdrawal of the moulding of preferably spreadable product mass. The tube is preferably made of plastic or paperboard which may be coated. By contrast, the plunger should preferably consist of plastic.
To facilitate withdrawal of the moulding, the tube or rather the inner surface of the tube is preferably made slightly conical in shape, the conical taper towards that end opposite the plunger forming a cone angle of at most 3°.
In another embodiment of the invention, the refill cartridge is characterized in that the tube has a length adapted to the free internal holder height of the stick, an internal diameter adapted to the internal diameter of the holder and a base serving as a plunger for the stick.
As mentioned above, this refill cartridge comprises a tube which surrounds the spreadable product mass and of which the length substantially corresponds to the free internal height of the stick tube, but may even be only a fraction of the internal height of the stick holder. The tube has an adapted internal diameter in the same way as the stick holder so that the moulding can be drawn into the interior of the holder with simultaneous removal of the tube.
To use the refill cartridge, that part of the plunger which is not covered by the tube is inserted into the holder to such an extent that, on rotation of the knurled nut, the screwthreaded spindle engages in ttie screwthreaded bore of the plunger. On further rotation of the knurled nut, the plunger is gradually drawn towards the base of the holder, the tip of the screwthreaded spindle -after passing through the screwthreaded bore in the moulding - drawing the product mass equally into the cylinder with simultaneous "cutting" of a screwthread. Rotation of the knurled nut is continued until the plunger reaches the base of the holder. In this position, the moulding has been fully withdrawn from the tube so that the tube may be removed. The refilled stick can now be closed by a closure cap at the open end of the holder, as known from the prior art. The refilling process may be repeated indefinitely because the plastic parts are not subjected to any significant wear when the knurled nut is rotated either to apply the particular product or to refill the holder.
To prevent air from being trapped in the stick holder during introduction of the refill cartridge into the holder, a further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the moulding is formed in its outer circumference with a longitudinal groove or notch.
The invention is described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a moulding.
Figure 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of a moulding.
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a moulding with part of a mould.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a moulding.
1 ~0 Figures 5 and 6 are each side elevations, partly broken and in section, of an adhesive stick surmounted by a moulding in another embodiment.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectioNside elevation of a refill cartridge according to the invention.
The example described in the following relates to an adhesive stick where the product mass 23 consists of spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive.
The cylindrical moulding 2 shown in Fig. 1 consists of soft and plastic, spreadable adhesive mass 23. In its three-dimensional form, the moulding 2 is so adapted to the internal volume - designed to accommodate the adhesive mass - and internal configuration of the holder that it can be introduced into the holder of the adhesive stick in the direction of the arrow 3 and pushed andlor drawn completely into the holder. One example of such a stick is described in the following with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In its most simple form, the stick is a smooth-surface cylindrical moulding 2.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a cylindrical moulding 2 which is provided on its outer circumference with a longitudinal groove or notch 4. Air is able to escape from the interior of the adhesive stick holder along this groove 4 when the moulding 2 is introduced into the holder.
Figure 3 shows a moulding 2 of spreadable adhesive mass 23 which is provided at one end with a plunger. Figure 3 shows the moulding 2 still in the mould 6 (partly shown) immediately after casting of the adhesive mass 23, which is still liquid during the production process, and its solidification.
Overall, the plunger is cup-shaped with a cylindrical projection 7 at its center.
Annularly projecting collars 8 and 9 are formed on the inside of the plunger and the outside of the cylindrical projection 7. These collars ensure safe anchoring of the adhesive mass 23 in the cup-shaped plunger and prevent the plastic adhesive mass 23 from being torn or sheared off during introduction of the moulding 2 into the holder of an adhesive stick.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a moulding 2 of spreadable adhesive mass 23 comprising at one end a plunger 11 formed at its center with a screwthreaded bore 10 extending over the entire length of the plunger 11. The plunger 11 is cup-shaped and is provided on its inside with annularly projecting collars 12. A blind bore 13 is formed in the moulding 2 concentrically to its longitudinal axis.
The mouldings shown in Figs. 1 to 4 are longitudinally surrounded (not shown) by a tube, as described in the following with reference to the embodiment of the refill cartridge 1 e.
The adhesive stick 14 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is known in principle from the prior art. It consists of a holder 15 with a solid base 16 into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted by means of a snap-in joint (not shown). The stick, which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder, is formed by a screwthreaded spindle 17 beyond one side of the snap-in joint and by a hand-operated knurled nut 18 beyond the other side of the snap-in joint outside the holder 15. A plunger 19 is mounted in the holder 15 for longitudinal displacement by means of the screwthreaded spindle 17.
Since fitted mouldings 2 with plungers 19 and tubes 22 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the Gosure cap which is normally designed to be pushed on over the upper edge of the holder is not shown. It can be removably fixed to the outside of the holder by means of drop-in connections 20 or screwthreaded or snap-in joints.
In its base, the plunger 19 is formed with a screwthreaded bore 21 in which the screwthreaded spindle 17 is designed to engage. The plunger 19 forms the bottom part of a refill cartridge which otherwise consists of a tube 22 of which the lower rim encloses and/or surrounds the upper edge of the plunger. The upper end 22a of the tube (Fig. 6) may be closed to prevent the spreadable adhesive mass 23 from drying out. In addition, the plunger base may have a breakable membrane 24 (Fig. 6) which closes the screwthreaded bore 21. The cone 25 formed on the inside of the plunger base acts as an insertion aid. In addition, the plunger 19 is formed on its outer surtace along its longitudinal axis with groove-like depressions 26 which widen triangularly ' 12 towards the underneath of the plunger and which, in conjunction with corresponding ribs 32 on the inner surface of the holder, prevent the plunger 19 from rotating when the knurled nut 18 is turned.
An embodiment of a refill cartridge 1 a according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7 which is largely distinguished by the development and use of a sleeve 27. In the same way as the tube 22, the sleeve 27 is cylindrical in shape and is connected to the tube 22, for example by an annular snap-in joint 28. The sleeve 27 has such an internal diameter 29 that it can be pushed onto the outside of the holder 15 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The holder 15 slips into the annular space 30 between the sleeve 27 and the plunger 19, the refill cartridge 1 a being securely fixed and centered in relation to the adhesive stick 14.
In the present case, the sleeve 27 is pushed over the holder 15 until the face 15a (see Fig. 5) and the annular stop surface 27a are in contact with one another.
However, the sleeve 27 can also be made in one piece with the tube 22, in which case the inner radial cross-section is increased in the vicinity of the connection between the tube 22 and the sleeve 27 with formation of an annular face similar to the stop surface 27a.
The plunger 19 is joined to the sleeve 27 by radially extending bridges 31 which break during the refill process, i.e. when the plunger 19 is moved towards the base 16 of the holder, so that the plunger is separated from the sleeve 27. Above all in the embodiment in which the tube 22 and the sleeve 27 are made in one piece, the plunger 19 may also be connected to the above-mentioned one-piece moulding 22, 27 by a releasable drop-in or snap-in connection. All parts may be injection mouldings which, if they are in one piece or are to be joined to one another, may even be produced in a single operation.
The cross-sectional geometry of the refill cartridge 1 a must of course be adapted to that of the holder 15 of the adhesive stick 14; for example, the 1~3 adhesive stick could even be polygonal rather than cylindrical.
The blind hole 13 is preferably of such a diameter that, on entering the blind hole 13, the screwthreaded spindle 17 cuts only slightly into the adhesive mass 23 so that there is little, if any, radial expansion of the moulding 2 or displacement of the adhesive mass 23 on introduction into the holder 15.
The refill cartridge 1 a may be packed in the usual way in films, paper or filmlpaper composites. Sealed-rim bags, thermoformed parts, mouldings of mechanical wood pulp or starch derivatives, for example, are also possible.
Several refill cartridges may also be accommodated in a single pack from which they may be individually removed, for example by tearing or breaking off.
It is also possible to line the mould 6 with packaging material, for example plastic film, before it is filled with the adhesive mass 23. In this case, the packaging material acts as a separation aid. To this end, the packaging material is introduced before the adhesive mass 23 is poured into the mould 6 and before the optional introduction of plungers 11, 19 andlor the tube 22 with the sleeve 27, preferably in such a way that it conforms closely to the inner surfaces of the mould.
To refill adhesive sticks, the packaging material surrounding the particular refill cartridge is first completely or partly removed.
A packaging-free sleeve end of the refill cartridge 1 a is then applied to the opening in the end of an adhesive stick holder 15 and the moulding 2 is subsequently drawn into the holder 15. The refill cartridge 1 a is first pushed gently with the plunger 19 into the holder 15 until the end 17a of the screwthreaded spindle 17 engages in the screwthreaded bore 21. Through continued rotation of the knurled nut 18, the plunger 19 is drawn further downwards until the annular contact surface 27a comes into contact with the opposite front face 15a of the holder 15. With continued rotation of the screwthreaded spindle 17 through rotation of the knurled nut 18, the plunger 19 is drawn continuously downwards, the screwthreaded spindle 17 simultaneously cutting a thread into the adhesive mass 23 and pulling the moulding 2 uniformly downwards. The position of the tube 22 relative to the holder 15 remains unchanged so that, finally, the column of adhesive 23 is completely removed from the tube 22. Since the length of the tube is adapted to the internal height of the holder, the free end face of the adhesive mass is flush with the upper edge of the holder 15 so that the tube 22 can be removed completely empty with the sleeve 27. The adhesive stick 14 has been refilled and can be reused.
Claims (21)
1. A refill cartridge for a stick for releasing product by application to a surface, said refill cartridge comprising:
a holder with a solid base and an opening at one end into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted, the stick which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder being formed by a screwthreaded spindle beyond one side of the base and by a hand-operated knurled nut beyond the other side of the base outside the holder;
a feed element being non-rotatably mounted in the holder and being designed for longitudinally displacing the holder by means of the screwthreaded spindle engaging in a screwthreaded bore extending throughout the feed element for applying a product mass accommodated in the holder, said feed element being a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass being spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive; and a moulding of the product mass adapted to the free internal volume and internal configuration of the holder, said free internal volume being designed to accommodate the product mass, the moulding with the plunger at one end is disposed in a tube which surrounds the upper edge of the plunger and which is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance, the internal diameter of the sleeve being designed for pushing the sleeve on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and wherein the sleeve has an annular stop surface for the front end of the holder.
a holder with a solid base and an opening at one end into which a stick rotatable about its longitudinal axis is fitted, the stick which extends over the entire longitudinal axis of the holder being formed by a screwthreaded spindle beyond one side of the base and by a hand-operated knurled nut beyond the other side of the base outside the holder;
a feed element being non-rotatably mounted in the holder and being designed for longitudinally displacing the holder by means of the screwthreaded spindle engaging in a screwthreaded bore extending throughout the feed element for applying a product mass accommodated in the holder, said feed element being a cup-shaped plunger and the product mass being spreadable, soft and plastic adhesive; and a moulding of the product mass adapted to the free internal volume and internal configuration of the holder, said free internal volume being designed to accommodate the product mass, the moulding with the plunger at one end is disposed in a tube which surrounds the upper edge of the plunger and which is connected at that end to a sleeve which encircles the plunger at a distance, the internal diameter of the sleeve being designed for pushing the sleeve on over the upper part of the outer surface of the holder and wherein the sleeve has an annular stop surface for the front end of the holder.
2. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the free end of the sleeve is level with, or projects slightly beyond, the base of the plunger.
3. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve and the tube are integral.
4. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve and the tube are joined together.
5. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are joined to one another by bridges which break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder.
6. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are formed as a one-piece injection moulding.
7. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are joined together by drop-in or snap-in connections which are designed to break when the plunger is drawn towards the base of the holder.
8. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the screwthreaded bore is closed by a membrane designed to be pierced by the screwthreaded spindle.
9. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the screwthreaded bore of the plunger has a single or multiple screwthread.
10. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base of the plunger is formed internally with a cone as an insertion aid for the tip of the spindle.
11. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tube is closed at its end opposite the plunger.
12. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a wall thickness of the tube is at most equal to a wall thickness of the holder.
13. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tube is made of paperboard or plastic.
14. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plunger is made of paperboard or plastic.
15. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tube or rather the inner surface of the tube is made slightly conical in shape, the conical taper towards that end opposite the plunger forming a cone angle of at most 3°.
16. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the tube has a length adapted to a free integral holder height of the stick, an internal diameter adapted to the internal diameter of the holder and a base serving as a plunger for the stick.
17. A refill cartridge as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the moulding is formed in its outer circumference with a longitudinal groove or notch.
18. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 1 further comprising a closure cap designed to be pushed on over an upper edge of the holder.
19. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein a bore is formed in the moulding concentrically to the longitudinal axis.
20. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 19, wherein the bore is a blind hole.
21. A refill cartridge as defined in claim 4, wherein the sleeve and the tube are joined together by one of an annular drop-in connection and a snap-in connection.
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4036396 | 1990-11-15 | ||
| DEP4036396.1 | 1990-11-15 | ||
| DEP4112432.4 | 1991-04-16 | ||
| DE4112432 | 1991-04-16 | ||
| DEP4120969.9 | 1991-06-25 | ||
| DE4120969A DE4120969A1 (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-06-25 | Refill cartridge for pen case - consists of formed body of coating material, pushed into case |
| CA002096440A CA2096440C (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-11-06 | Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002096440A Division CA2096440C (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-11-06 | Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2269124A1 CA2269124A1 (en) | 1992-05-16 |
| CA2269124C true CA2269124C (en) | 2001-06-19 |
Family
ID=27201894
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002269124A Expired - Fee Related CA2269124C (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-11-06 | Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser |
| CA002096440A Expired - Fee Related CA2096440C (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-11-06 | Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002096440A Expired - Fee Related CA2096440C (en) | 1990-11-15 | 1991-11-06 | Method and apparatus for refillable stick dispenser |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (2) | EP0557323B1 (en) |
| JP (4) | JP3583126B2 (en) |
| AT (2) | ATE213395T1 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2269124C (en) |
| DE (3) | DE9117141U1 (en) |
| DK (2) | DK0557323T3 (en) |
| ES (2) | ES2104729T3 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3025366T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992008388A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1995028857A1 (en) * | 1994-04-27 | 1995-11-02 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Refillable container for delivering a spreading compound, in particular an adhesive compound |
| CA2237861A1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 1999-08-20 | Binney & Smith Inc. | Applicator for dispensing material |
| DE19954004A1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2001-05-17 | Beiersdorf Ag | Block of adhesive, lip salve, deodorant, etc. is shaped like double concave lens in holder, rotating in housing |
| JP2002036790A (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2002-02-06 | Tombow Pencil Co Ltd | Container for solid glue |
| JP2002113992A (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2002-04-16 | Tombow Pencil Co Ltd | Slider for solid glue delivering container and solid starch delivering container equipped therewith |
| JP2003320794A (en) * | 2002-05-02 | 2003-11-11 | Tombow Pencil Co Ltd | Slider for solid paste delivery container |
| JP4965641B2 (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2012-07-04 | コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ | Apparatus, system and container for filling a device for personal care treatment, and device for personal care treatment comprising such a container |
| DE202007010681U1 (en) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-12-11 | H. & M. Gutberlet Gmbh | Product exchange unit for a base pen module, in particular a cosmetic pen, and a set of a product exchange unit and a plurality of base pen modules |
| KR101314266B1 (en) | 2011-10-17 | 2013-10-08 | 김준귀 | Stick Type of Case |
| US9630386B1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-25 | Foxlink Image Technology Co., Ltd. | Automatic gluing mechanism and automatic gluing machine using the same |
| JP7191479B2 (en) * | 2019-04-24 | 2022-12-19 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Feeding container |
| WO2021142540A1 (en) * | 2020-01-14 | 2021-07-22 | Siotal Inc. | Refillable dispenser and method associated therewith |
| US20230331449A1 (en) * | 2020-09-11 | 2023-10-19 | Eco.Logic Brands Inc. | Modular container with improved performance |
| CN114194635A (en) * | 2021-12-23 | 2022-03-18 | 山东颐工材料科技股份有限公司 | Propylene cyanide low-temperature storage tank for ABS high rubber powder production |
| WO2023147886A1 (en) | 2022-02-07 | 2023-08-10 | Amara Nihad | Device for dispensing a product |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB246657A (en) * | 1925-01-19 | 1926-02-04 | Charles Stewart Forbes | Improvements in or relating to receptacles or holders for shaving soap and the like |
| FR632125A (en) * | 1926-04-02 | 1928-01-04 | adjustable holder for shaving soap stick | |
| US1947738A (en) * | 1931-11-14 | 1934-02-20 | Scovill Manufacturing Co | Lip stick |
| US2753991A (en) * | 1951-02-17 | 1956-07-10 | Sherman Claudine Reine | Lipstick refill cartridge |
| GB726921A (en) * | 1952-04-25 | 1955-03-23 | Unilever Ltd | Improvements in containers for toilet articles in stick form |
| DE1003411B (en) * | 1953-12-11 | 1957-02-28 | Guglielmo Bompiani | Container for replacement lipsticks |
| FR1205370A (en) * | 1958-04-09 | 1960-02-02 | Improvement to lipstick stick cases | |
| US3217869A (en) * | 1963-08-14 | 1965-11-16 | Max Factor & Co | Lipstick cup locking device |
| FR2312420A1 (en) * | 1975-05-28 | 1976-12-24 | Lam Plan Sa | Lipstick type diamond paste distributor - with quarter turn graduation marks |
| US4602886A (en) * | 1983-12-28 | 1986-07-29 | Smit Adrianus J | Multi-color marking implement |
-
1991
- 1991-06-25 DE DE9117141U patent/DE9117141U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-06 AT AT95116099T patent/ATE213395T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-11-06 ES ES91919143T patent/ES2104729T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-06 DK DK91919143.7T patent/DK0557323T3/en active
- 1991-11-06 DE DE59108831T patent/DE59108831D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-06 JP JP51735591A patent/JP3583126B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-06 EP EP91919143A patent/EP0557323B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-06 AT AT91919143T patent/ATE156977T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-11-06 CA CA002269124A patent/CA2269124C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-06 DE DE59109227T patent/DE59109227D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-06 EP EP95116099A patent/EP0702913B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-06 WO PCT/EP1991/002098 patent/WO1992008388A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-11-06 DK DK95116099T patent/DK0702913T3/en active
- 1991-11-06 CA CA002096440A patent/CA2096440C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-06 ES ES95116099T patent/ES2172546T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-11-12 GR GR970403008T patent/GR3025366T3/en unknown
-
1999
- 1999-04-26 JP JP11817199A patent/JP3364447B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-10-28 JP JP2002312514A patent/JP3641262B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-10-13 JP JP2004299095A patent/JP2005096868A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3641262B2 (en) | 2005-04-20 |
| CA2096440C (en) | 2002-07-23 |
| EP0702913B1 (en) | 2002-02-20 |
| JP2000025853A (en) | 2000-01-25 |
| DE59109227D1 (en) | 2002-03-28 |
| CA2269124A1 (en) | 1992-05-16 |
| ES2172546T3 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
| EP0557323B1 (en) | 1997-08-20 |
| CA2096440A1 (en) | 1992-05-16 |
| ATE213395T1 (en) | 2002-03-15 |
| EP0702913A2 (en) | 1996-03-27 |
| ES2104729T3 (en) | 1997-10-16 |
| DE59108831D1 (en) | 1997-09-25 |
| EP0702913A3 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
| JP2005096868A (en) | 2005-04-14 |
| EP0557323A1 (en) | 1993-09-01 |
| JP3583126B2 (en) | 2004-10-27 |
| JP2003205979A (en) | 2003-07-22 |
| WO1992008388A1 (en) | 1992-05-29 |
| JPH06502372A (en) | 1994-03-17 |
| DK0557323T3 (en) | 1998-04-06 |
| ATE156977T1 (en) | 1997-09-15 |
| DE9117141U1 (en) | 1996-04-18 |
| DK0702913T3 (en) | 2002-06-03 |
| JP3364447B2 (en) | 2003-01-08 |
| GR3025366T3 (en) | 1998-02-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |