CN117979863A

CN117979863A - Personal care dispenser

Info

Publication number: CN117979863A
Application number: CN202280060873.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·F·W·麦加里
Original assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Current assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Priority date: 2021-09-09
Filing date: 2022-09-09
Publication date: 2024-05-03
Also published as: WO2023039497A1; US20230074146A1; CA3229076A1

Abstract

A personal care dispenser having a housing defining an opening at a first end. A cover mounted to the first end. The cover has an open position and a closed position. The dispenser sleeve is slidably positioned within the opening. The dispenser sleeve has a base at a first end of the dispenser sleeve and a pull tab at a second opposite end of the dispenser sleeve.

Description

Personal care dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to primary packages and, more particularly, to primary packages adapted to contain and dispense solid personal care articles.

Background

Many personal care and other consumer products including shampoos, conditioners, and body washes, etc., are currently on the market and are sold in liquid form. Although widely used, liquid personal care products typically have a trade-off. For example, liquid personal care products are typically sold in plastic bottles, which adds significant cost and packaging waste. In addition, these products are typically formulated with large amounts of water (e.g., about 80% or more), preservatives and stabilizers, which add significant bulk and translate into inefficient, expensive shipping and storage. Furthermore, liquid personal care products can also be difficult to use in terms of controlled dosage and product delivery.

To overcome some of these drawbacks, it may be desirable to formulate personal care products into solid structures that may include soluble films, compressed powders in solids, fibrous structures, porous foams, soluble deformable solids, powders, bars, or pellets. However, many of these implementations are not ideal for the consumer. For example, some products comprising a number of strands or pellets do not hydrate and dissolve fast enough when exposed to water to meet consumer expectations for a fast application of a uniform liquid product to hair, scalp and/or body without undue effort to dissolve the product.

The solid articles comprising fibrous structures or porous foams may be lightweight articles, substantially free of water, and capable of dissolving more rapidly than other solid forms. However, shipping, handling and storage may damage these articles. First, many articles containing fibrous structures or porous films can be absorbent articles and thus tend to absorb moisture from the environment. If the product absorbs too much water, it may be a gelatinous viscous material or, alternatively, become difficult to dissolve with water. This creates storage problems because personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and the like, are often stored in the shower or bath, which are often subject to the effects of water and humidity. In addition, articles comprising fibrous structures and/or porous foams are compressible articles, causing shipping, handling, storage, and distribution problems.

Accordingly, there is a need for a primary package for articles formed from fibrous structures or porous foams that protects personal care articles from moisture, compression, and better sustainability.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a personal care dispenser having a housing defining an opening at a first end. A cover mounted to the first end. The cover has an open position and a closed position; the dispenser sleeve is slidably positioned within the opening. The dispenser sleeve has a base at a first end of the dispenser sleeve and a pull tab at a second opposite end of the dispenser sleeve.

In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a personal care dispenser having a housing with a top surface defining an opening and an opposite bottom surface. The opening is sized to receive a plurality of personal care articles. A closure member is mounted to the top surface, the closure member having an open position and a closed position. The container is removably mounted to the bottom surface of the housing. The container defines a chamber sized to hold one or more personal care articles. A closure mounted to a top surface of the container covering the chamber.

In yet another aspect, the invention features, in general, a method of assembling a personal care dispenser by providing a housing. A plurality of personal care articles are mounted on the dispenser sleeve. The dispenser sleeve is slidably positioned within the opening of the housing. A cover is mounted over the opening.

Drawings

The patent or application document includes at least one color rendered picture. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the patent office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a personal care dispenser in a closed position.

Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the personal care dispenser of fig. 1 in an open position.

Fig. 2A is an enlarged view of the personal care dispenser of fig. 1 with the sleeve in a first position.

Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of the personal care dispenser of fig. 1 with the sleeve in a first position.

Fig. 3 is an assembled view of the personal care dispenser.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a personal care dispenser with a removable container.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a personal care dispenser and container.

Detailed Description

It may be desirable to form personal care articles in solid form, such as shave preparations, shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. Solid forms may be advantageous for several reasons. First, the solid product does not require removal from luggage at a security checkpoint at an airport, as is required for liquid personal care products. Second, the solid products may be substantially free of water, making these products more environmentally friendly, efficient and cost effective in shipping and storage. In addition, solid products, particularly unit dose solid products, are easy to meter and virtually eliminate waste products within the primary package. In addition, consumers are looking for ways to reduce wastage, while plastic bottles add significantly to cost and packaging wastage, and consumers may be interested in recyclable plastic packages.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, perspective views of a personal care dispenser 10 are shown in a closed position and an open position, respectively. The personal care dispenser 10 may include a body 12 having a housing 14 with a base 16. In certain embodiments, the body 12 may comprise a durable material such as an engineering plastic, such as polycarbonate, and/or a metal, or a metal alloy, such as steel, aluminum, tin, or various combinations thereof. The body 12 may provide a robust multipurpose container that protects any articles stored within the body 12. The material of the body 12 may be used as a convenient travel box that is reusable. In other embodiments, the body 12 may comprise a recyclable paper material. The first end 18 of the housing 14 may define an opening 20 configured to receive a plurality of personal care articles 22. The personal care article 22 may include, but is not limited to, a shaving preparation, shampoo, conditioner, or body wash in solid form that dissolves upon exposure to water and is mixed or agitated in the consumer's hand prior to or during application. If the personal care articles 22 are excessively compressed during handling and storage, the consumer may not accept their properties in terms of time, water, and agitation required to break down into an acceptable liquid form. The shape of the personal care article 22 may be a circular, square, or rectangular pad; however, a variety of other shapes may be employed. The cover 24 may be mounted to the first end 18 of the housing 14. The inner surface 26 of the cover 24 may define a recess 28 sized to receive a dispenser sleeve 30. For example, a portion of the dispenser sleeve 30, such as the pull tab 32, may extend out of the opening 20 and beyond the first end 18 of the housing 14. The cover 24 may have an open position and a closed position. Thus, the recess 28 can help prevent the pull tab 32 from being squeezed when the lid 24 is in the closed position. The dispenser sleeve 30 may be positioned within the opening 20 of the housing 14. As will be discussed in more detail below, the dispenser sleeve 30 may facilitate dispensing of the personal care article 22.

Referring to fig. 2A and 2B, an enlarged view of the personal care dispenser 10 is shown in an open position. As shown in fig. 2A, the dispenser sleeve 30 may have a first position to facilitate closing of the cover 24. As shown in fig. 2B, the dispenser sleeve 30 may have a second position to facilitate dispensing of the personal care article 22. The dispenser sleeve 30 is slidable within the housing 14 between a first position and a second position. The pull tab 32 may extend from a first end 34 of the dispenser sleeve 30. In the first position, the first end 34 of the dispenser sleeve 30 may be positioned closer to the first end 18 of the housing 14 than in the second position. In the first position (fig. 2A), the first end 34 of the dispenser sleeve 30 may be flush with the first end 18 of the housing 14 or slightly below the first end 18 of the housing 14. In the second position (fig. 2B), the first end 34 of the dispenser sleeve 30 may be positioned above the first end 18 of the housing 14. The dispenser sleeve 30 may be friction fit within the housing 14. Thus, the dispenser sleeve 30 may remain in the second position until the consumer pushes the dispenser sleeve 30 back down into the housing 14. The friction fit may also facilitate access to the personal care article 22. For example, the dispenser sleeve 30 does not fall back into the housing 14 unless pushed back to the first position by the consumer.

The personal care article 22 comprising fibrous structures or porous foams may be an absorbent article and thus may be prone to absorb moisture in the environment. Because these personal care products 22 are often stored in bathrooms or shower stalls, which are relatively high in humidity as compared to other climate controlled areas of the consumer's home, it is important that the primary packaging protects the product from humidity. Once the dispenser sleeve 30 is in the first position, the consumer may close the lid 24. The cover 24 may help prevent moisture from entering the personal care dispenser 10. Excessive moisture may cause the personal care article 22 to break down within the personal care dispenser, which may cause the personal care article 22 to adhere to one another and/or reduce the effectiveness of the skin benefits of the personal care article 22 when in use. In certain embodiments, the dispenser sleeve 30 may be completely removable from the housing 14. For example, once the personal care article 22 is fully used, the dispenser sleeve 30 may be removed and replaced with a new dispenser sleeve 30 having a new personal care article 22. Thus, the housing 14 may be reusable to improve sustainability. In certain embodiments, a new dispenser sleeve 30 may be provided within the sealed plastic film to prevent exposure to moisture.

Articles comprising fibrous structures and/or porous foams are compressible articles. These personal care articles 22 are shipped, transported to a storage/storage facility, and stored by a consumer. Because these personal care articles 22 are unit dose products, consumers often carry these products in purses, exercise packages, or luggage, subjecting the articles to further damage. The primary package may be placed in a purse or exercise bag. If the article is over compressed, it does not return to its original structure, which affects the dissolution rate.

Referring to fig. 3, an assembled view of the personal care dispenser 10 is shown. The dispenser sleeve 30 may help keep the personal care articles 22 apart and help minimize the extent to which the personal care articles 22 are compressed. The dispenser sleeve 30 may have a rear wall 36 that extends between a base 38 at a second end 40 and the first end 34 (e.g., the pull tab 32). In the first position, the base 38 may rest on an inner bottom surface 42 of the housing 14. A pair of opposed side walls 44 and 46 may interconnect the base 38 and the rear wall 36. Thus, the front portion 48 of the dispenser sleeve 30 may be open (e.g., without a front wall opposite the rear wall 36) to enable easy access to the personal care article 22.

In certain embodiments, the dispenser sleeve 30 may include a plurality of spaced apart platforms 50. A platform 50 may extend from the rear wall 36 toward the front 48 of the dispenser sleeve 30. One of the personal care articles 22 may be positioned between two of the spaced apart platforms 50. Thus, each article 22 may be at least partially separated from another personal care article 22 therein by one of the lands 50 on the top surface 52 of the personal care article 22 and another of the lands on the bottom surface 54 of the article 22. It should be appreciated that the bottommost personal care article 22 may be positioned between one of the platforms 50 and the base 38. Furthermore, the top surface 52 of the uppermost personal care article 22 may not require a platform 50. The platform 50 may facilitate separation of personal care articles 22 that may tend to adhere to one another.

The width "w1" of the platform 50 may be less than the width "w2" of the rear wall 36. For example, the width "w1" may extend between the sidewalls 44 and 46 and may be about 20% to about 90% less than "w2" to facilitate removal of the personal care article 22. The depth "d1" of the platform 50 may extend from the rear wall 36 toward the front 48, with the depth "d1" being less than the depth "d2" of the side walls 44 and 46. Platform 50 may be transverse to rear wall 36 and side walls 44 and 46. If the platforms 50 are too large, they may interfere with access to the personal care article 22. In certain embodiments, the platform 50 may have perforated areas 56 that enable the platform 50 to be torn off (e.g., after removal of one of the personal care articles 22). Thus, if the platform 50 does not separate one of the personal care articles 22, the platform 50 may be removed to enable easier access to the other personal care articles 22. In certain embodiments, the thickness "t1" of the rear wall 36, side wall 44, and side wall 46 and/or base 38 may be greater than the thickness "t2" of the platform 50. Accordingly, the rear wall 36, the side walls 44, and the side walls 46, and/or the base 38 may be more rigid to accommodate and support the personal care article 22. The platform 50 may be part of a separate component that is attached to the dispenser sleeve 30 by heat sealing or adhesive. The rear wall 36, side walls 44 and 46, and the base 38 may be constructed of a single sheet of paper material (e.g., cardboard) or other sustainable material. The housing 14 may be made of a polymeric material or metal, thus enabling the housing 14 to be reused (e.g., only replace the inner sleeve 30 with a new personal care article 22) for better sustainability.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, one possible embodiment of a personal care dispenser 10 having a container 58 separable from the housing 14 is shown. As shown in fig. 4, the housing 14 may have an outer bottom surface 60 defining a recess 62 (e.g., a slot) that engages with a corresponding feature on the container 58. As shown in fig. 5, the recess 62 may enable the housing 14 to be placed in a stable position on a flat surface with the container 58 removed. The container 58 may be used to hold a limited number of personal care articles 22. For example, the container 58 may be sized to hold three to ten articles 22. Accordingly, the container 58 may define a chamber 64 sized to receive a plurality of personal care articles 22. The container 58 may be smaller than the housing 14 and thus may be conveniently fitted into a gym or cosmetic bag. For example, the height "h1" of the container 58 from the top surface 66 of the container 58 to the bottom surface 68 of the container 58 may be about 70% to 90% less than the height "h2" extending from the first end 18 of the housing 14 to the outer bottom surface 60 of the housing 14. The closure 70 may be mounted to the top surface 66 of the container 58 covering the chamber 64. The closure 70 may have a top surface with a protrusion 72 configured to slidably engage the recess 62 of the housing 14 to secure the container 58 to the housing 14. The closure 70 may help to prevent the personal care article 22 from being compressed or exposed to moisture. The chamber 64 may be filled with the personal care article 22 by the manufacturer, or the chamber 64 may be provided as an empty chamber. In certain embodiments, the outer surface 74 of the housing 14 and the outer surface 76 of the container 58 may be different colors to inform the consumer that the two components may be separated.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40mm" is intended to mean "about 40mm". Furthermore, dimensions should not be kept to an impossibly high standard of geometric identity, which does not take into account differences due to typical manufacturing tolerances. Accordingly, the term "about" should be understood to be within typical manufacturing tolerances.

Each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention, or that it is not entitled to any disclosed or claimed herein, or that it is prior art with respect to itself or any combination of one or more of these references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A personal care dispenser (10), comprising:

a housing (14) defining an opening (20) at a first end (18);

A cover (24) mounted to the first end of the housing, the cover having an open position and a closed position;

A dispenser sleeve (30) slidably positionable within the opening, the dispenser sleeve having a base (38) at a second end (40) of the dispenser sleeve and a pull tab (32) at a first opposite end (34) of the dispenser sleeve.

2. The personal care dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein the dispenser sleeve (30) includes a rear wall (36) extending between the base (38) and the pull tab (32).

3. The personal care dispenser (10) of claim 2, wherein the dispenser sleeve (30) includes a plurality of spaced apart platforms (50) extending from the rear wall (36).

4. A personal care dispenser (10) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of platforms (50) are transverse to said rear wall (36).

5. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pull tab (32) extends out of the opening (20) and beyond the first end (18) of the housing (14).

6. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the plurality of platforms (50) each have a perforated area (56) facing the rear wall (36).

7. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pull tab (32) is spaced apart from the cover (24) in the open position and the closed position.

8. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the thickness of the rear wall (36) is greater than the thickness of the platform (50).

9. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the thickness of the base (38) of the dispenser sleeve (30) is greater than the thickness of the platform (50).

10. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser sleeve (30) comprises a paper material.

11. The personal care dispenser (10) of claim 10, wherein the housing (14) comprises a polymeric material.

12. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a container (58) removably mounted to a bottom surface (60) of the housing (14), the container defining a chamber (64) sized to hold one or more personal care articles (22) and a closure (70) mounted to a top surface (66) of the container covering the chamber.

13. The personal care dispenser (10) of claim 12, wherein the height of the housing (14) is greater than the height of the container (58).

14. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the top surface of the closure (70) includes a protrusion (72), the protrusion (72) being configured to engage a recess (62) on the bottom surface (60) of the housing (14).

15. The personal care dispenser (10) of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the color of the housing (14) is different than the color of the container (58).