Container for a stick product

#The present invention relates to improvements for a container that houses a stick product. More particularly, the invention relates to a container that enables a stick product in a holder cup to be moved between an extended position, where the product within the holder cup is capable of being applied by a consumer, and a retracted position. The invention also relates to methods of assembling such a container.

#A well known type of container for a stick product features a base that is connected to a cylindrical inner body, and a cam sleeve that is placed around the inner body, such that the cam sleeve and inner body can rotate with respect to each other. The inner body is hollow, and has a wall with at least one longitudinal slot that extends through the wall. The cam sleeve has an inner wall that features at least one helical groove that extends along a substantial length of the inner wall. A holder cup for a stick product is provided, and comprises at least one cam follower in the form of a lug. When the holder cup is fitted into the inner body, the lug extends through the longitudinal slot of the inner body to engage the helical groove of the cam sleeve. In this arrangement, when the inner body is rotated relative to the cam sleeve, then the helical groove of the cam sleeve applies pressure to the lug of the holder cup, which drives the holder cup up or down in the inner body, while the lugs ride in the longitudinal slot. In this way, the stick product is moved between an advanced position and a retracted position.

#The holder cup is typically assembled into the top of the inner body. However, the lugs of the holder cup extend beyond the perimeter of the inner body, and the top of the inner body may not have enough stretch or flexibility to allow the lugs to pass through. In fact, to facilitate the insertion of the inner body into the cam sleeve, the top, outer edge of a conventional inner body is tapered, and this taper adds stiffness around the top perimeter of the inner body. Also, even if the lugs of the holder cup could be forced into the top of the inner body, both the inner body and lugs are likely to suffer some damage. To alleviate this problem, some inner bodies (50; see FIG. 14) are designed with a secondary slot (50a) that extends from the top of one of the longitudinal slots to open up onto the top edge of the inner body. This creates a break or gap in the top perimeter of the inner body. This gap adds some flexibility to the top portion of the inner body. Nevertheless, during the assembly of the holder cup and inner body, the top of the inner body needs to be held open with a tool so that the holder cup may be inserted into the inner body without scratching or otherwise damaging the top of the inner body or the lugs. However, even with this extra step of holding the top of the inner body opened, the holder cup must be inserted at an angle, so that one lug may be inserted before the other. This is a significant disadvantage in the assembly process. Sometimes, two secondary slots are used, so that the holder cup may be inserted upright into the inner body, but two gaps in the top perimeter of the inner body creates its own problems.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap and base for a container for a stick product according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a base that may be useful in the present invention.

#FIG. 3 depicts an A-shell for a container for a stick product according to the present invention.

#Throughout the specification, the term “comprises” means that a collection of objects is not necessarily limited to those explicitly recited, but may or may not include additional objects.

#For purposes of the present invention, a stick product is an elongated mass of solid or semi-solid product that is able to support its own weight when the elongated mass is suspended by one end.

#Cap and Base