Multi-composition stick product and a process and system for manufacturing the same

• US 6,648,026 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PF Consumer Healthcare 1 LLC (GlaxoSmithKline PLC)
• Original Assignee: Wyeth (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Look, Jee Loon, Abu-Izza, Khawla Abdullah, Cooper, Paul Joseph, Wilson, Joyce H., Raman, Krishna P., Li, Vincent Hon-Kin
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, KHOA D
• Application Number:
  US09/871,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20020041788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 141/9, 141/218, 141/100, 141/374, 141/234, 141/236, 141/99, 141/104, 141/113, 401/68
• US Class Current: 141/9
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2040/0012 with special decorative arrangements or form
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/04 effected by a screw
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/16 Refill sticks; Moulding devices for producing sticks
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/24 Casings for two or more cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/88 Two- or multipart kits
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/02 characterised by special physical form
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0229 Sticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/31 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/35 Ketones, e.g. benzophenone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/37 Esters of carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/44 Aminocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof, e.g. aminocarboxylic acids containing sulfur; Salts; Esters or N-acylated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/553 Phospholipids, e.g. lecithin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/92 Oils, fats or waxes; Derivatives thereof, e.g. hydrogenation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/922 of vegetable origin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/927 of insects, e.g. shellac
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 1/06 Lipsticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 15/00 Anti-perspirants or body deodorants deodorisation of air A61L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/04 Topical preparations for affording protection against sunlight or other radiation; Topical sun tanning preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/023 for making multicoloured articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/10 : incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. casting around inserts or for coating articles coating a surface by casting in general B05D1/30, B29C39/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/24 : Feeding the material into the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 2220/14 : Adding more than one type of material or article to the same package
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 : Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H

Abstract

A multi-composition stick product, such as a lip balm, sun screen, deodorant, or glue stick. The multi-composition stick product including a stick composition molded in the container so as to contact the walls thereof and be advanceable or ejected therefrom. The stick composition includes a first composition and a second composition. The first and second compositions differ in at least one component, such as a medicament, colorant, fragrance, flavorant, sunscreen, preservative, conditioner, moisturizer, emollient, or surfactant. Furthermore the first and second compositions are arranged in a predetermined non-random pattern that is reproducible. Also described is the method and apparatus for manufacturing the multi-composition stick product.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a multi-composition stick product advanceable from an open end of a container, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a mold shaft into the container;

dispensing a first composition of stick composition into the container around the mold shaft;

removing the mold shaft from the container to form a cavity; and

filling at least a portion of the cavity with a second composition of stick composition, the first and second compositions differing by at least one component and being arranged in a predetermined non-random pattern that is reproducible;

wherein the inserting step comprises inserting a portion of a first filling nozzle into the container, the first filling nozzle includes the mold shaft having a first predetermined shape and a first outer barrier disposed about at least a portion of the mold shaft; and

wherein the dispensing step comprises dispensing the first composition of stick composition into a passageway, defined between an outer surface of the mold shaft and an inner surface of the first outer barrier, and into the container around the mold shaft.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mold shaft is hollow.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the filling step comprises dispensing the second composition of stick composition through the mold shaft and into the container so as to fill at least a portion of the cavity.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first mold shaft is solid or semi-hollow.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the filling step comprises dispensing, using a second filling nozzle having a second hollow mold shaft of a second predetermined shape, the second composition of stick composition into the second mold shaft so as to fill at least a portion of the cavity.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dispensing step comprises dispensing the first composition of stick composition into the container around the mold shaft.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of finishing a top surface of the stick composition while disposed in the container.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said finishing step comprises scraping the top surface of the stick composition with a heated scraper.

9. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said finishing step comprises glazing the top surface of the stick composition.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the component is a medicament, colorant, fragrance, flavorant, sunscreen, preservative, conditioner, moisturizer, emollient, or surfactant.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the component is a colorant.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first and second compositions are arranged as a discrete predetermined non-random multi-color image that is reproducible.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein for at least a portion of the composition stick, each cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the composition stick has the same image.

14. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein substantially no mixing occurs at the interface between the first and second compositions.

15. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the stick product is a lip balm.

16. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dispensing step comprises dispensing the first composition of stick composition onto a support tray by which the container is held so that the first composition spills into the container around the mold shaft.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein the filling step comprises dispensing the second composition of stick composition onto the support tray so that the second composition spills into the container and fills at least a portion of the cavity.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the removing step further comprises finishing the top surface of the first composition.

19. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of removing excess first and second compositions from the support tray.