Protective Case

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/575,466, filed on Apr. 5, 2024, and titled “Protective Case,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to protective cases, and more specifically to a protective device for roll-on tube.

Lip balm containers come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to the preferences of users and the branding needs of manufacturers. Lip balm containers range from small, portable tubes that fit easily in a pocket or purse, to elegant pots that require fingertip application, and eco-friendly options made from biodegradable materials. These containers are designed not only for functionality, keeping the lip balm protected and hygienic, but also for aesthetic appeal, often reflecting the brand's identity or the product's natural ingredients. Innovative designs for lip balm containers may include features like attached mirrors or applicators to enhance user experience.

Roll-on tubes, such as lip balm containers for lip balm, such as Chapstick™ containers, include an integrated wheel (e.g., dial) that rotates to extend or retract the lip balm or other substance held within the container. These containers often end up in pockets or purses, leading to inadvertent rotation of the integrated wheel. As a result, the substance extends out of the container (e.g., roll-on tube), leading to wastage. There is a need for a solution that prevents the wheel from spinning unintentionally.

Additionally, warm temperatures may also cause issues with lip balm containers. For instance, the containers often do not offer sufficient insulation to reduce heat exchange, causing lip balm within the container to melt when the container is exposed to warm environments. As a result, the melted lip balm may have insufficient rigidity to interact with the wheel. The content of the tube, such as the lip balm, may then become stuck within the container, leading to wastage. Once a user removes the lid from the container, the product may then break away from the container and remain within the lid, potentially creating a mess and leading to wastage.

The present disclosure relates broadly to a protective case for a cylindrical container. In a first example, the protective case includes a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, a bottom portion on an opposite end of the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening, wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to a wheel of the cylindrical container while the cylindrical container is enveloped by the protective case.

In a second example, a slider with an adhesive may be provided for attachment to the cylindrical container, where the slider is coupled to the cylindrical container through the second opening on the side of the protective case, where the slider is configured to move the cylindrical container to extend the cylindrical container or to retract the cylindrical container relative to the protective case.

In a third example, the present disclosure includes a cap for preventing inadvertent spinning of a wheel of a cylindrical container, the cap includes a cylindrical side, a bottom, and an opening opposite the bottom, wherein the cap is configured to removably engage with the cylindrical container such that the cap envelops the wheel.

In a fourth example, the protective case for protecting a cylindrical container includes a protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, a bottom portion on an opposite end of the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening; and a slide casing having a slider extending radially from a side wall of the slide casing, wherein the slide casing is adapted to be disposed in the protective sleeve, and the slider is adapted to be slidably disposed in the second opening.

In a fifth example, the protective case for protecting a cylindrical container includes a protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, and a second opening at the second end adapted to couple to a base; and collapsible rings coupled to the base, having ring portions that are adapted to extend a platform coupled to the collapsible rings.

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method, which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Several aspects of container protection systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses. These apparatuses will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For case of explanation, various aspects of the present disclosure are described with respect to a lip balm container. Still, aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated for a roll-on container or any other type of cylindrical container.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to preventing the inadvertent spinning of the wheel on the container. As shown in the example of, a protective casehaving a cylindrical shape is provided for protecting a cylindrical container. The protective casehas a cylindrical shape with a first end, a second end, sides, and a bottomproximal to the second end. The interior surfaces of the sidesand bottomdefine an interior volume. One or more flangesmay be provided in the interior to retain the container in position relative to the protective case. It would be understood that one or more flangesmay be provided, and the locations of the flangesin the interior of the protective casemay be varied. A top opening(first opening) is sized to receive a cylindrical container, such as a lip balm container, which may be slid into the interior volume of the protective casethrough the top opening. The sidesinclude a side opening(second opening). The side openingallows access to the container, which a user may use to manipulate the positions of the container relative to the protective case. It would be appreciated that the size of the side openingmay be varied, and that additional side openings may be provided. The protective casehas an axial length that is slightly longer than the container, and the top openinghas a slightly larger diameter than the container to provide a safe and secure fit for the container. The protective caseis adapted to allow the user to easily slide the container in and out of the case as needed. However, in the absence of a user applying a force to remove the container, the container will remain within the protective caseby frictional engagement.

illustrates a container, such as a lip balm container, where the containeris placed in the protective case. The containerincludes a wheelto extend and retract contents in the container. The containeralso has a cover.

The design of the protective caseenables the user to access the wheelon the containerwithout fully removing the containerfrom the protective case. The side openingof the case is positioned to allow the user to interact with the wheel, making it convenient to extend or retract the lip balm containerwithout the risk of inadvertent spinning. This design ensures that the lip balm containerremains secure within the protective casewhile allowing easy access to the product. The exterior surface of the sidesmay be smooth or have a textured surface to improve the case of gripping the protective case. Textures sidesmay provide improved ease of use, particularly if a user's hands are covered in lip balm, making their hands slippery.

Additionally, the protective casemay thermoregulate the container. For example, material of the protective casemay reduce thermal energy transfer between the container and the container's environment, such as a user's pocket. In some implementations, the protective casemay comprise an insulation material such as cellulose or ceramic fiber, additionally increasing the thermoregulatory properties of the protective case. The protective casemay be formed from plastic or another suitable material. In one example, the protective casemay be formed by a mold of a single unitary component. Alternatively, the protective caseis formed from separate components.

In another example illustrated in, a protective capis provided that covers a bottom portion of the container, including the wheel. The capis designed to fit securely over the container, offering protection and preventing accidental movement of the wheel. The capacts as a barrier between the external environment and the container. When the user places the containerin their pocket or purse, the user can attach the capover the container, and the capremains in contact with the containerby frictional engagement. The cap securely covers the wheelon the container, preventing the wheelfrom turning inadvertently. This ensures that the lip balm remains retracted within the containerand helps to avoid wastage. The capincludes a cylindrical side, and bottom, and a top openingopposite the bottom. Flangesmay be provided in the interior volume of the capto retain the capto a container.

When the user wants to access the lip balm, the user can easily remove the protective cap. The capcan be designed with features like a snap-on mechanism, a twist-off design, or a push-button release, depending on the specific implementation. In some implementations, the inside of the capmay include an interaction portion configured to interact with the wheel. For example, the inside of the cap may include a number of serrations and/or a friction material such as rubber. When the capis placed over the wheel, the interaction portion engages with the wheel. For instance, serrations on the interaction portion may interlock with serrations on the wheel. If a rotational force is applied to the capwhile the capengulfs the wheel, the interaction portion may impart the rotational force onto the wheel. In some examples, the user may twist the wheelby twisting the cap. Additionally, the contact between the inside portion of the cap and the surface of the containermay increase the rotational force required to rotate the cap. The increased rotational force required to rotate the capmay allow intentional rotation of the wheelvia a user twisting the cap, while disallowing unintentional rotation of the wheelvia the caprubbing against a surface, such as the inside of the user's pocket.

In another example, as illustrated in, a protective caseis provided, and the protective caseincludes a sliderthat allows a user to extend the containerout of the protective case. The sliderincludes a bodywith ridgeson the front of the bodyfor easier sliding by a user, and the back of the bodyincludes an adhesive configured to couple to a surface of a container. The slidemay be coupled to a portion of the containerthat is exposed by the side openingwhen the containeris positioned within the protective case. The sliderextends radially outward from the protective case through the side openingand the slidermay retain the containerin the protective case, while allowing for axial movement of the containerin relation to the protective case. The attachment of the sliderto the containeralso restricts the rotational movement of the containerin relation to the protective case. The width of the slideris slightly smaller than the width of the side opening. The back of the slidermay have a curved surface which corresponds to the curved surface of the cylindrical container. The front side of the slidermay have a curved surface that corresponds to the curve of the protective caseto provide a low profile to reduce inadvertent contact with the slider.

The sliderallows a user to slide the containerwithin the protective case. In some examples, to remove the containerfrom the protective case, the slidermay be removed from the containerby pulling the adhesively coupled sliderfrom the container. The container, now unobstructed by the slider, may then be removed from the protective case. The sliderallows easy manipulation of the container, while also serving to retain the containerin the protective case.

In another example illustrated in, a slide casing(shown in) is provided for use with a protective sleeve(shown in) to form a protective case.illustrates an example of the slide casing, which has an open cylindrical shape that is adapted to receive a container, and the slide casingis adapted to be received in the protective sleeve. The slide casingincludes a raised sliderthat extends radially from the slide casing side walls.is a back view of the slide casing,is a front view, andis a side view of the slide casing. The side wallsdo not fully enclose the interior volume, and have a C-shape when viewed from above or below the slide casing. This open aspect allows for the side wallsto flex in order to secure a container, in the interior volume of the slide casing. The side wallsalso include side openings, which may reduce the bulk or weight of the slide casingand/or reduce the amount of contact between the slide casingand the protective sleeveto provide the desired amount of frictional resistance to the movement of the slide casingrelative to the protective sleeve.

In some examples, the protective sleeveincludes sides, a bottom,, a top opening, and a side opening. The protective sleeveis adapted to receive the slide casingin the interior volume of the protective sleeve, including the sliderthat extends radially outward from the slide casing through the side opening. As the slide casingdoes not include a complete cylinder, a user can bend the slide casingslightly so that it is able to be inserted into the protective sleeve. Once disposed in the protective sleeve, the slide casingreturns to its original shape, and is slidably held in the protective sleeve. The sliderhelps to retain the slide casingin the protective sleeve, along with frictional engagement between the outer surface of the slide casingand the inner surface of the protective sleeve.

As illustrated in, the slide casingmay be slidably engaged with the protective sleevesuch that the slide casingcan extend in and out of the protective sleeve. A user can push the sliderto extend and retract the slide casingwithin the protective sleeve. At full extension, the slide casingmay partially extend out of the protective sleeve. The slide casingis further configured to receive a container, such as container. For instance, the slide casingmay partially envelop the container. By pulling the containerout of the top of the protective sleeve, a user can remove the containerso that the user can place a new containerwithin the slide casing.

In another example illustrated in, collapsible ringshaving ring portionsA-D which are concentric rings configured to nest within the adjacent ring portionsA-D. The collapsible ringsinclude a base, and the collapsible ringsmay couple to a protective sleevesuch that the collapsible ringsmay be collapsed or extended upward toward the top of the protective sleeve. The protective sleeveis an open cylinder, that is adapted to receive a containerin the interior volume of the cylinder. The protective sleevemay include flangesto retain the containerin the protective sleeve. The collapsible ringsand protective sleevetogether form a protective case. The collapsible ringsinclude a platformdistal to the basefor contacting a containerto extend or retract the container.

The ring portionsA-D of the concentric ringsmay be elevated via a pushing action or a twisting mechanism such that twisting the base(e.g., applying a rotational force) elevates the platformof the concentric rings. By placing a containerwithin the protective sleeve, a user may vertically extend the collapsible ringsto raise the container. In another example, the container may have a bottom portion removed, and the collapsible ringsmay then extend through the container, displacing material within the containerand pushing the material out of the container. By pushing the material via the collapsible rings, a user may be able to remove substantially all of the material from within the container.

In still some implementations, the baseis removably coupled to the protective sleeve, and when coupled together, forms a protective case. A user may twist the baseto disengage the basefrom the protective sleeve. The user may then adjust the collapsible ringsby extending the collapsible ringsout of the base. Once extended, the user may twist the collapsible ringsand/or the baseto lock the collapsible ringsin place, thereby preventing the collapsible ringsfrom further extension or contraction. The user may then use the now rigid collapsible ringsas a rod to push material out of the container.

Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to a lip balm container. As discussed, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a protective case for a roll-on tube. The roll-on tube is a type of cylindrical container, which includes, but is not limited to, lip stick containers, glue stick containers, containers of edible substances, and sunscreen containers.

In various implementations, the protective case may include thermal regulation enhancements, such as a dual-wall structure with a vacuum layer or foam-based insulation to minimize heat transfer. This may be desirable for temperature-sensitive content, such as medicated balms or food-grade cylindrical containers (e.g., honey butter sticks or deodorants). In another example, the interior of the protective case may be lined with a phase-change material to stabilize temperature fluctuations over extended durations.

Various aspects of the present disclosure may include the incorporation of sensors and feedback mechanisms. For instance, the protective case may include a thermochromic material or a printed indicator that changes color if internal temperatures exceed a critical threshold, signaling potential melting of contents. Alternatively, a user-alert system, such as a tactile bump or audible click, may be integrated into the cap to indicate secure locking over the wheel, confirming anti-rotation status.

In some examples, the slider or slide casing may also incorporate guiding tracks or detents along the inner walls of the protective sleeve to provide tactile resistance and prevent accidental sliding. In some examples, the slider may include a locking tab or latch mechanism that allows it to snap into a resting position to keep the cylindrical container securely in place when not in use.

In some examples, the protective case may be adapted to accommodate containers of varying sizes through an adjustable sleeve. For instance, the sleeve may include internal shims, deformable liners, or an expandable polymer structure that adapts to the specific diameter of the cylindrical container, ensuring a snug fit. Alternatively, a set of modular sleeves or insert rings may be provided to users to adapt the protective case for multiple product formats.

Additionally, or alternatively, the cap or case may include a retention strap, loop, or clip mechanism for attachment to a user's bag, keychain, or belt loop, promoting portability while reducing the chance of accidental activation in transit. Additionally, the protective case may be manufactured from biodegradable, compostable, or recycled materials to support environmentally sustainable applications, especially where single-use or refillable lip balm products are concerned.

Further, in examples involving collapsible rings, the ring structure may include internal screw threads or a helical track system that elevates the platform in response to rotation, providing finer control and stronger resistance to mechanical fatigue. In some examples, the collapsible rings may be spring-loaded or telescopic, allowing automatic extension once a locking mechanism is disengaged.

Moreover, while many aspects are described for consumer personal care products, such as lip balm or sunscreen, aspects of the present disclosure also contemplate uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food industries. For example, the protective case could house a stick-based medication or oral dosage form, and include tamper-evident seals or child-resistant locking mechanisms on the slider or cap.

As discussed, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a protective case for a cylindrical container, such as a lip balm, sunscreen, lipstick, glue stick, or an edible substance container. The protective case includes a first and second end, a first opening to receive the cylindrical container, a bottom portion opposite the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening. This second opening allows access to a wheel of the cylindrical container while the container remains enveloped by the protective case, thereby enabling user interaction without removal of the container. The second opening may extend along the entire length of the protective case and be configured to allow an outside force to slidably engage the container. One or more flanges may be included at the first end to create resistance against unintentional insertion or removal of the container. In some embodiments, a slider is positioned through the second opening and adhered to the container to enable vertical movement while also securing the container within the case.

In some examples, a protective cap may engage with the container and prevent unintentional rotation of the container's wheel. This cap comprises a cylindrical side, a bottom, and a top opening, and may include internal flanges for retention as well as inner teeth that interlock with outer teeth of the container's wheel to block rotation. In additional embodiments, a protective sleeve and a slide casing are used in combination to house the cylindrical container. The slide casing may include a slider extending radially from its side wall, which fits into the second opening of the protective sleeve, allowing for controlled axial movement. The slide casing may include apertures to reduce weight and enhance flexibility and may partially surround and retain the cylindrical container.

Additionally, or alternatively, the protective case may include a base coupled to collapsible rings that support a platform. These collapsible rings, which may be extended by rotating the base, allow the platform to push material out of the container-either by elevating the container or by entering the container body directly when a bottom portion is removed. The platform and collapsible rings may be locked into position and manipulated to extract nearly all contents from the container. These various configurations offer improved control, protection, temperature regulation, and content extraction functionality for cylindrical containers used across personal care, cosmetic, and food-related applications.

To utilize the protective case for a cylindrical container, a user first inserts the container into the interior volume of the protective case through a top opening. The cylindrical container may be, for example, a lip balm container, a glue stick, or any similarly shaped roll-on product. The interior surface of the protective case may include one or more flanges or frictional surfaces configured to retain the container securely during use and transport. In certain implementations, the protective case includes a side opening configured to receive a slider. The slider may be adhesively attached to the container through the side opening and extends outward, allowing a user to slidably adjust the vertical position of the container within the case. The side opening of the protective case also allows direct access to a wheel or dial portion of the container, which the user may rotate to dispense or retract the contents of the container without removing the container from the protective case. In certain embodiments, a protective cap may be removably attached to the container to envelop the wheel, thereby preventing inadvertent rotation during storage or transport. The protective cap may include internal flanges or interlocking structures to enhance engagement with the container. Additionally, the protective case may be constructed from thermally insulating materials to reduce heat transfer and mitigate melting or deformation of the product in warm environments, such as inside a user's pocket. When needed, the user may slide the container upward using the slider or remove the container entirely from the protective case for replacement or refill. Optional enhancements may include a collapsible ring mechanism for elevating the container, a slide casing with integrated slider for improved control, modular fit adjustments to accommodate differently sized containers, or environmentally sustainable materials such as biodegradable plastics. These features collectively improve usability, hygiene, and content preservation.

is a flowchart illustrating a processof using a protective case for a cylindrical container, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in, the processbegins at block, where a user inserts a cylindrical container into the protective case through a first opening. The cylindrical container may be, for example, a lip balm container, a glue stick, or a container for an edible or cosmetic substance.

At block, the user may optionally engage a slider through a side opening of the protective case. The slider may be adhesively coupled to the cylindrical container and is adapted to allow axial movement of the container relative to the case. At block, the user may access a wheel of the cylindrical container via the side opening of the protective case. This access allows the user to rotate the wheel to extend or retract the contents of the cylindrical container without removing the container from the case. At block, the user may attach a protective cap over the wheel of the cylindrical container. The protective cap is configured to prevent unintentional rotation of the wheel, such as during transport or storage, and may include interlocking features or flanges to secure the cap to the container. The cylindrical container benefits from the passive thermal insulation provided by the protective case. The case may be formed from an insulating material that reduces thermal energy transfer and prevents the melting or deformation of the container's contents in elevated temperatures. At block, the user may slide the container vertically using the slider or remove the container entirely from the case for replacement or refilling. Various optional enhancements may be included, such as a collapsible ring mechanism configured to push the container upward or expel material from within the container, a slide casing adapted to provide secure axial movement, a modular or adjustable sleeve to accommodate containers of varying diameters, or the use of environmentally sustainable materials for the case and components.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. As used, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software.

Some aspects are described in connection with thresholds. As used, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, and/or the like.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” and/or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.