Abstract
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus as well as a method for forming a cosmetic product, in particular an apparatus as well as a method for forming a lipstick mine, from at least two pasty masses. Here, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a flexible mold and a flexible core adapted to be moved into the flexible mold and to be arranged in a first position at least partially inside the flexible mold, and in a second position outside the flexible mold. The method according to the invention comprises moving the flexible core into the first position, filling a first pasty mass into a first cavity, the first cavity being formed between the flexible mold and the flexible core when the flexible core is in the first position, moving the flexible core into the second position, filling a second pasty mass into a second cavity, the second cavity being formed in the first pasty mass when the flexible core is moved into the second position, and deforming the pasty masses from the flexible mold.
Claims
1. An apparatus (1) for forming a cosmetic product, in particular a lipstick mine, consisting of at least two pasty masses (a, b), the apparatus (1) comprising: a flexible mold (2); and a flexible core (3) adapted to be moved into the flexible mold (2) and to be arranged in a first position at least partially inside the flexible mold (2) and in a second position outside the flexible mold (2).
2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible core (3) is hollow inside.
3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, further comprising: a rigid mandrel adapted to be moved at least partially into the flexible core (3).
4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the flexible core (3) is adapted to be subjected to positive pressure or negative pressure, wherein the flexible core (3) expands when subjected to positive pressure and contracts when subjected to negative pressure.
5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible core (3) comprises a pattern (4) on an outer wall, wherein the pattern (4) is formed by at least one recess in the flexible core (3) and/or by at least one protrusion.
6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible core (3) in the first position contacts the flexible mold (2) at least at one location.
7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible core (3) is formed of an elastomer that is slid over a support mandrel (7) of metal or plastic.
8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein there is an annular gap between the support mandrel (7) and the flexible core (3).
9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: means for moving the flexible core (3) to the first and second positions.
10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: means for filling a first pasty mass (a) into a first cavity (5), wherein the first cavity (5) is formed between the flexible mold (2) and the flexible core (3) when the flexible core (3) is in the first position.
11. The apparatus (1) according to claim 10, further comprising: means for filling a second pasty mass (b) into a second cavity (6), wherein the second cavity (6) is formed in the first pasty mass (a) when the flexible core (3) is in the second position.
12. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: means for deforming the pasty masses (a, b).
13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, including a base plate with geometric features that allow centering and fixing of the flexible core (3).
14. A method for forming a cosmetic product, in particular a lipstick mine, consisting of at least two pasty masses (a, b), the method comprising: moving a flexible core (3) into a first position, wherein the flexible core (3) in the first position is at least partially arranged inside a flexible mold (2); filling a first pasty mass (a) into a first cavity (5), wherein the first cavity (5) is formed between the flexible mold (2) and the flexible core (3) when the flexible core (3) is in the first position; moving the flexible core (3) to a second position, wherein the flexible core (3) is arranged outside the flexible mold (2) in the second position; filling a second pasty mass (b) into a second cavity (6), wherein the second cavity (6) is formed in the first pasty mass (a) when the flexible core (3) is moved to the second position; and deforming the pasty masses (a, b) from the flexible mold (2).
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: applying positive pressure to the flexible core (3) before filling the first pasty mass (a); and applying negative pressure to the flexible core (3), prior to moving it to the second position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. From these, further details and features of the subject-matter of the invention will be apparent. The figures show the following:
[0028] FIG. 1A shows a vertical cross section through an apparatus according to the invention with a flexible mold and a flexible core, which is in a first position;
[0029] FIG. 1B shows a vertical cross section through an apparatus according to the invention with a flexible mold and a flexible core, which is in a first position together with a support mandrel;
[0030] FIG. 2A shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 1A after filling the first pasty mass;
[0031] FIG. 2B shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 1B after filling the first pasty mass;
[0032] FIG. 3A shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 2A after moving the flexible core to a second position;
[0033] FIG. 3B shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 2B after moving the flexible core to a second position;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 3A/B after filling the second pasty mass;
[0035] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 after deforming the pasty masses;
[0036] FIG. 6 shows the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the reducer piece attached; and
[0037] FIG. 7A shows the deformed pasty masses after deforming from an apparatus according to the invention without reducer piece;
[0038] FIG. 7B shows the deformed pasty masses after deforming from an apparatus according to the invention with reducer piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIG. 1A shows schematically a vertical cross section through an embodiment example of an apparatus 1 according to the invention with a flexible mold 2 and a flexible core 3, which is in a first position. The flexible mold 1 interacts with the flexible core 3 to form a first cavity 5, which is defined by the space between the flexible mold 2 and the flexible core 3. The flexible mold 2 may be made of an elastomer. It is conceivable that the flexible mold 2 is preheated before filling the first cavity 5. This ensures an optimal flow of the first pasty mass into the first cavity 5. For example, the flexible mold 2 can be preheated to 30° C. to 60° C. (86° F. to 140° F.). The flexible core 3 may be made of an elastomer and may be hollow. The flexible core 3 may comprise a pattern 4 applied to its surface. This pattern 4 may be formed by a recess (not shown) or by a protrusion, as shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the flexible core 3 may come into contact with the flexible mold 2. In the present figure, this contact takes place at the base of the flexible mold 2.
[0040] FIG. 1B additionally or alternatively shows a support mandrel 7 over which the flexible core 3 is slid. One can also say that the flexible core 3 forms a sheet for the support mandrel 7. For this purpose, the flexible core 3 can be hollow on the inside so that it can accommodate the support mandrel 7. The support mandrel 7 provides stability for the flexible core 3 when the first pasty mass is filled in and holds the flexible core 3 in the first position. The person skilled in the art is aware that a support mandrel is not always necessary, and that this depends, for example, on the choice of material of the flexible core 3 or its design. If the support mandrel 7 is used, it is preferably made of a material which is stronger than the flexible core 3, so as to be able to provide sufficient structural stability.
[0041] The structural stability of the flexible core 3 can be achieved by selecting the material of the flexible core 3 itself, by using an additional support mandrel 7 and/or by applying a positive pressure to the flexible core 3. In the latter case, for example, the flexible core 3 may be hollow on the inside and a positive pressure may be created in the volume defined by the hollow space, either by filling it with a gas or a liquid that provides some stability to the flexible core 3. This positive pressure can then also ensure that the first pasty mass (a) to be filled in does not deform the flexible core 3. The internal pressure thus counteracts the external pressure. This pressure can be generated both in the flexible core 3 shown in FIG. 1A and in the flexible core 3 shown in FIG. 1B. In the latter case, the pressure can be generated in the volume between the inner wall of the flexible core 3 and the support mandrel 7.
[0042] The pasty masses (a), (b) are brought into a liquid state before filling. For this purpose, the pasty masses (a), (b) must be brought to a temperature which causes all the component compounds of the pasty masses (a), (b) to melt in order to permit lump-free flow and solidification of the pasty masses (a), (b). The pasty masses (a), (b) must be heated to a temperature which causes all the component compounds of the pasty masses (a), (b) to melt. Typically, the heating temperature of the pasty masses is 70° C. to 80° C. (158° F. to 176° F.), since in many cases the pasty masses are wax-like compounds.
[0043] In FIG. 2A, the apparatus 1 is shown after filling the first pasty mass (a) into the first cavity 5. Here, the first cavity 5 is completely filled by the first pasty mass (a). In order to ensure a uniform distribution of the first pasty mass (a) in the first cavity 5, it is conceivable that the means for filling is designed in such a way that the filling tip of the first pasty mass (a) rotates about the vertical axis of symmetry of the flexible core 3 during filling. After filling the first pasty mass (a), the pattern 4 is imprinted in the first pasty mass (a) in mirror image of its expression on the flexible core 3. The structural stability of the flexible core 3 in FIG. 2A is provided, for example, by applying a positive pressure to the flexible core 3, or by the choice of material of the flexible core 3.
[0044] FIG. 2B also shows the apparatus 1 after filling the first pasty mass (a) into the first cavity 5. Here, however, the support mandrel 7, which is located inside the flexible core 3, is also shown.
[0045] In FIG. 3A, the apparatus 1 is schematically shown after moving the flexible core 3 into a second position. The flexible core 3 has reduced its volume, for example by applying a negative pressure or by sucking off the filled liquid, so that the flexible core 3 could be moved upwards without damaging the solidified first pasty mass (a) in the first cavity 5. The flexible core 3 moved to the second position leaves a second cavity 6 corresponding to the outer volume of the flexible core 3 when the first cavity 5 was filled with the first pasty mass (a). It can also be said that the second cavity 6 has the shape of the flexible core 3.
[0046] In FIG. 3B, it is shown that the support mandrel 7 can be retracted from the flexible core 3. In the retracted state of the support mandrel 7, an internal volume of the flexible core 3 is exposed which was previously filled by the support mandrel 7. This allows the flexible core 3 to deform freely and to be pulled out of the first pasty mass (a) without damaging it. It is also conceivable that the deformation of the flexible core 3 is further assisted by the fact that there is an opening in the support mandrel 7, by means of which a negative pressure can be applied in the freed volume of the flexible core 3 so that it contracts.
[0047] In FIG. 4, the apparatus 1 is shown after filling the second pasty mass (b) into the second cavity 6. Here, the second pasty mass (b) completely fills the second cavity 6, including the imprinting of the pattern 4 in the solidified first pasty mass (a). In other words, the solidified second pasty mass (b) has a volumetric shape corresponding to the outer volume of the flexible core 3 when the first cavity 5 is filled with the first pasty mass (a), as shown in FIG. 2. After cooling of the pasty masses (a), (b), a composite is formed from the two solidified pasty masses (a), (b). If the first pasty mass (a) is at least partially transparent, the pattern 4 thus appears as visible from the outside, but is embedded in a deeper layer of the lipstick mine. The second pasty mass can be filled in as soon as the first pasty mass has at least partially solidified. Complete solidification of the first pasty mass does not have to be waited for in order to start filling in the second pasty mass. This achieves an increased fabrication speed of the composite of the first and second pasty masses. Also, if the first pasty mass has not yet completely solidified, it may be advantageous to fill in the second pasty mass to generate an appropriate composite of the pasty masses.
[0048] Finally, FIG. 5 shows the apparatus 1. after deforming the pasty masses (a), (b) from the flexible mold 2. In order to remove the composite of the solidified pasty masses (a), (b) from the flexible mold 2 as damage-free as possible, the deforming can be carried out by pulling back exactly vertically, without horizontal displacement.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a section through the apparatus 1 before filling the pasty masses with an attached reducer piece 7, as described above. The dimensions of the reducer piece 7 are shown as dashed lines in FIG. 6 to better distinguish them from the dimensions of the flexible mold 2. The reducer piece 7 is flush with the flexible mold 2 along a contact surface. Thereby, the reducer piece 7 defines recesses 8 in the first cavity 5, which is filled with a first pasty mass. The reducer piece 7 may have the same symmetry as the flexible mold 2. For example, if the flexible mold 2 is rotationally symmetric about the vertical axis through the center of the flexible core 3, the reducer piece 7 may also be rotationally symmetric about this axis. In this case, the recesses 8 are also rotationally symmetric about the vertical axis. The reducer piece 7 may be configured to correspond to up to one-third of the longitudinal extent of the flexible mold 2 and have an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the flexible mold 2. If the flexible mold 2 has an annular cross-section, the reducer piece 7, at least the part that is inserted into the flexible mold 2, may also have an annular cross-section. The reducer piece 7 thus reduces the diameter of the flexible mold 2, resulting in a reduction in the cavity that can be filled with the first pasty mass (a).
[0050] FIG. 7 shows the deformed pasty masses after deforming from an apparatus according to the invention without reducer piece (FIG. 7A) and with reducer piece (FIG. 7B). The reducer piece indicated in FIG. 6 leaves the recesses 8 in the solidified first pasty mass (a), as shown in FIG. 7B. The extension and shape of these recesses 8 is complementary to the shape of the reducer piece 7. The recesses 8 may correspond in their dimensions and shape, for example, to the dimensions of a receiving apparatus (basket) of a lipstick mechanism. In addition, it is possible for the recesses 8 themselves to be filled with an additional pasty mass.
