Method for manufacturing cosmetic products, preferably lipsticks, cocoa butter lipcare sticks or lip glosses, and related manufacturing machine

Abstract

Method for producing cosmetic products, preferably lipsticks, lip salves or lip glosses, the method including the steps of: providing a containment capsule or pod (7) containing an amount of preparation (1) for cosmetic product lower than 20 g; the pod extending along a central axis to a height H; introducing the pod or capsule (7) into a pouring chamber or seat (6) to at least of H; heating the pod or capsule (7) up to a predetermined temperature adapted to cause an at least partial phase change of the preparation (1) for cosmetic product; pouring the preparation (1) for cosmetic product into a sleeve (8) provided with an inner cavity (9) reproducing the negative shape of the poured cosmetic product to be obtained; cooling the cosmetic product poured in the sleeve (8); extracting the poured cosmetic product from the sleeve (8).

Claims

1. A method for producing cosmetic products, said method comprising: providing a containment capsule or pod containing an amount of preparation for cosmetic product lower than 20 g, said capsule or pod having a cup-shaped body comprising a side wall and a bottom, the capsule or pod extending along a central axis to a height H; introducing said pod or capsule into a pouring chamber or seat to at least of H; heating said introduced pod or capsule in the pouring chamber or seat up to a predetermined temperature that causes a phase change of the preparation for cosmetic product in the pouring chamber or seat; causing only the heated preparation for cosmetic product from the heated pod or capsule to pour into an intermediate sleeve provided with an inner cavity reproducing the negative shape of the poured cosmetic product to be obtained, the heated pod or capsule being maintained in the pouring chamber or seat, the intermediate sleeve including a lower component and an upper component; cooling said cosmetic product poured in said intermediate sleeve; after the cooling, removing the upper component and combining a final appliance base containing a mechanism for movement of a tube or stick with the poured cosmetic product; and extracting, from the lower portion of the intermediate sleeve, the poured cosmetic product along with the final appliance base combined with the poured cosmetic product.

2. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, further comprising applying a pressure onto said preparation for cosmetic product contained in said capsule or pod to aid the pouring thereof.

3. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 2, wherein said pressure is mechanically applied through a pressure member.

4. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, wherein the cooling cools the cosmetic product down to a temperature lower than 40.

5. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, wherein the heating the preparation for cosmetic product comprises heating said capsule or pod until the preparation for cosmetic product reaches a temperature higher than at least 60.

6. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity of said intermediate sleeve has the shape of a tube or a stick, and the poured cosmetic product has the shape of the tube or the stick.

7. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, wherein said pod or capsule comprises at least one thermally conductive portion.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic products are one of lipsticks, lip salves, and lip glosses.

9. The method for producing cosmetic products according to claim 1, wherein the capsule is at least partially made of a conductive material.

10. A method for producing cosmetic products, said method comprising: providing a containment capsule or pod containing an amount of preparation for cosmetic product lower than 20 g, said capsule or pod having a cup-shaped body comprising a side wall and a bottom and extending along a central axis to a height H, said capsule or pod being hermetically sealed; introducing said pod or capsule into a pouring chamber or seat to at least of H; piercing or perforating said introduced capsule or pod; heating said pierced pod or capsule in the pouring chamber or seat up to a predetermined temperature that causes a phase change of the preparation for cosmetic product in the pouring chamber or seat; causing only the preparation for cosmetic product from the heated pod or capsule to pour into an intermediate sleeve provided with an inner cavity reproducing the negative shape of the poured cosmetic product to be obtained, the heated pod or capsule being maintained in the pouring chamber or seat, the intermediate sleeve including a lower component and an upper component; cooling said cosmetic product poured in said intermediate sleeve; after the cooling, removing the upper component and combining a final appliance base containing a mechanism for movement of a tube or stick with the poured cosmetic product; and extracting, from the lower portion of the intermediate sleeve, the poured cosmetic product along with the final appliance base combined with the poured cosmetic product.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED FIGURES

(1) In the present description, the Applicant illustrates a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to the appended figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a producing process of known lipsticks;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a machine for producing capsules of cosmetic products according to the present invention, during the step of introducing the capsule into the pouring seat;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a second step of the machine according to the present invention in which a pressure member fully penetrated the capsule in order to aid the preparation for cosmetic product to be poured in the underneath sleeve;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a third step of the machine according to the present invention in which the sleeve containing the preparation for poured cosmetic product is placed in a cooling chamber;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a fourth step of the machine according to the present invention in which the tube or stick obtained in the pouring step is mechanically coupled with a base of the lipstick appliance; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a fifth step of the machine according to the present invention in which the tube or stick combined with the appliance base is extracted from the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the present invention describes a machine 10 and a method for producing cosmetic products, preferably lipsticks, lip salves or lip glosses. Therefore, by way of example and without restrictive intent, the present description will address to the description of a machine and a method in which the cosmetic product is a lipstick. It is understood that the machine and the process may be used for producing other cosmetic products without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

(9) In detail, the machine 10 comprises a pouring chamber or seat 6 shaped so as to at least partially accommodate a capsule 7 comprising a preparation 1 of cosmetic product.

(10) The preparation 1 of cosmetic product comprises a mixture of oils, waxes and pellets of colored material (pigment) and/or pearlizing material mixed together so as to look like a base composition having homogeneous consistency. The base compound can be further characterized by gloss or texture modifiers, wetting agents or humectants, vitamins fruit extracts, sunscreens, as well as conserving agents, such as preservatives and/or antioxidants.

(11) For example, the capsule 7 is made of aluminum and is provided with a cup-shaped body adapted to contain an amount of a preparation 1 for cosmetic product lower than 20 g, preferably lower than 10 g. The body comprises a side wall 7a and a bottom 7b and extends around a vertical axis X-X. At least one cover, adapted to close the top of the body, can be provided. Generally, as shown in FIG. 2, the body has a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical shape.

(12) Preferably, the capsule comprises at least one thermally conductive portion. Preferably, either the side wall 7a or the bottom wall 7b, or both are made of a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum.

(13) Still referring to the embodiment shown in figures, it can be noted that the capsule or pod extends along a central axis to a length H.

(14) The machine 10, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, comprises a first element 3 provided with a cavity 4 adapted to at least partially accommodate the capsule 7 and a second element 5 cooperating with the first element 3 so as to define, when coupled with the latter, a pouring chamber 6.

(15) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, the first element 3 is formed in a movable lower portion 13 of the frame of the machine 10, whereas the second element 5 is formed in a fixed upper portion 15 of the frame of the machine 10.

(16) The movable lower portion 13 moves between a working position, in which the second element 5 cooperates with the first element 3 in order to define, when coupled with the latter, a pouring chamber or seat 6 (shown in FIG. 3) and a second position, shown in FIG. 2, in which the second element 5 is spaced from the first element 3, thereby leaving the way clear to the accommodating cavity 4 for the capsule 7 (FIG. 2).

(17) Alternatively, the first element 3 could be formed in a fixed portion of the frame of the machine 10 and, vice versa, the second element 5 in a movable portion of the machine 10.

(18) Furthermore the machine 10 comprises first heating means, which advantageously are able to heat the capsule 7 and the preparation 1 for cosmetic product contained therein up to a predetermined temperature adapted to cause an at least partial phase change of the preparation 1 for cosmetic product and to aid the pouring thereof into an underneath sleeve 8.

(19) Preferably, the first heating means are adapted to heat the preparation of cosmetic product up to a temperature higher than 60, preferably a temperature of about 70 C., or anyway able to prevent the preparation 1 for cosmetic product from solidifying, even partially, because this may cause the homogeneity of the preparation to be damaged or the herein described machine to become blocked or clogged, either alternatively or in combination one with the other.

(20) Optionally, the machine 10 can also be provided with stirring means, not shown in the figure, able to keep the preparation 1 for cosmetic product as moving inside the capsule 7 itself, so as to advantageously keep unchanged the homogeneity thereof.

(21) The machine 10 further comprises a pressure member 11 able to apply a pressure on the preparation 1 for cosmetic product contained inside the capsule.

(22) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, the pressure member 11 is shown as a piston 12 extending from the upper element 5 in a vertical direction.

(23) The piston 12 is arranged so as to penetrate the capsule 7 when the pouring chamber 6 is closed, and to apply a mechanical pressure on the preparation 1 for cosmetic product in order to facilitate its outflow towards the underneath sleeve 8.

(24) Therefore, the diameter of the piston 12 may be slightly smaller than that of the body of the capsule 7.

(25) Alternatively, the pressure member 11 does not penetrate the capsule 7, but it can be shaped so as to cause the structural collapse of the capsule 7 so that the walls themselves, or a portion thereof, of the capsule 7 apply a pressure to the preparation 1 of cosmetic product in order to facilitate its outflow towards the underneath sleeve 8.

(26) Furthermore, the machine 10 can be provided with a perforating element adapted to perforate the capsule 7 containing the preparation 1 of cosmetic product.

(27) Preferably, the perforating element is shaped so as to perforate the capsule 7 at a bottom thereof.

(28) As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the machine 10 is provided with a sleeve 8 in which the preparation 1 of cosmetic product is poured from the capsule 7 after being suitably heated.

(29) The sleeve 8 comprises an inner cavity 9 reproducing the negative shape of the poured piece to be realized, i.e. the mould to make the tube or stick 18.

(30) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, the sleeve 8 is made by combining two components, a lower portion 8a and an upper portion 8b. Alternatively, it can be made in one piece without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

(31) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, the lower portion 8a is supported by an additional movable part 17 of the frame of the machine 10.

(32) Furthermore, an extracting device is formed by the movable portion 17 of the frame of the machine 10.

(33) In FIG. 4 a cooling chamber 23 is shown, the cooling chamber 23 is shaped and sized so as the sleeve 8, and in particular a lower portion 8a thereof with the poured tube or stick 18, is received inside it.

(34) The cooling chamber 23 comprises cooling means which are advantageously able to cool the preparation 1 of cosmetic product, poured in the cavity 9 of the sleeve 8, down to a temperature allowing it to be combined with a movement mechanism and a base of the lipstick appliance 19, thereby allowing the tube or stick 18 to be subsequently extracted from the sleeve 8.

(35) The cooling chamber 23 is spaced from the pouring chamber or seat 6, in the embodiment shown in figures the cooling chamber is angularly spaced from the pouring chamber or seat 6.

(36) In this case after the pouring, the sleeve 8 with the tube 18 are carried by the lower portion 17 of the machine 10, for example through a rotary motion, from the pouring chamber or seat 6 to the cooling chamber 23.

(37) Preferably, the cooling chamber 23 is a thermally insulated chamber.

(38) Furthermore, the machine 10 can be provided with an assembly for combining the tube or stick 18 made by the cavity 9 of the sleeve 8 and cooled down to the proper temperature, with a mechanism for the movement of the tube and with an appliance base 19.

(39) In FIG. 5 is shown an embodiment of an assembly 27 for combining the tube or stick 18 made by the cavity 9 of the sleeve 8 and cooled down to the proper temperature, with a mechanism for the movement of the tube and with an appliance base 19.

(40) The assembly 27 looks like a fixed support 28 supporting the appliance base 19 comprising the mechanism for the movement of the tube. The sleeve 8, in particular the lower portion 8a thereof, containing the tube or stick 19, is moved by the lower part 17 next to the appliance base 19 containing the mechanism for the movement of the tube, not directly shown, so that the two parts mechanically couple with one another.

(41) The mechanical coupling takes place by means of small projections or pins provided in the movement mechanism and penetrating the tube or stick 18 so as to fasten it.

(42) Finally, the machine 10 can be provided with an extracting assembly to extract the tube or stick 18 from the sleeve 8.

(43) In the embodiment of the machine shown in FIGS. 2-6, the extracting assembly is formed by the fixed support 28 cooperating with the movable lower part 17. The removal of the movable lower part 17 from the fixed support 28 causes the tube or stick 18 to detach from the sleeve 8.

(44) The tube or stick remains constrained to the appliance base 19.

(45) Optionally, the machine 10 can be provided with an extracting element to extract the capsule or pod from the pouring chamber or seat 6.

(46) Hereinafter a method will be described for producing cosmetic products, preferably lipsticks, lip salves or lip glosses, by using the above described machine.

(47) For ease of description, the method is illustrated by referring to a lipstick implementation, but it has to be understood that other cosmetic products, preferably shaped as tubes or sticks 18, can be implemented without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

(48) At the beginning a capsule or pod, preferably a capsule 7 containing an amount of preparation 1 of cosmetic product lower than 20 g, preferably lower than 10 g, is provided.

(49) The capsule 7 is introduced into a pouring chamber or seat 6 to at least of its height H. Preferably, the capsule or pod is introduced to at least 90% of its extent or height H. Advantageously, the capsule or pod is completely introduced into the pouring chamber or seat.

(50) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, the capsule 7 is introduced in a specific cavity 4 formed in a lower portion 13 of the frame of the machine 10.

(51) At this point, the lower portion 13 of the frame of the machine 10 is closed together with an upper portion 15 to form the pouring chamber or seat 6.

(52) Once the capsule 7 is introduced into the accommodating cavity or seat 4, the capsule 7 is heated up to a predetermined temperature adapted to cause an at least partial phase change of the preparation for cosmetic product contained therein.

(53) Then the preparation for cosmetic product, which is preferably pasty or creamy, is allowed to pour inside a sleeve 8 provided with an inner cavity 9 reproducing the negative shape of the poured product to be obtained, i.e. a tube or stick shape.

(54) To help the preparation 1 for cosmetic product contained in the capsule 7 to pour, a pressure can be applied thereto in order to aid its downward outflow.

(55) The pressure is mechanically applied through a proper pressure member 11.

(56) The pressure is applied successively or simultaneously with the heating step.

(57) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the pouring chamber or seat 6 is closed, a pressure member 11 applies a pressure by penetrating the capsule 7 so as to force the outflow of the preparation 1 for cosmetic product from the capsule 7.

(58) For this purpose the capsule 7 can have a hole in the lower portion or bottom wall 7b thereof. Alternatively, a piercing step to pierce the container 2, i.e. the capsule 7, can be provided.

(59) The piercing step follows the introduction of the capsule 7 into the accommodating cavity 4.

(60) FIG. 3 shows the final step of pouring the preparation 1 for cosmetic product into the cavity 9 of the sleeve 8. The pressure member 11 fully penetrated the capsule 7 thereby causing the outflow of the preparation 1 for cosmetic product arranged in the cavity 9 of the underneath sleeve, thereby shaping the tube or stick 18.

(61) At the end of the pouring, the sleeve 8 containing the shaped tube or stick 18 is moved to a cooling chamber 23 where the poured cosmetic product, i.e. the tube or stick 18, is cooled down to a temperature causing it to completely solidify.

(62) Once the tube or stick 18 has been led to the proper temperature, preferably lower than 40 C., it is combined with an appliance base 19 containing a mechanism for the movement of the tube or stick 18.

(63) FIG. 5 shows the step of combining the tube or stick 14 with the appliance base 19.

(64) The combining is carried out by mechanical crimping, simply by leading the tube or stick 18 to contact the movement mechanism that is generally provided with projections or pins adapted to penetrate one end of the tube or stick 18 and to hold it.

(65) Downstream of the step of combining the tube or stick 18 with the mechanism for the movement of the lipstick, there is a step of extracting the tube or stick 18 from the sleeve 8, shown for example in FIG. 6.

(66) The tube or stick 18, coupled to the appliance base 19 comprising the mechanism for the movement of the tube, is spaced from the sleeve 8, preferably in a mechanical way, through the movements of portions of the machine 10.

(67) At this point, the lipstick is finished and can be extracted from the machine 10 by simply grasping it manually from the appliance base 19.

(68) After a quality control carried out by a user or end consumer, finally it can be covered by the specific tubular cover of the appliance and is ready to use.

(69) Lastly, it is evident that variations, additions and modifications obvious for a person skilled of the art can be applied to the method and machine object of the present invention, without thereby departing from the protection scope provided by the enclosed claims.