SYSTEM FOR MAKING A COSMETIC PRODUCT BY MIXING COMPONENTS FROM SEVERAL SINGLE-USE PACKAGING UNITS

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for production of a cosmetic product including: at least one first single-use packaging unit including a preset quantity of a first phase of a cosmetic product, at least one second single-use packaging unit including a preset quantity of a second phase of a cosmetic product, a machine including a mixer inside of which the mixture of the preset quantity of the first phase and the preset quantity of the second phase is done automatically in order to end up with a cosmetic product directly consumable by the end consumer. The mixing is done in a manner such that neither the first phase nor the second phase are in direct contact with any part of the mixer which is not single use, thus avoiding dirtying the mixer.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. System for production of a cosmetic product including: at least one first single-use packaging unit (13) including a preset quantity of a first phase of a cosmetic product, at least one second single-use packaging unit including (14) a preset quantity of a second phase of a cosmetic product, a machine (15) including a mixer (2, 7, 16) inside of which the mixing of said preset quantity of said first phase and said preset quantity of said second phase is done automatically in order to end up with a cosmetic product (10) directly consumable by the end consumer, wherein said mixing is done in a manner such that neither the first phase nor the second phase are in direct contact with any part (2, 7, 16) of said mixer which is not single use, thus avoiding dirtying said mixer.

24. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23, wherein said mixture does not come out of the environment formed by both said packaging units (13, 14) and also by the junction (3) formed between said packaging units (13, 14) at all or at least not before the homogenization of said mixture is finished.

25. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23, wherein said mixing includes at least the transfer of the content of one of said single-use packaging units (13, 14) to the other of said single-use packaging units (13, 14).

26. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 25, wherein the machine comprises a motorized device providing automatically the transfer of the content from one of the packaging units to one of the other packaging units.

27. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 25, wherein said transfer is repeated and reciprocal.

28. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23, wherein said packaging units are filled at least partially by said preset quantity of their cosmetic product phase before being put into said machine and are sufficiently flexible in order to increase volume so as to be able to contain said mixture in its entirety.

29. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 28, wherein said packaging units were filled under vacuum before they are placed in said machine.

30. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 27, wherein said transfer is accompanied by a stirring of said preset quantity of the first phase and said preset quantity of the second phase in order to homogenize said mixture.

31. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 30, wherein stirring is done by application of mechanical pressure so as to move said mixture from one packaging unit (13, 14) to the other (14, 13), and vice versa.

32. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 31, wherein said mixing is done by the use of pistons (7) or by the use of rollers arranged so as to flatten one of the packaging units (13, 14) in order to move the content thereof into the other packaging unit (14, 13).

33. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 30, wherein said stirring is accompanied by a heating of said preset quantity of the first phase and/or said preset quantity of the second phase in order to improve the homogenization of said mixture.

34. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 25, wherein said transfer is done through a narrowing located between said single-use packaging units (13, 14).

35. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 34, wherein said transfer shears said content traversing said narrowing (3).

36. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 34, wherein said narrowing (3) has a size or a diameter which amounts to at most 20% of the size or diameter of the one or more packaging units (13, 14) which bear said narrowing.

37. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 36, wherein said narrowing (3) has a size or a diameter which amounts to at least 2% of the size or diameter of the one or more packaging units (13, 14) which bear said narrowing.

38. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 27, wherein said cosmetic product (10), directly consumable by the end consumer, is stored in one of said single-use packaging units (13, 14) and/or in the other of said single-use packaging units (13, 14).

39. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 27, wherein said cosmetic product (10) directly consumable by the end consumer is stored directly in a receptacle (8) that is removable and external to the mixer (2, 7, 16) of the machine (15).

40. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23, wherein said cosmetic product (10) directly consumable by the end consumer is a homogenized emulsion or homogenized solution or mixture of several miscible phases.

41. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23 wherein said first single-use packaging unit (13) includes a preset quantity of an excipient phase of a cosmetic product, said second single-use packaging unit (14) includes a preset quantity of a phase including active elements for a cosmetic product where said second packaging unit (14) is advantageously sterilized.

42. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 23, wherein said first single-use packaging unit (13) includes a preset quantity of a fatty phase of a cosmetic product, said second single-use packaging unit (14) includes a preset quantity of an aqueous phase of a cosmetic product where said second packaging unit (14) is advantageously sterilized.

43. System for production of a cosmetic product including: at least one first single-use packaging unit (13) including a preset quantity of a fatty phase of a cosmetic product at least one second single-use packaging unit (14) including a preset quantity of an aqueous phase of a cosmetic product, a machine (15) inside of which the mixing of said preset quantity of said aqueous phase and said preset quantity of said fatty phase is done automatically in order to end up with a cosmetic product (10) directly consumable by the end consumer.

44. System for production of a cosmetic product according to claim 43, wherein said fatty phase of said cosmetic product can be of different types corresponding to different forms, and said aqueous phase of said cosmetic product can include different groups of active elements corresponding to different skin needs of an end consumer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a first phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a second phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a third phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a fourth phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a fifth phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The production system described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5 includes a machine 15 using two packaging units 13 and 14.

[0047] These two packaging units 13 and 14 are also called capsules 13 and 14 when they are two capsules independent from each other or also called capsule compartments when they are originally connected to each other. The packaging unit 13 includes a fatty phase which is an excipient phase while the packaging unit 14 includes an aqueous phase which is a complex of actives phase. A link 3, whose state can vary during the production process, connects the packaging units 13 and 14 to each other. The link 3 is preferably a somewhat cylindrical channel.

[0048] The machine 15 includes a heating device 1, a tool for connecting two packaging units 13 and 14 to each other, a tool for holding 4 in closed position the area for possible emptying of packaging unit 14, a set of two cams 5 driven rotationally, a motor 6 providing a cyclical movement to the cams 5, a set of pistons 7 whose vertical translational movement is driven by the rotation of the cams 5, a cup 8 for receiving the personalized cosmetic product 10, a reservoir for emptying 9 packaging units 13 and/or 14, an access hatch 11 for putting the conditioning units 13 and 14 into the machine 15, a withdrawal door 12 for taking the removable cup 8 outside of the machine 15 and a tray 16 onto which the packaging units 13 and 14 are arranged while the mixture is made and homogenized. The mixer, making and homogenizing the mixture, includes the parts 2, 7, 16.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a first phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] In an embodiment, the compartments 13 and 14 of a capsule are put inside the machine 15 by the end consumer after having opened a hatch 11. Then the end consumer re-closes the hatch 11. Before or after that, the end consumer replaces the cup 8 inside the machine 15 after having cleaned it after a previous use and after having opened the door 12. Next, the end consumer closes the door 12. The machine 15 is ready for use. The compartment 14 had been inserted before the compartment 13. The compartments 13 and 14 are placed on the tray 16. The movements for closing the hatch 11 and the door 12 are indicated on FIG. 1 by curved arrows.

[0051] The compartment 13 is located in the area of the heating device 1. The end consumer just needs to press on a “start” button, not shown, in order for the production process to be initiated. The fatty phase contained in compartment 13 is then warmed by the heating device 1. The step of heating of compartment 13 is indicated by a multi-branch star located right above the compartment 13.

[0052] Alternatively, the heating device 1 is not present and the fatty phase is not warmed. It is also possible to provide a larger heating device which can warm both compartments 13 and 14 simultaneously.

[0053] Alternatively, two capsules 13 and 14, separate from each other, are put into the machine 15, the capsule 14 before the capsule 13 with the capsule 13 pushing the capsule 14 towards the inside of the machine 15. The capsules 13 and 14 can also have been connected to each other by the end user who can slide a narrow tip from one of the capsules into a broad tip from the other capsule before sliding the assembly into the machine 15.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a second phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] In an embodiment, the tray 16 moves so as to bring the compartment 13 outside of the heating device and so as to bring the compartments 13 and 14 respectively under the pistons 7. The pistons 7 do not exert a large pressure on the compartments 13 and 14 in order to empty their content; they can exert a light pressure for keeping the compartments 13 and 14 in place on the tray 16. The tool for connecting 2 connects the compartments 13 and 14 with each other, for example by coming to exert a pressure on the link 3 so as to eliminate the separation between compartments 13 and 14, where the separation was arranged inside this link 3. This separation can be a partition or membrane blocking the link 3 the tool for connecting 2 comes to move or detach so as to make this link 3 connecting between compartments 13 and 14. The tool for holding 4 exerts a mechanical pressure on the emptying area of the compartment 14 in order to avoid a leak of the mixture into the mixer, in the case where the personalized cosmetic product is going to be recovered in the cup 8. The narrowing, corresponding to the inner diameter of the link 3, has a size or diameter which amounts to at most 20% of the height of the compartments 13 and 14 because they both have this narrowing, preferably at most 15%, and still more preferably at most 12%.

[0056] Alternatively, the tool for connecting 2 can be a mechanical slicer of link 3, with a device not shown coming to reestablish the sealed link between the compartments 13 and 14 by nesting a portion of the link 3 located on one side of the cut into another part of the link 3 located on the other side of the cut. These two parts of the link 3 will in this case advantageously have different diameters. The cup 8 can also be eliminated, and in this case, the personalized cosmetic product is retrieved in the compartment 14 itself which no longer comprises an emptying area; the personalized cosmetic product is emptied from the compartment 14 through the open tip of the link 3 by manual pressure exerted by the end consumer.

[0057] Alternatively, two capsules separated or connected to each other by the end consumer having been inserted, the tool for connecting 2 will maintain the seal of this link 3 by mechanical pressure on the two parts of the link 3, advantageously distributed all around this link 3. In order to do that, in the case where the capsules are inserted by the end consumer separated from each other a device not shown comes to reestablish the sealed link between the compartments 13 and 14 by nesting a part of the link 3 attached to one of the capsules inside a part of the link 3 attached to the other capsule. The cup 8 can also be eliminated, and in this case, the personalized cosmetic product is retrieved in the compartment 14 itself which no longer comprises an emptying area; the personalized cosmetic product is emptied from the compartment 14 through the open tip of the link 3 by manual pressure exerted by the end consumer.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a third phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0059] In an embodiment, the cams 5 turn thereby driving the vertical translation movements of pistons 7. The cams 5 are structured and arranged such that the vertical movement of the pistons 7 is alternating, meaning that on the one hand when the first piston 7 is in a lower position and flattening the compartment 13, as in FIG. 3, the second piston 7 is an upper position and does not flatten the compartment 14 and that reciprocally on the other hand when the piston 7 is in a lower position and flattens the compartment 14, the first piston 7 is an upper position and does not flatten compartment 13. The opposite and alternating vertical movement of pistons 7 serves to alternately empty the mixture from compartment 13 into compartment 14 and from compartment 14 into compartment 13. This cycle of transfer of the mixture from one compartment to the other with return of the mixture is done a number of times that is sufficient for the mixture to be well homogenized. The smaller the section of the channel constituting the link 3 is then the smaller the required number of cycles to be done in order to obtain a satisfactory homogenization of the mixture. The tool for connecting 2 advantageously keeps the link 3 sealed from the outside, while allowing communication between the compartments 13 and 14 by crimping the central part of the connecting channel between compartments 13 and 14 until the mixture passing from one compartment to the other is homogenized. All the time that the mixture is being homogenized, the tool for holding 4 keeps a mechanical pressure on the emptying area of the compartment 14 in order to avoid leaks in the mixer. Each time that the mixture is transferred from one compartment to the other, it is all of the mixture which is transferred at once. On each passage through the narrowing which constitutes the sealed link 3, the mixture is sheared, therefore even better mixed, and finally more and more homogenized.

[0060] Alternatively, the machine operates similarly with capsules 13 and 14 connected to each other and the tool for connecting 2 can advantageously maintain the seal of the link.

[0061] The mixture is homogenized by the transfer from one compartment to the other or from one capsule to the other since the transfer forces the phases to mix with each other and this is increased because this transfer is reciprocal and repeated. The mixture is also homogenized by the shearing done during passage of this mixture through the narrowing which further mixes the phases with each other. The mixture is also homogenized by the heating of at least one of the phases which fluidifies all of the mixture helping the mixing of the phases with each other even more.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a fourth phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] In an embodiment, the cams 5 do a rotational offset such that the pistons 7 become in phase and are both simultaneously in lower position so as to simultaneously flatten the compartments 13 and 14, whereas the tool for holding 4 goes into upper position and thereby releases the pressure on the emptying area of the compartment 14, thereby leading to the emptying of the homogenized mixture 10 into the receiving cup 8. This homogenized mixture 10 constitutes the personalized cosmetic product 10 ready for immediate or nearly immediate use by the end consumer.

[0064] Alternatively, without cup 8, the cams 5 do not do this rotational offset for returning in phase, but instead return into the relative position thereof from FIG. 3. The first piston 7, in lower position, flattens the compartment 13 emptying the content thereof into compartment 14 which is not flattened, since the second piston 7 is then in upper position. The homogenized mixture 10 is then entirely contained in the compartment 14 which will be pushed towards the door 12 and then retrieved by the end consumer after opening this door 12 not on a receiving cup 8 but on a simple tray 8 for receiving the compartment 14. In order to do that, the tool for connecting 2, or another element not shown, can advantageously separate the two compartments 13 and 14 from each other by cutting the sealed link 3 which will then no longer be sealed. The end consumer will extract the personalized cosmetic product 10 from the compartment 14 by simple manual pressure on the compartment 14 leading to the personalized cosmetic product 10 leaving by the open tip which constitutes the part of the link 3 attached the compartment 14.

[0065] Alternatively, the machine can operate similarly with two capsules 13 and 14 instead of two compartments of capsules 13 and 14.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows schematically an example of a production system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a state corresponding to a fifth phase of a production process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] In an embodiment, the compartments 13 and 14 are cleared into an emptying reservoir 9 which can contain a more or less large number of used capsules with compartments 13 and 14 before needing to be emptied. The clearing of compartments 13 and 14 into an emptying reservoir 9 is indicated on FIG. 5 by a curved arrow going from tray 16 to the emptying reservoir 9. The end consumer can retrieve the one or more used capsules by opening the hatch 11 in order to next throw them out. The end consumer can also open the door 12 in order to retrieve the personalized cosmetic product 10 directly and immediately ready to use in the bottom of the cup 8. The end consumer next only needs to remove the cup 8 from the machine 15, for example by unclipping it, before cleaning this cup 8 and returning it into the machine 15, for example by reclipping it. Whether the personalized cosmetic product 10 is retrieved by the end consumer directly in the receiving cup 8 or in the compartment 14, it is in completely clean single-dose form ready to use by the end consumer. The cup 8 is advantageously stainless steel which could allow a faster cooling of the personalized cosmetic product 10 upon receiving it into the cup 8.

[0068] Alternatively, the personalized cosmetic product 10 is gathered with the compartment 14 which contains it and the end consumer can directly and immediately use this personalized cosmetic product 10 by pressing with their fingers on the compartment 14, where the personalized cosmetic product 10 comes out by the tip which constituted the part of the link 3 attached to the compartment 14.

[0069] Alternatively, the machine can operate similarly with two capsules 13 and 14 instead of two compartments of capsules 13 and 14.

[0070] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and shown, but it is subject to many variants accessible to the person skilled in the art.