Machine and method for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic product

Abstract

 The machine for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products comprises a support (2) able to receive loose powder from a distributor (3) and to collaborate with a forming unit (4) to obtain portions of compacted powder. The machine further comprises a conveying unit (7), able to move the portion of compacted powder into a container. The forming unit comprises a dinking die (10) in whose interior a presser is able to slide. The dinking die (10) and the presser (13) translate jointly moving, when the powder to be worked is placed on the place, to the free surface of the powder. Then the presser is stopped, so that the dinking die (10), which continues to advance, separates a portion of loose powder from the rest of the powder. Subsequently, the presser (13) compresses the powder that was separated by said dinking die (13), obtaining the compacted powder product. The invention also relates to a method implemented by said machine.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine and a method for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products.

[0002] In particular, hereafter reference shall be made to cosmetic products such as face powder, blusher, etc.

[0003] Currently, compacted powder cosmetic products are manufactured by machines which are provided with a plate whereon the loose powder is lain.

[0004] The loose powder is formed by making a dinking day descend on the powder and separate part of the powder from the rest of the powder.

[0005] Subsequently, a pressure is lowered which compresses the powder.

[0006] During the translation of the presser and the compression of the powder, the air trapped between the dinking die and the presser is ejected by means of through holes drilled in the plate whereon the powder is lain.

[0007] Subsequently a conveying system positions the compacted powder product into an appropriate container.

[0008] Such traditional machines are known to present some drawbacks.

[0009] In the first place, during the forming and, in particular, during compression, the holes that cause the ejection of air through the plate that supports the powder may become clogged; this, naturally, causes an incorrect forming of the powder and, hence, defective products.

[0010] Moreover, the very structure of the plate that bears the powder, with the holes and the necessary channels to discharge the air is complex and makes traditional machines costly.

[0011] Typically, the containers into which the manufactured powder products are positioned contain two or even more compacted powder products of different colors.

[0012] It has been verified practically that with traditional machines, when such compacted powder products are lain inside a container flanking each other, they often become polluted, with the powder of one product fouling the other product.

[0013] Obviously, this phenomenon is extremely negative, because the products have to be used as cosmetics and products that are polluted or of indefinite color are not accepted by consumers.

[0014] The technical task of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a machine and a method for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products that makes it possible to eliminate the technical drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] Within the scope of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method with highly reliable operation, in particular during the step of forming the compacted powder product.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method that allow to manufacture compacted powder products of excellent quality, in the sense that they are free or otherwise have extremely limited shape defects, dimensional defects or powder compaction defects.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method that are simple and inexpensive relative to traditional machines.

[0018] An additional object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method that allow to position the compacted powder cosmetic products in their containers limiting the risk of mutual pollution.

[0019] The technical task, as well as these and other objects, according to the present invention are achieved by providing a machine and a method according to the appended claims.

[0020] Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become more readily apparent from the preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the machine and of the method according to the invention, illustrated by way of non limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of the machine that implements the steps of the method;

figure 2 shows a view of a detail of a loading station and a forming station of the machine according to the invention;

figure 3 shows a top view of a support on which is lain the powder to be treated;

figures 4-9 show each an enlarged view of a portion of the machine that performs a work process according to the invention; and

figure 10 shows a schematic view of a detail of the dinking die and of the presser.

[0021] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a machine for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products is shown and indicated in its entirety with the reference number 1.

[0022] The machine 1 comprises a support 2 which is able to receive the loose powder from a distributor 3 and to collaborate with a forming unit 4 able to separate and compact part of the loose powder, obtaining portions of compacted powder 6.

[0023] The machine 1 further comprises a conveying unit 7 able to move the portions of compacted powder 6 into a container 8.

[0024] The forming unit 4 comprises a dinking die 10 that presents a closed contour, e.g. an arc of a circle, half-moon, triangle, etc; the dinking die 10 is fastened to a first actuator 12 for its actuation in translation.

[0025] Within the dinking die 10 is slidable a presser 13 which in turn is fastened to a second actuator 15 for its actuation in translation.

[0026] The first and the second actuator 12, 15 are both connected to a command controller 17.

[0027] The controller 17 is able to command the first and the second actuator 12, 15 so the dinking die 10 and the presser 13 translate jointly for a first predetermined segment; in practice the dinking die and the presser translate jointly until the blade 19 of the dinking die 10 and the pressing surface 20 of the presser 13 move to the free surface of the powder when some powder is positioned on the support 2; in particular during the translation of the dinking die 10 and of the presser 13 in this first segment, the cutter 19 of the dinking die 10 and the pressing surface 20 of the presser 13 are substantially aligned to each other.

[0028] This enables to move the finking die 10 and the presser 13 to the powder, but without creating air chambers or pockets which would be very annoying during the subsequent work process and which, moreover, would have to be eliminated.

[0029] At the end of the first predetermined segment, the controller 17 is able to stop the presser 13 relative to the support 2; since the powder is positioned on the support 2, the pressing surface 20 of the presser is at a predetermined position relative to the free surface of the powder; in practice, said predetermined position is made to match the free surface of the powder and therefore, at the end of the first segment, the blade 19 of the dinking die 10 and the pressing surface 20 of the presser 13 are at the free surface of the powder.

[0030] Then the dinking die 10, continuing to advance, separates a portion of powder from the rest of the loose powder.

[0031] Subsequently the controller 17 also commands the advance of the presser 13, so that it compresses the powder that was separated by the dinking die 10, obtaining the compacted powder product 6.

[0032] The first actuator 12 comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and the second actuator 15 comprises an electric motor provided with a gear that actuates a worm screw having an end fastened to the presser 13.

[0033] In particular, as shown in figure 10, the dinking die 10 is integral with a frame that is actuated by the cylinder 12; on the frame is positioned the motor 15 that actuates the presser 13. Thus, when the presser remains motionless relative to the support 2, the motor 15 actuates it to make it move rearwards relative to the dinking die 10; in practice, therefore, the presser remains motionless at the free surface of the powder.

[0034] Moreover, the controller 17 comprises a PLC that governs the electric motor 15 and the cylinder 12, where the PLC is also connected to an element 23 for controlling the position of the presser 13.

[0035] The element 23 that controls the position of the presser 13 comprises a linear potentiometer 25 fastened to the axis of the cylinder 12 and electrically connected to the PLC.

[0036] The support 2 comprises a plate provided with at least one seat 30 (in the example shown, four seats are represented); each seat 30 is able to house the powder dispensed by the distributor 3 and it is provided with a bottom coated with an anti-adherence material 32.

[0037] The plate 2 is rotatable to bring each seat 30 between a loading station 35 and a forming station 36.

[0038] In particular, the distributor 3 comprises a container 40 provided with a lower opening 41 facing the seat 30 and it is connected to a motor (not shown) for its actuation in oscillation.

[0039] The container 40 presents in its interior also an agitator 43 able to actuate the powder inside the container 40, to allow the dispensing of the powder from the container 40 to the seat 30 through the opening 41.

[0040] The agitator 43 comprises a cage structure made of typically metallic wire-like elements (e.g. made of steel).

[0041] The container 40 is surmounted by a powder dispenser 45, e.g. of the auger type.

[0042] Each seat 30 present a mouth 47 having a greater surface than the corresponding surface of the opening 41; in this way, the container 40 can oscillate maintaining its own opening 41 always facing the mouth 47.

[0043] As shown, the container 40 presents its own lower wall 48 provided with the opening 41 that is positioned in sliding contact with the plate 2; in this regard, the plate 2 is advantageously completely coated (only its upper surface that goes in sliding contact with the container 4) by an anti-adherence material.

[0044] Moreover, the machine comprises elements for ejecting the powder that remains in the seat itself after the formation of the portions of compacted powder.

[0045] Said ejection elements comprise a mechanism (not shown) able to actuate the bottom of the seat making it rotate and/or translate, in such a way as to unload the powder that is not used in the forming station 36, freeing the seat 30.

[0046] For example figure 2 shows an ejection station 50 in which the bottom wall of a seat 30 was inverted and the residual powder not used in the station 36 and unloaded from the seat 30 is removed through a hole 51 of the plate 2.

[0047] The conveying unit 7 comprises a plate 55 presenting its surface provided with a plurality of opening 57 (through holes) through which air is aspirated.

[0048] This plate 55 is movable between the forming station 36, where the portion of compacted powder 6 retained by the dinking die 10 is released by means of the presser 13 on the plate 55 at the holes 57, an upsetting area 58, in which the plate 55 is upset orienting the portion of compacted powder 6 downwards (in this case the portion of compacted powder 6 is retained fastened to the plate 55 preventing its fall by aspiration of air through the openings 57), and a release station 59 of the portion of compacted powder 6 in the container 8.

[0049] Advantageously, the plate 55 passes at one or more aspirator, in such a way as to eliminate any free grains of powder positioned on the plate 55 or on the portion of compacted powder 6 itself.

[0050] In particular, the machine presents a first aspirator 60, positioned between the forming station 36 and the upsetting area 58, underneath which passes the plate 55, so that the first aspirator 60 aspirates and eliminates any free grains of powder positioned both on the plate 55 and above the portion of compacted powder 6.

[0051] The machine is also provided with a second aspirator 62, positioned between the upsetting area 58 and the release station 59, above which passes the plate 55 with the portion of compacted powder 6 suspended, such that the second aspirator 62 aspirates and eliminates any additional free grains of powder located on the plate or on the portion of compacted powder.

[0052] The operation of the machine according to the invention is readily apparent from what is described and illustrated above and, in particular, it is substantially as follows.

[0053] The agitator 43 rotates inside the container 40 and the container 40 oscillates, in such a way as to cause the dispensing of powder through the opening 41.

[0054] The powder fills the seat 30 and, thanks to the fact that there is sliding contact between support 2 and container 40, the powder is also leveled, such as to obtain a layer of powder with constant thickness equal to the depth of the seat 30.

[0055] Then the plate rotates until the seat is in the forming station 36.

[0056] In the forming station 36, the dinking die 10 and the presser 13 descend until they come to the free surface of the powder.

[0057] Then the presser 13 stops, while the dinking die continues its travel, separating a predetermined portion of powder from the loose powder.

[0058] At this point, the presser 13 also descends by a predetermined distance, pressing the powder and generating a compacted powder product.

[0059] Then, the dinking die and the presser rise, allowing to the plate 55 to move underneath them.

[0060] Simultaneously, the support 2 rotates and brings the seat 30 to the ejection station 50 where the powder that has not been utilized is removed from the seat 30; an additional rotation of the support 2 brings the seat 30 back to the loading station 35.

[0061] When the plate 55 is positioned, the presser 13 advances laying the compacted powder product 6 on the plate 55 itself, at the holes 57.

[0062] Through the holes 57 air is aspirated, in such a way as to stably fasten the compacted powder product 6 to the plate 55.

[0063] The plate 55 is made to advance towards the release station 59.

[0064] During the travel the plate 55 is made to pass under the first aspirator 60, then it is upset and subsequently it is made to pass over the second aspirator 62.

[0065] This enables to remove all portions not perfectly adhering to the compacted powder product and any powder located on the plate 55 or on the compacted powder product 6 which may pollute the finished product.

[0066] Then, at the release station, the aspiration of air through the holes 57 of the plate 55 is interrupted in order to cause the fall of the compacted powder product into the container 8 in predetermined position.

[0067] Conveniently, the compacted powder product is a cosmetic product, such as face powder, blusher, earth, or others.

[0068] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products.

[0069] The method consists of dispensing loose powder on the support 2 and form part of the loose powder by dinking the loose powder with the dinking die 10 and compacting it with the presser 13, in order to obtain portions of compacted powder.

[0070] Then the portion of compacted powder is transported into a container 8.

[0071] In particular, the finking die 10 and the presser 13 are made to advance jointly until they are at the surface of the powder, with the cutter 19 of the dinking die 10 and the pressing surface 20 of the presser 13 substantially aligned to each other.

[0072] The presser 13 is stopped when its pressing situation 20 reaches the free surface of the powder, so that the dinking die 10, continuing to advance, separates a portion of powder from the rest of the powder.

[0073] Subsequently the controller 13 is made to advance so that it compresses the powder that was separated by the dinking die 10, obtaining the compacted powder product.

[0074] In practice the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any depending on requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A machine for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products comprising a support that is able to receive loose powder from a distributor and to collaborate with a forming unit able to separate and to compact part of said loose powder obtaining portions of compacted powder, said machine further comprising a conveying unit, able to move said portions of compacted powder into a container, where the forming unit comprises a dinking die presenting a closed contour and fastened to a first actuator for its actuation in translation, within said dinking die a presser being able to slide, said presser being in turn fastened to a second actuator for its actuation in translation, where the first and the second actuator are both connected to a command controller, characterized in that said controller is able to command said first and second actuator so that the dinking die and the presser translate jointly moving, when the powder to be worked is placed on the plate, to the free surface of the powder with a cutter of the dinking die and the pressing surface of the presser substantially aligned to each other, hence said controller being able to stop said presser, so that the dinking die, which continues to advance, separates a portion of loose powder from the rest of the powder, subsequently said controller is able to command the advance of said presser so it compresses said powder that was separated by said dinking die, obtaining the compacted powder product.

2. Machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first actuator comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and said second actuator comprises an electric motor provided with a gear that actuates a worm screw having an end fastened to said presser.

3. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said controller comprises a PLC that governs the electric motor and the cylinder, where the PLC is also connected to an element for controlling the position of the presser.

4. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the element for controlling the position of the presser comprises a linear potentiometer fastened to the axis of the cylinder and electrically connected to the PLC.

5. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said support comprises a plate provided with at least one seat able to house the powder delivered by said distributor and provided with a bottom coated with anti-adherence material, where said plate is rotatable to move said seat between a loading station and a forming station.

6. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said distributor comprises a container provided with a lower opening facing the seat and it is connected to a motor for its actuation in oscillation, where said container presents in its interior also an agitator able to actuate the powder inside the container, to enable the powder to be dispensed from the container to the seat through said opening.

7. Machine seas claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said agitator comprises a cage structure made of wire-like elements.

8. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said seat presents a mouth having a greater surface than the surface of said opening, said container being able to oscillate while always maintaining its own opening facing said mouth.

9. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said container presents a wall provided with said opening in sliding contact with said plate.

10. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said seats presents elements to eject the powder that remains in the seat after the formation of the portions of compacted powder.

11. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said ejection elements comprise a mechanism able to actuate the bottom of said seat making it rotate and/or translate, in such a way as to unload the powder that is not used in the forming station, freeing the seat.

12. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said plate presents a hole through which the powder unloaded from the seat is removed.

13. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said conveying and positioning unit comprises a plate presenting its own surface provided with a plurality of openings through which air is aspirated, said plate being movable between a station for forming the portion of compacted powder, where the portion of compacted powder retained by the dinking die is released by means of the presser on the plate at the holes, one upsetting region in which the plate is upset orienting the portion of compacted powder downwards, and a station for releasing the portion of compacted powder into a container, where said plate passes at least at one aspirator, in such a way as to eliminate any free grains of powder positioned on the plate or on the portion of compacted powder.

14. Machine as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a first aspirator, positioned between the receiving station and the upsetting area, underneath which it passes said plate, so that the first aspirator aspirates and eliminates any free grains of powder positioned on the plate or above the portion of compacted powder, and a second aspirator, positioned between said upsetting area and said release station, above which passes said plate with said portion of compacted powder suspended, so that the second aspirator aspirates and eliminates any additional free grains of powder located on the plate or on the portion of compacted powder.

15. A method for manufacturing compacted powder cosmetic products consisting of delivering loose powder on a support and forming part of said loose powder dinking the loose powder by means of a dinking die and compacting it by means of a presser in such a way as to obtain portions of compacted powder, then transporting and positioning the portions of compacted powder in a container, characterized in that the dinking die and the presser are made to advance jointly until they are at the surface of the powder, with a cutter of the dinking die and the pressing surface of the presser substantially aligned to each other, stopping the presser when its pressing surface reaches the free surface of the powder, so that the dinking die continuing to advance separates a portion of powder from the rest of the powder, subsequently making the presser advance so that it compresses the powder that was separated from the dinking die, obtaining the compacted powder product.

Drawing