EP2740385B1 - Apparatus for the production of lipstick refills with a flexible mould - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for producing lipstick leads from pasty masses, in particular such a device with a flexible shape.

Devices and molds for manufacturing lipstick leads have been known for a long time. In this case, either rigid or flexible casting molds are filled with a pasty mass. The mass is then cured in the mold and removed from the mold.

Various devices and methods are known for attempting to make and demould a lipstick lead such that the visible portion of the lipstick lead has a continuous and smooth surface.

EP 0 578 179 B1 and FR 2 443 324 each show a device that uses a flexible mold. At the in FR 2 443 324 As shown, the mold consists of two parts. The visible part of the lipstick lead is formed by means of the flexible mold, and the rear part of the lipstick lead arranged in the lipstick housing itself is formed by means of a fixed mold. To remove the lipstick lead, compressed air is passed between the lipstick lead and the flexible mold to release the lipstick lead from the flexible mold and transport it through the solid form into the lipstick housing. However, with a lipstick lead made in this way, there is a risk that the lipstick lead is damaged during demolding. In addition, in the lipstick mine thus produced, the boundary between the two forms is visible on the surface.

Also EP 0 686 468 B1 describes the use of a flexible mold. To remove the lipstick lead, the flexible mold with the molded lipstick lead is placed in a chamber. In the chamber is a holder made of a flexible material. In order to remove the lipstick lead from the mold by means of a removal device, the lower part of the flexible mold is held by the flexible holder and the upper part is widened. However, the flexible holder can not ensure that there is no damage to the surface of the lipstick lead by the removal device during removal.

Furthermore, in the known devices, the production of lipstick leads takes a relatively long time, since the pasty masses are filled in a warm flowable state in the molds and must first cool and harden before the lipstick mines can be removed.

EP 0 686 468 B1 Although it describes that the mold for heating and cooling can each be arranged in a corresponding device with heating or cooling means. However, since for this purpose the mold must be transported from a chamber with heating means, into a chamber with coolant and from there into a removal chamber, such heating and cooling means are not suitable for substantially shortening the production time of the lipstick leads.

It is therefore the object to provide a device and a method which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, to be produced with the device and the method, a lipstick lead, which has a continuous and smooth surface and this under the premise of the shortest possible Process time for the production and removal of the lipstick lead to ensure an effective, high quality and fast production of lipstick leads. At the same time, the device should also be as low maintenance as possible.

This object is achieved by the device and the method according to the independent claims.

The inventive device for the production of lipstick leads from pasty masses, has a chamber, at least one flexible molded part and at least one mold holder. In the chamber, the flexible molding is arranged. The flexible molding is inventively designed such that in the flexible molding, the pasty mass can be filled and can harden in the flexible molding at least partially. Subsequently, the at least partially cured pasty mass can be removed by means of a removal device under elastic strain of the flexible molding. The mold holder is at least temporarily and at least partially disposed in the chamber and holds a part of the flexible molding. In other words, in the intended use of the device according to the invention, there is at least one point in time at which the mold holder is at least partially arranged in the chamber. The mold holder is also movable relative to the flexible mold part, so that, for example, there is also a position in which the mold holder does not hold the mold part. If the chamber has a plurality of flexible moldings, it is also possible to provide a plurality of mold holders.

The chamber of the device according to the invention is designed such that the chamber can be filled with a heat transfer medium before and / or during and / or after filling of the pasty mass into the at least one flexible molded part. For example, the chamber can first be filled with a warm heat transfer medium which surrounds the at least one flexible molded part and this and the possibly already filled pasty mass heated. The chamber can, for example, alternatively or subsequently be filled with a cold heat transfer medium in order to promote the curing of the pasty mass. Alternatively, for example, the warm heat transfer medium can be cooled in the chamber.

The chamber of the device according to the invention is also designed such that for removing the pasty mass from the flexible molding in the chamber, a negative pressure can be generated by the flexible molding is stretched. In the context of the present invention, negative pressure means any force that can engage the outside of the flexible molding to stretch the flexible molding to the outside. For example, the chamber may be filled with a gas or with a liquid and by pumping off a part of the gas or a part of the liquid, such a negative pressure can be generated.

If the mold holder at this time holds a part of the flexible molding, the vacuum will stretch the non-retained part of the flexible molding. By this stretching creates a gap between the cured pasty mass - lipstick lead - and the at least one flexible molding, so that a removal device can attack on the lipstick lead without having to push with force between the flexible molding and the lipstick mine. Subsequently, the mold holder can be moved away from the flexible mold part, so that the flexible mold part is completely, for example, stretched over the entire length by the negative pressure and the lipstick lead can now be completely removed.

By the interaction of the mold holder with the at least one flexible molded part and by the Temperierungsmöglichkeit the chamber by means of the heat transfer medium, as well as the ability to generate a negative pressure in the chamber, provides the inventive Device for the first time a device with which a lipstick lead can be made with a continuous and smooth surface and this with a relatively short process time for the production and removal of the lipstick lead and low maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a pipe opening into the chamber via a first valve, with which the chamber can be filled with the heat transfer medium and with the aid of which the negative pressure can be generated in the chamber. In this case, the opening into the chamber tube preferably opens in the lower third of the chamber. The valve may be, for example, a mechanical, electromechanical or electromagnetic valve.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the device has a first tube opening into the chamber via a first valve, with which the chamber can be filled with the heat transfer medium and a second tube opening into the chamber via a second valve, with the help in the Chamber of negative pressure can be generated. Preferably, the first opening into the chamber tube and the second opening into the chamber tube open offset in height, relative to each other in the chamber. In this case, for example, opens the first opening into the chamber tube in the upper third of the chamber to favor the filling and the second opening into the chamber tube opens in the lower third of the chamber to promote the generation of negative pressure. But it is also conceivable that the two tubes open at about the same height in the chamber. The valves may be mechanical, electromechanical or electromagnetic valves, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the mold holder consists of at least two parts. But there are also other configurations conceivable. Thus, the mold holder can also consist of any number of parts. In a two or more part embodiment of the Mold holder should have the parts of the mold holder in the position in which they surround the at least one flexible molding, the smallest possible gap, for example, a gap of less than 1 mm. The mold holder or the parts of the mold holder can be formed, for example, from metal or a hard plastic.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises an actuating element which moves the mold holder relative to the flexible molded part. In this case, the actuating element may be, for example, a V-shaped slide, which pushes together the at least two parts of the mold holder, which can be rotatably arranged between the opening of the V-shaped slide, when the V-shaped slide moves along the parts of the mold holder. However, the actuating element can also be an annular slide which pushes together the at least two parts of the mold holder when the annular slide is moved along the at least two parts of the mold holder. The actuating element may also be provided by a mechanism, a servo mechanism or hydraulic, which causes a movement of the mold holder or the at least two or more parts of the mold holder.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one flexible molded part consists of an elastomer. Depending on the chemical composition of the pasty composition, the elastomer can be adapted accordingly, both with regard to the type of elastomer, for example room temperature crosslinking (RTV) or high temperature crosslinking (HTV) or liquid processing (LSR), and with regard to the shore hardness. In this case, the elastomer is to be selected in each case so that in each case a high molding accuracy, a high surface quality and food safety can be ensured in connection with the pasty composition used.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one flexible molded part is fixed to at least one wall of the chamber. This fixation may for example be arranged such that the flexible mold closes an opening of the chamber. The fixation can be realized for example by means of a clamping fixation. Also, for example, the lower part of the at least one flexible molded part may be connected to the lower wall of the chamber in order to prevent a lateral movement of the at least one flexible molded part. In this case, the connection can be, for example, an adhesive connection or a projecting part of the wall can engage in a recess in the at least one flexible molded part or vice versa or both. But it can also be provided here a clamp connection.

The task of producing a lipstick lead with a continuous and smooth surface and this with a relatively short process time for the production and removal of the lipstick lead with low maintenance, but is also solved by the inventive method.

The inventive method for producing lipstick leads from pasty masses is realized by means of a device comprising a chamber, at least one flexible molded part, wherein the at least one flexible molded part is arranged in the chamber and at least one mold holder. The inventive method comprises the following steps: filling the chamber with a heat transfer medium and filling the flexible molding with a pasty mass, these two steps can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the method includes the step of moving the mold holder to the flexible mold part for holding the flexible mold part. This is followed by the generation of a negative pressure in the chamber for stretching the part of the flexible molding which is not held by the mold holder. In this state, a removal device on the such exposed part of the at least partially cured pasty mass are arranged. Thereafter, the movement of the mold holder away from the flexible molding follows, so that he no longer holds the flexible molding and the vacuum stretches the entire flexible molding and removal of the at least partially cured pasty mass from the flexible molding can be done for example by means of a removal device ,

In a preferred embodiment of the method, replacement of the heat transfer medium in the chamber takes place from a warm heat transfer medium to a cold heat transfer medium after or during filling of the flexible molding with the pasty mass.

Fig.1

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit befüllter flexibler Form zeigt;

Fig.2

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Ausführungsform mit einer teilweise gedehnten flexiblen Form zeigt;

Fig.3

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Ausführungsform mit einer vollständig gedehnten flexiblen Form zeigt.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, in which:

Fig.1

shows a vertical section through an embodiment of the device according to the invention filled with flexible form;

Fig.2

a vertical section through the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment with a partially stretched flexible shape;

Figure 3

a vertical section through the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment with a fully stretched flexible shape.

FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention for the production of lipstick leads 2 with a flexible mold part 4 as a mold. The flexible mold part 4 is arranged in a chamber 3. In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the flexible molding 4 closes the upper part of the Chamber 3. Here, the flexible mold part 4 is fixed in the upper region of the chamber 3 by means of a clamping connection. In this embodiment, the lower part of the flexible molded part 4 abuts the wall of the chamber 3 opposite the opening in the lower region and may also be fixed there. In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the flexible molded part 4 is already filled with the pasty mass which forms the lipstick lead 2 after curing. In the chamber 3, a mold holder is further arranged, which consists in the embodiment shown of two parts 5a, 5b. However, the mold holder can also consist of more or fewer parts. The two parts 5a, 5b are preferably designed in the form of a half shell and can thus surround the flexible molded part 4 in a form-fitting manner when the half-shell-shaped parts 5a, 5b are moved relative to one another. In this case, the gap between the parts 5a, 5b is preferably to be kept as small as possible, so that the flexible molded part 4 can be optimally surrounded. In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the two parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder are opened and are not in contact with the flexible mold part 4. The parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder itself are moved by means of an actuating element 6. In this case, the actuating element 6 in the in FIG. 1 embodiment shown realized by means of a V-shaped slide and the two parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder are mounted on two pivot points 9, wherein the pivot points 9 are arranged within the opening of the V-shaped slide. If the slider is in a lower position, as in FIG. 1 shown, the two parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder can move around the pivot points 9 and unfold. Moves the V-shaped slider in the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment, it presses the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder together, as this in FIG. 2 is shown. However, it is also possible to use other actuating elements 6 known to those skilled in the art for moving the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder. Also, for example, in FIG. 1 shown two parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder are moved individually. The mold holder itself, or the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder may be formed from a metal or a hard plastic.

In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the chamber 3 furthermore has two tubes 8, 12 which each open via a valve 7, 11 into the chamber 3. In this case, the chamber 3 is filled with a heat transfer medium by means of a tube 8 and by means of the other of the two tubes 12, a negative pressure is generated in the chamber 3. The supply of the heat transfer medium is used before filling the flexible molding 4 with the pasty mass to heat the flexible molding 4. By preheating the flexible molding 4, an uncontrolled, usually sharply limited solidification of the pasty mass can already be prevented during the dosing. Preferably, the mold holder surrounds or in FIG. 1 illustrated two parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder at this time not the flexible mold part 4, to ensure the highest possible heat exchange between the heat transfer medium and the flexible mold part 4. If the pasty mass is filled, so the warm heat transfer medium can be exchanged for a cold heat transfer medium to promote the curing of the pasty mass. Again, the mold holder or the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder preferably does not surround the flexible mold part 4 in order not to hinder heat exchange between the flexible mold part 4 and the heat transfer medium.

The two tubes 8, 12 open into the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment offset in height in the chamber. 3

FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through the in FIG. 1 embodiment shown with a partially stretched flexible molding 4. In the in FIG. 2 In the embodiment shown, the V-shaped slide which constitutes the actuating element 6 moves upwards and thus presses the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder against the flexible mold part 4, so that the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder form fit the flexible mold part 4 surround. In the in FIG. 2 shown position of the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder, these easily compress the lower part of the flexible molding 4 and thus hold the cured pasty mass.

Now, if a negative pressure in the chamber 3 via the opening into the chamber 3 tube 12, for example, by pumping out of the heat transfer medium located in the chamber 3, while the valve 7 of the other opening into the chamber 3 tube 8 is closed, it will flexible molding 4 in the area in which it is not surrounded by the mold holder, or the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder, stretched. Due to the elongation of the flexible molding 4 in the upper region, a gap between the at least partially cured pasty mass and the flexible mold part 4, so that a removal device 10 can attack, without thereby with force between the flexible mold part 4 and the cured pasty mass to have to push. Due to the fact that the lower part of the flexible mold part 4 is held firmly by the mold holder or by the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder, it can not come to a lateral displacement of the cured pasty mass when attacking the removal device 10, whereby a deformation or damage the pasty mass is prevented. The removal device 10 can also be configured directly in the form of a known in lipsticks basket, which is placed directly on the cured pasty mass. In order to facilitate the removal and to provide the removal device 10 with more space, the flexible molding 4 may, for example, also have two different zones of different extensibility. For example, the upper part of the flexible molding 4 may be made softer than the lower part and thus more extensively stretched. This also does not jeopardize the stability of the flexible molding 4, since when filling the flexible molding 4 with the pasty mass, the chamber 3 is completely filled with the heat transfer medium and this thus provides a corresponding stability for the flexible molding 4.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical section through the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment with a fully stretched flexible shape. In FIG. 3 the actuator 6 has been moved in the form of the V-shaped slider down so that the parts of the mold holder 5a, 5b can move around their fulcrums 9 and unfold, so that the parts 5a, 5b of the mold holder is no longer the flexible molding 4 surrounded form-fitting. Due to the negative pressure remaining in the chamber 3, the flexible molded part 4 is stretched over its entire length and the lipstick lead 2 is completely released. As a result, the lipstick lead formed from the pasty mass can be removed with the aid of the removal device 10 from the now stretched flexible molded part 4.

Subsequently, the chamber 3 can be filled again via the opening into the chamber 3 tube 8 with the heat transfer medium and a new filling process with a pasty mass in the flexible mold part 4 can begin, so that a further lipstick lead 2 can be formed.

Claims (10)

1. A device (1) for the production of lipstick leads (2) made of paste-like masses, comprising:

   a chamber (3);

   a flexible mold part (4), the flexible mold part (4) being arranged in the chamber (3) and wherein the flexible mold part (4) being configured in such a way that paste-like mass can be poured into the flexible mold part (4) and can at least partially solidify in the flexible mold part (4) and the at least partially solidified paste-like mass can be removed with a removal device while elastically expanding the flexible mold part (4); and

   a mold holder, wherein when the device (1) is used as intended, the mold holder is arranged for at least some of the time and at least partially in the chamber (3) and holds part of the flexible mold part (4) and wherein the mold holder can be moved relatively to the flexible mold part (4), and wherein a negative pressure, by means of which the flexible mold part (4) is expanded, can be created in the chamber (3) in order to remove the paste-like mass from the flexible mold part (4)

   characterized in that

   the chamber (3) is configured in such a way that the chamber (3) can be filled with a heat transfer medium before and/or during the filling of the flexible mold part (4) with the paste-like mass.
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first tube (8) which opens out into the chamber (3) via a first valve (7) and by means of which the chamber (3) can be filled with the heat transfer medium and by means of which the negative pressure can be created in the chamber (3).
3. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first tube (8) which opens out into the chamber (3) via a first valve (7) and by means of which the chamber (3) can be filled with the heat transfer medium, and a second tube (12) which opens out into the chamber (3) via a second valve (11), and by means of which the negative pressure can be created in the chamber (3).
4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first tube (8) which opens out into the chamber (3) and the second tube (12) which opens out into the chamber (3) open out into the chamber (3) at heights which are offset relative to each other.
5. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mold holder consists of at least two parts (5a, 5b).
6. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuating element (6) which moves the mold holder relative to the flexible mold part (4).
7. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible mold part (4) is made of an elastomer.
8. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible mold part (4) is fixed to at least one wall of the chamber (3).
9. A method for producing lipstick leads (2) made of paste-like masses with a device (1) comprising a chamber (3), a flexible mold part (4), wherein the flexible mold part (4) is arranged in the chamber (3), and a mold holder, the method comprising the following steps:

   filling the chamber (3) with a heat transfer medium;

   filling the flexible mold part (4) with a paste-like mass;

   moving the mold holder to the flexible mold part (4) to hold the flexible mold part (4);

   creating a negative pressure in the chamber (3) to expand a part of the flexible mold part (4) which is not held by the mold holder;

   moving the mold holder away from the flexible mold part (4) so that it no longer holds the flexible mold part (4), and the negative pressure expands the entire flexible mold part (4); and

   removing the at least partially solidified paste-like mass from the flexible mold part (4).
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

    exchanging the heat transfer medium in the chamber (3) from a warm heat transfer medium to a cold heat transfer medium after or during the filling of the flexible mold part (4) with the paste-like mass.

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