JP2021098239A - Cosmetic manufacturing device and cosmetic manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device capable of manufacturing a cosmetic which is sufficiently homogeneous and filled into a customer supplying container.SOLUTION: A cosmetic manufacturing device includes: a filling part for filling multiple components constituting a desired cosmetic into a customer supplying container; and a mixing part for mixing the multiple components by gripping and shaking the customer supplying container. The mixing part includes a parallel link robot for performing mixing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cosmetic manufacturing apparatus and a cosmetic manufacturing method.

It is known that customized manufacturing of cosmetics, that is, manufacturing of cosmetics according to individual customer's request. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method and an apparatus for making a cosmetic product according to a special order. More specifically, it is a machine for mixing color cosmetics according to an order, and (i) means for receiving an operation command regarding an optimum formulation of a customer, and (ii) contains cosmetic compositions of different colors. Color cosmetics include a plurality of dispensers, a means for measuring (iii) a composition selected from cosmetic compositions into a container at a predetermined concentration determined by an operation command, and (iv) a preparation obtained by measuring. It is disclosed as including means of delivery to the customer.

The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a stirring device 16 that receives a filled container and vibrates the contents in order to uniformly disperse all the weighed cosmetic ingredients. However, in the stirring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the viscosity of the cosmetic component is high, or when the container is small, the cosmetic components may not be sufficiently mixed in the container. Therefore, when the customer uses the cosmetic, the desired effect of the cosmetic may not be obtained, or the customer may have to take the trouble of stirring.

Special Table 9-502172

In view of the above points, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of producing a sufficiently homogeneous cosmetics filled in a customer-provided container.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, the cosmetics manufacturing apparatus includes a filling unit for filling a container for providing a customer with a plurality of components constituting a desired cosmetic, and the container for providing the customer. It has a mixing unit that mixes the plurality of components by grasping and shaking the container, and the mixing unit includes a parallel link robot that performs the mixing.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus capable of producing a sufficiently homogeneous cosmetic material filled in a customer-provided container.

It is the schematic of the manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional structure example of the manufacturing apparatus by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the container used in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conceptual diagram of the parallel link robot (6 axes). The flow chart of the manufacturing method according to one embodiment of this invention is shown.

The cosmetic manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention has a filling unit for filling a customer-provided container with a plurality of components constituting a desired cosmetic, and a plurality of components by grasping and shaking the customer-provided container. It has a mixing unit for mixing, and the mixing unit includes a parallel link robot for mixing.

In the present specification, cosmetics include basic cosmetics such as washing pigments, cleansing agents, lotions, milky lotions, and beauty liquids, liquid foundations, liquid lipsticks (including gloss and liquid rouge), liquid cheeks, liquid eye shadows, and liquids. It may include makeup cosmetics such as mascara and liquid eyeliner, personal care products (sanitary daily necessities) such as hair lotions, body lotions, sunscreens and hand creams, and paints for manicure, body paint or face paint. Such cosmetics may be used for cosmetic or entertainment purposes. The cosmetic may be used not only on the face of the customer but also on body parts other than the face such as the neck, décolletage, hands and legs.

The cosmetic is preferably a fluid. The fluid may be a liquid, a solution, a dispersion such as an emulsion or a suspension, and includes a state called a gel, a slurry, a paste, a cream or the like. The fluid may also include a fluid in which the fluid and a gas such as air are mixed to form bubbles. Further, the fluid may contain powder. The components constituting the cosmetic (raw material of the cosmetic) can also be any of the above-mentioned fluids or a combination thereof.

The liquid cosmetic may exhibit any rheological behavior. That is, the cosmetic may be a Newtonian fluid or a non-Newtonian fluid such as a dilatant fluid, a pseudoplastic fluid, or a Bingham fluid.

The viscosity of the liquid cosmetic is not particularly limited, but can be 10 mPa · s to 100,000 mPa · s, preferably 10 mPa · s to 10,000 mPa · s. In particular, the manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment can be suitably used for manufacturing cosmetics having a viscosity of 50 mPa · s to 5,000 mPa · s. The viscosity in the present specification is the viscosity measured at 30 ° C. using a B-type viscometer.

When the produced cosmetic contains powder, the average particle size of the powder (medium diameter based on the volume average particle size) can be 0.01 to 500 μm, preferably 0.1 to 100 μm. The amount of powder contained in the cosmetic may be 0 to 50% by weight with respect to 100% by weight of the cosmetic.

The cosmetics produced by the manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment are customized cosmetics (also referred to as personalized cosmetics or custom-made cosmetics), that is, cosmetics manufactured each time to suit individual customers. Is preferable.

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a cosmetic manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a filling unit 10 for filling a plurality of components of cosmetics into a customer-provided container C (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a container C) and a container C. A mixing unit 20 for mixing a plurality of filled components is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a transport unit 30 for transporting the container C and a labeling unit 40 attached to the mixing unit 20.

Further, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may have a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 2, for example. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a compounding amount calculating means 11, a discharging means 12, a cap attaching means 21, a container swinging means (parallel link robot) 22, a transporting means 30, a labeling means 40, a customer data acquisition means 50, and an input means. It has 81, an output means 82, a storage means 83, and a control means 84. The blending amount calculating means 11 and the discharging means 12 can be included in the filling unit 10 (FIG. 1). Further, the cap attaching means 21 and the container swinging means 22 can be included in the mixing portion 20 (FIG. 1).

The customer data acquisition means 50 is a means for acquiring data of a customer who orders customized cosmetics. The customer data acquired by the customer data acquisition means 50 can include, for example, an image of the customer's skin. Information on skin color, texture (including the size and number of pores, etc.), gloss (including the state of oil and fat secretion, etc.) can be obtained from the skin image. When the cosmetic is a cosmetic to be applied to the face such as a foundation, the customer data may be an image of the customer's face. In that case, the image may be an image of the entire face, or may be partially acquired from one or several locations on the face.

When the customer data is image data, the customer data acquisition means 50 may include a camera function included in a terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone. The customer may take an image of the skin himself or provide an image already acquired. When the customer data acquisition means 50 is installed in the store, the store clerk can also take an image of the customer's skin.

Further, the customer data can include data other than image data. For example, the customer's personal data, more specifically, the customer's age, occupation, lifestyle, health status, etc. can be included. When the customer is a woman, the customer's health condition can include the customer's menstrual cycle and the like. When the cosmetic is a cosmetic to be applied to the face, it may be the frequency of use of the cosmetic to be manufactured, the frequency of washing the face, and the like. Further, the customer's personal data can include the customer's request, for example, if the cosmetic is a make-up cosmetic, the customer's request regarding the finished state (gloss, matte) and the like. In addition to such customer's personal data, obtained based on geographical and / or temporal data, specifically data such as region, season, etc. where the customer intends to use cosmetics, and such data. Data such as the amount of ultraviolet rays that can be produced, humidity, and temperature can also be included in the customer data.

Customer data other than the image data as described above can be directly input from the input means 81 described later. That is, the customer may input characters by himself / herself using a keyboard or the like, or may input by pressing a button such as a mouse by selecting from the options prepared in advance.

Furthermore, data other than image data include skin characteristics such as water content, temperature, elasticity, and melanin content. Therefore, the customer data acquisition means 50 can also include a dedicated device capable of measuring the skin characteristics as described above. Further, the data other than the image data may be data obtained from skin cells collected from the customer's skin. In that case, the customer data acquisition means 50 may include a dedicated device for analyzing cells.

The blending amount calculating means 11 is a blending amount of each of a plurality of components constituting a desired cosmetic, or based on data acquired directly from the input means 81 by the customer data acquisition means 50. The blending ratio can be calculated.

The discharging means 12 is a means capable of discharging a plurality of components of the cosmetic in an amount calculated by the blending amount calculating means 11. The discharge means 12 may include, for example, a plurality of dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d as shown in FIG. The dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d can be controlled independently of each other to discharge different components of the cosmetic.

The dispenser may have, for example, a configuration including a tank filled with cosmetic ingredients and a pump connected to the tank. Then, the cosmetic component can be discharged in a calculated predetermined amount from the discharge port provided in the pump.

The discharge method of the dispenser is not particularly limited as long as it can discharge a predetermined amount of the cosmetic component which is a fluid. The required amount in one filling may be continuously discharged, or may be discontinuously discharged. Further, the method is not limited, and may be an air pulse type, a mechanical type, or the like.

As the dispenser of the discharge means 12 in the present embodiment, a jet dispenser can be preferably used because a small amount of components can be accurately discharged. This is because the jet dispenser can discharge the cosmetic component in a non-contact manner, and does not require a mechanism such as a suckback when stopped, unlike other mechanisms such as a screw pump and a mono pump. As the jet dispenser, for example, a jet dispenser capable of discharging 0.01 to 10 mL of droplets per shot can be used. By using the jet dispenser, the cosmetic component filled by the discharge means 12 has a high viscosity, particularly a viscosity of 1,000 mPa · s or more, a spinnability, and a powder. Even in such a case, a predetermined amount can be accurately discharged. In addition, the jet dispenser has good sharpness (less dripping), can discharge components in a wide viscosity range, can discharge components containing powder, and can discharge in a wide weight range. There are also advantages such as being there.

The amount of the component filled in the container C by each dispenser is not particularly specified, and depends on the amount of the target product and the type of the compounded component. For example, the main ingredient in a 500 mL conditioner may be filled with 400 mL or more, and the medicinal ingredient in 20 mL partial skin care may be filled with 0.1 mL or less. Further, the total amount of the components to be filled is preferably less than the capacity of the container C, that is, a space (unfilled space or upper space) is left in the container from the viewpoint of efficiently performing the mixing operation.

In the manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the container C (FIG. 1) is transported by the transport means 30 (corresponding to the transport unit 30 in FIG. 1) described later, and the container C is opened at the discharge port of each dispenser of the discharge means 12. Can be stopped at a position where the containers C face each other. While the opening of the container C faces the discharge port of each dispenser, the cosmetic component can be discharged from each dispenser toward the container C and filled in the container C.

The plurality of ingredients constituting the cosmetic may be a plurality of ingredients having different functions or characteristics. For example, it may be a component having different functions for the skin such as a moisturizing component, an emollient component, an antioxidant component, a whitening component, and an ultraviolet ray blocking component. When the cosmetic is a foundation, it can be a colorant component of different colors such as white, yellow, red, and black. The number of the plurality of components is not particularly specified, and is appropriately determined according to the components to be blended in the product.

The cap attaching means 20 can attach the cap (or lid) to the container C filled with the raw materials (plural components) of the cosmetic by the discharging means 12. The cap mounting means 20 may be a predetermined device, but the cap mounting process can also be performed manually. The cap preferably seals the container C so that the contents do not leak to the outside even if the container is rocked by the container rocking means 22 (described later). The cap may be a screw type cap that can be attached to the container C by a screw connection, a snap type cap that can be attached to the container C by a snap connection, or the like. Further, the attached cap may include not only an outer cap for protecting the container C from the external environment, but also an inner cap (inner plug) directly attached to the opening and arranged inside the outer cap. it can. The inner cap has a function of discharging an appropriate amount of cosmetics when the cosmetics filled in the container are used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the shape of the container C with the outer cap 3 removed. The container C shown in FIG. 3 has a substantially quadrangular prism shape having a rectangular cross section as a whole, and the direction orthogonal to the cross section is the longitudinal direction. Container C has a body 1 having a tip 2. The tip portion 2 is a portion where a part of the main body 1 protrudes. In the illustrated example, the opening 4 of the container C, that is, the opening 4 for discharging the cosmetics from the container C when used by the customer, is formed at the end of the tip portion 2. Further, in the illustrated example, the tip portion 2 is configured to include a separate inner cap 5, but the tip portion 2 and the inner cap 5 can be integrally formed without being separated, and thus the main body 1 can be formed integrally. And the tip portion 2 can be formed integrally as a whole.

Further, in the illustrated example, the opposite side of the tip portion 2 is the bottom surface 6 of the container C. The bottom surface 6 is a surface facing a predetermined surface or a surface positioned downward in the vertical direction when the container C is placed on a predetermined surface during normal storage or sale (hereinafter, also simply referred to as storage). However, depending on the type or use of the cosmetic, the container may have an opening facing downward in the vertical direction during normal storage or sale. In that case, the end face of the outer cap can be the bottom surface.

The external shape (outer shape) of the container C and the shape (inner shape) of the portion filled with the contents may be different or the same. For example, both the outer shape and the inner shape of the container C may be similar figures of a substantially square columnar shape, or the outer shape of the container C may be a substantially square columnar shape and the inner shape may be a substantially cylindrical shape.

The shape of the container C (outer shape and inner shape) of FIG. 3 and the shape of the outer cap 5 are not limited to those shown in the drawing, and may be various shapes depending on the cosmetic to be filled. The material of the container C is not particularly limited, but may be made of glass or resin, and a resin container having a light weight is more preferable. Since the weight is light, the load on the robot during mixing can be reduced.

The container swinging means 22 is a means for mixing a plurality of components in the container C by filling the container C with the plurality of components of the cosmetic by the discharging means 12 and shaking the container C to which the cap is attached by the cap means 21. .. In the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, a parallel link robot is used as the container swinging means 22. The container swinging means 22 will be described in more detail later.

In mixing the contents in the container C by the container rocking means 22, a small stirring means such as a stirring ball previously placed in the container C can also be used. In that case, the small stirring means may be inserted before the cap is attached by the cap attaching means 21, and the timing is set after the cap is filled even before the cosmetic component is filled by the discharging means 12. It may be.

The transport means 30 (corresponding to the transport section 30 in FIG. 1) is a device for transporting the container C from the filling section 10 to the mixing section 20, transporting the container C within at least one of the filling section 10 and the mixing section 20, and a front device. One or more of the transfer from the to the filling section 10 and the transfer from the mixing section 20 to the post-installed device can be performed. Therefore, the transport means 30 may be continuously arranged continuously from the start to the end of the production of the cosmetics in the manufacturing apparatus 100, or may be divided and arranged. More specifically, the transporting means 30 may be a belt, a chain, or the like, and may be a transporting robot that can hold and move the container C by gripping, suction, or the like.

The labeling means 40 (corresponding to the labeling unit 40 in FIG. 1) can attach a label to the container C in which the ingredients of the cosmetic have been mixed. The label may be a paper sheet or a polymer sheet, or a sheet obtained by laminating one or more of these sheets. On the label, in addition to the product name, raw material name, etc. described on the cosmetic container in general cosmetic manufacturing (cosmetic manufacturing that provides cosmetics of the same composition to a large number of customers), the individual customer is indicated. Identifiable items such as the customer's name, nickname, order number, and the symbol selected by the individual customer when placing an order can be described. It is attached to the container C by the labeling means 40. Further, the labeling means 40 may print the above-mentioned items described on the label directly on the container C instead of attaching the label to the container C.

The input means 81, for example, gives an instruction to acquire customer data from a user or the like of the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, and starts operations of each means in the filling unit 10 and the mixing unit 20, the transporting means 30, the labeling means 40, and the like. And accepts termination instructions, condition settings for each means, etc. The input means 81 can be an input interface such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse. It may be an audio input device such as a microphone.

The output means 82 outputs the contents input by the input means 81, the contents executed based on the input contents, and the like. The output means 82 may be, for example, a display, a speaker, or the like.

The storage means 83 stores the input data, the data of the condition setting value in each means, and the like. For example, it is possible to store customer data acquired by the customer data acquisition means 50, data such as the blending amount of each component of the cosmetics calculated by the blending amount calculating means 11, and the like.

The control means 84 controls each of the above-mentioned means (FIG. 2) constituting the cosmetic manufacturing apparatus 100.

Each of the above means (FIG. 2) can be generated as a program to be executed by a computer. By installing the generated program on a general-purpose personal computer, server, or the like, the cosmetics manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can be realized.

As described above, the cosmetic manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a mixing unit 20 including the container swinging means 22, and the container swinging means 22 may include a parallel link robot. Then, the parallel link robot can grasp and shake the container filled with the plurality of components of the cosmetic. Hereinafter, the container swinging means 22 provided with the parallel link robot and the mixing unit 20 will be described in detail.

In the manufacture of general cosmetics, cosmetics having the same composition are provided to a large number of customers. In practice, a plurality of ingredients constituting a cosmetic are prepared in a relatively large volume corresponding to a large number of people, and the plurality of ingredients are homogeneously mixed to prepare a cosmetic composition having a relatively large volume for a large number of people. To prepare. Then, the prepared cosmetic composition is subdivided and filled into a plurality of customer-provided containers (containers containing products obtained by the customer at the time of purchase). In the production of such general cosmetics, a plurality of components can be mixed in a mixing container having a relatively large capacity. Therefore, various stirring means can be used and it is relatively easy to obtain a homogenized mixture. However, in the case of manufacturing customized cosmetics, the volume of one cosmetic product is small because it is necessary to manufacture cosmetics having different compositions for each customer. When the cosmetic ingredients are mixed in a large-capacity mixing container for the production of such a small amount of cosmetic product, the mixing container and the mixing device may be damaged. Further, when a large volume cosmetic composition is prepared for a mixing container, many cosmetics can be wasted, which is not economical. Therefore, for the production of customized cosmetics, it is preferable to mix a plurality of components in a container having a small capacity. Then, in order to save the trouble of filling the customer-provided container, it is preferable to mix the plurality of components in the customer-provided container.

Especially in the case of cosmetics, the volume of the customer-provided container used is small and can be 5 to 500 mL, preferably 10 to 100 mL. Therefore, when a plurality of components of cosmetics are mixed in a container provided by a customer, it is not realistic to use a stirring means such as a stirring blade in the container. Further, in the mixing method mainly using centrifugal force, ultrasonic waves, etc., it is difficult to manufacture in a series from filling, which may lead to a significant decrease in productivity.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the mixing unit 20 for mixing includes a parallel link robot as a container swinging means 22 capable of gripping and swinging the container C. A parallel link robot (also referred to as a parallel robot) is a robot having a parallel mechanism in which a plurality of arms are arranged in parallel. Since the parallel link robot has a structure close to a double-sided beam in which the final output destination (output link) is supported by multiple arms (links), it is less likely to be deformed by a load, and it is possible to obtain light weight and high rigidity. Yes, it can be operated at very high speed. That is, since it can be moved at an operating speed that cannot be obtained by other robots, it is possible to sufficiently mix cosmetic ingredients, to produce a sufficiently homogeneous cosmetic, and to have a relatively high viscosity. Even products can be mixed well. In addition, the parallel link robot can freely change the container direction by adding an axis to the head portion.

Specific examples of the parallel link robot used in the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment include the Genkotsu robot series manufactured by FANUC Corporation, MOTOMAN-MPP3H manufactured by Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and FlexPicker (registered trademark) IRB 360 manufactured by ABB Ltd. And so on.

The container swinging means (parallel link robot) 22 may be capable of lifting the container C, which has been transported to the mixing unit 20 by the transport unit 30, from the transport unit 30, swinging it, and returning it to the transport unit 30. (Fig. 1). Since the container C can be swung in a state where the container C is lifted from the transport unit 30 and separated from the transport unit 30, the characteristics such as the viscosity of the components of the cosmetic are not restricted by the structure of the transport unit 30. Free movement is possible according to the situation.

The parallel link robot may have a robot main body 22a and a holding portion 22b that can grip the container and is arranged at the final output destination of the robot (FIG. 1). The form of the holding portion 22b is not particularly limited, and a finger-type gripping member (gripper), a suction type suction cup, or the like can be used as the holding portion 22b depending on the shape and size of the container. By providing such a holding portion 22b, the parallel link robot can firmly hold the container C. That is, the parallel link robot can hold the orientation of the container C with respect to the holding portion 22b while rocking the container C.

Further, the parallel link robot tilts the container C by a predetermined angle with respect to the state at the time of normal storage or sale (for example, the state where the container C is placed on a predetermined surface at the time of normal storage or sale). It can also be retained. The inclination of the container C can be the angle of the virtual line passing through the opening of the container C and along the vertical direction with respect to the vertical direction. The angle is more than 0 ° and 180 ° or less, preferably more than 0 ° and 90 ° or less, more preferably 5 ° or more and 70 ° or less, still more preferably 5 ° or more and 40 ° or less, still more preferably 10 ° or more and 35 °. It can be as follows.

In the illustrated example, the parallel link robot (container swinging means) 22 holds the container C in a laid state. That is, the parallel link robot (container swinging means) 22 grips the container C in a state of being tilted by 90 ° with respect to the state of the illustrated container C at the time of storage. As a result, the substantially square columnar container C as shown in the figure can be shaken in a state in which the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction.

The direction in which the parallel link robot (container swinging means) 22 swings the container C is not limited, and the parallel link robot 22 can be driven so that the container C reciprocates, rotates, and the like. If it is a reciprocating motion, it may be a reciprocating motion along a straight line or a reciprocating motion along a curved line. Also, the rotational movement may include rotation, revolution, or both. Further, the parallel link robot 22 can set an arbitrary locus motion including a figure eight motion. Of these, since the operating speed of the container C can be maximized, it is preferable that the mixing operation by the mixing unit 20 includes a reciprocating operation.

The direction in which the parallel link robot 22 rocks the container C preferably includes a direction along the horizontal direction. Further, it is preferable to move the container C in a direction including a direction along the horizontal direction and stop the movement of the container C at a predetermined position. For example, when the container C is reciprocated along the horizontal direction, there is a moment when the movement of the container C stops at the maximum amplitude position. At that time, the contents of the container C (mixture of a plurality of components) are subjected to the inertial force and gravity, and the mixing action of the contents is enhanced particularly at the front end position in the traveling direction of the container C. More specifically, the direction of movement and the direction of gravity are different, especially orthogonal, so that the contents collide with the wall on the front side of the traveling direction of the container C at the maximum amplitude position of the reciprocating movement and bounce off in the vertical direction. Although it is lifted upward, it can be pulled downward by gravity in the vertical direction to promote agitation of the contents. In this embodiment, the parallel link robot is used in the mixing unit 20, and the container C can be stopped abruptly with a small amount of blurring, so that the above-mentioned mixing action can be particularly improved. In order to improve such a mixing action, the unfilled space (upper space) of the container C is preferably 3 to 30%, more preferably 5 to 20% of the capacity.

Further, especially when the parallel link robot 22 moves the container C in the horizontal direction, the container C is held so that the longitudinal direction of the container C is tilted at a predetermined tilt angle (described above) from the vertical direction. It is preferable to have it.

The swinging of the container C by the parallel link robot 22 is preferably performed so that the container C reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the container C. The reciprocating motion along the longitudinal direction enhances the action of stirring the cosmetics in the container C, so that the plurality of components can be mixed more uniformly.

Further, when the container C has the tip portion 2 including the opening 4 as shown in FIG. 3, since the cross-sectional area of the tip portion 2 is small, the cosmetic component is contained in the tip portion 2 during the mixing process. It is easy to enter and it is difficult for the cosmetic component to be discharged from the tip portion 2. In that case, it is particularly preferable that the container C is rocked by the parallel link robot 22 in a direction inclined with respect to the line connecting the opening 4 and the bottom surface 6. Further, it is preferable that the inclination of the container C is such that the contents (cosmetic component) do not enter the tip portion 2 before the mixing operation. By such shaking, it is possible to prevent the cosmetic component from entering the tip portion 2, and by mixing in the mixing portion 20, a more homogeneous cosmetic can be obtained.

The drive method of the parallel link robot is not particularly limited, and may be a rotary type, a telescopic type, a linear motion type, a wire drive type, or the like. Of these, as the parallel link robot in the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a rotary parallel link robot is preferable because the movable range of the movable portion, which is the final output destination, can be increased. FIG. 4 conceptually shows an example of a rotary parallel link robot. In the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4, the base 1 and the output link 2 are supported by the link (arm) R4. The link R4 may be a plurality of links connected by a joint R3.

The number of control axes (degrees of freedom) of the parallel link robot defines the degree of freedom of operation, and if there are only basic three axes, it is only a simple three-dimensional operation. It is possible to perform operations such as adjusting the angle and rotating only the container. For effective mixing, 4 or more axes are preferable, and 6 axes are more preferable.

The parallel link robot may include a serial mechanism. That is, the container swinging means 22 used in the mixing unit 20 in this embodiment can be a so-called hybrid robot in which a parallel mechanism and a serial mechanism are combined.

In the example of FIG. 1, the parallel link robot (container swinging means) 22 is arranged so that the holding portion 22b is located on the lower side in the vertical direction of the robot body 22a, but the arrangement of the robot is limited to that shown in the drawing. I can't.

By using the parallel link robot, the container C can be swung at high speed. For example, the container C is reciprocated at an operating width (twice the amplitude) of 10 to 300 mm at 1 to 5 reciprocating / sec. be able to. Further, as an application of the reciprocating operation, it is possible to make the container C perform a figure eight operation so as to draw an arc at the maximum amplitude position. In this case, the container C can be moved in a horizontal or vertical plane, or along any plane in a figure eight. Further, the container C can mix the revolution motion that draws a locus with a radius of 10 to 300 mm at 1 to 5 rotations / second.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the container C can be moved at high speed, mixing can be performed in a short time.

Prior to mixing in the mixing unit 20, a stirring piece, for example, a stirring ball, which can assist the mixing of the cosmetic components in the container C may be charged in the container C.

The cosmetics manufacturing apparatus has been described above as one form of the present invention, but another form of the present invention is a method for manufacturing cosmetics using the above-mentioned manufacturing method. In the method for producing a cosmetic according to this embodiment, a plurality of components constituting a desired cosmetic are filled in a customer-provided container, and the plurality of components are mixed by grasping and shaking the customer-provided container, and the mixing is performed in parallel. Performed by a link robot. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, customer data is acquired (S1), the blending amount of each component constituting the desired cosmetic is calculated (S2), and the calculated plurality of components are provided to the customer. This includes filling the container (S3) and mixing the plurality of components by grasping and rocking the customer-provided container using a parallel link robot (S4).

<Manufacturing of cosmetics>
A liquid foundation was produced using a cosmetics manufacturing apparatus similar to that shown in the schematic view of FIG. 1 and a container having a shape similar to that shown in FIG. The shape of the container was a square columnar with a rectangular cross section, and the dimensions were about 36 mm × 22 mm × 56 mm. The container used had a tip portion whose cross-sectional area was significantly different from that of the container body. The cross section at the base of the tip (at a position close to the boundary with the container body) was a circle with a diameter of about 10 mm, and the length (height) of the tip was 10 mm. A part of the tip portion was a sharp inner plug similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and an opening having a diameter of 2 mm was formed at the outermost end of the inner plug.

In the filling section of the cosmetics manufacturing apparatus, four jet dispensers (“AeroJet” manufactured by Musashi Engineering Co., Ltd.) were used as dispensers. The tank of the dispenser was filled with the components of the liquid foundation of each color of red, yellow, white, and black. The composition of each component other than the contained dye was the same, and the viscosity measured by a B-type viscometer at 30 ° C. was about 1000 mPa · s. The amount of the component filled by the jet dispenser was 3 mL for red, 6 mL for yellow, 15 mL for white, and 1 mL for black. After filling all the ingredients, a special cap was manually attached to the container and sealed. The unfilled space in the container was 17%.

The container with the cap attached was grasped by a parallel link robot (“M-1iA” manufactured by FANUC Corporation), lifted, and shaken to mix the foundation components in the container. The tip of the arm of the parallel link robot was equipped with a gripping device, which was firmly held so as not to move, and the container was swung under various conditions.

(Example 1)
The container was filled by grasping the container and reciprocating it linearly from side to side in the horizontal direction while the container was laid down, that is, tilted 90 ° from the state when it was stored (the tip of the container faces upward). The ingredients were mixed. The width of the reciprocating operation was 20 mm, the number of reciprocating operations was 10, and the time required for the mixing operation was 3 seconds.

(Example 2)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the width of the reciprocating operation was 50 mm.

(Example 3)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the width of the reciprocating operation was 100 mm.

(Example 4)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the width of the reciprocating operation was 200 mm.

(Example 5)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the number of round trips was 20 and the time required for the mixing operation was 5 seconds.

(Example 6)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the number of round trips was 30 and the time required for the mixing operation was 7 seconds.

(Example 7)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the number of round trips was 20 and the time required for the mixing operation was 5 seconds.

(Example 8)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the number of round trips was 30 and the time required for the mixing operation was 8 seconds.

(Example 9)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the container was not tilted, that is, it was held and moved in the state at the time of storage (the state in which the container opening faces upward in the vertical direction).

(Example 10)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the direction of the reciprocating operation was up and down in the vertical direction.

(Example 11)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the container was held and moved at an angle of 15 ° with respect to the vertical direction.

(Example 12)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the container was held and moved at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the vertical direction.

(Example 13)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the container was held and moved at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction.

(Example 14)
Mixing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the container was held and moved at an angle of 60 ° with respect to the vertical direction.

(Example 15)
The container was reciprocated from side to side in the horizontal direction, but the mixture was mixed in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the container was curved at the maximum amplitude position and moved in a figure of eight. However, in this example, the total time required for the operation was 10 seconds.

<Evaluation>
The homogeneity of the foundation obtained after mixing was evaluated as follows. The container in which the components had been mixed was removed from the parallel link robot, the contents of the container were discharged onto a black resin plate, the mixing status at the time of initial discharge (“drainage (initial)”), and then the entire amount was discharged. The mixing situation at the time (“during discharge (total amount)”) was evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. The homogeneity was evaluated according to the evaluation criteria A to E shown below, and evaluation D or higher was regarded as acceptable.

A: Evenly mixed and no color unevenness was observed B: Minor color unevenness was confirmed when observed in detail C: Slight color unevenness was confirmed D: Color unevenness was confirmed E: Significant color Unevenness was confirmed

As shown in Table 1, a homogeneous foundation was obtained by using the device according to this embodiment equipped with a parallel link robot. Then, it was found that particularly good homogeneity was obtained when the container was held at an angle of less than 90 ° from the stored state and reciprocated in the horizontal direction (Examples 11 to 15). Above all, it was found that when the inclination angle was 15 to 30 °, good homogeneity was obtained at the initial stage and at the time of total discharge.

1 Container body 2 Tip 3 Outer cap 4 Opening 5 Inner cap (inner plug)
6 Bottom surface 10 Filling part 11 Mixing amount calculating means 12 Discharging means 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Dispenser 20 Mixing part 21 Cap mounting means 22 Container swinging means (parallel link robot)
30 Transport means 40 Labeling means 50 Customer data acquisition means 81 Input means 82 Output means 83 Storage means 84 Control means C Container R1 Base R2 Output link R3 Joint R4 Link (arm)

Claims (6)

It ’s a cosmetics manufacturing device.
A filling unit that fills a customer-provided container with a plurality of ingredients that make up a desired cosmetic product,
It has a mixing unit that mixes the plurality of components by grasping and rocking the customer-provided container.
The mixing unit is a manufacturing apparatus including a parallel link robot that performs the mixing. Further having a transport unit for transporting the container,
The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parallel link robot operates to grip the container filled with the plurality of components, lift it from the transport unit, rock it, and return it to the transport unit. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parallel link robot has three or more control axes. The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parallel link robot can hold the container in a state of being tilted with respect to a state at the time of storage. The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixing unit includes moving the container along a horizontal direction. It ’s a method of manufacturing cosmetics.
Multiple ingredients that make up the desired cosmetic are filled in a customer-provided container and
The plurality of ingredients are mixed by grasping and rocking the customer-provided container.
A manufacturing method in which the mixing is performed by a parallel link robot.

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