Mixing system for producing a cosmetic product and cosmetic capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing system for producing a cosmetic product. The invention also relates to a capsule (7, 8) containing a cosmetic compound. The mixing system allows the production of a cosmetic product from capsules (7, 8) comprising the raw materials required for the composition of such a cosmetic product, that is the cosmetic texturising agent, the cosmetic active substance and, as required, a cosmetic perfume. The invention is applicable in the cosmetic industry.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mixing system for manufacturing a cosmetic product.

[0002] As is well known, cosmetic products, such as moisturizers and / or anti-wrinkle creams, are composed of several components, including a fatty substance forming the oil phase, which typically contains vegetable oils, butters, and emulsifying waxes for cosmetic use; an aqueous phase, generally containing pure or floral water, or any other water-soluble agent; and at least one additive called an active ingredient, which gives the cosmetic product its desired efficacy. For example, this active ingredient could be an anti-aging agent such as hyaluronic acid. In addition, the cosmetic product may contain a natural or synthetic fragrance, which enhances the application and use of the product.

[0003] However, available emulsion-based cosmetic products do not offer the possibility of freely choosing their composition in terms of fats, active ingredients, and fragrances, as the oil phase significantly influences the cream's texture, viscosity, spreadability, and feel upon application. Furthermore, consumers cannot always find the specific combination of fat, active ingredient, and fragrance they desire.

[0004] Document WO 2008 / 006553 A2 discloses a method for manufacturing a cosmetic or other article. This document also relates to a manufacturing device and packaging, including a capsule. The contents necessary for production are supplied to the end consumer in the form of pre-measured units so that the end consumer can produce a quantity of the article suitable for their use.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] To achieve this goal, the invention relates to a mixing system for manufacturing a cosmetic product, as defined in claim 1. The mixing system comprises: • A liquid reservoir, in particular for water; • A liquid pump connected between an outlet of the liquid reservoir and the inlet of a liquid supply line; • A movable platform controlled to rotate about a vertical axis and comprising a compartment adapted to hold a capsule containing a cosmetic active ingredient, the mixing system further comprising means capable of expelling the contents of the capsule by pressure from its corresponding compartment in which it is housed; the movable platform comprising a second compartment adapted to hold a second capsule containing a cosmetic texturizing agent, the means capable of expelling by pressure the contents of the texturizing agent capsule from its compartment in which it is housed.· and the mixing system further comprising a mixing device including, on the one hand, a container disposed under the movable platform controlled to position above the container the compartment containing the texturizing agent capsule and the compartment containing the active ingredient capsule in order to receive the texturizing agent and the active ingredient expelled from their respective compartments, the container being in fluid communication with the outlet of the liquid supply line in order to introduce liquid into the container, in particular after expulsion of the texturizing agent into the container, in order to produce a cosmetic product from the oil phase coming from the second capsule, and on the other hand, a mixing element housed in the container and capable of creating in this container the cosmetic product from the mixture of liquid, cosmetic texturizing agent and cosmetic active ingredient contained in the container, by incorporation of the cosmetic active ingredient.

[0007] According to another feature, the mixing unit is a propeller mounted at the bottom of the container on an axis coaxial with the latter, passing through the bottom wall of the container and able to be driven by a motor, in particular an electric one, mounted in the mixing system.

[0008] According to another feature, the container includes a timed flap opening in its bottom wall to allow the hot cosmetic product to flow into a cosmetic product storage bottle.

[0009] According to another feature, the container is a removable cylindrical tube closed by a bottom wall to allow the storage of the cosmetic product for later use and is positioned below the two compartments of the mobile tray.

[0010] According to another feature, the mobile tray has a third compartment that can be brought above the container and adapted to hold a third capsule containing a cosmetic perfume intended to be used in the composition of the cosmetic product.

[0011] According to another feature, the movable platform includes a funnel-shaped compartment that can be brought over the container to put the outlet of the liquid supply line and the container into fluid communication.

[0012] According to another feature, each capsule comprises a cylindrical wall, a bottom wall with a central orifice sealed by a frangible lid and a piston-forming wall housed in the cylindrical wall with the texturizing agent or the corresponding active ingredient contained between the bottom wall and the piston-forming wall and in that the means of expulsion by pressure comprise a movable rod in translation by means of a motor in particular electric mounted in the mixing system, capable of exerting pressure on the piston-forming wall of each capsule housed in its compartment of the moving tray causing the perforation of the lid of the bottom wall of the capsule and the forced flow out of the capsule of its contents into the container located below the outlet of the corresponding compartment.

[0013] According to another feature, the moving tray is rotated by means of a motor, in particular an electric one, mounted in the mixing system, so that the pressure expulsion means can cause the successive forced flow of the contents of each capsule housed in its corresponding compartment of the moving tray.

[0014] According to another feature, the mixing system includes a hollow block with circulating coolant surrounding at least part of the container, and whose inlet and outlet of the coolant from this block are connected to the liquid reservoir by another pump to ensure the cooling of the mixture contained in the container.

[0015] According to another feature, the liquid reservoir comprises two compartments separated by an internal partition, one of the compartments being connected to the liquid pump of the mixing system and the other compartment being connected to the cooling block via the other pump.

[0016] According to another feature, the mixing system includes an electrical resistance block interposed between the liquid pump of the mixing system and the liquid supply line and intended to heat the liquid, and in that it includes a heating means disposed in the compartment suitable for receiving the texturizing agent capsule, this heating means surrounding the cosmetic texturizing agent capsule housed in the corresponding compartment to melt the texturizing agent contained in the capsule before the texturizing agent is expelled by pressure into the container by the pressure expulsion means.

[0017] Another distinctive feature of the mixing system is that it includes a solenoid valve located in the liquid supply line to control the flow of liquid into the container.

[0018] According to another feature, the mixing system includes a flow meter connected to the liquid pump of the mixing system and in that it includes a control means suitable, when the movable plate is positioned so that the funnel-shaped compartment puts the outlet of the liquid supply line and the container in fluid communication, to open the solenoid valve to ensure the circulation for a given time interval of a determined volume of liquid in the container and calculated from the data of the flow meter.

[0019] According to another feature, the mixing unit comprises a piston forming the bottom wall of the container and a plurality of radial fins attached to the piston and projecting from the top face of the piston, which is capable of being driven in rotation with the fins, when the removable container is mounted on the mixing system, by a toothed ring mounted in a support base of the container coaxially with the latter and whose axial teeth located on the same side are coupled to the piston, which toothed ring can be driven in rotation by an electric motor of the mixing system.

[0020] According to another feature, the mixing organ of the mixing device makes it possible to create an emulsion from liquid from the reservoir, melted cosmetic texturizing agent and cosmetic active ingredient from the two compartments of the moving tray, and where applicable cosmetic perfume from the third compartment of the moving tray to make the cosmetic product.

[0021] A storage and dispensing bottle for a cosmetic product can be made using a mixing system as described above, comprising the container removed from the mixing system and filled with the cosmetic product made and a head closing the opening of the container opposite the piston and having a pump dispensing the cosmetic product and a manually operated trigger to dispense a volume of cosmetic product from the outlet of the head when the trigger is pressed and create a vacuum in the container causing the piston in the container to move towards the head to fill the volume of cosmetic product dispensed.

[0022] A cosmetic capsule comprising a cosmetic compound may be intended for use with the mixing system as described above to produce a cosmetic product, the capsule comprising a cylindrical wall, a bottom wall with a central orifice sealed by a frangible operculum and a piston-forming wall housed in the cylindrical wall with the cosmetic compound contained between the bottom wall and the piston-forming wall.

[0023] According to another peculiarity, the bottom wall of the capsule and the surface of the piston-forming wall located opposite the bottom wall of the capsule have complementary shapes that are substantially frustoconical.

[0024] According to another feature, the bottom wall of the capsule includes a tubular ring with a circular cross-section projecting coaxially from the bottom wall opening to the outside of the capsule.

[0025] According to another peculiarity, the opening in the cylindrical wall of the capsule located opposite the opening in the bottom wall is sealed by a circular and frangible membrane.

[0026] The invention also relates to a use as defined in claim 16 of a mixing system as described above with two capsules each as described above and comprising respectively a cosmetic texturizing agent and a cosmetic active ingredient to produce a cosmetic product.

[0027] According to another unique feature, the mixing system is used with a third capsule containing a cosmetic fragrance.

[0028] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following explanatory description made with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which: There figure 1 represents a three-dimensional perspective view of the mixing system according to the invention; The figure 2 represents a top-down, perspective view of part of the mixing system of the figure 1 including a movable platform; The figure 3 represents a perspective and bottom view of the moving platform of the figure 2 one of the compartment outlets is in fluid communication with a container of the mixing system figure 1 ; There figure 4 represents a perspective view of a finned piston forming the bottom wall of the container of the figure 3 ; There figure 5 represents a perspective view of a toothed ring intended to drive the piston of the figure 4 ; There figure 6 represents a perspective view of an alternative to the finned piston of the figure 4 showing a mixing disc equipped with fins; The figure 7 represents a perspective view of the piston of the figure 6 showing a drive disc for the mixer disc; The figure 8 represents a perspective view of an alternative toothed ring intended to drive the piston of the figure 6 ; There figure 9 represents a perspective view of a cosmetic capsule.

[0029] With reference to the figures and according to the invention, a mixing system for manufacturing a cosmetic product will now be described.

[0030] The mixing system includes a liquid reservoir 1. This liquid reservoir 1 has an internal partition dividing it into a first liquid compartment and a second liquid compartment, the respective functions of which will be specified below. The first liquid compartment contains the aqueous phase used in the cosmetic product, which is preferably demineralized water or floral water (i.e., a hydrosol), but it can also be a more complex aqueous liquid composed of water and additives such as glycerin or a polymer that allows the creation of a three-dimensional network. The second liquid compartment contains pure or demineralized water, or simply tap water. In the following description, the first and second liquid compartments will be referred to as the first and second water compartments.

[0031] The mixing system includes a liquid pump 2 controlled by a mixing system control means, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the first water compartment of tank 1. The control means is, for example, an electronic circuit powered by electricity via a transformer included in the mixing system and connected to the domestic electrical network. For simplicity in the following description, this liquid pump 2 will be referred to as water pump 2. The water pump 2 is adapted to ensure the circulation of water from the first water compartment of tank 1 to a liquid supply line 3, which will be referred to in the following description as water supply line 3 for simplicity. This supply line 3 ensures the flow of liquid used in the manufacture of the cosmetic product into a mixing device of the mixing system, as will be explained later.

[0032] The mixing system further comprises a cylindrical movable plate 4, resting on a first support 26 attached to the housing of the mixing system and capable of rotation around a vertical axis 14a connected to a motor 14 attached to the housing of the mixing system, for example an electric motor. This movable plate 4 comprises at least two compartments 5, 6, preferably three compartments 5, 6, 10, formed in the body of the movable plate 4. In addition, the bottom wall of each compartment 5, 6, 10 comprises in its center a circular opening passing through 5a, 6a, 10a, the function of which will be explained later.

[0033] Compartments 5, 6, and 10 of the movable tray 4 are designed to hold capsules 7 and 8 containing various compounds for the preparation of the final cosmetic product. The first compartment 5 of the movable tray is adapted to hold a capsule 7 containing a cosmetic texturizing agent. This texturizing agent is preferably a cosmetic fat, possibly with the addition of an emulsifier based on amphiphilic molecules. Alternatively, this texturizing agent is a polymer for cosmetic use, for example, a polysaccharide such as xanthan gum or an acrylic acid polymer of the carbomer type. For simplicity in the following description, this capsule 7 of cosmetic texturizing agent will be referred to as the cosmetic fat capsule 7.

[0034] The second compartment 6 of the movable tray is designed to hold a capsule 8 containing a cosmetic active ingredient, that is, a compound known for its cosmetic properties, for example, anti-wrinkle or moisturizing. This capsule 8 may also contain a preservative mixed with the cosmetic active ingredient. The third compartment 10 of the movable tray is designed to hold a capsule containing a cosmetic fragrance, to perfume the final cosmetic product.

[0035] Each capsule 7, 8 comprises a cylindrical wall 30, a base wall 31 with a central orifice 33, and a piston-forming wall 32 housed within the cylindrical wall 30. Thus, the cosmetic compound contained in the capsule 7, 8, whether it be the cosmetic fat, the cosmetic active ingredient, or the cosmetic perfume, is located within the cylindrical wall 30 between the base wall 31 and the piston-forming wall 32. Preferably, to prevent any contamination of the compound contained in the capsule, the central orifice 33 is sealed by a frangible cap 35.

[0036] Furthermore, the movable platform 4 includes a funnel-shaped compartment 13 that can be positioned above the mixing device to connect the outlet of the water supply line 3 to the mixing device. Alternatively (not shown), the outlet of the water supply line 3 is connected directly to the mixing device.

[0037] The mixing system further includes means for expelling, by pressure 9, the contents of each capsule 7, 8 from its corresponding compartment 5, 6, 10 in which it is housed. The expulsion means 9 include a motor 9a, preferably electric, attached to a second support 27, itself attached to the housing of the mixing system and positioned opposite the movable plate 4 at a distance from it, such that the movable plate 4 is located between the first and second supports 26, 27. The expulsion means 9 also include a rod 9b that moves in translation via this motor 9a. This rod 9b is thus able to exert pressure on the piston-forming wall 32 of each capsule 7, 8 housed in its corresponding compartment 5, 6, 10 of the movable plate 4, which causes the perforation of the frangible operculum 35 sealing the central orifice 33 of the capsule 7, 8 and the forced flow out of the capsule of its contents.The products contained in capsules 7, 8 will flow successively through the respective through orifices 5a, 6a, 10a of compartments 5, 6, 10 of the movable tray 4, as will be seen later in the description.

[0038] Preferably, to optimize the expulsion of the contents of capsule 7, 8, the bottom wall 31 of the capsule and the surface of the piston-forming wall 32 located opposite the bottom wall 31 have complementary, substantially frustoconical shapes. Furthermore, the bottom wall 31 of the capsule may include a tubular ring 34 with a circular cross-section projecting coaxially from the orifice 33 of the bottom wall 31 of the capsule. Thus, when the capsule 7, 8 is housed in its compartment 5, 6, 10 of the movable platform 4, the tubular ring 34 fits into the circular orifice passing through 5a, 6a, 10a of the corresponding compartment 5, 6, 10. In this way, the contents expelled from the corresponding capsule do not come into contact with the cylindrical surface delimiting the orifice passing through 5a, 6a, 10a of the corresponding compartment 5, 6, 10.In the presence of the tubular ring 34, the frangible operculum 35 is glued onto the free end of the ring 34 so as to seal the central orifice 33.

[0039] The mixing device includes a container 11 arranged under the movable platform 4, which is controlled to successively position above the container 11 the outlet 5a, 6a, 10a of each of the compartments 5, 6, 10 and the outlet 13a of the funnel-shaped compartment 13 of the movable platform 4, so that the container 11 can successively receive the water, the cosmetic fat, the active ingredient and, where applicable, the cosmetic fragrance expelled from their respective compartments 13, 5, 6, 10. The mixing device also includes a mixing element 12 housed in the container 11 and capable of creating the cosmetic product in this container 11 from a mixture of water, cosmetic fat and cosmetic active ingredient, and, where applicable, cosmetic fragrance.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the container 11 of the mixing device is a removable cylindrical tube closed by a bottom wall to allow storage of the prepared cosmetic product. The mixing element 12 in this embodiment comprises a piston 12a forming the bottom wall of the container 11 and a plurality of radial fins 22a integral with the piston 12a and projecting from the upper face of the piston 12a. The piston 12a is adapted to be driven in rotation with the fins 22a, when the removable container 11 is mounted on the mixing system, by a toothed ring 23 mounted in a support base 25 of the container 11 coaxially with the latter. The axial teeth 24a of the ring 23 are all located on the same side of the ring 23 and are adapted to be coupled to the piston 12a.Furthermore, the toothed ring 23 includes a portion of shaft 24b projecting perpendicularly from the ring 23 and also intended to be coupled by clipping to the piston 12a to facilitate centering the piston 12a on the toothed ring 23 and to prevent any translational movement of the piston 12a within the container 11 when the piston 12a is rotated. The ring 23 can itself be rotated by an electric motor attached to the base 25 and controlled by the mixing system's control means. In addition, the support base 25 is translationally movable to allow the opening of the container 11 to be moved closer to or further from the movable plate 4.

[0041] Alternatively, the mixing element 12 forming the bottom wall of the container is made in two parts. The first part is the piston 12b itself, which is the bottom wall of the container 11, the piston 12b being in this alternative rotationally stationary. The second part comprises a rod 39 passing axially through the piston 12b at its center, the opposite ends of this rod 39 comprising respectively a mixing disc 28 having fins 22b circumferentially fixed to this mixing disc 28, and a disc 29 for driving the rotation of the rod 39, the discs 28, 29 being arranged on either side of the body of the piston 12b. The rotating drive disc 29 is suitable for being driven in rotation with the rod 39 and the finned mixing disc 28 22b, when the removable container 11 is mounted on the mixing system, by a toothed ring 37 mounted in the support base 25 of the container 11 coaxially with the latter.The teeth 37a of the ring 37 extend radially along one face of the latter and are designed to be clipped onto the rotating drive disc 29 in oblong openings 29a provided for this purpose. The ring 37 can be rotated by an electric motor of the mixing system controlled by the mixing system control means. The length of the rod 39 is greater than the thickness of the piston 12b. Thus, when the drive disc 29 is clipped onto the ring 37, the mixing disc 28 is positioned away from the upper surface of the piston 12b to prevent friction between the mixing disc 28 and the upper surface of the piston 12b, and to improve the mixing efficiency in the container 11, as the mixture is drawn through the mixing disc 28.Conversely, when the user removes the container 11 from the base 25 of the mixing system, the teeth 37a of the wheel 37 initially hold the rotating drive disc 29, which causes the rod 39 to move relative to the piston 12b, so that the finned disc 28 22b comes into contact with the corresponding surface of the piston 12b just before the rotating drive disc 29 is unclipped. Preferably, the finned mixing disc 28 22b can be housed in a recess made in the wall of the piston 12b at the level of its upper surface.

[0042] Furthermore, regardless of the piston design, the bottom of the container 11 has notches 11a for engaging with corresponding stops on the base 25. This prevents the container 11 from rotating during the rotation of the piston 12a or the mixing disc 28, ensuring that only the latter or the piston 12a rotates. Finally, the shape and position of the fins 22a of the piston 12a, or alternatively the fins 22b of the mixing disc 28, preferentially allow for the formation of an emulsion from the oil phase originating in the oil capsule 7 and the water from the corresponding water compartment. In the following description, the term "emulsion" will be used, but any other type of simpler cosmetic product, such as a gel or lotion, can be produced using the mixing system.

[0043] The cosmetic oil contained in the corresponding capsule 7 is in a solid state. Therefore, to prepare the mixture of water and cosmetic oil, it is necessary to melt this oil and bring it to a temperature of around 75°C. A heating element 19 is integrated into compartment 5 of the movable tray 4 of the cosmetic oil capsule 7. This heating element 19 is in the form of a tubular ring and is designed to surround the cylindrical wall of the cosmetic oil capsule. Preferably, this heating element 19 comprises an elastic material so that the element 19 exerts pressure on the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule 7 when the latter is housed in its corresponding compartment 5. Furthermore, as shown in particular in figure 1, a water heating means 20 controlled by the control means of the mixing system is integrated into the mixing system and connected to the water pump 2 of the mixing system and to the water supply line 3. This heating means 20 is preferably an internal electric resistance heating block.

[0044] It is preferable to first prepare an emulsion of hot water and cosmetic oil in container 11 and then cool this emulsion. To do this, the mixing system includes a hollow cooling water circulation block 17 partially surrounding container 11. The water inlet and outlet of this block 17 are connected to the second water compartment of reservoir 1 by another pump 18 to ensure the cooling of the emulsion in container 11. Since the quantity of emulsion to be cooled is negligible compared to the quantity of water in compartment 28, the circulation of the cooling water in a closed loop is sufficient without risk of the water overheating.At the end of this cooling process, the active ingredient and cosmetic fragrance are added to the emulsion to form the cosmetic product, by successive forced expulsion of the contents of these capsules through the orifices of the corresponding compartments of the moving tray into the container.

[0045] The mixing system includes a solenoid valve 15, controlled by the control means and positioned between the water pump 2 and the internal electric heating element 20, to control the water circulation in the container 11. To enable connections, the inlet and outlet of the solenoid valve are connected, respectively, to the outlet of the water pump 2 of the mixing system and to the inlet of the heating element 20 via flexible or rigid pipes 16. It is also possible to position the solenoid valve elsewhere in the system, for example, between the heating element 20 and the inlet of the water supply line. Furthermore, all connections are made using such flexible or rigid pipes 16, for example, made of polyvinyl chloride.

[0046] The mixing system also includes a flow meter 21 connected to the outlet of the water pump 2 of the mixing system. As will be seen below, the data from the flow meter 21 is used by the control means to deliver the necessary and sufficient volume of water through the water supply line 3 for the production of the cosmetic product.

[0047] A process for manufacturing a cosmetic product using a mixing system as described previously will now be described.

[0048] First, the user lowers the base 25, if it is not already in that position, and clips the mixing element 12 onto the teeth of the toothed ring 23, 37. Next, the user clips the container 11 over the piston 12a, 12b, with the piston 12a, 12b then positioned inside the container 11. The user can then raise the base 25 to the upper position, with the top of the bottle positioned directly below the movable platform 4. It is also possible to clip the container 11 onto the base 25 while it is in the upper position, provided the height of the container 11 allows it. The user then switches on the mixing system and initiates, for example by pressing a dedicated button, a cosmetic product manufacturing program stored in a memory location of the mixing system's control unit. This program is executed by the control unit to carry out the cosmetic product manufacturing process.

[0049] During the first step of the process, the control means drives the rotation of the movable platform 4 so that the compartment 5 of the movable platform 4, intended to receive the capsule of cosmetic fat 7, is accessible to the user so that he can place a capsule of cosmetic fat 7 in it. Indeed, the second support 27 has an opening 38 notched in the wall of the second support 27 from the edge of this wall and allowing successive access to each compartment 5, 6, 10 of the movable platform 4.After a predetermined time, or alternatively when detection means 40 of the mixing system attached to the second support 27 detect the presence of the cosmetic fat capsule 7, the control means drives the rotation of the movable plate 4 so that the compartment 6 of the movable plate 4, intended to receive the cosmetic active ingredient capsule 8, is opposite the opening 38 of the second support 27 so that it is accessible to the user so that they can place a cosmetic active ingredient capsule 8 in it. If necessary, after detection of this capsule 8 or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control means drives the rotation of the movable plate 4 so that the compartment 10 of the movable plate 4, intended to receive the cosmetic perfume capsule, is accessible to the user so that they can place a cosmetic perfume capsule in it.Alternatively, the user can control the rotation of the moving tray 4, for example by pressing a button on the mixing system provided for this purpose, to successively introduce the capsules 7, 8 into their corresponding compartment 5, 6, 10.

[0050] Preferably, the cosmetic capsules 7, 8 comprise a circular frangible membrane 36 sealing the opening of the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule located opposite the orifice 33 of the base wall 31 of the capsule 7, 8. Each frangible membrane 36 may include a barcode or other means of identification capable of being read by the detection means 40 of the mixing system, in order to determine, in particular, the type of fat, the type of active ingredient, or the type of cosmetic fragrance. To facilitate the bonding of this frangible membrane 36, the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule 7, 8 may include, at its opening opposite the orifice 33 of the base wall 31, a folded edge to which the membrane 36 is bonded.

[0051] After reading the barcode printed on the frangible membrane 36 of the cosmetic fat capsule 7, and during the second step of the process, the mixing system controls the power supply to the heating element 19 located in the compartment 5 in which the cosmetic fat capsule 7 is housed, so as to melt the cosmetic fat. Simultaneously, the control means controls the power supply to the electric heating element of the heating block 20 in order to subsequently heat the water that will be supplied to the block 20 to a temperature of approximately 90°C. The barcode of the capsule 7, 8 also allows the mixing system to calculate the volume of water required for the production of the final product in the container 11.

[0052] Alternatively, if the detection means detect that capsule 7 contains a texturizing agent that does not require heating, then neither the water nor capsule 7 is heated, because the control means will not supply energy to the electrical resistance of the heating block 20 and the heating means 19 of capsule 7. Thus, the second step of the process is avoided.

[0053] The pilot control means, during the third step of the process, rotates the movable plate 4 so that the outlet 13a of the funnel-shaped compartment 13 is opposite the container 11 and the outlet of the water supply line 3 respectively. The pilot control means then opens the solenoid valve 15 and starts the water pump 2 so that a determined volume of hot water calculated from the data of the flow meter 21 passes through the heating block 20 to be heated to 90°C. As soon as the water temperature in the heating unit reaches 90°C, the water flows into the container 11, via the water supply pipe 3. Once this volume of hot water has flowed into the container 11, the control means controls the closing of the solenoid valve 15 and the water pump 2, and stops the power supply to the heating element of the water heating unit 20.

[0054] In the alternative where capsules 7 and 8 do not include barcodes, the user selects, via an interface within the mixing system, whether heating the texturizing agent capsule 7 and water is necessary, and the volume of water required to prepare the cosmetic product. For example, the mixing system may include a means for selecting a "hot" manufacturing process, a means for selecting a "cold" manufacturing process, and a slider for adjusting the required water volume.

[0055] In the fourth step of the process, the control means drives the rotation of the movable plate 4 so that the outlet 5a of the compartment 5, in which the grease capsule 7 is housed, is opposite the container 11, and the piston-forming wall 32 of the capsule 7, or more precisely the frangible membrane 36 covering the opening of the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule 7, is opposite the movable rod 9b of the pressure expulsion means 9. Then, the motor 9a of the pressure expulsion means 9 is activated by the control means to move the movable rod 9b vertically towards the piston-forming wall 32 of the capsule 7. The movable rod 9b then tears the frangible membrane 36 and comes to rest against the piston 32, exerting pressure on the latter to cause the frangible seal 35 of the bottom wall 31 to be pierced and the cosmetic grease to be forced out. from capsule 7 into container 11.Once the piston-forming wall 32 touches the bottom wall 31 of the capsule 7, the control means drives the upward movement of the movable rod 9b via the corresponding motor 9a. Simultaneously, or preferably just before the expulsion of the cosmetic fat from the corresponding capsule 7, the control means energizes the motor connected to the toothed wheel 23, 37 to drive the latter in rotation and consequently drive the piston 12a and / or the fins 22a, 22b of the mixing device 12 in rotation to create the emulsion from the melted cosmetic fat and the hot water contained in the container 11.

[0056] After a given time, the water pump 18 connected to the second water compartment of the tank 1 and to the cooling water circulation block 17 is switched on for a given time to cool the emulsion in the container 11 during the fifth step of the process.

[0057] Once the cooling time has elapsed and the emulsion has reached a temperature of around 40°C, the sixth step of the process is implemented: the control means optionally stops the water pump 18 connected to the cooling water circulation block 17 and controls the rotation of the movable platform 4 so that the outlet 6a of the compartment 6 in which the active ingredient capsule 8 is housed is opposite the container 11, and that the piston-forming wall 32 of the capsule 8, or more precisely the frangible membrane 36 covering the opening of the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule 8, is opposite the movable rod 9b of the pressure expulsion means 9. Then, the motor 9a of the pressure expulsion means 9 is started by the control means to move the movable rod 9b vertically towards the piston-forming wall 32 of the capsule 8.The movable rod 9b then tears the frangible membrane 36 and presses against the piston 32, exerting pressure on the latter to cause the frangible seal 35 in the bottom wall 31 to be pierced, forcing the cosmetic active ingredient from the capsule 8 into the container 11. Once the piston wall 32 touches the bottom wall 31 of the capsule 8, the control means drives the upward movement of the movable rod 9b via the corresponding motor 9a. The electric motor that drives the piston 12a and the vanes 22a, or alternatively the mixing disc 28 and the vanes 23b of the rotating mixing element 12, remains powered, allowing the cosmetic active ingredient to be incorporated into the emulsion.

[0058] Optionally, if the user initially selected an advanced program for the mixing system, the rotating plate 4 is driven by the corresponding motor to allow the user access to the compartment 6 for holding an active ingredient capsule 8. The user can then remove the used active ingredient capsule 8 and insert a new one. The sixth step is then repeated, so that the final cosmetic product contains two cosmetic active ingredients with different and / or complementary properties. Alternatively, the sixth step is repeated after the seventh step, which will be described below, that is, after the cosmetic fragrance has been introduced into the container 11.

[0059] In the seventh step of the process, the control means drives the rotation of the movable platform 4 so that the outlet of the compartment 10, in which the perfume capsule is housed, is opposite the container 11, and the piston wall 32 of the capsule, or more precisely the frangible membrane 36 covering the opening of the cylindrical wall 30 of the capsule, is opposite the movable rod 9b of the pressure expulsion means 9. Then, the motor of the pressure expulsion means 9 is activated by the control means to move the movable rod 9b vertically towards the piston wall 32 of the capsule. The movable rod 9b then tears the frangible membrane 36 and comes to rest against the piston 32, exerting pressure on the latter to cause the frangible seal 35 of the bottom wall 31 to be pierced and the cosmetic perfume to flow out of the capsule into the container 11.Once the piston-forming wall 32 touches the bottom wall 31 of the capsule, the control means drives the upward movement of the movable rod 9b via the corresponding motor 9a. The electric motor which drives the piston 12a and the fins 22a or alternatively the mixing disc 28 and the fins 23b of the rotating mixing element 12 remains powered, allowing the incorporation of the cosmetic perfume into the emulsion.

[0060] Alternatively, if no perfume capsule is detected in the corresponding compartment 10, the seventh step of the process does not take place.

[0061] During the eighth step of the process, the control means de-energizes the motor intended to drive the toothed ring 23, 37, thereby stopping the piston 12a and / or the vanes 22a, 22b of the mixing element 12, when the cosmetic product reaches a temperature below 35°C, or even 30°C, or after a predetermined time. The user can then retrieve the container 11 with the piston 12a, 12b, which acts as a bottom wall. A lid can be placed over the opening of the container 11 to protect the cosmetic product from air and preserve it. More specifically, the user lowers the base 25, clips the lid onto the container 11, and unclips the container 11 from the toothed ring 23, 37.

[0062] Advantageously, the user can use the container 11, removed from the mixing system and filled with the cosmetic product prepared using the mixing system, as a storage and dispensing bottle for the cosmetic product. To achieve this, a head closes the opening of the container 11 opposite the piston 12a, 12b. This head includes a pump for dispensing the cosmetic product, equipped with a manually operated trigger. Furthermore, the head includes a rigid tube that is immersed in the cosmetic product. This pump-dispensing head with trigger is well known to those skilled in the art and is found, for example, on some cosmetic cream bottles. Thus, when the user presses the trigger, a volume of cosmetic product is dispensed from the outlet of the head.When the user releases the trigger, a vacuum is created in container 11, causing the piston 12a, 12b within container 11 to move towards the head, filling the dispensed volume with cosmetic product. The free end of the rigid tube attached to the head will therefore always be immersed in the cosmetic product.

[0063] The configuration of the mixing system of the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the figures. It has been given only by way of non-limiting example. Numerous modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the container 11 of the mixing device may be non-removable, and the mixing element 12 may then comprise a propeller mounted at the bottom of the container 11 on an axis coaxial with it. This axis is mounted in the bottom wall of the container 11 and may be driven by an electric motor mounted in the mixing system and controlled by the control means of the mixing system. Furthermore, in order to collect the prepared cosmetic product in a storage bottle, the container 11 includes a timed valve in its bottom wall to allow the emulsion to flow by gravity.Alternatively, this valve can be operated manually, and the cosmetic product flows by gravity into the bottle if it is relatively fluid, or by overpressure applied to the container 11 by a suitable hydraulic or pneumatic system if the product is too thick or viscous. Finally, a cooling block 17 without water circulation could be used; this block 17, containing a cold accumulator liquid, would be placed in the freezer before use of the mixing system. In this case, the liquid reservoir 1 has a single compartment, and the second water pump 18 is not required. Finally, the water heating block 20 could be replaced by an electric heating element housed in the funnel-shaped compartment 13, so as to heat the water flowing into the funnel-shaped compartment 13 directly within it.

Claims

1. A mixing system for manufacturing a cosmetic product comprising: - a fluid reservoir (1), in particular for water; - a fluid pump (2) connected between an outlet of the fluid reservoir (1) and the inlet of a fluid supply line (3); - a movable plate (4) controlled to rotate around a vertical axis (14a) and comprising a compartment (6) adapted to hold a capsule (8) containing a cosmetic active ingredient, the mixing system further comprising pressure expulsion means (9) the contents of the capsule (8) from its corresponding compartment (6) in which it is housed; the movable plate (4) comprising a second compartment (5) adapted to contain a second capsule (7) containing a cosmetic texturing agent, the pressure expulsion means (9) being capable of expelling by pressure the contents of the capsule (7) of texturing agent out of its compartment (5) in which it is housed, - and the mixing system further comprising a mixing device comprising, on the one hand, a container (11) disposed under the movable plate (4) controlled to position above the container (11) the compartment (5) containing the texturizing agent capsule (7) and the compartment containing the active ingredient capsule in order to receive the texturizing agent and the active ingredient expelled from their respective compartments (5, 6), the container (11) being in fluid communication with the outlet of the fluid supply line (3) to introduce fluid into the container (11), in particular after expulsion of the texturizing agent into the container (11), to produce a cosmetic product from the fatty phase coming from the second capsule, and, on the other hand, a mixing member (12) housed in the container (11) and capable of creating the cosmetic product in this container from the mixture of fluid, cosmetic texturing agent, and cosmetic active ingredient contained in the container (11), by incorporating the cosmetic active ingredient.

2. The mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing member (12) is a propeller mounted at the bottom of the container on an axis coaxial with the latter, passing through the bottom wall of the container and capable of being driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor, mounted in the mixing system.

3. The mixing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the container comprises a timed flap opening in its bottom wall to allow the hot cosmetic product to flow into a storage bottle for the cosmetic product.

4. The mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (11) is a removable cylindrical tube closed by a bottom wall to allow storage of the cosmetic product for later use and disposed below the two compartments (5, 6) of the movable plate (4).

5. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable plate (4) comprises a third compartment (10) that can be brought above the container (11) and adapted to comprise a third capsule containing a cosmetic fragrance intended to be incorporated into the composition of the cosmetic product.

6. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable plate (4) comprises a funnel-shaped compartment (13) that can be brought above the container (11) to place the outlet of the fluid supply pipe (3) and the container (11) in fluid communication.

7. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each capsule (7, 8) comprises a cylindrical wall (30), a bottom wall (31) with a central opening (33) closed by a breakable seal (35), and a piston wall (32) housed in the cylindrical wall (30) with the texturing agent or corresponding active ingredient contained between the bottom wall (31) and the piston wall (32), and in that the pressure expulsion means (9) comprise a rod that can be moved in translation (9b) by means of a motor, in particular an electric motor (9a) mounted in the mixing system, capable of exerting pressure on the piston wall (32) of each capsule (7, 8) housed in its compartment (5, 6, 10) of the movable plate (4), causing the piercing of the seal (35) of the bottom wall (31) of the capsule and the forced flow of its contents out of the capsule into the container (11) located under the outlet (5a, 6a, 10a) of the corresponding compartment (5, 6, 10).

8. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the movable plate (4) is rotationally controlled by means of a motor, in particular an electric motor (14) mounted in the mixing system, so that the pressure expulsion means (9) can cause the successive forced flow of the contents of each capsule (7, 8) housed in its corresponding compartment (5, 6, 10) of the movable plate.

9. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a hollow block with cooling fluid circulation (17) surrounding at least part of the container (11), and the fluid inlet and outlet of this cooling block (17) are connected to the fluid reservoir (1) by another pump (18) to ensure the cooling of the mixture contained in the container (11).

10. The mixing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the fluid reservoir (1) comprises two compartments separated by an internal wall, one of the compartments being connected to the fluid pump (2) of the mixing system and the other compartment being connected to the cooling block (17) via the other pump (18).

11. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises an electrical resistance block (20) interposed between the fluid pump (2) of the mixing system and the fluid supply line (3) and intended to heat the fluid, and in that it comprises a heating means (19) disposed in the compartment adapted to receive the texturizing agent capsule (7), this heating means (19) surrounding the cosmetic texturing agent capsule (7) housed in the corresponding compartment (5) to melt the texturing agent contained in the capsule before the texturing agent is expelled by pressure into the container (11) by the pressure expulsion means (9).

12. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a solenoid valve (15) disposed in the fluid supply line (3) to control the flow of fluid into the container (11).

13. The mixing system according to claim 12 when considered in combination with claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a flow meter (21) connected to the fluid pump (2) of the mixing system and in that it comprises a control means capable, when the movable plate (4) is positioned so that the funnel-shaped compartment (13) places the outlet of the fluid supply pipe (3) and the container (11) in fluid communication, to open the solenoid valve (15) to ensure the circulation for a given time interval of a determined volume of fluid in the container (11) and calculated from the data from the flow meter (21).

14. The mixing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the mixing member (12) comprises a piston (12a) forming the bottom wall of the container and a plurality of radial fins (22a) integral with the piston and projecting from the upper face of the piston (12a) which is capable of being driven in rotation with the fins (22a), when the removable container (11) is mounted on the mixing system, by a toothed ring (23) mounted in a support base (25) of the container (11) coaxially with the latter and whose axial teeth (24a) located on the same side are coupled to the piston (12a), which toothed ring (23) can be driven in rotation by an electric motor of the mixing system.

15. The mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the mixing member (12) of the mixing device allows an emulsion to be produced from fluid from the reservoir (1), melted cosmetic texturing agent and cosmetic active ingredient from the two compartments (5, 6) of the movable plate (4), and, where applicable, cosmetic fragrance from the third compartment (10) of the movable plate (4) to produce the cosmetic product.

16. Use of a mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 with two capsules (7, 8) each comprising a cosmetic compound and intended for use with the mixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to produce a cosmetic product, the capsule comprising a cylindrical wall (30), a bottom wall (31) with a central opening (33) closed by a breakable seal (35), and a piston wall (32) housed in the cylindrical wall (30) with the cosmetic compound contained between the bottom wall (31) and the piston wall (32), and comprising respectively a cosmetic texturing agent and a cosmetic active ingredient to produce a cosmetic product.

17. The use of a mixing system according to claim 16 with a third capsule containing a cosmetic fragrance.

18. The use of a mixing system according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterized in that the bottom wall (31) of the capsule and the surface of the piston wall (32) opposite the bottom wall (31) of the capsule have substantially complementary truncated conical shapes.

19. The use of a mixing system according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the bottom wall (31) of the capsule comprises a tubular ring (34) with a circular cross-section projecting coaxially from the opening (33) in the bottom wall (31) to the outside of the capsule (7, 8).

20. The use of a mixing system according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the opening in the cylindrical wall (30) of the capsule opposite the opening (33) in the bottom wall (31) is sealed by a circular, breakable membrane (36).

21. The use of a mixing system according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that a bottle for storing and dispensing a cosmetic product is made using the mixing system, the container (11) being removed from the mixing system and filled with the cosmetic product produced, and a head closing the opening of the container (11) opposite the piston (12a, 12b) and comprising a pump for dispensing the cosmetic product and a manually operable trigger for dispensing a volume of cosmetic product from the head when the trigger is pressed and creating a vacuum in the container causing the piston (12a, 12b) in the container to move towards the head to fill the volume of cosmetic product dispensed.

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