Method for producing cosmetics containers

Abstract

Method and device for producing cosmetics containers made of plastic material with a spatially structured outer circumferential surface at least in some areas, wherein first a cosmetics container is produced by blow molding, injection molding or 3D printing and separately therefrom a die is produced which has the three-dimensional image of a surface structure to be imparted to the cosmetics container, wherein the die is used to break the surface gloss of the cosmetics container at least locally by rolling the cosmetics container and the die against each other in such a way that the die plastically deforms the surface of the cosmetics container coming into contact with it in three dimensions in such a way that its image gives the cosmetics container a surface structure which appears duller to the unarmed eye of the observer than before the cosmetics container and the die were unrolled against each other.

Description

[0001] MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0002] METHOD FOR PRODUCING COSMETICS CONTAINERS

[0003] The invention relates to a method for producing cosmetics containers according to the general term of claim 1 , and to a device for carrying out the method according to the general term of claim 10 .

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] In the packaging industry, it is often desirable to give the packaging a matt surface to create a high-quality appearance . In the cosmetics industry in particular, the marketing concept typically requires a high-quality product design . There is therefore a need to matt cosmetics containers .

[0006] STATE OF THE ART

[0007] The creation of a matt surface can be achieved using various well-known technical methods .

[0008] For example , a matt lacquer can be applied to the surface . However, this makes it considerably more di f ficult to recycle the product . The lacquer has to be laboriously removed during recycling . This is a considerable disadvantage for short-lived consumer goods such as cosmetics containers .

[0009] Furthermore , hot foil stamping for applying a decorative foil cannot be carried out directly on the surface provided with matt lacquer . Instead, an additional intermediate layer is required between the foil and the lacquer . This makes production more cost-intensive . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0010] An alternative option for matting is to introduce a fine structure into the surface , which makes the surface appear matt when viewed with the naked eye . Such a structure in the surface of the packaging is typically achieved - at least in the case of ( inj ection) molded packaging - by the casting mold having the corresponding negative to the surface structure to be produced . However, the production of such casting molds leads to a high production ef fort and correspondingly high production costs . Accordingly, the matting or production of matt containers in only small quantities using such a process is not practical . In addition, the production of the cosmetics container is limited to materials that are suitable for inj ection molding or at least for being structured within the mold cavity .

[0011] THE PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

[0012] In view of this , it is the obj ect of the invention to provide a method for producing a matting of the surface of a cosmetics container without having to apply a matt lacquer or invest in cost-intensive molds with a structured surface and with which even small quantities of such containers can be produced and / or containers can be processed accordingly that consist of materials that are not suitable for inj ection molding .

[0013] THE SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the invention, this problem is solved with the features of the main claim directed to the method .

[0015] Accordingly, the problem is solved using a method for producing cosmetics containers or container parts made of plastic - preferably thermoplastic - material with a spatially structured outer circumferential surface , at least in some MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH areas . First , a cosmetics container is produced by blow molding, inj ection molding or 3D printing . A die is produced separately therefrom . The die has the three-dimensional image of a surface structure to be imparted to the cosmetics container . The die is used to break the surface gloss of the cosmetics container, at least locally . This is done by rolling or stamping the prefabricated cosmetics container ( in its solid state ) and the heated die against each other in such a way that the die plastically deforms the surface of the cosmetics container that comes into contact with it in three dimensions . The plastic deformation takes place in such a way that the image of the die gives the cosmetics container a surface structure which appears duller to the unarmed eye of the observer than before the cosmetics container and the die were unrolled against each other .

[0016] By introducing the surface structure into the surface of the cosmetics container, the ability of the surface of the cosmetics container to reflect incident light is considerably reduced . As the structure introduced is very fine and cannot be seen or is very di f ficult to see without magni fication, such as a magni fying glass or microscope , this creates the optical impression of a smooth, matt surface .

[0017] Since the matting of the cosmetics container by such a method only takes place after the cosmetics container has been cast , the cosmetics container can be produced by a conventional manufacturing process and therefore relatively inexpensively . In particular, no complex molds with an inner surface that negatively reflects the surface structure of the cosmetics container are required .

[0018] A cosmetics container produced in this way can also be easily decorated with decorative foils using hot foil stamping . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0019] Preferably, the deformation is carried out by rolling rather than stamping because , in stamping, the area engaged with the die is larger, which increases the risk of undesired deformation of the container .

[0020] In the event that only a small section or several spaced-apart sections of the container are provided with a structured surface , a contrast is created between decorated and undecorated surfaces . While the surface sections that are plastically deformed by the die appear dull , the adj acent surface sections appear glossy .

[0021] The die is preferably made from silicone (VMQ) . Preferably with a hardness of 60- 100 Shore A, ideally 90 Shore A. In this case , the plastic deformation of the container, which leads to the creation of the matt sections , is made possible by heating the die . Such a die is capable of adapting to curvatures , manufacturing tolerances , and minor irregularities of the container surface , thereby enabling a uni form structuring of the container surface . In particular, locali zed overstressing does not occur .

[0022] The term "container parts" describes , in particular, but not exclusively, parts such as the container cap .

[0023] The "outer circumferential surface" of the cosmetics container is the surface extending along the circumferential direction of the cosmetics container . It can also be referred to as the " circumferential surface" .

[0024] The term " spatially structured" outer circumferential surface describes a surface design in which preferably regularly or otherwise randomly arranged three-dimensional elements or MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH patterns are incorporated into the surface , so that the extension of the surface in the direction orthogonal to the surface di f fers in the spatially structured surface sections from the non-spatially structured surface sections .

[0025] The term "unarmed eye of the observer" describes a viewing method in which no technical aids such as a magni fying glass or microscope are used and therefore only that which is typically recogni zed by a human eye with preferably one hundred percent or essentially one hundred percent visual performance can be seen .

[0026] ANOTHER PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

[0027] Furthermore , it is the obj ect of the invention to provide a device with which the method according to the invention can be carried out .

[0028] THE FURTHER SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0029] The above-mentioned problem is solved with a device for carrying out the method according to the invention . The device comprises a die holder, a container holder, a transversely movable mover for the container holder, as well as a feeder and a preferably adj ustable or controllable heater . The die holder is used for holding the die in position . The container holder is used to rotatably hold the container to be processed . The mover for the container holder moves in such a way that the container rolls on the die with the required pressure . The pressure with which the container rolls on the die can be set via the feeder . The heater is used for controlling the temperature of the working surface of the die . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0030] With the aid of such a device , the surface of cosmetics containers made of plastic can be provided with a surface structure leading to matting at low cost .

[0031] Tempering the working surface of the die facilitates the plastic deformation of the surface of the cosmetics container, which is required to create the surface structure .

[0032] A " rotatably hold" of the container by the container holder is given i f the container cannot be moved translationally to the die , but can rotate around its longitudinal axis .

[0033] The fact that " the container" rolls on the die does not exclude the fact that the die also rotates around its longitudinal axis .

[0034] The "working surface" of the die is the spatially structured surface or surface sections of the die .

[0035] PREFERRED DESIGN OPTIONS

[0036] There are a number of ways in which the invention can be designed to further improve its ef fectiveness or usefulness .

[0037] In many cases it is the "naked" surface of the cosmetics container or part thereof that is treated according to the invention, i . e . plastically deformed by a die . In some but preferred cases a part of a surface matted that way receives its glossier shining ( compared to its surface after application of the invention) locally back by hot foil printing onto the said surface in a subsequent step . This awards a new visual appearance . Moreover, it becomes possible for the first time to apply a hot foil printing to a matted MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH surface of a cosmetics container, manufactured from a plastic material , in particular a PP-material .

[0038] In other cases , the surface of the cosmetics container or part thereof , that is treated according to the invention, is equipped with a hot foil printing before the inventive method is applied to the said surface , in particular to the said surface carrying the hot foil print . So at least a part of the hot foil print is matted in situ . This produces a new visual appearance .

[0039] In some cases , only a partial area of the cosmetics container ( especially of its outer circumference ) is plastically deformed by the die . This is preferably a partial area on the circumferential surface of the cosmetics container which is directly adj acent to another printed partial area on the circumferential surface of the cosmetics container which is therefore not treated by the die .

[0040] In this way, a local foil print with glossy foil can be given a special radiance .

[0041] For the purpose of the invention the following definition is applicable : Hot foil printing is a decorative printing technique that enhances printed materials using foils whose coating (most preferably a metallic color ) is fully or partially trans ferred by pressure and heat onto the cosmetics container or a part thereof .

[0042] It is particularly preferred that the three-dimensional image of the die is a regularly geometric structure . However, the structure is so fine that it leaves an imprint on the cosmetics container which is not recogni zable to the unarmed MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH eye of the observer as a regular geometric structure in its entirety or at least essentially .

[0043] This reduces the ability of the surface of the cosmetics container to reflect the incident light particularly well . The matting ef fect is therefore particularly good . The regularly geometric structure can, for example , consist of a sequence of directly adj acent grooves and ridges separating them . For other embodiments of the invention a structure is used that has a geometry that does not correspond to an ordered pattern because being randomly arranged .

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment , the three-dimensional image of the die is designed in such a way that the surface of the container treated with it appears matt in such a way that it has a gloss level ( GU) of 0- 50 GU and preferable of 0-25 GU . The gloss level is preferably measured according to DIN EN ISO 2813 ( or, in rare cases analog DIN EN ISO 2813 ) . The die can be produced by electro erosion .

[0045] This degree of gloss can be achieved by awarding the structures of the die which are used to plastically deform the surface of the container a height of 1 pm to 40 pm, more preferably a height of 1 pm to 10 pm . But is has to be made sure that the depth of the plastic deformations which the die pictures onto the surface of the container, does not exceed 20 pm or, more preferably, does not exceed 50% of the height of the die ' s structures which are used to plastically deform the surface of the cosmetic container or part thereof .

[0046] Looking speci fically at PP cosmetic containers the combined table "VDI 3400 erosion structures and gloss level ( GU) for PP" is of help and applies . It can be said that the desired degree of gloss is achieved i f care is taken to ensure that MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH the surface of the cosmetic container or component thereof , produced in accordance with the invention, does not fall below a roughness of Ra 0 . 8 mm and a Rmax of 3 . 2 pm . Ideally, the surface of the cosmetics container or component thereof produced in accordance with the invention should not have a roughness of less than Ra 1 . 12 mm and an Rmax of 4 . 5 pm .

[0047] VDI 3400 erosion structures and gloss level ( GU) for PP

[0048] For other plastic materials than Polypropylen (=PP ) , the skilled person who wishes to put the invention to practice , can start from this combined table in order to modi fy the Ra and Rmax until the desired matting is achieved . The achieved GU-values of the treated surface is pretty similar comparing PP and Polyethylentereohthalat (=PET ) .

[0049] Such a degree of gloss leads to a particularly high-quality impression of the cosmetics container . At the same time , internal investigations have shown that such a degree of gloss can be produced particularly cost-ef fectively using the method according to the invention . This is due to the fact that the structure required for this in the die can be designed in such MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH a way that it is particularly durable and can process a large number of cosmetics containers before it is worn out .

[0050] The terms " circumferential surface" of the cosmetics container and "outer circumferential surface" of the cosmetics container are used synonymously .

[0051] Preferably, the die has at least one window-like recess , which rolls over the cosmetics container when the die is rolled of f relative to the cosmetics container in such a way that an area corresponding to the window-like recess remains on the cosmetics container without a surface structure produced by the die . The area is preferably island-like .

[0052] The area of the window-like recess of the die does not come into contact with the surface of the cosmetics container when the die and the cosmetics container are unrolled relative to each other . Therefore , no matting of the cosmetics container takes place in this area . Such a design is particularly advantageous for visually emphasi zing a local , island-like area of the cosmetics container .

[0053] The fact that the die and the cosmetics container are unrolled relative to one another comprises both an embodiment in which only the cosmetics container rotates and an embodiment in which the die and the cosmetics container rotate .

[0054] In another preferred embodiment , the cosmetics container rests on two rotatable rollers and is supported while it and the die are rolled against each other .

[0055] This makes it possible to structure the surface of the cosmetics container over its entire circumferential surface in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0056] Ideally, the cosmetics container is held rotatably only at its bottom and at or preferably in its bottle neck during rolling against each other between it and the die , while its circumferential surface rotates at least essentially freely . This reduces the risk of the freshly processed surface area coming into contact with any elements or rollers in the cosmetics container . This is advantageous as the freshly processed surface may otherwise be smoothed again by the rollers , which can weaken the matting ef fect .

[0057] The "bottle neck" is the section of the container that has the opening of the container . The "bottom" of the container is the section of the container opposite the opening of the container .

[0058] The fact that the cosmetics container is rotatably supported "only" at its base and at or in its bottle neck also includes an embodiment in which the transition of the surface section of the container forming the bottom and extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis is supported towards the outer circumferential surface of the container .

[0059] Preferably, the die acts on the cosmetics container with a pressure of between 0 . 3 N / mm2and 2 . 5 N / mm2and preferably with a pressure of between 0 . 5 N / mm2and 2 . 0 N / mm2.

[0060] This allows the surface of the container to be structured particularly well without putting too much strain on the container and weakening its strength .

[0061] In another preferred embodiment , the die is heated . Preferably, the die is heated to a surface temperature in the range of 100 ° C and 300 ° C on its ef fective surface . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0062] This facilitates the plastic deformation of the container, which leads to the structuring that causes the matting . At this point it has to be noti fied that also a deforming of the melted surface is a plastic deformation according to the invention .

[0063] The " ef fective surface" of the die is the spatially structured surface or surface sections of the die .

[0064] MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0065] FIGURE LIST

[0066] Fig . 1 shows a schematic front view of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention .

[0067] Fig . 2 shows a side view of the device in Fig . 1 without the die .

[0068] Fig . 3 shows a schematic cross-section of a die according to the invention .

[0069] Fig . 4 shows a cosmetics container before the method according to the invention is carried out .

[0070] Fig . 5 shows a further schematic device for carrying out the method according to the invention .

[0071] Fig . 6 shows a further schematic device for carrying out the method .

[0072] Figs . 7- 9 show various embodiments of the spatial structure of the outer circumferential surface of dies according to the invention .

[0073] MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0074] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0075] The mode of operation of the invention is explained by way of example with reference to Figs . 1- 9 .

[0076] Fig . 1 schematically shows a device 1 with which a cosmetics container 2 can be matted using the method according to the invention .

[0077] The cosmetics container 2 , which is initially still shiny, is supported on two rotatable rollers 9 . Ideally, at least one of the two rotatable rollers 9 can be driven, but it is also conceivable that the rollers 9 are only rotatable and not driven and instead the die 6 can be driven rotatably . This is disclosed independently from other features of the preferred embodiment .

[0078] The outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 is then brought into contact with the die 6 . Depending on whether the rollers 9 or the die 6 are slidably mounted, there are two possibilities for establishing this contact .

[0079] In this way, either the die 6 can be moved from above in the direction of the cosmetics container 2 . As soon as the outer circumferential surface 7 of the die 6 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 and exerts a predefined pressure on the cosmetics container 2 , the die 6 is locked in place . A translational movement of the die 6 relative to the cosmetics container 2 in the direction orthogonal to the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 is then no longer possible .

[0080] Alternatively, contact between the die 6 and the cosmetics container 2 is established by moving the rollers 9 supporting the cosmetics container 2 together with the cosmetics MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH container 2 in the direction of the die 6 until the cosmetics container 2 is pressed against the die 6 with a predefined pressure force . The rollers 9 are then locked in place .

[0081] As can be seen from the schematic sectional view of the die 6 in Fig . 3 , the die 6 has a geometric structure 8 , also known as the working surface 8 , on its outer circumferential surface 7 . The geometric structure 8 is equipped with a large number of recesses 14 . The recesses 14 are only provided with reference signs by way of example and are also only shown schematically in Fig . 3 . In particular, the depth of the individual recesses 14 in relation to the diameter of the die 6 does not necessarily correspond to the actual proportions of a die 6 according to the invention .

[0082] Pressing the cosmetics container 2 against the die 6 ( or the die 6 against the cosmetics container 2 ) causes the cosmetics container 2 to deform plastically in such a way that it adapts to the geometric structure 8 of the die 6 . This deformation of the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 results in a geometric structure being introduced into the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 , which is the counterpart to the geometric structure 8 of the die 6 .

[0083] As a result of the geometric structure thus introduced into the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 , the ability of the cosmetics container 2 to reflect the light striking the cosmetics container 2 is greatly reduced . Since the recesses 14 of the geometric structure 8 of the die 6 and, accordingly, the corresponding recesses of the geometric structure of the cosmetics container 2 have a very shallow depth of only a few micrometers or hundredths of a millimeter, they are not visible to the naked eye . Instead, MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 processed in this way appears as i f it were covered with a matt lacquer . Ideally, the recesses 14 in the die 6 have a depth of 1-40 micrometers and the recesses in the container 2 processed according to the invention have a depth of 1-20 micrometers . The recesses 14 are preferably formed by complementary structures in the die which have a depth of 1 , better 2- 40 micrometers .

[0084] The plastic deformation of the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 can be promoted by heating the working surface 8 of the die 6 .

[0085] In order to matt the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 in the manner described, the cosmetics container 2 is set in a rotational movement around its longitudinal axis while it is pressed against the die 6 . For this purpose , at least one and ideally both of the rollers 9 , which are rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes , are rotationally driven . The cosmetics container 2 then rolls with its outer circumferential surface 3 against the outer circumferential surface 7 of the die 6 . This results in the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 being plastically deformed all around .

[0086] As shown in Fig . 3 , the die 6 is flattened in the area of its working surface 8 . By pressing the cosmetics container 2 against the die 6 , not only is the outer circumferential surface 3 of the cosmetics container 2 plastically deformed, but an elastic deformation of the cosmetics container 2 also takes place , in which the cosmetics container 2 adapts to the curvature of the die 6 . The flattening of the die 6 ensures that there is as much surface contact as possible between the die 6 and the cosmetics container 2 and not j ust line contact . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0087] This facilitates or accelerates the plastic deformation of the cosmetics container 2 .

[0088] However, the flattening of the die 6 is not absolutely necessary for the method according to the invention . In addition, the flattening of the die 6 in the area of its working surface 8 shown in Fig . 3 does not correspond to the actual geometric conditions , but is merely shown schematically .

[0089] Figs . 7- 9 show various designs of the geometric structure 8 of the die 6 . The recesses 14 are only provided with reference symbols as examples . The dies 6 shown in Fig . 7- 9 can also be used for partial decoration .

[0090] In Fig . 7 , the recesses 14 are formed by straight grooves running parallel to each other .

[0091] In Fig . 8 , the geometric structure 8 consists of several individual island-like areas 15 . In each island-like area 15 , the recesses 14 are aligned in the same way . However, the recesses 14 of neighboring island-like areas 15 are aligned di f ferently . The individual areas 15 are separated by separating grooves 16 . The separating grooves 16 are approximately twice as wide as an individual recess 14 , with the same depth as the recesses 14 .

[0092] In Fig . 9 , the recesses 14 are arranged in a diamond shape .

[0093] Fig . 5 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of a device 1 for carrying out the method according to the invention . MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0094] The device 1 shown in Fig . 5 di f fers from that shown in Fig . 1 in that the cosmetics container 2 is not held by rollers , but by a container holder 10 . The container holder 10 comprises a holding mandrel 11 and a holding j aw 12 . The holding aw 12 presses from outside the container 2 against its bottom 5 . The holding force is transmitted to the container 2 via an inclined internal bevel 17 . The container 2 is prevented from translational movement along its longitudinal axis in the direction of the holding j aw 12 by the inclined internal bevel 17 . In combination with the holding mandrel 11 , the internal bevel 17 of the holding j aw 12 also prevents translational movement of the container 2 in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis . On the side facing away from the bottom 5 of the container 2 , the holding mandrel 11 protrudes into the bottle neck 4 of the container 2 . The inner edges of the bottle neck 4 rest against a holding slope 18 of the holding mandrel 11 . This prevents a translational movement of the container 2 in the direction away from the holding j aw 12 and towards the holding mandrel 11 .

[0095] As a result of static friction between the holding j aw 12 and the container 2 and / or the holding mandrel 11 and the container 2 , the container 2 can be moved rotationally about its longitudinal axis i f the holding j aw 12 and / or the holding mandrel 11 are driven rotationally accordingly .

[0096] Since a translational movement of the container 2 in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis is prevented by the container holder 10 , a contact pressure required for the plastic deformation of the outer circumferential surface 3 of the container 2 can also be built up against the die 6 in this device 1 . For this purpose , either the container holder 10 is moved in the direction towards the locked die 6 , or the MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH die 6 is moved in the direction towards the locked container holder 10.

[0097] In the device 1 shown in Fig. 10, the cosmetic container 2 is held both by rollers 9 (as in Fig. 1) and by a container holder 10 (as in Fig. 5) . This achieves very precise results.

[0098] In Fig. 4, the container 2 is shown without the device 1. The container 2 is provided with an external thread 13 on its bottle neck 4. A cap can be screwed onto this external thread 13 after the matted container 2 has been filled.

[0099] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a modification of the device 1 shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the holding mandrel 11 of the container holder 10 does not comprise a holding slope 18. In order to nevertheless prevent a translational movement of the container 2 in the direction towards the holding mandrel 11 along the longitudinal axis of the container 2, the holding mandrel 11 is pushed into the container 2 so far that it abuts against the container bottom 5.

[0100] MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH

[0101] REFERENCE LIST

[0102] 1 Device

[0103] 2 Cosmetics container

[0104] 3 Outer circumferential surface / circumferential surface of the cosmetics container

[0105] 4 Bottle neck of the cosmetics container

[0106] 5 Bottom of the cosmetics container

[0107] 6 Die

[0108] 7 Outer circumferential surface of the die

[0109] 8 Geometric structure of the die / image of the structure to be given to the cosmetics container / working surface / ef fective surface

[0110] 9 Rollers

[0111] 10 Container holder

[0112] 11 Holding mandrel

[0113] 12 Holding j aw

[0114] 13 Thread on bottle neck

[0115] 14 Recess in the geometric structure of the die

[0116] 15 I sland-like areas

[0117] 16 Separation groove

[0118] 17 Internal bevel

[0119] 18 Holding slope

Claims

Page 21 of 24MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbHCLAIMS1. Method for producing cosmetics containers (2) or container parts made of plastic material with a spatially structured outer circumferential or facial surface (3) at least in some areas, wherein first a cosmetics container (2) is produced by blow molding, injection molding or 3D printing and separately therefrom a die (6) is produced which has the three-dimensional image of a surface structure to be imparted to the cosmetics container (2) , wherein the die (6) is used to break the surface gloss of the cosmetics container (2) at least locally by rolling or stamping the cosmetics container (2) and the die (6) against each other in such a way that the die (6) plastically deforms the surface (3) of the cosmetics container (2) coming into contact with it in three dimensions in such a way that its image (8) gives the cosmetics container (2) a surface structure which appears duller to the unarmed eye of the observer than before the cosmetics container (2) and the die (6) have gotten in contact to each other.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the three- dimensional image (8) of the die (6) is a regularly geometric structure (8) which, however, is so fine that it leaves an imprint on the cosmetics container (2) which is as such not recognizable to the unarmed eye of the observer in its entirety or at least essentially as a regular geometric structure, but only as a more matted surface compared to the surface of the same container or container part that has not been treated according to the invention.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the three-dimensional image (8) of the die (6) is designed in such a way that the surface of the container (2) treatedPage 22 of 24MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH with it appears matt in such a way that it has a gloss level (GU) of 0- 50 GU, preferable 0- 25 GU, measured with a reflectometer according to DIN EN ISO 2813.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only a partial area of the cosmetics container (2) is plastically deformed by the die (6) , namely preferably a partial area on the circumferential surface (3) of the cosmetics container (2) which is directly adjacent to a printed and therefore not treated by the die (6) , other partial area on the circumferential surface (3) of the cosmetics container (2) .

5. Method according to the immediately preceding claim, characterized in that the die (6) has at least one windowlike recess which, when the die (6) is rolled off relative to the cosmetics container (2) , rolls over the cosmetics container (2) in such a way that an area corresponding to the window-like recess, preferably island-like, remains on the cosmetics container (2) without a surface structure produced by the die (6) .

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cosmetics container (2) rests on two rotatable rollers (9) and is supported while it and the die (6) are rolled against each other.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cosmetics container (2) is held rotatably only at its bottom (5) and at or preferably in its bottle neck (4) during the rolling against each other between it and the die (6) , while its circumferential surface (3) rotates at least substantially freely.Page 23 of 24MISSELHORN | mw-patent.de | 05201 EPWO for GEKA GmbH8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the die (6) acts on the cosmetics container (2) with a pressure of between 0.3 N / mm2and 2.5 N / mm2and preferably with a pressure of between 0.5 N / mm2and 2.0 N / mm2.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the die (6) is heated, preferably to a surface temperature in the range of 100°C and 300°C at its effective surface (8) .

10. Device (1) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims with a die holder for holding the die (6) in position, a container holder (10) for rotatably holding the container (2) to be processed and a transversely movable mover for the container holder (10) , which moves in such a way that the container (2) rolls on the die (6) with the required pressure, as well as a feeder which can be used to set the pressure with which the container (2) rolls on the die (6) and a preferably adjustable or controllable heater for controlling the temperature of the working surface ( 8 ) of the die ( 6 ) .

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