Method for the production of a cosmetic product and machine for the manufacture of said cosmetic product

Abstract

A method for the production of a cosmetic product, comprising: providing a core (10) made with at least a first material (M1), said core (10) having: a main body (11) with a longitudinal axis (X); one or more expansions (12), extending from the main body (11) away from said longitudinal axis (X), wherein each of said one or more expansions (12) has a radially outer face (13); providing a first mold (20); inserting said core (10) into said first mold (20), so that a side wall (21) of said first mold (20) sealingly adheres against the radially outer face (13) of said one or more expansions (12); casting into said first mold (20) at least a second material (M2), different from said at least one first material (Ml), so that said second material (M2) surrounds said main body (11); waiting for and / or promoting a substantial solidification of said second material (M2), thus obtaining a cosmetic product (30), formed from said at least one first material (M1) and said at least one second material (M2); removing the cosmetic product (30) from said first mold (20).

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A COSMETIC PRODUCT AND MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SAID COSMETIC PRODUCT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for the production of a cosmetic product.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a cosmetic product made by the aforementioned method.

[0005] The present invention further relates to a machine for the manufacture of the aforementioned cosmetic product.

[0006] As is known, cosmetic products, in particular those of the stick type, are usually made by casting at least one formulation, in liquid form, into a mold and subsequently causing said formulation to solidify.

[0007] The mold (made of metallic or silicone material) has a cavity of a specific shape, so that the stick then has the desired conformation.

[0008] The Applicant observes that the market in this sector is in continuous evolution, and in particular in search of new, ever more innovative and attractive solutions.

[0009] The Applicant has in the past already developed particular products, as well as related production techniques, such as those described in Italian patents no. 102022000008141, 102022000008135, and 102022000008132.

[0010] While satisfied with the results obtained, the Applicant perceived that further improvements could be made, and has set the objective of expanding the range of achievable products, by developing production techniques capable of conferring unique and characteristic structures / appearances to the products themselves.

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect, the invention concerns a method for the production of a cosmetic product.

[0012] Preferably, said method comprises providing a core.Preferably, said core is made with at least a first material. Preferably, said core has a main body.

[0013] Preferably, said main body has a longitudinal axis.

[0014] Preferably, said core has one or more expansions.

[0015] Preferably, said one or more expansions extend from said main body. Preferably, said one or more expansions extend away from said longitudinal axis.

[0016] Preferably, each of said one or more expansions has a radially outer face.

[0017] Preferably, said method comprises providing a first mold.

[0018] Preferably, said method comprises inserting said core into said first mold.

[0019] Preferably, a side wall of said first mold sealingly adheres against the radially outer face of said one or more radial expansions.

[0020] Preferably, said method comprises casting at least a second material into said first mold.

[0021] Preferably, said at least one second material is different from said at least one first material.

[0022] Preferably, said second material surrounds said main body.

[0023] Preferably, said method comprises waiting for a substantial solidification of said second material.

[0024] Preferably, said method comprises promoting a substantial solidification of said second material.

[0025] Preferably, a cosmetic product is obtained, formed from said at least one first material and from said at least one second material.

[0026] Preferably, said method comprises removing the cosmetic product from said first mold.

[0027] In accordance with a second aspect, the invention concerns a cosmetic product.

[0028] Preferably, said cosmetic product is made by the method accordingto the aforementioned first aspect.

[0029] In accordance with a third aspect, the invention concerns a machine for the production of a cosmetic product.

[0030] Preferably, said machine comprises a first mold.

[0031] Preferably, said first mold comprises a side wall.

[0032] Preferably, said machine comprises a positioning member.

[0033] Preferably, said positioning member is configured to insert a core into said first mold.

[0034] Preferably, said core is made with at least a first material.

[0035] Preferably, said core has a main body.

[0036] Preferably, said main body has a longitudinal axis.

[0037] Preferably, said core has one or more expansions.

[0038] Preferably, said one or more radial expansions extend from said main body.

[0039] Preferably, said one or more expansions extend away from said longitudinal axis.

[0040] Preferably, each of said one or more expansions has a radially outer face.

[0041] Preferably, said core is inserted into said first mold so that a side wall of said first mold sealingly adheres against the radially outer face of said one or more expansions.

[0042] Preferably, the side wall of the first mold is shaped to cooperate with the radially outer face of said one or more expansions.

[0043] Preferably, the side wall of the first mold is shaped to sealingly adhere to the radially outer face of said one or more expansions when the core is inserted into said first mold.

[0044] Preferably, the side wall of the first mold is shaped to define a barrier that prevents a cast material from covering the radially outer face of said one or more expansions.

[0045] Preferably, said machine comprises a dispensing member.Preferably, said dispensing member is configured to cast at least a second material into said first mold.

[0046] Preferably said at least one second material is different from said at least one first material.

[0047] Preferably, said second material surrounds said main body.

[0048] Preferably, said positioning member is configured to remove, from said first mold, the cosmetic product formed from said at least one first material and said at least one second material.

[0049] In one or more of the aforementioned aspects, the invention may comprise one or more of the following preferred features.

[0050] Preferably, said first mold is deformable.

[0051] Preferably, to remove the cosmetic product from said first mold, the first mold is radially expanded.

[0052] Preferably, said first mold is housed in a sealed chamber.

[0053] Preferably, said sealed chamber defines a sealed environment.

[0054] Preferably, said sealed environment faces the radially outer surface of the side wall of said first mold.

[0055] Preferably, to radially expand said first mold, a vacuum is created in said sealed environment.

[0056] Preferably, said at least one second material has different visual characteristics compared to said at least one first material.

[0057] Preferably, to make said core, a second mold is provided.

[0058] Preferably, said second mold defines a main cavity, in particular of a substantially cylindrical conformation.

[0059] Preferably, said main cavity is provided with one or more radial recesses.

[0060] Preferably, to make said core, it is provided to cast said at least one first material into said second mold.

[0061] Preferably, to make said core, it is provided to wait for a substantial solidification of said at least one first material.Preferably, to make said core, it is provided to promote a substantial solidification of said at least one first material.

[0062] Preferably, it is provided to obtain said core.

[0063] Preferably, said method comprises extracting said core from said second mold.

[0064] Preferably, said core is made with said at least one first material and at least one additional material.

[0065] Preferably, said at least one additional material is different from said at least one first material.

[0066] Preferably, to make said core, a nucleus is provided.

[0067] Preferably, said nucleus is substantially elongated in shape, in particular substantially cylindrical in shape.

[0068] Preferably, said nucleus is made of said at least one additional material.

[0069] Preferably, to make said core, it is provided to position said nucleus in said second mold.

[0070] Preferably, said nucleus is positioned in said second mold before casting said at least one first material.

[0071] Preferably, the step of casting said at least one first material into the second mold is performed so as to surround said nucleus.

[0072] Preferably, the step of casting said at least one first material into the second mold is performed so as to fill the part of the main cavity not occupied by the nucleus with said at least one first material.

[0073] Preferably, the step of casting said at least one first material into the second mold is performed so as to fill the radial recesses with said at least one first material.

[0074] Preferably, said second mold is deformable.

[0075] Preferably, to remove the core from said second mold, the second mold is radially expanded.

[0076] Preferably, said machine comprises a sealed chamber.Preferably, said sealed chamber defines a sealed environment.

[0077] Preferably, said machine comprises a pneumatic system.

[0078] Preferably, said pneumatic system is configured to regulate a pressure in said sealed environment.

[0079] Preferably, said first mold is deformable.

[0080] Preferably, said first mold is housed in said sealed chamber.

[0081] Preferably, the radially outer surface of the side wall faces said sealed environment.

[0082] Preferably, said machine comprises a control unit.

[0083] Preferably, said control unit is configured to activate said pneumatic system and create a vacuum in said sealed environment.

[0084] Preferably, said vacuum in the sealed environment causes a radial expansion of said first mold.

[0085] Preferably, the radial expansion of said first mold allows the insertion of said core.

[0086] Preferably, said control unit is configured to regulate / deactivate said pneumatic system, causing a radial contraction of said first mold and its sealing adhesion of the side surface onto the radially outer face of said expansions.

[0087] Preferably, said control unit is configured to activate said pneumatic system, causing a radial expansion of said first mold to allow the removal of the cosmetic product.

[0088] Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred and non-exclusive embodiment of the invention. This description is provided below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are also for purely illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0089] - figures 1-9 schematically show a series of steps for the manufacture of the cosmetic product according to the invention;

[0090] - figures 10-14 schematically show a series of steps that can beperformed in preparation for the steps of figures 1-9;

[0091] - figures 15, 16a-16b show possible conformations of cosmetic products obtainable through the invention;

[0092] - figures 17a-17e show a possible embodiment of a cosmetic product in accordance with the invention, together with some production steps;

[0093] - figure 18 schematically shows a machine according to the present invention;

[0094] - figure 19 schematically shows a plan view of some elements of the machine of figure 18;

[0095] - figure 20 schematically shows a side view of a further element of the machine of figure 18;

[0096] - figure 21 schematically shows an operational phase of the machine of figure 18;

[0097] - figure 22 schematically shows a possible alternative to the structure of figure 19.

[0098] As a preliminary matter, the Applicant observes that the expression "cosmetic product" is intended to indicate a product belonging to at least one of the following categories:

[0099] make-up (typically, products consisting of colored substances applied to the skin);

[0100] skin care (typically, products for skin care that do not cause significant variations in terms of coloration);

[0101] toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, deodorants, soaps, etc.);

[0102] hair care not directly aimed at cleaning (products for dyes, perms, etc.);

[0103] perfumery (in particular, fragrant substances applied by contact and not by nebulization).

[0104] The present invention, in particular, concerns a cast cosmetic product, i.e., made by casting one or more materials, in liquid form, intoone or more respective molds, and then causing said material / s to solidify. The materials that will be mentioned (e.g., first material Ml, second material M2, additional material M3) are therefore materials constituted by formulations that are capable of performing the functions foreseen by the product type, such as, for example, providing color, skin or hair care, a cleansing function, etc.

[0105] As will be clearer below, the present invention concerns an innovative cosmetic product 30, as well as a method and a machine for making it.

[0106] From the method's point of view, a core 10 is initially provided (figure 1).

[0107] The core 10 is made with at least a first material Ml; however, it is not excluded that two or more materials may be used for the realization of the core 10. An example, non-limiting, will be provided later, in which two materials are used. In general terms, for simplicity of explanation, reference is therefore made to at least one first material Ml.

[0108] The core 10 has a main body 11, having a longitudinal axis X.

[0109] For example, the main body 11 can have a substantially elongated conformation (e.g., cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, fantasy, etc.) along the longitudinal axis X.

[0110] The core 10 also has one or more expansions 12, which extend from the main body 11, away from the longitudinal axis X.

[0111] The expansions 12 can extend, for example, radially from the main body 11.

[0112] Each of the expansions 12 has a radially outer face 13; the radially outer face 13, in practice, is defined by the surface of an expansion 12, distal with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

[0113] The expansions 12 can have, in cross-section (i.e., according to a plane substantially orthogonal to a direction of departure from the longitudinal axis X), arbitrary shapes, such as for example rhomboidal, triangular, heart shapes, etc. These shapes can be the same for allexpansions 12, or one or more expansions 12 can have a different shape with respect to one or more of the other expansions 12.

[0114] Preferably, the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12 all have the same distance from the longitudinal axis X of the main body 11, particularly in the case where the longitudinal axis X is a central axis of the main body 11.

[0115] The core 10 is inserted into a first mold 20 (arrow Fl of figure 1). The first mold 20 has a substantially cylindrical conformation, with a first and a second axial end 20a, 20b, opposite each other.

[0116] Between the first and the second axial end 20a, 20b of the first mold 20, a side wall 21 of the first mold 20 itself develops.

[0117] The first axial end 20a can be flat, rounded, pointed, etc. depending on the shape to be given to the finished product.

[0118] Preferably, the first mold 20 is deformable, for example made of silicone material.

[0119] The first mold 20 has an opening 20', at the second axial end 20b, so as to allow the insertion, in a substantially axial direction, of the core 10.

[0120] Depending on the type of product to be made, the core 10 can be inserted into the first mold 20 so as to come into abutment with the first axial end 20a (figure 2), or the core 10 can be kept spaced from the first axial end 20a.

[0121] Once the core 10 is inserted into the first mold 20, the side wall 21 sealingly adheres against the radially outer face 13 of the expansions 12.

[0122] To obtain this result, the mold 20 can have an internal diameter slightly smaller than the diametrical dimension of the core 10 (i.e., the diameter of the core 10 where the expansions 12 are also considered).

[0123] By way of mere example, considering a diameter of the core 10 equal to 18mm, the internal diameter of the first mold 20 (for example, made of silicone material) could be about 17mm.

[0124] It should be noted that the difference between the overall diameterof the core 10 and the internal diameter of the first mold 20 can vary depending on the values of the diameters themselves, the type of material with which the first mold 20 is made, etc.

[0125] In order to insert the core 10 into the first mold 20, the deformability of the latter is exploited, and in particular the first mold 20 is radially expanded to a sufficient extent so as not to interfere with the expansions 12 of the core 10.

[0126] This deformation can be obtained, for example, by housing the first mold 20 in a sealed chamber 120, defining a sealed environment 121 facing the side wall 21 of the first mold 20 itself, and creating a suitable vacuum in that environment.

[0127] Figures 1 and 2 show the first mold 20 sufficiently expanded, so as to be able to accommodate the core 10. Figure 3 shows the first mold 20 returned to its natural conformation, and the side wall 21 of the first mold 20 itself adheres to the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12. Figure 4 shows an enlargement of a part of figure 3, in which the radially outer faces 13 and the side wall 21 are highlighted.

[0128] Once the core 10 is properly positioned in the first mold 20, at least a second material M2 is cast into the same first mold 20 (figure 5).

[0129] The second material M2 is different from the at least one first material Ml (with which the core 10 is made); in particular, the second material M2 has different visual characteristics compared to the first material Ml. For example, the second material M2 has a different color compared to the first material Ml. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second materials Ml, M2 is transparent or partially transparent. In the example schematized in figure 5, the second material M2 has a lighter color than the first material Ml.

[0130] The at least one second material M2 is cast into the first mold 20 so as to surround the main body 11 of the core 10.

[0131] In one embodiment, two or more materials are cast into the first mold20 (thus one or more materials in addition to the second material M2), for example in succession; when one material is sufficiently solidified, the next one is cast. In this way, a final product with substantially horizontal (or partially inclined) bands, for example of different colors, is obtained.

[0132] As mentioned, the at least one second material M2 thus surrounds the main body 11 of the core 10. Thanks to the fact that the side wall 21 of the first mold 20 sealingly adheres to the radially outer faces 13, the latter are not covered by the second material M2, and therefore remain visible, as shown for example in figure 5.

[0133] After the at least one second material M2 has solidified (following simple waiting or possibly active operations, for example cooling, to promote solidification), the cosmetic product 30 is obtained, formed from the at least one first material Ml and the at least one second material M2 (figure 2).

[0134] The cosmetic product 30 can then be removed from the first mold 20, preferably by deforming the same first mold 20 in the same way used for the insertion of the core 10 (i.e., radial expansion, for example via suction / vacuum).

[0135] More specifically, the support 14, previously used for the movement of the core 10 (arrow F2 of figure 6) is first removed; subsequently, the first mold 20 is expanded to allow the coupling of the cosmetic product 30 with a base 60 (arrow F3 of figure 7), in order to obtain the assembled product shown in figure 8. Figure 9 shows the substantially finished product, extracted from the first mold 20.

[0136] From a structural point of view, the Applicant observes that the dimensions of the cosmetic product 30 can vary depending on the product type and the function it is expected to perform.

[0137] By way of mere example, in the case of a lip product in the make-up sector, the diameter of the cosmetic product 30 can be between about 7mm and about 13mm.An exemplary embodiment provides that the first material Ml is an at least partially transparent material, and the second material M2 is opaque, or at least significantly more opaque than the first material Ml. Between the cosmetic product 30 and the base 60, an illumination device (e.g., an LED) can be mounted, possibly with a small power button available on the base 60. In this way, the light emitted by the illumination device can propagate through the main body 11 of the core 10 which, as mentioned, can be transparent or at least partially transparent, and be visible through the expansions 12, conferring a particularly effective aesthetic characterization to the product.

[0138] Figures 17a-17e show a possible embodiment of the cosmetic product 30 and the respective production steps. In particular, figure 17a shows the core 10, with its respective main body 11 and the expansion 12 equipped with the radially outer face 13; the core 10, made with the first material Ml, is associated with the support 14. In figure 17b, the core 10 is inserted into the first mold 20; for simplicity of representation, the radial expansion and subsequent contraction phase of the first mold 20 has not been shown: in figure 17b the first mold 20 adheres to the radially outer face 13 of the expansion 12. In figure 17c, the second material M2 is cast, so as to surround the main body 11 without covering the radially outer face 13. In figure 17d, the support 14 is removed, and in figure 17e the finished product 30 is shown, made with the first material Ml and the second material M2, coupled to the base 60.

[0139] Regarding the core 10, some operations are described through which it can be made.

[0140] These operations are performed before the method described above, in order to have the core 10 available for insertion into the first mold 20.

[0141] For the realization of the core 10, a second mold 40 is provided (figure 10); the second mold 40 defines a main cavity 41, for example substantially cylindrical, and one or more recesses 42, which extend from the main cavity41.

[0142] The main cavity 41 and the recesses 42 of the second mold 40 correspond, respectively, to the main body 11 and the expansions 12 of the core 10 that will be obtained at the end of this part of the process.

[0143] As shown in figure 11, the support 14 is then positioned, through which the core 10 can be extracted and moved.

[0144] Subsequently, the at least one first material Ml is cast inside the second mold (figure 12); in an exemplary embodiment where only the first material Ml is used for the realization of the core 10, the first material Ml is cast so as to completely fill the main cavity 41 and the recesses 42 of the second mold 40.

[0145] After a substantial solidification of the at least one first material Ml, the core 10 is extracted from the second mold and can be subsequently inserted into the first mold 20, to continue with the realization of the cosmetic product 30.

[0146] In one embodiment, the second mold 40 is deformable - for example, it is made of silicone material. For the extraction of the core 10, it is possible to proceed as described above regarding the first mold 20. In particular, figure 13 shows the second mold 40 subjected to radial expansion, for example by vacuum, and figure 14 shows the extraction of the core 10 from the second mold 40 itself (arrow F4).

[0147] In one embodiment, as mentioned above, the core 10 can be made with more than one material, for example with the aforementioned at least one first material Ml and an additional material M3, different from the at least one first material Ml. The additional material M3 preferably has different visual characteristics compared to the first material Ml (e.g., different color). It is foreseen that at least one of the first material Ml and the additional material M3 is transparent or partially transparent.

[0148] In an exemplary embodiment, the core 10 can comprise a nucleus 50, substantially cylindrical, made with the aforementioned additionalmaterial M3, and partially or totally covered by the first material Ml.

[0149] In particular, in accordance with the teachings of Italian patent no.102022000008135, in the name of the same Applicant, the nucleus 50 is positioned in the second mold 40, before the first material Ml is cast.

[0150] The first material Ml is then cast into the second mold 40 so as to fill, with the first material Ml itself, the part of the main cavity 41 not occupied by the nucleus 50 and the recesses 42.

[0151] In this way, the second mold 40 is substantially filled with the first material Ml and the additional material M3.

[0152] Once the first material Ml is sufficiently solidified, the core 10 can be removed from the second mold and used to complete the realization of the cosmetic product 30.

[0153] Figure 15 schematically shows a cosmetic product 30 composed of three materials: the additional material M3, used for the nucleus 50, the first material Ml, used for the remaining part of the core 10, and the second material M2, used for the radially outermost layer.

[0154] Figures 16a-16b schematically show a possible embodiment variant of the cosmetic product 30: the expansions 12 develop substantially longitudinally along the entire main body 11 (figure 16a). By keeping the core 10 at a predetermined distance from the first end 20a of the first mold 20 (i.e., avoiding pushing the core 10 into contact with such end 20a) it is possible to obtain the product represented in figure 16b.

[0155] Figure 18 schematically shows a machine 100 by which the cosmetic product 30 can be made.

[0156] The machine 100 first comprises the first mold 20.

[0157] Advantageously, the first mold 20 is housed in the sealed chamber 120 (also part of the machine 100); in particular, the radially outer surface 21' of the side wall 21 faces the sealed environment 121.

[0158] The machine 100 also comprises a pneumatic system 130, configured to regulate a pressure inside the sealed environment.The machine 100 also comprises a control unit 140, configured to activate the pneumatic system 130 and create a vacuum in the sealed environment 121. In this way, it is possible to radially expand the first mold 20 and allow the insertion of the core 10 and / or the removal of the cosmetic product 30.

[0159] The machine 100 also comprises a positioning member 110, configured to insert the core 10 into the first mold 20.

[0160] The positioning member 110 can be, for example, a robotic arm, or a simpler motorized device, pilotable between a first position, in which the core 10 is inserted into the first mold 20, and a second position, in which the core 10 is external to the first mold 20. Between the first position and the second position, a plurality of intermediate positions are defined, which the positioning member 110 assumes during the movement between the first and the second position.

[0161] To allow the positioning member 110 to move the core 10, the latter is associated with a support 14, preferably provided during the realization phase of the core 10 itself, at the rear longitudinal end of the latter (as shown, for example, in figure 11).

[0162] As mentioned, when the core 10 is to be inserted into the first mold 20, the control unit 140 activates the pneumatic system 130, so as to create a vacuum in the sealed environment 121 and cause the radial expansion of the first mold 20.

[0163] The positioning member 110, preferably upon input from the same control unit 140, then proceeds with the insertion of the core 10 into the first mold 20.

[0164] When the core 10 is in position, the control unit 140 deactivates the pneumatic circuit 130; the first mold 20 then returns to its original dimensions, so that the side wall 21 sealingly adheres to the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12.

[0165] In other words, the control unit 140 is configured to command anoperational sequence to insert the core 10 (equipped with a main body 11 and one or more expansions 12) into the first mold 20; this operational sequence comprises:

[0166] - causing a radial expansion of the first mold 20 to allow the insertion of the core 10 by the positioning member 110 without interference between the side wall 21 and the expansions 12;

[0167] - returning the first mold 20 to its original conformation (e.g., by elastic return or other type of deformation), so that its side wall 21 sealingly adheres against the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12. In summary, as also explained above, the side wall 21 of the first mold 20 is shaped to cooperate with the radially outer face 13 of the expansions 12 and to sealingly adhere to it when the core 10 is inserted into the first mold 10, so as to define a barrier that prevents a cast material from covering the radially outer face 13 of the expansions 12 themselves.

[0168] The side wall 21 of the first mold 20 has dimensions and conformation such that, when the core 10 is inserted inside it, a sealed contact is established only with the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12, leaving an annular space between the side wall 21 itself and the main body 11 of the core 10; this annular space being intended to receive the second material M2 from a dispensing member 115, described below.

[0169] The machine 100 also comprises a dispensing member 115, configured to cast the at least one second material M2 into the first mold 20. Advantageously, the dispensing member 115 (associated with a respective material reservoir) is slaved to the control unit 140, which provides for its activation after the second mold 20 has returned to its original dimensions.

[0170] The control unit 140 is also configured to command the positioning member 110 to remove the core from the second mold 20 (i.e., to move from the first position to the second position) after the at least one second material M2 has reached a sufficient level of solidification. For example, thecontrol unit 140 can perform this operation based on a preset time program. It should be noted that the machine 100 can be used, in a completely analogous manner, for the realization of the core 10, as described above.

[0171] The second mold 40 can be positioned inside the same sealed chamber 120, in which the first mold 20 is then housed, or in another sealed chamber, having the same characteristics.

[0172] Figure 19 shows a schematic plan view of some elements of the machine 100.

[0173] As can be seen, a carousel structure can be provided, in which the plates P are moved, preferably in discrete steps, in the direction indicated by the arrows A1-A2.

[0174] Each plate P has a square or rectangular plan conformation. It is not excluded, however, that it may also have different conformations.

[0175] Each plate P is equipped with a plurality of housings (e.g., four housings) to contain the molds. In the illustrated embodiment, two first molds 20 and two second molds 40 are provided.

[0176] Positions P1-P3 are transition positions, in which no particular operations may be performed.

[0177] In position P4, the support 14 is positioned and the at least one first material Ml is cast in each second mold 40, so as to realize the core 10.

[0178] In positions P5-P8, the first material Ml is cooled, and thus solidified. In position P9, the core 10 is extracted from the second mold 40 and positioned in the first mold 20. For this purpose, as mentioned above, the second mold 40 is expanded to allow the removal of the core 10, and the first mold 20 is expanded to allow an insertion of the core 10 itself. To perform this operation, it is provided to use the sealed chamber 120; more particularly, a first inverted bell-shaped structure 119' is provided (figure 20) which contains as many sealed chambers 120 as there are molds 20, 40 supported by the plate P. Note that, in figure 20, only one sealed chamber 120 has been shown for simplicity of representation. The structure119' can be positioned at position P9, below the carousel, i.e., closer to the ground and sufficiently far from the plate P so as not to interfere with the advancement of the carousel. When the first and second molds 20, 40 are to be expanded, the structure 119' is moved vertically upwards, so as to position itself in abutment against the lower surface of the plate P. Thanks to the gasket G present around the upper end of each chamber 120, a sealed coupling is created between the structure 119' and the plate P.

[0179] As described above, under the action of the pneumatic system 130, a vacuum is created around the molds 20, 40, so that the core 10 can be extracted from the second mold 40 and inserted into the first mold 20. The vacuum present in the sealed environment 121 is then deactivated, so that the first mold 20 can adhere to the radially outer faces 13 of the expansions 12. The structure 119' is moved downwards and returned to the rest position.

[0180] Positions P10-P12 are transition positions, to bring the plate P to position P13, in which the second material M2 is cast into the first mold 20.

[0181] In positions P14-P16, the second material M2 is cooled and solidified. In position P17, the support 14 is removed, and in position P18 a second inverted bell-shaped structure 119", completely analogous to the first structure 119', is used for the expansion of the first mold 20, the coupling of the finished product 30 with the base 60, and the removal of the thus obtained assembly.

[0182] At the end of this operation, the second structure 119" is returned to the rest position by vertical movement downwards. The plates P then resume the production cycle described so far from position Pl.

[0183] It should be noted that, advantageously, the number of structures 119', 119" is equal to the number of materials Ml, M2 that must be cast.

[0184] By way of example, figure 21 shows the movement of the first structure 119' towards the plate P, in position P9: the second mold 40, from which the core 10 must be removed, and the first structure 119', with thesealed environment 121, are visible, which is brought into contact with the plate P; the gasket G guarantees the seal to generate the vacuum in the environment 121 and expand the second mold 40. This also applies to the first mold 20 (or the first molds 20, if there are two or more), which must be expanded to allow the insertion of the core 10. The second structure 119', which, as mentioned, is provided at position P18, operates in a completely analogous manner.

[0185] The Applicant observes that the carousel structure schematized in figure 19 is entirely exemplary. Different structures can also be used to carry the molds from one station to the next, such as for example a rotating table structure (schematized in figure 22), a conveyor belt along which the various stations are located, etc.

[0186] The invention achieves important advantages.

[0187] First of all, thanks to the technology described and claimed herein, it is possible to realize cosmetic products having a structure that has so far been substantially impossible to obtain.

[0188] This technology is also relatively inexpensive and not very complex to apply.

[0189] Moreover, the products obtained are endowed with absolutely peculiar, attractive aesthetic and structural characteristics with a notable visual impact.

[0190] In addition to the above, the products obtained can be made with a multiplicity of different formulations, so as to have different and differentiated effects at the moment they are applied.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. A method for the production of a cosmetic product, comprising: providing a core (10) made with at least a first material (Ml), said core (10) having: a main body (11) with a longitudinal axis (X); one or more expansions (12), extending from the main body (11) away from said longitudinal axis (X), wherein each of said one or more expansions (12) has a radially outer face (13);providing a first mold (20);inserting said core (10) into said first mold (20), so that a side wall (21) of said first mold (20) sealingly adheres against the radially outer face (13) of said one or more expansions (12);casting into said first mold (20) at least a second material (M2), different from said at least one first material (Ml), so that said second material (M2) surrounds said main body (11);waiting for and / or promoting a substantial solidification of said second material (M2), thus obtaining a cosmetic product (30), formed from said at least one first material (Ml) and said at least one second material (M2); removing the cosmetic product (30) from said first mold (20).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first mold (20) is deformable and, to remove the cosmetic product (30) from said first mold (20) and / or to insert said core (10) into said first mold (20), the first mold (20) is radially expanded.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said first mold (20) is housed in a sealed chamber (120), defining a sealed environment (121) facing the radially outer surface (21') of the side wall (21) of said first mold (20), wherein, to radially expand said first mold (20), a vacuum is created in said sealed environment (121).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one second material (M2) has different visual characteristics with respect to said at least one first material (Ml).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, to make said core (10), the following steps are performed: providing a second mold (40), defining a main cavity (41) provided with one or more recesses (42); casting, into said second mold (40), said at least one first material (Ml); waiting for and / or promoting a substantial solidification of said at least one first material (Ml), thus obtaining said core (10); extracting said core (10) from said second mold (40).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said core (10) is made with said at least one first material (Ml) and at least one additional material (M3), different from said at least one first material (Ml).

7. The method according to claims 5 and 6, wherein, to make said core (10), the following additional steps are performed:providing a nucleus (50), of elongated and preferably substantially cylindrical shape, made of said at least one additional material (M3);positioning said nucleus (50) in said second mold (40), before casting said at least one first material (Ml);wherein the step of casting said at least one first material (Ml) into the second mold (40) is performed so as to surround said nucleus (50), filling with said at least one first material (Ml) the part of the main cavity (41) not occupied by the nucleus (50) and the recesses (42).

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein saidsecond mold (40) is deformable and, to remove the core (10) from said second mold (40), the second mold (40) is radially expanded.

9. A machine for the production of a cosmetic product, comprising : a first mold (20), comprising at least one side wall (21);a positioning member (110), configured to insert, into said first mold (20), a core (10) made with at least a first material (Ml), said core (10) having a main body (11) with a longitudinal axis (X); one or more expansions (12) extending from the main body (11) away from said longitudinal axis (X), wherein each of said one or more expansions (12) has a radially outer face (13); wherein the side wall (21) of the first mold (20) is shaped to cooperate with the radially outer face (13) of said one or more expansions (12) and to sealingly adhere thereto when the core (10) is inserted into said first mold (10), so as to define a barrier that prevents a cast material from covering the radially outer face (13) of said one or more expansions (12);a dispensing member (115), configured to cast into said first mold (20) at least a second material (M2), different from said at least one first material (Ml), so that said second material (M2) surrounds said main body (11);wherein said positioning member (110) is also configured to remove, from said first mold (20), the cosmetic product (30) formed from said at least one first material (Ml) and said at least one second material (M2).

10. The machine according to claim 9, comprising:a sealed chamber (120), defining a sealed environment (121);a pneumatic system (130), configured to regulate a pressure in said sealed environment (121);wherein said first mold (20) is deformable and is housed in said sealed chamber (120), so that the radially outer surface (21') of the side wall (21)faces said sealed environment (121);a control unit (140), configured to activate said pneumatic system (130) and create a vacuum in said sealed environment (121), so as to radially expand said first mold (20) and allow the introduction of said core (10).

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein said control unit (140) is configured to:regulate / deactivate said pneumatic system (130), causing a radial contraction of said first mold (20) and said sealing adhesion of the side surface (21) onto the radially outer face (13) of said expansions (12).

12. The machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said control unit (140) is configured to: activate said pneumatic system (130), causing a radial expansion of said first mold (20) to allow the removal of the cosmetic product (30).

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