Copolyester Cosmetic Applicator Rod Assembly for Shorter Cooling Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic product application members made from plastic materials like POM are difficult to recycle and have high manufacturing costs due to the substantial cooling time of copolyesters, leading to dimensional issues and unsuitability for mass production, especially in elongated elements like rods.

Innovation Solution

Manufacture the cosmetic product application member in two parts using a semi-aromatic copolyester, such as virgin PET or recycled PET, with separate molding of the rod and rod carrier, and implement a cooling system in the molding process to reduce cycle time and ensure precise dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If copolyester material is used for molding the application member, then recyclability is improved, but manufacturing cycle time increases due to substantial cooling time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The application member is divided into two separate components: the rod and the rod carrier. Each component is molded independently using copolyester material, allowing for optimized cooling processes and shorter cycle times while maintaining recyclability. The rod is molded in a first mold and the rod carrier in a second mold, then assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If copolyester material is molded without complete cooling, then cycle time is reduced, but dimensional precision deteriorates and mechanical strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cycle timeVSAvoiddimensional specifications

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the application member into rod and rod carrier, each part can be molded with optimized cooling strategies. The rod carrier includes a mounting portion that can be molded with adequate cooling to ensure dimensional precision, while the overall manufacturing process benefits from shorter cycle times due to independent molding of smaller components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the rod is molded as an elongated element without complete cooling, then cycle time is reduced, but the rod adheres to mold walls and elongates during release, failing dimensional specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cycle timeVSAvoidrod dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rod is molded as a separate component in a dedicated mold, allowing for optimized cooling and release processes specific to the rod geometry. This prevents adhesion issues and dimensional errors that would occur if the entire application member were molded as one piece without complete cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rod is molded and cooled to appropriate dimensions before assembly with the rod carrier. This preliminary molding and cooling of the rod ensures it achieves the correct dimensions before being combined with the carrier, preventing dimensional errors during the final assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the application member is manufactured in one piece, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive materials and lengthy cycle times

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The application member is segmented into rod and rod carrier components that can be manufactured using cost-effective processes. The rod carrier includes a mounting portion with a recess that receives the rod, allowing both parts to be molded efficiently and assembled through simple snap-fit or mechanical connections, reducing overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the manufacturing parameters by using separate molding processes for the rod and rod carrier, allowing optimization of each component's manufacturing parameters. This includes selecting appropriate copolyester materials, optimizing mold temperatures and cooling rates for each component, and choosing assembly methods that minimize overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for easy recycling, reduces manufacturing costs, and ensures precise dimensional specifications while maintaining mechanical strength, making it suitable for mass production and easy assembly.

Implementation Method 1

implement a cooling system in the molding process to reduce cycle time and ensure precise dimensions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS12396543B2Cosmetic product applicator, cosmetic product packaging assembly and associated manufacturing processes

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 LOREAL SA

AI summary

A cosmetic product application member comprises:a rod carrier (40); anda rod (38) defining a first end (70) and a second end (72) that are opposite.The first end (70) of the rod (38) is intended to be assembled in the rod carrier (40). The rod (38) and the rod carrier (40) are manufactured from a plastic material composed of a copolyester, in particular a semi-aromatic copolyester.