Cosmetic Mixing Device with Shared Orifice and Reciprocating Pistons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices struggle to efficiently mix cosmetic components of varying viscosities and produce a homogeneous product in small quantities quickly, while also requiring extensive cleaning and having a large footprint.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with flexible receptacles and pistons driven by a motor, allowing for variable volume adjustment, combined with a system of valves for self-cleaning and a conduit connecting the receptacles, enables rapid and homogeneous mixing of cosmetic components without an additional outlet, and facilitates the production of personalized cosmetic products with a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mixing device uses multiple separate inlet and outlet orifices, then the functionality is complete, but the number of orifices to clean increases and occlusion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inlet orifice and outlet orifice into a single shared orifice structure. The first receptacle has an inlet orifice for receiving first component, and the same orifice serves as the outlet for the mixed product. This merging reduces the total number of orifices from four (inlet1, outlet1, inlet2, outlet2) to three (inlet1, inlet2, shared outlet), thereby reducing cleaning complexity and occlusion risks while maintaining complete functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared orifice structure performs multiple functions: it serves as an inlet for the first component, an inlet for the second component, and an outlet for the mixed product. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated inlet and outlet orifices for each receptacle, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining operational completeness.
2Quantity of substance
If a mixing device is designed with a large footprint, then mixing capacity is sufficient, but the device size becomes excessive for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first and second receptacles in a nested or adjacent arrangement where they share common structural elements and the shared orifice structure. The receptacles are arranged to maximize space utilization, with the mixing chamber positioned to efficiently receive components from both receptacles without requiring excessive lateral or vertical space. This nesting approach maintains sufficient mixing capacity while minimizing the overall device footprint.
3Quantity of substance
If a mixing device processes small quantities of cosmetic components, then personalized product production is enabled, but mixing time must be extremely short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mixing mechanism that uses periodic reciprocating movements to agitate and mix the cosmetic components. The mixing chamber receives first and second components alternately from the first and second receptacles through the shared orifice, creating periodic flow patterns that enhance mixing efficiency. This periodic action ensures homogeneous mixing of small quantities in under 15 seconds by creating repeated shear and diffusion zones during the reciprocating cycles.
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 device achieves a perfectly homogeneous mixture of cosmetic components in under 15 seconds, even in small quantities, with a small footprint, and allows for efficient self-cleaning without additional water pumps, while reducing the number of orifices to clean and minimizing occlusion risks.
Implementation Method 1
pistons (50) capable of being driven by opposite movements so as to transfer the contents of one of said first receptacle (52) or second receptacle (53) into the other receptacle (52 or 53)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a device 51 for mixing at least two components, characterised by the fact that the mixing device 51 comprises two containers 52 and 53 each provided with: a. at least one opening 110 connected by a conduit 55 and provided with a device allowing the available volume of the containers 52 and 53 to be varied alternately, pistons 50 that are able to be moved in opposing directions, so as to transfer the content from one of the containers 52 or 53 into the other container 52 or 53 through the openings 110 and the conduit 55; and b. at least one inlet opening X allowing the at least two components to enter; said mixing device not comprising an additional outlet opening, one of the inlet openings X allowing both at least one component to enter, and the mixture of the at least two components obtained to leave. The invention also concerns a method for mixing cosmetic components using this mixing device and a device for manufacturing and dispensing a customised cosmetic composition comprising said mixing device.