Double-Layer Lipstick Mold for Wear Resistance and Vacuum Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing silicone molds for lipstick production suffer from mechanical wear and chemical degradation, necessitating frequent replacement and increasing production waste.

Innovation Solution

A double-layer mold composed of a hard inner layer and soft outer layer, made of chemically linked silicones, enhances mechanical resistance and chemical durability while allowing easy extraction of the product.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single-layer silicone mold is used, then the mold can be easily opened by vacuum creation, but the mold suffers from mechanical wear and chemical degradation after a few filling cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold opening capabilityVSAvoidmold durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into two distinct layers: an inner layer made of hard silicone for durability and resistance to chemical agents, and an outer layer made of soft silicone for flexibility and vacuum opening capability. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different silicone materials with complementary properties. The hard inner silicone provides mechanical strength and chemical resistance, while the soft outer silicone provides flexibility for vacuum opening. This composite approach allows the mold to simultaneously achieve both durability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a harder silicone material is used for the mold, then the resistance to mechanical wear and chemical agents improves, but the ability to open the mold by vacuum creation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to mechanical wear and chemical agentsVSAvoidvacuum opening capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the mold have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The inner layer uses hard silicone locally where resistance to wear and chemical agents is needed, while the outer layer uses soft silicone locally where flexibility for vacuum opening is required. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the mold is replaced frequently due to wear, then production compliance is maintained, but production waste increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction complianceVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The double-layer structure is designed in advance to prevent the wear and degradation problems that would necessitate frequent replacements. By incorporating the durable hard inner layer from the beginning, the mold is cushioned against wear and chemical damage, maintaining production compliance over an extended period without requiring frequent replacements, thus avoiding the associated waste and efficiency losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 double-layer mold design improves mechanical durability, reduces wear, and maintains product quality by minimizing the need for mold replacement, thus optimizing production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the inner layer of the mold according to the invention increases the resistance of the mold to mechanical wear, improves the heat exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

flexible enough to allow the lateral enlargement or opening of the mold by means of the creation of a vacuum for the extraction of the cosmetic product therefrom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4536460B1Double-layer mold for machines for production of lipsticks or the like, and related manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 INTERCOS SPA
  • EP4536460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4536460B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4536460B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A mold (1) for machines for production of lipsticks or similar bar-shaped cosmetic products is formed with two coaxial layers (5, 6) of different chemically linked silicones, of which an inner layer (5) of smaller thickness in hard silicone and an outer layer (6) of greater thickness in soft silicone.