As indicated in the title, the object of the present invention is a fluid mixing device which, in a possible non-limiting embodiment, may be the mixture of one or more additive fluids or active fluids with a base fluid, where it is not necessary for one of the fluids to act as the base fluid, that is, there is no limitation whatsoever to the amount, proportion and nature of the fluids involved in the mixture. Among the numerous features of the device object of the invention is that of making cosmetic creams.
The present invention is comprised within a context of personalisation in all end consumer sectors, giving added value to the product that is tailored to said consumer.
In this case, the invention covers the demand for personalised cosmetic creams, creating a device which enables the personalised cosmetic treatment to be obtained instantly and at home. Furthermore, as a result of the technical solution applied, the user can modify the personalised cream each time his or her needs change.
The user chooses the characteristics of the cosmetic cream separately: moisturising level, according to the type of skin, texture and treatment, signs to be treated. This is summarised by choosing a base cream which provides moisture and texture, and active ingredients for treatment, all in 50 ml airless-type containers for the base and 5 ml for the active ingredients. These bottles are introduced in the device of the invention and by simply pushing a button, the single dose of a personalised cosmetic cream for that time is obtained.
The present invention is characterised by the special configuration and design of each of the elements that are part of the mixing device, achieving a fluid mixing device which enables the fluids to be treated independently, which in a possible embodiment could be what is referred to as base fluid and additive fluid or fluids, while, as previously stated, there is no limitation whatsoever as to the amount, functionality and nature of each fluid. The mixing device object of the invention is characterised in a very important manner with respect to that existing in the state of the art in that no traces are left when containers are interchanged, that is, it allows replacing fluids with others without having to clean the device.
Other characteristic aspects of the device are; its small size which, combined with being battery-operated, makes it readily portable and easy to handle for the user, and it presents simplicity in use, comfortably interchangeable bottles and an intuitive and clean information panel through LED lights.
Therefore, the present invention is comprised within the scope of mixing devices for mixing a series of fluids which are particularly conceived for preparing cosmetic creams.
The following mixing devices are known in the state of the art.
Patent publication US2016/0052007 A1 discloses a device which can be seen at https://www.nuskin.com/enPL/ageloc-me-landing.html, said device having aspects susceptible to improvement, such as the fact that it does not distinguish between base fluids and additive fluids so that they can be treated and supplied independently. It is an embodiment that is different both structurally and functionally from what is proposed herein.
Patent publication WO14080093, which corresponds with a device described at http://www.romy-paris.com/; in this case, the mixture is obtained from single-use capsules, and the system is different from what is proposed in the present application.
Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,372, which discloses a device for mixing and dispensing liquid compositions, including an arrangement of components that provide an efficient dispenser for home and personal use. The device may include a plurality of cartridges and a plurality of pumps. Each of the cartridges contains a liquid additive and may be removably attached to the dispenser. Each of the pumps is connected to one of the cartridges and can be activated to extract the desired amount of liquid from that cartridge. The device may also include a spinning element for both mixing and dispensing the liquid composition. The liquids may flow out of the cartridges to one or more inlets near the surface of the spinning element and be mixed as they flow over the surface of the spinning element.
The extraction, mixture and discharge system is complex and expensive to manufacture, requiring both pumps and cartridges or supply devices, resulting in a complex device in terms of its construction and complex in terms of its handling; furthermore, it does not feature any means or design whatsoever conceived for reducing or leaving no traces in the use of the device.
Patent publication US 20060000852 A1, which discloses a portable dispenser for mixing and dispensing fluid mixtures, which contains a main chamber and other auxiliary chambers. It has the drawback that if it is to be used for another type of mixture, it does not feature means that are especially designed to avoid leaving a trace.
Most of the known fluid mixers perform mixing in a drum, thereby being contaminated for other different future mixtures, since they leave traces.
Patent publication WO 2016087468, which discloses a dispensing system for delivering a mixture of variable colour, which has no extraction module whatsoever, no drag mechanism or automated mixing mechanism. It shows an embodiment that is completely unrelated to the object herein proposed.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the mentioned drawbacks, in particular, the traces that may be left by making the mixtures, in addition to the complexity, the lack of making a mixture from several fluids, and the fact that in a possible embodiment one or more additive fluids could be added to a base fluid, and furthermore, the inability to use standard containers from the industry, developing a device such as the one described below and the essential features of which are included in claim 1.
The object of the invention is a fluid mixing device, in which the user can configure through independent means all the desired features of the final mixture through a rapid and simple method. The device seeks to enable mixing several fluids independently which, in a non-limiting possible embodiment, could be a base fluid and one or more additive fluids, both fluids being treated and controlled independently.
Each of the fluids to be mixed is contained in independent containers, generally having standard features, such that one container can be replaced with another having similar features.
The device object of the invention enables the contents to be extracted from each of the different containers, in the previously programmed amounts, homogeneously mixing them in a common mixing tank where, through a mechanical pushing method, they are mixed by extrusion and the end product is finally discharged, all such that no traces of the fluids used in the mixture are left.
The extraction of the different fluids is performed by means of a mechanical system that simulates the user pressing it and will in turn serve to drag, mix and discharge the mixture. This mechanism consists of the container being fixed, a pressure platform, guides and movement transformers which are driven through a single stepper motor.
All the fluid containers are readily accessible and replaceable with others.
Each of the discharged fluids is placed in a common mixing tank. Through a mechanical traction-compression pushing method, where a rack and pinion-type mechanism is used, performing both traction and compression, the fluids are mixed by extrusion, achieving a homogenised mixture in terms of element distribution.
The process of discharging all the fluids placed in the mixing tank is by means of an extrusion process, in which the generated mechanical pushing is utilised to pass independent fluids through a common hole, without this process affecting their independent features.
The final mixture is discharged, using the same extrusion mechanism, through the outlet hole, which is provided with a support and allows the user to access the mixture that is made, which is perfectly mixed and homogenised.
As a result of this drag and extrusion system, a homogeneous mixture is provided in the final support for application by the user and the internal area is left without traces for the following use.
All these mechanisms are managed by a battery-powered electronic control board (acting as the global CPU of the system). In addition to that set forth, the system is provided with a container level detection system, notifying the user when one of them is running out, and with connectivity for managing this data through a mobile telephone.
The container level detection systems are two electronics boards (one for the base container and the other for the active ingredient containers) in which there are included a system of light emitters and photoresistors which, according to the container level, indicate the container level since they are translucent. This information is transmitted to the CPU, which is in charge of managing the information and emitting the signals to the user through LED lights.
These LED lights are only visible through the casing when they light up, with the surface being completely clear of projections and recesses. Also, the button, which is capacitive, is below the outer casing. In said casing there is a slit for the user to know where it is located, thus leaving the surface clear. This configuration is defined in this manner so as to ensure easy cleaning and use of the device, in addition to suitable ergonomics for the end user, where forces need not be exerted nor are complicated manuals needed to understand how the device works.
These containers, which could be adapted to different sizes and shapes, discharge their contents through mechanical means which simulate a normal user pressing on the containers.
The mixing device comprises an outer casing provided with a front door for access to the inside, to thus replace and place both the additive containers and the base fluid container.
The mixing device features two container anchoring modules, one for the base and the other module for the additives, and a mechanism which, being completely synchronised, performs the functions of: retracting the drag system, compressing both the base container and the additive containers, dragging along the mixing tank, extruding the additive and base components, and finally discharging it for the user, in said order.
Furthermore, it also features a mixing tank provided with a hole for the discharge and housed between both modules. Therefore, when the products are discharged from the base fluid container and from the additive container(s), all the products are mixed together by means of a drag mechanism, which performs the functions of extruding and finally discharging the mixture.
Said drag mechanism consists of a rack and pinion system, in which the rack is part of what is referred to as the drag element. This part performs piston-type functions, thus always covering the entire section of the mixing tank, and therefore dragging all the fluids which are placed therein during the use cycle. This drag element is made up of a rigid part where the rack is located, and an elastic part, made of silicone in a preferably but non-limiting manner, which will enable adjustment in the mixing tank and subsequent extrusion of the mixture.
The mixing device with a single stepper motor achieves on one hand lifting the base container which, when pressed against the mixing module, causes the discharge of its contents into a mixing tank; on the other hand, also when the additional fluid containers are pressed due to the lifting of the mixing container, they discharge their contents into the mixing tank, a drag, extrusion and discharge mechanism also operated by said stepper motor being associated with said mixing tank.
The following is achieved with the device object of the invention:
The mixing device can be applied in different fields, ranging from the production of cosmetics to the preparation of paints, dyes, etc.
Unless otherwise indicated, all the technical and scientific elements used in the present specification hold the meaning that is usually understood by one having average skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In carrying out the present invention, methods and materials that are similar or equivalent to those described in the specification can be used.
Throughout the description and the claims, the word “comprises” and its variants do not intend to exclude other technical features, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be inferred in part from the description and in part from the practice of the invention.
To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description in which the following has been depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner.
In
In
The main modules of the device and how they are housed inside the casing (18) (
The drag mechanism (2) is arranged inside the mixing tank (4) and the latter is fixed to the second module (3).
In a complementary manner, the mixing tank (4) can be detached and removed from the rest so as to enable being washed and disinfected if considered necessary.
The complete mechanism and the sensor and button data acquisition are independently managed by a main electronics board, which allows regulating the amount of base fluid and additive fluid.
The nature of the drag system (2), which works like a piston traveling along the entire section of the mixing tank (4), which also has the function of housing the additive containers (24) (
The compression of the base container (23) is exerted on the second module (2) positioned right on it; furthermore, the latter fits with the mixing tank (4) where the base fluid is discharged.
Both the base fluid containers) and additive fluid container(s) are kept pressed until the drag element passes, and once it has passed they are no longer pressed.
The so-called base fluid does not have to be limited to a single fluid, and more than one base fluid container can be arranged and each of the base fluids managed either simultaneously or independently.
In the initial position (T=0), the drag mechanism (2) keeps the drag element (6) extended, isolating the mixing tank (4), and the containers are relaxed. After the user presses the button (22), the operating cycle begins (T=1) with a synchronised movement comprising the retraction of the drag element (6) and compression of the containers, with the drag element reaching the fully retracted position and compression of the containers (T=2) having not yet begun. The drag system (2) disengages the drag element before compression of the containers starts, enabling all the fluids, that is, the fluids from the additive containers (24) and the fluid from the base fluid container (23), to be placed in the mixing tank (4) in front of the drag element (6) (T=3). Subsequently, the mechanism starts to move downwards, enabling decompression of the containers, and before the first module (1) and second module (3) start to separate from one another, the drag system (2) again engages the drag element (6) pushing all the fluids out of the mixing tank (4) (T=4). As a final part of the cycle, the drag element (6) extrudes all the fluids through the hole of the mixing tank (4), discharging the mixture into the dispenser (35) arranged for that purpose while the downward movement the first module (1) and second module (3) (T=5) continues until the drag element (6) is fully extended and the containers fully relaxed, reaching the starting point (T=6=0).
The location of the inlet for the fluids to be mixed inside the mixing tank (4) through the inlet holes for the fluids is such that the inlet holes coincide with the fluid containers.
The section throughout the mixing tank (4) is constant and coincides, with the exception of fitting tolerances, with the section of the drag element (6) for exerting that piston-type drag force described above. The adjoining wall of the tank and the dispensing tab (35) has a concave shape which provides better mixing and discharge of the final mixed fluid.
The four electronic components of the system are described. In the lower portion embedded in the first module (1), on the base fluid platform (14), is the base fluid level sensor board (25) which measures the fluid level available in the tank. The additive fluid level measurement board (26) which is embedded in the additive stop part (19) (
Possible cases for global operation and user indications are described in detail below.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is hereby stated that within its essential features, the invention may be carried out to practice in other embodiments which differ in detail from that indicated by way of example and which will likewise fall under the protection which is sought provided that the fundamental principle thereof has not been altered, changed or modified.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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P201730755 | Jun 2017 | ES | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/ES2018/070400 | 6/1/2018 | WO | 00 |