Compound curve shaping apparatus and method, and product produced

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station, the driving member including a conveying member for moving the product through the at least one cutting station while the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station, whereby the product having the exposed surface is moving in the first direction while the cutting blade cuts the exposed surface the conveying member being a continuous belt conveyor, having a plurality of product supporting members thereon, each product supporting member for holding an individual product;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction as the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• a plurality of cutting stations where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the plurality of cutting stations through the plurality of cutting stations in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said plurality of cutting stations and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the plurality of cutting stations;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the at least one cutting blade moves in the second direction as the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile the first direction, wherein the structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product includes, for each cutting blade, a cutting blade holder and driving means to reciprocatingly move the cutting blade on the cutting blade holder in the second direction, the cutting blade holders holding the cutting blades such that a centerline of curvature of a downstream cutting blade, in the direction of product movement, is closer to the product supporting member than that of an upstream cutting blade, so as to incrementally remove product in shaping the exposed top surface of the product;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product while the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station, wherein the driving member includes a conveying member for conveying the product through the at least one cutting station, the conveying member being a rotary indexing dial;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the at least one cutting blade moves in the second direction as the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is conveyed through the cutting station in the first direction, the at least one cutting blade being moved by said structure for providing relative movement, in a direction perpendicular to a tangent to the rotary indexing dial, at a respective cutting station;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• a rotary trailing corner cut-off blade, upstream, in the first direction, of the at least one cutting station;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product while the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the cutting station in the first direction, said structure including a curved track on which the product supporting member travels;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the at least one cutting blade moves in the second direction as the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the at least one cutting station in the first direction, wherein the at least one cutting blade only moves toward the product support member, and away therefrom, in the second direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade, the at least one cutting blade being heated;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade, each of the cutting blades having a plurality of cutting surfaces;
• indexing means for moving the at least one cutting blade to present different cutting surfaces of the respective cutting blade to different exposed surfaces to be shaped;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• at least one cutting station where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the at least one cutting stations including at least one cutting blade;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the at least one cutting station through the at least one cutting station in a first direction, the product supporting member being a member to support an antiperspirant or deodorant stick product, whereby the top exposed surface of the antiperspirant or deodorant stick product is shaped;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said at least one cutting station and the product when the product is being shaped by the least one cutting blade at the at least one cutting station;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the at least one cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

Apparatus for shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising:

• a plurality of cutting stations where said exposed surface is shaped, each of the cutting stations including at least one cutting blade, the cutting blades being positioned such that the cutting blades incrementally cut product material from the exposed surface of the product;
• a product supporting member for supporting the product as the product moves relative to the plurality of cutting stations through the plurality of cutting stations in a first direction;
• a driving member for providing relative movement, in the first direction, between said plurality of cutting stations and the product when the product is being shaped by the at least one cutting blade at the plurality of cutting stations;
• and
• structure for providing relative movement between the at least one cutting blade and the product in a second direction, different from the first direction, such that the relative movement is provided between the product and the at least one cutting blade in the second direction while the product is being conveyed through the cutting station in the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction while the product is moving through the cutting station in the first direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutting blade has a predetermined profile in a third direction different from the first and second directions so as to give the exposed surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction, so that during the cutting at the at least one cutting station the exposed surface of the product is cut to simultaneously provide desired profiles in the first and third directions.

A method of shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising the steps of:

• passing the product, having the exposed surface, through at least one cutting station, the at least one cutting station each having at least one cutting blade, the product moving, in a first direction in passing through the at least one cutting stations;
• while said product is moving in said first direction in passing through the at least one cutting station, moving the at least one cutting blade in a second direction, different from the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface to have a predetermined curvature in the first direction;
• and
• wherein said at least one cutting blade has a predetermined curvature in a third direction different from the first and second directions, such that in moving the cutting blade in the second direction the exposed surface is cut so as to have a curvature in the third direction, whereby the exposed surface is provided simultaneously with the curvature in the first direction and the curvature in the third direction.

A method of shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, comprising the steps of:

• passing the product, having the exposed surface, through a plurality of cutting stations, the cutting stations each having at least one cutting blade, the product moving, relative to the cutting stations, in a first direction in passing through the cutting stations;
• while said product is moving in passing through the cutting stations, providing relative movement between the product and the at least one cutting blade in a second direction, different from the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface to have a predetermined curvature in the first direction, an incremental amount of product being cut in shaping the exposed surface;
• and
• wherein said at least one cutting blade has a predetermined curvature in a third direction different from the first and second directions, such that in moving the cutting blade in the second direction the exposed surface is cut so as to have a curvature in the third direction, whereby the exposed surface is provided simultaneously with the curvature in the first direction and the curvature in the third direction.

A method of shaping an exposed surface of a deodorant or antiperspirant stick product, comprising the steps of:

• passing the deodorant or antiperspirant stick product, having the exposed surface, through at least one cutting station, the at least one cutting station each having at least one cutting blade, the product moving, relative to the at least one cutting station, in a first direction passing through the at least one cutting station;
• while said product is moving in passing through the at least one cutting station, providing relative movement between the product and the at least one cutting blade in a second direction, different from the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface to have a predetermined curvature in the first direction;
• and
• wherein said at least one cutting blade has a predetermined curvature in a third direction different from the first and second directions, such that in moving the cutting blade in the second direction the exposed surface is cut so as to have a curvature in the third direction, whereby the exposed surface is provided simultaneously with the curvature in the first direction and the curvature in the third direction.

A method of shaping an exposed surface of a cosmetic stick product, the product having a leading end which first contacts a cutting blade and a trailing end, comprising the steps of:

• passing the product, having the exposed surface, through at least one cutting station, the at least one cutting station each having at least one cutting blade, the product moving, relative to the at least one cutting station, in a first direction in passing through the at least one cutting station;
• cutting off the trailing end prior to passing the trailing end through the at least one cutting station;
• while said product is moving in passing through the at least one cutting station, providing relative movement between the product and the at least one cutting blade in a second direction, different from the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface to have a predetermined curvature in the first direction;
• and
• wherein said at least one cutting blade has a predetermined curvature in a third direction different from the first and second directions, such that in moving the cutting blade in the second direction the exposed surface is cut so as to have a curvature in the third direction, whereby the exposed surface is provided simultaneously with the curvature in the first direction and the curvature in the third direction.

A method of shaping an exposed surface of a deodorant or antiperspirant stick product, comprising the steps of:

• passing the deodorant or antiperspirant stick product, having the exposed surface, through at least one cutting station, the at least one cutting station each having at least one cutting blade, the deodorant or antiperspirant stick product moving, relative to the at least one cutting station, in a first direction in passing through the at least one cutting station;
• while said deodorant or antiperspirant stick product is moving in passing through the at least one cutting station, providing relative movement between the deodorant or antiperspirant stick product and the at least one cutting blade in a second direction, different from the first direction, so as to cut the exposed surface to have a predetermined curvature in the first direction;
• and
• wherein said at least one cutting blade has a predetermined curvature in a third direction different from the first and second directions, such that in moving the cutting blade in the second direction the exposed surface is cut so as to have a curvature in the third direction, whereby the exposed surface is provided simultaneously with the curvature in the first direction and the curvature in the third direction.