Apparatus and method for reclaiming make-up
OwnerLoretta V. Green, Edward J. Carlininventors
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Abstract
Apparatus and method reclaim make-up of the type ordinarily supplied in block form by processing broken, unusable random-sized pieces of such make-up into a block of usable make-up of prescribed consistency, size and configuration, by advancing the random-sized pieces through a mesh member of selected mesh size to form intermediate particles of a size appropriate for agglomeration into the block of usable make-up. A measured charge of intermediate particles is established in a compression chamber where the measured charge is compressed by a ram into a mold member to form the block. The mold member preferably includes a tray which selectively is removed to a cosmetic case for ease of carrying and using the reclaimed make-up.
Claims24
Apparatus for reclaiming make-up ordinarily supplied in block form by processing broken, unusable random-sized pieces of such make-up into a block of usable make-up of prescribed consistency, size and configuration, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a compression chamber in the housing, the compression chamber having a first end and a second end, and a peripheral chamber wall extending longitudinally between the first and second ends;
- a processor including a mesh member having a mesh size selected for reducing the random-sized pieces of make-up to intermediate particles no larger than the mesh size and capable of being agglomerated into the block of usable make-up of prescribed consistency;
- a processor mount for mounting the mesh member on the housing for selective communication with the compression chamber to pass intermediate particles through the mesh member and into the compression chamber to establish a charge of intermediate particles in the compression chamber, and for selective removal from communication with the compression chamber;
- a mold member having dimensions corresponding to the prescribed size and configuration of the block of usable make-up;
- a mold holder for holding the mold member in the housing for selective communication with the compression chamber and for selective removal from communication with the compression chamber;
- and
- a ram movable longitudinally into the compression chamber, upon removal of the mesh member from communication with the compression chamber, for compressing the charge of intermediate particles passed from the mesh member into the compression chamber to agglomerate the intermediate particles of the charge into the block of usable make-up, with the block placed in the mold member.
A method for reclaiming make-up ordinarily supplied in block form by processing broken, unusable random-sized pieces of such make-up into a block of usable make-up of prescribed consistency, size and configuration, the method comprising:
- advancing the random-sized pieces of make-up into a processor juxtaposed with a compression chamber having first and second ends, the processor including a mesh member, the processor being mounted on a housing for selective communication with the compression chamber and for selective removal form communication with the compression chamber;
- prior to advancing the random-sized pieces of make-up into the processor, selecting a mesh size for the mesh member for reducing the random-sized pieces of make-up to intermediate particles no larger than the mesh size and capable of being agglomerated into the block of usable make-up of prescribed consistency;
- passing the intermediate particles from the processor into the compression chamber to establish a charge of intermediate particles;
- advancing a ram into the compression chamber to compress the charge of intermediate particles into a mold member having a size and configuration corresponding to the prescribed size and configuration of the block of usable make-up so as to agglomerate the intermediate particles of the charge into the block of usable make-up, with the block placed in the mold member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.