Patent Description:
With the growing interest of people in skin care, demand for customized cosmetic which has effects or feeling of use that a user wants is increasing.

In order to satisfy such demand, there have been attempts to realize customized cosmetic which matches with a user's preference and use purpose. For example, in order to provide customized cosmetic in prior art, a method which allows a user to select among cosmetics having various effects, which have been already manufactured, a method which uses cosmetic having one basic formulation after adding other cosmetic thereto, or a method which simply stirs two or more cosmetics having completed formulations or adjust a ratio (using dual container, dial container, mixture, discharging machine or the like) has been used.

However, the method which has a user select among ready-made cosmetics cannot sufficiently satisfy demand of customers who use customized cosmetic perfectly suitable for them.

Further, in a case where a cosmetic having one basic formulation is used after adding another cosmetic thereto, it is disadvantageously difficult to use it as customized cosmetic after one-time stirring has done.

Further, with regard to the method in which completed formulations are stirred, there is a limit to free formulation selection of customers, and external driving force is required in order to mix formulations of high viscosity, which lays obstacle in the way of being portable.

Meanwhile, fluid emulsification technology means that one of two fluids which are not mixed with each other like water and oil is dispersed in small particle form to be stably disposed within the other fluid. Such emulsification technology is widely used in the manufacture field of cosmetics, such as lotion, cream, essence, massage cream, cleansing cream, make-up base, foundation, eyeliner, mascara or the like.

Specifically, cosmetic may include O/W (oil in water) emulsion which is manufactured by dispersing hydrophobic fluid, such as oil, uniformly in a small particle state in the hydrophilic fluid, such as water, or W/O (water in oil) emulsion which is manufactured by dispersing hydrophilic fluid uniformly in a small particle state in the hydrophobic fluid. In the emulsion manufacture process, surfactant or thickener is used in order to improve productivity, product quality or the like.

In order to produce emulsion, it is necessary to suitably mix internal phase fluid which is dispersed in a micro particle form with continuous external phase fluid which surrounds micro particles. However, there is a drawback that ready-made emulsion cannot satisfy desire of customers who want to use fresh cosmetic.

Further, customers prefer to use products which contain minimum additional materials, such as surfactant, thickener or the like, which is a chemical material having no close relation to origin function of cosmetic. However, there is a problem that since stability of product should be maintained for a long time from manufacture of cosmetic to the time of use, a certain amount of additional material need to be added to cosmetic for this. The general technical background of the present invention can be for example found in the following two prior art documents.

Patent document: International Patent application No. <CIT>.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention, which have been conceived to address above-described problems, provides an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which enables a user to directly manufacture cosmetic having components exhibiting desirable effects, feeling of use, content ratio.

Further, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which is miniaturized and lightweight to be potable.

Further, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which is capable of satisfying customer's desire for fresh cosmetics.

Further, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which reduces content of additional materials used to maintain stability of a product for a long time.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to appended claim <NUM>.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein each of the internal phase container and the external phase container is provided one or more in number, and wherein by one-time operation of the operative unit, total discharging amount of the external phase fluid discharged from the external phase container is greater than total discharging amount of the internal phase fluid discharged from the internal phase container.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid exclude surfactant.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the channel unit is provided as a continuous single layer path formed in one or more plates, and includes a mixing section which has a plurality of mixing parts with a direction converting path capable of converting a rotational direction of fluid.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, further comprising a functional container which is replaceably coupled to the housing, and which stores functional fluid, wherein the functional container includes a pumping part which is driven by operation of the operative unit at the same time with the pumping part of the internal phase container and the pumping part of the external phase container, and which discharges the functional fluid to the channel unit.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein containers provided as the internal phase container and the external phase container have same size and discharging amount, and are replaceably provided to the housing.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein each of the internal phase container and the external phase container includes: a storing part which stores fluid; a pumping part which is moved by the operative unit to form pressure for discharging the fluid; an elastic member which provides restoring force to the pumping part; and a discharging end portion for discharging fluid stored in the storing part to the channel unit.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein inside of the storing part is provided with a chamber having a space whose volume is changed according to movement of the pumping part so as to generate pressure for discharging fluid.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the operative unit includes a sliding surface which slides along an inner surface of the housing so as to move along the inner surface of the housing by external force.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the operative unit includes pressing surfaces which are capable of pressing the pumping parts of the internal phase container and the external phase container at the same time.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the operative unit includes a plurality of flow paths which are capable of transferring to the channel unit the internal phase fluid discharged from the internal phase container, and the external phase fluid discharged from the external phase container.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the channel unit includes: a confluence part in which the internal phase fluid provided from the internal phase container and the external phase fluid provided from the external phase container are mixed with each other; and a mixing section including a plurality of the mixing parts which are continuously disposed around the confluence part, and which generate emulsion particles by converting proceeding direction of fluid and thus forming vortices in flow.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the mixing part includes: a first rotation path for guiding an entering fluid to be rotated in one direction; a second turning path which guides the fluid rotating in one direction to be rotated in another direction; and a direction converting path which changes a rotational direction of fluid between the first turning path and the second turning path.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the mixing part which is formed on the channel unit is provided three or more in number.

Further, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, wherein the internal phase container and the external phase container include a cartridge which is separably and replaceably coupled to the housing.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is an advantage that an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification enables a user to directly manufacture cosmetic having components exhibiting desirable effects, feeling of use, content ratio.

Further, it is also advantageous to provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which is miniaturized and lightweight to be potable.

Further, it is also advantageous to provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which is capable of satisfying customer's desire for fresh cosmetics.

Further, it is also advantageous to provide an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification, which reduces content of additional materials used to maintain stability of a product for a long time.

Hereinafter, specific exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Additionally, it is noted that when describing the invention, the detailed description for known configurations or functions may be omitted herein so as not to obscure essential points of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of <FIG>, <FIG> is a cross sectional view of <FIG>, <FIG> is a cross sectional view of a container of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing a channel unit of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the present invention may mix and instantly emulsify fluids stored in a plurality of containers. Herein, the term "instantaneous emulsification" may be understood as emulsifying an internal phase fluid into an external phase fluid, and maintaining the emulsified state for a predetermined period of time. That is, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention may be an apparatus which instantly emulsifies a plurality of raw materials within a few seconds, and supplies it to a user at once.

Further, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification may produce an O/W emulsion or a W/O emulsion according to a mixing ratio of fluids stored in a plurality of containers. For example, if fluids to be mixed are an oil-based fluid and a water-based fluid, and they are mixed at such a mixing ratio that the amount of the water-based fluid is more than that of the oil-based fluid, the O/W emulsion can be produced. In an opposite case, the W/O emulsion can be produced.

Specifically, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention may include a housing <NUM> which forms its outer appearance, a plurality of containers <NUM> which are provided inside the housing <NUM> and store at least two different fluids from each other, a channel unit <NUM> which provides a space where the fluids discharged from the plurality of containers <NUM> are mixed with each other, and an operative unit <NUM> which provides pressure for discharging the emulsion produced in the channel unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the operative unit <NUM> is described by way of example as pressing the plurality of containers <NUM> at the same time to activate pumping units provided in the containers <NUM>. However, the technical idea of the invention is not limited to this. Further, in the embodiment, the activation of the operative unit <NUM> produces pressure, which enables the discharge of the fluids from the containers <NUM> to the channel unit <NUM> and the discharge of the emulsion from the channel unit <NUM> to the outside. However, the technical idea of the invention is not limited to this, and according to an embodiment, the operative unit <NUM> may be provided with a configuration for discharging the fluid from the container <NUM> to the channel unit <NUM>, and a configuration for discharging the emulsion from the channel unit <NUM> to the outside, separately. In a case where the single operative unit <NUM> activates the pumping units provided in the plurality of containers <NUM> at the same time as in the embodiment, the convenience for use can be improved, and it becomes easy to design the channel unit <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be formed in a predetermined shape which accommodates the plurality of containers <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> is described by way of example as being formed in a cylindrical shape in the embodiment. However, the housing <NUM> may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and there is no limit to its shape.

The housing <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> which covers a portion of the channel unit <NUM> to be described later, a main body <NUM> which accommodates the containers <NUM> therein, and a supporting part <NUM> which supports a bottom side of the container <NUM>.

The lid <NUM>, which surrounds a portion of the channel unit <NUM>, may be formed with a transparent material so that a user can see the fluid flowing in the channel unit <NUM>. Further, an upper portion of the lid <NUM> may include an opening <NUM>, so that the user can see a portion or whole of the channel unit <NUM>. For example, the opening <NUM> may be a circular or rectangular hole. However, there is no limit in its shape. The provision of the opening <NUM> enables a user to confirm emulsification with the naked eye, so reliability for a product can be improved.

Further, the main body <NUM> may include a neck part <NUM> which is coupled with the operative unit <NUM>, and an insertion part <NUM> which is formed opposite to the neck part <NUM> to be coupled with the supporting part <NUM>, and which provides a space through which the container <NUM> can be inserted.

The supporting part <NUM> may be removably coupled with the insertion part <NUM> for substitution of the container <NUM>, and may support a lower part of the container <NUM> when being coupled therewith, so that the container <NUM> can be stably fixed in the housing <NUM>.

The supporting part <NUM> may include a plurality of grooves <NUM> for fixing each of the containers <NUM> which have been installed in the housing <NUM>. The plurality of grooves <NUM> may be formed having such a depth as to stably support containers <NUM>. Further, the plurality of grooves <NUM> formed in the supporting part <NUM> may correspond to the number and the locations of the containers <NUM>.

The containers <NUM> include an internal phase container storing an internal phase fluid, and an external phase container storing an external phase fluid. For example, the containers <NUM> may include a first container <NUM> storing an internal phase fluid, and a second container <NUM> storing an external phase fluid. In the embodiment, the containers <NUM> are described by way of example as being four, but the number of the containers is not limited as long as there are provided a container which can store an internal phase fluid independently, and a container which can store an external phase fluid independently. Herein, the container <NUM> may be detachable to the housing <NUM>, and may be configured such that the container <NUM> can be refilled with a fluid or a fluid inside the container can be substituted with another. For example, the container <NUM> may be a cartridge.

In the embodiment, the type of emulsion (e.g., W/O emulsion or O/W emulsion) may be determined according to a ratio at which a plurality of fluids is supplied to the channel unit <NUM>. And, the ratio at which fluids are supplied to the channel unit <NUM> may be adjusted by the number or the discharging amount of the containers <NUM> supplying the corresponding fluids. For example, in a case where oil and water are supplied to the channel unit <NUM>, if the supply amount of oil is greater than that of water, W/O emulsion will be produced, while, if the supply amount of water is greater than that of oil, O/W emulsion will be produced.

The plurality of containers <NUM> may be provided in such a combination as to form an internal phase fluid and an external phase fluid at the time of instantaneous emulsification in the channel unit <NUM>. In the embodiment, the two containers are described by way of example as storing an external phase fluid, so that more amount of external phase fluid can be supplied to the channel unit <NUM>. According to an embodiment, a single container which can discharge relatively more amount may be provided as the second container <NUM>, and in this case, only the single container may be used as a container storing an external phase fluid.

In the embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification may include the first container <NUM> storing an internal phase fluid, the second container <NUM> storing an external phase fluid, a third container <NUM> storing a functional fluid, and a fourth container <NUM> storing another external phase fluid. The embodiment is described by way of example as oil being used as the internal phase fluid and water being used as the external phase fluid, and thus the first container <NUM> may store an oil-based fluid, the second container <NUM> and the fourth container <NUM>, which can be selectively provided, may store a water-based fluid. In this case, the first container <NUM> may be understood as an internal phase container as it stores an internal phase fluid, and the second container <NUM> and the fourth container <NUM> may be understood as an external phase container as they store an external phase fluid. Further, it can be understood that the amount of the external phase fluid supplied to the channel unit <NUM> from the external phase container is greater than that of the internal phase fluid supplied to the channel unit <NUM> from the internal phase fluid. For this, the number of the internal phase containers and the number of the external phase containers may be adjusted according to an embodiment. Additionally, the third container <NUM> may be understood as a functional container as it stores a functional fluid.

When the oil-based fluid and the water-based fluid are discharged at a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to be emulsified in the channel unit <NUM>, an O/W emulsion can be formed. Herein, discharging amounts of the pumping units to be described later may be set to be equal to each other, so that each container can discharge the same amount of fluid.

In contrast to this, when the first container <NUM> stores a water-based fluid, and the second container <NUM> and the fourth container <NUM>, which is provided selectively, store an oil-based fluid, a W/O emulsion can be produced.

Meanwhile, the third container <NUM> storing a functional fluid may be also provided selectively. In the embodiment, the functional fluid may be understood as a raw material which is included in cosmetic components for functional improvement, and particularly, a raw material which is legally approved with respect to functions. Further, the functional fluid may be also understood as meaning a fluid in which a functional raw material is dissolved or included.

Hereinafter, structure of the first container <NUM> will be described in detail. The other containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have the same structure, shape, size and function as the first container <NUM>, so detailed description of the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will be omitted.

The first container <NUM> may include a storing part <NUM> storing a fluid therein, a pumping part <NUM> which is provided at one side of the storing part <NUM>, and which performs a pumping action by being moved by the operative unit <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM> which provides restoring force to the pumping part <NUM>, a tube <NUM> which is provided inside the storing part <NUM> and connected to the pumping part <NUM>, and through which a fluid can be intaken, and a discharging end <NUM> through which the fluid intaken through the tube <NUM> is discharged to the outside (see <FIG>).

The storing part <NUM> provides a space S in which a fluid is stored, and may have such a three-dimension shape as to be inserted into the inside of the main body <NUM>. The storing part <NUM> may be provided so as to be charged with fluid, and an opening for charging is provided by removing the pumping part <NUM>, but may be formed by removing a lower part of the storing part.

In the storing part <NUM>, a chamber <NUM> may be provided for providing a space whose volume is changed, so that the pumping action can take place. The volume of the chamber <NUM> may be changed by movement of the pumping part <NUM>.

The pumping part <NUM> is a component which is pressed and moved by the operative unit <NUM> to produce pumping pressure, and may be provided, such that it can be moved inward and outward of the chamber <NUM> while changing the volume of the chamber <NUM>.

The chamber <NUM> may be provided with a first valve <NUM> at one side, which selectively opens and closes an inner space of the chamber <NUM> to control the intake of the fluid through the tube <NUM>, and a second valve <NUM> at the other side of the chamber <NUM>, which selectively opens and closes an inner space of the chamber <NUM> to control the discharge of the fluid through the discharging end <NUM>.

The tube <NUM> may be provided so as to extend from a point of the chamber <NUM> toward the bottom of the storing part <NUM>, and sufficiently intake fluid stored in the storing part <NUM>.

The discharging end <NUM> may be formed so as to extend to the chamber <NUM> penetrating through the pumping part <NUM>, and may have a shape protruding from the pumping part <NUM> by a predetermined length for connection with a flow path <NUM> to be described later.

With such configuration, the container <NUM> may be operated as below. When the pumping part <NUM> is pressed down by being subjected to a force, the volume of the inner space of the chamber <NUM> is decreased, and the pressure of the inner space of the chamber <NUM> is increased. Due to such pressure change, the first valve <NUM> can operate so as to close a flow path, and the second valve <NUM> can operate so as to open a flow path, and thus the fluid stored in the inner space of the chamber <NUM> can be discharged through the discharging end <NUM>. And, while the pumping part <NUM> is returned to its original position by action of the elastic member <NUM>, the volume of the inner space of the chamber <NUM> is increased and the pressure of the inner space of the chamber is decreased. Due to this, the first valve <NUM> can operate so as to open the flow path, and the second valve <NUM> can operate so as to close the flow path, and thus the fluid of the storing space S can be introduced to the inner space of the chamber <NUM> through the tube <NUM>. <FIG> may be understood as a schematic diagram for illustrating the above-mentioned operation.

The operation of the first container <NUM> may be performed by the movement of the operative unit <NUM>, and the other containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be operated similarly.

Meanwhile, the discharging amounts of the first, second, third and fourth containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by the movement of the operative unit <NUM> may be set to be equal to each other. Herein, the discharging amount may be understood as an amount of fluid which is discharged from each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the outside by a single press of each pumping part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, the equal discharging amount of a container means that amounts of fluid discharged from each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the outside by the single press of the operative unit <NUM> are equal to each other.

For example, the discharging amount of each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by the single press may be <NUM> cc to <NUM> cc. However, the discharging amount is not limited to this, and <NUM>. 1cc or more may be discharged by a single press.

Further, discharging pressure of each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be set to such a level that fluid can be discharged from the container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, pass through the channel unit <NUM> while being emulsified, and then can be discharged from the channel unit <NUM> to the outside. For example, the discharging pressure may be <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the operative unit <NUM> may provide an external force required to form emulsion in the channel unit <NUM> and discharge the emulsion to the outside. In the embodiment, the operative unit <NUM> is described by way of example as being a pressing means of a plate form which receives and transfers force from the lid <NUM> to the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to generate pressure for pumping. Technical idea of the invention is not limited to this, and the operative unit <NUM> may be provided with another mechanical mechanism or an electronic driving device.

Specifically, the operative unit <NUM> may be provided as a means which is disposed between the pumping parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the channel unit <NUM> to be capable of pressing the pumping parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Herein, the operative unit <NUM> may serve as moving fluid discharged from the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the channel unit <NUM>.

When the operative unit <NUM> is subjected to a downward force by a user pressing down the lid <NUM>, the operative unit <NUM> can press the pumping parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the containers <NUM>. Specifically, the operative unit <NUM> may include a pressing surface <NUM> which contacts the pumping parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Herein, the pressing surface <NUM> may serve as a stopping part which determines an upper position of the container <NUM>.

Further, the operative unit <NUM> may include a plurality of flow paths <NUM> through which fluid can be transferred from the container <NUM> to the channel unit <NUM>. Each flow path <NUM> may be disposed so as to correspond to the position of each container <NUM>, and may be penetratingly formed in an up and down direction to allow the fluid supplied from the below to move to the channel unit <NUM> at an upper side.

Further, the operative unit <NUM> may include a sliding surface <NUM> which slides along an inner surface of the main body <NUM>, so that it can be moved along the inner surface of the main body <NUM> by an external force. The sliding surface <NUM> may be formed so as to surround the inside or outside of the main body <NUM>, and an upper end inner surface of the main body <NUM> may serve as a guide surface.

The operative unit <NUM> may be elastically supported by the first elastic member 123a provided at a portion of the container main body <NUM>. Further, at the neck part <NUM> of the container main body <NUM>, a second elastic member 123b may be formed, which supports a portion of the operative unit <NUM>. Specifically, a central portion of the operative unit <NUM> may be supported by the first elastic member 123a, and a circumferential portion of the operative unit <NUM> may be supported by the second elastic member 123b. Herein, elastic modulus of the first elastic member 123a may be greater than that of the second elastic member 123b. However, this is an example, and the elastic modulus of the second elastic member 123b may be greater than that of the first elastic modulus 123a.

Further, a force which restores the operative unit <NUM> to its original position may be provided by the elastic member <NUM> provided at the container <NUM>.

The above-described operative unit <NUM> and the pumping parts provided at the containers <NUM> can produce pressure, and produce and discharge emulsion only with the mechanical construction without any electronic device. Therefore, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification can be manufactured in such a small size as to be portable. Particularly, as each container <NUM> is separately provided with the pumping part, magnitude of pressure which the pumping part should provide can be minimized, and thus the pumping part can be realized with a minimum size, which in turn can lead to miniaturization of the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification.

Further, as the containers <NUM> may be provided in a replaceable manner, a user can selectively use the container <NUM> which stores a raw material that the user desires. Therefore, the user's satisfaction with the product can be increased.

Meanwhile, the fluid stored in the above-described container <NUM> may not include a surfactant.

Herein, the surfactant may be defined as a compound that has a hydrophilic portion which is likely to be dissolved in water, and a hydrophobic portion which is likely to be dissolved in oil, and that helps fluids, which are not easily mixed due to high surface tension of interfaces, to be mixed with each other. In the embodiment, the surfactant may be understood as an emulsifier.

Conventional cosmetics required surfactant in order to mix an internal phase fluid and an external phase fluid which are based on water and oil. However, according to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided the channel unit <NUM> which is capable of supplying emulsion by mixing and instantly emulsifying the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid, and thus it is possible to produce emulsion without adding a surfactant. Specifically, the channel unit <NUM> is supplied with fluids from the plurality of containers <NUM> and can provide instantaneously emulsified emulsion.

Configuration of the channel unit <NUM> capable of producing emulsion by forming emulsion particles without using a surfactant will now be described. However, such channel unit <NUM> is not necessarily to be applied only to an internal phase fluid and an external phase fluid which do not use a surfactant. That is, according to an embodiment, there may be provided an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification which employs the configuration of the channel unit <NUM> and uses an internal phase fluid, an external phase fluid or a functional fluid which includes a surfactant. In this case, effect of forming emulsion particles at the channel unit <NUM> can be further improved, and in some cases, a mixing section <NUM> of the channel unit <NUM> may be formed with a shorter length, or the number of mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be less than three.

Meanwhile, the configuration of the channel unit <NUM> is suggested for forming emulsion particles without using a surfactant, and the channel unit <NUM> having another configuration may be used when a surfactant is used.

The channel unit <NUM> according to the embodiment provides a microfluidic channel formed in the channel unit <NUM>, through which the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid pass to be emulsified. The microfluidic channel of the channel unit <NUM> may be provided inside a plate <NUM>, and the plate <NUM> may have a flat board shape. That is, the microfluidic channel of the channel unit <NUM> is disposed inside the plate <NUM> having a flat board shape, and thus the microfluidic channel can be located on the same plane inside the plate <NUM>. As described above, the microfluidic channel is located on a single flat plate, and thus the apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic can be miniaturized.

For example, a cross section of the microfluidic channel (cross section of a flow path) formed inside the channel unit <NUM> may be a rectangular whose sides are <NUM> to <NUM>. The cross section of the microfluidic channel (flow path) may be a circle whose diameter is <NUM> to <NUM>. As described above, when flow path inside the channel unit <NUM> is formed with the microfluidic channel, the flow speed of the fluid can increase, thus increasing the mixture of fluids and efficiency of emulsification. However, the cross section shape of the microfluidic channel is not limited to the shape described above.

According to the embodiment, the channel unit <NUM> may include an internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM> to which an internal phase fluid is supplied from the first container <NUM>, a first external phase fluid injection hole <NUM> to which an external phase fluid is supplied from the second container <NUM>, a confluence part <NUM> where the internal phase fluid supplied from the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM> and the external phase fluid supplied from the first external phase fluid injection hole <NUM> are joined while emulsion particles are formed, a mixing section <NUM> which extends from the confluence part <NUM>, and which includes a plurality of mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> formed so as to generate vortices in flow by converting a proceeding direction of the fluid, and a particle size adjusting part <NUM> which makes uniform sizes of emulsion particles included in the fluid introduced from the mixing section <NUM>.

Herein, the confluence part <NUM>, the mixing section <NUM> and the particle size adjusting part <NUM>, which are microfluidic channels, may be understood as a flow path extending by a predetermined length through which the fluid can move, and may be formed inside the plate <NUM>. These microfluidic channels may serve as increasing the flow speed inside the channel in proportion to the reduction of cross section area, when a fluid is introduced into the channel unit <NUM> from the container <NUM>. Further, by changing shapes of the microfluidic channels inside the plate <NUM> of a small surface area, it is possible to easily increase the contacting surface area or contacting time between two phases (internal phase fluid and external phase fluid). Further, the governing force of the surface tension in the microfluidic channel is much greater compared to macro environments.

Further, the channel unit <NUM> may include a first connecting flow path <NUM> which connects the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM> with the confluence part <NUM>, and a second connecting flow path <NUM> which connects the first external phase fluid injection hole <NUM> with the confluence part <NUM>. In this case, an angle between the first connecting flow path <NUM> and the second connecting flow path <NUM> may be <NUM>° ~ <NUM>°.

In a case where the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid meet with each other in the confluence part <NUM> at the above-mentioned angle, a portion of the internal phase fluid may be broken before entering the mixing section <NUM>. This may have a good effect on the formation of emulsion particles to contribute to the formation of emulsion.

Further, after the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid have been mixed with each other in the confluence part <NUM>, the mixture may be introduced into an initial flow path <NUM> of the mixing section <NUM>.

For example, both an angle between the first connecting flow path <NUM> and the initial flow path <NUM> and an angle between the second connecting flow path <NUM> and the initial flow path <NUM> may be <NUM>°.

Further, the channel unit <NUM> may include a functional fluid injection hole <NUM> to which a functional fluid is supplied from the third container <NUM>, and a second external phase fluid injection hole <NUM> to which an external phase fluid is supplied from the fourth container <NUM>. Further, the channel unit <NUM> may include a third connecting flow path <NUM> which connects the functional fluid injection hole <NUM> with the confluence part <NUM>, and a fourth connecting flow path <NUM> which connects the second external phase fluid injection hole <NUM> with the confluence part <NUM>. These configurations may be selectively provided according to whether the third container <NUM> or the fourth container <NUM> is provided or not.

An angle between the third connecting flow path <NUM> and the second connecting flow path <NUM> may be <NUM>° ~ <NUM>°. Further, in a case where the functional fluid injection hole <NUM> is formed near the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>, an angle between the third connecting flow path <NUM> and the first connecting flow path <NUM> may be <NUM>° ~ <NUM>°.

Further, in a case where both the third container <NUM> storing a functional fluid, and the fourth container <NUM> storing another external phase fluid are provided, the first connecting flow path <NUM>, the second connecting flow path <NUM>, the third connecting flow path <NUM> and the fourth connecting flow path <NUM> may be disposed so as to form the same angle between themselves.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment, all the flow paths are described by way of example as being joined at one point, but according to an embodiment, confluence points of flow paths may be different from each other. That is, the confluence part <NUM> may be configured to have a plurality of confluence points.

Further, the plate <NUM> may be transparent, so that fluids can be seen flowing in the channel unit <NUM>.

The mixing section <NUM> may include a plurality of the mixing portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which extend from the confluence part <NUM>, and which form vortices in flow by converting a proceeding direction of fluid.

The mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be a flow path which can form vortices in flow by converting a proceeding direction of fluid, for example, a turning direction of fluid by a flow path. One mixing part may be understood as having one or more flow paths which covert a turning direction. For this, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include a bent part, a curved part, a turning part and the like which can convert the proceeding direction of fluid. Particularly, in a case where the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are formed so as to make fluid to turn one direction or both directions, the fluid is subjected to centrifugal force while vortices are being formed in the fluid, and thus the fluid can be mixed and emulsified at the same time while passing through the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Specifically, the vortices generated in the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> impart complex movements to the mixed fluids, and the movement of the external phase fluid governs the flow in the vortices as relatively more external phase fluid has been supplied. Such movements of the external phase fluid may be exerted on the internal phase fluid in such a manner as to make the flow of internal phase fluid thinner or break the flow of the internal phase fluid. Such exertions may be generated in each of all the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and, in the channel unit <NUM> of a plate shape as in the embodiment, it is preferable to be subjected to three or more vortex generation sections in order to achieve emulsification to such an extent as to be suitable as cosmetics.

In the embodiment of the invention, there may be provided three or more mixing parts. In the embodiment of the invention, the mixing parts are described by way of example as being five in number (first mixing part <NUM>, second mixing part <NUM>, third mixing part <NUM>, fourth mixing part <NUM>, fifth mixing part <NUM>). Herein, if the fluid has passed through the first to third mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, it may be emulsified to such an extent as to be used as a cosmetic, and the fourth and fifth mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> may be used as an element which determines quality of formulation supplied to a user, by additionally emulsifying or mixing. That is, as necessary, the mixing part after the third mixing parts <NUM> may be selectively provided.

In the embodiment, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed on an outer circumference of the confluence part <NUM>. In other words, when the plate constituting the channel unit <NUM> is viewed from the top, that is, when viewed from a viewpoint of <FIG>, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged so as to surround the confluence part <NUM>. That is, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed on a region between the confluence part <NUM> and the periphery of the plate <NUM>. As described above, by arranging the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the region near the periphery of the plate <NUM>, the length of the microfluidic channel of the mixing section <NUM> can be sufficiently elongated, and thus sufficient emulsification can be achieved even in a small-size plate. Thereby, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification can be realized in a small size so as to be portable without burden.

The plurality of mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed in an order of the first mixing part <NUM>, the second mixing part <NUM>, the third mixing part <NUM>, the fourth mixing part <NUM> and the fifth mixing part <NUM> from upstream connected with the confluence part <NUM> to downstream connected with the particle size adjusting part <NUM>. Specifically, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be generally arranged in a rotational manner in one direction (in the embodiment, a clockwise direction) with the confluence part <NUM> as a center. Herein, the first mixing part <NUM> and the third mixing part <NUM> may be disposed at opposite sides with respect to the confluence part <NUM>, and the second mixing part <NUM> may connect the first mixing part <NUM> with the third mixing part <NUM>, and be disposed at one side (right side in <FIG>) of the confluence part <NUM>. The fourth mixing part <NUM> and the fifth mixing part <NUM> may be arranged so as to be opposite to the second mixing part <NUM> with respect to the confluence part <NUM>. Herein, the first to third mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged at the same distance from the confluence part <NUM>.

While passing through the mixing part <NUM>, the fluid can proceed from the first mixing part <NUM> to the fifth mixing part <NUM> to be subjected to emulsification.

Specifically, the internal phase fluid which has been mixed with the external phase fluid at the confluence part <NUM> may become thinner or be broken while passing through the first mixing part <NUM>. Such progress can be repeated while passing through the downstream mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and finally emulsion can be formed in which fluid that has been broken into small pieces remains stably in the external phase fluid.

In the embodiment, the first mixing part <NUM> is described by way of example as being configured to rotate the entering fluid in one direction (in the embodiment, clockwise based on the drawing) and then rotate it in the other direction (in the embodiment, anticlockwise based on the drawing).

Specifically, the first mixing part <NUM> may include a first turning path <NUM> which guides fluid so as to rotate in one direction, a second turning path <NUM> which guides fluid so as to rotate in the other direction, and a direction conversion path <NUM> which converts the rotating direction of the fluid between the first turning path <NUM> and the second turning path <NUM>.

By this first mixing part <NUM>, the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid are moved along the first turning path <NUM> and rotated in one direction, and the rotating direction is converted in the direction conversion path <NUM> to be rotated in the other direction, so that vortices can be effectively generated. By the fluid force of the external phase fluid by vortices generated as described above, the internal phase fluid can be broken to be emulsified and mixed.

Further, the first mixing part <NUM> may include a vortex prompting path <NUM> for prompting formation of vortices at upstream of the first turning path <NUM> or downstream of the second turning path <NUM>. The vortex prompting path <NUM> may be understood as imparting irregularity to fluid by turning the fluid which is flowing straightly, or by making the fluid, which is turning, flow straightly. Inclusion of such vortex prompting path <NUM> can lead to the prompted formation of vortices and the easy generation of emulsion particles in the first mixing part <NUM>. The second mixing part <NUM> to the fifth mixing part <NUM> may be formed with the same shape as that of the first mixing part, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. <FIG> is a conceptual diagram for designing a vortex promoting path <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each end point of large semicircular lines, which can be formed by an imaginary straight line horizontally passing through the center of the mixing part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, is connected to a curve. In this case, a length difference indicated by 'd' takes place. So, in order to remove such difference, the vortex prompting path <NUM> is further formed, which in turn can lead to an effective utilization of space in the plate <NUM> of the channel unit.

Further, in the embodiment, the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are described by way of example as being five in number on the channel unit <NUM>, but the number and arrangement of the mixing parts do not limit the technical idea of the invention.

As described above, the vortices generated in the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> enable the internal phase fluid to be broken by the external phase fluid, thus forming emulsion particles. By continuously disposing these mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, continuous emulsification can take place, which enables emulsion to be formed to such a level as to be suitably used as cosmetic even when the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid do not contain any surfactant.

Further, the mixing section <NUM> may be disposed around the confluence part <NUM> and outside the injection holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. This mixing section <NUM> can make fluid move along a longer path. That is, even when the surface area of the plate <NUM> is small, the mixing section <NUM> can be disposed such that the total surface area of the plate <NUM> can be utilized efficiently. For example, the length of the mixing section <NUM> may be greater than that of circumference of the plate <NUM>.

Further, the microfluidic channel disposed inside the plate <NUM> may be spaced away from the outermost edge of the plate <NUM> by <NUM> or more. In this case, it is possible to more perfectly prevent leakage of emulsion caused by pressure of the microfluidic channel inside the plate <NUM>.

Further, a minimum gap between microfluidic channels inside the plate <NUM> may be <NUM> or more. For example, the gap between adjacent microfluidic channels may be <NUM> or <NUM>.

The particle size adjusting part <NUM> is disposed at downstream of the mixing section <NUM>. The particle size adjusting part <NUM> serves as forming fluid (emulsion) of uniform size, even though the fluid has been mixed at the mixing section <NUM> to have non-uniform sizes. The emulsion particles produced at the mixing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have irregular sizes due to vortices which exhibit irregular movements, but their sizes can become uniform by means of the particle size adjusting part <NUM>. Thereby, the emulsion which is finally prepared by the channel unit <NUM> can have a good quality and improved feeling of use.

The particle size adjusting part <NUM> may include a converging portion <NUM> in which the width W1 of a mixing flow path <NUM> of the mixing section <NUM> decreases, a convergence maintaining portion <NUM> which has a width W2 less than width W1 of the mixing flow path <NUM>, a diverging portion <NUM> in which the width W2 of the convergence maintaining portion <NUM> increases, and a divergence maintaining portion <NUM> which has a width W3 greater than the width W1 of the mixing flow path <NUM>.

Herein, a mean size of emulsion particles can be varied according to the width W2 of the convergence maintaining portion <NUM>. That is, the smaller the width W2 of the convergence maintaining portion <NUM> is, the smaller the formed emulsion particles are. This particle size adjusting part <NUM> may be understood as being an orifice, and according to an embodiment, the converging portion <NUM> and the diverging portion <NUM> may be omitted.

Further, the mean size of emulsion particles may be adjusted by viscosity of fluid stored in each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, cross sectional area of a channel, length of a channel, the width W2 of the particle size adjusting part <NUM> or the like.

Further, the width W2 of the convergence maintaining portion <NUM> of the particle size adjusting part <NUM> may be provided variously according to the size of emulsion particle to be set. For example, the width W2 of the convergence maintaining portion <NUM> of the particle size adjusting part <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

Meanwhile, at downstream of the particle size adjusting part <NUM>, there may be provided a discharging hole <NUM> through which emulsion is discharged from the channel unit <NUM>.

A discharging part <NUM> which finally supplies emulsion to a user may be directly connected to the discharging hole <NUM>. In the embodiment, the discharging part <NUM> may be directly connected to a lower side of the discharging hole <NUM>, and for this, a portion of the plate constituting the channel unit <NUM> may be exposed to the outside.

The discharging part <NUM> may has <NUM> to <NUM> degrees with the microfluidic channel formed inside of the plate <NUM>. For example, the discharging part <NUM> may has <NUM> degrees with the microfluidic channel formed in the plate. In this case, the movement direction of emulsion generated in the microfluidic channel formed inside the plate <NUM> may be changed abruptly when the emulsion moves from the discharging hole <NUM> to the discharging part <NUM>. Therefore, flow speed of the emulsion moving from the microfluidic channel to the discharging part <NUM> can be decreased.

Further, distance between the discharging part <NUM> and the storing part <NUM> may correspond to <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> size of a user's palm. For example, distance from the discharging part <NUM> to one side of the storing part <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>. By having such distance, the user can receive the emulsion discharged from the lower side of the discharging part <NUM> and use it.

Further, length of the particle size adjusting part <NUM> may be correspondingly <NUM> to <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment, the flow paths (microfluidic channels) formed in the channel unit <NUM> may substantially form a single layer path. The single layer path may be understood as a path in which height difference of flow paths is not involved in mixing and emulsification of each fluid or emulsification of the mixed fluid during the mixing and emulsification of fluid. The single layer path may correspond to the confluence part <NUM>, the mixing section <NUM>, the particle size adjusting part <NUM> or the like, which are realized on the single flat plate as in the embodiment. According to an embodiment, the plate constituting the channel unit <NUM> may be provided in plural, and a portion of flow path may be separated to be disposed on a different plate. Even in this case, each portion where mixing and emulsification of fluid take place may be realized on the same plate, and in general, may serve as a single layer path. For example, two plates may be stacked in an up and down direction, the confluence part <NUM> and the first to third mixing part <NUM> of the mixing section <NUM> may be formed in the lower layer pate, while the fourth mixing part <NUM>, the particle size adjusting part <NUM> and the discharging hole <NUM> may be formed in the upper layer plate. However, in general they may form a series of flow paths, and the height difference may be prevented from being involved in the mixing and emulsification of fluid. In this case, although process unit prices may increase, planar surface area of the plates may be decreased, and thus the apparatus can be advantageously realized with a smaller size when mixing device and emulsifying device should be formed in a restricted space.

In the embodiment of the invention, the channel unit <NUM> and fluid (internal phase fluid and external phase fluid) may be provided such that Reynolds number Re is equal to or greater than <NUM>, and preferably is equal to or greater than <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid may have various ranges of viscosity. According to this, pressure which the channel unit <NUM> can endure may be determined, and for example, the channel unit <NUM> may be provided such that it can endure pressure of fluid having viscosity of <NUM> cps.

Further, operation of the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention will be described as below.

When a user exerts pressure to the lid <NUM> of the housing <NUM> or the plate <NUM> in which the channel unit <NUM> is formed, the plate <NUM> presses the operative unit <NUM> of each container <NUM> to introduce into the channel unit <NUM> the solution contained in each container <NUM>.

The internal phase fluid, the external phase fluid and the functional fluid, which is selectively provided, have been introduced into the channel unit <NUM>, and meet and mixed with each other at the confluence part <NUM>. After that, the fluid which has been subjected to commencement of the mixing and emulsification at the confluence part <NUM> passes though the mixing section <NUM> while emulsification is performed and emulsification particles are mixed.

The fluid which has been mixed in the mixing section <NUM> passes through the particle size adjusting part <NUM> to make emulsion particles uniform. After that, the fluid is discharged to the outside through the discharging hole <NUM>, which is the final path of the channel unit <NUM>.

Further, in the embodiment, oil and water are described by way of example as being an internal phase fluid and an external phase fluid, but they are described as representative example of a hydrophobic fluid and a hydrophilic fluid, and any hydrophobic fluid and any hydrophilic fluid, which can form emulsion, may be used as an internal phase fluid and an external phase fluid.

Hereinafter, operation and effect of the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification as described above will be described.

<FIG> is a micrograph showing an emulsion particle of an emulsion composition manufactured using the apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification of <FIG>.

Specifically, <FIG> is an experimental example of emulsion, which was generated by the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to the embodiment by using the first container <NUM> which stores an oil-based fluid that contains no surfactant, as oil that contains coloring matter in a weight ratio of <NUM> %, and the second, third and fourth containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which store water-based fluid that contains no surfactant.

Referring to <FIG>, it can be confirmed that oil particles having a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM> were generated in a water-based fluid without any surfactant (O/W emulsion). As described above, according to an embodiment, the internal phase fluid and the external phase fluid can be emulsified by the channel unit <NUM> to generate emulsion without adding surfactant.

Further, since the mixing section <NUM> is arranged so as to efficiently utilize the total area of the plate <NUM>, while making the length of the mixing section <NUM> longer, sufficient emulsification can be achieved even in a small-sized apparatus.

Further, by providing the particle size adjusting part <NUM> at the downstream of the mixing section <NUM>, sizes of emulsion particles, which are discharged, can be made uniform and small, thus improving feeling of use.

Further, by using microfluidic channel in the channel unit <NUM>, shapes of channels inside the narrow plate <NUM> can be variously changed, so that contact surface area between two phases (internal phase fluid and external phase fluid) can become larger, or contact time can be increased, thus facilitating the emulsification.

Further, the governing force of the surface tension in the channel unit <NUM> can become much greater, so that interphases of emulsion particles can be strong.

Further, in instantaneous emulsification system which employs the microfluidic channel of the channel unit <NUM>, the time which it takes to form emulsion particles and actually use emulsion may be within a few seconds, and thus sufficient formulation stability can be achieved with a small amount of thickener or without thickener.

Further, an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention can form emulsion particles without surfactant by a user pressing a pump, and the manufactured formulation can reduce stimulus and risk of raw material precipitation caused by surfactant, and improve stickiness of surfactant.

Further, the plurality of containers <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention are detachable to the housing <NUM>, and the container <NUM> which contains fluid that a user want can be coupled to the housing <NUM> for use. That is, according to the number of the containers <NUM> and the kind of fluid contained in the container <NUM>, the type of emulsion formed in the channel unit <NUM>, i.e., O/W emulsion or W/O emulsion, can be determined.

Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, raw material stored in the container <NUM> can be used by being formed into a dosage in the channel unit <NUM>, and thus customized cosmetic can be provided, which is capable of responding instantly.

Further, formulation of effective ingredient, feeling of use and content ratio are can be adjusted according to the kind of fluid contained in the container <NUM>, and ratio of fluids discharged to the channel unit <NUM>, and thus it is possible to manufacture customized cosmetics suitable for personal preference.

Further, by employing the independent pumping part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to each container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the amount (ratio of raw materials of cosmetic) of fluid discharged to the channel unit <NUM> according to the number of the containers <NUM> can be adjusted.

Hereinafter, an apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view showing a channel unit of <FIG>, <FIG> is a diagram showing a path of a channel unit of <FIG>, through which a fluid flows.

Referring to <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention may generate and provide cosmetic material at the moment when a user wants.

The apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention may include a housing <NUM>' which forms its outer appearance, a first container <NUM>' which is provided inside the housing <NUM>' and stores acid fluid that forms external phase fluid, a second container <NUM>' which is provided inside the housing <NUM>' and stores base fluid that forms external phase fluid, and a third container <NUM>' which is provided inside the housing <NUM>' and stores internal phase fluid. Further, the housing <NUM>' may include a discharging part <NUM>' which discharges an instantly emulsified emulsion to the outside of the housing. Herein, the discharging part <NUM>' may be provided at a lid <NUM>'.

In the embodiment of the invention, the external phase fluid is described by way of example as being a water-based raw material of cosmetic, and the internal phase fluid as being oil. However, the technical idea of the invention is not limited to this, and the external phase fluid may be oil, and the internal phase fluid may be a water-based raw material of cosmetic.

Further, the apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention may include a channel unit <NUM>' connected to the first, second and third container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'.

Further, the apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention may basically have the first, second and third container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', and the channel unit <NUM>' corresponding to them. That is, the fourth container <NUM>' and the channel flow path (functional fluid flow path <NUM>) along which fluid coming from the fourth container <NUM>' flows may be selectively provided.

Hereinafter, the first container <NUM>' is described as containing acid fluid which forms external phase fluid; the second container <NUM>' as containing base fluid which forms external phase fluid; the third container <NUM> as containing internal phase fluid; and the fourth container <NUM>' as containing functional fluid. But, fluid contained in each container is not limited to this. Herein, the fourth container <NUM>' and the fluid contained in fourth container <NUM>' may be selectively provided, and the fourth container <NUM>' and the functional fluid may be omitted.

In other words, the emulsion according to the embodiment may be provided by mixing acid fluid forming external phase fluid, base fluid forming external phase fluid, and internal phase fluid, while excluding functional fluid.

In the embodiment, the acid fluid may be fluid whose pH is less than <NUM>. Preferably, pH may be less than <NUM>. The base fluid may be fluid whose pH is greater than <NUM>. Preferably, pH may be greater than <NUM>. Within these pH ranges, microorganism cannot grow, and thus it is unnecessary to add preservative for a long term preservation of cosmetic raw materials.

The functional raw material may be understood as a raw material which is included in cosmetic components for functional improvement, and particularly, a raw material which is legally approved with respect to functions. Further, the functional fluid may be understood as meaning a fluid in which a functional raw material is dissolved or included.

Further, the functional raw material of the invention may have pH less than <NUM>, and preferably, pH less than <NUM>. Further, the functional raw material may have pH greater than <NUM>, and preferably, pH greater than <NUM>. By setting pH ranges like these, the functional fluid may be in a range where microorganism rarely exists or does not exist, and thus it is possible to provide cosmetic which contains no preservative.

Further, functional raw material may contain <NUM>% or more ethanol instead of above-mentioned pH range. In this case, similarly a region where microorganism rarely exists or does not exist may be provided.

Further, according to the apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification of the embodiment, when an upper portion of the housing <NUM>' or the plate <NUM>' in which the channel unit <NUM>' is formed is pressed in an up and down direction, fluid contained in each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is discharged to the channel unit <NUM>', and then the fluids are mixed in the channel unit <NUM>' and discharged to the outside of the channel unit <NUM>'.

Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, one of two containers may store acid solution, and the other container may store base solution, and these solutions may be mixed in the channel unit <NUM>' and discharged to the outside of the housing <NUM>'. Specifically, one container may store solution, which is a cosmetic raw material, such that its pH is less than <NUM>, and the other container may store solution, which is a cosmetic raw material, such that its pH is greater than <NUM>. In this case, a region where microorganism rarely exists or does not exist can be provided, and thus it is possible to provide cosmetic which contains no preservative.

The housing <NUM>' may be formed in a predetermined shape which accommodates the first, second, third and fourth containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', and is described by way of example as being formed in a cylindrical shape in the embodiment. However, the technical idea of the invention is not limited to this.

Further, the housing <NUM>' may include a lid <NUM>' which covers the upper portion of the housing <NUM>' and accommodate the plate <NUM>'. Further, an upper portion of the lid <NUM>' may include an opening <NUM>', so that a user can see a portion or the whole of the channel unit <NUM>'. For example, the opening <NUM>' may be a circular or rectangular hole. However, there is no limit in its shape.

Further, the housing <NUM>' may include a supporting part <NUM>' for substituting a cartridge.

The supporting part <NUM>' may be removably coupled with the housing <NUM>', and may support lower parts of the containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' when being coupled therewith, so that the containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' can be stably stored in the housing <NUM>'. In the embodiment, the supporting part <NUM>', which constitutes a bottom part of the cylindrical housing <NUM>', is described by way of example as being provided for substitution of the containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', but the shape and location of the supporting part <NUM>' are limited to this.

Further, the supporting part <NUM>' may include a plurality of grooves 132a', 132b', 132c', 132d' for fixing each containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' which have been installed in the housing <NUM>'.

The first, second, third and fourth containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' may be accommodated inside the housing <NUM>', attached to the outside of the housing <NUM>' or provided in such a manner that they can be substituted.

According to the embodiment, when each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is installed in the housing <NUM>', the first, second, third and fourth containers <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' can be fixed by the grooves 132a', 132b', 132c', 132d' formed on the supporting part <NUM>' of the housing <NUM>'. For example, when each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is accommodated in the housing <NUM>', and the supporting part <NUM>' of the housing <NUM>' is mounted to the housing <NUM>', the first container <NUM>' may be fitted to the first groove 132a'; the second container <NUM>' to the second groove 132b'; the third container <NUM>' to the third groove 132c'; and the fourth container <NUM>' to the fourth groove 132c'.

Further, each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' may be provided as a cartridge which is separably and removably coupled to the housing <NUM>'. In this case, there is an advantage that a user can select a functional material, an external phase fluid, cosmetic pH or the like which are suitable for the user's skin. Further, by substituting a raw material which has been completely used for a new raw material, the apparatus <NUM>' for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification can be used continuously. A portion of the housing <NUM>' may be formed with a transparent material, so that a user can check the remainder quantity of each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'.

The first container <NUM>' may include a storing part <NUM>' which stores fluid, a discharging hole <NUM> through which fluid is discharged, and a pumping part <NUM>' which generates pressure for discharging the fluid. In this case, by installing an elastic member <NUM>' between the storing part <NUM>' and the pumping part <NUM>', the pumping part <NUM>' can be returned to its original position.

Further, like the first container <NUM>', the second, third or fourth container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' may include a storing part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a discharging hole <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a pumping part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the plate <NUM>' in which the channel unit <NUM>' to be described later is formed may press the pumping part provided at the upper portion of each container, so that the fluid stored in the storing part of each container can be discharged to the channel unit <NUM>'. Specifically, acid fluid is discharged from the first discharging hole <NUM> of the first container <NUM>' to an acid fluid injection hole <NUM> to be described later; base fluid is discharged from the second discharging hole <NUM> of the second container <NUM>' to a base fluid injection hole <NUM> to be described later; internal phase fluid is discharged from the third discharging hole <NUM> of the third container <NUM>' to an internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>' to be described later; and functional fluid is discharged from the fourth discharging hole <NUM> of the four container <NUM>' to a functional fluid injection hole <NUM>' to be described later.

Further, the pumping part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' may have a shape of a truncated cone, and each fluid injection hole <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>' may be formed in the plate <NUM>' in a shape corresponding to this. That is, when the pumping part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is coupled to the plate <NUM>', the pumping part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be fitted to the plate <NUM>' without any gap therebetween. However, the shape of the pumping part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is not limited to this, but may have various shapes, such as a circular column shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape and the like.

The embodiment of the invention is described by way of example as fluid stored in the storing part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of each container being discharged when the plate <NUM>' in which the channel unit <NUM>' is formed applies pressure to the pumping part, but separate pump may be included. For example, a separate pump may be provided in the housing <NUM>', such that acid fluid, base fluid, functional fluid, which is selectively provided, and internal phase fluid can be discharged to the discharging part <NUM>' via the channel unit <NUM>'.

The channel unit <NUM>' may be formed on the plate <NUM>'. <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which each channel <NUM>, <NUM> is formed in the single plate <NUM>', but a plurality of plates in which channels <NUM>, <NUM> have been formed may be stacked in an up and down direction.

The channel unit <NUM>" may include a first channel <NUM> which is connected with the first, second and fourth containers <NUM>', <NUM>' and <NUM>', and a second channel <NUM> where fluid supplied from the first channel <NUM> and internal phase fluid supplied from the third container <NUM>' are mixed with each other. Herein, the first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> may be understood as microfluidic channels.

The first and second channels <NUM>, <NUM> may be understood as a predetermined flow path along which fluid entered into the channel can move, and may be formed in the plate <NUM>'. However, provision method of the first and second channels <NUM>, <NUM> is not limited to this. For example, the first and second channels <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed by assembling a plurality of parts including flow paths.

Further, the plate <NUM>' may be transparent, so that fluids can be seen flowing in the first and second channels <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first channel <NUM> may generate a neutralized internal phase fluid by mixing acid fluid which is supplied from the first container <NUM>' to form external phase fluid, with base fluid which is supplied from the second container <NUM>' to form external phase fluid.

Herein, pH of the neutralized internal phase fluid may be understood as being <NUM> to <NUM>. Further, pH of final emulsion after the mixing of the neutralized internal phase fluid with internal phase fluid supplied from the second channel <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further, pH of functional fluid, which is selectively supplied, may be between <NUM> and <NUM> like pH of the final emulsion.

The first channel <NUM> may include a first confluence part <NUM> where acid fluid and base fluid meet with each other, a mixing part <NUM>' which forms neutralized external phase fluid by advancing the acid fluid and base fluid together that have met with each other in the first confluence part <NUM>, and a connecting part <NUM> which provides the neutralized fluid generated in the mixing part <NUM>' to the second channel <NUM>. That is, the first channel <NUM> may be understood as a region from a point in which the acid fluid and the base fluid are introduced, to the connecting part <NUM>.

Further, the first channel <NUM> may include the acid fluid injection hole <NUM> which is connected the first container <NUM>', the base fluid injection hole <NUM> which is connected to the second container <NUM>', the functional fluid injection hole <NUM>' which is connected to the fourth container <NUM>', the first confluence part <NUM> in which the acid fluid coming from the acid fluid injection hole <NUM>, the base fluid coming from the base fluid injection hole <NUM>, and the functional fluid coming from the functional fluid injection hole <NUM>' meet with each other, and the mixing part <NUM>' which generates the mixed fluid by advancing the acid fluid, the base fluid and the functional fluid together that have met with each other in the first confluence part <NUM>. Herein, by forming four or more mixing parts <NUM>', it is possible to mix each fluid more effectively.

Further, the first channel <NUM> may include an acid fluid flow path <NUM> which connects between the acid fluid injection hole <NUM> and the first confluence part <NUM>, a base fluid flow path <NUM> which connects between the base fluid injection hole <NUM> and the first confluence part <NUM>, and a functional fluid flow path <NUM> which connects between the functional fluid injection hole <NUM>' and the first confluence part <NUM>.

The mixing part <NUM>' may be a flow path which can form vortices in flow by converting a proceeding direction of fluid. For this, the mixing part <NUM>' may include a bent part, a curved part, a turning part and the like which can convert the proceeding direction of fluid.

Particularly, in a case where the mixing part <NUM>' is formed so as to make fluid turn one direction or both directions, the fluid is subjected to centrifugal force while vortices are being formed in the fluid, and thus the fluid can be sufficiently mixed while passing through the mixing part <NUM>'.

In the embodiment, the mixing part <NUM>' is described by way of example as being configured to rotate the entering fluid in one direction (anticlockwise based on the drawing) and then rotate it in the other direction (clockwise based on the drawing). Specifically, the mixing part <NUM>' may include a first turning path <NUM>' which guides fluid so as to rotate in one direction, a second turning path <NUM>' which guides fluid so as to rotate in the other direction, and a direction conversion path <NUM>' which converts the rotating direction of the fluid between the first turning path <NUM>' and the second turning path <NUM>'.

By this mixing part <NUM>', the acid fluid, the base fluid and the functional fluid are moved along the first turning path <NUM>' and rotated in one direction, and the rotating direction is converted in the direction conversion path <NUM>' to be rotated in the other direction while being mixed, so that vortices can be effectively generated. Further, in the embodiment, the mixing part <NUM>' is described by way of example as being four in number which are continuously arranged on the channel unit <NUM>, but the number and arrangement of the mixing part <NUM>' do not limit the technical idea of the invention.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment, the mixing part <NUM>' is described by way of example as prompting the mixing of fluids by converting their proceeding directions, but the method for mixing fluid is not limited to this. There may be provided various methods which can stir fluid in a microfluidic channel, such as a method which increases the contact surface area, a method which applies electric field, and a method which uses sound waves.

In the above-described embodiment, the acid fluid, the base fluid and the functional fluid are all provided, but the functional fluid may be selectively input. In this case, the functional fluid injection hole <NUM>' and the functional fluid flow path <NUM> may be excluded.

Further, in a case where the functional fluid is provided, the fourth container which can store functional fluid may be one or more in number. For example, the fourth container may be three in number, and each fourth container may be provided with functional fluid suitable for user's preference.

The acid fluid and the base fluid may be sufficiently mixed with each other while passing through the mixing part <NUM>', and such mixed fluids may be referred to as neutralized fluid in the embodiment. Further, the acid fluid and the base fluid form external phase fluid, and may be understood as neutralized external phase fluid.

Further, the acid fluid and the base fluid may be water-based cosmetic fluid as external phase fluid. The water-based cosmetic is intrinsically an environment in which microorganism can grow easily. However, such water-based cosmetic raw material can become an environment where microorganism is difficult to grow while changing pH to an acid or base condition. Therefore, in the embodiment, cosmetic to which preservative is not added can be presented.

Further, in a case where functional fluid is additionally provided, the solution in which acid fluid, base fluid and the functional fluid are mixed may be understood as neutralized solution in respect of pH. Such solution may be referred to as neutralized mixture fluid. In the embodiment of the invention, pH of the neutralized solution may be understood as being between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The second channel <NUM> generates emulsion, which is an emulsified material, by stirring internal phase fluid supplied from the third container <NUM>' and the neutralized external phase fluid supplied from the first channel <NUM>.

Herein, the neutralized fluid including external phase fluid, and internal phase fluid can be emulsified to make emulsion in a very short time when passing through the second channel <NUM>. That is, the neutralized fluid and internal phase fluid can be instantly emulsified. At this time, the neutralized fluid may be instantly emulsified in the second channel <NUM>, and internal phase fluid may be dispersed in a particle state between external phase fluid and functional fluid.

The second channel <NUM> may include an internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>' connected to the third container <NUM>', a second confluence part <NUM> in which the neutralized external phase fluid supplied from the connecting part <NUM> of the first channel <NUM> meet with internal phase fluid, an emulsification part <NUM> which generates emulsion by emulsifying the neutralized external phase fluid and the internal phase fluid that have met with each other at the second confluence part <NUM>, and an outer discharging hole <NUM> which discharges to the outside the emulsion generated by the emulsification part <NUM>.

Herein, the path from the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>' to the second confluence part <NUM> may be formed in various shapes, such as curve, straight line or the like.

The emulsification part <NUM> functions to cause internal phase fluid to break neutralized fluid flow, and internal phase fluid to be dispersed into neutralized fluid in a particle state. The emulsification part <NUM> may be disposed at a rear side of the second confluence part <NUM>. The emulsification part <NUM> may be an orifice whose width is narrowed in a proceeding direction of fluid. The emulsification part <NUM> may be an orifice which is formed so as to have a width smaller than the internal phase fluid movement path <NUM> and a discharging path <NUM>.

In this time, the outer discharging hole <NUM> from the discharging path <NUM> may be formed on an extension part <NUM> of the plate <NUM>'.

Herein, the extension part <NUM> may be understood as a portion extending to a side of the plate <NUM>' on which the channel unit <NUM>' is formed. This portion may be understood as a portion which does not overlap the housing <NUM>' when the housing <NUM>' is viewed in an up and down direction.

The internal phase fluid exerts shearing force to mixture fluid in a resultant force direction of a narrowing direction (defined as a diagonal direction converging to a center side) of orifice inner side (defined as a vertical direction) and a flowing direction of fluid (defined as a horizontal direction) while passing through an orifice having a relatively small width. Due to this force and a geometrical shape of a corner portion of the orifice entrance, flow stream of the mixture fluid is broken into a particle form. When two fluids which are not mixed pass through an orifice with unstable interfaces, capillary instability increases, and a channel having an orifice can break flow of mixture fluid with relatively small energy when compared to a channel having no orifice. The broken neutralized external phase fluid becomes a spherical form to maintain a stable state, and internal phase fluid is dispersed into the neutralized external phase fluid.

An emulsifying manner using an orifice as in the embodiment may be referred to as flow-focusing method emulsification. By disposing an orifice at a confluence part while allowing fluids different in a phase from each other to flow in the same direction, internal phase fluid can break stream of external phase fluid (flow-focusing method). By using such orifice, flow of internal phase fluid is changed to a diagonal direction of orifice inner side, and can exert stronger shearing force to neutralized external phase fluid, which leads to easy formation of emulsion particles and at the same time to uniform size of emulsion particles.

Other than this, various embodiments may be employed as the emulsification part <NUM>. For example, a method which emulsifies while moving fluids different in phase from each other in the same direction (Co-Flow method), a method which emulsifies while moving fluids different in phase from each other so as to cross each other (Cross-Flow method), a method which forms emulsion particles at a confluence part by increasing or decreasing an aspect ratio of entrance mouths to the confluence part of external and internal phase fluids (Step Emulsification method), and a method which forms emulsion particles by causing internal phase fluid or two phase mixture fluid to pass through holes of membrane (Membrane Emulsification method) may be employed.

Further, the emulsification part <NUM> may use a driving force source. For example, a channel of a method which forms emulsion particles using one or more of electric field (electrical control), magnetic field (magnetic control), centrifugal force (centrifugal control), laser (optical control), a vibrator (vibration control) and piezoelectric material (piezoelectric control) may be used.

Further, the emulsification part <NUM> may form emulsion particles by changing interfacial tension and viscosity of fluid. For example, electrorheological (ER) or magnetorheological (MR) fluids, Photo-sensitive fluids may be employed.

Emulsion formed in the emulsification part <NUM> may become stable while passing though the discharging path <NUM>. Herein, inner wall of the discharging path <NUM> may be provided so as to have properties corresponding to hydrophilicity of external phase fluid.

In this case, external phase fluid forming external phase of emulsion will be attracted to the inner wall of the discharging path <NUM>, and in contrast to this, internal phase fluid is repelled away from the inner wall of the discharging path <NUM>. Thus, emulsion state can be stably maintained during movement. As in the embodiment of the invention, if internal phase fluid is oil, the inner wall of the discharging path <NUM> may be coated with film of hydrophilic material.

Herein, material whose contact angle with water is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees may be used as hydrophilic material or film.

Conversely, if oil is used as internal phase fluid, the inner wall may be coated with film of hydrophobic material, and material whose contact angle with water is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees may be used as hydrophobic material or film.

Further, according to an embodiment, besides the discharging path <NUM>, other components of the emulsification part <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> may be formed so as to have properties corresponding to hydrophilicity of external phase fluid.

In prior art, since interfacial tension of external and internal phase fluids is so high as not to be mixed with each other easily, it is quite difficult to form and maintain emulsion particles without using large amount of surfactant (<NUM> - <NUM> %). However, according to the embodiment, since surface force at the second channel <NUM> which has very small characteristic length (equal to or less than millimeter) affects fluid more than body force, emulsification can be advantageously rapidly achieved without using surfactant or with only minimal addition thereof. Further, the principle that one of two fluids which are not easily mixed with each other breaks flow of the other fluid to form emulsion particles contributes to reduction of surfactant.

Further, according to an embodiment, acid solution and base solution have different colors, and when the acid solution and the base solution are mixed with each other, their colors change to a different color. Thus, a user can see color of safe cosmetic which appears as neutralized solution through the transparent plate <NUM>'. For example, if acid fluid which is contained in the first container <NUM>' and forms external phase fluid is red, and base fluid which is contained in the second container <NUM>' and forms external phase fluid is blue, neutralized fluid in which the acid fluid and the base fluid are mixed may be yellow. Therefore, by seeing color of fluid flowing through a flow path of the channel unit <NUM>', a user can recognize that safe cosmetic is provided.

Hereinafter, operation and effect of the apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification as described above will be described.

According to an embodiment of the invention, one container stores water-based solution such that its pH is less than <NUM>, and another container stores water-based solution such that its pH is greater than <NUM>. Thus, a region where microorganism rarely exists or does not exist can be provided, and it is possible to provide cosmetic which uses no preservative.

According to an embodiment of the invention, acid solution, base solution and neutralized solution in which they are mixed are realized so as to have different colors, and thus a user can confirm only from colors that cosmetic to be used by the user has a pH within a stable range.

Further, <NUM>% citric acid is input to the first container <NUM>', and <NUM>% Tris aminoultra PC is added to the second container <NUM>', so that their pHs are set to <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. <NUM>% Finsolv TN-O is input to the third container <NUM>' and <NUM>% EGCG (functional material) is mixed with <NUM> % or more ethanol or polyol(BG) to become functional raw material in the fourth container <NUM>'. Then, experiments were performed to check whether microorganism growth environment and suitable pH were obtained. According to results of the experiments, due to the effect of oil stored in the third container <NUM>', ethanol stored in the fourth container <NUM>', and pH of the solutions stored in the first and second container <NUM>', <NUM>', microorganism could not grow in each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'. Therefore, final pH of emulsion which has been stirred through the channel unit <NUM>' was <NUM>, and thus it was confirmed to be in a state where it can be used to skin safely.

According to an embodiment of the invention, by forming four or more mixing parts <NUM>' to form vortices, mixing of each fluid can be done more effectively, and thus it is possible to provide cosmetic in which surfactant use is reduced.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each container may be provided as a cartridge which is separably and replaceably coupled to the housing. In this case, there is an advantage that a user can select a functional material or cosmetic pH which is suitable for the user's skin.

Further, when a user presses the upper portion of the housing <NUM>', cosmetic is instantly prepared and provided. Therefore, fresh cosmetic can be used instead of cosmetics that have been manufactured in mass production and sold by cosmetic manufacturer.

Further, it is possible to minimize use of surfactant or thickener considering long term stability of cosmetic, and thus a use can use cosmetic in which content of additive material is minimized.

Further, operation of the apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to an embodiment of the invention will be described as below. Hereinafter, the container is described by way of example as being four in number, but it may be three in number by excluding a container in which functional solution is contained.

When a user exerts pressure to the upper portion of the housing <NUM>' or the plate <NUM>' in which the channel unit <NUM>' is formed, the plate <NUM>' presses the pumping part <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of each container <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' to introduce into the channel unit <NUM>' solutions contained in the storing parts <NUM>',<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>.

The acid fluid, base fluid and functional fluid which have been introduced into the first channel <NUM> meet with each other in the first mixing part <NUM>. After that, three fluids pass through the mixing part <NUM>' and mixed to become neutralized fluid. Due to vortices generated when passing through the mixing part <NUM>', the acid fluid, the base fluid and the functional fluid are mixed with each other more smoothly.

Three fluids which have been mixed in the first channel <NUM> pass through the connecting part <NUM>, and meet at the second confluence part <NUM> with internal phase fluid which has been introduced into the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>', and the external phase fluid passes through the orifice which is provided as the emulsification part <NUM> to be broken into a particle form, while the internal phase fluid is dispersed into the external phase fluid.

After that, emulsion is discharged to the outside through the outer discharging hole <NUM> which is a final path of the second channel <NUM> and the discharging part <NUM>' formed in the housing <NUM>'.

Meanwhile, in above-described embodiments, oil is used as internal phase fluid, and water is used as external phase fluid, thus generating O/W emulsion, but it is also possible that water is used as internal phase fluid, and oil is used as external phase fluid, thus generating O/W emulsion.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. However, the embodiment of <FIG> is different from the embodiment of <FIG> in that the first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> are provided on separate plates, and thus such different feature will be mainly described, while reference to the above-described embodiment will be made for the description and reference signs of same parts.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of the channel unit <NUM>' of an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> may be formed in separate plates. Specifically, the first channel <NUM> may be formed in the first plate <NUM>, and the second channel <NUM> may be formed in the second plate <NUM>.

And, a connecting part 119a of the first channel <NUM> and a connecting part 119b of the second channel <NUM> are connected to each other. Specifically, a connecting flow path <NUM> may be formed between the connecting part 119a of the first channel <NUM> and the connecting part 119b of the second channel <NUM>, or the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be stacked without the connecting flow path <NUM>.

Further, like the above-described embodiment, the first container <NUM> may be coupled to the acid fluid injection hole <NUM>'; the second container <NUM>' to the base fluid injection hole <NUM>'; the fourth container <NUM>' to the functional fluid injection hole <NUM>"; and the third container <NUM>' to the internal phase fluid injection hole <NUM>". Herein, in a case where the connecting flow path <NUM> is formed between the connecting part 119a of the first channel <NUM> and the connecting part 119b of the second channel <NUM>, a hole 121a through which the third container <NUM>' penetrates is formed in the second plate <NUM>', and a portion of the third container <NUM>' may be formed so as to correspond to this shape.

Further, even though not shown in the drawing, three or more plates may be stacked to form channel unit <NUM>'.

In the embodiment, the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are stacked from the bottom to the top, but the stacking order of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> can be changed.

Further, in the embodiment of the invention, the channel unit <NUM>' is covered by the lid <NUM>', but the channel unit <NUM> and the plates <NUM>, <NUM> corresponding to this may be provided in a lower portion of the housing <NUM>', and it may be configured such that mixed fluid can be discharged to the discharging part <NUM>' formed in the upper portion of the housing <NUM>'.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic using instantaneous emulsification including a housing (<NUM>) which forms an outer appearance, the apparatus comprising:
an internal phase container (<NUM>) which is replaceably coupled to the housing (<NUM>), and which stores internal phase fluid;
an external phase container (<NUM>) which is replaceably coupled to the housing (<NUM>), and which stores external phase fluid;
a plate (<NUM>) in which a channel unit (<NUM>) is formed, wherein the channel unit (<NUM>) generates emulsion by mixing the internal phase fluid provided from the internal phase container (<NUM>) and the external phase fluid provided from the external phase container (<NUM>); and
an operative unit (<NUM>) which provides external force required to form and discharge emulsion at the channel unit (<NUM>) by manipulation of a user,
wherein the internal phase container (<NUM>) and the external phase container (<NUM>) have each a pumping part (<NUM>; <NUM>) which is operated by action of the operative unit,
wherein the the plate (<NUM>) is disposed at an upper side of the operative unit (<NUM>),
wherein the pumping part (<NUM>; <NUM>) provided at the upper portion of the internal phase container (<NUM>) and the upper portion of the external phase container (<NUM>) is disposed at a lower side of the operative unit (<NUM>),
wherein by pressing the plate (<NUM>), the operative unit (<NUM>) presses the pumping part (<NUM>) of the internal phase container (<NUM>) and the pumping part (<NUM>) of the external phase container (<NUM>) at the same time, so that the internal phase fluid stored in the internal phase container (<NUM>) and the external phase fluide stored in the external phase container (<NUM>) are discharged to the channel unit (<NUM>) and mixed to generate the emulsion.