Method and apparatus for testing semisolid materials
First Claim
1. A method of measuring properties of a semisolid material comprising:
- contacting a test sample of the semisolid material against a substrate with a known force between the test sample and the substrate;
moving the test sample relative to the substrate with a known displacement of the test sample relative to the substrate to deposit some of the semisolid material from the test sample onto the substrate; and
determining the amount of semisolid material that has been removed from the test sample and deposited onto the substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for assessing characteristics of a semisolid material is provided. The method and apparatus are particularly well suited for the testing of semisolid cosmetic products in stick form such as lipsticks, lip salves, and deodorant sticks. The method includes testing the rate of deposition of the semisolid material onto a substrate when a test sample of the material is moved against the substrate under controlled conditions. The method also includes measuring the drag on a test sample of the material when the test sample is moved against the substrate under controlled conditions. The illustrated testing apparatus permits a researcher to perform these tests on a test sample. The testing results in qualitative, reproducible data which can be used to compare different batches of the semisolid materials for consistency, and which can be correlated with qualitative human test panel data about the semisolid material for research and development purposes.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of measuring properties of a semisolid material comprising:
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contacting a test sample of the semisolid material against a substrate with a known force between the test sample and the substrate;
moving the test sample relative to the substrate with a known displacement of the test sample relative to the substrate to deposit some of the semisolid material from the test sample onto the substrate; and
determining the amount of semisolid material that has been removed from the test sample and deposited onto the substrate.
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2. A method of measuring properties of a semisolid material comprising:
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contacting a test sample of the semisolid material against a substrate with a known force between the test sample and the substrate;
moving the test sample relative to the substrate to deposit some of the semisolid material from the test sample onto the substrate; and
while the test sample is moving relative to the substrate, measuring the drag force imposed on the test sample by its movement relative to the substrate and by its contact with the substrate.
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3. An apparatus for measuring the properties of a semisolid material comprising:
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a base assembly;
a holder which holds a test sample of the semisolid material positioned above the base assembly;
a substrate positioned between the base assembly and the holder for moving relative to the test sample, the test sample and the substrate being in contact with one another;
wherein, when the substrate and the test sample move relative to one another, a portion of the semisolid material is deposited upon the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification