Nail polish color selection system and method

• US 20010047309A1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IMX Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Julie R., Hines, Charles P. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,622,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/00 Manicuring or pedicuring implements
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/11 Polishing devices for nails
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/60 with a vibrating receptacle B01F31/10, B01F31/20, B01F31/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/8442 using a computer for controlling information and converting it in a formula and a set of operation instructions, e.g. on the point of sale
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/846 using stored recipes for determining the composition of the mixture to be produced, i.e. for determining the amounts of the basic components to be dispensed from the component receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/50 Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/302 using electrical or electro-mechanical means B67D7/307 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/74 Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred coin-freed apparatus G07F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/18 for washing or drying persons

Abstract

A user interactive custom nail polish color and effects dispensing system and method of doing business, including for both point of sale and remote (e.g., via internet) transactions.

Claims

1. A method for the custom formulation of a liquid cosmetic in response to a selection by a retail customer, comprising the steps of:

a) selecting a custom formulation;

b) providing recipe information about said custom formulation to a cosmetic dispensing system;

c) dispensing ingredients from said dispensing system to a receptacle in accordance with said recipe information for forming said custom formulation of a liquid cosmetic.

2. A method of

claim 1

, wherein said custom formulation is derived from user input.

3. A method of

claim 2

, wherein said user input is made at a point of purchase.

4. A method of

claim 1

, wherein said custom formulation is made through the internet.

5. A method of

claim 1

, wherein said liquid cosmetic is a nail polish.

6. A method of

claim 1

, wherein a computer is used for said selecting and dispensing said liquid cosmetic.

7. A method of

claim 1

, further comprising of storing said recipe information for later retrieval.

8. A method of

claim 1

, wherein dispensed volume of said liquid cosmetic ranges from about 9 to about 45 milliliters.

9. A method of

claim 1

, whereby after said dispensing step, the method of steps (a)-(c) are repeated for a different custom formulation.

10. A method for the custom formulation of a nail polish, comprising the steps of:

a) selecting a custom formulation for a nail polish with the aid of a computer;

b) providing recipe information outputted from said computer about said custom formulation to an electronic control unit for said nail polish dispensing system;

c) controllably dispensing ingredients from said dispensing system to a nail polish bottle having an aperture on the order of less than about 25 mm in accordance with said recipe information for forming said custom formulation of a liquid cosmetic.

11. A method of

claim 10

, wherein selection of said custom formulation is made at a point of sale.

12. A method of

claim 11

, wherein said selection is made through the internet.

13. A method of

claim 10

, wherein said selection is made at a point of sale.

14. A method of

claim 10

, further comprising of storing said recipe information for later retrieval.

15. A method of

claim 10

, wherein dispensed volume of said liquid cosmetic ranges from about 9 to about 45 milliliters.

16. A method of

claim 10

, whereby after said dispensing step, the method of steps (a)-(c) are repeated for a different custom formulation.

17. A method for the custom formulation of a nail polish, comprising the steps of:

a) providing, at a retail point of sale, a pod having integrated therein a computer in signaling communication with at least one user interface and a nail polish dispensing system having an electronic control unit;

b) selecting at said user interface a custom formulation for a nail polish with the aid of said computer;

c) providing recipe information outputted from said computer about said custom formulation to said electronic control unit for said nail polish dispensing system;

d) controllably dispensing at said point of sale from said dispensing system to a nail polish bottle having an aperture on the order of less than about 25 mm in accordance with said recipe information for forming said custom formulation of a liquid cosmetic at said retail point of sale.

18. A method of

claim 17

, wherein said pod further comprising a spectrophotometer in signaling communication with said computer.

19. A method of

claim 17

, wherein said pod further comprising a device for maintaining a predetermined moisture level at a nozzle of said dispensing system.

20. A method of

claim 19

, whereby after said dispensing step, the method of steps (b)-(d) are repeated for a different custom formulation.