Method and system for producing customized cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations on demand

• US 20050021174A1
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lab21 Inc. (Diagnostics Holdings PLC)
• Original Assignee: Lab21 Inc. (Diagnostics Holdings PLC)
• Inventors: Crawford, Timothy K., Wilmott, James M., Aust, Duncan T.
• Application Number:
  US10/916,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20050021174A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/044 Suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/068 Microemulsions
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/585 Organosilicon compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/70 containing perfluoro groups, e.g. perfluoroethers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/73 Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/731 Cellulose; Quaternized cellulose derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/732 Starch; Amylose; Amylopectin; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/735 Mucopolysaccharides, e.g. hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/737 Galactomannans, e.g. guar; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9761 Cupressaceae [Cypress family], e.g. juniper or cypress
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9789 Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9794 Liliopsida [monocotyledons]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/7015 Drug-containing film-forming compositions, e.g. spray-on
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/00 Barrier preparations; Preparations brought into direct contact with the skin for affording protection against external influences, e.g. sunlight, X-rays or other harmful rays, corrosive materials, bacteria or insect stings
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/04 Topical preparations for affording protection against sunlight or other radiation; Topical sun tanning preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/84 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/844 with means for customizing the mixture on the point of sale, e.g. by sensing, receiving or analysing information about the characteristics of the mixture to be made
• 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: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A method and system for selecting and producing a customized cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation is disclosed below. The system can be implemented in an Internet based system or a stand-alone version, such as a Kiosk. An improved method of custom formulation is presented which utilizes the user'"'"'s preferences and profile, as well as external factors. The customized formulation can be directed to a manufacturing facility for on-demand production. Alternatively, a printout of the formulation can be provided for subsequent use at point-of-sale locations, such as a cosmetics store or a pharmacy. The custom formulation software can also be provided in conjunction with a cosmetics manufacturing kit for use in home or business application.

Claims

1-26. -26. (Cancelled)

27. A method of producing a custom cosmetic or pharmaceutical product comprising the steps of:

creating a set of structured questions;

receiving, from a user, a request for the custom product;

querying the user, based on said questions, to obtain information useful for formulating the custom product;

generating an initial formulation based on said information obtained from the user in response to the questions;

querying the user for additional information related to formulating the custom product;

optionally, based on the additional information, altering the initial formulation to create a custom formulation; and

optionally, based on the additional information, outputting the initial formulation as the custom formulation.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the user, a request to manufacture the custom product; and

outputting the custom formulation for subsequent manufacture of the custom product.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of displaying the custom formulation and a price related to the custom formulation.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of storing the custom formulation.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the information includes at least one of a season and at least one of a user'"'"'s age, sex, race, skin type, skin color, allergies, geographical location, and anatomical location of application.