NAIL POLISH COLOR SELECTION SYSTEM

• US 20110231267A1
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Inventors: Hines, Charles P. JR., Bartholomew, Julie R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,352,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/16
• 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 custom liquid cosmetic dispensing system, comprising:

a) a cosmetic dispensing system including;

i. a fixed number of chambers for holding shades, tints, or hues of colors or pigments; and

ii. a platform or stage for holding one or more receptacles

b) a computer for interacting with a retail customer to elect a liquid, cosmetic formulation and communicating information about a selection for use in controlling said dispensing system, the computer including;

a. a database of specific proportions of shades, tints, or hues of colors or pigments necessary for dispensing to achieve the ultimate desired color;

b. a mathematical integration feature such that, where a color selected finds no exact formula or recipe match, the computer will calculate the formula recipe by reference to data associated with nearby colors.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform or stated includes a vibrator or shaker for mixing and dispersion of the ingredients.

37. The system of claim 1, further including a viewing state that provides virtual feedback to a user about how a particular color or effect will look on that particular user.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is connected to monitor or a screen.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers dispense the shades, tints, or hues of colors or pigments to a common chamber and the common chamber dispenses the shades, tints, or hues of colors or pigments into the one or more receptacles.

40. The system of claim 1, further including a remote communication system so that color section is made by mail order, phone order, or internet.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein an internet web site is maintained that allows a user select cosmetic colors, view the colors chosen on a pallet or a virtual mannequin, place orders, pay for orders, or a combination thereof.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the user transmits a image of the user'"'"'s body part to the internet website so that the user can virtually view their body part with the colors chosen.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the chambers include a nozzle, and the nozzles include a supply inlet portion and a nozzle tip exit portion, the nozzle tip exit portion being curved or angled.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the nozzle tip is axially angled from between but 5 and 85 degrees from a vertical centerline.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the nozzle tip is axially aligned from between about 20 and about 50 degrees of the vertical centerline.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer further includes a controller, the controller being programmable to account for changes in a conduit size, conduit shape, conduit material, viscosity of a fluid, an operating temperature, and any desired variations in a motor or a pump.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is a syringe dispensing mechanism that includes a cylinder for receiving a plunger.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein fluid is put into the cylinder and the fluid is driven through a nozzle tip by pressure applied to the plunger.

49. The system of claim 48, further including a single control unit that controls a plurality of syringes.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein the custom liquid cosmetic dispensing system is integrated into a single pod or kiosk and the pod includes display shelves, wherein prepackaged base materials are placed.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein a user hand selects base material by removing them from a shelf and placing the base materials by the dispenser so that the base materials are dispensed.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the pod or kiosk includes a glass panel that covers the dispensing device so that the dispensing device is visible during dispensing.

53. The system of claim 52, further including a remote communication system so that color section is made by mail order, phone order, or internet.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the pod further includes a cash register, a packaging station, a display station, an application station, or a combination thereof.

2-35. -35. (canceled)