Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Producing Customized Topical Agents

• US 20180189853A1
• Filed: 12/27/2017
• Published: 07/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shiseido Company Limited
• Original Assignee: MATCHCo.
• Granted Patent: US 10,943,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/80 Process related aspects concerning the preparation of the cosmetic composition or the storage or application thereof
• 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: 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: B01F 33/848 using data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the dispensing and mixing operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71745 using pneumatic pressure, overpressure, gas or air pressure in a closed receptacle or circuit system
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71795 Squeezing a flexible container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/28 Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/54 Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/06 with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof

Abstract

A method and a system are described herein for preparing a custom cosmetic formulation. The system includes a controller in electronic communication with an order management system, wherein the order management system stores user-specific data including data related to a custom cosmetic formulation and components thereof, a plurality of valves for receiving pressurized fluid, the plurality of valves in electronic communication with the controller; a plurality of dispensers, each having a valve for metering fluid in predetermined quantities, and each having a dispensing head having a nozzle, each nozzle comprising a nozzle tip on a distal end thereof, wherein the nozzle tips are arranged so as to dispense a fluid into an inlet of a product receptacle, the dispensers in electronic communication with a data port; a measuring device in electronic communication with the controller, the measuring device capable of capturing data related to dispensed fluids from each of the plurality of dispensers and transmitting the data to the controller; a barcode scanner for reading order-specific instructions; a user interface for operator communication with the order management system and with the controller; a plurality of fluid conduits for introducing fluid to the dispensers; a fluid delivery apparatus for delivery of components of a custom cosmetic component to the dispensers; and a pressure source for pressurizing fluid in the fluid delivery apparatus for delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery apparatus to the plurality of dispensers.

Claims

1. A system for preparing a custom cosmetic formulation, comprising:

a controller in electronic communication with an order management system, wherein the order management system stores user-specific data including data related to a custom cosmetic formulation and components thereof;

a plurality of valves for receiving pressurized fluid, the plurality of valves in electronic communication with the controller;

a plurality of dispensers, each having a valve for metering fluid in predetermined quantities, and each having a dispensing head having a nozzle, each nozzle comprising a nozzle tip on a distal end thereof, wherein the nozzle tips are arranged so as to dispense a fluid into an inlet of a product receptacle, the dispensers in electronic communication with a data port;

a measuring device in electronic communication with the controller, the measuring device capable of capturing data related to dispensed fluids from each of the plurality of dispensers and transmitting the data related to the dispensed fluids to the controller;

a barcode scanner for reading order-specific instructions;

a user interface for operator communication with the order management system and with the controller;

a plurality of fluid conduits for introducing fluid to the dispensers;

a fluid delivery apparatus for delivery of components of a custom cosmetic component to the dispensers; and

a pressure source for pressurizing fluid in the fluid delivery apparatus for delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery apparatus to the plurality of dispensers.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises at least one microcontroller.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive data from the order management system, comprising

dispensing instructions;

one or more of user-specific component property data for each component of a custom cosmetic formulation; and

user-specific and/or operator-specific identification data.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of valves for receiving the pressurized fluid are solenoid valves.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein there are four solenoid valves and each is a three-way solenoid valve, and wherein there are four dispensers.

6. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a relay shield in electronic communication with each of the plurality of solenoid valves and with the controller.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure source is compressed air delivered through a series of compressed air conduits and the solenoid valves cycle compressed air to actuate the plurality of dispensers.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the solenoid valves actuate independently in response to a signal from the controller.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the dispensers are canister dispensers.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the canister dispensers arranged in a cassette, the cassette having a data port and being removable from the system.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the compressed air conduits are flexible tubing.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the barcode scanner is a camera having quick read barcode scanning functionality, and the barcode scanner is also capable of receiving operator sign-on and identification information.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid conduits are flexible tubing.

16. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle tip holder, wherein the nozzle tip holder comprises a nozzle tip holder body defining openings longitudinally extending therethrough to hold each of the nozzle tips so that each tip is positioned to dispense over or within an opening into a neck of a receptacle having a longitudinal axis therethrough for receiving a dispensed fluid and each nozzle tip is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle, but each nozzle tip is not in contact with any other of the nozzle tips.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data captured by the measuring device includes at least one of weight data, volumetric flow rate data, and viscosity data

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is an analytical balance.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the analytical balance is capable of capturing and communicating to the controller weight data as fluid is metered through at least one nozzle tip.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure source is compressed air delivered through a series of compressed air conduits and the compressed air conduits are positioned to introduce compressed air into the fluid delivery apparatus.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus comprises:

a first housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space, a removable lid, at least one pressure source inlet, and at least one fluid outlet;

at least one flexible fluid container arranged in the interior of the first housing, wherein the at least one flexible fluid container has a puncture seal cap and a puncture seal fitting for engaging the puncture seal cap;

a pressure controller for regulating pressure of a pressure source through the pressure source inlet;

at least one fluid delivery apparatus conduit having a first end in communication with the puncture seal fitting and a second end for delivery of fluid through the at least one fluid outlet to one of the fluid conduits in communication with the plurality of dispensers.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the flexible fluid container is positioned within an outer container.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein there are two flexible fluid containers, each positioned within an outer container and the first housing has at least two fluid outlets, each of which is in communication with one of the fluid conduits leading to the plurality of dispensers.

24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the pressure source is compressed air delivered through compressed air conduits in fluid communication with the pressure source inlet.

25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus comprises

a plurality of housings, each of the plurality of housings having:

an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space, a removable lid, at least one pressure source inlet, and at least one fluid outlet;

at least one flexible fluid container arranged in the interior of the first housing, wherein the at least one flexible fluid container has a puncture seal cap and a puncture seal fitting for engaging the puncture seal cap;

a pressure controller for regulating pressure of compressed air through the pressure source inlet;

at least one fluid delivery apparatus conduit having a first end in communication with the puncture seal fitting and a second end for delivery of fluid through the at least one fluid outlet to one of the fluid conduits in communication with the plurality of dispensers.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein there are two flexible fluid containers in each of the housings, each of the two flexible fluid containers positioned within an outer container and the each of the housings having at least two fluid outlets, each of which fluid outlets is in communication with one of the fluid conduits leading to the plurality of dispensers.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the pressure source is compressed air delivered through compressed air conduits in fluid communication with the pressure source inlet.

28. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a mixing device, selected from a ball mill, a centrifuge, and a vibratory mixer.

29. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a printer in communication with the controller for provided printed user-specific information, based on data from the order management system, to a receptacle for housing a custom cosmetic formulation.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the printed user-specific information is printed on a label placed on a receptacle for housing a custom cosmetic formulation.

14. The system according to claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface is a touchscreen.

31. A fluid delivery apparatus, comprising:

a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space, a removable lid, at least one pressure source inlet, and at least one fluid outlet;

at least one flexible fluid container arranged in the interior of the housing, wherein the at least one flexible fluid container has a puncture seal cap and a puncture seal fitting for engaging the puncture seal cap;

a pressure controller for regulating pressure of the pressure source through the pressure source inlet;

at least one fluid delivery apparatus conduit having a first end in communication with the puncture seal fitting and a second end for delivery of fluid through the at least one fluid outlet.

32. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the flexible fluid container is positioned within an outer container.

33. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 31, wherein there are two flexible fluid containers, each positioned within an outer container and the housing includes at least two fluid outlets.

34. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 33, wherein there are two of the housings.

35. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.

36. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the removable lid when closed is sealingly engaged so as to be capable of pressurizing the interior space.

37. The fluid delivery apparatus according to claim 31, wherein there are two of the housings.

38. A method of preparing a customized cosmetic formulation, comprising:

(a) providing an order management system having user-specific data related to a custom cosmetic formulation and components thereof;

(b) providing a controller configured to receive the user-specific data from the order management system, wherein the controller is in communication with a user interface;

(c) sending data from the order management system to the controller associated with an order for one or more custom cosmetic formulations, wherein the order is received in the order management system;

(d) actuating a pressure source to pressurize a fluid delivery apparatus to deliver one or more fluid components of a first custom cosmetic formulation in the order to one or more of a plurality of dispensers, each associated with a fluid component of a custom cosmetic formulation in the order, wherein the controller actuates the pressure source;

(e) dispensing a first fluid component from one of the plurality of dispensers into a receptacle for receiving a custom cosmetic formulation for a period of time associated with the data received by the controller;

(f) monitoring a value associated with a property of the first fluid component by a measuring device in electronic communication with the controller while dispensing the first fluid component to confirm that the first fluid component is delivered to within a tolerance range of a predetermined value for the property associated with the first fluid component in the order and stopping dispensing of the first fluid component when the value of the property monitored is the same as the predetermined value or within the tolerance range;

(g) recording a final measured property value for the first fluid component after stopping the dispensing of the first fluid component;

(h) repeating steps (e), (f) and (g) for one or more additional fluid components in the order for the custom cosmetic formulation; and

(i) mixing the one or more fluid components.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the controller includes at least one microcontroller.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the user-specific data comprises one or more of weight data for each component in the order for a custom cosmetic formulation, viscosity data for each component in the order for a custom cosmetic formulation, dispensing instructions, user-specific and/or operator-specific identification information, and operator-specific log-in information.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the operator identification data includes log-in data so that an operator logs in through the graphical user interface for receiving dispensing instructions and data associated with the order, and confirms the weights of the components after dispensing for authenticating the order and for compliance with cosmetic formulation requirements.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein the user-specific information received by the controller, is electronically communicated to a printer and incorporated into a quick read barcode printed onto the receptacle prior to dispensing the fluid components in the order for a custom cosmetic formulation.

43. The method according to claim 41, further comprising reading the quick read barcode using a camera having quick read barcode scanning functionality.