Point-of-sale body powder dispensing system

• US 6,412,658 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IMX Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Julie R., Hines, Charles P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/872,929
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/135, 222/137-144, 222/144.5, 141/9, 141/104
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/00 Other cosmetic or toiletry articles, e.g. for hairdressers' rooms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/21 Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/60 Mixing solids with solids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/841 with component receptacles fixed in a circular configuration on a horizontal table, e.g. the table being able to be indexed about a vertical axis
• 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

Abstract

A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, including the steps of providing a body powder dispensing apparatus and operating the body powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing into a container a custom formulation of body powder ingredients at a retail purchase point of sale. The amounts and types of the body powder ingredients dispensed are determined based upon specification by a retail customer.

Claims

1. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected fixed incremental amount;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a first powder formulation from said chambers at a retail purchase site;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail purchase site for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail purchase site;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail purchase site for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for different formulations; and

further wherein said first and second dispensing containers include;

a. a container portion for storing its respective formulation;

b. an applicator portion including a brush in fluid communication with said container portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatus is operated manually.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispensing system is automated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a computer controls said dispensing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispensing containers include a mechanism for transporting powder from said container portion to said applicator portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said chambers have a removable lid associated therewith for permitting access to said chamber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said metering device includes a disc rotatable by an actuating arm.

8. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of substantially parallel, vertically disposed chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected fixed incremental amount;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus at a retail point of sale for dispensing a first body powder formulation including a powder and a preservative at a retail point of sale;

c) manually dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail point of sale, said container being adapted for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer at said retail point of sale;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation including a powder and a preservative from said chambers at said retail point of sale;

e) manually dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail point of sale for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer at said retail point of sale,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for at least two different formulations specified by at least two different retail customers;

wherein the resulting first and second powder formulations are in a solid form;

and further wherein each of said first and second dispensing containers have an applicator associated therewith.

9. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of substantially parallel, vertically disposed chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected fixed incremental amount;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus at a retail point of sale for dispensing a first body powder formulation at a retail point of sale;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail point of sale, said container being adapted for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer at said retail point of sale;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail point of sale;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail point of sale for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer at said retail point of sale,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for at least two different formulations specified by at least two different retail customers;

wherein the resulting first and second powder formulations are in a solid form; and

further wherein each of said first and second dispensing containers includes a container portion for storing said formulation of powder, and an applicator portion including a brush in fluid communication with said container portion.

10. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of substantially parallel, vertically disposed cylindrical chambers radially mounted about a common hub, each adapted for storing different types of powder;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus at a retail point of sale for dispensing a first body powder formulation at a point of sale;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail point of sale, said container being adapted for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer at said retail point of sale;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail point of sale;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail point of sale for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer at said retail point of sale,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for at least two different formulations specified by at least two different retail customers;

and further wherein each of said first and second dispensing containers have a brush applicator associated therewith.

11. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of substantially parallel, vertically disposed cylindrical chambers radially mounted about a common hub, each adapted for storing different types of powder;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus at a retail point of sale for dispensing a first body powder formulation at a point of sale;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail point of sale, said container being adapted for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer at said retail point of sale;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail point of sale;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail point of sale for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer at said retail point of sale,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for at least two different formulations specified by at least two different retail customers; and

wherein each of said first and second dispensing containers include a container portion for storing said formulation of powder, and an applicator portion including a brush in fluid communication with said container portion.

12. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a custom nail polish dispenser adapted for permitting a user to specify and dispense a custom nail formulation at a retail point of sale;

b) operating said nail polish dispenser for dispensing said custom nail formulation at said retail point of sale into a nail polish container;

c) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of substantially parallel, vertically disposed chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected fixed incremental amount;

d) operating said powder dispensing apparatus at a retail point of sale for dispensing a first body powder formulation at a retail point of sale;

e) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first powder container at said retail point of sale, said container being adapted for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer at said retail point of sale;

f) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail point of sale; and

g) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second powder container at said retail point of sale for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer at said retail point of sale, wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for at least two different formulations specified by at least two different retail customers.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said custom nail polish dispenser and said custom powder dispensing apparatus are housed together in combination.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said custom nail formulation is computed using a spectrophotometer.