Method for providing personalized cosmetics

• US 6,516,245 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Dirksing, Robert S., Achanta, Srinivas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/584,567
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/232, 700/233, 700/239, 700/285, 137/3
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/058 Means for mixing different substances prior to application
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/00 Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks features common to containers for handling powdery or liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances A45D33/00-A45D37/00; cosmetic or like preparations A61K8/00, A61Q; sample tables or the like G09F5/00
• 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 33/8442 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: G07F 13/06 with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/10 with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/18 for washing or drying persons

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for customizing the cosmetics used by a consumer. A consumer provides selection data and a cosmetic product formula is generated therefrom, base ingredients are then dispensed in accordance with the formula and a customized cosmetic product is delivered onto an intermediate surface for subsequent application. Further, a cartridge providing fluids to a customized cosmetic device is disclosed comprising one or more fluids, the fluids are stored in the cartridge, and one or more openings are provided for dispensing the fluids to a customized cosmetic product.

Claims

1. A method of providing customized cosmetics to a consumer, comprising the steps of:

providing ingredients for producing one or more cosmetic products;

receiving selection data;

generating a customized cosmetic product formula using the ingredients and selection data; and

dispensing the ingredients according to the customized cosmetic product formula onto an intermediate surface that is an applicator for subsequent application.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving standard selection data from a computing device wherein the standard selection data is used when generating the customized cosmetic product formula.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving standard selection data from a computer readable medium wherein the standard selection data is used when generating the customized cosmetic product formula.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the customized cosmetic product formula occurs on a microprocessor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate surface is at least one of:

a swab;

a finger;

a tissue;

a sponge;

a comb;

a brush; and

a plate.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

saving selection data from the customer for subsequent use by a customer on demand.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying to the customer the customized product formula prior to dispensing.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ingredients reside on one or more cartridges.