Nail polish selection method

• US 6,622,064 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• 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): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/818,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/232, 700/233, 700/234, 700/239, 700/242, 700/243, 700/241, 222/52, 222/144
• US Class Current: 700/233
• 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 method of custom formulation of a nail comprising the steps of:

a) providing, at a retail point of sale, a pod including an automated nail polish dispenser including a plurality of syringe dispensers containing different nail polish ingredients and being radially disposed about an axis for dispensing ingredients of a nail polish formulation, and a computer adapted for controlling said syringe dispensers;

b) displaying on said pod a user interface with said computer for permitting a user to input information into said computer for selecting a nail polish formulation;

c) selecting a first nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale via said user interface;

d) actuating one or more of said syringes for dispensing said first nail polish formulation into a first nail polish container with said automated nail polish dispenser based upon a recipe associated with said first nail polish formulation stored in said computer;

e) outputting information from said computer about said selection of said first nail polish formulation for allowing said information to be carried away and preserved for later reference;

f) selecting a second nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale via said user interface;

g) actuating one or more of said syringes for dispensing said second nail polish formulation into a second nail polish container with said automated nail polish dispenser based upon a recipe associated with said nail polish formulation stored in said computer; and

h) outputting information from said computer about said selection of said second nail polish formulation for allowing said information to be carried away and preserved for later reference.

2. A method of claim 1 further comprising storing information about said selection of said first nail polish formulation for future retrieval;

and storing information about said selection of said second nail polish formulation for future retrieval.

3. A method of claim 1 further comprising displaying articles on shelves of said pod.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein said displaying includes displaying of prepackaged base material on shelves of said pod.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising enclosing said automated nail polish dispenser in said pod behind a transparent surface.

6. A method of custom formulation of a nail polish comprising the steps of:

a) providing, at a retail point of sale, an automated nail polish dispenser including a plurality of dispensers containing different nail polish ingredients and being radially disposed about an axis for dispensing ingredients of a nail polish formulation, and a computer having color recipe information stored therein and being adapted for controlling said dispensers;

b) providing a user interface with said computer for permitting a first user to input information into said computer for selecting a nail polish formulation;

c) displaying to said first user a visual depiction representative of a selection for a nail polish formulation;

d) matching a color selection with a spectrophotometer;

e) selecting a first nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale via said user interface;

f) actuating one or more of said dispensers for dispensing said first nail polish formulation into a first nail polish container with said automated nail polish dispenser based upon a recipe associated with said first nail polish formulation stored in said computer;

g) outputting information from said computer about said selection of said first nail polish formulation for allowing said information to be carried away and preserved for later reference;

h) selecting a second nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale via said user interface;

i) actuating one or more of said dispensers for dispensing said second nail polish formulation into a second nail polish container with said automated nail polish dispenser based upon a recipe associated with said said nail polish formulation stored in said computer; and

j) outputting information from said computer about said selection of said second nail polish formulation for allowing said information to be carried away and preserved for later reference.

7. A method of custom formulation of a nail polish comprising the steps of:

a) providing, at a retail point of sale, a pod including;

a. a custom nail polish dispenser including a plurality of dispensers containing different nail polish ingredients and being adapted for dispensing ingredients of a nail polish formulation at said retail point of sale;

b. display shelves;

c. a drawer;

d. a counter;

b) selecting a first nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale;

c) actuating said nail polish dispenser for dispensing said first nail polish formulation into a first nail polish container;

d) selecting a second nail polish formulation at said point-of-sale; and

e) actuating said nail polish dispenser for dispensing said second nail polish formulation into a second nail polish container.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein said pod further includes seating, and said pod is wired for supply of utility functions.