Point-of-sale body powder dispensing system

• US 6,779,686 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• 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:
  US10/437,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20030230355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/135, 222/137-144, 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 dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a cosmetic dispensing apparatus including a plurality of chambers disposed radially about a common axis, said chambers being adapted for each storing different cosmetic ingredients, said chambers including a colorant chamber and a particulated effect chamber;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing said cosmetic ingredients, including ingredients from said colorant chamber and ingredients from said particulated affect chamber, at a retail purchase site; and

c) dispensing said ingredients into a container, said container having an applicator associated therewith, at said retell purchase site for end use by a retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said ingredients dispensed era determined based upon specification by said retail customer.

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 said ingredients in said colorant chamber are dispensed as a wet powdered material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said particulated effect is a shimmer powder.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said particulated effect is a glitter.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising dispensing a custom formulated nail polish at said retail purchase site.

8. 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;

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 empty applicator 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 mat 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 empty applicator container at said retail purchase site for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts end types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer; and

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for different formulations.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said dispensing apparatus is operated manually.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said dispensing apparatus is automated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a computer controls said dispensing apparatus.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising employing a spectrophotometer for matching a color.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising compiling information about customer preferences in a database.

14. A custom cosmetic dispensing method, comprising the step of:

a) providing a computer controlled automated cosmetic dispensing apparatus at a retail purchase site, said apparatus including a plurality of individually packaged ingredients containers;

b) specifying a custom cosmetic formulation at said retail purchase site; and

c) dispensing ingredients from said pre-packaged ingredients containers into an empty applicator container, said applicator container having an applicator associated therewith and further including a storage portion that is transparent over at least a portion of its length, said dispensing being performed at said retail purchase site for end use by a retail customer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said ingredients containers are disposed radially about a common axis.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising dispensing a custom formulated nail polish at said retail purchase site.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said applicator container includes a storage portion in fluid communication with said applicator.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising compiling information about customer preferences in a database.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said ingredients of said individually packaged ingredients containers include a wet powdered material.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said ingredients of said individually packaged ingredients containers include a wet powdered material.