Methods and apparatuses for mixing cosmetic preparations at a point of sale

• US 7,097,348 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fluid Management Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fluid Management Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/626,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20050018535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 366/217, 366/348, 366/349
• US Class Current: 366/217
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/058 Means for mixing different substances prior to application
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/21 Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/47 involving high-viscosity liquids, e.g. asphalt
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/10 with receptacles rotated about two different axes, e.g. receptacles having planetary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/421 having a cup-shaped or cage-type form

Abstract

A method of mixing customized cosmetic products at a point of sale is disclosed. The method includes a suspension free of colorant to a container, adding one or more suspensions containing one or more colorants on top of the non-colorant containing suspension and adding one or more suspensions containing additional non-colorant ingredients on top of the one or more suspensions including the colorants, closing the container and mixing the suspension using a gyroscopic-type or rotary-type mixing apparatus. The container sidewall and bottom surface are coated with suspensions not containing colorant which prevents colorant materials from adhering to the sidewall and bottom portion of the container thereby providing for a more effective mixing of a customized cosmetic product at the point of purchase.

Claims

1. A method of mixing a cosmetic preparation at a point of sale, the method comprising:

a) providing a container comprising an open top, a bottom and a sidewall between the bottom and the top;

b) adding a first base suspension that is free of colorant other than titanium dioxide to the empty container thereby coating the bottom and at least a lower portion of the sidewall with the first base suspension;

c) adding one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants on top of the first base suspension;

d) adding a second base suspension on top of the one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants, the second base suspension also being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide;

e) closing the open top of the container with a lid after part (d) without adding any more suspensions containing colorants; and

f) mixing the suspensions within the container by applying mechanical energy to the closed container.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a neck portion that terminates at the open top, and the closing of the open top of the container with a lid further comprises inserting a plug down into the neck of the container to prevent the suspensions from splashing upward into the neck during the mixing of the suspensions.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first base suspension comprises talc and the second base suspension comprises titanium dioxide and silicone either combined or in separate suspensions.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants comprises a first suspension comprising a red colorant, a second suspension comprising a yellow colorant and a third suspension comprising a black colorant.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a gyroscopic mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a rotary mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

7. A method of mixing a cosmetic preparation at a point of sale, the method comprising:

a) providing a container comprising a neck that terminates at an open top, a bottom and a sidewall between the bottom and the top;

b) adding a first base suspension to the container that is free of colorant other than titanium dioxide to the empty container thereby coating the bottom and at least a lower portion of the sidewall with the first base suspension;

c) adding a second suspension comprising one or more colorants on of the first suspension;

d) adding a third suspension comprising one or more colorants on top of the second suspension;

e) adding a fourth suspension comprising one or more colorants on top of the third suspension;

f) adding a fifth base suspension on top of the fourth suspension, the fifth base suspension being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide;

e) inserting a plug into the neck of the container to close the open top of the container after part (f) without adding any more suspensions containing colorants, the plug frictionally engaging the neck of the container and preventing the suspensions from splashing upward into the neck during the mixing of the suspensions; and

f) mixing the suspensions within the container by applying mechanical energy to the closed container.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a gyroscopic mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a rotary mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

10. A method of mixing a cosmetic preparation at a point of sale, the method comprising:

a) providing a container comprising a neck terminating in an open top and a bottom and a sidewall connecting the bottom to the neck;

b) adding a suspension comprising talc to the container and coating the sidewall and bottom with the suspension comprising talc, the suspension comprising talc being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide to the empty container thereby coating the bottom and at least a lower portion of the sidewall with the suspension;

c) adding one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants including black, red and yellow colorants on top of the suspension comprising talc;

d) adding one or more suspensions comprising titanium oxide and silicone on top of the one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants, the suspension comprising titanium dioxide being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide;

e) closing the open top of the container by inserting a plug into the neck of the container after part (d) without adding any more suspensions containing colorant, the plug frictionally engaging the neck of the container and preventing the suspensions from splashing upward into the neck during the mixing of the suspensions; and

f) mixing the suspensions within the container by applying mechanical energy to the closed container.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a gyroscopic mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a rotary mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

13. A method of mixing a cosmetic preparation at a point of sale, the method comprising:

a) providing a container comprising an open top, a bottom and a sidewall between the bottom and the top;

b) adding a suspension comprising one or more of talc, titanium oxide and silicone to the container, said suspension being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide to the empty container thereby coating the bottom and at least a lower portion of the sidewall with the first base suspension;

c) adding one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants on top of the suspension comprising one or more of talc, titanium oxide and silicone;

d) adding another suspension comprising one or more of titanium oxide, silicone and talc on top of the one or more suspensions comprising one or more coolants said another suspension being free of colorant other than titanium dioxide;

e) closing the open top of the container with a lid after part (d) without adding any more suspensions containing colorants; and

f) mixing the suspensions within the container by applying mechanical energy to the closed container.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more suspensions comprising one or more colorants comprises a first suspension comprising a red colorant, a second suspension comprising a yellow colorant and a third suspension comprising a black colorant.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a gyroscopic mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the mixing by applying mechanical energy comprises the use of a rotary mixer that rotates the closed container about two different but intersecting axes.