Nail polish color selection system

• US 7,099,740 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Julie R., Hines, Charles P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/755,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/233
• US Class Current: 700/231
• 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 custom liquid cosmetic dispensing system, comprising:

a) an electronically controlled automated cosmetic dispenser, which carries a plurality of chambers that comprise ingredients containers, for dispensing of liquid cosmetic formulation ingredients selectively from said containers into a package to create a custom cosmetic formulation, at a retail point-of-sale, which formulation is to remain in a liquid state until user application; and

b) at least one interface for interacting with a retail customer to select a custom liquid cosmetic formulation;

c) a device for electronically retrieving recipe information about said selection for dispensing to achieve said custom liquid cosmetic formulation and for electronically communicating information about a retail customer selection from said interface to said dispenser; and

d) a housing for said dispenser that is transparent over at least some of its surfaces to allow viewing of the dispenser and containers during dispensing of said liquid cosmetic formulation ingredients.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said device for electronically retrieving recipe information about said selection and for electronically communicating said information includes at least one computer.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a spectrophotometer.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense nail polish.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense lip gloss.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said ingredients containers are individually packaged at a remote location from said retail point of sale.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said ingredients containers are radially disposed about a common axis.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said ingredients containers are radially disposed about a common axis.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said housing includes at least one transparent panel.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense nail polish.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense lip gloss.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spectrophotometer.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said ingredients containers are individually packaged at a remote location from said retail point of sale.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one transparent panel.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing encloses at least one computer.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense nail polish.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said dispenser is adapted to dispense lip gloss.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more pumps for delivering the ingredients form the containers to the package.

22. The system according to claim 18, wherein said housing is configured as a kiosk.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the kiosk includes a vibratory shaker within it.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the kiosk further includes shelving for display.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein the interface is a touch screen interface.

26. The system according to claim 24, wherein the interface is a touch screen interface.

27. The system according to claim 26, further comprising means separate from a package into which said cosmetic formulation is dispensed, for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

28. The system according to claim 22, further comprising means separate from a package into which said cosmetic formulation is dispensed, for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

29. The system according to claim 23, further comprising means separate from a package into which said cosmetic formulation is dispensed, for allowing said retail customer to carry away information about said selection made by said retail customer and subsequently retrieve said information.

30. The system according to claim 1, wherein said chambers are said ingredient containers.

31. The system according to claim 10, wherein said chambers are said ingredient containers.