Custom cosmetic mixer

• US 7,445,372 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sharpe, Ronald J., Sinreich, Mark G., Engel, Steven P., Donnelly, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Soohoo; Tony G
• Application Number:
  US11/242,563
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 366/160.2, 366/160.3, 366/155.1, 366/158.1, 366/168.1, 366/172.2, 366/181.4, 366/182.2, 366/194, 366/195, 366/196, 222/145.6
• US Class Current: 366/168.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/21 Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/271 with means for moving the materials to be mixed radially between the surfaces of the rotor and the stator
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2713 the surfaces having a conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/272 with means for moving the materials to be mixed axially between the surfaces of the rotor and the stator, e.g. the stator rotor system formed by conical or cylindrical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2723 the surfaces having a conical shape
• 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 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71761 Membrane pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/717611 Peristaltic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/717612 Piezoelectric pumps

Abstract

A device for blending and dispensing liquid compositions includes an arrangement of components that provide an efficient dispenser for home and personal use. The device may include a plurality of cartridges and a plurality of pumps. Each of the cartridges contains a liquid additive and may be removably attached to the dispenser. Each of the pumps is connected to one of the cartridges and can be activated to draw a desired amount of liquid from that cartridge. The device may also include a spinning element for both mixing and dispensing the liquid composition. The liquids may flow out of the cartridges to one or more inlets near the surface of the spinning element and be mixed as they flow over the surface of the spinning element. The spinning element may also be selectively movable from a closed position sealing the dispensing outlet to an open position that provides a pathway for liquid to be dispensed from the device. In another embodiment, the device may include a compact housing for fitting into a small compartment, such as a purse.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a liquid composition comprising:

at least one cartridge containing a plurality of liquid additives, said cartridge removably attached to the device;

a plurality of pumps, each of said pumps associated with one of said liquid additives for drawing said liquid additives from said cartridge;

a dispensing system including an inlet, a spinning element and an outlet, said inlet receiving said liquid additives and directing said liquid additives into contact with said spinning element, said spinning element capable of spinning to mix said liquid additives into a liquid composition, said outlet defining an exit for said liquid composition from the device, wherein said spinning element is a spinning cone, said spinning cone tapering to a tip that fits inside said outlet, and wherein said spinning cone is moveable between a closed position wherein said spinning element seals said outlet, to an open position wherein said spinning element is displaced away from said outlet to allow said blended liquid additives to exit the device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said spinning cone includes a base portion, and a nose portion tapering to said tip, at least one of said base portion and said nose portion defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches.

3. A device for dispensing a liquid composition comprising:

a plurality of liquid additives; and

a mixing head, said mixing head defining a flow path for said liquid additives, said flow path including an inlet and an outlet, said mixing head including a spinning element disposed in said flow path between said inlet and said outlet, said inlet receiving said liquid additives and directing said liquid additives onto said spinning element, said spinning element capable of spinning about an axis to blend said liquid additives on said spinning element, said spinning element movable along said axis between a closed position wherein said spinning element seals said outlet, to an open position wherein said spinning element is displaced away from said outlet to allow said blended liquid additives to exit said mixing head through said outlet.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said spinning element is biased in said closed position by a spring, said spinning element displaced to said open position by said liquid as said liquid flows toward said outlet.

5. The device of claim 3 including a threaded rod and a threaded shaft, wherein said spinning element is connected to said threaded rod, and wherein said threaded rod can be actuated to travel within said threaded shaft to move said spinning element between said open and closed positions.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said mixing head defines an internal chamber, and wherein said spinning element is a spinning cone disposed within said internal chamber, said cone including a base and a nose that tapers to a tip, said inlet directing said liquid additives onto said nose such that the liquid additives flow toward said tip.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said tip fits within said outlet to seal said outlet in said closed position.

8. A device for dispensing a liquid composition comprising:

a housing;

a pumping system in said housing, said pumping system including a plurality of pumps;

a plurality of cartridges removably attached to said pumping system, said cartridges each containing a liquid additive, each of said cartridges associated with one of said pumps, said pumps being actuated to draw said liquid additives from said cartridges;

a dispensing system in said housing, said dispensing system including an inlet connected to said pumping system, a spinning element, and an outlet, said inlet receiving said liquid additives and directing said liquid additives onto a surface of said spinning element, said spinning element capable of spinning to blend said liquid additives on said surface, said spinning element shaped to direct said liquid additives toward said outlet, said outlet defining an exit from said housing; and

a compact container, said container supported by said housing and positioned to receive said liquid additives from said outlet, wherein each cartridge includes an internal piston forming an airtight seal inside said cartridge, an air hole, and an exit orifice, said piston drawn toward said exit orifice as said liquid additive is drawn out of said cartridge.