Apparatus and method for custom cosmetic dispensing

• US 8,141,596 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• 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., Jobe, Richard T., Bodiker, II, Thomas C., O'Meara, Timothy E., Hanselman, Dave, Foley, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven
• Application Number:
  US12/341,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20090184135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/9, 141/18, 141100-104, 222/144
• US Class Current: 141/18
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/04 Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/00 Other cosmetic or toiletry articles, e.g. for hairdressers' rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/21 Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions
• 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 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: B01F 33/848 using data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the dispensing and mixing operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/714 for feeding predetermined amounts B01F35/88 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7174 using pistons, plungers or syringes
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/00 Packaging other articles presenting special problems bundling B65B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/04 Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/52 about horizontal axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/70 in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/06 with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/18 for washing or drying persons

Abstract

Improved custom cosmetic formulation dispensing system including ingredients reservoirs for syringe dispensing. The ingredients reservoirs are carried by a translatable carrier to bring the respective reservoirs into dispensing alignment with a package, into which a preselected amount of the ingredient is dispensed.

Claims

1. A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:

a) a ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation by a motor about at least one axis;

b) a plurality of containers each filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier;

c) an automated actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers;

d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;

e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier,

f) means for controlling the temperature of ingredients during dispensing;

g) at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a part that moves within the dispenser;

h) a mixer device for mixing contents dispensed into the package; and

i) means for attaching and/or removing a lid from the package.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a chuck.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is adapted for dispensing one ingredient at a time from the containers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an actuator is provided for each of the containers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a transparent panel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a push rod that is slidingly mounted in a frame and has a free end for depressing the plunger.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the actuator further comprises at least one sensor for detecting the relative position of the push rod.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a track for transferring a cosmetic package within the housing.