Automated customized cosmetic dispenser

• US 8,608,371 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2012
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Julie R., Killen, Kristopher, Hunter, William M, Istok, Michal E
• Primary Examiner(s): SORKIN, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US13/469,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20120216911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 366/273, 366/274, 366/332
• US Class Current: 366/273
• 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 31/00 Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/45 Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers
• 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 33/8442 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 33/848 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 33/85 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles or mixing tools that can be indexed into different working positions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2207 Use of data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the computer programs, e.g. for manipulation, handling, production or compounding in mixing plants B01F33/848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/56 the storage containers or supports both rotating and moving axially
• 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 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation and dispensing of a custom formulation within a package at a retail point of sale. In one aspect, the invention includes an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm. In another aspect, the invention includes an automated mixer adapted to mix the dispensed custom formulation within the package.

Claims

1. A retail point of sale customized dispensing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a retail point of sale dispenser;

a carrier including;

a plurality of mounts and

a plurality of ingredient containers removably attached to the carrier via the plurality of mounts;

a mixer adapted to translate an agitating member contained within a container;

one or more informational retrieval devices;

a cleaning device for cleaning needles, ladles, or aspirating tubes which are capable of dipping into the ingredient containers and withdrawing ingredients;

a user interface including a data interface adapted to store information on the one or more information retrieval devices and receive information from the one or more information retrieval devices; and

a transparent panel covering at least a portion of the dispensing apparatus;

wherein the one or more informational retrieval devices are adapted to be kept by a user, and

wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a Cartesian table adapted for movement along three axes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more informational retrieval devices are a radio frequency identification device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more informational retrieval devices store information relating to the amount of products purchased, consumed, or dispensed from the dispensing apparatus, and

wherein the one or more information retrieval devices are configured to make recommendations of ingredients to be dispensed from the dispensing apparatus based upon information stored in the one or more informational retrieval devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the carrier is a wheel having the plurality of ingredient containers radially disposed on the carrier wheel via the plurality of mounts so that the carrier wheel rotates to a suitable position to expel ingredients from one or more of the plurality of ingredient containers into a package so that a customized cosmetic product is created.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retail point of sale dispenser includes a finished product storage compartment so that finished products are stored in bins or on conveyor belts for later retrieval.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radio frequency identification device is used to place an order during non-business hours so that a formulation stored on the radio frequency identification device is transmitted to the retail point of sale dispenser so that a customized product is created.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of ingredient containers are syringes.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of ingredient containers are syringes.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of ingredient containers are syringes.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the agitating member is controlled by an electronically controlled actuator.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the agitating member is controlled by an electronically controlled actuator.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises an automated electric valve for dispensing liquid material.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electric valve has a nozzle proximate to a dispensing site.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises a servo mechanism and

wherein the servo mechanism is activated to draw from one or more of the plurality of ingredient containers, pour ingredients from the one or more of the plurality of ingredient containers, and prevent dripping of the ingredients.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixer device includes an electronically controlled magnetic actuator having at least one magnet adapted for moving an actuatable member contained within one or more of the plurality of ingredient containers.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the mixer is capable of agitating two or more ingredients within a package to form a single product which may include pigmented fluids.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ingredient containers are reusable and are capable of being formed into a particular shape.