Point-of-sale body powder dispensing system

• US 20040245263A1
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cosmetic Technologies Incorporated (Knowlton Development Corporation Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IMX Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Hines, Charles P. Jr., Bartholomew, Julie R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,121,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/00 Other cosmetic or toiletry articles, e.g. for hairdressers' rooms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/21 Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/60 Mixing solids with solids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/841 with component receptacles fixed in a circular configuration on a horizontal table, e.g. the table being able to be indexed about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/844 with means for customizing the mixture on the point of sale, e.g. by sensing, receiving or analysing information about the characteristics of the mixture to be made

Abstract

A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, including the steps of providing a body powder dispensing apparatus and operating the body powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing into a container a custom formulation of body powder ingredients at a retail purchase point of sale. The amounts and types of the body powder ingredients dispensed are determined based upon specification by a retail customer.

Claims

1. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of chambers, each adapted for storing different types of cosmetic powder ingredients, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected amount;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing said powder ingredients from said chambers at a retail purchase site; and

c) dispensing said powder ingredients into a container at said retail purchase site for end use by a retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder ingredients dispensed are determined based upon specification by said retail customer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispensing apparatus is operated manually.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispensing system is automated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a computer controls said dispensing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said chambers have a removable lid associated therewith for permitting access to said chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said metering device includes a disc rotatable by an actuating arm.

7. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a first powder formulation from said chambers at a retail purchase site;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail purchase site for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail purchase site;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail purchase site for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer, and

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for different formulations.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said dispensing apparatus is operated manually.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said dispensing system is automated.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein a computer controls said dispensing apparatus.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said dispensing system is further configured with a metering device.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein each of said chambers have a removable lid associated therewith for permitting access to said chamber.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said metering device includes a disc rotatable by an actuating arm.

14. A custom cosmetic powder dispensing method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a powder dispensing apparatus having a plurality of chambers, each adapted for storing different types of powder, and a metering device for dispensing powder ingredients through a nozzle according to a preselected fixed incremental amount;

b) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a first powder formulation from said chambers at a retail purchase site;

c) dispensing said first powder formulation into a first container at said retail purchase site for end use by a first retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said first retail customer;

d) operating said dispensing apparatus for dispensing a second powder formulation from said chambers at said retail purchase site;

e) dispensing said second powder formulation into a second container at said retail purchase site for end use by a second retail customer, wherein amounts and types of said second powder formulation dispensed are determined based upon specification by said second retail customer,

wherein said apparatus is used consecutively for different formulations;

and further wherein said first and second dispensing containers include;

a. a container portion for storing its respective formulation;

b. an applicator portion including a brush in fluid communication with said container portion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said dispensing apparatus is operated manually.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said dispensing system is automated.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein a computer controls said dispensing apparatus.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said dispensing containers include a mechanism for transporting powder from said container portion to said applicator portion.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein each of said, chambers have a removable lid associated therewith for permitting access to said chamber.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said metering device includes a disc rotatable by an actuating arm.