Automated customized cosmetic dispenser

• US 20060124196A1
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• 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., Istok, Michael E., Killen, Kristopher, Hunter, William M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/100
• 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 method for dispensing a custom formulation at a retail point of sale, comprising the steps of:

providing at a retail store a point-of-sale custom formulation dispensing apparatus, including a plurality of ingredients containers and packages for filling;

dispensing a plurality of customer selected custom formulations with the apparatus; and

periodically causing the ingredients and packages of the apparatus to be refilled;

wherein the apparatus includes a computer, an automated dispensing apparatus for dispensing ingredients from the ingredients containers using an at least two-axis robot arm, a user interface for enabling a customer to select a custom formulation and a housing that contains at least two components of the computer, the automated dispensing apparatus, the ingredients containers and the packages for filling.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing takes place in the substantial absence of a technician for operating the apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot arm is translatable in at least an X and Y direction and is rotatable about a Z axis.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot arm is translatable in at least one of the X, Y and Z axis and is rotatable in at least one of the X, Y and Z axis.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot arm is translatable in at least two of the X, Y and Z axis and rotatable in at least two of the X, Y and Z axis.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the robot arm translates a platform, an ingredients container, a package into which ingredients are dispensed or any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the custom formulation is a cosmetic formulation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the custom formulation is selected from a lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss, foundation, lip liner, nail polish, blush, eye shadow, mascara, body lotion, or face powder.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of employing a radiofrequency identification device for retrieving information about a customer, for monitoring inventory, for controlling operation of the robot arm or any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus is provided with a transparent portion in its housing for attracting users to watch moving components during dispensing.

11. A method for dispensing a custom formulation at a retail point of sale, comprising the steps of:

providing at a retail store. a point-of-sale custom formulation dispensing apparatus, including a plurality of ingredients containers;

dispensing one or more ingredients into at least one container;

locating the container at a mixing location using an automated computer control locating mechanism; and

mixing the dispensed ingredients.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the location takes place by moving the container to a mixer or moving the mixer to the package or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the mixing apparatus mixes by imparting vibration to the ingredients.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein mixing apparatus mixes by using a magnetic mixer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing at least one translatable magnetically actuated member and actuating such member for moving it within the contents of the container.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling the path of the one or more translatable magnetically actuated members during mixing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the path of the one or more translatable magnetically actuated members includes three-dimensional movement of the same.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein controlling is achieved by programmable logic controller.

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

a retail point of sale dispenser;

a mixer adapted to translate an agitating member contained within a container with vertical and horizontal translational components; and

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

20. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the dispenser comprises an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm.