Automated customized cosmetic dispenser
AssigneeCosmetic Technologies, L.L.C.
InventorsJulie Bartholomew, Kristopher Killen, William Hunter, Michael Istok
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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.
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.
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.
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the dispenser comprises an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.