# US 2019/0377368 A1 · System for dispensation of cosmetic compounds

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- Number: US 2019/0377368 A1
- Document ID: US20190377368A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/005,079
- Filed: 2018-06-11
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-11
- Assignees: L'oreal
- Applicants: L'oreal
- Inventors: Richard BESEN; Nicholas SINCLAIR
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377368A1

## CPC

- B65B 3/32: by pistons co-operating with measuring chambers
- G05D 7/0617: {specially adapted for fluid materials}
- A45D 34/00: Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
- B01F 33/84: Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
- 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}
- 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}
- 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)}
- B01F 35/7174: {using pistons, plungers or syringes}
- B01F 35/881: {by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge}
- G01F 13/00: Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G 15/001: {Volumetric pre-dispensing to an estimated weight; Gravimetric make-up device for target device}
- B65B 57/145: {for fluent material}
- G01F 23/205: {for discrete levels}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser assembly for accurate dispensation of cosmetic compounds for custom cosmetic formulations. The dispenser assembly includes a dispensing motor coupled to a dispensing plunger which, according to prescribed speed profiles, dispenses accurate volumes of compounds for custom cosmetic formulations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for dispensing compounds for cosmetic formulations, comprising:
a dispensing motor;
a plunger assembly having a plunger; and
a dispensing assembly control device having a processing circuitry configured to:
receive electrical feedback regarding one of a plurality of characteristics of the apparatus; and
modify a movement of the plunger based upon the electrical feedback regarding the one of the plurality of characteristics of the apparatus.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing assembly control device having the processing circuitry is further configured to:
confirm a first position of the plunger based upon a position of a first photointerrupter flag relative to a light of a first optical sensor;
translate the plunger at a first speed based upon the confirmation of the first position of the plunger;
determine a second position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a second photointerrupter flag and a light of a second optical sensor;
translate the plunger based upon the determination of the second position of the plunger at a second speed;
compare a first mass of a collection bottle and a first target mass of the collection bottle;
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the first mass of the collection bottle and the first target mass of the collection bottle at a third speed;
compare a second mass of the collection bottle and a second target mass of the collection bottle;
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the second mass of the collection bottle and the second target mass of the collection bottle at a fourth speed;
compare a third mass of the collection bottle and a third target mass of the collection bottle; and
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the third mass of the collection bottle and the third target mass of the collection bottle at a fifth speed,
wherein the plunger is configured to contact a surface of a canister.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first optical sensor is an optical-type photosensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second optical sensor is a reflector-type photosensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises a carriage assembly having a bottom carriage and a top carriage, wherein the second photointerrupter flag is disposed on a surface of the bottom carriage.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, following contact between the plunger and the surface of the canister, an inter-carriage distance decreases, said inter-carriage distance being a distance between a top surface of the bottom carriage and a bottom surface of the top carriage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second photointerrupter flag disposed on the surface of the bottom carriage, upon the decrease in the inter-carriage distance, reflects the light emitted from the second optical sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fourth speed is a variable speed, the variable speed being a derivative of a rate of acceleration over time between the second target mass and the third target mass.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
determine a third position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a third photointerrupter flag and a light of a third optical sensor; and
translate the plunger based upon the determination of the third position of the plunger at a retraction speed.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
measure a current amperage of the dispensing motor;
compare the current amperage of the dispensing motor to an expected amperage of the dispensing motor; and
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the current amperage and the predicted amperage at a retraction speed.

### Claim 11

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that when executed by the computer causes the computer to implement a method for moving a plunger of a plunger assembly in response to electrical feedback from an apparatus, the method comprising:
receiving, via processing circuitry, the electrical feedback regarding one of a plurality of characteristics of the apparatus; and
modify, via the processing circuitry, a movement of the plunger based upon the electrical feedback regarding the one of the plurality of characteristics of the apparatus.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
confirming, via the processing circuitry, a first position of the plunger based upon a position of a first photointerrupter flag relative to a light of a first optical sensor;
translating the plunger, via the processing circuitry, at a first speed, based upon the confirmation of the first position of the plunger;
determining, via the processing circuitry, a second position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a second photointerrupter flag and a light of a second optical sensor;
translating the plunger, via the processing circuitry and based upon the determination of the second position of the plunger, at a second speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a first mass of a collection bottle and a first target mass of the collection bottle;
translating the plunger, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the first mass of the collection bottle and the first target mass of the collection bottle, at a third speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a second mass of the collection bottle and a second target mass of the collection bottle;
translating the plunger via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the second mass of the collection bottle and the second target mass of the collection bottle, at a fourth speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a third mass of the collection bottle and a third target mass of the collection bottle; and
translating the plunger, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the third mass of the collection bottle and the third target mass of the collection bottle, at a fifth speed,
wherein the plunger is configured to contact a surface of a canister.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises a carriage assembly having a bottom carriage and a top carriage, wherein the second photointerrupter flag is disposed on a surface of the bottom carriage.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein, following contact between the plunger and the surface of the canister, an inter-carriage distance decreases, said inter-carriage distance being a distance between a top surface of the bottom carriage and a bottom surface of the top carriage.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein the second photointerrupter flag disposed on the surface of the bottom carriage, upon the decrease in the inter-carriage distance, reflects the light emitted from the second optical sensor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein the fourth speed is a variable speed, the variable speed being a derivative of a rate of acceleration over time between the second target mass and the third target mass.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
determining, via the processing circuitry, a third position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a third photointerrupter flag and a light of a third optical sensor; and
translating the plunger, via the processing circuitry and based upon the determination of the third position of the plunger, at a retraction speed.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
measuring, via the processing circuitry, a current amperage of a dispensing motor;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, the current amperage of the dispensing motor to an expected amperage of the dispensing motor; and
translating the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the current amperage and the predicted amperage, at a retraction speed.

### Claim 19

A method of dispensing, according to a speed profile, a compound for a cosmetic formulation, comprising:
receiving, via processing circuitry, electrical feedback regarding one of a plurality of characteristics of an apparatus; and
modifying, via the processing circuitry, a movement of a plunger of a plunger assembly based upon the electrical feedback regarding the one of the plurality of characteristics of the apparatus.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method according to claim 19, further comprising:
confirming, via the processing circuitry, a first position of the plunger of the plunger assembly based upon a position of a first photointerrupter flag relative to a light of a first optical sensor;
translating the plunger of the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry, at a first speed, based upon the confirmation of the first position of the plunger of the plunger assembly;
determining, via the processing circuitry, a second position of the plunger of the plunger assembly based upon a relative position of a second photointerrupter flag and a light of a second optical sensor;
translating the plunger of the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry and based upon the determination of the second position of the plunger of the plunger assembly, at a second speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a first mass of a collection bottle and a first target mass of the collection bottle;
translating the plunger of the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the first mass of the collection bottle and the first target mass of the collection bottle, at a third speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a second mass of the collection bottle and a second target mass of the collection bottle;
translating the plunger of the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the second mass of the collection bottle and the second target mass of the collection bottle, at a fourth speed;
comparing, via the processing circuitry, a third mass of the collection bottle and a third target mass of the collection bottle; and
translating the plunger of the plunger assembly, via the processing circuitry and based upon the comparison of the third mass of the collection bottle and the third target mass of the collection bottle, at a fifth speed,
wherein the plunger is configured to contact a surface of a canister.