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US 6,672,341 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for custom cosmetic dispensing
AssigneeIMX Labs, Inc.
InventorsJulie R. Bartholomew, Richard T. Jobe, Thomas C. Bodiker II, Timothy E. O'Meara, Dave Hanselman, Jim Foley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved custom cosmetic formulation dispensing system including ingredients reservoirs for syringe dispensing. The ingredients reservoirs are carried by a translatable carrier to bring the respective reservoirs into dispensing alignment with a package, into which a preselected amount of the ingredient is dispensed.
Claims44
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) a ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation about at least one axis;
- b) a plurality of syringe dispensing containers each including a luer tip and being filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier;
- c) an actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers;
- d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;
- and
- e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier, and being configured to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at the retail point of sale.
3 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) a ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation about at least one axis;
- b) a plurality of containers each filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier;
- c) an actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers, wherein the actuator includes a push rod that is slidingly mounted in a frame and has a free end for depressing a plunger;
- d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;
- and
- e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier, and being configured to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at the retail point of sale.
3 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- an ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation about at least one axis;
- b) a plurality of containers each filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier;
- c) an actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers;
- d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;
- e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier, and being configured to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at the retail point of sale;
- and
- f) a track for transferring a cosmetic package within the housing.
4 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) an ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation about at least one axis;
- b) a plurality of containers each filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier, wherein at least two of the containers include cellulose-based nail polish ingredients;
- c) an actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers;
- d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;
- and
- e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier, and being configured to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at the retail point of sale.
3 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) an ingredient carrier that is mounted for translation about at least one axis;
- b) a plurality of containers each filled with a different ingredient for a custom cosmetic formulation, and each being mounted to the ingredient carrier, wherein at least two of the containers include cellulose-based nail polish ingredients;
- c) an actuator for dispensing the ingredients from the containers, wherein the actuator is adapted for dispensing one ingredient at a time from the containers;
- d) a holder for receiving and holding a package into which the custom cosmetic is to be dispensed;
- and
- e) a housing for substantially enclosing the plurality of containers and the ingredient carrier, and being configured to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at the retail point of sale.
3 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) a rotatable structure having an outer peripheral portion and being mounted for rotation in a generally vertical plane about a generally horizontal axis;
- b) a plurality of syringe barrels for containing ingredients for a custom cosmetic formulation, and being mounted generally in a spoke pattern on the outer peripheral portion of the rotatable structure;
- c) an actuator mounted in a central area of the rotatable structure for advancing a plunger within at least one of the syringe barrels for dispensing the ingredients therefrom through a nozzle;
- and
- d) at least one motor for driving the rotatable structure, the actuator or a combination thereof.
2 more elements
A retail point-of-sale custom cosmetic formulation dispenser, comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) a belt driven rotary translatable wheel having a central hole therein for defining an outer peripheral portion having a plurality of radially disposed mounting brackets attached thereto, the wheel being mounted to the frame for rotation in a generally vertical plane about a generally horizontal axis;
- c) a plurality of syringe barrels, each having a plunger and a nozzle and a longitudinal axis, and being adapted for containing ingredients for a custom cosmetic formulation, the syringe barrels being mounted on the mounting brackets on the outer peripheral portion so that the longitudinal axis of the barrels are generally radially disposed;
- d) an actuator disposed at least partially within the central hole of the dial plate, the actuator including a push rod that is slidingly mounted in a mounting bracket and having a free end for depressing a plunger within at least one of the syringe barrels for dispensing the ingredients therefrom through a nozzle;
- e) at least one motor for driving the dial plate, the actuator or a combination thereof;
- and
- f) panels removably attached to the frame for substantially enclosing the plurality of syringe barrels and the wheel, and being configured to include a transparent portion to permit viewing by a retail customer of a dispensing step performed by the machine at a retail point of sale.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.