System and method for custom formulation, non-adulterating mixing and packaging of personal care products

Abstract

A point of sale system for custom preparation of a personal care product includes a dispensing container, a plurality of personal care product ingredients and mechanisms for introducing determined amounts of selected personal care product ingredients into the dispensing container; and a non-adulterating multi-axis centrifugal mixing apparatus, adapted to mix lotion ingredients within the container, without the mixing apparatus contacting the lotion within the container. An identifying label is be provided for the dispensing container. A method for custom formulation, non-adulterating mixing and packaging of a personal care product at a point of sale location entails introducing selected lotion ingredients into a selected container; centrifugally mixing the ingredients in the container without physically contacting the ingredients; closing the container; and applying a label. The method may be implemented at a point of sale or in response to online orders.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention generally relates to lotions, and more particularly, to a system and method for custom formulation, non-adulterating mixing and packaging of personal care products.BACKGROUND[0002]Today, consumers may customize their new automobile, personal computer and paint purchases by selecting from various base models and adding components (e.g., music systems, microprocessors or pigments) to accommodate their needs and desires. However, conventional cosmetics such as personal care products are typically provided to consumers as predetermined formulations on a “take it or leave it” basis. A consumer is relegated to either purchasing a product from inventory or forgoing a purchase. A drawback of this method of doing business is that the cosmetic is not optimized to accommodate a consumer's needs and preferences. The formulation may have an unpleasant scent, a fragrance that is either too strong or too weak, excessive or insufficient moisturizers, aller...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a point of sale system for custom preparation of personal care products. The system includes a dispensing container, personal care product ingredients, and a non-adulterating mixing apparatus. The mixing apparatus centrifugally mixes the ingredients without contacting them in the container. The system also includes a label for identifying the ingredients and amounts. The method involves introducing the ingredients into the container, centrifugally mixing them, closing the container, and applying a label. The invention also provides a method for custom formulation, non-adulterating mixing, and packaging of personal care products for online orders. The technical effects include improved customization, non-adulteration, and efficient preparation of personal care products at the point of sale or for online orders."

Problems solved by technology

A drawback of this method of doing business is that the cosmetic is not optimized to accommodate a consumer's needs and preferences.

The formulation may have an unpleasant scent, a fragrance that is either too strong or too weak, excessive or insufficient moisturizers, allergens or some other problematic ingredient, concentration or deficiency.

Another drawback with conventional methods of selling cosmetics is expiration.

Many cosmetics contain ingredients that lose their freshness and potency over time.

Conventional cosmetics, particularly unpopular items, may be stored in inventory and on shelves for many months before retail sale and consumption.

By the time a consumer uses a cosmetic, it may have lost its effectiveness.

Unfavorable consumer experiences with stale cosmetics may lead to complaints, refunds, recalls, discarded inventory and loss of goodwill.

Yet another drawback with conventional methods of selling cosmetics is inventory.

If a retailer misjudges consumer preferences, the retailer may be stuck with a large quantity of unpopular inventory.

While custom formulation systems and methods have been devised to accommodate consumers at retail point of sale locations, known conventional systems and methods are not well suited for customized lotion formulation.

Lotions are difficult to thoroughly mix while maintaining an uncontaminated environment.

However, lotion compositions are not adequately mixed by shaking their container.

In addition, it will be appreciated that lotions tend to be thick and / or viscous, and thus can be very difficult to pour from a mixing container into a consumer package.

Images