Custom cosmetic blending machine

Abstract

A spectrophotometer 300, webcam 302 or other instrument measures the color composition and texture of a person's face 400 or other body part. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, non-signal computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a spectrophotometer 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis to derive a mix of color to create a cosmetic product matching or enhancing the color composition and / or texture of the person's face or other body part. The computer system 301 and subroutine for color analysis create machine readable instructions 505 for the firmware of a cosmetic blending and dispensing machine 508. In order to properly mix and dispense high viscosity and air bubble riddled cosmetic material, a medical grade peristaltic pump 354 is used with triangle needle nozzles 374.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This utility application is a continuation in part application based upon U.S. utility application Ser. No. 13 / 621,732 filed on Sep. 17, 2012, which in turn is a continuation in part application of U.S. utility application Ser. No. 13 / 523,892 filed on Jun. 15, 2012. The contents of the related patent applications are incorporated herein by reference as if restated herein. If any conflict arises between the disclosure in this utility application and that in the related applications, the disclosure in this utility application shall govern. Moreover, the inventor incorporates herein by reference any and all patents, patent applications, and other documents hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this application and the related application(s).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002](1) Field of the Invention[0003]The invention generally relates to custom cosmetic coloring systems. More particularly, the invention relates to means and metho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]The invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by using various devices such as spectrophotometers, cameras, or webcams to measure skin color and to report precise percentages of all relevant color components or light frequencies using custom software. For added accuracy, two or three separate locations upon a customer's face may be measured in order to derive a best average, or averaging feature software may be utilized. Accuracy is further enhanced by using lighting from light frequencies approximating natural day light. However, excellent results have been obtained by taking readings from just one area of a customer's skin. The disclosed systems are refined enough to achieve unexpectedly good results from readings obtained from just one point of reference.

[0040]Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the art by use of parasitic pumps, an efficient temperature regulation system keeping the system at or above 67 F, a sanitary tub system keeping the nozzles and other apertures clean between uses without the need for hand cleaning, an elevator assembly, conveyor assembly and sensor system to automatically accept receiving containers of differing dimensions and other features.

Problems solved by technology

Such a trial and error method resulted in tremendous of material and customer goodwill.

As each color matching attempt would consume 30 to 45 minutes customers became disenchanted with the prior art.

The '692 patent fails to recognize that every individual has unique skin color components.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,465 by Brown granted on May 11, 1999 purports to disclose “means” of obtaining a customer's undefined “optimal formula.” The '465 patent contains an excellent wish list of features but fails to disclose sufficient detail to allow one reasonable skilled in the art to make a color system.

While Flynn may artfully present pre-made or off the shelve cosmetics to a consumer, Flynn fails to mention or anticipate means or methods to create custom products matching the skin tones of a customer.

The pump of the '366 patent is expensive to construct and difficult to maintain due to the number and complexity of its moving parts.

The '550 patent eschews custom color manufacturing as being too expensive and time consuming.

But, Bartholomew fails to disclose or consider non-powder applications and fails to disclose liquid applications, such as those presented in the present application.

Moreover, Bartholomew fails to disclose just how colors are blended or how colors are targeted for blending.

Stark fails to disclose any enabling means of automatically matching products to customer skin color.

Moreover, Stark fails to disclose, suggest or anticipate means of dealing with non-powder ingredients.

The use of pellets presents a short fall in the art as color creation is limited in increments equal to the size of the pellets.

There is no way to create colors that occur between pellet sizes.

But, Microskin™ fails to disclose means or methods of applying makeup or deriving makeup color.

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