Abstract:
Methods for customizing products at a retail point of sale. A user interface is provided at the point of sale for selection of the desired product. Based upon the selection, ingredients are dispensed for making the personalized consumer product.

Description:
CLAIM OF BENEFIT OF FILING DATE  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/589,150 (Filed Jul. 19, 2004), the entirety of the contents of this provisional application being hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to devices and methods for the customized personalized consumer products at a retail point of sale.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is an improvement to subject matter of previous commonly-owned applications and patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,412,658; 6,622,064, 6,672,341; 6,615,881; D465,810; D461,080; and D485,310 and Ser. No. 10/755,574 (filed Jan. 12, 2004), Ser. No. 10/437,085 (filed May 13, 2003), Ser. No. 10/848,273 (filed May 18, 2004), Ser. No. 10/274,514 (filed Oct. 18, 2002), Ser. No. 10/716,317 (filed Nov. 18, 2003); Ser. No. 29/192,696 (filed Oct. 28, 2003), the contents of which are also incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.  
         [0004]     As addressed in the above applications and patent, historically the cosmetics industry has afforded consumers a broad variety of choices for colors (including tones, shades or hues) and effects. In the typical scenario, these products are pre-packaged according to a predetermined fixed amount of different colors or effects. The products are then ordinarily displayed to reveal a spectrum of a fixed number of colors. However, because of manufacturing and other practical limitations, point of sale displays only afford a finite number of selections for the consumer. Consequently, the consumer&#39;s choice of color will be limited by present availability or supply of a particular color choice, and also particularly by the specific colors chosen for sale in advance by the manufacturer. The consumer is afforded no practical opportunity to custom blend a color selection.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing, a need has developed for a custom cosmetic color selection system, pursuant to which a consumer or other customer (such as an intermediate retailer or wholesaler) can interact with the supplier to select a specific color, effect or both, to blend the resulting cosmetic product at or near the time of selection (e.g. on site at a point of sale location, or remotely such as by mail order, phone order or internet purchase).  
         [0006]     Furthermore, there is a need for a custom cosmetic color selection system that allows for the customization of cosmetic products to dispensed for a variety of different applications. Such products include: moisturizing strips, dental bleaching, hair removal, spot removal, stretch mark fading strip, expression line/wrinkle minimizer, lip plumper patch, acne treatment, scar minimizer, hair bleaching, cellulite reducer, artistic/photograph/text image transfers in edible or non-edible formulations, cosmeceutical sticks, eye crayons, lip pencils, cheek stain sticks, lipsticks, concealer sticks, foundation sticks, perfume sticks, sunscreen stick, deodorant stick, aromatherapy candles, hair removal sticks, shimmer sticks, scrub sticks, antibacterial towelette, moisturizing towelette, dental bleaching towelette, hair removal towelette, bronzer towelette, body shimmer towelette, hair shimmer/color towelette, makeup remover towelette, nail polish remover, acne treatment towelette, hair bleaching towelette, deodorant towelette, perfume towelette, sun protection towelette, exfoliation towelette or anti-aging towelette, eye shadows, lip shimmer, face shimmer powder, face powder foundation, body powder shimmer, brow powder, face blushers, bronzers, eye liners, body paint, facial soap bars, body soap bars, sliced soap, pliable soap, a brush, an applicator, sponge, puff, patch, lash curler, comb, tweezers, clippers may be customized by size, design, material, or coloration.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Methods for customizing products at a retail point of sale. A user interface is provided at the point of sale for selection of the desired product. Based upon the selection, ingredients are dispensed for making the personalized consumer product. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one aspect, the present invention meets the above needs and contemplates providing a customized retail point of sale cosmetic patch dispenser. The custom cosmetic is dispensed onto a substrate using techniques such as spraying, printing, rolling dipping, combinations thereof or the like. Any cosmetic ingredient, pigment, glitter product, powder, oil or water based solution to be applied to a plastic, paper, fabric, or metal substrate for eventual transfer of the cosmetic to the skin, hair, nail, fabric (i.e.; inside of an eye patch for cosmetic delivery), or teeth (whitening products) to the consumer.  
         [0009]     The substrate may have an adhesive backing and/or a protective film layer for easy application. Ingredients may be transferred through the epidermal/dermal barrier via electrical impulse from a printed battery that is attached to the patch or a carrier that is present in the composition of the cosmetic product. A computer will be present at Retail Point of Sale to allow the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification at the point of sale. A Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0010]     The substrate may be precut or stamped or may be cut at point of sale for specific placement of the patch. The ingredient may be sprayed, printed, drawn, rolled on by a roller, heat applied or dipped into a solution for cosmetic application. Process: Substrate layer will be put into position for active ingredient application. Active ingredients and/or image/design is applied via nozzle, syringe, image printer/inkjet, dipping procedure or other physical transfer to substrate layer and may be set by heating, freezing, air, or chemical curing process.  
         [0011]     Products derivable from this aspect of the present invention includes: moisturizing strips, dental bleaching, hair removal, spot removal, stretch mark fading strip, expression line/wrinkle minimizer, lip plumper patch, acne treatment, scar minimizer, hair bleaching, cellulite reducer, artistic/photograph/text image transfers in edible or non-edible formulations.  
         [0012]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a customized retail point of sale heated liquid (e.g., hot pour) to cooled solid cosmetic dispenser. The cosmetic ingredients may be selected from any cosmetic ingredient, pigment, glitter product, powder, oil or water based solution is stored as a solid or liquid within the dispenser. The cosmetic ingredients may be heated and combined at point of retail sale for the delivery into a mold, pot, glass container, pencil casing, plastic applicator or other package utilized by the final customer. After the liquid is transferred into its application package it may be cooled, vacuum packed, microwaved, etched, coated or otherwise treated to complete the formulation process that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification at the point of sale.  
         [0013]     Preferably, a computer is present at Retail Point of Sale to allow the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result. An RFID, retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0014]     Products derivable from this aspect of the present invention includes: cosmeceutical sticks, eye crayons, lip pencils, cheek stain sticks, lipsticks, concealer sticks, foundation sticks, perfume sticks, sunscreen stick, deodorant stick, aromatherapy candles, hair removal sticks, shimmer sticks, scrub sticks.  
         [0015]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a customized retail point of sale Cosmetic Towelette Infusion Dispenser. The cosmetic ingredients may be selected from any cosmetic ingredient, pigment, glitter product, powder, oil or water based solution to be applied/infused to a plastic, sponge, paper, fabric, or metal substrate to be packaged or sealed into a paper, plastic, fabric, glass, or metal container/pouch for delivery of the final product. It should be appreciated that a towelette may be defined as any of the previously mentioned materials that exists in a thin form that is to be used expressly for storage and eventual delivery of a formulation to the skin, hair, nail, or clothing by a wiping, compression, or blotting motion.  
         [0016]     The present invention provides a computer at Retail Point of Sale to allow the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification. A radio frequency identification device (RFID), retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0017]     The formulation ingredients may be sprayed, printed, drawn, rolled on, heat applied or towelette may be dipped into a solution for formulation application.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment the process includes the following steps: placing a substrate layer (towelette) into position for active ingredient application; an active ingredients and/or image/design is applied via nozzle, syringe, image printer/inkjet, dipping procedure or other physical transfer process to towelette; the treated towelette may be set by heating, cooling, air, chemical or other curing process; the treated towelette is then packaged appropriately to maintain product integrity and to facilitate final use by customer.  
         [0019]     Products derivable from this aspect of the present invention includes: antibacterial towelette, moisturizing towelette, dental Bleaching towelette, hair removal towelette, bronzer towelette, body shimmer towelette, hair shimmer/color towelette, makeup remover towelette, nail polish remover, acne treatment towelette, hair bleaching towelette, deodorant towelette, perfume towelette, sun protection towelette, exfoliation towelette or anti-aging towelette.  
         [0020]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a customized retail Point of sale cosmetic pressed powder dispenser. The custom cosmetic pressed powder dispensing method, including the steps of providing a powder mixture dispensing apparatus combined with pressing apparatus to form a powder “cake.” The “cake” shall be defined as a solidified representation of a loose powder mixture that has had several pounds of pressure applied to the mixture while resting in a tray from which it is dispensed into at retail point of sale with customer specifications through a computer interface and a physical selection process. The amounts and types of the powder mixture ingredients dispensed are also determined based upon specification by a retail customer. Any powder based cosmetic formulation may include pigment, glitter product, oil or water based solution, which are stored within the dispenser.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment the method includes the steps of: A loose cosmetic powder (for face and/or body) dispensed through a cartridge, tube, syringe, slide, or straw; a puff of air, electronic vibration, ratchet-type or pumping movement will allow the powder to be properly metered and delivered to a container; several to hundreds of pounds of pressure are applied via a cylindrical weight that will make contact with the loose powder mixture that has been delivered to a tin or plastic tray beneath the dispense point of the powder. After the cylindrical weight is retracted from the powder mixture, the result is a cohesive, pressed form. This pressed form may then be etched, embossed, coated or otherwise altered to complete the formulation according to customer specification. This finished “cake” is subsequently packaged appropriately to maintain product integrity and to facilitate final usage by the customer (i.e.; a cosmetic compact). The cake may also be transferred into a fabric-enclosed puff for application.  
         [0022]     Preferably, a computer will be present at Retail Point of Sale to allow the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification. An RFID, retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0023]     Products derivable from this aspect of the present invention includes eye shadows, lip shimmer, face shimmer powder, face powder foundation, body powder shimmer, brow powder, face blushers, bronzers, eye liners, body paint.  
         [0024]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a customized retail Point of sale molded soap dispenser. The cosmetic soap dispenser that combines an array of ingredients that may be water based, glycerin based, oil based or a combination thereof including pigments, fragrance, glitter, powder, liquid powder, encapsulated oils, encapsulated granules composed of sand, food product (i.e.; oatmeal) or gelatinous material may be combined at retail point of sale for customer selection. Any of the above ingredients may be combined in any assortment via a computer interface that is available for the customer or technician at point of sale. In addition to ingredients, the customer may select a particular mold, shape, stamp or etched design that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification at the point of sale.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing soap shavings that are either shredded in the machine or are stored inside the unit will be collected at a central point to be pressed and molded into a desired shape and size, the molded soap may be cut, pressed, squeezed, stamped, printed or embossed per direction of the customer; the unit will house and store letters, shapes, or pictures to be applied to or stamped into the finished soap product.  
         [0026]     Preferably, a computer will be present at Retail Point of Sale to allow the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result that would further customize the end product to the customer&#39;s specification. An radio frequency identification device (RFID), retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0027]     Products derivable from this aspect of the present invention includes: facial soap bars, body soap bars, sliced soap, pliable soap or the like.  
         [0028]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a customized cosmetic tool, applicator and brush dispenser at retail point of sale. At the retail point of sale, a brush, an applicator, sponge, puff, patch, lash curler, comb, tweezers, clippers may be customized by size, design, material, or coloration for a customer via a computer interface located at the retail point of sale and allows the customer or technician to direct the process of preparing the specific result. A radio frequency identification device (RFID), retinal scan, smart card, thumb print recognition software may identify and collect preparation information for the client.  
         [0029]     A machine capable of brush manufacture will house varying brush components and subsequently form brushes exactly matching customer specifications such as bristle type (i.e.; pony hair, sable, synthetic, hypoallergenic, colored), brush shape (i.e.; flat, round, angled, short bristled), brush or handle size, handle color/material, monogramming or other printed or etched design. Applicator, sponge, puff or patch dispenser will bring together at point of sale the appropriate components and subsequently form applicator, sponge, puff or patch to previously detailed customer specifications. These specifications could require various procedures such as infusion with a pigment, glitter product, powder, oil or water based solution applied via nozzle, syringe, image printer/inkjet, dipping procedure or other physical transfer to substrate layer and may be set by heating, freezing, air, or chemical curing process.  
         [0030]     Unless stated otherwise, plural structural components step can be provided by a single integrated structure or step. Alternatively, a single integrated structure step might be divided into separate plural components or steps. However, it is also possible that the functions are integrated into a single component or step.  
         [0031]     Any reference herein to “first” and “second” is not intended as limiting to combinations that consist of only first and second items. Where so-referenced, it is possible that the subject matter of the present invention may suitably incorporate third, fourth or more items. Moreover, the disclosure of “a” or “one” element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps.  
         [0032]     In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of any unique structure herein and the operation thereof also constitutes processes in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]     It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.