US 5,903,465 · Granted 1999-05-11

Method and apparatus for customizing cosmetic products

A machine is provided for customizing a cosmetic product at point of sale to a customer. The dispensing machine of the invention includes a mechanism for receiving operating instructions about a customer's optimal formula; a series of dispensers each containing a different cosmetic composition; a mechanism for activating dosing to a common dosing chamber of certain of the cosmetic compositions and at certain concentrations as determined by the operating instructions; and a mechanism for delivering the dosed formula into a container to the customer as a cosmetic product. Other advantageous features include a temperature regulation system, dual pumps of different capacity for obtaining highly accurate dosing, a bar code labeling system, and a telemodem for remote reporting of machine failure, empty dispensers and customer information.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team