System for producing a customizable personal skincare product in a portable dispenser, and related methods

Abstract

A system and method for producing a customizable personal skincare liquid product in a portable dispenser are disclosed herein. The system includes a processor, a memory, a supply of portable dispensers, a supply of a base liquid material, and a supply of additional substances. A user provides selections and instructions to the system. The system mixes the base liquid material with one or more of the additional substances in the portable dispenser to create a customizable personal skincare liquid product according to the user specifications.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for producing a customizable personal skincare product stored in a portable dispenser in accordance with specifications provided by a user, the system comprising:
 an enclosure containing at least one processor and memory;   an input the user may employ to input selections and instructions to the system;   a supply of portable dispensers, and a supply of a base personal skincare material;   multiple storage units, wherein each storage unit contains at least one additional substance which may be added to the base personal skincare material within the portable dispenser to create a customizable personal skincare product according to the user specifications; and   at least one mechanical drive system controlled by the processor, wherein the mechanical drive system operates to position a selected portable dispenser to receive substances from one or more of the multiple storage units.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the customizable personal skincare product comprises a sanitizer, and the base liquid material comprises a sanitizer material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the customizable personal skincare product comprises a soap, and the base liquid material comprises a soap material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the additional substances permit the user to specify at least one property selected from the group consisting of a color, a suspended visual agent, a bead, a flake, a fragrance, a sensation, and a viscosity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of a touch screen display, a number pad, a keyboard, a voice recognition system and a wireless receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input comprises a data connection between the system and a personal digital assistant being operated by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a door to cover the outlet opening. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more windows in the enclosure which permit the user to view internal operations of the system as the system forms the customized personal skincare product in a portable dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a printer inside the enclosure to print personal skincare liquid product information. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the printer prints the personal skincare product information on an adhesive label which may be affixed to the portable dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a payment means via which the user may pay for the customized personal skincare product produced by the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage units each have a conical injection head designed to be inserted into an open top of the selected portable dispenser. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a kiosk which may be placed at a point of purchase location. 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a customizable personal skincare product stored in a portable dispenser, the method comprising:
 obtaining from a user of the system one or more properties of a desired customizable personal skincare product;   obtaining a supply of a base personal skincare material within a portable dispenser;   adding one or more additional substances into the portable dispenser, thereby mixing them with the base personal skincare material within the portable dispenser, to produce a final product in accordance with the properties of the desired customizable personal skincare product;   placing a closure on the portable dispenser to hold the customized personal skincare product within the portable dispenser unless and until the user initiates a dispensing action; and   outputting the portable dispenser containing the desired customizable personal skincare product from the system.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein obtaining the supply of the base personal skincare material within the portable dispenser comprises adding a portion of the base personal skincare material into an empty portable dispenser. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein obtaining the supply of the base personal skincare material within the portable dispenser comprises selecting a portable container which is pre-filled with the base personal skincare material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more additional substances are held within separate storage units, and the adding step is performed by applying a pressure to at least one of the storage units. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the closure comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of a cap and a pumping mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a mixing step after placing the closure on the portable dispenser. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a labeling step in which liquid product information is printed either directly on the portable dispenser or on a separate label which may be secured to the portable dispenser. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a payment step in which the user is required to pay for the customizable personal skincare liquid product before the portable dispenser is expelled. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the supply of portable dispensers and supply of base materials are provided by the user. 
     
     
         23 . A customized personal skincare product system comprising:
 a portable dispenser;   a base personal skincare material;   a first substance selected by a user; and   a second substance selected by a user.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the first and second substances comprise at least one of a color, a fragrance, suspended visual agents, beads or glitter. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the user selects a percentage of at least one of the first and second substances.