System for dispensation of cosmetic compounds

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10928840-B2
Application number	US-201816005079-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 11, 2018
Priority date	Jun 11, 2018
Publication date	Feb 23, 2021
Grant date	Feb 23, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser assembly for accurate dispensation of cosmetic compounds for custom cosmetic formulations. The dispenser assembly includes a dispensing motor coupled to a dispensing plunger which, according to prescribed speed profiles, dispenses accurate volumes of compounds for custom cosmetic formulations.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for dispensing compounds for cosmetic formulations, comprising:
a dispensing motor;
a plunger assembly having a plunger; and
a dispensing assembly control device having processing circuitry configured to:
receive electrical feedback regarding a plurality of characteristics of the apparatus, and
modify a movement of the plunger based upon the received electrical feedback regarding the plurality of characteristics of the apparatus, wherein
the plurality of characteristics of the apparatus include a determined position of the plunger and a mass of a collection bottle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing assembly control device having the processing circuitry is further configured to:
confirm a first position of the plunger based upon a position of a first photointerrupter flag relative to a light of a first optical sensor,
translate the plunger at a first speed based upon the confirmation of the first position of the plunger,
determine a second position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a second photointerrupter flag and a light of a second optical sensor,
translate the plunger based upon the determination of the second position of the plunger at a second speed,
compare a first mass of the collection bottle and a first target mass of the collection bottle,
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the first mass of the collection bottle and the first target mass of the collection bottle at a third speed,
compare a second mass of the collection bottle and a second target mass of the collection bottle,
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the second mass of the collection bottle and the second target mass of the collection bottle at a fourth speed,
compare a third mass of the collection bottle and a third target mass of the collection bottle, and
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the third mass of the collection bottle and the third target mass of the collection bottle at a fifth speed,
wherein the plunger is configured to contact a surface of a canister.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first optical sensor is an optical-type photosensor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the second optical sensor is a reflector-type photosensor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plunger assembly further comprises a carriage assembly having a bottom carriage and a top carriage and the second photointerrupter flag is disposed on a surface of the bottom carriage.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein, following contact between the plunger and the surface of the canister, an inter-carriage distance decreases, said inter-carriage distance being a distance between a top surface of the bottom carriage and a bottom surface of the top carriage.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second photointerrupter flag disposed on the surface of the bottom carriage, upon the decrease in the inter-carriage distance, reflects the light of the second optical sensor.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the fourth speed is a variable speed, the variable speed being a derivative of a rate of acceleration over time between the second target mass and the third target mass.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
determine a third position of the plunger based upon a relative position of a third photointerrupter flag and a light of a third optical sensor; and
translate the plunger based upon the determination of the third position of the plunger at a retraction speed.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
measure a current amperage of the dispensing motor;
compare the current amperage of the dispensing motor to an expected amperage of the dispensing motor; and
translate the plunger based upon the comparison of the current amperage and the predicted amperage at a retraction speed.

Assignees

• Oreal

Inventors

• Besen Richard
• Sinclair Nicholas

Classifications

• B01F33/848

  using data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the dispensing and mixing operations · CPC title

• B01F35/2207

  Use of data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the computer programs, e.g. for manipulation, handling, production or compounding in mixing plants (B01F33/848 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B01F35/7174

  using pistons, plungers or syringes · CPC title

• B01F2101/21

  Mixing of ingredients for cosmetic or perfume compositions · CPC title

• B01F33/8442

  using a computer for controlling information and converting it in a formula and a set of operation instructions, e.g. on the point of sale · CPC title