KR20040030623A - Method and apparatus for blending and dispensing liquid compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-chamber dispenser for mixing and dispensing custom liquid products, such as liquid cosmetic foundations. The dispenser is a device for selecting a custom formulation, a plurality of cartridges separately containing a premix composition for a custom liquid product, at least one ink jet head in fluid communication with the cartridge, a central processing for processing the custom liquid formulation and activating the ink jet head Including the unit, the ink jet head dispenses the premixed composition according to a custom liquid formulation to provide a custom liquid product.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BLENDING AND DISPENSING LIQUID COMPOSITIONS

Colored liquid cosmetics such as lipsticks, lip gloss, coloring creams, foundations, eyeliners, and nail polish solutions are required in many colors to suit a variety of consumer preferences. For example, more than 20 shades of liquid foundation are popular in one season and are required to be suitable for various skin tones of the masses. Thus, a foundation manufacturer needs to blend a foundation of 20 or more shades in a manufacturing plant to meet the needs of the public. It is also necessary for the consumer to purchase a separate bottle of each desired color tone. It is proposed by the prior art that the cosmetic industry eliminates the need to purchase a separate foundation bottle for each color tone required by the consumer. In particular, the consumer can mix the colors of his personal hue at home by using one of the conventional multi-chamber dispensers. Generally, conventional multi-chamber cosmetic dispensers use mechanical pump means. Examples of typical multi-chamber fluid distributors are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,848,732 and 3,760,986. U. S. Patent No. 3,760, 986 discloses a multi-chamber dispenser operated by a positive displacement pump. The distributor includes a separate non-connected compartment and a tube extending from each compartment into the chamber in the nozzle head. The positive displacement pump has two spaced apart pistons and two spring loaded ball checks to break the connection between the chamber and the subordinate tubes in each chamber. As the user pressurizes the pump, the spring load balls are displaced so that fluid from each compartment can be separated and passed into the chamber and out of the nozzle head. U.S. Patent 5,848,732 discloses a similar mechanical multi-chamber dispenser that includes a positive displacement pump. However, the dispenser disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,848,732 utilizes a mixing device having a manual regulator for varying the amount of media dispensed from each compartment into the mixing chamber. After the medium is mixed, the medium exits the dispenser.

One problem with conventional multi-chamber dispensers is that the dispenser is typically a pump comprising a plastic piston and spring loaded balls, which are both prone to wear and break after continuous use and cause the dispenser to malfunction. Is the point. Another problem with conventional multi-chamber dispensers is that the mechanical pump limits the user to a fixed increment of product coming from each chamber of the dispenser. In this regard, manually operated mechanical pumps cannot successfully dispense microliter volumes of liquid from each compartment or can not dispense the correct amount after repeated use. Thus, if a conventional multi-chamber dispenser is used to mix the colored products, the dispenser may not get all the colors of the visible color spectrum. In addition, the pumped dispenser allows the user to liquid liquid into the chamber whenever the fluid is depleted. Or cumbersome because you have to inject another fluid. In addition, conventional dispensers cannot effectively use all the foundations in a dispenser because the tube from which the foundation is being drawn cannot pull up the fluid near the dispenser wall.

The present invention relates to a mixing and dispensing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mixing and dispensing device for liquid compositions comprising, among other products, liquid cosmetic compositions of different shades.

1 is a front view of one embodiment of a dispenser.

2 is a rear view of the dispenser of FIG.

3 is a bottom view of the dispenser of FIG.

4 is an exploded view of the distributor of FIG.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge, a flow path, and a piezoelectric ink jet head.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a solenoid ink jet head.

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a double valve solenoid-piezo ink jet head system.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a dispenser for dispensing a liquid cosmetic composition that dispenses a quantity of product in a cost-effective, durable, non-limiting, accurate increment. There is also a need to provide a dispenser that dispenses a very large number of shades of cosmetics.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with conventional multi-chamber dispensers by providing a multi-chamber dispenser for dispensing custom fluid compositions using ink jet printing techniques. The invention provides a housing defining a dispensing orifice, a device representing a custom liquid formulation, a central processing unit comprising a stored formulation, a power source, a plurality of cartridges, and at least one ink jet for dispensing a programmed volume of custom liquid formulation. Head.

In one embodiment, the dispenser is made to dispense a custom color tone of the liquid foundation. The use of ink jet printing techniques to dispense liquid cosmetic compositions is a surprising aspect of the present invention because the inks used in ink jet printers are more fluid than typical liquid cosmetic compositions. It was believed that the rheology of cosmetic fluids, such as liquid foundations, did not flow properly through the ink jet cartridge.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, claims, and appended drawings.

The present invention includes liquid cosmetics such as fluids, lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeliners, and cheek oils containing fluorides used in connection with vitamins, minerals, or water treatment systems; perfume; Personal care products such as lotions, creams, humidifiers, and sunscreens; And ink jet printing techniques for dispensing a variety of compositions including, but not limited to, household care products such as multipurpose cleaners and air fresheners. The ink jet head may use a self-limiting alloy, thermal, solenoid, or piezoelectric technique. In order to illustrate the invention in detail, an exemplary piezoelectric system for custom forming a liquid foundation is described. Piezoelectric technology uses a piezo crystal that accepts a small charge that causes the piezo crystal to vibrate. In one example, the crystal is retracted to allow fluid into the container. In another example, the crystal is foamed to its original position applying a mechanical pressure on the fluid that causes a small amount of fluid to exit the nozzle. Typical ink jet heads eject small fluid droplets, typically 50 to 60 microns in diameter.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of a multi-chamber dispenser 2. The distributor 2 has a cap 4 and a power button 6. 2 shows a rear view of the dispenser. The dispenser is provided with a device or control panel 8 that represents the color tone of the liquid cosmetic. The control panel 8 may include several buttons that function to increase or decrease the amount of liquid dispensed from the cartridges 14a to 14d. The removable cover or door 10 may partially or wholly cover the control panel 8. 3 shows a bottom view of the dispenser 2 showing the dispensing port 6.

4, the multi-chamber dispenser 2 incorporates four cartridges 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d containing liquid foundations of different colors. Each cartridge 14a-14d may contain about 1 ml to about 15 ml of liquid foundation. The cartridges 14a to 14d are pressurized so that the liquid foundation contained therein can be easily passed from the cartridges 14a to 14d into its corresponding flow path 16 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a piezoelectric system showing only one cartridge 14a and its corresponding flow path 16 and piezoelectric ink jet head 40. Although the four cartridges 14a to 14d in Fig. 4 are not shown, this schematic drawing generally applies to each cartridge 14a to 14d. Each flow path 16 enters a corresponding chamber 42. The cartridge 14a may also include a plunger 20 to assist in dispensing liquid from the cartridge into the flow path 16. Preferably, pressurized gas is disposed in the compartment 18 behind the plunger 20 to force the plunger 20. In some applications, pressurized gas may be replaced by springs or other conventional biasing mechanisms. Alternatively, the cartridge 14a may use capillary action to move the liquid foundation into the ink jet head 40. The end 22 of the flow path 16 that receives the cartridge is a rod-shaped plug that ruptures the cartridge seal when the cartridge 14a is coupled to the 0 ring 26 and the receiving end 22 of the flow path 16. 24). The o-ring 26 surrounds the outside of the cartridge to prevent liquid from leaking around the edge of the cartridge 14a. The seal may be a spring loaded ball 28, conventional foil seal, or original surface tension shown in FIG. The cartridge 14a may be screwed or otherwise coupled to the receiving end 22 of the flow path 16.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one cartridge 14a may be supplied into multiple ink jet heads 40. For example, each cartridge 14a-14d may have three flow paths 16, each guided into a separate ink jet head 40 (not shown). This multiple ink jet head 40 is configured such that the colors of the liquid foundation are interlaced. Inkjet printheads distribute extremely small color dots, typically 50 to 60 microns in diameter (less than the diameter of a human hair), onto the printing surface, so distributing the mixed color of the foundation to the user's palm More mixed appearance is provided than non-blended patterns. Examples of mixed patterns are illustrated below.

White black yellow black White Red yellow Red White

In another embodiment, the orifice 46 of each ink jet head is inclined such that each foundation color collides with another color when dispensed out of the orifice 46 (not shown). In another embodiment, the orifice 46 of the ink jet head 40 is fluidly connected to the corresponding outlet flow path. Each outlet flow path is merged into a single mixing chamber which allows the colors to mix before exiting the dispensing port 6 (not shown).

Depending on the type of composition dispensed from the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of cartridges will be varied to meet the various hue, nutrients, sunscreen, or scents required for the liquid composition. For example, if a dispenser is made for a customized level of sun protection protection, then cartridges for UVA / UVB protective compositions and cartridges for other components may be present. The distribution of UVA / UVB is different for each sun protection level you require. Another example is a water treatment system equipped with the present invention to add desired vitamins and minerals. There may be separate cartridges for different vitamins and minerals, allowing the user to select the desired formula for the water from the water treatment system. For liquid foundations, the colors required to obtain an array of tones to suit different skin tones are red, white, yellow and black. Preferred ratios of red, white, yellow and black foundation premixes to exemplary shades are as follows. All percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Table 1

Desired tint Desired amount of foundation premix White Red yellow black Ivory 95.50% 0.90% 3.60% 0.00% Fresh Bisque 89.87% 2.43% 6.40% 1.30% natural 84.58% 3.42% 9.90% 2.10% Honey cream 84.20% 3.60% 10.60% 1.60% True Beige 80.29% 5.31% 12.50% 1.90% mocha 26.17% 21.09% 40.47% 12.27% Deep Mahogany 0.82% 26.98% 38.75% 33.45%

Examples of preparations for the foundation premixes are illustrated in Table 2.

Table 2

White premix (cyclomethicone aqueous solution)

In oil phase

Cyclomethicone 11.75

Cyclomethicone (and) 10.00

Dimethicone Copolyol

Sorbitan Trioleate 0.20

Tocopheryl Acetate 0.25

Acrylate Copolymer 10.00

(And) cyclomethicone

Colorant part

Iron oxide, titanium dioxide (and) 10.00

Magnesium myristate

Active ingredient

Zinc Oxide (and) 3.0

Dimethicone,

Hydrophobic Ultrafine

Phenylbenzimidazole 3.00

Sulfonic acid

Triethanolamine 1.93

Methylparaben 0.20

Propylparaben 0.06

Glycerin, 96% 2.00

Green Tea Extract 1.00

In butylene glycol

Lactobacillus / Acerola Cherry 1.00

enzyme

Alpha-Glucan 2.00

Oligosaccharides

PEG-150 / decyl 1.00

Alcohol / SMDI Copolymer

In propylene glycol aqueous solution

Benzyl alcohol 1.00

In the water phase

Water, Purified 41.61

100% total

Red Premix (Suspension)

DI water 79.60%

Gellan Gum (Kelco Gel) (Monsanto) 0.20

Red Iron Oxide (RND-DC00)

49.1% Solids (Sun Chemical) 20.00

Diazolidinyl Yulia (and) Iodopropynyl

Butyl carbamate 0.20

100% total

Yellow premix (water in oil emulsion)

Within the award

Purified Water 49.10%

Sodium chloride0.50

Disodium EDTA 0.20

Diazolidinyl Yulia and Iodopropynyl

Butyl carbamate 0.20

Colorant part

Yellow I.O./ isononyl isononanoate /

Isopropyl Titanium

Triisostearate (Covo) 14.81

In oil phase

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate 3.00

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate 2.00

Isononyl isononanoate 30.19

100% total

Black premix (water in oil emulsion)

Within the award

Deionized Water 66.73%

Disodium EDTA 0.15

Glycerate-26 3.00

Xan Sword 00.15

In oil phase

Capric Acid / Capric Triglycerides 5.10

Isononyl isononanoate 5.10

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate 1.82

Polysorbic Acid 60 1.75

coloring agent

Iron oxide and isononyl isononanoate and

Titanium Triisostearate (Covo) 16.00

Diazolidinyl urea and

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate 0.20

100% total

For a typical foundation in the midtone range, the most predominant color is white. White, yellow, red and black are selected to allow the system to produce all the shades, but most shades are mainly white. If four cartridges of the same volume, including white, yellow, red and black foundation, are used to form the most common shades, white is depleted fastest and black lasts longer than other colors. To illustrate this, the manufacturer premixes white with the other colors in an inverse proportion to frequency of use. For example, white is 100% white, yellow is approximately 50% white and 50% yellow, red is 35% red and 65% white, and black is 20% black and 80% white. In this way, a very uniform depletion rate can be obtained for all colors.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, when the user of the present invention uses the control panel 8 to enter a recipe that includes the ratio of each foundation from the cartridge, the recipe is received by the microprocessor (“CPU”) 30. do. The CPU 30 processes the inputted information to control the amount of power generated from the power source 32 when activating the ink jet head 40. Subsequently, the fluid in the chamber 42 of the ink jet head 40 is removed by a change in the momentum of the momentum delivery device such as the piezo crystal 44 opposite the orifice 46 of the ink jet head 40. . This sudden change in momentum is transmitted to the static liquid in chamber 42 and takes this momentum to propel from orifice 46. Typical orifices of the ink jet head are about 0.002 inches (0.0051 cm) in diameter. Preferably, the orifice 46 of the ink jet head dispensing the liquid foundation is about 0.007 inches (0.0178 cm) to about 0.008 inches (0.0203 cm) in diameter. In addition, due to the rheology of the liquid foundation, it is preferred to include one or more momentum delivery devices to assist in pushing the fluid out of the chamber 42. The size of the orifice 46 and the use of a plurality of momentum transfer devices is that the present invention differs from conventional ink jet techniques. This momentum can be delivered by thermal systems, solenoid actuators, piezo crystals or self-limiting alloys. Any combination of the momentum delivery devices described above can be used in the present invention.

5 is a piezoelectric ink jet head 40 for the present invention and uses a piezo crystal 44. The ink jet head 40 includes a piezo crystal 44 that responds to electrical impulses delivered by the power source 32 through the CPU 30. When piezo crystal 44 receives electrical impulses, the impulse reconstructs piezo crystal 44. Due to the continuous reconstruction, the piezo crystal 44 is oscillated up and down. Piezo crystal 44 may be vibrated at about 2,000 hertz through electrical impulses from power source 32. The liquid foundation enters the ink jet head via a one-way path on the top layer of piezo crystal 44. A flexible film 48 is provided near the inlet of the chamber 42 of the ink jet head 40 so that the flow of the liquid foundation through the flow path 16 and the chamber 42 reaches the orifice 46. It can help you to control. The force while the piezo crystal 44 oscillates in the downward direction assists in transferring the liquid foundation out of the orifice 46 of the ink jet head 40. In this embodiment the piezo crystal 44 is operated as a momentum transfer device.

Since the fluid is not actively pumped from the nozzle, the measurement of the amount of fluid dispensed is not good by using a flow meter. Rather, in the preferred embodiment, metering depends on the calculation of the volume of the chamber 42 for the number of times impacted by the momentum transfer device. With some work, it can be seen that the changing rheological liquid is consistently distributed in the fixed volume. Once this volume is known, the desired velocity of the liquid can be obtained by simply controlling the vibration of the momentum transfer device.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid foundation is dispensed from the orifice 46 in the form of a defined volume of circular droplets. In a preferred embodiment, there are about 50,000 droplets totaling approximately 0.1 ml for each cycle or period of time during which the user activates the dispenser. For the sample color, the example droplets for each premix foundation and the volume of the premix per drop are shown in Table 3. This table shows the values obtained in the preferred examples. Droplet sizes may vary from application to application depending on the nature of the ink jet head (eg ink jet orifice diameter) and the nature of the dispensed liquid (eg rheology and viscosity). The values in Table 3 are obtained by an enlarged ink jet having an orifice diameter of about 0.007 inches (0.0178 cm) to about 0.008 inches (0.0203 cm).

Table 3

Desired tint White Red yellow black Droplets volume Droplets volume Droplets volume Droplets volume Ivory 47,750 0.0955 450 0.0009 1,800 0.0036 0 0.0 Fresh Bisque 44,935 0.0899 1,215 0.0024 3,200 0.0064 650 0.0013 mocha 13,085 0.0262 10,545 0.0211 20,235 0.0405 6,135 0.0123 Dark Mahogany 410 0.0008 13,490 0.0270 19,375 0.0388 16,725 0.0335

Other types of ink jet head systems can be used for the present invention. 6 shows a single solenoid ink jet head 40b. In this embodiment, the momentum transfer device is a solenoid actuator 44b. Electrical impulses from power source 32 activate coil 50 to generate a magnetic field, causing solenoid actuator 44b to be pulled into coil 50. A flexible film 48b is provided near the inlet of the chamber 42b of the ink jet head 40b so that the flow of the liquid foundation through the flow path 16b and the chamber 42b reaches the orifice 46b. It can help you to control. When solenoid actuator 44b is released from coil 50, solenoid actuator 44b assists in pressurizing the liquid foundation out of orifice 46b.

Figure 7 shows a double valve solenoid piezo embodiment of the ink jet head 40c. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric ink jet head 40 is used in combination with the solenoid ink jet head 40b. The liquid foundation is flowed into the solenoid ink jet head 40b and then into the piezoelectric ink jet head 40 to be finally pushed out of the orifice 46. Similarly, other multivalve ink jet systems can be used for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any combination of heat, piezo, solenoids, and self-limiting alloys may be included in the ink jet head.

It is contemplated that the present invention may be configured to connect to a standalone or remote computer. The recipe information may be stored in computer hardware, software, or website setup for current distributors. It is also contemplated that the computer with stored recipe information may be a colorimeter or spectrophotometer. The distributor may have a plug-in for connecting the computer to the distributor, such as a USB port, serial port, parallel port or other connection port. In operation, the user can select a hue using a computer that downloads a specific recipe to the CPU in the dispenser to immediately distribute the desired hue. The computer may include a database of preformed recipes or may form recipes in real time through interaction with a user. The computer may also allow the user to directly enter the recipe. The dispenser CPU may also include software to convert the recipe received from the computer into ink jet head instructions. Alternatively, the computer may convert the recipe into ink jet head instructions that are delivered to the dispenser CPU and executed by the dispenser CPU.

It is also contemplated that the present invention can be programmed by a personal data assistant using infrared technology, thereby allowing a user to enter a desired recipe into the personal data assistant and transmit the data through the infrared receiving port of the multi-chamber dispenser. do.

While the invention has been described in connection with some preferred embodiments and many details have been described for purposes of illustration, the invention is susceptible to modification and any other details described herein are significantly modified without departing from the basic principles of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be made.

Claims (20)

Liquid composition mixing and dispensing system, A device for selecting a custom liquid composition selected from the group consisting of cosmetics, vitamins, minerals, sunscreens, lotions, creams, perfumes and household cleaners, A plurality of cartridges each containing a premixed composition, At least one ink jet head in fluid communication with at least one of the cartridges; A central processing unit for processing said custom liquid composition and activating said ink jet head, And the ink jet head dispenses the premixed compositions according to the custom liquid composition. The system of claim 1, wherein the custom liquid composition is a cosmetic preparation. The system of claim 1, wherein the custom liquid composition is a liquid foundation. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a palm-sized device. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cartridges are four cartridges, each of the four cartridges comprising a different premix composition, wherein the premix composition comprises a white liquid foundation, a mixed white and black liquid foundation, a mixed white And red liquid foundation, and mixed white and yellow liquid foundation. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cartridges are pressurized. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one ink jet head is a plurality of ink jet heads, the plurality of ink jet heads arranged in a mixed batch for mixing dispensing the premixed composition. . The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of flow paths, wherein the flow paths are in fluid communication with the cartridge and the ink jet head. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one ink jet head is a plurality of ink jet heads, each of the ink jet heads being fluidly connected to at least two cartridges. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distribution port. The system of claim 1, wherein the ink jet head is a piezoelectric ink jet head comprising a piezo crystal. The system of claim 1, wherein the ink jet head is a solenoid ink jet head comprising a solenoid valve. The system of claim 1, wherein the ink jet head comprises an orifice having a diameter of about 0.018 cm to about 0.02 cm. Palm-sized ink jet dispenser for dispensing custom liquid foundations, A plurality of cartridges comprising red, yellow, white, and black premixed foundation or any combination thereof, At least one ink jet head in fluid communication with each of the cartridges, the at least one ink jet head comprising a plurality of momentum transfer devices; A central processing unit, connected to the ink jet head, having a at least one stored liquid foundation formulation and activating the momentum transfer device according to the liquid foundation formulation to dispense a customized liquid foundation product. 15. The dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a computer plug-in for receiving a customized recipe from a remote computer. 15. The dispenser of claim 14, further comprising an infrared receptor for receiving recipe information from a personal data assistant. 15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said plurality of momentum transfer devices comprise piezo crystals and solenoid valves. A method of dispensing a liquid composition using an ink jet head, Providing an apparatus for selecting a customized cosmetic preparation comprising a central processing unit, a plurality of cartridges comprising a plurality of different cosmetic ingredients, at least one ink jet head, and one or more of the cosmetic ingredients; Selecting a customized cosmetic preparation comprising one or more of the cosmetic ingredients through the selecting device; Activating the ink jet head by a central processing unit to dispense the cosmetic component from the cartridge according to the selected customized cosmetic formulation. At least one ink jet head for dispensing a liquid composition selected from the group consisting of minerals, vitamins, cosmetics, household cleaners, lotions, creams, and perfumes. And a means for dispensing a custom liquid cosmetic product.