WO2023121779A2

WO2023121779A2 - Rapid product formulation and efficient mass-customization

Info

Publication number: WO2023121779A2
Application number: PCT/US2022/049180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danijel HUBMAN; David Androsch; Astrid Androsch
Original assignee: Alp Stories, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-12-22
Filing date: 2022-11-08
Publication date: 2023-06-29
Also published as: WO2023121779A3; WO2023121779A4

Abstract

The custom formulation and personalization of products, including skincare products, is described. A user may enter user skincare data and a user skin profile may be generated from this data. The user skin profile may be mapped to skin matrix factors of a user skin profile matrix to derive a skin profile identifier. The skin profile identifier may be used to select ingredients for introduction to a container provided with an integrated mixing system. The custom formulated product can then be blended within the container, and then be distributed directly to the user within the same container.

Description

RAPID PRODUCT FORMULATION AND EFFICIENT MASS-CUSTOMIZATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the creation of formulated products and, more particularly, to a system for and method of creating individually personalized formulated products.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Individualized consumer products provided on a mass scale are generally rare. German truck manufacturer Daimler AG uses a 3D printing process for the creation of some plastic spare parts and components in order to, inter alia, reduce inventory. Plastic components such as covers, spacers, spring caps, air and cable ducts, clamps, mountings and control elements are produced by additive manufacturing and 3D printing upon demand. However, such parts are limited to plastic additive manufacturing technologies, and the parts are not “personalized” but rather equivalent in form and function to the original production components, i.e., are produced from an existing limited catalog.

[0003] Personalized 3D printing technology also exists in some healthcare applications. 3D printing is used to create a portion of skull for trauma victims, and for making teeth and implants for a wide variety of dental procedures.

[0004] But “formulated” products, to date, have been unable to achieve individually personalized manufacturing. By way of example, for medicaments, a compounded medication may be custom made for an individual by a “compounding pharmacy.” Such a specific type of pharmacy can make medications for people who have certain medication needs or requirements. However, such pharmacies are essentially local or regional, formulating one prescription at a time, and widespread customization of products in these and other health and beauty areas still remain universally unavailable. Some of the reasons for this are explained in greater detail below.

[0005] In spite of the inability of being able to “personalize” products such as skin care or cosmetic products on a large scale, there is an increasing trend toward marketing these product lines as “personalized” products. This leads to faux-personalization, both in marketing and in technology. By way of example, U.S. Patent No. 11,328,338, issued in the name of Yuan et al. and assigned to Life Spectacular Inc. d/b/a PROVEN® Skincare, is one such typical faux- personalization method. Commercially embodied and advertised as being “personalized, clinically effective skincare formulated for you based on your skin, life and environment,” the ‘338 Patent teaches a method of providing a skincare regimen recommendation from a curated skincare product portfolio. In other words, while employing an interactive recommendation matrix that could e. used to personalize a formulation, such a method instead is used only to identify a recommendation of one product from a limited number of pre-formulated products (i.e., from a curated portfolio).

[0006] Consequently, a need exists to utilize an interactive or matrix style of identifying a personalized requirement for a formulated product in order to facilitate the actual personalized, individualized formulation of such products. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is thus objects of the present invention to provide systems and methods that allow for personalized, customized, individualized or made-to-order product formulations that can be efficiently mass produced.

[0008] Further objects of the present allow for contract manufacturing of such made-to- order products, allowing companies to offer customized end-to-end solutions in a private label manner in order to rapidly enter the health and beauty care market with personalization of products in an effective manner.

[0009] It is a feature of the present invention to connect a process of ordering products made by basic recipes with a mechanism for modifying the recipe according to customers’ wishes.

[0010] Further, the present invention provides a method for identifying customized skincare product requirements that is then actually used to direct the formulation and manufacturing of a personalized, individualized product that is generated from the specific identified user recommendations.

[0011] Embodiments of the methods described in the present disclosure are directed to a method for providing a custom individual skincare product to a user. Also described are methods directed to recommending and providing a skincare product formulation for personalized manufacturing of a product that addresses the identified specific needs and issues of the user. An online portal may enable a procurement selection whereby a customer, from a customer data set database, identifies a product selection from a range of product types. The skincare product formulation may be derived from and generated using a user skin profile matrix derived from a quiz, algorithm or diagnostic application that maps the user’s skin profile with individual formulation ingredients or from a selection of individual formulation ingredients. By identifying specific formulation ingredients and quantities thereof, a personalized skincare product may be customized to the individual and specific needs and circumstances of the user. A product packaging may thereby be selected, and the specific formula created with an algorithm comprising an interactive user interface for collection of customer specific information through user provided data input and operatively directing a recommended unique formulation adaptable for the preparation of a made-to-order consumer-initiated individualized cosmetics, beauty care, nutrition, health or pharmaceutical products. A production template with a final formulation recipe may be operatively directing as a recipe for operational control of an automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected product packaging to create a finished product.

[0012] The product packaging itself may further facilitate mass customization by allowing for in-situ mixing if ingredients. The product container may be provided having an outer housing forming a retail dispenser package having central outer housing body forming a substantial portion of the outer housing. The central outer housing body may be closed at a lower terminus by a lower housing end cap and closed at an upper terminus by a closure cap. A mixing container may be retained within the outer housing, into which a multi-component mixture is filled. Additionally, it is envisioned that a homogenous flowable formulation, especially one that may benefit from blending or mixing, may be utilized.

[0013] The mixture may be filled using an automated manufacturing system in an individualized manner, such that each individual product container may be charged with a customized or unique formulation different than a previous or subsequent container passing through the system. Such filling eliminates the need for mixing or blending prior to filling. The mixing container may form an upper access opening for receiving the product to be prepared, and an open lowered end for receiving a slidable bottom portion. The bottom portion functions as a piston that forms a central opening for receiving a rod, and an outer circumference adapted to fully seal the lower end. The rod terminates at its upper end with a mixing plate. Movement of the rod through the central opening provides mixing of the product through a reciprocating motion, and preferably with a simultaneous rotation. Movement of the slidable bottom portion upward into the mixing container may seal the contents therein. Movement of the upper mixing plate within the mixing container may provide mixing of the container’s contents by forcing fluid flow through one or more mixing apertures formed about a flange of the mixing plate.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the systems and methods provided may be used for creation of a private-label branded cosmetics, beauty care, nutrition, health and pharmaceutical products where the same or similar online portal may be used to enable a product formulation. Additionally, the online portal may further enable the creation of the product packaging and the creation of a branded packaging or packaging label that can be uploaded or made, previewed, modified and finalized for production and where the automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected the private labeled branded product packaging to create the finished product.

[0015] In some examples, the present disclosure describes a method of providing a personalized skincare formulation based at least in part on a user skin profile. The method may include creating a user skin profile matrix using a set of skin matrix factors, deriving a skin profile identifier from the user skin profile matrix, using the skin profile identifier to create a selected set of skincare product ingredients, and providing the personalized formulation of the skincare product to a user. The method may also include adapting the skin profile identifier according to an anticipated change to the user skin profile to create an updated product formulation for the user and receiving user data for use in generating and adapting the user skin profile. In some examples, deriving the skin profile identifier from the user skin profile matrix may include mapping the user skin profile to the user skin profile matrix and may also include concatenating individual representative markers of each of the skin matrix factors mapped to the user skin profile. In other some examples, the method may include generating and/or adapting the user skin profile based on other non-skin factors, such as seasonal variations, environmental conditions, availability of ingredients or an anticipated change to the user skin or non-skin factors.

[0016] In some examples, the method may include any or all of generating the initial skin profile identifier by correlating the initial user skin profile to a user skin profile matrix, creating the user skin profile matrix by selecting a set of skin matrix factors that include at least one of a set of skin factors or a set of non-skin factors, and formulating the individually formulated skincare products for the user by selecting at least one base ingredient from a set of base ingredients or by selecting at least one additive from a set of additives, based at least in part on the initial skin profile identifier. In some examples, the present disclosure describes a method directed to creating a personalized skin product for a user, which may include an individualized formulation directed by selecting a set of skin matrix factors [0017] In some examples, the method may provide for creation of a consumer-initiated personalized or individualized health or beauty product whereby a customer, from a customer data set database, may create a formulation based on diagnostic initiated from a formula creation algorithm using collected customer specific information through user provided data input and operatively directing a recommended unique formulation adaptable for the preparation of a made-to-order consumer-initiated individualized cosmetics, beauty care, nutrition, health or pharmaceutical products. In some examples, a production template with a final formulation recipe may be operatively directed as a recipe for operational control of an automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected product packaging to create a finished product.

[0018] Further, the present invention facilitates the integration of preparation and production of the product, labelling, payment, and storage of individual recipes and name under a principal brand as well as product shipping to the customer.

[0019] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a system that is capable of providing a true personalized formulation customized for a user’s identified needs.

[0020] It is another advantage of the present invention to allow for personalized product formulation that can depend upon individual needs, preferences, ingredients, fragrances, concentration, or otherwise individualized to a selecting consumer.

[0021] It is still another advantage of the present invention to enable a consumer to direct an individualized product formula to create a customized beauty product for their individual needs using an advanced algorithm for true customization. [0022] Further objects, features, elements and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0024] FIG. l is a flow diagram for a method according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention for creating individually personalized formulated product from millions of different possible formula variations, in a rapid manner, and based on individualized customer input;

[0025] FIG. 2A and continued on FIG. 2B are a process flow diagram of the process according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted to include a private label manufacturing;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the method of FIG. 1 for an exemplary use case;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for producing the individually personalized formulated product according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a skincare recommendation data flow process;

[0029] FIG. 6 and, continued on FIG. 7 are process flow diagrams of the process according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention capable of formulating millions of different formula variations rapidly depending on individualized customer input; [0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container with an integrated mixing system for use with the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the mixer and the sealing piston taken along line III-III of FIG 9; and

[0033] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment is described and depicted herein in conjunction the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views. Referring now to FIG. 1, a method of creating individually personalized formulated product, generally noted as 10, is shown in which an interactive recommendation matrix 20 is implemented for a particular product selection 30. The interactive recommendation matrix 20 may be enabled using an online, direct to consumer portal, or may be enabled using a kiosk or other retail positioned user interface. Product selection 30 may be in any manner that allows a consumer to initiate and confirm a buying decision in which a selection is made to procure a customized or individualized product.

[0035] A product selection may be from a range of possible product types and/or package sizes. For purposes of the present invention a product will be referred to as a cosmetic or a beauty care product; however, such a description is meant to be exemplary only and not limiting, and as such the terms “cosmetic” or “beauty care product” should be broadly construed to encompass any topical agent for hair, skin or nails, as well as medicaments, vitamins, supplements, nutritional products, sports or energy drinks or any similar or equivalent consumer product more broadly and the present invention may be equivalently transferrable to any formulated product that can be customizable based upon user initiated use criteria.

[0036] The interactive recommendation matrix 20 may provide an iterative interface in any manner that solicits intended user and/or desire product character as an input to a selection algorithm 40. The interactive recommendation matrix 20 may further provide an iterative function 50, cycling a user through input selections that may change depending upon subsequent inputs. Additionally, the interactive recommendation matrix 20 may be adaptive 60, in which prior input selections may be modified based on change factors, such as season, availability of ingredients, prior experience (i.e., feedback from prior purchase), consumer preferences (i.e., non-gmo, organic, vegan, cruelty free, etc.) or the like.

[0037] The selection algorithm 40, whether modified by iterative 50 or adaptive 60 choices, accesses an ingredient database 70 and maps possible ingredient selections to the results of the interactive user input 80. Upon completion of the selection recommendation matrix 20 the selection algorithm 40 maps individual ingredients to the generated user profile and provides an output 90 of a formulation, recipe, quantitative list of individual ingredients or other functional equivalent that is used to generate an individualized production formula 95.

[0038] It should become apparent in light of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, as shown in conjunction with FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the process according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be adapted to include a private label manufacturing. The current model offers companies a customized end-to- end solution to rapidly enter the health and beauty care market for a private label business venture by gathering information directly from the company/client via the product customization process 10 and interfacing directly with a private label design system 100 that may manage instant product formulations in a third-party, private label manufacturing process to allow companies the ability to create their own product design using prior developed formulations, or with application of their own proprietary formulations that are transmitted directly to production, allowing for the maximum efficiency of the serial production of made-to-order business-to- business (“B2B”) products.

[0039] In creating a new brand from scratch, whether by a large retailer or a small e- commerce company, a number of difficulties and hurdles exist, from the cost and ability of manufacturing to product formulation designs to packaging configurations. Smaller brands and startups may specifically struggle with finding affordable and reliable options, as larger manufacturers offer incredibly high minimum order quantities (“MOQs”). In conjunction with the present teachings, companies also may provide private-label products in extremely low quantities, starting at minimum order quantities of a few as five pieces. Acquiring data 102 to create the desired brand and custom products may be done via a private label portal 104 where a company directly engage with the diagnostic tool 60 operative communicate with the formula creation algorithm 40 to access the formulation database 42 in a similar manner as described above. By adapting the innovation for use by a private label product marketer, one or many final formulations 54 is obtained, a user may be prompted to add additional products to an order 100. Such a prompt may redirect the user back to purchase additional individualized cosmetic product from the selection interface. [0040] Upon completion of the total number of final formulation selection, each final formulation may be operatively directed as a template formulation, and the data 102 is operatively provided to a product design system 106 to allow for creation of a desired brand and custom product. This system allows companies to create a design from scratch 108, or upload their own, existing design 110. When choosing to create a design from scratch 108, a company may choose between beginning with a template 112 starting with standard elements or using a custom creation tool 114 where custom elements may be created and/or imported. Such product elements may include various design theme such a logos, brand names, product names, label text colors or the like. Alternately, a custom product design 116 may be uploaded for subsequent use. Once the design is finished or uploaded 118, a preview of the product design 120 may be displayed to allow the company to confirm the visual components. Once approved 122, the products are sent in the queue for production and product packaging and labeling may be generated 124 for immediately use after completion of a purchasing request.

[0041] Such a private label solution allows brands of all sizes to be able to private label their unique products and serve them to their target groups with the click of a few buttons, and with the savings of time and money without adversely effecting product quality or safety.

[0042] Referring now in conjunction with FIG. 3, this method is better described for an exemplary use case, namely, for selection and formulation of a cosmetic type of product generally notes as 200. Herein the interactive recommendation matrix 20 is adapted specifically for cosmetics and may result in a skin profile 205 used to generate a series of skin profile identifiers 210. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, the product types may include any type of cosmetic or health and beauty product such as facial cream, hand cream, foundation, lip balm, shampoo, body milk, etc. The skin profile may be in the form of a matrix that corresponds skin profile identifier to select products ingredients from an ingredient database 215. The user skin profile matrix may be one way of documenting a user's skin profile. The user skin profile matrix may be a multidimensional matrix, in that different data points of the user's skin profile may indicate an intersection or correlation of two, three, or more skincare factors. For example, a user's skin profile may include the correlated or intersecting skincare factors of being 19 years old, having oily skin, and living in a high humidity climate. Although each of these factors may be accounted for individually in multiple skincare products, when the intersecting skincare factors are simultaneously accounted for, a more effective skincare recommendation and product or product line may be provided to the user. Further, the user skin profile matrix and correspondingly, the skin profile identifier may be concatenated 220 to particular features and used to identify which ingredients which may best address the intersecting skincare factors of the user. Once complete, a recipe map 230 can be generated. While the initial recipe map 230 may be used, according to one aspect of the invention the map 230 may be adapted based a number of change factors 250. These change factors 250 are intended to allow a user to modify the map 230 with additional or different ingredients 215 to generate a final recipe 260 that is associated with the control of production 270. Further, the user’s order, contact information and preferences may be accumulated in a customer database 290 so as to allow a user to repeat a prior order or modify a prior order as based upon product experience.

[0043] As indicated the modification of the initial map can and should be broadly construed. Anything that may affect the performance of the cosmetic (e.g., seasonal changes, altitude, water alkalinity, etc.) which may affect the user's skin, or the performance of the product may be utilized.

[0044] Whether creating a more generally individually personalized formulated product of FIG. 1 or private label produced as in FIG. 2A/2B, as shown in conjunction with FIG. 4 a method for producing the individually personalized formulated product, generally noted as 300, is shown. The individualized recipe 90/260 is adapted through a production control algorithm or template 95/290 to control an automated manufacturing cell 310. There the individually identified and selected ingredients 320 may be sequentially metered 330 into an in-situ product container 340 where it may be mixed 350, sealed 360, packages 370 and labeled 380.

[0045] It may be appreciated that the user interface 80 may be any can be any suitable personal or commercial electronic device and may include, without limitation or express requirement, a processor, volatile or non-volatile memory, and a display. Example electronic devices include but are not limited to: laptop computers; desktop computers; wearable devices; cellular phones; tablet computing devices; and so on. Or, it may not be required of all embodiments but is merely intended to transact data or information with, and/or provide input(s) to, the host server configured to enable the interactive recommendations and generate a unique formulation based thereon.

[0046] In reference to FIG. 4, an example of a data flow process 400 is shown, which may include a skincare system 405. In some examples, the skincare system 405 may be configured to receive, process, output, and transmit various types of data which may be skincare related or non-skincare related. In the example of FIG. 5, the skincare system 405 may facilitate receiving user data by a processing block of the skincare system 405. The processing block 415 of the skincare system 405 may receive the user data and may prepare a curated product recipe 430. Generally and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the skincare recommendation data flow process 400 may include an input device 410. The input device 80 may be configured to provide the user with a dynamic questionnaire, for example, via an application or a website. The user skincare data entered at the input device 80 may be provided to the system 10. The skincare system 405 may be provide, via the processing block 415, a user skin profile which may be documented by employing a user skin profile 205. The skin profile 205, via the processing block 415, may then be translated into a user skin profile identifier 210, which may be representative of different user skin profile factors. The processing block 415 may include a user characteristic profile 205 which may be used in conjunction with the user skincare data to generate a user skin identifier 210. The user skin profile identifier 210 may then be used, via the processing block 415, to select a curated product recipe 430 for the user.

[0047] Referring now the product customization process, generally noted as 500, is preferably enabled using an online, direct to consumer portal 512 where the consumer confirms a buying decision 514 in which a selection is made to procure a product 516 or merely provide contact information 518 for addition to a customer database 519 for access during later communication. When a procurement decision 516 is made, the customer confirms the decision to prepare and purchase an individualized cosmetic, beauty care, nutrition, health and pharmaceutical (for purposes of the present invention, referred herein generally as “cosmetic”) product by identifying a product selection 520 whereby a range of possible product types may be presented 522. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, the product types may include any type of health and beauty product such as cosmetics, foundation, facial cream, hand cream, lip balm, shampoo, body milk, etc. For purposes of the present invention, “health and beauty” products are to be broadly construed as health product or beauty product, interchangeably, or their equivalent. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, any topical agent for hair, skin or nails, as well as medicaments, vitamins, supplements, nutritional products, sports or energy drinks or any similar or equivalent consumer product.

[0048] Once the product type 522 is selected, while it is intended that one or more standard product packaging selections may be provided, in a preferred embodiment a user may further be provided with the option of selecting a product packaging 524. Product packaging selection may comprise any number of different options of packaging size and/or configuration. [0049] Optionally, an expedited method of selection, generally noted as 526, may be provided directing a customer directly to primary product selection, bypassing product selection 520 that would otherwise require product type 522 and product packaging selections 524 and thereby allowing the customer to access directly a diagnostic process 528 as described in greater detail below. The ability to have such an expedited, bypass entry into the diagnostic process 528 may allow for a manufacture to advertise a specific product selection and direct a customer directly to the personalization process. By way of example for purpose of clarity, and not meant as a limitation, the system 500 is shown herein with two separate ways of entering the diagnostics: either via choosing a product and size first; or, by directly clicking on a priority product. Such a bypass selection may thereby be utilized in online or social media advertising such that when a consumer clicks on advertisement for a product, they are directed straight into diagnostic quiz for such an advertised product. [0050] Once a product selection has been made, a formulation diagnostic tool 528 may be initiated in which a diagnostic process initiates a formula creation algorithm. The diagnostic process 528 may include a front-end diagnostic tool 530 and a formula creation algorithm 540. [0051] The front-end diagnostic tool 530 may comprise a customer interface for collection of customer specific information 532 through user provided data input. Such information 532 may include demographic related information (e.g., name, age, gender, etc.) as well as other customer selected criteria such as goals, concerns, routines, existing treatments, lifestyle elements, sensitivities or the like. A user identifiable sobriquet 534 may further be prompted for and accepted, such as a username or email address or similar customer identifier that to the customer database 519 allowing a customer to easily reorder for subsequent purchases and/or provide a bypass interface starting point 526 for direct use or for alteration during subsequent visits.

[0052] The front-end diagnostic tool 530 may provide operative communication with the formula creation algorithm 540. The inputting and receipt of user preferences 532 may be accessed iteratively and a formulation database 542. The front-end diagnostic tool 530 may function by a quiz format (i.e., question or prompt to the user for an answer) in order to facilitate a personalized formulation. Personalized formulation for a health and beauty product may comprise prompts for a number of different parameters, both user oriented and ingredient oriented. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, in the formulation of shampoo or body lotion the parameters for formulation may include hair type, texture, hair density, scalp moisture, treatment (color/bleach, etc.), hair goals (color, volume, rescue, heat protection, etc.). Similarly, in response to the various inputs to customer specific information 32 the formulation database 542 may select ingredients and ingredient amounts for a variety of appropriate ingredient selections 544.

[0053] The net result of the front-end diagnostic tool 530 initiating the formula creation algorithm 540 is the creation of a recommended unique formulation 550 adaptable for the preparation of made-to-order beauty care, nutrition and health products. It is further intended that once an initial formulation recommendation 550 is presented, the customer may be provided with an option to adjust or modify 552 the recommended formulation 550 in order to resolve a final formulation 554. During the formulation adjustment 552 it is preferred that particular ingredients 544 that are selected may be replaced with alternative proposed ingredients. It is further preferred that there be system limitations place on the replacement of ingredients 556 such that the purpose of the formulation ingredient is not significantly changes (e.g., oily, dry, combination, acne prone, sun sensitive, sensitive, allergy tested, poor texture, large pores, etc.). Further still, the inclusion of additional non-active ingredients 558, such as fragrances, dyes or the like may be further facilitated.

[0054] Once a final formulation 554 is obtained, a user may be prompted to add additional products to an order 560. Such a prompt 560 may redirect the user back to purchase additional individualized cosmetic product from the selection interface 520.

[0055] Upon completion of the total number of final formulation selection 554, each final formulation 554 may be operatively directed as a template for production data 570 and communicated with a production system in which a final formulation 554 is directed as a recipe for operational control of an automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected product packaging to create a finished product that may be conveyed to packaging and distribution. As part of the product data template 570 the customer’s contact information and International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) information may be included to allows for rapid product formulation and efficient mass-customization.

[0056] Finally, once finalization of a customer’s order is completed a purchase process 580 may be initiated to complete purchasing information and instruction from the customer.

[0057] As indicated above, the product packaging itself may further facilitate mass customization by allowing for in-situ mixing if ingredients. As shown in FIG. 8 through FIG.

11, such a typical in-situ, portable mixing container 340 is shown in greater detail where the container 340 may comprise, essentially, an outer housing 612 and a mixing container insert (or mixing insert) 614.

[0058] The outer housing 612 may be formed of a central outer housing body 616 circumscribing a volume 618 into which the mixing container insert 614 is received. The volume 618 may be closed at a lower terminus by a lower housing end 620. The volume 618 may further be closed at an upper terminus by an upper housing end 622. The upper housing end 622 may form a volume egress port 624 through which the mixing insert 614 may protrude, as described in greater detail below. A removable, replaceable closure cap 626 may further seal the volume 618 and insert 614 when affixed to the upper terminus.

[0059] The outer housing 612 may form a retail dispenser package within consumerfacing packaging. Such retail packaging may include any desired or required product-identifying information 630 or any branding 632. The branding 632 and overall configuration of the outer housing 612 may be of any number of ornamental or industrial designs, colors and/or materials. In a preferred embodiment the mixing insert 614 may be of a standard configuration for use with any number of a variety of designs or configurations of outer housing 12, whether for different products, different brands or the like.

[0060] The mixing container insert 614 is retained within the outer housing 612. The mixing container 614 may form the containment volume 634 into which the ultimate product is filled. According to a preferred embodiment, the product 636 may be a homogenous flowable formulation, especially one that may benefit from blending or mixing, may be utilized.

According to a more preferred embodiment, the product (not shown for clarity) may be formed of a multi-component mixture. In any preferred embodiment the product may preferably be a health product or beauty product or their equivalently, include any topical agent for hair, skin, or nails, as well as medicaments, vitamins, supplements, nutritional products, sports or energy drinks or any similar or equivalent consumer product. Further, in any embodiment the product may be personalized or customized and/or made-to-order, construe as broadly and functionally equivalently as reasonable.

[0061] The mixing container insert 614 may form a nozzle or opening 636 for receiving components of the products during filling and for dispensing product when required. The nozzle 636 may extend through the volume egress port 624. The nozzle 636 may form a threaded connection 638 for receiving the cap 626.

[0062] The mixing container insert 614 further may receive a reciprocating mixer 640. The mixer 640 may comprise a shaft 642 terminating at one end with an affixed mixing flange or mixing plate 644. The mixing plate 644 may form one or more mixing apertures 646. The shaft 642 may be rigidly affixed to a lower surface of the mixing plate 644. The shaft 644 may be generally cylindrical and solid. In an alternate configuration, the shaft 644 may form a hollow inner conduit exiting at an additional mixing aperture (not shown) to provide additional paths for fluid flow.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment the mixing plate 644 may be provided with equally distributed mixing apertures 646. As described in greater detail below, the operation of the mixing plate 644 may provide a reciprocating motion, urged by the shaft 642, through the product contained within the insert 614. According to a more preferred embodiment, the shaft 642 may further impart a rotational motion about the mixing plate 644 during reciprocation. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocal motion of the mixer may have a speed of at least 0.2 meters per second, and more preferably at least 1 meter per second, wherein the speed may be altered during mixing. Movement of the plate 644 through the contents ensures intensive, fast, and efficient mixing of the components by forcing liquid through the apertures 646.

[0064] The bottom of the insert 614 may be sealed with an insert 612 is a movable piston 650, which may seal the lower portion of the insert 614. The piston 650 may further form an opening 652 through which the shaft 642 may be inserted and installed.

[0065] As best shown in conjunction with FIG. 10, the shaft 642 may terminate at its lower end by forming an opening 654 for attachment to a screw 658. The screw 658 with which the rod 642 is moved. The screw 658 may provide a connection point for reciprocation and rotation of the shaft 644 in order to facilitate mixing.

2, Operation of the Preferred Embodiment [0066] In operation, the product customization process 500 provides a capability of individually formulating millions of different formula variations rapidly depending on individual needs, preferences, ingredients, fragrances, concentration, etc. Each user’s individualized selection is customized directly to the consumer's specific conditions, and every distinct individual may be provided a selection of products customizable and designed each specifically customized. Consumers are thereby enabled to mix their own product formula to create a customized beauty product for their individual needs using an advanced algorithm for true customization. The diagnostics tool and interface assists and guides the consumer to create a formula that addresses their own unique beauty and health needs and preferences, thereby providing the choice of a selection that makes the consumer the producer.

[0067] The personalization of formulation itself is facilitated by use of the mixing container 320 via an automated manufacturing system in an individualized manner, such that each individual product container may be charged with a customized or unique formulation different than a previous or subsequent container passing through the manufacturing system without the need for mixing or blending prior to filling. The slidable bottom portion may function as a piston that forms both retains the shaft of the mixer as well fully sealing the lower end. The bottom portion may be urged upward to discharge any excess air or urged downward to create a vacuum. The movement of the shaft through the central opening provides mixing of the product through a reciprocating motion, and preferably with a simultaneous rotation. Movement of the upper mixing plate within the mixing container may provide mixing of the container’s contents by forcing fluid flow through one or more holes formed about a body of the mixing plate. [0068] The use of such in-situ mixing container may provide for a scalable business making customized products using a one or a large number of ingredients with rapid reconfiguration for high-speed manufacturing. High speed, autonomous on-demand production may enable made-to-order formulae that are affordable and a business that can be scaled benefiting the consumer as well as the health, beauty, medical, food, and other related industries. A scalable and autonomous on-demand production for made-to-order skincare products allows for a unique formula for each single consumer. A complete end-to-end technology solution for made-to-order beauty care and health products enabling consumers to mix their own formula to create a customized beauty product for their individual needs as well as enabling private label customers to rapidly create their own beauty care, nutrition or health product line (and own brand) without the financial burden of minimum order quantities and lengthy formulation processes.

[0069] The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples, and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the

Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

- 25 - CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of creating individually personalized formulated product, the method comprising: creating a user profile comprising a set of profile factors based, at least in part, on: specific human-body factors provided by the user; environmental factors provided by the user; and external information provided by the client or from an accumulated data source; deriving a product map, from a database, correlating to said profile factors, wherein the correlation of the product map to said profile factors is further modified based upon a change is the user profile, availability or preference of ingredients, environmental factors and chronological factors; generating a user-specific set of product ingredients based upon the product map; adapting a product formulation based upon the set of product ingredients; and manufacturing the individually personalized formulated product from the product formulation; wherein correlating the profile factors from the product map comprises correlating product ingredient characteristics to the user profile.

2. The method of claim 1, further implemented on a host service communicably coupled to a client device operated by a user and further comprising: receiving user data from the client device at the host service; and transmitting manufacturing control information for manufacturing the individually personalized formulated product from the product formulation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said individually personalized formulated product is selected from a group consisting of: shampoo; hair conditioner; non-medicated scalp treatment products; non-medicated scalp treatment cream; hair oil; hair styling preparations; facial cleansers; cosmetics; foundation; facial moisturizers; non-medicated facial treatments; skin serums; night cream; facial masks; body soak for the bath; massage oil; moisturizing body oil; body moisturizer in the nature of creams and lotions; essential oils for aromatherapy; lipsticks; nail gel-polishes or other nail supplies; eye and facial masks; fragrances; deodorants; medicaments; vitamins; supplements; nutritional products; and sports or energy drinks.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of profile factors is selected from criteria consisting of: demographic information; health information; lifestyle information; historical information; and a user identifiable sobriquet.

5. A method of dynamically providing an individually customized formulated product to a user operating a client device in communication with a host service, the method comprising: determining, by the host service, a user-specific set of product ingredients based at least in part on an initial user profile associated with the user; preparing a manufacturing formulation from the set of product ingredients; communicating, from the host service, the manufacturing formulation to a manufacturing cell; and manufacturing the individually personalized formulated product from the product formulation.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: said user-specific set of product ingredients are based, at least in part, on: specific human-body factors provided by the user; environmental factors provided by the user; and external information provided by the client or from an accumulated data source; deriving the set of product ingredients from a database correlating ingredient characteristics to the user profile associated with the user; and adapting a manufacturing formulation based upon the set of product ingredients.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising distributing a final product to the consumer further comprises labeling the final product with a customer’s contact information and International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) information.

8. A method for creation of a consumer-initiated individualized health or beauty product comprising: providing an online portal for enabling a procurement selection comprising: creating a customer data set in a customer database; - 28 - identifying a product selection from a range of product types; identifying a product packaging selection; initiating a formulation diagnostic tool adapted to initiate a formula creation algorithm comprising an interactive user interface for collection of customer specific information through user provided data input and operatively directing a recommended unique formulation adaptable for the preparation of a made-to-order consumer-initiated individualized cosmetic; creating a production template with a final formulation recipe; and operatively directing the template as production data as a recipe for operational control of an automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected product packaging to create a finished product.

9. The method for creation of a consumer-initiated individualized health or beauty product of claim 8, wherein said product selection is selected from a group consisting of: shampoo; hair conditioner; non-medicated scalp treatment products, namely, non-medicated scalp treatment cream; hair oil; hair styling preparations; facial cleansers; facial moisturizers; non-medicated facial treatments; skin serums; night cream; facial masks; body soak for the bath; massage oil; moisturizing body oil; body moisturizer in the nature of creams and lotions; essential oils for aromatherapy; lipsticks; nail gel-polishes or other nail supplies; eye and facial masks; fragrances; deodorants; medicaments; vitamins; supplements; nutritional products; and sports or energy drinks. - 29 -

10. The method for creation of consumer-initiated individualized health or beauty product of claim 8, further comprising a formulation adjustment whereby replacement ingredients are selected.

11. The method for creation of consumer-initiated individualized health or beauty product of claim 8, wherein said customer specific information is selected from a group of customer selected criteria consisting of: demographic information; health information; lifestyle information; historical information; and a user identifiable sobriquet.

12. A method for creation of a private-label branded health or beauty product comprising: providing an online portal for enabling a procurement selection comprising: creating a customer data set in a customer database; identifying a product selection from a range of product types; initiating a formulation diagnostic tool adapted to initiate a formula creation algorithm comprising an interactive user interface for collection of customer specific information through user provided data input and operatively directing a recommended unique formulation adaptable for the preparation of a made-to-order consumer-initiated individualized health or beauty product; and creating a production template with a final formulation recipe; providing an online portal for enabling a creation of a product packaging of a selected brand design comprising: - 30 - creating a branded packaging or packaging label including brand elements selected from a group consisting of: logos; brand names; product names; label text; and label colors; previewing the created branded packaging or packaging label; modifying the created branded packaging or packaging label, as needed; approving the previewed branded packaging or packaging label; and producing the branded packaging or a packaging with the packaging label; and operatively directing the template as production data as a recipe for operational control of an automated manufacturing cell in which each relevant specific selected formulation ingredients are combined and filled into the selected product packaging to create a finished product.

13. A method for creation of a private-label branded health or beauty product of claim 12, wherein the creating a branded packaging or packaging label further is created separately and upload to the online portal for enabling a creation of a product packaging.

14. The method for creation of a private-label branded health or beauty product of claim 12, wherein said product selection is selected from a group consisting of: shampoo; hair conditioner; non-medicated scalp treatment products, namely, non-medicated scalp treatment cream; hair oil; hair styling preparations; facial cleansers; facial moisturizers; non-medicated facial treatments; skin serums; night cream; facial masks; body soak for the bath; massage oil; moisturizing body oil; body moisturizer in the nature of creams and lotions; essential oils for aromatherapy; - 31 - lipsticks; nail gel-polishes or other nail supplies; eye and facial masks; fragrances; deodorants; medicaments; vitamins; supplements; nutritional products; and sports or energy drinks.

15. A product container compri sing : a closure cap; an outer housing forming a retail dispenser package having central outer housing body forming a substantial portion of the outer housing; the central outer housing being closed at a lower terminus by a lower housing end cap and closed at an upper terminus by the closure cap; a mixing container retained within the outer housing into which product mixture is filled, said mixing container forms an upper access opening for receiving the product mixture and an open lowered end for receiving a slidable bottom portion; the sliceable bottom portion functions as a piston that forms a central opening for receiving a rod, and an outer circumference adapted to fully seal the lower end; the rod terminates at its upper end with a mixing plate, movement of the rod through the central opening seals the contents there and provides mixing of the product mixture through a mixing motion; said mixing plate having a flange radially extended from the rod and forming at least one mixing aperture formed about a flange of the mixing plate; wherein movement of the mixing plate through the mixing container mixes the product mixture. - 32 -

16. The product container of claim 15, wherein said mixing motion is selected from a group consisting of: a reciprocating motion; a rotational motion; and a simultaneous reciprocating and rotational motion.

17. The product container of claim 16, wherein said rotational motion rotates the flange about the rod at a mixing speed with rotational movement is from 1 rotation per second to 10 rotations per second.

18. The product container of claim 16, wherein said reciprocal motion has a speed of at least 0.2 meters per second, and wherein the speed may be altered during mixing.

19. The product container of claim 17, wherein said reciprocal motion has a speed of at least 0.2 meters per second, and wherein the speed may be altered during mixing.

20. The product container of claim 16, wherein said at least one mixing aperture has a diameter from between about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm.

21. A process for blending a product mixture using a mixer operationally retained mixer within a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber confined within an outer housing forming a retail dispenser packaging, the process comprising the following steps: - 33 - a) installing a mixing chamber into the outer housing, wherein a sealing piston is at a lowermost position in the insert; b) filling of the mixing chamber through an opening formed therein with components of the product, wherein said components are selected from a group consisting of a base; additives; vitamins; excipients; perfumes; and colorants; c) moving the sealing piston within the mixing chamber upwards in a manner that all air is expelled from the mixing chamber; d) screwing the dispenser into a final position; e) attaching a rod to the mixer in a manner that moves upwards and downwards with a simultaneous rotation, thus allowing mixing; and f) once mixing is completed, pushing the mixer inwards, so that it does not protrude through the bottom of the outer housing.

22. The process according to claim 21, wherein the mixer, during upwards and downwards movement, simultaneously rotates in the same direction.