Patents Assigned to Sunless, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230035466
    Abstract: A system and method for customizing the solution used in the sunless spray tanning process are provided. In at least one form, the solution is volumetrically mixed at the point of use, allowing for greater customization and a more consistent tanning result. Providing improved customization at the point of use is accomplished, in at least one form, by using a two-part tanning solution: one part being a high concentration DHA solution and another part being an activator solution. The two parts are mixed with one another at the point of use based on user preferences at the time of the tanning session to provide a specific final DHA concentration for a customized tanning result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin David Johnson, Cari Jo Gerbracht, Douglas Alan Goeke
  • Patent number: 9278367
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein propose a precision spray pumping system including a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with at least one spray nozzle. The positive displacement pump includes a displaceable member, and displacement of the displaceable member corresponds to a pumping cycle of the positive displacement pump. A controller is in communication with the positive displacement pump. The controller is operable to apply an actuation parameter to direct a displacement of the displaceable member and is also operable to receive an indication of an actual position of the displaceable member. The controller is further operable to compare a predetermined actuation parameter associated with an expected displacement of the displaceable member to a measured actuation parameter associated with the actual position of the displaceable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8920391
    Abstract: A container for use in a system for spray coating a human subject includes a container body configured to hold a skin coating composition. The container further includes a first end portion having a male coupling valve, where the male coupling valve is configured to couple to a female fitting disposed in a spraying apparatus, where the male coupling valve is further configured to prevent flow of the skin composition from the container while the male coupling valve is not coupled to the female fitting. The container further includes a second end portion opposite the first end portion and having a vent, where the container is configured for inverted connection to the spraying apparatus such that when the male coupling valve is connected to the female fitting the male coupling valve is at a location below the vent, and where opening of the vent allows airflow into the container as the skin coating composition flows out of the container through the male coupling valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Nicholas J. Mastandrea
  • Patent number: 8790319
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of a heated spray cloud to a target surface. The spray cloud may be delivered in connection with applications of atomized (misted) sunless tanning sprays using a variety of spray systems. A formulation of the cosmetic or conditioning liquid may conduct and retain heat to allow a pleasantly warm spray to be received on the skin surface. The formula may come to temperature quickly and the heat may be retained even though a nozzle cooling effect inherently cools the spray as it leaves the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Steven C. Cooper, Charles R. Sweat
  • Patent number: 8784390
    Abstract: A spray nozzle system for skin treatments includes separate air outlets moving over the skin surface to deliver one or more streams of supplemental air for the purpose of warming or drying the skin surface to improve efficacy and comfort of the spraying experience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin. A heating source is provided to warm the air directed through one or more heated air ports. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the heated air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the air emitted through the nozzle's higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effect inherent with the spray nozzle ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Steven C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8701933
    Abstract: A method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes placing a box in a first orientation, inserting a bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of a dispensing end of the bag protruding through an opening in a first wall of the box. The first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method further includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method also includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into a holder of a dispensing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thomason
  • Publication number: 20140077000
    Abstract: Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a system that includes a reservoir with an inlet and an outlet wherein the inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of a skin treatment solution. At least one spray nozzle is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the reservoir and is configured to spray the skin treatment solution. A vent valve is operable to open and close based on the level of the skin treatment solution in the reservoir. When the vent valve is open, a cavity of the reservoir is exposed to at least atmospheric pressure. The vent valve may be configured to control liquid flow to the reservoir from the container for refilling the reservoir and to aid in the operation of changing containers and/or purging the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Scott Thomason
  • Publication number: 20140076992
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein propose a precision spray pumping system including a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with at least one spray nozzle. The positive displacement pump includes a displaceable member, and displacement of the displaceable member corresponds to a pumping cycle of the positive displacement pump. A controller is in communication with the positive displacement pump. The controller is operable to apply an actuation parameter to direct a displacement of the displaceable member and is also operable to receive an indication of an actual position of the displaceable member. The controller is further operable to compare a predetermined actuation parameter associated with an expected displacement of the displaceable member to a measured actuation parameter associated with the actual position of the displaceable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventor: Steven C. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20140079652
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein propose controlling the application of a skin treatment solution spray using data obtained from a machine readable tag associated with a container filled with the skin treatment solution. A skin treatment sprayer system includes at least one container receptacle configured to receive a container of with skin treatment solution. An interrogator is coupled to the container receptacle and is operable to communicate with the machine readable tag associated with the container. A controller includes a processor and is in communication with the interrogator. At least one nozzle is operable to emit a spray of skin treatment solution and is in fluid communication with the container. The controller is operable to control a spray parameter associated with the emission of the skin treatment solution based on data received from the machine readable tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Scott Thomason
  • Patent number: 8545461
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for extracting excess liquid in a human body spray system includes a spray booth defining a booth volume. The spray booth includes a base configured to support the human body and a column having walls extending vertically from the base and at least one vent opening disposed on a bottom half portion of the column on at least one of the walls. The walls form a hollow interior of the column. The apparatus for extracting excess liquid in a human body spray system further includes an extraction fan disposed within the hollow interior adjacent to a top half portion of the column and configured to create a low pressure volume within the hollow interior and draw air flow and at least some of the excess mist from the booth volume through the at least one vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Nicholas J Mastandrea
  • Patent number: 8486030
    Abstract: A spray nozzle system includes separate air outlets to deliver one or more streams of supplemental warming or drying air. The air may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied for warming or drying before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the atomizing or pattern shaping air to minimize the expansion cooling effect. In another implementation, the air is redirected from the nozzle using a control valve which proportions the amount of airflow directed for atomization, pattern shaping and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Steven C. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20130020414
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a body having a first bore and a first liquid inlet. A liquid tip assembly, including a second bore and second liquid inlet, is inserted into the first bore with the first and second liquid inlets axially aligned. Sealing rings between the liquid tip assembly and first bore define an annular fluid path coupling the first and second liquid inlets. The liquid tip assembly further includes a liquid opening that is sealed by an axially moveable fluid tip positioned in the second bore. A slidable seal is formed between the fluid tip and second bore. A front of the body includes an aperture configured to receive an air cap secured to the body by a retaining ring. The air cap includes an air opening associated with the liquid opening to provide atomizing air. The nozzle may be easily assembled and disassembled from a front of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Thomason, Steven C. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20120324700
    Abstract: A method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes placing a box in a first orientation, inserting a bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of a dispensing end of the bag protruding through an opening in a first wall of the box. The first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method further includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method also includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into a holder of a dispensing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventor: Scott R. THOMASON
  • Publication number: 20120256015
    Abstract: A booth for automatic spray application of multiple liquids onto a human subject includes an HVLP nozzle including a nozzle tip, and an air pathway that exits at the nozzle tip. The booth further includes a plurality of liquid sources, including at least a first liquid source having a first liquid and a second liquid source having a second liquid. A plurality of liquid lines connect the plurality of liquid sources to a common liquid pathway that exits at the nozzle tip. The plurality of liquid lines include a first liquid line connected to the first liquid source and a second liquid line connected to the second liquid source. A plurality of check valves are associated with liquid lines to prevent cross contamination between the first liquid and the second liquid. A controller causes air to flow through the air pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SUNLESS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott THOMASON, Nicholas J. MASTANDREA
  • Patent number: 8201288
    Abstract: A booth for automatic spray application of multiple liquids onto a human subject may include an HVLP nozzle including a nozzle tip, an air inlet port connected to an air pathway, a linear slide operably connected to a motor and to the HVLP nozzle, a plurality of check valves, and a controller, where the controller is operably connected to the motor and configured to cause the motor to move the HVLP nozzle vertically along at least a portion of the linear slide thereby adjusting the vertical position of the nozzle tip, where the controller is further configured to control an air source for causing air to flow through the air pathway, and where the controller is further configured to control one or more liquid sources for causing the first liquid associated with the first liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports to flow through the first liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports and the second liquid associated with the second liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Thomason, Nicholas J. Mastandrea
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    Patent number: D671404
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thomason
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    Patent number: D671405
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thomason
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    Patent number: D682679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thomason
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    Patent number: D691883
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sunless, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thomason