METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING CUSTOMIZABLE LIPSTICK IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems of manufacturing customizable lipstick. In some embodiments, the lipstick can be manufactured through the use of customer selections within a short period of time in a retail environment, without requiring specialized technicians. In some embodiments, the color and flavor of the customizable lipstick can be selected from a display device by a consumer.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to lip cosmetics, in particular, high-performance, luxury lipstick which can be quickly customized and manufactured for a customer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Lipsticks are cosmetic products that apply color, texture, and protection to a customer's lips. They can comprise mixtures of oils and waxes, as well as colorants and other additives.

Lipstick can be produced in large batches in a factory setting, where high volumes of the lipstick can be manufactured. However, large-scale operations of lipstick production typically require:

(a) the presence of trained and qualified chemists and lab technicians;

(b) the assessment and fine tuning of a variety of factors, in particular color, as the production batch is mixed;

(c) the use of a variety of large, specialized machines to accurately measure, mix, heat and pour lipstick material into moulds, as well as specialized machines to chill and unmould the lipsticks; and

(d) the use of protective clothing and smooth, washable surfaces to handle the tendency of colorant dispersions to stick to and stain surfaces.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing customizable lipstick which can comprise selecting properties of the customizable lipstick from a selection of shown properties, adding ingredients corresponding to the selected properties in a container, mixing the ingredients to form a pourable and homogenous mixture, pouring the homogeneous mixture into a lipstick mould, and chilling the lipstick mould until the mixture solidifies thereby forming the customizable lipstick, wherein the method can be performed in a retail environment.

In some embodiments, the customizable lipstick can be customized and manufactured in approximately 6 minutes. In some embodiments, approximately 10-200 different customizable lipsticks per hour can be produced. In some embodiments, a person performing the manufacturing steps is not a trained chemist, lab technician or person with knowledge of the typical lipstick manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the customizable lipstick can perform as well as a factory-produced lipstick.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise removing the customizable lipstick from the mould and inserting the customizable lipstick into an industry-standard, cylinder-shaped lipstick container.

In some embodiments, the properties can be selected from a group consisting of color, flavor, opacity, and gloss/matte. In some embodiments, the color can be selected from a palette of at least about 100 to 200 colors, and the flavor is selected from a list of approximately 1 to 40 flavors. In some embodiments, at least some of the ingredients can be prepared in advance in a palette of at least about 1-20 different colors and in pieces weighing approximately 1-10 grams each.

In some embodiments, the mixing, pouring and chilling steps can be automated. In some embodiments, mixing can comprise spinning the ingredients in a centrifuge at approximately 2000 to 5000 rpm for about 10-100 seconds. In some embodiments, the container can be substantially sealed during the mixing steps, such that no lipstick material exits the container, thereby leaving an area surrounding the container suitable for the retail environment. In some embodiments, the filled mould can be chilled for about 1-5 minutes at −30 to −10° C. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise heating the ingredients.

In some embodiments, the ingredients corresponding to the selected properties can be displayed in a display case configured for retail viewing.

Also disclosed herein is system for manufacturing customizable lipstick in a retail environment which can comprise a display case configured to display solid ingredients that correspond to selectable lipstick properties, a processing container configured to receive the solid ingredients corresponding to selected properties and mix the ingredients to form a pourable and substantially homogenous mixture, a mould configured to receive the homogenous mixture, and a chiller configured to re-solidify the mixture in the mould.

In some embodiments, the system can further comprise a lipstick container configured to receive the re-solidified mixture. In some embodiments, the processing container can be configured to heat the ingredients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a lipstick color selection chart.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of lipstick base material formed into the shape of a chocolate piece.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the below disclosure are directed to a method and system for manufacturing customized lipstick in a retail setting, such as a department store or at home demonstrations. Despite many other consumer products offering customization, timely customization of modestly high volumes of high performance lipstick does not exist in the retail environment. However, as disclosed in the embodiments below, lipstick can be manufactured while a customer waits, preferably within approximately 6 minutes after selection of properties by the customer. Accordingly, the lipstick can be manufactured by the disclosed process in a timely manner that would not require a customer to leave the store and come back a second day. Physical and/or chemical properties of the lipstick can be chosen by a customer, which can then be used to manufacture a tube of lipstick fitting the customer's preferences. The method described below can eliminate some of the typical requirements of industrial lipstick manufacturing. For example, the need for the presence of a trained professional, the need for large and potentially expensive equipment, and the potential for soiling the work area with stray color material may all be eliminated.

Further, the disclosed method steps can be used with all fully and/or partially solid ingredients. In some embodiments, no liquids are used. However, the disclosed process is not limiting to solid only ingredients, and in some embodiments at least some liquid ingredients may be used. For example, liquid flavoring can be mixed in during the below disclosed process. In some embodiments, premade solid ingredients can be used. In some embodiments, the disclosed method does not require any measuring techniques by the person operating the method. In some embodiments, no dispersion, such as a liquid dispersion, is used.

Customers of lipstick can be influenced by a number of factors such as, for example, color, flavor, payoff (e.g. the durability of the lipstick to remain on the lip and provide color), moisturization, ease of application, matte/gloss level and opacity. All of these factors, as well as others, can be incorporated into the customized lipstick using the method described below.

The terms “approximately” and “about” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately” and “about” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

The terms “lipstick” and “lip cosmetic” as used herein can be used interchangeably and additionally have their ordinary meanings as known to those skilled in the art.

High Performance Lipstick

Lipstick is a cosmetic product that can be used to apply color, texture, and protection to lips. Lipstick can contain, for example, pigments, oils, waxes, antioxidants, and emollients. Typically, wax can provide the structure of solid lipsticks. Many different types of wax can be used in lipstick such as beeswax, ozokerite wax, candelilla wax, and Carnauba wax. Further, oils, such as olive oil, mineral oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, pig fat, castor oil, and petrolatum, can be used in lipstick. In some embodiments, chemical sunscreens can be incorporated into the lipstick. For example, chemical sunscreens can include Parsol™ Escalol™, butyl methoxybenzoylmethane (BMBM), and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM).

Lipstick can achieve colorful physical properties through the use of a variety of pigments and/or lake dyes. In some embodiments, zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide can be used with waxes and/or pigments. Pigments can be organic or inorganic.

Other ingredients can be used in lipstick to create different effects, such as matte or gloss finishes. These ingredients can include, but are not limited to, silica, silicone oil, mica, fish scales, and peral particles.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to easily and conveniently manufacture lipstick in a retail store with qualities that can be comparable to factory-produced lipstick. Preferably, the lipstick manufactured by embodiments of the below disclosure reliably and consistently match the performance of factory-produced, high-performance lipsticks. For example, the retail store lipstick can have qualities similar to, and match the performance of the brand BITE BEAUTY™. In some embodiments the lipstick can, at least, (a) be highly pigmented resulting in high payoff; (b) be creamy and moisturizing (normally not possible with high pigmentation); and (c) have high ease of application. However, lipstick manufactured from embodiments of the below described method can range in quality dependent on the ingredients used, and the quality of the final lipstick is not limiting.

Customer Choice Selection

The disclosed method allows for a significant amount of customer control regarding the physical and/or chemical properties of lipstick. This can be advantageous to a consumer who can choose the exact properties that they may want in their lipstick, regardless of whether this would be a commonly sold lipstick in the marketplace. Further, this would allow for a consumer to have more flexibility in their choices, and not necessarily be constrained by the popular lipstick that is commercially sold. The disclosed method can allow for consumers to create high quality “unique” lipstick colors, whereas previously only low quality version of that lipstick may have been manufactured.

In some embodiments, a customer can be presented a palette of colors in which to choose their final lipstick product shade from. The customer can view the palette and select a color of their choice. The palette can be shown to the customer by the use of, for example, a computer screen, a color printout, an IPAD™ screen, or other visual device, and the type of display medium is not limiting. In some embodiments, the palette can illustrate up to approximately 100, 200, or 300 different colors of finished lipstick, preferably about 171 different colors of finished lipstick, although these numbers are not limiting. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a lipstick color selection chart for a customer to choose from. As shown, a consumer could have access to a number of different colors in which they can choose a final lipstick color. Additionally, the below Table I lists some non-limiting combinations that can form different potential colors for a customer.

TABLE I
Color Schemes
POTENTIAL COLOR FORMULA
1               50% Pomegranate, 50% Zinfandel
2               50% Pomegranate, 50% Scarlet
3               50% Pomegranate, 50% Apricot
4               50% Pomegranate, 50% Tannin
5               50% Pomegranate, 50% Mulberry
6               50% Pomegranate, 50% CinCin
7               50% Pomegranate, 50% Pepper
8               50% Pomegranate, 50% Muscat
9               50% Pomegranate, 50% Shiraz
10              50% Pomegranate, 50% Fig
11              50% Pomegranate, 50% Vouvray
12              50% Pomegranate, 50% Rose
13              50% Pomegranate, 50% Grapevine
14              50% Pomegranate, 50% Quince
15              50% Pomegranate, 50% Vigne
16              50% Pomegranate, 50% Palamino
17              50% Pomegranate, 50% Retsina
18              50% Pomegranate, 50% White
19              50% Zinfandel, 50% Scarlet
20              50% Zinfandel, 50% Apricot
21              50% Zinfandel, 50% Tannin
22              50% Zinfandel, 50% Mulberry
23              50% Zinfandel, 50% CinCin
24              50% Zinfandel, 50% Pepper
25              50% Zinfandel, 50% Muscat
26              50% Zinfandel, 50% Shiraz
27              50% Zinfandel, 50% Fig
28              50% Zinfandel, 50% Vouvray
29              50% Zinfandel, 50% Rose
30              50% Zinfandel, 50% Grapevine
31              50% Zinfandel, 50% Quince
32              50% Zinfandel, 50% Vigne
33              50% Zinfandel, 50% Palamino
34              50% Zinfandel, 50% Retsina
35              50% Zinfandel, 50% White
36              50% Scarlet, 50% Apricot
37              50% Scarlet, 50% Tannin
38              50% Scarlet, 50% Mulberry
39              50% Scarlet, 50% CinCin
40              50% Scarlet, 50% Pepper
41              50% Scarlet, 50% Muscat
42              50% Scarlet, 50% Shiraz
43              50% Scarlet, 50% Fig
44              50% Scarlet, 50% Vouvray
45              50% Scarlet, 50% Rose
46              50% Scarlet, 50% Grapevine
47              50% Scarlet, 50% Quince
48              50% Scarlet, 50% Vigne
49              50% Scarlet, 50% Palamino
50              50% Scarlet, 50% Retsina
51              50% Scarlet, 50% White
52              50% Apricot, 50% Tannin
53              50% Apricot, 50% Mulberry
54              50% Apricot, 50% CinCin
55              50% Apricot, 50% Pepper
56              50% Apricot, 50% Muscat
57              50% Apricot, 50% Shiraz
58              50% Apricot, 50% Fig
59              50% Apricot, 50% Vouvray
60              50% Apricot, 50% Rose
61              50% Apricot, 50% Grapevine
62              50% Apricot, 50% Quince
63              50% Apricot, 50% Vigne
64              50% Apricot, 50% Palamino
65              50% Apricot, 50% Retsina
66              50% Apricot, 50% White
67              50% Tannin, 50% Mulberry
68              50% Tannin, 50% CinCin
69              50% Tannin, 50% Pepper
70              50% Tannin, 50% Muscat
71              50% Tannin, 50% Shiraz
72              50% Tannin, 50% Fig
73              50% Tannin, 50% Vouvray
74              50% Tannin, 50% Rose
75              50% Tannin, 50% Grapevine
76              50% Tannin, 50% Quince
77              50% Tannin, 50% Vigne
78              50% Tannin, 50% Palamino
79              50% Tannin, 50% Retsina
80              50% Tannin, 50% White
81              50% Mulberry, 50% CinCin
82              50% Mulberry, 50% Pepper
83              50% Mulberry, 50% Muscat
84              50% Mulberry, 50% Shiraz
85              50% Mulberry, 50% Fig
86              50% Mulberry, 50% Vouvray
87              50% Mulberry, 50% Rose
88              50% Mulberry, 50% Grapevine
89              50% Mulberry, 50% Quince
90              50% Mulberry, 50% Vigne
91              50% Mulberry, 50% Palamino
92              50% Mulberry, 50% Retsina
93              50% Mulberry, 50% White
94              50% CinCin, 50% Pepper
95              50% CinCin, 50% Muscat
96              50% CinCin, 50% Shiraz
97              50% CinCin, 50% Fig
98              50% CinCin, 50% Vouvray
99              50% CinCin, 50% Rose
100             50% CinCin, 50% Grapevine
101             50% CinCin, 50% Quince
102             50% CinCin, 50% Vigne
103             50% CinCin, 50% Palamino
104             50% CinCin, 50% Retsina
105             50% CinCin, 50% White
106             50% Pepper, 50% Muscat
107             50% Pepper, 50% Shiraz
108             50% Pepper, 50% Fig
109             50% Pepper, 50% Vouvray
110             50% Pepper, 50% Rose
111             50% Pepper, 50% Grapevine
112             50% Pepper, 50% Quince
113             50% Pepper, 50% Vigne
114             50% Pepper, 50% Palamino
115             50% Pepper, 50% Retsina
116             50% Pepper, 50% White
117             50% Muscat, 50% Shiraz
118             50% Muscat, 50% Fig
119             50% Muscat, 50% Vouvray
120             50% Muscat, 50% Rose
121             50% Muscat, 50% Grapevine
122             50% Muscat, 50% Quince
123             50% Muscat, 50% Vigne
124             50% Muscat, 50% Palamino
125             50% Muscat, 50% Retsina
126             50% Muscat, 50% White
127             50% Shiraz, 50% Fig
128             50% Shiraz, 50% Vouvray
129             50% Shiraz, 50% Rose
130             50% Shiraz, 50% Grapevine
131             50% Shiraz, 50% Quince
132             50% Shiraz, 50% Vigne
133             50% Shiraz, 50% Palamino
134             50% Shiraz, 50% Retsina
135             50% Shiraz, 50% White
136             50% Fig, 50% Vouvray
137             50% Fig, 50% Rose
138             50% Fig, 50% Grapevine
139             50% Fig, 50% Quince
140             50% Fig, 50% Vigne
141             50% Fig, 50% Palamino
142             50% Fig, 50% Retsina
143             50% Fig, 50% White
144             50% Vouvray, 50% Rose
145             50% Vouvray, 50% Grapevine
146             50% Vouvray, 50% Quince
147             50% Vouvray, 50% Vigne
148             50% Vouvray, 50% Palamino
149             50% Vouvray, 50% Retsina
150             50% Vouvray, 50% White
151             50% Rose, 50% Grapevine
152             50% Rose, 50% Quince
153             50% Rose, 50% Vigne
154             50% Rose, 50% Palamino
155             50% Rose, 50% Retsina
156             50% Rose, 50% White
157             50% Grapevine, 50% Quince
158             50% Grapevine, 50% Vigne
159             50% Grapevine, 50% Palamino
160             50% Grapevine, 50% Retsina
161             50% Grapevine, 50% White
162             50% Quince, 50% Vigne
163             50% Quince, 50% Palamino
164             50% Quince, 50% Retsina
165             50% Quince, 50% White
166             50% Vigne, 50% Palamino
167             50% Vigne, 50% Retsina
168             50% Vigne, 50% White
169             50% Palamino, 50% Retsina
170             50% Palamino, 50% White
171             50% Retsina, 50% White

Additionally, in some embodiments the customer can also choose from a list of possible flavors for the final lipstick. Similar to the colors described above, the flavors can be illustrated on numerous visual devices. In some embodiments, samples could be given to a consumer to taste the potential different flavors. In some embodiments, numerous different flavors can be given to a consumer, for example approximately 34 flavors, although any number of flavors can be used. Some example flavors could be mint, blueberry, or cherry. The customer can then select a flavor of their choice to go along with the color selected previously.

In some embodiments, other qualities of the lipstick can be shown to the customer and then subsequently chosen. For example a customer can select qualities such as gloss/matte levels, opacity, UV protection, and moisturization levels. A customer can select one, or many, different properties to be incorporated into the final lipstick product.

Upon a customer's selection of their lipstick properties, the lipstick itself can be manufactured. In some embodiments, an empty lipstick container and an empty, disposable mixing cup can be labeled with the customer's name and lipstick property selections, either digitally or manually. In some embodiments, the customer's preferences can be stored on a computer processor, and can be saved for a later return visit, or sent to the customer for their personal records.

Customized Lipstick

In some embodiments, an automated process can be used to manufacture the below disclosed lipstick. The automated process could store and use all of the selections inputted to form the lipstick selected by the customer. In other embodiments, a mixing technician can manually manufacture the below disclosed lipstick. Regardless of the level of automation of the manufacturing process used, a customizable lipstick can be manufactured while a customer wait within, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 minutes, preferably about 6 minutes. In some embodiments, a customer can wait less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 minutes, preferably less than about 6 minutes

In some embodiments, pre-made shapes, or wafers, of lipstick base material in a palette of about 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 different colors are available to the mixing technician, preferably about 19 colors, although these numbers are not limiting. In some embodiments, the wafers can weigh approximately 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 grams, preferably about 7.5 grams, although the weight of the wafers is not limiting. The pre-made wafers can be colored as general base colors, so when other ingredients are mixed with the wafers, hundreds of final colors can be manufactured. Examples of potential lipstick bases can be found in the below Table II. However, other bases could be used as well.

TABLE II
Lipstick Bases
COLORED LIPSTICK BASES
1.  Pomegranate
2.  Zinfandel
3.  Scarlet
4.  Apricot
5.  Tannin
6.  Mulberry
7.  Cin Cin
8.  Pepper
9.  Muscat
10. Shiraz
11. Fig
12. Vouvray
13. Rose
14. Grapevine
15. Quince
16. Vigne
17. Palamino
18. Retsina
19. White

In some embodiments, the lipstick base material, and thus the finished lipstick, can be made at least partially of food grade ingredients. For example, the lipstick can be made from edible waxes, butters, and oils. However, other food grade ingredients can be used and the type of ingredient is not limiting. If food grade ingredients were used, a customer would be able to ingest some of the lipstick with no harmful consequences.

The pre-made lipstick base material can be formed in numerous types of shapes and designs. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the lipstick base material can be formed to look like a chocolate piece, having a generally tapered cylinder with a rounded top. The bottom of the cylinder can be generally flat. In some embodiments, the lipstick base material can be generally symmetrical or generally nonsymmetrical. The base material can be flat, curved, or have corners. In some embodiments, the base material can be formed into more intricate shapes. For example, the base material can be shaped like a fish, car, star, and the overall shape of the base material is not limiting. Further, the lipstick base material can be shaped to highlight the food grade nature of the ingredients. For example, the base material can be shaped like chocolates, chocolate bars, or cookies.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the disclosed method and system. Based on the customer's lipstick choices 302 from the palette 406 of a display device 402, the respective ingredients 408 shown in a display 404 used to make the lipstick can be selected along with the wafer. In some embodiments, the wafer can be added to the mixing cup and inserted in a container 410, which may be clear for ease of customer viewing, together with the ingredients 408 to form the other customer selected properties of the lipstick, such as approximately 0.23 g of flavor. The container 410 can be, for example, a test tube with a lid, but the size and shape of the container 410 is not limiting.

Heating

In some embodiments, the container 410 can be heated 304 to a specified temperature in order to melt the ingredients to a specified state, such as a freely pourable state. In some embodiments, the melted ingredients can be a viscous or non-viscous fluid. The fluidity of the melted ingredients is not limiting. In some embodiments, the container 410 can be heated 304 in a standard microwave oven 416 until the ingredients are melted. For example, a 400-1000 watt microwave oven 416 can be used for approximately 25 seconds at full power to melt the ingredients. In some embodiments, other heating instruments 416 such as, for example, a hot plate, a fireplace, an oven, a toaster oven, or an infrared heater can be used to melt the ingredients within the container 304. Any known heating means 416 can be employed to melt the ingredients within the container 410, including induction heating. The heating means 416 may in some embodiments be incorporated into the mixing container, so a separate heating device 416 may not be necessary. The ingredients can be melted together so that they are pourable into a mould, as further discussed below.

Mixing

In some embodiments, the container 410 can be closed and placed in a small, bench top centrifuge 414 in order to mix the ingredients 408 together 306. In some embodiments, this is done after the heating step 304. In some embodiments, the heating 304 can be performed before, during, or after mixing 306. In some embodiments, heating 304 and mixing 306 can be done simultaneously. In some embodiments, either heating 304 or mixing 306 can be excluded from the process. In some embodiments, the container 410 can be spun at approximately 3,500 rpm which can effectively disperse and mix the ingredients 408 within about 45 seconds, while minimizing any spray or spillage of the ingredients. In some embodiments, the container 410 can be spun for about 20 seconds at about 2500 rpm. The mixing area of the centrifuge 410 can be enclosed with a clear plastic viewing plate that can prevent any lipstick material from exiting while permitting a customer to view the lipstick manufacturing safely. In other embodiments, different mixers 410 can be used such as, for example, hand mixing or kitchen mixers. The ingredients can be mixed 306 into a homogenous matrix through the disclosed method without the need for specialized machinery and trained chemists and technicians, which are normally required in a lipstick factory. Upon completion of the mixing 306, the customer can further view their selected color, uniformly blended, and determine whether to keep that color or change it. At this point, other ingredients can be mixed in to suit the customer's selected properties.

Pouring

Upon heating and mixing the lipstick material to be fluid and homogeneous, the heated and mixed lipstick material can then be poured 308 into a shaped mould 420. In some embodiments, the mould 420 is shaped to conform within a standard lipstick tube. For example, the lipstick mould 420 can be shaped as the standard lipstick bullet shape, however other moulds 420 such as flat moulds or rounded moulds can be used as well, and the dimensions of the final lipstick product are not limiting. Jars or other containers configured to hold a solid or semi-solid lip balm can also be used to dispense the final product. The mould 420 can be any commercial container.

In some embodiments, the mould 420 can be made of materials such as steel or solid aluminum. In some embodiments, the mould 420 can be coated with a lubrication material to allow for ease of removal of the lipstick material and ease of cleaning. In some embodiments, the moulds 420 can generally be formed into a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top and bottom sections fit together to form the shape of the lipstick. The sections can attach to one another though, for example, snapping, screwing, or friction fit, to contain the melted lipstick material within the mould 420. In some embodiments, the mould 420 can be made up of multiple cavities, thereby allowing for multiple lipsticks to be manufactured at the same time. In some embodiments, the mould 420 can contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 cavities. In some embodiments, the mould 420 can contain greater than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 cavities.

Chilling

Upon pouring the lipstick material into the mould 308, the mould 420 can then be chilled 310 to solidify the lipstick. In some embodiments, the mould 420 can be chilled 310 to approximately −25, −20, −15, −10, or −5° C. for approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes. The temperature and time are not limiting. The lipstick can be fully solidified during the chilling step 310, or can be only partially solidified. In some embodiments, a small, customized, bench top chilling table 418 can be used. However, other chilling methods 418 can be used, such as a freezer, liquid nitrogen, or an ANTI-GRIDDLE®. Any cooling means known in the art may be employed.

Unmoulding

Upon solidifying of the lipstick during the chilling step 310 described above, the lipstick can be removed from the mould 420. As described above, the mould 420 can be formed in two attached sections. The top section of the mould 420 can be removed to expose the bottom section of the lipstick. A lipstick container can then be pressed onto the exposed end of the lipstick, where the container/lipstick can be removed from the bottom section of the mould 420. The lipstick can then be lowered into the container through the use of, for example, the lipstick-container elevator. An appropriately sized cap can then be placed on the container. Those skilled in the art would understand that there may be different procedures for unmoulding the lipstick, and this process is not limiting.

Upon completion of the above disclosed process, the final product can be presented to the customer, preferably about 6 minutes after the customer has made the lipstick property selections.

The mould 420 can then be wiped clean so that there is no spray or extraneous residue of the lipstick or its staining colorants located anywhere. In some embodiments, the mixing cup described above can be disposable. Unlike factory produced lipstick, lipstick formed in the disclosed embodiments can be manufactured with minimal mess.

In some embodiments, a volume ranging from approximately 10-200 lipsticks per hour can be manufactured by the disclosed process through the use of multiple moulds with multiple cavities per mould.

Display

In some embodiments, the finished lipstick or base material can be displayed in a display case 404 for customer viewing. In some embodiments, the display case 404 can be configured to look like a bakery display case. In some embodiments, the finished lipstick or base material can be shaped like for example, baked goods, cookies, or chocolates, and displayed in the bakery display case 404. However, the display case 404 can be shaped, themed, and configured in any fashion, and the shape, theme, and configuration of the display case 404 is not limiting.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forth hereinabove but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the features of patentable novelty which reside in the present invention, including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing customizable lipstick, the method comprising:

selecting properties of the customizable lipstick from a selection of shown properties;

adding ingredients corresponding to the selected properties in a container;

mixing the ingredients to form a pourable and homogenous mixture;

pouring the homogeneous mixture into a lipstick mould; and

chilling the lipstick mould until the mixture solidifies thereby forming the customizable lipstick;

wherein the method is performed in a retail environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizable lipstick can be customized and manufactured in approximately 6 minutes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein approximately 10-200 different customizable lipsticks per hour can be produced.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the customizable lipstick from the mould and inserting the customizable lipstick into an industry-standard, cylinder-shaped lipstick container.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a person performing the manufacturing steps is not a trained chemist, lab technician or person with knowledge of the typical lipstick manufacturing process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing, pouring and chilling steps are automated.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the properties are selected from a group consisting of color, flavor, opacity, and gloss/matte.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the color is selected from a palette of at least about 100 to 200 colors, and the flavor is selected from a list of approximately 1 to 40 flavors.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the customizable lipstick performs as well as a factory-produced lipstick.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the ingredients are prepared in advance in a palette of at least about 1-20 different colors and in pieces weighing approximately 1-10 grams each.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing comprises spinning the ingredients in a centrifuge at approximately 2000 to 5000 rpm for about 10-100 seconds.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the container is substantially sealed during the mixing steps, such that no lipstick material exits the container, thereby leaving an area surrounding the container suitable for the retail environment.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the filled mould is chilled for about 1-5 minutes at −30 to −10° C.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the ingredients corresponding to the selected properties are displayed in a display case configured for retail viewing.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the ingredients.

16. A system for manufacturing customizable lipstick in a retail environment, the system comprising:

a display case configured to display solid ingredients that correspond to selectable lipstick properties;

a processing container configured to receive the solid ingredients corresponding to selected properties and mix and heat the ingredients to form a pourable and substantially homogenous mixture;

a mould configured to receive the homogenous mixture; and

a chiller configured to re-solidify the mixture in the mould.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a lipstick container configured to receive the re-solidified mixture.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing container is configured to heat the ingredients.