A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints and stains includes an array of powdered colorants, including at least white, green, blue and red colorants, which can be used to tint water-borne paints and stains. When tinting solvent-borne base paints or stains, at least one siccative and at least one synergist containing one or more cosolvents, dispersing agents or surfactants are added to or are a part of the solvent-borne base paint or stains, and enable effective tinting using the powdered colorants.

A portable custom cosmetic pigment dispenser creates a cosmetic pigment mixture that closely matches a person's skin color. The device is constructed with an RGB sensor at one end that scans the skin and records it in the RGB color space. A processor converts the RGB information into a CYMK+W color space. In an embodiment, a user is presented with a sample of the color as determined by the processor, and has an opportunity to accept or modify the color. Specific quantities of colored pigment are selected based on the corresponding weightings in the CYMK+W space.

The methods and systems of the invention include the use of automated solution dispensers in laboratory environment. The automated solution dispensers can be controlled locally or remotely within a network. The usage of the instruments can be followed and procurement of supplies can be automated.

Systems and methods for fabricating ingestible pharmaceutical tablets are provided. Certain of the systems and methods described herein are capable of manufacturing tablets of different dosages without the need to fluidically connect or disconnect unit operations when switching from a tablet having a first dosage to a tablet having a second, different dosage. Certain of the systems and methods described herein are capable of manufacturing compositionally tablets, e.g., tablets with different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

A modular flow monitoring package (MFMP) is provided for use in an additive delivery system. The MFMP may be manufactured as an add-on to be added to an existing additive delivery system, or may be incorporated into a cartridge or container structure. The MFMP includes a flow sensor for sensing flow of a base fluid and user actuator position sensors for sensing the position of one or more user actuated additive flow adjustment levers. A visual display, which may comprise an array of multi-color LED's may convey information to a user that is relevant to a user's use of the additive delivery system or the user's nutritional needs. Such information may include a current dosage of additive, being delivered, whether a recommended dosage of additive has been consumed, remaining life of a cartridge or supply of additive, and other data relative to health or performance monitoring.

Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing include a reservoir of base condiment and a plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A first pump is pneumatically connected to the reservoir of base condiment. The second pump is pneumatically connected to at least one flavoring reservoir of the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A nozzle is fluidly connected to the reservoir of base condiment and fluidly connected to the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. The nozzle is configured to simultaneously dispense the base condiment and at least one flavoring therethrough. A controller receives the user selections of the base condiment and the at least one flavoring and operates the first pump and the second pump to dispense base condiment and at least one flavoring.

A point-of-sale custom color system for tinting base paints and stains includes an array of powdered colorants, including at least white, green, blue and red colorants, which can be used to tint water-borne paints and stains. When tinting solvent-borne base paints or stains, a synergist containing one or more cosolvents, dispersing agents or surfactants is added to or is a part of the solvent-borne base paint or stains, and enables effective tinting using the powdered colorants.

Embodiments of a vending system are disclosed for delivering custom paints, permitting automated paint mixing and dispensing without the need for assistance. Customizable paint may be ordered locally or remotely, possibly with improved color matching that leverages color references to compare a known color with a color as observed within an image provided by the customer. Dimensional estimates of the surface to be painted may be possible using scale references within an image provided by the customer, to provide quantity suggestions. Common consumer products, having packaging of known color and dimensions, placed within the image provided by the customer may provide both color references and scale references. A preview function may replicate the image provided by the customer, but indicating the new paint color, as adjusted according to an analysis of one or more color references.

A weigh hopper assembly including a plurality of adjacently aligned weigh hoppers connected via a frame, and longitudinal conveyor mechanism extending along a top portion of the weigh hopper assembly. Each weigh hopper has independent load cells in order to individually weigh the material discharged into the weigh hopper. The conveyor mechanism includes a plurality of gates along a bottom surface of the conveyor mechanism, each gate being aligned with a corresponding weigh hopper of the plurality of weigh hoppers. The conveyor mechanism is in turn connected to a plurality of product bins. A top portion of the conveyor mechanism is in communication with a plurality of product bins via a series of inlet chutes and gates. The weigh hoppers are aligned adjacent to each other and spaced so that each weigh hopper aligns with the transport vehicle.

The present invention relates to a plant (2) for producing a composition (9), in particular a cosmetic composition, comprising drops (8) of at least one first fluid dispersed in a second fluid substantially immiscible with the first fluid, each drop (8) comprising a core formed of the first fluid, and optionally a shell suitable for retaining the core, the plant (2) comprising: a device (16) for producing the composition (9), a storage module (10) comprising: at least one tank (36) for storing at least one first stock solution (A), and at least one tank (38) for storing at least one first solution of active agent(s), at least one tank (40) for storing at least one second stock solution (B), and a preparation module (12), connected to the storage module (10).