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 kit of products for extemporaneously preparing covering fluid products, such as varnishes, paints, enamels and other similar decorative products, including a non-pigmented main semi-processed product with one or more binder substances and one or more filler substances which are dispersed in a fluid diluent. The kit also includes at least one pigmented subordinate semi-processed product which contains at least one particulate of titanium dioxide which is dispersed in the fluid diluent. The kit also includes at least one non-pigmented subordinate semi-processed product which contains at least one or more filler substance(s) and one or more binder substance(s) which are dispersed in the fluid diluent.

An apparatus includes a housing, a dispensing system disposed in the housing, a spectral measurement device, and a computing system. The computing system includes a control mechanism operatively connected to the dispensing system, the spectral measurement device, a processor, a storage device, an input, and a display.

The present invention provides a liquid dispensing apparatus, for use with a first container where a first liquid is contained, comprising: (a) a second container where a second liquid is contained, said second container is provided with a container outlet for dispensing said second liquid; and (b) a utility potion, comprising: an outlet, for dispensing liquid; a first inlet, collaboratively operating with a pressure valve for intaking said first liquid enabling a first passageway; and a second inlet, operatively working with said container outlet, enabling a second passageway for controllably intaking said second liquid from said second container to said second inlet.

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.

Provided herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a drink. The apparatus for manufacturing a drink includes: an input unit receiving customer's order information; a material storing unit storing materials for manufacturing the drink therein; a drink manufacturing unit including a mixing tank receiving the materials stored in the material storing unit and mixing the received materials with each other; a drink outlet discharging the drink manufactured in the drink manufacturing unit; pipes forming connection paths for transferring the materials stored in the material storing unit to the drink manufacturing unit; valves formed in the pipes; a vacuum pump connected to the mixing tank of the drink manufacturing unit to generate vacuum in a material accommodating space formed in the mixing tank; and a controlling unit controlling the valves and the vacuum pump on the basis of the customer's order information input to the input unit to allow materials corresponding to a customer's order to be transferred to the mixing tank.

A custom-tint paint production system that includes a color sensing device such as a low-resolution spectrophotometer to measure color of a preexisting surface color, a color data translation engine to convert the measured values to spectral curve values, and a tint formulation engine to determine a custom tint formulation based upon the spectral curve values, which is usable by a tinter to tint a base coating composition by adding one or more colorants in amounts based on color measurements from the color sensing device.

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).

A mixer is provided for mixing a substance in a container. The mixer includes a motor; a frame configured to be controlled by the motor to rotate on an axis; a carrier disposed at a first end of the frame and configured to hold the container; a counterweight disposed at a second end of the frame opposite to the carrier, wherein the counterweight position relative to the axis is adjustable. The mixer may be a stand-alone unit, or it may be disposed in an apparatus for dispensing a cosmetic composition.

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.