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Laughlin Products, Inc. Grapevine, TX July 9, 2002
US patent # 6,416,747 was issued today to Laughlin Products (LPI) of Grapevine, Texas. The patent is entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Composition for Automatically Coating the Human Body with Plural Components”. The inventor is Dr. Tom Laughlin, President of LPI. Dr. Laughlin is also president of Mist-On Systems, an operational arm of Laughlin Products. Click heres to link to a readable and printable copy of the patent.
The patent discloses methods for the automated coating of human skin with multiple compositions. Methods and devices are disclosed for simultaneously or sequentially applying these compositions.
The utility application for this patent was filed October 2, 2000. A priority date of October 4, 1999 was granted based on a provisional patent application made by Dr. Laughlin.
This invention was incorporated into the original Mist-On Tan units brought into commercial operation in December 1999. It was used primarily to alternate between a bronzer/DHA solution for self-tanning and water from cleaning the nozzles and the inside of the unit. Plans were formulated for application of moisturizers, tanning enhancers and drying aids, but it was discovered that these agents could be successfully incorporated into the tanning composition. Because of the cost and increased complexity added by the use of multiple application systems, the plural component feature was discontinued. Its use did demonstrate, however, the ability of the Mist-On Tanning unit to apply plural components simultaneously or sequentially. This technology could be extremely useful in certain medical, cosmetic and decontamination applications.
Figures from the patent are shown in figure 1. Figure 2 shows images of Dr. Laughlin and his assistant working with the plural component capacity of the 1999 Mist-On Tan prototype unit. The prototype Mist-On Tan unit built in 1999 is shown in Figure 3. The first commercial Mist-On Tan unit, with plural component capacity, is shown in Figure 4. Click each figure below for an enlarged view
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