Device autocleaning system based on multi canal and smart formula cartridge

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12349778-B2
Application number	US-202217816101-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2022
Priority date	Jul 29, 2022
Publication date	Jul 8, 2025
Grant date	Jul 8, 2025

Abstract

Formulation delivery systems, formulation delivery devices, and formulation cartridges for the same are provided. Formulation delivery systems include a reusable handle, a formulation dispensing assembly, and a controller. The formulation dispensing assembly includes a reciprocating nozzle assembly and a pump. The reciprocating nozzle assembly is fluidically-couplable to the formulation cartridge or the cleaning cartridge received within the reusable handle. Formulation delivery devices include a reusable handle configured to receive a formulation cartridge therein, and a formulation dispensing assembly disposed in the reusable handle. The formulation dispensing assembly includes fluid conduits, a pump fluidically connected to the fluid conduits, a reciprocating nozzle assembly, and a controller. Formulation cartridges include a reusable cartridge body and a formulation cartridge refill unit.

First claim

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A formulation cartridge, comprising:
a handle portion; and
a refill unit configured to sit within the handle portion, the refill unit comprising:
a formulation vessel storing a formulation and comprising a first valve in fluid communication with the formulation;
a cleaning vessel storing a cleaning fluid and comprising a second valve in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid;
an encryption chip disposed on the refill unit and storing at least a cleaning fluid identifier; and
a valve selector configured to selectively permit the formulation to pass from the first valve or the cleaning fluid to pass from the second valve.

2. The formulation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve selector comprises a rotating barrel comprising an aperture through a distal surface thereof, wherein the valve selector is configured to selectively obstruct the first valve or the second valve.

3. The formulation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve selector comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the first valve.

4. The formulation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the refill unit further comprises a second formulation vessel storing a second formulation and comprising a third valve in fluid combination with the second formula.

5. The formulation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the refill unit comprises a shell enclosing the formulation vessel and the cleaning vessel.

6. The formulation cartridge of claim 5 , wherein the shell is secured to a valve frame which receives the first valve and the second valve.

7. A system for dispensing a formulation, the system comprising:
a formulation cartridge, comprising:
a handle portion; and
a refill unit configured to sit within the handle portion, the refill unit comprising:
a formulation vessel storing a formulation and comprising a first valve in fluid communication with the formulation;
a cleaning vessel storing a cleaning fluid and comprising a second valve in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid;
an encryption chip disposed on the refill unit and storing at least a cleaning fluid identifier; and
a valve selector configured to selectively permit the formulation to pass from the first valve or the cleaning fluid to pass from the second valve; and

a delivery device configured to communicatively coupled to the formulation cartridge, wherein the delivery device comprises a processor configured to:
place the delivery device into a dispensing mode;
adjust the valve selector into a dispensing position;
dispense a formulation from the formulation cartridge;
place the delivery device into a cleaning mode;
adjust the valve selector into a cleaning position; and
run a cleaning cycle.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the delivery device further comprises an adaptor configured to close the first valve and the second valve.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the adaptor is further configured to direct the cleaning fluid back to the cartridge after the cleaning fluid has passed through the second valve.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the handle further comprises a return fluid conduit configured to return the cleaning fluid into a location in the formulation cartridge.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the location is the cleaning vessel.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the location is a waste reservoir.

13. A method of cleaning the system of claim 7 , comprising:
placing the delivery device into the dispensing mode;
adjusting the valve selector into the dispensing position;
dispensing the formulation from the formulation cartridge;
placing the delivery device into the cleaning mode;
adjusting the valve selector into the cleaning position; and
running the cleaning cycle.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the valve selector is adjusted by the processor on the delivery device.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the valve selector is adjusted manually by a user of the delivery device.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein running the cleaning cycle comprises: dispensing the cleaning fluid through the device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises:
pumping the cleaning fluid out of the valve selector for a duration, and
withdrawing the cleaning fluid into a location in the delivery device.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the location is the cleaning vessel.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises:
pumping the cleaning fluid out of the valve selector for a duration, and
pulling water from a sink into the cleaning vessel.

Assignees

• Oreal

Inventors

• Charraud Gregoire
• Lee Ji

Classifications

• A46B17/06

  Devices for cleaning brushes after use · CPC title

• A46B2200/104

  Hair brush · CPC title

• A45D19/0041

  Processes for treating the hair of the scalp · CPC title

• B08B9/0325

  Control mechanisms therefor · CPC title

• B08B2209/032

  by the mechanical action of a moving fluid · CPC title