Reusable cartridge systems, devices, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12564253-B2
Application number	US-202218084471-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2022
Priority date	Dec 20, 2021
Publication date	Mar 3, 2026
Grant date	Mar 3, 2026

Abstract

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-coupleable 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 refill unit, comprising:
a valve frame, wherein the valve frame includes a face having at least one valve aperture, wherein the valve frame includes a complementary aperture; and a refill packet secured to the valve frame, comprising:
a formulation vessel storing a formulation and having a valve in fluid communication with the formulation, and
a shell enclosing the formulation vessel and engaging the valve frame, wherein the shell includes a rear body portion and a neck portion extending from the rear body portion, the neck portion is coupled to the valve frame, wherein the neck portion includes a coupling tab having a raised detent that engages the complementary aperture in the valve frame.

2 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises at least two partial shells hingedly coupled by a hinge.

3 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 2 , wherein the shell is formed of a single piece of material.

4 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 2 , wherein the hinge is disposed at a distal end of the at least two partial shells.

5 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 2 , wherein the at least two partial shells have complementary alignment means configured to align the at least two partial shells relative to each other.

6 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 5 , wherein the complementary alignment means comprise tabs.

7 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 2 , wherein the rear body portion has a greater cross sectional area than the neck portion.

8 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 7 , further comprising a sleeve slidably disposed over the neck portion.

9 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the at least two partial shells comprise the coupling tab.

10 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , further comprising a perforated tearaway in the neck portion, the tearaway being configured to facilitate separation of the neck portion from the coupling tab.

11 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , wherein the shell is formed of a paper material.

12 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 11 , wherein the shell is formed of a single piece of the paper material.

13 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , wherein the shell is configured to be received within a reusable handle.

14 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , further comprising an encryption chip disposed on the valve frame, wherein the encryption chip stores at least one of a formulation identification, a beginning formulation quantity, a formulation expiration date, or a formulation production date.

15 . The formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 , wherein the shell encloses a second formulation vessel storing a second formulation and having a second valve in fluid communication with the second formulation, wherein the valve frame receives and secures the second valve adjacent to the valve of the formulation vessel.

16 . A method of reloading a formulation cartridge, comprising:
providing a formulation cartridge configured to dispense at least one formulation, wherein the formulation cartridge comprises a reusable handle and the formulation cartridge refill unit of claim 1 ; separating the formulation cartridge refill unit from the reusable handle; and inserting a second formulation cartridge refill unit into the reusable handle.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising disassembling the formulation cartridge refill unit.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein disassembling the formulation cartridge refill unit comprises separating the refill packet from the valve frame.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein separating the refill packet from the valve frame comprises separating the formulation vessel from the shell.

Assignees

• Oreal

Inventors

• Lee Ji
• Levi Damien
• Laganis Edward

Classifications

• A46B9/023 Primary

  arranged like in hair brushes, e.g. hair treatment, dyeing, streaking · CPC title

• B65D83/771

  for dispensing fluent contents by means of a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm · CPC title

• A45D34/04

  Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball · CPC title

• A45D19/026 Primary

  having brush or comb applicators (A45D24/22 take precedence; brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances A46B11/00) · CPC title

• A46B11/0013

  dispensing by gravity or by shaking · CPC title