Patent Application
20200354134
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In an aspect, a cartridge configured for use in a hair treatment device includes a pouch having an outlet, a capsule located within the pouch, and a fitment sealed within the outlet of the pouch. The pouch may contain a first product and the capsule may contain a second product. In an embodiment, the first product may be a colorant and/or the second product may be a developer. In an embodiment, the cartridge may include a filter affixed to the fitment, and/or the pouch may be lined with polypropylene and heat sealed to the fitment. In an embodiment, at least one of the first product or the second product may be liquid. In an embodiment, at least one of the first product or the second product may be cream. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the pouch may be gas-permeable and liquid impermeable. In an embodiment, the cartridge may include a second capsule located within the pouch that contains a third product. The second capsule may have a different shape and/or surface texture than the capsule. In an embodiment, the first product may have a first volume and the second product may have a second volume. The ratio of the first volume to the second volume may be between 0.1 to 10.0, inclusive. In an embodiment, the capsule may be frangible or may have a flexible membrane. In an embodiment, the pouch may contain a mixing element.
In another aspect, a method of using a cartridge configured for use in a hair treatment device includes providing a cartridge having a pouch, breaking a capsule located in the pouch, and shaking the cartridge. The pouch may have a fitment sealed within an outlet and may contain a first product. The capsule may contain a second product. In an embodiment, breaking the capsule may include using a component of the hair treatment device. In an embodiment, breaking the capsule may include inserting the capsule into the hair treatment device.
In another aspect, a hair treatment system for applying a formulation includes a hair treatment device and a cartridge configured for installation in the hair treatment device. The cartridge may include a pouch having an outlet, a capsule located within the pouch, and a fitment sealed within an outlet of the pouch. The pouch may store a first product and the capsule may store a second product.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It shall be appreciated that the figures below are not necessarily to scale, and are intended to facilitate understanding of the inventive concepts discussed herein:
The following description provides several examples that relate generally to hair and scalp treatment applicators and formulation delivery appliances. Application of a wide variety of treatment formulations to human hair and scalp tissue is a common practice. In some instances, it is beneficial for the treatment formulation to be applied to a targeted portion of the hair or scalp tissue. In one example, applying a treatment formulation to a portion of the hair near the scalp may be desired, for instance, when applying a coloring dye to roots of hair during a color maintenance procedure. In another example, applying a treatment formulation directly to the scalp tissue, while minimizing contact with the hair, may be desired.
Hair coloring formulation typically includes at least one dye and a separate developer, which must be mixed in controlled proportions for effective and predictable results. As used herein, the term “coloring formulation” refers generally to any of the dye, developer, formulation, fluid, or any mixture thereof. Examples of formulations include: permanent hair dye; semi-permanent hair dye; developer; conditioner; hair growth treatment, such as minoxidil manufactured under the trade name ROGAINE®; hair protein treatment; disulfide bond repairing hair treatment, such as OLAPLEX®; fluid hair treatment; fluid scalp treatment, and the like. Although any hair and scalp treatment formulation is contemplated herein, the present disclosure generally refers to hair coloring formulation as the exemplary formulation. However, it should be appreciated that any of the listed hair and scalp treatment formulations are interchangeable with the coloring formulation described herein.
Systems for the application of hair and scalp treatment formulations may utilize one or more cartridges that store formulation. Representative systems for the application of hair and scalp treatment formulations include those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/721,659, 15/721,668, 15/721,678, and 15/721,682, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such cartridges may be transported through a supply chain, for example in boxes containing a supply of refill cartridges. Such supply chains may present a number of environmental challenges to the cartridges, including varying temperatures, physical shocks, and prolonged periods without movement (during which time components of the formulation could settle and separate). For at least these reasons, it may be desirable to keep components of the formulation (e.g., the dye and developer) separated within the cartridge for a period of time, e.g., until shortly before use. When it is time to combine components of the formulation, those components must ordinarily be mixed in controlled proportions and mixed uniformly for effective and predictable results. Additionally, a formulation may have a limited useful lifespan after the components are mixed, for example, due to oxidization.
The following discussion provides cartridges, systems, and methods that address the foregoing challenges. The cartridges reliably keep components of the formulation separated until a user purposefully mixes the components. The mixing process occurs entirely within the cartridge in order to ensure quick and accurate mixing, with no mess and no oxidization. The cartridges may be modular and consumable, for reduced cost and increased convenience.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
One or more edges of the pouch 24 may not be completely sealed, thereby leaving the first and second sides 36, 40 separated and forming the outlet 28 through which contents contained within the cavity 68 may exit the pouch 24. In the pouch 24 of
The pouch 24 may be formed from one or more relatively flexible materials, such as a metallic foil (e.g., an aluminum foil) or a thin polymer (such as polypropylene). The first and second sides 36, 40 of the pouch 24 of
Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the materials forming the pouch 24 may be liquid-impermeable, e.g., to securely contain liquid contents within the pouch without leakage. One or more of the materials forming the pouch 24 may be both gas-permeable and liquid impermeable. One or more of the materials forming the pouch 24 may be opaque or impenetrable to light. The pouch 24 may have some rigidity, but may generally deform and deflect in response to an applied force.
As noted above, the cartridge 20 includes a fitment 32 that enables contents contained within the pouch 24 to exit the cartridge 20 in certain circumstances. To ensure a liquid-tight fit with the pouch 24, the fitment 32 may be sealed within the outlet 28 of the pouch. The fitment 32 of
As shown in
The cavity 68 may contain a first volume of product 104 therein. The first volume of product 104 is separate from any product contained within the capsule 76 that is also contained within the cavity 68, as described below. The first volume of product 104 may include a colorant, a developer, a lotion, a cream, a diluter, a liquid, and/or combinations thereof. The first volume 104 may range from about 1 ml to about 100 ml, e.g., about 5 ml, about 10 ml, or any other value in that range.
As shown in
may be about 1.0 or another ratio, for example from about 0.1 to about 10.0, e.g., about 2.0, about 3.0, about 4.0, about 5.0, about 6.0, about 7.0, about 8.0, about 9.0, or about any other value in that range.
The cartridge 20 of
The capsule 76 of
In some embodiments, the capsule may not be frangible (e.g., may not be an ampoule), but instead may be relatively soft, such as a bead having a flexible membrane that encloses a volume of product. In such embodiments, the flexible membrane may be substantially formed of one or more materials that are selected to avoid adverse chemical reactions with products contained within the cavity. In some embodiments, the capsule may be a solid composition of product.
In use, a user may selectively rupture at least part of the one or more capsules to release product contained therein into the cavity, where the released product may mix with other products in order to create a mixed formulation, which may then be dispensed through the fitment. Referring to the cartridge of
Subsequently to rupturing the capsule 76 and mixing the contents of the pouch 24, the user may dispense the mixed product from the pouch 24. As one example, the user may apply pressure to the pouch 24 (such as with a hand or device) in order to expel the mixed formulation from the fitment 32. As another example, the user may apply negative pressure to the fitment 32 (such as with a pump or other device) in order to draw the mixed product therefrom. As the mixed product is dispensed from the pouch 24, the filter 96 prevents certain solids from being dispensed from the pouch 24, e.g., glass shards from the ruptured capsule 76.
Any of the cartridges described herein may be utilized in conjunction with a device and/or system, for example a hair coloration system that includes a device that configured to apply formulations to a subject's hair and/or scalp. Referring to
Referring now to
In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known features, subassemblies, and/or process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein. For instance, any feature or configuration described above with respect to one wiping assembly may be adapted for use with any other wiping assembly.
Although certain descriptive terms have been used to illustrate or describe certain aspects or benefits of the present invention, they should not be seen as limiting. For instance, the present disclosure also includes references to directions, such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. These references and other similar references in the present disclosure are only to assist in helping describe and understand the exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these directions. The term “formulation” should be interpreted broadly to include any cosmetic formulation, beauty product, lotion, lacquer, etc., generally applied to the skin, eyes, nails, or other body part of a person. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the cosmetic applicators may also be adapted for other non-cosmetic uses, such as applying medicine, paint, etc., to a desired body part or surface.
The present disclosure may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present disclosure. Also in this regard, the present disclosure may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” etc., mean plus or minus 5%. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.
