Formulation delivery systems, devices, and methods
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 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, a valve frame, and a disposable refill packet reversibly-coupleable to the reusable cartridge body. The disposable refill packet includes a formulation packet and a body portion configured for insertion into the reusable cartridge body.
1. A formulation delivery system, comprising:
a reusable handle configured to reversibly receive a formulation cartridge configured to store a formulation therein and a cleaning cartridge configured to store a cleaning liquid therein;
a formulation dispensing assembly including a reciprocating nozzle assembly and a pump, the reciprocating nozzle assembly fluidically coupleable, via one or more fluid conduits, to the formulation cartridge, or the cleaning cartridge, received within the reusable handle; and
a controller including computational circuitry and logic configured to toggle between at least a cleaning routine and formulation routine responsive to one or more inputs indicative of the cleaning cartridge or the formulation cartridge inserted into the reusable handle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the pump at a higher flow rate in the cleaning routine as compared to flow rate in the formulation routine.
2. The formulation delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises logic, which when executed, causes the formulation delivery system to:
authenticate the formulation cartridge after insertion into the reusable handle; and
execute, based upon authenticating the formulation cartridge, the formulation routine by dispensing the formulation from the formulation cartridge through the formulation dispensing assembly.
3. The formulation delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the controller comprises logic, which when executed, causes the formulation delivery system to:
awaken from a sleep state to an awake state upon at least one of: pressing a button on the reusable handle, insertion of the formulation cartridge into the reusable handle, or insertion of the cleaning cartridge into the reusable handle; and
return to the sleep state after a predetermined inactivity period.
4. The formulation delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises logic, which when executed, causes the formulation delivery system to:
authenticate the cleaning cartridge after insertion into the reusable handle; and
execute, based upon authenticating the cleaning cartridge, the cleaning routine by dispensing the cleaning liquid from the cleaning cartridge through the formulation dispensing assembly.
5. The formulation delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising an application configured for operation on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of a mobile device and comprising logic, which when executed, causes the mobile device to:
accept and store at least one user profile input;
create, based upon the at least one user profile input, a user-specific routine providing instructions for using the formulation delivery device; and
display the user-specific routine on the mobile device.
6. The formulation delivery system of claim 5 , wherein the application comprises logic, which when executed by the mobile device, causes the mobile device to execute a calibration routine comprising:
instructing a user to position the reusable handle at a plurality of calibration locations of a body portion of the user;
recording the calibration locations; and
adjusting the user-specific routine based upon the calibration locations.
7. The formulation delivery system of claim 5 ,
further comprising a position sensor that sends a position signal to the controller;
wherein the controller comprises logic, which when executed, causes the controller to transmit a second position signal based upon the position signal to the mobile device;
wherein the application comprises logic, which when executed by the mobile device, causes the mobile device to:
transmit a third position signal based upon the second position signal to an analytic platform;
retrieve a user suggestion from the analytic platform based upon the third position signal; and
display the user suggestion.
8. A formulation delivery system, comprising:
a reusable handle configured to receive a cartridge, the cartridge forming part of a formulation product line including a plurality of different cartridge types, each cartridge type selected from a cleaning cartridge type or a formulation cartridge type;
a formulation dispensing assembly including a reciprocating nozzle assembly fluidically couple-able to the cartridge received within the reusable handle; and
a controller including computational circuitry and logic configured to:
authenticate the cartridge after insertion into the reusable handle; and
execute, based upon authenticating the cartridge:
a cleaning routine that dispenses a cleaning liquid from the cartridge through the formulation dispensing assembly, or
a haircare formulation routine that dispenses a haircare formulation from the cartridge through the formulation dispensing assembly, wherein the controller is further configured to pump a cleaning liquid at a higher flow rate in the cleaning routine as compared to flow rate in the haircare formulation routine.
9. The formulation delivery system of claim 8 , further comprising an application configured for operation on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of a mobile device and comprising logic, which when executed, causes the mobile device to:
accept and store at least one user profile input;
create, based upon the at least one user profile input, a user-specific routine providing instructions for using the formulation delivery system; and
display the user-specific routine on the mobile device.
10. The formulation delivery system of claim 9 , wherein the application comprises logic, which when executed by the mobile device, causes the mobile device to select at least one formulation of a plurality of different formulations from the formulation product line based upon at least one of the user profile inputs or user-specific routine inputs.
11. The formulation delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the application comprises logic, which when executed by the mobile device, causes the mobile device to display a purchase interface for the selected formulation.
12. A formulation cartridge, comprising:
a reusable cartridge body;
a valve frame including at least one valve engagement unit; and
a disposable refill packet reversibly coupleable to the reusable cartridge body, the disposable refill packet including:
a formulation packet having at least one valve, and
a body portion configured for insertion into the reusable cartridge body,
wherein the valve frame is configured to receive and secure the at least one valve of a formulation packet, and
wherein the formulation cartridge is configured for insertion into a cartridge cavity of a formulation delivery device, wherein the formulation cartridge includes a handle portion on one end and a tray portion extends from the handle portion, the tray portion has a U-shape with a flat docking surface for correct insertion of the formulation cartridge in a reusable handle having a cartridge cavity with an opening at one end of the reusable handle, wherein the cartridge cavity includes a flat docking surface which defines the opening as a segment of a circle.
13. The formulation cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the body portion is formed of a paper material.
14. The formulation cartridge of claim 13 , wherein the body portion is formed of a single piece of the paper material.
15. The formulation cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the body portion has a rear body portion configured for insertion into the reusable cartridge body and a front body portion that extends away from the reusable cartridge body when the rear body portion is inserted into the reusable cartridge body.
16. The formulation cartridge of claim 15 , wherein the reusable cartridge body comprises a hollow handle portion configured to receive the rear body portion of the disposable refill packet therein, and a tray portion extending away from the handle portion.
17. The formulation cartridge of claim 15 , wherein the disposable refill packet has an integral tearaway configured to facilitate separation of the valve frame from the body portion.
18. The formulation cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the reusable cartridge body comprises a cartridge release configured to reversibly couple the reusable cartridge body to the formulation delivery device.
19. The formulation cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the reusable cartridge body and the valve frame are at least partially formed from a polymer.
20. The formulation cartridge of claim 12 , further comprising an encryption chip disposed on the disposable refill packet and storing at least one of a formulation identification, a beginning formulation quantity, a formulation expiration date, or a formulation production date.