Mixture Cartridge For Use In A Shaving Lather Generating And Dispensing System

Abstract

A novel and useful mixture cartridge apparatus for a shaving lather dispenser apparatus incorporates a mixture cartridge having a body with first and second openings, a cavity in communication with the first and second openings, and a first fluid control valve. The cavity is configured to contain a liquid shaving lather solution. The first fluid control valve is configured to control a flow of the fluid through the second opening. The first fluid control valve is configured to be opened to provide flow of the liquid shaving lather solution through the second opening when coupled to an actuator of a lather dispenser. The first opening is configured to equalize pressure within the cavity with atmospheric pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge apparatus for a shaving lather dispenser apparatus, comprising:
 a mixture cartridge having a body with first and second openings;   a cavity in communication with the first and second openings, and a first fluid control valve, the cavity configured to contain a liquid shaving lather solution;   the first fluid control valve configured to control a flow of the fluid through the second opening;   the first fluid control valve configured to be opened to provide flow of the liquid shaving lather solution through the second opening when coupled to an actuator of a lather dispenser; and   the first opening configured to equalize pressure within the cavity with atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to be coupled to an inlet port of a screw-type lather dispenser apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first fluid control valve is configured to close when the body is decoupled from the inlet port of the lather dispenser apparatus so as to prevent a flow of the liquid shaving lather through the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a film coupled to at least one of the first and second openings and configured to seal a corresponding one of the first and second openings. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bladder situated within the cavity and configured to store the liquid shaving lather solution therein. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body has at least one wall which defines a substantially cylindrical profile. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the cavity is defined by the at least one wall. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a plurality of side and end walls which define a substantially square or rectangular profile. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the cavity is defined by plurality of side and end walls. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls further comprises a saddle. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture cartridge is further configured to receive a locking mechanism configured to lock the mixture cartridge in position relative to a body of the lather dispenser apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture cartridge is configured to automatically lock in position relative to the body of the lather dispenser apparatus when the first fluid control valve is coupled to the actuator of the lather dispenser apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture cartridge further comprises at least one wall configured to receive a biasing force directed to separate the control valve from the actuator of the lather dispenser, the biasing force generated by a spring. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture cartridge further comprises an inner floor that is inclined to direct a flow of the liquid shaving lather solution towards the second opening. 
     
     
         15 . A cartridge apparatus for a shaving lather dispenser apparatus, comprising:
 a mixture cartridge having a body with at least one opening;   a port extension configured to be coupled to an inlet port of the lather dispenser;   a cavity in communication with at least one of the at least one openings, and a reservoir situated in the cavity;   the reservoir configured to contain a liquid shaving lather solution;   a fluid control valve configured to control a flow of the liquid shaving lather solution through the second opening; and   the fluid control valve configured to be operated by a coupling to the shaving lather dispenser apparatus to provide flow of the liquid shaving lather solution through the at least one opening.   
     
     
         16 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the body further comprises a second opening configured to equalize pressure within the cavity with atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid control valve further comprises a pump cartridge having an input shaft configured to be coupled to output shaft of a motor of the shaving lather dispenser apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cartridge apparatus further comprises a handle configured for a user to grasp the body. 
     
     
         19 . A cartridge apparatus for a shaving lather dispenser apparatus, comprising:
 a mixture cartridge having a body with first and second openings, a cavity in communication with the first and second openings, an outlet port extension, and a first fluid control valve situated at least in part within the outlet port extension configured to be coupled to an inlet port of the shaving lather dispenser, the cavity configured to contain a liquid shaving lather solution, the first fluid control valve configured to control a flow of the fluid through the second opening, the first fluid control valve configured to be opened to provide flow of the liquid shaving lather solution through the second opening when coupled to an actuator of a lather dispenser, the first opening configured to equalize pressure within the cavity with atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         20 . The cartridge apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the mixture cartridge is further configured to receive a locking mechanism configured to lock the mixture cartridge in position relative to a body of the lather dispenser apparatus.