Patent Publication Number: US-2018042356-A1

Title: Hairdryer Assembly with Interchangeable Styling Cartridges

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of blow-dryers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hairdryer for heating and drying hair on a human head or animal fur while concurrently styling and infusing the hair or fur with nutrients, silicones, oils, powders, herbs, proteins, panthenols, colors, moisturizers, conditioners, fragrances, steam and/or vitamins. This hairdryer is designed such that an interchangeable and/or refillable cartridge or cartridges containing diverse hairstyling and treatment products can simply attach and detach from the hairdryer. These cartridges can connect to the main hairdryer housing at various positions, including but not limited to inside the primary inlet or outlet or annularly around the primary inlet or outlet. 
     Additionally, instead of a solid housing duct for transferring heat from the fan and heat exchanger to the user&#39;s hair for styling, treating and drying, this invention describes the construction of a hairdryer with a main duct with at least one opening to optimize fluid flow, heat transfer and user experience. This invention also describes improvements on handle design for better user experience, dampener components to reduce hairdryer noise and vibration and additional ducts for improved air flow and heating control. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There are several blow-dryers on the market. However, none address the long felt need of being able to dry and style hair quickly while concurrently infusing moisturizing, conditioning, styling and treatment products into the hair, skin, fur and scalp all without tiring one&#39;s arms, or burning one&#39;s hair or scalp. Additionally, there is a need to have small volumes of styling products when traveling or in lieu of purchasing large and undesired quantities of product that can expire, be difficult to transport or difficult to use while concurrently drying and styling hair. Additionally, there is a need to minimize blow-dryer noise and vibration of the hairdryer and hairdryer components. 
     Curtin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,771 teaches attaching a nozzle to the end of a conventional hairdryer wherein an impregnated pad saturated with a fragrance can be inserted across the cross-section of the nozzle. However Curtin does not teach being able to connect a capsule directly on the main housing of the hairdryer or alternative methods for attaching a capsule such as a friction fit, magnet or snap piece. Further, Curtin does not teach using a liquid or gel containing capsule. 
     West in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,800 teaches attaching a nozzle to the barrel end of a hair dryer. West teaches the nozzle contains a substrate which is coated with a solid deodorizing material or solid fragrance wherein air passing over this material or fragrance will cause the material to vaporize and release scent or deodorizer into the air stream. However West does not teach that the substrate can contain a non-solid deodorizing or fragrance material or that the substrate can release conditioners, moisturizers, treatments, vitamins or other hairstyling compounds. 
     Langley, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 8,407,913 teach a hairdryer with an interchangeably connectable attachment. Langley teaches a plurality of bosses or lugs for locking the attachment onto the end of the hairdryer barrel. However, Langley does not teach that the attachment could be attached with a friction fit or magnets. Langley also teaches a plurality of perforations along the attachment for mixing ambient air into the attachment but does not teach being able to attach and detach a cartridge containing hairstyling or treating products in and out of these perforations. Langley teaches a conditioner infuser cartridge to be inserted into the attachment which attaches to the barrel of the hairdryer. However the insertion of the infuser cartridge onto the end of an attachment attached to the end of a hairdryer barrel makes the entire length of hairdryer barrel long, off-balance and difficult for a user to use. Additionally, the distance the user must hold the hairdryer from the user&#39;s head to dry, style or treat is significantly increased which is what this present invention attempts to solve. Further Langley does not teach having multiple cartridges located at various points along the hairdryer, the ability to press a button to change how and which cartridge is activated and using cartridges that contain solid, gel or liquid materials. 
     Altamore in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,537 teaches a hairdryer with multiple inlets near the outlet of the housing. However Altamore teaches that these inlets are for directing air current into the body of the hairdryer, across the motor and back toward the housing inlet for cooling purposes. Altamore does not teach any cartridge attachment that can vaporize, aerate or otherwise expel or disperse a styling or treatment product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following is a non-limiting written description of embodiments illustrating various aspects of this invention. As used herein, the term hairdryer means a device that blows air, product or heat streams onto the hair or fur of a person or animal to remove moisture or wetness from the hair or fur. The term hairdryer is considered synonymous with the terms hair dryer, hair-dryer, hair blower, blow dryer or blow-dryer. As used herein the term cartridge means an enclosed capsule, cartouche, box or container made for ready adhesion, insertion or alternative connection into a machine or device. The term impeller is considered synonymous with the term fan. 
     This invention relates to a hairdryer containing a removable and/or interchangeable cartridge or multiple cartridges that can spray, mist, infuse, disperse, diffuse or transmit hairstyling products, dyes, nutrients or treatments into the hair, scalp or fur. The cartridge or cartridges contain an amount of hairstyling product, treatment or dye that can be activated for use on the hair by a button on the hairdryer manually by a user, by a remote device, or via a passive continuous dispersion. The cartridge product can be in the form of, but is not limited to a powder, gel, liquid, solid, pressurized liquid or gas. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of this invention, a user can refill a cartridge by removing the cartridge from the hairdryer and opening a resealable flap, aperture or hatch to insert, fill or otherwise add new product. The refilled and/or reused interchangeable and resealable cartridge can then be reinserted or reattached to the hairdryer for use. 
     The hairdryer can also be used to dry hair. The user has buttons on the hairdryer, manual controls or remote controls that can switch from hairdrying to cartridge product dispersion, or concurrent drying and product dispersion at the user&#39;s discretion or automatically. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The cartridge or multiple cartridges can be located anywhere in the hairdryer including, but not limited to, the front of the main body housing primarily inside the primary outlet, primarily outside the primary outlet, or partially inside the primary outlet. In preferred embodiments the cartridge or cartridges may mount, rest or affix at least partially annularly around the outside or at least partially annularly around the inside of the hairdryer housing primary inlet or primary outlet. In alternative embodiments the cartridge or cartridges can be toward the center, through the center, or toward the back portion of the main body housing. In another embodiment the cartridge can be located in the handle of the hairdryer. In another embodiment, the cartridge can be an attachment piece or part of an attachment assembly such as a diffuser on the hairdryer. 
     The cartridge or cartridges can attach and detach to the hairdryer with the use of magnetic force. The hairdryer body and cartridge can each have a magnetic piece that hold the cartridge in place by magnetic force. The cartridge connected to the hairdryer by magnetic force can be removed from the hairdryer by pressing a button on the hairdryer that changes the polarity of the magnets, causing the cartridge to decouple from the hairdryer. Alternatively, a user can rotate, press, or otherwise activate the cartridge to remove it from the hairdryer. This functionality allows a user to easily change the hairdryer cartridge and switch to a new cartridge or a cartridge with different product. 
     Alternatively, the cartridge or cartridges can attach and detach from the hairdryer by use of a screw assembly, friction or suction force, keyway, cam lock or snap mechanism. 
     Each hairdryer described herein has a motor to rotate an impeller. The motor can be, but is not limited to a DC, AC or universal type motor. The DC motor can be brushed or brushless. The brushed DC motor can be shunt wound, separately excited, series wound, compound wound, a permanent magnet, a servomotor or a universal type motor. The AC motor can be, but is not limited to an induction motor, synchronous motor or linear motor type. 
     The motor can also have a belt drive transmission with a belt to attach to a fan impeller bearing to rotate an impeller. Alternatively a motor can have a direct drive connection to the impeller to rotate it. Alternatively, the motor can have a gear box with gears that mesh with the gears of an impeller bearing to rotate an impeller. 
     The housing and handle of the hairdryer can be made from, but is not limited to the following materials: plastics, composites, ceramics or metals. In preferred embodiments, the housing and handle are made from thermoset plastics or temperature safe composites. 
     The impeller or fan, can be, but is not limited to an open, semi-open or enclosed type. The impeller can be made out of any high temperature resistant plastic, ceramic, composite or metal. In preferred embodiments the impeller is made out of a heat resistant thermoplastic or composite. The impeller blades can be uniform or non-uniform in shape. Additionally, the impeller can have one or more blades. 
     In preferred embodiments, the hairdryer has a motor in the handle of the hairdryer. In an alternative embodiment, the motor can be in the main housing in line with the impeller. In another alternative embodiment, the motor can be in a nacelle at the bottom of the handle. 
     The motor is surrounded by or mounted on damping and vibration reduction ribs and/or materials to reduce noise and vibration. Additionally, the interior of the hairdryer housing can have a series of ribs, vibration reducing fabrics and sound reducing plates to quiet the noise of the motor, impeller and fluid flow without reducing heat transfer, fan speed or fluid flow. The housing interior can also have ribs or supports to improve airflow, improve structural support, improve heat transfer and reduce noise and/or vibration. Alternatively, there can be support, airflow, heat transfer, sound or vibration ribs separately inside the handle, nacelle or as a standalone component inside the hairdryer housing. 
     The hairdryer has a power source. In preferred embodiments the power source is a plug or cable connected to the motor through the handle wherein the power cable has a strain relief mechanism. This mechanism can serve doubly as a hook or loop for hanging the hairdryer assembly. In alternative embodiments, the power source can be a 360° power cord. 
     The refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge can have a valve or single use film puncture with an outlet such that the cartridge product can release into a fluid flow stream. Alternatively, the refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge can have an outlet that connects to a valve in the housing such that the cartridge product flow from the cartridge outlet to the housing&#39;s valve for cartridge product to be released into the fluid flow stream. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a back and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with a cartridge primarily inside the primary outlet. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with a cartridge primarily inside the primary outlet. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with multiple cartridges primarily annularly around the primary outlet with secondary orifices. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with multiple cartridges primarily annularly around the primary outlet with secondary orifices. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with a primarily annular cartridge around the primary outlet. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with a primarily annular cartridge outside of the primary outlet. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with a primarily annular cartridge predominately inside the hairdryer body with a direct drive motor. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with a primarily annular cartridge predominately inside the hairdryer body with a direct drive motor. 
         FIG. 9  shows a front view of a hairdryer with a non-circular main body housing with a motor nacelle. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with a primary inlet slot on the top portion of the non-circular main body housing with a motor nacelle. 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of a hairdryer with a primary inlet slot on the top portion of the non-circular main body housing with a motor nacelle. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  show a front and detailed cutaway perspective view of Section D-D of a hairdryer with a primary inlet slot on the top portion of the non-circular main body housing with a motor nacelle. 
         FIG. 14  shows a cutaway top view of Section E-E of  FIG. 13  of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge. 
         FIG. 15  shows a detailed perspective cutaway view of Detail C of  FIG. 12  of the outlet of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge. 
         FIGS. 16 and 18  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIG. 17  shows rear perspective view of a hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIG. 19  shows a detailed cutaway side view of Detail B of  FIG. 18  of the flow path of the cartridge product with a cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge in the core of the housing. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIG. 23  shows in a detailed cutaway view of Detail B of  FIG. 21  of the rear inlet of the hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge in the core of the housing. 
         FIGS. 24 and 28  show a side and cutaway top view of Section G-G of a hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIG. 25  shows a perspective view of a hairdryer with a refillable cartridge in the rear of the housing and entrained air inlets at a primarily central portion of the housing. 
         FIGS. 26 and 27  show a front and cutaway side view of Section F-F of a hairdryer with an interchangeable cartridge primarily inside the central portion of the rear main body housing. 
         FIGS. 29 and 30  show a perspective and detailed perspective view of Section D of the outlet portion of a hairdryer with a refillable cartridge in the rear of the housing and entrained air inlets at a primarily central portion of the housing. 
         FIG. 31  shows a front perspective view of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge in the rear of the main housing. 
         FIG. 32  shows a rear perspective view of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge in the rear of the main housing. 
         FIGS. 33A and 33B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section C-C of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge in the rear of the main housing. 
         FIG. 34  shows a detailed cutaway view of Section D of  FIG. 33B  of the valve assembly of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge in the rear of the main housing. 
         FIGS. 35A and 35B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a cartridge connected to a hairdryer with magnets. 
         FIG. 36  shows a perspective view of a cartridge connected to a hairdryer with magnets. 
         FIGS. 37A and 37B  show a side and cutaway front view of Section B-B of a cartridge connected to a hairdryer with magnets. 
         FIGS. 38A and 38B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a cartridge with a diaphragm connected to a hairdryer. 
         FIG. 39  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a diaphragm connected to a hairdryer. 
         FIGS. 40A and 40B  show a side and cutaway front view of Section B-B of a cartridge with a diaphragm connected to a hairdryer. 
         FIGS. 41A and 41B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a cartridge with a channel for product release within the cartridge. 
         FIG. 42  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a channel for product release within the cartridge. 
         FIGS. 43A and 43B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a cartridge with a plurality of channels for product release within the hairdryer cartridge socket. 
         FIG. 44  shows a perspective view of a cartridge with a plurality of channels for product release within the hairdryer cartridge socket. 
         FIGS. 45A and 45B  show a front and cutaway side view of Section A-A of a tapered cartridge for a hairdryer with keyway fittings. 
         FIG. 46  shows a perspective view of a tapered cartridge for a hairdryer keyway fittings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention is designed such that a hairdryer can have interchangeable cartridges containing various hairstyling and treating products. There are varying configurations for the where and how the interchangeable cartridges can affix to the hairdryer. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , a handheld hairdryer has a main body housing  501  and a handle  502 . There is a motor  401  preferably inside of handle  502 . The motor  401  is powered by a power source  601 . The motor  401  can be activated by a motor switch  605  which rotates an impeller  301  via a motor shaft  402  turning a motor gear  403 . The impeller  301  draws in an amount of ambient air via a rear grill  506  which is a plurality of annular openings on the body of housing  501 . The speed that the impeller  301  rotates determines the amount of ambient air that can enter the housing  501 . 
     Housing  501  has a solid plate  514  on the back which prevents air, dirt, lint, hair or other objects from entering the interior of housing  501 . The ambient air enters the housing  501  via an at least partially annular primary flow path inlet  7   a  through rear grill  506 . The ambient air then flows through the primary fluid flow path  7   d  of the interior of housing  501 . At least partially annular heaters  201  inside housing  501  heat the primary flow path  7   d  or portion thereof, cartridge  101 , and the cartridge contents or portion thereof, as well as a portion of the ambient air entering the housing  501  through the secondary fluid flow path  7   c . The heaters  201  are powered via the power source  601  and power and heat to the heaters  201  can be controlled via a heat switch  606 . 
     A cartridge  101  capable of containing liquid, gel, powdered or solid hairstyling or treating product is inserted into cartridge socket  510  at the front of housing  501  and downstream of the impeller  301  within a rotatable cartridge body  517 . The rotatable cartridge body  517  has central cartridge socket  510  and a plurality of secondary fluid flow path inlets  7   c  for ambient air. 
     The heated air from the primary flow path  7   d  and/or secondary flow path  7   c  and product from cartridge  101  can exit the housing  501  at the primary fluid flow outlet  7   b . The cartridge  101  can be ejected, rotated and/or activated by pressing the cartridge ejector button  603  on housing  501 . Alternatively, the cartridge  101  can be removed manually. The cartridge  101  can also squirt, mist, spray or otherwise dispense the hairstyling or hair treatment product out of primary fluid flow outlets  7   b , primary flow path  7   d , or secondary fluid flow path inlets  7   c  by pressing product dispense button  602 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 , in an alternative embodiment of a hairdryer with interchangeable hairstyling or treatment product cartridges, there can be a plurality of rotatable and interchangeable cartridges  101  at the front of the hairdryer housing  501 . The cartridges  101  are attached to the housing  501  via a rotatable cartridge body  517 . Cartridge body  517  is optionally detachable from the housing  501 , and can rotate around the exterior of the preferably annular housing  501 . 
     The hairdryer assembly preferably consists of housing  501  and a handle  502  which contains a motor  401 . The motor is powered by a power source  601 . The motor  401  can be activated by a motor switch  605  which activates an impeller  301  via a motor shaft  402  turning a motor gear  403 . Cartridge body  517  can rotate around housing  501  by pressing on cartridge ejector button  603  or can be rotated manually by the user twisting cartridge body  517 . Ambient air can enter the cartridge body  517  and mix with the primary flow path  7   d  via a plurality of fluid flow inlets  7   c . Each cartridge  101  can also squirt, mist, spray or otherwise dispense the hairstyling or hair treatment product out of one of the primary fluid flow outlets  7   b  by pressing product dispense button  602 . The primary flow path  7   d  is heated by at least partially annular heaters  201  located inside of housing  501  and downstream of an impeller  301 . The impeller  301  draws in ambient air via primary fluid flow inlet  7   a  located through a primarily annular rear grill  506  located on housing  501 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 , in another alternative embodiment of a hairdryer with interchangeable hairstyling or treatment product cartridges, there can be a rotatable and interchangeable or refillable cartridge  101  attached over the front outlet of the hairdryer housing  501 . Cartridge  101  has a flow outlet  7   b  wherein the hot air, steam, mist and/or product from cartridge  101  can mix or individually flow out to style, dry and treat hair, skin, scalp or fur. Ambient air can enter the housing  501  via a plurality of secondary airflow inlets  7   c  and mix with the primary flow path  7   d  which can be heated by an at least partially annular heater  201  located inside of housing  501 . The heater is powered by power source  601  and controlled by heat switch  606 , preferably located in handle  502 . The heat switch  606  controls the temperature of the heaters  201  and thus the temperature of the primary flow path  7   d  and/or secondary airflow inlets  7   c . Additionally, the heater  201  can activate, melt, disperse or otherwise cause product from the cartridge  101  to exit. 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8  refers to another alternate embodiment for a hairdryer with a product cartridge. In  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8 , a cartridge  101  capable of containing and releasing hairstyling and treating product is placed preferably entirely inside a cartridge mounting body  517 . Cartridge mounting body  517  has a cartridge socket  510  which holds the cartridge  101  entirely in place. The cartridge mounting body  517  can be placed on the front end of hairdryer housing  501 . The cartridge mounting body  517  has a plurality of cartridge mounting points  519  that are spaced apart creating orifices for air and cartridge product to exit the hairdryer assembly through fluid flow outlets  7   b . The outer annular portion of cartridge mounting body  510  has a plurality of inlets  7   c  capable of allowing an amount of ambient air into the housing  501  and mix with primary flow path  7   d . An at least preferably annular heater  201  can heat a portion of the primary flow path  7   d , the cartridge  101  and cartridge&#39;s hairstyling, treatment or product contents. The heater is activated by a heating button  606  on the handle  502 . Alternatively, the heater can be activated by a remote source or device (not shown). 
     The cartridge  101  can be manually removed from the cartridge mounting body  510  or a cartridge ejector button  603  preferably located on the housing  501  but can be located on a handle  502  or on a remote device (not shown). The cartridge  101  can also be controlled by a dispensing switch  602  which is capable of rotating cartridge mounting body  517  and controlling an amount of the product released from the cartridge  101 . A motor  401  which can be AC, DC or universal is powered by power source  601 . In this embodiment, the motor  401  is attached to an impeller  301  by direct drive transmission. The impeller  301  can then rotate by activating an impeller button  605  to turn the direct-drive transmission motor  401  connected to the impeller  301 . 
       FIGS. 9-15  refers to another preferred embodiment of a hairdryer with an interchangeable and/or refillable cartridge. In  FIGS. 9-15  a hairdryer has a main body housing  501  and a handle  502 . A motor nacelle  512  is on the bottom of the handle  502 . The nacelle  512  has a power source  601  that can be restrained by a power cord strain relief  604 . There is a hook or loop  511  for hanging the hairdryer attached to the strain relief  604 . Alternatively, a hook or loop can be attached to the top of the hairdryer housing  501  or on a handle  502 . The housing  501  has an interchangeable cartridge  101  that can be inserted on the top of the housing  501 . A primary fluid flow path inlet  7   a  is partially annular along the top portion of the housing  501 . The housing  501  has a front face plate  513  with a front grill  505  and a rear plate  514 . The front grill  505  has a plurality of fluid flow path outlets  7   b . There is at least one, preferably multiple buttons or switches on the hairdryer that can control the speed of the impeller including a dispense button  602  for allowing a squirt, burst, spray, mist or alternative dispersion of the cartridge product contents to exit out of the fluid flow path outlets  7   b  and onto the user&#39;s hair, skin, scalp or fur. The cartridge contents can also disperse out of the cartridge  101  into the primary flow path  7   d  in addition or in lieu of directly exiting out of the fluid flow path outlets  7   b.    
     The housing  501  has an inner wall  507  and a cartridge mounting socket  510  to hold the cartridge  101 . The housing has a front face  513  with a front grill  505 . The inner wall  507  has a preferably primarily annular heater  201  to heat the primary flow path  7   d . The housing  501  has an impeller assembly  301  to draw ambient air in through the primarily annular inlet  7   a . A motor  401  with a belt drive  404  is connect to the impeller pulley  307 . As the motor  401  rotates it spins the belt  404  which in turn rotates the impeller pulley  307  and the impeller blades  304 . The housing  501  has a shaft  503  which can support a bearing  302  connect to the impeller assembly  301 . 
       FIGS. 16-18  refers to another preferred embodiment of a hairdryer with an interchangeable and/or refillable cartridge. Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , a hairdryer has a main body housing  501 , a handle  502 , a power source  601  to power a motor  401 . The motor  401  has a motor shaft  402  and motor gear  403 . The motor  401 , motor shaft  402 , and motor gear  403  are contained inside a handle noise and vibration reducer  504 . An interchangeable cartridge  101  that contains a hairstyling product or treatment can be inserted in a cavity in the rear body housing  509 . There is a rear grill  506  that at least partially covers or is planar with a primary fluid flow inlet  7   a . The rear grill  506  has a plurality of slots that are large enough to draw in ambient air but can be small enough to prevent dust, hair, lint or other objects from entering the cavity of the housing  501 . In this embodiment, an impeller  301  is downstream of the cartridge  101 . The impeller  301  has an impeller bearing  302 . At least one vane  303  which is part of the housing  501  controls the direction of the fluid flow through the cavity of the housing  501 . The impeller  301  also has at least one blade  304  and an impeller gear  305  that can mesh with the motor gear  403 . Ambient air drawn into the housing  501  through the inlet  7   a  along with product exiting from cartridge  101  can be heated by a preferably annular heater  201  located downstream of the impeller  301 . The fluid flow path is contained within an inner wall  507  of housing  501 . The heated air and cartridge product can then exit the hairdryer via front grill  505  at fluid flow path outlets  7   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , Detail B of  FIG. 18 , a primarily annular inlet  7   a  is located toward the rear of housing  501 . Dust, debris, lint, hair, fingers, or other objects can be prevented from entering the housing  501  by a rear grill  506 . Cartridge  101  has an inner wall  103  and an outer wall  104 . Product from the cartridge  101  exits via cartridge outlet  102 . The product exits from the outlet  102  into a fluid pathway  508 . The cartridge product is then dispersed, diffused, dispelled, misted, sprayed or otherwise expelled into the primary flow path  7   d  of housing  501  from an ejection hole  515  connected to the end of the fluid pathway  508 . This connection between outlet  102  and fluid pathway  508  can be, but is not limited to an O-ring, gasket or mechanical seal. 
       FIGS. 20-23  refers to another preferred embodiment of a hairdryer with an interchangeable and/or refillable cartridge. Referring to  FIGS. 20-23 , a hairdryer having a main housing  501 , handle  502 , motor and impeller assembly  406 , a dampener and vibration reducer  504  that can be part of the housing  501 , handle  502  or a separate component, and an air intake filter  518  in the handle  502 . A cartridge  101  filled with hair product or treatment is contained in the core of the housing  501 . An at least partially annular heater  201  can heat the cartridge product and primary air that enters through air inlets  7   a . A secondary inlet  7   c  allows ambient air to enter the housing  501 . 
     The cartridge  101  has an outer  104  and inner  103  wall. Hairstyling product or treatment is contained inside the cartridge  101  and can exit via at least one cartridge outlet  102  connected to at least one cartridge valve  106 . The cartridge  101  has a cartridge diaphragm  107  on the rear end. The diaphragm  107  is made of a material such that when pressed can activate the cartridge  101  and cause cartridge product to disperse, dispel, or otherwise exit. The cartridge  101  is supported in place by at least one cartridge standoff  109  and at least one cartridge containment ring  521 . Cartridge product and air can exit the housing  501  via at least one primary fluid flow outlets  7   b . Additionally, the diaphragm  107  can have an opening, such as an overlapping hatch with a slit, wherein a user can refill the product, treatment or hairstyling contents. 
     The housing  501  has a tertiary fluid flow path  7   e  that is preferably primarily annular on the rear portion of the housing  501 . The primary flow path  7   d  flows through the interior of the housing  501  from the cavity of the handle  502  via fluid flow path  7   f . The entrained air entering via tertiary inlet  7   e  is heated primarily by an entrained air heater  202 . 
     The housing  501  has a rear face  509 . Ambient air enters the housing  501  at the at least partially annular inlet  7   c . The cartridge  101 , with an inner  103  and outer  104  wall is supported in place by the at least one standoff  109  and the at least one containment ring  521 . Air from the inlet  7   c  can mix with air and product flowing in the primary flow path  7   d . Further forward, the primary flow path  7   d  can mix with the flow from flow path  7   e.    
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , Detail B of  FIG. 21 , the hairdryer has a housing  501  with a cartridge  101 . The cartridge  101  has an internal valve  106  connected with an outlet  102  where the cartridge&#39;s product can exit. The cartridge product&#39;s release can be controlled by a cartridge actuator  108 . The actuator can be but is not limited to control by a button, solenoid or servo. The cartridge  101  also has a preferably flexible diaphragm  107 . 
       FIGS. 24-30  refer to another alternative embodiment of a hairdryer with an interchangeable and/or refillable cartridge. Referring to  FIGS. 24-30 , a hairdryer has a main housing  501 , handle  502 , primary fluid flow path inlet  7   a , that is preferably annular around a rear portion of the housing, a rear grill  506  that prevents undesired objects entering at  7   a  from entering the housing  501 , a mounting socket  510 , capable of holding a refillable cartridge  101  in place, a front face  513 , a secondary fluid flow path that is at least partially annular at an approximate midpoint along the housing  501 , and a primary fluid flow path outlet  7   b.    
     A motor  401  is located inside a cavity of handle  502 . The motor  401  has a shaft  402  with gears  403  on the end. The motor gears  403  mesh with impeller gears  305  on an impeller shaft  302  that rotate an at least one impeller blade  304 . 
     The cartridge  101  has a valve  106  wherein product can exit the cartridge  101 . The product exits via the valve  106  to a product flow pathway  508  in the housing  501 . The cartridge product flow pathway  508  traverses a portion of the housing  501  so the cartridge product can be heated by a first heater  201  and a second heater  202  and subsequently exit the housing  501  near the primary fluid flow path outlet  7   b , directly into the secondary flow path  7   c  or straight out of the primary fluid flow path outlet  7   b . The pathway  508  has an inner surface and outer surface  516 . 
     Entrained air can enter the hairdryer housing at a preferably partially annular inlets  7   c . Cartridge product can exit at orifice  515  can mix with the primary flow path  7   d  before exiting at the primary fluid flow path outlet  7   b . The primary flow path  7   d  is defined by the inner wall  507  of housing  501 . 
     There can be a button  602  or multiple buttons on the handle  502  to control the motor  401  speed, power to the first heater  201  and second heater  202  and cartridge  101  product release. 
     The cartridge  101  containing hairstyling and treatment products is located in cartridge socket  510 . The cartridge  101  has an internal valve assembly  106  wherein the cartridge product can exit the cartridge  101  via a cartridge flow duct  508 . The cartridge flow duct  508  takes cartridge product from the cartridge  101  along the length of the housing  501  and expels the product at a front face  513  of housing  501  via primary fluid flow outlet  7   b . Entrained air can enter the housing  501  via the at least partially annular inlet  7   a  at the rear grill  506 . The rear grill  506  has a plurality of punctures for ambient air to enter the interior of the housing  501 . The cartridge  101  and flow duct  508  is upstream of the impeller assembly  301 . The impeller assembly  301  consists of impeller blades  304 , impeller bearing  302 , and impeller gear  305  which is connected to motor gear  403 . The motor gear  403  is connected to a motor shaft  402  which is connected to a motor  401  contained in a handle  502 . Release of product from the cartridge is controlled by dispense switch  602  on handle  502 . 
     At least one partially annular heaters  201  heat the hair in the primary flow path  7   d . A second at least partially annular heater  202  heat the entrained air that enters in secondary fluid flow path  7   c.    
       FIGS. 31-34  refer to another alternative embodiment of a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge. Referring to  FIGS. 31-34 , a hairdryer with a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge  101  in the rear of the main housing has a main housing  501 , the housing  501  having an interior wall  507  and a rear bearing shaft  503  having a male and female end. The hairdryer having a handle  502 , power cable/source  601  to power a motor  401 , a shaft  402  connected to the motor, a gear  403  connected to the shaft  402 , a refillable and/or interchangeable cartridge  101 , at least one primarily annular heating element  201  connected to the surface of interior wall  507 . A primarily annular inlet  7   a  on the rear of housing  501  allows air to be drawn into the housing  501 . The fluid stream flows down primary flow path  7   d , mixing with product from the cartridge  101  and eventually exiting the housing  501  at primary fluid flow outlet  7   b . A front grill/guard  505  can prevent hair or other objects from entering the fluid flow outlet  7   b . The activation and dispense of product from cartridge  101  can be done by pressing button  602  located on the handle  502 . Alternatively, activation of the product from cartridge  101  can be manual or by a remote sensor (not shown). 
     Cartridge  101  has an inner wall  103 . The cartridge product is contained within the inner wall  103 . In one embodiment, the housing  501  has a cartridge fluid flow pathway  508  that extends into the interior of the cartridge  101  by way of a tubular shaft through hub  301 . Product can exit the cartridge  101  by activation of button  602  through pathway  508 . The pathway  508  is connected to impeller path  306  through the hub  301  of the impeller such that cartridge product can pass from the cartridge  101  through the pathway  508 . The cartridge product exits the hub  301  at product ejection orifice  515  to enter primary flow path  7   d.    
     The impeller hub  301  has a bearing  302  for the cartridge  101  to connect into. The impeller has at least one but preferably a plurality of uniform or non-uniform blades  304 . 
       FIGS. 35A, 35B, 36, 37A, 37B, 38A, 38B, 39, 40A, 40B, 41A, 41B, 42, 43A, 43B, 44, 45A, 45B, and 46  are non-exhaustive embodiments of cartridges that can attach to the hairdryer. This hairdryer is designed such that any style of cartridge or cartridges that can be inserted, attached or otherwise coupled and decoupled from the hairdryer. Any type of cartridge can be used in any embodiment of the hairdryers described herein. For example, the magnet type cartridge referenced in  FIGS. 35-37  can be used in any hairdryer regardless of whether the cartridge is attached at the rear, front, through the core, annularly around the primary inlet or outlet, or in the handle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 35A, 35B, 36, 37A, and 37B , the cartridge  101  can be inserted into a cartridge socket  510 . The cartridge socket  510  has a cartridge mounting point  519  that prevents the cartridge  101  from falling out of place in the hairdryer. The cartridge socket  510  has at least one magnet  113  that is capable of connecting and attaching to at least one magnet  113  located in the cartridge shell  101 . The cartridge  101  has a valve or orifice  102  wherein product, treatment or nutrients can exit the cartridge  101  and treat, dry or style a user&#39;s hair, skin, scalp or fur. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 38A, 38B, 39, 40A, and 40B , the hairdryer cartridge  101  fits into cartridge socket  510 . The cartridge socket  510  has a cartridge mounting point  519  that prevents the cartridge  101  from falling out of place in the hairdryer. The cartridge  101  has an outer chamber  112  and an inner chamber  111  with a valve, orifice or outlet  102  that allows product inside the cartridge  101  to exit from the chamber  101  to the user&#39;s desired target area. Additionally, the internal structure of the cartridge  101 , preferably a taper, helps cartridge product exit easily from the cartridge  101  when the cartridge diaphragm  107  is pressed or otherwise activated. The internal structure of the cartridge  101  can also consist of foam, baffling, a clunk pickup or any similar structures that allow the cartridge product to be oriented toward the exit outlet  102  when the hairdryer is held at any orientation. 
     Additionally, at least one cartridge mounting point  519  is shaped so as to dictate the orientation in the housing  501 . Also, the keyed attachment points  110  dictate an external orientation that aligns with the orientated internal structure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 41A, 41B, and 42 , a hairdryer cartridge  101  fits into cartridge socket  510 . The cartridge socket  510  has a cartridge mounting point  519  that prevents the cartridge  101  from falling out of place in the hairdryer. The cartridge  101  has at least one outlet  102  wherein product can exit. There is a prong  520  that can attach to the at least one outlet  102  that opens to allow product to exit the cartridge  101 . In this embodiment, the cartridge product travels within the cartridge and exits from the cavity into the flow path outlet  7   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 43A, 43B, and 44 , a hairdryer cartridge  101  fits into cartridge socket  510 . The cartridge socket  510  has a cartridge mounting point  519  that prevents the cartridge  101  from falling out of place in the hairdryer. The cartridge  101  has at least one outlet  102  wherein the cartridge&#39;s product can exit. There is at least one channel  515  that can attach to the at least one outlet  102  that is part of the cartridge socket  510  that opens to allow product to exit the cartridge  101 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 45A, 45B, and 46 , a cartridge  101  that can be filled and refilled with hair styling product or treatment in a hairdryer can have a tapered shape. The cartridge  101  having a flexible diaphragm  107  on the rear end. The diaphragm  107  has a resealable opening wherein a user can insert hair product and/or treatment. The cartridge  101  having an outlet  102  wherein cartridge product can exit the cartridge  101 . The cartridge  101  having an inner  111  and outer  112  chamber, and a cartridge attachment point  110  for attachment and detachment at various places in the hairdryer assembly. When the user presses on a cartridge diaphragm  107  the outlet  102  opens allowing cartridge product to flow, spray, mist, diffuse or otherwise disperse out of the cartridge  101  and towards the user&#39;s hair, skin, scalp, fur or other preferred location. In this embodiment, the cartridge product travels within the cartridge socket and exits the cartridge socket in the flow path outlet  7   b.    
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understand that the present invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may be modified.