US20150166251A1

US20150166251A1 - Compressed Gas Dispensers

Info

Publication number: US20150166251A1
Application number: US14/106,458
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael B. Jones
Original assignee: HTC Group Holding Ltd
Current assignee: HCT Group Holding Ltd; HTC Group Holding Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-13
Filing date: 2013-12-13
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: WO2015089386A1

Abstract

A dispenser having a pressure vessel cartridge communicatively coupled with a chamber housing a product. The communicatively coupled pressure vessel cartridge applies a pressure to the product to displace the product from the chamber and expel the product out of a nozzle.

Description

BACKGROUND

Devices exist for dispensing cosmetic or medicinal products. Such devices usually consist of an outer tubular shell or housing, a delivery mechanism for displacement of the cosmetic or medicinal products, and a nozzle. For example, in the medical industry, dispensers are employed for applying medicinal products, such as antiseptics, to portions of the body. In the cosmetics and personal care industries, dispensers are used to apply moisturizers, lotions, sunscreen, perfumes and other cosmetic products to portions of the body.
However, conventional dispensers require manual pumping or aerosols to spray the products during use. Moreover, conventional pump dispensers may also be prone to inferior spray quality (e.g., poor atomization), and conventional aerosol dispensers may be environmentally unfriendly and/or a health hazard.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of dispensers with pressure vessel cartridges, which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
This disclosure is directed to dispensers having pressure vessel cartridges communicatively coupled with a product reservoir. When actuated, the compressed gas from the pressure vessel cartridge expels the product contained in the reservoir out of a nozzle.
In one implementation, a product contained in a reservoir is separated from the compressed gas expelled from the pressure vessel cartridge. In another implementation, a product contained in a reservoir is not separated from (i.e., is comingled with) the compressed gas expelled from the pressure vessel cartridge.
In some implementations, a product reservoir may be removably housed in a chamber to provide for replacing or refilling the product reservoir. In other implementations, a product reservoir may be irremovable from the chamber.
In some implementations, a pressure vessel cartridge may be removably coupled with the chamber to provide for replacing the pressure vessel cartridge.
In some implementations, the dispensers may include a regulator to regulate a pressure imparted to the product contained in the reservoir. In some implementations, the dispensers may include a safety valve to selectively prevent pressure from being imparted to the product reservoir when the product reservoir is being replaced or refilled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an illustrative dispenser having a pressure vessel cartridge communicatively coupled with a chamber.

FIG. 2 shows a section view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A illustrating a pressure vessel cartridge communicatively coupled with the chamber.

FIG. 3 shows the section view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 2 having a product reservoir arranged in the chamber.

FIG. 4 shows the section view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 2 having an alternative product reservoir arranged in the chamber.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a refill cartridge.

FIG. 5B shows a section view of the refill cartridge taken along line B-B illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an alternative refill cartridge.

FIG. 6B shows a section view of the alternative refill cartridge taken along line C-C illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows a dispensing kit including the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1 and refill cartridges illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B for removably coupling in the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This disclosure is directed to dispensers with pressure vessel cartridges communicatively coupled with chambers housing a product. The communicatively coupled pressure vessel cartridges apply a compressed gas to the chambers housing a product to displace the product from the chamber and expel the product out of a nozzle.
In some embodiments, chambers may house a product reservoir. In some embodiments, the product reservoirs may be removably housed in the chamber. For instance, a product reservoir may be removably housed in the chamber to provide for a user to replace a product reservoir, or provide for a user to refill a product reservoir. For example, a user may access the chamber subsequent to depleting a product contained in the product reservoir to refill or replace the emptied product reservoir. In another example, a user may access the chamber before depleting a product contained in the product reservoir to exchange or transfer the product reservoir with another product reservoir containing a different product. For example, a user may exchange or transfer a first product reservoir containing a first product with a second product reservoir containing a second product different from the first product stored in the first product reservoir.
By virtue of the pressure vessel cartridges being communicatively coupled with a chamber housing a product, self-spraying dispensers may be employed with a superior spray quality, while being environmentally friendly. For example, because the communicatively coupled pressure vessel cartridge uses a compressed gas, or liquid/gas mixture (e.g., carbon dioxide, nitrogen, butane, argon, nitrous oxide, propane, or mixed gasses) to spray a product stored in a product reservoir, the product is properly sprayed at the appropriate pressure to atomize the product. Further, because the communicatively coupled pressure vessel cartridge uses a compressed gas to spray a product stored in a product reservoir, the product stored in the product reservoir may be replenishable providing a reusable and environmentally friendly dispenser.
Illustrative Dispensers with Pressure Vessel Cartridges
FIG. 1 represents an illustrative dispenser 100 having a housing 102 for holding a pressure vessel cartridge and a reservoir. While FIG. 1 illustrates the housing 102 having a first portion 104 to house a reservoir adjacent to a second portion 106 to house a compressed gas cylinder, the first and second portions 104 and 106 may be integrated. For example, the housing 102 may comprise a single portion arranged to house both a pressure vessel and a reservoir. For example, the housing 102 may comprise one single unit ergonomically shaped to be comfortably gripped by a hand of a user, and house both a pressure vessel and a reservoir. In one example, the housing 102 may comprise a single unit having a convex crescent shaped body arranged to be grasped and manipulated by a hand of a user. The convex crescent shaped unit may have a reservoir (e.g., a collapsible product reservoir) arranged adjacent to a pressure vessel (e.g., a carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge). In another example, the first portion 104 of the housing 102 and the second portion 106 of the housing 102 may be arranged end-to-end (e.g., coaxially). For example, the housing 102 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape and the reservoir and the pressure vessel may be disposed end-to-end.
FIG. 2 shows a section view 200 of the dispenser 100 taken along line A-A illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates the housing 102 may have a pressurized gas inlet 202 and a product outlet 204. The housing 102 may include a chamber 206 for containing or storing a product (e.g., a gas, a liquid, a gel). In some examples, the chamber 206 may contain at least about 15 ml of product to at most about 100 ml of product. In other examples, the volume of the chamber may be larger or smaller than the foregoing range.
The chamber 206 may be coupled to the product outlet 204 and the pressurized gas inlet 202. The pressurized gas inlet 202 may comprise an aperture arranged in a portion of the chamber 206 and communicatively coupled to a pressure vessel cartridge 208. For example, one or more fluid fittings, tubes, ports, channels etc. may interconnect the pressurized gas inlet to the pressure vessel cartridge 208. The one or more fluid fittings, tubes, ports, channels etc. interconnecting the pressurized gas inlet to the pressure vessel cartridge 208 define a pressure path 210. In one example, the pressure path 210 may simply be a channel formed integral with the housing 102. The chamber 206 may be under pressure (e.g., pressurized) during use and the dispenser 100 may commence spraying product upon actuation by a user. Because the chamber 206 may be under constant pressure, this eliminates pressure ramp up delay and poor atomization (e.g., spitting) associated with pressure ramp up.
The pressure vessel cartridge 208 may comprise a carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge. For example, the pressure vessel cartridge 208 may comprise at least about a 4 gram disposable CO2 cartridge to at most about a 32 gram disposable CO2 cartridge. The CO2 cartridge may be pressurized and generate up to about 860 pounds per square inch (psi) at room temperature. In one example, one 16 gram CO2 cartridge would last for at least about 60 product refills of a chamber having a volume of about 24 ml. In another example, one 8 gram CO2 cartridge would last for at least about 34 product refills of the chamber having a volume of about 24 ml. In other examples, the pressure vessel cartridge may be any sized CO2 vessel. In other examples, the pressure vessel cartridges 208 may comprise other compressed gasses, or liquid/gas mixture. For example, the pressure vessel cartridge 208 may comprise nitrogen, butane, argon, nitrous oxide, propane, or a mixed gas. The compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge 208 may impart a pressure to the chamber 206 containing the product. Here, the compressed gas may be mixed with the product contained in the chamber 206. In other embodiments described below, the compressed gas may be isolated from (i.e., not mixed) with the product.
A nozzle 212 may be coupled to the product outlet 204 of the housing 102 to dispense the product. A valve 214 may be coupled with the chamber 206 containing the product and actuatable to allow the product to be expelled from the chamber 206 containing the product through the nozzle 212. The nozzle 212 may be movably coupled to the actuatable valve 214. For example, a user may displace the nozzle 212 to actuate the valve 214 to allow the product to be expelled from the chamber 206. For example, when a user selectively actuates the valve 214, the pressure imparted to the chamber 206 containing the product expels the product contained in the chamber 206 through the nozzle 212.
The nozzle 212 may have an orifice 216 arranged to atomize the expelled product. For example, the nozzle 212 may comprise an orifice 216 having a geometry tailored to one or more properties of the product housed in the chamber 206. In one example, the orifice 216 may have an inside diameter based on a viscosity of a fluid contained in the chamber 206. Moreover, while FIG. 2 shows the nozzle 212 comprising a depressible button, the nozzle 212 may comprise any shape. For example, the nozzle 212 may comprise an elongated tab shape arranged to be displaced transversely relative to the housing 102. In one example, the elongated tab shape may be substantially convex crescent shaped and arranged to be displaced transversely relative to the housing 102 via a thumb of a hand of a user. The nozzle 212 may comprise any shape suitable for actuating the valve 214 to expel the product and for dispensing the product. The size, shape, and dispensing pattern may vary depending on the product to be dispensed. For instance, a nozzle having a small dispensing orifice may be used for dispensing a low viscosity liquid (e.g., perfume) while a larger orifice may be used for dispensing a more viscous liquid, or gel.
The section view 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates a port 218 may be arranged in a portion of the chamber 206. The port 218 may provide for filling the chamber 206 with a product. For example, the port 218 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled to a syringe or other refill mechanism to receive a product. In one example, a user may choose a syringe from a plurality of syringes to fill the chamber 206 with a product. For example, a user may choose a syringe having a desired colored product to fill the chamber 206 with. In another example, the port 218 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled to a fitting (e.g., a coupler, a quick disconnect, a nipple, etc.). In another example, the dispenser 100 may include a top 220 removably coupled to the housing 102 to enclose the chamber 206. In this example, a user may remove the top 220 from the housing 102 to fill the chamber 206. While the section view 200 illustrates the top 220 having mechanical threads for removably coupling the top 220 to the housing 102, the top 220 may be coupled to the housing 102 via other mechanisms. For example, the top 220 may snap-fit, press-fit, twist-lock fit or the like to the housing 102. Further, the top 220 and the nozzle 212 may be formed as a single unit. For example, the top 220 may include the orifice 216 communicatively coupled with the product outlet 204. In this example, where the top 220 and the nozzle 212 are formed as a single unit, the top 220 may be arranged to be displaced to actuate the valve 214 to allow the product to be expelled. For example, the top 220 may be arranged to be displaced transversely relative to the housing 102 to actuate the valve 214 to allow the product to be expelled.
In other examples, the top 220 may be irremovably coupled or fixed to the housing 102. In this example, where the top 220 is irremovable from the housing 102, the dispenser 100 may not be reusable. In an example where the dispenser 100 is not reusable and the top 220 is irremovably fixed to the housing 102, a user may deplete a product contained in the chamber 206 and simply dispose of the dispenser 100. However, in other examples, where the dispenser is reusable and the top 220 is irremovably fixed to the housing 102, a user may refill the chamber 206 via the port 218 and/or the product outlet 204. For example, the product outlet 204 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled with a syringe to fill the chamber 206 with a product. Further, the nozzle 212 may be removably coupled to the product outlet 204 and a user may remove the nozzle 212 to communicatively couple a syringe to the product outlet 204 to fill the chamber 206 with a product.
The section view 200 illustrates a regulator 222 arranged in the pressure path 210 between the chamber 206 containing the product and the pressure vessel cartridge 208 to regulate the pressure imparted to the chamber 206 containing the product. For example, the regulator 222 may reduce a pressure generated by the pressure vessel cartridge 208 to pressurize the chamber 206. In one example, the regulator 222 may reduce about 860 psi generated by a CO2 cartridge at room temperature to at least about 15 psi up to at most about 200 psi. In another example, the regulator 222 may reduce about 860 psi generated by a CO2 cartridge at room temperature to at least about 50 psi up to at most about 100 psi. The regulator 222 may be a commercial off the shelf regulator or a custom designed regulator. The regulator 222 could be a preset regulator or adjustable to adjust the pressure delivered to the chamber 206.
A safety valve 224 may be arranged in the pressure path 210 between the regulator 222 and the chamber 206 containing the product. The safety valve 224 may be arranged in the pressure path 210 to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to the chamber 206 containing the product at certain times. For example, the safety valve 224 may be arranged in the pressure path 210 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber 206. In one example, a mechanism 226 may connect or link the safety valve 224 to the top 220 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber via the top 220. For example, when a user removes the top 220, the mechanism 226 may trigger the safety valve 224 to prevent the pressure from being imparted to the chamber 206. The mechanism 226 may comprise an electromechanical switch, hydraulic switch, magnetic switch, sensor switch, a member (e.g., a rod, a cable, a linkage, etc.) that triggers the safety valve 224. In another example, a mechanism may connect or link the safety valve 224 to the port 218 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber via the port 218. For example, when a user communicatively couples with the port 218 a mechanism may trigger the safety valve 224 to prevent the pressure from being imparted to the chamber 206.
The section view 200 illustrates the pressure vessel cartridge 208 being removably coupled with the pressurized gas inlet 202 of the chamber 206 to provide for replacing the pressure vessel cartridge 208. For example, and as section view 200 illustrates, a cap 228 may be removably coupled to the housing 102 and encase the pressure vessel cartridge 208 in a portion of the housing 102. The encased pressure vessel cartridge 208 may be communicatively coupled with the pressurized gas inlet 202 via the pressure path 210 arranged between the pressure vessel cartridge 208 and the chamber 206. In one example, a user may remove the cap 228 from the housing 102 to replace the pressure vessel cartridge 208. While the section view 200 illustrates the pressure vessel cartridge 208 being removably coupled with the pressurized gas inlet 202, the pressure vessel cartridge 208 may be irremovable or fixed with respect to the pressurized gas inlet 202. For example, the cap 228 may be irremovable or fixed to the housing 102 to prevent a user from accessing the pressure vessel cartridge 208. In this example, where the pressure vessel cartridge 208 is irremovably fixed in the housing 102, a user may dispose of the dispenser 100 after depleting the pressure vessel cartridge 208.
FIG. 3 shows the section view 200 of the dispenser 100 illustrated FIG. 1 having a product reservoir 302 arranged in the chamber 206. The section view 200 shows the dispenser 100 without the port 218. The section view 200 shows that the product reservoir 302 may comprise a tube 304 to contain the product and a piston 306 being slidably disposed in the tube 304. The tube 304 may comprise any cross sectional shape. For example, the tube 304 may comprise a cylinder, an oval, a rectangle, a triangle, etc. Moreover, while the section view 200 illustrates a single tube 304 housed in the chamber 206, the chamber 206 may house more than one tube 304. For example, the chamber 206 may house one tube containing a first product and a second tube containing a second product different from the first product. The tubes may be arranged parallel with respect to each other, in series with respect to each other, or both parallel and series. In one example where the chamber 206 comprises two tubes containing two different products, the first product may mix or react with the second product when the two different products are dispensed. The tube 304 may be formed of a rigid material and have a smooth interior surface to provide for slideably displacing the piston 306 along the smooth interior surface of the tube 304. The tube 304 may be formed of a rigid material that contains the product and isolates the product from the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge 208.
The product reservoir 302 may be removably housed in the chamber 206 to provide for replacing or refilling the product reservoir 302. For example, and as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, the dispenser 100 may include a top 220 removably coupled to the housing 102 to enclose the chamber 206. In this example, a user may remove the top 220 from the housing 102 to replace or refill the product reservoir 302. In one example, a user may remove the product reservoir 302 from the chamber 206 and install another product reservoir 302 in the chamber 206. In another example, a user may not remove the product reservoir 302 from the chamber 206 and may instead refill the product reservoir 302 with product.
In other examples, the product reservoir 302 may be irremovably coupled or fixed in the chamber 206. For example, the top 220 may be irremovably fixed to the housing 102. In this example, where product reservoir 302 is irremovably fixed in the chamber 206, the product reservoir 302 may not be replaceable or refillable. In an example where the product reservoir 302 is not replaceable or refillable, a user may deplete a product contained in the product reservoir 302 and simply dispose of the dispenser 100. However, in other examples, where the product reservoir 302 is refillable, a user may refill the product reservoir 302 via the product outlet 204. For example, the product outlet 204 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled with a syringe to fill the product reservoir 302 with a product. Further, the nozzle 212 may be removably coupled to the product outlet 204 and a user may remove the nozzle 212 to communicatively couple a syringe to the product outlet 204 to fill the product reservoir 302 with a product.
While FIG. 3 shows the piston 306 slidably disposed in the tube 304, the piston 306 may be slidably disposed in the chamber 206. For example, the piston 306 and the chamber 304 may contain the product without a tube 304, and the chamber 304 may have a smooth interior surface to provide for slideably displacing the piston 306 along the smooth interior surface of the chamber 206.
FIG. 4 shows the section view 200 of the dispenser 100 illustrated FIG. 1 having an alternative product reservoir 402 arranged in the chamber 206. The section view 200 shows the product reservoir 402 may comprise a flexible bag 404 to contain the product. For example, the flexible bag 404 may comprise a collapsible container arranged to deform and/or reduce in size as product is expelled out of the nozzle 212. The flexible bag 404 may comprise a thin wall formed of a flexible material. In one example, the flexible bag may have a wall thickness of about 0.004 inches. The flexible material may be a plastic, a rubber, a metal (e.g., foil), a fabric, a composite, for example.
The product reservoir 402 may be removably housed in the chamber 206 to provide for replacing or refilling the product reservoir 402. For example, and as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, the dispenser 100 may include a top 220 removably coupled to the housing 102 to enclose the chamber 206. In this example, a user may remove the top 220 from the housing 102 to replace or refill the product reservoir 402. In one example, a user may remove the product reservoir 402 from the chamber 206 and install another product reservoir 402 back in the chamber 206.
In other examples, the product reservoir 402 may be irremovably coupled or fixed in the chamber 206. For example, the top 220 may be irremovably fixed to the housing 102. In this example, where product reservoir 402 is irremovably fixed in the chamber 206, the product reservoir 402 may not be replaceable or refillable. In an example where the product reservoir 402 is not replaceable or refillable, a user may deplete a product contained in the product reservoir 402 and simply dispose of the dispenser 100. However, in other examples, where the product reservoir 402 is refillable, a user may refill the product reservoir 402 via the product outlet 204. For example, the nozzle 212 may be removably coupled to the product outlet 204 and a user may remove the nozzle 212 to communicatively couple a syringe to the product outlet 204 to fill the product reservoir 402 with a product.
FIG. 5A shows a perspective view 500 of a refill cartridge 502. FIG. 5B shows a section view 504 of the refill cartridge 502 taken along line B-B illustrated in FIG. 5A. The refill cartridge 502 may include a collapsible container 506. The collapsible container 506 may contain a product to be applied to a substrate (e.g., a portion of a body). The collapsible container 506 may be responsive to applied pressure to displace a wall 508 of the collapsible container 506 and compress the product contained in the collapsible container 506. For example, the refill cartridge 502 may be removably arranged in the chamber 206 of the dispenser 100, and may be responsive to an applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge 208 of the dispenser 100. In one example, the collapsible container 506 may comprise a flexible bag to contain a product. As discussed above with regard to FIG. 4, the flexible bag may be formed of a plastic, a rubber, a metal, a fabric, or a composite etc.
A product outlet 510 may be arranged in an end 512 of the collapsible container 506. The end 512 of the collapsible container 506 may be a top end of the collapsible container 506 arranged opposite to a bottom end of the collapsible container 506. An actuatable valve 514 may be coupled to the product outlet 510 of the collapsible container 506. In one example, when the actuatable valve 514 is actuated the imparted pressure on the collapsible container 506 displaces the wall 508 and compresses the product contained in the collapsible container 506 to expel the product out of the product outlet 510.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show that a nozzle 516 may be coupled to the actuatable valve 514 coupled to the product outlet 510 of the collapsible container 506. When the actuatable valve 514 is actuated the imparted pressure on the collapsible container 506 displaces the wall 508 and compresses the product contained in the collapsible container 506 to expel the product out of the nozzle 516, via the orifice 216. For example, the refill cartridge 502 may be removably arranged in the chamber 206 of the dispenser 100, and when the nozzle 516 is displaced in towards the housing 102, the actuatable valve 514 is actuated and the applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge 208 of the dispenser 100 expels the product out of the nozzle 516. While FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the refill cartridge 502 including the actuatable valve 514, nozzle 516, a collar 518 the refill cartridge 502 may not include the actuatable valve 514, nozzle 516, and collar 518. In one example, the collapsible container 506 may be free of other parts. For example, the collapsible container 506 may comprise only a flexible bag, while the housing may include the actuatable valve 514, nozzle 516, and collar 518. In the example where the collapsible container 506 includes no other parts, the collapsible container 506 may be arranged to be pierced when arranged in a chamber (e.g., chamber 206) to interconnect the collapsible container 506 with the actuatable valve 514, for example. In another example, where the collapsible container 506 includes no other parts, the collapsible container 506 may be comprise a tab (e.g., a perforated tab, an adhesive tab, a foil seal) that is removed to interconnect the collapsible container 506 with the actuatable valve 514. In another example, the collapsible container 506 may include the actuatable valve 514 coupled to the product outlet 510 and the collar 518, while the housing 102 may include the nozzle 516. In one example, the nozzle 516 may be included with the top 220 coupled to the housing and when the refill cartridge 502 is removably housed in the chamber 206 the product outlet 510 communicatively couples with the nozzle 516.
The actuatable valve 514 and the collar 518 may be an assembly fixed to the end 512 of the collapsible container 506. The actuatable valve 514 and the collar 518 may be fixed on a top end of the collapsible container 506 opposite a bottom end of the collapsible container 506 to removably couple with the housing 102 of the dispenser 100. In one example, the collapsible container 506 may be hermetically sealed to the actuatable valve 514 and/or the collar 518. The collar 518 may comprise a coupling mechanism 520 arranged to removably couple with a cooperating coupling mechanism 520 of the housing 102. For example, the coupling mechanism may comprise a pocket, a lip, a channel arranged to removably couple with a cooperating lip, ridge, bump, boss arranged in the housing 102. For example, when a user removably arranges the refill cartridge 502 in the chamber 206 of the dispenser 100 the collar 518 may couple with the housing 102. Moreover, when the top 220 is removably coupled to the housing 102 to enclose the chamber 206, the top 220 may engage the collar 518 to retain the collapsible container 506 in the chamber 206. For example, a user may removably couple the top 220 to the housing 102 and sandwich the collar 518 between the top 220 and the housing 102. When the top 220 engages the collar 518, the top 220 squish the collar 518 between the top 220 and the housing 102 sealing the chamber 206.
FIG. 6A shows a perspective view 600 of an alternative refill cartridge 602. FIG. 6B shows a section view 604 of the refill cartridge 602 taken along line C-C illustrated in FIG. 6A. The refill cartridge 602 may include a substantially rigid tube 606 and a piston 608 being slidably disposed in the tube 606. The substantially rigid tube 606 may contain a product to be applied to a substrate. In one example, the rigid tube 606 may be fixed to the collar 518. In another example, the rigid tube 606 may be hermetically sealed to the actuatable valve 514 and/or the collar 518. In another example, the rigid tube 606 may be removably coupled to the nozzle 516. In another example, the rigid tube 606 and piston 608 may be free of other parts. For example, the rigid tube 606 and piston 608 may be free of other parts, while the housing may include the actuatable valve 514, nozzle 516, and collar 518. The piston 608 may be responsive to applied pressure and be displaced in the tube 606. The piston 608 may be displaced in the tube and compress the product contained in the tube 606. For example, the refill cartridge 602 may be removably arranged in the chamber 206 of the dispenser 100, and the piston 608 may be responsive to an applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge 208 of the dispenser 100. While FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the refill cartridge 602 including the nozzle 516, the refill cartridge 602 may not include the nozzle 516. For example, the ridged tube 606 may include the actuatable valve 514 coupled to the product outlet 510, while the housing 102 may include the nozzle 516. In one example, the nozzle 516 may be included with the top 220 coupled to the housing and when the refill cartridge 602 is removably housed in the chamber 206 the product outlet 510 communicatively couples with the nozzle 516.
FIG. 7 shows a dispensing kit 700 including the dispenser 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 and refill cartridges 502 and 602 illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B for removably coupling in the chamber 206 of the dispenser 100. In one example, each refill cartridge 502 and 602 contains a respective product to apply to a substrate (e.g., a body). For example, refill cartridge 502 may contain perfume to be applied to a portion of a body, and refill cartridge 602 may contain foam to be applied to a portion of a body. In another example, each refill cartridge 502 and 602 may comprise nozzles 702 and 704 configured to spray a respective product contained in each refill cartridge 502 and 602 when the product is expelled from the refill cartridges 502 and 602. For example, the nozzle 702 may have an orifice 706 arranged to atomize the expelled perfume contained in refill cartridge 502, and nozzle 704 may have an orifice 708 arranged to atomize the expelled foam contained in refill cartridge 602. While FIG. 7 shows the dispensing kit 700 including the dispenser 100 and the refill cartridges 502 and 602, the dispensing kit 700 may also include one or more pressure vessel cartridges 208. For example, the dispensing kit 700 may include a replacement pressure vessel cartridge 208 to be removably coupled with the pressurized gas inlet 202. In one example, a user may remove the cap 228 removably coupled to the housing 102 and encase the replacement pressure vessel cartridge 208 in the housing 102.

CONCLUSION

Although various embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for applying a product to a substrate comprising:

a housing having:

a chamber to house a product reservoir; and

a pressure inlet to receive a compressed gas from a pressure vessel cartridge,

the product reservoir to contain the product and isolate the product from the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge; and

a nozzle and a valve communicatively coupled with the product reservoir,

wherein when the valve is actuated the compressed gas received from the pressure vessel cartridge displaces the product reservoir and compresses the product contained in the product reservoir to expel the product out of the nozzle.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the product reservoir comprises a flexible bag.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the product reservoir comprises a tube to contain the product and a piston being slidably disposed in the tube.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the product reservoir is removably housed in the chamber to provide for replacing or refilling the product reservoir.

5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the product reservoir is fixed in the chamber and irremovable from the chamber.

6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge is removably coupled with the pressure inlet of the chamber housing the product reservoir to provide for replacing the pressure vessel cartridge.

7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge comprises a disposable carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge.

8. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a regulator arranged in a pressure path between the chamber housing the product reservoir and the pressure vessel cartridge to regulate a pressure imparted to the chamber housing the product reservoir.

9. The dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising a safety valve arranged in the pressure path between the regulator and the chamber housing the product reservoir to prevent a pressure from being imparted to the chamber housing the product reservoir when the chamber housing the reservoir is accessed.

10. A dispenser for applying a product to a substrate, the dispenser comprising:

a housing having a pressurized gas inlet and a product outlet;

a pressure vessel cartridge containing a compressed gas coupled to the pressurized gas inlet of the housing;

a chamber containing the product, the chamber being coupled to the product outlet of the housing and to the pressurized gas inlet, the compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge to selectively impart a pressure to the chamber containing the product;

a nozzle coupled to the product outlet of the housing to dispense the product; and

a valve coupled with the chamber containing the product and actuatable to allow the product to be expelled from the chamber containing the product.

11. The dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a port disposed in the chamber by which to refill the chamber with the product.

12. The dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a top removably coupled to the housing by which to refill the chamber with the product.

13. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge comprises a disposable carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge.

14. The dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a regulator arranged in a pressure path between the chamber containing the product and the pressure vessel cartridge to regulate the pressure imparted to the chamber containing the product.

15. The dispenser according to claim 14, further comprising a safety valve arranged in the pressure path between the regulator and the chamber containing the product to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to the chamber containing the product to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber.

16. A cosmetic dispenser comprising:

a housing having a chamber and a pressurized gas inlet;

a disposable reservoir containing a product, the disposable reservoir being removably received in the chamber of the housing, the compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge to impart a pressure on the disposable reservoir;

a nozzle and an actuatable valve communicatively coupled to the disposable reservoir to dispense the product; and

wherein when the actuatable valve is actuated the imparted pressure on the disposable reservoir displaces the disposable reservoir and compresses the product contained in the disposable reservoir to expel the product out of the nozzle.

17. The cosmetic dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the disposable reservoir comprises a flexible bag.

18. The cosmetic dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the disposable reservoir comprises a tube to contain product and a piston disposed in the tube.

19. A dispenser for applying a product to a substrate, the dispenser comprising:

a housing having a pressurized gas inlet and a product outlet;

a pressure vessel cartridge removably housed in the housing and coupled to the pressurized gas inlet of the housing;

a refillable chamber containing a product, the refillable chamber being coupled to the product outlet of the housing and coupled to the pressurized gas inlet coupled to the pressure vessel cartridge, the compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge to impart a pressure to the refillable chamber containing the product;

a valve coupled with the refillable chamber containing the product and actuatable to expel the product from the refillable chamber containing the product through the nozzle.

20. The dispenser according to claim 19, further comprising a cap removably coupled to the housing by which to replace the pressure vessel cartridge removably housed in the housing.

21. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge comprises a disposable carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge.

22. The dispenser according to claim 19, further comprising a regulator arranged in a pressure path between the refillable chamber containing the product and the pressure vessel cartridge to regulate the pressure imparted to the refillable chamber containing the product.

23. The dispenser according to claim 22, further comprising a safety valve arranged in the pressure path between the regulator and the refillable chamber containing the product to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to the refillable chamber containing the product to provide for refilling the product contained in the refillable chamber.