US20150166252A1 - Compressed Gas Dispensers - Google Patents

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 inFIG. 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 inFIG. 2 having a product reservoir arranged in the chamber.
• FIG. 4 shows the section view of the dispenser illustrated inFIG. 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 inFIG. 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 inFIG. 6A.
• FIG. 7 shows a dispensing kit including the dispenser illustrated inFIG. 1 and refill cartridges illustrated inFIGS. 5A,5B,6A and6B for removably coupling in the dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOverview
• 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 anillustrative dispenser100 having ahousing102 for holding a pressure vessel cartridge and a reservoir. WhileFIG. 1 illustrates thehousing102 having afirst portion104 to house a reservoir adjacent to asecond portion106 to house a compressed gas cylinder, the first andsecond portions104 and106 may be integrated. For example, thehousing102 may comprise a single portion arranged to house both a pressure vessel and a reservoir. For example, thehousing102 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, thehousing102 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, thefirst portion104 of thehousing102 and thesecond portion106 of thehousing102 may be arranged end-to-end (e.g., coaxially). For example, thehousing102 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape and the reservoir and the pressure vessel may be disposed end-to-end.
• FIG. 2 shows asection view200 of thedispenser100 taken along line A-A illustrated inFIG. 1.FIG. 2 illustrates thehousing102 may have a pressurizedgas inlet202 and aproduct outlet204. Thehousing102 may include achamber206 for containing or storing a product (e.g., a gas, a liquid, a gel). In some examples, thechamber206 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.
• Thechamber206 may be coupled to theproduct outlet204 and thepressurized gas inlet202. Thepressurized gas inlet202 may comprise an aperture arranged in a portion of thechamber206 and communicatively coupled to apressure vessel cartridge208. For example, one or more fluid fittings, tubes, ports, channels etc. may interconnect the pressurized gas inlet to thepressure vessel cartridge208. The one or more fluid fittings, tubes, ports, channels etc. interconnecting the pressurized gas inlet to thepressure vessel cartridge208 define apressure path210. In one example, thepressure path210 may simply be a channel formed integral with thehousing102. Thechamber206 may be under pressure (e.g., pressurized) during use and thedispenser100 may commence spraying product upon actuation by a user. Because thechamber206 may be under constant pressure, this eliminates pressure ramp up delay and poor atomization (e.g., spitting) associated with pressure ramp up.
• Thepressure vessel cartridge208 may comprise a carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge. For example, thepressure vessel cartridge208 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, thepressure vessel cartridges208 may comprise other compressed gasses, or liquid/gas mixture. For example, thepressure vessel cartridge208 may comprise nitrogen, butane, argon, nitrous oxide, propane, or a mixed gas. The compressed gas contained in thepressure vessel cartridge208 may impart a pressure to thechamber206 containing the product. Here, the compressed gas may be mixed with the product contained in thechamber206. In other embodiments described below, the compressed gas may be isolated from (i.e., not mixed) with the product.
• Anozzle212 may be coupled to theproduct outlet204 of thehousing102 to dispense the product. Avalve214 may be coupled with thechamber206 containing the product and actuatable to allow the product to be expelled from thechamber206 containing the product through thenozzle212. Thenozzle212 may be movably coupled to theactuatable valve214. For example, a user may displace thenozzle212 to actuate thevalve214 to allow the product to be expelled from thechamber206. For example, when a user selectively actuates thevalve214, the pressure imparted to thechamber206 containing the product expels the product contained in thechamber206 through thenozzle212.
• Thenozzle212 may have anorifice216 arranged to atomize the expelled product. For example, thenozzle212 may comprise anorifice216 having a geometry tailored to one or more properties of the product housed in thechamber206. In one example, theorifice216 may have an inside diameter based on a viscosity of a fluid contained in thechamber206. Moreover, whileFIG. 2 shows thenozzle212 comprising a depressible button, thenozzle212 may comprise any shape. For example, thenozzle212 may comprise an elongated tab shape arranged to be displaced transversely relative to thehousing102. In one example, the elongated tab shape may be substantially convex crescent shaped and arranged to be displaced transversely relative to thehousing102 via a thumb of a hand of a user. Thenozzle212 may comprise any shape suitable for actuating thevalve214 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.
• Thesection view200 ofFIG. 2 illustrates aport218 may be arranged in a portion of thechamber206. Theport218 may provide for filling thechamber206 with a product. For example, theport218 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 thechamber206 with a product. For example, a user may choose a syringe having a desired colored product to fill thechamber206 with. In another example, theport218 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled to a fitting (e.g., a coupler, a quick disconnect, a nipple, etc.). In another example, thedispenser100 may include a top220 removably coupled to thehousing102 to enclose thechamber206. In this example, a user may remove the top220 from thehousing102 to fill thechamber206. While thesection view200 illustrates the top220 having mechanical threads for removably coupling the top220 to thehousing102, the top220 may be coupled to thehousing102 via other mechanisms. For example, the top220 may snap-fit, press-fit, twist-lock fit or the like to thehousing102. Further, the top220 and thenozzle212 may be formed as a single unit. For example, the top220 may include theorifice216 communicatively coupled with theproduct outlet204. In this example, where the top220 and thenozzle212 are formed as a single unit, the top220 may be arranged to be displaced to actuate thevalve214 to allow the product to be expelled. For example, the top220 may be arranged to be displaced transversely relative to thehousing102 to actuate thevalve214 to allow the product to be expelled.
• In other examples, the top220 may be irremovably coupled or fixed to thehousing102. In this example, where the top220 is irremovable from thehousing102, thedispenser100 may not be reusable. In an example where thedispenser100 is not reusable and the top220 is irremovably fixed to thehousing102, a user may deplete a product contained in thechamber206 and simply dispose of thedispenser100. However, in other examples, where the dispenser is reusable and the top220 is irremovably fixed to thehousing102, a user may refill thechamber206 via theport218 and/or theproduct outlet204. For example, theproduct outlet204 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled with a syringe to fill thechamber206 with a product. Further, thenozzle212 may be removably coupled to theproduct outlet204 and a user may remove thenozzle212 to communicatively couple a syringe to theproduct outlet204 to fill thechamber206 with a product.
• Thesection view200 illustrates aregulator222 arranged in thepressure path210 between thechamber206 containing the product and thepressure vessel cartridge208 to regulate the pressure imparted to thechamber206 containing the product. For example, theregulator222 may reduce a pressure generated by thepressure vessel cartridge208 to pressurize thechamber206. In one example, theregulator222 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, theregulator222 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. Theregulator222 may be a commercial off the shelf regulator or a custom designed regulator. Theregulator222 could be a preset regulator or adjustable to adjust the pressure delivered to thechamber206.
• Asafety valve224 may be arranged in thepressure path210 between theregulator222 and thechamber206 containing the product. Thesafety valve224 may be arranged in thepressure path210 to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to thechamber206 containing the product at certain times. For example, thesafety valve224 may be arranged in thepressure path210 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in thechamber206. In one example, amechanism226 may connect or link thesafety valve224 to the top220 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber via the top220. For example, when a user removes the top220, themechanism226 may trigger thesafety valve224 to prevent the pressure from being imparted to thechamber206. Themechanism226 may comprise an electromechanical switch, hydraulic switch, magnetic switch, sensor switch, a member (e.g., a rod, a cable, a linkage, etc.) that triggers thesafety valve224. In another example, a mechanism may connect or link thesafety valve224 to theport218 to provide for replacing or refilling the product contained in the chamber via theport218. For example, when a user communicatively couples with the port218 a mechanism may trigger thesafety valve224 to prevent the pressure from being imparted to thechamber206.
• Thesection view200 illustrates thepressure vessel cartridge208 being removably coupled with thepressurized gas inlet202 of thechamber206 to provide for replacing thepressure vessel cartridge208. For example, and assection view200 illustrates, acap228 may be removably coupled to thehousing102 and encase thepressure vessel cartridge208 in a portion of thehousing102. The encasedpressure vessel cartridge208 may be communicatively coupled with thepressurized gas inlet202 via thepressure path210 arranged between thepressure vessel cartridge208 and thechamber206. In one example, a user may remove thecap228 from thehousing102 to replace thepressure vessel cartridge208. While thesection view200 illustrates thepressure vessel cartridge208 being removably coupled with thepressurized gas inlet202, thepressure vessel cartridge208 may be irremovable or fixed with respect to thepressurized gas inlet202. For example, thecap228 may be irremovable or fixed to thehousing102 to prevent a user from accessing thepressure vessel cartridge208. In this example, where thepressure vessel cartridge208 is irremovably fixed in thehousing102, a user may dispose of thedispenser100 after depleting thepressure vessel cartridge208.
• FIG. 3 shows thesection view200 of thedispenser100 illustratedFIG. 1 having aproduct reservoir302 arranged in thechamber206. Thesection view200 shows thedispenser100 without theport218. Thesection view200 shows that theproduct reservoir302 may comprise atube304 to contain the product and apiston306 being slidably disposed in thetube304. Thetube304 may comprise any cross sectional shape. For example, thetube304 may comprise a cylinder, an oval, a rectangle, a triangle, etc. Moreover, while thesection view200 illustrates asingle tube304 housed in thechamber206, thechamber206 may house more than onetube304. For example, thechamber206 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 thechamber206 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. Thetube304 may be formed of a rigid material and have a smooth interior surface to provide for slideably displacing thepiston306 along the smooth interior surface of thetube304. Thetube304 may be formed of a rigid material that contains the product and isolates the product from the compressed gas received from thepressure vessel cartridge208.
• Theproduct reservoir302 may be removably housed in thechamber206 to provide for replacing or refilling theproduct reservoir302. For example, and as discussed above with respect toFIG. 2, thedispenser100 may include a top220 removably coupled to thehousing102 to enclose thechamber206. In this example, a user may remove the top220 from thehousing102 to replace or refill theproduct reservoir302. In one example, a user may remove theproduct reservoir302 from thechamber206 and install anotherproduct reservoir302 in thechamber206. In another example, a user may not remove theproduct reservoir302 from thechamber206 and may instead refill theproduct reservoir302 with product.
• In other examples, theproduct reservoir302 may be irremovably coupled or fixed in thechamber206. For example, the top220 may be irremovably fixed to thehousing102. In this example, whereproduct reservoir302 is irremovably fixed in thechamber206, theproduct reservoir302 may not be replaceable or refillable. In an example where theproduct reservoir302 is not replaceable or refillable, a user may deplete a product contained in theproduct reservoir302 and simply dispose of thedispenser100. However, in other examples, where theproduct reservoir302 is refillable, a user may refill theproduct reservoir302 via theproduct outlet204. For example, theproduct outlet204 may be arranged to be communicatively coupled with a syringe to fill theproduct reservoir302 with a product. Further, thenozzle212 may be removably coupled to theproduct outlet204 and a user may remove thenozzle212 to communicatively couple a syringe to theproduct outlet204 to fill theproduct reservoir302 with a product.
• WhileFIG. 3 shows thepiston306 slidably disposed in thetube304, thepiston306 may be slidably disposed in thechamber206. For example, thepiston306 and thechamber304 may contain the product without atube304, and thechamber304 may have a smooth interior surface to provide for slideably displacing thepiston306 along the smooth interior surface of thechamber206.
• FIG. 4 shows thesection view200 of thedispenser100 illustratedFIG. 1 having analternative product reservoir402 arranged in thechamber206. Thesection view200 shows theproduct reservoir402 may comprise aflexible bag404 to contain the product. For example, theflexible bag404 may comprise a collapsible container arranged to deform and/or reduce in size as product is expelled out of thenozzle212. Theflexible bag404 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.
• Theproduct reservoir402 may be removably housed in thechamber206 to provide for replacing or refilling theproduct reservoir402. For example, and as discussed above with respect toFIG. 2, thedispenser100 may include a top220 removably coupled to thehousing102 to enclose thechamber206. In this example, a user may remove the top220 from thehousing102 to replace or refill theproduct reservoir402. In one example, a user may remove theproduct reservoir402 from thechamber206 and install anotherproduct reservoir402 back in thechamber206.
• In other examples, theproduct reservoir402 may be irremovably coupled or fixed in thechamber206. For example, the top220 may be irremovably fixed to thehousing102. In this example, whereproduct reservoir402 is irremovably fixed in thechamber206, theproduct reservoir402 may not be replaceable or refillable. In an example where theproduct reservoir402 is not replaceable or refillable, a user may deplete a product contained in theproduct reservoir402 and simply dispose of thedispenser100. However, in other examples, where theproduct reservoir402 is refillable, a user may refill theproduct reservoir402 via theproduct outlet204. For example, thenozzle212 may be removably coupled to theproduct outlet204 and a user may remove thenozzle212 to communicatively couple a syringe to theproduct outlet204 to fill theproduct reservoir402 with a product.
• FIG. 5A shows aperspective view500 of arefill cartridge502.FIG. 5B shows asection view504 of therefill cartridge502 taken along line B-B illustrated inFIG. 5A. Therefill cartridge502 may include acollapsible container506. Thecollapsible container506 may contain a product to be applied to a substrate (e.g., a portion of a body). Thecollapsible container506 may be responsive to applied pressure to displace awall508 of thecollapsible container506 and compress the product contained in thecollapsible container506. For example, therefill cartridge502 may be removably arranged in thechamber206 of thedispenser100, and may be responsive to an applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from thepressure vessel cartridge208 of thedispenser100. In one example, thecollapsible container506 may comprise a flexible bag to contain a product. As discussed above with regard toFIG. 4, the flexible bag may be formed of a plastic, a rubber, a metal, a fabric, or a composite etc.
• Aproduct outlet510 may be arranged in anend512 of thecollapsible container506. Theend512 of thecollapsible container506 may be a top end of thecollapsible container506 arranged opposite to a bottom end of thecollapsible container506. Anactuatable valve514 may be coupled to theproduct outlet510 of thecollapsible container506. In one example, when theactuatable valve514 is actuated the imparted pressure on thecollapsible container506 displaces thewall508 and compresses the product contained in thecollapsible container506 to expel the product out of theproduct outlet510.
• FIGS. 5A and 5B show that anozzle516 may be coupled to theactuatable valve514 coupled to theproduct outlet510 of thecollapsible container506. When theactuatable valve514 is actuated the imparted pressure on thecollapsible container506 displaces thewall508 and compresses the product contained in thecollapsible container506 to expel the product out of thenozzle516, via theorifice216. For example, therefill cartridge502 may be removably arranged in thechamber206 of thedispenser100, and when thenozzle516 is displaced in towards thehousing102, theactuatable valve514 is actuated and the applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from thepressure vessel cartridge208 of thedispenser100 expels the product out of thenozzle516. WhileFIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate therefill cartridge502 including theactuatable valve514,nozzle516, acollar518 therefill cartridge502 may not include theactuatable valve514,nozzle516, andcollar518. In one example, thecollapsible container506 may be free of other parts. For example, thecollapsible container506 may comprise only a flexible bag, while the housing may include theactuatable valve514,nozzle516, andcollar518. In the example where thecollapsible container506 includes no other parts, thecollapsible container506 may be arranged to be pierced when arranged in a chamber (e.g., chamber206) to interconnect thecollapsible container506 with theactuatable valve514, for example. In another example, where thecollapsible container506 includes no other parts, thecollapsible container506 may be comprise a tab (e.g., a perforated tab, an adhesive tab, a foil seal) that is removed to interconnect thecollapsible container506 with theactuatable valve514. In another example, thecollapsible container506 may include theactuatable valve514 coupled to theproduct outlet510 and thecollar518, while thehousing102 may include thenozzle516. In one example, thenozzle516 may be included with the top220 coupled to the housing and when therefill cartridge502 is removably housed in thechamber206 theproduct outlet510 communicatively couples with thenozzle516.
• Theactuatable valve514 and thecollar518 may be an assembly fixed to theend512 of thecollapsible container506. Theactuatable valve514 and thecollar518 may be fixed on a top end of thecollapsible container506 opposite a bottom end of thecollapsible container506 to removably couple with thehousing102 of thedispenser100. In one example, thecollapsible container506 may be hermetically sealed to theactuatable valve514 and/or thecollar518. Thecollar518 may comprise acoupling mechanism520 arranged to removably couple with a cooperatingcoupling mechanism520 of thehousing102. 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 thehousing102. For example, when a user removably arranges therefill cartridge502 in thechamber206 of thedispenser100 thecollar518 may couple with thehousing102. Moreover, when the top220 is removably coupled to thehousing102 to enclose thechamber206, the top220 may engage thecollar518 to retain thecollapsible container506 in thechamber206. For example, a user may removably couple the top220 to thehousing102 and sandwich thecollar518 between the top220 and thehousing102. When the top220 engages thecollar518, the top220 squish thecollar518 between the top220 and thehousing102 sealing thechamber206.
• FIG. 6A shows aperspective view600 of analternative refill cartridge602.FIG. 6B shows asection view604 of therefill cartridge602 taken along line C-C illustrated inFIG. 6A. Therefill cartridge602 may include a substantiallyrigid tube606 and apiston608 being slidably disposed in thetube606. The substantiallyrigid tube606 may contain a product to be applied to a substrate. In one example, therigid tube606 may be fixed to thecollar518. In another example, therigid tube606 may be hermetically sealed to theactuatable valve514 and/or thecollar518. In another example, therigid tube606 may be removably coupled to thenozzle516. In another example, therigid tube606 andpiston608 may be free of other parts. For example, therigid tube606 andpiston608 may be free of other parts, while the housing may include theactuatable valve514,nozzle516, andcollar518. Thepiston608 may be responsive to applied pressure and be displaced in thetube606. Thepiston608 may be displaced in the tube and compress the product contained in thetube606. For example, therefill cartridge602 may be removably arranged in thechamber206 of thedispenser100, and thepiston608 may be responsive to an applied pressure received from the compressed gas received from thepressure vessel cartridge208 of thedispenser100. WhileFIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate therefill cartridge602 including thenozzle516, therefill cartridge602 may not include thenozzle516. For example, the ridgedtube606 may include theactuatable valve514 coupled to theproduct outlet510, while thehousing102 may include thenozzle516. In one example, thenozzle516 may be included with the top220 coupled to the housing and when therefill cartridge602 is removably housed in thechamber206 theproduct outlet510 communicatively couples with thenozzle516.
• FIG. 7 shows adispensing kit700 including thedispenser100 illustrated inFIG. 1 and refillcartridges502 and602 illustrated inFIGS. 5A,5B,6A and6B for removably coupling in thechamber206 of thedispenser100. In one example, eachrefill cartridge502 and602 contains a respective product to apply to a substrate (e.g., a body). For example,refill cartridge502 may contain perfume to be applied to a portion of a body, and refillcartridge602 may contain foam to be applied to a portion of a body. In another example, eachrefill cartridge502 and602 may comprisenozzles702 and704 configured to spray a respective product contained in eachrefill cartridge502 and602 when the product is expelled from therefill cartridges502 and602. For example, thenozzle702 may have anorifice706 arranged to atomize the expelled perfume contained inrefill cartridge502, andnozzle704 may have anorifice708 arranged to atomize the expelled foam contained inrefill cartridge602. WhileFIG. 7 shows thedispensing kit700 including thedispenser100 and therefill cartridges502 and602, thedispensing kit700 may also include one or morepressure vessel cartridges208. For example, thedispensing kit700 may include a replacementpressure vessel cartridge208 to be removably coupled with thepressurized gas inlet202. In one example, a user may remove thecap228 removably coupled to thehousing102 and encase the replacementpressure vessel cartridge208 in thehousing102.
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 (18)

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing kit comprising:

a reusable airless dispenser comprising a housing having a chamber and a pressurized gas inlet;

one or more disposable reservoirs, each disposable reservoir being removably couplable in the chamber of the housing;

a pressure vessel cartridge containing a compressed gas couplable to the pressurized gas inlet of the housing, the compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge to impart a pressure on a disposable reservoir of the one or more disposable reservoirs removably coupled in the chamber of the housing; and

an actuatable valve communicatively coupled to the disposable reservoir in the chamber of the housing, wherein when the actuatable valve is actuated the imparted pressure on the disposable reservoir in the chamber of the housing compresses the product contained in the disposable reservoir to expel the product out of the disposable reservoir.

2. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, wherein each disposable reservoir contains a respective product to apply to a body.

3. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more disposable reservoirs comprises a flexible bag.

4. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more disposable reservoirs comprises a tube and a piston slidably disposed in the tube.

5. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, wherein each disposable reservoir comprises a nozzle configured to spray a respective product contained in each disposable reservoir when the product is expelled from the disposable reservoir.

6. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, further comprising a regulator arranged in a pressure path between the chamber and the pressure vessel cartridge to regulate the pressure imparted to the chamber.

7. The dispensing kit according toclaim 6, further comprising a safety valve arranged in the pressure path between the regulator and the chamber to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to the chamber containing the product to provide for removably coupling a disposable reservoir of the one or more disposable reservoirs in the chamber.

8. The dispensing kit according toclaim 1, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge is removably couplable with the pressure inlet of the housing to provide for replacing the pressure vessel cartridge.

9. The dispensing kit according toclaim 8, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge comprises a disposable carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge.

10. A refill cartridge comprising:

a collapsible container containing a product to be applied to a substrate; and

a product outlet arranged in an end of the collapsible container;

an actuatable valve coupled to the product outlet of the collapsible container;

wherein the collapsible container is responsive to applied pressure to displace a wall of the collapsible container and compress the product contained in the collapsible container.

11. The refill cartridge ofclaim 10, further comprising a nozzle coupled to the actuatable valve of the collapsible container through which to expel the product out of the nozzle.

12. The refill cartridge ofclaim 10, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag.

13. A dispensing kit comprising:

a reusable airless dispenser comprising a housing having a chamber and a pressurized gas inlet; and

the refill cartridge ofclaim 10 removably coupled in the chamber of the housing.

14. The dispensing kit of claim36, further comprising a pressure vessel cartridge containing a compressed gas couplable to the pressurized gas inlet of the housing, the compressed gas contained in the pressure vessel cartridge to impart a pressure on the refill cartridge ofclaim 10 removably coupled in the chamber of the housing.

15. The dispensing kit of claim37, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge is removably couplable with the pressure inlet of the housing to provide for replacing the refill cartridge ofclaim 10 removably coupled in the chamber of the housing.

16. The dispensing kit ofclaim 15, wherein the pressure vessel cartridge comprises a disposable carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge.

17. The dispensing kit ofclaim 15, further comprising a regulator arranged in a pressure path between the chamber of the housing and the pressure vessel cartridge to regulate the pressure imparted to the refill cartridge of claim33 removably coupled in the chamber of the housing.

18. The dispensing kit ofclaim 17, further comprising a safety valve arranged in the pressure path between the regulator and the chamber of the housing to selectively prevent a pressure from being imparted to the chamber of the housing to provide for removably coupling the refill cartridge of claim33 in the chamber of the housing.

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