Aerosol dispenser with replaceable cartridge

Abstract

Aerosolizing delivery apparatuses can include cartridges configured to be detachably connected to a delivery device. The cartridges can include: a housing defining a reservoir and a cartridge outlet, the cartridge outlet configured to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and an exterior of the cartridge. A surface of the housing can be configured to define a bypass port between the housing and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge configured to be detachably connected to a delivery device, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing defining a reservoir and a cartridge outlet, the cartridge outlet configured to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and an exterior of the cartridge,   wherein a surface of the housing is configured to define a bypass port between the housing and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein, when connected to the delivery device, the cartridge outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with an inlet of the delivery device.  15   
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a cartridge inlet that is in fluid communication with air exterior to the device. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge inlet is defined by a junction of the cartridge and a surface of the delivery device. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge inlet is in fluid communication with an interior space of the delivery device. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge comprises a closing mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the cartridge inlet and the cartridge outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the closing mechanism is at least one of a post-in-hole structure, a spring-actuated door, a slide lever, a living hinge, a flap valve, a unidirectional valve, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the closing mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises an inner member, and an outer member slidably interconnected to the inner member to define the reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the housing defines a cartridge inlet that is in fluid communication with air exterior to the device, and
 wherein the inner member is movable relative to the outer member, between a first position wherein at least one of the cartridge air inlet and the cartridge outlet are open, and a second position wherein at least one of the cartridge air inlet and the cartridge outlet are closed.   
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the inner member relative to the outer member actuates the at least one of an air inlet closing mechanism and an outlet closing mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is detachably connected to the delivery device by a mounting carriage, a press fit, a magnetic retaining mechanism, a twist mechanism, a snap mechanism, a screw mechanism, a bayonet mount mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge reservoir has a volume capacity of between about ten (10) milligrams to about two (2) grams of a product. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein, when connected to the delivery device, the cartridge and delivery device cooperate to provide a flow rate of between about ten (10) liters per minute and about sixty (60) liters per minute at a vacuum pressure of about four kiloPascals. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir has a variable volume. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a delivery device connection portion and   a base portion assembled with the delivery device connection portion to define the reservoir within the cartridge, the delivery device connection portion being movable relative to the base portion between a first position in which the reservoir has a first volume, and a second position in which the reservoir has a second volume,   wherein when the cartridge is in the first position, the cartridge outlet is open so as to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and the exterior of the cartridge via the cartridge outlet, and when the cartridge is in the second position, the cartridge outlet is closed.   
     
     
         17 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is at least one of edible or biodegradable. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is biodegradable and is formed of at least one of a polyester, a polyhydroxyalkanoate, a polyanhydride, a polycaprolactone, a polydiaxonone, a polyglycolide, a polyhydroxybutyrate, a polylactic acid, a polypropylene carbonate, a polylactic-co-glycolic acid, a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), a polyvinyl alcohol, a starch derivative, a cellulose derivative, a cellulose ester, a cellophane, an enhanced biodegradable plastic, compositional variants thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A cartridge configured to be detachably connected to a delivery device, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing defining a reservoir;   an outlet configured to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and an exterior of the cartridge and   a closer disposed on the housing, the closer movable between a first position in which the outlet is open such that fluid communication exists between the reservoir and the exterior of the cartridge, and a second position in which the outlet is closed,   wherein a surface of the housing is configured to define a bypass port between the housing and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device.   
     
     
         20 . The cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein
 the housing includes a first end configured to be connected to the delivery device, a second end opposed to the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end,   the outlet is defined in the first end, and   the closer comprises a door, the door including
 a cover portion that overlies at least a portion of the first end, 
 an actuating portion that extends from the cover portion and protrudes outward from the cartridge in a direction normal to the sidewall, and 
 a spring mechanism disposed between the actuating portion and the sidewall, the spring mechanism biasing the door toward the second position. 
   
     
     
         21 . The cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the closer comprises an umbrella valve that overlies the outlet. 
     
     
         22 . The cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein
 the closer comprises a cover plate that overlies the outlet, the cover plate including a cover plate opening, and   the cover plate is rotatably connected to the housing in a manner such that when the cover plate is in the first position the cover plate opening is aligned with the outlet, and when the cover plate is in the second position the cover plate opening is not aligned with the outlet.   
     
     
         23 . The cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein the housing includes
 a connection portion that is configured to be detachably connected to the delivery device, the connection portion including a first end having the outlet opening, and a first sidewall about the first end, and   a base portion including a second end, and a second sidewall about the second end, wherein   the closer extends from the second end in parallel with the second sidewall and with at least a portion of the closer inside the second sidewall,   the connection portion is engaged with the base portion to define the reservoir, and   the connection portion is movable relative to the base portion between the first position in which the closer is spaced apart from the outlet, and the second position in which the closer resides within the outlet.   
     
     
         24 . A cartridge for a delivery device, the cartridge comprising:
 a connection portion configured to be detachably connected to the delivery device, the connection portion including a first end having an outlet, and a first sidewall disposed about the first end, and   a base portion, the base portion including a second end, a second sidewall disposed about the second end, and a post extending from the second end in parallel with the second sidewall so that at least a portion of the post is surrounded by the second sidewall,   
       wherein
 the connection portion is engaged with the base portion to define a reservoir between the first end and the second end, and 
 the connection portion is movable relative to the base portion between a first position in which the outlet is open such that fluid communication exists between the reservoir and the exterior of the cartridge, and a second position in which the post is positioned within the outlet so as to close the outlet. 
 
     
     
         25 . The cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein an outer surface of the connection portion is configured to define a bypass port between the connection portion and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device. 
     
     
         26 . The cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein the reservoir has a variable volume. 
     
     
         27 . The cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein the connection portion is engaged with the base portion such that when the connection portion is in the first position, an air inlet is formed between the connection portion and the base portion.