Microfluidic delivery cartridge for use with a microfluidic delivery device

Abstract

A cartridge that is releasably connectable with a housing of a microfluidic delivery device is provided. The cartridge has a reservoir for containing a fluid composition and a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir. The microfluidic die is configured to dispense substantially all of the fluid composition in a horizontal direction or downward direction relative to horizontal. The cartridge also includes an air flow channel disposed below the reservoir. The air flow channel extends from a fan to an air outlet. The air flow channel comprises a first region disposed adjacent to a fan, a second region disposed adjacent to the air outlet, and a third region joining the first and second regions. At least the second region is angled upward to the air outlet, relative to horizontal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge configured to be releasably connectable with a housing, the cartridge comprising:
 a reservoir for containing a fluid composition, the reservoir comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, and a sidewall that joins the top and bottom surfaces;   a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir and connected with the bottom surface of the reservoir; and   an air flow channel adjoining the bottom surface of the reservoir, wherein the air flow channel extends from a fan to an air outlet, wherein the cartridge is configured to connect with a housing such that the bottom surface is below the top surface of the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow channel is fixedly connected with the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic die is disposed on the bottom surface of the reservoir, wherein the air flow channel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising a fluid composition outlet, and wherein the microfluidic die is configured to dispense the fluid composition through the fluid composition outlet and into the air flow channel. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the upper surface comprises a baffle disposed upstream of the fluid composition outlet, wherein the baffle projects into the air flow channel. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein air flow exiting the air outlet travels upward relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow channel comprises a screen. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic die comprises a piezoelectric crystal or a heater. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a sponge. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid composition comprises perfume. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow channel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising a fluid composition outlet, and wherein the microfluidic die is configured to dispense the fluid composition into the air flow channel through the fluid composition outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the upper surface comprises a baffle disposed upstream of the fluid composition outlet, wherein the baffle projects into the air flow channel. 
     
     
         12 . A method of dispensing a fluid composition with a microfluidic device, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing a cartridge into a housing of a microfluidic delivery device, the cartridge comprising:
 a reservoir for containing a fluid composition, the reservoir comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, and a sidewall that joins the top and bottom surfaces; 
 a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir and connected with the bottom surface of the reservoir; and 
 an air flow channel adjoining the bottom surface of the reservoir, wherein the air flow channel extends from a fan to an air outlet, wherein the cartridge is configured to connect with a housing such that the bottom surface is below the top surface; 
   dispensing a fluid composition from the microfluidic die into the air in a horizontal direction or downward direction relative to horizontal;   directing air flow through the air flow channel; and   converging the air flow with the jetted fluid composition to redirect the fluid composition upward relative to horizontal, wherein the air flow is travelling at a greater velocity than the fluid composition at the point that the air flow and the fluid composition converge.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid composition comprises perfume. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispensing a fluid composition with a microfluidic device, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing a cartridge into a housing of a microfluidic delivery device, the cartridge comprising:
 a reservoir for containing a fluid composition, the reservoir comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, and a sidewall that joins the top and bottom surfaces; 
 a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir and connected with the bottom surface of the reservoir; and 
 an air flow channel adjoining the bottom surface of the reservoir, wherein the air flow channel extends from a fan to an air outlet, wherein the cartridge is configured to connect with a housing such that the bottom surface is below the top surface; 
   plugging the electric plug of the microfluidic delivery device into a wall outlet, wherein the wherein the wall outlet is disposed on a vertical plane;   dispensing a fluid composition from the cartridge into the air in a horizontal direction or downward direction relative to horizontal, wherein the horizontal direction is normal to the vertical plane;   directing air flow through the air flow channel; and   converging the air flow with the jetted fluid composition to redirect the fluid composition upward relative to horizontal, wherein the air flow is travelling at a greater velocity than the fluid composition at the point that the air flow and the fluid composition converge.