# US 11,305,301 B2 · Microfluidic delivery device for dispensing and redirecting a fluid composition in the air

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- Number: US 11,305,301 B2
- Document ID: US11305301B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/936,477
- Filed: 2018-03-27
- Published: 2018-10-11
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-10
- Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Inventors: Dana Paul Gruenbacher; Hua Hu; Abbey A. Lopez; Todd Michael Wernicke; William Paul Mahoney, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305301B2

## CPC

- B05B 1/267: {the liquid or other fluent material being deflected in determined directions}
- A61L 9/032: {comprising a fan}
- A61L 9/122: {comprising a fan}
- A61L 9/14: using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes}
- B05B 1/24: incorporating means for heating the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. electrically
- B05B 17/0638: {spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices}
- B05B 17/0684: {Wicks or the like}
- B41J 2/14072: {Electrical connections, e.g. details on electrodes, connecting the chip to the outside...}
- B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure}
- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/1753: {Details of contacts on the cartridge, e.g. protection of contacts}
- B41J 2/17546: {electronically}
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J 29/13: Cases or covers
- B41J 29/377: Cooling or ventilating arrangements
- A61L 9/127: {comprising a wick}
- A61L 2209/132: Piezo or ultrasonic elements for dispensing
- A61L 2209/133: Replaceable cartridges, refills
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A microfluidic delivery device is provided. The microfluidic delivery device includes a housing electrically connectable with a power source. A cartridge is releasably connectable with the housing. The cartridge has a reservoir for containing a fluid composition and microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir. The microfluidic die is configured to dispense substantially all of the fluid composition in an upward direction relative to horizontal. The microfluidic delivery device also includes a fan that is connected with the housing. The fan is configured to generate air flow that converges with and redirects the fluid composition dispensed from the microfluidic die in a first direction to a second direction that is different from the first direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A microfluidic delivery device comprising:
a housing electrically connectable with a power source, wherein the housing comprises an interior and an exterior;
a cartridge releasably connectable with the housing, wherein the cartridge comprises a reservoir for containing a fluid composition and a microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the reservoir comprises a first end portion, a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and a sidewall that joins the first and second end portions, wherein the microfluidic die is configured to dispense substantially all of the fluid composition in an upward direction relative to horizontal, wherein horizontal is normal to the direction of gravitational force;
a fan;
first and second air flow channels disposed in the interior of the housing, each of the first and second air flow channels extending from the fan to an air outlet, and
an air flow cover selectively positionable between a first position and at least a second position, wherein in the first position the air flow cover blocks air flow through the first air flow channel, and wherein in the second position the air flow cover blocks air flow through the second air flow channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic die is disposed on the first end portion of the cartridge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic delivery device is configured such that the fluid composition exiting the microfluidic die converges in the interior of the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 1, wherein the fluid composition comprises a freshening composition or a malodor control composition.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 2, wherein the fluid composition further comprises an oxygenated solvent and water.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 1, wherein the microfluidic die comprises a piezoelectric crystal or a heater.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The microfluidic delivery device of claim 6, wherein the microfluidic die comprises 4-100 nozzles, each nozzle in fluid communication with a chamber, wherein the heater is configured to heat the fluid composition in the chamber.