WO2009150619A1

WO2009150619A1 - Cartridge containing a substance to be atomized and an apparatus made to accept such cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2009150619A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Fontaine; Nicolas Duru
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2008-06-10
Filing date: 2009-06-10
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: FR2932102B1; FR2932102A1

Abstract

A cartridge (10) containing at least one substance to be atomized and to be placed in an atomizing apparatus (70) having a vibrating element (81), the cartridge void of a vibrating element. The cartridge includes an atomizing grid (11) defining an atomizing axis (X) and traversed by at least one atomizing orifice (21), a support (12) of the grid (11), made from a material different from that of the grid, a membrane (13) configured to receive vibrations from the vibrating element, at least one reservoir (50) containing the substance to be atomized, placed at least partially around the grid, and a passage (38) extending between the support (12) and the membrane (13). The passage discharges in an atomizing chamber (39) located under the grid, this passage (38) being configured to allow the substance to flow from the reservoir towards the atomizing chamber (39) on an angular sector of at least 15° around the atomizing axis (X).

Description

Cartridge containing a substance to be atomized and an apparatus made to accept such cartridge

The present disclosure concerns atomization apparatuses and their associated cartridges, containing the substance(s) to be atomized.

The disclosure more specifically, but not exclusively, concerns the diffusion of one or several aromatic substances, preferably a perfume, for example, an ambiance perfume to be diffused into the air in a room.

US patent 6 722 582 discloses an atomizing apparatus comprising a stainless steel membrane containing a central aperture which is supported by a mount encircling its periphery. A ring shaped piezoelectric component is attached to one side of the membrane.

An atomizing grid component made from silicon is attached to the opposite side of the membrane. The atomizing grid receives the product from an atomization product storage chamber, formed between the support mount and the membrane. The way in which the grid receives the product is by way of a constricted passage, formed between the silicon component and a protuberance in the support mount. The atomizing grid and the piezoelectric component are interdependent which makes recycling them difficult at the end of the apparatus' life span.

US application 2004/0263567 Al discloses an atomization apparatus comprising a silicon grid held by a mount made of a polymer material. The atomizing chamber receives product from capillary channels.

US patent 4 702 418 discloses an atomization apparatus comprising a cartridge containing the atomization substance, having a reservoir situated on the upper portion so as to deliver product to an atomizing grid using gravity, such grid being located in the lower portion of the apparatus.

In one embodiment, a vibration element is held by an annular rib of the apparatus and the cartridge includes a flexible wall, which comes into contact with a raised portion of the vibration element, thus assuring that the vibrations will be transmitted to the substance, and the atomization thereof, through the grid. In other embodiments, the vibration element is permanently attached to the cartridge. There is a need to further perfect known atomization systems, specifically ones with a cartridge placed in the atomizing apparatus, which can be produced cheaply and which work reliably.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the cartridge contains at least one substance to be atomized and the atomizing apparatus comprises a vibration element whereas the cartridge does not.

The cartridge may comprise: a atomizing grid defining the axis of atomization and traversed by at least one atomization orifice, - a grid support, produced in a material different from that of the grid, for example, made from a thermoplastic material such as a polyolefm, polyethylene or polypropylene for example, or polybutylene terephlatate or a polycarbonate, a membrane designed to receive the vibrations from the vibration element, a least one reservoir containing the atomization substance, positioned at least partially around the grid and defined, for example, at least partially by the membrane and the mounting piece, preferably at least partially between the membrane and the support piece, a passage formed between the support piece and the membrane and opening into an atomizing chamber situated below the grid, this passage being designed to allow the substance to flow from the reservoir to the atomizing chamber on an angular sector of at least 15° around the atomizing axis.

For example, the substance may flow according to at least two angularly separated directions, of at least 30° around the atomizing axis. These two directions may be opposite. By "atomizing axis" it is meant the direction according to which the spray is generally emitted by the grid.

When using the cartridge, a slight elevation of temperature at the level of the grid may occur, which may create a rising convective motion, aiding the diffusion of the droplets in the atmosphere.

The passage may be formed between the membrane and the support piece in such a way so as to allow the substance to flow towards the atomizing chamber on an angular sector of at least 90° around the atomizing axis of the grid. The cartridge, due to the fact that it is produced without a vibration element, may be manufactured easily and cheaply. Furthermore, the absence of the vibration element on the cartridge facilitates the recycling thereof. Also, the fact that the passage formed between the support and the membrane used to receive vibrations from the vibration element permits the substance to flow from the reservoir to the atomizing chamber in at least two directions, separated angularly relative to one another, helps the grid to receive the atomization substance more consistently, specifically in the event of a modification of the atomizing axis with respect to the vertical. The disclosure allows for greater tolerance regarding the placement of the cartridge relative to the atomizing apparatus comprising the vibration element.

The passage may have at least one capillary portion, for example, at a height less than or equal to 0.2 mm. The height of the passage may be chosen, for example, in accordance to the output to be atomized. The passage may not contain any porous material.

The height of the atomizing chamber may be between 0.01 mm and 1 mm, for example.

The reservoir may be in a continuous annular shape or not, and the cartridge may be in the shape of a pellet with, for example, a diameter equal to or less than 50 mm.

The total thickness of the cartridge may be greater or less than its largest transversal dimension. One could have, for example, a thickness greater than or equal to one-fourth, one-third, one-half, two-thirds or three-fourths of the largest transversal dimension of the cartridge, its exterior diameter for example. A thickness relatively large compared to its largest transversal dimension could allow for a reduction of the largest transversal dimension while the capacity remains the same, which could reduce the risk of atomized droplets falling back down onto the upper face of the cartridge. In order to reduce the risk of droplets falling back onto a surface on which the apparatus is placed, it is may be configured so as to have an elongated shape such that a principal elongated axis along the atomizing apparatus is level with the surface on which it rests.

The membrane designed to transmit pressure waves to the substance is metallic, for example, in some embodiments comprising stainless steel. This membrane may extend, at least partially facing the grid and have a free face on the opposite side, when not used in the atomizing apparatus. The grid may be configured so as not to vibrate for atomizing the substance; in other words, the substance in not atomized because of vibrations of the grid but because of pressure waves transmitted to the substance by the membrane.

The grid may comprise a face facing the membrane, which could completely extend the length of the grid, the faces of the grid and the membrane facing each other being, for example, perpendicular to the atomizing axis (X) for example, in the absence of vibrations of the membrane. The grid may be fixed to the support and may be in contact with the latter.

The aforementioned passage may be formed at least partially between the membrane and a supporting block of the grid, preferably a block made of a thermoplastic material, which would be part of the support for the grid.

The previously mentioned passage may be angularly continuous all around the atomizing axis, which would simplify cartridge production, the passage being able to be formed simply between the membrane and the support of the grid, for example.

The fact that the grid is supported by a block made of thermoplastic material allows for the grid to be produced using very little material, specifically it may avoid that the grid be produced with a support section that is substantial, produced from the same material as the grid. Manufacturing techniques having different tolerances and finishes may be employed.

The block could be molded to the grid. Alternatively, the grid may be glued to the block, set to the block, or the block may be riveted to the grid. The grid may also be attached to the support by other means. The grid may only be in contact with the support.

The grid may be a micro -machined grid, in some embodiments produced out of silicon, for example, a micro-machine silicon grid. The grid may be traversed by a singular atomization orifice. The grid may comprise a plurality of atomization orifices, for example, at least 50 atomization orifices, between 100 and 600 atomization orifices, or more as desired.

The grid may extend behind an upper face of the cartridge. The cartridge may include a central indentation at the bottom of which the grid is situated. This would allow the grid to be protected from accidental contact, with the fingers for example. The cartridge may comprise a means of closure that would allow a space exterior to the grid to be closed, through which the substance is atomized. The exterior space corresponds to the aforementioned central indentation, for example. The means of closure could be a protective cap covering the grid, attached at a distance from the grid on the upper surface of the cartridge, this protective cap being, for example, glued or heat-welded into place on this upper surface.

The cartridge may comprise an optical guide configured to guide light from an entry point which receives light emitted by at least one light source placed within the atomizing apparatus containing the cartridge to an exit configured to diffuse the light towards the exterior, for example in such a way so as to light, at least partially, the spray of the atomized substance. This could create new light effects, for example an ambient light of a particular color depending on the atomized spray. The lighting of the spray could reassure the user that the apparatus is working properly. If needed, the color of the light could inform the user of the nature of the atomized substance, the amount of substance remaining in the cartridge or the intensity of the atomization, for example.

The optical guide may be formed by the grid's support or could be placed thereon. The reservoir may be filled either completely or partially with a porous material, for example a hydrophilic, e.g., a synthetic material foam, in some embodiments from polyurethane, which could help to regulate the flow towards the grid and facilitate use with multiple orientations of the atomizing axis relative to the vertical position. The presence of a porous material may also reduce the risk of a substance leak through the grid. The porous material may comprise for example, felt with fibers having spaces between them which retain the product by capillarity. The fibers may be oriented axially parallel to the atomizing axis or transversal to this axis, radially for example. The porous material may comprise one or more layers of non- woven material for example in the form of an annular pad. In some embodiments, the reservoir holds an annular pad comprised of many superimposed layers of non-woven polyamide fibers, made of polyurethane or natural fibers. The reservoir may also hold a sinter, for example a thermoplastic sinter, preferably made of polyolefin, such as POREX^®, or another material such as described in EP 1 830 967, for example polyurethane fibers with a diameter of 30 μm.

The membrane may be attached to the rest of the cartridge in many different ways by any means that would guarantee a hermetically sealed assembly, for example, molding, soldering, riveting, ultrasonic soldering, laser soldering, gluing, bi- injection among others. The reservoir may be formed in a hollow area in the grid's support.

The cartridge may comprise one support ring of the membrane. This ring may be attached by any means to the support block of the grid, for example, by soldering, gluing, or snapping into place. The support may comprise an apron which laterally covers the ring.

The grid's support may include at least one vent, for example two diametrically opposed vents, permitting uptake of air back into the reservoir. These vents may have a small cross-section in order to reduce loss due to evaporation, for example having a diameter between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. The cartridge may be used for a single product alone and that substance may be a perfume.

The volume of the reservoir could be less than or equal to 10 ml.

The cartridge may comprise at least one refilling orifice for the reservoir which may possibly be closed by a cap or a cork when not being used or could be formed by one of the aforementioned vents .

The refilling orifice may be located on the periphery of the cartridge in order to not detract from the aesthetics of the reservoir.

The cartridge may be decorated which would enhance the aesthetics of the cartridge. This decoration could, if desired, close the refilling orifice of the cartridge when it is placed on the cartridge.

The cartridge may be void of an electrical contact. The cartridge may comprise an RFID device, which may contain, for example, in its memory, data regarding the type of substance and/or multimedia data to be diffused during operation. The atomizing apparatus may have a display showing the data contained in the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a way to identify the product contained in its interior in order to allow the atomizing apparatus to adapt the vibrational characteristics of the membrane, for example, to adapt it to the viscosity of the product. The identification method may be a specific pressed pattern present on the cartridge, an optical or magnetic code, an electrical circuit, with or without contact. The atomizing apparatus is configured to read the identification method and comprises for example a mechanical reader, an optical or magnetic reader, an electrical reader with or without contacts. The disclosure also aims to provide, according to some of its aspects, a cartridge containing at least one substance to be atomized and placed in the atomizing apparatus comprising a vibration element, the cartridge not being equipped therewith, the cartridge comprising: - an atomizing grid defining an atomizing axis and traversed by at least one atomization orifice, the grid comprising of silicon, - a grid support produced in a material different from the grid, a metallic membrane designed to receive vibrations from the vibration element, at least one reservoir containing the substance to be atomized placed at least partially around the grid, preferably defined at least partially between the membrane and the support.

A passage may be formed between the support and the membrane and may open into an atomizing chamber located below the grid.

The disclosure also aims to provide, according to another one of its aspects, an atomizing apparatus comprising:

- a vibration generator element,

- an actuating membrane put into vibration by the vibration generator element,

- a housing intended to receive a cartridge, this cartridge comprising: - a reservoir containing the substance to be atomized,

- an atomizing grid traversed by at least one atomization orifice,

- a receiving membrane designed to contact the actuating membrane in such a way that the vibrations from the actuating membrane will produce pressure waves within the substance to be atomized. The actuating membrane may be produced in metal, for example, from stainless steel. The vibration generation element may be attached to the actuating membrane on the opposite side of the face designed to contact the receiving membrane.

The atomizing apparatus may comprise a cap to be placed on the cartridge comprising one opening for the exit of the substance to be atomized superimposed on the atomizing grid.

The apparatus may comprise an elastic return element to press the actuating membrane against the receiving membrane. The elastic return element may press against the vibration generator element, or alternatively on the actuating membrane. The force with which the actuating membrane is pressed against the receiving membrane is between 3 and 7 N for example. The elastic return element is, for example, a helicoidal spring, a bladed spring, a spiral spring, an elastomer block, an elastically deformable foam, a magnetic attraction or repulsion, and/or a gas chamber under pressure, among others.

The apparatus may comprise a light source to transmit light to an entrance of an optical guide of the cartridge, this optical guide taking the light to an exit where the light may be diffused to the exterior, to light the atomized spray for example.

The light source may be relayed to a control interface in order to vary the intensity and/or the color of the light source in accordance with at least one parameter linked to the way in which the apparatus works, for example, the quantity of substance remaining in the cartridge, the type of substance, the amount of atomized spray flow, or the status of an electric energy source within the apparatus, among others. These control interfaces comprising a microcontroller, for example. The vibration generation component may comprise a piezoelectric ceramic, in the form of a ring for example. The frequency of the membrane actuating the vibrations may be between 100 and 300 kHz, for example.

The present disclosure may be more readily understood upon reading the detailed description which follows, the non exhaustive examples thereof, and the examination of the annexed drawings, of which: figure 1 is an partial schematic axial cross section of an example of the cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure, figure Ia depicts a detailed view of figure 1,

- figures 2 and 3 are perspective views, above and below respectively, of the cartridge shown in figure 1 , figures 4 and 5 show an apparatus for receiving the cartridge with the top open and closed respectively according to embodiments of the present disclosure, figure 6 shows an example of an excitation system designed to contact that cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure, - figure 7 shows the system of figure 6 in contact with the cartridge from figure 1, figure 8 is an analog view of figure 1, showing another cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and figure 9 shows partial and schematic axial cross section of another cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The cartridge 10 corresponds to the disclosure and is shown in figure 1 comprising an atomizing grid 11, a support 12 supporting the grid 11, and a receiving membrane 13 designed to contact an excitation system external to the cartridge, belonging to an atomizing apparatus designed to receive the cartridge.

Cartridge 10 has, in the illustrated example, a disc shape, for example 40 to 50 mm in diameter and 5 to 10 mm in height.

Receiving membrane 13 is supported by a support ring 14. Support 12 and support ring 14 are for example made from a thermoplastic material and are for example welded or glued one to the other.

An atomizing chamber 39 is defined between grid 11 and membrane 13. Grid 11 is traversed by a plurality of atomizing orifices 20, these orifices being for example each with an axis parallel to an atomizing axis X of grid 11. Atomizing orifices 20 are for example distributed by group, with a regular spacing between the atomizing orifices within each of these groups 21, as can be seen in figure 3 notably. Grid 11 has, for example, 480 holes measuring 7 μm in diameter. Grid 11 may be for example, made out of silicon, but other materials are usable without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Membrane 13 is, for example, made out of stainless steel, for example stainless steel 316, and having a thickness of approximately 250 μm.

Grid 11 is supported by a central block 30 of cartridge 10, block 30 having a tapered wall 34 converging towards the bottom.

Block 30 may be for example, molded with support 12, and in some embodiments from the same material.

A hollowed space 31, discharging on the upper face 32 of the cartridge, is defined on the interior by block 30, hollowed space 31 being located from the cross section increasing with respect to the increasing distance from membrane 13. The orifice by which space 31 discharges on the upper face of the cartridge is for example circular and, in some embodiments, having a diameter between 10 and 15 mm. Tapered wall 34 of block 30 is radially extended towards the interior, at its lower extremity, by a lip 35, which extends generally perpendicular to axis X, at a constant distance h from membrane 13, thereby defining a ringed passage 38 around the atomizing chamber 39. The height h of passage 38 is, for example, such that the substance is retained within by capillarity, h being, for example, between 0.01 mm and 1 mm.

In the considered example, passage 38 is substantially void of porous material.

Lip 35 may have a shoulder 41, for which the thickness corresponds approximately to that of grid 11, in such a way that its face 11a facing membrane 13 is situated approximately in the continuity of the lower face 35a of lip 35 extending in front of membrane 13.

Support 12 comprises, for example, a plate 15 which defines the upper face 32 of the cartridge. Plate 15 extends perpendicularly to axis X in the considered example, and it may be extended at a periphery towards the bottom by tubular apron 16, around from axis X, which radially covers the surface outside of ring 14. This element is, for example, cast on a periphery portion of membrane 13.

A ring shaped reservoir 50 is formed on the inside of cartridge 10, between ring 14 and central block 30, for containing the substance to be atomized. Reservoir 50 can be filled at least partially with a porous material, for example a ring 51 made of a hydrophilic foam, for example, polyurethane, as illustrated. The capacity of reservoir 50 may be for example, between 4 and 6 ml.

Two vents 60, diametrically opposed, can be made along plate 15 of support 12, these vents discharging into reservoir 50. Each vent 60 has for example a diameter of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. Where desired, the one or more vents can serve as a filling orifice for the substance to be atomized.

Cartridge 10 is designed to be placed within an atomizing apparatus 70, as shown in figures 4 and 5. Apparatus 70 comprises a base portion 71 having a housing 72 to receive cartridge 10 and a cover 73 which may be folded back from base portion 71 when in use. Cover 73 may comprise, as illustrated, an indentation 74 which has approximately the same shape of the upper portion of cartridge 10, this indentation being traversed at its center by an opening 75 superposed by space 31 above grid 20, in such a way as to allow the exit of atomized spray along axis X.

Base portion 71 may house an excitation system 78 which may, for example, resemble the illustrated in figures 6 and 7. Excitation system 78 may comprise, for example, an actuating membrane 80 designed to contact membrane 13 of cartridge 10.

Actuating membrane 80 is vibrated by a vibration generator element 81, for example a piezoelectric ceramic, which is for example attached on the lower face 82 of membrane 80.

This actuating membrane is, for example, made from stainless steel, in some embodiments stainless steel 316, and may be approximately 350 μm thick. An electrical circuit, not shown, located in base portion 71, generates the excitation voltage supplying element 81. The vibration frequency of actuating membrane

80 may, for example, be between 160 an 190 kHz.

Membrane 80 is, for example, free at its periphery, and may be located at the entry of a housing 120. An uplift spring 83 allows actuating membrane 80 to be supplied a predefined load against membrane 13 of the cartridge, in a way as facilitate to the transmission of vibrations from actuating membrane 80 to membrane 13 and the generation of pressure waves inside atomizing chamber 39 within the substance to be atomized.

Spring 83 acts for example, as illustrated in figure 6, between the end 86 of housing 120, in which vibration generator element 81 is received, and a back opposite face actuating membrane 80.

Cover 73 may enable the compression of spring 83 when it is folded (i.e. closed) on the cartridge contained in base portion 71. The contact pressure between membranes 13 and 80 is for example between 5 and 7 N. The apparatus may comprise a user interface having for example one or more visual indicators and/or one or more operating buttons, for example to select the atomizing mode or to turn the apparatus on or off.

Of course, the cartridge may be implemented as desired without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, as illustrated in figure 9, the shape of the membrane's support piece may differ from that of the example in figure 1, with for example a ringed lip 100 adjoining the reservoir, having a ringed passage 110 adjacent to the peripheral wall of the cartridge. Ringed lip 100 may bear against membrane 13. Ringed passage 110 may for example, house an o-ring 111 which may facilitate a seal between membrane 13 and apron 16.

The cartridge may comprise an optical guide 120 formed, for example, by the membrane's support piece or by a portion thereof, or by an element assembled thereto, for example, cast thereon.

The apparatus designed to receive the cartridge 10 may comprise a light source

130, schematically represented in figure 8, which sends light through optical guide 120 in a way so as to diffuse the light in optical guide 120 and exit by at least one face of the cartridge 10 where it illuminates the formed spray, for example upper face 32. The illuminating effect obtained is, for example, a halo effect.

Light source 130 comprises, for example, one or more electroluminescent diodes and/or incandescent lamps positioned around cartridge 10. The diodes or lamps used may be of different colors or each be of multi-color , in a way to create a light effect when using the atomizing apparatus.

The apparatus may be fabricated to have several housings in order to receive multiple cartridges, and the apparatus may comprise a means for selection, for example one or more buttons, allowing to selectively atomize the contents of one or several of these cartridges, so as to create an association of atomized substances corresponding, for example, to a user's desired scent.

The cartridge may have a shape other than a disc, for example, a polygonal contour or a cylindrical shape longer than it is wide.

In some embodiments (e.g. as in figure 9), passage 38 may be formed by the portion of block 30 supporting grid 11 which is directed radially towards the exterior. Atomizing chamber 39 may be defined by a space existing between membrane

13 and grid 20.

Grid 11 may include shoulder l la facilitating centering of grid 11 on block 30.

A distance j between grid 11 and membrane 13 is, for example, sufficiently small to allow for retention by capillarity, being for example, between 0.01 and 1 mm. The phrase "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with

"comprising at least one", unless the contrary is specified.

Claims

1. A cartridge (10) containing at least one substance to be atomized and to be placed in an atomizing apparatus (70) comprising a vibrating element (81), the cartridge void of a vibrating element, the cartridge comprising : an atomizing grid (11) defining an atomizing axis (X) and traversed by at least one atomizing orifice (21), a support (12) of the grid (11), made from a material different from that of the grid, - a membrane (13) configured to receive vibrations from the vibrating element, at least one reservoir (50) containing the substance to be atomized, placed at least partially around the grid, a passage (38) extending between the support (12) and the membrane (13) and discharging in an atomizing chamber (39) located under the grid, the passage (38) being configured to allow the substance to flow from the reservoir towards the atomizing chamber (39) on an angular sector of at least 15° around the atomizing axis (X).

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, the passage (38) being configured to allow the substance to flow from the reservoir towards the atomizing chamber (39) according to at least two opposing directions.

3. The cartridge according to one of the previous claims, the passage (38) being designed in such a way to allow a substance flow from the reservoir towards the atomizing chamber on an angular sector of at least 90° around the axis (X).

4. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, the passage (38) being angularly continuous along the entire atomizing axis (X).

5. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, the reservoir (5) having a continuous annular shape.

6. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims 1 to 6, the membrane (13) extending at least partially opposite from the grid (11).

7. The cartridge according to any one of the previous two claims, the passage

(38) being shaped at least partially between the membrane (13) and a grid support block (30), belonging to the support (12).

8. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, the passage (38) having at least one capillary portion.

9. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, the grid (11) extending behind an upper face (32) of the cartridge (10), when the cartridge is oriented with its atomizing axis vertically upwards.

10. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, comprising an optical guide (120) configured to direct the light from an entry towards an exit placed in a way to illuminate at least partially the spray of the atomized substance.

11. The cartridge according to any one of the previous claims, the reservoir containing a porous material (51).

12. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, the grid being fixed to the support.

13. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, the grid being configured as so not to vibrate for atomizing the substance.

14. An atomizing apparatus comprising : a vibration generator element, an actuating membrane (80) put into vibration by the vibration generator element (81), a housing to receive the cartridge comprising : - a reservoir (50) containing the substance to be atomized, an atomizing grid (11) traversed by at least one atomizing orifice

(21), a receiving membrane (13) designed to contact the actuating membrane, in such a way that the vibrations from the actuating membrane provoke pressure waves within the substance to be atomized.

15. The apparatus according to the previous claim, the actuating membrane (8) comprising metal.

16. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims 12 or 13, the vibration generator element being attached on the side actuating membrane opposite its face designed to contact the receiving membrane.

17. The apparatus according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, comprising a light source in order to transmit light to an entry of an optical guide of the cartridge, the optical guide allowing directing the light to an exit where the light illuminates the atomized spray.