Patent Application
20190105460
This disclosure generally relates to providing therapeutic and other substances in a form suitable for retro-nasal delivery, which may be used to modulate human or other animal biological processes or treat medical conditions, and in particular to related compositions, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture.
All of our five sense act as messengers that deliver information to the brain, which then processes this information, causing us to respond in relatively predictable ways. Within the context of our sense of smell, all odors present themselves in specific chemical configurations, allowing humans to perceive a wide variety of distinct odors. Odor perception initiates in the nose, where the respective molecules are detected by a large family of olfactory receptors. Olfactory receptors have diverse protein sequences, and are assigned to subfamilies on the basis of sequence relationships. These observations formed the basis for research into the mechanisms underlying human odor perception, leading to the 2004 grant of the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine to Linda B. Buck and Richard Axel.
However, even given the significant importance of our sense of smell, relatively little has been done to develop the apparent physiological value of this sense or to more thoroughly incorporate it into how humans experience the world around them on a daily basis. Although some systems and devices have been proposed for attempting to provide olfactory sensations to users (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos 8,050,545, 8,032,014, 6,654,664 and 6,803,987), they have proven inadequate as mobile, personal, targeted and effective delivery systems that may be used to alter behavior.
As explained herein, new approaches that effectively deliver therapeutic and other substances in order to elicit a physiological response are desirable.
Recent advances in olfaction biology have made it clear that flavor images that appear in the brain as a consequence of activating sensory receptors in the process of eating and drinking play a role in up- and down-regulating of metabolic function. Among the most important of sensory receptors involved in the creation of these flavor images are olfactory receptors in the nasal epithelium. Such receptors appear elsewhere in the body, including the heart, gut, and circulating cells of the immune system. As such, stimulation of olfactory receptors can influence not only metabolic processes but other processes including those involved in immunity and brain function.
The delivery of substances (i.e., active substances) to the nasal epithelium to modulate human health, as in the delivery of active substances for relieving congestion, or symptoms related to asthma, generally involves the delivery of dry or liquid formulations to the nose via a nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, or dry powder inhaler. These delivery modalities conventionally involve spraying or sniffing active substances directly into the nose via the nostrils or nasal vestibule.
Active substances deposit in the nose, depending on the nature of the delivery system and technique, with some associated degree of efficiency. This efficiency can be measured as a fraction of “delivered dose” to “nominal dose.” Delivered dose is the mass of active substance that not only deposits on the nasal epithelium, but is delivered to the target tissues and/or receptors. Given that clearance of the active substance from the nose is rapid, delivery to the nose of the dose of active substance in a form that is quickly dissolved and distributed is highly desirable.
Naturally, delivery of odorants (i.e., scent molecules) to the nasal epithelium occurs in two ways. The first, ortho-nasal scent delivery, occurs by sniffing odorants in the atmosphere, e.g., directly via the nostrils or nasal vestibule. The second, retro-nasal scent delivery, occurs by the natural diffusion and convection of odorants in the mouth into the nasal passages via the oropharynx. This latter delivery is referred to as retro-nasal olfaction, and is promoted by exhalation.
It has recently been found that many people who cannot perceive scent via ortho-nasal olfaction, can actually perceive scent or flavor via retro-nasal olfaction. The surprising “special capacity” of retro-nasal olfaction relates to the fact that the human oropharynx is supremely well designed to bring odorants in the mouth into the nasal passages. As a consequence, flavor perception plays a critical role in the regulation of human metabolism. Humans develop likes and cravings for certain foods as a consequence of experiencing the metabolic effects of these foods, and associating these effects with flavor images in their brains. Eventually, these images, as memories (the olfactory nerve links olfactory receptors in the nose with the seat of long-term memory, the hippocampus) drive food interests and cravings that lead to humans receiving the metabolic effects they enjoy.
Recently, human and animal studies have found that simply perceiving the scent of certain foods, like chocolate or the aroma of roasted coffee beans, can trigger metabolic effects that heretofore have been believed to occur only on the ingestion of chocolate or coffee. This surprising finding, combined with the discovery of the general efficacy of retro-nasal olfaction versus ortho-nasal olfaction, opens up a completely new opportunity for active substance (e.g., drugs, and various scent molecules that have until now principally been understood to relate to food and flavor perception) delivery to the nose.
Described herein are new compositions, apparatus, methods and articles for delivery of active substances to the nose. The described compositions, apparatus, methods and articles can be employed for the up- and down-regulation of human (and other animal) metabolism, as well as to other beneficial physiological effects, for instance decongestion. Rather than deliver active substances to the nose via the standard ortho-nasal route, the described approaches advantageously deliver active substances to the nose via the retro-nasal route. The active substances are formulated in readily-soluble water droplets that have a median size range of 2-50 microns, 2-20 microns, or 2-10 microns, advantageously too large for significant penetration into the lungs, while small enough to be carried into the nose.
As also described herein, apparatus are provided which allow the portable, discrete delivery of active substances, enhancing or efficiency of delivery to humans and other animals. Advantageously, the apparatus is configured to be portable, allowing the user to have the benefit of retro-nasal delivery, on demand, in a wide variety of environments. The apparatus and compositions may be used to enhance the efficiency of delivery of active substances, and to provoke a physiological response in a human or other animal via the connection of the olfactory sensory system.
In some implementations, a device is provided which takes the form of a vessel or at least includes a vessel portion, that in use holds a liquid. The device also includes a scent media reservoir that is distinct from an interior or chamber of the vessel, and which in use holds scent media. The scent media is used to emit scent into the vessel, for example as a spray of droplets. Use of a scent media reservoir that is separate from the vessel advantageously allows creation or generation of clouds of flavor/scent above food and drink, the clouds which differ from the aroma of the drink or food itself, and can be useful for conditioning appetite.
The scent media reservoir or outlet (e.g., port, nozzle) thereof may be positioned and oriented so that a spray or other distribution of scent media is directed towards, and optionally against, the inner surface (e.g., side wall) of the vessel, to advantageously ensure that the dispensed scent at least initially stays in the interior of the vessel, for instance until sampled or “ingested” by a human end user. The vessel may have an opening, In some implementations, the device may include a cover, the cover removably securable to the vessel, for example to selectively alternatingly provide and deny access to an interior of the vessel from an exterior thereof via the opening. In some implementations, the device may include an elongated hollow conduit (e.g., a straw), that provides a fluidly communicative path from an interior to the vessel to an exterior thereof, and which allows for a user or consumer to “sip out” or imbibe the “cloud” which is otherwise contained in the interior of the vessel. The device may include a nebulizer, for example a nebulizer comprising a screen and a piezo-electric element, solenoid, or an electric motor physically (e.g., mechanically, magnetically) coupled to move (e.g., oscillate, rotate) the screen and thereby cause dispersion of the scent media in the interior of the vessel, for instance as a spray.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with microcontrollers, piezo-electric devices, Peltier devices, power supplies such as DC/DC converters, wireless radios (i.e., transmitters, receivers or transceivers), computing systems including client and server computing systems, and networks (e.g., cellular, packet switched), as well as other communications channels, have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
In particular, described herein are new compositions, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to advantageously delivery of one or more active substances to the nose via retro-nasal delivery. Such can be employed in the up- regulation and, or, down-regulation of human and other animal metabolism. Such can additionally or alternatively be employed to produce other beneficial physiological effects, for example decongestion. Rather than deliver active substances to the nose via the standard ortho-nasal route, the compositions, apparatus, methods and articles described herein advantageously deliver active substances to the nose via the retro-nasal route.
These active substances or compositions are advantageously formulated as or in readily-soluble water droplets. The readily-soluble water droplets have a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns. Thus, the readily-soluble water droplets are too large for significant penetration into the lungs, while being small enough to be carried into the nose.
The active substances can be dissolved, if water soluble, directly in the water droplets. The active substances can, for example if not water soluble, be encapsulated inside, or otherwise formulated as, micelles, micro-emulsions, emulsions, liposomes, nanoparticles or other kinds of colloids. These colloids do not have a size larger than 500 nm, and optimally 200 nm or smaller. The small size of these colloids permits the nebulization of the droplets without destroying the colloids or otherwise impeding (e.g., clogging) the nebulizer (e.g., ultrasound transducer).
The droplets are delivered as a cloud to the mouth, for instance by the act of sipping. Sipping can either involve simply placing one's lips in a cloud of droplets containing the active material and sipping, or involve taking the droplets into the mouth via a conduit (e.g., a straw). On sipping the cloud, the droplets are delivered to the mouth where the droplets are suspended in the air in the mouth, and settle by gravity. The vapor around the droplets can immediately bring active substance into the nose via a “chimney effect” of the nose, and the droplets will themselves waft into the nose and deposit there, delivering active substances in a form that quickly acts on or within active tissue and resists quick clearance. Notably when the active substances are in small colloidal (e.g., nanoparticle) form, the colloids will themselves tend to resist clearance whereas larger particulates than those encompassed by the compositions described here will tend to be cleared through mucocilliary action. The active-substance-loaded droplets described here are produced from a small reservoir of less than 100 ML, optimally less than 50 ML, and particularly optimally less than 25 ML.
The composition, apparatus, methods and articles described herein have various useful benefits. The delivery of active substances or compositions (e.g., odorants or flavorful molecules of some kind, or other more traditional therapeutics) that up- and down-regulate metabolism, can be achieved with less than 1 gram of ingested active substance or composition. That is, the approaches described herein can deliver active substances to olfactory and/or taste receptors, producing physiological benefit (e.g., up-regulating and, or down-regulating human metabolism), while delivering almost no active substance to the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Second, for the purposes of delivery solely to the nose, as in the delivery of decongestants for the common cold or other respiratory dysfunction, the approaches described herein can produce greater physiological effect per nominal dose delivered to the nose than any other approach known by applicants, as in a spray or respiration from the environment into the nose.
Other kinds of water aerosols that are delivered to the mouth include electronic cigarettes and a methodology known as “Le Whaf.” Electronic cigarettes nebulize material into the mouth however with particle sizes that are small enough to penetrate the lungs and via the act of respiration, not sipping. Le Whaf produces mean particles sizes that are larger than 50 microns, thus not optimally suited to penetration into the nose. Other kinds of retro-nasal delivery of active substances exist in the form of highly volatile or aromatic lozenges, or food and drink, as in chocolate cake or a cup of coffee. These latter all involve ingested material with nominal masses placed in the mouth of greater than 1 gram.
In some implementations, some or all of the delivery system 100a may be located proximate the exterior surface 116 of the wall 112 or other surface of a vessel 114. In some implementations, for example, an exterior surface 116 of the wall 112 may include a bracket, clasp, or other securing mechanism (not shown in
The housing 102 may include a fluid reservoir 104 and may be comprised of a polymer, elastomer, or other light-weight, durable material that may be used to hold a liquid. The housing 102 may be formed of one or more plastics, for example an ABS or polycarbonate plastic. The plastic may be injection molded or vacuum molded to form the housing 102. The type of material or process employed to form the housing 102 from the material should not be considered limiting. In some implementations, the housing 102 may include an interior cavity that forms the fluid reservoir 104 that may be used to hold and contain one or more active substances as a fluid 110 or other material (e.g., powder, gel, colloidal suspension) that carries active substances (e.g., scent molecules). In some implementations, for example, the fluid reservoir 104 may be sized and dimensioned to hold up to 100 mL of the fluid 110. In some implementations, the fluid reservoir 104 may be sized and dimensioned to hold a maximum amount of the fluid 110 that is less than 100 mL (e.g., 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, 40 mL, or 50 mL). The fluid 110 may be any liquid or other material that is, or that carries, the active substance(s) (e.g., scent molecules) that are released when the fluid 110 transitions to a vapor or aerosol 128 and is released into the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. The housing 102 may include an aperture 138 that forms part of the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 for the fluid 110 to be transferred from the fluid reservoir 104 to the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114 as the vapor or aerosol 128. The vapor or aerosol may advantageously comprise readily-soluble water droplets have a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns. Thus, the readily-soluble water droplets are too large for significant penetration into the lungs, while being small enough to be carried into the nose. The vapor or aerosol 128 may result in a physiological response from some users when those users encounter the active substance(s) transported by the vapor or aerosol 128.
In some implementations, the housing 102 may include a cover 130 or other covering that is selectively removable from an aperture that may be used to provide access to the fluid reservoir 104. In some implementations, the cover 130 may be pivotably coupled to the remaining portion of the housing 102 via one or more hinges 132 such that a user may selectively rotate the cover 130 along an axis of rotation formed by the one or more hinges 132. When opened, the cover 130 may provide access to the fluid reservoir 104 via a loading aperture 140 through which the fluid 110 may pass. Such fluid 110, for example, may be poured or dropped through the loading aperture 140 into the fluid reservoir 104.
The actuator 106 may be used to turn the fluid 110 stored in the fluid reservoir 104 into the vapor or aerosol 128 that is transmitted to the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. In some implementations, for example, the actuator 106 is a nebulizer, for instance in the form of a transducer that oscillates a metal mesh to generate a mist, for example held or dispensed from in the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. The transducer may oscillate at a frequency of about 175 kHz±5 kHz that is sufficient to atomize the fluid 110 held in the fluid reservoir 104. The frequency of oscillation of such a transducer may be increased or decreased depending up on the properties of the fluid 110 or other materials held within the fluid reservoir 104. In such an implementation, that transducer may form an annular ring with a metal-mesh included within a center portion of the transducer. As such, the fluid 110 may be transported to the metal mesh, via, for example, capillary action, where it is atomized into the vapor or aerosol 128 as a result of the oscillation of the transducer. In such an implementation, the actuator 106 may be located towards the bottom of the housing 102 such as to be in contact with the fluid 110.
In some implementations, the actuator 106 is electrically coupled to a battery 134 that may provide a power source for the oscillation of the scent actuator 106. The battery 134 may be small and lightweight, such as the batteries used for small electronic devices (e.g., hearing aids). In some implementations, the battery 134 is at least partially embedded within the thickness 124 of the wall 112. In some implementations, the battery 134 is selectively removable and replaceable, such as when the battery can no longer provide sufficient charge to operate the scent actuator 106. Other types of power sources may be provided, such as a power source comprised of one or more photovoltaic panels and associated components that may convert light into energy that can be used to operate the scent actuator 106, an array of super- or ultracapacitor cells, or an array of fuel cells.
The fluidly communicative active substance path 108 includes an opening or aperture through which atomized fluid particles can be introduced to the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114 as the vapor or aerosol 128. The opening for the fluidly communicative scent path 108 may extend across the thickness 124 of the wall 112 from the exterior surface 116 to the interior surface 126. In some implementations, the opening for the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 is substantially circular in shape, and is sized and dimensioned to securely hold the actuator 106. In some implementations, the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 includes an outer ring 136 between the actuator 106 and the wall 112. The outer ring 136 may be comprised of a compressible, elastic substance that, when compressed, forms a water-tight barrier between the reservoir 110 and the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. As such, the compressible barrier may prevent any beverage or other liquid contained within the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114 from transferring to the fluid reservoir 104, as well as prevent any fluid 110 held within the fluid reservoir 104 from transferring to the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114 (except as the vapor or aerosol 128).
In some implementations, the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 may include a latch or other securing mechanism that may securely, physically couple to the housing 102. In some implementations, for example, the housing 102 may include a lip or raised portion that surrounds the aperture 138, with a corresponding groove being formed along an outer edge of the fluidly communicative active substance path 108. To couple the housing 102 to the fluidly communicative active substance path 108, the lip or raised portion on the housing 102 is inserted into and securely held by the corresponding groove included within the fluidly communicative s active substance cent path 108.
In some implementations, the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 may be used to position the actuator 106 and thereby direct the flow of the vapor or aerosol 128 upon entering the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. As shown in
In some implementations a valve may be positioned within the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 that may be selectively opened or closed to enable the transmission of vapor or aerosol 128 into the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114. The valve may be actuated by an electrical signal that may be received via, for example, a control system 160 that may include a microcontroller. A suitable microcontroller may take the form of an 8-bit microcontroller with in-system programmable flash memory, such as the microcontroller commercially available from Atmel Corporation under designation ATMEGA48/88/168-AU. The microcontroller executes a program stored in its memory, and sends signals to control the various other components, such as, for example, the valves. Control signals may, for instance be pulse width modulated (PWM) control signal, particularly where controlling an active power supply device. Otherwise, control signals may take on any of a large variety of forms. For instance, the microcontroller may valves or the actuator 106 simply by completing a circuit that powers the respective value or actuator 106.
The delivery system 100a may optionally include a visual indicator 162 to indicate when the delivery system 100a is operating or turned ON. Although illustrated as a single light emitting diode (LED), the visual indicator 162 may take any of a large variety of forms. The LED may be capable of emitting one, two or more distinct colors. The visual indicator 162 may also indicate other information or conditions, for instance the visual indicator 162 may flash in response to an occurrence of an error condition. A pattern of flashes (e.g., number of sequential flashes, color of flashes, number and color of sequential flashes) may be used to indicate which of a number of possible error conditions has occurred.
The cover 400 may be sized and shaped to completely cover the aperture 138 of the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 to the vessel 114 in the closed position 452. In some implementations, the cover 400 may have a first face 406 and a second face 407 that are separated by a width (not shown). The first face 406 may be substantially circular in shape with a diameter 408. The first face 406 may be positioned to face towards the inner portion 120 of the vessel 114 when the cover 400 is in the open position 450. The first face 406 may be rotated to face inwards, opposing the aperture 138 to the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 when the cover 400 is in the closed position 452. The first face 406 may be sized and shaped to be larger than the size of the aperture 138 to the fluidly communicative active substance path 108. In some implementations, for example, the diameter 408 of the cover 400 may be larger than a diameter 410 of the aperture 138 to the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 to thereby completely cover the aperture 138 to the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 when the cover 400 is in the closed position 452.
In some implementations, the cover 400 may include a latch or some similar securing feature that secures the cover 400 in the closed position 452. For example, the first face 406 of the cover 400 may include a latch or knob 412 that aligns with a corresponding notch or aperture 414 in or proximate to the interior surface 126 of the wall 112. The knob 412 may be secured within the aperture 414 thereby maintaining the cover 400 in the closed position 452. In some implementations, the first face 406 of the cover 400 may include a ridge or lip that extends circumferentially around an outside edge 416 of the first face 406 of the cover 400. The ridge may be sized and shaped to securely fit into a complementary depression that extends around or proximate to an outside portion of the aperture 138 of the fluidly communicative active substance path 108 along the interior surface 126 of the wall 112. The ridge extending around the first face 406 may be selectively, securely engaged with and secured within the depression running along, for example, the interior surface 126 of the wall 112 when the cover 400 is in the closed position 452. As such, the cover 400 may prevent the vapor or aerosol 128 from being introduced into the interior portion 120 of the vessel 114 by the actuator 108.
The cover 400 may include a cleaning surface 418 that extends across at least a portion of the first face 406 of the cover 400. The cleaning surface 418 may be sized and shaped to extend across all, or substantially all, of the metal-mesh screen 204 that is exposed within the aperture 138 of the fluidly communicative active substance path 108. The cleaning surface 418 may be fluidly coupled to a cleaning fluid reservoir 420 (
The twistable cover 500 may be turned or twisted in a clockwise direction to transition the twistable cover 500 from the closed position 502 to the open position 600. Turning the twistable cover 500 in the clockwise direction may result a lateral motion of the twistable cover 500 away from the interior face 126, thereby exposing one or more openings 602 (
The twistable cover 500 may be turned or twisted in a counter-clockwise direction to transition the twistable cover 500 from the open position 600 to the closed position 502. In such a closed position 502, the twistable cover 500 may close off each of the openings 602, thereby preventing vapor or aerosol 128 from exiting the aperture 138 of the fluidly communicative scent path 108. When in the closed position 502, the twistable cover 500 may bring the cleaning surface 418 of the twistable cover 500 into contact with the metal-mesh screen 204. As such, the twistable cover 500 may be used to clean the metal-mesh screen 204 of debris or of residual scent fluid 110 when the twistable cover 500 is in the closed position 502.
The top portion 706 may include a neck 712 with one or more opening(s) 714. The opening(s) 714 may be used to draw vapor or aerosol 128 out of the interior portion 702 of the elongated container 700 by a user. The neck 712 may be tapered to concentrate the vapor or aerosol 128 as it is drawn upwards for consumption. The top portion 706 may be used to otherwise hold the vapor or aerosol within the elongated container 700 until the vapor or aerosol is consumed.
The bottom portion 704 of the elongated container 700 may have a substantially circular cross-section, and may be sized and shaped to be held and carried by a human user. The dispensing system 100 may be attached to an interior wall 716 and/or a floor 718 of the bottom portion 704 of the elongated container 700. In some implementations, some or all of the dispensing system 100 may form a unitary piece with the bottom portion 704 of the elongated container 700. For example, in some implementations, the dispensing system 100 may have a housing 720 that includes a front wall 722 that stretches across a portion of the interior wall 716. The front wall 722 may include one or more openings 726 through which vapor or aerosol 128 may be introduced to the interior portion 702 of the elongated container 700. The housing 720 may include a lid 723 that extends from the front wall 722 to the interior wall 716, thereby forming a cavity 724 within the interior portion 702 of the bottom portion 704. The lid 723 may be coupled to the front wall 722 and/or the interior wall 716 via, for example, one or more hinges 729, and be rotatable about an axis of rotation to thereby expose the cavity 724.
The cavity 724 may include a fluid reservoir 727 that may be used to hold the active substance(s) in a form of a fluid 110. The cavity 724 may include a holder or slot that is used to secure a scent actuator 106 proximate the opening(s) 714, between the actuator 106 and the fluid reservoir 727. The actuator 106 may be activated to introduce the vapor or aerosol 128 to the interior portion 702 of the elongated container 700. The reservoir 727 may be used to hold a quantity (e.g., (e.g., 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, 40 mL, 50 mL, or up to 100 mL) of fluid 110 for use in the elongated container 700.
In some implementations, an elongated conduit (e.g., a straw) may be included to provide the user a way to draw the active substance into the user's mouth.
In some implementations, a device is provided which takes the form of a vessel or at least includes a vessel portion, that in use holds a liquid. The device includes a scent media reservoir that is distinct from an interior or chamber of the vessel, and which in use holds scent media. The scent media is used to emit scent into the vessel, for example as a spray of droplets.
The vessel preferably takes the form of a glass, bowl, bottle, carafe, or even a spoon, and may have a shape that is customary to drink, eat or consume from so that the flavor clouds can shape common consumer food and beverage behavior.
The device may include a base, in addition to the vessel. The base may hold various electronics, for example a control subsystem, a nebulizer, etc.. Thus, the base can serve as a housing for electronics. The base can be made of any one or more of a large variety of materials, for example wood, metal or plastic. The base can be decorative in shape or configuration, or may bear decorative markings. The base can have any of a large variety of shapes, dimensions or configurations. For example, the base may take the form of a pedestal having a relatively large height or thickness. Also for example, the base may take the form of a coaster having a relative small height or thickness as compared to a width thereof. Also for example, the base may take the form of a tray having a relative small height or thickness as compared to a width thereof, either with or without a raised edge or rim. The base can have any of a large variety of profiles, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or even freeform. The base can have a single area in which a vessel is locatable or removably receivable, or the base can have two or more areas in which respective ones of two or more vessels are locatable or removably receivable. The area or areas at which the vessel(s) can be removable received may have an associated switch or sensor that is responsive to a presence or absence of a vessel at the particular location, and which can produce a corresponding signal based on at least one of a presence or absence of a vessel at the respective location of the base.
The vessel may advantageously be removably supportable or even detachably coupleable to the base, allowing the vessel to be removed for cleaning, for example by placement into a dishwasher without presenting a danger to the electronics. The base may include attachment members to detachably couple to complimentary structures on the vessel, securing the vessel from inadvertently being knocked from the base. Attachment can be, for example, via a press fit, suction, adhesive, friction, magnets, clamps or the like.
The scent media reservoir may, for instance, hold a small amount of scent media in a liquid form. Suitable amounts can for example fall in the range of 2 milliliters to 10 milliliters inclusive. For instance, the scent media reservoir may hold 2 milliliters, 5 milliliters, or 10 milliliters of scent media in a liquid form. The small volume of the scent media reservoir assures not too much vapor or aerosol is placed into the air, which can be undesirable particularly if the liquid scent media is volatile. Use of a scent media reservoir that is separate from the vessel advantageously allows creation or generation of clouds of flavor/scent above food and drink, the clouds which differ from the aroma of the drink or food itself, and can be useful for conditioning appetite.
The scent media reservoir or outlet (e.g., port, nozzle) thereof may be positioned and oriented so that a spray or other distribution of scent media is directed towards, and optionally against, the inner surface (e.g., side wall) of the vessel. For example, a centerline of the spray intersects with an inner wall of the vessel. That is, a spray expands around a line of center of mass, and this centerline points to the inner wall. This advantageously ensures that the dispensed scent at least initially stays in the interior of the vessel, for instance until sampled or “ingested” by a human end user. The scent media reservoir may receive scent media in a liquid form. The scent media may, for example, be dripped or poured into the scent media reservoir. Alternatively the scent media may be contained in one or more cartridges that are removably, replaceably receivable by the scent media reservoir.
The vessel may have an opening, typically located at or at least proximate a top of the vessel, via which the vessel and optionally the scent media reservoir can be loaded, and from which the user may sample or “ingest” the contents of the vessel. The opening may advantageously be spaced above an outlet or nozzle from which the scent is dispensed or dispersed. Alternatively, or additionally, the opening or nozzle may be oriented to direct the spray of scent media away from the opening, for example at an angle to a major or rotational axis of the vessel, for instance in direction that is generally downward and pointed toward an interior surface of a side wall of the vessel. Again, such advantageously ensures that the dispensed scent at least initially stays in the interior of the vessel, for instance until sampled or “ingested” by a human end user.
In some implementations, the device may include a cover, the cover removably securable to the vessel, for example to selectively alternatingly provide and deny access to an interior of the vessel from an exterior thereof. In some implementations, the device may include an elongated hollow conduit (e.g., a straw), that provides a fluidly communicative path from an interior to the vessel to an exterior thereof, and which allows for a user or consumer to “sip out” or imbibe the “cloud” which is otherwise contained in the interior of the vessel. The use of a top and a straw advantageously allows a user to experience the flavor clouds and control the dose that is delivered, avoiding arbitrary escape from the vessel and assure metered delivery. This can be important for health and wellness applications.
The device may include a nebulizer, for example a nebulizer comprising a screen and a piezo-electric element, solenoid, or an electric motor physically (e.g., mechanically, magnetically) coupled to move (e.g., oscillate, rotate) the screen and thereby cause dispersion of the scent media in the interior of the vessel, for instance as a spray. The nebulizer may, for example, oscillate the screen at ultrasonic frequencies to cause a dispersion of the scent media. The nebulizer may be positioned spaced relatively below the opening of the vessel. For example, the nebulizer can be positioned spaced below the opening of the vessel and oriented to disperse scent media along a dispersion axis which is directed perpendicularly with respect to a portion of an interior surface of a side wall of the vessel. Alternatively, the nebulizer can be positioned spaced below the opening of the vessel and oriented to disperse scent media along a dispersion axis which is directed generally toward a portion of an interior surface of a side wall of the vessel, and which is also directed at a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular axis from the portion of the side wall toward the nebulizer, so as to point relatively downward with respect to a top or opening of the vessel. An orientation that causes a generally downward dispersion of the scent media may, for example, allow the nebulizer to advantageously be positioned closer to the top or opening of the vessel, while still ensuring that the dispersion of scent media is substantially directed and, or at least initially retained, within the interior of the vessel. Such positioning can enhance delivery to a user.
The device may include one or more switches or sensors communicatively coupled to operate the nebulizer. The device may, for example, include a switch that is operable from an exterior of the device, for instance a contact switch, a momentary contact switch, a rocker switch, etc. In at least one implementation, the switch may be mechanically coupled to a base or other portion of the device or vessel, and activated manually, e.g., by twisting the base or some part of the vessel. The device may, for example, include one or more sensors, for instance a one-, two- or three-axis accelerometer, a PIR motion sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, and, or Reed switches. The sensor(s) can detect a motion (e.g., upward movement, downward movement) and, or orientation (e.g., tilting, upright) of the device or vessel, and operate the nebulizer in response to some defined motion or orientation. The sensor(s) may detect a touch by the user or other contact (e.g., contact or absence of contact between a base of the device or vessel and some object, for instance a table) and operate the nebulizer in response to some defined touch or contact. The sensor(s) may detect a twisting of a vessel relative to a base, or even the placement of the vessel on the base, and operate the nebulizer in response. The sensor(s) may detect a presence or absence, for example a presence or absence of the vessel with respect to the base or a defined location on the base, and operate the nebulizer in response to some defined presence or absence. For instance, the base or the vessel may include one or more magnets, and the other one of the base or vessel may include a sensor (e.g., a Reed switch) that is response to the presence or absence of a magnet and associated magnetic field in the proximity of the sensor. In at least one implementation, placement of the vessel on the base is detected by the sensor, which provides a signal that causes the nebulizer to begin dispensing or dispersing scent in the interior of the vessel. Removal of the vessel from the base is also detected by the sensor, which in response provides a signal that causes the nebulizer to cease dispensing or dispersing scent in the interior of the vessel.
The device may include a transducer communicatively coupled to operate the nebulizer. The transducer may, for example, include one or more radios (e.g., cellular transceiver, WI-FI transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver) which receives wireless signals for instance RF or microwave signals for one or more wireless communications devices (e.g., smartphones) or remote controllers. The transducer may, for example, include one or more receivers, for instance an infrared receiver that receivers infrared light signals from a remote controller.
Activation may be synchronized with the delivery of audio, video, or audiovisual media. For example, a smartphone or digital assistance (e.g., Amazon Alexa®, Google Home®, Apple HomePod®) can cause activation of flavorful droplets inside a vessel that a consumer can experience in coordination with the delivery or experience of other digital media, e.g., music, film, video games, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), etc.
It may be desirable to create food and beverage experiences where the aroma associated with the food or beverage is enhanced, or other than it naturally would otherwise be. In this respect, flavor shapes appetite and cravings. Human appetites and cravings are largely shaped by flavor images that form in the brain while eating and drinking. It is possible to generate these images via delivery of flavorful droplets of minor mass, thereby shaping appetite and cravings without ingestion. Shaping the flavors, independently of the food and beverages themselves, makes it possible to help people eat and drink better and have more pleasurable experiences. This approach can be characterized as an “augmented reality” of scent and flavor, and the associated device denominated as an Augment Reality Vessel for Flavor Perception. The spray of droplets, aerosol or cloud of scent material may be characterized as a scent garnish. Droplets may have a media size of around 500 microns. These droplets may be delivered into open air within a vessel, preferably at angles that permit the droplets or cloud to remain principally contained inside the vessel. The approach can be used in entertainment (e.g., food or cooking programming), and in healthcare (e.g., control of metabolism).
The vessel 902 may include an opening 908 via which scent media 910 is received, for instance as a spray pf droplets or an aerosol. The scent media 910 may be dispersed or dispensed via one or more components (e.g., nebulizer) contained in the base 906. The vessel may advantageously be removably coupleable to the base, allowing the vessel to be removed for cleaning, for example by placement into a dishwasher without presenting a danger to the electronics.
The nebulizer 1002 can include one or more screens 1008 which is supported by a frame 1010 for movement, for example for oscillation or rotation The nebulizer 1002 can include one or more of a piezo-electric element 1012, solenoid 1014 or electric motor 1016 physically coupled to move the screen(s) 1008.
The actuators 1004 may include one or more of radios 1018, transducers or sensors 1020 and, or, switches 1022 communicatively coupled to the control subsystem 1006.
The control subsystem 1006 may, for example, include one or more microcontrollers 1024, microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays, and, or application specific integrated circuits. The control subsystem 1006 may, for example, include one or more nontransitory storage media 1026 that stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data, which when executed by the microcontroller 1024 causes the microcontroller 1024 to control operation of the device 900, for example in response to one or more inputs. For example, the microcontroller may receive signals from one or more of radios 1018, transducers or sensors 1020 and, or, switches 1022, and control operation of the nebulizer 1002 in response to same. For instance, the control subsystem may cause the nebulizer to dispense or disperse scent media in response to a first input, and to stop the nebulizer from dispensing or dispersing scent media in response to a second input. Input can include user manipulation of a switch, positioning or orientation of the vessel by the user, or wireless commands from a radio or remote controller.
In operation, the cover 1304 may be sufficient to ensure that a spray or aerosol dispersed or dispensed by the nebulizer at least initially remains in the interior 1312 of the vessel 1302. Alternatively or additionally, the nebulizer or a port thereof may optionally be positioned and oriented to dispense or disperse scent media in a direction that at least initially substantial retains the dispensed or dispersed scent media within an interior 1312 of the vessel 1302.
The vessel 1302 may contain a liquid (e.g., illustrated as a beverage) and, or a solid (e.g., food; illustrated as ice cubes). The scent media may be dispensed or dispersed (e.g., spray of droplets, aerosol) over the liquid and, or, solid which the user will imbibe, for example via a straw, the scent media changing or enhancing the liquid or solid which the user will imbibe.
The conduit or straw 1306 that provides a fluidly communicative path through the cover 1304 for a user to imbibe the contents of the vessel 1302 imbued with scent.
The delivery device 1500 includes a housing or conduit 1504. The housing or conduit 1504 may be elongated, having a first or proximal end 1506 and a second or distal end 1508. The second or distal end 1508 may be opposed to the first or proximal end 1506 across a major dimension or length L of the delivery device 1500. The housing or conduit 1504 make resemble or take the form a stirrer, straw, or tube, and has a passage 1510 defined therethrough along at least a portion of the length L. The housing or conduit 1504 may include one or more outlet ports 1512 (only one illustrated). The outlet port(s) 1512 provide a path for dispersion of the vapor or aerosol 1502 from the delivery device 1500. The outlet port(s) 1512 are preferably positioned relatively closer to the first or proximate end 1506 than the second or distal end 1508, to position the outlet port(s) 1512 to be above a level of the food or beverage in the vessel, and preferably at an angle that dispenses at most perpendicular to the upper most level of the food or beverage, or even downward toward such. In some implementations, the outlet port(s) 1512 may be approximately (i.e., 15%) ⅓ down the length L of the housing or conduit 1504 from the first or proximal end 1506.
In some implementations, the housing or conduit 1504 can take the form of a circular cylinder, for example as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The delivery device 1500 includes a transducer, for example a nebulizer 1520 that is operable to cause formation of a vapor or aerosol 1502 comprising readily-soluble droplets comprising the one or more active substances from the active substance media and to dispense the vapor or aerosol 1502 via the at least one outlet port 1512. The vapor or aerosol 1502 may advantageously take the form of readily-soluble droplets have a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns comprising the one or more active substances. The passage 1510 provides a communicative between the scent media receptacle 1514 and the nebulizer 1520 to provide scent media to the nebulizer 1520 from the scent media receptacle 1514.
The delivery device 1500 optionally includes a control subsystem 1522. The control subsystem 1522 includes circuitry that operates the nebulizer to produce the vapor or aerosol. The control subsystem 1522 may be communicatively coupled to the switch, for example via one or more wires, fiber optics or via an IR transceiver. The control subsystem 1522 may include a timer, for example to operate the nebulizer 1520 for a defined time period in response to receiving a control signal from the switch 1518 on activation of the switch 1518. Such may be particularly useful for controlling a length of time, and hence and amount of active media dispensed. Such may be particularly useful where the switch 1518 is a momentary switch, which, for example, provides a single signal in response to a single activation. The control subsystem 1522 may prevent subsequent dispersal for a defined period of time, or may prevent such until the delivery device has been removed from the vessel and reinsert. The delivery device 1500 may include one or more inertial sensors or fluid sensor to detect whether or not the delivery device has been removed from the food or beverage prior to allowing a subsequent dispersal and provide signals indicative of such to the control subsystem 1522. The control subsystem 1522 may monitor a quantity of scent media residing the in the scent media reservoir 1514 or a pressure, for example via one or more pressure sensors, load cells or other sensors. The control subsystem 1522 may cause presentation of a message when the amount remaining scent media falls below a threshold level.
The delivery device 1500 includes one or more power sources 1524, for example one or more of: primary battery cells, secondary battery cells, super- or ultra-capacitor cells, and, or fuel cells. The power source 1524 may be rechargeable, for instance via a set of electrical contacts or inductive charger element.
The housing or conduit 1504 may include two separable parts, with a seam 1526 therebetween, for example to allow the power source to be replaced. The parts may be include threads or other coupling structures (not shown) allowing the parts to be screwed apart and screwed together. One or more gaskets (not shown) can provide hermetical sealing of the interior of the housing or conduit 1504 from an exterior thereof.
The delivery device 1600 includes a housing or conduit 1604. The housing or conduit 1604 may be elongated, having a first or proximal end 1606 and a second or distal end 1608. The second or distal end 1608 may be opposed to the first or proximal end 1606 across a major dimension or length L of the delivery device 1600. The housing or conduit 1604 make resemble or take the form a stirrer, straw, or tube, and has a passage 1610 defined therethrough along at least a portion of the length L. The housing or conduit 1604 may include one or more outlet ports 1512 (only one illustrated). The outlet port(s) 1612 provide a path for dispersion of the vapor or aerosol 1602 from the delivery device 1600. The outlet port(s) 1612 are preferably positioned relatively closer to the first or proximate end 1606 than the second or distal end 1608, to position the outlet port(s) 1612 to be above a level of the food or beverage in the vessel, and preferably at an angle that dispenses at most perpendicular to the upper most level of the food or beverage, or even downward toward such. In some implementations, the outlet port(s) 1612 may be approximately (i.e., 15%) ⅓ down the length L of the housing or conduit 1604 from the first or proximal end 1606.
In some implementations, the housing or conduit 1604 can take the form of a circular cylinder, for example as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The delivery device 1600 includes a transducer, for example a nebulizer 1620 that is operable to cause formation of a vapor or aerosol 1602 comprising readily-soluble droplets comprising the one or more active substances from the active substance media and to dispense the vapor or aerosol 1602 via the at least one outlet port 1612. The vapor or aerosol 1602 may advantageously take the form of readily-soluble droplets have a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns comprising the one or more active substances. The passage 1610 provides a communicative between the scent media receptacle 1614 and the nebulizer 1620 to provide scent media to the nebulizer 1620 from the scent media receptacle 1614.
The delivery device 1600 optionally includes a control subsystem 1622. The control subsystem 1622 includes circuitry that operates the nebulizer to produce the vapor or aerosol. The control subsystem 1622 may be communicatively coupled to the switch, for example via one or more wires, fiber optics or via an IR transceiver. The control subsystem 1622 may include a timer, for example to operate the nebulizer 1620 for a defined time period in response to receiving a control signal from the switch 1618 on activation of the switch 1618.
Such may be particularly useful for controlling a length of time, and hence and amount of active media dispensed. Such may be particularly useful where the switch 1618 is a momentary switch, which, for example, provides a single signal in response to a single activation. The control subsystem 1622 may prevent subsequent dispersal for a defined period of time, or may prevent such until the delivery device has been removed from the vessel and reinsert. The delivery device 1600 may include one or more inertial sensors or fluid sensor to detect whether or not the delivery device has been removed from the food or beverage prior to allowing a subsequent dispersal and provide signals indicative of such to the control subsystem 1622. The control subsystem 1622 may monitor a quantity of scent media residing the in the scent media reservoir 1614 or a pressure, for example via one or more pressure sensors, load cells or other sensors. The control subsystem 1622 may cause presentation of a message when the amount remaining scent media falls below a threshold level.
The delivery device 1600 includes one or more power sources 1624, for example one or more of: primary battery cells, secondary battery cells, super- or ultra-capacitor cells, and, or fuel cells. The power source 1624 may be rechargeable, for instance via a set of electrical contacts or inductive charger element.
The housing or conduit 1604 may include two separable parts, with a seam 1626 therebetween, for example to allow the power source to be replaced. The parts may be include threads or other coupling structures (not shown) allowing the parts to be screwed apart and screwed together. One or more gaskets (not shown) can provide hermetical sealing of the interior of the housing or conduit 1604 from an exterior thereof.
The delivery device 1700 includes a housing or conduit 1704. The housing or conduit 1704 may be elongated, having a first or proximal end 1706 and a second or distal end 1708. The second or distal end 1708 may be opposed to the first or proximal end 1706 across a major dimension or length L of the delivery device 1700. The housing or conduit 1704 make resemble or take the form a stirrer, straw, or tube, and has a passage 1710 defined therethrough along at least a portion of the length L. The housing or conduit 1704 may include one or more outlet ports 1612 (only one illustrated). The outlet port(s) 1712 provide a path for dispersion of the vapor or aerosol from the delivery device 1700. The outlet port(s) 1712 are preferably positioned relatively closer to the first or proximate end 1706 than the second or distal end 1708, to position the outlet port(s) 1712 to be above a level of the food or beverage in the vessel, and preferably at an angle that dispenses at most perpendicular to the upper most level of the food or beverage, or even downward toward such. In some implementations, the outlet port(s) 1712 may be approximately (i.e., 15%) ⅓ down the length L of the housing or conduit 1704 from the first or proximal end 1706.
In some implementations, the housing or conduit 1704 can take the form of a circular cylinder, for example as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The delivery device 1700 includes a transducer, for example a nebulizer 1720 that is operable to cause formation of a vapor or aerosol comprising readily-soluble droplets comprising the one or more active substances from the active substance media and to dispense the vapor or aerosol via the at least one outlet port 1712. The vapor or aerosol 1702 may advantageously take the form of readily-soluble droplets have a median size range of approximately 2 microns to approximately 50, 20, or 10 microns comprising the one or more active substances. The passage 1710 provides a communicative between the scent media receptacle 1714 and the nebulizer 1720 to provide scent media to the nebulizer 1720 from the scent media receptacle 1714.
The delivery device 1700 optionally includes a control subsystem 1722. The control subsystem 1722 includes circuitry that operates the nebulizer to produce the vapor or aerosol. The control subsystem 1722 may be communicatively coupled to the switch, for example via one or more wires, fiber optics or via an IR transceiver. The control subsystem 1722 may include a timer, for example to operate the nebulizer 1720 for a defined time period in response to receiving a control signal from the switch 1718 on activation of the switch 1718. Such may be particularly useful for controlling a length of time, and hence and amount of active media dispensed. Such may be particularly useful where the switch 1718 is a momentary switch, which, for example, provides a single signal in response to a single activation. The control subsystem 1722 may prevent subsequent dispersal for a defined period of time, or may prevent such until the delivery device has been removed from the vessel and reinsert. The delivery device 1700 may include one or more inertial sensors or fluid sensor to detect whether or not the delivery device has been removed from the food or beverage prior to allowing a subsequent dispersal and provide signals indicative of such to the control subsystem 1722. The control subsystem 1722 may monitor a quantity of scent media residing the in the scent media reservoir 1714 or a pressure, for example via one or more pressure sensors, load cells or other sensors. The control subsystem 1722 may cause presentation of a message when the amount remaining scent media falls below a threshold level.
The delivery device 1700 includes one or more power sources 1724, for example one or more of: primary battery cells, secondary battery cells, super- or ultra-capacitor cells, and, or fuel cells. The power source 1724 may be rechargeable, for instance via a set of electrical contacts or inductive charger element.
The housing or conduit 1704 may include two separable parts, with a seam 1726 therebetween, for example to allow the power source to be replaced. The parts may include threads or other coupling structures (not shown) allowing the parts to be screwed apart and screwed together. One or more gaskets (not shown) can provide hermetical sealing of the interior of the housing or conduit 1704 from an exterior thereof.
A user can then remove the delivery device from the inlet opening 2004 and then sip, imbibe, or otherwise consume the vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form from the spacer device 2000 by positioning their mouth at the inlet opening 2004 and consuming the scent media through the inlet opening 2004. In one alternative implementation, the spacer device 2000 includes the inlet opening 2004 as well as an outlet opening or hole 2006, which may be provided with a mouthpiece. In such an implementation, once the internal chamber 2002 of the spacer device 2000 is filled with a cloud of vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form, the user can sip, imbibe, or otherwise consume the vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form from the spacer device 2000 by positioning their mouth at the outlet opening 2006 and consuming the scent media through the outlet opening 2006.
The delivery device 2100 also includes a top or upper portion or main body 2104, which includes a hollow housing and the electronic and mechanical components of the delivery device 2100. Such components include a printed circuit board 2200 and associated components coupled thereto, a pair of batteries 2106, a hollow conduit, tube, or pipe 2108, a piezo-electric device 2110, which can include or be physically coupled to a mesh screen having a mesh size of 3 microns, of 4 microns, of 6 microns, of 20 microns, or of between 3 and 20 microns, as well as an internal cover 2112, and an external cover 2114, which can be transparent or translucent. The housing of the main body 2104 can be opaque or translucent, and can have a specific color such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, or white. The internal cover 2112 can have an appearance matching that of the housing of the main body 2104. In particular, the internal cover 2112 can be opaque if the housing of the main body 2104 is opaque or translucent if the housing of the main body 2104 is translucent, and can have a specific color matching that of the housing of the main body 2104, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, or white.
The conduit 2108 includes a relatively wide top end portion, a relatively narrow middle portion and a relatively wide bottom end portion sized to extend around the conduit 2116 of the base 2102. An inner surface of the bottom end portion of the conduit 2108 includes threads complementary to the threads of the conduit 2116 so that the conduits 2108 and 2116 can be threadedly engaged and thereby coupled to one another. When the conduits 2108 and 2116 are coupled to one another, liquid scent media can be poured out of the base 2102 through the conduit 2116 and into the conduit 2108. The relatively wide top end portion of the conduit 2108 is sized and configured to house the piezo-electric device 2110 at the top end of the conduit 2108, so that the liquid scent media can flow through the conduit 2108 from the bottom end portion thereof to the piezo-electric device housed at the top end portion thereof.
The conduit 2108 also includes a pair of flanges 2118 that are coupled to opposing outer side surfaces of the middle portion of the conduit 2108, and that extend laterally outward from the respective side surfaces as well as in a direction aligned with the overall length of the conduit 2108. The flanges 2118 each include a recess or cradle that is shaped and configured to cradle a portion of one of the batteries 2106, to partially restrain the batteries 2106 when the device 2100 is assembled. The internal cover 2112 includes a generally circular or disk-shaped main body portion and a hollow and truncated cone-shaped portion 2120 that extends upward from the main body portion. The main body portion of the internal cover 2112 includes a pair of openings or apertures 2122 that extend through the main body portion. Each of the apertures 2122 is sized and configured to cradle a portion of one of the batteries 2106, to partially restrain the batteries 2106 when the device 2100 is assembled. The external cover 2114 includes a generally circular or disk-shaped main body portion and an opening or aperture 2124 that extends through the main body portion. The aperture 2124 is sized and configured to fit snugly around a portion of the outer surface of the cone-shaped portion 2120 of the internal cover 2112 when the device 2100 is assembled.
As illustrated in
To operate the delivery device 2100, a user can fill the base 2102 with scent media in a liquid form and assemble the device 2100 except for the batteries 2106 and the external cover 2114, such as by screwing or threading the base 2102 onto the main body 2104. The user can then insert the batteries 2106 into the device 2100 through the apertures 2122 in the internal cover 2112, such that the batteries are partially cradled by the recesses of the flanges 2118, and such that bottom terminals of the batteries 2106 are in electrical contact with the springs 2204. The user can then couple the external cover 2114 to the rest of the device 2100, such as by threading or press-fitting the external cover into a top end of the main body 2104. An underside of the external cover 2114 can include a strip of electrically-conductive material, such as metal, which can engage the top terminals of the batteries 2106 and electrically couple the upper terminal of one of the batteries 2106 to the upper terminal of the other one of the batteries 2106.
The user can then lift and tilt the device 2100, such that the fluid flows, under the force of gravity, from the base 2102, through the conduit 2108, to the piezo-electric device 2110. Once the user tilts the device 2100, the tilt sensor 2206 can generate and transmit a signal indicating that the device 2100 has been tilted. Further, once the fluid flows to the piezo-electric device 2110, the fluid may come into contact with a fluid sensor coupled to the pins 2208 and generate and transmit a signal indicating that the fluid has reached the fluid sensor. Further still, the device 2100 can include a pressure-sensitive switch on a bottom surface thereof which, when the device 2100 is picked up off of a flat surface, can generate and transmit a signal that the device 2100 has been picked up. In some embodiments, the device 2100 includes no manually-operated switches or buttons, and receives no input from the user, other than one, two, or three of the signals described above.
Upon receipt of any one, any two, or all three of such signals, the device 2100 can activate the piezo-electric device 2110 to begin generating a cloud of vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form from the scent media in liquid form. Because the device 2100 is tilted sideways or upside-down, the cloud of vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form can flow out of the device 2100 through the hollow cone-shaped portion 2120, and can be consumed directly by the user or can be poured into another container or vessel for subsequent consumption. In some implementations, the device 2100 includes an internal timer and automatically turns off or de-activates the piezo-electric device 2110 to stop generating the cloud of vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form after a time period of about 5, about 10, about 15, or about 20 seconds. In other implementations, the device 2100 continues to operate and generate the vaporized scent media or scent media in aerosol form until the device 2100 is once again oriented upright or placed back on a flat horizontal surface.
When the fluid within the base 2102 runs out, the user can unscrew or unthread of the base 2102 from the main body 2104 of the device 2100, refill the base 2102 with more of a desired scent media in a fluid form, screw or thread the base 2102 back on to the main body 2104, and then resume using the device 100. When the batteries 2106 die, no longer power the device 2100, and need to be replaced, the user can remove the external cover 2114 from the rest of the device 2100, such as by unscrewing, unthreading, or turning the external cover 2114 with respect to the rest of the device 2100. The old batteries 2106 within the device 100 can then be removed and new batteries 2106 can be installed in their place. The user can then re-install the external cover 2114 onto the rest of the device 2100 and resume using the device 2100.
In some implementations, the external cover 2114, or a surface of the rest of the device 2100 that engages with the external cover 2114, includes a detent, and the detent is engaged as the external cover 2114 is turned with respect to the rest of the device 2100 just before the external cover 2114 is released from the rest of the device 2100. Engagement of the detent can serve as a signal to the user that the external cover 2114 is about to be released from the rest of the device 2100. Once the user releases and removes the external cover 2114 from the rest of the device 2100, the batteries are disconnected and the device is unable to operate. Thus, the external cover 2114 can act as a switch, where removing the external cover 2114 from the rest of the device 2100 switches the device 2100 off and engagement of the external cover 2114 with the rest of the device 2100 switches the device 2100 on.
In some implementations, the scent media used in any one of the delivery devices described herein can include functional additives or active agents, in some cases for therapeutic applications, such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, other nutrients to provide nutrition, or drugs, medications, or pharmaceutical agents. As specific examples, such compounds can be used to assist a user in recovering from addictions such as opiate or food addictions, or to assist a user in controlling their metabolism. In some cases, such compounds can be provided in a liquid, and either a concentrated or a purified form, and can be vaporized or aerosolized by one of the delivery devices described herein and poured over a food or a beverage that either does not contain such compounds or that contains such compounds in a much lower concentration than the vapor or aerosol.
As one specific example, a commercial syrup, such as a commercial cinnamon syrup, such as is commercially available under the brand name Torani, can be diluted with water in a ratio of between one third and one half syrup to between one half and two thirds water, and then mixed with a water-soluble vitamin such as vitamin B12 such that the vitamin makes up about five percent of the mass of the mixture. The mixture can then be poured into a vial within one of the delivery devices described herein, and the delivery device can be operated to vaporize or aerosolize the mixture and create a cloud of the vapor or aerosol over a food or a beverage such as a glass half-full of water. In such an implementation, the mass of the cloud over the water is around 1 milligram and the cloud contains about 50 micrograms of the vitamin. In this way, a user, such as a patient, can consume a daily dose of vitamin B12 by consuming ten sips of water if with each sip, the user consumes the cloud of vapor or aerosol over the water and then pours a new cloud of vapor or aerosol for consumption with the next sip of water.
As another example, the same process can be performed but with a peppermint syrup and with vitamin D mixed into the syrup and water such that the vitamin makes up about one percent of the mass of the mixture. In such an implementation, the cloud of vapor or aerosol over the water contains about 10 micrograms of the vitamin. In this way, a user, such as a patient, can consume a daily dose of vitamin D by consuming two sips of water if with each sip, the user consumes the cloud of vapor or aerosol over the water and then pours a new cloud of vapor or aerosol for consumption with the next sip of water.
As another example, the same process can be performed but with a salty caramel syrup and with folic acid mixed into the syrup and water such that the folic acid makes up about five percent of the mass of the mixture. In such an implementation, the cloud of vapor or aerosol over the water contains about 50 micrograms of folic acid. In this way, a user, such as a patient, can consume a daily dose of folic acid by consuming eight sips of water if with each sip, the user consumes the cloud of vapor aerosol over the water and then pours a new cloud of vapor or aerosol for consumption with the next sip of water.
This process can be adjusted for use with a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, other nutrients, or medications, including to deliver a 700-900 μg dose of Vitamin A (RAE), a 300 μg dose of Biotin, a 80 μg dose of Vitamin K, a 120 μg dose of Chromium, a 150 μg dose of Iodine, a 75 μg dose of Molybdenum, or a 70 μg dose of Selenium to a user such as a patient. This process can be used to create clouds of vaporized or of droplets of aerosolized compounds where the total mass of the droplets in the cloud is, or is about, or is less than or equal to, 1 milligram.
U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 62/652,069, filed Apr. 3, 2018, 62/628,395, filed Feb. 9, 2018, and 62/556,974, filed Sep. 11, 2017 and 62/687,970, filed Jun. 21, 2018, are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entireties. The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62556974 | Sep 2017 | US | |
| 62628395 | Feb 2018 | US | |
| 62652069 | Apr 2018 | US | |
| 62687970 | Jun 2018 | US |
