The present invention is directed to a dispensing device, system, and method for the dispensing of a fluid supplement. The dispensing of fluids, such as in the form of a concentrated fluid containing flavoring, nutrients, medication, and/or other supplements. The system as provided in certain embodiments, comprises a handheld apparatus which allows the dispensing of predetermined amount of a fluid with single-handed use.
The use of concentrates for the addition of a supplement is a common method of administering supplements—such as vitamins, medication, and electrolytes. Particularly in the field of administering medication, the practice of using fluids has been adopted for ease of use, for those that have difficulty swallowing, as well as those that simply prefer to administer their supplements in fluid form to imbibe with a beverage. Recently the use of Cannabis-based medications and treatments have increased in use, however the traditional means of ingesting Cannabis-based medications including compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) may be impractical, socially unacceptable, inappropriate, or undesirable.
A traditional means of ingesting or administering Cannabis-based medications is the inhalation of smoke generated through the burning of portions of the Cannabis plant. This method is imprecise with regard to the dosage to an individual and is increasingly discouraged in public settings. Furthermore, the inhalation of smoke are not recommended for certain users—such as children, the elderly, and those who are in a state of respiratory compromise—who may benefit from the use of Cannabis derived compounds. For instance, Cannabis derived compounds are used frequently for patients undergoing chemotherapy in efforts to stimulate hunger. Furthermore, in the medical community, there have been clinical findings which indicate that the use of CBD assists in the treatment and reduction of seizures in children suffering from severe forms of epilepsy such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet Syndrome.
Another popular means for the ingesting of Cannabis-based compound surrounds the act of “vaping,” which operate on a similar basis as electronic cigarettes. Vaping surrounds the vaporization of a fluid within which the Cannabis compound is contained. Pulmonary health concerns exist surrounding the act of vaping as vaping has shown in some clinical trials to result in inflammation of the lungs and lung damage. In some cases, vaping has been attributed as a cause of death in some individuals. A further risk associated with vaping surrounds the dosage. The dose amount when vaping is heavily dependent upon a user and the amount they inhale.
A more recent means of ingesting or administering Cannabis-based medications is the oral ingestion of prepared edible portions which are prepared in a form such as cookies, gummy candies, or other edible forms. This method, although more precise and less likely to create corresponding health-risks, is still imprecise and is unable to be personalized for a specific user to provide appropriate dosage, track dosage, and to prevent over-dosage. Furthermore, mistakenly ingesting such edibles may create unsafe situation such as overdosing which results in an undesirable psychological state, particularly with children.
For reasons such as those discussed above, there is a need for a apparatus and method for the administration of Cannabis-based supplements in a precise, safe, and discrete manner.
It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a device and method for the accurate and precise dispensing of a fluid. The present invention surrounds the use of a dispenser unit which interconnects with interchangeable pods for the purposes of dispensing different fluids. The dispenser unit reads and records unique identifying information from the pod by reading a unique identifier or using a digital key to gain access to the dispenser function. The identifying information includes, but is not limited to minimum dosage, maximum dosage, potency, viscosity, electric requirements for pod operation, remaining fluid in the pod, recommended intervals for dosing, and predefined dose.
The interchangeability of pods with the dispenser allows a user to easily change the fluid, which is dispensed by the device, thereby negating the need to completely exhaust a first pod prior to using a second pod, and allowing a user to dispense different fluids without the need to carry multiple devices. Rather a user may carry a single dispenser and a plurality of pods which are configured to interconnect with the dispenser.
It is an aspect of the present invention to prevent accidental or unauthorized dispensing of fluid from a pod of certain embodiments. A combination of one-way valves, and anti-suction elements prevent the leakage of fluid from a pod. A one-way valve intended for filling the pod for instance, allows the filling of a reservoir from an external aspect of the pod, but does not allow flow of the liquid in the opposite direction.
Furthermore, a one-way valve intended for dispensing a fluid in certain embodiments for instance, allows flow of fluid from the pod to an external aspect of the pod further. The one-way valve further comprises an anti-suction feature. For instance, certain embodiments comprise an anti-suction channel connecting the external aspect of the one-way valve to an aspect of the pod wherein a user is unable to place their mouth over the one-way valve to suck the fluid from the pod. Sucking on the dispensing region of a pod would only result in drawing air from an external aspect of the pod located away from the one-way valve.
Many portable devices for the ingesting of a fluid, such as vape pens and electronic cigarettes, rely on the user to draw in the fluid with their breath. This mode of delivery is imprecise and unreliable.
It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a repeatable, reliable, and precise means for dispensing a fluid for ingestion. A dispenser and pod of certain embodiments allows the repeatable delivery of a predetermined amount. Furthermore, the dispenser tracks the amount dispensed, time of dispensing, and type of fluid dispensed.
It is a further aspect of the present invention that a dispenser interconnects with disposable or reusable pods wherein the fluid is contained. The pods have a self-contained dispensing mechanism actuated by the dispenser. Thus, the dispenser does not have direct contact with fluid and does not require cleaning. Furthermore, the lack of direct contact of fluid with the dispenser prevents cross-contamination of fluids when changing pods.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the inventions contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Further, this Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in this Summary, as well as in the attached drawings and the detailed description below, and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended to either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the drawings, and the claims provided herein.
Certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in
In certain embodiments, seen in
Certain embodiments, seen in
In certain embodiments, shown in
Certain embodiments comprising a pod 1200, shown in
A pod 1200 of certain embodiments, as shown in
In certain embodiments, shown in
In certain embodiments, again referencing
A pump 4000 of certain embodiments, shown in
In certain embodiments, seen in
In certain embodiments, a pump 4000 is assembled within the body 3000 wherein the pump 4000 and associated elements are integrated with the body 3000 through the use of soldering, welding, over-molding, adhesive, or other methods appreciated by those skilled in the art.
It will be appreciated that a diaphragm pump, sometimes referred to as a membrane pump, is a positive displacement pump that uses a combination of a reciprocating action of a flexible membrane to pump a fluid. It will be appreciated that the diaphragm of a diaphragm pump 4000 of various embodiments comprise rubber, thermoplastics, Teflon® and/or metal while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Certain embodiments, shown in
In certain embodiments (
In certain embodiments, an outlet duct 5000 is connected to the outlet port 4300. The outlet duct 5000 provides fluid communication between the outlet port 4300 and an external aspect of the pod 1200. In certain embodiments, an outlet 5100 comprising a one-way valve 3210 is disposed between the outlet duct 5000 and an external aspect 6000 of the pod. The one-way valve 3210 allows fluid flow only in the direction from the outlet duct 5000 to the external aspect 6000 of the pod. In certain embodiments the one-way valve 3210 between the outlet duct 5000 and the external aspect 6000 of the pod is disposed on a bottom aspect 1225 of the body of the pod.
In certain embodiments an anti-suction channel 5500 is in gaseous communication with the outlet valve 3210 and the fill-port 3200 of the pod. The anti-suction channel 5500 provides an air-filled volume which serves multiple purposes. A first purpose of the anti-suction channel 5500 is to provide make-up air for the fill-port 3200. As fluid is dispensed, this creates a suction in the reservoir 3300 (
Certain embodiments, as shown in
In certain embodiments, a user sets 7050 a preferred dose amount which is saved 7100 to the controller of the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to be removably connected to a pod, and when a user connects 7150 a pod to the dispenser, the dispenser reads 7200 the information from the pod and stores it on the controller. In certain embodiments, the reading step 7200 comprises reading a max dosage permitted for dispensing in a predetermined time period. Certain embodiments further comprise a comparing 7325 step performed prior to the sending electrical signal 7350 step. The comparing step 7325 compares the recorded dispensed amount from previous recording steps 7650 in the predetermined time period prior to the depressing 7300 of the button. If the recorded amount dispensed within the predetermined time period prior to the depressing step 7300 is equal to or greater than the max dosage, the dispenser will not send an electrical signal 7350, thus preventing the dispensing in excess of the max dosage within the predetermined time period. After a max dosage in the predetermined time period is reached, the dispenser will not further dispense fluid until enough time has passed such that less than the max dosage has been dispensed in the predetermined time period prior to the depressing 7300 of the button on the dispenser. I
The dispenser of certain embodiments, shown in
In certain embodiments, the pod comprises memory storage 2110 wherein the dispenser can store the data associated with the dispensed amount, date of dispensing, and/or the amount of fluid remaining in the pod. Certain embodiments of the pod comprises a piezo-electric crystal 2100.
In certain embodiments as shown in
In certain embodiments comprising a dispenser, the dispenser further comprises a tilt sensor 2200 (
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/880,230, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING LIQUIDS”, filed Jul. 30, 2019; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/035,539 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING LIQUIDS”, filed on Jun. 5, 2020, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
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