Patent Application
20220194680
In one aspect, new dispenser components for use with portable fluid dispensing apparatus are provided. The present systems can be used to administer to a user water and other fluids optionally together with one or more other ingestibles such as flavoring, a health supplement, or a meal replacement. In another aspect, new rotor or disk units that may comprise one or more pods or packets that contain ingestible material(s). In a further aspect, one or more of such pods or packets that may comprise one or more ingestible materials.
Human dietary supplements are used by a significant portion of the population. These supplements may be used to 1) provide a general dietary/nutritional benefit, 2) provide improved physical performance (as with sports nutrition), or 3) improve a functional aspect of the body (lipid control/heart health, stress management, weight loss, slowing the aging process, improved sleep, etc.).
With so many supplements available, individuals who value supplements as part of daily care are often taking 10 or more pills per day. This can be an excessive amount of pills. It is estimated that about 40% of the population has an aversion to swallowing pills. Some individuals report heartburn with pills and even worse heartburn with numerous pills. In addition, some individuals find taking three batches of pills day after day to be tiresome—a phenomenon sometimes dubbed “pill fatigue.”
It would be desirable to have new systems and methods for administering supplements and other ingestible materials (ingestibles).
We now provide a new personal portable fluid dispensing apparatus. We also provide a new dispensing or rotor unit configured for use with the portable fluid dispensing apparatus as well as new packets or pods configured for use in the dispensing unit.
A preferred portable fluid dispensing apparatus comprises a vessel component for retaining fluid and a dispenser component that is in communication with the vessel component. The dispenser component is adapted to retain two or more ingestible materials that can be selectively added to the vessel component. The ingestible materials preferably contain at least two different material types. The vessel component also comprises a mixer component which may be automatically activated in response to the ingestible materials being dispensed into the vessel component or in response to sensing movement of the apparatus. The mixer component may also be activated based on a stored blending schedule. Alternatively, the mixer component may be manually activated.
The apparatus further comprises a base component attached below the vessel component. The vessel component may have an open end portion that mates with the base component. The base component may be divided into a plurality of compartments. In one aspect, the base component provides temperature control of fluid retained in the vessel component. One or more operation parameters of the apparatus may be manipulated manually or remotely. The operation parameters include temperature of the fluid within the vessel component, addition of one or more ingestible materials to the vessel component, outputs to a user of the apparatus, exposure of contents to ultraviolet (UV) light for sterilization, backlighting of contents with variable color and/or brightness, addition of a secondary fluid (e.g., sweeteners, supplemental nutrients, liquid creamer, and the like), blending of the fluid and the ingestible materials, or scanning of packets via an RFID chip or QR scanning
The base component and the vessel component are releasably affixed and may be releasably engaged by a threaded or similar attachment. The apparatus may further comprise a battery component and a processor. The apparatus and associated app is capable of assessing one or more use parameters, stored user demographics, stored user preferences, user location, motion impact to the apparatus, orientation, pressure, and direction of the apparatus, strain gauge reading, accelerometer, thermistor reading, and optimal hydration based on body weight, exercise, and ambient temperature. This assessed data may be used to determine consumption of liquid. The use parameters include levels of fluid contained in the apparatus, amount of ingestible materials contained in the apparatus, type of ingestible materials contained in the apparatus, temperature of fluid contained in the apparatus, power supply levels of the apparatus, location of available proximate fluid supplies, record of user consumption and type of fluid and ingestible materials, and schedule of user consumption of fluid and ingestible materials.
The indication of levels of fluid contained in the apparatus may be provided by a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In a preferred embodiment, the vessel compartment includes a transparent panel to provide a visual indication of levels of fluid contained in the apparatus.
In one embodiment, the dispenser component is configured to nest and selectively dispense one or more ingestible materials. In another embodiment, the dispenser component is configured to nest and selectively dispense multiple distinct ingestible materials. In one embodiment, multiple distinct ingestible materials may be dispensed simultaneously.
In one alternate embodiment, the vessel component and the dispenser component are rotatably attached. The attachment may be via a pin rotation, a bore rotation, or a concentric rotation. The dispenser component may be rotated to be laterally offset with respect to the vessel component to dispense the ingestible materials into the vessel component. In one embodiment, the rotation of the dispenser component causes a striker to be rotated towards the dispenser component and release the ingestible materials.
In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a drinking tube mechanically connected to the striker. The drinking tube is disposed through a center of the vessel component or outside a diameter of the dispenser component. The drinking tube is rotated into a drinking position to move the striker towards the dispenser component.
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
Preferably, the overall height of the apparatus is in a range of about 6 to 24 or more inches, more typically a height of 8 to 15 inches. A cross-sectional dimension of the apparatus suitably increases from a bottom portion to the dispenser component. Alternatively, the entire height of the apparatus is substantially uniform. Preferably, the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the apparatus is in the range of about of about 2 inches to about 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 inches, more typically about 2.5 to 5 inches. In any event, dimensions of the apparatus may suitably vary.
In another alternate aspect, a personal portable fluid dispensing apparatus comprises a vessel component for retaining fluid, a dispenser component configured to retain two or more ingestible materials that can be selectively added to the vessel component. In this configuration, the apparatus can separately store multiple distinct fluids. The vessel component is divided into multiple compartments to store the multiple distinct fluids. A vessel chamber wall divides the vessel component into the multiple compartments. The vessel chamber further comprises a retractable lower portion to fluidly join each compartment of the vessel component. The apparatus is configured to independently dispense multiple distinct fluids to a user.
In additional preferred systems, a dispensing unit is configured for use with the portable fluid dispensing apparatus and comprises a disk unit configured to releasably nest one or more packets of ingestible material. In one embodiment, the disk unit is a multiple-component disk unit. The disk unit comprises cavities shaped to accommodate the packets of ingestible materials. The disk unit further comprises one or more indicators of nested packets of ingestible materials. The indicators may be visual and/or tactile indicators which may be color, textual, or shape-coded. Preferably, the disk unit securely engages the packets via at least one protrusion formed on each packet. In one embodiment, the disk unit contains one or more packets of ingestible materials. Preferably, the dispensing unit contains two or more packets. Additionally, the at least two of the packets may contain different ingestible materials. The different ingestible material is selected based on user selection or is preselected based on user data.
In a further aspect, the disk unit comprises an upper disk part and a lower disk part and the one or more packets are nested between the upper and lower disk parts. The upper and lower disk parts are releasably engaged or alternately, permanently affixed. The upper and lower disk parts may comprise a mechanical engagement. The upper disk and/or the lower disk is configured to releasably engage the one or more packets.
In one alternate embodiment, the disk unit securely engage the one or more packets via at least one protrusion formed on each packet. Alternately, the disk unit comprises featheredged edges that line cavities that allow for the one or more packets to be press fitted into the disk unit.
In further embodiments, the disk unit is configured to securely engage the fluid dispensing apparatus. The dispensing unit further contains one or more of the packets which are labeled for identification by other than visual inspection.
Preferably, the disk unit is configured to nest multiple packets, three to ten packets. In one embodiment the disk unit is configured to nest at least five packets and in another embodiment the disk unit is configured to nest at least three packets.
In preferred aspects, the one or more packets are each wedge shaped and more preferably, are formed as a pie-shaped wedge. Each pie-shaped wedge has rounded corners. The packets further comprise an extended flange configured to engage the disk unit. When the disk unit is loaded or charged, with the packets, the flange of each packet is seated on the disk unit. The packets also comprise a lidding or a lid section. In an alternate embodiment, the lidding dissolves in contact with water. The lidding may be human-ingestible. The packets may also be made of one or more materials that comprise a dissolvable material. The lidding and the packets may be formed of a substantially same material. The packet may be made from materials that comprise PET, PLA, or HIPS. Alternately, the packet is made from materials that comprise a biodegradable polymer and/or a biocompostable polymer. The lidstock of the packets providing access to the ingestible materials may be non-peelable, peelable, or piercable. The lidstock may further comprise a QR code, a lot code, a bar code, or consumer readable information.
In one embodiment, each packet has a scored lidstock that facilitates desired opening. The dispensing unit prevents entry of the lidding materials in a fluid-containing component of the dispensing apparatus. In one embodiment, the packets are configured to prevent entry of lidding material into a fluid-containing component of the portable fluid dispensing apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the lid section of the one or more packets is only partially scored for dispensing to prevent entry of lidding material into the fluid-containing component of the dispensing unit. The non-scored portion of the lid section is positioned at a leading portion of the packet as the disk unit rotates to prevent inhibiting rotation of the disk unit.
In some embodiments, the disk unit and/or the packets comprise graded edge portions in areas wherein packets are nested. The edge portions may have a bevel or chamfer configuration. Suitably, the graded edge portions reduce or prevent nested packets from inhibiting rotation of the dispensing unit.
In certain aspects, the disk unit and/or one or more packets are formed from recyclable material. The disk unit and/or one or more packets may be formed from polylactic acid or polyethylene terephthalate. The disk unit and packets are each formed from a same substantially material. The disk unit may be made of a compostable material.
The dispensing unit is positioned within a chamber of the portable fluid dispensing apparatus. The chamber may include a retractable door unit to admit the dispensing unit to the chamber. The dispensing unit includes an apparatus to facilitate opening of one or more packets nested within the dispensing unit. The apparatus comprises a lever, a cam, and a hammer. The apparatus may further comprise a door that opens when in a dispense mode and closes when in a drink, storage, or blend mode. The door closes with a seal, preferably actuated by a spring that prevents water from entering the storage chamber in the dispensing unit.
In some embodiments, the disk unit of the dispensing unit is preloaded with packets of ingestible materials based on a user order or user data. Alternately, the dispensing unit itself is preloaded with the packets. The user data includes at least one of questionnaire results, laboratory test results, genetic test results, and body fluid test results. The disk unit further comprises an RFID chip enabling sensing of the ingestible materials dispensed at a particular time. The disk unit may also be reusable. In preferred embodiments, the disk unit is formed of sheet stock having a thickness of about 0.020 to 0.040 inches. The disk unit has a diameter of about 2 to 5 inches.
In a further aspect, a method for charging a fluid dispensing apparatus is provided. The method comprises providing a dispensing unit configured for use with a portable fluid dispensing apparatus, the dispensing unit comprising a disk unit configured to releasably nest one or more dispensable packets of ingestible materials, the disk unit comprising one or more indicators of nested dispensable packets of ingestible materials. The method further comprises adding one or more of the dispensable packets to the disk unit based on one or more sensory indicators provided on either or both of the disk unit and one or more dispensable packets. The packets are then dispensed into the fluid-containing component of the portable fluid dispensing apparatus. The dispensing process may be based on user selection or based on the sensory indicators and may be manually or automatically activated.
In use or upon activation, a portion or substantially all of the ingestible material(s) contained in a packet or pod are dispensed into the vessel unit of the apparatus, for example, at least about 10, 20, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 95% of the total weight of ingestible materials contained within a packet or pod are dispensed into the apparatus upon activation such as tearing or removal of a lidstock.
In certain aspects, the ingestible material contents of a packet or pod contents are accessed and dispensed into the vessel unit of the apparatus by mechanical action only. In certain other aspects, the ingestible material contents of a packet or pod contents are accessed and dispensed into the vessel unit of the apparatus only via an automatic system, such as with use of a control unit. In still other aspects, ingestible material contents of a packet or pod contents are accessed and dispensed into the vessel unit of the apparatus by a combination of mechanical action and an automatic system such as with use of a control unit. The control unit may also be in communication with the various apps discussed herein.
In another aspect, a disk unit configured for use with the portable fluid dispensing apparatus comprises one or more packets of ingestible materials and a label that identifies the person or group of persons selected for consumption of the ingestible materials. The label identifies a content category of the ingestible materials. Preferably, the disk unit comprises two or more packets of ingestible materials. The label may be affixed to the disk unit or may be integrated thereinto.
In preferred aspects, a packet comprises one or more ingestible materials configured for use in the dispensing unit and the packet is detectably labeled. The ingestible material is powder or liquid form. The liquid may be a concentrated liquid nutrient. In one embodiment, the packets comprise one or more indicators that are visual and/or tactile indicators of color, textual, or shape-coded. The packets may comprise contacts/dots, a QR code, or an RFID chip enabling the dispensing apparatus to sense the ingestible material dispensed at a particular time.
Each packet may vary in size and in one aspect preferably has a longest dimension of less than 5, 4 or 3 inches. In another embodiment, each packet has a longest dimension of less than 2 inches. In yet another embodiment, each packet has a longest dimension of less than 1.5 inches. A packet may have a variety of configures or shapes. In a preferred aspect, the packet may have a wedge-shape through an entire dimension length of the packet. In another embodiment, the packet has a wedge-shape through only a portion of a dimension length of the packet.
In an alternate embodiment, the packet has a cylindrical shape for at least a portion of the dimension length of the packet. Alternatively, the packet has a four-sided shape (e.g. square or rectangular cross-section) for at least a portion of a dimension length of the packet. In preferred embodiments, the packet comprises a flat portion opposite to a base portion or lid section of the wedge (e.g. pie-shaped wedge) to engage with a central disk structure of the dispensing unit.
In one aspect, the packets are injection molded. In another aspect, the packets are thermoformed. The thermoformed packets are formed with an aspect ratio of greater than 1:1 and more particularly, with an aspect ratio of 1.5:11. The thermoformed packets are formed with an average draft angle between the flange and the packet bottom of less than about 5 degrees. The packets preferably contain about 1 to 30 grams of ingestible material, and more particularly, about 1 to 12 grams of ingestible material.
In a further system, a packaging unit is provided comprising a plurality of packets of ingestible material. The packaging unit may be a sleeve element, a box element, or a bag element. The packets can be suitably arranged or nested in a packaging unit in a variety of configurations. In one aspect, a plurality of packets are stored within the packaging unit in alternating orientation. In another aspect, the packets are nested within the packaging unit in an abutting matter. On other aspects, such as a bag, the packets may be loosely arranged. The packaging unit comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 or more packets and more preferably, comprises 14 packets. In certain aspects, a packaging unit comprises less than 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 12 packets.
Other aspects of the invention are disclosed infra.
As discussed, new apparatus and related systems and methods are provided that can conveniently administer fluids optionally together with one or more other ingestibles. The present apparatus can manipulate various characteristics of stored fluid, including fluid temperature, gas content (e.g. N2, CO2, aeration) and the degree of homogeneity of content of various ingestibles such as health supplements, flavorings, beverages, and the like.
Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about.”
Preferred systems may include one or more of a 1) a flask or vessel component for holding one or more fluids, 2) a dispensing head or component that may be configured to accept a custom disposable supplement (ingestibles), discharge those ingredients into a fluid within the vessel, 3) a rotor component, e.g. disposable, rotatable supplement disk or rotor that suitably contains the specified amount of each supplement (ingestibles) in a separate pod or packaging such as a blisterpak and that may, for example, collectively comprise a desired daily or other periodic or scheduled regimen of supplements for a specific user of the system, suitably placed in a sequential order or other arrangement around the rotor to facilitate optimal time of day administration. In another embodiment, administration of the ingestible material would be facilitated by an application that communicates with the flask (vessel component). The app could be deployed either over personal computers, mobile devices (including mobile phones, tablets such as iPads®), watching, fitness trackers, or the like providing a reminder to the user to hydrate, take supplements at the appointed time, modify hydration recommendations relative to physical activity, either detected, for example by integration with personal exercise fitness tracker apps or mobile phones or by user input.
Such systems and apparatus can provide numerous advantages over other approaches. For instance, the present systems and apparatus permit nutrients (ingestibles) with a stimulatory effect (e.g. B vitamins, astaxanthin) to be administered upon waking and at circadian lulls in mid-morning and mid-afternoon. The present systems and apparatus also permit for nutrients (ingestibles) with sedative effect such as Mg or the amino acid tryptophan to be administered prior to bedtime. The present systems and apparatus would allow water soluble nutrients to be administered between meals, when they are best absorbed and fat soluble nutrients to be administered with fat-containing meals. These systems and apparatus would furthermore allow vitamin C, a potent and rechargeable antioxidant—but which has a 30 minute half-life- to be administered in divided doses over the day, maximizing the effectiveness per mg administered in a day while reducing risk of gastric distress. Dividing the regimen over the course of many administrations could also reduce dose-related off-flavors common with efficacious levels of certain ingredients.
This time of day optimized dispenser component (e.g. rotor charged with one or more pods containing ingestible materials) would also enable the individual to target certain functional nutrients/additives for the time of day they would be most beneficial, such as taking a sleep inducer like valerian or melatonin at night. The present systems and apparatus would also allow nutrients to be delivered more consistently over the course of the day, potentially placing less strain on the liver and kidneys. Finally, some nutrients should not be given at the same time because they compete for binding sites, absorption mechanisms, or other pathways in the body and as well as for other reasons. Such a system would allow those nutrients to be administered at different times. An algorithm (e.g., in the app, on the internet, within the apparatus, in an accessory connected (wired or wirelessly) to the apparatus) collects the relevant information to develop a recommendation and obtains the above factors into account in spreading the doses out for maximum potency/minimal negative effects.
In a preferred embodiment, the vessel component (also sometimes referred to herein as the flask or flask component), suitably has a primary tubular body that can function to substantially maintain an established temperature (e.g. above or below room temperature) for an extended period of time such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 or more hours of a fluid retained within the flask component. In one embodiment, the flask is made from double or triple walled 316 Stainless Steel with a vacuum between the layers for insulation. In a preferred embodiment, the flask is made of glass which provides a visual indication when filling. When glass is used, a honeycomb rubber liner or the like may be used to reduce provide air pockets for insulations, and provide shock absorption. Plastic, or BPA-free plastic, may be used for certain applications. The drinking path of the apparatus remains free of plastic to reduce exposure to estrogenic activity (EA) chemicals, such as, BPA. Other materials than glass also may be used to provide visual inspection of filling.
In a preferred embodiment the flask component allows for visual inspection to determine the level of fluid within the flask component such as a transparent window in the flask that allows for such visual inspection. In an alternate embodiment the flask includes a visual or other output of the fluid fill level of the flask component, for example a stack of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed up the side that allows visualization of the fill level during filling and while drinking (see
In a particular embodiment, the flask component may comprise a spout/pivoting drinking tube external to the circumference of the flask that allows the rotor component to spin freely within the dispensing head and which serves as an anchor point for a levered clamp in the dispensing head to secure the seal between the dispensing head, the flask, and the rotor.
In particular, the dispensing head creates a seal with the dispensing packet via a rotating motion, lifting the disk off the seal to enable rotation (see
In a particular preferred arrangement, the flask has a removable bottom section/battery pack/processor. The top of this section also suitably may be vacuum insulated stainless steel and secured with a seal. This section suitably includes a power source such as a high power density rechargeable battery pack (preferably lithium ion, but may be substituted with another consumer safe battery capable of powering all or separately the various features of the dispensing apparatus such as, for example 1) the LED lights to indicate fluid level/time to drink, 2) the processor, 3) Bluetooth® radio or the like, 4) locator/finder signal, 5) the swappable components, 6) recharging external devices, such as a cell phone, GoPro®, etc., 7) an optional ultraviolet C (UVC) light used to disinfect water within the flask, 8) frother (e.g., milk frother), and 9) heating device. This battery section suitably is rechargeable with a commercially available micro USB or a USB-C connector. In addition to receiving a charge, the USB-C connector may provide a charge via a stored pigtail connector to charge a mobile phone or other mobile device. This base section may be removed to allow attachment of any of a series of swappable components between the flask and the battery unit.
The first swappable component may be a mixer component (e.g. vortex mixer or blender) that operates at high speed but with a gentle blade to allow complete mixing of powders or liquids while avoiding shearing/denaturing the active ingredients in the various products, as shown in
The second swappable component may be a solid state cooler that pulls heat from the bottom of the flask, as shown in
Another optional component is a deep freeze head (e.g., freezer/chiller), as shown in
Another swappable component may be a pill compartment, as shown in
Another swappable component may be a protein powder component that suitably accommodates protein powder or other high volume powders that may not fit in the rotor's individual wells. Yet another swappable component may be an enhanced speaker capable of outputting user preferred audio. The speaker may also be programmed to output an alert or alarm to a user related to a scheduled drinking cycle or other user preferred schedules. Additionally, the speaker may comprise an upper and lower disk and may be opposed to the sides by a spiral rail that opens up space between the top and bottom disks for improved acoustics.
The above-described components suitably have threaded or similar attachments at top and bottom and may be stacked in any order, with an electrical contact running through the components. A simple bottom cap may be moved to the bottom-most section to complete the apparatus or provide a base thereto and may provide a mar-free insulated bottom of the flask.
In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing head or component (e.g., dispenser component) is preferably configured to 1) open and receive a rotor with a variable number of cavities, e.g. 3 to 10, located in different positions around the rotor, as exemplarily shown in
More specifically, in a particular configuration, the dispensing head suitably comprises a lower member (14a in
The dispenser component also suitably has a top member (14d in
In particular embodiments, it is important to the proper functioning of the device that 1) the flask must be completely sealed when the drinking spout is centrally stored, 2) that it be easy to spin the rotor, even if some particulate matter is stuck in the packet/lidstock/seal interface, 3) that the piercing blade (element) of the striker fully opens the packet but does not leave pieces of lidstock in the resulting beverage, 4) that the piercing blade (element) limits exposure to fingers of the user during cleaning, 5) that the rotor be sealed when the drinking tube is in the sealed/closed position to prevent migration into the chamber in which the rotor sits (e.g., using an articulating door with a seal that prevents interaction between the fluid and the lidstock material, activated by the same mechanism that moves the striking hammer or striker), 6) that the flask be easy to clean between beverages and 7) that the dispensing head be easy to clean, and/or 8) that the dispensing head not allow more than a modest amount of cross contamination between packets of supplements.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the disposable rotor system comprises several components including a central disk structure, individual pie-shaped wedge thermoformed plastic pods, sealed with lidstock (e.g., plastic, foil, paper or some combination thereof), an optional RFID chip, a custom label with, for example, the users' name, bar code, use by date, content category, or other type of indicator, and the up to preferably 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, particularly 3 and 5, individual products within the rotor (but which number may suitably range e.g. from 3 to 16). The custom label may be either affixed to the disk structure or integrated thereinto.
In one alternate embodiment, the central disk structure may be a central “sandwich” disk structure that suitably comprises two snap together thermoformed discs, for example approximately 1-4 inches in diameter, preferably about 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter, including 2 inches in diameter. The top disk is suitably flat on top and receives a label. On the underside of the top disk preferably are struts that engage with the notches in the wedges (e.g., blisters, packets, etc.) to hold the wedges removably in place. This top disk's struts suitably snaps into the bottom disk in a permanent manner. The top of the bottom disk has struts similar to the top disc, also engaging with the wedge. When top and bottom are snapped together, the disc has multiple (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more), openings or cavities to receive multiple pods or packets (e.g., wedges) filled with ingestible materials per the user's specification. In other words, the struts provide a spacing between the top disk and bottom disk and the wedges or pods are inserted therebetween. In one embodiment, to facilitate insertion, the upper disk has a larger radius than the lower disk (e.g. about ⅛ inch larger radius), and the lower disk has a downward flair (e.g. about a 1, 2, 3, 3, 5 or 4 inch or more radius) to create a larger gap between the top and bottom of the disk to create a larger and more preferable insertion target.
In a preferred embodiment, the disk structure is formed as one single unit having a plurality of cavities in which the packets are nested. The disk structure may engage with the packets via at least one protrusion formed on each packet. The rotor is preferably formed of a flat sheet stock having a thickness of about 20 or 40 mils, although other thicknesses and materials of construction also will be suitable. The cavities in the rotor are formed with a particular tolerance to allow for heat/cold expansion while accommodating the packets or pods. The rotor may also be made of a dissolvable, recyclable, or a compostable material and may be reusable. In other words, the rotor may be reloaded or recharged with new packets once one of packets have been opened for dispensing contents into the fluid.
In another alternate embodiment, the disk structure eliminates the need for the protrusions. Instead, the rotor is formed with featheredged slots or cavities which allow for a press or compression fit of the pods to hold the pods in place. Further, the pods may have graded edge portions having a bevel or chamfer configuration. Additionally, the disk structure or rotor, facilitates recyclability by increasing the overall size of the pods, such that the unit is prevented from falling through grates at a recycling facility.
Additionally, the rotor may be preloaded with pods or packets based on a variety of collected information. For example, the rotor may be preloaded based on questionnaire results, laboratory test results, genetic test results, body fluid test results (e.g., blood, urine, saliva), and the like. The rotors with a variable number of cavities may be used and specifically, the packets may be nested into different rotor configurations.
In a particular configuration, the individual wedge-shaped pods or pie-shaped wedge packets (e.g. thermoformed or injection molded plastic wells) are filled with various powdered or concentrated liquid nutrients or beverages and sealed either by hand or an automated system. An inventory of various supplement beverages in filled packets is then available for either manual insertion or via a pick and place type of robot. In a particularly preferred configuration, the wedge-shaped pods suitably have a uniform and substantially flat flange section at the pointy end (e.g. suitably less than about an inch such as about ⅝ of an inch) that engages with the central disk structure as generally shown in
The disposable rotor preferably has an RFID with a unique order identification that corresponds to a purchase order number (or other identifying information) that allows the apparatus to identify the contents or content category of the rotor. This may then be communicated or transmitted to the app for tracking and messaging, which will be discussed further below.
In a particular preferred embodiment, each packet comprises one or more ingestible materials and is nested within the dispensing unit of the portable fluid dispensing apparatus. The packets may each be formed as a wedge, and more specifically, as a pie-shaped wedge. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and other packet shapes will be discussed below with reference to the drawings. Each packet comprises at least one protrusion formed as a dot, wart, or similar shape, but optionally three protrusions, to engage with the disk structure of the dispensing unit. In another embodiment, each packet may comprise a single protrusion formed in a ring around the outer of the packet. In particular, once the packets are charged or loaded into the rotor, the rotor sits between a flange of the packet and the protrusion of the packet to provide a secure engagement therebetween. In a more particular embodiment, the distance from the flange to protrusions may be about 2 thousandths of an inch less than the dimensional thickness of the rotor.
In general, for preferred systems, the rotor unit thickness will be 1) greater than the distance from a pod lower lip (on which the rotor rests) to the bottom edge of the pod protrusion (e.g. dot-like or wart-like feature shown in
Each packet may include either visual or tactile indicators which may be color, textual, or shape-coded. Other types of detectable labels may also be used. These labels or indicators provide a notification to a user or app of the content or content category. For example, a packet or group of packets may comprise contacts/dots, a QR code, or an RFID chip enabling the dispensing apparatus to sense the ingestible material that is dispensed at a particular time. The QR code or other label (e.g., lot code, bar code, consumer readable information such as product name, expiration date, or the like) may be applied to either a bottom of the packet, one of the sides of the packet, or on the lidstock of the packet using ink that is safe for direct and indirect contact with ingestible materials. Alternately, the packet may be labeled on both the lidstock and the bottom or dome thereof (e.g., the bottom thereof may be dome-shaped).
The packets or pods are formed to contain about 1 to 30 or more grams of ingestible materials and preferably, up to about 8, 10 or 12 grams, particularly 8 or 12 grams. As described above, the ingestible materials may be of powder form and/or liquid (e.g., concentrated liquid nutrient or supplement). The longest dimension of each packet is less than about 6, 5, 4, or 3 inches but is also able to be less than 2 or 1.5 inches. Additionally, the packets may be formed by a variety of methods including thermoformed or may be injection molded. In the embodiment of being thermoformed, the average draft angle from a flange to a bottom of the packet (either flat or dome shaped) is about 5 degrees. However, the draft angle curves/rounds off near the bottom of the packet to allow an even flow of material around the corner at the bottom of the packet during pod fabrication and a maximum cubic volume for each packet.
Another component of the packets is the lidstock which provides access to the one or more ingestible materials. The lidstock may be formed to be non-peelable, peelable, piercable, or scored on at least one location. For example, when the lidstock scored on two sides, as shown in
The lidding or lidstock and the packets may be made from substantially the same material to facilitate recycling. For example, the lidstock and packets may be made from PET, PLA, HIPS, biodegradable polymer, biocompostable polymer, a dissolvable material, or the like. Preferably, the lidstock is comprised of layers to allow reduction of strength, preserve barrier properties, and facilitate recyclability. For example, the layers may include a strength layer, a tie layer, a barrier layer, and a seal. When the lidstock is laser scored, the barrier layer remains intact (is not scored) to prevent any contamination, moisture, air, or the like from entering the packet. The barrier layer may be weak enough to be easily punctured when the lidstock is punctured at the scored sections.
In a particular embodiment, the packets are stored and provided to a user in a packaging unit. The packaging unit may be a sleeve, box, bag, or similar element capable of storing the packets without puncturing through the lidstock. For example, the packets may be stored within the packaging unit in alternating orientations or directions (e.g., flange to flange and not top to bottom) or may be nested in an abutting manner. Any number of packets may be stored in each packaging unit, for example, 6, 10, and 14. In one configuration, the packaging unit accommodates 7 or 14 packets to allow weekly packaging options. In another embodiment, the packets are stored in a loaded state within the packaging unit. In other words, the packaging unit accommodates the packets nested within the rotor. This packaging unit will be further described below in reference to the drawings. In another alternate embodiment, the packaging unit may be wrapped with a barrier film to enhance barrier properties.
Supplementation methods also are provided that take into account time of day to optimize the absorption, effects, and ultimately performance of the product, accentuating the positive aspects of supplementation and diminishing negative effects. This can yield a materially better result than when a supplement program is simplified, where many compromises are made including once a day administration to ensure adequate compliance. This can create an additional dimension for a formula—not just which ingredients and how much of each ingredient, but also exactly when during the day each ingredient in a potentially valuable formula is administered and with what other food or supplements.
Examples of the benefits of this method include:
Optimizing energy by giving stimulatory ingredients according to wake/sleep times and circadian highs and lows;
Optimizing sleep onset and duration by giving depressant nutrients and ingredients (Mg, tryptophan, melatonin, etc.) before bedtime;
Targeting fat soluble vitamins for mealtimes, when fats are more likely to be ingested;
Divided dosing of nutrients with short half-lives like vitamin C, ensuring more area under the pharmacokinetic curve for a given amount of nutrient ingested in a 24 hour period;
Giving nutrients that act best during sleep to just before sleep;
Staggering nutrients that compete for binding sites or absorption mechanisms or in some other way;
Co-administration of nutrients that assist each other, including co-factors (e.g., calcium requires vitamin D for optimal absorption, iron is best absorbed in presence of vitamin C);
Reducing processing load on kidneys, liver and at the cellular level from taking a high dose of pills/nutrients at once.
The present systems and apparatus can benefit from use of electronics, algorithms, databases, third party data, global positioning systems (GPS), communications systems such as wireless telephony, short message service (SMS), email, connected smart watches, fitness trackers, and native functionality of phones (e.g., gyroscope, temperature sensor, motion sensor, camera, etc.) to utilize a specially designed and programmed application (app) that communicates with the hydration system via Bluetooth® or other type of connection. The app may output an active image of the portable fluid dispensing apparatus and is capable to, for example:
The flask system may be desirably cleaned and stored for charging periodically, for example, daily or other schedule. It is also possible that some supplements will be taken in pill form upon waking, at bedtime, or other preferred time.
To provide an optimized user experience, the system may utilize a multipurpose charging/storage stand that charges the battery pack (e.g. NiCd or lithium battery) during scheduled times (e.g., overnight). Alternately, the flask may be charged via inductive charging, pogo pins on a base unit, or a wired cord. The flask may further comprise a bidirectional USB-C port to allow the flask to be charged from the wall or to charge a mobile device from the flask. Generally, the flask will only require rinsing, but the dispensing head desirably may include further cleaning. The storage unit suitably may comprise dedicated brushes and a soap or other cleansing material optimized for cleaning the dispensing head as well as the flask. These brushes will be preferably out of sight, and preferably there will be an ultraviolet (UV) light to sterilize the brushes and dispensing head as well as a small fan that dries the dispensing head and brushes.
The storage unit will suitably have storage for optional the swappable components, again preferably tucked out of the way for a neat clean modem look. In a preferred embodiment, there will be multiple drawers (e.g., four drawers), with front plates that can be flipped from a.m. to p.m. or removed to indicate an empty drawer, and a sliding indicator to indicate number of supplements indicated for a.m. and p.m. doses for items like Rx products, gel caps, etc. This storage unit will be available in white and black and optimized to occupy minimal counter space.
As also discussed, the present apparatus and systems may optionally comprise further components, modules and functionality. For instance, the base component suitably may be further configured to supply fluids or other ingestible materials to the vessel component to be dispensed therefrom to a user of the apparatus. In particular, as an additional component, or as a combination of other components such as a blending unit (e.g., a mixer) or temperature control unit, a module may be employed that supplies additional fluids or other ingestibles to the vessel or flask component, for example one or more of a flavoring including sweetener, protein, electrolyte and the like, and more particularly one or more of a monk fruit non-caloric sweetener, monk fruit erythritol blend, syrup/sugar solution, honey, vitamin C booster, liquid protein isolate, electrolytes, pre-work out mix, post-work out, liquid creamer for instant tea or coffee.
As another embodiment, the packets may contain an infant formula and the apparatus may comprise a nipple capable of being stored within the bottle to administer the blended formula to an infant. In this configuration, water filled in the vessel component may be sterilized using a UV-C light provided within the apparatus. A heating element in the base component may be used to heat the formula to an optimal temperature (e.g., 95° F.). The blender of the base component may be used to mix the formula with the sterilized, heated water. The base component may also comprise a compartment for storing the nipple and may comprise a UV-C light to also sterilize the nipple. This embodiment will be described in further detail below with reference to the figures.
Referring now to the various figures of the Drawings,
As discussed, base component 16 may comprise various functionality, including for instance a temperature control unit 18 which may provide heating and/or cooling as desired of fluid residing within vessel component 12. As discussed, temperature control unit 18 is preferably positioned adjacent (e.g., attached below) to vessel component 12 and may be in direct communication with a fluid position within the vessel component 12 and for example may provide a fluidly sealing bottom face of vessel component 12.
Base component 16 may comprise additional functionality such as a mixing unit 20 to admix or blend materials (e.g. fluid and one or more ingestible materials) within vessel component 12, and a storage unit 22 (e.g., pill box) to retain any various desired materials for example one or more therapeutic agents or supplements that may be ingested by a user without admixing with fluid in vessel component 12. The vessel component 12 may also comprise a power unit 23 which may be, for instance, an electric connection or a housed battery.
Alternatively, as shown in
Dispensing apparatus 10 may be configured in a variety of arrangements, as shown in
Particularly, when the dispenser component is rotated to position a selected pod to a dispensing position, a seal between the pod and the top of the cavity of the rotor is opened and sealed by a dog clutch assembly, or similar driven face clutch assembly. This clutch assembly allows for rotation in one direction while inhibiting rotation in an opposite direction. The assembly includes a cam (e.g., dog face cam or the like) on a dispenser side and a cam (e.g., dog face cam or the like) on a pod holder side. The cam on the dispenser side is fixed to a top surface of the rotor and aligned with a puncturing position and the cam on the pod holder side is aligned with the center line of the pods and is rotationally fixed to the rotor. Notably, the cam on the pod holder side is capable of moving in an axial direction into the rotor about 0.04 to 0.24 inches. This cam may be fixed to or integral with the rotor. Alternately, this cam may be a separate component rotationally coupled to the center shaft.
Further, as the dispenser component is rotated by a user, both cams are held in contact by a compression spring 14g of required spring constant to provide sufficient sealing, provide resistant to rotate without user manipulation, and provide a haptic that indicates to the user that a single, full rotation of the dispenser unit has been completed. The range of advancing a single pod location is based on the number of cavities within the rotor (e.g., varies between different rotor configurations discussed further below). For example, a rotor comprising five cavities in which pods are nested, has a rotation of 72° between pods, a rotor comprising four cavities with pods nested therein, has a rotation of 90° between pods, and a rotor comprising three cavities with pods nested therein, has a rotation of 120° between pods. Accordingly, to be accommodated within the cavities, an inwardly pointing corner of each pod when nested within the cavity may be about a 72° corner.
From a sealed or closed position, as the dispenser component is rotated, the cam begins to separate as the faces of the cams move up the face ramps of the cams. One the rotor is fully advance to the next pod location and the face ramp ends, the dispenser component is pushed down into a sealing position by the spring and remains this engaged, dynamically static position until the next rotation.
The dispensing apparatus 10 may also include varying cross-sections such as substantially circular or oval as generally depicted in
As discussed, a divided vessel component may be utilized to provide for storage and use of multiple distinct fluids, for instance as shown in
Additionally,
In a preferred configuration, the drinking tube may be eliminated and a drinking path may be provided through the dispenser component as illustratively shown in
Further, in S200, the rotor, with pods nested therein, is aligned with the dispenser unit with the bottom end of the pods being inserted first (S250) into the disk structure of dispenser component such that the lidstock is exposed. In S300, the loaded or charged dispenser component is aligned back onto the vessel component and pressed down (S350) to lock the components together.
As a further explanation of S550 and as illustrated in
Rotor component 14 suitably contains a label identifying for example the ingestible materials within the pod units 40 and/or the specific person that the rotor has been produced for, or the group of persons (e.g. woman in specified stage of pregnancy, gender, endurance athlete, person over 70 years or age) that the rotor unit and contents thereof are designed to be particularly useful or appropriate for. The label may be separate from the rotor or more preferably is affixed or otherwise directly attached or integrated on or into the rotor unit 14.
Additionally, attached to a bottom of the bottle component 520 is a base component 525. The base component 525 may comprise a motor, a battery, a UV-C light, and a heater. In particular, the motor is driven to operate the blender 522 in the bottle component 520. The UV-C light is used to sterilize water that is filled in the bottle component 520 prior to the dispensing of the infant formula. The heater or heating element in the base component is used to heat the formula to an optimal temperature (e.g., 95° F.). Below the base component 525 may be a sterilization chamber 530. This chamber may also comprise a UV-C light or other similar type of sterilization component. The nipple, pacifier, or other similar items, may be stored and sterilized in this chamber.
In this configuration, once the infant formula has been dispensed and blended with the fluid in the bottle component, various components may be detached before dispensing the blended fluid to an infant, as shown in
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/688,524, filed on Jun. 22, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/749,085 filed on Oct. 22, 2018. The entire contents of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated herein by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62749085 | Oct 2018 | US | |
| 62688524 | Jun 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17130623 | Dec 2020 | US |
| Child | 17687113 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2019/038781 | Jun 2019 | US |
| Child | 17130623 | US |
