Abstract:
A cartridge based dispensing system includes a cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle for supporting a plurality of items in separate compartments along with a housing for removably supporting the cartridge. The housing includes an opening for enabling dispensing of an item from an aligned separate compartment and a mechanism is provided for rotating the receptacle within the cartridge in order to align compartments with the housing opening. The mechanism may be configured for causing different discrete angular rotations of the receptacle corresponding to compartment size.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/324,504 filed Apr. 15, 2010. This application is to be incorporated in its entirety into the present application. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to cartridge based dispensing systems and is more particularly directed to a system for dispensing edibles, meaning any orally consumable product, for example but not limited to tablets, filled capsules, soft gels, mints, confections, food or feed stuffs, or any solid-form pharmaceutical product. 
         [0003]    There are freshness issues in standard packaging today, which reduces the lifetime potency and quality of products. For example, soft gels, common in supplements today, clump together under moisture, soon after a bottle or package is opened, leading to consumer waste and often buyer&#39;s remorse. 
         [0004]    These degradation issues are unavoidable in bottling systems commonly used in industry for variety of oral dosage formulations (e.g. soft gels, filled capsules, tablets). In addition, consumers typically pour our contents randomly, to extract a smaller quantity of product, thereby contributing contamination issues from excess handling. 
         [0005]    Exposure to moisture and air causes faster spoilage and degradation of product contents in standard bottle packaging. Blister packaging has been developed to overcome such problems, however, even well partitioned blister cards, require manual handling of product, and often times, cumbersome hole puncture. Soft container systems commonly used as last resort by consumers, often undergo breakage during transport, cross-contamination due to lack of partitioning of contents inside. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides more convenient release of product, minimal consumer handling, and improved lifetime, freshness, and potency of packaged product compared to current packaging systems available. Each edible is segregated from each other, thereby preventing co-adhesion, breakage, and mutual degradation of product. Handling conveniences in general, are improved with the present invention because contents need not be poured out in uncontrolled ways, contributing to spoilage, and delay to customer relief. 
         [0007]    Also, contamination issues are avoided, because a dispensering system in accordance with the present invention allows a customer to release a controlled serving, through a simple clicking action. The present invention provides for product freshness and protects unused supply from moisture this improving lifetime and potency of remaining supplies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A cartridge based dispensing system in accordance with the present invention generally includes a cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle for supporting a plurality of items in separate compartments. 
         [0009]    A housing is provided for removably supporting the cartridge with the housing having an opening for enabling dispensing of an item from an aligned separate compartment. 
         [0010]    A mechanism is also provided for rotating the receptacle in order to align the compartments with the housing opening. Importantly, the mechanism may be configured for causing a different discrete angular rotations of the receptacle corresponding to compartment size. This, in turn, enables the system to dispense items of different sizes, which are supported in different sized compartments. 
         [0011]    In that regard, the system in accordance with the present invention may include a plurality of cartridges with each cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle with different sized compartments. Each of these receptacles are configured for cooperating with the mechanism for causing different discrete angular rotations of each receptacle corresponding to a compartment sized of each of the receptacles. 
         [0012]    More particularly, the mechanism may include a linear actuator for rotating the receptacle. In that regard, a biased depressible button with an attached push rod may be provided and each receptacle configuration may include a sprocket disposed for engagement by the push rod for rotation of the receptacle. A number of sprocket teeth of each corresponding receptacle is correlated to a number of compartments in the corresponding receptacle. Further, the button and housing opening may be disposed on opposite ends of the housing for facilitating one hand operation of the dispensing system. 
         [0013]    Still more particularly, the housing may comprise a frame and a carrier with the carrier being insertable into the frame and having, in turn, a cavity for receiving the cartridge. Specifically, the cartridge may comprise a bottom shell with a base recess for receiving the receptacle sprocket and push rod along with an upstanding perimeter sidewall for surrounding a receptacle. The sidewall includes an opening alignable with the housing opening and an upstanding central hub is provided for rotatably mounting the receptacle along with a cover for sealing the receptacle within the cartridge. 
         [0014]    More specifically, a dog may be disposed at a top of the hub along with a ratchet disposed at a top of the receptacle and engaging the dog for enabling one-way rotation of the receptacle within the cartridge. 
         [0015]    The present invention further extends to a cartridge for use in a dispensing system such as the one hereinabove described. The cartridge in accordance with the present invention includes a compartmentalized receptacle for receiving a plurality of items in separate compartments along with a sprocket disposed at a bottom of the receptacle, which includes a number of sprocket teeth correlated to a number of the compartments. 
         [0016]    A bottom shell is provided with a base recessed for receiving the receptacle sprocket and upstanding perimeter sidewall surrounds the receptacle with the sidewall having an open and alignable with a receptacle compartment. An upstanding central hub is provided for rotatably mounting the receptacle within a sidewall and a cover is also provided for sealing the receptacle within the cartridge. 
         [0017]    Further included in the present invention is a dispenser for a cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle for supporting a plurality of items in separate compartments. The dispenser in accordance with the present invention includes a housing for removably supporting the cartridge with the housing having an opening for enabling dispensing of an item from an aligned separate compartment. A mechanism is provided for rotating the receptacle in order to align the compartments with the housing opening with the mechanism being configured for enabling discrete angular rotations of the receptacle corresponding to the compartment sized. 
         [0018]    It follows that a method in accordance with the present invention includes providing a cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle for supporting a plurality of items in separate compartments; providing a housing for removably supporting said cartridge, said housing having an opening for enabling dispensing of an item from an aligned separate compartment; providing a mechanism for rotating the receptacle within the cartridge in order to align the compartments with the housing opening; and configuring said mechanism for causing different discrete angular rotations of the receptacle corresponding to compartment size. 
         [0019]    More particularly, the method in accordance with the present invention includes providing a cartridge having a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle for supporting a plurality of items in separate compartments; providing a housing for removably supporting said cartridge, said housing having an opening for enabling dispensing of an item from an aligned separate compartment; and providing a mechanism for rotating the receptacle within the cartridge in order to align the compartments with the housing opening; configuring said mechanism with a biased depressible button with an attached push rod; and configuring a receptacle with a sprocket disposed for engagement by the push rod for rotating the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention may be better understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a dispensing system in accordance with the present invention and method of operation for dispensing a pill into the hand of a user, the pill may also be directed to a mouth of a user (not shown) in which case the system enables release of the pill without any manually handling thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dispensing system shown in  FIG. 1  also illustrating a housing along with a depressible button shown opposite an opening for dispensing of items with the opposed nature of the button and opening facilitating one hand operation of the dispensing system as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the dispensing system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating the housing as having a frame and a carrier along with the removable cartridge and a mechanism for rotating the receptacle within the cartridge; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross section of the dispensing system in accordance with the present invention illustrating a top of a cartridge disposed within the housing carrier; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating a bottom of the cartridge disposed in the housing carrier; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the dispensing system also indicating sectional lines for  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a cartridge in accordance with the present invention including a rotatable compartmentalized receptacle; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a bottom of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the cartridge in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate rotation of a ten-compartment receptacle; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 12-13  illustrate a rotation of a nine-compartment receptacle; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 14-15  illustrate a rotation of a seven-compartment receptacle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a cartridge base dispensing system  10  in accordance with the present invention generally illustrating a cartridge  14  and housing  16  with the housing  16  including a frame  18  and a carrier  20  for receiving the cartridge  14 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the dispensing system  10  is pocket portable and ergonomically designed to fit into the palm of a hand  24  for releasing an item, such as a pill  28  into another hand  30  of a user. The illustrated operation of the dispensing system  10  enables faster time-to-relief for a patient when relief is a critical factor. This is important, for example, for the allergy medication and other fast response (TC/Rx), or time sensitive supplementation instances, where access and portability is a mission critical to the user. It should be appreciated that many high end and capable systems available today are bulky, require advanced knowledge to operate, and often have cumbersome operation procedures, which do not lend themselves to efficient use. 
         [0035]    With reference again to  FIG. 3 , the carrier  20  includes an opening  34  alignable with a cartridge opening  36  for enabling dispensing of the pill  28  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) as will be hereinafter described in greater detail. 
         [0036]    The carrier  20  further extending spring-like fingers  38 ,  40  for releasably engaging ends  42 ,  44  of the frame  18 , see also  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The release of the carrier  20  from the frame  18  is enabled by squeezing of the fingers  38 ,  40 . 
         [0037]    A mechanism  48  is provided for rotation of a receptacle within the cartridge  14  in order to align separate compartments  56 ,  58  with the housing opening  34 . 
         [0038]    This rotation is caused through a linear actuator, such as, for example only, a depressible button  62  of the button  62  being biased by a spring. 
         [0039]    The mechanism  48  is configured by way of a push rod  68 , interconnected with the button  62 , and a receptacle  52  configuration including a sprocket  70  disposed for engagement by the push rod  68  with the sprocket having teeth correlated to a number of compartments  56 ,  58  in an inserted receptacle  52 . It should be appreciated that the push rod  68  displacement can be increased to allow the ejection of multiple items  28  under a single button  62  depression. 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that while the mechanism  148  is illustrated as being implemented through use of a manually depressible button  62 , other configurations may be utilized to operate the push rod  48  and sprocket  70  including electric or electronic devices, not shown. It is important, however, that the mechanism is configured for causing different discrete angular rotations of the receptacle  52  corresponding to compartment  56  of size. 
         [0041]    With reference now to  FIGS. 7-9 , there is shown the cartridge  14  with the receptacle  52  being mounted for rotation within the cartridge  14  via a hub  76 . A perimeter sidewall  78  having an opening  80  alignable with the carrier opening  34  enables sealing of the receptacle  52  within the cartridge  40  by way of a cover  84 . Reverse rotation of the receptacle  52  within the cartridge  14  is prevented through the use of a dog  88  disposed at a half top  90  of the hub  76  and engagable with a ratchet  92  disposed at a top  94  of the receptacle  52 . 
         [0042]    The present invention further encompasses multiple cartridges  98 ,  101 ,  102 , see  FIGS. 10-15 , with corresponding receptacles  106 ,  108 ,  110  each having different sized compartments  114 ,  116 ,  118  which may be also shaped to accommodate different sized pills or capsules  122 ,  124 ,  126  separated. 
         [0043]    Each of the receptacles  52 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  are sized for an insertion into a carrier cavity  128 , see  FIG. 3 , with a sprocket  70 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  engaging a push rod  68 . Importantly, the number of teeth  72 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  are correlated with compartment  56 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  the size there being (Nate, please fill in) ______ compartments  56 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  for (Nate, please fill in) ______ teeth  172 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 . 
         [0044]    Rotation of the receptacles  156 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10-15  and common reference numbers indicating elements of the present invention hereinbefore described. 
         [0045]    An indicator or a window  150 , see  FIG. 6  may be utilized to either indicate a number of compartments  56 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  emptied, the window enabling observation of an indicia (not shown). On the cartridges  114 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 , or receptacle  52 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . Other types of electronic communication may be established with the use of the system in accordance with the present invention. 
       Benefits of System: 
       [0046]    Having a cartridge  14  format allows containment of edibles  28  inside fresher by the time they reach consumer intake. Instead of having one bottle with sixty units, exposed to air, smaller increments (with freshness seal) can avoid this effect by discretizing the increments for consumer intake. 
         [0047]    The system enables discreetness to the user, by concealing the brand label, while it is stored inside the dispenser. This will protect against personal privacy in what product the user is taking. Products that are normally embarrassing are shielded from public view, when consumer uses this dispenser system. 
         [0048]    The system can be created to enable cartridge swapping during intermediate depleted states. This enables the user to swap out cartridges of multiple products, without having to finish the current product, allowing them to conceivably use a single dispenser for multiple products. 
         [0049]    The system has passive child safety locking system—Each independent cartridge requires the dispenser to engage release. Otherwise, the user cannot readily eject edibles from inside a naked cartridge. Therefore, the consumer can freely store cartridge reserves in presence of children, while storing their dispenser in a private location. Also, parents can issue a single cartridge to their children, to limit the edibles they consume, by conversely controlling the supply of cartridges they can access. 
         [0050]    The system is pocket portable—dimensions of product is pocket portable and conveniently addressed by pushing a large button on the side. This can have audible feedback as well as visual feedback (color changes) during operation. This system is superior to alternatives that are immobile, and lack the durability of current systems. 
         [0051]    The system helps protect edibles by storage in dark location within the dispenser cavity. The dark and dry state helps further insulate the edibles from harsh ambient conditions (heat, cold, water, and contamination). 
         [0052]    The system enables direct to mouth dispensing, avoiding possible contamination handling by manual operation. 
         [0053]    The system has an indicator on the rear, which helps the consumer predict the timing of dosages. This in cartridge molded number increases by an increment during each button ejection procedure. The system can be tailored to the type of VMS or medication being consumed, to help the consumer coordinate intake scheduling. 
         [0054]    The pocket portable convenience system of dispenser improves compliance of the product intake, which can be extended into medication and OTC. Medical community can request more stringent requirements, and the convenient system enables the patient to better comply to such requests, rather than actively recalling to take their product. 
         [0055]    The portable dispensing system enables a segment of athletes and consumers in fitness to improve their timing of midday supplement products. Normally, these segments intake majority of their products in the morning and evening, due to midday activities. With this portable and convenient dispenser system, the consumer can time very stringent intake scheduling in the midday, to improve their health regimen. 
         [0056]    Although there has been hereinabove described a specific cartridge based dispensing system in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.