Patent ID: 12235870

All descriptions and callouts in the Figures and all content therein are hereby incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.

All descriptions and callouts in the Figures and all content therein are hereby incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.

Further Description

Compliance and safety are properly at the heart of the emergingCannabisindustry. Better lifecycle trace and track is needed. Extracts prepackaged in cartridges which are used to vaporize same are one means ofCannabisuse. Such cartridges are subject to regulations. There are costs associated with return of faulty vaporizer cartridges, reducing the return of fraudulent or counterfeit vaporizer cartridges reduces business exposure to such costs. If a vaporizer cartridges becomes a subject in litigation or medical care accurate safety, distribution channel and other supply chin data may be useful for medical treatment and to assess or defend labilities.

Blockchain is a technology which allows data to be distributed but not copied, blockchain technology created the backbone. Each block in the blockchain has the Merkle root of its transactions and the hash of its previous block. The hash of Merkle root can be used as a definitive mechanism to verify the integrity of the block as even the slightest changes to any of the records in this tree will alter the value of the original Merkle Root. Each node in the blockchain network gets a copy of the blockchain and may add its ledger data to the chain but not alter prior entries, by utilizing the disclosed trace and track blockchain vaporizer cartridges from production to delivery or use by end user can be verified. This increased supply chain transparency provides data which may be used concerning content of products, testing, or safety of products, to reduce fraud and counterfeit products, and to complete compliance by manufacturers and distributors.

Moreover, opt-in consumers having credentials to show their place on the blockchain can receive rewards for entering their blockchain data. All blockchain actions are complete via computing devices having processors which access a network. A significant advantage of this proposed blockchain-based workflow is in the increased traceability that it provides, since the physical goods are monitored from the beginning of the supply chain via the Digital ID validation series. Each identified quantity of goods represents an immutable timestamped record that may be recalled in case of dispute and litigation. Blockchain immutability and traceability are key functional attributes for improving efficiency in the supply chain process of tracking the change of ownership of goods. The blockchain must allow every participant on a supply chain network to track sourcing and origin of materials but also maintain immutable records of the production and storage of finished goods.

It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the circuits, components, controllers, computing devices, modules, and/or devices of the system disclosed in the present application are described as being in signal communication with each other, where signal communication refers to any type of communication and/or connection between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and/or device to pass and/or receive signals and/or information from another circuit, component, module, and/or device. The communication and/or connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows signals and/or information to pass from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may be physical such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, attached and/or electromagnetic or mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or other similar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components where communication information is passed from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another in varying analog and/or digital formats without passing through a direct electromagnetic connection. These information paths may also include analog-to-digital conversions (“ADC”), digital-to-analog (“DAC”) conversions, data transformations such as, for example, fast Fourier transforms (“FFTs”), time-to-frequency conversations, frequency-to-time conversions, database mapping, signal processing steps, coding, modulations, demodulations, etc. The controller devices and smart devices disclosed herein operate with memory and processors whereby code is executed during processes to transform data, the computing devices run on a processor (such as, for example, controller or other processor that is not shown) which may include a central processing unit (“CPU”), digital signal processor (“DSP”), additional memory may be added, application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), microprocessor, etc. Alternatively, portions DCA devices may also be or include hardware devices such as RFID, NFC and logic circuitry, a CPU, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, etc. and may include hardware and software capable of receiving and sending information.

Disclosed herein are aspects of devices, methods and systems of trace and track cartridge modules for an electronic vaporizer cartridge.

FIG.1Aillustrates a vaporizer system10with replaceable cartridge100. Body150containing a power supply157and controller (159) with an on/off switch152accessible on the body a distal end154and a proximal end156. The power supply, controller and on/off switch are configured to be in signal communication with each other. A cartridge interface158is configured at one end to mount to the replaceable cartridge100. Cartridges are shown as linear but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a squat or square cartridge with a inhalation outlet is also within the scope of this disclosure. The cartridge has a first end102configured to mate with the cartridge interface158. At the first end is a power connection103configured to electrically connect to the power coupling160on the body. The interface connection may be friction fit or preferably via threaded fitting.

A cylindrical tube104is connected to the first end on the opposite side as the power connection103. Within the cylindrical tube is an electrical heating element105containing a heater and connected to a vapor pathway115which may have a tip gasket117at its tip connection end118. The tip has a distal end120which connects with the connection end of the fluid pathway and with the tube104containing a fluid “F” for vaporization, and it has a proximal end125. A vapor outlet130is formed axially in the tip from the distal end to the proximal end and is configured to connect to the vapor pathway to form a fluid pathway from the cartridge heater to an inhalation port135at the top of the proximal end of the tip. A radio frequency identification chip or tag with an antenna (RFID)200is affixed permanently to the cartridge. Preferably to the tip of the cartridge.

FIGS.1B-1Eillustrate aspects of a child resistant feature for a vaporizer having RFID tag200affixed in or thereto. The proximal end125of the distal end120A is connected to a tip cap122configured with a plunger “P” which moves up and down axial along the tip when a user can move the tip cap upward. The distal end120A containing a fluid “F” for vaporization. The moving plunger “P” moves in and out of the inhalation port135one of blocking and opening the inhalation pathway140. One or more latches142on the tip cap reversibly mate with one of a first catch144A and a second catch144B when the tip cap is moved from the first catch144A (a first closed state) with plunger blocking to the second catch144B (a second open state) with plunger not blocking the inhalation port135vapor may be inhaled from the device. Said tip cap is force limited and requires a predetermined amount of force axially along the line of arrow2000(shown inFIG.1A) to move the cap upward to open the fluid pathway to limit use by children.

The RFID is preferably a passive and NFC (near field communication). RFID tags contain an antenna and a memory chip that stores data. NFC technology operates at a relatively narrow range generally of inches and can also be set up for one- or two-way communications. A computing device which includes or smartphones which are NFC compatible act as a NFC writer or reader depending on the RFID tag and computing device software etc. Passive RFID tags have no power. They're activated by an electromagnetic signal sent from the RFID reader (as described above which may be a computing device such as a smartphone, tablet or a dedicated reader/writer). The signal doesn't travel as far as active RFID, so they're used for short read ranges. Passive RFID falls into one of three frequency ranges:Low frequency: 125-134.2 kHz;High frequency: 13.56 MHz;Ultra-high frequency: 856-960 MHz.

NFC is however based on RFID protocols. The devices run at passive RFID's high frequency. The NFC protocol can have two-way communication—unlike RFID's one-directional limitation—using one of two modes: card emulation and peer-to-peer (P2P). For example, a smartphone enabled with NFC can pass information back and forth to another NFC device. Contactless payment is an example of card emulation mode. NFC protocols are suited for some blockchain transaction.

FIGS.2A-2Fillustrate aspects of non-limiting examples placement options of the RFID200within the tip110of vaporizer cartridge. Each placement is by at least one of co-molding into an injection molded tip, placement within a pocket or catch202and adhesion onto the inner wall of the fluid pathway130or to the external region of the tip (FIG.2A).

FIGS.3A and3Billustrate a tip with a surface mount RFID200. A cap or cover (which may be a child protective cap). The cap250in its simplest form is a cover that is affixed over the tip and essentially forms a multi-layer tip275. The cap will protect the RFID and prevent tampering. The simplest version of the cap and tip are aligned to ensure the fluid path130is not blocked.

FIG.4illustrates a vaporize pen device with cartridge and RFID trace/track for blockchain and other trace applications.

FIG.5illustrates a RFID NFC communication205between a computing device215and a packaged vaporizer cartridge210.

FIGS.6and7illustrate aspects of method for trace and track for vaporizer cartridges disclosed herein. The blockchain transactions300of at least ledger data in an immutable form required, necessary and/or useful information. A blockchain is a type of distributed ledger, comprised of unchangeable, digitally recorded data in packages called blocks (rather like collating them on to a single sheet of paper). Each block is then ‘chained’ to the next block, using a cryptographic signature. This allows block chains to be used like a ledger, which can be shared and accessed by anyone with the appropriate permissions.

Nodes in a blockchain may also form a consortium blockchain. The nodes include but are not limited to source of raw materials310, extract laboratory320, testing laboratory314, manufacture316which may include filling cartridges, boxing and labeling and to distribution318and optionally retail320. The communication between nodes (1sc-5sc) are via signal communication between devices and/or networks.

Each step in the chain is secured through blockchain security and provides each node the compliance data which may be required from governments, insurance and the like to operate aCannabisbusiness and in some instances the credential to add their block of data concerning their own activity and compliance requirements. The cartridges with NFC RFID each with its own UIT is capable of read and write transaction for supply chain members (nodes) thereby supporting compliance, preventing fraud and/or protecting the safety of users. All of said data may be used, in some instances, to form a supply chain400configured to be in signal communication with retail410and/or consumers420.

A more traditional compliance system500is also supported by the blockchain. The governmental entity or insurance entity510once verified is configured to receive the blockchain validation to keep records of each cartridge.

At least one of the consumer and the retail distributor may or may not both or be part of the compliance blockchain. Consumer420or retail distributor320may communicate to the Brand also referred to as the manufacture via a network450. Through the network450manufacturer (Brand) servers500proceed to authenticate502the RFID communicated. If authentication fails504an alarm can be sent. Failed authentication can be sued to investigate tampering, forgery or other non-compliant issues. Brands may contact retail distributor, associated with the UIT blockchain, associated to advise of alarm issue or questionable cartridge credentials to thereby limit returns and helping retailer to identify persons trying to sell or return counterfeit and therefore illegalCannabisproducts. If authentication is completed506the server resolves if the communication is from consumer420or distributor320. One means of security for authenticating distributor is server requests personal identification number (PIN) from proffered distributor to further authenticate to determine if retail distributor508is properly licensed forcannabissales and for the type of sales being transacted.

An authentication module510then proceeds to authenticate/validate the PIN and distributor. If the validation fails alarm is sent. If authenticated access is permitted. If the authorized RFID502is not a distributor but is a consumer the consumer is given limited access520based on an authentic RFID cartridge. Access may include some of the blockchain information such as extract test data, brand name, date of manufacture, expiration date, terpene profile, cost, taxes paid, and the like. Server gives consumer the option to register530with the brand. A registered consumer is allowed access to registered user module which may include additional data on the cartridge contents and supply chain information. Additionally, registered users may opt in to receive electronic coupons and instant coupons for discounted brand products. Coupons may include dispensary specific coupons to direct consumers to properly licensed and registered dispensaries and thereby discourage illegal operations and thereby facilitating compliance with local and other regulations.

It will be understood that various aspects or details of the disclosures may be changed combined, or removed without departing from the scope of the invention. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.