Active ingredient formulation dispensing device

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for dispensing an active ingredient formulation. An exemplary device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation includes a housing with a dispensing port, a cartridge carousel configured to rotate within the housing, and a controller. The cartridge carousel is configured to receive at least one cartridge that includes the active ingredient formulation. The controller is configured to receive a selection of the active ingredient formulation, cause the cartridge carousel to rotate so as to align the at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation with the dispensing port, and cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 369672000140 ACTIVE INGREDIENT FORMULATION DISPENSING DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 779,699, filed March 28, 2025, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a dispensing device, and more specifically to a device for dispensing liquid formulations containing active ingredients.BACKGROUND

[0003] Active ingredient-containing compounds such as nutritional supplements and prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be administered to individuals in liquid form. Administering an active ingredient to a subject in liquid form can improve ease of administration, particularly for individuals who have difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms. Administering an active ingredient in liquid form can also result in faster absorption of the active ingredient by eliminating the need for disintegration and dissolution associated with solid dosage forms.

[0004] Several techniques exist for administering active-ingredient containing liquids to an individual. However, existing administration techniques can result in inconsistent dosing of the active ingredient. For example, a liquid product may be dispensed by using a medicine dropper to extract the liquid product from a tincture bottle and deliver the extracted liquid product to an individual. A conventional medicine dropper includes a squeezable bulb attached to a narrow tube with a tapered tip for drawing liquid into theAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 tube. A user squeezes the bulb to expel air, inserts the tip of the tube into the liquid, and releases the bulb to draw liquid into the tube via suction. The user then squeezes the bulb again to dispense the liquid. While relatively straightforward in theory, accurate dosing using a medicine dropper depends heavily on proper user technique. If a user applies too much or too little squeezing pressure to the bulb, measures the amount of liquid drawn into the dropper incorrectly, or fails to completely dispense the liquid from the dropper, an inaccurate dose may be administered.

[0005] Other existing delivery techniques have similar problems. For example, pump bottles are used to dispense various topical and cosmetic products. Atypical pump bottle includes a bottle, a pumping mechanism, and an airless pumping system or dip tube that draws the contents of the bottle into the pumping mechanism and dispenses the pumped contents through a nozzle. As with medicine dropper techniques, accurate dispensing depends on user technique. Users may not dispense or depress the pumping mechanism completely or consistently every time, causing inconsistencies in the amount of product dispensed. Moreover, it can be difficult to extract all liquid contents from the bottle using the pumping mechanism, resulting in wasted product.

[0006] In some cases, active ingredients may be provided in a pre-dosed consumable format. For example, in the functional beverage industry, ready-made beverages are prepared with a predetermined amount of an active ingredient. While this approach helps to reduce user errors associated with dispensing consistent dosages of the active ingredient, an individual must consume the entire beverage to obtain the intended dosage. This can be inconvenient if the individual dislikes the taste of the beverage, does not want to drink the entire volume of the beverage, and / or wants to avoid other (non-active) ingredients in the beverage.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for improved techniques for providing active ingredients for liquid consumption.SUMMARY

[0008] Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for dispensing active ingredient formulations. The devices, systems, and methods described herein can automatically dispense various liquid active ingredient formulations for consumption by an individual. The liquid active ingredient formulation(s) can be dispensed into any beverage, allowing a user to customize the ingredients, taste, and / or volume of the resulting consumable product. The amount of an active ingredient formulation dispensed into the beverage can be measured precisely using automated techniques, reducing the potential for user error associated with existing dispensing techniques and ensuring more consistent dosing of the active ingredient.

[0009] The techniques disclosed herein can utilize a dispensing device that includes a rotating carousel of cartridges containing various active ingredient formulations. Each cartridge can include an active ingredient formulation reservoir and a pumping assembly for dispensing an active ingredient formulation contained within the active ingredient formulation reservoir. To dispense an active ingredient formulation, the dispensing device can receive a user selection of an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed (e.g., via a user interface displayed on a display of the dispensing device and / or via a mobile application). A controller of the dispensing device can then rotate the carousel of cartridges to place a cartridge containing the selected active ingredient formulation in a dispensing position, above a dispensing port of the device. The controller can then cause the pumping assembly of the cartridge to pump the selected active ingredient formulation out of the cartridge, through the dispensing port, and into a container below.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0010] Each cartridge can include a wireless communication device (e.g., an NFC chip) that stores information about the respective cartridge. For example, the wireless communication device can store information such as a fill level of the cartridge, a number of remaining doses in the cartridge, and / or a remaining shelflife of the active ingredient formulation in the cartridge. The carousel can include a corresponding wireless communication device (e.g., an NFC reader) configured to read information stored on the wireless communication devices associated with the cartridges and store the information in a memory. The stored information can be displayed to a user via a user interface displayed on a display on the dispensing device or a mobile application installed on an electronic device that is communicatively connected to the dispensing device. The user can utilize this information to manage inventory of the dispensing device, such as to add new cartridges, remove existing cartridges, and / or order additional cartridges.

[0011] An exemplary device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation includes: a housing including a dispensing port; a cartridge carousel configured to rotate within the housing, wherein the cartridge carousel is configured to receive at least one cartridge including the active ingredient formulation; and a controller configured to: receive a selection of the active ingredient formulation; cause the cartridge carousel to rotate so as to align the at least one cartridge including the active ingredient formulation with the dispensing port; and cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

[0012] The device may include a linear actuator positioned above the cartridge carousel. The controller may be configured to cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation by causing the linear actuator to actuate a pumping assembly of the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0013] The pumping assembly may include: a pumping reservoir; a one-way valve configured to allow the active ingredient formulation to flow from an active ingredient formulation reservoir of the at least one cartridge into the pumping reservoir; an outflow component disposed within the pumping reservoir and in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the active ingredient formulation, wherein the outflow component includes an aperture; an aperture cover configured to cover the aperture in the outflow component to prevent the active ingredient formulation from leaking out of the pumping reservoir; and a spring, wherein the linear actuator is configured to actuate the pumping assembly by compressing the spring. Compressing the spring may cause the outflow component to move relative to the aperture cover so as to uncover the aperture in the outflow component, such that the active ingredient formulation can flow from the pumping reservoir to the dispensing nozzle via the aperture. The at least one cartridge may include a gasket surrounding the pumping assembly. The dispensing nozzle may include a cylindrical body with a flat flange at a first end of the cylindrical body and a protrusion extending from the flat flange, the protrusion having an opening for dispensing the active ingredient formulation. A diameter of the flat flange may be greater than a diameter of the protrusion.

[0014] The cartridge carousel may include at least one cartridge mounting assembly configured to receive the at least one cartridge. The at least one cartridge mounting assembly may include: an upper bracket, a lower bracket, and a mounting surface extending therebetween; a retaining ring configured to receive the at least one cartridge, the retaining ring including at least one flange; and a retaining bracket secured to the mounting surface and including at least one slot configured to slidably receive the at least one flange of the retaining ring so as to secure the at least one cartridge received within the retaining ring to the mounting surface. The upper bracket and / or the lower bracketAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 may include at least one magnetic element configured to encode a position of the at least one cartridge within the cartridge carousel. The cartridge carousel may include at least one magnetic sensor configured to detect the at least one magnetic element and transmit the position of the at least one cartridge within the carousel to the controller.

[0015] The at least one cartridge may include a wireless communication device configured to store data associated with the active ingredient formulation held within the at least one cartridge. The data associated with the active ingredient formulation may include at least one of a product identifier, a lot number, an expiration date, or a number of remaining doses. The wireless communication device may be configured to transmit at least a portion of the data associated with the active ingredient formulation to the controller. The wireless communication device may include a near field communication (NFC) device.

[0016] The cartridge carousel may include: a flag rail disposed on an upper surface of the cartridge carousel, the flag rail including at least one slot that is configured to align with a central axis of the at least one cartridge when the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port; and an optical switch system including: an emitter configured to emit a beam of light through the at least one slot in the flag rail; and a detector configured to detect the beam of light so as to indicate whether the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port. The device may include temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the dispensing device. The device may include a container sensor configured to detect a container below the dispensing port.

[0017] An exemplary method of dispensing an active ingredient formulation may include, at a controller of a dispensing device: receiving, via a user interface of the dispensing device, a selection of at least one cartridge including the active ingredient formulation; causing a cartridge carousel of the dispensing device to rotate within aAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 housing of the dispensing device so as to align the at least one cartridge with a dispensing port of the housing; and causing the active ingredient formulation to be dispensed from the at least one cartridge through the dispensing port of the housing.

[0018] It will be appreciated that any of the variations, aspects, features, and options described in view of the systems apply equally to the methods and vice versa. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above variations, aspects, features, and options can be combined.

[0019] Additional advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The aspects and descriptions provided herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior view of a device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway front view of a device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway top view of a device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates magnetic position sensors of a device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0025] FIG. 5 A illustrates a first view of a magnetic position sensor, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 5B illustrates a second view of a magnetic position sensor, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a cartridge carousel of a device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a cartridge loaded into a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a retaining bracket for a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of a retaining bracket for a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 8C illustrates a front view of a retaining ring for a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 8D illustrates a top view of a retaining ring for a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 8E illustrates coupling of a retaining ring and a retaining bracket for a cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 9A illustrates loading of a cartridge into the cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 9B illustrates loading of a cartridge into the cartridge mounting assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 10A illustrates a cartridge with a removable end cap, in accordance with some embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0037] FIG. 10B illustrates a wireless communication device of a removable end cap of a cartridge, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 10C illustrates the position of a receiving device for reading information from a wireless communication device of a cartridge, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 11 illustrates a cutaway view of a cartridge, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0041] FIG. 13 A illustrates a top view of a one-way valve of a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view of a one-way valve of a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 14A illustrates a first view of a nozzle for a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0044] FIG. 14B illustrates a second view of a nozzle for cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0045] FIG. 15 illustrates a gasket for a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0046] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary placement of a gasket for a cartridge pumping assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0047] FIG. 17 illustrates a pumping assembly in a non-actuated position, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 18 illustrates a pumping assembly in an actuated position, in accordance with some embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0049] FIG. 19 illustrates a home screen of a user interface for a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0050] FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary screens of the user interface for selecting an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0051] FIG. 21 illustrates exemplary screens of the user interface displayed during dispensing of an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0052] FIG. 22 illustrates exemplary screens of the user interface for viewing the inventory of a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0053] FIG. 23 illustrates exemplary screens of the user interface for loading and unloading cartridges from a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0054] FIG. 24 illustrates exemplary screens of the user interface for communicating dispensing device errors to a user, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0055] FIG. 25 illustrates a home screen of a mobile application for controlling a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0056] FIG. 26 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for managing user account information, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0057] FIG. 27 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for viewing connected dispensing devices, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 28 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for adding a dispensing device to the mobile application, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0059] FIG. 29 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for managing an inventory of a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 30 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for loading cartridges into a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0061] FIG. 31 illustrates exemplary screens of the mobile application for ordering new cartridges for a dispensing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0062] FIG. 32 illustrates a method for dispensing an active ingredient formulation, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0063] FIG. 33 illustrates a computing system, in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Described herein are systems, methods, and devices for dispensing active ingredient formulations. The systems, methods, and devices described herein can automatically dispense predetermined doses of liquid active ingredient formulations from a plurality of removable cartridges, reducing the potential for user error associated with existing dispensing techniques and ensuring more consistent dosing of the active ingredient. The active ingredient formulations can be dispensed into any beverage, allowing a user to customize the ingredients, taste, and / or volume of the resulting consumable product.

[0065] According to an aspect, a dispensing device for dispensing predetermined doses of active ingredient formulations from a plurality of removable cartridges can include a housing enclosing a rotatable carousel that supports multiple cartridges. Each cartridge can include a respective active ingredient formulation. A controller disposed within the housing can control the carousel to rotate so as to place a desired cartridge in a dispensing position aligned with a dispensing port.

[0066] The housing of the dispensing device can define a recessed area configured to receive a container, such as a cup, bottle, or vial. A dispensing port can be located above the recessed area such that an active ingredient formulation can be dispensed into aAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 container placed in the recessed area. The housing can also include a front panel permitting access to the carousel for loading and unloading cartridges, thereby facilitating modular replacement and servicing of cartridges. Further, the housing can include an interactive display via which a user can select an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed and control various other aspects of dispensing device operation.

[0067] The carousel can include a plurality of cartridge mounting assemblies arranged circumferentially about a central axis. Each mounting assembly can be configured to securely retain a cartridge in a centered, upright orientation to ensure proper alignment with a linear actuator. The controller can determine that a cartridge containing an active ingredient formulation is in a dispensing position beneath the linear actuator using magnetic encoding elements associated with each mounting assembly in combination with magnetic position sensors that generate signals corresponding to a unique positional code. In addition, an optical switch system cooperating with a flag rail having defined openings can be used to confirm that a selected cartridge is precisely centered in the dispensing position before actuation, thereby reducing the likelihood of incomplete pumping or inaccurate dosing.

[0068] Each cartridge can include an internal reservoir storing an active ingredient formulation and a pumping assembly configured to dispense a metered volume per actuation. The pumping assembly can include a pumping reservoir sized to correspond to a single dose, a one-way valve permitting refill of the pumping reservoir in a nonactuated state while preventing backflow during actuation, and an outflow aperture configured to be selectively uncovered during dispensing. A compression spring can bias the pumping assembly toward a non-actuated position, enabling automatic reset and refill after each dispensing cycle.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0069] A linear actuator driven by a motor can be configured to apply a downward force to a cartridge positioned in the dispensing location. Actuation of the linear actuator can compress the pumping assembly, causing the metered volume contained within the pumping reservoir to be expelled through a dispensing nozzle and into the container positioned beneath the dispensing port. Upon retraction of the actuator, the compression spring can return the pumping components to their original configuration, the one-way valve can reopen to permit refilling of the pumping reservoir, and the outflow aperture can be resealed to prevent unintended discharge of liquid. This coordinated mechanical arrangement can ensure consistent, repeatable dosing while minimizing exposure of the bulk formulation to air and contaminants.

[0070] In some implementations, each cartridge can include a wireless communication device, such as an NFC or RFID element, configured to store cartridgespecific information. The dispensing device can include one or more corresponding reader devices that retrieve data such as product identification, lot number, expiration date, and remaining dose information from a wireless communication device when a cartridge is installed. The controller can use this information to manage inventory and control operation of the carousel and dispensing mechanisms.

[0071] The device can further include a display configured to present a graphical user interface that enables users to select formulations, initiate dispensing, view cartridge information, and manage loading or unloading procedures. The user interface can also display dosage information, warnings, inventory status, and error notifications relating to cartridge positioning, door status, temperature, or container presence. Through these interface elements, user selections can be communicated to the controller, which can control carousel positioning and actuation of the linear actuator to dispense the selected formulation.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0072] Additionally, a mobile application can be communicatively linked to one or more dispensing devices to provide remote monitoring and control capabilities. The mobile application can allow users to view device status, manage inventory, load or register cartridges, and initiate or confirm dispensing operations.

[0073] Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of various aspects and variations of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Various devices, systems, and methods are described herein. Although at least two variations of the devices, systems, and methods are described, other variations may include aspects of the devices, systems, and methods described herein combined in any suitable manner having combinations of all or some of the aspects described. Exemplary aspects will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0074] As described above, a device for dispensing active ingredient formulations can include a carousel of cartridges containing various active ingredient formulations disposed within a housing. The carousel can rotate within the housing so as to position a cartridge filled with a given active ingredient formulation in a dispensing position, and the active ingredient formulation can be dispensed from the cartridge via a dispensing port in the housing. FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior view of an exemplary dispensing device 100 for dispensing active ingredient formulations. Dispensing device 100 includes a housing 102 within which a cartridge carousel and other internal dispensing components are disposed. Housing 102 may be made from one or more metals (e.g., aluminum alloys such as aluminum 6061, 6063, and / or 3003; stainless steel; titanium; etc.), plastics (e.g.,Attorney Docket No. 369672000140 polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, poly ether ether ketone(PEEK), etc.), or combinations thereof.

[0075] In some examples, housing 102 may have a generally cubic or rectangular prismatic shape with a recessed area 106 into which a container for receiving a dispensed active ingredient formulation can be placed. Recessed area 106 may be sized and shaped to receive containers such as cups (e.g., coffee cups or drinking glasses), bottles, vials, or the like. In some examples, a container placed within recessed area 106 may include a beverage (e.g., water, coffee, tea, juice, beer, etc.), serum, or topical cream, such that the active ingredient formulation can mix with the contents of the container upon being dispensed, allowing a user to customize administration of the active ingredient formulation.

[0076] Recessed area 106 may be positioned underneath a dispensing port 105 through which an active ingredient formulation can be dispensed. According to some aspects, housing 102 may include a drip tray 107 positioned underneath dispensing port 105 and recessed area 106. Drip tray 107 may include a grate for supporting a container and a removable reservoir underneath the grate. The grate may include a plurality of openings that allow liquid to pass into the reservoir, such that dispensed liquid that is not captured within a container can be collected in the reservoir, which can subsequently be removed and emptied.

[0077] Dispensing device 100 may further include a display 104. Display 104 may be attached to or integrally formed with an outer surface of housing 102. In some examples, display 104 may be attached to a front panel 103 of housing 102 that is configured to be opened (e.g., on a hinge) to allow access to the interior components of dispensing device 100. Display 104 may be configured to display a user interface via which a user can interact with dispensing device 100 (e.g., to select an active ingredient formulation to beAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 dispensed, to view available active ingredient formulations, to facilitate loading or unloading of cartridges, etc.). Display 104 may be a touch-screen display. Alternatively or additionally, a user may interact with display 104 using one or more input devices communicatively coupled to the display. According to some aspects, a user may interact with display 104 remotely via an application installed on a mobile device, tablet, laptop, or any other suitable computing system.

[0078] As discussed above, housing 102 may enclose a rotatable carousel of cartridges containing active ingredient formulations. FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway front view of a carousel 108 enclosed within housing 102. As shown in FIG. 2, housing 102 may also enclose one or more sensors 180, such as one or more temperature sensors, drip tray sensors, container sensors, or door sensors, as discussed in greater detail below.

[0079] Carousel 108 includes at least one cartridge mounting assembly 109 configured to receive a cartridge 110. In the example of FIG. 2, carousel 108 includes a plurality of cartridge mounting assemblies 109 and associated cartridges 110. Each cartridge 110 may include an active ingredient formulation. The active ingredient formulation may be in liquid form. In some examples, each cartridge 110 may include a different active ingredient formulation. The active ingredient formulations may be formulated to produce various effects in a user. For example, active ingredient formulations may be formulated to boost energy, focus, immunity, or relaxation. Suitable active ingredients may include caffeine, cannabidiol (CBD), dietary supplements (e.g., vitamins, probiotics, calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.) or pharmaceutical compounds. Optionally, an active ingredient formulation may employ a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) and / or nanoencapsulation techniques. In a formulation employing SNEDDS, the active ingredient is mixed with oils and surfactants, such that the formulation spontaneously forms a nano-sized oil-in-water emulsion upon contactAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 with an aqueous medium. This enhances the solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability of the active ingredient and improves the shelflife of the active ingredient formulation.

[0080] The cartridge mounting assemblies 109 of carousel 108 may be arranged in a circular pattern around a central axis of carousel 108. FIG. 3 shows a top view of carousel 108. In the example of FIG. 3, carousel 108 includes nine evenly spaced cartridge mounting assemblies 109 (labeled 0-8). However, it should be understood that this configuration is merely exemplary, and in other examples, carousel 108 may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or more cartridge mounting assemblies 109. Optionally, at least one cartridge mounting assembly 109 may be left empty, and carousel 108 may be deemed to be in a “home position” when the empty cartridge mounting assembly 109 is positioned in a dispensing position (e.g., beneath a linear actuator 116, as explained in greater detail herein). For example, the cartridge mounting assembly 109 labeled “0” may be left empty, and the home position of carousel 108 may be the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3. According to some aspects, carousel 108 may be returned to the home position each time a cartridge 110 finishes dispensing a dose of an active ingredient formulation, so as to ensure that no active ingredient formulation is exposed to external elements and reduce the likelihood of tampering.

[0081] As discussed above, a user can select an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed (e.g., via display 104). In response to receiving the user selection, carousel 108 may be rotated to place the cartridge 110 containing the selected active ingredient formulation into a dispensing position in which the cartridge 110 is positioned above the dispensing port 105. Rotation of carousel 108 may be controlled by a controller 101 disposed within housing 102. Controller 101 may be mounted to the underside of the upper surface of housing 102. Controller 101 may include one or more processors, suchAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 as processor(s) 3310 described herein with reference to FIG. 33, that are configured to receive the user selection and responsively control an actuator to rotate carousel 108 to place the cartridge 110 containing the selected active ingredient formulation into the dispensing position. In some examples, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate by controlling a motor (e.g., a DC stepper motor) to rotate carousel 108 a predetermined amount so as to place the cartridge 110 containing the selected active ingredient formulation into the dispensing position. In some examples, the motor may be paired with a 10: 1 gearbox, which increases torque by a factor of ten and extends the useful life of the motor.

[0082] In some examples, controller 101 may determine that the cartridge 110 containing the selected active ingredient formulation is in the dispensing position based on information received from one or more magnetic position sensors. As seen in FIG. 3, each cartridge mounting assembly 109 may include one or more magnetic elements 113. In the example of FIG. 3, each cartridge mounting assembly 109 includes four magnetic elements 113 - two on an upper surface of the respective cartridge mounting assembly, and two on a lower surface of the respective cartridge mounting assembly. However, it should be understood that this configuration is merely exemplary, and in other examples, a given cartridge mounting assembly 109 may have zero, one, two, three, four, or more magnetic elements 113. In some examples, the magnetic elements 113 (or lack thereof) of a given cartridge mounting assembly 109 may create a 4-bit binary encoder associated with the cartridge mounting assembly. For example, each cartridge mounting assembly 109 may include between zero and four magnetic elements 113. A 4-bit binary encoder may be derived for each cartridge mounting assembly 109 based on the number and position of the magnetic elements. The absence of a magnet in a given position may be represented by a binary “0,” and the presence of a magnet in a given position may beAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 represented by a binary “1 Thus, each unique cartridge mounting assembly 109 may be associated with a unique 4-bit binary encoder (e.g., 0000 for a cartridge mounting assembly having zero magnetic elements, and 1111 for a cartridge mounting assembly having four magnetic elements).

[0083] Carousel 108 may include one or more magnetic position sensors 112 configured to detect the presence of magnetic elements 113 and “read” the 4-bit encoders to determine the rotational position of the carousel. FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of magnetic position sensors 112 disposed on a cartridge mounting assembly 109. In the example of FIG. 4, the cartridge mounting assembly 109 includes four magnetic position sensors 112 - two on an upper surface of the cartridge mounting assembly, and two on a lower surface of the cartridge mounting assembly. In some examples, the positions of the magnetic position sensors 112 may align with the positions of magnetic elements 113, such that each magnetic position sensor 112 can detect a corresponding magnetic element 113.

[0084] FIGS. 5 A and 5B illustrate close-up views of magnetic position sensor(s) 112. As seen in FIG. 5 A, magnetic position sensor 112 may include a sensor body 112a including one or more holes 112b. The hole(s) 112b may be used to mount the magnetic position sensor 112 to a cartridge mounting assembly 109. One or more sensor wire leads 112c may be attached to sensor body 112a. The sensor wire lead(s) 112c may connect a sensing element 112d, illustrated in FIG. 5B, to controller 101 located within housing 102. As shown in FIG. 5B, sensing element 112d may be connected to sensor body 112a. As a given magnetic element 113 passes the center point of sensing element 112d, the magnetic sensor 112 may output a voltage used by controller 101. Controller 101 can then determine the position of the carousel 108 based on the number and positions ofAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 voltages received, and thus determine whether the desired cartridge is in the dispensing position.

[0085] A given cartridge may be determined to be in the dispensing position when carousel 108 is rotated such that the cartridge is positioned underneath a linear actuator 116. Linear actuator 116 may be driven to cause an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed from the cartridge. As seen in FIG. 6, linear actuator 116 may include a rod or slider 116a driven by a motor 116b (e.g., a stepper motor). When a cartridge is determined to be in the dispensing position, the motor 116b may drive the rod or slider 116a in a downward direction so as to impart a compressive force onto the cartridge below. The force applied by rod or slider 116a may actuate a pumping assembly contained within the cartridge, thereby causing the active ingredient formulation within the cartridge to be dispensed. Optionally, linear actuator 116 may include one or more sensors configured to detect when rod or slider 116a reaches a fully extended position and when rod or slider 116a returns to a resting position. This can ensure that a full dispense cycle was performed.

[0086] In some examples, a given cartridge may be determined to be in the dispensing position when the cartridge is centered underneath linear actuator 116, such that the downward force applied by linear actuator 116 is evenly distributed across the cartridge. If the cartridge is not centered, linear actuator 116 may apply an off-axis force, which can lead to incomplete pump actuation and inaccurate liquid dispensing. According to an aspect, controller 101 may be configured to determine that the cartridge is centered underneath linear actuator 116 using at least one optical switch and a flag rail including a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding to a center of a predetermined position along the rotational path of carousel 108. The optical switch may include at least one light emitter and at least one light detector. Opaque portions of the flag rail may blockAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 light emitted by the light emitter from passing through an opening in the flag rail when a cartridge is not centered within a predetermined position along the rotational path of carousel 108, while alignment of an opening in the flag rail with the light emitter may permit light to pass through the opening. The blockage or passage of light may indicate whether an associated cartridge is centered within the predetermined position.

[0087] For example, as seen in FIG. 3, carousel 108 may include a flag rail 114a having a plurality of openings 114b formed therein. Flag rail 114a may be disposed above the plurality of cartridges 110 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). The dispensing device may include at least one optical switch 115a positioned to cooperate with flag rail 114a. For instance, optical switch 115a may be positioned above flag rail 114a. The at least one optical switch 115a may include at least one light emitter and at least one light detector.

[0088] In some examples, optical switch 115a may be fixed relative to carousel 108 and flag rail 114a may be configured to rotate with carousel 108, such that flag rail 114a passes through the optical path of the light emitter of optical switch 115a. Alternatively, flag rail 114a may remain stationary as carousel 108 rotates, and optical switch 115a may rotate with carousel 108. In either scenario, flag rail 114a may selectively block or permit transmission of light emitted by light emitter(s) of optical switch 115a during rotation of carousel 108. When a given cartridge 110 is not centered within a predetermined position along the rotational path of carousel 108, an opaque portion of flag rail 114a may be aligned with the optical path of light emitted by light emitter(s) of optical switch 115a. When the cartridge 110 becomes centered within the predetermined position, an associated opening 114b in flag rail 114a may align with the optical path, permitting the emitted light to pass through opening 114b. In some examples, the light detector may detect light when opening 114b aligns with the path of light emitted by the light emitter and light reflects off of a surface underneath opening 114b back to the light detector. InAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 other examples, the light detector may detect light when flag rail 114a blocks the path of light emitted by the light emitter, and the light is reflected back to the light detector off of the surface of the flag rail.

[0089] In either case, when the light detector detects light, the light detector may provide a signal to controller 101. The signal may be used by controller 101 to confirm proper positioning of the cartridge 110 and to initiate or permit subsequent operations, including but not limited to starting, continuing, or stopping rotation of carousel 108, engaging a locking mechanism of carousel 108, and / or initiating actuation of linear actuator 116.

[0090] Optionally, the dispensing device may include an additional dedicated optical switch 115b configured to determine when carousel 108 is in its “home position” (the position in which an empty cartridge mounting assembly 109 is positioned in the dispensing position). Flag rail 114a may include an additional opening 114c which, unlike openings 114b, may not be configured to align with a center of a predetermined position along the rotational path of carousel 108. Instead, opening 114c may be configured to align with a longitudinal axis of optical switch 115b, which is offset from a centered position of a cartridge along the rotational path of carousel 108, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0091] As discussed above, each cartridge 110 may be loaded into carousel 108 by loading the respective cartridge 110 into a corresponding cartridge mounting assembly 109. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary cartridge 110 loaded into a cartridge mounting assembly 109. Cartridge mounting assembly 109 may include an upper bracket 120, a lower bracket 130, and a mounting surface 122 extending therebetween. In some examples, cartridge mounting assembly 109 may be integrally formed with carousel 108. In other examples, cartridge mounting assembly 109 may be a separate component fromAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 carousel 108 and may be configured to be attached to carousel 108 via upper bracket 120, lower bracket 130, and / or mounting surface 122.

[0092] In some implementations, upper bracket 120 and / or lower bracket 130 may include one or more magnetic elements (e.g., magnetic elements 113 shown in FIG. 3) configured to be sensed by one or more magnetic sensors 112 disposed on carousel 108. As discussed above, the magnetic elements associated with upper bracket 120 and / or lower bracket 130 may create a 4-bit binary encoder associated with the cartridge mounting assembly 109, which may be used to determine the rotational position of carousel 108.

[0093] Cartridge mounting assembly 109 may further include a retaining bracket 124 secured to mounting surface 122. Retaining bracket 124 may be secured to mounting surface 122 using one or more screws, adhesives, or any other securement mechanisms. As seen in FIG. 7, retaining bracket 124 may be generally U-shaped. A flat middle portion of retaining bracket 124 may sit flush against mounting surface 122, and side portions situated on either side of the middle portion may extend outwardly from mounting surface 122 such that a cartridge 110 can be positioned between them. Each side portion of retaining bracket 124 may include a respective slot 126. Slots 126 may be sized and shaped to receive flanges of a retaining ring 128 that is configured to hold a cartridge 110 within cartridge mounting assembly 109, as described in greater detail below. An exemplary retaining bracket 124 with slots 126 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B.

[0094] As noted above, cartridge mounting assembly 109 may further include a retaining ring 128. Retaining ring 128 may be sized and shaped to hold a cartridge 110 in an upright position within cartridge mounting assembly 109, as shown in FIG. 7.Retaining ring 128 may include a pair of flanges 129 extending outwardly from the ring. Flanges 129 may be located on the outer surface of retaining ring 128 and may beAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 positioned diametrically opposite one another, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. Flanges 129 may be configured to be received within slots 126 in retaining bracket 124, such that retaining ring 128 (and a cartridge 110 held within retaining ring 128) can be secured to retaining bracket 124, thus holding the cartridge 110 within cartridge mounting assembly 109. FIG. 8E illustrates how flanges 129 can be inserted into slots 126.

[0095] Cartridge 110 may be loaded into cartridge mounting assembly 109 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B. First, cartridge 110 may be inserted into retaining ring 128. For example, retaining ring 128 may be detached from the rest of cartridge mounting assembly 109 and slid over cartridge 110. Cartridge 110 may then be inserted into a recess 132 of lower bracket 130. Recess 132 may be sized and shaped to receive a portion of cartridge 110 (e.g., a dispensing nozzle, as described in greater detail herein). Recess 132 may be centered within lower bracket 130, such that when cartridge 110 is inserted into recess 132, cartridge 110 is centered within cartridge mounting assembly 109.

[0096] Cartridge 110 may be inserted into recess 132 at an angle (e.g., an angle of about 45 degrees, as illustrated by arrow A in FIG. 9A). Cartridge 110 may then be tilted into an upright position (as illustrated by arrow B in FIG. 9 A) to secure the cartridge 110 to cartridge mounting assembly 109. Before or while tilting cartridge 110 into an upright position, retaining ring 128 may be slid upward along the body of cartridge 110, as shown by arrow C in FIG. 9 A, so as to allow retaining ring 128 to be slid downward into slots 126 of retaining bracket 124 when cartridge 110 is upright. Optionally, retaining ring 128 may be removed entirely from cartridge 110, as shown in FIG. 9B. Alternatively, retaining ring 128 may continue to surround cartridge 110 and may simply slide upward such that retaining ring 128 is above retaining bracket 124 when cartridge 110 is upright.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0097] Once cartridge 110 is in the upright position, retaining ring 128 may slide downward in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 9B. Retaining ring 128 may be oriented such that flanges 129 align with slots 126 of retaining bracket 124, and flanges 129 can be received within slots 126 to secure cartridge 110 to mounting surface 122 in an upright position.

[0098] Dispensing device 100 may be configured to collect information about cartridge 110 once it is loaded into cartridge mounting assembly 109. For example, controller 101 may be configured to determine the position of cartridge 110 within the carousel, the contents of cartridge 110, a fill level or number of remaining doses in cartridge 110, and / or a shelflife of the active ingredient formulation in cartridge 110. Controller 101 may be configured to determine this information based on information stored in a wireless communication device, such as a radio frequency identification device (RFID) or a near field communication (NFC) device, associated with cartridge 110.

[0099] The wireless communication device may be disposed within cartridge 110. For example, cartridge 110 may include a removable end cap 111, as shown in FIG. 10A. A wireless communication device may be attached to (e.g., adhered to) an underside of end cap 111, such that the wireless communication device is contained within cartridge 110. In implementations where a device (or devices) configured to receive information from the wireless communication device is positioned above cartridge 110, attaching the wireless communication device to end cap 111 can be advantageous in ensuring sufficient proximity between the wireless communication device and the receiving device(s).

[0100] FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a wireless communication device that can be adhered to end cap 111. In the example of FIG. 10B, the wireless communication device is an NFC device 142. The NFC device 142 includes an antenna 144 for creatingAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 and sensing an NFC magnetic field and an NFC chip 146 for controlling communication over the magnetic field created by antenna 144. In some examples, antenna 144 may be a printed circuit antenna. Antenna 144 may be printed onto an adhesive-backed substrate that can be adhered directly to the underside of end cap 111. Optionally, NFC chip 146 may be surrounded by (e.g., encased within) a gel and / or adhesive and secured to the inner surface of end cap 111 to protect the chip from damage. In some examples, NFC device 142 may include a vent hole 148, and NFC device 142 may be attached to end cap 111 such that vent hole 148 aligns with a corresponding vent hole 140 on end cap 111. Aligning vent holes 148 and 140 may prevent overheating, thus protecting NFC device 142 and cartridge 110 from damage. While the wireless communication device is described as being an NFC device, it should be understood that other types of wireless communication devices may be used instead (e.g., RFID, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, or infrared-based communication devices).

[0101] Dispensing device 100 may include one or more receiving devices 149 configured to receive information from the wireless communication devices associated with the various cartridges loaded into carousel 108. Receiving device(s) 149 may include, for example, an NFC reader or an RFID reader. FIG. 10C illustrates an exemplary configuration in which dispensing device 100 includes a receiving device 149 positioned above cartridge #4 when carousel 108 is in the home position. Receiving device 149 may be mounted to the underside of the upper surface of housing 102. In some examples, when a new cartridge is loaded into carousel 108, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate into a position in which receiving device(s) 149 can receive information from the wireless communication device associated with the new cartridge (e.g., information about the position of the cartridge, the contents of the cartridge, a product identification code associated with the cartridge, a lot number associated with theAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 cartridge, a fill level or number of remaining doses in the cartridge, an expiration date or shelflife associated with the active ingredient formulation within the cartridge, etc.). In some examples, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate 360-degrees when a new cartridge is loaded (or upon powering up dispensing device 100, upon another condition occurring, or periodically) so that receiving device(s) 149 can receive information from the wireless communication device of each cartridge in carousel 108.

[0102] Once one or more cartridges have been loaded into carousel 108, a user may select an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed. For example, the user may select a formulation via a user interface displayed via display 104. Alternatively, the user may select a formulation via an application installed on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or the like that is connected (e.g., via WiFi or Bluetooth) to controller 101. Upon receiving the user selection, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate to place the cartridge containing the selected active ingredient formulation into the dispensing position. Linear actuator 116 may then exert a downward force on the cartridge to actuate a pumping assembly within the cartridge to dispense the selected active ingredient formulation.

[0103] FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view of a cartridge 110 that illustrates a pumping assembly 154 that can be actuated by linear actuator 116. Cartridge 110 may include an active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 for storing an active ingredient formulation. Cartridge 110 may also include a vacuum internal slide 152 located between the active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 and pumping assembly 154. Vacuum internal slide 152 may serve as a sealed, movable barrier that separates the active ingredient formulation from the pumping components. By maintaining an airtight environment, vacuum internal slide 152 may prevent air from entering active ingredient formulation reservoir 150, thereby protecting the active ingredient formulation from degradation and contamination.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0104] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of pumping assembly 154. Pumping assembly 154 may generally include a pumping reservoir 160 that is configured to hold a predetermined amount of active ingredient formulation to be dispensed. Pumping reservoir 160 may have a tapered cylindrical shape that is slightly narrower at an upper end and wider at a lower end. The volume of pumping reservoir 160 may correspond to the volume of a single dose of the active ingredient formulation contained in cartridge 110. Thus, different cartridges having different active ingredient formulations may have pumping reservoirs with different volumes. In some examples, the volume of pumping reservoir 160 may be at least 0.10 mL, at least 0.15 mL, at least 0.20 mL, at least 0.25 mL, at least 0.30 mL, at least 0.35 mL, at least 0.40 mL, at least 0.45 mL, at least 0.50 mL, at least 0.55 mL, at least 0.60 mL, at least 0.65 mL, at least 0.70 mL, at least 0.75 mL, at least 0.80 mL, at least 0.85 mL, at least 0.90 mL, at least 0.95 mL, at least 1.00 mL, at least 1.10 mL, at least 1.20 mL, at least 1.30 mL, or at least 1.40 mL. In some examples, the volume of pumping reservoir 160 may be at most 1.50 mL, at most 1.40 mL, at most 1.30 mL, at most 1.20 mL, at most 1.10 mL, at most 1.00 mL, at most 0.95 mL, at most 0.90 mL, at most 0.85 mL, at most 0.80 mL, at most 0.75 mL, at most 0.70 mL, at most 0.65 mL, at most 0.60 mL, at most 0.55 mL, at most 0.50 mL, at most 0.45 mL, at most 0.40 mL, at most 0.35 mL, at most 0.30 mL, at most 0.25 mL, at most 0.20 mL, or at most 0.15 mL.

[0105] Pumping reservoir 160 may be in fluid communication with active ingredient formulation reservoir 150, which contains the liquid to be dispensed. A one-way valve 162 may be disposed at the interface between active ingredient reservoir 150 and pumping reservoir 160. The one-way valve 162 may be configured to permit fluid flow from active ingredient reservoir 150 into pumping reservoir 160 when pumping assembly 154 is in a non-actuated state. As used herein, pumping assembly 154 is in a “nonAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 actuated state” when linear actuator 116 is not exerting a downward force on cartridge 110. Upon actuation of pumping assembly 154, one-way valve 162 may automatically transition to a sealed configuration, thereby preventing backflow of liquid from pumping reservoir 160 into active ingredient reservoir 150 during dispensing.

[0106] FIGS. 13 A and 13B illustrate an exemplary one-way valve 162 that can be used to open or seal the interface between active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 and pumping reservoir 160. One-way valve 162 may include a valve plunger 163 a secured to a valve outer body 163c via one or more thin legs 163b. When one-way valve is placed at the interface between active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 and pumping reservoir 160, valve plunger 163a may be configured to move up and down relative to valve outer body 163c so as to open or seal the interface.

[0107] Returning to FIG. 12, pumping assembly 154 may further include an outflow aperture component 164 disposed within the pumping reservoir 160. The outflow aperture component 164 may be a generally cylindrical component having a flanged top and at least one aperture configured to permit liquid to exit pumping reservoir 160. In the non-actuated state, the aperture may be covered by an aperture slide cover 166, thereby preventing fluid from flowing through the aperture. Aperture slide cover 166 may be configured to move relative to outflow aperture component 164.

[0108] When pumping assembly 154 is actuated, relative movement may occur between pumping reservoir 160 and aperture slide cover 166. The tapered internal walls of pumping reservoir 160 may engage aperture slide cover 166, causing aperture slide cover 166 to catch on the walls while outflow aperture component 164 continues to move. This movement may uncover the aperture of outflow aperture component 164, thereby allowing liquid contained within pumping reservoir 160 to flow through the aperture.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0109] Outflow aperture component 164 may be mechanically and fluidly coupled to an outflow aperture extension 172. Outflow aperture extension 172 may be a generally cylindrical component having a lower end that is positioned within a dispensing nozzle 158 and an upper end that extends through an opening formed in a reservoir end cap 168. Reservoir end cap 168 may form a lower boundary of pumping reservoir 160. Active ingredient formulation that passes through the aperture in outflow aperture component 164 may flow into outflow aperture extension 172 and then into dispensing nozzle 158.

[0110] Dispensing nozzle 158 may be configured to dispense the active ingredient formulation into a container. Dispensing nozzle 158 may be a generally cylindrical component with a flange at one end. For example, FIGS. 14A-14B illustrates an exemplary dispensing nozzle 158. The nozzle includes a body portion 159a, a flange 159b, and a hollow internal post 159c extending through body 159a and flange 159b. Flange 159b may be configured to fit within recess 132 of cartridge mounting assembly 109. Flange 159b may support the weight of cartridge 110 and maintain cartridge 110 in a centered and upright position within cartridge mounting assembly 109. Hollow internal post 159c may be connected to outflow aperture extension 172 at a first end and may terminate in a protrusion 159d at the other end. Liquid may be dispensed from the cartridge and into a container through protrusion 159d. Dispensing liquid through protrusion 159d may prevent contact between the liquid and the external surface of flange 159b, which could potentially cause contamination. Protrusion 159d may protrude about 1.5-3.5 mm or about 2.5 mm from the external surface of flange 159b. In some examples, protrusion 159d may protrude at least 1.5 mm, at least 2.0 mm, at least 2.5 mm, or at least 3.0 mm from the external surface of flange 159d. In some examples, protrusion 159d may protrude at most 3.5 mm, at most 3.0 mm, at most 2.5 mm, or at most 2.0 mm from the external surface of flange 159d.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0111] In some examples, hollow internal post 159c and protrusion 159d may have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of flange 159b. The small diameter of protrusion 159d can reduce the potential surface area for drops of active ingredient formulation to stick to and therefore minimize waste of the active ingredient formulation. Protrusion 159d may have an inner diameter of about 1-5 mm, or about 3 mm. In some examples, protrusion 159d may have an inner diameter of at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, or at least 4 mm. In some examples, protrusion 159d may have an inner diameter of at most 5 mm, at most 4 mm, at most 3 mm, or at most 2 mm. Protrusion 159d may have an outer diameter of about 3-7 mm, or about 4.75 mm. In some examples, protrusion 159d may have an outer diameter of at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, or at least 6 mm. In some examples, protrusion 159d may have an outer diameter of at most 7 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 5 mm, or at most 4 mm.

[0112] Returning to FIG. 12, a compression spring 170 may be disposed concentrically around at least a portion of the cylindrical body of outflow aperture extension 172. Compression spring 170 may extend between reservoir end cap 168 and dispensing nozzle 158. Upon actuation of pumping assembly 154, pumping reservoir 160 and associated components may be displaced in a manner that compresses compression spring 170. When the actuating force is removed, compression spring 170 expands, thereby urging pumping reservoir 160 and associated components back toward their original, non-actuated positions.

[0113] As pumping reservoir 160 returns to its non-actuated position under the bias of compression spring 170, one-way valve 162 may reopen, permitting liquid from active ingredient reservoir 150 to refill pumping reservoir 160. At the same time, aperture slide cover 166 may return to a position covering the aperture in outflow aperture component 164, thereby preventing unintended discharge of liquid until the next actuation cycle.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0114] In some examples, pumping assembly 154 may further include a gasket 156. Gasket 156 may be configured to prevent leakage of active ingredient formulation so as to minimize waste of the active ingredient formulation and ensure that proper dosages are dispensed. For example, gasket 156 may be sized and shaped to prevent leakage at the interface between active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 and pumping reservoir 160 and to prevent leakage from pumping reservoir 160. FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary gasket 156, and FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary placement of the gasket 156 relative to other components of pumping assembly 154. In some examples, gasket 156 may be made from silicone rubber.

[0115] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a pumping assembly 154 of a cartridge 110 in a non-actuated position, in which a linear actuator 116 is not exerting a downward force on cartridge 110. In the non-actuated position, compression spring 170 is extended, and the aperture of outflow aperture component 164 is covered by aperture slide cover 166. Further, the plunger of one-way valve 162 is drawn inwardly into pumping reservoir 160, such that pumping reservoir 160 can be filled with liquid from active ingredient formulation reservoir 150.

[0116] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of the pumping assembly 154 in an actuated position, in which linear actuator 116 is exerting a downward force on cartridge 110. In the actuated position, compression spring 170 may be compressed, and aperture slide cover 166 may no longer block the aperture of outflow aperture component 164. As discussed above, aperture slide cover 166 may catch on the tapered internal walls of pumping reservoir 160 as outflow aperture component 164 moves so as to uncover the aperture and allow active ingredient formulation to flow out of pumping reservoir 160 through the aperture. Further, the plunger of one-way valve 162 may be forced upward, which may seal the interface between active ingredient formulation reservoir 150 andAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 pumping reservoir 160 to prevent any additional liquid from entering pumping reservoir 160 while pumping assembly 154 remains in the actuated position.

[0117] Thus, in general, each time linear actuator 116 is deployed and pumping assembly 154 is actuated, a predetermined active ingredient formulation stored in pumping reservoir 160 (corresponding to a single dose of the active ingredient formulation) may be forced out of cartridge via nozzle 158. Then, when linear actuator 116 is retracted, pumping assembly 154 may be returned to a non-actuated position in which the one-way valve is opened to allow pumping reservoir 160 to be refilled with active ingredient formulation from active ingredient formulation reservoir 150.

[0118] As discussed above, dispensing device 100 may include a display 104 configured to display a user interface via which a user can interact with dispensing device 100. For example, the user can select an active ingredient formulation to be dispensed, view available active ingredient formulations, or facilitate loading or unloading of cartridges. FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary home screen of a user interface that can be displayed by display 104. The home screen 1900 may include an indication 1902 of the active ingredient formulations that are available to be dispensed. For example, in FIG. 19, indication 1902 is a simplified drawing of a cartridge carousel indicating which active ingredient formulations are in which positions within the cartridge carousel. Home screen 1900 may also include a menu 1904 that includes one or more interactive menu objects that, when selected by a user, allow the user to perform various additional actions via the user interface (e.g., connect to a network or refresh an existing connection, view available inventory, load or unload cartridges, view an order, or log out).

[0119] In some examples, a user may initiate dispensing of an active ingredient formulation by selecting a particular active ingredient formulation within indication 1902. When a user selects the particular active ingredient formulation, the user may beAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 prompted to verify their selection of the active ingredient formulation and / or pay for their selection. FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary set of screens that may be displayed by the user interface in response to a user selection of an active ingredient formulation. In some examples, the user interface may display a screen 20A providing additional information about the selected active ingredient formulation. For example, as shown in screen 20 A, the user interface may display a recommended dosage of the active ingredient formulation, ingredients in the active ingredient formulation, and / or any warnings associated with consumption of the active ingredient formulation. The user interface may also display the price per dose and number of available doses. The user interface may also include one or more interactive objects. For instance, the user interface may include an option to increase or decrease a number of doses to be dispensed, an option to load or unload the cartridge containing the selected active ingredient formulation, or an option to add the selection to an order.

[0120] If the user selects the option to add the active ingredient formulation to their order, the user interface may display a pop-up, as shown in screen 20B, requesting that the user verifies their order. The user may edit the number of doses in the order, confirm the order, or exit the order and return to the home screen. In some examples, access to the selected active ingredient formulation may be restricted (e.g., if the active ingredient is a pain medication or other prescription drug), and the pop-up may require an authorized user to enter a pin to complete the order verification process.

[0121] In some examples, if the user confirms the order, the user interface may display another pop-up, as shown in screen 20C, prompting payment for the order. The user may be able to purchase the selected dose(s) of the active ingredient formulation using a card reader or other point of sale system associated with dispensing device 100.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0122] FIG. 21 illustrates a series of screens that can be displayed by the user interface after payment has been approved. First, as shown in screen 21 A, the user interface may display a pop-up indicating that payment was accepted and prompting the user to either dispense the active ingredient formulation or return to the home screen. If the user selects the dispensing option, controller 101 may responsively cause carousel 108 to rotate so as to position the cartridge 110 containing the selected active ingredient formulation into a dispensing position beneath linear actuator 116. Controller 101 may then cause linear actuator 116 to descend to actuate the pumping assembly 154 within cartridge 110 and dispense the active ingredient formulation.

[0123] As shown in screen 21B, the user interface may display a pop-up while the active ingredient formulation is being dispensed to indicate that dispensing is in progress and warn the user not to remove the cup or other container underneath dispensing nozzle 158 until dispensing is complete. The pop-up may also include an option to cancel the dispensing or to return to the home screen. Once dispensing is complete, the user interface may display a pop-up indicating that dispensing is complete, as shown in screen 21C.

[0124] In other examples, the user may select one of the interactive menu objects within menu 1904 rather than a particular active ingredient formulation within indication 1902. For example, the user may select a menu object corresponding to viewing the inventory of the carousel, as shown in FIG. 22. In some examples, access to inventory information may be restricted, and an authorized user may be prompted to enter a pin before the information will be displayed, as shown in screen 22A. Upon receiving a valid pin, the user interface may display a pop-up that shows a list of products associated with dispensing device 100. In the example of screen 22B, the pop-up may include the identities of various products (e.g., “Super Energy Boost”, “Super Focus Boost”, “SuperAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 Immune Boost”, etc.), their respective statuses (e.g., “installed”, “in stock not installed”, etc.), and the number of remaining doses in the respective cartridges. The user may select a product and then select the “continue” button or may return to the home screen.

[0125] Upon selecting a product and opting to continue, the user interface may display information about the cartridge corresponding to the selected product, as shown in screen 22C. The cartridge information may include, for example, the cartridge serial number, lot number, and / or expiration date. The cartridge information may also include a fill status of the cartridge. In the example of screen 22C, the fill status is indicated using a graphic that includes a color-coded segmented status gauge and a number of remaining dosages in the cartridge. After viewing the cartridge information, the user may choose to return to the previous screen, load or unload the selected cartridge, or view more detailed product information.

[0126] If the user elects to view more detailed product information, the user interface may display a product information screen 22D. Screen 22D includes a variety of information about the Super Energy Boost product, including the carousel position in which the Super Energy Boost cartridge is installed, the recommended dosage, ingredients, associated warnings, price, and number of doses available. After viewing this information, the user may choose to return to the cartridge information screen (screen 22C), return to the home screen, or load or unload the selected cartridge.

[0127] In some examples, the user may elect to load or unload the selected cartridge directly from the home screen (e.g., the “load / unload cartridges” menu object in menu 1904 of FIG. 19). FIG. 23 illustrates a series of screens that may correspond to a user selection to load a cartridge. As shown in screen 23 A, upon selecting an indication to load a cartridge, the user interface may display a pop-up with a list of products to be loaded. The user may select a desired product (in this example, “Super Energy Boost”).Attorney Docket No. 369672000140 The user may then select a continue button to continue with loading or may return to the home screen.

[0128] In response to receiving a user indication to continue loading the selected cartridge, controller 101 may prepare the device for loading. For example, controller 101 may cause front panel 103 to be unlocked to allow access to carousel 108. In some examples, controller 101 may also cause carousel 108 to rotate into a position in which the selected cartridge can be easily loaded via front panel 103. Once carousel 108 is in a suitable position and front panel 103 is ready to be opened, the user interface may display a pop-up indicating that the dispensing device is ready for loading of the selected cartridge, as shown in screen 23B. The pop-up may prompt the user to open front panel 103 to load the selected cartridge and subsequently to close front panel 103 when loading is complete.

[0129] Once the user indicates that loading is complete and front panel 103 is closed (e.g., by selecting the continue button on screen 23B), controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate such that a reader device on carousel 108 can read information from a wireless communication device associated with the cartridge. For example, as discussed above, each cartridge may include a wireless communication device such as an NFC or RFID device that stores information associated with the cartridge (e.g., a product identifier, a fill level / number of remaining doses, an expiration date, etc.). Carousel 108 may include one or more corresponding readers (e.g., NFC or RFID readers) configured to receive the information stored on the wireless communication devices of the various cartridges. When a new cartridge is loaded, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate into a position in which the reader(s) can receive information from the wireless communication device associated with the new cartridge. For instance, controller 101 may cause carousel 108 to rotate 360-degrees when a new cartridge is loaded so that theAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 reader(s) can receive information from the wireless communication device of the cartridge and store the information in a memory.

[0130] Once the reader(s) of carousel 108 have read and stored the information from the newly loaded cartridge, the user interface may display a pop-up (screen 23C) summarizing the information associated with the newly loaded cartridge. Screen 23 C may include, for example, the identity of the product in the newly loaded cartridge, a fill level of the cartridge, a serial number of the cartridge, and / or a status of the cartridge (e.g., “loaded”). The user may be prompted to confirm that the information in the pop-up is correct in order to complete the loading process.

[0131] In some examples, the user interface may display an indication of any errors that occur during loading or unloading of a cartridge. For example, if front panel 103 is not fully closed after loading or unloading a cartridge from carousel 108, the user interface may display a pop-up indicating as much. Screen 24A of FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary pop-up that can be displayed in response to one or more door sensors of dispensing device 100 detecting that front panel 103 has not been fully closed. In another example, if the cartridge has not been loaded correctly (e.g., if the cartridge is not securely centered within the cartridge mounting assembly), the user interface may display a pop-up indicating a cartridge error, as shown in screen 24B.

[0132] The user interface may also be configured to display indications of errors other than loading or unloading errors. For example, dispensing device 100 may include one or more container sensors configured to detect whether there is a container underneath nozzle 158 within recessed area 106. If the container sensor(s) detect that no container is present, the user interface may display a container sensor error prompting a user to ensure that a container is placed in recessed area 106, as shown in screen 24C.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0133] In another example, the user interface may be configured to display indications of errors related to drip tray 107. For example, dispensing device 100 may include one or more drip tray sensors configured to detect the presence and / or fill level of drip tray 107. If the one or more drip tray sensors detect that drip tray 107 is full, the user interface may display a pop-up prompting a user to empty and replace drip tray 107, as shown in screen 24D. Alternatively, if the one or more drip tray sensors detect that drip tray 107 is not installed, the user interface may display a pop-up prompting a user to install drip tray 107, as shown in screen 24D.

[0134] In another example, the user interface may be configured to display indications of errors related to the temperature of dispensing device 100. Dispensing device 100 may include one or more temperature sensors disposed within housing 102. The one or more temperature sensors may monitor the temperature within housing 102 to ensure that the temperature remains within a suitable range for the active ingredient formulations stored within the housing. The user interface may be configured to display warnings if the temperature detected by the one or more temperature sensors falls outside of the suitable range, as temperatures outside of the suitable range may impact the shelf life or safety of the active ingredient formulations. For example, the user interface may display a high temperature warning if the temperature is too high, as shown in screen 24F. The high temperature warning may prompt the user to shut down dispensing device 100 and allow the unit to cool before resuming use. Optionally, dispensing device 100 may include a cooling fan within housing 102, and controller 101 may activate the cooling fan in addition to displaying the high temperature warning. Alternatively, the user interface may display a low temperature warning, as shown in screen 24G. The low temperature warning may prompt the user to shut down dispensing device 100 and allow the unit to warm up before resuming use.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0135] According to some aspects, display 104 may be a touchscreen display, and a user may interact directly with the touchscreen display in the manner discussed above in order to perform various operations (e.g., selecting a product to be dispensed, viewing cartridge information, controlling loading and unloading of cartridges, etc.). According to another aspect, a user may interact with a mobile application installed on an electronic device such as a phone, tablet, laptop, or other computing device. The mobile application may be linked to one or more dispensing devices and used to view information about and / or control the one or more dispensing devices. Any of the functionalities performed via display 104 may alternatively or additionally be performed via the mobile application, and vice versa.

[0136] FIG. 25 illustrates a home screen 2500 of the mobile application. The home screen 2500 may include a plurality of menu objects corresponding to viewing or editing account information (menu object 2502), viewing or editing linked dispensing devices (menu object 2504), checking inventory of one or more dispensing devices (menu object 2506), loading cartridges into one or more dispensing devices (menu object 2508), purchasing additional cartridges (menu object 2510), or logging out of the application (menu object 2512).

[0137] FIG. 26 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed upon receiving a user selection of a menu object 2502 corresponding to viewing or editing account information. For example, the mobile application may display a screen 26Athat includes a summary of a user’s account information, such as the user’s email address, full name, and password. Screen 26A may include an edit functionality, which, when selected, may allow a user to edit their account information as shown in screen 26B.

[0138] FIG. 27 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed upon receiving a user selection of a menu object 2504 corresponding to viewing or editing linkedAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 dispensing devices. For example, the mobile application may display a screen 27Athat includes a list of linked dispensing devices. The list may include, for each dispensing device, a device serial number, a device status, a location, and / or an indication of which products are loaded into the dispensing device. Screen 27A may also include an option to search for a specific dispensing device and / or to add a new dispensing device.

[0139] Upon receiving a user selection of a particular dispensing device via screen 27A, the mobile application may display an enlarged visualization of the carousel of the selected dispensing device. As shown in screen 27B, the visualization may indicate which products are in which carousel positions. Optionally, the visualization may be color-coded to indicate the fill level of each product. In some examples, an option to connect to or refresh an existing connection to the selected dispensing device may be displayed with the visualization. Additionally or alternatively, an option to load or unload cartridges of the selected dispensing device may be displayed with the visualization.

[0140] Alternatively, upon receiving a selection of the option to add a new dispensing device via screen 27A, the mobile application may display a screen including instructions for adding a new dispensing device. FIG. 28 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed by the mobile application in response to a user selection to add a new dispensing device. The mobile application may first display a screen 28A that includes instructions for adding a new device. For example, screen 28A may prompt a user to hold an NFC reader associated with the mobile application close to the dispensing device to which the user wishes to connect. Once the NFC reader has recognized the dispensing device, the mobile application may display screen 28B, which displays information about the recognized dispensing device (e.g., products and fill levels, device serial number, device status, device location, etc.) and prompts a user to confirm that the correct device has been scanned.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0141] FIG. 29 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed upon receiving a user selection of a menu object 2506 corresponding to checking an inventory of one or more dispensing devices. For example, the mobile application may display a screen 29A that includes a list of products associated with the account logged into the mobile application. The products may be cartridges that are installed in one or more dispensing devices or cartridges that have been ordered but are not currently installed in a dispensing device. The list may include information about each cartridge, such as where the cartridge is installed, its serial number, and the number of doses remaining in the cartridge.

[0142] Screen 29A may further include an option to search the inventory and / or an option to add a new item to the inventory. Upon receiving a user selection of the option to add a new item to the inventory, the mobile application may display a screen 29B that includes instructions for adding a new item to the inventory. For example, in the example of FIG. 29, screen 29B may instruct the user to hold an NFC reader close to the product to add the product to the inventory. As discussed above, each cartridge may include a wireless communication device (e.g., an NFC or RFID device) that stores information about the cartridge. A cartridge may be added to an inventory by reading the information stored on the wireless communication device using a suitable reader (e.g., an NFC or RFID reader) associated with the mobile application.

[0143] FIG. 30 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed upon receiving a user selection of a menu object 2508 corresponding to loading a cartridge into a dispensing device. For example, the mobile application may display a screen 30Athat includes a list of dispensing devices associated with the mobile application. The list may include an identifier for each dispensing device as well as a serial number, status, location, and cartridge information associated with each device. A user may select aAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 particular dispensing device, and the mobile application may display a second screen 30B that includes a visualization of the selected dispensing device. The visualization may indicate cartridges that are currently loaded into the carousel of the selected dispensing device and their associated fill levels as well as carousel slots that are currently empty. Screen 3 OB may also include an option to load or unload cartridges from the selected dispensing device. Upon receiving a user selection of this option, the mobile application may display a third screen 30C that includes instructions for loading or unloading a cartridge. For example, screen 30C may instruct a user to consult detailed instructions provided by display 104 and subsequently select a “connect and refresh” option on the mobile application once loading is complete.

[0144] FIG. 31 illustrates a series of screens that may be displayed upon receiving a user selection of a menu object 2510 corresponding to ordering additional cartridges. For example, the mobile application may be integrated with an online store through which a user can order additional cartridges. The mobile application may display a list of available cartridges. Upon receiving a user selection of a cartridge, the mobile application may display information about the selected cartridge. In the example of FIG.31, a user has selected the “SNEDDS Energy Boost” cartridge, and screen 31 A displays information about the cartridge such as the number of doses in a full cartridge (300), the pump volume of the selected cartridge, and / or a description of the active ingredients in the selected cartridge. A user may adjust the desired quantity of cartridges and select an option to order the cartridge(s). Upon receiving the user selection of the “order” option, the mobile application may display a confirmation screen 3 IB indicating that the cartridge order has been confirmed.

[0145] FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary method 3200 for dispensing an active ingredient formulation. Method 3200 may be performed by a controller of a dispensingAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 device, such as controller 101 of dispensing device 100. At step 3202, the controller receives a selection of at least one cartridge including an active ingredient formulation via a user interface of a dispensing device. For example, controller 101 may receive a selection of at least one cartridge via display 104 of dispensing device 100. The selection of the at least one cartridge may include a selection of an active ingredient formulation associated with the at least one cartridge.

[0146] At step 3204, the controller causes a cartridge carousel of the dispensing device to rotate within a housing of the dispensing device so as to align the at least one cartridge with a dispensing port of the housing. For example, controller 101 may cause cartridge carousel 108 to rotate within housing 102 such that a selected cartridge is aligned with dispensing port 105. In some examples, when the selected cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port, the selected cartridge may be positioned beneath a linear actuator (e.g., linear actuator 116).

[0147] At step 3206, the controller causes the active ingredient formulation to be dispensed from the at least one cartridge through the dispensing port of the housing. For example, the controller may cause linear actuator 116 to descend and exert a downward force on the selected cartridge. The force exerted by linear actuator 116 may cause a pump of the selected cartridge (e.g., pumping assembly 154) to be actuated, which may cause a predetermined dose of the active ingredient formulation in the selected cartridge to be dispensed through dispensing port 105 via a nozzle of the cartridge (e.g., nozzle 158).

[0148] In one or more examples, the disclosed systems and methods utilize or may include a computing system. For example, dispensing device 100 may include a computing system (e.g., controller 101) configured to control rotation of carousel 108 and dispensing of an active ingredient formulation. FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplaryAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 computing system according to one or more examples of the disclosure.Computer 3300 can be a host computer connected to a network. Computer 3300 can be a client computer or a server. As shown in FIG. 33, computer 3300 can be any suitable type of microprocessor-based device, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, or handheld computing device, such as a phone or tablet. The computer can include, for example, one or more of processor 3310, input device 3320, output device 3330, storage 3340, and communication device 3360. Input device 3320 and output device 3330 can be connectable to or integrated with the computer.

[0149] Processor(s) 3310 can be any suitable processor or combination of processors, including any of, or any combination of, a central processing unit (CPU), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Input device 3320 can be any suitable device that provides input, such as a touch screen or monitor, keyboard, mouse, or voice-recognition device. Output device 3330 can be any suitable device that provides an output, such as a touch screen, monitor, printer, disk drive, or speaker.

[0150] Storage 3340 can be any suitable device that provides storage, such as an electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, including a random-access memory (RAM), cache, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or removable storage disk. Communication device 3360 can include any suitable device capable of transmitting and receiving signals over a network, such as a network interface chip or card. The components of the computer can be connected in any suitable manner, such as via a physical bus or wirelessly. Storage 3340 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programs, which, when executed by one or more processors, such as processor(s) 3310, cause the one or more processors to execute methods described herein.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0151] Software 3350, which can be stored in storage 3340 and executed by processor(s) 3310, can include, for example, the programming that embodies the functionality of the present disclosure (e.g., as embodied in the systems, computers, servers, and / or devices as described above). For instance, software 3350 can include instructions for controlling rotation of a carousel of active ingredient formulationcontaining cartridges. In one or more examples, software 3350 can include a combination of servers such as application servers and database servers.

[0152] Software 3350 can also be stored and / or transported within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those detailed above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can be any medium, such as storage 3340, that can contain or store programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0153] Software 3350 can also be propagated within any transport medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a transport medium can be any medium that can communicate, propagate, or transport programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The transport-readable medium can include but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium.

[0154] Computer 3300 may be connected to a network, which can be any suitable type of interconnected communication system. The network can implement any suitable communications protocol and can be secured by any suitable security protocol. TheAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 network can comprise network links of any suitable arrangement that can implement the transmission and reception of network signals, such as wireless network connections, T1 or T3 lines, cable networks, DSL, or telephone lines.

[0155] Computer 3300 can implement any operating system suitable for operating on the network. Software 3350 can be written in any suitable programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Python. In various embodiments, application software embodying the functionality of the present disclosure can be deployed in different configurations, such as in a client / server arrangement or through a Web browser as a Web-based application or Web service, for example.EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0156] The following embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure herein.

[0157] Embodiment 1. A device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation comprising: a housing comprising a dispensing port; a cartridge carousel configured to rotate within the housing, wherein the cartridge carousel is configured to receive at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation; and a controller configured to: receive a selection of the active ingredient formulation; cause the cartridge carousel to rotate so as to align the at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation with the dispensing port; and cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

[0158] Embodiment 2. The device of embodiment 1, comprising a linear actuator positioned above the cartridge carousel.

[0159] Embodiment 3. The device of embodiment 2, wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulationAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 by causing the linear actuator to actuate a pumping assembly of the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

[0160] Embodiment 4. The device of embodiment 3, wherein the pumping assembly comprises: a pumping reservoir; a one-way valve configured to allow the active ingredient formulation to flow from an active ingredient formulation reservoir of the at least one cartridge into the pumping reservoir; an outflow component disposed within the pumping reservoir and in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the active ingredient formulation, wherein the outflow component comprises an aperture; an aperture cover configured to cover the aperture in the outflow component to prevent the active ingredient formulation from leaking out of the pumping reservoir; and a spring, wherein the linear actuator is configured to actuate the pumping assembly by compressing the spring.

[0161] Embodiment 5. The device of embodiment 4, wherein compressing the spring causes the outflow component to move relative to the aperture cover so as to uncover the aperture in the outflow component, such that the active ingredient formulation can flow from the pumping reservoir to the dispensing nozzle via the aperture.

[0162] Embodiment 6. The device of any one of embodiments 3-5, wherein the at least one cartridge comprises a gasket surrounding the pumping assembly.

[0163] Embodiment 7. The device of any one of embodiments 4-6, wherein the dispensing nozzle comprises a cylindrical body with a flat flange at a first end of the cylindrical body and a protrusion extending from the flat flange, the protrusion comprising an opening for dispensing the active ingredient formulation.

[0164] Embodiment 8. The device of embodiment 7, wherein a diameter of the flat flange is greater than a diameter of the protrusion.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0165] Embodiment 9. The device of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises at least one cartridge mounting assembly configured to receive the at least one cartridge.

[0166] Embodiment 10. The device of embodiment 9, wherein the at least one cartridge mounting assembly comprises: an upper bracket, a lower bracket, and a mounting surface extending therebetween; a retaining ring configured to receive the at least one cartridge, the retaining ring comprising at least one flange; and a retaining bracket secured to the mounting surface and comprising at least one slot configured to slidably receive the at least one flange of the retaining ring so as to secure the at least one cartridge received within the retaining ring to the mounting surface.

[0167] Embodiment 11. The device of embodiment 10, wherein the upper bracket and / or the lower bracket comprises at least one magnetic element configured to encode a position of the at least one cartridge within the cartridge carousel.

[0168] Embodiment 12. The device of embodiment 11, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises at least one magnetic sensor configured to detect the at least one magnetic element and transmit the position of the at least one cartridge within the carousel to the controller.

[0169] Embodiment 13. The device of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the at least one cartridge comprises a wireless communication device configured to store data associated with the active ingredient formulation held within the at least one cartridge.

[0170] Embodiment 14. The device of embodiment 13, wherein the data associated with the active ingredient formulation comprises at least one of a product identifier, a lot number, an expiration date, or a number of remaining doses.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0171] Embodiment 15. The device of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit at least a portion of the data associated with the active ingredient formulation to the controller.

[0172] Embodiment 16. The device of any one of embodiments 13-15, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a near field communication (NFC) device.

[0173] Embodiment 17. The device of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises: a flag rail disposed on an upper surface of the cartridge carousel, the flag rail comprising at least one slot that is configured to align with a central axis of the at least one cartridge when the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port; and an optical switch system comprising: an emitter configured to emit a beam of light through the at least one slot in the flag rail; and a detector configured to detect the beam of light so as to indicate whether the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port.

[0174] Embodiment 18. The device of any one of embodiments 1-17, comprising: a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the dispensing device.

[0175] Embodiment 19. The device of any one of embodiments 1-18, comprising: a container sensor configured to detect a container below the dispensing port.

[0176] Embodiment 20. A method of dispensing an active ingredient formulation, the method comprising, at a controller of a dispensing device: receiving, via a user interface of the dispensing device, a selection of at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation; causing a cartridge carousel of the dispensing device to rotate within a housing of the dispensing device so as to align the at least one cartridge with a dispensing port of the housing; and causing the active ingredient formulation to be dispensed from the at least one cartridge through the dispensing port of the housing.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0177] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical and scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and / or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

[0178] Reference to “about” a value or parameter herein includes (and describes) variations that are directed to that value or parameter per se. For example, description referring to “about X” includes description of “X”. In addition, reference to phrases “less than”, “greater than”, “at most”, “at least”, “less than or equal to”, “greater than or equal to”, or other similar phrases followed by a string of values or parameters is meant to apply the phrase to each value or parameter in the string of values or parameters. For example, a statement that a solution has a wt. % of at least about 10 wt.%, about 15 wt.%, or about 20 wt.% is meant to mean that the solution has a weight percent of at least about 10 wt.%, at least about 15 wt.%, or at least about 20 wt. %.

[0179] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It is further to be understood that the terms “includes, “including,” “comprises,” and / or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or units but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and / or groups thereof.Attorney Docket No. 369672000140

[0180] This application discloses several numerical ranges in the text and figures. The numerical ranges disclosed inherently support any range or value within the disclosed numerical ranges, including the endpoints, even though a precise range limitation is not stated verbatim in the specification because this disclosure can be practiced throughout the disclosed numerical ranges.

[0181] The above description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 369672000140CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A device for dispensing an active ingredient formulation comprising:a housing comprising a dispensing port;a cartridge carousel configured to rotate within the housing, wherein the cartridge carousel is configured to receive at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation; anda controller configured to:receive a selection of the active ingredient formulation;cause the cartridge carousel to rotate so as to align the at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation with the dispensing port; andcause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising a linear actuator positioned above the cartridge carousel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation by causing the linear actuator to actuate a pumping assembly of the at least one cartridge to dispense the active ingredient formulation.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the pumping assembly comprises:a pumping reservoir;a one-way valve configured to allow the active ingredient formulation to flow from an active ingredient formulation reservoir of the at least one cartridge into the pumping reservoir;an outflow component disposed within the pumping reservoir and in fluidAttorney Docket No. 369672000140 communication with a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the active ingredient formulation, wherein the outflow component comprises an aperture;an aperture cover configured to cover the aperture in the outflow component to prevent the active ingredient formulation from leaking out of the pumping reservoir; and a spring, wherein the linear actuator is configured to actuate the pumping assembly by compressing the spring.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein compressing the spring causes the outflow component to move relative to the aperture cover so as to uncover the aperture in the outflow component, such that the active ingredient formulation can flow from the pumping reservoir to the dispensing nozzle via the aperture.

6. The device of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the at least one cartridge comprises a gasket surrounding the pumping assembly.

7. The device of any one of claims 4-6, wherein the dispensing nozzle comprises a cylindrical body with a flat flange at a first end of the cylindrical body and a protrusion extending from the flat flange, the protrusion comprising an opening for dispensing the active ingredient formulation.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the flat flange is greater than a diameter of the protrusion.

9. The device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises at least one cartridge mounting assembly configured to receive the at least one cartridge.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one cartridge mounting assembly comprises:an upper bracket, a lower bracket, and a mounting surface extending therebetween;Attorney Docket No. 369672000140 a retaining ring configured to receive the at least one cartridge, the retaining ring comprising at least one flange; anda retaining bracket secured to the mounting surface and comprising at least one slot configured to slidably receive the at least one flange of the retaining ring so as to secure the at least one cartridge received within the retaining ring to the mounting surface.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper bracket and / or the lower bracket comprises at least one magnetic element configured to encode a position of the at least one cartridge within the cartridge carousel.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises at least one magnetic sensor configured to detect the at least one magnetic element and transmit the position of the at least one cartridge within the carousel to the controller.

13. The device of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one cartridge comprises a wireless communication device configured to store data associated with the active ingredient formulation held within the at least one cartridge.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the data associated with the active ingredient formulation comprises at least one of a product identifier, a lot number, an expiration date, or a number of remaining doses.

15. The device of claim 13 or 14, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit at least a portion of the data associated with the active ingredient formulation to the controller.

16. The device of any one of claims 13-15, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a near field communication (NFC) device.

17. The device of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the cartridge carousel comprises:Attorney Docket No. 369672000140 a flag rail disposed on an upper surface of the cartridge carousel, the flag rail comprising at least one slot that is configured to align with a central axis of the at least one cartridge when the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port; andan optical switch system comprising:an emitter configured to emit a beam of light through the at least one slot in the flag rail; anda detector configured to detect the beam of light so as to indicate whether the at least one cartridge is aligned with the dispensing port.

18. The device of any one of claims 1-17, comprising: a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the dispensing device.

19. The device of any one of claims 1-18, comprising: a container sensor configured to detect a container below the dispensing port.

20. A method of dispensing an active ingredient formulation, the method comprising, at a controller of a dispensing device:receiving, via a user interface of the dispensing device, a selection of at least one cartridge comprising the active ingredient formulation;causing a cartridge carousel of the dispensing device to rotate within a housing of the dispensing device so as to align the at least one cartridge with a dispensing port of the housing; andcausing the active ingredient formulation to be dispensed from the at least one cartridge through the dispensing port of the housing.

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