Sterilization of consumable composition dispensors

• US 20090169419A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Robert W., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Leuthhardt, Eric C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,758,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0005 for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/008 taps comprising counting- and recording means counting devices, counting of objects in general G06M
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

Methods and systems for programmed dispensation of consumable compositions are provided.

A method for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container.

A system for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) means for dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container.

A method for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) providing a notification of a sterilization of a beverage container.

A system for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) means for dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) means for providing a notification of a sterilization of a beverage container.

A system for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) a beverage container; (b) a consumable composition dispensor module; and (c) a sterilization module.

Claims

1. A method for administering a consumable composition, the method comprising:

dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and

sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container via radiation sterilization.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container via chemical sterilization.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container via chemical sterilization further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container via ozone sterilization.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container via thermal sterilization.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a time interval since a prior sterilization.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a user input.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to an amount of a consumable composition in a consumable composition dispenser.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a time interval in which the beverage container remains in a substantially stationary position.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to an identity of a first consumable composition.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to an identity of a second consumable composition.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a geographic location of a beverage container.

33. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to ambient environmental conditions.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a programmed sterilization schedule.

35. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a sterilization parameter further comprises:

means for sterilizing a beverage container according to a user identity.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container further comprises:

means for sterilizing contents of the beverage container.

2-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A system for administering a consumable composition, the system comprising:

means for dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and

means for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container.

37. A system for administering a consumable composition, the system comprising:

a consumable composition dose dispensing device operably coupled with sterilization logic.

38. A system for administering a consumable composition, the system comprising:

circuitry for dispensing a dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and

circuitry for sterilizing at least a portion of a beverage container.

39-92. -92. (canceled)