Individualized nutrient preparation apparatus and system

Abstract

Disclosed is an individualized nutrient preparation apparatus to prepare an individualized nutrient according to user characteristics. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus includes a data processing unit configured to generate individual nutrient prescription data, a plurality of supply units configured to independently supply different nutrient granules according to the individual nutrient prescription data, each of which supplying a predetermined number set of the nutrient granules, and a packing unit configured to pack a mix of the nutrient granules.

1 . An individualized nutrient preparation apparatus to prepare a nutrient according to user characteristics, comprising:
 a data processing unit configured to generate individual nutrient prescription data;   a plurality of supply units configured to independently supply different nutrient granules according to the individual nutrient prescription data, each of which supplying a predetermined number set of the nutrient granules; and   a packing unit configured to pack a mix of the nutrient granules.   
     
     
         2 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the supply units supplies the nutrient granules one by one as the predetermined number set to one dose; and   the packing unit packs the nutrient granules into units of one dose.   
     
     
         3 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the supply units includes:
 a storage part to store the nutrient granules; and   a discharge part to discharge the nutrient granules one by one from the storage part.   
     
     
         4 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the discharge part includes:
 a pickup plate including receipt grooves formed along the outer circumferential surface thereof and configured to be rotatable vertically so as to be adjacent to an outlet of the storage part; and   a guide member including a granule discharge hole and configured to surround the outer circumferential surface of the pickup plate,   wherein the nutrient granules are picked up one by one by the receipt grooves as the pickup plate is vertically rotated and, if the granule discharge hole is disposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove in the vertical direction when the pickup plate is rotated, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove is discharged through the granule discharge hole.   
     
     
         5 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the discharge part includes:
 a first plate including receipt grooves to receive the nutrient granules supplied from the storage part one by one; and   a second plate including a granule discharge hole and provided under the first plate so as to be rotatable relative to the first plate,   wherein, if the granule discharge hole is disposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove in the vertical direction during relative rotation between the first plate and the second plate, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove is discharged through the granule discharge hole.   
     
     
         6 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a discharge member provided adjacent to the granule discharge hole and configured to discharge the nutrient granule from the receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole. 
     
     
         7 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 guide grooves communicating with the receipt grooves are formed on the first plate;   a part of the discharge member is received in the guide grooves; and   the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole is pressed by the discharge member and discharged.   
     
     
         8 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first sensor provided adjacent to one end of the granule discharge hole; and   a second sensor provided adjacent to the other end of the granule discharge hole, wherein:   the first sensor senses whether or not the receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole receives the nutrient granule; and   the second sensor senses whether or not the receipt groove passing through the granule discharge hole discharges the nutrient granule.   
     
     
         9 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the discharge part includes:
 a pickup roller including pickup holes and configured to be rotatable adjacent to the outlet of the storage part; and   an actuator configured to provide driving force to rotate the pickup roller,   wherein, as the pickup roller is rotated, the nutrient granules are picked up one by one by the pickup holes and then discharged.   
     
     
         10 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising an interlock member connected to the pickup roller,
 wherein the actuator provides rectilinear driving force and the interlock member converts the rectilinear driving force of the actuator into rotary driving force.   
     
     
         11 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a transfer guide part configured to transfer the nutrient granules picked up by the pickup roller,
 wherein a granule transfer hole to transfer the nutrient granules one by one is formed on the transfer guide part.   
     
     
         12 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein a temporary loader part to temporarily load the nutrient granules prior to pickup is formed on the transfer guide part,
 wherein the nutrient granules loaded on the temporary loader part are picked up by the pickup roller and transferred through the granule transfer hole.   
     
     
         13 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the discharge part further includes a vacuum suction part to provide vacuum suction force so that the nutrient granules are sucked by the pickup hole through vacuum. 
     
     
         14 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a vacuum pressure sensor to sense the vacuum pressure of the vacuum suction part,
 wherein whether or not the nutrient granule is picked up is sensed using a signal sensed by the vacuum pressure sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a plurality connection channels configured to independently connect the vacuum suction part and the pickup rollers of the respective supply units; and   control valves provided on the respective connection channels to selectively cut off at least one of the connection channels independently.   
     
     
         16 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the storage part includes:
 a storage container; and   an opening/closing member to open and close an opening formed at the upper portion of the storage container.   
     
     
         17 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 guide plates to define the flow path of the nutrient granules are provided within the storage container; and   the nutrient granules are guided to the discharge part along the guide plates.   
     
     
         18 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the storage part includes:
 a storage container; and   a partition member configured to divide the inner space of the storage container into a storage space to store the nutrient granules and a reception space to receive a dehumidifying agent and provided with communication slots to communicate the storage space and the reception space with each other.   
     
     
         19 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a storage amount sensor configured to sense the amount of the nutrient granules stored in the storage part. 
     
     
         20 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a warning generation part configured to output a warning signal if a value measured by the storage amount sensor is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         21 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hopper configured to gather the nutrient granules supplied from the respective supply units into one place. 
     
     
         22 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the packing unit packs the nutrient granules into at least one type of a capsule, a packet and a stick. 
     
     
         23 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising an air blowing device to dehumidify the nutrient granules stored in the storage part and a means of filtering to prevent influx of moisture in the air into the storage part. 
     
     
         24 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit generates the individual nutrient prescription data corresponding to medical inquiry data according to individual characteristics based on predetermined reference data. 
     
     
         25 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the data processing unit compares the medical inquiry data with the reference data and calculates information regarding kinds and contents of specific nutrient ingredients required by an individual according to a result of comparison. 
     
     
         26 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the reference data is provided based on one recommended dose and the contents of the specific nutrient ingredients are increased or decreased according to the medical inquiry data according to individual characteristics. 
     
     
         27 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the medical inquiry data includes data regarding at least one of user's age, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking, smoking, labor type, possessing diseases and sleeping habits. 
     
     
         28 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual nutrient prescription data includes the composition ratio of at least one of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a Korean traditional medicine. 
     
     
         29 . An individualized nutrient preparation system to prepare a nutrient according user characteristics, comprising:
 an input unit configured to input medical inquiry data according to individual characteristics;   a data processing unit configured to generate individual nutrient prescription data corresponding to the medical inquiry data; and   a preparation unit configured to receive the individual nutrient prescription data and prepare the nutrient according to the individual nutrient prescription data.   
     
     
         30 . The individualized nutrient preparation system according to  claim 29 , wherein the data processing unit generates the individual nutrient prescription data corresponding to the medical inquiry data based on predetermined reference data. 
     
     
         31 . The individualized nutrient preparation system according to  claim 30 , wherein the data processing unit compares the medical inquiry data with the reference data and calculates information regarding kinds and contents of specific nutrient ingredients required by an individual according to a result of comparison. 
     
     
         32 . The individualized nutrient preparation system according to  claim 31 , wherein the reference data is provided based on a recommended daily dose or a single recommended dose and the contents of the specific nutrient ingredients are increased or decreased according to the medical inquiry data according to individual characteristics. 
     
     
         33 . The individualized nutrient preparation system according to  claim 29 , wherein the input unit is configured to execute remote communication with the data processing unit. 
     
     
         34 . The individualized nutrient preparation system according to  claim 29 , wherein:
 the medical inquiry data includes data regarding at least one of user's age, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking, smoking, labor type, possessing diseases and sleeping habits; and   the individual nutrient prescription data includes the composition ratio of at least one of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.   
     
     
         35 . The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first sensor provided adjacent to one end of the granule discharge hole; and   a second sensor provided adjacent to the other end of the granule discharge hole, wherein:   the first sensor senses whether or not the receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole receives the nutrient granule; and   the second sensor senses whether or not the receipt groove passing through the granule discharge hole discharges the nutrient granule.