Cartridge filling system and method

Abstract

A system and method for automatically receiving, sorting, filling and sealing containers is disclosed. The containers may include cartridges that may be filled with a desired substance such as distilled cannabinoids and such. The filled and sealed cartridges may then be used for specific purposes such as for use in vape pens and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automatically filling cartridges with a substance, the method comprising:
 (A) providing a substance to a chamber;   (B) providing a plurality of cartridge bodies to a cartridge body feeder;   (C) providing a plurality of cartridge caps to a cartridge cap feeder;   (D) using the cartridge body feeder to deliver a first cartridge body to a first receptacle at a first station;   (E) using a filler to fill the first cartridge body with at least some of the substance to form a first filled cartridge body;   (F) moving the first filled cartridge body to a second station or moving a second station to the first filled cartridge body;   (G) using the cartridge cap feeder to deliver a first cartridge cap to the first filled cartridge body;   (H) moving the first cartridge cap and the first filled cartridge body to a third station or moving a third station to the first cartridge cap and the first filled cartridge body;   (I) using a cartridge cap securing mechanism to secure the first cartridge cap to the first filled cartridge body to form a first filled and capped cartridge body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps:
 (J) moving the first filled and capped cartridge body to a fourth station or moving a fourth station to the first filled and capped cartridge body; and 
 (K) outputting the first filled and capped cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step:
 (L) using a packager to package the output first filled and capped cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step:
 (A)(1) heating and/or cooling the substance to a first temperature to achieve a first substance viscosity. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step:
 (G)(1) using the cartridge body feeder to deliver a second cartridge body to a second receptacle at the first station; and 
 (G)(2) using the filler to fill the second cartridge body with at least some of the substance to form a second filled cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step:
 (H)(1) moving the second filled cartridge body to a second station or moving a second station to the second filled cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step:
 (I)(1) using the cartridge cap feeder to deliver a second cap to the second filled cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step:
 (J)(1) moving the second cap and the second filled cartridge body to a third station or moving a third station to the second cap and the second filled cartridge body; and 
 (J)(2) using the cartridge cap securing mechanism to secure the second cap to the second filled cartridge body to form a second filled and capped cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step:
 (K)(1) moving the second filled and capped cartridge body to a fourth station or moving a fourth station to the second filled and capped cartridge body; and 
 (K)(2) outputting the second filled and capped cartridge body. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the substance includes a distillate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first cartridge body includes a vape cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first cartridge cap includes a vape cartridge cap. 
     
     
         13 . A system for automatically filling cartridges with a substance, the system comprising:
 a temperature-controlled substance chamber;   a cartridge body feeder;   a cartridge cap feeder;   a first receptacle adapted to receive a first cartridge body from the cartridge body feeder;   a first station configured with a filler to fill the first cartridge body with at least some of the substance to form a first filled cartridge body;   a second station configured with a capping mechanism adapted to receive a first cartridge cap from the cartridge cap feeder and to place the first cartridge cap on the first filled cartridge body;   a third station configured with a cartridge cap securing mechanism to secure the first cartridge cap to the first filled cartridge body to form a first filled and capped cartridge body; and   a conveyor adapted to sequentially move the first receptacle from the first station, to the second station and to the third station, or to sequentially move the first station, the second station and the third station to the first receptacle.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a fourth station adapted to output the first filled and capped cartridge body. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a packager to package the output first filled and capped cartridge body. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a second receptable adapted to receive a second cartridge body from the cartridge body feeder. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first receptable is adapted to secure the first cartridge body from rotational movement. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the substance includes a distillate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first cartridge body includes a vape cartridge. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first cartridge cap includes a vape cartridge cap.