Apparatus and method for dispensing liquids into a container

Abstract

A machine for dispensing a vaporisable liquid into a container for use in an electronic inhalation device is disclosed. The machine comprises a reservoir of liquid, a dispensing port to receive an empty container to be filled, and a dispensing mechanism fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing a quantity of liquid from the reservoir to a container received in the dispensing port. The machine also comprises a controller connected to the dispensing mechanism to control operation thereof, and a user-operable interface connected to the controller for a user to actuate the machine. Also disclosed is a method of operation of such a machine and a system of a plurality of such machines.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A machine for dispensing a vaporisable liquid into a container for use in an electronic inhalation device, the machine comprising:
 a reservoir for containing liquid,   a dispensing port to receive an e-liquid container to be filled,   a dispensing mechanism fluidly connected to the reservoir for dispensing a quantity of liquid from the reservoir to a container received in the dispensing port,   a controller connected to the dispensing mechanism to control operation thereof, and   a user-operable interface connected to the controller for a user to actuate the machine,   wherein the e-liquid container to be filled includes a seal such that liquid contained therein may be sealed within the container.   
     
     
         50 . A machine according to  claim 49  wherein the e-liquid container has an open end, and wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric cover that seals the open end of the e-liquid container. 
     
     
         51 . A machine according to  claim 50  wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing head that includes a liquid supply duct terminating as a syringe needle configured to pierce the elastomeric cover of the e-liquid container to allow the vaporisable liquid to be introduced into the container. 
     
     
         52 . A machine according to  claim 49  further comprising a magazine of empty liquid containers and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver an empty container from the magazine for subsequent insertion into the dispensing port and filling with liquid. 
     
     
         53 . A machine according to  claim 52  wherein the delivery mechanism is configured to deliver an empty container from the magazine into the dispensing port. 
     
     
         54 . A machine according to  claim 49 , wherein the dispensing port is configured to receive and fill containers of varying configurations. 
     
     
         55 . A vending machine according to  claim 49  comprising a plurality of dispensing ports configured to receive and fill containers having different configurations. 
     
     
         56 . A machine according to  claim 49  comprising a plurality of reservoirs containing different liquids, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to selectively dispense liquid from the plurality of reservoirs to the dispensing port. 
     
     
         57 . A machine according to  claim 56  wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to mix liquid from two or more of the plurality of reservoirs and dispense the mixed liquid to the dispensing port. 
     
     
         58 . A machine according to  claim 57  comprising at least three reservoirs respectively containing nicotine, a diluent, and a flavorant, and wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to mix different ratios of the nicotine, diluent, and flavorant as the mixed liquid to be dispensed. 
     
     
         59 . A machine according to  claim 49  further comprising a container marking mechanism configured to mark a container filled with liquid from the dispensing mechanism with information related to the dispensed liquid. 
     
     
         60 . A machine according to  claim 49  further comprising a container detector associated with the dispensing port and connected to the controller, and configured to detect whether a container is received within the dispensing port, and the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism not to dispense liquid if no container is received in the dispensing port. 
     
     
         61 . A machine according to  claim 60  wherein the container detector is configured to determine a type of container received within the dispensing port and the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism to dispense an appropriate amount of liquid in dependence on the detected container type. 
     
     
         62 . A machine according to  claim 49  wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a flow meter connected to the controller and wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism to dispense a pre-determined quantity of liquid as measured by the flow meter. 
     
     
         63 . A machine according to  claim 49  further comprising a wireless receiver connected to the controller and configured to receive a signal transmitted from a user-operated wireless device, and wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism in response to the received signal. 
     
     
         64 . A machine according to  claim 49  wherein the controller is configured only to control the dispensing mechanism to dispense liquid from the reservoir to a container upon verification of at least one user identification criterion, such as minimum age information of a user. 
     
     
         65 . A machine according to  claim 49  further comprising a seal label applicator configured to automatically apply a seal label over an opening in a container after being filled with liquid. 
     
     
         66 . A machine according to  claim 65  wherein the seal labels applied by the seal label applicator are tamper-evidencing seal labels. 
     
     
         67 . A machine that dispenses a vaporizable liquid into an e-liquid container of an electronic vapor inhalation device, the machine comprising:
 a reservoir for containing liquid;   a dispensing port to receive an e-liquid container to be filled, the e-liquid container having an open end sealed by an elastomeric cover;   a dispensing mechanism fluidly connected to the reservoir and terminating as a syringe needle configured to pierce the elastomeric cover of an e-liquid container received in the dispensing port;   a controller connected to the dispensing mechanism to control operation thereof; and   a user-operable interface connected to the controller for a user to actuate the machine.