A method for filling a pod is provided. A pod is provided and has a housing defining a plurality of serving chambers arranged in an annular array and surrounding a drive hub. Data is received that is indicative of a customized nutritional supplement for the pod to a controller of an automated filling station. The customized nutritional supplement is filled into at least one of the plurality of serving chambers of the pod via the automated filling station by controlling a plurality of hoppers of the filling station to dispense the customized supplement into the plurality of serving chambers of the pod. Each hopper contains a corresponding ingredient available for the customized supplement.

A cartridge fluid filling system and method for the cannabis and hemp industry. The system comprises a gas-pressurized sanitary reservoir sub-assembly holding material to be dispensed. A spool valve sub-assembly lies in fluid communication with the reservoir sub-assembly and has a spool valve that moves to permit or block fluid flow to a metering rod. Effluent material may pass through an outlet port to a tray sub-assembly for locating cartridges into which metered amounts of the effluent material may be delivered. A robot moves a tray and the outlet port so that material is delivered in precisely metered amounts to cartridges in the tray without waste and in the absence of air bubbles. A human-machine interface includes controllers that supervise related process parameters.

A cartridge fluid filling system and method for the cannabis and hemp industry. The system comprises a gas-pressurized sanitary reservoir sub-assembly holding material to be dispensed. A spool valve sub-assembly lies in fluid communication with the reservoir sub-assembly and has a spool valve that moves to permit or block fluid flow to a metering rod. Effluent material may pass through an outlet port to a tray sub-assembly for locating cartridges into which metered amounts of the effluent material may be delivered. A robot moves a tray and the outlet port so that material is delivered in precisely metered amounts to cartridges in the tray without waste and in the absence of air bubbles. A human-machine interface includes controllers that supervise related process parameters.

A dosing unit for a machine for producing unit dose articles includes a plurality of nozzles carried by respective movable elements and associated to fluid delivery lines, and a plurality of controlled valves associated to respective actuators and arranged for selectively opening and closing a passage of fluid through said fluid delivery lines.

Methods and systems are provided for mixing and heat exchange of fluids. In one example, a fluid mixing and heat exchange device includes a hot water tank, a mixing chamber spaced away from the hot water tank and fluidly coupled to a first liquid reservoir, a first chilling module fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber, a coolant tank fluidly coupled to the first chilling module, a radiator fluidly coupled to the coolant tank, and a dispensing manifold fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber and adapted to dispense a mixed and chilled fluid mixture to a plurality of fluid vessels.

Methods and systems are provided for mixing and heat exchange of fluids. In one example, a fluid mixing and heat exchange device includes a hot water tank, a mixing chamber spaced away from the hot water tank and fluidly coupled to a first liquid reservoir, a first chilling module fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber, a coolant tank fluidly coupled to the first chilling module, a radiator fluidly coupled to the coolant tank, and a dispensing manifold fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber and adapted to dispense a mixed and chilled fluid mixture to a plurality of fluid vessels.

A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough. The sealed, empty dispenser is sterilized, such as by applying gamma radiation thereto. Then, the sterilized, sealed, empty dispenser is filled with fluid by engaging the filling valve with an evacuating/dispensing member to evacuate the storage chamber, and by introducing fluid from the filling member through the open filling valve and into the storage chamber. The filling member is withdrawn from the valve, and a spring moves the valve to a closed position to hermetically seal the fluid within the dispenser.

A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough. The sealed, empty dispenser is sterilized, such as by applying gamma radiation thereto. Then, the sterilized, sealed, empty dispenser is filled with fluid by engaging the filling valve with an evacuating/dispensing member to evacuate the storage chamber, and by introducing fluid from the filling member through the open filling valve and into the storage chamber. The filling member is withdrawn from the valve, and a spring moves the valve to a closed position to hermetically seal the fluid within the dispenser.

This invention relates to a fluid delivery apparatus, system and method, in particular the use of elastic bands to generate the force required to push fluid out from a container. The fluid that is delivered from the container maybe prefilled and stored prior to its actuation by the elastic band driver or it could be filled just before use. In one embodiment disclosed, a prefilled option would require the user to attach an appropriate extension tubing that acts as a flow control tube to the fluid container which in one embodiment is tubular shaped. In the application where the device is filled just before use, the fluid container that would be engaged with the actuating housing is presented with a fixed rate flow tube. The selection of a particular device configuration replaces the need for programming a flow rate into an electronic syringe pump.

This invention relates to a fluid delivery apparatus, system and method, in particular the use of elastic bands to generate the force required to push fluid out from a container. The fluid that is delivered from the container maybe prefilled and stored prior to its actuation by the elastic band driver or it could be filled just before use. In one embodiment disclosed, a prefilled option would require the user to attach an appropriate extension tubing that acts as a flow control tube to the fluid container which in one embodiment is tubular shaped. In the application where the device is filled just before use, the fluid container that would be engaged with the actuating housing is presented with a fixed rate flow tube. The selection of a particular device configuration replaces the need for programming a flow rate into an electronic syringe pump.