Adaptable Portion Dispenser Technology for Diverse Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857104_0002_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptable Portion Dispenser Technology for Diverse Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857104_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857104_0002_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,104.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original exchangeable cartridge for beverage portion dispenser to cater to novel applications and use cases across various industries, including precision agriculture, personalized cosmetics, controlled pharmaceutical release, automated pet food dispensing, and precise industrial adhesive dispensing.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on storing and dispensing portioned beverage items. However, the limitations of the original design restricted its applicability to other industries. The inventive concept addresses this limitation by adapting the core technology to accommodate diverse industry requirements, providing a versatile and customizable solution for various applications.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept involves the integration of the exchangeable cartridge and portion dispenser system with industry-specific components and software. For instance, in precision agriculture, the cartridge stores and dispenses customized fertilizer pellets, which are then discharged by gravity for targeted soil enrichment. In personalized cosmetics, the cartridge stores and dispenses compacted cosmetic ingredients, which are precisely measured and combined by the portion dispenser for tailored skincare or makeup applications. Similarly, in controlled pharmaceutical release, the cartridge stores and dispenses precise doses of medication, ensuring accurate and timely release. The inventive concept's adaptability enables it to cater to diverse industries, providing a tailored solution for each application.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its ability to adapt the original technology to diverse industries, providing a customizable and versatile solution. The inventive step is the integration of the exchangeable cartridge and portion dispenser system with industry-specific components and software, enabling the technology to cater to novel applications and use cases.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifications to the cartridge design, material selection, or software integration to accommodate specific industry requirements. For example, the cartridge could be designed with UV protection for pharmaceutical applications or with moisture-resistant materials for agricultural use.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, including precision agriculture, personalized cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pet food, and industrial manufacturing. The technology's adaptability and customizability make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to improve their production processes, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A47	A47J31/407
B	B65	B65D85/804
A	A47	A47J31/4403

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Portion dispensing systems with a focus on cartridge-based storage and controlled release of discrete items, spanning food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Relevant technical domains include mechanical engineering, packaging design, and precision dispensing technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with expertise in mechanical design, materials science, and precision dispensing systems. Capable of adapting core dispensing technologies across different industrial contexts by modifying material properties, cartridge geometry, and discharge mechanisms

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core technical principles of the source patent's exchangeable cartridge system are fundamentally adaptable to multiple industries. The disclosed variations represent predictable extensions of the original technology by substituting different compactable materials while maintaining the core mechanical principles of gravity-fed, sealed, portion-controlled dispensing.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Elongated hollowed storage member configured to hold plurality of spherical compacted items with density between 0.5-1.2 g/cm3

PTD Variation

Replacing beverage portions with fertilizer pellets, cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceutical doses, pet food, or industrial adhesive beads

Obviousness Reasoning

Predictable variation using known material substitution techniques, where core mechanical dispensing principles remain unchanged

Source Patent Element

Cartridge protected from ambient air, moisture, and UV light

PTD Variation

Adapting protective design for sensitive materials like pharmaceuticals or agricultural supplements

Obviousness Reasoning

Known protective packaging technique applied to preserve different sensitive materials using established barrier technologies

Source Patent Element

Gravity-based individual portion discharge mechanism

PTD Variation

Applying vertical orientation and gravity-feed principle to dispense fertilizer, cosmetic ingredients, medications

Obviousness Reasoning

Straightforward mechanical adaptation using well-understood gravitational discharge principles across different material types

Source Patent Element

Compacted ingredient storage in spherical or powder form

PTD Variation

Extending compaction technique to diverse materials like kibble, adhesive beads, pharmaceutical pellets

Obviousness Reasoning

Routine engineering design choice demonstrating predictable material transformation using known compaction technologies

Source Patent Element

Exchangeable cartridge with precise portion control

PTD Variation

Integrating software and industry-specific components for targeted dispensing across different applications

Obviousness Reasoning

Obvious technological integration using standard control systems and modular design principles

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857104's teachings, the present publication demonstrates that a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed portion dispensing variations obvious, as they represent predictable technological extensions employing known substitution, adaptation, and integration techniques across multiple industrial domains. The disclosed variations constitute prima facie obvious subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 103, rendering subsequent claims covering similar technological implementations unpatentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,104
Title	Exchangeable cartridge for beverage portion dispenser
Assignee(s)	SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.