ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH CATCH COMPARTMENT

Abstract

Disclosed are oral nicotine dispensing assemblies including a dispenser configured to receive a removable magazine storing a plurality of oral nicotine dosage forms and to dispense dosage forms through a dispensing aperture in a controlled manner. The assembly includes a catch-compartment configured to receive and store used oral nicotine dosage forms for later disposal. The catch-compartment may be integrated into the dispenser body and/or into the magazine, such as beneath a spring-driven plate or in a region adjacent a rotary/conveyor magazine. In various embodiments, the catch-compartment is accessible through an access aperture having a lid biased closed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/763,807, filed on Feb. 26, 2025, and titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM MAGAZINES,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Oral nicotine products, i.e., oral nicotine dosage forms, are gaining popularity as alternatives to traditional tobacco products and have been licensed as nicotine replacement therapies. Among these, nicotine pouch have enjoyed particular attention and success as an alternative nicotine delivery method having a significantly more desirable safety profile and reduced health risks, in comparison to traditional tobacco products. Conventionally, oral nicotine dosage forms such as nicotine pouch are stored in a can. Conventional cans have a base defining a cavity used to store oral nicotine dosage forms, e.g., nicotine pouch, topped by a lid. The dosage forms in a conventional can are loose—that is, they are not secured within the can or organized in any particular order. When a user wishes to access one or more of the oral nicotine dosage forms, the user removes the lid, picks up or tips the one or more dosage forms out of the can, and then replaces the lid on the can.

However, conventional cans may not provide a particularly secure means of storing oral nicotine dosage forms, such as pouch. For example, traditional cans do not have any type of user access control, locking mechanism, or authentication mechanism, meaning that any user may access the cans and the dosage forms inside. Further, once the lid is removed, the user may remove as many oral nicotine dosage forms as they like—or, even all of the dosage forms at once. This provides inadequate dose control for individuals as well as allows for unauthorized distribution to others, as well as uncontrolled social sharing. Finally, the traditional can may also be less desirable to an authorized user, since the lid removal required for access may allow for loss or dropping or dosage forms, microbial contamination or dosage forms, or loss of moisture, which may produce a shortened lifespan for the dosage forms and/or a less enjoyable experience for authorized users. Accordingly, concerns persist regarding traditional packaging systems for oral nicotine dosage forms, particularly with regards to unauthorized access to these oral nicotine dosage forms, e.g., by minors. As such, as the market and regulatory environment regarding oral nicotine dosage forms continue to evolve, there is a growing need for innovative dispensing solutions that can enhance safety, improve user experience, and provide better control over product access and usage.

In response, oral nicotine dispensing systems, such as those described in attorney docket number 128337-830972, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/918,529 , filed on Oct. 17, 2024, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such systems may include a dispenser, a magazine containing a plurality of oral nicotine dosage forms, and may be capable of controlled dispensing of single dosage forms through a dispensing aperture, without removal of a lid, thereby solving many of the challenges associated with traditional cans.

While controlled dispensing systems can address access control, dose control, and product protection for unused oral nicotine dosage forms, a distinct and persistent problem arises after a dosage form has been used. In particular, oral nicotine dosage forms such as nicotine pouches are typically retained in a user's mouth for an extended period. Once a pouch is spent, the user must remove and dispose of a saliva-wetted, odor-bearing, and potentially stained article. In many common use environments (e.g., commuting, travel, outdoor activities, workplaces, or other public settings), an appropriate trash receptacle may be unavailable, inconvenient to access, or socially undesirable to use at the moment a pouch is removed.

As a result, users frequently face an undesirable set of options: (i) temporarily holding the used pouch in a hand, pocket, or bag, which can be unsanitary and can contaminate personal items; (ii) wrapping the pouch in tissue or packaging, which is inconvenient and can still permit leakage or odor; (iii) placing the used pouch back into a conventional can or other container that also stores unused pouches, which can create cross-contamination concerns; or (iv) discarding the used pouch improperly (e.g., littering), which raises environmental, aesthetic, and regulatory concerns. Even when a user intends to dispose of a used pouch properly, the lack of a dedicated, convenient, and discreet storage location can discourage proper disposal, particularly when the user is mobile or in close proximity to others.

In addition to the hygiene and convenience issues described above, non-secure disposal of used oral nicotine dosage forms presents a further concern because a “used” dosage form may retain residual nicotine content after removal from the mouth. For example, a spent nicotine pouch may still contain nicotine and/or other active ingredients, and therefore can remain undesirable or unsafe if accessed by unintended recipients. If a used pouch is discarded loosely—such as being left on a surface, dropped on the ground, placed in an open receptacle, or stored temporarily in an unsecured location—it may be discovered and handled by children, pets, or other individuals who did not intend to be exposed to nicotine.

Accordingly, there is a need for dispensing systems that not only enable controlled dispensing of unused oral nicotine dosage forms, but also provide a dedicated catch-compartment for storage of used oral nicotine dosage forms. Preferably, such a catch-compartment is convenient to access, retains used dosage forms securely, enables later disposal, and reduces the likelihood of contact or contamination transfer between used and unused dosage forms, all without adding significantly to the overall bulk and profile of the dispensing system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Provided herein is a catch-compartment is integrated into a dispenser, magazine, and/or dispensing system to receive and store used oral nicotine dosage forms. The catch-compartment may be configured to store used dosage forms separately from unused dosage forms and may include closures, seals, and/or internal structures to reduce leakage, odor, and cross-contamination, while providing a convenient on-the-go disposal receptacle.

In one aspect, a dispensing system is provided for dispensing oral nicotine pouches. The system can include a body and a magazine disposed within the body. The magazine may be generally wheel-shaped and may include an inner cylinder, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the inner cylinder, and a plurality of compartments defined between adjacent spokes, each compartment being configured to hold at least one pouch. A drive mechanism can be coupled to the magazine and configured to index or otherwise move the magazine to guide a pouch into a dispensing position. The body can include a dispensing aperture configured to permit dispensing of a pouch from the dispensing position to an exterior environment. The body can further include an access aperture configured to provide access to a single compartment of the plurality of compartments, wherein the access aperture is configured to allow both removal of a pouch from, and insertion of a pouch into, the accessed compartment.

In some embodiments, the access aperture is provided with a movable lid selectively positionable between a closed state and an open state. The lid may be biased toward the closed state. The lid can comprise, for example, at least one of a flap, a door, a sliding door, a snap-fit lid, a spring-biased flap, or a spring-biased door.

In some embodiments, the body is generally cylindrical. The access aperture may be located on a different surface of the body than the dispensing aperture. For example, the access aperture can be located on a first base of the cylindrical body, while the dispensing aperture can be located on a second base of the cylindrical body or on a sidewall of the cylindrical body.

In some embodiments, the drive mechanism is configured to index the magazine to sequentially align each compartment with the access aperture. The dispenser can further include a counter configured to track indexing events.

In another aspect, a method is provided for dispensing unused oral nicotine pouches and/or storing used oral nicotine pouches. The method can include providing a magazine having an inner cylinder, radially extending spokes, and compartments formed between adjacent spokes, with at least one pouch disposed in a compartment, and providing a dispenser having a drive mechanism, a dispensing aperture, and an access aperture configured to provide access to a single compartment. The method can further include inserting the magazine into the dispenser; dispensing an unused pouch through at least one of the dispensing aperture or the access aperture to create an empty compartment; and inserting a used pouch into the empty compartment through the access aperture such that the compartment contains the used pouch.

In some embodiments, dispensing of the unused pouch is performed through the access aperture, optionally after indexing the magazine to align a compartment containing an unused pouch with the access aperture. In some embodiments, the method further includes indexing the magazine to align an empty compartment with the access aperture prior to inserting the used pouch, and/or indexing the magazine after insertion to move the compartment containing the used pouch away from the access aperture. In some embodiments, a counter is used to track indexing events and to inhibit dispensing of a used pouch through the access aperture and/or the dispensing aperture.

In some embodiments, the used pouch is inserted when the used pouch retains a nicotine content within a range of about 1% to about 70% by weight, based on the nicotine content of the unused pouch, optionally within a range of about 10% to about 60%, optionally within a range of about 20% to about 50%, and optionally within a range of about 30% to about 40%.

In one aspect, a magazine is provided for dispensing and/or storing oral nicotine pouches. The magazine can include a housing and a plate disposed within the housing, the plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A storage cavity can be defined by the housing and the first surface of the plate, and the storage cavity can be configured to contain at least one oral nicotine pouch. A catch-compartment can be defined by the housing and the second surface of the plate. The magazine can further include a plurality of loaded springs coupled to the second surface of the plate, and a dispensing aperture formed in the housing and configured to permit dispensing of a pouch therethrough.

In some embodiments, the plurality of loaded springs includes about two to about four springs. In some embodiments, the dispensing aperture is located on a portion of the housing that defines the storage cavity. The loaded springs can be configured to bias the plate and/or pouch in a direction that advances the pouch toward a dispensing position adjacent the dispensing aperture.

In some embodiments, the magazine further includes an access aperture formed in the housing and configured to allow insertion of a pouch therethrough. The access aperture may be located on a portion of the housing that defines the catch-compartment. In some embodiments, the storage cavity contains an unused oral nicotine pouch and the catch-compartment contains a used oral nicotine pouch. The used oral nicotine pouch may retain a nicotine content within a range of about 1% to about 70% by weight, based on the nicotine content of an unused pouch. In some embodiments, the housing is generally cuboid.

In another aspect, a system is provided for dispensing and/or storing oral nicotine pouches. The system can include a magazine as described herein and a dispenser including a body and a dispensing aperture formed in the body. The magazine can be removably secured within the dispenser body such that, when so secured, the dispensing aperture of the dispenser is aligned with the dispensing aperture of the magazine to permit dispensing of a pouch through both apertures.

In another aspect, a method is provided for dispensing and/or storing oral nicotine pouches. The method can include providing a magazine having a housing, an internal plate with first and second opposing surfaces, a storage cavity defined by the housing and the first surface of the plate and containing an oral nicotine pouch, a catch-compartment defined by the housing and the second surface of the plate, loaded springs coupled to the second surface of the plate, and a dispensing aperture in the housing. The method can further include providing a dispenser having a body and a dispensing aperture; inserting the magazine into the dispenser; dispensing an unused oral nicotine pouch through the aligned dispensing apertures of the magazine and the dispenser; and inserting a used oral nicotine pouch into the catch-compartment through an access aperture.

In some embodiments, insertion of the used pouch is performed after dispensing of the unused pouch. In some embodiments, the housing is cuboid and defines a top surface and a bottom surface, with the dispensing aperture positioned nearer the top surface and the access aperture positioned nearer the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the method further includes moving the plate toward the top surface under a spring force generated by the loaded springs to advance a pouch toward a dispensing position adjacent the dispensing aperture, and, in association with such movement, increasing a volume of the catch-compartment. In some embodiments, the used pouch is inserted when it retains nicotine content within a range of about 1% to about 70% by weight, based on the nicotine content of an unused pouch, optionally within a range of about 30% to about 40%. In some embodiments, the method further includes opening a lid associated with the access aperture prior to inserting the used pouch and closing the lid after insertion.

In one aspect, a dispensing system is provided for dispensing and/or storing oral nicotine pouches. The system can include a magazine comprising a housing that defines a storage cavity, wherein the storage cavity contains an unused oral nicotine pouch. The system can further include a dispenser comprising a body and a dispensing aperture formed in the body and configured to permit dispensing of an oral nicotine pouch therethrough. The system can also include a catch-compartment configured to store a used oral nicotine pouch.

In some embodiments, the catch-compartment is a dedicated, enclosed storage compartment that is separate from the storage cavity. In some embodiments, the catch-compartment is located in the dispenser. In other embodiments, the catch-compartment is located in the magazine.

In some embodiments, the catch-compartment has a width that is greater than a width of the used oral nicotine pouch, such as about 1% to about 50% greater, about 1% to about 40% greater, about 1% to about 30% greater, about 1% to about 25% greater, about 1% to about 20% greater, about 1% to about 10% greater, or about 1% to about 5% greater than the width of the used oral nicotine pouch.

In some embodiments, the catch-compartment is secured by a child-resistant mechanism. In some embodiments, the catch-compartment is created by repurposing an existing internal volume of the system. For example, the catch-compartment can be formed in a volume beneath a spring-loaded plate in a spring-loaded magazine.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For instance, a reference to “a pouch” or “the pouch” may include both a single pouch as well as a plurality of pouches, unless clearly specified otherwise. Also, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like.

As used herein, “active ingredient” refers to a chemical component that is biologically active and is responsible for the intended therapeutic effects or desired outcomes of a formulation, such as a pharmaceutical product, agricultural product, personal care item, or stimulant product. As used herein, the “active ingredient” may comprise or consist of nicotine.

As used herein, “cylinder” refers to a three-dimensional geometric form that has two parallel circular bases connected by a curved sidewall at a fixed distance from the center of the bases.

Unless defined otherwise, as used herein, “length” refers to the longest dimension of an object. Unless defined otherwise, as used herein, “width” refers to the shorter dimension of an object, perpendicular to the length, and in the same plane as the largest surface of the object. Unless defined otherwise, as used herein, “thickness,” or “height,” refers to the measurement of a dimension perpendicular to the length and width.

As used herein, “loose” refers to a state or condition where elements, such as oral nicotine dosage forms, are not tightly constrained, bound, or fixed in position. As used herein, “loose” can refer to components that are not securely fastened, which may result in unwanted movement or vibrations.

As used herein, “oral nicotine dosage form” refers to a form or forms of nicotine delivery designed for administration through the oral cavity. These can include products such as nicotine pouches; films; lozenges; gummies; gum; oral pouch-less products (non-dissolvable and dissolvable); pearls; oral patches; nicotine-containing loose leaf, organic matter, or other natural or synthetic carrier substrate; oral nicotine pods, and tablets, which release nicotine to be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth. As used herein, “oral nicotine dosage forms” do not include inhaled forms of nicotine delivery. According to some embodiments, the oral nicotine dosage forms disclosed herein do not include tobacco.

As used herein, “pouch” refers to a delivery system intended for oral use, in which a formulation is enclosed within a sealed web. Pouches for oral use may be any shape, such as square, oblong, cylindrical, circular, spherical, or parallelepiped, but are most commonly pillow-shaped or rectangular, with a longer length along an longitudinal axis and a shorter width transverse to the longitudinal axis. As used herein, “pouches” may include oral nicotine pouches or snus, in which the active ingredient is nicotine-either in the form of nicotine salts or processed tobacco. According to some embodiments, the pouches disclosed herein do not include tobacco. In the processes and apparatuses disclosed herein, “pouches” may be replaced by any other oral nicotine dosage form, or other oral nicotine dosage forms may be used in such processes and apparatuses in addition to pouches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIGS. 1A-M illustrate various exemplary embodiments for a dispenser, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates various exemplary embodiments for a magazine, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a dispensing assembly, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates a portion of a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates a portion of a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates a portion of a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10C illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 11A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 11B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 11C illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12C illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13A illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13B illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13C illustrates a device including a catch-compartment, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example implementations thereof. These example implementations are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

Disclosed herein are dispenser assemblies including a dispenser and/or a magazine as fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/918,529 , filed on Oct. 17, 2024, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The disclosed dispensers and/or magazines include a catch-compartment. Catch-compartments enable a user to store used oral nicotine products while on-the-go, rather than discarding them on the ground or attempting to locate a designated trash receptacle at the moment of removal. In various embodiments, the catch-compartment is integrated into the dispenser body such that the user may periodically empty the retained used products, and in other embodiments the catch-compartment is integrated into (or formed by) the magazine such that discarding or replacing the magazine also disposes of the used products retained therein. The catch-compartment may in the form of a dedicated, enclosed storage compartment that is separate from the cavity or compartment storing unused products, and/or may be implemented by repurposing an existing internal volume of the system for used-product storage, such as volume beneath a spring-loaded plate in a spring-loaded configuration or an otherwise unused compartment in a rotational or conveyor-belt configuration. Furthermore, catch-compartments can either be made with a child-resistant mechanism, or without.

According to some aspects, a dispenser may be handheld, reusable device. The dispenser 100 may include a body configured to receive and retain a removable magazine 200 that stores a plurality of oral nicotine dosage forms (in some instances, “pods” or “pouches”), a drive mechanism configured to advance at least one pouch from the magazine into a dispensing position and out through a dispensing aperture/opening in the body, thereby providing controlled, one-at-a-time dispensing or dosage forms. According to some aspects, the dispenser may additionally include a locking mechanism configured to prevent access unless a user is authenticated (e.g., at point of sale or at point of use (such as via a biometric sensor)) and to initiate dispensing of a dosage form upon successful authentication.

According to some aspects, a dispenser may be a mechanical handheld, reusable device without a battery or electric components. In these embodiments, a separate magazine is inserted, and the user force engages a mechanism that activates the drive to advance a pouch from the magazine. Mechanical dispensers are further described in in U.S. Prov. No. 63/882,222, filed on Jul. 25, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MECHANICAL DISPENSING OF ORAL NICOTINE,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety

In some aspects, a dispenser may be a disposable dispenser with an integrated pre-filled magazine. A disposable dispenser reduces the complexity of electronics and mechanisms to allow a fully disposable dispenser with an integrated pre-filled magazine. Disposable dispensers are further described in in U.S. Prov. No. 63/882,222, filed on Jul. 25, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MECHANICAL DISPENSING OF ORAL NICOTINE,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Catch-compartments and child-resistant catch compartments can be may be included in electrical dispensers, mechanical dispensers, and disposable dispensers.

FIGS. 1A-M illustrate various exemplary embodiments of dispenser assemblies including a dispenser and magazine. The dispenser 100 may include components such as at least one of a body or shell, a button, a fingerprint scanner (or other biometric sensor), a locking mechanism, a drive mechanism, and an aperture.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100a may include a body including a top surface and a bottom bottom surface opposite the top surface, as well as a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. According to some aspects, the top surface and the bottom surface may be parallel one another, the front surface and the back surface may be parallel one another, and the top surface and the front surface may be normal to one another. In some instances, dispenser 100a may include a cuboid body with a single button on the front surface. A disposable magazine may be housed within the body. In some cases, a user's thumb may be scanned, using a fingerprint scanner, and then the button pushed up to drive a mechanism that pushes out a pouch. In some instances, a rechargeable battery may power a motor which may unlock a slider when a fingerprint is read. Without limitation, the pouch may advance and fall down a chute. In some instances, the magazine may include a storage cavity and at least a pouch may be advanced by a spring which compresses a plurality of pouches in a line.

In some embodiments such as those illustrated in 100a-100b, the drive mechanism may be a spring-loaded mechanism. In other embodiments, such as those illustrated in 100c-100d, the drive mechanism may include a rotating the conveyor belt configured to hold each dosage form (e.g., each pouch) in an individual rack.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100e may include an aperture located on the body. The aperture may be configured to allow the pouch to move from within the body to the exterior environment, facilitating the dispensing of the pouch to the user. In some embodiments, the aperture may include a sliding cover or a flexible membrane to protect the internal components from dust, debris, and unauthorized access. According to some aspects, 100e may include a cylindrical body with a single button on the curved sidewall. According to some embodiments, a power source may power a motor which rotates a helix within the magazine when a fingerprint is read. The rotation of the helix may advance each pouch together and at a certain point the pouch may fall out of the drive mechanism.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100f may include a body formed in a cylindrical shape. According to some aspects, 100f may include a drive mechanism which may be advanced radially or tangentially to advance the internal “wheel spoke” magazine. In some embodiments, the dial may automatically advance to reveal the next waiting pouch. In some embodiments, a power source, e.g., in the magazine, may power a motor which unlocks the “wheel spoke” rotation when a fingerprint is read. Continuing, the rotation of the wheel may advance the next compartment to be exposed to the user.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100g may include a rotating conveyor belt within the magazine. The rotating conveyor belt may be configured to advance the pouch using a rack of a plurality of racks.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100h may include a wheel spoke shape with a compartment for a pouch. The wheel spoke shape allows for the organization and alignment of multiple compartments around a central axis, facilitating the efficient storage and dispensing of the pods. In some instances, a power source such as a rechargeable battery may power a motor which may advance a spiral ejection component. Continuing, the rotation of the ejection mechanism may advance the plurality of pouches together and may eject each individual pouch through operation.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100i may include a linear tray configuration for dispensing the pouch. Continuing, the linear tray configuration may allow the plurality of pouches to be arranged in a straight line within a tray, and the drive mechanism may move the tray linearly to position the next pouch for dispensing.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100j may include a cylindrical body with a single button on the sidewall which scans the fingerprint. In some aspects, a power source may power a motor which unlocks the revolver cylinder rotation when a fingerprint is read. The rotation of the cylinder may advance the next compartment to be exposed to the user.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100k includes a revolver configuration, where a plurality of pouches are loaded into a rotating cylinder. Continuing, the drive mechanism may rotate the cylinder to position the next pouch in line with the dispensing opening, providing compact storage and quick access to the pods.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100l include a cylindrical body with a single button on the top base and an external rotating dial. In some cases, the user may rotate the top portion of the cylinder to advance the next pouch into view.

According to some aspects, dispenser 100m may include a gravity feed mechanism, where the plurality of pouches may be stacked vertically. Continuing, gravity may cause the next pouch to move into the dispensing position when the previous pouch is removed, ensuring a consistent and reliable flow of pods.

As illustrated by the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1A-M, dispensers may be provided in different shapes and configurations, with the most common body shapes being cuboid or cylindrical. However, the dispensers disclosed herein may also have a polyhedral body shape, such as a pyramidal shape, rectangular shape, a tetrahedral shape, a hexahedral shape, an octahedral shape, a dodecahedral shape, or the like. In such instances, the body may have sharp edges, curved edges, blunted edges, or the like. In some cases, the body may have the shape of a cylinder, a teardrop, or a cone.

Magazines may be provided in various different shapes and configurations, e.g., for interaction with various different dispensers and drive mechanisms, as fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/918,529 , filed on Oct. 17, 2024, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. At a high level, as illustrated in FIG. 2, magazines (and their related dispensers) may be provided in various different types including spring-loaded 202, circular or rotary 204, conveyor 206, or alternative types alternative 208, such as spiral, pill pack, blister, etc.

As illustrated by the examples illustrated in FIG. 2, magazines may be provided in different shapes and configurations, in many instances to match with their corresponding dispenser, with the most common body shapes being cuboid or cylindrical. However, the magazines disclosed herein may also have a polyhedral body shape, such as a pyramidal shape, rectangular shape, a tetrahedral shape, a hexahedral shape, an octahedral shape, a dodecahedral shape, or the like. In such instances, the body may have sharp edges, curved edges, blunted edges, or the like. In some cases, the body may have the shape of a cylinder, a teardrop, or a cone.

Initially, some of the disclosed magazines and the related dispensers, having a catch compartment, may utilize a loaded spring to drive pouches to a dispensing aperture of the dispenser. Such spring loaded embodiments may either hold individual pouches or may hold a plurality of pouches in blister packs in a cartridge, with a spring-enabled base. According to some aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a spring-loaded magazine and dispenser assembly 300 may include a magazine 200 and a dispenser 100.

As shown in cross-section in FIG. 3, the magazine 200 may have an outside housing 302 defining a storage cavity for containing pouches or other dosage forms, a loaded spring 304, optionally a plate 306, and an opening or aperture 308 from which a pouch 310 may be dispensed, the loaded spring 304 configured to drive the pouches 310 towards the dispensing aperture 308, optionally using the plate 306. Certain embodiments may include a door 312 covering the dispensing aperture 308, and/or a door opening mechanism 314 such as a spring, a lock-and-key mechanism that enables the door 312 to open when it is inserted into a dispenser 100 (as shown in FIG. 3), such as a magnet. According to some further embodiments, magazines 200 may additionally or alternatively include a battery such as a button or coil cell battery which may enable the magazine to power the 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dispenser 100 may include components such as at least one of a body or shell body 316, a cavity 318 within the body in which the magazine 200 may be housed or inserted and a dispenser aperture 320. According to some aspects, dispenser 100 may include a body 316 including a top surface 322 and a bottom surface 324 opposite the top surface 322, as well as a front surface 326 and a back surface 328 opposite the front surface, with side surfaces (such as a first and second side surface) therebetween. According to some aspects, the top surface and the bottom surface may be parallel one another, the front surface and the back surface may be parallel one another, and the top surface and the front surface may be normal to one another. According to some aspects, the front surface 326 may be the surface including the dispenser aperture 320.

Although the dispenser 100 and magazine 200 shown in FIG. 3 have a generally rectangular cross-section, the disclosed spring-loaded magazines 200 and dispensers 100 may have any cross-sectional shape feasible, including for example, square, circular, oblong, triangular, or the like. Similarly, while the spring is configured to drive the pouches 310 towards the dispensing apertures 308, optionally using the plate 306, the dispensing aperture may be disposed on any feasible location of the housing 302, including the top, sides, bottom, or similar.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4A-B, in some embodiments, the disclosed dispenser may include a catch-compartment 402. The disclosed catch-compartment 402 may be a hollow compartment defined by a catch-compartment body or housing and configured to store used oral nicotine dosage forms, such as pouches. According to some embodiments, the catch-compartment 402 may be positioned within the body of the dispenser, such as along a surface of the dispenser body, such that the dispenser body 316 and the catch-compartment body share at least one surface or wall, at least two surfaces or walls, at least three surfaces or walls, and no more than 5 surfaces or walls, no more than 4 surfaces or walls, no more than 3 surfaces or walls, or no more than 2 surfaces or walls.

For instance, as shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the disclosed dispensers may include a catch-compartment running lengthwise along the back surface 328 of the dispenser. In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 4A-B, the catch-compartment may share three to five surfaces with the dispenser body (e.g., the back surface 328 and two side surfaces and, optionally, the top or the bottom surface). In some embodiments, the catch-compartment may be entirely defined by the dispenser body 316, with the exception of a single wall, e.g., an interior wall positioned within the dispenser which separates the catch-compartment from the remainder of the dispenser cavity. In some cases, the catch-compartment may be defined by additional interior walls, such as an interior wall positioned parallel to and above the bottom surface 324 of the dispenser.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the catch-compartment 402 may further include an access aperture 404 on a top surface 322 through which a user may insert used dosage forms, such as pouches. In order to retain used dosage forms within the catch-compartment 402, the access aperture 404 may be provided with a lid which may be opened by a user but which is biased in a closed position, blocking the access aperture 404. The lid may include one or more of a door, a self-closing door, a spring-loaded door, a flap, a self-closing flap, a spring-loaded flap, a window, a self-closing window, a spring-biased window, a leaflet valve, a one-way leaflet valve, a duckbill valve, a slit valve, a self-closing slit valve, a spring-biased slit valve, a pinch valve, a one-way pinch valve, a diaphragm valve, an iris diaphragm, a self-closing iris diaphragm, a sliding door, a spring-return sliding door, saloon doors, spring-biased saloon doors, a shutter, a self-closing shutter, a spring-biased shutter, or similar..

In some embodiments, as illustrated in part in FIG. 4A (the lid is not shown), the lid may include a flap configured to cover the access aperture 404 and connected along one edge of the access aperture 404 with a hinge, such as a living hinge. The hinges disclosed herein may include any one or more of a butt hinge, a spring hinge, a single-acting spring hinge, a double-acting spring hinge, a self-closing hinge, a torsion spring hinge, a torque hinge, a constant-torque hinge, a double-action hinge, a saloon hinge, a cafe door hinge, a pivot hinge, a spring pivot hinge, a gravity hinge, a offset gravity hinge, a concealed hinge, a european hinge, a barrel hinge, a piano hinge, a continuous hinge, a strap hinge, a lift-off hinge, a flag hinge, a knife hinge, a living hinge, a flexure hinge, a gooseneck hinge, a cabinet hinge, a overlay hinge, a inset hinge, a detent hinge, a cam-lift hinge, a friction hinge, a damped friction hinge, a over-center hinge, or the like. In some embodiments, the flap may include a tab that allows a for a user to grasp or push against it in order to lift upwards the edge of the flap which is not connected by the hinge, in a movement illustrated in FIG. 4A, in order to insert a used dosage form into the access aperture 404. In some cases, the free edge of the flap may be secured to the body via a snap feature, when the lid is closed. In other cases, the free edge may be secured in a closed state by, e.g., a magnetic closure, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, or similar.

In some embodiments, also illustrated in part in FIG. 4B (the lid is not shown), the lid may include a sliding door which covers the aperture in a closed position and which is biased towards the closed position by a spring. A user may open the sliding door by pushing in a direction against the spring force, to compress the spring and slide the door open in a movement illustrated in FIG. 4B. In some cases, the sliding door may include a tab, a ridge, a protrusion, a surface roughness or other irregularity to increase friction, that allows a user to better grip the surface than a smooth door. Once the user has opened the door and inserted a used dosage form, the user may release the sliding door and the spring force may naturally cause the door to close.

In some aspects, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B, the catch-compartment 402 may further include an access aperture 404 on a bottom surface 324 through which a user may insert used dosage forms, such as pouches. In order to retain used dosage forms within the catch-compartment 402, the access aperture 404 may be provided with a lid 502 that which may be opened by a user but which is biased in a closed position, blocking the access aperture 404. As shown in FIG. 5A, the lid 502 may have a closed position, which prevents used dosage forms from falling out of the bottom of the dispenser. As shown in FIG. 5B, the lid 502 may have an open position that allows for disposal of used dosage forms previously stored in the catch-compartment 402. The lid 502 may include one or more of a door, a flap, a window, a leaflet valve, a sliding door, saloon doors, a slit valve, or similar.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B, the lid 502 may include a flap 504 configured to cover the access aperture 404 (as in FIG. 6A) and connected along one edge of the access aperture 404 with a torsion spring 602. In some embodiments, the flap may include a tab that allows a for a user to grasp or push against it in order to lift upwards the edge of the flap which is not connected by the hinge, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, in order to insert a used dosage form into the access aperture 404. Once the user has opened the door and inserted a used dosage form, the user may release the flap 504 and the spring force may naturally cause the flap 504 to close. In some embodiments, the spring may be visible to the user, and in other embodiments the spring may be covered (e.g., by a flap, a cover, a shield, a sheath, or similar) and not visible to the user.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-B, the lid 502 may include a sliding door which covers the access aperture 404 in a closed position and which is biased towards the closed position by a compression spring 604, as shown in FIG. 7A. A user may open the sliding door by pushing in a direction against the spring force, to compress the compression spring 604 and slide the door open as illustrated in FIG. 7B. In some cases, the sliding door may include a tab, a ridge, a protrusion, a surface roughness or other irregularity to increase friction, that allows a user to better grip the surface than a smooth door. Once the user has opened the door and inserted a used dosage form, the user may release the sliding door and the spring force may naturally cause the door to close. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-B, the sliding door sits next to a charging port 702. In some embodiments, the lid does not cover the charging port 702, and in other embodiments, the lid covers the charging port 702. In some embodiments, a separator ridge may be disposed between the catch-compartment and the charging port to decrease the probability of ingression of moisture from the used dosage forms into the charging port. In some cases, the charging port may additionally be covered, e.g., by a hinged cap, a self-sealing slit, a slit valve, a duckbill valve, a leaflet valve, a sliding shutter, or similar. In some embodiments, lid 502 does not extend past the bottom base but sits perpendicular to the bottom base.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-B, the disclosed dispensers may include a catch-compartment running lengthwise along the side surface 330 of the dispenser. In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 8A-B, the catch-compartment may share three to five surfaces with the dispenser body (e.g., the side surface 330, the front and back surfaces and, optionally, the top or the bottom surface). In some embodiments, the catch-compartment may be entirely defined by the dispenser body 316, with the exception of a single wall, e.g., an interior wall positioned within the dispenser which separates the catch-compartment from the remainder of the dispenser cavity. In some cases, the catch-compartment may be defined by additional interior walls, such as an interior wall positioned parallel to and above the bottom surface 324 of the dispenser.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-B, the catch-compartment 402 may further include an access aperture 404 on a top surface 322 through which a user may insert used dosage forms, such as pouches. In order to retain used dosage forms within the catch-compartment 402, the access aperture 404 may be provided with a lid that which may be opened by a user but which is biased in a closed position, blocking the access aperture 404. The lid may include one or more of a door, a flap, a window, a leaflet valve, a sliding door, saloon doors, a slit valve, or similar.

In some embodiments, the lid may include a flap configured to cover the access aperture 404 and connected along one edge of the access aperture 404 with a hinge, such as a living hinge. In some embodiments, the flap may include a tab that allows a for a user to grasp or push against it in order to lift upwards the edge of the flap which is not connected by the hinge, in order to insert a used dosage form into the access aperture 404. In some cases, the free edge of the flap may be secured to the body via a snap feature, when the lid is closed. In other cases, the free edge may be secured in a closed state by, e.g., a magnetic closure, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, or similar.

In some embodiments, also illustrated in part in FIGS. 8A-B (the lid is not shown), the lid may include a sliding door which covers the aperture in a closed position and which is biased towards the closed position by a spring. A user may open the sliding door by pushing in a direction against the spring force, to compress the spring and slide the door open in a movement illustrated in FIG. 8A (open lid shown in FIG. 8B). In some cases, the sliding door may include a tab, a ridge, a protrusion, a surface roughness or other irregularity to increase friction, that allows a user to better grip the surface than a smooth door. Once the user has opened the door and inserted a used dosage form, the user may release the sliding door and the spring force may naturally cause the door to close.

In various embodiments, such as any of those described herein, the catch-compartment is configured to minimize added device footprint while maintaining reliable reception and retention of used oral nicotine products. In some cases, the catch-compartment may have an elongate shape configured to store used dosage forms in a substantially vertical orientation, thereby reducing the lateral space required to accommodate multiple used pouches. In such instances, the catch-compartment may have a width equal to or slightly greater than the width of a dosage form or pouch, e.g., 1% to 50% greater, 1% to 40% greater, 1% to 30% greater, 1% to 25% greater, 1% to 20% greater, 1% to 10% greater, 1% to 5% greater, or any combination therein. In such embodiments, internal guide surfaces, ribs, rails, or compressive features may be provided within the catch-compartment 402 to encourage alignment of successive used pouches and to promote dense packing, for example by maintaining a consistent insertion orientation and limiting lateral folding or curling of flexible pouch substrates. In some embodiments, the catch-compartment includes one or more constrictions, baffles, or alignment features that bias each inserted pouch into a repeatable position within the catch-compartment.

To further reduce the likelihood of clogging while maintaining a compact form factor, as shown in FIGS. 8A-B the catch-compartment may include a plurality of access apertures 404 (e.g., two or more openings, three or more openings, 4 or more openings, and 6 or less openings, 5 or less openings, 4 or less openings, or 3 or less openings) that each communicate with a corresponding portion of the storage volume. Each opening may be dimensioned to accept a used pouch and may be associated with a sub-volume sized to accommodate a predetermined number of used pouches (for example, N used pouches per opening). Providing multiple openings and/or multiple sub-volumes can reduce the chance that a misaligned pouch blocks the sole entry path, and can distribute stored pouches among parallel retention regions. In some implementations, the openings are arranged linearly, in a clustered array, or along different surfaces of the dispenser body, and each opening may include a respective closure as described herein (e.g., a flap, door, sliding door, snap-fit lid, or spring-biased element) to retain used pouches and reduce odor or moisture egress.

In another embodiment, the catch-compartment includes an access aperture 404 equipped with a chute configured to guide a used pouch from, e.g., the top surface 322 downward under gravity into a catch-compartments 402 located beneath other functional components. In some instances, the chute is configured to deliver the used pouch into a region beneath a spring-loaded plate of a spring-loaded magazine or cartridge, such that the effective storage volume beneath the plate increases as unused pouches are dispensed and the spring-loaded plate moves to occupy newly freed space. In such embodiments, a lid 502 may selectively open to permit insertion of a used pouch into the chute and then close to retain the pouch within the catch-compartment. The chute may be dimensioned to accept one pouch at a time, with a width sufficient for a single pouch in an insertion orientation, and a length sufficient to temporarily hold one or more inserted pouches until sufficient volume is created beneath the spring-loaded plate to allow the pouch(es) to translate or slide into the newly available space. In some embodiments, the chute includes low-friction surfaces, draft angles, and/or guide features that reduce snagging of flexible pouch material, and the storage region may include features that prevent backflow of used pouches toward the entry opening. In other embodiments, the mechanisms include flexible valves as disclosed in U.S. Prov. No. 63/891,869, filed on Oct. 1, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT CATCH LID IN ORAL NICOTINE CANS,” and in U.S. Prov. No. 63/882,222, filed on Sep. 15, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT CATCH LID IN ORAL NICOTINE CANS,” which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 9A-B, the access aperture 404 may be located nearer the bottom surface 324 than the top surface 322 (or even on the bottom surface 324) so as to provide direct access to a catch-compartment 402 disposed under the plate 306 of a spring-loaded dispenser. In such embodiments, the dispenser 100 (and/or the magazine) may guide unused dosage forms to a dispenser aperture 320 using a plate 306 and a plurality of springs 304, such as two springs, three springs, 4 springs, 5 springs, or 6 springs. As the unused dosage forms are dispensed, the springs 304 may raise the plate 306 to create more spaces for used dosage forms in a catch-compartment 402 located beneath the plate 306. In some cases, the access aperture 404 may be provided adjacent the bottom surface 324, such as on the bottom surface 324 or near the bottom surface 324 on the front surface 326, back surface 328, or side surfaces 330, so as to provide access to the catch-compartment 402 without the need for a chute. In such instances, the dispenser aperture 320 may be controlled automatically, such as by an actuator, while the access aperture 404 may be equipped with any of the lids 502 and lid mechanisms disclosed herein, such as by a sliding door and compression spring, a flap and living hinge, a snap feature, a flap and torsion spring, or any other disclosed architecture. In some cases, rather than a discrete access aperture, the entire bottom surface of the magazine and/or the dispenser may be removable to provide access to the catch-compartment.

The dispensers 100 are shown right-side up in FIGS. 9A-B, and may be used in this orientation in order to dispense unused dosage forms. However, when a user wishes to store a used dosage form, the dispenser 100 may be flipped upside down as shown in FIGS. 10A-C, in order to access the access aperture 404. This orientation may cause used dosage forms stored in the catch-compartment 402 to shift downwards and away from the access aperture 404, to allow a user to easily insert a used dosage form.

Any of the catch-compartments disclosed herein may also be disposed within a magazine, in a similar fashion. For instance, a magazine 200 may include an access aperture 404 corresponding to those discussed with respect to the dispenser 100 and the catch-compartment 402 may be formed within the magazine 200, which may have geometry corresponding to that of the dispenser.

According to some aspects, the disclosed magazines and the related dispensers, having a catch-compartment, may utilize circular, rotary, and/or conveyor mechanisms to drive pouches to a dispensing aperture of the dispenser.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-C, a circular or rotary type magazine or dispenser 100 may include a cylindrical body 316 having a top base 1102, a bottom base 1104, and a curved sidewall 1106, and, optionally, a wheel-spoke shape disposed within the housing, the spokes (not shown in FIG. 15) defining at least one compartment configured to hold a pouch 310 between adjacent spokes. The wheel-spoke shape may allow for the organization and alignment of multiple compartments around a central axis, facilitating the efficient storage and dispensing of the pouches through a dispensing dispenser aperture 320 provided in the housing.

According to some aspects, as shown in FIGS. 11A-C, the dispenser 100 may include a catch-compartment 402 adjacent either the bottom base 1104 or the top base 1102. In such embodiments, the catch-compartment 402 may be defined by either the bottom base 1104, the sidewall 1106, and an interior wall dividing the catch-compartment 402 from the storage cavity 318 of the dispenser 100, or the top base 1102, the sidewall 1106, and an interior wall. In some embodiments, the interior wall may be parallel to the bottom base 1104 and/or the top base 1102.

In some instances, the catch-compartment 402 may be accessed by removal of the top base 1102 or the bottom base 1104. The user may remove the relevant base, store one or more used dosage forms, and replace the base. The base may be secured to the sidewalls 1106 by any removal means known in the art. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 11A, the base may be secured to the sidewalls 1106 by a threaded connection around the perimeter of the base. Thus, as user may unscrew the base to access the catch-compartment 402. In other embodiments, the catch-compartment has to be opened through the user engaging a child-resistant mechanism.

In other cases, as shown in FIG. 11B, the base may be removably coupled to the sidewalls by an interference fit (e.g., a snap-fit connection) between one or more resilient engagement features such as a peripheral rim, bead, lip, or one or more tabs configured to elastically deflect during installation and then return to engage a groove, shoulder, or undercut on the inner sidewalls 1106. To facilitate intentional removal, the closure and/or body may include a thumb notch, pry tab, recessed finger pocket, chamfered edge, pull flange, or other relief area that allows the user to apply a concentrated force to disengage the interference fit without tools.

In some cases, the base is retained using magnetic coupling. For example, one or more magnets may be embedded, potted, overmolded, or otherwise secured within the base, while one or more corresponding magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements are embedded, potted, overmolded, or otherwise secured within the sidewall. The magnetic elements may be arranged such that the closure is biased into a seated position and “snaps” into alignment upon placement, and may employ opposing polarities and/or keyed magnet placement to encourage correct orientation and resist unintended removal. In some embodiments, the magnetic coupling may be supplemented by a mechanical alignment feature (e.g., a ridge-and-groove, boss-and-pocket, or circumferential lip) that resists shear and stabilizes the closure under pocket or bag loads.

In some instances, the base is retained by a spring latch. The spring latch may include a resilient cantilevered tab, leaf spring, detent, or other spring element that engages a corresponding catch or shoulder when the closure is installed. When the user applies a removal force exceeding a threshold, the spring latch may elastically deflect to disengage the catch and release the closure. The closure may be reinstalled by pressing it into place such that the spring latch rides over the corresponding feature and then returns to an engaged state, thereby allowing repeatable open/close cycling without tools. In any of the foregoing embodiments, the base/sidewall interface may optionally include sealing features (e.g., a compressible gasket, labyrinth interface, or tight-tolerance lip) to reduce leakage, odor egress, and/or migration of moisture or contaminants from the catch-compartment.

In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in FIG. 11C, the base may remain tethered to the sidewall via a living hinge, flexure, strap, or other integral connector such that the base pivots between an open position and a closed position while remaining attached to the catch-compartment to reduce the risk of loss or misplacement.

As shown in FIGS. 12A-C, in some aspects, the access aperture 404 may be positioned and dimensioned to provide selective access to a particular compartment of the wheel-spoke structure of the magazine when the magazine is installed in the dispenser. Stated differently, the dispenser defines an access aperture that aligns with a selected magazine compartment when the magazine is in an operative position, thereby permitting a user to access the aligned compartment without removing the magazine from the dispenser. In some cases the access aperture also functions to dispense unused dosage forms (as further detailed below), while in other cases, the device may include a dispensing aperture separate from the access aperture. The access aperture may be formed in the dispenser housing and may include a lid 502 or door movable between an open state and a closed state. By way of example, the lid/door may be configured to slide (e.g., translating along a track) and/or may be removably coupled for repeated attachment and detachment (e.g., by snap-fit engagement). In various implementations, the lid/door is accessible at any time (e.g., regardless of whether the dispensing mechanism is actuated), and may optionally include sealing features to reduce odor or moisture egress. The lid 502 may take any of the forms or include any of the features disclosed herein.

In operation, the dispenser may be configured such that, upon user actuation of the dispensing mechanism (for example, a rotational advancement of the magazine driven by a motor or other drive element), an unused oral nicotine product is advanced into the aligned compartment corresponding to the access aperture. The user may then open the lid 502, remove the unused product from the aligned compartment for use, and close the lid 502. After the product has been used, the user may reopen the lid 502 and return the used product into the same aligned compartment (which is now empty), and then close the lid/door to retain the used product within the dispenser for later disposal. Upon a subsequent actuation, the magazine advances such that the used product is carried away from the access aperture and is not presented again at the access aperture.

In various embodiments, the dispenser may include a counter configured to track actuation steps associated with a given magazine (e.g., counting motor rotations or indexed advancement events per magazine). The counter may be used to prevent a used product returned to a compartment from being re-presented to the user as an unused product, for example by controlling advancement logic, by inhibiting presentation of a compartment known to contain a used product, and/or by tracking the number of advancement steps completed for a magazine. In some implementations, the counter output may be provided to a user via an indicator or display (e.g., a digital screen) to inform the user of an available remaining count of unused products in the magazine and/or to provide other status information. In some embodiments, the dispenser indicates to the user through tactical, audible, or visual feedback that the magazine is empty (and the storage compartments full), and needs a replacement.

In rotational and compartmentalized magazine embodiments, additional measures may be implemented to reduce the likelihood of microbial contamination transfer from used products to unused products stored within the magazine. For example, the magazine and/or dispenser may include a strong closure and/or sealing interface between compartments, including tall or full-length compartment fins and tight manufacturing tolerances to limit air and surface communication between adjacent compartments. In addition, one or more interior surfaces may include coatings selected to reduce bacterial growth. These features may be used alone or in combination to maintain separation between used and unused products while enabling the access-aperture workflow described above.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13A-B, the magazine and/or dispenser includes a lower (bottom) region positioned adjacent the bottom base 1104 (or nearer the bottom base 1104 than the top base 1102) including the catch-compartment for used dosage forms, wherein the lower region defines a plurality of compartments that correspond to (e.g., mirror, replicate, or otherwise match) the arrangement of the compartments used to store unused oral nicotine products. By providing a mirrored compartment pattern, the lower region can receive and retain used products in a controlled manner (e.g., one used product per cavity), and can leverage the same indexing or advancement architecture used for the unused-product cavities.

In various implementations, each lower-region compartment is configured to be accessible through at least one access aperture 404 and at least one dispenser aperture 320. For example, the lower-region compartments may be positioned beneath the unused-product compartments such that a compartment can be reached from above through a corresponding dispenser aperture 320 (e.g., aligned with a compartment location) and can also be reached from below through an access aperture 404. The access aperture 404 may be selectively closable by a lid 502 movable between an open state and a closed state. The lid 502 may be implemented as a sliding door, a hinged flap (including a living hinge), a snap-fit lid, a threaded lid, a magnetically retained lid, and/or another closure structure configured for repeated opening and closing, or any of the lid embodiments disclosed herein. In the closed state, the lid 502 retains used products within the catch-compartment 402 and, in some embodiments, limits odor egress and/or leakage of moisture.

In operation, a user may place a used dosage form into the catch-compartment 402 via the access aperture 404, for example by opening the lid 502, inserting the used product into an available lower-region compartment, and then closing the lid 502. In embodiments in which the magazine is advanced by actuation (e.g., rotational indexing or stepwise advancement), subsequent actuation causes the used product stored in the lower region to move away from a primary access position (such as a dispenser aperture 320 used to retrieve unused products), thereby reducing the likelihood that the used product is inadvertently presented to the user as an unused product. In some implementations, the advancement sequence for the lower region is coordinated with the advancement sequence for the unused-product region such that used-product cavities progress through a separate path or remain segregated from the unused-product dispensing path.

In various embodiments, the lower-region catch-compartment is configured to provide airtight or substantially airtight separation between used and unused products. For example, one or more sealing interfaces may be provided between the lower region and the unused-product region, such as sealing ribs, gasket features, labyrinth seals, and/or full-length compartment fins with tight tolerances. In such embodiments, the lower-region lid/door may also include sealing structures (e.g., a compressible gasket or interference lip) that cooperate with a mating surface to reduce airflow and vapor transfer between the lower-region catch-compartment and the unused-product storage region. This separation can reduce migration of moisture, odor, and/or microbial contamination from used products toward unused products while still enabling convenient insertion of used products through the bottom opening for later disposal.

Any of the embodiment described herein may additionally include a child-resistant closure for access prevention to the catch compartment, such as any of those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/328,723 , filed on Sep. 15, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT ORAL NICOTINE CAN,” in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/334,865, filed on Sep. 20, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT ORAL NICOTINE CAN,” in U.S. Prov. No. 63/891,571, filed on Oct. 1, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHILD-RESISTANT ORAL NICOTINE CANS,” in U.S. Prov. No. 63/891,869, filed on Oct. 1, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT CATCH LID IN ORAL NICOTINE CANS,” and in U.S. Prov. No. 63/882,222, filed on Sep. 15, 2025, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CHILD-RESISTANT CATCH LID IN ORAL NICOTINE CANS,” which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Child-resistant catch-compartments may be desirable due to residual nicotine present in used oral nicotine dosage forms. Even catch-compartments which are not child-resistant may help reduce risk of underage or unauthorized access to nicotine in used pouches, by reducing litter and unsecured discard of pouches and other oral nicotine dosage forms.

In some examples, oral nicotine dosage forms contain nicotine. In some examples, the oral nicotine dosage forms may contain nicotine in an amount from 0.1 mg to 1 mg per unit, from 1 mg to 2 mg per unit, from 2 mg to 3 mg per unit, from 3 mg to 4 mg per unit, from 4 mg to 5 mg per unit, from 5 mg to 6 mg per unit, from 6 mg to 7 mg per unit, from 7 mg to 8 mg per unit, from 8 mg to 9 mg per unit, from 9 mg to 10 mg per unit, from 10 mg to 12 mg per unit, from 12 mg to 15 mg per unit, from 15 mg to 20 mg per unit, from 20 mg to 25 mg per unit, from 25 mg to 30 mg per unit, from 30 mg to 40 mg per unit, from 40 mg to 50 mg per unit, from 50 mg to 60 mg per unit, from 60 mg to 70 mg per unit, from 70 mg to 80 mg per unit, from 80 mg to 90 mg per unit, from 90 mg to 100 mg per unit, over 100 mg per unit, or any combination therein.

To the extent that the oral nicotine dosage forms are dissolvable, the user in most cases finishes consumption and does not spit out left over parts or units, as would be the case for films, pearls, or lozenges. The user may elect in certain circumstances to spit out the unit early, due to having reached sufficient nicotine or having an unpleasant sensation. This may be more likely to happen at higher strength doses or if the unit otherwise is unagreeable with the user. In such cases, dissolvable dosage forms would then require a catch-compartment. To the extent the oral nicotine dosage forms are non-dissolvable, such as nicotine pouches, gum, oral pouch-less products, or oral patches, the user will have to dispose of the unit after consuming it.

The duration of time which users keep oral nicotine dosage forms is variable from user to user, and from dosage form to dosage form. In the example of nicotine pouches, the user may elect to retain a product orally for under 1 minute, under 3 minutes, under 4 minutes, under 5 minutes, under 6 minutes, under 10 minutes, under 20 minutes, under 30 minutes, under 40 minutes, under 50 minutes, under 60 minutes, over 60 minutes, or any combination therein.

All used oral nicotine dosage forms may contain residual nicotine. Dosage forms that are not dissolvable may contain more residual nicotine, given they are regularly discarded after use. In some examples, the residual nicotine content in a used non-dissolvable oral nicotine dosage format may be over 1% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 5% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 10% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 20% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 30% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 40% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 50% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 60% of the original nicotine dose, in some examples over 70% of the original nicotine dose. In some examples, the residual nicotine content in a used non-dissolvable oral nicotine dosage format may be less than 1% of the original nicotine dose, less than 5% of the original nicotine dose, less than 10% of the original nicotine dose, less than 20% of the original nicotine dose, less than 30% of the original nicotine dose, less than 40% of the original nicotine dose, less than 50% of the original nicotine dose, less than 60% of the original nicotine dose, less than 70% of the original nicotine dose, or less than 100% of the original nicotine dose. The aforementioned percentage are weight percentages.

The residual nicotine content in absolute terms (mg) and in relative terms (% to starting nicotine content) may be highly variable depending on form factor (pouch vs gum), depending on formulations within dosage forms (one manufacturers pouch vs another's, such as size or surface area with which the user's saliva engulfs the pouch, with larger size providing more surface area to interact with saliva and consequently lower residual nicotine), strength (higher strengths being less tolerable for some users, and discarded earlier), and aspects such as tolerability (pH which varies from 4 pH to 10.5 pH in nicotine pouches, flavor, “sting”) and the like.

As an illustrative example, a 9 mg pouch may be used by a user for 3 minutes and contain 7 mg residual nicotine after use (77% residual nicotine), whereas the same 9 mg pouch may be consumed by a user for 15 minutes, and only contain 5 mg of residual nicotine after use (55% residual nicotine). Furthermore, two 9 mg pouches by different manufacturers may have different nicotine dissolution rates depending on chemical composition, size, moisture content, and the like.

The foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

LISTING OF DRAWING ELEMENTS

• • 100 dispenser
  • 200 magazine
  • 202 spring-loaded
  • 204 circular or rotary
  • 206 conveyor
  • 208 alternative
  • 300 assembly
  • 302 housing
  • 304 spring
  • 306 plate
  • 308 aperture
  • 310 pouch
  • 312 door
  • 314 door opening mechanism
  • 316 body
  • 318 cavity
  • 320 dispenser aperture
  • 322 top surface
  • 324 bottom surface
  • 326 front surface
  • 328 back surface
  • 330 side surface
  • 402 catch-compartment
  • 404 access aperture
  • 502 lid
  • 504 flap
  • 602 torsion spring
  • 604 compression spring
  • 1102 top base
  • 1104 bottom base
  • 1106 sidewall

Claims

1. A dispensing system for dispensing and/or storing oral nicotine pouches, the system comprising:

a body;

a magazine disposed within the body, the magazine having a wheel shape comprising: an inner cylinder, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the inner cylinder, and a plurality of compartments formed between the plurality of spokes such that a single compartment is defined by a space between adjacent spokes, wherein a pouch is disposed in a compartment of the plurality of compartments;

a drive mechanism coupled to the magazine and configured to guide the pouch into a dispensing position;

a dispensing aperture located on the body and configured to allow for dispensing of the pouch from the dispensing position to an exterior environment; and

an access aperture located on the body and configured to allow access to a single compartment of the plurality of compartments;

wherein the access aperture is configured to allow both removal and insertion of a pouch therethrough.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the access aperture is provided with a lid moveable from a closed to an open state.

3. The dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the lid is biased to the closed state.

4. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the body has a cylindrical shape.

5. The dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the access aperture is located on a different surface of the body from the dispensing aperture.

6. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the access aperture is located on a first base of the cylindrical shape and the dispensing aperture is located on a second base of the cylindrical shape or on a sidewall of the cylindrical shape.

7. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the lid includes at least one of a flap, a door, a sliding door, a snap-fit lid, a spring-biased flap, or a spring-biased door.

8. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to index the magazine to sequentially align each compartment with the access aperture.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser further comprises a counter configured to track indexing events.

10. A method for dispensing unused oral nicotine pouches and/or storing used oral nicotine pouches, the method comprising:

providing a magazine having a wheel shape comprising: an inner cylinder, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the inner cylinder, and a plurality of compartments formed between the plurality of spokes such that a single compartment is defined by a space between adjacent spokes, wherein a pouch is disposed in a compartment of the plurality of compartments

providing a dispenser comprising: a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the magazine and configured to guide the pouch into a dispensing position; a dispensing aperture located on the body and configured to allow for dispensing of the pouch from the dispensing position to an exterior environment; and an access aperture located on the body and configured to allow access to a single compartment of the plurality of compartments;

inserting the magazine into the dispenser;

dispensing an unused pouch from at least one of the dispensing aperture or the access aperture resulting in an empty compartment;

inserting a used pouch into the empty compartment through the access aperture to create a compartment containing the used pouch.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dispensing of the unused pouch is performed through the access aperture.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising indexing the magazine to position a compartment containing the unused pouch to align with the access aperture prior to dispensing the unused pouch.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising indexing the magazine to align the empty compartment with the access aperture prior to inserting the used pouch into the empty compartment.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising indexing the magazine to move the compartment containing the used pouch away from the access aperture after the insertion of the used pouch into the empty compartment.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a counter disposed within the dispenser to track indexing events.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising using the counter to prevent the compartment containing the used pouch from dispensing the used pouch either from the access aperture or the dispensing aperture.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising inserting the used pouch when the used pouch has a nicotine content within a range of 1% to 70% by weight, based on a nicotine content of the unused pouch.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting the used pouch when the used pouch has the nicotine content within a range of 10% to 60% by weight, based on the nicotine content of the unused pouch.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting the used pouch when the used pouch has the nicotine content within a range of 20% to 50% by weight, based on the nicotine content of the unused pouch.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting the used pouch when the used pouch has the nicotine content within a range of 30% to 40% by weight, based on the nicotine content of the unused pouch.