WO2016141483A1

WO2016141483A1 - Method for visually representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance

Info

Publication number: WO2016141483A1
Application number: PCT/CA2016/050259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Peter Rapsey; Thomas Shipley
Original assignee: Canopy Growth Corp
Current assignee: Canopy Growth Corp
Priority date: 2015-03-11
Filing date: 2016-03-10
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-11
Also published as: CA2923399A1

Abstract

A method for visually representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance is provided. A map of geometric shapes is used to represent the primary or dominant attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of the article or substance, wherein each attribute, characteristic or compound is represented by a particular shape and/or colour, and wherein the relative proportion of each attribute, characteristic or compound is represented by the relative sizes of their designated geometric shape.

Description

TITLE: METHOD FOR VISUALLY REPRESENTING ATTRIBUTES, PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OR COMPOUNDS OF AN ARTICLE OR SUBSTANCE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

[0001] This application claims priority of United States provisional patent application serial no. 62/131 ,361 filed March 1 1 , 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this application in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0002] The present disclosure is related to the field of methods for visually representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of articles or substances, in particular, substances that can be ingested or inhaled by a human being or an animal.

BACKGROUND:

[0003] Many articles of manufacture, and substances that can be consumed by human or an animal, can comprise a number of attributes, physical characteristics or compounds. Wine, for example, can comprise numerous compounds, in varying degrees of concentration, such as acids, phenolic compounds (such as tannins and other flavonoids that contribute to the taste of wine), proteins, sugars, yeasts, minerals, dissolved gases, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, glutathione, sulphides (used to stop fermentation in the wine must) and alcohol, to name but a few. Wine produced from the same varietal of grape, but from different geographic regions or from different growing seasons can vary greatly in terms of proportionate ratio of these multitude of compounds, thus resulting in wines that can taste quite different from another even though they may be made from the same type of grape varietal. A consumer of wine may prefer the taste of one particular wine, due to its unique combination of the above- mentioned compounds, and yet dislike another due to its different combination of compounds. A consumer may have allergies to certain compounds that can be found in some wines, and can further have an allergic reaction to wines in which those compounds are more prevalent. Apart from a trial and error process of tasting several wines to determine which a consumer prefers or needs to avoid due to allergies, there is no other way for a consumer to make this determination. It would be helpful to have an easy to read visual indication, such as a label on the wine bottle or as part of a printed product description for the wine that provides an indication of at least some of the dominant compounds present in the wine, and their relative proportions to one another.

[0004] Similarly, for medical marijuana, there are several different types of compounds can exist in the marijuana. These compounds can exist in varying concentrations and relative proportions for the various types or strains of marijuana. As with wine, certain compounds contribute to different flavours and aromas for the various strains. Patients consuming medical marijuana may have preferences and aversions to certain compounds that are present. In addition, patients may have allergies to certain compounds that are present.

[0005] Medical marijuana can comprise tetrahydrocannabinol or "THC". THC is responsible for the "high" felt from consuming cannabis. Research has connected it to the immune system regulating, anti- inflammatory, and pain relieving properties of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana can also comprise cannabidiol or "CBD". CBD has been connected to the anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxing functions of medical marijuana. Although THC is known to have a psychoactive or euphoric effect when the dose is sufficient, research has demonstrated that CBD modulates endocannabinoid function and diminishes the effects of THC which include: euphoria, sedation and tachycardia. Zuardi, A. W., Shirakawa, I., Finkelfarb, E., & Karniol, I. G. (1982). Action of cannabidiol on the anxiety and other effects produced by A9-THC in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology, 76(3), 245-250.

[0006] Many variations of the strains of marijuana can be used as medical marijuana. In some embodiments, medical marijuana can be comprised of cannabis indica, cannabis sativa or a hybrid of the two. In each of these two species of cannabis, numerous strains or variants have been developed and cultivated. Sativa strains are almost exclusively THC dominant. While indica strains can also be high in THC, the therapeutic effects of THC are consistently found in sativa strains. Indica strains can contain higher levels of CBD and more balanced mixtures of CBD and THC. Although not all indicas are CBD dominant, the therapeutic effects of CBD are typically found in indica strains.

[0007] The essential oils of hops, pine needles, lemons and black pepper are four of the most common compounds found in cannabis. These compounds are called terpenes. Hundreds of terpenes exist is cannabis, but only a few are in amounts substantial enough to be of note: these include d-Limonene, Alpha-pinene, Beta-pinene, Myrcene, Terpineol and Beta-caryophyllene.

[0008] Alpha- and beta-pinenes can be found in pine needles and emits a pine, sage, or rosemary scent.

[0009] Myrcene can be found in hops, bay leaves, and lemon-grass and emits an herbal, rooty, and spicy scent. [0010] d-Limonene can be similar to the scent you experience when you peel an orange, the existence of d-Limonene terpenes in some cannabis strains produces a strong citrus scent and flavor.

[0011] Terpineol can be found in a variety of sources such as cajuput oil, pine oil, and petitgrain oil and has a pleasant odor similar to lilac.

[0012] Beta-caryophyllene found in a variety of herbs and spices, hence the spicy flavour, and although the scent is minor it is described particularly as black pepper.

[0013] Each individual cannabis strain consists of a unique terpene profile, similar to a fingerprint. As with wines, there is no currently no mechanism that visually displays the types of terpenes present in a particular strain of medical marijuana or their proportional concentrations relative to one another.

[0014] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a method for visually representing the attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance.

SUMMARY:

[0015] A method for visually representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance is provided.

[0016] In some embodiments, a map of geometric shapes can be provided to represent particular attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance. In some embodiments, a plurality of circles, each of a different colour, wherein each colour represents a particular or predetermined attribute, physical characteristic or compound, and wherein the relative sizes of the circles can represent the relative proportions or concentrations of the attributes, physical characteristics or compounds present in the article or substance. In other embodiments, each attribute, physical characteristic or compound can be represented by a different geometric shape, wherein the relative sizes of the geometric shapes can represent the relative proportions or concentrations of the attributes, physical characteristics or compounds present in the article or substance.

[0017] With respect to wine, the map can comprise a plurality of geometric shapes and/or colours, wherein each geometric shape and/or colour can represent a particular characteristic or compound in the wine, such as grape varietal, alcohol content, tannin content, acidity or pH, sulphide content among others as well known to those skilled in the art.

[0018] With respect to medical marijuana, the map can be referred to as a Terpography Map™ where, in some embodiments, a green circle can represent the presence of alpha- or beta-pinenes, a blue circle can represent the presence of myrcenes, a yellow circle can represent the presence of d-Limonenes, a brown circle can represent the presence of terpineols and a red circle can represent the presence of beta- caryophyllenes in the medical marijuana. Depending on which terpenes are present, and their relative proportions or concentrations to each other, each strain can have a particular aroma and flavour. With having a map that displays which terpenes are present in a particular strain and their relative concentractions, a patient of medical marijuana can select a strain that can contain the flavour and aroma they prefer or, alternatively, select a strain that does not contain the particular terpenes the patient is allergic or adversely sensitive to.

[0019] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method can be provided for visually representing the presence and relative proportions of attributes or physical characteristics of an article, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article; and setting the size of the at least one image to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

[0020] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method can be provided for visually representing the presence and relative proportions of chemical compounds disposed in a substance that can be ingested or inhaled by a human being, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each chemical sub-component disposed in the substance; and setting the size of the at least one image to represent the relative proportions of the disposed chemical compounds when the substance comprises a plurality of chemical compounds.

[0021] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can further comprise the step of arranging the at least one image in a cluster formation and placing the cluster formation on or in visual media that can be viewed.

[0022] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can further comprise the step of assigning a predetermined color for each attribute or physical characteristic when the article comprises the plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

[0023] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can further comprise the step of assigning a predetermined geometric shape for each attribute or physical characteristic of the article. [0024] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the predetermined geometric shape can comprise one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

[0025] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the visual media can comprise one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.

[0026] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a visual representation can be provided for representing the presence and relative proportions of attributes or physical characteristics of an article, comprising: at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article, wherein the size of the at least one image is set to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

[0027] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a visual representation can be provided for representing the presence and relative proportions of chemical compounds disposed in a substance that can be ingested or inhaled by a human being, comprising: at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article, wherein the size of the at least one image is set to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

[0028] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the at least one image can be arranged in a cluster formation and placed on or in visual media that can be viewed. [0029] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the visual representations can further comprise a predetermined color for each attribute or physical characteristic when the article comprises the plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

[0030] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the visual representations can further comprise a predetermined geometric shape for each attribute.

[0031] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the predetermined geometric shape can comprise one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

[0032] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the visual media can comprise one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0033] Figure 1 is a top plan view depicting one embodiment of a visual map for representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance.

[0034] Figure 2 is a top plan view depicting another embodiment of a visual map for representing attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance.

[0035] Figure 3 is a chart depicting the visual map of Figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS:

[0036] Referring to Figure 1 , one embodiment of a visual representation of attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance is shown. In some embodiments, map 10 can comprise a plurality of geometric shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the geometric shapes are circles although other shapes such as ovals, ellipses, egg-shapes, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, shape 12 can be blue in colour (as denoted with horizontal hatch lines) and can represent the relative amount of myrcene present in a strain of medical marijuana. Shape 14 can be red in colour (as denoted with vertical hatch lines) and can represent the relative amount of beta-caryophyllene present in a strain of medical marijuana. Shape 16 can be yellow in colour (as denoted with cross- hatch lines) and can represent the relative amount of d-Limonene present in a strain of medical marijuana. Shape 18 can be green in colour (as denoted with descending diagonal hatch lines) and can represent the relative amount of alpha- and beta-pinenes present in a strain of medical marijuana. Shape 20 can be brown in colour (as denoted with ascending diagonal hatch lines) and can represent the relative amount of terpineol present in a strain of medical marijuana.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, an alternate embodiment of a map is shown. In some embodiments, map 32 can comprise a plurality of geometric shapes, some of which can include one or more of circle 34, square 36, rectangular 38 (which can further include irregular rectangles such as rhombuses, trapezoids, etc.), triangle 40, polygon 42 (shown here as a hexagon but can include any multi-sided polygon both in regular and irregular form), ellipse 44, oval 46 (which can include egg-shapes) and irregular shape 48 (which can be of no discernible shape and contain any number of curved and straight line segments). In this embodiment, each individual shape can represent a particular attribute, physical characteristic or compound of an article or substance.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3, a chart is shown for a particular strain of medical marijuana wherein map 10 is presented on the chart to illustrate the various terpenes present in the strain of medical marijuana, and the relative proportions of the terpenes as illustrated by the relative sizes of the circles in map 10. In Figure 3, a strain of medical marijuana known as "Milton" is shown. In this figure, map 10 shows that, having regard to the relative sizes of shapes 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, the relative concentration of the 5 terpenes in this particular strain, in descending order, are myrcene (shape 12), pinenes (shape 18), beta-caryophyllene (shape 14), d-limonene (shape 16) and terpineol (shape 20). Different strains of medical marijuana can have different concentrations of these 5 terpenes and, in some strains, may not have all 5 terpenes present at all, or at least in such small concentrations that they are negligible or unmeasurable.

[0039] In this descriptions, methods and maps for visually representing the attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of an article or substance have been presented, and examples have been in respect to wine and medical marijuana. These methods and maps can also be used to describe the attributes, physical characteristics or compounds of manufactured articles or substances for human or industrial use or consumption. They can also be used to describe the constituent components or nutritional attributes of substances, foods or liquids that can be used, applied, ingested or inhaled by humans. They can also be used to describe the constituent components or nutritional attributes of substances, foods, liquids or medicines that can be used, applied, ingested or inhaled by animals, fish, pets or livestock.

[0040] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope, intent or functionality. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1 . A method for visually representing the presence and relative proportions of attributes or physical characteristics of an article, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article; and

b) setting the size of the at least one image to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the step of arranging the at least one image in a cluster formation and placing the cluster formation on or in visual media that can be viewed.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 or in claim 2, further comprising the step of assigning a predetermined color for each attribute or physical characteristic when the article comprises the plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

4. The method as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of assigning a predetermined geometric shape for each attribute or physical characteristic of the article.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the predetermined geometric shape comprises one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

6. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the visual media comprises one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.

7. A method for visually representing the presence and relative proportions of chemical compounds disposed in a substance that can be ingested or inhaled by a human being, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each chemical sub-component disposed in the substance; and

b) setting the size of the at least one image to represent the relative proportions of the disposed chemical compounds when the substance comprises a plurality of chemical compounds.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the step of arranging the at least one image in a cluster formation and placing the cluster formation on or in visual media that can be viewed.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 or in claim 8, further comprising the step of assigning a predetermined color for each chemical sub-component when the substance comprises the plurality of chemical compounds.

10. The method as set forth in any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising the step of assigning a predetermined geometric shape for each chemical sub-component of the substance.

1 1 . The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the predetermined geometric shape comprises one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

12. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the visual media comprises one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.

13. A visual representation for representing the presence and relative proportions of attributes or physical characteristics of an article, comprising: at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article, wherein the size of the at least one image is set to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

14. The visual representation as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one image is arranged in a cluster formation and placed on or in visual media that can be viewed.

15. The visual representation as set forth in claim 13 or in claim 14, further comprising a predetermined color for each attribute or physical characteristic when the article comprises the plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

16. The visual representation as set forth in any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a predetermined geometric shape for each attribute or physical characteristic of the article.

17. The visual representation as set forth in claim 16, wherein the predetermined geometric shape comprises one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

18. The visual representation as set forth in claim 14, wherein the visual media comprises one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.

19. A visual representation for representing the presence and relative proportions of chemical compounds disposed in a substance that can be ingested or inhaled by a human being, comprising: at least one image of a geometric shape comprising a size for each attribute or physical characteristic disposed in the article, wherein the size of the at least one image is set to represent the relative proportions of the disposed attributes or physical characteristics when the article comprises a plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

20. The visual representation as set forth in claim 19, wherein the at least one image is arranged in a cluster formation and placed on or in visual media that can be viewed.

21 . The visual representation as set forth in claim 19 or in claim 20, further comprising a predetermined color for each attribute or physical characteristic when the article comprises the plurality of attributes or physical characteristics.

22. The visual representation as set forth in any one of claims 19 to 21 , further comprising a predetermined geometric shape for each attribute or physical characteristic of the article.

23. The visual representation as set forth in claim 22, wherein the predetermined geometric shape comprises one or more of a group consisting of circles, ovals, ellipses, triangles, rectangles, squares, polygons and irregular shapes.

24. The visual representation as set forth in claim 20, wherein the visual media comprises one or more of a group consisting of printed media and electronically displayed media.