PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INFUSED OIL

Abstract

The present general inventive concept provides, for example, an oil infuser and metered dispenser for creating botanical extracts, and in particular cannabis-infused oil for use in consumable products such as foodstuffs. The dispenser comprises an infusing compartment and a filter disposed therein for receiving one or more botanical pods. A pump draws a base oil from a heated infusing compartment through the filter and botanical pods, and out the filter back into the infusing compartment. The oil continues circulating in this fashion until the concentration of the infusion reaches a desired level at which time the oil is pumped into a dispensing compartment. The filter prevents particulate matter from accumulating in the infused oil. A sensor is included for measuring predetermined amounts of infused oil. Flavored botanical pods are provided for infusing seasoning, herbs, and other flavors into the base oil in addition to cannabis floral material.

Claims

1. An infusing apparatus, comprising: an infusing compartment having an electrically powered resistive heating element operably connected thereto configured to hold a predetermined amount of a fluid; a fluid circulator operably disposed to said infusing compartment for circulating said fluid; a filter zone disposed within said infusing compartment through which said fluid passes and for receiving an ingredient in which at least apart thereof is infused in said fluids to provide infused fluid; and a conduit operably connected to said infusing compartment for removing infused fluid therefrom.

2. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid circulator is an electrically actuated fluid pump.

3. The infusing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said fluid pump includes a variable speed controller.

4. The infusing apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a pump operably connected to said conduit for pumping an amount of said infused fluid out said conduit.

5. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid is an oil.

6. The infusing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said oil is coconut oil.

7. The infusing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said oil is medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.

8. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, which includes an infusion concentration sensor operably disposed in said infusion compartment for sensing ingredient infusion concentration in said fluid.

9. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, which includes a timer operably disposed to cause cessation of fluid circulation after a predetermined interval.

10. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrically powered resistive heating element includes an automatic temperature controller to maintain a thermal set-point.

11. The infusing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pump is operably connected to said conduit for pumping an amount of said infused fluid out said conduit upon reaching a predetermined sensed concentration threshold.

12. The infusing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor is an automatic infrared sensor.

13. The infusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter zone is equipped to removably receive at least one filter pod having said ingredient therein.

14. The infusing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pod includes a botanical pod containing a predetermined botanical.

15. The infusing apparatus of claim 14, wherein said botanical includes one of a cannabis floral material, an herb, and a spice.

16. The infusing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said oil is one of coconut oil, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil, pumpkin seed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, argan oil and rice bran oil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present general inventive concept, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a cannabis oil infuser and metered dispenser according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a fine mesh filter and different botanical pods for use in the oil infuser of FIG. 1; and

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates the oil infuser of FIG. 1 with the filter placed inside an infusing compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present general inventive concept, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present general inventive concept, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-3, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the present general inventive concept is described in the context of a convenient home countertop appliance for infusing oil with botanicals, the present general inventive concept is applicable to other non-oil-based liquids, e.g., water that can be infused with substances, and may be increased in scale to accommodate larger commercial and industrial applications.

[0021] In one embodiment, the present general inventive concept provides an oil infuser and metered dispenser for botanical extracts, and in particular cannabis-infused oil for use in consumable products such as foodstuffs. The dispenser comprises an infusing compartment and a removable filter disposed therein for receiving one or more botanical pods. A pump draws a base oil from a heated infusing compartment through the filter and botanical pods, and out the filter back into the infusing compartment. The oil continues circulating in this fashion until the concentration of the infusion reaches a desired level at which time the oil is pumped into a dispensing compartment. The filter prevents particulate matter from accumulating in the infused oil. A sensor is included for measuring predetermined amounts of infused oil. Various botanical pods are provided for infusing seasoning, herbs, and other flavors into the base oil.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a cannabis oil infuser and metered dispenser 100 according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The oil infuser 100 comprises a housing 110 for enclosing the internal components of the infuser. In an exemplary configuration, the housing 110 includes a heated infusing compartment 120 utilizing an electrically powered resistive heating element well known to anyone of ordinary skill in the art, and a dispensing compartment 130. A dial-knob 140 (e.g., adjuster mechanism) is disposed on the dispensing compartment 130 and adjusts an amount of dispensed oil to a number of predetermined amounts through use of an internal automatic infrared sensor (not shown) to regulate quantity (e.g., 1 tablespoon, 2 tablespoons, 3 tablespoons, etc.). However, other types of sensors can be used to measure the dispensed liquid, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The dispensing compartment 130 includes an outlet 195 (e.g., dispensing outlet) wherein the infused oil is dispensed into a suitable receptacle such as a pan as shown underneath the dispensing compartment 130. The infused oil can be dispensed in a drizzle, spray, stream or any other pattern. Other receptacles can include a container, vessel, skillet, bottle, glass, etc. In one embodiment, the infusing compartment 120 includes a transparent lid 150 (e.g., see thru lid) permitting a user to see inside the compartment when the lid is closed. The clear lid 150 allows the user to see the oil level and infusion concentration level (color of the oil), among other purposes, such as seeing if the infusing compartment 120 contains botanical pods. In another embodiment, the entire infusing compartment 120 is clear such that the user can easily see inside. A base 190 is where a power supply is housed. The power supply powers the heating element and the pump that circulates infused oil within infusing compartment 120 and subsequently out of the infusing compartment 120 into the dispensing compartment 130. One of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that the power supply can be replaced with a power adapter or other suitable means for receiving electrical energy from, for example, an electrical wall outlet.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a removable fine mesh filter 160 and different botanical pods 170 (e.g., cannabis, aromatic pods refills, favorite herbs, etc.) for use in the oil infuser 100. In operation, one or more botanical pods 170 are first inserted into the mesh filter 160, which is then placed inside the infusing compartment 120, which is subsequently filled with a base oil. A pump (not shown) draws the base oil into the mesh filter 160, then through the botanical pods 170 in order to infuse one or more phytoconstituents into the base oil, and then out through mesh filter 160 and back into the infusing compartment 120. The oil is circulated in this fashion until the concentration of the infusion reaches a desired level at which time the oil is pumped into the dispensing compartment 130. The mesh filter 160 prevents particulate matter in the pods 170 from accumulating in the infused oil.

[0024] The base oil can be any type of edible or cooking oil, which is preferably liquid at room temperature. Exemplary edible oils include, but are not limited to hemp seed oil, coconut oil, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil, pumpkin seed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, argan oil and rice bran oil. Many other kinds of vegetable oils are also used for cooking. In an embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the device 100 further comprises a heater (not shown) for decreasing the viscosity of the base oil, particularly in the case of saturated oils such as coconut oil.

[0025] Each botanical pod 170 may include one or more seasonings, flavors, or herbs. The pods can be herbs chosen by the user or herbs filled into manufactured tea bag like pouches, for example. Exemplary seasonings and herbs (or flavors) include, but are not limited to garlic, rosemary, chipotle, sage, salt, pepper, basil, chopped peppers, paprika, curry, cayenne, mixed spices, vinegar, orange, lemon, onion, chives, horseradish, mustard, capers, chilis, and any combination thereof.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates the oil infuser 100 with the removable filter 160 placed inside the infusion compartment 120. Tubing 180 is coupled to the pump (not shown) and draws infused oil into the dispensing compartment 130. The dispensing compartment 130 includes a sensor (not shown), which can be an infrared beam or similar sensor, the identification and implementation of which are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. When the container is placed underneath the dispensing compartment 130, the pump is activated and will dispense a preset amount of infused oil. In an alternative embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the base of the device (in the area directly opposite to the dispensing compartment 130) could have an embedded pressure sensitive switch (not shown), the implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The pressure exercised onto the switch will activate the pump hence dispensing the infused oil.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the device 100 can be used for cosmetic purposes, e.g., to infuse oils and other liquids for massage, aroma therapy, skin and hair care with other aromatic substances such as hemp, herb and flowers.

[0028] It is to be recognized that depending on the embodiment, certain acts or events of any of the methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, rather than sequentially.

[0029] The above described embodiments are set forth by way of example and are not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present general inventive concept. It will be readily apparent that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present general inventive concept. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations.