APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INFUSING OILS

Abstract

An apparatus for infusing oils is provided that employs a removable pod that contains infusing material such that the resultant infusion is substantially free from particulate matter. The removable pod is comprised of a flexible bag that is expanded by an internally-disposed cage.

Claims

1. A pod for receiving an infusing material, comprising: a permeable member having an open end; a cage configured to fit within the permeable member and generally maintain the permeable member in an expanded configuration, the cage having a plurality of openings and an upper portion with at least one inwardly-extending protrusion; and a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit within the upper portion of the cage, wherein the lower surface engages the at least one protrusion to position a portion of the open end of the permeable member between the cage and the clip.

2. The pod of claim 1, wherein the permeable member is a flexible bag made of mesh.

3. The pod of claim 1, wherein the cage is comprised of first portion and a second portion.

4. The pod of claim 3, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a non-permeable wall.

5. The pod of claim 1, further comprising a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip.

6. The pod of claim 5, wherein the cap is integrated into the clip, the cap being configured to move from an open to a closed position.

7. The pod of claim 5, wherein the cap employs a removable membrane.

8. An apparatus for infusing a solvent, comprising: a housing having an infusing chamber adapted to receive the solvent; a heating element associated with the infusing chamber; a drain associated with the infusing chamber; a removable pod interconnected to an inner surface of the infusing chamber, the pod adapted to receive infusing material, and the pod comprising: a permeable member having an open end; a cage configured to fit within the permeable member and generally maintain the permeable pod in an expanded configuration, the cage having a plurality of openings and an upper portion with at least one inwardly-extending protrusion; a clip having a upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit within the upper portion of the cage, wherein the lower surface engages the at least one protrusion with a portion of the open end of the permeable member positioned therebetween; a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip to close the permeable member; and a mount that selectively secures the pod to the infusing chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the permeable member is a flexible bag made of mesh.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mount comprises a ring with an internal diameter of a dimension greater than a maximum outer dimension of the permeable member, and a greater than maximum outer dimension of the cage, and less than a maximum outer dimension of the clip.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mount is selectively interconnected to the infusing chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mount is interconnected to an internal side wall of the infusing chamber, and further comprising an agitator positioned within the infusing chamber and operatively interconnect at a center point of a bottom surface of the infusing chamber.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cap is integrated into the clip, the cap being configured to move from an open to a closed position.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cap employs a removable membrane.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cage is comprised of first portion and a second portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a non-permeable wall.

17. A method of filling a pod with infusing material, comprising: providing a permeable member having an open end; inserting a cage within the permeable member; folding a top edge of the permeable member over an upper edge of the cage; and inserting a clip into the cage such that a lower edge of the clip is captured by the at least one protrusion, and wherein a portion of the permeable member is captured by the clip and the cage.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pod further comprises a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip to seal the permeable member.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the cage is comprised of a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is filled with a first infusing material at one geographic location and the second portion is filled with a second infusing material at a second geographic location.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second infusing material is illegal in the first geographic location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infusing apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the infusing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment showing FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the temperature control method employed by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a transparent perspective view of an infusing chamber used by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a gravity-fed drain device and actuating mechanism employed by some embodiments the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a gravity-fed drain device employed by some embodiments the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 9 is the gravity-fed drain device of FIG. 8 shown and assembled configuration;

[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 3;

[0052] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a closure mechanism employed by the drain device of some embodiments of the present invention in a closed state;

[0053] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the closure mechanism of FIG. 11 in an opened state;

[0054] FIG. 13 is a transparent perspective view of an infusing chamber employed by some embodiments the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a pod for storing infusing material used by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 15 is the pod shown in FIG. 14 shown in a semi-assembled state;

[0057] FIG. 16 is a cage used in the pod shown in FIG. 14;

[0058] FIG. 17 is a clip ring used by the pod show in FIG. 14;

[0059] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17;

[0060] FIG. 19 is a cap used to seal the pod shown in FIG. 14;

[0061] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view FIG. 19; and

[0062] FIG. 21 is a mount used to support the pod shown FIG. 14.

[0063] The following component list and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided to assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention:

TABLE-US-00001 # Component 100 Infusing apparatus 104 User interface 108 Lid 112 Dispensing area 116 Lid release mechanism 120 Infusing chamber 124 Agitator 128 Drain 132 Bottom surface 136 Magnetic field generator 140 Heater 160 Solvent 164 Temperature measuring device 168 Temperature controller 172 Temperature input 176 Error 180 Set point 184 Control calculations 188 Heater output 192 Aperture 200 Actuation mechanism 204 Button 208 Outer surface 212 Proximal end 216 Linkage 220 Pivot arm 224 Distal end 228 Proximal end 232 Distal end 236 Pivot point 240 Rod 244 Internal surface 248 Cylindrical portion 252 Supports 256 Central axis 260 Proximal end 264 Rod 268 Distal end 270 Seal 280 Resilient member 284 Actuator 288 Closure mechanism 292 Tube 296 Proximal end 300 Distal end 320 Closure mechanism 324 Lever 328 Spring 360 Cam 364 Plate 368 Contact switch 420 Permeable container 430 Central axis 435 Cap 440 First magnetic element 444 Second magnetic element 502 Pod 504 Bag 508 Cage 512 Openings 516 Bag clip 518 Upper edge 520 Lower ridge 524 Protrusion 528 Inner surface 532 Cap 536 Ring 540 Mount 560 Ring 564 Infusing material

[0064] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] FIGS. 1-4 and 10 show an infusing apparatus 100 of one embodiment of the present invention configured to infuse solvents, including oil-based solvents, with the essence of another material. The infusing apparatus 100 comprises a user interface panel 104, a hinged lid 108 and a dispensing area 112 for providing solvent after the infusing process is complete. A lid release mechanism 116 may be used to open the lid 108 and provide access to an infusing chamber 120. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, the user interface panel 104 comprises a printed circuit board, central processing unit, or other computing devices to provide control, sensing, and programming capabilities. The infusing chamber 120 houses an agitator 124 and a gravity-fed drain device 120. The infusing chamber 120 is configured to receive solvent. The agitator 124 is disposed on a bottom surface 132 of the infusing chamber 120 and rotates to churn the solvent. The gravity-fed drain 128 of the infusing apparatus 100 is configured to allow solvent held within the infusing chamber 120 to be selectively dispensed without the need to pick up, tip, or otherwise manipulate the infusing apparatus 100.

[0066] The agitator 124 may be magnetically actuated and spun using a rotating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the agitator 124 rests on the bottom surface 132 of the infusing chamber 120 and a rotating magnetic field component 136 is located on an external bottom side of the infusing chamber 120. The agitator 124 is configured to mix and induce a rotational solvent flow within the infusing chamber without substantial pulverization of the infusing material. The agitator 124 may be coated with a chemically-inert coding, such as a polymer or ceramic material. The rotating magnet system used to impart rotation of the agitator of one embodiment of skill of the art may be similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,534 to Rosinger, which is incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the agitator 124 may be spun using a stationary electromagnet with a rotating electromagnetic field as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,242,493 to Stringham, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0067] FIG. 10 shows a heater 140 that provides thermal energy to the solvent during the infusing process. Here, the heater 140 is external to the infusing chamber 120 and in close proximity to, or in contact with, the external bottom surface of the infusing chamber 120 and provides heat by conduction, convection, or radiation. The heater of one embodiment of the present invention works in concert with a temperature control a measuring device 164. The measuring device 164 is interconnected to the lid 108 such that it rests in the solvent when the lid is closed. FIG. 4 that shows the lid in an open position, and wherein the measuring device is disconnected from the lid. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that temperature measurement associated with a solvent may be output to a temperature controller such as a thermostat. In operation, the temperature controller 168 as seen in FIG. 5 receives a temperature input 172 in the form of an electrical signal from the temperature measuring device. The temperature input 172 from the temperature controller 168 determines any error 176 between the temperature input 172 and a desired set point 180. The temperature controller 160 then performs control calculations 184 to determine the proper electrical output to control the heater output 188. A device to maintain temperature of solvent may be comprised of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, thermostat, or other temperature control devices known to those in the art. It will be appreciated that a PID controller continuously calculates an error value as the difference between a desired set point temperatures and a desired temperature. The PID controller then attempts to minimize the error value over time by adjustment of the power supplied to the heater component. It will be appreciated that the temperature measuring device 164 may comprise different forms including but not limited to an infrared thermometer, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or other temperature measuring devices.

[0068] FIGS. 7-12 show a gravity-fed drain 128 employed by some embodiments of the present invention. The gravity-fed drain 128 generally provides dispensing functionality through an aperture located in the bottom surface 132 of the infusing chamber 120. The gravity-fed drain 128 interfaces with an aperture 192 and the bottom surface 132 of the infusing chamber 120. The aperture 192 is closed by the gravity-fed drain 128, thereby preventing the passage of solvent from the infusing chamber to the dispensing area. To dispense infused solvent, the gravity-fed drain 128 is actuated to an open state. Actuation of the gravity-fed drain 128 may be achieved mechanically or electro-mechanically.

[0069] In one embodiment, the gravity-fed drain 128 is mechanically actuated by actuation mechanism 200 comprised of a button 204 connected to the gravity-fed drain 128 through a series of mechanical linkages. The button 204 extends through an outer surface 208 of the infusing apparatus 100. The bottom of the button 204 is attached to a proximal end 212 of a linkage 216, which is directed toward a pivot arm 220. A distal end 232 of the pivot arm 220 is located opposite a pivot point 236 disposed between a proximal end 228 and the distal end 232 of the pivot arm 220. The pivot point 236 is constrained by a rod 240 that is interconnected to an internal surface 244 of the infusing apparatus 100. When the proximal end 228 of the pivot arm 220 traverses in a first direction, the distal end 232 of the pivot arm 220 traverses in a second direction. When the distal end 232 of the pivot arm 220, which is connected to the gravity-fed drain 128, traverses in the second direction, the gravity-fed drain 128 moves to an open state.

[0070] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the gravity-fed drain of one embodiment that comprises a cylindrical portion 248 having a plurality of supports 252 that extend radially inward from a circumference of the cylindrical portion 248 toward a central axis 256. The supports 252 meet centrally and interconnect to a proximal end 260 of a rod 264 that extends vertically upward from the support rods. A distal end 268 of the rod 264 is interconnected to an aperture seal 270 that selectively mates with the aperture in the bottom surface of the infusing chamber. When the seal between the aperture and aperture seal 270 is open, solvent is permitted to flow through the aperture, the resilient member 280, and the cylindrical member 248.

[0071] FIGS. 11 and 12 show alternative method of releasing solvent from the infusing chamber, which may be used in conjunction with the aperture seal described above. Here, an electric actuator 284 is provided that may be a linear actuator, a stepper motor, a servo motor, or other electrically-actuated device known. The electric actuator 284 operates a closure mechanism 288 of a gravity-fed drain 128, wherein when the electric actuator is actuated; the gravity-fed drain 128 is closed. Here, a tube 292 is provided having a proximal end 296 configured to interface with the aperture provided in the bottom of the infusing chamber. The tube has a distal end 300 directed towards the dispensing area. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tube 292 is comprise of an elastic or semi-elastic material which allows it to be deformed by lateral deflection to constrict or close a pathway leading from the infusing chamber to the dispensing area.

[0072] More specifically, the tube provided by some embodiments of the present invention is selectively closed by the closure mechanism 320 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The closure mechanism 320 comprises a pivoting lever 324 that may be biased away from the tube 292 by a spring 328. The electric actuator 284 applies a force to a lever 324 to draw it toward the tube 292. That is, the electric actuator 284 provides rotational motion to a cam 360 that engages a plate 364 associated with the lever 324. The force applied to the plate 364 moves the lever 324 so that it pinches or closes the tube 292. In this fashion, flow of solvent from the infusing chamber can be selectively regulated or ceased. When force is removed from the lever through reverse actuation of the electric actuator 284, the lever 324 is moved away from the tube by the electric motor 284 assisted by the spring 364. Some embodiments provide a contact switch 368 which sends electric signal to the user interface to indicate a status change of the lever 324.

[0073] FIG. 13 shows a permeable container 420 that may be placed into an infusing chamber 120. The permeable container 420 holds infusing material and solvent within the infusing chamber 120 is able to flow through the walls the permeable container 420. In some embodiments, the permeable container 420 is located away from a central axis 430 of the infusing chamber 120. Solvent flow within the infusing chamber 120 is generated by the agitator 124 that is located at the central axis 430. This arrangement increases solvent flow through the infusing chamber and, thus, exposes more solvent to the infusing material, in the permeable container 420. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that infusing material as discussed herein may refer to loose material or prepackaged material deposited within the infusing chamber 120 or, preferably, within the permeable container 240. For example, a prepackaged permeable container may be placed within container 420. Using a permeable container, instead of simply placing infusing material within the infusing chamber addresses many of the issues of the prior art discussed above.

[0074] The permeable container 420 may have a cap 435. In addition, the permeable container 420 may be removably affixed to the interior of the infusing chamber 120 by a first magnetic element 440 interconnected to the exterior of the permeable container. A second magnetic element 444 interconnected to the exterior the infusing chamber 120. It will be appreciated that selective interconnection is achieved when the first magnetic element 440 and the second magnetic element 444 are brought in proximity to each other. It will also be appreciated that selective magnetic interconnection maybe achieved with a permanent or an electromagnets.

[0075] FIGS. 14-21 show a pod 502, which is alternative to the permeable container described above. The pod comprises a flexible, permeable bag 504, a cage 508 that maintains the shape of the bag, a bag clip 516 that secures the bag to the cage, and a cap 532 that seals the pod 502. The bag 504 is collapsible, which facilitates storage, and is also configured to selectively expand if needed to accept additional infusing material. Accordingly, the bag may be pleated. The bag's 504 expanded shape is at least partially maintained by the cage 508 inserted into the bag before receiving infusing material. Because the cage 508 has a plurality of openings 512, solvent can pass freely through the permeable bag 504 and the cage 508. The bag will facilitate solvent infusion when partially filled, for example, 25% filled or more.

[0076] The bag clip 516 interconnects the bag 504 to the cage 508, wherein an upper edge 518 of the bag 504 is positioned between a lower ridge 520 of the bag clip 516 and at least one protrusion 524 that extends from the upper, inner surface 528 of the cage. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other methods of interconnecting the bag clip 516, bag 504, and/or cage 508 may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. A cap 532, which may have a ring 536 at its lower surface, is used to close the pod. The cage 508, bag clip 516, and cap 532 of one embodiment of the present invention are reusable.

[0077] The pod 502 is selectively inserted and maintained by a mount 540 selectively interconnected to an inside surface of the infusing chamber as in the embodiments described above. The mount 540 may be selectively interconnected to the inner surface of the infusing chamber with a magnet housing as shown in FIG. 21.

[0078] The cage shown in FIG. 16 has a plurality of openings 512 that allow solvent to pass therethrough. The openings can be of any size to facilitate the flow of solvent. In operation, the permeability of the bag, which may be made entirely or partially of a screen or mesh, will dictate exposure of the infusing material 564 placed in the pod. In some embodiments, the cage openings 512 are blocked with a permeable material or mesh wherein the bag is not necessarily required. In other embodiments, the size of the openings 512 may be selectively altered to make them larger, for example. Other embodiments of the cage 508 employ internal ridges or other means that allow for walls to be selectively provided to divide the cage into different zones for holding different types of plant-based material, for example. Further, portion(s) of the bag or cage may be constructed of a plant-based material that is effectively dissolved by the solvent material during the infusing process.

[0079] The cage of one embodiment possesses more than one compartment adapted to receive infusing material of differing forms, characteristics, etc. In this example, one or more compartments can be filled by different co-packers perhaps at different times. Filling of a pod contemplated by this embodiment is performed by a first co-packer that fills a first compartment with a first infusing material, i.e., an herb blend, and the second compartment is filled by a second co-packer with a second infusing material, i.e., cannabis. The cap used in this pod may comprise two sealable portions. Alternatively, the first co-packer seals the pod with a cap that is later removed and perhaps destroyed by the second co-packer who adds a final cap, which may only be removed upon destruction thereof. The cap of some embodiments can only be removed after installation by destroying a portion thereof, which may serve as a safety feature. That is, the caps of some embodiments can only be removed after installation by destroying a portion thereof, which serves as a safety feature.

[0080] FIGS. 19 and 20 show the cap 532 of one embodiment of the present invention. As briefly mentioned above, some embodiments the present invention contemplate a pod that is sealed with contained infusing material before delivery to the user. In this example, the cap is ultrasonically welded to the bag clip, which will be apparent upon review of FIG. 15. In other embodiments, however, the cap can be freely removed to open the pod such so that the end user can fill the bag with the desired mixture of plant-based materials or to augment pre-packaged infusing materials. In other embodiments, the top surface of the cap includes at least one aperture that is selectively sealed by a bio-friendly sealing element, such as a sticker seal. This embodiment contemplates situations wherein the pod is filled with infusing material in a first location, shipped to a second location, and subsequently filled with additional infusing material. The secondary infusing material is added by way of removing the sticker, augmenting the infusing material already in the pod, and then resealing the cap with the existing sticker or new closure device. The secondary closure device may include tamper resistant or tamper evident means.

[0081] With specific reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in operation, the cage 508 is inserted into the bag 504, which prevents collapse of the bag 504 and provides a volume that receives infusing material 564. An upper edge 518 of the bag is folded into the cage, wherein the upper edge 518 extends adjacent to, or below a lower ridge 520 of the bag clip 516. Next, the bag clip 516 is inserted into the cage 508, wherein at least a portion of the bag 504 is positioned between an external surface of the bag clip at least one protrusion 524 provided by the cage 508. Further insertion of the bag clip 516 into the cage will eventually locate the lower ridge 520 of the bag clip 516 under at least one protrusion 524, thereby locking the bag clip 516 to the cage 508. The user or packager may then add material to the bag 504. If desired, the cap 532 is used to seal the pod 502 and, thus, may be made to snugly fit within the bag clip 516 to prevent contamination from entering the pod 502. This is also safety feature that prevents children from opening the pod 502. In one embodiment of the pod is disposable and is delivered to the user with a proprietary mixture of botanicals, herbs, spices, leaves, and other plant-based materials. The mixture of infusing material are optimized for infusion of particular volumes of product and sold in multipacks at commercial retailers. Finally, the pod 502 is inserted in the mount 540, which employs a ring 560 having a diameter less than a portion of the cage 508, bag clip 516, or cap 532. This dimensional arrangement maintains preferred location of the pod 502 within the infusing chamber. In one embodiment, the bag clip employs an outer ridge 570 that rests on the ring 560.

[0082] Components of the pod may be injection molded or made be additive manufacturing processes. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pod may be configured in size and shape to be used in many infusing apparatus, not just the apparatus described herein. The pod does not absorb more than a negligible amount of solvent. However, in one embodiment, portions of the cage can be made of infusing material that will at least partially dissolve into particulates captured by the bag during the infusing process. The pod of one embodiment is temperature resistant up to 250 F. when immersed in oil without degradation for at least about 10 hours.

[0083] The bag of one embodiment is made of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) mesh. For example, PLA mesh manufactured by Yamanaka Industry Co., Ltd., commonly known as Tearoad Soilon. Such material is capable of remaining in a heated vegetable oil bath for 10 hours, which make it ideal for the contemplated applications. The mesh may also be made of food grade stainless steel.

[0084] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.