Patent Publication Number: US-10772457-B1

Title: Method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a divisional application to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/600,345, filed Oct. 11, 2019, entitled “IMPROVED METHOD FOR CANNABIONOID DELIVERY INTO BEVERAGES”, which is a continuation in part application to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/449,338, filed Jun. 21, 2019, entitled “IMPROVED METHOD FOR CANNABIONOID DELIVERY INTO BEVERAGES” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,485,373 issued Nov. 26, 2019, which is a continuation in part application to U.S. Nonprovisonal application Ser. No. 16/388,821 filed Apr. 18, 2019 entitled “IMPROVED METHOD FOR EXTRACTING CANNABINOIDS FOR IMPROVED BIOAVALABLITY”, and the present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/853,668 filed on May 28, 2019 entitled “IMPROVED METHOD FOR CBD/CANNABINOID DELIVERY INTO BEVERAGES”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety at least by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to cannabis, and more particular an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages, such as coffee and tea. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Cannabis as a health supplement has been practiced for over 1,000 years. Traditionally cannabis is heated to release cannabinoids, primary tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is well known that cannabinoids offer many benefits to users, and there are a variety of methods to make cannabinoids available to the user. Recently, there has been a trend to enrich cannabinoids into beverages, such as coffee and tea. Consequently, the present invention provides an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     X TBD after claims are finalized. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a single use coffee filter with the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional front view of a cannabinoid delivery system in a single use coffee containment system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cannabinoid delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a coffee machine and coffee pot having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a compartment positioned in the lid of the coffee pot according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the lid of the coffee pot according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an espresso coffee portafilter having a cannabinoid delivery system installed within the basket according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a single use coffee filter with the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-B  illustrate the single use coffee filter with the present invention in use according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a side view of a coffee machine and coffee pot having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a coffee filter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a side view of a coffee machine and coffee pot having a cannabinoid delivery system installed under the coffee filter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIGS. 10A-D  are sectional views of alternate cannabinoid delivery system illustrating various divider element configurations according embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages. 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, the word “a” is defined to mean “at least one.” The word “cannabis” is defined to mean “any species of the cannabis genus of flowing plants including Cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and hemp.” The word “cannabis plant matter” is defined to mean “any portion, cannabinoid, terpene, phytonutrient, or other compound, either natural, artificial, or synthetic, derived or extracted from a cannabis plant or cannabis plant DNA.” The word “beverage mix” is defined to mean “any ground or powdered beverage flavor, substance, etc. configured to be mixed into water to create a flavored beverage.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     Recognition of a Problem 
     As well documented, cannabis plant matter is desirable for the cannabinoids that the plant matter contains. The cannabinoids include CBD, THC, as well as other desirable cannabinoids. As companies attempt to offer various means to intake these desirable cannabinoids, one method is through coffee products. 
     There are many coffee cannabinoid containing products on the market today, and these products claim to have from 5 mg of CBD to 65 mg CBD prior to the brewing process. Testing was performed on 10 of these products to determine the cannabinoid levels infused into the beverage after brewing. Testing protocols were established and applied to each test. The testing was performed with standard coffee machines found in the marketplace using standard coffee filters or single use coffee systems for each test, as indicated by each product&#39;s directions. For each test, 8 oz of water was used. After brewing, 10 ml of the brewed coffee from each test was extracted, secured in a vial, then coded and sent for testing at a leading cannabinoid testing facility, Cannalysis Labs in California. The results were conclusive, not a single vial tested had any detectable CBD in the brewed beverage. Since CBD has no intoxicating effects associated with its intake, the consumers of these products are likely unaware that the cannabinoids, in this case CBD, are not reaching the brewed product. 
     Solution to the Problem 
     The applicants have concluded that the cannabinoids are not able to penetrate the standard coffee filters or the filters present in the single use coffee systems. Alternatively, the cannabinoids are not being infused into the beverage during the brewing process. Thus, the following disclosure describes various embodiments to solve this problem. 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a single use coffee containment system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the single use coffee containment system comprises a hollow housing  102  configured to hold a coffee filter bag  104  containing ground coffee (not shown) as well known in the art. In one embodiment, a predetermined amount of ground cannabis plant matter  206  at a predetermined size is added to the coffee filter bag  104 . The coffee filter bag is constructed of a filter material, such as a mesh, screen, or permeable paper at a predetermined filter size. The predetermined size of the coffee filter bag is smaller than the particle size of the ground coffee, such that the ground coffee is retained in the coffee filter bag during the brewing process. In one embodiment, the predetermined size of the cannabis plant matter is smaller than the predetermined size of the coffee filter bag, such that the ground cannabis plant matter passes through the coffee filter bag. 
     During use, the housing of the single use coffee containment system is pierced in both the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing while hot pressurized water passes through the single use coffee containment system into a cup, herein “beverage,” positioned below the single use coffee system (not shown) as well known in the art. Thus, after brewing, the beverage would contain a coffee and cannabis plant matter (cannabinoid) combination. 
     Typically, coffee filter are made up of filaments approximately 20 micrometers wide enabling particles to pass through that are less than approximately 15 to 20 micrometers, preferably 10 to 15 micrometers or less. Thus, in one embodiment, the predetermined size of the cannabis plant matter is less than 10 micrometers. 
     In some embodiments, the hollow housing of the system is the filter, such that an additional filter (or filter bag) is not required. This may be referred to the hollow housing having an integrated filter. In this embodiment, the system may be single-use or reusable, wherein the material selection may vary depending on its usage as well known in the art. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional front view of a cannabinoid delivery system  200  in a single use coffee containment system, while  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cannabinoid delivery system  200 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , an additional solution to the aforementioned problem is provided. In this embodiment, a cannabinoid delivery system  200  is positioned below the coffee filter bag  104  in the hollow housing  102  of the single use coffee containment system  100 . In one embodiment, the cannabinoid delivery system  200  comprises a porous containment element  202  containing a filter pod  204  having a predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter  206  wherein the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter contains a specific dosage of cannabinoids. The predetermined amount cannabis plant matter may be provided in several forms, which will be discussed below. The porous containment element acts as a protective containment element. In one embodiment, the porous containment element is cylindrically shaped, comprised of a hard food grade material. In one embodiment, the porous containment element comprises pores larger than the openings, filaments, or filter elements of the filter pod. 
     In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter is ground cannabis plant matter comprised of nanoparticles. The method to reduce the cannabis plant matter to nano size is detailed in Applicant&#39;s parent application Ser. No. 16/388,821. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles are less than or equal to 120 nanometers. In another embodiment, the nanoparticles are less than 1,000 nanometers. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are compacted to retain groups of particles larger than the predetermined size of the individual particles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are compacted into a dissolvable tablet. 
     In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter is comprised in a sublingual strip, wherein the sublingual strip dissolves when the hot pressurized water passes through the filter pod, enabling the cannabinoid containing cannabis plant matter to be mixed in the beverage. In some embodiments, extracted cannabinoids are used, including but not limited to cannabinoids in MCT oil, or other lipids. In another embodiment, the cannabis plant matter are encapsulated nanoparticles configured to be water soluble, as taught in Applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 16/439,706 hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood, that the form of the cannabis plant material depends on the filter pod selected. In one embodiment, the filter pod is a mesh, screen, or paper barrier comprising filter material having a size larger than the individual particle size of the cannabis plant matter. In this embodiment, the compacted particles prevent the individual particles from exiting the filter pod prior to the brewing process. In another embodiment, the filter pod is made from a dissolvable material, such that the hot pressurized water dissolves the filter pod enabling the contained cannabis plant matter to be mixed with the beverage during the brewing process. 
     Best seen in  FIGS. 8A-B , during use, as previously mentioned, the housing of the single use coffee containment system is pierced in both the top surface  802  and the bottom surface  804  of the housing while hot pressurized water enters the housing  806 , through the coffee filter bag, then through the single use coffee containment system, then finally the hot pressurized water exits  808  of the bottom of the housing wherein the hot pressurized water contains extracted coffee and the cannabis plant matter  206 . The combination is collected in a beverage for consumption as well known in the art, enabling the user to intake the benefits of the cannabinoids. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a coffee machine  300  and coffee pot  302  having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a compartment positioned in the lid of the coffee pot.  FIG. 5  is a top view of the lid  304  of the coffee pot. Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , the embodiment disclosed is an alternative to single use coffee systems. In this embodiment, the user simply opens the dedicated compartment  306  in the lid  304  of the coffee pot  302 , places the cannabinoid delivery system  200  into the compartment, closes the lid, and finally starts the brewing process. The cannabis delivery system may include arrangements and variations to each component as previously discussed. In addition to the previously discussed embodiments, in another embodiment, the user is instructed to shake the cannabinoid delivery system, breaking up the compacted nanoparticles prior to placing the cannabis delivery system into the compartment. During the brewing process, hot water is directed from the coffee machine, extracting coffee flavor from the ground coffee placed in the coffee machine as well known in the art. This hot water passes through the compartment, wherein the cannabis plant matter is then mixed with the beverage. In one embodiment, coffee machine  300  is a drip coffee machine. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of an espresso coffee portafilter  400  having filter pod  204  installed within the basket  402  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the cannabis delivery system includes the filter pod  204  containing cannabis plant matter  206 . In some embodiments, the porous containment element is not provided. In other embodiments, the porous containment element may be provided. Although, the porous containment element is thin and small, due to the limited space in the basket  402 , ideally, just the filter pod is inserted during use. In one embodiment, the porous containment element is approximately 1.25 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches thick. During use, a user loads a cannabis delivery system into the basket  402  of the espresso coffee portafilter  400  along with finely ground coffee as well known in the art. Then the user connects the espresso coffee portafilter and operates the espresso machine (not shown) as normal. During the brewing process, the hot pressurized water extracts the coffee into the beverage and the cannabis plant matter is mixed into the coffee beverage. The cannabis plant matter may be in any form as previously discussed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the cannabis plant matter may be added to the bottom portion of the hollow housing of the single use coffee containment system, i.e. without the cannabinoid delivery system. Advantageously, special preparation of the cannabis plant matter is not required, providing an easy solution to the problem. In this embodiment, the cannabis plant matter may be in any form as previously discussed. As sediment is undesirable in beverages, the encapsulated nanoparticles are one of the preferred forms, however, any form previously discussed may be selected. 
     A particular advantage of the cannabis delivery system is that it provides premeasured dosages of various cannabinoids that offer a means to track usage and accountability. In one embodiment, each cannabis delivery system is vacuum sealed and packaged individually, to prevent containments and to ensure proper shelf life and handling. In some embodiments, identifying information, including but not limited to barcodes, RFID, insignia, numbers, text, or any other identifying information may be provided on each cannabis delivery system. In this way, each cannabis delivery system may be tracked and accounted for. In some embodiments, each cannabis delivery system may be dispensed from a dispensing machine (not shown) to aid in the tracking and accountability of each cannabis delivery system. 
       FIG. 9A  is a side view of a coffee machine  900  and coffee pot  902  having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a coffee filter  904  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an alternative option to the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 4 . The coffee machine includes coffee filter  904  having a filter size, wherein the coffee filter is configured to retain ground coffee as well known in the art. In this embodiment, cannabis plant matter  906  is positioned in the coffee filter, wherein the wherein the cannabis plant matter is smaller than the filter size. As previously defined, the cannabis plant matter may be any portion, cannabinoid, terpene, phytonutrient, or other compound, natural, artificial, or synthetic, derived or extracted from a cannabis plant or cannabis plant DNA. In some embodiments, the cannabis plant matter is ground cannabis. In other embodiments, the ground coffee grounds are soaked in cannabis oil or cannabis distillates. In other embodiments, the cannabis plant matter is a cannabis cannabinoid isolate, such as CBD isolate. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9B , is similar to previously discussed, however in this embodiment, the cannabis plant matter  908  is positioned below the coffee filter. In some embodiments, the cannabis plant matter may be positioned above the coffee filter. In any of the embodiments discussed, the cannabis plant matter may be positioned in a filter pod, similar to the previously discussed embodiments. 
       FIGS. 10A-D  are sectional views of alternate cannabinoid delivery system illustrating various divider element configurations according embodiments of the present invention. The single use coffee containment system comprises a hollow housing  102  as previously discussed. In these embodiments, a divider element  1001  is provided, wherein the divider element is a screen, such as a mesh filter having a filter size. In one embodiment, in  FIG. 10A , a filter  104  contains coffee or tea  1004 . In alternative embodiments, the hot chocolate, a beverage mix, etc. may replace or be in addition to the coffee or tea. These items are provided above the divider element. Cannabis plant matter  1006  is positioned below the divider element. As previously discussed, during operation (brewing), the housing of the single use coffee containment system is pierced in both the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing while hot pressurized water enters the housing, goes through the filter bag and out the bottom surface into a cup defining a beverage. The hot pressurized water infuses the coffee or tea, the divider retains the filter bag with the coffee or tea in the housing, while the cannabis plant matter exits the bottom surface into the cup. In this embodiment, the cannabis plant matter may be larger than the filter size of the divider. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10B  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 10A , however there is no filter bad, and the coffee or tea is loose above the divider. The embodiments, of  FIGS. 10C-D  are similar, however in these embodiments, the cannabis plant matter is positioned above the divider, and the cannabis plant matter is smaller than the filter size (both of the filter bad and divider screen). In some embodiments, the cannabis plant matter is initially larger than the cannabis, wherein the hot pressurized water dissolves the cannabis plant matter to a size smaller than the filter size of both the filter bag and the divider screen. The divider element is configured to match the inner circumference of the housing, such that no particles larger than the divider screen filter size passes through the divider. In situations where just hot chocolate or a beverage mix is provided in place of the coffee or tea, these elements may not be subjected as the same size requirements as coffee or tea, depending on what is desired by the consumer. For instance, the consumer does not want to drink ground coffee beans or tea leaves, but powdered chocolate or a beverage mix may be acceptable, thus the hot chocolate and/or beverage mix may be smaller than the filter size. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in one embodiment, the filter size of the standard coffee filter or coffee filter bag is increased greater than the typical 20 microns allowing the ground cannabis plant matter to easily escape the filter. In other embodiments, the standard coffee filter, coffee filter bag, or ground coffee, is infused, saturated, soaked, coated, or sprayed with cannabinoids such that the beverage would be infused with the cannabinoids during the brewing process. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid delivery system may be provided outside the portafilter for espresso coffee machines or other coffee machines, wherein the cannabinoid delivery system may be in any location that the hot water comes in contact with. Yet in other embodiments, although a single-use system is taught and discussed, the present invention may be modified to be reusable. That is, the cannabis delivery system is configured to be reused after brewing.