Abstract:
The present invention pertains in general to an apparatus and method for the infusing, agitation and dispensation of oils in a controlled manner to produce a desired potency of an infusion while remaining below an identified maximum temperature threshold.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to provisional patent application No. 62/401,369, entitled “Apparatus For Infusing And Dispensing Oils”, filed Sep. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains in general to an apparatus and method for the infusing, agitation, and dispensation of oils in a controlled manner to produce a desired potency of an infusion while remaining below an identified maximum temperature threshold. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The infusing of liquids, water-based and oil-based alike is a conventional practice in many fields including homeopathic medicine, culinary cuisine, skincare, aromatherapy, beauty, alternative wellness and production of beverages. The infusing of oil with infusing material to impart a flavor or chemical characteristic is often accomplished through the immersion of infusing material in a solvent over a period of time. Infusing that occurs over extended periods often occurs at room temperature or in a refrigerated environment. The infusing may alternatively occur at high temperatures in a pot or pan for immediate use in cooking. 
     Infusing is the process of extracting chemical compounds, nutrients, or flavors from plant based infusing material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol, by allowing the plant based infusing material to remain suspended in the solvent over time (a process often called steeping). An infusion is also the name for the resultant liquid produced from an infusion process. 
     The practice of infusing commonly surrounds the use of botanicals or other plant matter that are volatile and dissolve readily, or release their active ingredients easily in a solvent. Examples of botanicals include, but are not limited to, dried herbs, seeds, flowers or berries. 
     Steeping, a method of infusing, involves bringing a liquid to a boil (or other desired temperature) prior to incorporation with the botanicals. The incorporated mixture is then allowed to soak in the liquid for a period of time. The liquid may then be strained or the herbs otherwise removed from the liquid. Unless the infusion is to be consumed immediately, it may then be bottled and stored for future use. It will be appreciated that such infusions can be useful in either standalone use or as an ingredient in recipe or formula. 
     The length of time the herbs are left in a liquid depends on the purpose for which the infusion is being prepared and the potency of the infusion desired. The length of time for steeping also depends upon ingredients used in the infusion. Some infusing processes may require minutes while others require days, weeks or longer. Typically, the infusing of fats or oil-based solvents require much longer than other solvents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention surrounds a method and apparatus for infusing of liquids though heating, agitation and, dispensation of oils in a controlled manner to produce a desired potency of infusion. Embodiments of the present invention as disclosed provide an infusing method and apparatus for infusing of solvents; particularly oils. Certain embodiments provide a faster infusing process, safer infusing of solvents or more complete use of infusing material than existing solutions. 
     Typically, infusing of solvents with an infusing material surround the use of steeping devices made of metal, plastic or paper configured to provide an enclosed compartment with permeable walls. Such steeping devices are typically filled and placed in a volume of water for infusing. The permeable walls allow the passage of the water to permit the infusing of the solvent to a desired level. Such technologies are typically configured for the infusing of liquids, such as water, for beverages and do not allow for proper infusing for oil-based solvents. Due to higher viscosity, oil-based solvents cannot flow through permeable walls configured for the flow of water or water-based solvents. Furthermore, oil-based solvents commonly require additional heat to reduce the viscosity of the oil-based solvent. Adding heat may also be used to reduce the time needed for infusing. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention provide: a heating element for solvent heating, a permeable container with permeable surface configured to allow the flow of oil-based solvents, and an agitator component to create flow of the oil-based solvent through the infusing chamber. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention have a permeable container that is removably affixed to an infusion chamber. Benefits of a removably affixed permeable container include ease of use for filling of a permeable container with infusing material and removal of the permeable container for cleaning. 
     Some embodiments of an external surface of a permeable container are removably affixed to an internal surface of an infusion chamber using a magnetic connection. Certain embodiments of a magnetic connection use a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, while other embodiments use a plurality of magnets. 
     It will be appreciated that the viscosity of oil-based solvents decreases as the solvent temperature increases. It is advantageous elevate the temperature of an oil-based solvent to increase the potential flow of such an oil-based solvent through a permeable surface. It will be appreciated that oils may include, but are not limited to: butter, animal fat, or plant based oils. 
     Some proposed solutions for infusing oil-based solvents with a infusing material use a sealed container in combination with a heater element and an agitator. In such solutions, the agitator—of a gear-driven or shaft-driven type—is affixed to a cap and the agitator extending downward into the sealed container. Existing methods aim to provide an accelerated and controllable infusing process due to the added heat and agitation. The user adds oil-based solvent and infusing material to the container where they are heated by the heater element. The agitator churns the infusing material and the oil-based solvent, which pulverizes and circulates the infusing material within the oil-based solvent. This pulverization of the infusing material creates infusing material particulate. Where such methods fail surround problems in dispensing the oil-based solvent and filtering infusing material particulate from the infused oil-based solvent. When a user removes the lid, the agitator that extends from the base of the cap into the sealed container drips infused solvent when removed from the infusing container. To dispense the infusing material and infusing material particulate from the resultant infusion, the user pours the heated infusion through a straining device into a second container. This increases cleanup efforts and increases the risk of injury resulting from spilled infusion. Furthermore, such existing methods use agitators with blades, which cause the pulverization of the infusing material and creates infusing material particulate. Sometimes the infusing material particulate is too small to remove from the infusion with a straining device. This results in an unsightly and undesirably cloudy or dirty infusion. 
     Other infusing apparatuses have an agitator extending downward from a cap into an sealed container with a gear driven or shaft driven agitator mounted to the bottom of the sealed container. However, residual oil-based solvent and infusing material may adhere to the agitator of the infusing apparatus. Residual oil-based solvent and infusing material causes difficulty in cleanup of the apparatus and may contaminate future infusions. 
     Other devices for the production of infused beverages such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,484 (“the &#39;484 patent”) to De Ponti and U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,133 (“the &#39;133 patent”) to Frank, both herein incorporated in full by reference. However, such solutions for infusing of oil-based solvents are only intended for use with water based liquids. The &#39;484 patent relies on building pressure based on the boiling point of water under pressure. The use of oil-based solvent in such an apparatus as disclosed in the &#39;484 patent may create a hazardous scenario potentially resulting in a fire and burn hazard to the user or those surrounding. The &#39;133 patent is not suited for use with oil-based solvents. The use of a filtering screen with small enough apertures to allow the flow-through of oil-based solvents would filter out infusing material particulate, resulting in a cloudy or dirty infusion. Furthermore, neither the &#39;133 and the &#39;484 patent fail to provide full infusing potential as the infusing material is not agitated in relation to the solvent. 
     Embodiments of the present invention surround an infusing apparatus that include the use of an infusing chamber with an agitator component on an interior surface of the infusing chamber, a power supply, a computing device, a permeable compartment, a heating element, and a gravity based drain device. Such embodiments allow for infusing of a solvent with infusing material while limiting pulverization of the infusing material within the solvent. Furthermore, the agitator component is configured such that it does not prevent the removal of the infusing chamber from the infusing apparatus. This mitigates clean-up effort after an infusion is processed. In certain embodiments, the agitator component is a magnetically driven agitator. The magnetically driven agitator provides churning from the bottom of the infusing chamber. A magnetically driven agitator component also addresses some previously discussed problems associated with gear or shaft driven agitators. It may be desired in certain embodiments to limit the rotational speed of the agitator component to be below 200 rotations per minute (RPM), while in other embodiments it may be desired for the agitator component to be between 70 and 90 RPM. The limitation of rotational speed of the agitator component serves to prevent cavitation and other modes which may result in the aeration of the solvent. While it is preferred that the agitator component spins at a rate which does not create aeration of the solvent, it will be appreciated that the RPM of the agitator component may be adjusted infinitely within the capabilities of the agitator component. The use of a permeable compartment allows for the flow of solvents without the pulverization of the infusing materials, limiting the amount of particulate deposited into the solvent. Certain embodiments of the heating element provide constant control to maintain elevated temperatures of the solvent but not in excess of 100° C. (212° F.). By limiting the temperature of the solvent to 100° C. (212° F.), this greatly reduces the risk of injury due to contact with heated solvents, particularly oil-based solvents. Additionally, certain solvents such as butter and Flaxseed oil have material properties having a boiling point slightly above 100° C. (212° F.). In maintaining the temperature of the solvent to 100° C. (212° F.) or less, this prevents the boiling and aeration due to boiling of the solvent. Additional benefits of limiting maximum infusing process temperature to a predetermined temperature surround the use of temperature sensitive infusing material. Certain infusing materials or solvents used in an infusing process have a temperature threshold at which their chemical structure changes. Examples of such chemical structure changes include, but are not limited to, denaturation, unwanted enzymatic reactions or, unwanted hydrolytic reactions. Setting the infusing process to a particular temperature reduces unwanted changes in chemical compound of those infusing materials and solvents. A gravity-fed drain device allows for dispensing of the solvent after the infusing process without the need to pick up, tip over or otherwise handle or manipulate the infusing chamber. The gravity-fed drain device limits the risk of injury due to contact with heated solvent and reduces cleanup efforts. Other advantages of a gravity fed drain device include the mitigation of solvent aeration when the solvent is dispensed from the infusing apparatus. Aeration is undesirable because it induces cloudiness of the infused solvent. Furthermore, aeration of a solvent intended for human consumption may accelerate spoilage of the solvent due to the air entrained in the solvent. Some problems associated with air entrainment include lipid oxidation and potential microorganism growth. As such, the prevention of aeration within the solvent improves shelf-life, quality and safety of solvents intended for consumption. 
     It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the invention may utilize prepackaged units configured to hold infusing material. It will be appreciated that units as used in the infusing process may allow the through-flow of a solvent while the infusing material remains captive within the unit. It will be appreciated that a prepackaged unit may include, but is not limited to, a pod, cup, or other container with permeability allowing the flow-through of a solvent. Such prepackaged units may be prefilled by a user or third party for use in the infusing of a solvent with a desired infusing material. Furthermore, such prepackaged units may be configured to fit within a permeable compartment. In certain embodiments where a prepackaged unit is configured to fit within a permeable compartment, the permeable compartment may be used to hold such a prepackaged unit in place allowing solvent to flow through a permeable membrane of the prepackaged unit. It will be appreciated that such prepackaged units may be reusable or disposable in nature. It will be further appreciated that a disposable or reusable prepackaged unit may be constructed of biodegradable material. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a modular functionality so a user may remove components like the agitator component, permeable compartment, infusing chamber and/or the gravity-fed drain for ease of cleaning. Certain embodiments of the invention use materials including, but not limited to Polyethylene (PE), copolyesters, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Melamine, Nylon, Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Silicone, Glass, Ceramic, Stainless Steel or any other materials appreciated to be appropriate for cleaning in a dishwasher appliance. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the inventions contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Further, this Summary is neither intended nor should be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in this Summary, as well as in the attached drawings in the detailed description below, and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended to either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the drawings and the exemplary claims provided herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A —Perspective view of certain embodiments of a front of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 1B —overhead view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus in an open configuration 
         FIG. 2 —Perspective overhead view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus in an open configuration 
         FIG. 3A —Side view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 3B —Perspective Cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 4A —Side view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 4B —Front Cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 5 —Certain embodiments of a temperature control loop 
         FIG. 6A —Transparent perspective view of certain embodiments of an infusion chamber 
         FIG. 6B —Perspective view of an infusing apparatus showing a drain device and actuating mechanism 
         FIG. 7A —Exploded view of certain embodiments of a gravity-fed drain device 
         FIG. 7B —Assembled view of certain embodiments of a gravity-fed drain device 
         FIG. 8 —Perspective cross-sectional view of certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus 
         FIG. 9A —Perspective view of certain embodiments of a closure mechanism in a closed-state 
         FIG. 9B —Perspective view of certain embodiments of a closure mechanism in an open-state 
         FIG. 10 —Perspective transparent view of an infusion chamber 
         FIG. 11 —Embodiments of a method for infusing a solvent 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus  100 , seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , are configured for the infusing of solvents, including oil-based solvents. Such embodiments comprise a user interface panel  610 , a hinged lid  105 , and a dispensing area  112  for draining solvent after an infusing process. Certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1B  further comprise a lid-release mechanism  108  and an infusing chamber  110 . It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments a user interface panel  610  comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), central processing unit (CPU), or other computing device to provide control, sensing, and programming capabilities to the infusing apparatus  100 . 
     Certain embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 2 , comprise an infusing chamber  110 , an agitator component  120 , and a gravity-fed drain device. In such embodiments, the infusing chamber  110  is configured as a shell form to receive a volume of solvent for the infusing process. The agitator component  120 , disposed on a bottom surface  140  of the infusing chamber  110  provides churning through rotational movement about an axis  135 . The gravity-fed drain device of the infusing apparatus  100  is configured to allow the dispensation of a solvent held within the infusing apparatus  100  without the need to pick up, tip over or otherwise manipulate the infusing apparatus  100 . 
     In certain embodiments of an infusing apparatus  100  comprising an agitator component  200 , referencing  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , the agitator component  200  further comprises a magnetically actuated agitator. The magnetically actuated agitator comprises a agitator component  200  having magnetic characteristics. The agitator component  200  is spun using a rotating magnetic field proximal to the agitator component  200 . In certain embodiments, the agitator component  200  rests on the internal bottom surface  140  of the infusing chamber  110  while a rotating magnetic field component  210  rests on an external side of a bottom surface  140  of the infusing chamber  110 . Such an agitator component  200 , is configured to mix and induce a rotational flow of solvent without the pulverization of the infusing material. Furthermore, such an agitator component  200  may be coated with a chemically inert coating, such as a polymer or ceramic material. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that an agitator component  200  may be spun using a rotating magnet in close proximity to the agitator component as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,534 (“the &#39;534 patent”) to Rosinger, herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, it will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that a agitator component  200  may be spun using a stationary electromagnet with a rotating electromagnetic field as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,242,493 (“the &#39;493 patent”) to Stringham, herein incorporated by reference. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  further comprise a heater component  220  to provide heat to a solvent held by an infusing chamber. The heater component  220  serves to provide thermal energy to a solvent during the infusing process. It will be appreciated that such a heater component  220  may provide heat directly to a solvent held within the infusing chamber  110 . It will be further appreciated that alternative forms of such a heater component  220 , as seen in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , may provide heat to the solvent  230  indirectly by providing heating energy external to the infusing chamber  110 . In certain embodiments, the heater component  220  is external to the infusing chamber  110  in close proximity to or in contact with the bottom external surface  240  of the infusing chamber  110 . In such embodiments the heater component  220  applies heat energy to the infusing chamber  110  which transfers through infusing chamber  110  to the solvent  230  by way of conduction, convection, and/or radiation. 
     Certain embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 2 , comprise a temperature measuring device  150  that measures the temperature of a solvent held within the infusing chamber  110 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the measurement of temperature may be output to a temperature controller such as a thermostat. In certain embodiments, a temperature controller  300 , as seen in  FIG. 5 , receives temperature input  350  in the form of an electrical signal from the temperature measuring device  150  shown in  FIG. 2 . The temperature input  350  by the temperature controller  300  to determine the error  310  between the temperature input  350  and the desired set-point  320 . The temperature controller  300  then performs control calculations  330  to determine the electrical output to control the heater output  340 . It will be appreciated that a device maintaining the temperature of a solvent  230  may comprise a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, thermostat or other temperature control devices known to those known in the art. It will be appreciated that a PID controller in such embodiments 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 a temperature measuring device  150 , as seen in  FIG. 2  may comprise different forms including but not limited to an infrared thermometer, a thermistor, a thermocouple or other temperature measuring devices known to those skilled in the art. 
     Certain embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 6A , comprise a gravity-fed drain device  130 . In certain embodiments, a gravity-fed drain device  130  is connected to a bottom surface  140  of the infusing chamber  110  and interfaces with an aperture  400  through the bottom surface  140  of the infusing chamber  110 . Such an aperture  400  is held closed by the gravity-fed drain device  130 , preventing the passage of solvent held within an infusing chamber  110 . If desired, a user may actuate the gravity-fed drain device  130  it to an open-state, to dispense a solvent held within the infusing chamber  110 . It will be appreciated that any state that allows the passage of any amount of solvent through a gravity-fed drain device  130  is considered an open-state. It will be also appreciated that any state that prevents the passage of a solvent through a gravity-fed drain device  130  is considered a closed-state. It will be further appreciated that the actuation of the gravity-fed drain device  130  may be a mechanically actuated or electro-mechanically actuated depending on the nature of the actuation mechanism. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, a gravity-fed drain device  130  is not limited to use in conjunction with an aperture  400  in the bottom surface  140  of an infusing chamber  110 . It will be further appreciated that a gravity-fed drain device  130  generally provides dispensing functionality through an aperture located below the surface level of a liquid. 
     In certain embodiments, a gravity-fed drain device  130 , seen in  FIG. 6B , is mechanically actuated and comprises an actuation mechanism  410  comprising a push-button  420  connected to the gravity-fed drain device  130  through a series of mechanical linkages. The push-button  420  extends through an external surface  430  of an infusing apparatus  100 . The bottom of the push-button  420  is attached to a first distal end  441  of a rigid linkage  440 , which is directed toward a pivoting linkage  450 . A second distal end  442  of the rigid linkage  440  is affixed to a first distal end  451  of a pivoting linkage  450 . A second distal end  452  of the pivoting linkage  450 , is on opposite side of a pivot point  460 , which disposed between the first distal end  451  and the second distal end  452  of the pivoting linkage  450 . The pivot point  460  of the pivoting linkage  450  is constrained by a rod feature  461  extending which affixes to a planar surface  410  of the infusing apparatus  100 . When the first distal end  451  of the pivoting linkage  450  traverses in a first direction, the second distal end  452  of the pivoting linkage  450  traverses in a second direction. When the second distal end  452  of the pivoting linkage  450 , having connection to a gravity-fed drain device  130 , traverses in a second direction, the gravity-fed drain device  130  actuates to an open-state. 
     In certain embodiments, a gravity-fed drain device  130 , seen in  FIG. 7A , comprises a cylindrical form  500  having a plurality of supports  510  extending radially inward from the circumference of the cylindrical form  500  toward the central axis  520  of the cylindrical form. The supports  510  meet centrally, where they affix to a first distal end  531  of a push-rod  530  extending vertically upward from the supports  510 . A second distal end  532  of the push-rod  530  is affixed to an aperture seal  540 . The aperture seal  540 , disposed substantially perpendicular to the push-rod  530 , comprises a form configured to mate with an aperture  400 , as seen in  FIG. 6A , and extends through the bottom surface of an infusing chamber  110 . This creates a seal between the aperture seal  540  and the aperture  400  to prevent the passage of solvent through the aperture  400 . Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a collapsible cylindrical device  550  extends between the cylindrical form  500  of the gravity-fed drain device  130  and the perimeter of the aperture  400  in  FIG. 6A  to form a seal. When the seal between the aperture  400  and the aperture seal  540 , is released, solvent is permitted to flow through the aperture  400 . The solvent may then flow through the collapsible cylindrical device  550 , once again referencing  FIG. 7B , and through the cylindrical form  500 . 
     It will be appreciated that, the actuation of a electromechanically actuated gravity-fed drain device  130 , shown in  FIG. 8 , may be performed with an electric actuator  600  such as a linear actuator, stepper motor, servo motor or other electrically actuated device known to those skilled in the art. Certain embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 8 , comprise an electric actuator  600  with a closure mechanism  705  to a gravity-fed drain device  130  such that when the electric actuator  600  is actuated, it actuates the gravity-fed drain device  130  into an open-state. In certain embodiments, control of the electric actuator  600  is located on a user interface panel  610 , seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , located on an external surface of the infusing apparatus  100 . 
     Certain embodiments of a gravity-fed drain device  130 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , comprise a tube  700  having a first distal end  710  configured to interface with an aperture  400  on bottom surface  140  of an infusing chamber  110  creating a seal. Such tube  700  has a second distal end  720  which is directed toward a dispensing area  112  for the dispensing of an infused oil. The tube  700 , has a pathway  730  from the first distal end  710  to the second distal end  720  for the flow of infused solvent. In certain embodiments a tube  700 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , comprises elastic or semi-elastic material properties such that the tube may be deformed by an applied force and rebound to original or substantially original form upon the removal of such an applied force. In certain embodiments, the tube  700  may be deformed by lateral deflection thereby constricting or closing the pathway. 
     In certain embodiments of a gravity-fed drain device, as shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , a closure mechanism  705  comprises a pivoting lever  750  and a spring  740 . It will be appreciated that a spring  740  as disclosed, has a first end connected to said pivoting lever  750  and a second end affixed to a static element  741  to provide tensile force to said closure mechanism  705 . In some embodiments, the spring  740  and pivoting lever  750  are configured to rest in a closed-state, shown in  FIG. 9A  such that the pathway  730  of the tube  700  is deformed to restrict the flow of liquid. In such an embodiment, when force is applied, the pivoting lever  750  is drawn away from the tube  700  allowing the pathway  730  to rebound and allow the flow of liquid in an open-state shown in  FIG. 9B . 
     In certain embodiments, a gravity-fed drain device  130 , as shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , that comprises a tube  700 , a pivoting lever  750  and a spring  740 , further comprises an electric actuator  600 . An electric actuator  600  in such embodiments applies a force to the pivoting lever  750  to draw the pivoting lever  750  toward or away from the tube  700 . It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , the electric actuator provides rotational motion to a cam element  760 . It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that a cam element  760  is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage use in transforming rotary motion into linear motion, or vice versa. In such embodiments as shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , the cam element  760  comprises a plate cam form to translate rotational motion from the electric actuator  600  to linear motion and apply force to a surface of a push plate  765 . The push plate  765  is affixed to the pivoting lever  750 , as such a force applied to the push plate  765  acts to apply force to the pivoting lever  765 . It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the embodiment of a closure mechanism  705  shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  rests in a closed-state ( FIG. 9A ) due to residual tension applied by the spring  740 . Such an embodiment changes to an open-state ( FIG. 9B ) when a force is applied through the actuation of the electric actuator  600 . 
     Certain embodiments of a closure mechanism  750  further comprises a contact switch  770 , shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B . Such a contact switch  770  has electrical connection to a user interface panel  610 , seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . In such an embodiment, once again referencing  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , when a cam element  760  applies a force to a surface of the push plate  765 , the pivoting lever  750  is drawn toward the tube  700 . When the pivoting lever  750  reaches a predetermined position, a surface of the push plate  765  contacts the contact switch  770 , which sends an electrical signal back to the user interface panel  610 , seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . Such a signal indicates a status change of a pivoting lever  750 , shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , such as a closed-state ( FIG. 9A ) or an open-state ( FIG. 9B ). 
     Certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 10 , comprise a permeable container  620  that may be placed into an infusing chamber  110 . The permeable container  620  is configured to hold infusing material such that when placed into the infusing chamber  110 , solvent held within the infusing chamber is able to flow through the walls of the permeable container  620 . In certain embodiments, the permeable container is disposed away from a central axis  630  of the infusing chamber  110 . The flow of solvent held within the infusing chamber  110 , when churned by an agitator component  120  located at a central axis  630 , is higher when offset from the central axis  630 . It will be appreciated that infusing material as discussed herein may refer to loose infusing material or infusing material prepackaged in forms able to be deposited within the infusing chamber  110  or alternatively within a permeable container  620 . 
     Certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 10 , comprise a permeable container  620  having a cap  625 . Such a permeable container  620  may be removably affixed to the interior of the infusing chamber  110 . In such embodiments, the permeable container  620  further comprises a first magnetic fixation element  780  affixed to the exterior of the permeable container. A second magnetic fixation element  790  is affixed to the exterior of the infusing chamber  110 . It will be appreciated that removable fixation is achieved when the first magnetic fixation element  780  and the second magnetic fixation element  790  are brought in proximity to each other. It will be further appreciated that magnetic removable fixation may be achieved with a magnet element and a ferromagnetic element, or a plurality of magnets. 
     Certain embodiments of a method of infusing a solvent, shown in  FIG. 11 , as discussed herein comprises the placing of infusing material. This step involves the placing of infusing material into a permeable container  620 , seen in  FIG. 2 . The step of installing  1010 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , involves the installation of the permeable container  620 , seen in  FIG. 2 , within an infusing chamber  110  of an infusing apparatus  100 . The step of filling  1020 , shown in  FIG. 11 , involves adding a solvent for infusing to the infusing chamber  110  shown in  FIG. 2 . The infusion step  1030 , shown in  FIG. 11 , involves the infusing apparatus  100  set to an infusing mode by user input through a user interface panel  610 , seen in  FIG. 1A . The infusing step  1030 , shown in  FIG. 11 , involves churning  1040  and heating  1050  steps. The churning step  1040 , churns the solvent through the spinning of an agitator component  200  as seen in  FIG. 2 . In certain embodiments, the spinning of the agitator component  200 , is maintained between 50 and 150 RPM while in other embodiments the rotational speed of the agitator component  200  is maintained between 70 and 90 RPM. Furthermore, during the heating  1050 , the infusing apparatus  100 , shown in  FIG. 3B , heats the solvent using a heater component  220  and maintains the solvent at a consistent set-point temperature. In some embodiments, the heating  1050 , seen in  FIG. 11 , maintains a solvent temperature below the boiling point of the solvent. After a predetermined time, the step of terminating  1060  the infusing  1030  step is executed. The predetermined time of infusion is based upon variables such as the infusing material and solvent used as well addition to the user&#39;s preference surrounding the potency of resulting infusion. The predetermined time may span only minutes, or may extend beyond several hours. Then the step of dispensing  1070  is then performed by activating a dispensing  1070  step through the user interface panel  610  seen in  FIG. 1A . When activating the dispensing  1070  step, shown in  FIG. 11 , infusion flows through an aperture  400 , shown in  FIG. 8  through a gravity-fed drain device  130  and into a dispensing area  112 . 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further, “Providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly to making the article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.