COCONUT OIL ENRICHED WITH CANNABINOIDS

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to whole cannabis infused coconut oil.Background

[0002] Cannabis has been used to alleviate stress and other illnesses caused by posttraumatic stress disorder, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the like. Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana or hemp, is a genus of flowering plants that includes at least three species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

[0003] Cannabis plants produce a variety of potentially useful or beneficial cannabinoids, which produce mental and physical effects when consumed. Cannabinoids are a chemical group or family of 21-carbon-containing terpenophenolic compounds produced by Cannabis species. Current estimates of the number of cannabinoids found in Cannabis species is well in excess of 100 different cannabinoids. Two of the most prominent cannabinoids are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In addition to CBD and THC, other cannabinoids such as cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and others are present in varying amounts in cannabis plant material.

[0004] Commonly consumed sources of cannabinoids include extracts, oils, isolates, and the like from Cannabis species including marijuana, hemp, and industrial hemp, which contains a THC content of less than 0.3% of overall mass. While providing useful or beneficial effects to the user, such extracts, oils, and isolates are typically found to have undesirable tastes, flavors, odors, and / or other unfavorable attributes. In particular, cannabinoids from extracts or isolates have been added to coffee for consumption in a beverage. The addition of cannabinoid containing extracts or isolates to coffee typically imparts an undesirable taste to coffee, since the extracts or isolates typically have an undesirable taste.

[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for consumable cannabinoids and resultant beverages that do not have the tastes and odors of typically consumed sources of cannabinoid(s). Likewise, there exists a need for pleasant tasting, cannabinoids. US2017196923A1 discloses a process in which a quantity of the Cannabis-Hemp Plant must be raw and pressed, and a quantity of the Cannabis-Hemp Plant must be heat-cooked and blended with fresh fats; the heat-cooked Cannabis-Hemp plant must then be repeatedly heat-cooked in a steam kettle and pressed to extract different amalgams. US9950275B1 and US10308625B1 disclose a methodology of producing a variety of cannabis derivatives such as THC, CBD, Delta-11, and budder. US2016 / 346339A1 discloses cannabis oil extracts and compositions thereof, including cannabis oil compositions containing vitamin E, and methods for preparing the extracts and compositions.Summary

[0006] The invention is defined by claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: FIG. 1 shows example steps of a method according to exemplary embodiments hereof; FIG. 2 shows example steps of a method according to exemplary embodiments hereof; FIG. 3 shows example steps of a method according to exemplary embodiments hereof; Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0008] As is known in the art, cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in plants in the cannabis family (e.g., hemp, marijuana, etc.). To date, more than 100 cannabinoids have been identified, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. Well known cannabinoids include Cannabidiol (CBD), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) among others, each of which may include a variety of health benefits.

[0009] As used herein, the term "infused cannabinoids" or "cannabinoids infused" refers to coconut oil to which whole spectrum cannabinoids from cannabis have been infused by a method(s) disclosed herein. The infusion method generally involves preparing a mixture made with whole cannabis plant materials and coconut oil under specific heating and cooling conditions to produce whole spectrum cannabinoids infused oil. Throughout this specification, cannabinoids infused food and / or drink may be referred to as "cannabinoids infused" or simply "infused".

[0010] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, in the first step (at 100), whole cannabis plant material, preferably small buds, is used to infuse an oil, coconut oil, with cannabinoids. Alternatively, whole cannabis plant material that has been ground can be used to infuse an oil. Note that because whole cannabis plant material is used at 100, the resulting infusion of the oil from the cannabis provides a full spectrum of cannabinoids from the cannabis to the oil. In a second step (at 200), preferably and not according to the present invention, the whole spectrum cannabinoids infused coconut oil is used to infuse coffee beans or raw nuts with cannabinoids. After the coffee beans are infused with cannabinoids, the coffee may be consumed in any typical fashion, such as direct consumption of the infused coffee beans or more typically, to a make an infused coffee beverage. Likewise, the cannabinoids infused raw nuts can be consumed directly or added to other foods, such as baked goods, to provide whole spectrum cannabinoids to the food.

[0011] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, consumption of the cannabinoids infused coffee beans, coffee beverages, or raw nuts provides the beneficial effects generally associated with cannabinoids. These effects include, but are not limited to, mental and physical effects, such as pain relief from CBDs and other cannabinoids, mental high from THC (in foods infused with marijuana cannabinoids), and other effects attributed to consumption of cannabinoids.

[0012] FIG. 2 refers to steps that may be taken to infuse a food grade oil, namely, coconut oil with cannabinoids to complete step 100 of FIG. 1. Preferably, and not according to the present invention, additional oils that can be used in the process include, but are not limited to, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, peanut oil, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and combinations thereof. Likewise, butter, shortening, margarine, or lard may be used in the process.

[0013] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, whole, raw cannabis plant material (e.g., flowers, buds, leaves or other plant material; preferably small buds) is frozen (at 102). The cannabis plant may include Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Ruderalis, other types of cannabis and any combination thereof. The cannabis may be classified as marijuana, hemp, and / or other types of cannabis.

[0014] The cannabis plant material may also be a strain that is particularly rich in one or more specific cannabinoids, such as a strain that is particularly rich in cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG). In addition, the cannabis plant material may be a combination of two or more different strains that are particularly rich for a specific cannabinoid. Currently available Cannabis strains are typically rich in CBD, but strains that are rich for other cannabinoids have been and are being developed. For example, more recently developed strains include those that are rich in CBG. Generally, cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) only account for I% of a hemp strain' s total cannabinoids. In a CBG-rich hemp strain, cannabigerol makes up around I 0-15% or more of the cannabis flower's total cannabinoids. In a preferred embodiment, the cannabis plant material used in the presently disclosed method(s) is a mixture of equal parts of two strains that are rich in CBD and CBG, respectively. Additional strains that are particularly rich in a specific cannabinoid and combinations thereof fall within the scope of the presently disclosed method(s).

[0015] Next (at 104), coconut oil, is heated to a temperature equal to or between 65.6° and 93.3° C (150° and 200° F), and preferably to about 85° C (185° F). For the purposes of this specification, the term "about" used in relation to temperatures will mean within ±1%. Preferably, and not according to the present invention, regarding a combination of coconut oil and MCT oil, a preferred embodiment is to use a ratio of 75% coconut oil to 25% MCT oil. Alternatively, ratios of coconut oil to MCT oil can range from 90% coconut oil: 10% MCT to 75% coconut oil: 25% MCT oil.

[0016] Next (at 106), the frozen cannabis (preferably small buds) is added to the coconut oil and held at the temperature (e.g., preferably at about 85° C (185° F) for 4-8 hours, while occasionally (and / or continuously) stirring the mixture. In some embodiments, the ratio of plant material to coconut oil is 1 lb. plant material to 7.57 liters (2 gallons) oil. For example, on a commercial scale, 100 lbs. plant material / buds may be mixed with 757.0 liters (200 gallons) of oil. However, other ratios within 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100% of this ratio also may be used. In general, the ratio will be chosen to provide high levels / concentration(s) of cannabinoids within the oil.

[0017] After the heating step of 106, in the next step (at 108), the cannabis and coconut oil mixture is frozen to obtain a solid, frozen biomass of cannabis and coconut oil mixture.

[0018] At this juncture, the solid, frozen biomass of cannabis and coconut oil can be processed in one of two ways. First, the cannabis and coconut oil can be heated and strained as per steps 110, 112, and 114 to yield cannabinoids infused coconut oil produced by a single round or phase of heating and freezing. Second, the cannabis and coconut oil alternatively can be treated with a second round or phase of heating and freezing, in which steps 106 and 108 are repeated, followed by subsequent steps 110, 112, and 114 to yield cannabinoids infused coconut oil produced by two rounds of heating and freezing. The single round / phase treatment will produce cannabinoids infused coconut oil having about a 50% relative level of infused cannabinoids compared to a double round / phase treatment that will produce cannabinoids infused coconut oil having about an arbitrary 100% relative level of infused cannabinoids. The double round / phase treatment has been found to provide maximal levels of cannabinoids infused into the coconut oil, which are arbitrarily referred to as 100% levels of infused cannabinoids. The single round / phase treatment can produce cannabinoids-infused coconut oil that is adequate for many applications. If higher infused levels of cannabinoids in coconut oil are desired for a particular application, the double round / phase treatment of cannabinoids infused coconut oil can be applied.

[0019] Following step 108, at step 110, the solid, frozen cannabis and coconut oil biomass is reheated to 65.6° and 93.3° C (150° to 200° F), and preferably to about 85° C (185° F), and held at the temperature for a sufficient period of time to liquify the oil in the mixture, typically for about 2-4 hours.

[0020] Next (at 112), the cannabis and coconut oil mixture is strained using a press bag (or other suitable straining techniques) to separate the cannabinoids infused coconut oil from the cannabis biomass.

[0021] In a further step (114), the strained, cannabinoids infused oil is heated to 121.1° C to 148.9° C between (250° F to 300° F) for 2-6 hours. This step will decarboxylate the carboxylated cannabinoids in the oil, such as CBD-A or THC-A The temperature and time will vary based in part on the cannabis strain used and desired decarboxylation. For example, using a CBD-rich strain that provides high levels of CBD-A, the step will preferably include a temperature of 121.1° C (250° F) for 2-6 hours. In another example, using a CBG-rich strain that provides high levels of CBG-A, the step will preferably include a temperature of 148.9° C (300° F) for 2-6 hours.

[0022] This method results in a whole spectrum cannabinoids infused coconut or other oil that may be used for infusing coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds with cannabinoids as described below.

[0023] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a cannabis and coconut mixture, such as the mixture obtained from the process 102-114 ( FIG. 2) described above, is used to infuse consumable products such as coffee beans, raw nuts, and raw seeds.

[0024] First (at 202), at least a portion of the cannabinoids infused coconut oil obtained from 102-114 ( FIG. 2) is heated to a first temperature equal to or between 79.4° and 87.2° C (175° F and 189° F).

[0025] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, next (at 204), a selection of coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds is added and stirred into the mixture and held at the first temperature (e.g., preferably about 79.4° and 87.2° C (175° F to 189° F) for about 5-9 hours. In the case of coffee beans, the beans preferably are used two or more days after roasting of the beans to allow for chemical release (degassing) of the coffee beans. For the purposes of this specification, the term "about" used in relation to periods of time will mean ±3%.

[0026] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, next (at 206), the mixture of the coffee beans or raw nuts and infused oil is frozen into a solid, frozen biomass. In one example for a commercial scale, this step can be carried out by covering the mixture in a stock pot with a freezer blanket that will rapidly freeze the mixture and keep it frozen. In an alternative example, the material can be rapidly frozen in a blast freezer.

[0027] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, at this juncture, the solid, frozen biomass of coconut oil and coffee beans (or raw nuts) can be processed in one of two ways. First, the coconut oil and coffee beans (or raw nuts) can be heated, strained, and frozen as per steps 208, 210, and 212 to yield cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts produced by a single round or phase of heating and freezing. Second, the coconut oil and coffee beans or raw nuts alternatively can be treated with a second round or phase of heating and freezing, in which steps 204 and 206 are repeated, followed by subsequent steps 208, 210, and 212 to yield cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts produced by two rounds of heating and freezing. The single round / phase treatment will produce cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts having about a 50% relative level of infused cannabinoids compared to a double round / phase treatment that will produce cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts having about an arbitrary 100% relative level of infused cannabinoids. The double round / phase treatment has been found to provide maximal levels of cannabinoids infused into the coffee beans or raw nuts; these maximal levels are arbitrarily referred to as 100% levels of infused cannabinoids. The single round / phase treatment can produce cannabinoids-infused coffee beans or raw nuts that are adequate for many applications. If higher infused levels of cannabinoids in coffee beans or raw nuts are desired for a particular application, the double round / phase treatment of cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts can be applied.

[0028] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, following step 206, at step 208, the mixture including the now infused coffee beans (or raw nuts) and infused oil is heated to a temperature equal to or between 37.8° C and 65.6° C (100° F and 150° F) and held at the temperature for a sufficient period of time to liquify the oil, typically about 2-4 hours, and preferably for about 2 hours.

[0029] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, after this heating step at 208, the mixture is strained at step 210 (using any suitable straining techniques) and the cannabinoids infused coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds are removed from the coconut oil.

[0030] Then (at 212), the cannabinoids infused coffee beans or raw nuts are frozen, such as in a blast freezer, and stored frozen for subsequent use / packing / consumption.

[0031] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, this process 202-212 ( FIG. 3) results in coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds infused with cannabinoids, which can be referred to as cannabinoids infused coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds. The whole spectrum cannabinoids infused coffee beans can then be used according to various, typical coffee grinding and brewing methods to produce cannabinoids infused coffee beverages for drinking consumption.

[0032] Preferably, and not according to the present invention, in some embodiments, the freezing step at 206 provides organic pressure to the coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds that deepens the physical depth of the cannabinoid infusion into the coffee beans, raw nuts, or raw seeds. For example, in some embodiments, the freezing step at 206 causes the cannabinoids to be pressed 10%. 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and / or 100% to the center of each coffee bean or raw nut.

[0033] It should be appreciated that the words "first," "second," and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., "(A)", "(B)", "(C)", and so on, or "(a)", "(b)", and so on) and / or numbers (e.g., "(i)", "(ii)", and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and I or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as "particular," "specific," "certain," and "given," in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

[0034] Use of exemplary language, such as "for instance", "such as", "for example" ("e.g.,") and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.

Claims

1. A method of infusing an orally ingestible oil with cannabis whole spectrum cannabinoids, the method comprising: (A) providing cannabis plant material; (B) freezing the cannabis plant material; (C) providing an orally ingestible oil at a temperature of 65.6° C - 93.3° C (150° F - 200° F); (D) adding at least a portion of the frozen cannabis plant material of (B) to the oil of (C) to form a cannabis plant material and oil mixture; (E) heating the cannabis plant material and oil mixture of (D) to a temperature of 65.6° C - 93.3° C (150° F - 200° F) for 4-8 hours; (F) freezing the cannabis plant material and oil mixture of (E) into a solid, frozen biomass; (G) heating the solid, frozen biomass of cannabis plant material and oil mixture of (F) at a temperature of 65.6° C - 93.3° C (150° F - 200°F) to liquify the oil in the cannabis plant material and oil mixture; (H) straining the cannabis plant material and oil mixture of (G) to separate the oil from the cannabis plant material to yield a whole spectrum cannabinoids infused orally ingestible oil and; (I) heating the cannabinoids infused oil of (H) to a temperature of 121.1° C - 148.9° C (250° F to 300° F) for 2-6 hours, wherein the oil provided in (C) is coconut oil.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cannabis plant material provided in (A) includes one or more selected from the group consisting of Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis lndica, and Cannabis Ruderalis.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cannabis plant material provided in (A) is a combination of two or more strains that are respectively rich in a particular cannabinoid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of steps (C) and (E) is 85° C (185° F).