An apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herb

Abstract

An apparatus (10) to prepare an extract of herbs is provided The apparatus includes a first structure (20) coupled to a second structure (30) through a top cap (40) and a bottom cap (50). The bottom cap is to store the herbs. The apparatus includes a grating plate (60) to shred the herbs to provide shredded herbs. The apparatus includes a slit (110) to dispense paper. The apparatus includes a roller to roll the paper to obtain a rolled paper. The apparatus includes a third rectangular compartment to receive a filter paper to plug one end of the rolled paper to enable the rolled paper to receive the shredded herbs to obtain a filled roll. The apparatus includes second cylindrical compartments to receive the filled roll and a solvent. The apparatus includes a key slot shaped compartment to receive a heat source to heat the filled roll and the solvent.

Description

[0001] AN APPARATUS TO PREPARE AN EXTRACT OF ONE OR MORE HERB

[0002] EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

[0003] This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202321061408, filed on September 12, 2023, and titled “AN APPARATUS TO PREPARE AN EXTRACT OF ONE OR MORE HERBS”.

[0004] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of medicinal preparations and more particularly to an apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Herbal extracts are solutions derived from herbs. The herbal extracts include active compounds such as phytochemicals, essential oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Humans consume the active compounds for potential health benefits. Also, the active compounds have specific culinary uses. Conventionally, the herbal extracts are prepared in manufacturing units located away from end users. The manufacturing units may use various techniques such as distillation, cold pressing, and soaking to prepare the herbal extracts.

[0008] The herbal extracts may undergo oxidation over time before the herbal extracts reach the end users, affecting potency and flavor of the herbal extracts and increasing chances of contamination. Preservatives added by the manufacturing units to the herbal extracts to increase the shelf life are harmful to the end users. Also, the herbal extracts are susceptible to light exposure, causing evaporation of the active compounds in the herbal extracts. Further, apparatus used for the distillation and the cold pressing are bulky and unaffordable for the end users. Furthermore, the soaking involves solvents, which are harmful to the atmosphere.

[0009] Hence, there is a need for an improved apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs to address the aforementioned issue(s).

[0010] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION An objective of the invention is to provide a portable and affordable apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs is provided. The apparatus includes a first structure detachably coupled to a second structure through a top cap and a bottom cap encasing a proximal end of the first structure and the second structure and a distal end of the first structure and the second structure respectively. The bottom cap is adapted to store the one or more herbs. The apparatus also includes a grating plate housed in a first rectangular compartment located in the second structure. The grating plate includes a plurality of perforations. The grating plate is adapted to slide into the first structure through a plurality of longitudinal slots to provide a level surface above an inside periphery of the first structure. The grating plate is also adapted to shred the one or more herbs upon rubbing the one or more herbs on the plurality of perforations of the grating plate to provide one or more shredded herbs. The apparatus further includes a second rectangular compartment located in the second structure and positioned adjacent to the grating plate. The second rectangular compartment includes a slit facing the first structure. The slit is adapted to dispense paper from a paper roll. The apparatus also includes a roller positioned adjacent to the second rectangular compartment and housed inside a first cylindrical compartment located in the second structure. The roller is adapted to roll the paper dispensed by the slit to obtain a rolled paper. The apparatus also includes a third rectangular compartment located in the second structure and adjacent to the roller. The third rectangular compartment is adapted to receive a filter paper to plug at least one end of the rolled paper to enable the rolled paper to receive the one or more shredded herbs to obtain a filled roll. The apparatus also includes a plurality of second cylindrical compartments positioned adjacent to the third rectangular compartment and housed in the second structure. The plurality of second cylindrical compartments are adapted to receive the filled roll and a solvent. The apparatus further includes a key slot shaped compartment positioned adjacent to the plurality of second cylindrical compartments. The key slot shaped compartment is adapted to receive a heat source to heat the filled roll and the solvent, thereby preparing the extract of the one or more herbs. To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more explicit description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional details with the appended figures.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a grating plate in a first structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting coupling of the first structure and a second structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] To promote an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

[0023] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first structure”, and “second structure” with reference to different parts of the apparatus. In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first rectangular compartment”, “second rectangular compartment” and “ third rectangular compartment” with reference to an entity (rectangular compartment) located in the second structure. In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first cylindrical compartment”, and “second cylindrical compartments” with reference to an entity (cylindrical compartments) located in the second structure.

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs. The apparatus includes a first structure detachably coupled to a second structure through a top cap and a bottom cap encasing a proximal end of the first structure and the second structure and a distal end of the first structure and the second structure respectively. The bottom cap is adapted to store the one or more herbs. The apparatus also includes a grating plate housed in a first rectangular compartment located in the second structure. The grating plate includes a plurality of perforations. The grating plate is adapted to slide into the first structure through a plurality of longitudinal slots to provide a level surface above an inside periphery of the first structure. The grating plate is also adapted to shred the one or more herbs upon rubbing the one or more herbs on the plurality of perforations of the grating plate to provide one or more shredded herbs. The apparatus further includes a second rectangular compartment located in the second structure and positioned adjacent to the grating plate. The second rectangular compartment includes a slit facing the first structure. The slit is adapted to dispense paper from a paper roll. The apparatus also includes a roller positioned adjacent to the second rectangular compartment and housed inside a first cylindrical compartment located in the second structure. The roller is adapted to roll the paper dispensed by the slit to obtain a rolled paper. The apparatus also includes a third rectangular compartment located in the second structure and adjacent to the roller. The third rectangular compartment is adapted to receive a filter paper to plug at least one end of the rolled paper to enable the rolled paper to receive the one or more shredded herbs to obtain a filled roll. The apparatus also includes a plurality of second cylindrical compartments positioned adjacent to the third rectangular compartment and housed in the second structure. The plurality of second cylindrical compartments are adapted to receive the filled roll and a solvent. The apparatus further includes a key slot shaped compartment positioned adjacent to the plurality of second cylindrical compartments. The key slot shaped compartment is adapted to receive a heat source to heat the filled roll and the solvent, thereby preparing the extract of the one or more herbs.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus (10) to prepare an extract of one or more herbs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (10) includes a first structure (20) detachably coupled to a second structure (30) through a top cap (40) and a bottom cap (50) encasing a proximal end of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) and a distal end of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) respectively. In some embodiments, the first structure (20) may include a plurality of longitudinal protrusions (190) adapted to slide through a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves (200) on the second structure (30) to couple the first structure (20) and the second structure (30).

[0027] Further, in one embodiment, the top cap (40) may include a bottle opener (not shown in FIG. 1) adapted to open a bottle cap. The bottom cap (50) is adapted to store the one or more herbs. In one embodiment, the one or more herbs may include tea leaves, peppermint, chamomile, echinacea, ginseng, turmeric, ginkgo biloba, valerian root, milk thistle, garlic, green tea, saw palmetto, cranberry, licorice root, St. John's wort, ashwagandha, and the like. In some embodiments, the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) may include a semicylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) may be composed of at least one of a material comprising metal, plastic, and rubber.

[0028] Furthermore, the apparatus (10) includes a grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)) housed in a first rectangular compartment (70) located in the second structure (30). The grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)) includes a plurality of perforations (FIG. 2, (80)). The grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)) is adapted to slide into the first structure (20) through a plurality of longitudinal slots (90) to provide a level surface above an inside periphery of the first structure (20). The grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)) is also adapted to shred the one or more herbs upon rubbing the one or more herbs on the plurality of perforations (FIG. 2, (80)) of the grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)) to provide one or more shredded herbs.

[0029] Moreover, the apparatus (10) includes a second rectangular compartment (100) located in the second structure (30) and positioned adjacent to the grating plate (FIG. 2, (60)). The second rectangular compartment (100) includes a slit (110) facing the first structure (20). The slit (110) is adapted to dispense paper from a paper roll (120). The apparatus (10) also includes a roller (130) positioned adjacent to the second rectangular compartment (100) and housed inside a first cylindrical compartment (140) located in the second structure (30). The roller (130) is adapted to roll the paper dispensed by the slit (110) to obtain a rolled paper.

[0030] Additionally, the apparatus (10) includes a third rectangular compartment (150) located in the second structure (30) and adjacent to the roller (130). The third rectangular compartment (150) is adapted to receive a filter paper (160) to plug at least one end of the rolled paper to enable the rolled paper to receive the one or more shredded herbs to obtain a filled roll. The apparatus (10) also includes a plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170) positioned adjacent to the third rectangular compartment (150) and housed in the second structure (30).

[0031] Further, the plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170) are adapted to receive the filled roll and a solvent. In one embodiment, the solvent may include water. The apparatus (10) further includes a key slot (180) shaped compartment positioned adjacent to the plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170). The key slot (180) shaped compartment is adapted to receive a heat source (not shown in FIG. 1) to heat the filled roll and the solvent, thereby preparing the extract of the one or more herbs. In a specific embodiment, the heat source may be adapted to produce heat energy through combustion.

[0032] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the heat source may be adapted to produce the heat energy utilizing solar energy. In a specific embodiment, the heat source may be adapted to produce the heat energy utilizing electric power. In one embodiment, the heat source may be adapted to heat the filled roll and the solvent through at least one of a heat transferring technique comprising conduction, convection and radiation.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus (10) of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the grating plate (60) in the first structure (20) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The grating plate (60) is described in detail in FIG. 1 description.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the apparatus (10) of FIG. 1, depicting coupling of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Details of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) is provided in the FIG. 1 description.

[0035] Various embodiments of the apparatus to prepare an extract of one or more herbs described above enable various advantages. The bottom cap is capable of storing the one or more herbs, thereby ensuring availability of the same in need. The grating plate including the plurality of perforations is capable of shredding the one or more herbs to provide the one or more shredded herbs, thereby increasing efficiency of extraction by reducing the size of the one or more herbs. The grating plate is capable of sliding into the first structure to provide the level structure for shredding the one or more herbs and the one or more shredded herbs are being collected in the inside periphery of the first structure, thereby preventing wastage of the one or more shredded herbs.

[0036] Further, the roller is capable of rolling the paper to obtain the rolled paper and plugging at least one end of the rolled paper by the filter paper provides a way for efficiently containing the one or more shredded herbs while the same being inserted into the plurality of second cylindrical compartments, thereby preventing intermixing of the solvent and the one or more shredded herbs. By preventing the intermixing of the solvent and the one or more shredded herbs, the apparatus is capable of preparing extract of the one or more herbs without any coarse aggregates.

[0037] Furthermore, the heat source is capable of producing the heat energy based on combustion, solar energy, and electric power, thereby ensuring continuous supply of the heat energy to support the extraction process. By utilizing water as the solvent, the apparatus negates the need of organic solvents which are harmful to the atmosphere. Further, by housing of the one or more herbs, the grating plate, the paper roll, the roller, the filter paper, the solvent, and the heat source in the bottom cap, the first rectangular compartment, the second rectangular compartment, the first cylindrical compartment, the third rectangular compartment, the plurality of second cylindrical compartments, the key slot respectively, the apparatus is achieving compactness, portability and affordability.

[0038] Additionally, since the apparatus is portable, the same may be used for preparing extracts of the one or more herbs whenever required, thereby negating the need of prolonged storage of the same. By eliminating the prolonged storage, the apparatus is capable of providing the extract to the end users without losing the potency of the extract. Also, by eliminating the need of storage, the apparatus rules out the possible use of preservatives, thereby protecting the end users from the harmful effects of the preservatives. Opaqueness of the first structure and the second structure shields the extract from the light, thereby preserving the volatile active ingredients present in the one or more herbs. The top cap is capable of shielding the extract from an external environment. Also, coupling of the first structure and the second structure happening through sliding of the plurality of longitudinal protrusions in the plurality of longitudinal grooves provides a vacuum tight seal between the first structure and the second structure, thereby preventing contamination of the extract. The bottle opener provided in the top cap may be used to open the bottle cap of the solvents.

[0039] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.

[0040] The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

AIM:

1. An apparatus (10) to prepare an extract of one or more herbs comprising: characterized in that: a first structure (20) detachably coupled to a second structure (30) through a top cap (40) and a bottom cap (50) encasing a proximal end of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) and a distal end of the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) respectively, wherein the bottom cap (50) is adapted to store the one or more herbs; a grating plate (60) housed in a first rectangular compartment (70) located in the second structure (30), wherein the grating plate (60) comprises a plurality of perforations (80), wherein the grating plate (60) is adapted to: slide into the first structure (20) through a plurality of longitudinal slots (90) to provide a level surface above an inside periphery of the first structure (20); shred the one or more herbs upon rubbing the one or more herbs on the plurality of perforations (80) of the grating plate (60) to provide one or more shredded herbs; a second rectangular compartment (100) located in the second structure (30) and positioned adjacent to the grating plate (60), wherein the second rectangular compartment (100) comprises a slit (110) facing the first structure (20), wherein the slit (110) is adapted to dispense paper from a paper roll (120); a roller (130) positioned adjacent to the second rectangular compartment (100) and housed inside a first cylindrical compartment (140) located in the second structure (30), wherein the roller (130) is adapted to roll the paper dispensed by the slit (110) to obtain a rolled paper; a third rectangular compartment (150) located in the second structure (30) and adjacent to the roller (130), wherein the third rectangular compartment (150) is adapted to receive a filter paper (160) to plug at least one end of the rolled paper toenable the rolled paper to receive the one or more shredded herbs to obtain a filled roll; a plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170) positioned adjacent to the third rectangular compartment (150) and housed in the second structure (30), wherein the plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170) are adapted to receive the filled roll and a solvent; and a key slot (180) shaped compartment positioned adjacent to the plurality of second cylindrical compartments (170), wherein the key slot (180) shaped compartment is adapted to receive a heat source to heat the filled roll and the solvent, thereby preparing the extract of the one or more herbs.

2. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more herbs comprises tea leaves, peppermint, chamomile, echinacea, ginseng, turmeric, ginkgo biloba, valerian root, milk thistle, garlic, green tea, saw palmetto, cranberry, licorice root, st. john's wort, and ashwagandha.

3. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cap (40) comprises a bottle opener adapted to open a bottle cap.

4. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) comprises a semicylindrical shape.

5. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first structure (20) comprises a plurality of longitudinal protrusions (190) adapted to slide through a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves (200) on the second structure (30) to couple the first structure (20) and the second structure (30).

6. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first structure (20) and the second structure (30) are composed of at least one of a material comprising metal, plastic, and rubber.

7. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat source is adapted to heat the filled roll and the solvent through at least one of a heat transferring technique comprising conduction, convection and radiation.

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