Apparatus and method for infusing and dispensing oils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for infusing oil-based solvents with botanicals are inefficient due to high viscosity issues, require additional heat, and result in pulverization of infusing materials, leading to cloudy infusions and cleanup challenges, while existing devices are not designed for oil-based solvents and pose safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus featuring a heating element, magnetically driven agitator, and gravity-fed drain system that maintains controlled temperature and minimizes pulverization, allowing for efficient infusion of oil-based solvents with botanicals, ensuring clear infusions and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If permeable walls configured for water flow are used, then water-based infusions can be produced efficiently, but oil-based solvents cannot flow through due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the permeable container by providing multiple openings of different sizes (e.g., 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, 34mm, 36mm, 38mm, 40mm, 42mm, 44mm, 46mm, 48mm, 50mm) to accommodate different viscosity characteristics of various solvents, enabling both water-based and oil-based infusions
2Speed
If heat is added to reduce oil viscosity, then infusion speed increases, but safety hazards increase and temperature control becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-heats the oil-based solvent before infusion to reduce its viscosity and enable faster flow through the permeable container, then maintains temperature during infusion using a heating element, allowing efficient infusion without requiring excessive heat that would create safety hazards
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional stirring methods are used, then mixing occurs, but pulverization of botanicals creates cloudy infusions and cleanup challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic vibration at a frequency of 20,000 to 100,000 Hz to agitate the botanical material during infusion, which enhances extraction efficiency without causing pulverization, thereby maintaining infusion clarity and reducing cleanup requirements
4Reliability
If extended steeping time is used, then complete infusion occurs, but time consumption increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic vibration during the infusion process to enhance the extraction rate of active compounds from botanical material, achieving complete infusion in shorter time periods and reducing contamination risk associated with extended steeping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls temperature parameters during infusion to optimize extraction efficiency, maintaining temperatures that accelerate compound transfer while preventing degradation, thereby achieving complete infusion faster and reducing time-related contamination risks
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables faster, safer, and more complete infusion of oil-based solvents, preventing aeration and contamination, while maintaining the potency and quality of the infusion, reducing cleanup efforts and ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
Adding heat may also be used to reduce the time needed for infusing
Implementation Method 2
an agitator component to create flow of the oil-based solvent through the infusing chamber
Implementation Method 3
a gravity-fed drain system that maintains controlled temperature and minimizes pulverization
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
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.