CA3152340C - Apparatus and method for producing an infused drink - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for producing an infused drink Download PDFInfo
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- CA3152340C CA3152340C CA3152340A CA3152340A CA3152340C CA 3152340 C CA3152340 C CA 3152340C CA 3152340 A CA3152340 A CA 3152340A CA 3152340 A CA3152340 A CA 3152340A CA 3152340 C CA3152340 C CA 3152340C
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- auger
- collet
- soluble powder
- dispersal plate
- cup
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
- B65B29/022—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package packaging infusion material into capsules
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders
- B65B1/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders of screw type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
- B65B1/36—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by volumetric devices or methods
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/10—Packaging two or more different substances isolated from one another in the package but capable of being mixed without opening the package, e.g. forming packages containing a resin and hardener isolated by a frangible partition
Abstract
There is provided an apparatus for producing an infused drink (e.g., a cannabis-infused drink), which include at least an auger, a collet, and a dispersal plate. The embodiments of the present disclosure allow micro dosing of a soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) with high accuracy to meet relevant government regulations. The embodiments further allow the manufacturing of a drink pod containing cannabis powder so that an end consumer can produce a cannabis-infused drink (e.g., cannabis-infused coffee) by using the drink pod with a standard brewing machine (e.g., Nespresso capsule coffee machine, Keurig, or K-Cup pod machine). Embodiments may generalize the above approach to applications other than producing a cannabis-infused drink.
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN INFUSED DRINK
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is the first application filed for the present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is the first application filed for the present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of making a beverage, and in particular to the method and apparatus for producing an infused drink.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
[0003] Presently, there are many machines and drink systems that allow a user to produce a variety of hot and cold beverages easily and quickly. Recently, the market has seen a growing desire for functional drink that include medicinal supplements, such as B6 to boost metabolism, high doses of caffeine for increased energy, as well as botanicals and protein, probiotics, antioxidants etc.
[0004] For the various drink machines on the market, a manufacturer can make coffee pods or capsules by using a standard pod or capsule machine in the industry (e.g., powder capsule filing machine, liquid capsule filing machine, semi-automatic or automatic capsule filling machine), and an end consumer who buys coffee pods can brew a cup of regular coffee using a standard brewing machine (e.g., Nespresso capsule coffee machine, Keurig, or K-Cup pod machine).
Medicinal supplements (additives) may also be added to coffee pods so that the medicinal ingredient is mixed with the coffee in the drink.
Medicinal supplements (additives) may also be added to coffee pods so that the medicinal ingredient is mixed with the coffee in the drink.
[0005] However, if a soluble powder (as an additive) is mixed with the coffee, significant amounts of the soluble powder can be lost and given the cost of many additives, the financial loss may be significant. Furthermore, there are regulated tight tolerances regarding the dose of certain additives, such as cannabis, in the drink. For example, in some jurisdictions, one Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 cannabis beverage can only contain a maximum of 10 mg 10% of THC (i.e., the psychoactive chemical in the marijuana plant) or CBD cannabis extracts.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for producing an infused drink, such as a cannabis-infused coffee pod or capsule together with a filing machine to produce such coffee pods or capsules, which are not subject to one or more limitations of the prior art. Thus, for both cost-effectiveness (e.g., avoiding powder waste) and legal considerations, a dosing mechanism with high accuracy is strongly desired for producing an infused drink (e.g., a cannabis-infused drink).
[0007] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing an infused drink with a dose of cannabis accurate enough to meet government regulations.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for for dispensing a dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod. The apparatus can include the following: an auger placed in a vertical-like position for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger; a collet operatively coupled to the auger; and a dispersal plate operatively coupled to the auger and the collet, wherein a rotation of the auger causes the collet and the dispersal plate to rotate in unison thereby dispensing through the central axis of the dispersal plate, a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger.
[0010] For the collet in particular, the collet has a central axis, and a lower portion of the auger extends downwards to an upper portion of the collet. The upper portion of the collet has a tapered shape sloped downwards and outwards from the central axis of the collet and the tapered shape is configured for receiving the soluble powder from the auger; a lower portion of the collet forms a shank.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 100111 For the dispersal plate in particular, an upper surface of the dispersal plate is in contact with a bottom surface of the collet; a portion of the auger protrudes through the bottom surface of the collet and extends downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate; the upper surface of the dispersal plate includes a plurality of spiral blades for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet. The auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate are aligned around a common axis.
[0012] In some embodiments, a height of the collet is 6.5 to 8.5 mm.
[0013] In some embodiments, the dispersal plate includes six to eight blades.
[0014] In some embodiments, each of the blades is tapered from the upper surface of the dispersal plate upwards, with an upper edge of each of the blades forming a peak.
[0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus including an inverted truncated cone. In accordance with the embodiments, a top portion of the inverted truncated cone receives the dispersal plate, thus the inverted truncated cone receives the fixed dose and delivers the fixed dose to a drink pod.
[0016] In some embodiments, an inner surface of the inverted truncated cone is sufficiently smooth to prevent the dose from accumulating on the inner surface.
[0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus including an auger funnel fixed to an upper surface of the inverted truncated cone, wherein the auger funnel and the inverted truncated cone can form an enclosure for the lower portion of the auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate within the inverted truncated cone.
[0018] In some embodiments, the soluble powder can be a cannabis powder.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an infused drink pod using the apparatus as described herein. The method includes the following:
Depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup; depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup, or sealing the cap to the top rim of the external cup and to a top rim of the filter cup.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0020] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing an infused drink pod is performed in a modified environment. In some embodiments, the modified environment contains nitrogen.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a drink pod including the following:
an external cup; a filter cup placed within the external cup; a soluble powder placed between the external cup and the filter cup; a beverage vehicle placed within the filter cup; and a cap sealing an upper portion of the external cup and the filter cup, thus sealing the soluble powder and the beverage vehicle in place.
[0022] In some embodiments, the filter cup of the drink pod includes a non-woven fiber filter.
[0023] In methods described herein, a dose of the soluble powder is determined by a speed of rotation of the apparatus and an amount of rotation of the apparatus as described herein.
[0024] Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present disclosure upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0025]
Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the use of an apparatus having at least an auger, a collet, a dispersal plate, an inverted truncated cone, and an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the top side view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the cross-section view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the top side view of a collet, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates the side view of an auger, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7a illustrates the side view of an inverted truncated cone, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 7b illustrates the top side view of an inverted truncated cone, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 8a illustrates the side view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 8b illustrates the top side view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates the bottom view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates the side view of a drink pod having at least a cap, a filter cup, and an external cup, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates the process flow of manufacturing a drink pod of FIG. 10, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0040] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing an infused drink with an accurate dose of cannabis. Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising at least an auger, a collet, and a dispersal plate, which can be applied to any implementations for dispensing an accurate dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod. A skilled person in the art shall understand that the term "soluble powder" herein is not limiting to the form of "powder." In accordance with the embodiments herein, the term "soluble powder" refers to any water soluble additive including powder and non-powder additives such as gels.
[0041] In accordance with the embodiments, an apparatus for for dispensing a dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod can include the following: an auger placed in a vertical-like position for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger; a collet operatively coupled to the auger; and a dispersal plate operatively coupled to the auger and the collet, wherein a rotation of the auger causes the collet and the dispersal plate to rotate in unison thereby dispensing through the central axis of the dispersal plate, a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger.
[0042] The apparatus may further comprise an inverted truncated cone.
Accordingly, a top portion of the inverted truncated cone receives the dispersal plate, thus the inverted truncated cone receives the fixed dose and delivers the fixed dose to a drink pod.
[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide doses of cannabis (e.g., THC
powders) sufficiently accurate to meet government regulations. For example, to within approximately +1- 15%, to meet the dosage regulations proscribed by government regulators in some jurisdictions. Doses per single drink may range between 2.5 mg and 10 mg of THC being added to the resulting drink which can include a mix of inert ingredients.
[0044] Accordingly, there is also provided a method for manufacturing a drink pod including the following: an external cup; a filter cup placed within the external cup; a soluble powder placed between the external cup and the filter cup; a beverage vehicle placed within the filter cup;
and a cap sealing an upper portion of the external cup and the filter cup, thus sealing the soluble powder and the beverage vehicle in place. The beverage vehicle (as a non-active or non-functional ingredient) may include any of coffee grounds, tea leaves, powdered milk or chocolate, encapsulated gel, liquid. etc.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0045]
Specifically, the manufacturing method includes the following sequential steps:
depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup; depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup and a top rim of the filter cup. Examples of drink pods include capsules that are compatible with the K-cup standard from Keurig Green Mountain Inc. and may also be used with pods compatible with drink machines from Nespresso S.A.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes at least an auger 102, a collet 104, a dispersal plate 106, an inverted truncated cone 108, and an auger funnel 112. The auger 102, the collet 104, the dispersal plate 106, the inverted truncated cone 108 and the auger funnel 112 are aligned about a central axis of the auger 102. The auger 102 and the auger funnel 112 are sized so that the outer edges of the twist or thread 604 of the auger 102 are in close proximity or just make contact with the inner walls of the auger funnel 112. The auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 are operatively coupled (e.g., by using screws and/or spring washers) to form a single assembly so that all three elements rotate or spin in unison, while the inverted truncated cone 108 and the auger funnel 112 remain stationary. In order to obtain accurate results, the single assembly of the 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 should all be mounted and aligned around a single central axis. The auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 are preferably machined to fasten to the central auger drive or the central axis with little to no play. If any of the auger 102, the collet 104, or the dispersal plate 106 is mounted off-centre from any of the other components, vibration or wobble will be induced in the assembly and would results in inconsistent dosage results.
[0047] Specifically, the auger 102 is positioned vertically for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger 102. A lower portion of the auger 102 is configured to extend downwards through a central axis of the collet 104. An upper portion of the collet 104 has a tapered shape, sloped downwards and outwards from the central axis of the collet 104. The tapered shape is configured for receiving the soluble powder from the auger 102. A lower portion of the collet 104 forms a shank. An upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 is in contact with a bottom surface of the collet 104. A portion of the auger 102 may protrude through the bottom Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 surface of the collet 104, extending downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate 106.
The upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 includes a plurality of spiral blades 204 for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet 104. Accordingly, a rotation of the auger 102 causes the collet 104 and the dispersal plate 106 to rotate in unison whereby centrifugal forces cause the soluble powder to be dispensed around the circumference rim 202of the dispersal plate 106, thereby producing a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger 102. Though there is some tolerance for the auger 102, collet 104, and dispersal plate 106 to be placed in a vertical-like position, a position as close as possible to vertical will result in the most accurate dosage of the soluble powder. Placement off of vertical results in less accurate dosages being dispensed by the apparatus described herein. Similarly, having the auger 102, collet 104, and dispersal plate 106 aligned around a common axis so as to have the central axis of all three components aligned also leads to the most accurate dosage results.
[0048] Referring again to FIG. 1, the auger 102 goes through the centerbore of the auger funnel 112, the centerbore of dispersal plate 106 and the centerbore of cone 108. The bottom of the auger funnel 112 is connected to the top of cone 108, for example by three bolts 114, thereby forming a sealed enclosure for a bottom portion of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 and preventing loss of the soluble powder. The collet 104 is connected to the dispersal plate 106 and the dispersal plate 106 is fastened by a nut 110 wherein the dispersal plate 106 is fixed to a specific position along the auger 102 while resting inside the cone 108.
[0049] In accordance with the embodiments, the apparatus is configured to perform micro dosing (i.e., a dosing mechanism with high accuracy). Notably, micro dosing is able to effectively control the dose potency of the soluble powder by accurately controlling the amount of the soluble powder dispensed in order to meet the relevant legal and health regulations.
100501 FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 illustrate the top view, top side view, and cross-section view of the dispersal plate 106, respectively. The top of the dispersal plate 106 has multiple blades 204 spirally curved from the centerbore 206 to the rim 202. Specifically, each of the blades 204 is tapered from the upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 upwards, with an upper edge of each of the blades 204 forming a peak.
[0051] In some embodiments, the dispersal plate 106 can comprise six to eight blades 204. By adding spiralled and tapered fan blades 204, both accuracy and surface tension of the dispersal Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 plate 106 can be improved. After testing both plain and modified blades (e.g., using 2mm-lOmm sweeps curved and tapered for gripping shear values with powdered THC and CBD), it is known that products with high shear values (e.g., THC and CBD soluble powders) can benefit from this modification. In embodiments, the dispersal plate 106 with eight blades 204 is able to produce optimal results. In embodiments, straight or plain blades may be used with a decrease in the accuracy of the soluble powder dispensed. Compared with straight or plain blades, which allow accidental loss, leaking, or dribbling of the powder, the spiralled and tapered fan blades 204, may add a level of grip to hold the powder from sliding in between cycles or revolutions, and are designed and used for the purpose of increasing the accuracy of the soluble powder dosage dispensed.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates the top side view of a collet 104, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The collet 104 is operatively coupled to the end of an auger 102 and a dispersal plate 106, held in place by threaded nut 110. The collet 104 is used to hold the auger 102 in a central position as it rotates. The collet has a tapered portion and bevelled shape portion, capable of accounting for product flow resistance or shear values. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the collet 104 has a centerbore 506. The collet 104 can be divided into two portions with the top 502 of the collet which can have a tapered shape 502 and the bottom 504 of the collet can be in the form of a shank 504. In some embodiments, a height of the shank 504 of the collet 104 is 6.5 to 8.5 mm.
[0053] In embodiments, the spacer collet 104 can be manufactured in various lengths or heights (e.g., 6mm, 7mm or 8 mm). The inner diameter of the collet 104 is sized to receive the end of the auger 102 which includes a threaded portion that protrudes throughout the dispersal plate 106.
The auger 102, the collet 104 and the dispersal plate 106 are fastened by a threaded nut 110. The purpose of having collets 104 of different heights (e.g., 6mm, 7mm or 8mm) is to allow the interchangeability of products (e.g., soluble powders) with different shear values. For example, when running higher shear products, sticky or viscous substances that require clearance for proper dispersion, a longer or higher collet 104 can be used. Based on experimentation, using a collet of 7mm or 8mm can provide a better control of the accuracy for micro dosing cannabis powders.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0054] FIG. 6 illustrates the side view of an auger, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the auger 102 comprises an auger head 602, a shaft or shank 604 and a bottom or end 606. The bottom end 606 may be threaded to receive a locking nut or other fastener. In some embodiments, the total length of the auger can be approximately 254mm.
[0055] In some embodiments, the auger head 602 can be approximately 25mm in length and comprise a threaded portion (e.g., lOmm diameter and 17mm length) on top.
Below that, the shaft 604 can comprise a series of twists or threads (e.g., 15 twists, referring to FIG. 6). The twists may have different diameters, for example, the first twist 21mm, second 18mm, third 13mm, fourth lOmm, and the following 10mm continuing to the end. Furthermore, the twists can be spaced out evenly or unevenly; in other words, the pitch or distance between successive corresponding twists can be identical or different (for example, the pitch between the first and second twists is 14mm, second and third 13mm, third and fourth 12mm and same for the remaining). The bottom or end 606 of the auger 102 can be a right-handed thread that runs clockwise, and its length can be approximately of 25mm. In embodiments, the outer diameter of the twists may be selected to match an inner diameter of an auger funnel 112 so that there is a minimal distance between them. In some cases, the outer edge of the twists may just touch the inner walls of the auger funnel 112.
[0056] FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b illustrate the cross sectional side view and top side view of an inverted truncated cone 108, respectively. The cone 108 can comprise two parts: a bottom 702 (inverted truncated cone shape) and a top 704. Alternatively, the bottom 702 and the top 704 may be formed as a single component. The bottom portion 702 of the inverted truncated cone 108 is configured for receiving the dispersal plate 106 through an opening in the top 704, thus the inverted truncated cone 108 is configured for receiving the fixed dose of soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) and delivering the fixed dose to a drink pod through an opening in the bottom of cone 108. The drink pod may be positioned below and be positioned or pressed against the outer surface of the cone 108 to receive the soluble powder without losing any significant amount of powder.
[0057] On surface of the cone top 704, three holes may be distributed along the edge (not illustrated in FIG. 7b), and three bolts 114 may be configured to fasten the bottom plate of the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 auger funnel 112 and the top 704 of inverted truncated cone 108 together through the three holes.
The bottom 702 of the cone 108 and the top 704 of the cone 108 may form a solid single piece.
The dispersal plate 106 may be positioned inside the inverted truncated cone 108 at a position of approximately one-third (1/3) below the top 704 of the cone 108, the dispersal plate 106 being parallel with the top rim 704 and the bottom 702 of the cone 108.
[0058] In some embodiments, the inverted truncated cone 108 has an inner surface which is a highly polished or sufficiently smooth to reduce the friction and prevent the dose from accumulating on the inner surface. In other words, it can reduce the buildup of material residue available for powder transfer from auger 102 through the dispersal plate 106 into the bottom of the external cup 1002 of a drink pod waiting below.
[0059] FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b and FIG. 9 illustrate the side view, top side view and bottom view of an auger funnel 112 respectively, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0060] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus comprising an auger funnel 112 fixed to an upper surface of the inverted truncated cone 108. Referring to FIG. 1, the auger funnel 112 and the inverted truncated cone 108 can form an enclosure for the lower portion of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 within the inverted truncated cone 108. The top portion of the auger funnel 112 may be constructed to support a hopper (not illustrated) in which a quantity of soluble powder may be received.
[0061] In accordance with the embodiments, the dumbbell-shape auger funnel 112 comprises multiple pieces threaded together which are configured to function as a solid single piece. The bottom plate of the auger funnel 112 comprises three holes spaced out evenly at the edge (illustrated in FIG. 9). The overall height of the auger funnel 112 is approximately 76.2 mm.
Through the centerbore of the bottom plate, the bottom plate is connected to a component of slim drum bell shape. Specifically, the cylindrical tube goes through the centerbore of the bottom plate. The inner diameter of the cylindrical tube may be approximately 1 lmm.
[0062] In an embodiment, referring to the bottom plate, the straight line distance between each two of the three holes at the bottom plate is approximately 47mm on centre;
the diameter of each
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 100111 For the dispersal plate in particular, an upper surface of the dispersal plate is in contact with a bottom surface of the collet; a portion of the auger protrudes through the bottom surface of the collet and extends downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate; the upper surface of the dispersal plate includes a plurality of spiral blades for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet. The auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate are aligned around a common axis.
[0012] In some embodiments, a height of the collet is 6.5 to 8.5 mm.
[0013] In some embodiments, the dispersal plate includes six to eight blades.
[0014] In some embodiments, each of the blades is tapered from the upper surface of the dispersal plate upwards, with an upper edge of each of the blades forming a peak.
[0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus including an inverted truncated cone. In accordance with the embodiments, a top portion of the inverted truncated cone receives the dispersal plate, thus the inverted truncated cone receives the fixed dose and delivers the fixed dose to a drink pod.
[0016] In some embodiments, an inner surface of the inverted truncated cone is sufficiently smooth to prevent the dose from accumulating on the inner surface.
[0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus including an auger funnel fixed to an upper surface of the inverted truncated cone, wherein the auger funnel and the inverted truncated cone can form an enclosure for the lower portion of the auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate within the inverted truncated cone.
[0018] In some embodiments, the soluble powder can be a cannabis powder.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an infused drink pod using the apparatus as described herein. The method includes the following:
Depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup; depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup, or sealing the cap to the top rim of the external cup and to a top rim of the filter cup.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0020] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing an infused drink pod is performed in a modified environment. In some embodiments, the modified environment contains nitrogen.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a drink pod including the following:
an external cup; a filter cup placed within the external cup; a soluble powder placed between the external cup and the filter cup; a beverage vehicle placed within the filter cup; and a cap sealing an upper portion of the external cup and the filter cup, thus sealing the soluble powder and the beverage vehicle in place.
[0022] In some embodiments, the filter cup of the drink pod includes a non-woven fiber filter.
[0023] In methods described herein, a dose of the soluble powder is determined by a speed of rotation of the apparatus and an amount of rotation of the apparatus as described herein.
[0024] Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present disclosure upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0025]
Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the use of an apparatus having at least an auger, a collet, a dispersal plate, an inverted truncated cone, and an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the top side view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the cross-section view of a dispersal plate having multiple spiralled and tapered blades, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the top side view of a collet, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates the side view of an auger, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7a illustrates the side view of an inverted truncated cone, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 7b illustrates the top side view of an inverted truncated cone, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 8a illustrates the side view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 8b illustrates the top side view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates the bottom view of an auger funnel, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates the side view of a drink pod having at least a cap, a filter cup, and an external cup, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates the process flow of manufacturing a drink pod of FIG. 10, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0040] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing an infused drink with an accurate dose of cannabis. Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising at least an auger, a collet, and a dispersal plate, which can be applied to any implementations for dispensing an accurate dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod. A skilled person in the art shall understand that the term "soluble powder" herein is not limiting to the form of "powder." In accordance with the embodiments herein, the term "soluble powder" refers to any water soluble additive including powder and non-powder additives such as gels.
[0041] In accordance with the embodiments, an apparatus for for dispensing a dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod can include the following: an auger placed in a vertical-like position for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger; a collet operatively coupled to the auger; and a dispersal plate operatively coupled to the auger and the collet, wherein a rotation of the auger causes the collet and the dispersal plate to rotate in unison thereby dispensing through the central axis of the dispersal plate, a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger.
[0042] The apparatus may further comprise an inverted truncated cone.
Accordingly, a top portion of the inverted truncated cone receives the dispersal plate, thus the inverted truncated cone receives the fixed dose and delivers the fixed dose to a drink pod.
[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide doses of cannabis (e.g., THC
powders) sufficiently accurate to meet government regulations. For example, to within approximately +1- 15%, to meet the dosage regulations proscribed by government regulators in some jurisdictions. Doses per single drink may range between 2.5 mg and 10 mg of THC being added to the resulting drink which can include a mix of inert ingredients.
[0044] Accordingly, there is also provided a method for manufacturing a drink pod including the following: an external cup; a filter cup placed within the external cup; a soluble powder placed between the external cup and the filter cup; a beverage vehicle placed within the filter cup;
and a cap sealing an upper portion of the external cup and the filter cup, thus sealing the soluble powder and the beverage vehicle in place. The beverage vehicle (as a non-active or non-functional ingredient) may include any of coffee grounds, tea leaves, powdered milk or chocolate, encapsulated gel, liquid. etc.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0045]
Specifically, the manufacturing method includes the following sequential steps:
depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup; depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup and a top rim of the filter cup. Examples of drink pods include capsules that are compatible with the K-cup standard from Keurig Green Mountain Inc. and may also be used with pods compatible with drink machines from Nespresso S.A.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes at least an auger 102, a collet 104, a dispersal plate 106, an inverted truncated cone 108, and an auger funnel 112. The auger 102, the collet 104, the dispersal plate 106, the inverted truncated cone 108 and the auger funnel 112 are aligned about a central axis of the auger 102. The auger 102 and the auger funnel 112 are sized so that the outer edges of the twist or thread 604 of the auger 102 are in close proximity or just make contact with the inner walls of the auger funnel 112. The auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 are operatively coupled (e.g., by using screws and/or spring washers) to form a single assembly so that all three elements rotate or spin in unison, while the inverted truncated cone 108 and the auger funnel 112 remain stationary. In order to obtain accurate results, the single assembly of the 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 should all be mounted and aligned around a single central axis. The auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 are preferably machined to fasten to the central auger drive or the central axis with little to no play. If any of the auger 102, the collet 104, or the dispersal plate 106 is mounted off-centre from any of the other components, vibration or wobble will be induced in the assembly and would results in inconsistent dosage results.
[0047] Specifically, the auger 102 is positioned vertically for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger 102. A lower portion of the auger 102 is configured to extend downwards through a central axis of the collet 104. An upper portion of the collet 104 has a tapered shape, sloped downwards and outwards from the central axis of the collet 104. The tapered shape is configured for receiving the soluble powder from the auger 102. A lower portion of the collet 104 forms a shank. An upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 is in contact with a bottom surface of the collet 104. A portion of the auger 102 may protrude through the bottom Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 surface of the collet 104, extending downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate 106.
The upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 includes a plurality of spiral blades 204 for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet 104. Accordingly, a rotation of the auger 102 causes the collet 104 and the dispersal plate 106 to rotate in unison whereby centrifugal forces cause the soluble powder to be dispensed around the circumference rim 202of the dispersal plate 106, thereby producing a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger 102. Though there is some tolerance for the auger 102, collet 104, and dispersal plate 106 to be placed in a vertical-like position, a position as close as possible to vertical will result in the most accurate dosage of the soluble powder. Placement off of vertical results in less accurate dosages being dispensed by the apparatus described herein. Similarly, having the auger 102, collet 104, and dispersal plate 106 aligned around a common axis so as to have the central axis of all three components aligned also leads to the most accurate dosage results.
[0048] Referring again to FIG. 1, the auger 102 goes through the centerbore of the auger funnel 112, the centerbore of dispersal plate 106 and the centerbore of cone 108. The bottom of the auger funnel 112 is connected to the top of cone 108, for example by three bolts 114, thereby forming a sealed enclosure for a bottom portion of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 and preventing loss of the soluble powder. The collet 104 is connected to the dispersal plate 106 and the dispersal plate 106 is fastened by a nut 110 wherein the dispersal plate 106 is fixed to a specific position along the auger 102 while resting inside the cone 108.
[0049] In accordance with the embodiments, the apparatus is configured to perform micro dosing (i.e., a dosing mechanism with high accuracy). Notably, micro dosing is able to effectively control the dose potency of the soluble powder by accurately controlling the amount of the soluble powder dispensed in order to meet the relevant legal and health regulations.
100501 FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 illustrate the top view, top side view, and cross-section view of the dispersal plate 106, respectively. The top of the dispersal plate 106 has multiple blades 204 spirally curved from the centerbore 206 to the rim 202. Specifically, each of the blades 204 is tapered from the upper surface of the dispersal plate 106 upwards, with an upper edge of each of the blades 204 forming a peak.
[0051] In some embodiments, the dispersal plate 106 can comprise six to eight blades 204. By adding spiralled and tapered fan blades 204, both accuracy and surface tension of the dispersal Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 plate 106 can be improved. After testing both plain and modified blades (e.g., using 2mm-lOmm sweeps curved and tapered for gripping shear values with powdered THC and CBD), it is known that products with high shear values (e.g., THC and CBD soluble powders) can benefit from this modification. In embodiments, the dispersal plate 106 with eight blades 204 is able to produce optimal results. In embodiments, straight or plain blades may be used with a decrease in the accuracy of the soluble powder dispensed. Compared with straight or plain blades, which allow accidental loss, leaking, or dribbling of the powder, the spiralled and tapered fan blades 204, may add a level of grip to hold the powder from sliding in between cycles or revolutions, and are designed and used for the purpose of increasing the accuracy of the soluble powder dosage dispensed.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates the top side view of a collet 104, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The collet 104 is operatively coupled to the end of an auger 102 and a dispersal plate 106, held in place by threaded nut 110. The collet 104 is used to hold the auger 102 in a central position as it rotates. The collet has a tapered portion and bevelled shape portion, capable of accounting for product flow resistance or shear values. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the collet 104 has a centerbore 506. The collet 104 can be divided into two portions with the top 502 of the collet which can have a tapered shape 502 and the bottom 504 of the collet can be in the form of a shank 504. In some embodiments, a height of the shank 504 of the collet 104 is 6.5 to 8.5 mm.
[0053] In embodiments, the spacer collet 104 can be manufactured in various lengths or heights (e.g., 6mm, 7mm or 8 mm). The inner diameter of the collet 104 is sized to receive the end of the auger 102 which includes a threaded portion that protrudes throughout the dispersal plate 106.
The auger 102, the collet 104 and the dispersal plate 106 are fastened by a threaded nut 110. The purpose of having collets 104 of different heights (e.g., 6mm, 7mm or 8mm) is to allow the interchangeability of products (e.g., soluble powders) with different shear values. For example, when running higher shear products, sticky or viscous substances that require clearance for proper dispersion, a longer or higher collet 104 can be used. Based on experimentation, using a collet of 7mm or 8mm can provide a better control of the accuracy for micro dosing cannabis powders.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 [0054] FIG. 6 illustrates the side view of an auger, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the auger 102 comprises an auger head 602, a shaft or shank 604 and a bottom or end 606. The bottom end 606 may be threaded to receive a locking nut or other fastener. In some embodiments, the total length of the auger can be approximately 254mm.
[0055] In some embodiments, the auger head 602 can be approximately 25mm in length and comprise a threaded portion (e.g., lOmm diameter and 17mm length) on top.
Below that, the shaft 604 can comprise a series of twists or threads (e.g., 15 twists, referring to FIG. 6). The twists may have different diameters, for example, the first twist 21mm, second 18mm, third 13mm, fourth lOmm, and the following 10mm continuing to the end. Furthermore, the twists can be spaced out evenly or unevenly; in other words, the pitch or distance between successive corresponding twists can be identical or different (for example, the pitch between the first and second twists is 14mm, second and third 13mm, third and fourth 12mm and same for the remaining). The bottom or end 606 of the auger 102 can be a right-handed thread that runs clockwise, and its length can be approximately of 25mm. In embodiments, the outer diameter of the twists may be selected to match an inner diameter of an auger funnel 112 so that there is a minimal distance between them. In some cases, the outer edge of the twists may just touch the inner walls of the auger funnel 112.
[0056] FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b illustrate the cross sectional side view and top side view of an inverted truncated cone 108, respectively. The cone 108 can comprise two parts: a bottom 702 (inverted truncated cone shape) and a top 704. Alternatively, the bottom 702 and the top 704 may be formed as a single component. The bottom portion 702 of the inverted truncated cone 108 is configured for receiving the dispersal plate 106 through an opening in the top 704, thus the inverted truncated cone 108 is configured for receiving the fixed dose of soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) and delivering the fixed dose to a drink pod through an opening in the bottom of cone 108. The drink pod may be positioned below and be positioned or pressed against the outer surface of the cone 108 to receive the soluble powder without losing any significant amount of powder.
[0057] On surface of the cone top 704, three holes may be distributed along the edge (not illustrated in FIG. 7b), and three bolts 114 may be configured to fasten the bottom plate of the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 auger funnel 112 and the top 704 of inverted truncated cone 108 together through the three holes.
The bottom 702 of the cone 108 and the top 704 of the cone 108 may form a solid single piece.
The dispersal plate 106 may be positioned inside the inverted truncated cone 108 at a position of approximately one-third (1/3) below the top 704 of the cone 108, the dispersal plate 106 being parallel with the top rim 704 and the bottom 702 of the cone 108.
[0058] In some embodiments, the inverted truncated cone 108 has an inner surface which is a highly polished or sufficiently smooth to reduce the friction and prevent the dose from accumulating on the inner surface. In other words, it can reduce the buildup of material residue available for powder transfer from auger 102 through the dispersal plate 106 into the bottom of the external cup 1002 of a drink pod waiting below.
[0059] FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b and FIG. 9 illustrate the side view, top side view and bottom view of an auger funnel 112 respectively, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0060] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus comprising an auger funnel 112 fixed to an upper surface of the inverted truncated cone 108. Referring to FIG. 1, the auger funnel 112 and the inverted truncated cone 108 can form an enclosure for the lower portion of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 within the inverted truncated cone 108. The top portion of the auger funnel 112 may be constructed to support a hopper (not illustrated) in which a quantity of soluble powder may be received.
[0061] In accordance with the embodiments, the dumbbell-shape auger funnel 112 comprises multiple pieces threaded together which are configured to function as a solid single piece. The bottom plate of the auger funnel 112 comprises three holes spaced out evenly at the edge (illustrated in FIG. 9). The overall height of the auger funnel 112 is approximately 76.2 mm.
Through the centerbore of the bottom plate, the bottom plate is connected to a component of slim drum bell shape. Specifically, the cylindrical tube goes through the centerbore of the bottom plate. The inner diameter of the cylindrical tube may be approximately 1 lmm.
[0062] In an embodiment, referring to the bottom plate, the straight line distance between each two of the three holes at the bottom plate is approximately 47mm on centre;
the diameter of each
11 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 of the three holes at the bottom plate is approximately 5mm; the centerbore of the bottom plate with holes is approximately 20mm and the outer diameter of the plate is approximately 65mm.
[0063] In use, a funnel shaped hopper (not illustrated) is placed above and may be supported by the auger funnel 112. A lower edge of the hopper forms a seal around the top edge of the auger funnel 112 preventing any of the soluble powder from leaking. A motor (e.g., a digital stepper motor) turns the top portion 602 of auger 102 causing the assembly of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 to rotate at a predetermined rotational velocity, drawing the soluble powder down through the auger funnel 112 to the dispersal plate 106 blades 204. The soluble powder exits through the bottom of the auger funnel 112 and falls onto the upper, tapered portion of collet 104 and is distributed on an upper surface of the dispersal plate 106. The collet 104 and dispersal plate 106 are fixed to the auger 102 and rotate in unison.
The rotation of the dispersal plate 106 causes the soluble powder to move towards the edge 202 or sides of the dispersal plate 106 and fall onto the inner surface of the inverted truncated cone 108 due to centrifugal forces, and subsequently drop into an external cup placed below (e.g., by gravity).
[0064] In embodiments, the dose of soluble powder is determined by the speed of rotation and the number of revolutions of the assembly of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106, with a predetermined amount of soluble powder being provided for each revolution or portion of a revolution, at a given rotational speed. Rotational speed can be controlled by a digital stepping motor and the vanes (grippers) of the dispersal plate 106 can control the amount and rate at which the soluble powder drops off the outer rim 202 of the dispersal plate 106.
[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a drink pod that may be manufactured using the apparatus as described herein. The drink pod includes at least a cap, a filter cup, and an external cup, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap can be made out of foil, plastic or laminated paper, or the like. Generally, a drink cup can comprise at least three basic components: a cap 1006, a filter cup 1004 and an external cup 1002, wherein the filter cup 1004 is placed within the external cup 1002. In some embodiments, a soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) is placed at the bottom of the external cup 1002 (i.e., between the external cup 1002 and the filter cup 1004), and a beverage vehicle 1010 (e.g., coffee grounds, tea leaves, powdered milk or chocolate, encapsulated gel, liquid, etc.) is placed within the filter cup 1004.
The cap 1006 may be configured for sealing an upper portion of the external cup 1002 and the
[0063] In use, a funnel shaped hopper (not illustrated) is placed above and may be supported by the auger funnel 112. A lower edge of the hopper forms a seal around the top edge of the auger funnel 112 preventing any of the soluble powder from leaking. A motor (e.g., a digital stepper motor) turns the top portion 602 of auger 102 causing the assembly of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106 to rotate at a predetermined rotational velocity, drawing the soluble powder down through the auger funnel 112 to the dispersal plate 106 blades 204. The soluble powder exits through the bottom of the auger funnel 112 and falls onto the upper, tapered portion of collet 104 and is distributed on an upper surface of the dispersal plate 106. The collet 104 and dispersal plate 106 are fixed to the auger 102 and rotate in unison.
The rotation of the dispersal plate 106 causes the soluble powder to move towards the edge 202 or sides of the dispersal plate 106 and fall onto the inner surface of the inverted truncated cone 108 due to centrifugal forces, and subsequently drop into an external cup placed below (e.g., by gravity).
[0064] In embodiments, the dose of soluble powder is determined by the speed of rotation and the number of revolutions of the assembly of the auger 102, the collet 104, and the dispersal plate 106, with a predetermined amount of soluble powder being provided for each revolution or portion of a revolution, at a given rotational speed. Rotational speed can be controlled by a digital stepping motor and the vanes (grippers) of the dispersal plate 106 can control the amount and rate at which the soluble powder drops off the outer rim 202 of the dispersal plate 106.
[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a drink pod that may be manufactured using the apparatus as described herein. The drink pod includes at least a cap, a filter cup, and an external cup, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap can be made out of foil, plastic or laminated paper, or the like. Generally, a drink cup can comprise at least three basic components: a cap 1006, a filter cup 1004 and an external cup 1002, wherein the filter cup 1004 is placed within the external cup 1002. In some embodiments, a soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) is placed at the bottom of the external cup 1002 (i.e., between the external cup 1002 and the filter cup 1004), and a beverage vehicle 1010 (e.g., coffee grounds, tea leaves, powdered milk or chocolate, encapsulated gel, liquid, etc.) is placed within the filter cup 1004.
The cap 1006 may be configured for sealing an upper portion of the external cup 1002 and the
12 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 filter cup 1004, thus sealing the soluble powder and the beverage vehicle in place. Alternatively, the filter cup 1004 is secured, for example by mechanical means, in the external cup 1002, and the cap 1006 is sealed or "welded" to the top rim of the external cup 1002.
[0066] In embodiments, the filter cup 1004 includes a non-woven fiber filter (e.g., cotton, paper etc.). The primary function of the filter cup 1004 is to prevent the soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive placed at the bottom of the external cup 1002 from mixing with a beverage vehicle 1110 placed within the filter cup 1004. In particular, the use of filter cup significantly improves the recovery rate of the soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive, for example, to over 95%
recovery rate, as compared to approximately 65% recovery rate if the soluble powder 1108 and beverage vehicle 1110 are mixed.
[0067] In accordance with the embodiments, the drink cup can have various structures or configurations. For example, it can be a smaller inner filter cup 1004 loosely fitting into a larger external cup 1002 thus leaving some space between the walls of the two cups.
Alternatively, it can be a filter cup 1004 fitting closely into the external cup 1002 thus leaving no space between the cups' walls while having space between the filter bottom and the bottom of the external cup 1002. In some embodiments, the filter cup 1004 can be of various shapes or forms capable of allowing the filtration or penetration, for example, a filter cup having curved bottom, curved walls, or both a curved bottom and curved walls.
[0068] FIG. 11 illustrates the process flow of manufacturing a drink cup, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 11, a method for manufacturing a drink pod using the apparatus as described herein includes the following steps. First placing an external cup 1002 via step 1102 so that the upper opening of the external cup 1002 is positioned close to or pressed against the lower opening of cone 108. Then rotating the auger assembly, a predeteiinined number of revolutions at a predetermined speed thereby depositing a soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) 1008 into a bottom portion of the external cup 1002 (so that it is positioned in the space between the inner filter cup 1004 and the external cup 1002) via step 1104. Once the soluble powder dose is within the external cup 1002, inserting a filter cup 1004 into the external cup 1002 via step 1106 (thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup 1002 and the lower portion of the filter cup 1004). Then, depositing a
[0066] In embodiments, the filter cup 1004 includes a non-woven fiber filter (e.g., cotton, paper etc.). The primary function of the filter cup 1004 is to prevent the soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive placed at the bottom of the external cup 1002 from mixing with a beverage vehicle 1110 placed within the filter cup 1004. In particular, the use of filter cup significantly improves the recovery rate of the soluble powder 1108 (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive, for example, to over 95%
recovery rate, as compared to approximately 65% recovery rate if the soluble powder 1108 and beverage vehicle 1110 are mixed.
[0067] In accordance with the embodiments, the drink cup can have various structures or configurations. For example, it can be a smaller inner filter cup 1004 loosely fitting into a larger external cup 1002 thus leaving some space between the walls of the two cups.
Alternatively, it can be a filter cup 1004 fitting closely into the external cup 1002 thus leaving no space between the cups' walls while having space between the filter bottom and the bottom of the external cup 1002. In some embodiments, the filter cup 1004 can be of various shapes or forms capable of allowing the filtration or penetration, for example, a filter cup having curved bottom, curved walls, or both a curved bottom and curved walls.
[0068] FIG. 11 illustrates the process flow of manufacturing a drink cup, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 11, a method for manufacturing a drink pod using the apparatus as described herein includes the following steps. First placing an external cup 1002 via step 1102 so that the upper opening of the external cup 1002 is positioned close to or pressed against the lower opening of cone 108. Then rotating the auger assembly, a predeteiinined number of revolutions at a predetermined speed thereby depositing a soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) 1008 into a bottom portion of the external cup 1002 (so that it is positioned in the space between the inner filter cup 1004 and the external cup 1002) via step 1104. Once the soluble powder dose is within the external cup 1002, inserting a filter cup 1004 into the external cup 1002 via step 1106 (thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup 1002 and the lower portion of the filter cup 1004). Then, depositing a
13 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19 beverage vehicle (e.g., coffee grounds) 1010 into the filter cup 1004 via step 1108, and finally positioning a cap 1006 to a top rim of the external cup 1002 and a top rim of the filter cup 1004 and performing sealing via step 1110. In some embodiments, the sealing step 1110 only seals the top rim of the external cup 1002. In some embodiments, the filter cup 1004 can be countersunk inside the external cup 1002.
[0069] In practice, a pick-and-place system (e.g., a pick-and-place robotic arm) can be used for the denesting operations of the filter cups 1004. Pick-and-place robots are usually mounted on a stable stand, strategically positioned to reach their entire workspace. Its written algorithm (e.g., with advanced vision capability) can allow the robot arm to grab and move a filter cup at a pre-determined speed.
[0070] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing an infused drink pod is performed in a modified environment. In some embodiments, the modified environment contains nitrogen.
In practice, nitrogen flushing can displace the air composition to allow approximately more than 99% nitrogen and less than 0.5% oxygen, thus increasing the shelf life of the infused drink pod when assembled in such a modified environment or atmosphere (e.g., a chamber).
[0071] To summarize, the embodiments of the present disclosure allow the manufacturing of a drink pod containing a soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive so that an end consumer can produce a cannabis-infused drink (e.g., cannabis-infused coffee or tea) by using the drink pod with a conventional capsule machine or a standard brewing machine (e.g., Nespresso capsule coffee machine, Keurig, or K-Cup pod machine). Nevertheless, embodiments may generalize the above approach to applications other than producing a cannabis-infused drink.
[0072] Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present disclosure upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0069] In practice, a pick-and-place system (e.g., a pick-and-place robotic arm) can be used for the denesting operations of the filter cups 1004. Pick-and-place robots are usually mounted on a stable stand, strategically positioned to reach their entire workspace. Its written algorithm (e.g., with advanced vision capability) can allow the robot arm to grab and move a filter cup at a pre-determined speed.
[0070] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing an infused drink pod is performed in a modified environment. In some embodiments, the modified environment contains nitrogen.
In practice, nitrogen flushing can displace the air composition to allow approximately more than 99% nitrogen and less than 0.5% oxygen, thus increasing the shelf life of the infused drink pod when assembled in such a modified environment or atmosphere (e.g., a chamber).
[0071] To summarize, the embodiments of the present disclosure allow the manufacturing of a drink pod containing a soluble powder (e.g., cannabis powder) or any water soluble additive so that an end consumer can produce a cannabis-infused drink (e.g., cannabis-infused coffee or tea) by using the drink pod with a conventional capsule machine or a standard brewing machine (e.g., Nespresso capsule coffee machine, Keurig, or K-Cup pod machine). Nevertheless, embodiments may generalize the above approach to applications other than producing a cannabis-infused drink.
[0072] Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present disclosure upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
14 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19
Claims (12)
1. An apparatus for dispensing a dose of a soluble powder into a drink pod, the apparatus comprising:
an auger placed in a vertical-like position for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger;
a collet, at a lower portion of the auger extending downwards to an upper portion of the collet, the upper portion of the collet having a tapered shape sloped downwards and outwards from the central axis of the collet, the tapered shape for receiving the soluble powder from the auger, a lower portion of the collet forming a shank; and a dispersal plate, an upper surface of the dispersal plate in contact with a bottom surface of the collet, a portion of the auger protruding through the bottom surface of the collet extending downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate, the upper surface of the dispersal plate including a plurality of spiral blades for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet, the auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate being aligned around a common axis;
wherein a rotation of the auger causes the collet and the dispersal plate to rotate in unison thereby dispensing through the central axis of the dispersal plate, a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger.
an auger placed in a vertical-like position for receiving the soluble powder on an upper portion of the auger;
a collet, at a lower portion of the auger extending downwards to an upper portion of the collet, the upper portion of the collet having a tapered shape sloped downwards and outwards from the central axis of the collet, the tapered shape for receiving the soluble powder from the auger, a lower portion of the collet forming a shank; and a dispersal plate, an upper surface of the dispersal plate in contact with a bottom surface of the collet, a portion of the auger protruding through the bottom surface of the collet extending downwards through a central axis of the dispersal plate, the upper surface of the dispersal plate including a plurality of spiral blades for receiving the soluble powder from the tapered shape of the collet, the auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate being aligned around a common axis;
wherein a rotation of the auger causes the collet and the dispersal plate to rotate in unison thereby dispensing through the central axis of the dispersal plate, a fixed dose of the soluble powder per rotation of the auger.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the collet is 6.5 to 8.5 mm.
3. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the dispersal plate comprises six to eight blades.
4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the blades is tapered from the upper surface of the dispersal plate upwards, an upper edge of each of the blades forming a peak.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19
5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an inverted truncated cone, a top portion of the inverted truncated cone receiving the dispersal plate, the inverted truncated cone receiving the fixed dose and delivering the fixed dose to a drink pod.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein an inner surface of the inverted truncated cone is sufficiently smooth to prevent the dose from accumulating on the inner surface.
7. The apparatus of any of claims 5 to 6, further comprising an auger funnel fixed to an upper surface of the inverted truncated cone, the 112 and the inverted truncated cone forming an enclosure for the lower portion of the auger, the collet, and the dispersal plate within the inverted truncated cone.
8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the soluble powder is a cannabis powder.
9. A method for manufacturing an infused drink pod comprising:
depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup;
depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup.
depositing a soluble powder into a bottom portion of an external cup using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8;
inserting a filter cup into the external cup, thereby confining the soluble powder between a lower portion of the external cup and the lower portion of the filter cup;
depositing a beverage vehicle into the filter cup; and sealing a cap to a top rim of the external cup.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method is performed in a modified environment.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the modified environment contains nitrogen.
12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein a dose of the soluble powder is determined by a speed of rotation of the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8 and an amount of rotation of the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-19
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3152340A CA3152340C (en) | 2022-03-16 | 2022-03-16 | Apparatus and method for producing an infused drink |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3152340A CA3152340C (en) | 2022-03-16 | 2022-03-16 | Apparatus and method for producing an infused drink |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3152340A1 CA3152340A1 (en) | 2022-05-27 |
| CA3152340C true CA3152340C (en) | 2023-09-19 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| CA3152340A Active CA3152340C (en) | 2022-03-16 | 2022-03-16 | Apparatus and method for producing an infused drink |
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| Country | Link |
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| CA (1) | CA3152340C (en) |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA3152340A1 (en) | 2022-05-27 |
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