BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to cannabis, and more particular an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages, such as coffee and tea.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Cannabis as a health supplement has been practiced for over 1,000 years. Traditionally cannabis is heated to release cannabinoids, primary

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is well known that cannabinoids offer many benefits to users, and there are a variety of methods to make cannabinoids available to the user. Recently, there has been a trend to enrich cannabinoids into beverages, such as coffee and tea. Consequently, the present invention provides an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0004] In one aspect of the invention, a system for cannabinoid delivery into beverages is provided, comprising a coffee machine operable in conjunction with a single use coffee containment system, the single use coffee containment system comprising a hollow housing configured to hold a coffee filter bag containing ground coffee, the coffee filter bag having a filter size, wherein the coffee machine is configured to enable hot pressurized water to pass through the single use coffee containment system to extract the ground coffee into the hot pressurized water which is collected into a cup defining a beverage; and, a dosage of cannabis plant matter contained within the hollow housing such that the dosage of cannabis plant matter is mixed into the beverage.

[0005] In one embodiment, the dosage of cannabis plant matter is ground cannabis plant matter having a predetermined particle size. In another embodiment, the ground cannabis plant matter is positioned within the coffee filter bag, and the predetermined particle size is less than the filter size. In another embodiment, the ground cannabis plant matter is positioned below the coffee filter bag within the housing. In another embodiment, the ground cannabis plant matter is contained within a filter pod. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined particle size is less than a filter size of the filter pod and the ground cannabis plant matter is compacted, such that individual particles of the ground cannabis plant matter are retained within the filter pod until the hot pressurized water is in contact with the ground cannabis plant matter breaking up the compacted ground cannabis plant matter such that the dosage of cannabis plant matter is mixed into the beverage.

[0006] In one embodiment, the filter pod is dissolvable in the hot pressurized water. In another embodiment, the dosage of cannabis plant matter is comprised in a sublingual strip configured to dissolve in contact with the hot pressurized water. In another embodiment, the dosage of cannabis plant matter is encapsulated nanoparticles configured to be water soluble. In another embodiment, the filter pod is contained within a porous containment element. In another embodiment, the porous containment element is cylindrically shaped. In another embodiment, the porous containment element is rigid.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, a system for cannabinoid delivery into beverages is provided, comprising: a coffee machine configured to enable hot water to pass through a ground coffee containment element, wherein the hot water is collected into a cup defining a beverage; and, a cannabinoid delivery system positioned in conjunction with the coffee machine, wherein the cannabinoid delivery system includes a filter pod containing a dosage of cannabis plant matter, such that the dosage of cannabis plant matter is mixed into the beverage.

[0008] In one embodiment, a coffee pot having a lid containing a compartment is provided, wherein the cannabinoid delivery system is positioned within the compartment and the coffee machine is a drip coffee machine and the coffee pot is positioned below the coffee machine to retain the beverage. In another

embodiment, the filter pod is contained within a porous containment element. In another embodiment, the coffee machine is an espresso machine having a portafilter including a basket, wherein the cannabinoid delivery system is retained in the basket. In another embodiment, the cannabinoid delivery system is vacuum sealed and packaged. In another embodiment, the packaged cannabinoid delivery system contains identifying information configured to track usage of the cannabinoid delivery system. In yet another embodiment, the dosage of cannabis plant matter is ground cannabis plant mater comprised of nanoparticles.

[0009] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a single use coffee filter with the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional front view of a cannabinoid delivery system in a single use coffee containment system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cannabinoid delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of a coffee machine and coffee pot having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a compartment positioned in the lid of the coffee pot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the lid of the coffee pot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of an espresso coffee portafilter having a cannabinoid delivery system installed within the basket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a single use coffee filter with the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,

[0018] FIGS. 8A-B illustrate the single use coffee filter with the present invention in use according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an improved system and method for cannabinoid delivery into beverages.

[0020] For the purpose of this disclosure, the word“a” is defined to mean“at least one.” The word“cannabis” is defined to mean“any species of the cannabis genus of flowing plants including cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, cannabis ruderalis, and hemp.” The word“cannabis plant matter” is defined to mean“any portion, cannabinoid, terpene, phytonutrient, or other compound for a cannabis plant.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0021] RECOGNITION OF A PROBLEM

[0022] As well documented, cannabis plant matter is desirable for the cannabinoids that the plant matter contains. The cannabinoids include CBD, THC, as well as other desirable cannabinoids. As companies attempt to offer various means to intake these desirable cannabinoids, one method is through coffee products.

[0023] There are many coffee cannabinoid containing products on the market today, and these products claim to have from 5mg of CBD to 65mg CBD prior to the brewing process. Testing was performed on 10 of these products to determine the cannabinoid levels infused into the beverage after brewing. Testing protocols were established and applied to each test. The testing was performed with standard coffee machines found in the marketplace using standard coffee filters or single use coffee systems for each test, as indicated by each product’s directions. For each test, 8oz of water was used. After brewing, 10ml of the brewed coffee from each test was extracted, secured in a vial, then coded and sent for testing at a leading cannabinoid testing facility, Cannalysis Labs in California. The results were conclusive, not a single vial tested had any detectable CBD in the brewed beverage. Since CBD has no intoxicating effects associated with its intake, the consumers of these products are likely unaware that the cannabinoids, in this case CBD, are not reaching the brewed product.

[0024] SOLUTION TO THF PROBLEM

[0025] The applicants have concluded that the cannabinoids are not able to penetrate the standard coffee filters or the filters present in the single use coffee systems. Alternatively, the cannabinoids are not being infused into the beverage during the brewing process. Thus, the following disclosure describes various embodiments to solve this problem.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a single use coffee containment system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 1, the single use coffee containment system comprises a hollow housing 102 configured to hold a coffee filter bag 104 containing ground coffee (not shown) as well known in the art. In one embodiment, a predetermined amount of ground cannabis plant matter 206 at a predetermined size is added to the coffee filter bag 104. The coffee filter bag is constructed of a filter material, such as a mesh, screen, or permeable paper at a predetermined filter size. The predetermined size of the coffee filter bag is smaller than the particle size of the ground coffee, such that the ground coffee is retained in the coffee filter bag during the brewing process. In one embodiment, the predetermined size of the cannabis plant matter is smaller than the predetermined size of the coffee filter bag, such that the ground cannabis plant matter passes through the coffee filter bag.

[0027] During use, the housing of the single use coffee containment system is pierced in both the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing while hot pressurized water passes through the single use coffee containment system into a cup, herein“beverage,” positioned below the single use coffee system (not shown) as well known in the art. Thus, after brewing, the beverage would contain a coffee and cannabis plant matter (cannabinoid) combination.

[0028] Typically, coffee filter are made up of filaments approximately 20

micrometers wide enabling particles to pass through that are less than

approximately 15 to 20 micrometers, preferably 10 to 15 micrometers or less.

Thus, in one embodiment, the predetermined size of the cannabis plant matter is less than 10 micrometers. [0029] FIG. 2 is a sectional front view of a cannabinoid delivery system 200 in a single use coffee containment system, while FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cannabinoid delivery system 200. Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, an additional solution to the aforementioned problem is provided. In this embodiment, a cannabinoid delivery system 200 is positioned below the coffee filter bag 104 in the hollow housing 102 of the single use coffee containment system 100. In one embodiment, the cannabinoid delivery system 200 comprises a porous containment element 202 containing a filter pod 204 having a predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter 206 wherein the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter contains a specific dosage of cannabinoids. The predetermined amount cannabis plant matter may be provided in several forms, which will be discussed below. The porous containment element acts as a protective containment element. In one embodiment, the porous containment element is cylindrically shaped, comprised of a hard food grade material. In one embodiment, the porous containment element comprises pores larger than the openings, filaments, or filter elements of the filter pod.

[0030] In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter is ground cannabis plant matter comprised of nanoparticles. The method to reduce the cannabis plant matter to nano size is detailed in Applicant’s parent application Serial Number 16/388,821. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles are less than or equal to 120 nanometers. In another embodiment, the nanoparticles are less than 1,000 nanometers. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are compacted to retain groups of particles larger than the predetermined size of the individual particles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are compacted into a dissolvable tablet.

[0031] In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of cannabis plant matter is comprised in a sublingual strip, wherein the sublingual strip dissolves when the hot pressurized water passes through the filter pod, enabling the cannabinoid containing cannabis plant matter to be mixed in the beverage. In some

embodiments, extracted cannabinoids are used, including but not limited to cannabinoids in MCT oil, or other lipids. In another embodiment, the cannabis plant matter are encapsulated nanoparticles configured to be water soluble, as taught in Applicant’s co-pending application Serial Number 16/439,706 hereby incorporated by reference.

[0032] It should be understood, that the form of the cannabis plant material depends on the filter pod selected. In one embodiment, the filter pod is a mesh, screen, or paper barrier comprising filter material having a size larger than the individual particle size of the cannabis plant matter. In this embodiment, the compacted particles prevent the individual particles from exiting the filter pod prior to the brewing process. In another embodiment, the filter pod is made from a dissolvable material, such that the hot pressurized water dissolves the filter pod enabling the contained cannabis plant matter to be mixed with the beverage during the brewing process. [0033] Best seen in FIGS. 8A-B, during use, as previously mentioned, the housing of the single use coffee containment system is pierced in both the top surface 802 and the bottom surface 804 of the housing while hot pressurized water enters the housing 806, through the coffee filter bag, then through the single use coffee containment system, then finally the hot pressurized water exits 808 of the bottom of the housing, wherein the hot pressurized water contains extracted coffee and the cannabis plant matter 206. The combination is collected in a beverage for consumption as well known in the art, enabling the user to intake the benefits of the cannabinoids.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a side view of a coffee machine 300 and coffee pot 302 having a cannabinoid delivery system installed in a compartment positioned in the lid of the coffee pot. FIG. 5 is a top view of the lid 304 of the coffee pot. Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, the embodiment disclosed is an alternative to single use coffee systems. In this embodiment, the user simply opens the dedicated compartment 306 in the lid 304 of the coffee pot 302, places the cannabinoid delivery system 200 into the

compartment, closes the lid, and finally starts the brewing process. The cannabis delivery system may include arrangements and variations to each component as previously discussed. In addition to the previously discussed embodiments, in another embodiment, the user is instructed to shake the cannabinoid delivery system, breaking up the compacted nanoparticles prior to placing the cannabis delivery system into the compartment. During the brewing process, hot water is directed from the coffee machine, extracting coffee flavor from the ground coffee placed in the coffee machine as well known in the art. This hot water passes through the compartment, wherein the cannabis plant matter is then mixed with the beverage. In one embodiment, coffee machine 300 is a drip coffee machine.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a top view of an espresso coffee portafilter 400 having filter pod 204 installed within the basket 402 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the cannabis delivery system includes the filter pod 204 containing cannabis plant matter 206. In some embodiments, the porous containment element is not provided. In other

embodiments, the porous containment element may be provided. Although, the porous containment element is thin and small, due to the limited space in the basket 402, ideally, just the filter pod is inserted during use. In one embodiment, the porous containment element is approximately 1.25 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches thick. During use, a user loads a cannabis delivery system into the basket 402 of the espresso coffee portafilter 400 along with finely ground coffee as well known in the art. Then the user connects the espresso coffee portafilter and operates the espresso machine (not shown) as normal. During the brewing process, the hot pressurized water extracts the coffee into the beverage and the cannabis plant matter is mixed into the coffee beverage. The cannabis plant matter may be in any form as previously discussed. [0036] Referring now to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the cannabis plant matter may be added to the bottom portion of the hollow housing of the single use coffee containment system, i.e. without the cannabinoid delivery system. Advantageously, special preparation of the cannabis plant matter is not required, providing an easy solution to the problem. In this embodiment, the cannabis plant matter may be in any form as previously discussed. As sediment is undesirable in beverages, the encapsulated nanoparticles are one of the preferred forms, however, any form previously discussed may be selected.

[0037] A particular advantage of the cannabis delivery system is that it provides premeasured dosages of various cannabinoids that offer a means to track usage and accountability. In one embodiment, each cannabis delivery system is vacuum sealed and packaged individually, to prevent containments and to ensure proper shelf life and handling. In some embodiments, identifying information, including but not limited to barcodes, RFID, insignia, numbers, text, or any other identifying information may be provided on each cannabis delivery system. In this way, each cannabis delivery system may be tracked and accounted for. In some embodiments, each cannabis delivery system may be dispensed from a dispensing machine (not shown) to aid in the tracking and accountability of each cannabis delivery system.

[0038] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in one embodiment, the filter size of the standard coffee filter or coffee filter bag is increased greater than the typical 20 microns allowing the ground cannabis plant matter to easily escape the filter. In other embodiments, the standard coffee filter or coffee filter bag is infused, saturated, soaked, coated, or sprayed with cannabinoids such that the beverage would be infused with the cannabinoids during the brewing process. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid delivery system may be provided outside the portafilter for espresso coffee machines or other coffee machines, wherein the cannabinoid delivery system may be in any location that the hot water comes in contact with.