CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 62/809,471 filed February 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to combining cannabinoids with a liquid. More specifically the present disclosure is directed to dissolving or dispersing cannabinoids and combining those cannabinoids in a beverage that may be a hot beverage to increase the bioavailability of cannabinoids.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Cannabis is a flowering plant that includes three species or sub- species, namely sativa, indica, and ruderalis. The plant is indigenous to central Asia and the Indian subcontinent Cannabis has long been used for hemp fiber, for oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug. Cannabis plants produce a group of compounds known as cannabinoids. The majority of these compounds are secreted by glandular trichomes that occur abundantly on the floral calyxes and bracts of female cannabis plants.

[0004] When used by humans medidnally or recreationally, cannabis can be consumed by a variety of means that include vaporizing or smoking dried flower buds and leaf portions, resins, extracted oils, or waxes. However, in recent years, many medicinal patients, as well as recreational users, have begun to prefer consuming cannabis in edible form. Examples of cannabinoid products that may include lozenges, candies (hard/soft), chocolates, or baked goods, beverages, or capsules that may be orally consumed by a person. [0005] Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an aromatic terpenoid and is widely recognized as the principal psychoactive constituent in cannabis. THC and other cannabinoids, typically have a very low solubility in water, yet are soluble in most organic solvents that include lipids or alcohol. While most cannabinoids typically have low solubility in water, recently, certain compounds when combined with cannabinoids have been shown to improve the solubility of cannabinoids in water.

[0006] The cannabis plant produces hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other compounds that are only beginning to be identified, studied, and categorized. One generally recognized cannabinoid that has medical efficacy is cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a major constituent of the cannabis plant, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another major cannabinoid found in cannabis plants today. Compared with THC, CBD is not psychoactive in healthy individuals and CBD is considered to have a wider scope of medical applications than THC, including for treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis spasms, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, nausea, convulsions, and inflammation. CBD may also inhibit cancer cell growth. It is also believed by many researchers that many of the other cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other compounds may have important health benefits and/or be capable of treating certain human diseases.

[0007] Consumption of cannabis by a human generally results in a wide variety of psychotropic effects, which is often referred to as a "high." The cannabis high varies and depends on many factors, including the strain of cannabis, the amount consumed, the method of consumption, the biochemistry of the individual consuming it, and the individual's level of experience in consuming cannabis. That said, a cannabis high can include euphoria, anxiety, a general alteration of conscious perception, feelings of well-being, relaxation or stress reduction, increased appreciation of humor, music (especially discerning its various

components/instruments) or the arts, joviality, metacognition and introspection, enhanced recollection (episodic memory), increased sensuality, increased awareness of sensation, increased libido, and creativity. Abstract or philosophical thinking, disruption of linear memory, and paranoia or anxiety are also among the effects exhibited by users in different circumstances. [0008] Cannabis consumption also often produces many subjective and highly tangible effects, such as greater enjoyment of food taste and aroma, an enhanced enjoyment of music and comedy, and marked distortions in the perception of time and space (where experiencing a "rush" of ideas from the bank of long-term memory can create the subjective impression of long- elapsed time while a clock reveals that only a short time has passed). Many individuals find some of these effects pleasing and enjoyable, while other individuals do not enjoy such effects.

[0009] As such, some sources estimate that there are many more recreational users of cannabis than ever before, including new or otherwise inexperienced consumers of cannabis. Yet one significant drawback for new recreational cannabis users, as well as medical patients, is the variability in the amount of THC that is present in any given cannabis product, whether as a smoke-able product, an oil, or an edible. Because of this variability, it is often difficult for new cannabis users to correctly gauge the appropriate amount of cannabis to consume, and likewise it is often difficult for medical patients to accurately dose themselves with the proper amount of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids to address their symptoms. As such, there is a need for a product that enables a consumer to gauge an accurate, standardized dose of THC and/or CBD (in variable products).

[0010] Many medical patients and newer consumers of cannabis now prefer to consume cannabis by eating or drinking if, rather than smoking. Frequently, edibles and drinks containing cannabis are made using extracted cannabis oil. However, to date, cannabis experts and companies manufacturing edibles and drinks containing cannabis have had significant difficulty in producing edibles and drinks that did not have a strong cannabis smell or flavor. Many medical patients and novice users find this smell and taste unpleasant Depending on the strains used to create a cannabis oil, the smell and taste may be reminiscent of a skunk, pine needles, herbs, or other strongly plant-like effect This taste and smell are frequently masked by the addition of other strong flavors or sugar, yet this also often proves unsatisfactory. This is particularly true when cannabis oil is added to subtly-flavored beverages, such as coffee or tea. Accordingly, there is a need in the industry to develop a way to make edibles and beverages containing cannabinoids that do not have a strong cannabis smell or taste. [0011] Moreover, due to the solubility characteristics of cannabinoids, cannabis experts and companies manufacturing drinks containing cannabis have had significant difficulty in producing cannabinoid products that can be added to a drink in a way that the product will be solubilized or dispersed, or otherwise evenly distributed throughout the consumable product. In many cases, the cannabis extracts separate in water-based drinks, such as coffee or tea, and is consequently unpleasant to drink Moreover, such separation can lead to a medical patient not receiving an accurate dose, if the patient does not consume the entire drink in which the cannabinoid portion of the drink may have separated.

[0012] Still further, the chemical stability of cannabinoids can present significant difficulty in producing cannabinoid-containing beverage products. Once cannabinoids are added to a water-based beverage, they may degrade quickly into unwanted and biochemically inactive substances. It may be possible to improve the long-term stability of the cannabinoids and th us the shelf-life of cannabinoid-containing beverage products by maintaining them in a liquid or dry powdered formulation that is only mixed with the water-based beverage just prior to consumption.

[0013] Accordingly, there is a need for a standardized and measurable dosage of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD in a powder or liquid form, a way to enable consumers of cannabis to accurately and repeatably deliver the same dose of THC and/or CBD to address their medical needs in a more socially acceptable, easier, and more convenient way than smoking and in a way that renders the normally unpleasant-tasting concentrated cannabis extract flavorless but that fully capitalizes on the medical benefits of the cannabinoids. In addition, a method is desired to control the level of THC in a consumable form, to control the THC intake and its associated effects without the negative health aspects of inhaling smoke, to select cannabis products made from sativa strains, indica strains, or combination thereof, to enable users to achieve the synergistic effect of caffeinated coffees or teas with cannabis, and/or to create a mildly euphoric effect in certain controlled doses. To more efficiently distribute cannabinoids in edible form in water-based beverages, what are needed are new cannabinoid formulations, products, and methods for dissolving or dispersing cannabinoids in water based solutions. Such new formulations, products, and methods would allow consumers to consume beverages that include cannabinoids that have been uniformly distributed in water based drinks without experiencing the negative side effects of consuming a drink where the cannabinoids have physically separated in the solution or have chemically degraded.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

[0014] The present disclosure is directed to apparatus and methods that may be used to introduce cannabinoids into a water based solution when a beverage that contains cannabinoids is created. A first apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may include a first container that includes a water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation that disperses cannabinoids into a water based solution when water contacts the water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation. This first apparatus may also include a filter and a second container. The second container may contain/encompass the first container, the filter, and a mass of plant derived material. The mass of plant derived material may include elements that are soluble in water and the filter may separate the first container from the mass of plant derived material. The water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation and the water soluble elements in the plant derived material may disperse in water when water contacts the plant derived material and the water soluble cannabinoid formulation.

[0015] A second apparatus consistent with the present disdosure may include a stick, a container that includes a water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation, and a bonding agent that attaches the container to the stick. The second apparatus may create a water based solution when the water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation disperses into the water based on the water contacting the water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulation.

[0016] A third apparatus consistent with ihe present disdosure may include a water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid containing material that dissolves in water when a beverage containing a cannabinoid is produced. This second apparatus may also include a container that surrounds the cannabinoid containing material and tins container may release the cannabinoid into the water when the cannabinoid containing beverage is produced. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary single serving packet or pod that may be used to infuse a liquid with cannabinoids to create a cannabinoid-containing beverage.

[0018] FIG.2 illustrates a tea bag coupled to a cannabinoid-containing capsule.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where a stirring straw that may be used to introduce a controlled dosage of cannabinoids into a solution.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates two different containers consistent with the present disclosure that could contain cannabinoids in a water-soluble or water dispersible formulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

[0022] Products and methods consistent with the present disclosure may allow a coupling of a capsule containing at least one cannabinoid with an item commonly used in brewing a hot beverage, such as tea or coffee. The capsule may be made of materials that dissolve in water at file brewing temperature of coffee or tea. In certain instances, such a capsule may be included in or affixed to a brewing tool, such as a single-serving coffee pod, the tag of a tea bag, or on another consumption or mixing device (e.g., a straw or stirrer).

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary single-serving packet or pod that may be used to infuse a liquid with cannabinoids to create a cannabinoid-containing beverage. The invention may include a system for single-serve coffee pod 100, according to an embodiment of a system for a cannabinoid addition to hot beverage. The single-serve pod 100 has a basic housing element, which may be substantially configured in the shape of a truncated cone or a cup, and which may be made from a rigid or semi-rigid plastics material, in particular in a vacuumforming process. The basic housing element may have a cavity, which is closed off by a gas-tight membrane 130. To this end, the membrane 130 may be adhesively bonded or welded to an encircling flange 110 which is configured on single serve pod 100. The beverage medium may be coffee grounds or tea leaves 140. Single serve pod 100 may contain filter 120, coffee or tea 140, and cannabinoid(s) 130. FIG. 1 illustrates that the coffee or tea 140 may be located above filter 120, where filter 120 is disposed between the coffee or tea 140 and the cannabinoid(s) 130. In certain instances, the coffee or tea 140 may be contained within a bag that acts as a filter.

Cannabinoid(s) 130 may be contained within a capsule that is soluble in water. Once placed in a brewing machine, membrane 130 located on the top surface of single serve pod 100 may be punctured by a pointy surface of input port 150 and a bottom surface of single serve pod 100 may be punctured by a pointy surface of output port 160. Water may be input into input port 150 and a beverage that includes dissolved coffee or tea and cannabinoids may be output from single serve pod 100 through output port 160. The water input into input port 150 may be heated and this water may also be pressurized. Once the water is input into input port 150, the water may dissolve or disperse cannabinoid(s) 130 that may be included in a capsule or container that dissolves in water. Exemplary capsule/container materials include gelatin, gelling agents - such as plant polysaccharides (carrageenans, startch, methylcellulose, or cellulose), and dissolving paper. A container that contains the cannabinoids may itself be a filter that contains a dry cannabinoid containing formulation and that allows cannabinoids dissolved or dispersed in water to pass through the filter. This could be accomplished by using a filter that includes openings that are smaller than a grain size of a dry cannabinoid containing powder, where those openings were larger than cannabinoids dissolved or dispersed in a water based solution. The efficiency of this "brewing" process may be increased by sufficiently heating the water input through input port 150. Additionally, the pressurized water may be introduced into input port 150 to more efficiently dissolve the cannabinoid(s) 130. In certain instances, cannabinoids 130 included in single serve pod 100 may be in a decarboxylated form. Alternatively, the cannabinoids 130 included single serve pod 100 may be in an acidic form and water that is sufficiently heated and input into input port 150 may cause these acidic cannabinoids to decarboxylate. As such, water input into input port 150 may be of sufficient temperature in order to release the contents into the beverage. The cannabinoid(s) contained in single serve pod 100 may both be decarboxylated and emulsified into a beverage or these cannabinoids may be dispersed in the hot beverage without need for decarboxylation. While cannabinoids in their acidic form may be included in single serve pod 130, cannabinoids that have already been decarboxylated by heating or other means may be preferred to avoid instances, where the heated water input into input port 150 is not sufficiently hot enough to decarboxylate all of the acidic cannabinoids when the hot beverage is brewed. Water-soluble formulations consistent with the present disclosure may include compounds that break down in water. Water dispersible formulations may include compounds that are suspended in the water, yet are not broken down by the water. In certain instances, formulations consistent with the present disclosure may include both water-soluble and water dispersible compounds.

[0024] In an embodiment, the cannabinoids(s) may be a dry powder formulation of water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoids formulated to a specific standardized concentration of cannabinoids and containing various other food grade or pharmaceutically acceptable additives and excipients selected to improve the physical and chemical stability of the cannabinoid(s). In a preferred embodiment the cannabinoid(s) may also be formulated with components intended to improve the bio-absorption and bioavailability of the cannabinoid(s) and or improve the taste following consumption of the product. For example, dry powder cannabinoid formulations that are soluble or dispersible in water may include dry milk powder, starches, liposome, casein protein, or other materials that act as emulsifying agents capable of solubilizing lipophilic molecules. Other specific materials that may be combined with cannabinoids may include liposomes - such as phosphatidylethanolamine & phosphatidylcholine, starches - such as maltodextrin. Dry power formulations consistent with the present disclosure may have been prepared by vacuum drying, spray drying, or other methods. The cannabinoids 130 contained within single serve pod 100 may be in a formulation that allows them to dissolve and be dispersed in water. Cannabinoid formulations that may be used in products consistent with the present disclosure may include additives that act as excipients or oomplexing agents that allow lipophilic cannabinoids to more easily dissolve and disperse in water. In yet other examples, cannabinoids may be combined with soluble macromolecule entities that may include cydodextrins, hydoxypropyl, sulfobutyl ether, or other dements that hdp improve aqueous solubility, disperse-ability, and/or dissolution/dispersion rates. Materials combined with the cannabinoids may also mask the taste of the cannabinoids and may also assist in making the cannabinoids more stable or more bioavailable once consumed by a person. Cannabinoid formulations may also include materi als that hdp stabilize the cannabinoids, for example, cannabinoid formulations may include gums or a polysorbate.

[0025] While dry powder formulations may be preferred, cannabinoid formulations included in the present disclosure may be in a liquid form. Another possible dement that can be used to enhance solubility is polyethylene glycol (PEG) that may be in a liquid, gd, or solid form. In instances when PEG is used in capsules that may degraded by exposer to liquid forms of PEG, PEG formulations with a molecular weight greater than 500 may be used. For example, PEG with a molecular weight of 900 and cannabinoids may be included in a gelatin capsule. As such, powers or liquids may be used in apparatus consistent with the present disclosure and since these powers or liquids may be combined in a capsule that delivers cannabinoids in specific dosages to beverage consumers, these powers or liquids may be considered excipients. Because of this, dry milk powder, starches, liposomes, casein protein, cyclodextrins, hydoxypropyl, sulfobutyl ether, or PEG may be considered excipients.

[0026] The cannabinoid(s) may be mixed with the brewed beverage through the following steps: the single-serve pod 100 is placed in a single-serving beverage brewer in which the bottom of the receiving portion of the brewer has a needle that pierces the bottom of the pod on output port 160 when the apparatus is dosed. A second needle in the top of the brewer on input port 150 pierces the gas tight membrane 130 on the top of the capsule in order to deliver hot water to single serve pod 100. The bottom needle can either pierce a capsule that contains the cannabinoid(s) 130 in instances when this capsule is not dissolvable, or the capsule can be positioned adjacent to the needle to allow the hot water to dissolve the capsule and release the cannabinoid(s) 130 into the beverage. In yet other embodiments, a container that contains water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulations may include a filter through which water can pass through. The beverage brewer may then deliver hot water through the upper needle to brew the beverage, which passes through the filter 120 and then into the space occupied by the cannabinoids 130 as the desired dose of at least one cannabinoid is delivered into a hot brewed beverage. In certain instances, dissolving capsule technology can be utilized to deliver the cannabinoids after the brewing and filtering process. After or during the brewing process, the cannabinoid containing beverage may be passed through output port 160 and into a cup or pot

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a tea bag coupled to a cannabinoid-containing capsule. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which cannabinoid(s) 230 may be stored in container 230C, which may be an air and light proof container that is on the tag end of tea bag string 250 that connects tea bag 220 with cannabinoid container 230G By not storing the cannabinoid(s) 230 in the tea bag 220, none of the cannabinoid dose is lost or trapped in the paper filter of the tea bag or absorbed into the tea leaves themselves. The tea bag 220 and cannabinoid container 230C may be packaged in a paper wrapper, similar to the wrappers that are used to enclose a conventional tea bag. When a person is ready to infuse cannabinoids 230 into a beverage that includes tea, hot water may be placed in cup/vessel 210 up to the dashed water 240 level line in FIG. 2. The tea bag 220 may then be placed in the hot water 240. Later cannabinoid container 230C may be immersed in the water 240, after which cannabinoid container 230 could be allowed to dissolve, releasing cannabinoid(s) 230 into cup/vessel 210 forming a tea-cannabinoid beverage. In certain instances, this process may be executed in reverse. In such an instance, cannabinoid container 230C may be placed in water 240. A person preparing the cup of cannabinoid containing tea may then agitate cannabinoid container 230C until cannabinoid container 230 releases cannabinoid(s) 230 into cup/vessel 210. The person could then immerse the tea bag into water 240 that contains dissolved cannabinoids.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where a stirring straw that may be used to introduce a controlled dosage of cannabinoids into a solution. In this embodiment the cannabinoid(s) 330 may be stored in a dissolvable capsule or container 340 that is affixed to one end of stirring device or straw 310. Capsule/container 340 may be affixed to one end of stirrer/straw 310 using a bonding mechanism (agent) 320 that may be a nontoxic food-grade compatible adhesive that glues container 340 to the stick or a string that ties container 340 to the stick. In this fashion, a hot beverage included in a cup or vessel may dissolve the

capsule/container as a person places capsule/container 340 into a cup and stirs their drink. This stirring action would help dissolve capsule/container 340 in order to release the desired cannabinoid(s) 330 into a beverage or water. Bonding mechanism 320 may include any mechanism capable of attaching stirrer/straw 310 to capsule/container 340. For example, bonding mechanism 320 may be a string that ties stirrer/straw 310 to capsule/container 340. Note that here again capsule/container 340 may be a food grade capsule or be a paper case that dissolves in water. In yet other instances, capsule/container may be a filter with a hole size that is smaller than a grain size of the cannabinoid 330 formulation contained within

capsule/container 340. Once dissolved in water or in a beverage the dissolved cannabinoids may be smaller than the hole size of the filter. In such instances, dissolved cannabinoids and other dissolved elements that were included in the cannabinoid containing formulation 330 may pass through such a filtering container with little impedance.

[0029] FIG.4 illustrates two different containers consistent with the present disclosure that could contain cannabinoids in a liquid soluble or dispersible formulation. FIG.4 includes container 410 with filters 420 that include holes. The holes included in filters 420 may be smaller titan a cross-sectional size or grain size of the cannabinoid containing formulation. Assume that a smallest cross-sectional size of a cannabinoids containing water soluble or dispersible formulation is 100 microns (0.100 millimeters - mm) and that a filtering hole size of filters 420 is 10 microns (0.010 mm). In such an instance, the cannabinoids included in the formulation would be trapped in container 410 when in a powder form. After being immersed in a liquid, especially a heated liquid, the water would pass through filters 420 and dissolve the water soluble or water dispersible formulation, resulting in the cannabinoids and other materials being dispersed into the water. Once dissolved, the cannabinoids would then be of a size that is smaller than the 100 microns and could pass from the inside of container 410 to an outside of container 410. Agitation by stirring or by the movement of pressurized water through' container 410 would further assist the movement of cannabinoids from an internal portion of container 410 to an outer portion of container 410. For example, the water flowing through single serve pod 100 of FIG. 1 could allow dissolve cannabinoids 130 to flow from an internal portion the cannabinoid container of FIG. 1 to output port 160. Similarly, cannabinoids 230 in cannabinoid container 230 of FIG.2 or cannabinoids 330 in container 340 of FIG. 3 could flow into a water based solution when a cannabinoid containing beverage is produced. Furthermore, stirring and crushing of containers 230C or 340 would force dissolved cannabinoids into a beverage. Alternatively or additionally, container 410 and filters 420 of FIG. 2 could be made of materials that are themselves soluble in water. In such instances, the dissolution of the container 410 would and/or filters 420 would allow cannabinoids dissolved or dispersed in a solution to move into a beverage.

[0030] Container 430 is a container made of filtering material. Here again the hole size in the filter could be smaller than a cross-sectional size or a grain size of a cannabinoid formulation that dissolves in water. Alternatively or additionally, container 430 itself may be water soluble. In instances when container 430 is soluble in water, holes in the filter may increase the rate at which filtering container 430 dissolves. Furthermore, filtering container 430 may dissolve more quickly in hot water than in cold water. When hot water is used to dissolve the water soluble or water dispersible cannabinoid formulations discussed in the present disclosure, water temperatures between 170 degrees F and 212 degrees F may be preferred as these temperatures are consistent with making hot tea, hot coffee, hot cider, and/or hot chocolate/cocoa beverages. Alternatively, beverages created using apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may dissolve cannabinoids into any otter drink that is water or that includes water.

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or otter shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one dement. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.

[0032] The foregoing detailed description of the technology herein has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the technology be defined by the claims appended hereto.