Apparatus and method for infusing oils

Abstract

An apparatus for infusing oils is provided that employs a removable pod that contains infusing material such that the resultant infusion is substantially free from particulate matter. The removable pod is comprised of a flexible bag that is expanded by an internally-disposed cage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pod for receiving an infusing material, comprising:
 a permeable member having an open end;   a cage configured to fit within the permeable member and generally maintain the permeable member in an expanded configuration, the cage having a plurality of openings and an upper portion with at least one inwardly-extending protrusion; and   a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit within the upper portion of the cage, wherein the lower surface engages the at least one protrusion to position a portion of the open end of the permeable member between the cage and the clip.   
     
     
         2 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable member is a flexible bag made of mesh. 
     
     
         3 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the cage is comprised of first portion and a second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pod of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a non-permeable wall. 
     
     
         5 . The pod of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip. 
     
     
         6 . The pod of  claim 5 , wherein the cap is integrated into the clip, the cap being configured to move from an open to a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The pod of  claim 5 , wherein the cap employs a removable membrane. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for infusing a solvent, comprising:
 a housing having an infusing chamber adapted to receive the solvent;   a heating element associated with the infusing chamber;   a drain associated with the infusing chamber;   a removable pod interconnected to an inner surface of the infusing chamber, the pod adapted to receive infusing material, and the pod comprising:   a permeable member having an open end;   a cage configured to fit within the permeable member and generally maintain the permeable pod in an expanded configuration, the cage having a plurality of openings and an upper portion with at least one inwardly-extending protrusion;   a clip having a upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit within the upper portion of the cage, wherein the lower surface engages the at least one protrusion with a portion of the open end of the permeable member positioned therebetween;   a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip to close the permeable member; and   a mount that selectively secures the pod to the infusing chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the permeable member is a flexible bag made of mesh. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the mount comprises a ring with an internal diameter of a dimension greater than a maximum outer dimension of the permeable member, and a greater than maximum outer dimension of the cage, and less than a maximum outer dimension of the clip. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the mount is selectively interconnected to the infusing chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the mount is interconnected to an internal side wall of the infusing chamber, and further comprising an agitator positioned within the infusing chamber and operatively interconnect at a center point of a bottom surface of the infusing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cap is integrated into the clip, the cap being configured to move from an open to a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cap employs a removable membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cage is comprised of first portion and a second portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a non-permeable wall. 
     
     
         17 . A method of filling a pod with infusing material, comprising:
 providing a permeable member having an open end;   inserting a cage within the permeable member;   folding a top edge of the permeable member over an upper edge of the cage; and   inserting a clip into the cage such that a lower edge of the clip is captured by the at least one protrusion, and wherein a portion of the permeable member is captured by the clip and the cage.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pod further comprises a cap with a portion configured to be inserted within the clip to seal the permeable member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cage is comprised of a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is filled with a first infusing material at one geographic location and the second portion is filled with a second infusing material at a second geographic location. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the second infusing material is illegal in the first geographic location.