Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 10 Page ID #:1

1 SPEARHEAD LEGAL LLP

Ryan R. Owens (Bar No. 269370)
2 ryan.owens@spearheadlegal.com
3 Kristopher M. Dawes (Bar No. 261170)
kris.dawes@spearheadlegal.com
4 Andrew J. Fossum (Bar No. 250373)
andrew.fossum@spearheadlegal.com
5 620 Newport Center Dr., Suite 1100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
6 Telephone: (949) 409-8401
7 Facsimile: (949) 336-3830

9
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
10
GENE POOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
11

12 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

13 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
14

15 GENE POOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Case No. 5:21-cv-01328

16 Plaintiff,
17 v. COMPLAINT FOR
PATENT INFRINGEMENT
18 COASTAL HARVEST, LLC,
19 Defendant.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
20

21

22

23

24

25

26

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1

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 10 Page ID #:2

1 Plaintiff Gene Pool Technologies, Inc. (“Gene Pool” or “Plaintiff”), by and through its

2 undersigned counsel, complain and allege against Defendant Coastal Harvest, LLC (“Coastal

3 Harvest” or “Defendant”) as follows:

4 NATURE OF THE ACTION

5 1. This is a civil action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the

6 United States, 35 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.

7 THE PARTIES

8 2. Plaintiff Gene Pool is a company organized and existing under the laws of the

9 State of Colorado with its principal place of business in Boulder, Colorado, and a mailing address

10 of 1601 29th Street, Suite 1292, #1052, Boulder, CO 80301.

11 3. Gene Pool is a technology aggregation, development, and licensing company

12 focused on cannabis and hemp extraction technologies. Gene Pool brings this patent

13 infringement action to protect its valuable patented technology related to cannabis extraction

14 technology. Since its founding in 2018, Gene Pool has sourced and acquired some of the most

15 promising and widely adopted innovations in the cannabis and hemp extraction industries. These

16 technologies, for example, allow for more efficient and cost-effective extraction of cannabinoids

17 from cannabis plant material.

18 4. On information and belief, defendant Coastal Harvest is a company organized and

19 existing under the laws of the State of California with its principal place of business at 68-956

20 Perez Road, Suite D, Cathedral City, CA 92234.

21 5. On information and belief, Coastal Harvest is in the business of manufacturing,

22 offering for sale, selling, and distributing products extracted from cannabis.

23 6. On information and belief, Coastal Harvest has used and continues to use the

24 ExtractionTek Solutions Modular Extraction Platform 30 (“MeP 30”) to extract products from

25 cannabis thereby infringing system and method claims of Gene Pool patents.

26

27

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2

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 10 Page ID #:3

1 JURISDICTION AND VENUE

2 7. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under 28 U.S.C.

3 §§1331 and 1338(a).

4 8. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Coastal Harvest because, upon

5 information and belief, it maintains a principal place of business in California.

6 9. Venue is this District is proper under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391 and1400(b) with respect

7 to Coastal Harvest. On information and belief, the Coastal Harvest resides and has a regular and

8 established place of business in this District. Venue is also proper because, on information and

9 belief, defendant has committed acts of infringement in this District.

10 GENE POOL’S ASSERTED PATENTS

11 10. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751

12 (“the ’751 patent”)—titled “Systems for Extracting Solute from a Source Material”—on

13 September 29, 2015. The ’751 patent identifies Jason Wasserman, Jess Ordower, and Samuel

14 Decker as inventors. A true and correct copy of the ’751 patent is attached as Exhibit 1.

15 11. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532

16 (“the ’532 patent”)—titled “Methods for Extracting Solute from a Source Material”—on

17 September 29, 2015. The ’532 patent identifies Jason Wasserman, Jess Ordower, and Samuel

18 Decker as inventors. A true and correct copy of the ’532 patent is attached as Exhibit 2.

19 12. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203

20 (“the ’203 patent”)—titled “Methods for Extracting Solute from a Source Material”—on March 7,

21 2017. The ’203 patent identifies Jason Wasserman, Jess Ordower, and Samuel Decker as

22 inventors. A true and correct copy of the ’203 patent is attached as Exhibit 3.

23 13. Gene Pool is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to the ’751, ’532, and

24 ’203 patents (collectively, “the Asserted Patents”) with full and exclusive right to bring suit to

25 enforce the Asserted Patents, including the right to recover for past damages and/or royalties up

26 until the expiration of each Asserted Patent.

27 14. The Asserted Patents are valid and enforceable.

28
3

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 10 Page ID #:4

1 COUNT I

2 INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’751 PATENT

3 15. Gene Pool repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations of the preceding

4 paragraphs of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.

5 16. Defendant has directly infringed and continues to directly infringe one or more

6 claims of the ’751 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a) by using the MeP 30 extraction system to

7 extract solutes from cannabis material without authority.

8 17. Attached hereto as Exhibit 4, and incorporated by reference herein, is a claim chart

9 detailing how Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringes independent claim 13 of the ’751 patent.

10 The descriptions within the exhibit, which are based on publicly available information, are

11 preliminary examples and are non-limiting.

12 18. The Court has not yet construed the meaning of any claims or terms in the ’751

13 patent. In providing these detailed allegations, Gene Pool does not intend to convey or imply any

14 particular claim construction or the precise scope of the claims. Gene Pool’s contentions

15 regarding the construction of the claims will be provided in compliance with the case schedule,

16 any applicable federal or local procedural rules, and/or any applicable orders.

17 19. Gene Pool contends that each element of each asserted claim is literally present in

18 the MeP 30 system as used by the Defendant. If based on the Court’s constructions or other

19 determinations one or more claim elements are not literally present, Gene Pool contends that each

20 such element is present under the doctrine of equivalents and reserves the right to provide more

21 detailed doctrine of equivalents contentions after discovery, a claim construction order from the

22 Court, or at another appropriate time.

23 20. Defendant is not authorized to practice the claims of the ’751 patent.

24 21. By reason of Defendant’s infringement, Gene Pool has suffered substantial

25 damages.

26 22. Gene Pool is entitled to recover the damages sustained as a result of Defendant’s

27 wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

28 23. Gene Pool provided actual notice of its infringement allegation to Defendant on
4

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 10 Page ID #:5

1 July 9, 2021. Specifically, Gene Pool’s counsel sent a letter by email and FedEx stating that

2 Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringed the ’751 patent and providing a detailed claim chart

3 demonstrating how this use infringed at least claim 13 of the ’751 patent.

4 24. Gene Pool alleges, on information and belief, that Defendant’s infringement of the

5 ’751 patent has been and continues to be willful. Starting in February 2021, Gene Pool or its

6 counsel have reached out to Defendant’s officers at least five separate times regarding Gene

7 Pool’s patent portfolio and the likelihood that Defendant requires a license to the portfolio. And

8 as noted above, Defendant has had knowledge of its specific infringement of the ’751 patent since

9 at least July 9, 2021. Defendant has never responded to any of this correspondence from Gene

10 Pool. Thus, Defendant has deliberately continued to infringe in a wanton, malicious, and

11 egregious manner, with reckless disregard for Gene Pool’s patent rights. And Defendant’s

12 infringing actions have been and continue to be consciously wrongful.

13 25. Defendant’s infringement of the ’751 patent is exceptional and entitles Gene Pool

14 to attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.

15 COUNT II

16 INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’532 PATENT

17 26. Gene Pool repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations of the preceding

18 paragraphs of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.

19 27. Defendant has directly infringed and continues to directly infringe one or more

20 claims of the ’532 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a) by using the MeP 30 extraction system to

21 extract solutes from cannabis material without authority.

22 28. Attached hereto as Exhibit 5, and incorporated by reference herein, is a claim chart

23 detailing how Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringes independent claim 14 and dependent

24 claim 15 of the ’532 patent. The descriptions within the exhibit, which are based on publicly

25 available information, are preliminary examples and are non-limiting.

26 29. The Court has not yet construed the meaning of any claims or terms in the ’532

27 patent. In providing these detailed allegations, Gene Pool does not intend to convey or imply any

28 particular claim construction or the precise scope of the claims. Gene Pool’s contentions
5

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 6 of 10 Page ID #:6

1 regarding the construction of the claims will be provided in compliance with the case schedule,

2 any applicable federal or local procedural rules, and/or any applicable orders.

3 30. Gene Pool contends that each element of each asserted claim is literally present in

4 the MeP 30 system as used by the Defendant. If based on Court’s constructions or other

5 determinations one or more claim elements are not literally present, Gene Pool contends that each

6 such element is present under the doctrine of equivalents and reserves the right to provide more

7 detailed doctrine of equivalents contentions after discovery, a claim construction order from the

8 Court, or at another appropriate time.

9 31. Defendant is not authorized to practice the claims of the ’532 patent.

10 32. By reason of Defendant’s infringement, Gene Pool has suffered substantial

11 damages.

12 33. Gene Pool is entitled to recover the damages sustained as a result of Defendant’s

13 wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

14 34. Gene Pool provided actual notice of its infringement allegation to Defendant on

15 July 9, 2021. Specifically, Gene Pool’s counsel sent a letter by email and FedEx stating that

16 Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringed the ’532 patent and providing a detailed claim chart

17 demonstrating how this use infringed at least claims 14 and 15 of the ’532 patent.

18 35. Gene Pool alleges, on information and belief, that Defendant’s infringement of the

19 ’532 patent has been and continues to be willful. Starting in February 2021, Gene Pool or its

20 counsel have reached out to Defendant’s officers at least five separate times regarding Gene

21 Pool’s patent portfolio and the likelihood that Defendant requires a license to the portfolio. And

22 as noted above, Defendant has had knowledge of its specific infringement of the ’532 patent since

23 at least July 9, 2021. Defendant has never responded to any of this correspondence from Gene

24 Pool. Thus, Defendant has deliberately continued to infringe in a wanton, malicious, and

25 egregious manner, with reckless disregard for Gene Pool’s patent rights. And Defendant’s

26 infringing actions have been and continue to be consciously wrongful.

27 36. Defendant’s infringement of the ’532 patent is exceptional and entitles Gene Pool

28 to attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.
6

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 7 of 10 Page ID #:7

1 COUNT III

2 INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’203 PATENT

3 37. Gene Pool repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations of the preceding

4 paragraphs of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.

5 38. Defendant has directly infringed and continues to directly infringe one or more

6 claims of the ’203 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a) by using the MeP 30 extraction system to

7 extract solutes from cannabis material without authority.

8 39. Attached hereto as Exhibit 6, and incorporated by reference herein, is a claim chart

9 detailing how Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringes independent claim 1 and dependent claims

10 9 and 10 of the ’203 patent. The descriptions within the exhibit, which are based on publicly

11 available information, are preliminary examples and are non-limiting.

12 40. The Court has not yet construed the meaning of any claims or terms in the ’203

13 patent. In providing these detailed allegations, Gene Pool does not intend to convey or imply any

14 particular claim construction or the precise scope of the claims. Gene Pool’s contentions

15 regarding the construction of the claims will be provided in compliance with the case schedule,

16 any applicable federal or local procedural rules, and/or any applicable orders.

17 41. Gene Pool contends that each element of each asserted claim is literally present in

18 the MeP 30 system as used by the Defendant. If based on the Court’s constructions or other

19 determinations one or more claim elements are not literally present, Gene Pool contends that each

20 such element is present under the doctrine of equivalents and reserves the right to provide more

21 detailed doctrine of equivalents contentions after discovery, a claim construction order from the

22 Court, or at another appropriate time.

23 42. Defendant is not authorized to practice the claims of the ’203 patent.

24 43. By reason of Defendant’s infringement, Gene Pool has suffered substantial

25 damages.

26 44. Gene Pool is entitled to recover the damages sustained as a result of Defendant’s

27 wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

28 45. Gene Pool provided actual notice of its infringement allegation to Defendant on
7

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 8 of 10 Page ID #:8

1 July 9, 2021. Specifically, Gene Pool’s counsel sent a letter by email and FedEx stating that

2 Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 infringed the ’203 patent and providing a detailed claim chart

3 demonstrating how this use infringed at least claims 1, 9, and 10 of the ’203 patent.

4 46. Gene Pool alleges, on information and belief, that Defendant’s infringement of the

5 ’203 patent has been and continues to be willful. Starting in February 2021, Gene Pool or its

6 counsel have reached out to Defendant’s officers at least five separate times regarding Gene

7 Pool’s patent portfolio and the likelihood that Defendant requires a license to the portfolio. And

8 as noted above, Defendant has had knowledge of its specific infringement of the ’203 patent since

9 at least July 9, 2021. Defendant has never responded to any of this correspondence from Gene

10 Pool. Thus, Defendant has deliberately continued to infringe in a wanton, malicious, and

11 egregious manner, with reckless disregard for Gene Pool’s patent rights. And Defendant’s

12 infringing actions have been and continue to be consciously wrongful.

13 47. Defendant’s infringement of the ’203 patent is exceptional and entitles Gene Pool

14 to attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.

15 PRAYER FOR RELIEF

16 WHEREFORE, Gene Pool prays for judgment and relief as follows:

17 A. That Defendant has infringed the Asserted Patents;

18 B. That Defendant be ordered to pay damages adequate to compensate Gene Pool for

19 Defendant’s infringement of the Asserted Patents pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284, including without

20 limitation a reasonably royalty, together with interest thereon;

21 C. That Defendant be ordered to pay treble damages for willful infringement pursuant

22 to 35 U.S.C. § 284.

23 D. That this case be found exceptional and awarding Gene Pool its reasonable

24 attorneys’ fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285.

25 E. That Defendant be ordered to pay all of Gene Pool’s costs associated with this

26 action; and

27 F. That Gene Pool be granted such other and additional relief as the Court deems

28 equitable, just, and proper.

8

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 9 of 10 Page ID #:9

2 DATED: August 6, 2021 Respectfully submitted,

3 SPEARHEAD LEGAL LLP

4
By /s/ Ryan R. Owens
5

6
Ryan R. Owens
7 SPEARHEAD LEGAL LLP
620 Newport Center Dr., Suite 1100
8 Newport Beach, CA 92660
9 Telephone: (949) 409-8401
Facsimile: (949) 336-3830
10 ryan.owens@spearheadlegal.com
Kristopher M. Dawes (Bar No. 261170)
11
kris.dawes@spearheadlegal.com
12 Andrew J. Fossum (Bar No. 250373)
andrew.fossum@spearheadlegal.com
13 620 Newport Center Dr., Suite 1100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
14
Attorneys for GENE POOL
15 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
16

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9

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 10 of 10 Page ID #:10

1 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

2 Pursuant to Rule 38(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rule 38-1 of this

3 Court, Gene Pool hereby demands trial by jury for all issues so triable.

5 DATED: August 6, 2021 Respectfully submitted,

6 SPEARHEAD LEGAL LLP

7
By /s/ Ryan R. Owens
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COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 19 Page ID #:11

US009 144751B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,144,751 B2

Wasserman et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep. 29, 2015
(54) SYSTEMIS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE (56) References Cited
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(71) Applicants: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); 5,281,732 A 1/1994 Franke
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US); 5,516,923 A 5/1996 Hebert et al.
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US) 6,551,642 B2 4/2003 Trout
6,821,413 B1 1 1/2004 Alkhalidl
(72) Inventors: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); 2003/0196282 A1* 10/2003 Fyvie et al. ......................... 15.3
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US); * cited by examiner
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US)
Primary Examiner — Monzer R Chorbaji
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Mohr Intellectual Property
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Law Solutions, PC
U.S.C. 154(b) by 53 days. (57) ABSTRACT
(21) Appl. No.: 14/070,942 Systems for extracting Solute from Source material, including
Solvent Source containers configured to store solvent, canis
(22) Filed: Nov. 4, 2013 ters in fluid communication with the solvent source contain
ers and configured to contain the source material, extract
(65) Prior Publication Data containers in fluid communication with the canister and con
US 2015/O125360A1 May 7, 2015 figured to fluidly receive extract solution from the canisters,
heating elements thermally coupled with the extract contain
ers. Some examples include solvent collection containers
(51) Int. C. configured to receive post-extraction portions of the solvent
BOLD II/02 (2006.01) from extract containers. In some examples, solvent collection
A6IL 2/00 (2006.01) containers are in fluid communication with solvent Source
BOSB 3/00 (2006.01) containers and are configured to fluidly receive the post
(52) U.S. C. extraction portion of the solvent and direct a portion of the
CPC ........ B01D 1 1/0215 (2013.01); B01D 11/0296 post-extraction solvent to the solvent Source containers.
(2013.01) Some examples include a plurality of detachable canisters.
(58) Field of Classification Search Some examples include coolant thermally coupled with sol
CPC ................ A61L 2/18: B01D3/00; C12F 3/00 vent collection lines configured to transmit post-extraction
USPC .............. 422/261,292, 307-308: 134/61, 93, portions of solvent to solvent collection containers.
134/105
See application file for complete search history. 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets

100- 98

105- 113 112 185

14
1 if sys' 7-1901.7 /-194 121 -197 S 140- g
FF
182 (2 187
- - 130 s z O

A8
O8 115 12O
107 79

A-190
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 19 Page ID #:12

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 1 of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

8
s
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 19 Page ID #:13

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 2 of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

FIG.2
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 19 Page ID #:14

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 3 of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

FIG.3
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 19 Page ID #:15

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 4 of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

FIG.4
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 6 of 19 Page ID #:16

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 5 Of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

190

||
\
SQ

1O
|

90
FIG.5
Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 7 of 19 Page ID #:17
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 8 of 19 Page ID #:18

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 7 Of 7 US 9,144,751 B2

300-N

305

DEPOSITING THE SOURCE MATERAL INA CANISTER

31 O
REMOVABLY ATTACHING THE CANISTER INFLUID COMMUNICATION
WITH AN EXTRACT CONTAINER
31 5
INTRODUCING ASOLVENT INTO THE CANISTER

32O

EXPOSING THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO THE SOLVENT

325
COMMUNICATING THE EXTRACT MIXTURE TO AN EXTRACT CONTAINER

33O
SEPARATING THE RECYCLED SOLVENT

335
COOLING THE RECYCLED SOLVENT

340

COLLECTING THE RECYCLED SOLVENTINASOLVENT COLLECTION CONTAINER

345
INTRODUCING RECYCLED SOLVENT FROM THE SOLVENT COLLECTION
CONTAINERTO THE CANISTER

FIG.7
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 9 of 19 Page ID #:19
US 9,144,751 B2
1.
SYSTEMIS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to systems for
extracting solute from source materials. In particular, systems
configured to extract essential oils from Solid materials are
described.
Known extraction systems are not entirely satisfactory for
the range of applications in which they are employed. For
example, many conventional systems are unable to simulta
neously extract solute from materials stored in a plurality of
distinct containers. Rather, many existing systems are con
figured to extract solute from a single container of Source
material.
Extracting solute from a single container produces a bottle
neck, requiring the user to wait for extraction to complete
before the user can performany other task associated with the
extraction process. As a result, conventional systems require
a wasteful, inefficient extraction methodology. Accordingly,
there exists the need for a system that provides parallelism to
overcome Such bottlenecks.
Further, many conventional extraction systems do not
allow extraction to be performed in a single, closed loop
process that reclaims solvent and re-introduces the reclaimed
Solvent in Subsequent cycles of the system. While some con
ventional systems allow users to manually reclaim and reuse
Solvent, this process is time consuming and results in an
inefficient reclaim rate.
Further, many systems include no means for reclaiming
previously used solvent. Because users are unable to reclaim
and reuse solvent, such systems are wasteful. Further, many
Solvents include odorants and other impurities that may end
up in extracted materials. Because the reclamation process
may simultaneously purify previously used solvent, systems
lacking reclamation functionality may produce a lower qual
ity end product. Accordingly, there exists the need for a sys
tem that defines a closed loop with an at least partially auto
mated means for reclaiming and reintroducing solvent used in
previous iterations of extracting solute from a source mate
rial.
Additionally or alternatively, there exists a need for cooling
reclaimed solvent to a liquid state prior to collecting the
solvent. Liquid solvent may be more efficiently stored than
Solvent that is presently a gas. As a result, cooling reclaimed
Solvent to a liquid state prior to collecting it allows users to
more efficiently store reclaimed solvent. Accordingly, there
exists a need for extraction systems that cool reclaimed sol
vent prior to collecting it.
Thus, there exists a need for extraction systems that
improve upon and advance the design of known systems.
Examples of new and useful extraction systems relevant to the
needs existing in the field are discussed below.
SUMMARY
Systems for extracting Solute from Source material, includ
ing solvent source containers configured to store solvent,
canisters in fluid communication with the solvent source con
tainers and configured to contain the source material, extract
containers in fluid communication with the canister and con
figured to fluidly receive extract solution from the canisters,
heating elements thermally coupled with the extract contain
ers, and solvent collection containers in fluid communication
2
with the extract containers, the solvent collection containers
configured to fluidly receive a post-extraction portion of the
solvent.
In Some examples, Solvent collection containers are in fluid
communication with solvent source containers and are con
figured to fluidly receive the post-extraction portion of the
Solvent and direct a portion of the post-extraction solvent to
the solvent source container. Some examples include a plu
10
rality of detachable canisters. Some examples include coolant
thermally coupled with solvent collection lines configured to
transmit post-extraction portions of solvent to solvent collec
tion containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of an example of a
detachable canister included in the system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG.3 is a perspective view an extract container included in
the system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extract container
shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4.
25 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a condenser column shown
included in the system shown in FIG.1, the condenser column
shown with a front panel removed to show interior details.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a second example of a
system for extracting Solute from a source material.
30 FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example of a method for
extracting solute from a source material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
35 The disclosed systems will become better understood
through review of the following detailed description in con
junction with the figures. The detailed description and figures
provide merely examples of the various inventions described
herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the dis
40 closed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without
departing from the scope of the inventions described herein.
Many variations are contemplated for different applications
and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity,
each and every contemplated variation is not individually
45 described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples
of various systems are provided. Related features in the
examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different
examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be
50 redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of
related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with
a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in
an example explained previously. Features specific to a given
example will be described in that particular example. The
55 reader should understand that a given feature need not be the
same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in
any given figure or example.
With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a system for
extracting solute from a source material, system 100, will
60 now be described. As FIG. 1 shows, system 100 includes a
solvent source container 120, a solvent compressor 130, a
detachable canister system 140, an extract container 170, a
first pump 101, a second pump 102, a condensing system 105,
and a solvent collection container 115. System 100 addition
65 ally includes various valves and fluid lines (defining pipes)
that control the flow of fluids through system 100 during
operation.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 10 of 19 Page ID #:20
US 9,144,751 B2
3 4
System 100 may be particularly adapted for using butane to
extract essential oils from plant material. For example, FIG.2
depicts system 100 using butane to extract essential oils from
lavender plants. FIG. 2 illustrates lavender 91 contained
within first detachable canister 150, being exposed to a sol
vent, defining liquid butane 92, within a canister of system
1OO.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 is configured
to store lavender 91 and liquid butane 92 to extract the essen
tial oils from the Source material in an extract solution, con
taining butane and lavender essential oil. After a predeter
mined period of time selected to effectively extracting
essential oil from lavender plant materials, first detachable
canister 150 is configured to output the contained extract
Solution.
After the predetermined period of time, the extract solution
is directed to an extract container. The extract container is
configured to heat the contained extract Solution above the
boiling point of the solvent to separate substantially purified
post-extraction solvent from the extract solution. The evapo
rated post-extraction solvent is then stored to reclaim it for
later use. After removing the post-extraction solvent from the
extract container, the residual material in the extract container
defines a distilled, high-purity essential oil of the source
material.
After the solvent has been used to extract solute from the
solvent, system 100 is configured to reclaim the used solvent
for later use. As FIG. 1 illustrates, extract container 170 is
connected in fluid communication with solvent collection
container 115. Extract container 170 is configured to separate
the solvent from the extracted solute, allowing system 100 to
direct and collect the used solvent in solvent collection con
tainer 115. System 100 includes several features configured
to increase the reclaim rate of post-extraction solvent, allow
ing system 100 to use solvent more efficiently than many
conventional extraction systems.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent source container 120 is connected
in fluid communication with solvent compressor 130 and in
fluid communication with solvent collection container 115.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent source container 120 includes a
Source container input 121 and a source container output 122.
Source container input 121 is configured to fluidly receive
solvent communicated from solvent collection container 115.
For example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 may pump
solvent contained in solvent collection container 115 as sys
tem 100 proceeds through an extraction cycle. Source con
tainer input 121 is additionally configured to restrict the pas
sage of fluid back into solvent collection container 115.
Source container output 122 is configured to direct solvent
contained in solvent Source container 120 to Solvent compres
sor 130 via a solvent source line 197. By directing fluid to
solvent compressor 130, solvent source container 120 intro
duces the solvent in the current cycle of system 100’s extrac
tion process. In some examples, Solvent source line 197 may
include an internal filter. The internal filter may be used to
remove impurities in Solvent prior to introducing the Solvent
to detachable canister system 140.
Because solvent source container 120 is configured to flu
idly receive solvent from solvent collection container 115,
solvent source container 120 may be refilled with post-ex
traction solvent collected by solvent collection container 115
during previous extraction cycles performed by system 100.
By directly reintroducing post-extraction solvent to Sol
vent source container 120, system 100 is able to reclaim
post-extraction solvent at a high rate. Further, the reclaimed
Solvent may be of a higher purity than fresh, commercially
Sourced butane. Butane often ships with an odorant, Such as
mercaptain or thiphiane. When using a solvent containing
Such an odorant, the extracted essential oil may include por
tions of the odorant. This results in a less desirable end prod
uct.
In some examples, solvent source line 197 may include a
solvent filter within its fluid-transmissive interior, thereby
passing solvent through the filter as it passes from Solvent
source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In some
examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecular
10 sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as it
passes from Solvent source container 120 to Solvent compres
Sor 130.
Post-extraction solvent that has been processed and
reclaimed by system 100 may have decreased levels of odor
15 ant compared to commercially available odorant-containing
Solvents. Accordingly, using reclaimed solvent may result in
a purer, more desirable end product. In some cases, users may
run a solvent purification cycle prior to extraction to remove
Such impurities. Such a solvent purification cycle may
include processing and reclaiming commercially purchased
butane through system 100 one time prior to extraction.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid com
munication with solvent source container 120. As FIG. 1
additionally illustrates, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid
25 communication with first pump 101 and second pump 102,
assuming appropriate valves are open. Solvent compressor
130 is configured to receive solvent from solvent source con
tainer 120.
Solvent compressor 130 is configured to compress, or
30 “charge the received solvent. In some examples, the com
pressor may be electrically powered. Such as by plugging into
an electrical outlet 89. In other examples, solvent compressor
130 may pressurize solvent using backflow pressure pro
duced by first pump 101 and second pump 102.
35 In some examples, it is desirable to use a high temperature,
liquid solvent for extraction. Solvent compressor 130 may be
used to compress solvent to an extraction pressure, the extrac
tion pressure selected to maintain solventina liquid state even
when exposed to an elevated extraction temperature. After
40 pressurizing the solvent, solvent compressor 130 is config
ured to introduce the pressurized solvent into detachable can
ister system 140.
As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is con
nected in fluid communication with solvent compressor 130.
45 As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 includes
a plurality of detachable canisters, including a first detachable
canister 150, a second detachable canister 163, and a third
detachable canister 164. Detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct solvent from solvent compressor 130 to
50 each detachable canister via a detachable canister line 181.
Detachable canister system 140 is configured to fluidly
receive compressed solvent from solvent compressor 130.
Detachable canister system 140 is further configured to direct
to extract container 170 extract solution produced within
55 attached canisters, the extract Solution including both solvent
and solute extracted from Source materials contained in the
canisters. Detachable canister system 140 is further config
ured to direct to extract container 170 any overflow solvent
output by solvent compressor 130 and not received by a
60 detachable canister.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct fluid from solvent compressor 130 to
each detachable canister. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canis
ter system 140 includes an input valve associated with each
65 detachable canister. Each input valve controls fluid commu
nication between solvent compressor 130 and the associated
detachable canister. When an input valve is opened, solvent
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compressor 130 is configured to communicate contained
compressed solvent to the associated canister.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is configured to
communicate with each detachable canister individually.
Accordingly, detachable canister system 140 allows a user to
refill a selected canister as one or more of the other canisters
remain closed and to continue extracting solute from con
tained source material.
As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is con
figured to direct the extract solution created in each detach
able canister to extract container 170 via an extract mixture
line 184. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140
includes an output valve associated with each detachable
canister. When an output valve is opened, the associated
canister is placed in fluid communication with extract mix
ture line 184.
When placed in fluid communication, the associated can
ister is configured to output an extract mixture to extract
container 170 via extract mixture line 184. A user may use the
output valves to direct the extract mixture contained in an
associated canister to extract container 170. In some
examples, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are config
ured to cooperatively suck the extract mixture from the asso
ciated canister toward extract container 170.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 addi
tionally includes an overflow line 182 in fluid communication
with solvent compressor 130, each detachable canister, and
extract container 170. Overflow line 182 is configured to
direct overflow solvent that does not make it from solvent
compressor 130 to one of the detachable containers after
charging. For example, overflow line 182 may be used to
collect solvent trapped in detachable canister line 181 after
filling one of the detachable canisters with solvent.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example detachable canister, first
detachable canister 150, filled with solvent and source mate
rial. In FIG. 2, first detachable canister 150 is currently
extracting solute from the source material. As FIG. 2 illus
trates, first detachable canister 150 includes a top portion 154,
which may be screwingly attached to and detached from a
bottom portion 156. When top portion 154 and bottom por
tion 156 are attached, they define a fluid-tight container con
figured to store solvent and source material during extraction.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 may addi
tionally or alternatively include a top mesh filter 149 and a
bottom mesh filter 151. As FIG. 2 shows, top mesh filter 149
defines a perimetral gasket Surrounding a mesh filter. The
perimetral gasket is made of a food-grade nitrile, allowing
first detachable canister 150 to be legally used to extract
solute that may be used for food products. As FIG. 2 illus
trates, top mesh filter 149 is configured to be slidingly
inserted into the top of first detachable canister 150 to prevent
sediment from inadvertently backflowing through the input
of first detachable canister 150. The perimetral gasket is sized
to partially compress within first detachable canister 150, thus
frictionally supporting top mesh filter 149 in a substantially
fixed position within first detachable canister 150.
In some examples, the filter of top filter 149 may define a
stainless steel 200 mesh filter. In some examples, the gasket
portion of top filter 149 may define food grade nitrile.
Bottom mesh filter 151 is substantially similar to top mesh
filter 149, but is positioned proximate the bottom of first
detachable canister 150. Accordingly, bottom mesh filter 151
is configured to prevent sediment from inadvertently flowing
through the output of first detachable canister 150.
Because system 100 includes multiple canisters and each
canister is removable, system 100 is able to extract solute in
the connected, filled containers as other functions of system
100 continue to operate. For example, when one canister is
attached and extracting, solvent compressor 130 may charge
solvent for a second canister. Further, a user may be able to
load a detached canister as solvent compressor 130 charges
Solvent, providing even greater parallelism.
As FIG. 2 shows, detachable canister system 140 includes,
for each detachable canister, both an upper canister attach
ment device 153 and a lower canister attachment device 159.
Each upper canister attachment device 153 and lower canister
10 attachment device 159 is configured to selectively secure the
associated detachable canister. As shown in FIG. 2, each
upper canister attachment device 153 device includes a
handle 155, which defines an over-center securing lever con
figured to be pulled to lock upper canister attachment device
15 153 in a substantially fixed position over the top opening of
the associated canister. AS FIG. 2 shows, each upper canister
attachment device additionally defines a compressible, fluid
tight gasket 157 configured to be compressed against the
associated canister when upper canister attachment device
153 is locked in a closed configuration. As FIG. 2 shows,
upper canister attachment device 153 may be pulled away and
spaced from the associated canister when handle 155 being
released.
As FIG. 2 shows, lower canister attachment device 159 is
25 configured to slidingly receive the lower opening of an asso
ciated canister. As FIG. 2 illustrates, lower canister attach
ment device 159 includes a compressible, fluid tight gasket
157. As FIG. 2 illustrates, a user may manipulate upper can
ister attachment device 153 to receive the associated canister
30 such that the canister is engaged with both gaskets 157. When
a user pulls handle 155 to position upper canister attachment
device 153 in a locked configuration, the both gaskets 157 are
configured to compress to place the canister in fluid commu
nication with both solvent compressor 130 and extract con
35 tainer 170. Similarly, both gaskets are configured to release
when handle 155 is released. When handle 155 is released and
upper canister attachment device 153 is pulled away from the
associated canister, the canister can be slidingly removed
from lower canister attachment device 159 to be removed
40 from system 100.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, each detachable canister includes a
heating pad 152 wrapped around its exterior. Each heating
pad 152 is configured to receive electrical energy, such as by
being plugged into electrical outlet 89, to heat the canister
45 around which it is wrapped. Increasing the temperature can,
in many cases, increase solvents’ efficacy and efficiency in
extracting solute from a source material. The heating pads
may be controlled by an electronic heating pad controller 78,
which configures the heating pad to operate at a chosen tem
50 perature or intensity.
As FIG. 1 shows, extract container 170 is in fluid commu
nication with detachable canister system 140, configured to
receive extract solution output by the detachable canisters and
any overflow solvent transmitted by overflow line 182. As
55 FIG. 4 illustrates, extract container 170 includes a container
input 172, a container output 174, and a lid 176. Extract
container 170 is configured to receive the extract mixture
output by the detachable canisters. Extract container 170 is
further configured to separate post-extraction solvent from
60 the extract mixture and output the post-extraction solvent for
reclamation.
Container input 172 is configured to receive extract mix
ture in a liquid state from the detachable canisters. For
example, FIG. 4 illustrates extract container 170 containing a
65 liquid 72 containing both extract mixture and extracted essen
tial oil. The extract mixture has been collected from detach
able canister system 140 in the current cycle of system 100,
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whereas the extracted essential oil is the residual essential oil
after reclaiming post-extraction solvent from a previous cycle
of system 100.
As FIG. 4 shows, system 100 includes features that are
configured to restrict fluid from passing back into detachable
canister system 140. As FIG. 4 shows, container input 172 is
positioned below the midpoint of extract container 170. At
this point, container input 172 will often be positioned below
collected essential oils. Because container input 172 is often
positioned within collected liquid, extract container 170
directs gas, such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
toward container output 174 rather than the submerged con
tainer input 172.
Further, container input 172 includes angled open ends
173. The open ends 173 prevent liquid from being directed
toward lid 176. By preventing liquid from contacting lid 176,
extract container 170 provides a substantially clear view of
the liquid contained in extract container 170. Further pump
102 and pump 104 are configured to direct fluid toward con
tainer output 174 and away from container input 172.
As FIG. 4 shows, container output 174 is configured to
direct gas. Such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
from extract container 170 to solvent collection container
115. As FIG. 3 illustrates, container output 174 is positioned
above container input 172 and above the top of fluid collected
in extract container 170. Because container output 174 is
located in this elevated position, it is positioned to receive gas
from extract container 170 as fluid remains in extract con
tainer 170. Because container output 174 is positioned to
primarily receive gas from extract container 170, extract con
tainer 170 is configured to separate evaporated post-extrac
tion solvent from extract mixture while leaving the extracted
essential oils in extract container 170. This results in a pure
product while reclaiming post-extraction solvent at a high
rate.
Extract container 170 defines a pressure pot, configured to
retain its structure at a wide range of pressure profiles.
Namely, extract container 170 is configured to maintain its
structure from -30 mmHg of vacuum pressure to 300 pounds
per square inch of positive pressure. In typical working con
ditions, the amount of pressure applied to container 170 will
range from -30 mmHg of vacuum pressure to 150 pounds per
square inch of positive pressure. In particular, extract con
tainer 170 will often be between -30 to 0 mmHg of vacuum
when receiving fluid from extract mixture line 184 and
between 0 and 60 pounds per square inch of pressure when
directing fluid to container output 174.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is detachably secured to the
top of extract container 170. Lid 176 allows a user to view the
contents within container 170 and is made from plexiglass.
The thick Plexiglas construction of lid 176 provides sufficient
rigidity and structural integrity to withstand the widely dis
parate pressure conditions often present in extract container
170. The lid may be made from any material configured to
withstand anticipated operating pressures.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is fastened to the main body
of container 170 by a series of 0.5 inchbolts 177. The bolts are
each detachable, allowing lid 176 to be selectively removed.
Further, the numerosity and strength of the bolts provide
sufficient structural support to restrict lid 176 from being
damaged or unintentionally removed under the pressure con
ditions typically encountered during operation.
As FIG. 3 shows, lid 176 includes ports through with
container output 174 and container input 172 are spaced at a
distance selected to retainstructural integrity of lid 176 under
the pressure conditions typically encountered during opera
tion.
AS FIG. 1 illustrates, an extract container heating element
178 is thermally coupled with the contents of extract con
tainer 170, being positioned at the bottom of extract container
170. Heating element 178 defines an electrically powered
heating pad rated at 500 Watts. Heating pad 152 is configured
to heat the extract mixture to a distilling temperature to pro
duce an evaporated portion of the solvent in extract container
170.The distilling temperature to which extract container 170
is heated is greater than the boiling point ofbutane and less
10 than typical essential oil boiling points.
Heating element 178 may be powered by an electrical
connection to electrical outlet 89. Additionally, the tempera
ture or intensity of heating element 178 may be controlled by
an electronic container heating element controller 79.
15 As FIG. 1 illustrates, system 100 includes a pressure
release valve 185 and pressure release line 187, both in fluid
communication with container output 174. Pressure release
line 187 is in fluid communication with ambient air at a
location in which it is safe to output flammable fluids. During
operation, the pressure of the interior of extract container 170
may fall outside the bounds of desirable operating pressures.
For example, pressure release valve 185 is configured to open
pressure release line 187 upon extract container 170 exceed
ing 150 pounds per square inch of positive pressure or nega
25 tive 30 pounds per square inch of vacuum pressure.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, first pump 101 and second pump 102
are connected in fluid communication with extract container
170. First pump 101 and second pump 102 are configured to
direct fluid through system 100 in the direction indicated by
30 arrows 98 and 99 shown in FIG. 1. For example, first pump
101 and second pump 102 are configured to cooperate to
direct evaporated post-extraction solvent from extract con
tainer 170 to solvent collection container 115 over a container
output line 188 and a solvent collection line 190. In some
35 examples, a fan may be attached between first pump 101 and
second pump 102 for cooling when system 100 is operational.
Because system 100 defines a closed loop system, first
pump 101 and second pump 102 are cooperatively configured
to direct fluid at a variety of stages of system 100 as long as
40 any intervening valves are opened. For example, first pump
101 and second pump 102 may be configured to cooperate to
draw solvent from solvent collection container 115 to solvent
source container 120. Further, first pump 101 and second
pump 102 are configured to cooperatively communicate at
45 least a portion of post-extraction solvent evaporated within
extract container 170 to solvent collection container 115.
Similarly, first pump 101 and second pump 102 may be
configured to cooperatively direct extract solution output
from the detachable canisters to extract container 170. In
50 Some examples, backflow pressure produced by first pump
101 and second pump 102 provide some or all of the pressure
used by solvent compressor 130 to pressurize solvent prior to
introducing it to the Solvent containers.
First pump 101 and second pump 102 collectively produce
55 a flow rate sufficient to accomplish each of the aforemen
tioned functionalities. Some examples include more or fewer
pumps connected in series. Additional pumps may provide
additional pumping power, whereas fewer pumps may save
on operating costs.
60 As FIG. 1 shows, solvent collection line 190 is configured
to pass through condensing system 105 between second
pump 102 and solvent collection container 115. As FIG. 1
illustrates, condensing system 105 includes a coolant pump
104, a first condenser column 107, a second condenser col
65 umn 108, a coolant line 109, a coolant loop line 113, a first
expansion Valve 111, and a second expansion valve 112.
Condensing system 105 is configured to cool post-extraction
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US 9,144,751 B2
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solvent pumped by first pump 101 and second pump 102 prior The coiling of fluid lines through both first condenser col
to the solvent reaching solvent collection container 115. By umn 107 and second condenser column 108 increases the
cooling the post-extraction solvent, condensing system 105 Surface area throughout which the corresponding lines are
allows the post-extraction solvent to be stored and collected thermally coupled. By maximizing this surface area, first
as a liquid. 5 condenser column 107 and second condenser column 108 are
Coolant line 109 includes a coolant defining a refrigerant better able to transfer heat between the two paired lines.
selected to cool when evaporated. As FIG. 1 illustrates, cool Further, the coiling of the lines increases the amount of time
ant pump 104 is configured to direct the coolant contained in in which contained fluids are exposed to one another, further
coolant line 109 in the direction indicated by arrow 96 and increasing the columns cooling efficiency.
arrow 97. 10 As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent collection container 115 is
connected in fluid communication with extract container 170
As FIG. 1 illustrates, coolant line 109 is routed through through solvent collection container 115 and solvent source
second condenser column 108. After passing through second container 120 via a storage container line 194. As FIG. 1
condenser column 108, coolant line 109 splits, with one shows, solvent collection container 115 includes a collection
branch being directed back to coolant pump 104 and the other 15 container input 117 and a collection container output 118.
branch being directed toward first condenser column 107. As Solvent collection container 115 is configured to collect post
FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 joins coolant loop line 113 in extraction solvent separated from the distilled solute within
fluid communication after passing through second expansion extract container 170 and directed through solvent collection
valve 112. line 190.
Coolant line 109 is configured to absorb heat from the Solvent collection container 115 is configured to direct
post-extraction solvent passing through solvent collection collected solvent to solvent source container 120 upon col
line 190 to cool the post-extraction solvent to a liquid state. lecting a maximum amount of collected solvent. In some
Coolant line 109 and coolant loop line 113 additionally coop configurations, solvent collection container 115 is configured
erate to continuously cool coolant pump 104 during opera to communicate collected solvent upon exceeding its storage
tion. 25 capacity. In other examples, solvent collection container 115
As FIG. 5 illustrates, solvent collection line 190 defines a is configured to communicate collected solvent upon the col
coiled portion 114 through first condenser column 107. Like lected Solvent reaching the end of collection container output
wise, coolant line 109 defines a coiled portion 116 through 118. When the collected solvent reaches the second storage
first condenser column 107. As FIG. 5 shows, coiled portion unit output, the suction force produced by first pump 101 and
116 and coiled portion 114 are sufficiently close with one 30 second pump 102 draws collected solvent through the second
another for coolant line 109 and solvent collection line 190 to storage unit output to refill solvent source container 120.
be thermally coupled through first condenser column 107. As Solvent collection container 115, solvent source container
FIG. 5 shows, first condenser column 107 is filled with a 120, and extract container 170 define volumes that are opera
thermally conductive liquid 106, such as an antifreeze, which tively paired with one another. Extract container 170, solvent
encourages rapid heat transfer between coolant line 109 and 35 source container 120, and solvent collection container 115
Solvent collection line 190. may, at times of operation, be configured to receive all of the
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is connected in fluid fluid from the preceding fluidly connected elements. Accord
communication with coolant loop line 113. Coolant loop line ingly, solvent collection container 115 and solvent source
113 is routed through second condenser column 108 and container 120 are sized to ensure sufficient storage space for
defines a coiled portion through second condenser column 40 any post-extraction solvent output by extract container 170.
108. Similar to the design of first condenser column 107, the To ensure sufficient headroom, the combined volume of
coiled portion of coolant loop line 113 and a second coiled solvent source container 120 and solvent collection container
portion of coolant line 109 are engaged and thermally 115 may be equal to the volume of extract container 170.
coupled with one another within second condenser column Likewise, extract container 170 may define a volume equal to
108. 45 the combined volume of solvent source container 120 and
As FIG. 1 shows, the hydraulic circuit defined by coolant solvent collection container 115 to provide sufficient head
line 109 and coolant loop line 113 routes coolant pumped by room to be filled with all of the solvent initially contained by
coolant pump 104 through two expansion valves. Coolant solvent collection container 115 and solvent source container
passing through first expansion valve 111 in second con 120. In some examples, one or more of solvent source con
denser column 108 expands to vapor or a vapor/liquid mix, 50 tainer 120, solvent collection container 115, and extract con
which draws heat from the second coiled portion of coolant tainer 170 may be sized larger than needed, which may guar
line 109. This cools coolant line 109, particularly at its second antee Sufficient headroom.
portion. As FIG. 1 shows, a portion of this cooled coolant is Although solvent collection container 115 and solvent
reintroduced into coolant pump 104, thereby continuously source container 120 are distinct containers in system 100,
cooling coolant pump 104 during operation. 55 this disclosure contemplates that a single container could
Coolant passing through second expansion valve 112 as it serve as both a solvent collection container and solvent source
returns to coolant pump 104 similarly expands to a vapor or container.
vapor?liquid mix, which draws heat from solvent collection AS FIG. 6 shows, some examples may include more than
line 190 and the solvent passing therein. In many cases, one extract container. For example, the example system, sys
second expansion valve 112 will expand coolant returning 60 tem 200, includes both a first extract container 270 and a
from coolant line 109, which draws heat from solvent collec second extract container 272. As FIG. 6 illustrates, system
tion line 190. This cools the post-extraction solvent passing 200 includes additional solvent collection containers, com
through solvent collection line 190 to a liquid. Cooling the pared to system 100, to remain operatively paired with the
Solvent and shifting it to a liquid decreases losses of recap two extract containers of system 200. Namely, system 200
tured post-extraction solvent and increases the efficiency of 65 includes a first solvent collection container 215, a solvent
solvent collection container 115 in storing previously used collection container 216, and a solvent collection container
solvent, thus increasing the recapture rate of system 100. 217. System 200 additionally includes a solvent source con
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11
tainer 220. The combined volume of first solvent collection
container 215, solvent collection container 216, solvent col
lection container 217, and solvent source container 220 is
operatively paired with the combined volume of first extract
container 270 and second extract container 272.
With reference to FIG. 7, an example of a method for
extracting solute from a source material, method 300, will
now be described. Some of the steps of method 300 may be
carried out using system 100 or other disclosed systems.
Accordingly, the discussion of method 300 will reference
system 100. Although this disclosure references system 100
in connection with method 300, method 300 is not required to
be carried out on equipment similar to system 100, system
200, or other disclosed systems.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, method 300 includes depositing a
Source material including a solute in a canister at step 305.
removably attaching the canister in fluid communication with
an extract container at Step 310, introducing a solvent into the
canister at step 315, and exposing the source material to the
solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 320, and
communicating the extract mixture to an extract container at
step 325. As FIG. 7 shows, method 300 further includes
separating the recycled solvent at step 330, cooling the
recycled solvent at step 335, collecting the recycled solvent in
a solvent collection container at step 340, and introducing at
least a portion of the recycled solvent from the solvent col
lection container to the canister at step 345.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, a source material including a solute is
deposited in a canister at step 305. In some examples, the
Source material may define plant material from which essen
tial oils may be extracted. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates first
detachable canister 150 extracting essential oils from con
tained lavender 91.
In some examples, Source material is deposited in a Sub
stantially fluid-tight canister configured to selectively receive
Solvent and selectively communicate extract mixture created
therein. For example, first detachable canister 150 is substan
tially fluid tight in a closed configuration, but includes an
input and output allowing fluid to be selectively input solvent
and output created extract mixture.
In some examples, canisters may be configured to be
detachably connected to an extraction system. In some Such
examples, Source material may be deposited detachable can
isters when detached from its associated extraction system.
For example, first detachable canister 150, as shown in FIG.2,
defines a selectively openable canister configured to be selec
tively attached and detached from system 100. Accordingly,
first detachable canister 150 allows a user to load it with
source material when it is detached from system 100.
Some examples include a plurality of detachable canisters
that may be individually attached and detached from extrac
tion systems. In Such examples, Source material may be
placed in one or more of the canisters while the other canisters
continue normal operation. For example, system 100 includes
three detachable canisters, first detachable canister 150, sec
ond detachable canister 163, and third detachable canister
164. First detachable canister 150, for example, could be
removed and filled with source material as system 100 con
tinues the extraction/reclamation process with second detach
able canister 163 and third detachable canister 164.
Some examples may include a detachable canister inter
face allowing canisters to be easily detached and reattached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are config
ured to receive the canister to support the canister in fluid
communication with the solvent source container and an
extract container. For example, system 100 includes detach
able canister system 140 that allows each of the detachable
12
canisters to be attached and detached. As FIG. 1 shows, each
of first detachable canister 150, second detachable canister
163, and third detachable canister 164 are placed in fluid
communication with solvent source container 120 and extract
container 170 when attached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are con
figured to release the canister in response to user manipula
tion. In some examples, such as System 100, detachable can
ister interfaces allow users to attach and detach canisters
10 without any specific tools or hardware.
AS FIG. 7 shows, the canister containing the source mate
rial is removably attached in fluid communication with an
extract container at step 310. By placing the canister in fluid
communication with an extract container, the canister is able
15 to communicate created extract mixture to the extract con
tainer. The extract container may then be used to collect
extracted essential oils and separate recycled solvent from
extracted essential oils collected therein.
As previously discussed, some examples include a plural
ity of simultaneously attached canisters. In some Such
examples, two or more of the simultaneously attached canis
ters may simultaneously be in fluid communication with a
connected extract container. By placing each canister in fluid
communication with the extract container, one or more can
25 isters may simultaneously output contained extract mixture to
a single connected extract container.
As seen in FIG. 7, solvent is introduced into the canister at
step 315. In some examples, solvent is introduced into the
canister by communicating, fluidly, Solvent from a solvent
30 Source container to the canister. As previously discussed,
Some examples may include a plurality of detachable canis
ters. This disclosure contemplates introducing solvent into
each canisterindependently, simultaneously with introducing
solvent into one or more of the other canisters.
35 In some examples, introducing solvent into the canister
includes pressurizing a charging portion of the solvent prior
to introducing the solvent to the canister. In some examples, a
charging portion of solvent may be pressurized when con
tained in a solvent compressor as one or more of the attached
40 canisters contain an extracting portion of solvent being used
to extract solute from the source material. In system 100, for
example, a user may pressurize a charging portion of solvent
in solvent compressor 130, designated for first detachable
canister 150, as second detachable canister 163 and third
45 detachable canister 164 each contain an extracting portion of
Solvent and are extracting Solute therewith.
Pressurizing the solventis often a time-consuming process.
Extracting Solute in the canisters is also often time consum
ing. As a result, the parallelism afforded by pressurizing
50 Solvent as other attached canisters continue the extraction
process efficiently streamlines the pressurizing and extract
ing steps of disclosed methods.
In some examples, some or all of the solvent introduced
into the canister may include recycled solvent reclaimed from
55 a previous cycle of the disclosed methods. As will be dis
cussed more below, some examples include a reclamation
methodology that operates alongside disclosed extraction
methodologies. By using reclaimed solvent, disclosed meth
ods may use solvent particularly efficiently. In some
60 examples, solvent may automatically be collected and rein
troduced. In some examples, solvent collection and reintro
duction may occur simultaneously with other steps of the
disclosed methods. Some examples may collect solvent in a
plurality of solvent collection containers, such as system 200.
65 In some examples, introducing the solvent may include
passing the solvent through a solvent filter as it passes from
solvent source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In
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US 9,144,751 B2
13
some examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecu
lar sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as
it passes from Solvent source container 120 to solvent com
pressor 130.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, the source material is exposed to the
solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 320. The
predetermined period of time in which the source material
exposed is selected to Substantially maximize the purity of
extracted Solvent. In some examples, the Source material and
Solvent are exposed to heat and pressure conditions that may
increase the efficiency with which solute is extracted from
Source materials. Soaking the source material in the solvent
within an associated canister for 3-5 minutes has been found
to be a Surprisingly effective method exposing the Source
material to the solvent. In some examples, following the Soak
with a hydrocarbon wash of the associated canister has been
found to result in a particularly high quality, pure product in
Subsequent extraction steps performed with that particular
canister.
For example, it may be desirable to extract solute from
source materials at both high temperatures while solvent
remains in a liquid state. This disclosure contemplates both
heating the solvent when it is exposed to the source material
and pressurizing the contained Volume of solvent to a selected
pressure to maintain the Solvent in a liquid State when heated.
By manipulating the pressure and temperature of the solvent,
disclosed methods may extract Solute at a higher purity and
greater yield per unit of source material than conventional
extraction methods.
As shown in FIG. 7, the created extract mixture is commu
nicated to an extract container, the extract container in fluid
communication with the extract mixture, at step 325. By
communicating the extract mixture to the extract container,
the extract container may collect and store extract for future
use. In some examples, extract containers may be removed to
use or store collected extract.
In some examples, the extract container may define a nega
tive pressure prior to receiving extract mixture. The created
extract mixture may be communicated to the extract container
by opening a fluid communicative path between a canister
containing created extract mixture and the extract container.
For example, system 100 allows a user to manipulate the
output valve of detachable canister system 140 associated
with a container containing created extract mixture to open a
fluid line between the associated canister and extract con
tainer 170.
As FIG. 7 shows, the recycled solvent is separated at step
330. Separating the recycled solvent may include including
heating the container to evaporate the recycled solvent. Heat
ing the container to evaporate the recycled solvent may
include heating the container to a solvent extraction tempera
ture. The solvent extraction temperature of the container may
be greater than a boiling point of the solvent and less than a
boiling point of the solute. By raising the temperature of the
extract mixture above the solvents boiling point and below
the boiling point of essential oils, the solvent is separated
from the extract mixture as a gas. The evaporated solvent may
output independently of any contained essential oil or other
eXtract.
In some examples, users may discard the contents of an
extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. In
Some examples, the contents of the extract container may
include odorants or other impurities that may remain in the
extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. As a
result, the recycled solvent may have increased purity com
pared the input solvent. Users may discard these impurities to
14
ensure that they do not end up in any end product produced by
Subsequent extraction/reclamation cycles.
In some examples, the solvent may define butane. In Such
examples, heating the container to evaporate the solvent may
5 include raising the temperature within the container above
butane's sea level boiling point of about 30.8 degrees Faren
heit while maintaining the temperature within the containerto
below typical boiling points of water and/or essential oils.
In Some examples, separating the recycled solvent includes
10 receiving the evaporated recycled solvent through a container
output opening. In some examples, one or more fluidly-con
nected pumps may Suck evaporated recycled solvent through
the container output opening. As previously discussed, this
disclosure contemplates extract containers that remain struc
15 turally stable at negative pressures. Attached pumps may be
configured to extract substantially all of the evaporated
recycled solvent contained in an extract container and leave
the extract container with a negative pressure. By leaving the
extract container with a negative pressure, the pumps addi
tionally prepare the extract container to later receive addi
tional extract mixture from one or more attached canisters.
In some examples, the evaporated recycled solvent is posi
tioned above any liquid extract mixture contained in the
extract container. For example, extract container 170 includes
25 container output 174 positioned near the top of extract con
tainer 170 and above any contained extract. In some
examples, users may periodically empty the extract to ensure
that the container output opening remains above any con
tained extract. For example, the extract container may be
30 removed and contained extract may be stored in an alternative
container. To ensure the container output opening remains
above the contained extract, the container may be periodi
cally emptied prior to the extract container accumulating
Sufficient extract to reach the container output opening.
35 As seen in FIG.7, the recycled solvent is cooled at step 335.
In some examples, as is seen in system 100, the recycled
solvent is thermally coupled with a solvent for a portion of the
time after the recycled solvent leaves an extract container. In
Some examples, the recycled solvent is cooled prior to col
40 lecting the recycled solvent in the solvent collection con
tainer.
In some examples, the recycled solvent is directed through
a solvent collection line and the recycled solvent is thermally
coupled with a coolant along at least a portion of the solvent
45 collection line. In some examples, the coolant is directed
through a coolant line which is engaged with the Solvent
collection line over at least a portion of its length. For
example, coolant line 109 is configured to carry coolant and is
engaged with solvent collection line 190 through first con
50 denser column 107. Because solvent collection line 190 is
engaged with coolant line 109 and each line is constructed of
thermally conductive material through first condenser col
umn 107, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with solvent
collection container 115 through first condenser column 107.
55 In some examples, the coolant is directed through a fluid
transmissive coolant loop. The coolant loop may be config
ured to both output and receive coolant from the coolant line.
For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example coolant loop line,
coolant loop line 113, which is configured to output and
60 receive coolant from the coolant line at a single junction.
The coolant loop may additionally or alternatively define
an expansion valve configured to expand and cool the coolant
in the coolant loop. Additionally or alternatively, the coolant
loop line may be engaged with the coolant line over at least a
65 portion of its length, thereby thermally coupling the coolant
loop and the coolant line over a portion of their lengths. By
expanding the coolant in the coolant loop, the coolant loop
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 16 of 19 Page ID #:26
US 9,144,751 B2
15
includes a coolant that may be cooler than the coolant in the
primary coolant line. By thermally coupling the coolant loop
with the coolant line, the coolant loop may, in effect, cool the
coolant in the coolant line.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example fluid circuit including a
coupled coolant loop and coolant line. As previously dis
cussed, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with solvent
collection line 190. As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is
connected to both input and output to coolant loop line 113 at
a single junction. Accordingly, system 100 is configured to
allow coolant to be directed through coolant line 109 and is
configured to direct at least a portion of the coolant in the
coolant line 109 through coolant loop line 113.
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant loop line 113 includes first
expansion valve 111 which is configured to expand and cool
coolant contained in coolant loop line 113 prior to directing
coolant in coolant loop line 113 through second condenser
column 108. As previously discussed, coolant loop line 113 is
thermally engaged with coolant line 109 through second con
denser column 108. By expanding coolant contained in cool
ant loop line 113 and thermally coupling coolant loop line 113
and coolant line 109 immediately downstream of this expan
Sion, coolant loop line 113 is configured to cool coolant line
109 through second condenser column 108.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the recycled solvent is collected in
a solvent collection container in fluid communication with
the extract container at step 340. In some examples, the Sol
vent collected by the solvent collection container is fluidly
communicated from an extract container. In some examples,
the recycled solvent is cooled to a liquid state prior to collec
tion in the solvent collection container.
In some examples, collected solvent is automatically out
put from a solvent collection container upon the Solvent col
lection container collecting a maximum amount of collected
Solvent. In some examples, the automatically output collected
Solvent is input into a solvent Source container in fluid com
munication with the associated solvent collection container.
For example, solvent collection container 115 is configured to
output collected recycled solvent to solvent Source container
120 upon collecting a maximum quantity of collected
recycled solvent.
In some configurations, solvent collection containers are
configured to communicate collected Solvent upon exceeding
its storage capacity. In other examples, solvent collection
containers are configured to automatically communicate col
lected solvent upon the collected solvent reaching the end of
a collection container output positioned within the solvent
collection container.
In Some examples, collecting the recycled solvent includes
displacing, with a pump, evaporated recycled solvent from
the extract container to the solvent collection container. For
example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are configured
to, in certain configurations, draw collected solvent from
extract container 170 to solvent collection container 115.
In Some examples, collecting the recycled solvent includes
displacing, with a pump, recycled solvent from solvent col
lection containers to solvent source containers or canisters.
For example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are con
figured to, in certain configurations, draw collected solvent
from solvent collection container 115 to solvent source con
tainer 120. First pump 101 and second pump 102 may be
further configured to draw reclaimed solvent in solvent
source container 120 to one or more connected detachable
canisters containing Source material.
In some examples collecting the recycled solvent includes
sealing the solvent collection container when the solvent col
lection container contains at least a portion of the recycled
16
Solvent and detaching the solvent collection container. In
Some examples, the solvent collection container may be
sealed when it contains a predetermined quantity of the
recycled solvent. Upon being sealed, solvent Source contain
ers containing reclaimed solvent may be detached and stored
for later use. By allowing removal and storage of Solvent
collection containers and/or solvent Source containers, users
may store purified, reclaimed solvent for use in future use.
Because of the disclosed purification features, recycled sol
10 vent may be of a greater purity than many commercially
available solvents.
In some examples, recycled solvent is collected in an addi
tional Solvent collection container in fluid communication
with the extract container. Additional solvent collection con
15 tainers may be useful, for example, when additional or larger
extract containers are used, as they may provide the increased
headroom required when using additional or larger extract
containers. In some such examples, the second solvent con
tainer may be operatively paired with the extract container. In
Some examples, solvent containers and extract containers
may be operatively paired by defining a Substantially similar
total solvent container Volume that is consistent with or equal
to the total extract container volume. System 200, for
example, includes a Supplemental extract container paired
25 with a Supplemental Solvent collection container.
As shown in FIG. 7, recycled solvent from the solvent
collection container is introduced into the canister at step 345.
In Some examples, introducing at least a portion of the
recycled solvent from the solvent collection container to the
30 canister includes directing at least a portion of the recycled
solvent from the solvent collection container to a solvent
source container prior to reaching a canister. By reintroducing
recycled solvent, disclosed methods efficiently re-use
reclaimed solvent from previous extraction/reclamation
35 cycles. Because used solvent is not simply discarded, dis
closed methods provide robust economic and ecological effi
ciency.
In some examples, recycled solvent contained in Solvent
collection container is displaced into the solvent source con
40 tainer upon the solvent collection container collecting a pre
determined quantity of recycled solvent. In some examples,
the solvent collection container is configured to introduce
such received recycled solvent to the canister in future styles,
instead of adding additional Solvent. For example, Solvent
45 source container 120 is configured to direct new solvent and/
or solvent received from solvent collection container 115 to
detachable canister system 140.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inven
tions with independent utility. While each of these inventions
50 has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodi
ments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered
in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The
Subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non
obvious combinations and Subcombinations of the various
55 elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed
above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to Such
inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims
recite “a” element, “a first element, or any such equivalent
term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incor
60 porate one or more Such elements, neither requiring nor
excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to Submit claims directed to
combinations and Subcombinations of the disclosed inven
tions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inven
65 tions embodied in other combinations and Subcombinations
of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be
claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 17 of 19 Page ID #:27
US 9,144,751 B2
17
of new claims in the present application or in a related appli
cation. Such amended or new claims, whether they are
directed to the same invention or a different invention and
whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in
Scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the
subject matter of the inventions described herein.
The invention claimed is:
1. A system for extracting essential oil from a plant mate
rial, the system comprising:
a solvent source container configured to store a solvent;
a canister being:
in fluid communication with the solvent Source con
tainer;
configured to contain the plant material; and
configured to receive solvent from the solvent container
in its interior to produce an extract solution having the
solvent and the essential oil extracted from the plant
material;
an extract container in fluid communication with the can
ister, the extract container being configured to fluidly
receive and collect the extract solution from the canister;
and
a heating element thermally coupled with the extract con
tainer and configured to heat the extract container to a
distilling temperature, the distilling temperature being
greater than or equal to a boiling point of the solvent and
below a boiling point of the essential oil to produce a
post-extraction portion of the essential oil in the extract
container,
wherein the solvent Source container is in fluid communi
cation with the extract container.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a solvent
collection container in fluid communication with the extract
container and the solvent source container, the solvent col
lection container configured to:
fluidly receive the post-extraction portion of the solvent;
and
direct a portion of a post-extraction solvent to the solvent
Source container.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein:
the solvent Source container defines a solvent source con
tainer Volume;
the solvent collection container defines a solvent collection
container Volume; and
the extract container defines an extract container Volume
that is operatively paired with a total of the solvent
Source container Volume and the solvent collection con
tainer Volume.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:
a Supplemental extract container in fluid communication
with the extract container and the solvent collection
container, and
a Supplemental solvent collection container in fluid com
munication with the solvent collection container and the
Solvent source container, the Supplemental solvent col
lection container defining a Supplemental Solvent col
lection container volume that is operatively paired with
the Supplemental extract container.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein
the solvent defines butane.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the solvent collection container includes:
a solvent collection container input configured to receive
liquid post-extraction solvent from the extract con
tainer; and
a solvent collection container output configured to allow
collected liquid post-extraction solvent to pass to the
18
Solvent Source container upon the solvent collection
container accumulating a predetermined quantity of
collected solvent;
the solvent source container includes a solvent Source con
5 tainer input configured to receive collected solvent from
the solvent collection container.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a pump in
fluid communication with the solvent source container and in
fluid communication with the solvent collection container;
10 and
wherein the pump is configured to displace solvent from
the solvent collection container to the solvent source
container.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
15 a solvent collection line connected between the extract
container and the solvent collection container; and
a coolant thermally coupled with the solvent collection
line, the coolant having a condensing temperature
Selected to condense the post-extraction portion of the
solvent to a liquid before the liquid is received by the
Solvent collection container.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump in
fluid communication with the extract container, the pump
configured to displace the evaporated post-extraction portion
25 of the solvent from the extract container and to the solvent
collection container.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the extract container
includes:
an extract container input positioned below a vertical mid
30 point of the extract container; and
an extract container output positioned above the extract
container input.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a solvent
compressor, the solvent compressor configured to:
35 receive solvent from the solvent source container,
heat the solvent to a predetermined temperature;
compress the solvent to a predetermined pressure, the pre
determined temperature and predetermined pressure
Selected to increase efficiency in extracting Solute from
40 the Source material; and
communicate the compressed solvent to the canister.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a canister
interface configured to removably Support the canisterin fluid
communication with the solvent Source container and the
45 extract container and to detachably Support a Supplemental
canister in fluid communication with the solvent Source con
tainer and extract container.
13. A system for extracting solute from a source material,
the system comprising:
50 a solvent source container configured to store a solvent;
a canister detachably connected in fluid communication
with the solvent Source container and configured to store
the source material in its interior, the canister configured
to receive solvent from the solvent source container in its
55 interior to produce an extract solution including the Sol
vent and the solute extracted from the source material;
an extract container in fluid communication with the can
ister, the extract container being configured to receive
the extract solution from the canister;
60 an extract container heating element thermally coupled
with the extract container, the heating element config
ured to heat the extract solution received in the extract
container to a distilling temperature, the distilling tem
perature being greater than or equal to a boiling point of
65 the solvent and below a boiling point of the solute to
produce a post-extraction portion of the solvent in the
extract container; and
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 18 of 19 Page ID #:28
US 9,144,751 B2
19
a canister interface configured to removably support the
canister in fluid communication with the solvent source
container and the extract container and configured to
detachably supporta Supplemental canister in fluid com
munication with the solvent source container and extract
container.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the canister interface
includes for each canister:
an input valve configured to selectively adjust between an
open position allowing fluid to enter the canister and a
closed position restricting fluid entering the canister;
and
an output valve configured to selectively adjust between an
open position allowing fluid to pass between the canister
and the extract container and a closed position restrict
ing fluid from passing between the canister and the
extract container.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a solvent
compressor, the solvent compressor configured to:
receive solvent from the solvent source container;
heat the solvent to a predetermined temperature:
compress the solvent to a predetermined pressure, the pre
determined temperature and predetermined pressure
Selected to increase the efficiency in extracting solute
from the source material; and
communicate the solvent to one or more of the canister and
the supplemental canister.
16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a remov
ably coupled canister heating element that is thermally
coupled to the canister when the canister is coupled with the
canister interface.
17. A system for extracting solute from a source material,
the system comprising:
a solvent source container configured to store a solvent;
a canister in fluid communication with the solvent source
container and configured to store the source material in
its interior, the canister configured to receive solvent
from the solvent source container in its interior to pro
duce an extract solution including the solvent and the
solute extracted from the source material;
an extract container in fluid communication with the can
ister, the extract container being configured to receive
the extract solution from the canister
a heating element thermally coupled with the extract con
tainer, the heating element configured to heat the extract
Solution received in the extract container to a distilling
temperature, the distilling temperature being greater
than or equal to a boiling point of the solvent and below
a boiling point of the solute to produce an evaporated
post-extraction portion of the solvent and a post-extrac
tion portion of the solute in the extract container:
20
a solvent collection container in fluid communication with
the extract container and in fluid communication with
the solvent source container, the solvent collection con
tainer configured to fluidly receive the post-extraction
portion of the solvent from the extract container and add
the post-extraction portion of the solvent to a collected
quantity of the solvent;
a solvent collection line connected between the extract
container and the solvent collection container, the sol
10 Vent collection line configured to transmit the post-ex
traction portion of the solvent from the extract container
to the solvent collection container; and
a coolant thermally coupled with the solvent collection
line, the coolant defining a predetermined condensing
15 temperature selected to condense the post-extraction
portion of the solvent to a liquid prior to being received
by the solvent collection container.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
a coolant line defining a coiled portion; and
a coolant pump, the coolant pump configured to pump a
cooling fluid through the coolant line;
wherein the solvent collection line defines a coiled portion,
the coiled portion of the solvent collection line being
engaged with the coiled portion of the coolant line.
25 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a coolant
loop line, the coolant loop line:
being in fluid communication with the coolant line at a
coolant loop junction;
being configured to input fluid from the coolant line at the
30 coolant loop junction:
being configured to output fluid to the coolant line at the
coolant loop junction; and
including an expansion valve configured to evaporate input
coolant along at least a portion of the length of the
35 coolant loop line
wherein:
the coiled portion of the coolant line defines a first coiled
portion of the coolant line:
the coolant line defines a second coiled portion spaced
40 from the first coiled portion; and
the coolant loop line defines a third coiled portion, the
third coiled portion of the coolant loop line being
engaged with the second coiled portion of the coolant
line.
45 20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a canister
interface configured to removably support the canister in fluid
communication with the solvent source container and the
extract container and to detachably support a supplemental
canister in fluid communication with the solvent source con
50 tainer and extract container.
ck ck ck k ck
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-1 Filed 08/06/21 Page 19 of 19 Page ID #:29

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 9,144,751 B2 Page 1 of 1
APPLICATIONNO. : 14/070942
DATED : September 29, 2015
INVENTOR(S) : Wasserman et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

On the title page Should read

(71) Samuel Decker

(72) Samuel Decker

Signed and Sealed this

Twenty-second Day of March, 2016

74.4.4.2% 4 Michelle K. Lee

Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 19 Page ID #:30

US009145.532B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,145,532 B2

Wasserman et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep. 29, 2015
(54) METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE (58) Field of Classification Search
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL CPC ............ C11B 1/00; C11B 1/10; C11B 9/025;
C11B 9/027; C11B 9/00; C11B3/06; B01D
(71) Applicants: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); 11 FO288
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US); See application file for complete search history.
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US) (56) References Cited
(72) Inventors: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US);
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US) 5,281,732 A * 1/1994 Franke ............................ 554, 16
5,516,923 A * 5/1996 Hebert et al. ................... 554, 12
6,551,642 B2 * 4/2003 Trout ............. ... 426,489
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,821,413 B1 * 1 1/2004 Alkhalidl ...................... 208,339
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2003/0196282 A1 10/2003 Fyvie et al.
U.S.C. 154(b) by 51 days.
* cited by examiner
(21) Appl. No.: 14/070,972 Primary Examiner – Yate K Cutliff
(22) Filed: Nov. 4, 2013 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Mohr Intellectual Property
Law Solutions, PC
(65) Prior Publication Data
(57) ABSTRACT
US 2015/O126757 A1 May 7, 2015 Methods for extracting solute from source material, including
depositing the source material including Solute in canisters,
(51) Int. C. introducing solvent into the canisters, exposing the Source
CIIB I/O (2006.01) materials to the solvents for predetermined periods of time to
CIIB I/00 (2006.01) create extract mixtures including extracted Solute and
CIIB 9/02 (2006.01) recycled solvent, communicating, fluidly, the extract mix
BOID 1 1/02 (2006.01) tures to an extract container. Some examples include separat
A 24B 15/16 (2006.01) ing recycled solvent, including heating the container to
A 24B 15/26 (2006.01) evaporate the recycled solvent, and collecting the recycled
Solvent in a solvent collection container in fluid communica
A24B 15/32 (2006.01) tion with the extract container. Some examples include col
A 24B 1.5/42 (2006.01) lecting recycled solvent in solvent collection containers in
(52) U.S. C. fluid communication with the extract containers, the recycled
CPC. CIIB I/10 (2013.01); CIIB I/00 (2013.01); Solvent being Stored as a liquid. Some examples include
CIIB 9/025 (2013.01); A24B 15/16 (2013.01); removably attaching canisters in fluid communication with
A24B 15/26 (2013.01); A24B 15/32 (2013.01): extract containers.
A24B 15/42 (2013.01); B01D 1 1/0288
(2013.01) 19 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 19 Page ID #:31

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 1 of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

|{
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 19 Page ID #:32

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 2 of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 19 Page ID #:33

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 3 of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

FIG.3
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 19 Page ID #:34

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 4 of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

FIG.4
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 6 of 19 Page ID #:35

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 5 Of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

1O

90
FIG.5
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 7 of 19 Page ID #:36

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 6 of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 8 of 19 Page ID #:37

U.S. Patent Sep. 29, 2015 Sheet 7 Of 7 US 9,145,532 B2

300-N

305

DEPOSITING THE SOURCE MATERAL INA CANISTER

31 O
REMOVABLY ATTACHING THE CANISTER INFLUID COMMUNICATION
WITH AN EXTRACT CONTAINER
31 5
INTRODUCING ASOLVENT INTO THE CANISTER

32O
EXPOSING THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO THE SOLVENT

325

COMMUNICATING THE EXTRACT MIXTURE TO AN EXTRACT CONTAINER

330
SEPARATING THE RECYCLED SOLVENT

335

COOLING THE RECYCLED SOLVENT

340

COLLECTING THE RECYCLED SOLVENT INA SOLVENT COLLECTION CONTAINER

345
INTRODUCING RECYCLED SOLVENT FROM THE SOLVENT COLLECTION
CONTAINER TO THE CANISTER

FIG.7
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US 9,145,532 B2
1.
METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to systems for
extracting solute from source materials. In particular, systems
configured to extract essential oils from Solid materials are
described.
Known extraction systems are not entirely satisfactory for
the range of applications in which they are employed. For
example, many conventional systems are unable to simulta
neously extract from materials stored in a plurality of distinct
containers. Rather, many existing systems are configured to
extract from a single container of Source material. This pro
duces a bottleneck, requiring the user to wait for extraction to
complete before the user can perform any other task associ
ated with the extraction process. As a result, conventional
systems require a wasteful, inefficient extraction methodol
ogy. Accordingly, there exists the need for a system that
provides parallelism to overcome Such bottlenecks.
Further, many conventional extraction systems do not
allow extraction to be performed in a single, closed loop
process that reclaims solvent and re-introduces the reclaimed
Solvent in Subsequent cycles of the system. While some con
ventional systems allow users to manually reclaim and reuse
Solvent, this process is time consuming and results in an
inefficient reclaim rate.
Further, many systems include no means for reclaiming
previously used solvent. Because users are unable to reclaim
and reuse solvent, such systems are wasteful. Further, many
solvents include odorants and other impurities that may end
up in extracted materials. Because the reclamation process
may simultaneously purify previously used solvent, these
systems may end up with a less pure end product than those
that are able to reclaim and purify used solvent. Accordingly,
there exists the need for a system that defines a closed loop
with an at least partially automated means for reclaiming and
reintroducing solvent used in previous iterations of extracting
Solute from a source material.
Additionally or alternatively, there exists a need for cooling
reclaimed solvent to a liquid State prior to collection. Liquid
solvent may be more efficiently stored than solvent that is
presently a gas. As a result, cooling reclaimed solvent to a
liquid state prior to collection allows users to more efficiently
store reclaimed solvent. Accordingly, there exists a need for
extraction systems that cool reclaimed solvent prior to col
lection.
Thus, there exists a need for extraction systems that
improve upon and advance the design of known systems.
Further, there exists a need for extraction methods that
address the shortcomings of the conventional extraction sys
tems and methodologies described above. Examples of new
and useful extraction systems relevant to the needs existing in
the field are discussed below.
SUMMARY
This disclosure discusses systems for extracting Solute
from Source material, including solvent source containers
configured to store solvent, canisters in fluid communication
with the solvent source containers and configured to contain
the Source material, extract containers in fluid communica
tion with the canister and configured to fluidly receive extract
Solution from the canisters, heating elements thermally
coupled with the extract containers, and solvent collection
containers in fluid communication with the extract contain
2
ers, the solvent collection containers configured to fluidly
receive a recycled portion of the solvent.
In Some examples, Solvent collection containers are in fluid
communication with solvent source containers and are con
figured to fluidly receive the recycled portion of the solvent
and direct a portion of the recycled solvent to the solvent
Source container. Some examples include a plurality of
detachable canisters. Some examples include coolant ther
mally coupled with solvent collection lines configured to
10 transmit recycled portions of solvent to solvent collection
containers.
This disclosure further discusses methods for extracting
Solute from Source material. In some examples, disclosed
methods may be carried out with disclosed systems, but this is
15 not specifically required. In some examples, disclosed meth
ods include depositing the Source material including Solute in
canisters, introducing solvent into the canisters, exposing the
source materials to the solvents for predetermined periods of
time to create extract mixtures including extracted solute and
recycled solvent, communicating, fluidly, the extract mix
tures to an extract container. Some examples include separat
ing recycled solvent, including heating the container to
evaporate the recycled solvent, and collecting the recycled
Solvent in a solvent collection container in fluid communica
25 tion with the extract container. Some examples include col
lecting recycled solvent in solvent collection containers in
fluid communication with the extract containers, the recycled
Solvent being Stored as a liquid. Some examples include
removably attaching canisters in fluid communication with
30 extract containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first example of a system
35 for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of an example of a
detachable canister included in the system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG.3 is a perspective view an extract container included in
the system shown in FIG. 1.
40 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extract container
shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a condenser column shown
included in the system shown in FIG.1, the condenser column
shown with a front panel removed to show interior details.
45 FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a second example of a
system for extracting Solute from a source material.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example of a method for
extracting solute from a source material.
50 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The disclosed systems will become better understood
through review of the following detailed description in con
junction with the figures. The detailed description and figures
55 provide merely examples of the various inventions described
herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the dis
closed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without
departing from the scope of the inventions described herein.
Many variations are contemplated for different applications
60 and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity,
each and every contemplated variation is not individually
described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples
of various systems are provided. Related features in the
65 examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different
examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be
redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of
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3 4
related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with
a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in
an example explained previously. Features specific to a given
example will be described in that particular example. The
reader should understand that a given feature need not be the
same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in
any given figure or example.
With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a system for
extracting solute from a source material, system 100, will
now be described. As FIG. 1 shows, system 100 includes a
solvent source container 120, a solvent compressor 130, a
detachable canister system 140, an extract container 170, a
first pump 101, a second pump 102, a condensing system 105,
and a solvent collection container 115. System 100 addition
ally includes various valves and fluid lines (defining pipes)
that control the flow of fluids through system 100 during
operation.
System 100 may be particularly adapted for using butane to
extract essential oils from plant material. For example, FIGS.
2 depicts system 100 using butane to extract essential oils
from lavenderplants. FIG. 2 illustrates lavender 91 contained
within first detachable canister 150, being exposed to a sol
vent, defining liquid butane 92, within a canister of system
1OO.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 is configured
to store lavender 91 and liquid butane 92 to extract the essen
tial oils from the Source material in an extract solution, con
taining butane and lavender essential oil. After a predeter
mined period of time selected to effectively extracting
essential oil from lavender plant materials, first detachable
canister 150 is configured to output the contained extract
solution.
After the predetermined period of time, the extract solution
is directed to an extract container. The extract container is
configured to heat the contained extract Solution above the
boiling point of the solvent to separate substantially purified
post-extraction solvent from the extract solution. The evapo
rated post-extraction solvent is then stored to reclaim it for
later use. After removing the post-extraction solvent from the
extract container, the residual material in the extract container
defines a distilled, high-purity essential oil of the source
material.
After the solvent has been used to extract solute from the
solvent, system 100 is configured to reclaim the used solvent
for later use. As FIG. 1 illustrates, extract container 170 is
connected in fluid communication with solvent collection
container 115. Extract container 170 is configured to separate
the solvent from the extracted solute, allowing system 100 to
direct and collect the used solvent in solvent collection con
tainer 115. System 100 includes several features configured
to increase the reclaim rate of post-extraction solvent, allow
ing system 100 to use solvent more efficiently than many
conventional extraction systems.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent source container 120 is connected
in fluid communication with solvent compressor 130 and in
fluid communication with solvent collection container 115.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent source container 120 includes a
Source container input 121 and a source container output 122.
Source container input 121 is configured to fluidly receive
solvent communicated from solvent collection container 115.
For example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 may pump
solvent contained in solvent collection container 115 as sys
tem 100 proceeds through an extraction cycle. Source con
tainer input 121 is additionally configured to restrict the pas
sage of fluid back into solvent collection container 115.
Source container output 122 is configured to direct solvent
contained in solvent Source container 120 to Solvent compres
sor 130 via a solvent source line 197. By directing fluid to
solvent compressor 130, solvent source container 120 intro
duces the solvent in the current cycle of system 100’s extrac
tion process. In some examples, solvent source line 197 may
include an internal filter. The internal filter may be used to
remove impurities in Solvent prior to introducing the Solvent
to detachable canister system 140.
Because solvent source container 120 is configured to flu
idly receive solvent from solvent collection container 115,
10 solvent source container 120 may be refilled with post-ex
traction solvent collected by solvent collection container 115
during previous extraction cycles performed by system 100.
By directly reintroducing post-extraction solvent to Sol
vent source container 120, system 100 is able to reclaim
15 post-extraction solvent at a high rate. Further, the reclaimed
Solvent may be of a higher purity than fresh, commercially
Sourced butane. Butane often ships with an odorant, Such as
mercaptain or thiphiane. When using a solvent containing
Such an odorant, the extracted essential oil may include por
tions of the odorant. This results in a less desirable end prod
uct.
In some examples, solvent source line 197 may include a
solvent filter within its fluid-transmissive interior, thereby
passing solvent through the filter as it passes from Solvent
25 source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In some
examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecular
sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as it
passes from Solvent source container 120 to Solvent compres
Sor 130.
30 Post-extraction solvent that has been processed and
reclaimed by system 100 may have decreased levels of odor
ant compared to commercially available odorant-containing
Solvents. Accordingly, using reclaimed solvent may result in
a purer, more desirable end product. In some cases, users may
35 run a solvent purification cycle prior to extraction to remove
Such impurities. Such a solvent purification cycle may
include processing and reclaiming commercially purchased
butane through system 100 one time prior to extraction.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid com
40 munication with solvent source container 120. As FIG. 1
additionally illustrates, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid
communication with first pump 101 and second pump 102,
assuming appropriate valves are open. Solvent compressor
130 is configured to receive solvent from solvent source con
45 tainer 120.
Solvent compressor 130 is configured to compress, or
“charge the received solvent. In some examples, the com
pressor may be electrically powered. Such as by plugging into
an electrical outlet 89. In other examples, solvent compressor
50 130 may pressurize solvent using backflow pressure pro
duced by first pump 101 and second pump 102.
In some examples, it is desirable to use a high temperature,
liquid solvent for extraction. Solvent compressor 130 may be
used to compress solvent to an extraction pressure, the extrac
55 tion pressure selected to maintain solventina liquid state even
when exposed to an elevated extraction temperature. After
pressurizing the solvent, solvent compressor 130 is config
ured to introduce the pressurized solvent into detachable can
ister system 140.
60 As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is con
nected in fluid communication with solvent compressor 130.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 includes
a plurality of detachable canisters, including a first detachable
canister 150, a second detachable canister 163, and a third
65 detachable canister 164. Detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct solvent from solvent compressor 130 to
each detachable canister via a detachable canister line 181.
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5 6
Detachable canister system 140 is configured to fluidly
receive compressed solvent from solvent compressor 130.
Detachable canister system 140 is further configured to direct
to extract container 170 extract solution produced within
attached canisters, the extract Solution including both solvent
and solute extracted from source materials contained in the
canisters. Detachable canister system 140 is further config
ured to direct to extract container 170 any overflow solvent
output by solvent compressor 130 and not received by a
detachable canister.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct fluid from solvent compressor 130 to
each detachable canister. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canis
ter system 140 includes an input valve associated with an
upper portion of each detachable canister. Each input valve
controls fluid communication between solvent compressor
130 and the associated detachable canister. When an input
valve is opened, solvent compressor 130 is configured to
communicate contained compressed solvent to the associated
canister through an upper opening of the canister.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is configured to
communicate with each detachable canister individually.
Accordingly, detachable canister system 140 allows a user to
refill a selected canister as one or more of the other canisters
remain closed and to continue extracting solute from con
tained source material.
As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is con
figured to direct the extract solution created in each detach
able canister to extract container 170 via an extract mixture
line 184. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140
includes an output valve associated with each detachable
canister. When an output valve is opened, the associated
canister is placed in fluid communication with extract mix
ture line 184.
When placed in fluid communication, the associated can
ister is configured to output an extract mixture to extract
container 170 via extract mixture line 184. A user may use the
output valves to direct the extract mixture contained in an
associated canister to extract container 170. In some
examples, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are config
ured to cooperatively suck the extract mixture from the asso
ciated canister toward extract container 170.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 addi
tionally includes an overflow line 182 in fluid communication
with solvent compressor 130, each detachable canister, and
extract container 170. Overflow line 182 is configured to
direct overflow solvent that does not make it from solvent
compressor 130 to one of the detachable containers after
charging. For example, overflow line 182 may be used to
collect solvent trapped in detachable canister line 181 after
filling one of the detachable canisters with solvent.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example detachable canister, first
detachable canister 150, filled with solvent and source mate
rial. In FIG. 2, first detachable canister 150 is currently
extracting solute from the source material. As FIG. 2 illus
trates, first detachable canister 150 includes a top portion 154,
which may be screwingly attached to and detached from a
bottom portion 156. When top portion 154 and bottom por
tion 156 are attached, they define a fluid-tight container con
figured to store solvent and source material during extraction.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 may addi
tionally or alternatively include a top mesh filter 149 and a
bottom mesh filter 151. As FIG. 2 shows, top mesh filter 149
defines a perimetral gasket Surrounding a mesh filter. The
perimetral gasket is made of a food-grade nitrile, allowing
first detachable canister 150 to be legally used to extract
solute that may be used for food products. As FIG. 2 illus
trates, top mesh filter 149 is configured to be slidingly
inserted into the top of first detachable canister 150 to prevent
sediment from inadvertently backflowing through the input
of first detachable canister 150. The perimetral gasket is sized
to partially compress within first detachable canister 150, thus
frictionally supporting top mesh filter 149 in a substantially
fixed position within first detachable canister 150.
In some examples, the filter of top filter 149 may define a
stainless steel 200 mesh filter. In some examples, the gasket
10
portion of top filter 149 may define food grade nitrile.
Bottom mesh filter 151 is substantially similar to top mesh
filter 149, but is positioned proximate the bottom of first
detachable canister 150. Accordingly, bottom mesh filter 151
15 is configured to prevent sediment from inadvertently flowing
through the output of first detachable canister 150.
Because system 100 includes multiple canisters and each
canister is removable, system 100 is able to extract solute in
the connected, filled containers as other functions of system
100 continue to operate. For example, when one canister is
attached and extracting, solvent compressor 130 may charge
solvent for a second canister. Further, a user may be able to
load a detached canister as solvent compressor 130 charges
Solvent, providing even greater parallelism.
25 As FIG. 2 shows, detachable canister system 140 includes,
for each detachable canister, both an upper canister attach
ment device 153 and a lower canister attachment device 159.
Each upper canister attachment device 153 and lower canister
attachment device 159 is configured to selectively secure the
30
associated detachable canister. As shown in FIG. 2, each
upper canister attachment device 153 device includes a
handle 155, which defines an over-center securing lever con
figured to be pulled to lock upper canister attachment device
35 153 in a substantially fixed position over the top opening of
the associated canister. AS FIG. 2 shows, each upper canister
attachment device additionally defines a compressible, fluid
tight gasket 157 configured to be compressed against the
associated canister when upper canister attachment device
40 153 is locked in a closed configuration. As FIG. 2 shows,
upper canister attachment device 153 may be pulled away and
spaced from the associated canister when handle 155 being
released.
As FIG. 2 shows, lower canister attachment device 159 is
45 configured to slidingly receive the lower opening of an asso
ciated canister. As FIG. 2 illustrates, lower canister attach
ment device 159 includes a compressible, fluid tight gasket
157. As FIG. 2 illustrates, a user may manipulate upper can
ister attachment device 153 to receive the associated canister
50 such that the canister is engaged with both gaskets 157. When
a user pulls handle 155 to position upper canister attachment
device 153 in a locked configuration, the both gaskets 157 are
configured to compress to place the canister in fluid commu
nication with both solvent compressor 130 and extract con
55 tainer 170. Similarly, both gaskets are configured to release
when handle 155 is released. When handle 155 is released and
upper canister attachment device 153 is pulled away from the
associated canister, the canister can be slidingly removed
from lower canister attachment device 159 to be removed
60 from system 100.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, each detachable canister includes a
heating pad 152 wrapped around its exterior. Each heating
pad 152 is configured to receive electrical energy, such as by
being plugged into electrical outlet 89, to heat the canister
65 around which it is wrapped. Increasing the temperature can,
in many cases, increase solvents’ efficacy and efficiency in
extracting solute from a source material. The heating pads
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7 8
may be controlled by an electronic heating pad controller 78,
which configures the heating pad to operate at a chosen tem
perature or intensity.
As FIG. 1 shows, extract container 170 is in fluid commu
nication with detachable canister system 140, configured to
receive extract solution output by the detachable canisters and
any overflow solvent transmitted by overflow line 182. As
FIG. 4 illustrates, extract container 170 includes a container
input 172 (i.e., a container input opening), a container output
174 (i.e., a container output opening), and a lid 176. Extract
container 170 is configured to receive the extract mixture
output by the detachable canisters. Extract container 170 is
further configured to separate post-extraction solvent from
the extract mixture and output the post-extraction solvent for
reclamation.
Container input 172 is configured to receive extract mix
ture in a liquid state from the detachable canisters. For
example, FIG. 4 illustrates extract container 170 containing a
liquid 72 containing both extract mixture and extracted essen
tial oil. The extract mixture has been collected from detach
able canister system 140 in the current cycle of system 100,
whereas the extracted essential oil is the residual essential oil
after reclaiming post-extraction solvent from a previous cycle
of system 100.
As FIG. 4 shows, system 100 includes features that are
configured to restrict fluid from passing back into detachable
canister system 140. As FIG. 4 shows, container input 172 is
positioned below the midpoint of extract container 170. At
this point, container input 172 will often be positioned below
collected essential oils. Because container input 172 is often
positioned within collected liquid, extract container 170
directs gas, such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
toward container output 174 rather than the submerged con
tainer input 172.
Further, container input 172 includes angled open ends
173. The open ends 173 prevent liquid from being directed
toward lid 176. By preventing liquid from contacting lid 176,
extract container 170 provides a substantially clear view of
the liquid contained in extract container 170. Further pump
102 and pump 104 are configured to direct fluid toward con
tainer output 174 and away from container input 172.
As FIG. 4 shows, container output 174 is configured to
direct gas. Such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
from extract container 170 to solvent collection container
115. As FIG. 3 illustrates, container output 174 is positioned
above container input 172 and above the top of fluid collected
in extract container 170. Because container output 174 is
located in this elevated position, it is positioned to receive gas
from extract container 170 as fluid remains in extract con
tainer 170.
Because container output 174 is positioned to primarily
receive gas from extract container 170, extract container 170
is configured to separate evaporated post-extraction solvent
from extract mixture while leaving the extracted essential oils
in extract container 170. This results in a pure product while
reclaiming post-extraction solvent at a high rate.
Extract container 170 defines a pressure pot, configured to
retain its structure at a wide range of pressure profiles.
Namely, extract container 170 is configured to maintain its
structure from -30 mmHg of vacuum pressure to 300 pounds
per square inch of positive pressure. In typical working con
ditions, the amount of pressure applied to container 170 will
range from -30 mmHg of vacuum pressure to 150 pounds per
square inch of positive pressure. In particular, extract con
tainer 170 will often be between -30 to 0 mmHg of vacuum
when receiving fluid from extract mixture line 184 and
between 0 and 60 pounds per square inch of pressure when
directing fluid to container output 174.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is detachably secured to the
top of extract container 170. Lid 176 allows a user to view the
contents within container 170 and is made from plexiglass.
The thick Plexiglas construction of lid 176 provides sufficient
rigidity and structural integrity to withstand the widely dis
parate pressure conditions often present in extract container
10
170. The lid may be made from any material configured to
withstand anticipated operating pressures.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is fastened to the main body
of container 170 by a series of .5 inchbolts 177. The bolts are
each detachable, allowing lid 176 to be selectively removed.
15 Further, the numerosity and strength of the bolts provide
sufficient structural support to restrict lid 176 from being
damaged or unintentionally removed under the pressure con
ditions typically encountered during operation.
As FIG. 3 shows, lid 176 includes ports through with
container output 174 and container input 172 are spaced at a
distance selected to retainstructural integrity of lid 176 under
the pressure conditions typically encountered during opera
tion.
AS FIG. 1 illustrates, an extract container heating element
25 178 is thermally coupled with the contents of extract con
tainer 170, being positioned at the bottom of extract container
170. Heating element 178 defines an electrically powered
heating pad rated at 500 Watts. Heating pad 152 is configured
to heat the extract mixture to a distilling temperature to pro
30 duce an evaporated portion of the solvent in extract container
170.The distilling temperature to which extract container 170
is heated is greater than the boiling point of butane and less
than typical essential oil boiling points.
Heating element 178 may be powered by an electrical
35 connection to electrical outlet 89. Additionally, the tempera
ture or intensity of heating element 178 may be controlled by
an electronic container heating element controller 79.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, system 100 includes a pressure
release valve 185 and pressure release line 187, both in fluid
40 communication with container output 174. Pressure release
line 187 is in fluid communication with ambient air at a
location in which it is safe to output flammable fluids. During
operation, the pressure of the interior of extract container 170
may fall outside the bounds of desirable operating pressures.
45 For example, pressure release valve 185 is configured to open
pressure release line 187 upon extract container 170 exceed
ing 150 pounds per square inch of positive pressure or nega
tive 30 pounds per square inch of vacuum pressure.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, first pump 101 and second pump 102
50 are connected in fluid communication with extract container
170. First pump 101 and second pump 102 are configured to
direct fluid through system 100 in the direction indicated by
arrows 98 and 99 shown in FIG. 1. For example, first pump
101 and second pump 102 are configured to cooperate to
55 direct evaporated post-extraction solvent from extract con
tainer 170 to solvent collection container 115 over a container
output line 188 and a solvent collection line 190. In some
examples, a fan may be attached between first pump 101 and
second pump 102 for cooling when system 100 is operational.
60 Because system 100 defines a closed loop system, first
pump 101 and second pump 102 are cooperatively configured
to direct fluid at a variety of stages of system 100 as long as
any intervening valves are opened. For example, first pump
101 and second pump 102 may be configured to cooperate to
65 draw solvent from solvent collection container 115 to solvent
source container 120. Further, first pump 101 and second
pump 102 are configured to cooperatively communicate at
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least a portion of post-extraction solvent evaporated within
extract container 170 to solvent collection container 115.
Similarly, first pump 101 and second pump 102 may be
configured to cooperatively direct extract solution output
from the detachable canisters to extract container 170. In
Some examples, backflow pressure produced by first pump
101 and second pump 102 provide some or all of the pressure
used by solvent compressor 130 to pressurize solvent prior to
introducing it to the Solvent containers.
First pump 101 and second pump 102 collectively produce
a flow rate sufficient to accomplish each of the aforemen
tioned functionalities. Some examples include more or fewer
pumps connected in series. Additional pumps may provide
additional pumping power, whereas fewer pumps may save
on operating costs.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent collection line 190 is configured
to pass through condensing system 105 between second
pump 102 and solvent collection container 115. As FIG. 1
illustrates, condensing system 105 includes a coolant pump
104, a first condenser column 107, a second condenser col
umn 108, a coolant line 109, a coolant loop line 113, a first
expansion Valve 111, and a second expansion valve 112.
Condensing system 105 is configured to cool post-extraction
solvent pumped by first pump 101 and second pump 102 prior
to the solvent reaching solvent collection container 115. By
cooling the post-extraction solvent, condensing system 105
allows the post-extraction solvent to be stored and collected
as a liquid.
Coolant line 109 includes a coolant defining a refrigerant
selected to cool when evaporated. As FIG. 1 illustrates, cool
ant pump 104 is configured to direct the coolant contained in
coolant line 109 in the direction indicated by arrow 96 and
arrow 97.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, coolant line 109 is routed through
second condenser column 108. After passing through second
condenser column 108, coolant line 109 splits, with one
branch being directed back to coolant pump 104 and the other
branch being directed toward first condenser column 107. As
FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 joins coolant loop line 113 in
fluid communication after passing through second expansion
valve 112.
Coolant line 109 is configured to absorb heat from the
post-extraction solvent passing through solvent collection
line 190 to cool the post-extraction solvent to a liquid state.
Coolant line 109 and coolant loop line 113 additionally coop
erate to continuously cool coolant pump 104 during opera
tion.
As FIG. 5 illustrates, solvent collection line 190 defines a
coiled portion 114 through first condenser column 107 Like
wise, coolant line 109 defines a coiled portion 116 through
first condenser column 107. As FIG. 5 shows, coiled portion
116 and coiled portion 114 are sufficiently close with one
another for coolant line 109 and solvent collection line 190 to
be thermally coupled through first condenser column 107. As
FIG. 5 shows, first condenser column 107 is filled with a
thermally conductive liquid 106, such as an antifreeze, which
encourages rapid heat transfer between coolant line 109 and
Solvent collection line 190.
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is connected in fluid
communication with coolant loop line 113. Coolant loop line
113 is routed through second condenser column 108 and
defines a coiled portion through second condenser column
108. Similar to the design of first condenser column 107, the
coiled portion of coolant loop line 113 and a second coiled
portion of coolant line 109 are engaged and thermally
coupled with one another within second condenser column
108.
10
As FIG. 1 shows, the hydraulic circuit defined by coolant
line 109 and coolant loop line 113 routes coolant pumped by
coolant pump 104 through two expansion valves. Coolant
passing through first expansion valve 111 in second con
denser column 108 expands to vapor or a vapor/liquid mix,
which draws heat from the second coiled portion of coolant
line 109. This cools coolant line 109, particularly at its second
portion. As FIG. 1 shows, a portion of this cooled coolant is
reintroduced into coolant pump 104, thereby continuously
10 cooling coolant pump 104 during operation.
Coolant passing through second expansion valve 112 as it
returns to coolant pump 104 similarly expands to a vapor or
vapor?liquid mix, which draws heat from solvent collection
line 190 and the solvent passing therein. In many cases,
15 second expansion valve 112 will expand coolant returning
from coolant line 109, which draws heat from solvent collec
tion line 190. This cools the post-extraction solvent passing
through solvent collection line 190 to a liquid. Cooling the
Solvent and shifting it to a liquid decreases losses of recap
tured post-extraction solvent and increases the efficiency of
solvent collection container 115 in storing previously used
solvent, thus increasing the recapture rate of system 100.
The coiling of fluid lines through both first condenser col
umn 107 and second condenser column 108 increases the
25 Surface area throughout which the corresponding lines are
thermally coupled. By maximizing this surface area, first
condenser column 107 and second condenser column 108 are
better able to transfer heat between the two paired lines.
Further, the coiling of the lines increases the amount of time
30 in which contained fluids are exposed to one another, further
increasing the columns cooling efficiency.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent collection container 115 is
connected in fluid communication with extract container 170
through solvent collection container 115 and solvent source
35 container 120 via a storage container line 194. As FIG. 1
shows, solvent collection container 115 includes a collection
container input 117 and a collection container output 118.
Solvent collection container 115 is configured to collect post
extraction solvent separated from the distilled solute within
40 extract container 170 and directed through solvent collection
line 190.
Solvent collection container 115 is configured to direct
collected solvent to solvent source container 120 upon col
lecting a maximum amount of collected solvent. In some
45 configurations, solvent collection container 115 is configured
to communicate collected solvent upon exceeding its storage
capacity. In other examples, solvent collection container 115
is configured to communicate collected solvent upon the col
lected Solvent reaching the end of collection container output
50 118. When the collected solvent reaches the second storage
unit output, the suction force produced by first pump 101 and
second pump 102 draws collected solvent through the second
storage unit output to refill solvent source container 120.
Solvent collection container 115, solvent source container
55 120, and extract container 170 define volumes that are opera
tively paired with one another. Extract container 170, solvent
source container 120, and solvent collection container 115
may, at times of operation, be configured to receive all of the
fluid from the preceding fluidly connected elements. Accord
60 ingly, solvent collection container 115 and solvent source
container 120 are sized to ensure sufficient storage space for
any post-extraction solvent output by extract container 170.
To ensure sufficient headroom, the combined volume of
solvent source container 120 and solvent collection container
65 115 may be equal to the volume of extract container 170.
Likewise, extract container 170 may define a volume equal to
the combined volume of solvent source container 120 and
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US 9,145,532 B2
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solvent collection container 115 to provide sufficient head
room to be filled with all of the solvent initially contained by
solvent collection container 115 and solvent source container
120. In some examples, one or more of solvent source con
tainer 120, solvent collection container 115, and extract con
tainer 170 may be sized larger than needed, which may guar
antee Sufficient headroom.
Although solvent collection container 115 and solvent
source container 120 are distinct containers in system 100,
this disclosure contemplates that a single container could
serve as both a solvent collection container and solvent source
container.
AS FIG. 6 shows, some examples may include more than
one extract container. For example, the example system, sys
tem 200, includes both a first extract container 270 and a
second extract container 272. As FIG. 6 illustrates, system
200 includes additional solvent collection containers, com
pared to system 100, to remain operatively paired with the
two extract containers of system 200. Namely, system 200
includes a first solvent collection container 215, a solvent
collection container 216, and a solvent collection container
217. System 200 additionally includes a solvent source con
tainer 220. The combined volume of first solvent collection
container 215, solvent collection container 216, solvent col
lection container 217, and solvent source container 220 is
operatively paired with the combined volume of first extract
container 270 and second extract container 272.
With reference to FIG. 7, an example of a method for
extracting solute from a source material, method 300, will
now be described. Some of the steps of method 300 may be
carried out using system 100 or other disclosed systems.
Accordingly, the discussion of method 300 will reference
system 100. Although this disclosure references system 100
in connection with method 300, method 300 is not required to
be carried out on equipment similar to system 100, system
200, or other disclosed systems.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, method 300 includes depositing a
Source material including a solute in a canister at step 305.
removably attaching the canister in fluid communication with
an extract container at Step 310, introducing a solvent into the
canister at step 315, and exposing the source material to the
solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 320, and
communicating the extract mixture to an extract container at
step 325. As FIG. 7 shows, method 300 further includes
separating the recycled solvent at step 330, cooling the
recycled solvent at step 335, collecting the recycled solvent in
a solvent collection container at step 340, and introducing at
least a portion of the recycled solvent from the solvent col
lection container to the canister at step 345.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, a source material including a solute is
deposited in a canister at step 305. In some examples, the
Source material may define plant material from which essen
tial oils may be extracted. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates first
detachable canister 150 extracting essential oils from con
tained lavender 91.
In some examples, Source material is deposited in a Sub
stantially fluid-tight canister configured to selectively receive
Solvent and selectively communicate extract mixture created
therein. For example, first detachable canister 150 is substan
tially fluid tight in a closed configuration, but includes an
input and output allowing fluid to be selectively input solvent
and output created extract mixture.
In some examples, canisters may be configured to be
detachably connected to an extraction system. In some Such
examples, Source material may be deposited detachable can
isters when detached from its associated extraction system.
For example, first detachable canister 150, as shown in FIG.2,
12
defines a selectively openable canister configured to be selec
tively attached and detached from system 100. Accordingly,
first detachable canister 150 allows a user to load it with
source material when it is detached from system 100.
Some examples include a plurality of detachable canisters
that may be individually attached and detached from extrac
tion systems. In Such examples, Source material may be
placed in one or more of the canisters while the other canisters
continue normal operation. For example, system 100 includes
10
three detachable canisters, first detachable canister 150, sec
ond detachable canister 163, and third detachable canister
164. First detachable canister 150, for example, could be
removed and filled with source material as system 100 con
15 tinues the extraction/reclamation process with second detach
able canister 163 and third detachable canister 164.
Some examples may include a detachable canister inter
face allowing canisters to be easily detached and reattached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are config
ured to receive the canister to support the canister in fluid
communication with the solvent source container and an
extract container. For example, system 100 includes detach
able canister system 140 that allows each of the detachable
canisters to be attached and detached. As FIG. 1 shows, each
25 of first detachable canister 150, second detachable canister
163, and third detachable canister 164 are placed in fluid
communication with solvent source container 120 and extract
container 170 when attached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are con
30 figured to release the canister in response to user manipula
tion. In some examples, such as System 100, detachable can
ister interfaces allow users to attach and detach canisters
without any specific tools or hardware.
AS FIG. 7 shows, the canister containing the source mate
35 rial is removably attached in fluid communication with an
extract container at step 310. By placing the canister in fluid
communication with an extract container, the canister is able
to communicate created extract mixture to the extract con
tainer. The extract container may then be used to collect
40 extracted essential oils and separate recycled solvent from
extracted essential oils collected therein.
As previously discussed, some examples include a plural
ity of simultaneously attached canisters. In some Such
examples, two or more of the simultaneously attached canis
45 ters may simultaneously be in fluid communication with a
connected extract container. By placing each canister in fluid
communication with the extract container, one or more can
isters may simultaneously output contained extract mixture to
a single connected extract container.
50 As seen in FIG. 7, solvent is introduced into the canister at
step 315. In some examples, solvent is introduced into the
canister by communicating, fluidly, Solvent from a solvent
Source container to the canister. As previously discussed,
Some examples may include a plurality of detachable canis
55 ters. This disclosure contemplates introducing solvent into
each canisterindependently, simultaneously with introducing
solvent into one or more of the other canisters.
In some examples, introducing solvent into the canister
includes pressurizing a charging portion of the solvent prior
60 to introducing the solvent to the canister. In some examples, a
charging portion of solvent may be pressurized when con
tained in a solvent compressor as one or more of the attached
canisters contain an extracting portion of solvent being used
to extract solute from the source material. In system 100, for
65 example, a user may pressurize a charging portion of solvent
in solvent compressor 130, designated for first detachable
canister 150, as second detachable canister 163 and third
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US 9,145,532 B2
13
detachable canister 164 each contain an extracting portion of
Solvent and are extracting Solute therewith.
Pressurizing the solventis often a time-consuming process.
Extracting Solute in the canisters is also often time consum
ing. As a result, the parallelism afforded by pressurizing
Solvent as other attached canisters continue the extraction
process efficiently streamlines the pressurizing and extract
ing steps of disclosed methods.
In some examples, some or all of the solvent introduced
into the canister may include recycled solvent reclaimed from
a previous cycle of the disclosed methods. As will be dis
cussed more below, some examples include a reclamation
methodology that operates alongside disclosed extraction
methodologies. By using reclaimed solvent, disclosed meth
ods may use solvent particularly efficiently. In some
examples, solvent may automatically be collected and rein
troduced. In some examples, solvent collection and reintro
duction may occur simultaneously with other steps of the
disclosed methods. Some examples may collect solvent in a
plurality of solvent collection containers, such as system 200.
In some examples, introducing the solvent may include
passing the solvent through a solvent filter as it passes from
solvent source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In
some examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecu
lar sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as
it passes from Solvent source container 120 to solvent com
pressor 130.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, the source material is exposed to the
solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 320. The
predetermined period of time in which the source material
exposed is selected to substantially maximize the purity of
extracted Solvent. In some examples, the Source material and
Solvent are exposed to heat and pressure conditions that may
increase the efficiency with which solute is extracted from
Source materials. Soaking the source material in the solvent
within an associated canister for 3-5 minutes has been found
to be a Surprisingly effective method exposing the Source
material to the solvent. In some examples, following the Soak
with a hydrocarbon wash of the associated canister has been
found to result in a particularly high quality, pure product in
Subsequent extraction steps performed with that particular
canister.
For example, it may be desirable to extract solute from
source materials at both high temperatures while solvent
remains in a liquid state. This disclosure contemplates both
heating the solvent when it is exposed to the source material
and pressurizing the contained Volume of solvent to a selected
pressure to maintain the Solvent in a liquid State when heated.
By manipulating the pressure and temperature of the solvent,
disclosed methods may extract Solute at a higher purity and
greater yield per unit of source material than conventional
extraction methods.
As shown in FIG. 7, the created extract mixture is commu
nicated to an extract container, the extract container in fluid
communication with the extract mixture, at step 325. By
communicating the extract mixture to the extract container,
the extract container may collect and store extract for future
use. In some examples, extract containers may be removed to
use or store collected extract.
In some examples, the extract container may define a nega
tive pressure prior to receiving extract mixture. The created
extract mixture may be communicated to the extract container
by opening a fluid communicative path between a canister
containing created extract mixture and the extract container.
For example, system 100 allows a user to manipulate the
output valve of detachable canister system 140 associated
14
with a container containing created extract mixture to open a
fluid line between the associated canister and extract con
tainer 170.
As FIG. 7 shows, the recycled solvent is separated at step
330. Separating the recycled solvent may include including
heating the container to evaporate the recycled solvent. Heat
ing the container to evaporate the recycled solvent may
include heating the container to a solvent extraction tempera
ture. The solvent extraction temperature of the container may
10 be greater than a boiling point of the solvent and less than a
boiling point of the solute. By raising the temperature of the
extract mixture above the solvents boiling point and below
the boiling point of essential oils, the solvent is separated
from the extract mixture as a gas. The evaporated Solvent may
15 output independently of any contained essential oil or other
eXtract.
In some examples, users may discard the contents of an
extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. In
Some examples, the contents of the extract container may
include odorants or other impurities that may remain in the
extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. As a
result, the recycled solvent may have increased purity com
pared the input solvent. Users may discard these impurities to
ensure that they do not end up in any end product produced by
25 Subsequent extraction/reclamation cycles.
In some examples, the solvent may define butane. In Such
examples, heating the container to evaporate the solvent may
include raising the temperature within the container above
butane's sea level boiling point of about 30.8 degrees Faren
30 heit while maintaining the temperature within the containerto
below typical boiling points of water and/or essential oils.
In some examples, separating the recycled solvent includes
receiving the evaporated recycled solvent through a container
output opening. In some examples, one or more fluidly-con
35 nected pumps may Suck evaporated recycled solvent through
the container output opening. As previously discussed, this
disclosure contemplates extract containers that remain struc
turally stable at negative pressures. Attached pumps may be
configured to extract substantially all of the evaporated
40 recycled solvent contained in an extract container and leave
the extract container with a negative pressure. By leaving the
extract container with a negative pressure, the pumps addi
tionally prepare the extract container to later receive addi
tional extract mixture from one or more attached canisters.
45 In some examples, the evaporated recycled solvent is posi
tioned above any liquid extract mixture contained in the
extract container. For example, extract container 170 includes
container output 174 positioned near the top of extract con
tainer 170 and above any contained extract. In some
50 examples, users may periodically empty the extract to ensure
that the container output opening remains above any con
tained extract. For example, the extract container may be
removed and contained extract may be stored in an alternative
container. To ensure the container output opening remains
55 above the contained extract, the container may be periodi
cally emptied prior to the extract container accumulating
Sufficient extract to reach the container output opening.
As seen in FIG.7, the recycled solvent is cooled at step 335.
In some examples, as is seen in system 100, the recycled
60 solvent is thermally coupled with a solvent for a portion of the
time after the recycled solvent leaves an extract container. In
Some examples, the recycled solvent is cooled prior to col
lecting the recycled solvent in the solvent collection con
tainer.
65 In some examples, the recycled solvent is directed through
a solvent collection line and the recycled solvent is thermally
coupled with a coolant along at least a portion of the solvent
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US 9,145,532 B2
15
collection line. In some examples, the coolant is directed
through a coolant line which is engaged with the Solvent
collection line over at least a portion of its length. For
example, coolant line 109 is configured to carry coolant and is
engaged with solvent collection line 190 through first con
denser column 107. Because solvent collection line 190 is
engaged with coolant line 109 and each line is constructed of
thermally conductive material through first condenser col
umn 107, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with solvent
collection container 115 through first condenser column 107.
In some examples, the coolant is directed through a fluid
transmissive coolant loop. The coolant loop may be config
ured to both output and receive coolant from the coolant line.
For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example coolant loop line,
coolant loop line 113, which is configured to output and
receive coolant from the coolant line at a single junction.
The coolant loop may additionally or alternatively define
an expansion valve configured to expand and cool the coolant
in the coolant loop. Additionally or alternatively, the coolant
loop line may be engaged with the coolant line over at least a
portion of its length, thereby thermally coupling the coolant
loop and the coolant line over a portion of their lengths. By
expanding the coolant in the coolant loop, the coolant loop
includes a coolant that may be cooler than the coolant in the
primary coolant line. By thermally coupling the coolant loop
with the coolant line, the coolant loop may, in effect, cool the
coolant in the coolant line.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example fluid circuit including a
coupled coolant loop and coolant line. As previously dis
cussed, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with solvent
collection line 190. As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is
connected to both input and output to coolant loop line 113 at
a single junction. Accordingly, system 100 is configured to
allow coolant to be directed through coolant line 109 and is
configured to direct at least a portion of the coolant in the
coolant line 109 through coolant loop line 113.
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant loop line 113 includes first
expansion valve 111 which is configured to expand and cool
coolant contained in coolant loop line 113 prior to directing
coolant in coolant loop line 113 through second condenser
column 108. As previously discussed, coolant loop line 113 is
thermally engaged with coolant line 109 through second con
denser column 108. By expanding coolant contained in cool
ant loop line 113 and thermally coupling coolant loop line 113
and coolant line 109 immediately downstream of this expan
Sion, coolant loop line 113 is configured to cool coolant line
109 through second condenser column 108.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the recycled solvent is collected in
a solvent collection container in fluid communication with
the extract container at step 340. In some examples, the Sol
vent collected by the solvent collection container is fluidly
communicated from an extract container. In some examples,
the recycled solvent is cooled to a liquid state prior to collec
tion in the solvent collection container.
In some examples, collected solvent is automatically out
put from a solvent collection container upon the Solvent col
lection container collecting a maximum amount of collected
Solvent. In some examples, the automatically output collected
Solvent is input into a solvent Source container in fluid com
munication with the associated solvent collection container.
For example, solvent collection container 115 is configured to
output collected recycled solvent to solvent Source container
120 upon collecting a maximum quantity of collected
recycled solvent.
In some configurations, solvent collection containers are
configured to communicate collected Solvent upon exceeding
its storage capacity. In other examples, solvent collection
16
containers are configured to automatically communicate col
lected solvent upon the collected solvent reaching the end of
a collection container output positioned within the solvent
collection container.
In some examples, collecting the recycled solvent includes
displacing, with a pump, evaporated recycled solvent from
the extract container to the solvent collection container. For
example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are configured
to, in certain configurations, draw collected solvent from
10 extract container 170 to solvent collection container 115.
In some examples, collecting the recycled solvent includes
displacing, with a pump, recycled solvent from Solvent col
lection containers to solvent source containers or canisters.
For example, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are con
15 figured to, in certain configurations, draw collected solvent
from solvent collection container 115 to solvent source con
tainer 120. First pump 101 and second pump 102 may be
further configured to draw reclaimed solvent in solvent
source container 120 to one or more connected detachable
canisters containing Source material.
In some examples collecting the recycled solvent includes
sealing the solvent collection container when the solvent col
lection container contains at least a portion of the recycled
Solvent and detaching the solvent collection container. In
25 Some examples, the solvent collection container may be
sealed when it contains a predetermined quantity of the
recycled solvent. Upon being sealed, solvent Source contain
ers containing reclaimed solvent may be detached and stored
for later use. By allowing removal and storage of Solvent
30 collection containers and/or solvent Source containers, users
may store purified, reclaimed solvent for use in future use.
Because of the disclosed purification features, recycled sol
vent may be of a greater purity than many commercially
available solvents.
35 In some examples, recycled solvent is collected in an addi
tional Solvent collection container in fluid communication
with the extract container. Additional solvent collection con
tainers may be useful, for example, when additional or larger
extract containers are used, as they may provide the increased
40 headroom required when using additional or larger extract
containers. In some such examples, the second solvent con
tainer may be operatively paired with the extract container. In
Some examples, solvent containers and extract containers
may be operatively paired by defining a Substantially similar
45 total solvent container Volume that is consistent with or equal
to the total extract container volume. System 200, for
example, includes a Supplemental extract container paired
with a Supplemental Solvent collection container.
As shown in FIG. 7, recycled solvent from the solvent
50 collection container is introduced into the canister at step 345.
In Some examples, introducing at least a portion of the
recycled solvent from the solvent collection container to the
canister includes directing at least a portion of the recycled
solvent from the solvent collection container to a solvent
55 Source container prior to reaching a canister. By reintroducing
recycled solvent, disclosed methods efficiently re-use
reclaimed solvent from previous extraction/reclamation
cycles. Because used solvent is not simply discarded, dis
closed methods provide robust economic and ecological effi
60 ciency.
In some examples, recycled solvent contained in Solvent
collection container is displaced into the solvent source con
tainer upon the solvent collection container collecting a pre
determined quantity of recycled solvent. In some examples,
65 the solvent collection container is configured to introduce
such received recycled solvent to the canister in future styles,
instead of adding additional Solvent. For example, Solvent
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US 9,145,532 B2
17
source container 120 is configured to direct new solvent and/
or solvent received from solvent collection container 115 to
detachable canister system 140.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inven
tions with independent utility. While each of these inventions
has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodi
ments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered
in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The
Subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non
obvious combinations and Subcombinations of the various
elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed
above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to Such
inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims
recite “a” element, “a first element, or any such equivalent
term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incor
porate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor
excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to Submit claims directed to
combinations and Subcombinations of the disclosed inven
tions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inven
tions embodied in other combinations and Subcombinations
of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be
claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation
of new claims in the present application or in a related appli
cation. Such amended or new claims, whether they are
directed to the same invention or a different invention and
whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in
Scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the
subject matter of the inventions described herein.
The invention claimed is:
1. A method for extracting solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
depositing the source material having a solute in a canister;
introducing a solvent into the canister,
exposing the source material to the solvent for a predeter
mined period of time to create an extract mixture having
the solute in solution with the solvent;
fluidly communicating the extract mixture to a first extract
container, the first extract container in fluid communi
cation with the canister,
Selectively fluidly communicating the extract mixture to a
second extract container, the second extract container
Selectively being in fluid communication with the can
ister,
separating the Solute from the extract mixture to define a
recycled solvent by heating one or more of the first
extract container and the second extract container to
evaporate the recycled solvent; and
collecting the recycled solvent in a solvent collection con
tainer in fluid communication with one or more of the
first extract container and the second extract container.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein heating one or more of
the first extract container and the second extract container to
evaporate the Solvent comprises heating one or more of the
first extract container and the second extract container to a
Solvent extraction temperature, the solvent extraction tem
perature of the container being greater than a boiling point of
the solvent and less than a boiling point of the solute.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein collecting the recycled
Solvent displacing, with a pump, the recycled solvent in vapor
form from one or more of the first extract container and the
second extract container to the solvent collection container.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing at
least a portion of the recycled solvent from the solvent col
lection container to the canister.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein introducing recycled
Solvent into the canister comprises:
18
directing at least a portion of the recycled solvent from the
Solvent collection container to a solvent source con
tainer, and
introducing recycled solvent from the solvent source con
tainer to the canister.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least a portion of
the recycled solvent is displaced from the solvent collection
container into the solvent source container upon the solvent
collection container collecting a predetermined quantity of
10
recycled solvent.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein collecting the recycled
Solvent in a solvent collection container comprises:
sealing the solvent collection container when the solvent
15 collection container contains at a predetermined quan
tity of the recycled solvent; and
detaching the solvent collection container.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the solvent collection container defines a first solvent col
lection container and a second solvent collection con
tainer, the first solvent collection container being in fluid
communication with one or more of the first extract
container and the the second extract container and the
second solvent collection container being in fluid com
25 munication with the first solvent collection container;
and
wherein the method further comprises:
collecting the recycled solvent in the second solvent
collection container from the first solvent collection
30 container, and
introducing at least a portion of the recycled solvent
from the second solvent collection container to the
canister.
9. A method for extracting solute from a source material,
35 the method comprising:
placing a source material having a solute in a canister;
removably and fluidly attaching the canister to an extract
container via connecting the canister to a detachable
canister interface;
40 removably and fluidly attaching the canister to a solvent
Source container via connecting the canister to the
detachable canister interface;
introducing a solvent into the canister;
exposing the Source material to the solvent for a prede
45 termined period of time to create an extract mixture
having the solute in solution with the solvent;
communicating the extract mixture to the extract con
tainer, the extract container in fluid communication
with the canister; and
50 separating the Solute from the extract mixture to define a
recycled solvent by heating the extract container to
evaporate the recycled solvent,
wherein the detachable canister interface is configured to:
receive the canister to Support the canister in fluid com
55 munication with a solvent source container; and
selectively release the canister when the detachable can
ister interface is manipulated by a user.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the canister defines a
first canister;
60 further comprising:
placing additional source material in a second canisteras
the first canister remains in fluid communication with
the extract container,
removably and fluidly attaching the second canister to
65 the extract container as the first canister remains in
fluid communication with the extract container, and
introducing the solvent into the second canister.
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19
11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the solvent defines an extracting portion and a charging
portion, the extracting portion corresponding to the por
tion of the solvent introduced in the first canister and the
charging portion corresponds to solvent contained in a
Solvent compressor, and
introducing the solvent into the second canister includes
pressurizing the charging portion of the solvent as the
Source material in the first canister is exposed to the
extracting portion of the solvent.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein connecting the canister
to the detachable canister interface includes:
slidingly receiving at least a lower portion of the canister,
the lower portion comprising a lower opening of the
canister, into a lower canister attachment device, the
lower canister attachment device in fluid communica
tion with the extract container, and
pulling an upper canister attachment device over at least an
upper portion of the canister, the upper portion of the
canister comprising an upper opening of the canister, the
upper canister attachment device in fluid communica
tion with the solvent source container.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein pulling the upper
canister attachment device includes pulling an over-center
securing level configured to lock the upper canister attach
ment device in a Substantially fixed position over the upper
opening of the associated canister.
14. A method for extracting solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
exposing the source material in a canister to a liquid solvent
for a predetermined period of time to create an extract
mixture having the Solute in Solution with the liquid
solvent;
communicating the extract mixture to an extract container,
the extract container in fluid communication with the
canister,
separating the Solute from the extract mixture to define an
evaporated solvent by, heating the extract container to
evaporate the liquid solvent;
cooling the evaporated Solvent to a temperature below the
boiling point of the solvent to define a recycled liquid
Solvent prior to collecting the recycled liquid solvent in
the solvent collection container, and
collecting the recycled liquid solventina Solvent collection
container in fluid communication with the extract con
tainer, the recycled liquid solvent being stored in the
Solvent collection container as a liquid.
20
15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
separating liquid solvent from the extract mixture com
prises receiving the evaporated Solvent through a con
tainer output opening positioned above the solute con
tained in the extract container, and
collecting the recycled liquid solvent comprises:
directing the evaporated solvent through a solvent col
lection line; and
engaging, thermally, the evaporated solvent to a coolant
10 along at least a portion of the solvent collection line.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein cooling the evapo
rated solvent comprises:
directing the coolant through a coolant line, the coolant line
being engaged with the solvent collection line over at
15
least a portion of its length;
directing at least a portion of the coolant through a fluid
transmissive coolant loop, the coolant loop:
being configured to receive coolant from the coolant
line;
being configured to output coolant to the coolant line;
defining an expansion valve along its length; and
being engaged with the coolant line over at least a por
tion of its length.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein after the extract mix
ture is selectively communicated to the second extract con
25 tainer, the method further comprises selectively removing the
second extract container for one or more of use and storage of
the extract mixture.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the canister defines a
first canister and the solvent defines an extracting portion and
30 a charging portion, the extracting portion corresponding to
the portion of the solvent introduced in the first canister and
the charging portion corresponds to solvent contained in a
Solvent compressor, and
the method further comprises:
35 placing additional source material in a second canisteras
the first canister remains in fluid communication with
the extract container,
removably and fluidly attaching the second canister to
the extract container as the first canister remains in
40 fluid communication with the extract container, and
introducing the solvent into the second canister by pres
Surizing the charging portion of the solvent as the
Source material in the first canister is exposed to the
extracting portion of the solvent.
45 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the solvent is butane
and the temperature below the boiling point of the solvent is
a temperature below 30.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
k k k k k
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-2 Filed 08/06/21 Page 19 of 19 Page ID #:48

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 9,145,532 B2 Page 1 of 1
APPLICATIONNO. : 14/070972
DATED : September 29, 2015
INVENTOR(S) : Wasserman et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Title Page,
(71) should read: Samuel Decker
(72) should read: Samuel Decker

Signed and Sealed this

Twenty-second Day of March, 2016
74-4-04- 2% 4 Michelle K. Lee
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 25 Page ID #:49

USOO95872O3B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,587,203 B2

Wasserman et al. (45) Date of Patent: Mar. 7, 2017
(54) METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE (56) References Cited
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(71) Applicants: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); 5,281,732 A * 1/1994 Franke ................... A23C 1906
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US); 554f11
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US) 5,516,923 A * 5/1996 Hebert ...................... C11B 1.10
554f11
(72) Inventors: Jason Wasserman, Portland, OR (US); 6,551,642 B2 * 4/2003 Trout ........................ C11B 1.10
Jess Ordower, Portland, OR (US); 210,509
Samual Decker, Portland, OR (US) 6,821,413 B1 * 1 1/2004 Alkhalidl ............. C1OM 175/OO
208/179
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this * cited by examiner
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. Primary Examiner – Yate K Cutliff
(21) Appl. No.: 14/834,872 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Mohr Intellectual
Property Law Solutions, PC
(22) Filed: Aug. 25, 2015
(57) ABSTRACT
(65) Prior Publication Data Methods for extracting solute from a source material are
US 2015/036137.6 A1 Dec. 17, 2015 shown and described. The methods each include: depositing
the source material in a canister, introducing a solvent,
Related U.S. Application Data exposing the source material to the solvent to create an
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 14/070,972, extract mixture, communicating the extract mixture to one
filed on Nov. 4, 2013, now Pat. No. 9,145,532. or more extract containers, separating the Solute from the
extract mixture by heating the extract containers, collecting
(51) Int. C. the recycled solvent in a solvent collection container, and
CIIB I/I) (2006.01) cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent collection
BOLD II/02 (2006.01) container. In some examples, the one or more extract con
CIIB 9/02 (2006.01) tainers are first and second extract containers that are each
(52) U.S. C. selectively coupleable to the canister and are selectively
CPC ................. CIIB I/10 (2013.01); A23L 27/II removable for storage of the extract mixture. In some other
(2016.08); B0ID II/02 (2013.01): CIIB 9/025 examples, cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent
(2013.01) collection container is carried out via a cooling mechanism
(58) Field of Classification Search coupled to the solvent storage container.
None
See application file for complete search history. 20 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 25 Page ID #:50

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 1 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 25 Page ID #:51

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 2 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 25 Page ID #:52

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 3 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

FG3
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 25 Page ID #:53

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 4 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

FG4
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 6 of 25 Page ID #:54

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet S of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 7 of 25 Page ID #:55

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 6 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 8 of 25 Page ID #:56

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 7 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

300

303
DEPOSINGE SORCE AERIANA CANSER

-310
WAN EXRAC CONANER

NRODUCING ASVEN NE CANSER

EXPOSENGE SOURCE MATERATO HE SOVEN

-345
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 9 of 25 Page ID #:57

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 8 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

?5TOEK?,
Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 10 of 25 Page ID #:58

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 9 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

500- 505
ROSENG - SORCE i? ARIA NACANSR

ROARYAACNG- CANSTER N F COMUNCATION

WAN EXRAC CONANER

NRODUCING ASOWN NO CANSER

EXPOSENGE SORCE MARATO HE SOWEN

COMNCANGA FRS Portion OR - EXRAC XUR

O A FRS EXRAC CONANER

SEANG AND UNCOUNG - FRS EXTRAC CONANR

COAiNCANG ASCON PORON OR HE EXTRAC XUR

CASECON EXRAC CONANER
Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 11 of 25 Page ID #:59

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 10 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

~0 9 /*~|-19
Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 12 of 25 Page ID #:60
Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 13 of 25 Page ID #:61

U.S. Patent Mar. 7, 2017 Sheet 12 of 12 US 9,587,203 B2

800 -?t
DEPOSINGE SORCE ARIA NACANSER

810
REMOVABLY ATACHING THE CANSTERNFDCOMMUNICATION
WAN EXRAC CONANER

820

COM? NCANGE EXTRAC MXURECAN EXRAC CONANER

M 830
SEFARANGE RECYCSON

835
COONG E RECYCE SOLVEN

COECNGERECYCE SOWEN N A SEN COECON CONANER

X 845

MANTAINING ACOOLEDTEMPERATURE OR THE RECYCLED SOLVENT IN THE

SOWEN COECON CONANER
85
introducincrecycrosolvent from the solvent collection
CONANERO HE CANSER
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 14 of 25 Page ID #:62
US 9,587,203 B2
1.
METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SOLUTE
FROMA SOURCE MATERAL
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to and is a continuation
in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/070,
972, filed on Nov. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to systems for
extracting solute from Source materials. In particular, sys
tems configured to extract essential oils from Solid materials
are described.
Known extraction systems are not entirely satisfactory for
the range of applications in which they are employed. For
example, many conventional systems are unable to simul
taneously extract solute from materials stored in a plurality
of distinct containers. Rather, many existing systems are
configured to extract Solute from a single container of Source
material.
Extracting solute from a single container produces a
bottleneck, requiring the user to wait for extraction to
complete before the user can perform any other task asso
ciated with the extraction process. As a result, conventional
systems require a wasteful, inefficient extraction methodol
ogy. Accordingly, there exists the need for a system that
provides parallelism to overcome Such bottlenecks.
Further, many conventional extraction systems do not
allow extraction to be performed in a single, closed loop
process that reclaims solvent and re-introduces the
reclaimed solvent in subsequent cycles of the system. While
Some conventional systems allow users to manually reclaim
and reuse solvent, this process is time consuming and results
in an inefficient reclaim rate.
Further, many systems include no means for reclaiming
previously used solvent. Because users are unable to reclaim
and reuse solvent. Such systems are wasteful. Further, many
Solvents include odorants and other impurities that may end
up in extracted materials. Because the reclamation process
may simultaneously purify previously used solvent, systems
lacking reclamation functionality may produce a lower
quality end product. Accordingly, there exists the need for a
system that defines a closed loop with an at least partially
automated means for reclaiming and reintroducing solvent
used in previous iterations of extracting Solute from a source
material.
Additionally or alternatively, there exists a need for
cooling reclaimed solvent to a liquid state prior to collecting
the solvent. Liquid solvent may be more efficiently stored
than Solvent that is presently a gas. As a result, cooling
reclaimed solvent to a liquid state prior to collecting it
allows users to more efficiently store reclaimed solvent.
Accordingly, there exists a need for extraction systems that
cool reclaimed solvent prior to collecting it.
Thus, there exists a need for extraction systems that
improve upon and advance the design of known systems.
Examples of new and useful extraction systems relevant to
the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to methods for extract
ing Solute from a source material. The methods each include:
2
depositing the Source material in a canister, introducing a
Solvent into the canister, exposing the source material to the
Solvent to create an extract mixture, fluidly communicating
the extract mixture to one or more extract containers,
separating the solute from the extract mixture by heating the
one or more extract containers, collecting die recycled
Solvent in a solvent collection container, and cooling the
recycled solvent within the solvent collection container. In
Some examples, the one or more extract containers are first
10 and second extract containers that are each selectively
coupleable to the canister and are selectively removable for
storage of the extract mixture or the Solute. In some other
examples, cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent
collection container is carried out via a cooling mechanism
15 coupled to the solvent storage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of an example of a
detachable canister included in the system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view an extract container included
in the system shown in FIG. 1.
25 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extract container
shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a condenser column shown
included in the system shown in FIG. 1, the condenser
column shown with a front panel removed to show interior
30 details.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second example of a
system for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a first example method for
extracting solute from a source material.
35 FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a third example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a second example method for
extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a fourth example of a
40 system for extracting solute from a source material.
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a cooling mechanism for
the fourth example system for extracting Solute from a
source material shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a third example method for
45 extracting solute from a source material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The disclosed systems will become better understood
50 through review of the following detailed description in
conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and
figures provide merely examples of the various inventions
described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that
the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered
55 without departing from the scope of the inventions described
herein. Many variations are contemplated for different appli
cations and design considerations; however, for the sake of
brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not indi
vidually described in the following detailed description.
60 Throughout the following detailed description, examples
of various systems are provided. Related features in the
examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different
examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be
redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of
65 related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with
a related feature name may be similar to the related feature
in an example explained previously. Features specific to a
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 15 of 25 Page ID #:63
US 9,587,203 B2
3 4
given example will be described in that particular example.
The reader should understand that a given feature need not
be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related
feature in any given figure or example.
With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material, system 100, will
now be described. As FIG. 1 shows, system 100 includes a
solvent source container 120, a solvent compressor 130, a
detachable canister system 140, an extract container 170, a
first pump 101, a second pump 102, a condensing system
105, and a solvent collection container 115. System 100
additionally includes various valves and fluid lines (defining
pipes) that control the flow of fluids through system 100
during operation.
System 100 may be particularly adapted for using butane
to extract essential oils from plant material. For example,
FIG. 2 depicts system 100 using butane to extract essential
oils from lavender plants. FIG. 2 illustrates lavender 91
contained within first detachable canister 150, being
exposed to a solvent, defining liquid butane 92, within a
canister of system 100.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 is config
ured to store lavender 91 and liquid butane 92 to extract the
essential oils from the source material in an extract solution,
containing butane and lavender essential oil. After a prede
termined period of time selected to effectively extracting
essential oil from lavender plant materials, first detachable
canister 150 is configured to output the contained extract
Solution.
After the predetermined period of time, the extract solu
tion is directed to an extract container. The extract container
is configured to heat the contained extract solution above the
boiling point of the solvent to separate substantially purified
post-extraction solvent from the extract solution. The evapo
rated post-extraction solvent is then stored to reclaim it for
later use. After removing the post-extraction solvent from
the extract container, the residual material in the extract
container defines a distilled, high-purity essential oil of the
Source material.
After the solvent has been used to extract solute from the
solvent, system 100 is configured to reclaim the used solvent
for later use. As FIG. 1 illustrates, extract container 170 is
connected in fluid communication with solvent collection
container 115. Extract container 170 is configured to sepa
rate the solvent from the extracted Solute, allowing system
100 to direct and collect the used solvent in solvent collec
tion container 115. System 100 includes several features
configured to increase the reclaim rate of post-extraction
solvent, allowing system 100 to use solvent more efficiently
than many conventional extraction systems.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent source container 120 is con
nected in fluid communication with solvent compressor 130
and in fluid communication with solvent collection container
115. As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent source container 120
includes a source container input 121 and a source container
output 122. Source container input 121 is configured to
fluidly receive solvent communicated from solvent collec
tion container 115. For example, first pump 101 and second
pump 102 may pump solvent contained in solvent collection
container 115 as system 100 proceeds through an extraction
cycle. Source container input 121 is additionally configured
to restrict the passage of fluid back into solvent collection
container 115.
Source container output 122 is configured to direct sol
vent contained in solvent source container 120 to solvent
compressor 130 via a solvent source line 197. By directing
fluid to solvent compressor 130, solvent source container
120 introduces the solvent in the current cycle of system
100's extraction process. In some examples, solvent source
line 197 may include an internal filter. The internal filter may
be used to remove impurities in solvent prior to introducing
the solvent to detachable canister system 140.
Because solvent source container 120 is configured to
fluidly receive solvent from solvent collection container 115,
solvent source container 120 may be refilled with post
extraction solvent collected by solvent collection container
10
115 during previous extraction cycles performed by system
1OO.
By directly reintroducing post-extraction solvent to Sol
vent source container 120, system 100 is able to reclaim
15 post-extraction solvent at a high rate. Further, the reclaimed
Solvent may be of a higher purity than fresh, commercially
Sourced butane. Butane often ships with an odorant, Such as
mercaptain or thiphiane. When using a solvent containing
Such an odorant, the extracted essential oil may include
portions of the odorant. This results in a less desirable end
product.
In some examples, solvent source line 197 may include a
solvent filter within its fluid-transmissive interior, thereby
passing solvent through the filter as it passes from solvent
25 source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In some
examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecular
sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as it
passes from Solvent source container 120 to Solvent com
pressor 130.
30
Post-extraction solvent that has been processed and
reclaimed by system 100 may have decreased levels of
odorant compared to commercially available odorant-con
taining solvents. Accordingly, using reclaimed solvent may
35 result in a purer, more desirable end product. In some cases,
users may run a solvent purification cycle prior to extraction
to remove such impurities. Such a solvent purification cycle
may include processing and reclaiming commercially pur
chased butane through system 100 one time prior to extrac
40 tion.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid
communication with solvent source container 120. As FIG.
1 additionally illustrates, solvent compressor 130 is in fluid
communication with first pump 101 and second pump 102,
45 assuming appropriate valves are open. Solvent compressor
130 is configured to receive solvent from solvent source
container 120.
Solvent compressor 130 is configured to compress, or
“charge, the received solvent. In some examples, the com
50 pressor may be electrically powered. Such as by plugging
into an electrical outlet 89. In other examples, solvent
compressor 130 may pressurize solvent using backflow
pressure produced by first pump 101 and second pump 102.
In some examples, it is desirable to use a high tempera
55 ture, liquid solvent for extraction. Solvent compressor 130
may be used to compress solvent to an extraction pressure,
the extraction pressure selected to maintain solvent in a
liquid State even when exposed to an elevated extraction
temperature. After pressurizing the Solvent, solvent com
60 pressor 130 is configured to introduce the pressurized sol
vent into detachable canister system 140.
As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is
connected in fluid communication with solvent compressor
130. As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140
65 includes a plurality of detachable canisters, including a first
detachable canister 150, a second detachable canister 163,
and a third detachable canister 164. Detachable canister
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 16 of 25 Page ID #:64
US 9,587,203 B2
5 6
system 140 is configured to direct solvent from solvent
compressor 130 to each detachable canister via a detachable
canister line 181.
Detachable canister system 140 is configured to fluidly
receive compressed solvent from solvent compressor 130.
Detachable canister system 140 is further configured to
direct to extract container 170 extract solution produced
within attached canisters, the extract solution including both
Solvent and solute extracted from Source materials contained
in the canisters. Detachable canister system 140 is further
configured to direct to extract container 170 any overflow
solvent output by solvent compressor 130 and not received
by a detachable canister.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct fluid from solvent compressor 130 to
each detachable canister. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable
canister system 140 includes an input valve associated with
each detachable canister. Each input valve controls fluid
communication between solvent compressor 130 and the
associated detachable canister. When an input valve is
opened, solvent compressor 130 is configured to communi
cate contained compressed solvent to the associated canister.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent compressor 130 is configured to
communicate with each detachable canister individually.
Accordingly, detachable canister system 140 allows a user to
refill a selected canister as one or more of the other canisters
remain closed and to continue extracting Solute from con
tained source material.
As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister system 140 is
configured to direct the extract Solution created in each
detachable canister to extract container 170 via an extract
mixture line 184. As FIG. 1 shows, detachable canister
system 140 includes an output valve associated with each
detachable canister. When an output valve is opened, the
associated canister is placed in fluid communication with
extract mixture line 184.
When placed in fluid communication, the associated
canister is configured to output an extract mixture to extract
container 170 via extract mixture line 184. A user may use
the output valves to direct the extract mixture contained in
an associated canister to extract container 170. In some
examples, first pump 101 and second pump 102 are config
ured to cooperatively suck the extract mixture from the
associated canister toward extract container 170.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, detachable canister system 140
additionally includes an overflow line 182 in fluid commu
nication with solvent compressor 130, each detachable can
ister, and extract container 170. Overflow line 182 is con
figured to direct overflow solvent that does not make it from
solvent compressor 130 to one of the detachable containers
after charging. For example, overflow line 182 may be used
to collect solvent trapped in detachable canister line 181
after filling one of the detachable canisters with solvent.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example detachable canister, first
detachable canister 150, filled with solvent and source
material. In FIG. 2, first detachable canister 150 is currently
extracting solute from the source material. As FIG. 2 illus
trates, first detachable canister 150 includes a top portion
154, which may be screwingly attached to and detached
from a bottom portion 156. When top portion 154 and
bottom portion 156 are attached, they define a fluid-tight
container configured to store solvent and Source material
during extraction.
As FIG. 2 shows, first detachable canister 150 may
additionally or alternatively include a top mesh filter 149
and a bottom mesh filter 151. As FIG. 2 shows, top mesh
filter 149 defines a perimetral gasket surrounding a mesh
filter. The perimetral gasket is made of a food-grade nitrile,
allowing first detachable canister 150 to be legally used to
extract solute that may be used for food products. As FIG.
2 illustrates, top mesh filter 149 is configured to be slidingly
inserted into the top of first detachable canister 150 to
prevent sediment from inadvertently backflowing through
the input of first detachable canister 150. The perimetral
gasket is sized to partially compress within first detachable
canister 150, thus frictionally supporting top mesh filter 149
10 in a substantially fixed position within first detachable
canister 150.
In some examples, the filter of top filter 149 may define
a stainless steel 200 mesh filter. In some examples, the
gasket portion of top filter 149 may define fox grade nitrile.
15 Bottom mesh filter 151 is substantially similar to top mesh
filter 149, but is positioned proximate the bottom of first
detachable canister 150. Accordingly, bottom mesh filter 151
is configured to prevent sediment from inadvertently flowing
through the output of first detachable canister 150.
Because system 100 includes multiple canisters and each
canister is removable, system 100 is able to extract solute in
the connected, filled containers as other functions of system
100 continue to operate. For example, when one canister is
attached and extracting, Solvent compressor 130 may charge
25 solvent for a second canister. Further, a user may be able to
load a detached canister as solvent compressor 130 charges
Solvent, providing even greater parallelism.
As FIG. 2 shows, detachable canister system 140
includes, for each detachable canister, both an upper canister
30 attachment device 153 and a lower canister attachment
device 159. Each upper canister attachment device 153 and
lower canister attachment device 159 is configured to selec
tively secure the associated detachable canister. As shown in
FIG. 2, each upper canister attachment device 153 device
35 includes a handle 155, which defines an over-center securing
lever configured to be pulled to lock upper canister attach
ment device 153 in a substantially fixed position over the top
opening of the associated canister. AS FIG. 2 shows, each
upper canister attachment device additionally defines a
40 compressible, fluid tight gasket 157 configured to be com
pressed against the associated canister when upper canister
attachment device 153 is locked in a closed configuration.
As FIG. 2 shows, upper canister attachment device 153 may
be pulled away and spaced from the associated canister
45 when handle 155 being released.
As FIG. 2 shows, lower canister attachment device 159 is
configured to slidingly receive the lower opening of an
associated canister. As FIG. 2 illustrates, lower canister
attachment device 159 includes a compressible, fluid tight
50 gasket 157. As FIG. 2 illustrates, a user may manipulate
upper canister attachment device 153 to receive the associ
ated canister such that the canister is engaged with both
gaskets 157. When a user pulls handle 155 to position upper
canister attachment device 153 in a locked configuration, the
55 both gaskets 157 are configured to compress to place the
canister in fluid communication with both solvent compres
sor 130 and extract container 170. Similarly, both gaskets are
configured to release when handle 155 is released. When
handle 155 is released and upper canister attachment device
60 153 is pulled away from the associated canister, the canister
can be slidingly removed from lower canister attachment
device 159 to be removed from system 100.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, each detachable canister includes a
heating pad 152 wrapped around its exterior. Each heating
65 pad 152 is configured to receive electrical energy, such as by
being plugged into electrical outlet 89, to heat the canister
around which it is wrapped. Increasing the temperature can,
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US 9,587,203 B2
7 8
in many cases, increase solvents’ efficacy and efficiency in
extracting Solute from a source material. The heating pads
may be controlled by an electronic heating pad controller 78,
which configures the heating pad to operate at a chosen
temperature or intensity.
As FIG. 1 shows, extract container 170 is in fluid com
munication with detachable canister system 140, configured
to receive extract solution output by the detachable canisters
and any overflow solvent transmitted by overflow line 182.
As FIG. 4 illustrates, extract container 170 includes a
container input 172, a container output 174, and a lid 176.
Extract container 170 is configured to receive the extract
mixture output by the detachable canisters. Extract container
170 is further configured to separate post-extraction solvent
from the extract mixture and output the post-extraction
Solvent for reclamation.
Container input 172 is configured to receive extract
mixture in a liquid state from the detachable canisters. For
example, FIG. 4 illustrates extract container 170 containing
a liquid 72 containing both extract mixture and extracted
essential oil. The extract mixture has been collected from
detachable canister system 140 in the current cycle of
system 100, whereas the extracted essential oil is the
residual essential oil after reclaiming post-extraction solvent
from a previous cycle of system 100.
As FIG. 4 shows, system 100 includes features that are
configured to restrict fluid from passing back into detachable
canister system 140. As FIG. 4 shows, container input 172
is positioned below the midpoint of extract container 170. At
this point, container input 172 will often be positioned below
collected essential oils. Because container input 172 is often
positioned within collected liquid, extract container 170
directs gas, Such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
toward container output 174 rather than the submerged
container input 172.
Further, container input 172 includes angled open ends
173. The open ends 173 prevent liquid from being directed
toward lid 176. By preventing liquid from contacting lid
176, extract container 170 provides a substantially clear
view of the liquid contained in extract container 170. Further
pump 102 and pump 104 are configured to direct fluid
toward container output 174 and away from container input
172.
As FIG. 4 shows, container output 174 is configured to
direct gas, such as evaporated post-extraction solvent 71,
from extract container 170 to solvent collection container
115. As FIG. 4 illustrates, container output 174 is positioned
above container input 172 and above the top of fluid
collected in extract container 170. Because container output
174 is located in this elevated position, it is positioned to
receive gas from extract container 170 as fluid remains in
extract container 170. Because container output 174 is
positioned to primarily receive gas from extract container
170, extract container 170 is configured to separate evapo
rated post-extraction solvent from extract mixture while
leaving the extracted essential oils in extract container 170.
This results in a pure product while reclaiming post-extrac
tion solvent at a high rate.
Extract container 170 defines a pressure pot, configured to
retain its structure at a wide range of pressure profiles.
Namely, extract container 170 is configured to maintain its
structure from -30 mmHg of vacuum pressure to 300
pounds per square inch of positive pressure. In typical
working conditions, the amount of pressure applied to
container 170 will range from -30 mmHg of vacuum
pressure to 150 pounds per square inch of positive pressure.
In particular, extract container 170 will often be between
-30 to 0 mmHg of vacuum when receiving fluid from extract
mixture line 184 and between 0 and 60 pounds per square
inch of pressure when directing fluid to container output
174.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is detachably secured to
the top of extract container 170. Lid 176 allows a user to
view the contents within container 170 and is made from
plexiglass. The thick Plexiglas construction of lid 176 pro
vides Sufficient rigidity and structural integrity to withstand
10 the widely disparate pressure conditions often present in
extract container 170. The lid may be made from any
material configured to withstand anticipated operating pres
SUCS.
As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, lid 176 is fastened to the main
15 body of container 170 by a series of 0.5 inch bolts 177. The
bolts are each detachable, allowing lid 176 to be selectively
removed. Further, the numerosity and strength of the bolts
provide sufficient structural support to restrict lid 176 from
being damaged or unintentionally removed under the pres
Sure conditions typically encountered during operation.
As FIG. 3 shows, lid 176 includes ports through with
container output 174 and container input 172 are spaced at
a distance selected to retain structural integrity of lid 176
under the pressure conditions typically encountered during
25 operation.
AS FIG. 1 illustrates, an extract container heating element
178 is thermally coupled with the contents of extract con
tainer 170, being positioned at the bottom of extract con
tainer 170. Heating element 178 defines an electrically
30 powered heating pad rated at 500 Watts. Heating pad 152 is
configured to heat the extract mixture to a distilling tem
perature to produce an evaporated portion of the solvent in
extract container 170. The distilling temperature to which
extract container 170 is heated is greater than the boiling
35 point of butane and less than typical essential oil boiling
points.
Heating element 178 may be powered by an electrical
connection to electrical outlet 89. Additionally, the tempera
ture or intensity of heating element 178 may be controlled by
40 an electronic container heating element controller 79.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, system 100 includes a pressure
release valve 185 and pressure release line 187, both in fluid
communication with container output 174. Pressure release
line 187 is in fluid communication with ambient air at a
45 location in which it is safe to output flammable fluids.
During operation, the pressure of the interior of extract
container 170 may fall outside the bounds of desirable
operating pressures. For example, pressure release valve 185
is configured to open pressure release line 187 upon extract
50 container 170 exceeding 150 pounds per square inch of
positive pressure or negative 30 pounds per square inch of
vacuum pressure.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, first pump 101 and second pump 102
are connected in fluid communication with extract container
55 170. First pump 101 and second pump 102 are configured to
direct fluid through system 100 in the direction indicated by
arrows 98 and 99 shown in FIG. 1. For example, first pump
101 and second pump 102 are configured to cooperate to
direct evaporated post-extraction solvent from extract con
60 tainer 170 to solvent collection container 115 over a con
tainer output line 188 and a solvent collection line 190. In
Some examples, a fan may be attached between first pump
101 and second pump 102 for cooling when system 100 is
operational.
65 Because system 100 defines a closed loop system, first
pump 101 and second pump 102 are cooperatively config
ured to direct fluid at a variety of stages of system 100 as
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long as any intervening valves are opened. For example, first
pump 101 and second pump 102 may be configured to
cooperate to draw solvent from Solvent collection container
115 to solvent source container 120. Further, first pump 101
and second pump 102 are configured to cooperatively com
municate at least a portion of post-extraction solvent evapo
rated within extract container 170 to solvent collection
container 115.
Similarly, first pump 101 and second pump 102 may be
configured to cooperatively direct extract solution output
from the detachable canisters to extract container 170. In
Some examples, backflow pressure produced by first pump
101 and second pump 102 provide some or all of the
pressure used by solvent compressor 130 to pressurize
Solvent prior to introducing it to the solvent containers.
First pump 101 and second pump 102 collectively pro
duce a flow rate sufficient to accomplish each of the afore
mentioned functionalities. Some examples include more or
fewer pumps connected in series. Additional pumps may
provide additional pumping power, whereas fewer pumps
may save on operating costs.
As FIG. 1 shows, solvent collection line 190 is configured
to pass through condensing system 105 between second
pump 102 and solvent collection container 115. As FIG. 1
illustrates, condensing system 105 includes a coolant pump
104, a first condenser column 107, a second condenser
column 108, a coolant line 109, a coolant loop line 113, a
first expansion valve 111, and a second expansion valve 112.
Condensing system 105 is configured to cool post-extraction
solvent pumped by first pump 101 and second pump 102
prior to the Solvent reaching solvent collection container
115. By cooling the post-extraction solvent, condensing
system 105 allows the post-extraction solvent to be stored
and collected as a liquid.
Coolant line 109 includes a coolant defining a refrigerant
selected to cool when evaporated. As FIG. 1 illustrates,
coolant pump 104 is configured to direct the coolant con
tained in coolant line 109 in the direction indicated by arrow
96 and arrow 97.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, coolant line 109 is routed through
second condenser column 108. After passing through second
condenser column 108, coolant line 109 splits, with one
branch being directed back to coolant pump 104 and the
other branch being directed toward first condenser column
107. As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 joins coolant loop
line 113 in fluid communication after passing through sec
ond expansion valve 112.
Coolant line 109 is configured to absorb heat from the
post-extraction solvent passing through solvent collection
line 190 to cool the post-extraction solvent to a liquid state.
Coolant line 109 and coolant loop line 113 additionally
cooperate to continuously cool coolant pump 104 during
operation.
As FIG. 5 illustrates, solvent collection line 190 defines a
coiled portion 114 through first condenser column 107.
Likewise, coolant line 109 defines a coiled portion 116
through first condenser column 107. As FIG. 5 shows, coiled
portion 116 and coiled portion 114 are sufficiently close with
one another for coolant line 109 and solvent collection line
190 to be thermally coupled through first condenser column
107. As FIG. 5 shows, first condenser column 107 is filled
with a thermally conductive liquid 106, such as an anti
freeze, which encourages rapid heat transfer between cool
ant line 109 and Solvent collection line 190.
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is connected in fluid
communication with coolant loop line 113. Coolant loop line
113 is routed through second condenser column 108 and
defines a coiled portion through second condenser column
108. Similar to the design of first condenser column 107, the
coiled portion of coolant loop line 113 and a second coiled
portion of coolant line 109 are engaged and thermally
coupled with one another within second condenser column
108.
As FIG. 1 shows, the hydraulic circuit defined by coolant
line 109 and coolant loop line 113 routes coolant pumped by
coolant pump 104 through two expansion valves. Coolant
10 passing through first expansion valve 111 in second con
denser column 108 expands to vapor or a vapor/liquid mix,
which draws heat from the second coiled portion of coolant
line 109. This cools coolant line 109, particularly at its
second portion. As FIG. 1 shows, a portion of this cooled
15 coolant is reintroduced into coolant pump 104, thereby
continuously cooling coolant pump 104 during operation.
Coolant passing through second expansion valve 112 as it
returns to coolant pump 104 similarly expands to a vapor or
vapor?liquid mix, which draws heat from solvent collection
line 190 and the Solvent passing therein. In many cases,
second expansion valve 112 will expand coolant returning
from coolant line 109, which draws heat from solvent
collection line 190. This cools the post-extraction solvent
passing through solvent collection line 190 to a liquid.
25 Cooling the solvent and shifting it to a liquid decreases
losses of recaptured post-extraction solvent and increases
the efficiency of solvent collection container 115 in storing
previously used solvent, thus increasing the recapture rate of
system 100.
30 The coiling of fluid lines through both first condenser
column 107 and second condenser column 108 increases the
surface area throughout which the corresponding lines are
thermally coupled. By maximizing this surface area, first
condenser column 107 and second condenser column 108
35 are better able to transfer heat between the two paired lines.
Further, the coiling of the lines increases the amount of time
in which contained fluids are exposed to one another, further
increasing the columns cooling efficiency.
As FIG. 1 illustrates, solvent collection container 115 is
40 connected in fluid communication with extract container 170
through solvent collection container 115 and solvent source
container 120 via a storage container line 194. As FIG. 1
shows, solvent collection container 115 includes a collection
container input 117 and a collection container output 118.
45 Solvent collection container 115 is configured to collect
post-extraction solvent separated from the distilled solute
within extract container 170 and directed through solvent
collection line 190.
Solvent collection container 115 is configured to direct
50 collected solvent to solvent source container 120 upon
collecting a maximum amount of collected Solvent. In some
configurations, solvent collection container 115 is config
ured to communicate collected solvent upon exceeding its
storage capacity. In other examples, solvent collection con
55 tainer 115 is configured to communicate collected solvent
upon the collected solvent reaching the end of collection
container output 118. When the collected solvent reaches the
second storage unit output, the Suction force produced by
first pump 101 and second pump 102 draws collected
60 Solvent through the second storage unit output to refill
solvent source container 120.
Solvent collection container 115, solvent source container
120, and extract container 170 define volumes that are
operatively paired with one another. Extract container 170,
65 Solvent source container 120, and solvent collection con
tainer 115 may, at times of operation, be configured to
receive all of the fluid from the preceding fluidly connected
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elements. Accordingly, Solvent collection container 115 and
solvent source container 120 are sized to ensure sufficient
storage space for any post-extraction solvent output by
extract container 170.
To ensure sufficient headroom, the combined volume of
solvent source container 120 and solvent collection con
tainer 115 may be equal to the volume of extract container
170. Likewise, extract container 170 may define a volume
equal to the combined Volume of Solvent source container
120 and solvent collection container 115 to provide suffi
cient headroom to be filled with all of the solvent initially
contained by solvent collection container 115 and solvent
Source container 120. In some examples, one or more of
solvent source container 120, solvent collection container
115, and extract container 170 may be sized larger than
needed, which may guarantee Sufficient headroom.
Although solvent collection container 115 and solvent
source container 120 are distinct containers in system 100,
this disclosure contemplates that a single container could
serve as both a solvent collection container and solvent
Source container.
Turning attention to FIG. 6, a second example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material, system 200, will
now be described. System 200 includes many similar or
identical features to system 100. Thus, for the sake of
brevity, each feature of system 200 will not be redundantly
explained. Rather, key distinctions between system 200 and
system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should
reference the discussion above for features substantially
similar between the two systems.
As FIG. 6 shows, some example systems for extracting
Solute from a source material may include more than one
extract container. For example, system 200 includes both a
first extract container 270a and a second extract container
270b. It will be appreciated that second extract container
270b has a substantially similar configuration to first extract
container 270a, and each of extract containers 270a and
270b have a substantially similar configuration to extract
container 170 (i.e., having a container inputs 272a and 272b,
a container outputs 274a and 274b, a lids 276a and 276b,
and a heating elements 278a and 278b).
In this example, second extract container 270b is coupled
to output line 288 downstream of first extract container 270a
and is in fluid communication with first extract container
270a. In other words, first extract container 270a is coupled
to detachable canister system 240 via overflow line 282 for
collection of overflow solvent and extract mixture line 284
for collection of the extract mixture, while second extract
container 270b is coupled to first extraction container 270a
for collection of the extract mixture. Further, in this
example, overflow line 282 and extract mixture line 284 are
both single pathway lines. Alternatively, the second extract
container can be in coupled directly to the detachable
canister system, as shown and described in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As FIG. 6 illustrates, system 200 further includes addi
tional solvent collection containers, compared to system
100, operatively paired with the two extract containers of
system 200. Namely, system 200 includes a first solvent
collection container 215, a solvent collection container 216,
and a solvent collection container 217. System 200 addi
tionally includes a solvent source container 220. The com
bined volume of first solvent collection container 215,
solvent collection container 216, solvent collection con
tainer 217, and solvent source container 220 is operatively
paired with the combined volume of first extract container
270a and second extract container 270b.
12
With reference to FIG. 7, an example of a method for
extracting solute from a source material, method 300, will
now be described. Some of the steps of method 300 may be
carried out using system 100, or other disclosed systems.
5 Accordingly, the discussion of method 300 will reference
system 100. Although this disclosure references system 100
in connection with method 300, method 300 is not required
to be carried out on equipment similar to system 100, system
200, or other disclosed systems.
10 As FIG. 7 illustrates, method 300 includes depositing a
Source material including a solute in a canister at step 305.
removably attaching the canister in fluid communication
with an extract container at step 310, introducing a solvent
into the canister at Step 315, and exposing the source
15 material to the solvent for a predetermined period of time at
step 320, and communicating the extract mixture to an
extract container at step 325. As FIG. 7 shows, method 300
further includes separating the recycled solvent at step 330,
cooling the recycled solvent at step 335, collecting the
recycled solvent in a solvent collection container at step 340,
and introducing at least a portion of the recycled solvent
from the solvent collection container to the canister at step
345.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, a source material including a solute
25 is deposited in a canister at step 305. In some examples, the
Source material may define plant material from which essen
tial oils may be extracted. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates
first detachable canister 150 extracting essential oils from
contained lavender 91.
30 In some examples, source material is deposited in a
Substantially fluid-tight canister configured to selectively
receive solvent and selectively communicate extract mixture
created therein. For example, first detachable canister 150 is
Substantially fluid tight in a closed configuration, but
35 includes an input and output allowing fluid to be selectively
input solvent and output created extract mixture.
In Some examples, canisters may be configured to be
detachably connected to an extraction system. In some Such
examples, source material may be deposited detachable
40 canisters when detached from its associated extraction sys
tem. For example, first detachable canister 150, as shown in
FIG. 2, defines a selectively openable canister configured to
be selectively attached and detached from system 100.
Accordingly, first detachable canister 150 allows a user to
45 load it with source material when it is detached from system
1OO.
Some examples include a plurality of detachable canisters
that may be individually attached and detached from extrac
tion systems. In such examples, source material may be
50 placed in one or more of the canisters while the other
canisters continue normal operation. For example, system
100 includes three detachable canisters, first detachable
canister 150, second detachable canister 163, and third
detachable canister 164. First detachable canister 150, for
55 example, could be removed and filled with source material
as system 100 continues the extraction/reclamation process
with second detachable canister 163 and third detachable
canister 164.
Some examples may include a detachable canister inter
60 face allowing canisters to be easily detached and reattached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are con
figured to receive the canister to Support the canister in fluid
communication with the solvent source container and an
extract container. For example, system 100 includes detach
65 able canister system 140 that allows each of the detachable
canisters to be attached and detached. As FIG. 1 shows, each
of first detachable canister 150, second detachable canister
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13
163, and third detachable canister 164 are placed in fluid
communication with solvent source container 120 and
extract container 170 when attached.
In some examples, detachable canister interfaces are
configured to release the canister in response to user
manipulation. In some examples, such as system 100,
detachable canister interfaces allow users to attach and
detach canisters without any specific tools or hardware.
As FIG. 7 shows, the canister containing the source
material is removably attached in fluid communication with
an extract container at step 310. By placing the canister in
fluid communication with an extract container, the canister
is able to communicate created extract mixture to the extract
container. The extract container may then be used to collect
extracted essential oils and separate recycled solvent from
extracted essential oils collected therein.
As previously discussed, some examples include a plu
rality of simultaneously attached canisters. In some Such
examples, two or more of the simultaneously attached
canisters may simultaneously be in fluid communication
with a connected extract container. By placing each canister
in fluid communication with the extract container, one or
more canisters may simultaneously output contained extract
mixture to a single connected extract container.
As seen in FIG. 7, solvent is introduced into the canister
at step 315. In some examples, solvent is introduced into the
canister by communicating, fluidly, solvent from a solvent
Source container to the canister. As previously discussed,
Some examples may include a plurality of detachable can
isters. This disclosure contemplates introducing solvent into
each canister independently, simultaneously with introduc
ing solvent into one or more of the other canisters.
In some examples, introducing solvent into the canister
includes pressurizing a charging portion of the solvent prior
to introducing the solvent to the canister. In some examples,
a charging portion of Solvent may be pressurized when
contained in a solvent compressor as one or more of the
attached canisters contain an extracting portion of solvent
being used to extract solute from the Source material. In
system 100, for example, a user may pressurize a charging
portion of solvent in solvent compressor 130, designated for
first detachable canister 150, as second detachable canister
163 and third detachable canister 164 each contain an
extracting portion of solvent and are extracting solute there
with.
Pressurizing the solvent is often a time-consuming pro
cess. Extracting solute in the canisters is also often time
consuming. As a result, the parallelism afforded by pressur
izing solvent as other attached canisters continue the extrac
tion process efficiently streamlines the pressurizing and
extracting steps of disclosed methods.
In some examples, some or all of the solvent introduced
into the canister may include recycled solvent reclaimed
from a previous cycle of the disclosed methods. As will be
discussed more below, Some examples include a reclamation
methodology that operates alongside disclosed extraction
methodologies. By using reclaimed solvent, disclosed meth
ods may use solvent particularly efficiently. In some
examples, solvent may automatically be collected and rein
troduced. In some examples, solvent collection and reintro
duction may occur simultaneously with other steps of the
disclosed methods. Some examples may collect solvent in a
plurality of Solvent collection containers, such as system
2OO.
In some examples, introducing the solvent may include
passing the solvent through a solvent filter as it passes from
solvent source container 120 to solvent compressor 130. In
14
some examples, the solvent filter may define a 13-X molecu
lar sieve configured for membrane filtration of the solvent as
it passes from solvent source container 120 to solvent
compressor 130.
As FIG. 7 illustrates, the source material is exposed to the
solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 320. The
predetermined period of time in which the source material
exposed is selected to Substantially maximize the purity of
extracted Solvent. In some examples, the source material and
10
Solvent are exposed to heat and pressure conditions that may
increase the efficiency with which solute is extracted from
Source materials. Soaking the Source material in the solvent
within an associated canister for 3-5 minutes has been found
to be a Surprisingly effective method exposing the source
15
material to the solvent. In some examples, following the
Soak with a hydrocarbon wash of the associated canister has
been found to result in a particularly high quality, pure
product in Subsequent extraction steps performed with that
particular canister.
For example, it may be desirable to extract solute from
source materials at both high temperatures while solvent
remains in a liquid state. This disclosure contemplates both
heating the solvent when it is exposed to the Source material
25 and pressurizing the contained Volume of solvent to a
selected pressure to maintain the solvent in a liquid state
when heated. By manipulating the pressure and temperature
of the solvent, disclosed methods may extract solute at a
higher purity and greater yield per unit of source material
30 than conventional extraction methods.
As shown in FIG. 7, the created extract mixture is
communicated to an extract container, the extract container
in fluid communication with the extract mixture, at step 325.
By communicating the extract mixture to the extract con
35 tainer, the extract container may collect and store extract for
future use. In some examples, extract containers may be
removed to use or store collected extract.
In some examples, the extract container may define a
negative pressure prior to receiving extract mixture. The
40 created extract mixture may be communicated to the extract
container by opening a fluid communicative path between a
canister containing created extract mixture and the extract
container. For example, system 100 allows a user to manipu
late the output valve of detachable canister system 140
45 associated with a container containing created extract mix
ture to open a fluid line between the associated canister and
extract container 170.
As FIG. 7 shows, the recycled solvent is separated at step
330. Separating the recycled solvent may include including
50 heating the container to evaporate the recycled solvent.
Heating the container to evaporate the recycled solvent may
include heating the container to a solvent extraction tem
perature. The solvent extraction temperature of the container
may be greater than a boiling point of the solvent and less
55 than a boiling point of the solute. By raising the temperature
of the extract mixture above the solvents boiling point and
below the boiling point of essential oils, the solvent is
separated from the extract mixture as a gas. The evaporated
Solvent may output independently of any contained essential
60 oil or other extract.
In some examples, users may discard the contents of an
extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. In
Some examples, the contents of the extract container may
include odorants or other impurities that may remain in the
65 extract container after evaporating the recycled solvent. As
a result, the recycled solvent may have increased purity
compared the input solvent. Users may discard these impu
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US 9,587,203 B2
15
rities to ensure that they do not end up in any end product
produced by Subsequent extraction/reclamation cycles.
In some examples, the solvent may define butane. In Such
examples, heating the container to evaporate the solvent
may include raising the temperature within the container
above butane's sea level boiling point of about 30.8 degrees
Fahrenheit while maintaining the temperature within the
container to below typical boiling points of water and/or
essential oils.
In some examples, separating the recycled solvent
includes receiving the evaporated recycled solvent through
a container output opening. In some examples, one or more
fluidly-connected pumps may suck evaporated recycled sol
vent through the container output opening. As previously
discussed, this disclosure contemplates extract containers
that remain structurally stable at negative pressures.
Attached pumps may be configured to extract Substantially
all of the evaporated recycled solvent contained in an extract
container and leave the extract container with a negative
pressure. By leaving the extract container with a negative
pressure, the pumps additionally prepare the extract con
tainer to later receive additional extract mixture from one or
more attached canisters.
In some examples, the evaporated recycled solvent is
positioned above any liquid extract mixture contained in the
extract container. For example, extract container 170
includes container output 174 positioned near the top of
extract container 170 and above any contained extract. In
Some examples, users may periodically empty the extract to
ensure that the container output opening remains above any
contained extract. For example, the extract container may be
removed and contained extract may be stored in an alterna
tive container. To ensure the container output opening
remains above the contained extract, the container may be
periodically emptied prior to the extract container accumu
lating Sufficient extract to reach the container output open
ing.
As seen in FIG. 7, the recycled solvent is cooled at step
335. In some examples, as is seen in system 100, the
recycled solvent is thermally coupled with a solvent for a
portion of the time after the recycled solvent leaves an
extract container. In some examples, the recycled solvent is
cooled prior to collecting the recycled solvent in the solvent
collection container.
In some examples, the recycled solvent is directed
through a solvent collection line and the recycled solvent is
thermally coupled with a coolant along at least a portion of
the solvent collection line. In some examples, the coolant is
directed through a coolant line which is engaged with the
Solvent collection line over at least a portion of its length.
For example, coolant line 109 is configured to carry coolant
and is engaged with solvent collection line 190 through first
condenser column 107. Because solvent collection line 190
is engaged with coolant line 109 and each line is constructed
of thermally conductive material through first condenser
column 107, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with
solvent collection container 115 through first condenser
column 107.
In some examples, the coolant is directed through a
fluid-transmissive coolant loop. The coolant loop may be
configured to both output and receive coolant from the
coolant line. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example
coolant loop line, coolant loop line 113, which is configured
to output and receive coolant from the coolant line at a single
junction.
The coolant loop may additionally or alternatively define
an expansion valve configured to expand and cool the
16
coolant in the coolant loop. Additionally or alternatively, the
coolant loop line may be engaged with the coolant line over
at least a portion of its length, thereby thermally coupling the
coolant loop and the coolant line over a portion of their
lengths. By expanding the coolant in the coolant loop, the
coolant loop includes a coolant that may be cooler than the
coolant in the primary coolant line. By thermally coupling
the coolant loop with the coolant line, the coolant loop may,
in effect, cool the coolant in the coolant line.
10 FIG. 1 illustrates an example fluid circuit including a
coupled coolant loop and coolant line. As previously dis
cussed, coolant line 109 is thermally coupled with solvent
collection line 190. As FIG. 1 shows, coolant line 109 is
connected to both input and output to coolant loop line 113
15 at a single junction. Accordingly, system 100 is configured
to allow coolant to be directed through coolant line 109 and
is configured to direct at least a portion of the coolant in the
coolant line 109 through coolant loop line 113.
As FIG. 1 shows, coolant loop line 113 includes first
expansion valve 111 which is configured to expand and cool
coolant contained in coolant loop line 113 prior to directing
coolant in coolant loop line 113 through second condenser
column 108. As previously discussed, coolant loop line 113
is thermally engaged with coolant line 109 through second
25 condenser column 108. By expanding coolant contained in
coolant loop line 113 and thermally coupling coolant loop
line 113 and coolant line 109 immediately downstream of
this expansion, coolant loop line 113 is configured to cool
coolant line 109 through second condenser column 108.
30 As illustrated in FIG. 7, the recycled solvent is collected
in a solvent collection container in fluid communication with
the extract container at step 340. In some examples, the
solvent collected by the solvent collection container is
fluidly communicated from an extract container. In some
35 examples, the recycled solvent is cooled to a liquid State
prior to collection in the solvent collection container.
In some examples, collected Solvent is automatically
output from a solvent collection container upon the solvent
collection container collecting a maximum amount of col
40 lected solvent. In some examples, the automatically output
collected Solvent is input into a solvent source container in
fluid communication with the associated solvent collection
container. For example, solvent collection container 115 is
configured to output collected recycled solvent to solvent
45 Source container 120 upon collecting a maximum quantity of
collected recycled solvent.
In some configurations, solvent collection containers are
configured to communicate collected solvent upon exceed
ing its storage capacity. In other examples, solvent collection
50 containers are configured to automatically communicate
collected solvent upon the collected solvent reaching the end
of a collection container output positioned within the solvent
collection container.
In some examples, collecting the recycled solvent
55 includes displacing, with a pump, evaporated recycled sol
vent from the extract container to the solvent collection
container. For example, first pump 101 and second pump
102 are configured to, in certain configurations, draw col
lected solvent from extract container 170 to solvent collec
60 tion container 115.
In some examples, collecting the recycled solvent
includes displacing, with a pump, recycled solvent from
Solvent collection containers to solvent source containers or
canisters. For example, first pump 101 and second pump 102
65 are configured to, in certain configurations, draw collected
solvent from solvent collection container 115 to solvent
source container 120. First pump 101 and second pump 102
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 22 of 25 Page ID #:70
US 9,587,203 B2
17
may be further configured to draw reclaimed solvent in
Solvent source container 120 to one or more connected
detachable canisters containing source material.
In some examples collecting the recycled solvent includes
sealing the solvent collection container when the solvent
collection container contains at least a portion of the
recycled solvent and detaching the solvent collection con
tainer. In some examples, the solvent collection container
may be sealed when it contains a predetermined quantity of
the recycled solvent. Upon being sealed, solvent Source
containers containing reclaimed solvent may be detached
and stored for later use. By allowing removal and storage of
Solvent collection containers and/or solvent source contain
ers, users may store purified, reclaimed solvent for use in
future use. Because of the disclosed purification features,
recycled solvent may be of a greater purity than many
commercially available solvents.
In some examples, recycled solvent is collected in an
additional solvent collection container in fluid communica
tion with the extract container. Additional solvent collection
containers may be useful, for example, when additional or
larger extract containers are used, as they may provide the
increased headroom required when using additional or larger
extract containers. In some such examples, the second
solvent container may be operatively paired with the extract
container. In some examples, solvent containers and extract
containers may be operatively paired by defining a Substan
tially similar total solvent container Volume that is consistent
with or equal to the total extract container Volume. System
200, for example, includes a Supplemental extract container
paired with a Supplemental solvent collection container.
As shown in FIG. 7, recycled solvent from the solvent
collection container is introduced into the canister at step
345. In some examples, introducing at least a portion of the
recycled solvent from the solvent collection container to the
canister includes directing at least a portion of the recycled
solvent from the solvent collection container to a solvent
Source container prior to reaching a canister. By reintroduc
ing recycled solvent, disclosed methods efficiently re-use
reclaimed solvent from previous extraction/reclamation
cycles. Because used solvent is not simply discarded, dis
closed methods provide robust economic and ecological
efficiency.
In some examples, recycled solvent contained in solvent
collection container is displaced into the solvent Source
container upon the solvent collection container collecting a
predetermined quantity of recycled solvent. In some
examples, the solvent collection container is configured to
introduce such received recycled solvent to the canister in
future styles, instead of adding additional solvent. For
example, Solvent source container 120 is configured to direct
new solvent and/or solvent received from solvent collection
container 115 to detachable canister system 140.
Turning attention to FIG. 8, a third example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material, system 400, will
now be described. System 400 includes many similar or
identical features to systems 100 and 200. Thus, for the sake
of brevity, each feature of system 400 will not be redun
dantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between system
400 and systems 100 and 200 will be described in detail and
the reader should reference the discussion above for features
substantially similar between the three systems.
As FIG. 8 shows, similar to system 200, system 400
includes more than one extract container. For example,
system 400 includes both a first extract container 470a and
a second extract container 470b. It will be appreciated that
second extract container 470b has a substantially similar
18
configuration to first extract container 470a, and each of
extract containers 470a and 470b have a substantially simi
lar configuration to extract container 170 (i.e., having a
container inputs 472a and 472b, a container outputs 474a
and 474b, a lids 476a and 476b, and a heating elements 478a
and 478b).
In this example, second extract container 470b is coupled
to output line 488 downstream of first extract container
470a, however, differently from system 200, second extract
10 container is coupled directly to detachable canister system
240 for collection of the extract mixture. In other words, first
extract container 270a and second extract container 270b are
each distinctively coupled to detachable canister system 240
for collection of the extract mixture. Specifically, each of
15 first extract container 470a and second extract container
470b are coupled to overflow line 482 for collection over
overflow solvent and extract mixture line 484 for collection
of the extract mixture. Thus, overflow line 482 and extract
mixture line 484 are split pathway lines directed by alternate
operation of valves.
Accordingly, using system 400, the first and second
extract containers can be releasably coupled to the canisters
so that one can collect a first portion of the extract mixture
and be sealed for storage and later use, while the other
25 extract container collects a second portion of the extract
mixture. Further, the first extract container can be heated to
evaporate the solvent from the extract mixture (i.e., a first
portion of the extract mixture). The first extract container
can then be sealed and uncoupled from the system for
30 storage of the purified solute, while the second extract
container collects the remaining extract mixture (i.e., a
second portion of the extract mixture).
This system has the advantage that the canisters can be
Switched out with canisters having a different source mate
35 rial or the source material within the canisters can be
changed without disruption to the flow of the system. In
Some examples, the resulting portions of extract mixture can
be isolated in the extract containers and later distilled. In
other examples, the resulting portions of the extract mixture
40 can be alternatingly purified (via heating within the extract
container to evaporate the solvent) while the other extract
container continues to collect solvent, and the extract con
tainer containing the purified solute and be sealed and
stored. It will be appreciated that the first and second extract
45 containers can alternatively simultaneously receive overflow
Solvent and/or extract mixture.
As FIG. 8 illustrates, system 400 further includes addi
tional solvent collection containers, compared to system
100, operatively paired with the two extract containers of
50 system 400. Namely, system 400 includes a first solvent
collection container 415, a solvent collection container 416,
and a solvent collection container 417. System 400 addi
tionally includes a solvent source container 420. The com
bined volume of first solvent collection container 415,
55 solvent collection container 416, solvent collection con
tainer 417, and solvent source container 420 is operatively
paired with the combined volume of first extract container
470a and second extract container 470b. It will be appreci
ated that additional extraction containers and/or solvent
60 collection containers can be added to the system in order to
scale the system as desired.
FIG. 9 shows an example method 500, which is a method
for extracting solute from a source material using system
400. Method 500 includes many similar or identical steps to
65 method 300. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each step of
method 500 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key
distinctions between methods 500 and 300 will be described
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 23 of 25 Page ID #:71
US 9,587,203 B2
19
in detail and the reader should reference the discussion
above for features substantially similar between the two
methods.
As described above, some of the steps of method 500 may
be carried out using system 100, or other disclosed systems.
Accordingly, the discussion of method 500 will reference
system 100. Although this disclosure references system 100
in connection with method 500, method 500 is not required
to be carried out on equipment similar to system 100, system
200, system 300, or other disclosed systems.
As FIG. 9 illustrates, method 500 includes depositing a
source material including a solute in a canister at step 505,
removably attaching the canister in fluid communication
with an extract container at step 510, introducing a solvent
into the canister at Step 515, and exposing the Source
material to the solvent for a predetermined period of time at
step 520, similar to steps 305-320 of method 300. Differ
ently from method 300, at step 525 a first portion of the
extract mixture is communicated to the first extract con
tainer, the first extract container is sealed and uncoupled
from the canister at step 530, and a second portion of the
extract mixture is communicated to the second extract
container at step 535. As FIG. 9 shows, method 500 further
includes separating the recycled solvent at Step 540, cooling
the recycled solvent at step 545, collecting the recycled
solvent in a solvent collection container at step 550, and
introducing at least a portion of the recycled solvent from the
solvent collection container to the canister at step 555, which
are substantially similar to steps 330-340 of method 300.
As described above and shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first
portion of the extract mixture is communicated to first
extract container 470a, the first extract container being in
fluid communication with detachable canister system 440, at
step 525. By communicating the first portion of the extract
mixture to the first extract container via a first pathway in
extract mixture line 484, the extract container may collect
the extract mixture. Extract container 470a can then be
sealed and detached from system 400 to store the first
portion of the extract mixture for future use, at step 530. A
second portion of the extract mixture can then be commu
nicated to and collected in second extract container 470b via
a second pathway in extract mixture line 484, at step 535. It
will be appreciated that the first portion of the extract
mixture in the first extract container can be distilled via
heating to separate the solvent from the Solute prior to
sealing and uncoupling of the first extract container for
storage of the purified solute rather than storage of the
extract mixture.
In some examples, the one or more of the extract con
tainers may define a negative pressure prior to receiving
extract mixture. The extract mixture may be communicated
to the extract containers by opening a fluid communicative
path between a canister containing extract mixture and the
extract container. For example, system 100) allows a user to
manipulate the output valve of detachable canister system
140 associated with the extract containers to alternatively or
simultaneously open a fluid line (i.e., extract mixture line
484) between the associated canister and extract container
170a and 470b.
Turning attention to FIG. 10, a fourth example of a system
for extracting solute from a source material, system 600, will
now be described. System 600 includes many similar or
identical features to systems 100, 200, and 400. Thus, for the
sake of brevity, each feature of system 600 will not be
redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between
system 600 and systems 100, 200, and 400 will be described
20
in detail and the reader should reference the discussion
above for features substantially similar between the four
systems.
As FIG. 10 shows, similar to system 100, system 600
includes system 100 includes a solvent collection container
618, a solvent source container 620, a solvent compressor
630, a detachable canister system 640, an extract container
670, a first pump 601, a second pump 602, a condensing
system 605, and a solvent collection container 615. System
10 100 additionally includes various valves and fluid lines
(defining pipes) that control the flow of fluids through
system 100 during operation. It will be appreciated that the
above listed components of system 600 have a substantially
similar configuration and function to a solvent collection
15 container 118, solvent source container 120, a solvent com
pressor 130, a detachable canister system 140, an extract
container 170, a first pump 101, a second pump 102, a
condensing system 105, and a solvent collection container
115, respectively, of system 100.
Differently than system 100, system 600 further includes
a cooling mechanism 700. Cooling mechanism 700 is
coupled to solvent collection container 618 and solvent
Source container 620. In alternate examples, the cooling
mechanism can be coupled to one of the Solvent collection
25 container and the solvent source container. The cooling
mechanism is configured to cool the solvent (e.g., the
recycled solvent) within the solvent source container. In one
example, the cooling mechanism encloses the solvent col
lection container and the solvent source container. Further,
30 in one example, the cooling mechanism is configured to
maintain the Solvent at a temperature below a boiling point
of the solvent.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, cooling mechanism 700
includes a chamber 702 in which solvent collection con
35 tainer 618 and solvent source container 620 are disposed.
Chamber 702 is enclosed by a plurality of coiled freezing
tubes 704. Freezing tubes 704 are coupled to a compressor
pump 706 via an intake line 708 including an expansion
valve 710 and an outtake tube 712. As shown in FIG. 11,
40 intake line 708 is coupled to an intake manifold 714 and
outtake line 712 is coupled to an exhaust manifold 716.
Accordingly, the compressor pump is fluidly coupled to
the cooling mechanism and is configured to deliver and/or
circulate a coolant through the freezing tubes in order to
45 maintain the solvent and/or recycled solvent within the
desired temperature range. Maintaining the solvent at a low
temperature has the advantage that it remains in a liquid
form during storage.
FIG. 12 shows an example method 800, which is a method
50 for extracting solute from a source material using system
600. Method 800 includes many similar or identical steps to
methods 300 and 500. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each step
of method 800 will not be redundantly explained. Rather,
key distinctions between methods 800 and methods 300 and
55 500 will be described in detail and the reader should
reference the discussion above for features substantially
similar between the three methods.
As described above, some of the steps of method 800 may
be carried out using system 100, or other disclosed systems.
60 Accordingly, the discussion of method 800 will reference
system 100. Although this disclosure references system 100
in connection with method 800, method 800 is not required
to be carried out on equipment similar to system 600, system
100, system 200, system 300, or other disclosed systems.
65 As FIG. 12 illustrates, method 800 includes depositing a
Source material including a solute in a canister at step 805,
removably attaching the canister in fluid communication
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 24 of 25 Page ID #:72
US 9,587,203 B2
21
with an extract container at step 810, introducing a solvent
into the canister at step 815, exposing the source material to
the solvent for a predetermined period of time at step 820,
communicating the extract mixture to an extract container at
step 825, separating the recycled solvent at step 830, cooling
the recycled solvent at step 835, and collecting the recycled
solvent in a solvent collection container at step 840, sub
stantially similar to steps 305-340 of method 300.
Differently from method 300, at step 845, a cooled
temperature of the recycled solvent in maintained in the
Solvent collection container. As described above, a cooling
mechanism coupled to the solvent source container, such as
cooling mechanism 700, can be used to maintain the
recycled solvent at a desired temperature range. In one
specific example, the solvent is butane and the desired
temperature range is below a boiling point of butane. As
FIG. 12 shows, method 800 further includes introducing the
recycled solvent from the solvent collection container to the
canister at step 850, which is substantially similar to step
345 of method 300.
As described above and shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first
portion of the extract mixture is communicated to first
extract container 470a, the first extract container being in
fluid communication with detachable canister system 440, at
step 525. By communicating the first portion of the extract
mixture to the first extract container via a first pathway in
extract mixture line 484, the extract container may collect
the extract mixture. Extract container 470a can then be
sealed and detached from system 400 to store the first
portion of the extract mixture for future use, at step 530. A
second portion of the extract mixture can then be commu
nicated to and collected in second extract container 470b via
a second pathway in extract mixture line 484, at step 535.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct
inventions with independent utility. While each of these
inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the
specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not
to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations
are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes
all novel and non-obvious combinations and Subcombina
tions of the various elements, features, functions and/or
properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in
the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or
subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first ele
ment, or any Such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims
should be understood to incorporate one or more Such
elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more Such
elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to Submit claims directed
to combinations and Subcombinations of the disclosed
inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious.
Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombi
nations of features, functions, elements and/or properties
may be claimed through amendment of those claims or
presentation of new claims in the present application or in a
related application. Such amended or new claims, whether
they are directed to the same invention or a different
invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower
or equal in Scope to the original claims, are to be considered
within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
The invention claimed is:
1. A method for extracting solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
depositing the source material having a solute in a can
ister,
introducing a solvent into the canister,
22
exposing the Source material to the solvent to create an
extract mixture having the solute in solution with the
solvent;
fluidly communicating the extract mixture to one or more
extract containers, the one or more extract containers
being in fluid communication with the canister;
separating the Solute from the extract mixture to define a
recycled solvent by heating the one or more extract
containers to evaporate the recycled solvent;
10 collecting the recycled solvent in a solvent collection
container in fluid communication with the one or more
extract containers; and
cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent collection
container.
15 2. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 1, wherein the one or more extract containers
comprise a first extract container and a second extract
container, and
the canister is releasably coupled to each of the first
extract container and the second extract container.
3. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 2, further comprising selectively coupling the first
extract container to the canister for fluidly receiving and
collecting a first portion of the extract solution.
25 4. The method for extracting Solute from a source material
of claim 3, further comprising selectively uncoupling the
first extract container from the canister and sealing the first
extract container for storage of one or more of the first
portion of the extract solution and a first portion of the
30 purified solute.
5. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 4, further comprising selectively coupling the
second extract container to the canister for fluidly receiving
and collecting a second portion of the extract solution.
35 6. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 5, further comprising selectively uncoupling the
second extract container from the canister and sealing the
second extract container for storage of one or more of the
second portion of the extract Solution and a second portion
40 of the solute.
7. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 1, wherein heating the one or more of extract
containers to evaporate the solvent comprises heating the
one or more extract containers to a solvent extraction
45 temperature, the solvent extraction temperature of the con
tainer being greater than a boiling point of the Solvent and
less than a boiling point of the solute.
8. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 7, wherein collecting the recycled solvent com
50 prises displacing, with a pump, the recycled solvent in vapor
form from the one or more extract containers to the solvent
collection container.
9. The method for extracting solute from a source material
of claim 1, wherein the solvent storage container further
55 comprises a cooling mechanism coupled to the solvent
storage container for cooling the recycled solvent.
10. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 9, wherein the cooling mechanism com
prises a coiled freezing tube fluidly coupled to a compressor
60 pump and configured to receive a coolant.
11. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 10, further comprising circulating the
coolant through the coiled freezing tube to cool and maintain
a temperature of the recycled solvent.
65 12. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 1, wherein the recycled solvent is main
tained a temperature below a boiling point of the solvent.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-3 Filed 08/06/21 Page 25 of 25 Page ID #:73
US 9,587,203 B2
23
13. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 1, wherein the source material is a plant
material and the solute is an essential oil.
14. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 1, wherein the solvent is butane.
15. A method for extracting a solute from a source
material, the method comprising:
exposing the source material in a canister to a solvent to
create an extract mixture having the solute in solution
with the solvent;
communicating the extract mixture to one or more extract
containers, the one or more extract containers in fluid
communication with the canister;
Separating the solute from the extract mixture to define an
evaporated solvent by, heating the one or more extract
containers to evaporate the solvent;
cooling the evaporated solvent to a temperature below the
boiling point of the solvent to define a recycled liquid
Solvent;
collecting the recycled liquid solvent in a solvent collec
tion container in fluid communication with the one or
more extract containers, the recycled liquid solvent
being stored in the solvent collection container as a
liquid; and
maintaining a temperature of the recycled liquid solvent
within the solvent collection container.
16. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 15, wherein the temperature of the
recycled liquid solvent within the solvent collection con
tainer is maintained via a cooling mechanism coupled to the
solvent collection container.
17. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 16, wherein the cooling mechanism com
prises a coiled freezing tube configured to receive and
circulate a coolant for maintaining a temperature of the
recycled liquid solvent below a boiling point of the solvent.
18. A method for extracting solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
24
depositing the source material having a solute in a can
ister;
introducing a solvent into the canister;
exposing the source material to the solvent to create an
extract mixture having the solute in solution with the
solvent;
fluidly communicating the extract mixture to one or more
extract containers, the one or more extract containers
being in fluid communication with the canister;
10 separating the solute from the extract mixture to define a
recycled solvent by heating the one or more extract
containers to evaporate the recycled solvent; and
collecting the recycled solvent in a solvent collection
container in fluid communication with the one or more
extract containers,
15
wherein the one or more extract containers comprise a
first extract container and a second extract container,
and
wherein the canister is releasably coupled to each of the
first extract container and the second extract container.
19. The method for extracting solute from a source
material of claim 18, further comprising selectively coupling
the first extract container to the canister for fluidly receiving
and collecting a first portion of the extract solution, and
25 Selectively uncoupling the first extract container from the
canister and sealing the first extract container for stor
age of one or more of the first portion of the extract
solution and a first portion of the solute.
20. The method for extracting solute from a source
30 material of claim 19, further comprising selectively coupling
the second extract container to the canister for fluidly
receiving and collecting a second portion of the extract
solution, and
selectively uncoupling the second extract container from
35 the canister and sealing the second extract container for
storage of one or more of the second portion of the
extract solution and a second portion of the solute.
ck ck ck ck ck
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-4 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 5 Page ID #:74
Exhibit 4 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751 (Page 1 of 5)

Beginning in 2018, Defendant Coastal Harvest has used one or more ExtractionTek Solution’s Modular Extraction Platform 30 (“MeP 30”)
extractors for cannabis extraction at its Cathedral City facility. (See https://Defendantco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Q4-2018-MDA.pdf,
at pp. 11-12.) Defendant’s use of MeP 30 extractors without authority directly infringes one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). For example, the chart below describes how elements of the MeP 30 extractor infringe system claim 13 of the
’751 patent. 1

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

The MeP 30 is a system for extracting

13. A system for extracting
solute from a source material,
the system comprising:
solute from a source material.
Specifically, it is a system for extracting
cannabinoids, terpenes, and/or other
desired solutes from cannabis plant
material.

1
Gene Pool has yet to receive information relevant to the infringement allegations contained within this claim chart including, without limitation, discovery on
Defendant’s infringing activities as well as Defendant’s positions, if any, on alleged defenses to infringement. Therefore, Gene Pool reserves the right to modify
or expand on the infringement positions presented in this claim chart, including the right to modify Gene Pool’s positions on the meaning of relevant claim
terms and how claim limitations read onto Defendant’s use of infringing products or processes.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-4 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 5 Page ID #:75
Exhibit 4 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751 (Page 2 of 5)
Claim Limitation
a solvent source container
configured to store a solvent;
a canister detachably connected
in fluid communication with the
solvent source container and
configured to store the source
material in its interior,
Infringing Element
When used, the MeP 30 is attached to
a solvent holding tank, which is a
“source container configured to store a
solvent” under the claim. Specifically,
the MeP 30 will be attached to a
pressurized cannister containing
liquid-phase propane, butane, or a
propane/butane blend.
The MeP 30 has three jacketed
extraction vessels, each of which is a
“canister” for purposes of this claim.
Looking at one of these canisters, the
canister is configured to store the
source material (i.e., cannabis plant
material) in its interior. The canister is
in fluid communication with the solvent
source container. The canister is
detachably connected from fluid
communication with the solvent source
container at various detachable
connections along the fluid pathway.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-4 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 5 Page ID #:76
Exhibit 4 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751 (Page 3 of 5)
Claim Limitation
the canister configured to
receive solvent from the solvent
source container in its interior
to produce an extract solution
including the solvent and the
solute extracted from the
source material;
an extract container in fluid
communication with the
canister, the extract container
being configured to receive the
extract solution from the
canister;
Infringing Element
The MeP 30 canister is configured to
receive solvent from the solvent source
container. This solvent enters the
interior of the canister to produce an
extract solution including the solvent
and the solute (i.e., cannabinoids,
terpenes, and/or other desired
compounds) extracted from the
cannabis source material.
The MeP 30 has an extract container
configured to receive the extract
solution from the canister. The extract
container is in fluid communication
with the canister through a series of
hoses and a raw-extract manifold that
runs behind the canisters and extract
container.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-4 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 5 Page ID #:77
Exhibit 4 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751 (Page 4 of 5)

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

an extract container heating In the MeP 30, the extract container

element thermally coupled with
the extract container, the
heating element configured to
heat the extract solution
received in the extract container
to a distilling temperature,
has heat jacket that acts as a heating
element thermally coupled with the
extract container. This heating
element is configured to heat the
extract solution received in the extract
container to a distilling temperature.

In the MeP 30, the heating element

the distilling temperature being
greater than or equal to a
boiling point of the solvent and
below a boiling point of the
solute to produce a post-
extraction portion of the solvent
in the extract container; and
heats the extract solution in the extract
container to a distilling temperature
that is greater than or equal to a boiling
point of the solvent. This distilling
temperature is below the boiling point
of the solute. This will produce a
post-extraction portion of the solvent
in the extract container.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-4 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 5 Page ID #:78
Exhibit 4 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,144,751 (Page 5 of 5)

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

The MeP 30 has a system of hoses,

a canister interface configured
manifolds, and other components that
to removably support the
acts as a canister interface configured
canister in fluid communication
to removably support the canister in
with the solvent source
fluid communication with the solvent
container and the extract
source container and the extract
container and configured to
container. The MeP 30 canister
detachably support a
interface is also configured to
supplemental canister in fluid
detachably support a supplemental
communication with the solvent
canister in fluid communication with
source container and extract
the solvent source container and
container.
extract container.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-5 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 5 Page ID #:79
Exhibit 5 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532 (Page 1 of 5)

Beginning in 2018, Defendant Coastal Harvest has used one or more ExtractionTek Solution’s Modular Extraction Platform 30 (“MeP 30”)
extractors for cannabis extraction at its Cathedral City facility. (See https://Defendantco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Q4-2018-MDA.pdf,
at pp. 11-12.) Defendant’s use of MeP 30 extractors without authority directly infringes one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). For example, the chart below describes how Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 extractor for cannabis extraction
infringes method claims 14 and 15 of the ’532 patent. 1

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

Defendant uses MeP 30 extractors to

14. A method for extracting
solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
exposing the source material in
a canister to a liquid solvent for
a predetermined period of time
to create an extract mixture
having the solute in solution
with the liquid solvent;
perform an extraction process. This
process is a method for extracting
desired solutes (e.g., cannabinoids,
terpenes, etc.) from a source material
(e.g., cannabis plant material). This
method involves Defendant placing the
cannabis source material in a canister
and then exposing this source material
to a liquid solvent for a predetermined
period of time. This creates an extract
mixture having the solute in solution
with the liquid solvent.

1
Gene Pool has yet to receive information relevant to the infringement allegations contained within this claim chart including, without limitation, discovery on
Defendant’s infringing activities as well as Defendant’s positions, if any, on alleged defenses to infringement. Therefore, Gene Pool reserves the right to modify
or expand on the infringement positions presented in this claim chart, including the right to modify Gene Pool’s positions on the meaning of relevant claim
terms and how claim limitations read onto Defendant’s use of infringing products or processes.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-5 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 5 Page ID #:80
Exhibit 5 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532 (Page 2 of 5)
Claim Limitation
communicating the extract
mixture to an extract container,
the extract container in fluid
communication with the
canister;
separating the solute from the
extract mixture to define an
evaporated solvent by, heating
the extract container to
evaporate the liquid solvent;
Infringing Element
The MeP 30 canister is in fluid
communication with an extract
container. During its extraction
process, Defendant performs the
infringing step of communicating the
extract mixture from the canister to the
extract container.
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of heating the MeP 30 extract
container using a heating element. This
heating evaporates the liquid solvent
thereby separating the solute from the
extract mixture to define an
evaporated solvent.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-5 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 5 Page ID #:81
Exhibit 5 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532 (Page 3 of 5)
Claim Limitation
cooling the evaporated solvent
to a temperature below the
boiling point of the solvent to
define a recycled liquid solvent
prior to collecting the recycled
liquid solvent in the solvent
collection container; and
collecting the recycled liquid
solvent in a solvent collection
container in fluid
communication with the extract
container, the recycled liquid
solvent being stored in the
solvent collection container as a
liquid.
Infringing Element
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of cooling the evaporated solvent to a
temperature below the boiling point of
the solvent using the MeP 30’s built-in
sub-cool injection coil and an attached
chiller. This cooling defines a recycled
liquid solvent. Defendant performs this
step prior to collecting the recycled
liquid solvent in a solvent collection
container.
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of collecting the recycled liquid solvent
in a solvent collection container in fluid
communication with the extract
container. Defendant also stores this
recycled liquid solvent in the solvent
collection container as a liquid.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-5 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 5 Page ID #:82
Exhibit 5 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532 (Page 4 of 5)

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

15. The method of claim 14,
wherein:
separating liquid solvent from
the extract mixture comprises
receiving the evaporated
solvent through a container
output opening positioned
above the solute contained in
the extract container; and
When Defendant uses the MeP 30 to
perform the infringing step of
separating liquid solvent from the
extract mixture, Defendant is also
performing the infringing step of
receiving the evaporated solvent
through a container output opening
positioned above the solute contained
in the extract container.

When Defendant uses the MeP 30 to

collecting the recycled liquid
solvent comprises:
directing the evaporated solvent
through a solvent collection line;
and
perform the infringing step of collecting
the recycled liquid solvent, Defendant
is also performing the infringing step of
directing the evaporated solvent
through one or more solvent collection
lines.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-5 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 5 Page ID #:83
Exhibit 5 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,145,532 (Page 5 of 5)

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

When Defendant uses the MeP 30 to

perform the infringing step of collecting
the recycled liquid solvent, Defendant
is also performing the infringing step of
engaging, thermally, the evaporated
engaging, thermally, the
solvent to a coolant along at least a
evaporated solvent to a coolant
portion of the solvent collection line.
along at least a portion of the
Namely, the MeP 30 has a sub-cool
solvent collection line.
injection coil on the solvent line that is
connected during operation to a chiller
that flows coolant through the injection
coil in order to cool the evaporated
solvent.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-6 Filed 08/06/21 Page 1 of 5 Page ID #:84
Exhibit 6 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203 (Page 1 of 5)

Beginning in 2018, Defendant Coastal Harvest has used one or more ExtractionTek Solution’s Modular Extraction Platform 30 (“MeP 30”)
extractors for cannabis extraction at its Cathedral City facility. (See https://Defendantco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Q4-2018-MDA.pdf,
at pp. 11-12.) Defendant’s use of MeP 30 extractors without authority directly infringes one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). For example, the chart below describes how Defendant’s use of the MeP 30 extractor for cannabis extraction
infringes method claims 1, 9, and 10 of the ’203 patent. 1

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

Defendant uses MeP 30 extractors to

1. A method for extracting
solute from a source material,
the method comprising:
depositing the source material
having a solute in a canister;
perform an extraction process. This
process is a method for extracting
desired solutes (e.g., cannabinoids,
terpenes, etc.) from a source material
(e.g., cannabis plant material). During
this extraction process, Defendant
performs the infringing step of
depositing the cannabis source
material having desired solutes in a
canister.

1
Gene Pool has yet to receive information relevant to the infringement allegations contained within this claim chart including, without limitation, discovery on
Defendant’s infringing activities as well as Defendant’s positions, if any, on alleged defenses to infringement. Therefore, Gene Pool reserves the right to modify
or expand on the infringement positions presented in this claim chart, including the right to modify Gene Pool’s positions on the meaning of relevant claim
terms and how claim limitations read onto Defendant’s use of infringing products or processes.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-6 Filed 08/06/21 Page 2 of 5 Page ID #:85
Exhibit 6 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203 (Page 2 of 5)
Claim Limitation
introducing a solvent into the
canister; exposing the source
material to the solvent to create
an extract mixture having the
solute in solution with the
solvent;
fluidly communicating the
extract mixture to one or more
extract containers, the one or
more extract containers being in
fluid communication with the
canister;
Infringing Element
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of introducing a solvent into the MeP
30 canister. This exposes the source
material to the solvent to create an
extract mixture having the solute in
solution with the solvent.
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of fluidly communicating the extract
mixture to an extract containers of the
MeP 30. This extract container is in
fluid communication with the canister.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-6 Filed 08/06/21 Page 3 of 5 Page ID #:86
Exhibit 6 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203 (Page 3 of 5)
Claim Limitation
separating the solute from the
extract mixture to define a
recycled solvent by heating the
one or more extract containers
to evaporate the recycled
solvent;
collecting the recycled solvent in
a solvent collection container in
fluid communication with the
one or more extract containers;
Infringing Element
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of heating the extract container using a
heating element. This separates solute
from the extract mixture by
evaporating the solvent. The
evaporated solvent defines a recycled
solvent.
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of collecting the recycled solvent in a
solvent collection container. This
solvent collection container is in fluid
communication with the MeP 30
extract container.
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-6 Filed 08/06/21 Page 4 of 5 Page ID #:87
Exhibit 6 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203 (Page 4 of 5)
Claim Limitation
and cooling the recycled solvent
within the solvent collection
container.
9. The method for extracting
solute from a source material of
claim 1, wherein the solvent
storage container further
comprises a cooling mechanism
coupled to the solvent storage
container for cooling the
recycled solvent.
Infringing Element
During its extraction process,
Defendant performs the infringing step
of cooling the recycled solvent within
the solvent collection container. The
MeP 30 includes a sub-cool injection
coil that in conjunction with an
attached chiller cools recycled solvent
at part of the solvent collection
container system.
When performing the infringing step of
cooling the recycled solvent within the
solvent collection container in claim 1,
Defendant uses a cooling mechanism
(i.e., the injection coil and chiller)
coupled to the solvent storage
container (i.e., the solvent collection
container).
 Case 5:21-cv-01328 Document 1-6 Filed 08/06/21 Page 5 of 5 Page ID #:88
Exhibit 6 – Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,587,203 (Page 5 of 5)

Claim Limitation Infringing Element

When performing the infringing

10. The method for extracting
recycled solvent cooling steps of claims
solute from a source material of
1 and 9, Defendant uses a cooling
claim 9, wherein the cooling
mechanism that comprises a coiled
mechanism comprises a coiled
freezing tube (the sub-cool injection
freezing tube fluidly coupled to
coil) fluidly coupled to a compressor
a compressor pump and
pump and configured to receive a
configured to receive a coolant.
coolant (from the chiller).