Did you know? Patent US10874703B2 is currently at the center of a legal dispute in Brunsen Burner Company et al v. GRP NM LLC et al. This patent describes a novel method of infusing oil into plant materials, ensuring consistent potency, improved absorption, and versatile applications.
The patent addresses a significant problem in oil-infused plant products. Traditional methods leave oil unevenly distributed on the surface, leading to inconsistent dosages and burning issues in smokable products. The patented method overcomes this by using a pressurized and heated infusion process, allowing oils to deeply penetrate plant material.
We analyzed this patent using our Global Patent Search tool to identify prior art references that share similar key features. Before diving into these references, let’s first break down the core aspects of Patent US10874703B2.
Understanding Patent US10874703B2
This patent focuses on an oil-infused plant product and method of infusion designed to:
- Use pressure and heat to infuse oil into plant matter for even distribution and controlled potency.
- Support a variety of botanical materials, including smokable herbs, tea, coffee, and rolling papers.
- Increase the oil-to-plant ratio beyond natural absorption levels for enhanced therapeutic benefits.
- Remove excess oil and alcohol through vacuum extraction, ensuring consistent dosing.
Source: US10874703B2
With this understanding, let us now explore five potential prior art references that share key features with US10874703B2.
Potential Prior Art References for US10874703B2
#1. US20170051231A1 – Method of Extracting CBD, THC, and other Compounds from Cannabis using Controlled Cavitation
The patent describes a method for extracting cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, from cannabis plant material using controlled cavitation technology. The process involves mixing ground cannabis plant pieces with a fluid, which may include solvents, and passing the mixture through a cavitation zone to enhance the extraction efficiency. The goal is to improve yield, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in cannabinoid extraction.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- This reference discusses mixing ground cannabis plant pieces with a fluid, which may include solvents like ethanol.
- The cavitation-based process enhances the release of cannabinoids from the plant material.
- The method regulates temperature and exposure time to optimize compound extraction.
Source: Global Patent Search
Feature Mapping Results:
| Feature | Disclosure |
| Mixing organic solvent and Cannabis oil | Partially disclosed – The method mixes cannabis plant material with a solvent, but it does not explicitly start with Cannabis oil. |
| Organic solvent is ethanol or polyethylene glycol | Partially disclosed – Ethanol is mentioned as a possible solvent, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) is not specified. |
| Processing for 3-25 hours | Partially disclosed – The process varies from minutes to many hours, but the specific 3-25 hour range is not disclosed. |
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The method of the invention comprises drying the cannabis plant; mixing the pieces with a fluid that may or may not contain solvents; and passing the mixture through a controlled cavitation zone. This process liberates CBD, THC, and other compounds through high-intensity shock waves and pressure variations.
#2. CN101735889A – Oplpanax Elatus Nakai Oil and Extracting Method Thereof
The patent describes a microwave-based extraction method for obtaining oil from plant stems, specifically from Oplpanax Elatus Nakai. The process involves microwave heating, followed by steam extraction and oil-water separation to yield purified oil. The goal is to improve extraction efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the plant-derived compounds.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art:
- The reference discusses a plant-based oil extraction method using microwave heating.
- It mentions ethanol as a solvent, aligning partially with the required organic solvent criteria.
- The process involves controlled heating and a steam-based purification system.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure |
| Organic solvent is ethanol or polyethylene glycol | Partially disclosed – Ethanol is mentioned as a possible solvent, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) is not specified. |
| Heating to 125-175°F | Partially disclosed – The reference discusses microwave heating for extraction but does not specify this exact temperature range. |
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The process includes heating plant stems in a microwave extractor for 3-10 minutes, followed by steam extraction for 45-60 minutes. The extracted oil is separated using an oil-water separator, resulting in a purified pale-yellow transparent liquid.”
#3. UA63300U – Method for the Complex Processing of Dry Plant Raw Material
The patent describes a multi-step extraction process for processing plant raw materials using a water-alcohol mixture (ethyl alcohol) and oil (sunflower oil). The method involves crushing the plant material, extracting it with a 60-65% ethanol solution, and then adding sunflower oil to extract additional compounds through heating and stirring.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art:
- The reference discusses extracting plant materials using a combination of ethanol and oil, which is similar to the solvent-oil processing used in the patented method.
- It describes heating the mixture in a boiling water bath, aligning partially with temperature-based processing.
- Ethanol is used as a solvent, though polyethylene glycol is not mentioned.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure |
| Mixing organic solvent and Cannabis oil | Partially disclosed – The reference discusses mixing an oil (sunflower oil) with an alcohol-based solvent (ethyl alcohol) for plant material extraction, but Cannabis oil is not explicitly mentioned. |
| Organic solvent is ethanol or polyethylene glycol | Partially disclosed – Ethanol is mentioned as a solvent, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) is not disclosed. |
| Heating to 125-175°F | Partially disclosed – The reference describes heating the mixture in a boiling water bath, but the specified temperature range is 40-50°C (104-122°F), which is lower than 125-175°F. |
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The process involves extracting plant material with 60-65% ethyl alcohol at 40-50°C for 45-50 minutes, followed by mixing with sunflower oil and re-extracting at boiling temperature for 1.5-2 hours.”
#4. WO2008026963A1 – Wheat-Germ Oil Concentrate
The patent describes a method for extracting wheat-germ oil using ethanol or other low-boiling hydrocarbon solvents. The oil is extracted through a cold-pressing technique, followed by solvent-based extraction to remove additional compounds.
The process includes separation of miscella from the fat-free residue by filtration or centrifugation and then evaporation of the solvent to obtain the final oil concentrate.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art
- The reference discusses using ethanol as a solvent in an oil extraction process.
- It describes pre-treating plant material before extraction, which is similar to pre-processing steps used in some oil-extraction methods.
- It involves removing the solvent through evaporation, which partially aligns with solvent-based oil refinement methods.
Feature Mapping Results:
| Feature | Disclosure |
| Mixing organic solvent and Cannabis oil | Partially disclosed – The reference describes using ethanol for oil extraction from wheat germ, but does not explicitly mention Cannabis oil. |
| Organic solvent is ethanol or polyethylene glycol | Partially disclosed – Ethanol is mentioned, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) is not. |
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“A known method of producing oil from plant materials includes extraction with hexane or other low-boiling hydrocarbons, followed by ethanol-based pre-treatment and solvent evaporation to obtain purified oil.”
#5. CN103409230A – Low-Temperature Extraction of Plant Oil Using N-Butane-Ethanol-Water Double-Phase Solvent
This patent describes a method for extracting plant oils using a two-phase solvent system consisting of n-butane, ethanol, and water at low temperatures. The process is designed to extract oils from various plant seeds while maintaining low energy consumption and efficient solvent recovery. The method specifically avoids high-pressure systems and high-temperature extraction to prevent degradation of sensitive compounds.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art
- The reference discusses mixing ethanol with plant oil for low-temperature extraction, which partially aligns with the concept of mixing an organic solvent with an oil-based extract.
- It describes using ethanol as a solvent, which partially overlaps with the organic solvent feature.
- It focuses on low-temperature solvent extraction, contrasting pressurized and high-temperature methods used in other extractions.
Feature Mapping Results
| Feature | Disclosure |
| Mixing organic solvent and Cannabis oil | Partially disclosed – The reference describes ethanol-based oil extraction, but does not specifically mention Cannabis oil. |
| Organic solvent is ethanol or polyethylene glycol | Partially disclosed – Ethanol is explicitly mentioned, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) is not. |
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The extracting method of the invention at normal pressure avoids complexity, while using a two-phase solvent system (ethanol and n-butane) for low-temperature oil extraction.”
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | US10874703B2 | Ref 1 | Ref 2 | Ref 3 | Ref 4 | Ref 5 |
| A method mixes organic solvent and Cannabis oil to create an oil/solvent mixture | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | Partial | ✗ | Partial |
| The ratio of solvent to Cannabis oil is between 2.5:7.5 and 7.5:2.5 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| The organic solvent is either ethanol or polyethylene glycol | ✓ | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial |
| The method sprays dried Cannabis botanical matter with the oil/solvent mixture | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| The coated botanical matter is placed in a pressurizable container at 65-75 psi | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| The pressurizable container is heated to 125-175 degrees Fahrenheit | ✓ | ✗ | Partial | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| The mixture is kept at specified pressure and temperature for 3-25 hours | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
How to Find Prior Art with Global Patent Search?
Finding prior art doesn’t have to be complicated. With Global Patent Search, you can simplify the process: All you have to do is:
#1. Search by Patent Number or Keywords – Start by entering the patent number or relevant keywords to quickly find related inventions.
Source: Global Patent Search
#2. Leverage Feature Mapping – Identify and compare key features against existing patents for a precise analysis.
Source: Global Patent Search
#3. Review matching results – Browse through a curated list of potential prior art references that align with your criteria.
#4. Analyze detailed reports – Dive into feature mapping reports to see how each reference stacks up against the patent claims.
#5. Make confident decisions – Use these insights to assess novelty, refine your strategy, or build stronger legal arguments.
From IP experts to first-time researchers, Global Patent Search makes uncovering prior art fast, efficient, and insightful.
Master Prior Art Research with Confidence
Patent research can be overwhelming. Patents like US11020362B2 often undergo intense scrutiny for novelty and originality. That’s where Global Patent Search makes a difference—cutting through complexity and delivering clarity.
Here’s how our tool helps you stay ahead:
Save Time – Instantly uncover relevant prior art without wading through endless documents.
Boost Accuracy – Feature mapping ensures you focus only on the most relevant references.
Make Confident Decisions – Get comprehensive, easy-to-interpret insights that strengthen your strategy.
Are you ready to simplify your patent search? Try Global Patent Search today and see how effortless prior art discovery can be. Click here to start exploring.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The prior art references mentioned are surface-level results generated by our tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a more thorough patent search, we recommend exploring Global Patent Search.
