A23N15/02

APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WET OR DRY PROCESSING OF PLANT MATERIAL
20210339264 · 2021-11-04 ·

An apparatus, method and system for wet or dry processing of plant material is provided. The apparatus has an enclosure attached to a frame. The apparatus includes: (a) a cylindrical rotatable drum for receiving the plant material, the rotatable drum having a plurality of slots; (b) a cutting module for cutting portions of the plant material that pass through one or more said slots; and (c) a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid within the enclosure.

The apparatus may further include a controller having a processing unit and a memory, the memory containing instructions for directing the processing unit. The controller may be operable to selectably control operations of the rotatable drum, the cutting module, and the plurality of nozzles.

The cutting module may include a plurality of cutting reels.

The cutting module and the rotatable drum may be coaxial. The cutting module may include a plurality of blades rotatable about the drum.

APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WET OR DRY PROCESSING OF PLANT MATERIAL
20210339264 · 2021-11-04 ·

An apparatus, method and system for wet or dry processing of plant material is provided. The apparatus has an enclosure attached to a frame. The apparatus includes: (a) a cylindrical rotatable drum for receiving the plant material, the rotatable drum having a plurality of slots; (b) a cutting module for cutting portions of the plant material that pass through one or more said slots; and (c) a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid within the enclosure.

The apparatus may further include a controller having a processing unit and a memory, the memory containing instructions for directing the processing unit. The controller may be operable to selectably control operations of the rotatable drum, the cutting module, and the plurality of nozzles.

The cutting module may include a plurality of cutting reels.

The cutting module and the rotatable drum may be coaxial. The cutting module may include a plurality of blades rotatable about the drum.

Overhead conveyor and wash system for citrus fruit oil extractor

An overhead conveyor and wash assembly is provided for a citrus oil extractor. In one embodiment, a spray manifold is connected to a drive chain and has nozzles for applying a cleaning solution and water to the extractor rollers. A wiper bar assembly is pendulously suspended from the spray manifold and conveys citrus fruits through the extractor as needed. The wiper bar assembly is moved to a raised position to be retracted to the input end of the extractor. A second embodiment uses a spray manifold pendulously suspended from drive chains and conveys citrus fruit through the extractor as needed and also sprays cleaning solution and water as needed.

Overhead conveyor and wash system for citrus fruit oil extractor

An overhead conveyor and wash assembly is provided for a citrus oil extractor. In one embodiment, a spray manifold is connected to a drive chain and has nozzles for applying a cleaning solution and water to the extractor rollers. A wiper bar assembly is pendulously suspended from the spray manifold and conveys citrus fruits through the extractor as needed. The wiper bar assembly is moved to a raised position to be retracted to the input end of the extractor. A second embodiment uses a spray manifold pendulously suspended from drive chains and conveys citrus fruit through the extractor as needed and also sprays cleaning solution and water as needed.

Method of separating flower from stalk
11744185 · 2023-09-05 ·

An apparatus and method for separating plant flowers from stalks by means of a lateral rotating tube having a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extending radially outward from the tube. The apparatus may include a platform and a frame supporting the tube above the platform to accommodate plants held between the platform and the tube so that when the tube is rotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and cause the flowers to brush off at and separate from the stalks. The frame further supports a housing to form a contained space, with a hood to direct the flow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The back wall is positioned a distance away from the platform to allow separated flower and stalk to be eliminated from the apparatus.

Concentric blade trimming system with auto-adjusting blades
11375671 · 2022-07-05 ·

A Concentric Blade Trimming System with Adjustable Blades. The System includes at least one pair of rotating drums within which are rotating cutting blade assemblies. The system allows the user to load untrimmed buds continuously, and to generate an efficient, continuous flow of trimmed buds as output. The cutting blade assemblies rotate within the rotating drums independently. The cutting blade assemblies also include apparatus that will automatically adjust the blade position relative to the interior walls of the drums so that the trimming process can continue without the need to shut down for blade adjustment. In an alternate version, the blades are flexible and their adjustment is conducted manually with only a short intermission in operation of the system.

Concentric blade trimming system with auto-adjusting blades
11375671 · 2022-07-05 ·

A Concentric Blade Trimming System with Adjustable Blades. The System includes at least one pair of rotating drums within which are rotating cutting blade assemblies. The system allows the user to load untrimmed buds continuously, and to generate an efficient, continuous flow of trimmed buds as output. The cutting blade assemblies rotate within the rotating drums independently. The cutting blade assemblies also include apparatus that will automatically adjust the blade position relative to the interior walls of the drums so that the trimming process can continue without the need to shut down for blade adjustment. In an alternate version, the blades are flexible and their adjustment is conducted manually with only a short intermission in operation of the system.

Hemp Flower Material Stripping Machine and Method
20220250083 · 2022-08-11 ·

A hemp flower, bud, and leaf material stripping machine having a housing, a motor and gearbox that drive a pair of rollers inside the housing, an adjustable locking shaft that adjusts and maintains a space and pressure between the rollers, and a series of feed holes of different diameters on a front side of the housing. Each feed hole is constructed to strip flowers, buds, and leaves from a hemp stem as the stem is inserted into a feed hole and is pulled through the feed hole by the rollers. The flowers, buds, and leaves are severed from the stem at an exterior of the front side of the housing, without damage to the flowers, buds, and leaves. The feed hole is constructed with close tolerance so that the stem can pass through the feed hole but the flowers, buds, and leaves cannot. Hemp stems are stripped in seconds. The flowers, buds, and leaves are not crushed, cut, torn, or compressed as they are severed and fall into a container.

Destemming devices
11304436 · 2022-04-19 · ·

A destemming device includes a housing, a motor, and a belt system configured to fit within the housing. The housing includes at least one cutting aperture. The belt system includes a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly. The first belt assembly includes a first plurality of rollers and a first gripper belt extending around the first plurality of rollers. The second belt assembly includes a second plurality of rollers and a second gripper belt extending around the second plurality of rollers. The first gripper belt and the second gripper belt define a nip. The at least one cutting aperture is aligned with the nip. The motor is operatively connected to the belt system.

Destemming devices
11304436 · 2022-04-19 · ·

A destemming device includes a housing, a motor, and a belt system configured to fit within the housing. The housing includes at least one cutting aperture. The belt system includes a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly. The first belt assembly includes a first plurality of rollers and a first gripper belt extending around the first plurality of rollers. The second belt assembly includes a second plurality of rollers and a second gripper belt extending around the second plurality of rollers. The first gripper belt and the second gripper belt define a nip. The at least one cutting aperture is aligned with the nip. The motor is operatively connected to the belt system.