Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming device having a removable cutting cartridge. A direct-drive motor is magnetically coupled to the cutting cartridge. The cutting cartridge houses a blade and a set of rotating blades. Plant parts are cut by the rotating blades across the razor. The cartridge is mounted on rails and has a handle to facilitate the ease of inserting and removing the cutting cartridge. Thereby, an old cutting cartridge is readily removed and replaced by a new cutting cartridge. Furthermore, the cutting cartridge can easily be removed for cleaning and later re-inserted back into the plant trimming device.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming device having a removable cutting cartridge. A direct-drive motor is magnetically coupled to the cutting cartridge. The cutting cartridge houses a blade and a set of rotating blades. Plant parts are cut by the rotating blades across the razor. The cartridge is mounted on rails and has a handle to facilitate the ease of inserting and removing the cutting cartridge. Thereby, an old cutting cartridge is readily removed and replaced by a new cutting cartridge. Furthermore, the cutting cartridge can easily be removed for cleaning and later re-inserted back into the plant trimming device.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a modular plant trimming system. A number of plant trimming machines are placed side by side. These plant trimming machines trim leaves from a plant. A sensor detects when one or more of the plant trimming machines are added or removed from the system. A processor then balances a load of plants to be trimmed to be split between the currently available number of plant trimming machines.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a modular plant trimming system. A number of plant trimming machines are placed side by side. These plant trimming machines trim leaves from a plant. A sensor detects when one or more of the plant trimming machines are added or removed from the system. A processor then balances a load of plants to be trimmed to be split between the currently available number of plant trimming machines.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.

Apparatus and method for recycling asphalt millings containing bitumen and stone. A milling tube is provided having an outer tube and an inner tube axially aligned with and substantially contained within the outer tube, the inner tube having a diameter less that a diameter of the outer tube to thus define a mixing space between the inner and outer tubes. At least one of the inner and outer tubes is adapted to rotate relative to the other. An inlet is provided to the mixing space to receive the asphalt millings. A plurality of inner tube projections project radially outward from a surface of the inner tube toward the outer tube, and a plurality of outer tube projections project radially inward from a surface of the outer tube toward the inner tube. The milling tube facilitates the separation of the asphalt millings into bitumen and stone as one of the inner and outer tubes rotates relative to the other. Preferably, at least one of the outer and inner tubes contains an abrasive coating on a surface thereof, the inner tube projections and outer tube projections are comprised of wire rope, and an inlet is provided in the outer tube through which cold air can be applied to the mixing space.

Apparatus and method for recycling asphalt millings containing bitumen and stone. A milling tube is provided having an outer tube and an inner tube axially aligned with and substantially contained within the outer tube, the inner tube having a diameter less that a diameter of the outer tube to thus define a mixing space between the inner and outer tubes. At least one of the inner and outer tubes is adapted to rotate relative to the other. An inlet is provided to the mixing space to receive the asphalt millings. A plurality of inner tube projections project radially outward from a surface of the inner tube toward the outer tube, and a plurality of outer tube projections project radially inward from a surface of the outer tube toward the inner tube. The milling tube facilitates the separation of the asphalt millings into bitumen and stone as one of the inner and outer tubes rotates relative to the other. Preferably, at least one of the outer and inner tubes contains an abrasive coating on a surface thereof, the inner tube projections and outer tube projections are comprised of wire rope, and an inlet is provided in the outer tube through which cold air can be applied to the mixing space.

A method for preparing raw kaolin (R) uses a milling and separating device (1) which has a milling section (13) and a first separating section (16). The raw kaolin (R) is a material mixture of at least kaolin as a first fraction (F1) and a second fraction (F2) which includes at least quartz. The raw kaolin (R) is supplied to the milling section (13), in which the first fraction (F1) is at least partly removed from the raw kaolin (R) by a grinding process, and the first fraction (F1) is then separated from the second fraction (F2) in the first separating section (16).

A method for preparing raw kaolin (R) uses a milling and separating device (1) which has a milling section (13) and a first separating section (16). The raw kaolin (R) is a material mixture of at least kaolin as a first fraction (F1) and a second fraction (F2) which includes at least quartz. The raw kaolin (R) is supplied to the milling section (13), in which the first fraction (F1) is at least partly removed from the raw kaolin (R) by a grinding process, and the first fraction (F1) is then separated from the second fraction (F2) in the first separating section (16).