Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for plant transportation using a smart conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced capabilities as a result of integrating robotic features, automations, artificial intelligence, queuing, fault control, automatic transport, scalability, safety measures, smaller footprint, and other computerized functions, along with a creative business model. In design of this invention the following high-level requirements were achieved: scalable for small, medium, and large businesses; safer than other machines in the market; sanitation consideration; simplicity in maintenance, and automated functions to reduce the need for labor (e.g., integration of robotics, AI, and/or other computerized systems).

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and related methods (i.e. utilities) for trimming plants, in particular, buds and flowers, to remove unwanted plant material. A typical application would be to process a plant to leave only trimmed buds and flowers for use in potpourri, fragrant sashes, or as a prelude to further processing of essential oils. The utilities enable faster and safer production of plant material than prior plant processing machines. The utilities employ a coaxial drum and cutting element that counter rotate. This coaxial cutting element typically includes a plurality of cutting elements, to create a plurality of cutting interface that shear unwanted plant material form plant material within the drum and then collect this debris though, for example, a vacuum system. The use of the counter-rotating cutting interfaces allows for multiplying the cutting interfaces over prior existing machines.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and related methods (i.e. utilities) for trimming plants, in particular, buds and flowers, to remove unwanted plant material. A typical application would be to process a plant to leave only trimmed buds and flowers for use in potpourri, fragrant sashes, or as a prelude to further processing of essential oils. The utilities enable faster and safer production of plant material than prior plant processing machines. The utilities employ a coaxial drum and cutting element that counter rotate. This coaxial cutting element typically includes a plurality of cutting elements, to create a plurality of cutting interface that shear unwanted plant material form plant material within the drum and then collect this debris though, for example, a vacuum system. The use of the counter-rotating cutting interfaces allows for multiplying the cutting interfaces over prior existing machines.

Provided is an apparatus which simplifies the removal of an onion skin comprising a skin contacting side (1), a cutting and spreading element (2), and a lifting member (31, 32). After the cutting tip (22) of the cutting and spreading element (2) cuts into the outermost onion layer(s) at a top end of the onion and slides downwards along an outer contour of the onion towards a bottom end of the onion to create a cut along the contour of the onion, the lower lifting edge (312, 322) of the lifting member (31, 32) slots behind an inner edge of the cut outermost onion layer(s) and the lifting member (31, 32) lifts up portions of the onion layer(s) in contact therewith as it slides downwards until it passes through the bottom end of the onion, thereby allowing a user to split apart the lifted portions along the cut to remove the outermost onion layer(s) together with outer hard skin of the entire onion in one go.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves are sucked through the tumbler by a vacuum assembly and cut by at least one rotatable blade adjacent to the tumbler. The tumbler and blade are housed in separate cartridges so that they can be easily removed and inserted. Thereby, it is relatively easy to clean and replace a tumbler or blade with minimal downtime to the machine.

Provided is an apparatus which simplifies the removal of an onion skin comprising a skin contacting side (1), a cutting and spreading element (2), and a lifting member (31, 32). After the cutting tip (22) of the cutting and spreading element (2) cuts into the outermost onion layer(s) at a top end of the onion and slides downwards along an outer contour of the onion towards a bottom end of the onion to create a cut along the contour of the onion, the lower lifting edge (312, 322) of the lifting member (31, 32) slots behind an inner edge of the cut outermost onion layer(s) and the lifting member (31, 32) lifts up portions of the onion layer(s) in contact therewith as it slides downwards until it passes through the bottom end of the onion, thereby allowing a user to split apart the lifted portions along the cut to remove the outermost onion layer(s) together with outer hard skin of the entire onion in one go.

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 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.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for positioning an object. The apparatus can include gripping elements or arms to grip the object and actuators to move the object. Methods for positioning the object can include rotating the object about a first and second axis to achieve the desired position.