APPARATUSES AND METHODS TO DRY, REHYDRATE, CURE, AND BURP PRODUCT

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods to dry, rehydrate, cure, and/or burp products, such as, for example cannabis buds and/or flowers. In certain aspects, the apparatuses comprise an apparatus with a bottom, at least one sidewall, and a removable top to access an internal storage compartment. A dry rack is secured in the internal storage compartment above the bottom to generally separate the internal storage compartment of the apparatus into a sump part and a product part. A fan, located in a sidewall, is configured to pump air into the pump part of the apparatus. The dry rack is configured to hold product above the sump such that the air pumped by the fan circulates in the sump and rises through the dry rack and product to dry, cure, or rehydrate the product.

Claims

1. An apparatus to dry, rehydrate, cure, and burp agricultural products, comprising: a container, the container comprising a generally flat bottom and at least one sidewall extending vertically from the generally flat bottom to a sidewall edge, wherein the sidewall edge defines an opening; a top coupled to the sidewall edge of the container; an interior storage compartment defined by the generally flat bottom, the at least one sidewall, and the top; a port formed in the at least one sidewall wherein the port is configured as a gas intake manifold to receive gas from a gas source; and a rack secured in the interior storage compartment that separates the storage compartment into a sump part located between the generally flat bottom and the rack and a product part located between the rack and the top, wherein the rack is configured to hold agricultural product above the sump part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a fan, wherein the fan resides in the port and is configured to pump air from outside the container into the sump part.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fan is a variable speed fan.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a moisture source, wherein the moisture source is configured to hydrate the agricultural product.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one drying box.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one drying box comprises a plurality of drying boxes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top is releasably coupled to the sidewall edge.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top is integral with the sidewall edge and the top comprises a closable opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the gas is air and wherein the moisture source is a cloth saturated with water such that air moving over the cloth provides moisture to the product as the gas, with moisture, moves from the sump part to the product part of the interior storage compartment.

11. An apparatus to dry, rehydrate, cure, and burp agricultural products, comprising: a container, the container comprising a generally flat bottom, at least one sidewall extending vertically from the generally flat bottom to a sidewall edge, and a top generally opposite the flat bottom; an interior storage compartment defined by the generally flat bottom, the at least one sidewall, and the top, wherein the interior storage is accessible from the top; a port formed in the at least one sidewall wherein the port is configured as a gas intake manifold to receive gas from a gas source; and a rack secured in the interior storage compartment that separates the storage compartment into a sump part located between the generally flat bottom and the rack and a product part located between the rack and the top, wherein the rack is configured to hold agricultural product above the sump part.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top is releasably coupled to the sidewall edge to allow access to the interior storage.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top comprises a closable opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sump part contains a moisture source.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a humidity sensor in the interior storage compartment configured to sense the humidity and wherein the port includes a gas pump such that the gas pump moves gas from the gas source over the moisture source based on the humidity of the interior storage as sensed by the humidity sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the moisture source is a damp cloth located in the sump part.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the gas source is air.

18. A method of moving air over agricultural products in a container, comprising: providing the container having a generally flat bottom and at least one sidewall extending vertically from the generally flat bottom to a sidewall edge, wherein the sidewall edge defines an opening; a top coupled to the sidewall edge of the container; an interior storage compartment defined by the generally flat bottom, the at least one sidewall, and the top; a port formed in the at least one sidewall wherein the port includes a fan configured to move air from outside the container to the interior storage compartment; and a rack secured in the interior storage compartment that separates the storage compartment into a sump part located between the generally flat bottom and the rack and a product part located between the rack and the top, wherein the rack is configured to hold agricultural product above the sump part; placing product on the rack, and controlling operation of the fan to move air from outside the container to interior storage compartment such that the air enters the interior storage compartment in the sump part and move upwards through the product on the rack, into the product part, and out of the container through the top.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising placing a moisture source in the sump.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein controlling operation of the fan includes controlling the speed of a variable speed fan.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0008] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a view of an exemplary apparatus consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a view of a plurality of apparatuses of FIG. 1 on a support structure consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a fan of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a motor controller to control a speed of a variable speed fan of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a view of the internal storage compartment with a dry rack without product of the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a view of the internal storage compartment with a dry rack with product of the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a view of a dry box usable with the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 8 depicts a view of the internal storage compartment with a plurality of dry boxes on the dry rack without product consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0017] FIG. 9 depicts a view of the internal storage compartment with a plurality of dry boxes on the dry rack with product consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0018] FIG. 10 depicts a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 where the grommet is visible consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0019] FIG. 11 depicts a sequence of views where a hydrometer is inserted into the internal storage compartment of the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0020] FIG. 12 depicts a view of the internal storage compartment with air flow arrows showing air flow during operation consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0021] FIG. 13 depicts an optional flapper valve of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 14 depicts a fluid source in a sump part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0023] FIG. 15 depicts a transceiver controller for the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0024] FIG. 16 depicts an application APP on a processor to control the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 consistent with the technology of the present application.

[0025] FIG. 17 depicts a graphical user interface of the application APP of FIG. 16.

[0026] FIG. 18 depicts another graphical user interface of the application APP of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the technology described by the present application are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology of the present application. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described with relation to exemplary embodiments. The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, unless specifically identified otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a view of an apparatus 100 useful for drying, rehydrating, curing, and/or burping cannabis buds (also known as product herein). The apparatus 100 is a container having a bottom 102, a plurality of sidewalls 104, and a top 106. The apparatus 100 is shown as having a generally rectangular cross-section in this exemplary embodiment, but could be other shapes. As a rectangle, the apparatus 100 includes a front, left, back, and right sidewall. In certain embodiment, more or less sidewalls are possible. For example, if the apparatus 100 had a circular cross-section, there would only be a single cylindrically shaped sidewall 104.

[0029] The sidewalls (or sidewall) 104 extends upwards from the bottom 102. The sidewalls 104 and the bottom 102 are formed of a singular unit in this exemplary embodiment, but could be multiple parts connected together. The sidewalls 104 have a top edge 108 (better seen in FIG. 5) that form an opening. The top 106 is releasably coupled to the top edge 108 of the sidewalls 104 in this exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, the top 106 may be integral with the sidewalls 104 (much the same as the bottom 102 is with the sidewalls 104 in this exemplary embodiment). If the case where the top 106 is integral with the sidewalls 104, the top 106 would have a closable opening to allow access to the interior storage compartment 110 (shown in FIG. 5, for example) defined by the bottom 102, sidewalls 104, and the top 106. The closable opening may having a hinged door, a cap, or plug that fits within the opening to close the opening.

[0030] The top 106 is releasably coupled to the top edge 108 of the sidewalls 104 in this exemplary embodiment. The top 106 may be coupled to the top edge 108 of the sidewalls 104 by a snap fit coupling, fasteners, or the like. A gasket (or seal), not shown, may reside between the top edge 108 and the top 106. As shown, the apparatus 100 is generally similar to a conventional storage tote made from a durable plastic material. The apparatus 100, however, may be made of many materials including other polymers, plastics, ceramics, and metals to name but a few materials. Also, the apparatus 100, as shown, has an internal storage compartment 110 of approximately 20 gallons, which has been found to be satisfactory for the majority of uses. The apparatus 100, however, may be bigger or smaller. Generally, it is envisioned that the internal storage compartment in certain embodiments will be no less than about 5 gallons, in certain embodiments no more than about 100 gallons, and in certain embodiments between about 5 and 100 gallons. However, it is believed that less than about 5 gallons is not cost effective and more than about 100 gallons is relatively unwieldly.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a rack 200 capable of holding a plurality of apparatuses 100 consistent with the technology of the present application. The rack 200 may have casters 202, wheels or the like, attached to a bottom 204 of the rack 200 to allow the rack 200 to be movable. The rack 200 may have 1, 2, 3, 4 (as shown), 5, or more shelves 206 to hold one, two, or more apparatuses 100.

[0032] With reference back to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 has a port 112 in one of the sidewalls 104. The port 112 is shown in this exemplary embodiment to be in the front sidewall 104, but could be located in the back, left, or right sidewall. A fan 114 resides in the port 112. The fan 114 is configured to be coupled to a power supply via a plug or a battery. The fan 114 may be a single speed or a variable speed fan. FIG. 3 shows the fan 114 by itself. The fan 114 in this exemplary embodiment is capable of moving air between about 100 and 180 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The fan 114 has a power/control cord 300 that is configured to couple to a fan power supply and controller 400 as shown in FIG. 4. As can be appreciated, the fan 114 in the present exemplary embodiment is a variable speed fan that can be controlled between a minimum and maximum speed by operation of a speed knob 402.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a view of the apparatus 100 without the top 106 such that the interior storage compartment 110 is visible. A dry rack 116 traverses the width and length of the storage compartment 110. As formed, the sidewalls 104 of the apparatus 100 converge from the top edge 108 to the bottom 102 such that the dry rack 116 can be press fit into a secure position where the edges 118 of the dry rack 116 frictionally engage the inner surface 120 of the sidewalls 104 such that the dry rack 116 is supported from going further towards the bottom 102 and is sufficiently secured not to tip or pitch when the apparatus 100 is moved. In certain embodiments, a plurality of protrusions may extend from the sidewall 104 in an inward direction to engage and support the dry rack 116. In either case, the dry rack 116 can be removed for cleaning of the like. The dry rack 116 separates the interior storage compartment 110 into a sump part 502 and a product part 504, which is shown in FIG. 12. While shown with only a single dry rack 116, multiple dry racks 116 may be installed in the interior storage compartment 110, and generally the sump part 502 would be defined by the lowest most dry rack 116.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows the same view as FIG. 5 with product 600 held directly by the dry rack 116. Optionally, product 600 may be placed in one or more drying boxes 700 as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows several (in this case 6) drying boxes 700 placed on the dry rank 116, without product for convenience. FIG. 9 shows a view of the apparatus 100 with drying boxes 700 containing product 600.

[0035] FIG. 10 shows another view of the apparatus 100 from the back sidewall 104. The back sidewall 104 is shown having a port 122 containing a grommet 124. Although shown in the back sidewall 104, the port 122 and grommet 124 may be located in any of the sidewalls 104. The grommet provides a sealable entry to insert a humidity sensor 126, see FIG. 11, such as a hydrometer 126, and a power/sensor cord 128 to be placed into the sump part 502 but still maintain a seal. FIG. 11 shows the humidity sensor 126 and power/sensor cord 128 outside the apparatus 100 and just prior to being inserted through the grommet 124. In certain embodiments, the humidity sensor 126 may be battery operated and wireless, in which case the grommet 124 would be optional. As can be appreciated, the humidity sensor 126 is generally located in the sump 502, but may, in certain embodiments, be located in the product part 504.

[0036] FIG. 12 shows a view of the internal storage compartment 110 with the dry rack 116, but without product 600 for clarity. The fan 114, not specifically shown in FIG. 12, draws air into the sump part 502 of the apparatus 100. An optional check valve 130 may be placed between the fan 114 and the sump part 502 to isolate the internal storage compartment 110 from atmosphere except when the fan 114 is operating. In this exemplary embodiment, the check valve 130 is a flapper vale 130. The flapper valve 130 is formed from a plastic or polymer material and secured to the inner surface 120 of the sidewall 104 that has the fan 114 by, for example, a member 132, see FIG. 13. As shown by arrows A, during operation, the fan 114 directs a flow of air to the sump part 502. The airflow causes the flapper valve 130 to lift. The air is diverted to move upwards through the dry rack 116 and any product 600 (which is not shown in FIG. 12). The air pumped into the sump part 502 by the fan 114 (or another type of pump) may be vented or burped as desired. The arrow A is an illustration to provide context for the present application and should not be considered to show the actual airflow as the airflow may in fact be turbulent or the like.

[0037] Apparatus 100 with the fan 114 pumping air into the sump part 502 generally dries the product 600 on the dry rack 116. In some instances, apparatus 100 rehydrates the product 600. FIG. 14 shows a fluid source 134 placed in the sump part 502 of the apparatus 100. The fluid source 134, in this exemplary embodiment, is a saturated towel or sponge. The air streaming over and around the sump part 502 absorbs water vapor prior to moving upwards through the dry rack 116 and product 600. The now moist air rehydrates the product 600. The fluid source 134 may simply be a pool of water or the like in the sump 502. But using a saturated fluid carrying device such as a towel or sponge facilitates clean up and removal of the fluid source 134 when no longer needed.

[0038] FIG. 15 shows a controller (which may be a transceiver or the like) 150 usable to controller the fan 114. The controller 150 may include a power and sensor cord 151 as shown. The controller 150 is configured to be operably connected to a processor 152, see FIG. 16, such as a smartphone, or the like to allow an application APP on the processor 152 to interact with the controller 150. The application APP provides a graphical user interface on a monitor operably coupled to the process 152, which monitor is integrated with the smartphone as shown. The controller 150 may be operably connected to the processor 152 wirelessly or wired. When wirelessly connected, the controller 150 and processor 152 may be paired. The application APP receives humidity and temperature signals. The humidity signal is received via the hydrometer 126. The temperature signal may be the atmospheric temperature (as received by a smartphone) or from a temperature sensor in the apparatus 100. FIG. 17 show a view of the graphical user interface that is usable to set a humidity operation for the apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the application APP graphical user interface 156 provides data, such as a current temperature window 158 and a current humidity window 160, that provide the user with information. The application APP also provides a work mode selection menu 162 to allow selection of the work mode of the apparatus 100, which may be, for example, dry (or dehumidification mode as shown), cure, rehydrate, or burp. As shown, the user sets the work mode selection menu 162 as dehumidification mode (or dry mode). The application APP provides a setting menu 164 to allow the user to set the desired humidity, which is 50% in this exemplary embodiment. During operation, the controller 150 would use the setting and work mode selection to control operation of the fan 116, including speed or the like, to maintain the setting of the work mode selected by the user. FIG. 18 shows an optional secondary graphical user interface 166 that includes range menus 168. The range menus, in this exemplary embodiment, allow for the user to establish desired operating ranges for temperature and humidity.

[0039] The technology described herein optionally comprises one or many networked machines. The machine or machines, in the example form a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed.

[0040] The computer system includes a processor, memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. The computer system is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the functions, applications, engines, and scripts are running as described herein and shown in figures (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. The computer system can be of any applicable known or convenient type. The components of the computer system can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device.

[0041] The processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel microprocessor, Motorola microprocessor, or the like. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms machine-readable (storage) medium or computer-readable (storage) medium include any type of device that is accessible by the processor.

[0042] The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed.

[0043] The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software in the computer 1100. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor.

[0044] The software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as implemented in a computer-readable medium. A processor is considered to be configured to execute a program when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.

[0045] The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analog modem, isdn modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. direct PC), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output devices. The I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed that controllers of any devices not depicted reside in the interface.

[0046] In operation, the computer system can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington, and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the Linux operating system and its associated file management system. Still other operating systems include iOS, Android, or the like for smart devices. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit.

[0047] Although the technology has been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term approximately. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term approximately should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).