Cryogenic processing system for plant material
AssigneeAGT-USA, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Barberi, Gregory J. Gruzdowich, Louis J. Barberi, Keith W. Kilham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for improved separation of small particles from other stock. The device includes a sifting tray assembly and means for vibrating the screen of the shifting tray assembly for separating components and a cryogenic fluid source and injection system for freezing the small parts to the point where they are solid enough to pass through the screen without adhering to the screen. The method entails use of the system to separate small particles in sifting trays while spraying the stock with a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen.
Claims15
A sifting system for separating small components from larger components of plant stock comprising:
- a plurality of sifting tray assemblies 2, including at least a first sifting tray assembly 2A and a second sifting tray assembly 2B, wherein each sifting tray assembly comprises:
- an upper enclosure 6 with an inlet aperture 7 located at a first, inlet end 12 of the upper enclosure, and a large particle outlet aperture 8 located at a second, outlet end 13 of the upper enclosure;
- a sifting screen 4 having a first end and a second end, said first end of the sifting screen proximate the first end 12 of the upper enclosure and the second end of the sifting screen proximate the second, outlet end 13 of the upper enclosure;
- a cryogen injector 24 disposed proximate the first end 12 of the upper enclosure, said cryogen injector configured to supply a cryogenic fluid to plant stock entering the upper enclosure 6;
- a bottom pan 3 with a first end 12 and a small particle outlet aperture 5 located at a second end 11 of the bottom pan 3, and a top open to the sifting screen 4, and a bottom 3B with a closed surface;
- wherein the sifting screen is disposed between the upper enclosure and bottom pan;
- wherein a first sifting tray assembly 2A of the plurality of sifting trays is disposed directly above a second sifting tray assembly 2B of the plurality of sifting trays, with the small particle outlet aperture 5 of the first sifting tray assembly 2A disposed above the inlet aperture 7 of the second sifting tray assembly 2B.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.