Back to results
US 11,925,941 B2Granted
Debucking machine and method of use
OwnerAdison Archieinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A debucking machine, for use with processing industrial hemp or cannabis, is provided. Embodiments of the debucking machine include counter-rotating rollers equipped with rubberized combs for gently removing flowers, or “buds,” from harvested industrial hemp or cannabis. Embodiments of the debucking machine are portable and may be moved from location to location within a drying shed.
Claims33
A cannabis and hemp flower debucking machine comprising:
- a frame;
- an upper roller rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the upper roller comprises a first rubberized comb with a first plurality of comb teeth;
- a lower roller rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the lower roller comprises a second rubberized comb with a second plurality of comb teeth;
- a drive motor;
- a drive linkage operably connected to the drive motor;
- wherein the upper roller is operably connected to the drive motor by the drive linkage so that the upper roller is rotatable in a first direction;
- wherein the lower roller is operably connected to the drive motor by the drive linkage so that the lower roller is rotatable in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction;
- wherein the upper roller and the lower roller are mounted such that upon rotation of the upper roller in the first direction, and rotation of the lower roller in the second direction, the first plurality of rubberized comb teeth interlace with the second plurality of rubberized comb teeth to establish a debucking zone, whereby the interlace of the first plurality of rubberized comb teeth and the second plurality of rubberized comb teeth in the debucking zone will pull material in the debucking zone toward an interior of the frame;
- wherein the first plurality of comb teeth and the second plurality of comb teeth are not symmetrically shaped;
- wherein the first plurality of comb teeth are narrow triangular-shaped;
- wherein the second plurality of comb teeth are wide triangular-shaped;
- and
- wherein the debucking zone is accessible from outside of the frame.
10 more elements
A method of hemp flower debucking, using a debucking machine comprising:
- a frame;
- an upper roller rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the upper roller comprises a first rubberized comb with a first plurality of comb teeth;
- a lower roller rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the lower roller comprises a second rubberized comb with a second plurality of comb teeth;
- wherein the first plurality of comb teeth and the second plurality of comb teeth are not symmetrically shaped;
- wherein the first plurality of comb teeth are narrow triangular-shaped;
- wherein the second plurality of comb teeth are wide triangular-shaped;
- a drive motor;
- a drive linkage operably connected to the drive motor;
- wherein the upper roller is operably connected to the drive motor by the drive linkage so that the upper roller is rotatable in a first direction;
- wherein the lower roller is operably connected to the drive motor by the drive linkage so that the lower roller is rotatable in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction;
- wherein the upper roller and the lower roller are mounted such that upon rotation of the upper roller in the first direction, and rotation of the lower roller in the second direction, the first plurality of rubberized comb teeth interlace with the second plurality of rubberized comb teeth to establish a debucking zone, whereby the interlace of the first plurality of rubberized comb teeth and the second plurality of rubberized comb teeth in the debucking zone will pull material in the debucking zone toward an interior of the frame;
- and
- wherein the debucking zone is accessible from outside of the frame via an opening;
- the method of debucking comprising:
- engaging the drive motor such that the upper roller is rotating in the first direction and the lower roller is rotating in the second direction;
- selecting a harvested hemp plant that comprises a main stalk, branches, and hemp flowers on at least some of the branches;
- holding the harvested hemp plant by the main stalk;
- while maintaining a hold on the main stalk, inserting the branches and hemp flowers portions of the harvested hemp plant into the debucking zone;
- while maintaining a hold on the main stalk, moving the harvested hemp plant laterally within the debucking zone;
- while maintaining a hold on the main stalk, drawing the harvested hemp plant most of the way out of the debucking zone;
- assessing whether the harvested hemp plant has been sufficiently debucked;
- and
- when the user has assessed that the harvested hemp plant has been sufficiently debucked, withdrawing the harvested hemp plant from the debucking zone.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.