Horizontal Axis Rotary Separation Apparatus and Process
AssigneeThe Original Resinator LLC
InventorsJames Eugene Watts, Travis Jeremy Arnovick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus is deployed in a process for separating resinous trichomes rich in flavoring, aromatic and/or medicinal components produced in plant trichome glands from unwanted plant matter. The process physically separates resin rich beads at the trichome gland head from extraneous plant matter by one or move separation sieves. The sieves are provided in or as a casing over a rigid frame member. The sieves are mesh fabric bags or screen that are easily opened and replenished in a batch operating mode, and are removable from the frame for cleaning and maintenance. Other aspects of the invention include processes that improve process efficiency and speed, and yield products of superior quality.
Claims21
A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus comprising:
- a) a cylindrical chamber having;
- i) a lower half cylindrical basin with an upper rim and having a first and second circular end plates coupled to opposing end of lower half cylindrical basin that extend above the upper rim,
- ii) an upper half cylindrical lid with a lower rim, adapted for connecting to the upper rim and an upper periphery of the first and second circular end plates that extends above the upper rim,
- b) a rotating filter support frame adapted to rotate about a cylindrical axis thereof to provide a cylindrical cavity defined by a connected upper and lower cylindrical base,
- c) a removable filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame,
- d) a rotary drive means adapted to rotate the opposing ends of the rotary support frame in the first and second circular end plates, and
- e) a rotary drive coupling to support opposing ends of the rotary support frame in the first and second circular end plates.
A method of plant matter separation comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least a first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, having;
- i) a chamber having an inlet port and an outlet at a bottom,
- ii) a rotating filter support frame adapted to rotate about a cylindrical axis thereof to provide a cylindrical cavity defined by a connected upper and lower cylindrical base,
- iii) a filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame,
- iv) wherein the inlet port is adopted to deliver product to be separated into the enclosed space
- v) a rotary drive means adapted to turn the rotating filter support frame while a primary axis thereof is disposed in a horizontal orientation,
- b) admitting plant matter to the enclosed space of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus,
- c) turning the rotating filter support frame of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus,
- d) admitting at least one of water, dry ice, liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen to the enclosed space,
- e) collecting a purified effluent from the outlet at the bottom of the chamber of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus.
A method of plant matter separation comprising the steps of :
- a) providing a first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, each having;
- i) a chamber having an inlet port at the side and an outlet at a bottom,
- ii) a rotating filter support frame adapted to turn in rotary motion about a cylindrical axis thereof to provide a cylindrical cavity defined by a connected upper and lower cylindrical base,
- iii) a filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame,
- iv) wherein the inlet port is adopted to deliver product to separated into the enclosed space
- v) a rotary drive means adapted to rotate the rotating filter support frame about a primary axis thereof that is disposed in a horizontal plane,
- vi) wherein the outlet port of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus is connect to the inlet port of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus,
- b) admitting plant matter to the enclosed space of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus,
- c) turning the rotating filter support frame of the first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus,
- d) collecting a purified effluent from the outlet at the bottom of the chamber of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus.
A method of processing plant matter, the process comprising;
- a) providing a mixture of plant matter that includes flowers and flower buds and at least one of leaves, bracts and bracteoles, flowers and buds containing calyxes and sugar leaves.
- b) placing the mixture in a contained spaced bounded on at least one side by a mesh member, wherein the mesh member has a spacing sufficient to retain the mixture of plant matter,
- c) tumbling the mixture within the closed space,
- d) introducing a liquid freezing agent into the closed space,
- e) wherein residual moisture in the one or more of the leaves, bracts and bracteoles freezes causing the fragmentation thereof such that the fragmented plant matter traverses the mesh member and the closed space retains a residual portion of the flowers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.