Patent Application
20240148048
The present disclosure generally relates to cannabis products forming systems and more specifically to a cannabis oil injector.
Cannabis joints have long been and are still very often prepared by hand.
However, the legalization of cannabis in many territories have seen the coming of the automatization in the manufacturing of cannabis joints.
Some of the automated processes in the manufacturing of cannabis joints involve many handling steps involving cannabis in bulk and then of paper cones in which a single portion of cannabis has been.
A drawback of most known cannabis joint automated manufacturing processes is that strong and moderate vibrations involved therein have been found to separate the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from cannabis, thereby decreasing the quality of the product.
According to an illustrative embodiment, there is provided a system for injecting cannabis oil in a cannabis product comprising:
According to still another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a heating system for a cannabis oil injector that is provided with a cannabis oil reservoir and a syringe for delivering the cannabis oil and that is connected to the cannabis oil reservoir via tubing so as to be supplied with oil thereby, the heating system comprising:
It is to be noted that the expression ‘cannabis oil’ is to be construed herein as including any oily product extracted from the cannabis plant, including, without limitations, terpenes and destilate.
Other objects, advantages, and features of the system for injecting cannabis oil in a cannabis product, heating system therefor, and of the cannabis product manufacturing process will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings:
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure. Herein, it shall further be noted that, for avoiding unnecessary details obscuring the invention, only device structures and/or processing steps closely relevant to schemes according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings while omitting other details less relevant to the invention.
The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more.
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements.
A cannabis oil injector 10 according to a first illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference first to
It is to be noted that the expression “cannabis oil injector” and “system for injecting cannabis oil” will be used herein interchangeably.
The cannabis oil injector 10 comprises a syringe 12, a cannabis oil reservoir 14 that is operatively coupled to the syringe 12 and that is configured to feed a single dose of cannabis oil thereto, and a cannabis joint holder, in the form of a gripper 16 i) for taking and holding a cannabis joint 18, ii) for moving the cannabis joint 18, via an engaging mechanism, so that it is penetrated by the injection needle 20 of the syringe 12, and iii) for releasing the cannabis joint 18 after injection. The injector 10 further comprises a heating system 22.
Examples of cannabis joints 18 and 18′ into which cannabis oil can be injected are shown in
As can be further seen in
The injector 10 will be described herein with the joint 18 as an exemplified product. However, the joints 18′ or any other type of products can be injected with cannabis oil using an injector according to embodiments of injector and injecting process described herein, subject only, in some cases with an adaptation of the product holder.
The syringe 12 includes a barrel 28, a plunger 29 operatively mounted in the barrel 28, and that is operatively coupled to a linear actuator 30 for its actuation. The syringe 12 further includes a hub 31 between the needle 20 and the barrel 28.
The gripper 16 comprises a pair of claws 32-34 that are mounted to a plate 36 for sliding movement towards and away each other in a direction parallel to the plate 36 via a motorized rack and pinion or another mechanism (not shown). Each claw includes a pair of plates 38 and 40 that are positioned so that the two (2) claws 32-34 fit into each other.
As can be better seen in
The holes 42 are shaped so that a cannabis cone 18 is free to slide therethrough when the claws 32-34 are in their open position and maintained therein by friction when the claws 32-34 are in their closed position.
The mounting plate 36 is secured at the free end 44 of the sliding rod 46 of a linear actuator 48 via a mounting plate 50. The linear actuator 48 defines the engaging mechanism for relatively moving the gripper 16 and the syringe towards one another.
The gripper 16 is further provided with a needle guide 52 that is also mounted to the plate 36 between the claws 32-34 and the plate 36 so as to be parallel thereto. The needle guide 52 includes a removable insert 54 provided with a needle-receiving hole 56 therein. The function of the insert 54 will be described hereinbelow with reference to a second illustrative embodiment of a system 130 for injecting cannabis oil.
The gripper 16 is so positioned relative to the needle 20 of the syringe 12 that the hole 56 of the needle guide 52 is registered therewith. The linear actuator 30 is operable to move the gripper 16 towards and away the needle 20 so that a cannabis joint 18 hold by the gripper 16 is moved towards and away the needle 20, thereby inserting the needle 20 in the joint 18 and releasing it therefrom.
In operation of the injector 10, cannabis joint 18 is first presented to the injector to be registered with the gripper 16. For example, the joint 18 can be positioned in a tray or in another gripper (not shown). Simultaneously, before or or after this step, the linear actuator 30 is operated to raise the plunger 29 upwards, thereby forcing cannabis oil from the reservoir into the barrel 28 of the syringe 12.
The linear actuator 48 is then operated to lower the claws 32, 34 at the level au the joint 18. The gripper 16 has been previously opened.
The claws 32-34 are then closed, as described hereinabove, onto the top portion of the joint 18.
The actuator 48 is then operated to raise the gripper 16, with the cannabis joint 18 therein, so that the needle 20 is fully inserted in the joint 18 through the hole 56. During the insertion of the needle 20, the operation of the plunger 29 is synchronized with the insertion of the needle 20 in the joint 18. This allows to better spread the cannabis oil in the joint 18.
The actuator 48 is then operated to lower the gripper 16 to its lowest position. The gripper 16 is then opened, releasing the joint 18, which can then fall in a collecting bin (not shown) or be picked up by another gripper (not shown), prior to its release by the gripper 16.
It is to be noted that the cannabis oil injector 10 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the gripper 16 can be provided with another joint grabbing mechanism than the illustrated claws 32-34. The injector 10 can also be configured with another engaging mechanism so that the syringe 12 is moved towards the holder 16 instead of the joint 18 being raised towards the needle 20.
It is to be noted that all the actuators described hereinabove are connected to one or more controllers (not shown) so that their operations are triggered and synchronized thereby. All the connectors between such controller(s) and the actuators have been omitted in the drawings to alleviate the views.
While the actuators mentioned hereinabove and illustrated in the drawings are of the pneumatic type, they can also be of another type, including without limitation hydraulic or electric.
The heating system 22 comprises a casing 58, which receives the syringe 12 and the feeding tubing 60 that connects the syringe 12 to the cannabis oil reservoir 14, a heating member 62, secured to the casing 58 therein, and two fans 64 and 66, to force air heated by the heating member 62 through the casing 58.
The casing 58 has a generally U-shape and includes a receptacle 68 and a cover 70 that complementary closes the receptacle 68.
The receptacle 68 is secured, via fasteners 72, to a mounting bracket 74 that further receives the syringe 12, the linear actuators 30 and 48 and the oil reservoir 14. The mounting bracket 72 is secured to a table or to another frame or assembly (not shown).
Another support, frame element(s) or bracket than the bracket 72 can be used to support and relatively position the components of the injector 10.
The U-shaped casing 58 is defined by a lower rectangular portion 76, which extends generally parallel to the mounting plate 36, and first and second generally rectangular portions 78 and 80, that extends upwardly from the rectangular portion 76, respectively below the reservoir 14 and on the side of the syringe 12.
The portion 80 defines, with the registered part of the rectangular portion 76, a lodging for the syringe 12. The casing 58 includes a first top opening 82 to allow passage for the plunger 29 of the syringe 12, and a bottom opening 84 to allow passage for the needle 20, both openings being operatively registered with the syringe 12.
The casing 58 includes a further opening 86, registered with the reservoir 14, to allow passage for the feeding tubing 60.
The cover 70 and includes a window 88, closed by a translucid plate, which is registered with the syringe 12 to allow visualization thereof when the cover 70 is closed. According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the window 88 is omitted.
The cover 70 is removably attached to the receptacle 68 using magnets (not shown), that are embedded or attached to both parts 68 and 70. According to another embodiment (not shown), the cover 70 is attached to the receptacle 68 using other attachments, such as without limitations, fasteners or clips.
According to still another illustrative embodiment, the configurations of the receptacle 68 and/or of the cover 70 are different than illustrated.
The heating member 62, is generally in the form of a hockey paddle, and extends in the casing 58 from the top of the first rectangular portion 78 thereof, where the tubing 60 enters, and partly through the rectangular portion 76.
The heating member 62 includes an arcuate groove 90 that defines a passage for the tubing 60 through the heating member 62. The groove 90 is shaped to yield a smooth passage to the tubing 60 from a vertical position, at the exit 92 of the reservoir 14, to a horizontal position, at the inlet 94 of a three-way valve 96. The heating member 62 and groove 90 are generally shaped to guide the tubing 60.
According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the heating member 62 or groove 90 therein is differently shaped than illustrated.
The three-way valve 96 is used to operatively connect the tubing 60 to the syringe 12. More specifically, the coupler 96 is mounted between the barrel 28 of the syringe 12 and the needle hub 31. The coupler 96 and syringe 12 are secured to the receptacle, therein, via respective mounting brackets 100 and 102.
The top and bottom fans 64 and 66 are secured to the casing 58, on a lateral side 104 thereof, adjacent the opening 86 for the tubing 60. The corresponding wall 104 of the casing 58 is provided with top and bottom holes 106-108, registered with the top and bottom fans 64 and 66 respectively, which allows air flow therefrom to enter the casing 58.
In operation of the heating system 22, the heating member 62 heats the tubing 60 and therefore the oil therein to a predetermined temperature, so that the physical properties of the oil, such as its viscosity, remain, even when the distribution of oil to the syringe 12 is stopped. The oily substance is kept to a temperature ranging between about 30° C. and 90° C., depending, for example, on the substance.
A person skilled in the art will further appreciate that the position of the lower fan 66 and the configuration and position of the heating member 62 within the casing 58 allows heated air to flow from the lower fan 66, through the passage 110 defined by the heating member 62 and the bottom wall 112 of the casing 58, therebetween, and then through the opening 84 for the needle 20, thereby also heating the needle 20 (see arrow 114).
The heating system 22 further includes wires and connectors 116, some of which have been omitted on the drawings so as to alleviate the views, which connects the heating member 62 and fans 64 and 66 to one or more power supplies (not shown) and to a controller (not shown). The casing 58 includes a further opening 118 for the wires 68.
Finally, the heating system 22 further includes a first adjustable air deflector 120 attached to the heating member 62 on the side thereof facing the syringe 12, and a second air deflector 122 that is mounted to the plate 36 so as to be positioned adjacent the needle 93.
The first air deflector 120 aims at limiting the air flow towards the second rectangular extension 80 of the casing 58, and the second air deflector 122 further guides the air flow out of the opening 84 along the needle 20.
According to the other illustrative embodiment (not shown), the configurations of the first and/or second deflectors 120 and 122 are different than illustrated. According to further illustrative embodiments (not shown), the number and/or position of air deflectors are different than illustrated.
The fans 64, passage 110, opening 84 and deflectors 120 and 122 together define a heat-canalizing system, which brings part of the heat generated by the heating member 62 through the opening 84 and along the needle 20.
According to the illustrative embodiment, the heating member is in the form of a heat conductive body having a heating wire (not shown) or a similar heating body or system embedded or inserted therein. Such heating wire or the like is connected to a controlled power source (not shown).
According to other illustrative embodiments (not shown), the heating member has another configuration and/or is of another type, such as, for example, a blower provided with a heating element.
Also, the number, positions and configuration of the fans 64-66 are not limited to the illustrated embodiments.
According to the first illustrative embodiment, the oil reservoir 14 is heated and/or isolated. According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the oil reservoir is neither heated nor isolated, and/or take another form than illustrated. Since it is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to provide a reservoir to store and distribute oil, it will not be described herein in more detail.
With references to
A first main difference between the injectors 10 and 130 concerns the gripper 132, which will now be described with references to
The gripper 132 comprises a pair of claws 134-136 that are mounted to the mounting plate 36 for sliding movement towards and away each other via a motorized rack and pinion 138 or another similar mechanism (not shown). Each claw 134, 136 includes a series of plates 140 that are positioned so that the two (2) claws 134-136 fit into each other. The claws 134 and 136 are further shaped for complementary receiving the upper portion of a cannabis joint 18 or 18′ when they are closed. According to another illustrative embodiment, the grippers 132 takes another form than illustrated. According to still another embodiment, the gripper 132 is replaced by another mechanism allowing to take and hold the cannabis joint 18.
Both jaws 134 and 136 are provided with registered openings 142 that extend between inner and outer lateral sides thereof, which allow injecting air therethrough to help disengage a joint 18 therein when the gripper 132 opens. An air compressor (not shown) is provided and connect to the openings 142 to force air therein.
The gripper 132 is further provided with a joints-needle engagement guide 52 that is also mounted to the plate 36 between the claws 134-136 and the plate 36 so as to be parallel thereto. The guide 52 includes a main plate 144, secured to the mounting plate 36 thereunder, which includes a central lodging that is shaped to complementary receive the insert 54 therein.
More specifically, the lodging is provided with an inner flange 146, and the insert 54 includes complementary grooves 146 that allow slidably mounting the insert 54 in the lodging.
The insert 54 is provided with a needle-receiving opening 56 on the upper side and a circular bore 150 on the bottom side, which has a chamfer 152. The bore 150 is adapted to complementary receive a joint 18. The insert 54 is removable so that different inserts can be provided for different configurations of joints.
The insert 54 is further provided with a second opening 154, adjacent the needle-receiving opening 56, which is in fluid connection with an air duct 156. The air duct 156 is secured to the mounting plate 36 via a fastener 157 and includes a connecting end 158 for coupling to an air compressor (not shown) for forcing air through the second opening to help disengage a joint 18 or 18′ therein when the gripper 132 opens.
According to another illustrative embodiment, only one of the openings 142 and 154 is provided to force air within the gripper 132. According to still another embodiment (not shown), both the opening 154 and the pair of openings 142 are all omitted.
The insert 54 is further provided with two aligned lateral holes 160, which define a lumen with registered holes 162 in the main plate 144 of the joints-needle engagement guide 52. Each of the holes 162 extends in the plate 144, between the insert 54 on respective lateral sides thereof, and a respective lateral side 164 of the plate 144. The resulting lumen is operatively connected on each side thereof to an optic fiber cable 166 (only one partly shown) via an optical connector 168, which, in turn, is connected to a fiber-optic sensor 170. The sensor 170 allows detecting the presence or absence of a cannabis joint 18 in the gripper 132. Further connecting elements and part of the fiber-optic cables 166 have been omitted in the figures to alleviate the views. Since fiber-optic sensors and detection are believed to be well-known in the art, they will not be described herein in more detail.
According to another illustrative embodiment, the cannabis cone detecting system formed by the optical sensor 170, lumen defined by the holes 160 and 162, and optical connectors therebetween is omitted or replaced by another detecting system (not shown).
Other differences between the injector 130 and the injector 10 concern their respective heating systems 22 and 172. Since the system 172 is similar to the system 22, only the differences therebetween will be described herein in more detail for concision purposes.
The heating system 172 differs with the heating system 22 mainly in its heat-canalizing system 174, which includes an airflow generator 176, mounted to the casing 58 on the lateral side 104 thereof which is on the side thereof opposite to the lodging portion 80 for the syringe 12, a heat exchanger 178 mounted in the passage 110 in contact with the heating member 62, and a bellow 180, mounted to both the casing 58, around the opening 191 for the needle 20, and to the main plate 144 of the needle guide 52, around the opening 56 for the needle 12, therebetween.
The airflow generator 176 includes top and bottom fans 64-66, mounted in a box 181 that is secured to the casing 58 so that the fans 64-66 are registered respectively with holes 106-108. The box 181 is in fluid communication with the casing of the reservoir 130 via a conduit 183, so that part of the heat generated by the reservoir 130 is pulled within the casing 58 by the fans 64 and then pushed towards the syringe 12.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the number and/or location of the fans 64 and 66 are different than illustrated. According to still another illustrative embodiment, the airflow generator 176 takes another form than the illustrated fans 64 and 66.
The heat exchanger 178 is in the form of a heatsink. According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), the heatsink 178 is replaced by another passive or active heat exchanger that transfers part of the heat from the heating member 62 to the air flowing in the passage 110.
The bellow 180 is defined by a plurality of generally oval-shaped sleeve members 182 that are consecutively nested into each other.
The proximate one of the members 182 is secured to the casing 58 in the opening 191 thereof. Compared to the corresponding opening 84 in the injector 10, the opening 198 is enlarged and corresponds substantially to the opening 200 of the proximate member 182 to maximize the flow of air through the bellow 180.
The top section of the member 182 is provided with a peripheral flange 202 that is received in a peripheral groove 204 slightly above the opening 191, securing the member 182 to the casing 58. Each of the other members 184-196 are provided with a similar flange 206, having gradually smaller diameters compared to the one above, and an enlarged portion 208 on the side thereof opposite the flange 206, which defines a shoulder portions 210 that acts as a mechanical stop, preventing a lower member 184-196 to detach from a respective higher member 182-194 when two adjacent members are relatively moved in opposite directions.
The distal side 212 of the distal member 196 is secured to the plate 144 using fasteners (not shown) or other fastening means.
A person skilled in the art will now appreciate that relatively moving towards each other the casing 58, and therefore the needle 20, and the gripper 132, causes each lower member 184-196 to nest into the next higher member 182-194, thereby contracting or shortening the bellow 180 (see
The bellow 182 defines a conduit along the needle 20 for the air forced by the airflow generator 176 and heated by its passage though the heatsink 178. Such a relatively hot air conduit forces the needle to a similar temperature than of the oil in the tubing 60.
Each of the members 182-196 includes small holes 214 which facilitate the nesting and un-nesting of the members 182-196 considering the pressure created by the flow of air therein
The number and configuration of the members 182-196 of the bellow 180 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Also, the air conduit around the needle 20 is not limited to be in form to a bellow. As illustrated with reference to the first illustrative embodiment, such an air conduct around the needle 20 can be omitted.
It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the cannabis oil injectors 10 and 130 and heating systems 22 and 172 therefor described hereinabove and illustrated in the appended drawings. For example:
Although a cannabis oil injector, a heating system therefore and a cannabis manufacturing process have been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, they can be modified. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiment but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/382,965, filed on Nov. 9, 2022, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63382965 | Nov 2022 | US |
