The invention generally pertains to plant and flower cutting and trimming devices, and more particularly to a plant material trimmer that effectively trims and separates wet and dry plant leaf and buds.
In the industry of separating flowers or buds from their leaves, one of the most important apparatuses utilized for the processing of plants and plant material is typically referred to as a cutting or trimming machine. The design of these machines facilitates the cutting/trimming of unwanted plant leaf material from flower material. This cutting/trimming and separation of the plant leaf material from the flower material is required for the processing of certain plants, such as cannabis.
All cutting/trimming machines typically include a surface with openings through which the plant leaf material can pass, and a cutting blade/device that separate or cuts leaf material from the flower material. It is important to note that the trimming/cutting should be accomplished without damaging the inner flower material.
There are problems associated with the use of many conventional cutting/trimming machines. First as a result of the plant material being sticky, the machines require frequent cleaning to ensure proper and effective operation. The cleaning requirement typically results from the build-up of plant material on/in the surface and openings, and on the cutting tool. The cleaning must be done after each use of the machine, and sometimes as frequently as every two hours. The need for constant and frequent cleaning can have a significant impact on the production downtime.
Another problem that is common to many conventional trimming/cutting machines is that the plant leaf and flower material are subjected to a large amount of impact energy, the twister style machines are particularly prone to experiencing this problem. As a result of the damage to the flower material in particular from the impact energy, many growers of premium plants prefer to not use twister style machines because of this inherent problem.
The applicant's new machine does take advantage of acquired knowledge and produces a machine that provides significant improvements to this design and functionality of all conventional machines.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
The U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,524 discloses an apparatus for trimming plants, in particular, buds and flowers, to remove unwanted plant material. The apparatus employs a combination of a slotted metal drum and a lawn mower type cutting reel that are rotated in the same direction but at different speeds, to create a cutting interface that shears off the unwanted plant material. The apparatus further employs a vacuum manifold to collect the debris and transfer it into a waste collection device.
The 2017/0232627 publication discloses an apparatus that includes a box with specifically designed blades for cutting; a motor for rotating the blades over each other; a sweeper mechanism to gently move flowers around the enclosure blade; and a brush mechanism to gently tumble flowers over the blade surface.
For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.
A plant material trimmer (PMT) that is designed to facilitate the trimming of unwanted plant leaf material from the plant flower or bud material. The PMT includes a trimming assembly with a trimming motor having an upward extending motor shaft, and two shaft collars that are placed around the motor shaft. Located above the motor is a propeller that is preferably made out of carbon fiber and having a center bore. A propeller is attached to the motor shaft, which causes the propeller to rotate when the motor is actuated. Longitudinally extending along the propeller is a wire rope cutting element, which is made of metal and had a first end and a second end. A securing member maintains the cutting element attached to the propeller. Located adjacent a first end of the propeller is a first upward extending magnetic pin, and located adjacent a second end of the propeller is a second upward extending magnetic pin. The wire rope cutting element first end interfaces with the first pin and the cutting element second end is interface with the second pin until motor speed increases to cutting speeds, at which time the cutting element is free-flying in the air.
Located above the trimming assembly is a trimming platform that is made of metal and has an upper surface and a lower surface. Extending through the trimming platform are a plurality of elliptically shaped slots.
A conveyor assembly is located above and extends longitudinally on the trimming platform upper surface. The conveyor assembly has a first side wall, a second side wall, at least one connecting member extending between the first side wall and second side wall, a first axle, and a second axle which are attached to the side wall via bearings. A first pulley is attached to the first axle and a second pulley is attached to the second axle. Interfacing with and extending around the two pulleys is a three-band belt. Equidistantly attached along the length of the belt are a plurality of push panels. As the belt rotates about the axles the push panels sweep across the trimming platform upper surface. A conveyor motor interfaces with the first axle and produces a forward movement of the push panels as the panels sweep across the platform's upper surface.
Plant material is placed on the trimming platform upper surface and the conveyor motor is actuated which causes the push panels to sweep across the platform. The push panels force the plant material to move across the platform. As the plant material moves, the material falls through the slots on the platform and is immediately cut and separated by the rotating wire rope cutting element and propeller. The propeller rotating produces a downward air force that pulls the plant material through the slots.
After the plant material is cut and separated, the resulting leaf material falls into a receptacle. The conveyor assembly is attached by at least one hinge which allows the conveyor assembly to each be raised to 90° upward position which facilitates cleaning the PMT as well as providing easy access to the components. The PMT uses a unique cutting apparatus that is a thin stainless steel cutting element rotating in a plane 0.003 to 0.010 inches beneath the slots on the stainless steel trimming platform. The rotational speed of the cutting element is adjustable, typically between 2000 and 3000 rpm depending on the nature and water content of plants. Centrifugal force pulls each half of the element outward, causing it to maintain its position under the platform. Use of the cutting element has several advantages. For example: it has a long life and if it shows signs of wear or is damaged it can be easily replaced and costs but a few dollars; whereas blades become dull, frequently need to be replaced or sharpened, typically cost several hundred dollars, and require partial disassembly of the machine to replace or sharpen. However, the major advantages of a rotating cutting element are that it is an excellent cutting agent, is superior to blades, and should resin build-up, it is easily cleaned by wiping with a rag. An additional improvement over existing trimming machines is that instead of using an accessory blower to pull air through the slots, the PMT uses a propeller, same length as the cable, located approximately ¾ of an inch below the cutting element Any resin which accumulates on the propeller is easily wiped off with a rag whereas cleaning a blade is a major undertaking.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to produce a plant material trimmer that utilizes centrifugal and aerodynamic forces to facilitate the removal of unwanted plant leaf material from plant flower or bud material In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to produce a plant material trimmer that:
provides superior cutting effect on a flower,
utilizes a cutting element that is economical and easy to replace,
is easy to use,
can cut/separate a large amount of plant material in a short time period,
is durable and long lasting,
is safe to use,
can be used for a variety of plants, and is optimal for use on cannabis,
can be quickly and easily cleaned after each use or when necessary,
is transportable,
requires little or no maintenance,
is cost effective from both manufacturer's and user's point of view.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a plant material trimmer (PMT). There are various types of plants that can be ingested by methods such as eating, smoking or inhaling after a plant is vaporized. The ingestion can be for medical/therapeutic purposes or for recreation. One plant that is utilized for both purposes is cannabis. As with many plants, cannabis grows as multiple stacks with leaves and flowers or buds. There are two major active ingredients in cannabis: cannabinoid (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which produce the desired effects when ingested. The CBD and THC are significantly more concentrated in the plant bud. As a result, growers and sellers need to cut and separate the plant leaf material from the plant flower material. While this can be done by hand, it is extremely time consuming.
There are devices and machines, that cut/trim the plant material, but the devices/machines do have drawbacks as disclosed in the Background Art section. The applicant's new PMT 10, as shown in
The PMT 10 is comprised of the following major element: a trimming assembly 12, a trimming platform 52, and a conveyor assembly 80. The trimming assembly 12, as shown in
The trimming platform 52, as shown in
Attached permanently to the trimming platform 52 using adhesive and fasteners are three aluminum gusset components. These are utilized to ensure strength, flatness, structural integrity and stiffness requirements during operation. The struts also insure that when removing the trimming platform it remains flat and true.
There is one square center member 77 extending down the center on the trimming platform in the same direction as material flows and two aluminum U-channels 72,73 on the side edges of the assembly on the same axis as the center member. The two channels 72,73 are positioned just outside the conveyor assembly when the assembly is in a flat horizontal position.
The trimming platform is maintained on the support structure by securing knobs 74 that allow the operator to easily remove the trimming platform for cleaning. When the trimming platform is removed from the support structure, the main power is automatically disconnected within the trimming's 10 electrical circuit. This insures that the motor and propeller cannot move under power when the trimming platform is not covering the trimming assembly.
The conveyor assembly 80, as shown in
When the panels 98 are formed from flat styrene, each panel 98 is typically between 0.040 to 0.090″ in thickness, and are sheered and die cut to shape, with a bonding strip 109 of aluminum (bar) between 0.060 to 0.125″ in thickness and approximately 0.625″ tall×17″ long. Each panel is then wrapped with fiberglass embedded Teflon tape. This allows the panels to have an extremely high weight to strength ratio along with a tough non-stick surface for ease of cleaning. Each panel 98 also has two resilient members 111 attached to the top center section of the panel. This integrated component allows for the panels to easily press fit around a cleat fastener 110 and allows for removal of the panel from each cleat for cleaning. The panels and cleats can be easily cleaned while still attached to the conveyor belt assembly.
The push panels 98 are attached to the belt 96 by an attachment member 108 comprising the cleat fastener 110, as shown in
As shown in
When the belt 96 automatically stops, the dump trays 136,142 will rotate 180 degrees by means of a hand lever to dump the plant material directly onto the trimming platform. This takes place when the desired position is between two of the upper positioned and two lower positioned push panels, thereby providing clear access for the plant material to fall where desired onto the trimming platform 52. This occurs when the bottom two push panels are positioned straight up and down and resting on a lower edge, with light pressure on the trimming platform. This insures that plant material leaves are not caught between the edge of the push panel and the upper surface of the trimming platform because this would interfere with the rolling of the plant material over the trimming platform which is vital to efficient operation.
Plant material placed on the trimming platform's upper surface is swept across the surface and falls through the slots 65. The specific orientation and shape of each slot allows the plant material to roll and turn as the material is swept across the platform. The propeller 20 and cutting element 34 are located closely below the trimming platform 52 which ensures that as soon as the plant material exits the slot 65, the material is cut. The cutting element 34 utilizes centrifugal force to maintain the elements close proximity below the platform. Also, an aerodynamically created downward stream of air results from the propeller's rotation. The air stream draws the plant material downward through the slots. The propeller 20 also supports the cutting element during the ramp up and down rotation that occurs when the PMT 10 is in on and off cycles. The high speed rotating action of the propeller and cutting element cuts and separates the unwanted leaf material from the bud. One of the significant advantages of the PMT 10 cutting operation is that as a result of the high speed at which the cutting occurs there is little if any tearing or other negative impact on the flower/bud. This is highly desired for plants such as cannabis.
As shown in
The support structure is preferably made of profiled aluminum tubing in both 45 mm×90 mm and 45 mm×45 mm dimensions that bolts together easily using a threaded center hole and by milling counter bore holes 90 degrees from the center hole of each element that is bolted together. Also there are four lockable stem casters that screw directly into the bottom of each of the four vertical posts. This allows for a minimum footprint, expansion and ease of moving the trimmer 10 and locking it down in a desired position.
While a support structure is an important element, the structure shown is only one example. Many variations are possible for the support structure as long as the PMT 10 is securely and safety positioned during operation.
Once the plant material has been cut, the material falls into a receptacle 168 located below the trimming assembly, as shown in
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.