System and method for removing biomass from stem

A system for removing biomass from a stem includes a frame, a conveyor mechanism which moves the stem in a horizontal conveying direction, a pair of rollers which exert a rubbing force between each other for removing the biomass from the stem, and a tensioning system arranged to exert a force which holds the stem to the conveyor mechanism. A first axial end of each roller is connected to an inlet end side of the conveyor mechanism, and a second axial end of each roller is connected to a transmission such that the rollers are angled downward from the first axial ends to the second axial ends. The conveyor mechanism moves the stem so as to pass between the rollers such that the rubbing force removes the biomass from the stem, and such that the rubbing force moves downward along the stem as the stem moves in the conveying direction.

BACKGROUND

In light of the increasing demand for crops such as cannabidiol (CBD)-bearing hemp plants due to their myriad of uses, there is an equally increasing need for more efficient systems for harvesting such crops faster and more effectively.

Methods for removing the biomass of a CBD-bearing hemp plant from the stem, such as pulling the stem through a hole in a draw plate, can be simple and relatively inexpensive, but are nevertheless highly inefficient. In particular, such draw plates are limited to only processing one stem at a time, and the stem cannot have knots. In other words, stems with knots must be prepared ahead of time before being pulled through the draw plate, and thus processing such plants through the use of a draw plate is extremely time consuming and inefficient.

SUMMARY

The above problems are addressed by the current disclosure by providing a system for removing biomass from a stem, which includes a conveyor mechanism that moves the stem in a conveying direction, a pair of rollers which exert a rubbing force between each other for removing the biomass from the stem, and a tensioning system arranged to exert a force which holds the stem to the conveyor mechanism. The rollers are angled downward from the first axial ends of the rollers to the second axial ends, and the conveyor mechanism moves the stem so as to pass between the rollers such that the rubbing force removes the biomass from the stem, and such that the rubbing force moves downward along the stem as the stem moves in the conveying direction.

Due to the rubbing force between the angled rollers, this system is able to remove the biomass from large quantities of stems very quickly and effectively. Further, due to features discussed below, the system is adjustable to accommodate crops with stems have a wide range of diameters and lengths, and thus the crops can be quickly processed regardless of the presence of knots or other variations in the stems.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments. Embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, shown in the figures, and/or described below. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to allow a complete disclosure that conveys the principles of the invention, as set forth in the claims, to those of skill in the art.

FIG.1is a side view of a system for removing biomass from a stem, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG.1shows a system for removing biomass104from a stem103. The biomass104can be anything such as, for example, foliage, buds, seeds or flowers. The system includes a frame100having a plurality of leg members101extending in a vertical direction, and transverse members102connected to the leg members101so as to be perpendicular to the leg members101and extend in a length direction of the frame100.FIG.1also shows a conveyor mechanism110which moves the stem103in a horizontal conveying direction from an inlet end111of the conveyor mechanism110to an outlet end112of the conveyor mechanism110, with the conveyor mechanism110being connected to an upper portion of the frame100. Further a motor120and a transmission121are attached to the frame100, with the motor120and transmission121being arranged to drive the conveyor mechanism110.

As also shown inFIG.1, a pair of rollers130are arranged to exert a rubbing force between each other for removing the biomass104from the stem103, and a motor140and a transmission141are supported by the frame100and are arranged to counter-rotate the pair of rollers130. Further, a tensioning system150is attached to the frame100, with the tensioning system150being arranged to exert a force which holds the stem103to the conveyor mechanism110.

As is also shown inFIG.1, a first axial end131of each roller130is connected to an inlet end side113of the conveyor mechanism110, and a second axial end133of each roller130is connected to the transmission141such that the rollers130are angled downward from the first axial ends131of the rollers130at the inlet end side113of the conveyor mechanism110to the second axial ends133of the rollers130. Due to this configuration, the conveyor mechanism110moves the stem103so as to pass between the rollers130such that the rubbing force of the rollers130removes the biomass104from the stem103, and as shown inFIG.1, such that the rubbing force for removing the biomass104moves downward along the stem103as the stem103moves in the conveying direction.

The system can also include, for example, one or more conveyor belt assemblies160at the bottom of the frame100to collect and transport the removed biomass104, as shown inFIG.1, with each conveyor belt assembly160having an associated motor161and transmission162.

In one embodiment, the system can also include an arm170which is connected to the transmission141and extends from the transmission141toward the pair of rollers130, and a protective roller171arranged at an end of the arm170and positioned above the pair of rollers130, as shown inFIG.1. In this regard, the protective roller171is positioned so as to deflect stems103being moved by the conveyor mechanism110away from the transmission141and thus prevent the stems103from being caught in the transmission141.

FIG.2Ais a top view of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, corresponds to the conveyor mechanism110shown inFIG.1.

FIG.2Ashows a conveyor mechanism210supported by a frame200having transverse members202. The conveyor mechanism210includes two support members214, with each support member214having a length which extends in the length direction of the frame200(the left-right direction inFIG.2A). As also shown inFIG.2A, the support members214are arranged alongside each other so as to define a conveying path215between mutually opposing lengthwise surfaces216of the support members214.

Each support member214includes a plurality of rotational elements217. Further, the conveyor mechanism210includes two conveying layers218, with each conveying layer218forming a loop around a respective one of the support members214and being supported by the rotational elements217of the respective one of the support members214. Further, each conveying layer218extends along the mutually opposing lengthwise surface216of the corresponding support member214.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.2A, the motor220and the transmission221counter-rotate the conveying layers218such that each conveying layer218moves along the conveying path215from the inlet end211to the outlet end212(i.e., left to right inFIG.2A) such that when the stem203is placed in the inlet end211, the stem203is held between the conveying layers218and moved along the conveying path215from the inlet end211to the outlet end212.

In one embodiment, one of the support members214is fixed to the frame200as a fixed support member214A, and the other of the support members214is pivotably mounted to the frame200as a floating support member214B. Further, as shown inFIG.2A, the tensioning system250exerts a force on the floating support member214B which biases the floating support member214B towards the fixed support member214A. Thus, in a state in which no stem is present in the conveying path, there is a zero tolerance (or nearly zero tolerance) between the conveying layers in the conveying path due to the biasing force of the tensioning system (seeFIGS.6B and8, discussed below). However, as shown inFIG.2A, when the stem203is placed in the inlet end211, the conveying layers218pull the stem203into the conveying path215which forces the floating support member214B away from the fixed support member214A against the biasing force of the tensioning system250. This allows the conveyor mechanism210to be able to take in stems or other materials with a diameter as small as a fraction of an inch up to a diameter of 4 inches (or more) and to ensure that those stems or materials will be gripped tightly by the conveying layers along the conveying path.

FIG.2Bis a top view of a conveyor belt assembly in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, corresponds to the conveyor belt assembly160shown inFIG.1.

In particular,FIG.2Bshows for example two conveyor belt assemblies260at the bottom of the frame200to collect and transport the removed biomass, with each conveyor belt assembly260having an associated motor261and transmission262.

FIG.3Ais an end view of a system for removing biomass from a stem in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment corresponds to the system shown inFIGS.1and2A.FIG.3Bis an end view of the system shown inFIG.3A, with the angle of the rollers having been adjusted in accordance with one embodiment.

In particular,FIG.3Ashows a frame300, a conveyor mechanism having a fixed support member314A and a floating support member314B (via a tensioning system350) and a pair of rollers330for removing biomass. Further, the first axial end331of one of the rollers (the right roller inFIG.3A) is connected to an inlet end side of the fixed support member314A, and the first axial end331of the other of the rollers (the left roller inFIG.3A) is connected to an inlet end side of the floating support member314B, with the second axial ends333of both rollers being connected to the transmission341.

As is similarly discussed above with respect toFIG.2A, placing a stem into the inlet of the conveyor mechanism forces the floating support member314B away from the fixed support member314A against the biasing force of the tensioning system350in order to allow for the stem to enter the conveying path while ensuring that the stem is gripped tightly. Further, because the first axial end331of one of the rollers is connected to the inlet end side of the fixed support member314A, and the first axial end331of the other of the rollers is connected to an inlet end side of the floating support member314B, placing a stem into the inlet of the conveyor mechanism will also force the first axial end of one of the rollers (the roller with its first axial end connected to the inlet end side of the floating support member) away from the other roller in order to allow for the biomass to enter between the pair of rollers.

FIG.3Aalso shows a support structure380which includes a first portion381that is attached to the frame300and has holes383spaced apart from each other at a plurality of heights along the first portion381. The support structure380also has a second portion382which includes fasteners384which are engageable with the holes383. The fasteners384can be any fasteners, such as pins or bolts, which can be selectively engaged with the holes383to secure the position of the support structure and disengaged from the holes383to allow for the position of the support structure to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the second portion382is adjustably coupled to the first portion381by the fasteners384being engaged with the holes383at a selected one of the heights.

Further, the motor340and the transmission341(which is connected to the second axial ends333of the rollers330) are attached to the second portion382of the support structure such that a height of the second axial ends333of the rollers330is determined by the selected one of the heights at which the fasteners384are engaged with the holes383of the first portion381. Thus, by adjusting the position of the second portion382, the height of the second axial ends333of the rollers can be adjusted (which therefore changes the angle of the rollers) from the position shown inFIG.3A(which, in one embodiment, corresponds to the angle of the rollers shown inFIG.1) to the position shown inFIG.3B(which, in one embodiment, corresponds to the angle of the rollers shown inFIG.5, discussed below), or to any of the positions in between. As a result, the height of the second axial ends of the rollers can be adjusted so that the rollers are angled in the way which is most effective for removing the biomass in view of the length (or height) of the stems to be placed in the conveyor mechanism.

FIG.4Ais a side view of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment. In particular,FIG.4Ashows a floating support member414B having a bracket434and a tensioning system450.

FIG.4Bis an enlarged detail view of the connections at the bracket shown inFIG.4A, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. In particular,FIG.4Bshows how the first axial end of a roller is connected to the inlet end side of a support member in accordance with one embodiment. As shown inFIG.4B, the first axial end431of the roller430is connected to the bracket434, and a slotted bracket435is connected to the underside of the floating support member414B. Further, the upper portion of the bracket434fits into the slotted bracket435and the screws of the slotted bracket435are tightened to secure the bracket434. In this regard, the slotted bracket435is long enough to allow for adjustment of the lateral position of the bracket434(prior to tightening of the screws), which may be desired based on the size of the roller. The first axial ends of additional rollers can be attached to other support members, such as a fixed support member, in the same manner.

FIG.4Cis an enlarged detail top view of the tensioning system ofFIG.4A, in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.4Dis an enlarged detail side view of the tensioning system ofFIG.4C.FIG.4Eis an enlarged detail end view of the tensioning system ofFIG.4C. In one exemplary embodiment as shown inFIGS.4C-E, the tensioning system450includes a spring451and a slide member452which extends towards the conveying layer418and which is connected with the floating support member414B. Through this configuration of the spring451and the slide member452, the tensioning system450exerts the biasing force on the floating support member414B.

In various specific illustrative embodiments, the tensioning systems can include, but are not limited to, springs, air or gas-based tensioners, hydraulic tensioners, and/or any mechanisms known for providing tension as discussed herein and/or as known in the art.

FIG.4Fis a side view of a support structure in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, corresponds to the support structure380shown inFIGS.3A-B.FIG.4Fshows a first portion481of a support structure that is attached to the frame400and has holes483spaced apart from each other at a plurality of heights along the first portion481. The support structure also has a second portion482which includes fasteners484which are engageable with the holes483. The fasteners484can be any fasteners, such as pins or bolts, which can be selectively engaged with the holes483to secure the position of the support structure and disengaged from the holes483to allow for the position of the support structure to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the second portion482is adjustably coupled to the first portion481by the fasteners484being engaged with the holes483at a selected one of the heights.

Further,FIG.4Fshows the transmission441which is connected to the second axial ends433of the rollers430is attached to the second portion482of the support structure such that a height of the second axial ends433of the rollers430is determined by the selected one of the heights at which the fasteners484are engaged with the holes483of the first portion481. In this regard,FIG.4Fshows the second portion482at a position which corresponds to that of the second portion382shown inFIG.3B.

FIG.5is a side view of a system for removing biomass from a stem, in accordance with one embodiment. The system ofFIG.5generally corresponds to the system shown inFIG.1, but differs in that the transmission541and540are at a higher position (correspond to that shown inFIG.3B). As the transmission541is connected to the second axial end533of the rollers530, the higher positioning of the transmission541results in a shallower angle of the rollers530as compared to the angle shown inFIG.1.

FIG.6Ais a top view of components of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.6Ashows two support members614of a conveyor mechanism, with each support member614including a plurality of rotational elements617and a conveying layer618forming a loop around the support member and being supported by the rotational elements of the support member. Further, each conveying layer618extends along the mutually opposing lengthwise surface616of the corresponding support member614.

In one embodiment, the conveying layer is made of a sharp top roller chain (or sharp tooth roller chain), in which plates with teeth on one side are supported by roller bushings, as shown for example inFIGS.6B-D.

As shown for example inFIG.6B, which is an enlarged view of an end of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, the conveying layer618is made of a sharp top roller chain having plates618A with teeth on one side, and in a state in which no stem is present in the conveying path, there is a zero tolerance (or nearly zero tolerance) between the plates618A of the conveying layers618in the conveying path due to the biasing force of the tensioning system.

FIG.6Aalso shows a slide619arranged along each of the mutually opposing lengthwise surfaces616of the support members614. As shown inFIG.6C, which is a cross-sectional view of a support member of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, the slide619is contoured (having an E-shape in cross-section) to support the bushings618B of the roller chain. The slide619is made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and is provided in order to protect the support member from wear and to maintain the alignment of the roller chain.

FIG.6Eis a side view of a support member of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, is a side view of one of the support members614shown inFIG.6Awith the conveying layer618removed.

FIG.6Fis a top view of the support member614shown inFIG.6E, showing the location of the slide619.

FIG.6Gis a side view of the support member614shown inFIG.6Etogether with the conveying layer618.

FIG.6His an enlarged detail view which, together withFIGS.6E and6G, shows the connection between the conveying layer618and the transmission621through a keyed shaft622.

FIG.7is a side view of a system for removing biomass from a stem, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG.7shows a system for removing biomass704from a stem703. The system includes a frame700having a plurality of leg members701extending in a vertical direction, and transverse members702connected to the leg members701so as to be perpendicular to the leg members701and extend in a length direction of the frame700.FIG.7also shows a conveyor mechanism710which moves the stem703in a horizontal conveying direction from an inlet end711of the conveyor mechanism710to an outlet end712of the conveyor mechanism710, with the conveyor mechanism710being connected to an upper portion of the frame700. Further, a motor720and a transmission721are attached to the frame700, with the motor720and transmission721being arranged to drive the conveyor mechanism710.

As also shown inFIG.7, a pair of rollers730are arranged to exert a rubbing force between each other for removing the biomass704from the stem703, and a motor740and a transmission741are supported by the frame100and are arranged to counter-rotate the pair of rollers730. A pair of second rollers790, having first axial ends791and second axial ends793, are also provided, as discussed below. Further, a tensioning system750is attached to the frame700, with the tensioning system750being arranged to exert a force which holds the stem703to the conveyor mechanism710.

As is also shown inFIG.7, a first axial end731of each roller730is connected to an inlet end side713of the conveyor mechanism710, and a second axial end733of each roller730is connected to the transmission741such that the rollers730are angled downward from the first axial ends731of the rollers730at the inlet end side713of the conveyor mechanism710to the second axial ends733of the rollers730. Due to this configuration, the conveyor mechanism710moves the stem703so as to pass between the rollers730such that the rubbing force of the rollers730removes the biomass704from the stem703, and as shown inFIG.7, such that the rubbing force for removing the biomass704moves downward along the stem703as the stem703moves in the conveying direction.

The system can also include, for example, one or more conveyor belt assemblies760at the bottom of the frame700to collect and transport the removed biomass104, as shown inFIG.7, with each conveyor belt assembly760having an associated motor761and transmission762.

FIG.8is a top view of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, corresponds to the conveyor mechanism710shown inFIG.7.

FIG.8shows a frame800which supports a conveyor mechanism having four support members814A-D, with each support member814having a length which extends in the length direction of the frame800(the left-right direction inFIG.8). As also shown inFIG.8, the support members814C and814D are arranged alongside each other so as to define a conveying path815between mutually opposing lengthwise surfaces816of the support members814C and814D. Similarly,FIG.8shows that support members814A and814B are arranged alongside each other so as to define a conveying path between mutually opposing lengthwise surfaces816of the support members814A and814B, with the support members814B and814C being parallel to each other.

Each support member814includes a plurality of rotational elements817. Further, four conveying layers818are provided, with each conveying layer818forming a loop around a respective one of the support members814and being supported by the rotational elements817of the respective one of the support members814. As also shown inFIG.8, each conveying layer818extends along the mutually opposing lengthwise surface816of the corresponding support member814.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the conveying layers818corresponding to the support members814C and814D move the stem803along the conveying path815from the inlet end to the outlet end (i.e., left to right inFIG.8) such that when the stem803is placed in the inlet end, the stem803is held between the corresponding conveying layers818and moved along the conveying path815. Similarly, the conveying layers818corresponding to the support members814A and814B can simultaneously move another stem along a corresponding conveying path defined between the conveying layers818supported by the support members814A and814B in the same direction (i.e., left to right inFIG.8).

In one embodiment, the support members814B and814C are fixed to the frame800as fixed support members, and the support members814A and814D are pivotably mounted to the frame800as floating support members. Further, as shown inFIG.8, the tensioning system850exerts a force on the floating support members814A and814D which biases the floating support members814A and814D toward the adjacent fixed support members814B and814C, respectively. Thus, in a state in which no stem is present in a conveying path, there is a zero tolerance (or nearly zero tolerance) between the conveying layers in the conveying path due to the biasing force of the tensioning system, as shown inFIG.8between the conveying layers818corresponding to support members814A and814B. However, as shown inFIG.8between the conveying layers818corresponding to support members814C and814D, when the stem803is placed in the inlet end, the conveying layers818pull the stem803into the conveying path815which forces the floating support member814D away from the fixed support member814C against the biasing force of the tensioning system850. This allows the conveyor mechanism to be able to take in stems or other materials in either (or both) conveying paths with a diameter as small as a fraction of an inch up to a diameter of 4 inches (or more) and to ensure that those stems or materials will be gripped tightly by the conveying layers along the conveying path.

FIG.9is an end view of a system for removing biomass from a stem, in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment corresponds to the system shown inFIGS.7-8.

In particular,FIG.9shows a conveyor mechanism having fixed support members914B and914C, and floating support members914A and914D (via a tensioning system950). Additionally,FIG.9shows a pair of rollers930for removing biomass from stems carried along the conveying path between the support members914C and914D, and a pair of rollers990for removing biomass from stems carried along the conveying path between the support members914A and914B.FIG.9also shows a motor920and transmission921for counter-rotating the conveying layers around the support members914C and914D, and a motor932and transmission924for counter-rotating the conveying layers around the support members914A and914B.

Further, the first axial end931of one of the rollers (the right roller930inFIG.9) is connected to an inlet end side of the fixed support member914C, and the first axial end931of the other of the rollers (the left roller930inFIG.9) is connected to an inlet end side of the floating support member914D, with the second axial ends933of both rollers930being connected to the transmission941. Similarly, the first axial end991of one of the rollers (the left roller990inFIG.9) is connected to an inlet end side of the fixed support member914B, and the first axial end991of the other of the rollers (the right roller990inFIG.9) is connected to an inlet end side of the floating support member914A, with the second axial ends993of both rollers990being connected to the transmission942.

As is similarly discussed above with respect toFIG.8, placing a stem into one of the conveying paths (for example, the conveying path between support members914C and914D) forces the corresponding floating support member914D away from the fixed support member914C against the biasing force of the tensioning system950in order to allow for the stem to enter the conveying path while ensuring that the stem is gripped tightly. Further, because the first axial end931of one of the rollers is connected to the inlet end side of the fixed support member914C, and the first axial end931of the other of the rollers is connected to an inlet end side of the floating support member914D, placing a stem into the inlet of the conveyor mechanism will also force the first axial end of one of the rollers (the roller with its first axial end connected to the inlet end side of the floating support member) away from the other roller in order to allow for the biomass to enter between the pair of rollers.

Similarly, placing a stem into the conveying path between support members914A and914B forces the floating support member914A away from the fixed support member914B against the biasing force of the tensioning system950, and thus also forces the first axial ends of the rollers990away from each other.

FIG.9also shows a support structure980A which includes a first portion981A that is attached to the frame and has holes983A spaced apart from each other at a plurality of heights along the first portion981A. The support structure980A also has a second portion982A which includes fasteners984A which are engageable with the holes983A.FIG.9also shows a support structure980B which includes a first portion981B that is attached to the frame and has holes983B spaced apart from each other at a plurality of heights along the first portion981B. The support structure980B also has a second portion982B which includes fasteners984B which are engageable with the holes983B.

The fasteners984A-B can be any fasteners, such as pins or bolts, which can be selectively engaged with the holes983A-B to secure the position of the support structure and disengaged from the holes983A-B to allow for the position of the support structure to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the second portions982A and982B are adjustably coupled to the first portions981A and981B by the fasteners984A and984B being engaged with the holes983A and983B, respectively, at a selected one of the heights.

Further, the motor940and the transmission941(which is connected to the second axial ends933of the rollers930) are attached to the second portion982A of the support structure such that a height of the second axial ends933of the rollers930is determined by the selected one of the heights at which the fasteners984A are engaged with the holes983A of the first portion981A. Similarly, the motor942and the transmission943(which is connected to the second axial ends993of the rollers990) are attached to the second portion982B of the support structure such that a height of the second axial ends993of the rollers990is determined by the selected one of the heights at which the fasteners984B are engaged with the holes983B of the second portion981B. Thus, by adjusting the position of the second portion982A or982B, the height of the second axial ends of the corresponding rollers930or990can be adjusted (which therefore changes the angle of the rollers). In this regard, while both second portions982A and982B are shown as being at the same height inFIG.9, the heights of the second portions982A and982B can be set independently of each other.

FIG.10is a top view of a conveyor belt assembly in accordance with one embodiment, and in one exemplary embodiment, corresponds to the conveyor belt assembly760shown inFIG.7. In particular,FIG.10shows for example three conveyor belt assemblies1060at the bottom of the frame1000to collect and transport the removed biomass, with each conveyor belt assembly1060having an associated motor1061and transmission1062.

FIG.11Ais a top view of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment.FIG.11shows two support members1114of a conveyor mechanism, with each support member1114including a plurality of rotational elements1117and a conveying layer1118forming a loop around the support member and being supported by the rotational elements of the support member. Further, each conveying layer1118extends along the mutually opposing lengthwise surface1116of the corresponding support member1114, with a conveying path1115being defined between the mutually opposing lengthwise surfaces1116.

In one embodiment, the conveying layer is made of a grip belt (or grip top conveyor belt), as shown for example inFIGS.11A-C.

As shown inFIG.11B, which is a cross-sectional view of a support member of a conveyor mechanism in accordance with one embodiment, a slide1119is arranged on the mutually opposing lengthwise surface of each support member. The slide1119is made of, for example, PTFE or HDPE, and is provided in order to ensure positive pressure contact and alignment between the conveying layers.

FIGS.12A-Lshow side, top and end views of various types of rollers1230which can be used as the pairs of rollers in any of the embodiments discussed above. For example, the pairs of rollers can be grooved rollers (FIGS.12A-C), pinch rollers or textured rubber rollers (FIGS.12D-F), acorn rollers (FIGS.12G-I), or star-shaped or finger rollers (FIGS.12J-L),

In various embodiments, the pairs of rollers are made of any suitable material including, for example, metal, rubber or HDPE.

The embodiments described above contain several references to motors for driving components such as the conveyor mechanisms, pairs of rollers and conveyor belt assemblies. In these and various other embodiments, the motors can be fixed speed or variable speed motors by a variable frequency drive on three-phase AC motors, or by speed control on DC motors. In other embodiments, the conveyor mechanisms, pairs of rollers and conveyor belt assemblies can be driven hydraulically.

Several of the embodiments mentioned above are described as having the ability for the conveyor mechanisms and paired rollers to be able to spread apart from each other in order to accommodate for the diameter of the stalk. In connection with this feature, and with regard to the various motors mentioned above, it is noted that the speeds of the motors are also able to be controlled as needed based on the size of the stems.

The embodiments described above are applicable to the removal of any biomass from a stem, and can be used, for example, in the processing of freshly cut industrial hemp, partially dry industrial hemp and fully dry industrial hemp. However, the embodiments described above could also be used for defoliating or de-seeding many other types of crops or foliage.

In some embodiments, any of the biomass removal systems described above are sized so as to be capable of being loaded into a mobile unit and driven to different fields/use locations. In other embodiments, any of the above systems can also be part of a combine system as one component of a moving assembly.

As discussed in more detail above, using the above embodiments, with little or no modification and/or input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various parties under numerous circumstances.

In addition, the operations shown in the figures, or as discussed herein, are identified using a particular nomenclature for ease of description and understanding, but other nomenclature is often used in the art to identify equivalent operations.