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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of the same title that was filed on Jul. 6, 2017, having application no. 62/358,988 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the present invention is the extraction of resins containing organic compounds from resinous plants, and more particularly to the separation of resin from resin-bearing glandular trichomes bearing from plants buds and flower, which tend to be high in trichome as a weight and/or volume, as well lower weight resin bearing plant matter, such as leaves and stem materials. 
         [0003]    A number of plant varieties produce commercially valuable isoprene derivatives and phenolic compounds such as terpenoids in cell assemblies know as trichomes or more specifically, in the glands of glandular trichomes. Portions of different plants are rich in trichomes containing compounds of interest in commercial and medicinal applications. Conventional extractive processes may not be adequate in preserving volatile and/or oxidation-sensitive compounds. 
         [0004]    Conventional extraction and separation methods utilize solvents which may be polar, non-polar or combinations thereof in order to extract and separate desirable substances. Conventional extraction methods are expensive to conduct safely and may introduce undesired compounds by collateral extraction. Commonly extracted undesirable compounds may include pigments such as anthocyanin, chlorophyll, tannins, saponins and lipids from cellulosic materials. 
         [0005]    Further, as plants mature, many glands of glandular trichomes increase in size, mass and chemical composition. Plant cells associated with the trichomes biosynthesize phenolic compounds including terpenoids such as cannabinoids and humulones, However, at harvest time, when the plant is deemed to have reached a peak in the content of desired compounds, trichome assemblies may be in a range of sizes. Trichome and trichome gland assemblies can be separated from the bulk of undesirable plant material by sieving procedures. Larger trichomes can be harder to separate from undesirable plant matter that does not contain desired chemical species. 
         [0006]    However, as resin bearing trichomes are sticky, physical separation by dry or wet sieving processes are problematic because a large fraction of plant matter fragments of comparable size to the desired trichomes are generated from the mechanical force of agitation, chopping or grinding of the plant matter to release the desirable trichomes and/or trichome glands. 
         [0007]    In any physical separation process, it is necessary to not only collect the resin product, but remove residue and clean the filter. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process and device to remove residue and clean the filter, as well as collect the product under conditions discovered most conducive to rapid and efficient separation. 
         [0009]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0010]    In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus comprising a cylindrical chamber having 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, 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, 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, a removable filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame, a rotary drive means adapted to rotate the opposing ends of the rotary support frame in the first and second circular end plates, and a rotary drive coupling to support opposing ends of the rotary support frame in the first and second circular end plates. 
         [0011]    A second aspect of the invention is such a horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus wherein the upper half of the cylindrical lid is coupled to the lower half cylindrical base by one or more hinges disposed at an adjacent portion of the upper and lower rims thereof, the hinge being disposed for adjacent placement of the upper half to the lower half. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the invention is any such a horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus wherein the removable filter member has longitudinal side zipper that extends substantially between the upper and lower cylindrical base. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention is any such a horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus wherein the removable filter member has a circumferential reinforcement band disposed between opposing ends. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention is a method of plant matter separation comprising the steps of providing at least a first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, having a chamber having an inlet port and an outlet at a bottom, 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, filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame wherein the inlet port is adopted to deliver product to be separated into the enclosed space, a rotary drive means adapted to turn the rotating filter support frame while a primary axis thereof is disposed in a horizontal orientation, admitting plant matter to the enclosed space of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, rotating the rotating filter support frame of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, admitting at least one of water, dry ice, liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen to the enclosed space during, collecting a purified effluent from the outlet at the bottom of the chamber of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the invention is a such a method wherein the at least one of water, dry ice, liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen is admitted to the enclosed space during occurs before the step of turning the rotating filter support frame of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the invention is a method of plant matter separation comprising the steps of providing a first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, each having; a chamber having an inlet port at the side and an outlet at a bottom, 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, a filter member adapted to form an enclosed space over the filter support frame, wherein the inlet port is adopted to deliver product to separated into the enclosed space, a rotary drive means adapted to rotate the rotating filter support frame about a primary axis thereof that is disposed in a horizontal plane, 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, admitting plant matter to the enclosed space of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, turning the rotating filter support frame of the first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, collecting a purified effluent from the outlet at the bottom of the chamber of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0017]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the filter member of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus has a larger opening size than the filter member of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0018]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein a liquid freezing agent is injected into enclosed space over the filter support frame of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus and water is then injected to flush a product from the first outlet port to an inlet port of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0019]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods further comprising using a one or more of dry ice and balls to improve agitation in enclosed space over the filter support frame of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus. 
         [0020]    Another aspect of the invention method of processing plant matter, the method comprising providing a mixture of plant matter that includes flower and flower buds and at least one of leaves, bracts and bracteoles, flowers and buds containing calyxes and sugar leaves, 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, tumbling the mixture within the closed space, introducing a liquid freezing agent into the closed space, 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. 
         [0021]    Another aspect of the invention is any of the aforesaid methods wherein the plant matter is from the species cannabis and the residual portion is primarily calyxes. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the fragmented plant matter includes one or more of fan leaves and sugar leaves. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the contained space is a cylinder having a first circular plate at a top and a spaced apart second circular plate as a bottom, wherein the first and second circular plate are connected by a cylindrical wall that is at least partially covered by the mesh member. 
         [0024]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the circular top and bottom are connected by spaced apart rods disposed between a center of the cylinder and the cylindrical wall. 
         [0025]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods further comprising a step of adding balls to the contained space to facilitate the tumbling of the mixture 
         [0026]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein one of the liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen are introduced to the enclosed space as a jet from a center of one of the first and second circular plate wherein the jet of an expanding gas impinges on the other circular plate to disperse within the plant matter. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the cylinder is rotated to tumble the plant matter. 
         [0028]    Another aspect of the invention is a any of the aforesaid methods wherein the mesh member has holes with a diameter of about 0.25 inches 
         [0029]    Another aspect of the invention is any of the aforesaid methods further comprising the additional steps of: terminating the tumbling of the plant matter, removing the remaining plant matter that consists essentially buds and flower, and further processing the buds and flower to remove resin bearing trichomes there form. 
         [0030]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the separator with the lid in place, whereas 
           [0032]      FIG. 1B  shows the inside of the lid in a removed inverted position from  FIG. 1A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of the lower portion of the separator with the lid removed to illustrate an embodiment of the frame, whereas  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the separator showing the frame and lid removed. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view of the separator with a transparent lid,  FIG. 3B  shows the separator in an orthogonal side elevation view with the lid open and inverted. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the filter, with  FIG. 4B  illustrating the frame, and  FIG. 4 .C showing the filter installed over the frame.  FIG. 4D  illustrates the filter in a disassembled condition in a plan view. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the filter installed over the frame while  FIG. 5B  illustrates the filter in a disassembled condition in a plan view. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the filter shown attached the ends of the support frame. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section elevation view through a central portion of the filter that is transverse to a cord showing the surrounding reinforcing strip. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8A  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the filter, while 
           [0040]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the filter that attaches to the frame, whereas  FIG. 8C  illustrates the filter in a disassembled condition in a plan view. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a portion of another embodiment of the disassembled filter. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an internal filter bag whereas  FIG. 10B and 10C  illustrate in a perspective view and cross-sectional view respectively how the bag is mounted within the frame to be surrounded by the larger filter that fits over the frame. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a partial cut away elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the motor. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention using 2 or more of the inventive apparatus in a variety of inventive processes or methods. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 12 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved Horizontal Axis Rotary Separation Apparatus and Process, generally denominated  1000  herein. 
         [0046]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention the horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus  1000  comprises a chamber  100  which may have a half cylindrical basin  110  having an upper rim  111  and a half cylindrical lid  120  having a lower rim  121 . The basin  110  preferably includes at a bottom a drain portal  113  to remove fluid used in the separation process and/or the resinous product of the separation process. The basin  110  is preferably disposed above a support surface by feet or frame edges  119 . In such an embodiment the chamber  110  is cylindrical. However, the chamber  110  can be other shapes so long as it accommodates the internal rotating filter support frame  200 , described further below. Other aspects of the invention will be described with respect to the preferred cylindrical chamber  100 . 
         [0047]    A pair of side end plates  131  and  132  is connected to opposing ends of the basin  110  and extends upward above the upper rim  111  thereof. The lid  120  is configured to fit over the edge of the side plates  131  and  132  so the straight side of the lower rim  121  meet the corresponding straight sides of the upper rim  111  and generally provide a closed cylindrical cavity  1001 . The sides  131  and  132  may have upward extending handles  125  and  125 ′. The lid  120  preferably has handles  125 L just above the opposing lower rims  121 . Handles  125  and  125 ′ are also optionally placed on the adjacent portion of the lid  120 , as illustrated when the lid is inverted in  FIG. 3B . In either embodiment, the lid  120  may also have handles  125 L just above the opposing lower rims  121 . The junctions between the basin  110  edges and the edges of the side end plates  131  and  132  that mate with the edge of the lid are preferably at least partially sealed during processing with a gasket or conforming elastic material, which is optionally discrete pieces of convention weather stripping material. 
         [0048]    The cylindrical cavity  1001  between the basin  110  and lid  120  also contains a rotating filter support frame  200 . The filter support frame  200  has attached spaced apart support disks  231  and  232  that are connected by a series of posts  240  to form a rigid support assembly. Three or more posts  240  extend about the periphery  231   p  of each disk  231  and  232  to form a rigid support for a generally but not exclusively flexible filter bag member  300 , of which an embodiment is illustrated in perspective view in  FIG. 3A . The support frame  200  optionally includes a central post or support  241 , which in select embodiments provide a conduit to  241   b  feed fluid, such as gas or liquid into the cavity  1001  via side holes  241   h  to aid in the separation process. Post  241  is disposed along the cylindrical axis of the frame  200 , which becomes the rotary axis in the process of separation. 
         [0049]    The rotating filter support frame  200  is adapted to rotate about a cylindrical axis  201  of the device  1000  and the cylindrical cavity  1001 . A rotary drive means  400  is adapted to couple to at least one end of the rotary support frame  200 . The filter frame support  200  has portions  242  and  243  that extend beyond spaced apart support disks  231  and  232  that engage a rotary drive couplings  500  supported by the by the side plates  131  and  132 . At least one of the rotary drive couplings is preferably a rotary bearing with an intermeshing or rotary tooth structure  410  at one side to engage a complimentary structure in the outward extending portion  242  or  243 . The rotary drive means  400  is coupled to the rotary tooth structure  410 , such as by a drive shaft that is support by a bearing at the interface to the side plates  131  or  132 . The opposing side plate also has a rotary bearing for supporting the other extending post  242  or  243 . The rotary tooth structure  410  is preferably disposed inside the cavity  1001 . It is also preferably to deploy a rotary bearing and quick disconnect on one end outside of support disks  231  or  232 . 
         [0050]    The removable filter member  300  extends over the support frame  200  and is adapted to be filed with plant matter from a side opening having a zipper  310 . In the process of use, plant matter is inserted in the removable filter member  300  and with the lid  120  removed. The lid  120  is closed to seal the cavity  1001  and the latching hinges  126  are engaged to secure the lid  120  in place. Then the filter support  200  is rotated by the rotary drive means  400 . Plant resin particles escape through the filter openings and tumble to the bottom of the basin  120 . The lid  120  is opened and the rotary filter support frame  200  is removed from the rotary coupling, such as the rotary tooth structure  410  in the lower cylindrical base  120 , and then placed in the inverted half cylindrical lid  120 . When the frame  200  is removed solid product is optionally removed from the bottom of the basin  120  via the rim  121 , or via the drain portal  113 . Fluid can be used to continuously flush product through the drain portal  113 . 
         [0051]    In a more preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the lid  120  is in hinged engagement to the side of the basin  120  to provide a work station for removing and replacing the filtered plant matter with new plant matter while the product is being removed from the basin  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the latches on one side of the rim  111  are preferably double axis hinges  127  to space the upper shell or lid  120  laterally away from the lower shell or basin  110 . The lid  120  has handles  125  and  125 ′, which support the lid  120  in the inverted position used to support the filter member  300  as disposed over the support frame  200 . The rims  121  and  111  opposite the hinges  126  and  127  are connected by clamps prior to engaging the rotational drive means  400 . 
         [0052]    Another aspect of the invention are preferred and alternative embodiments of the removable filter member  300 , which are adapted to fit over the rotating filter support frame  200 , which more particularly can be readily removed or replaced from the support for cleaning or maintenance, or simply to facilitate the removal of spent plant matter after resin product is removed. 
         [0053]    It should be appreciated that the filter member  300 , such as is illustrated in  FIG. 4A-4D , is a generally cylindrical mesh bag generally conforming with the shape of the frame  200  to fill cavity  1001 , but configured to not interfere with the rotation of the frame  200 , as well as to provide a tight seal to the support disks  231  and  232  for maintaining plant matter therein during the separation process. The bag or filter  300  has a rectangular central portion  305  that is formed into a tube sealed by circular ends or bases  331  and  332 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5A and 5B , when the filter  300  extends over the support disks  231  and  232  the circular ends  331  and  332  are preferably annular to provide an aperture  335  for extending post  242  or  243 . The annular ends  331  and  332  are optionally tightened over the support disks  231  and  232  by a cinch cord  383  or elongated elastic member that passes through a channel formed in the inner annular end of each of end  331  and  332 . The filter member on the support frame  200  defines within the closed interior surface thereof and disks  231  and  232  a container or containment vessel  311  for materials to be processed of which a smaller component, or a component produced or released during processing will exit the container  311  and enter the surrounding portion of the closed cylindrical cavity  1001 , for eventual collection with the lid and filer frame  200  removed or by exiting by drainage port  113 . 
         [0054]    In some processes of use it is desirable to add fluid or gases in to cavity  1001  or the container  311  while the cover is in placed and optionally when the support frame  200  is turning or rotating. Such inlet for fluid and gases can be in the center of the end  131  or  132 , passing through the adjacent end of disk  231  and  323  at the center thereof to introduce gas or fluid into the container  311  to aid in the process of the matter therein. Fluid can be introduced by the same method or any other penetration in the chamber  100  to flush material that exit the container  311  via the drainage portal  113 . 
         [0055]    It should be appreciated that the longitudinal side zipper  310 , which is deployed for side filling access to the frame supported filter  300 , can be replaced with an alternative sealing means, such as loop and hook fasteners, button, loops, snaps and the like. Side zipper  310  is generally formed by attaching the engaging side teeth  310   a  and  310   b  at sides  301   a  and  301   a ′ of the rectangular screen or mesh sheet  305 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the filter  300  can be formed by attaching the rectangular filter sheet  305  to the annular flange like ends  231   f  of the disks  231  and  232  by a clamp means, such as a strap or tightened belt member  601  that compresses the edge  301   b  of the rectangular sheet  305  into a foam member  502  that is either adhered to or supported by disk  231 / 232 . The compressed foam  502  prevents leakage of product from inside the filter  300  at edges  301   b  and  301   b ′. The ends of the belt  601  can be attached with a buckle, hook and loop fasteners, snaps and the like. 
         [0057]    The filter member or bag  300  of  FIG. 4-6  has the aforementioned zipper  310  along a longitudinal side may also include one transverse reinforcing band, such as a fabric strip  320  extending around the circumference of the bag disposed between opposing ends. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fabric strip  320  is preferably two adjacent strips  321  and  321 ′ sewn together at the edge to the mesh  305  to form an interior channel that receives an elastic cord  323  that is tightened when the zipper  310  is closed. The cord  323  is tightened by drawing the opposing ends through a common clamp member that is closed. It should be appreciated that all zipper pulls preferably have a means to be secured in a closed state, such as a locking zipper, button, snap, loop and hook fabric cover and the like. 
         [0058]    Another configuration of the filter  300  is shown in  FIG. 8A-C  in which a rectangular sheet  305  with side zipper  310  halves at sides  301   a  and  301   a ′ has attached at each orthogonal ends  301   b  and  301   b ′ a pairs of clamps members  801 , each having a groove  802  adapted to snap into the end support disks  231 / 232  of the filter support frame  200 . A belt  803  is wrapped around the flat portion of the gasket  802  to and tightened around the flange edge  231   f  such that the filter  300  and support frame  200  becomes an integrated unit. The ends of the belt  803  can be attached with a buckle, hook and loop fasteners, snaps and the like. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the filter  300  as in  FIG. 8A-C , with a second curved zipper  325  that enables side access to the filter screen sheet  305  when installed integral to the frame  200  via ends  231  and  232 , such as when disposed as shown in  FIG. 3B , or within the cavity  1001 . 
         [0060]    It should be appreciated that the posts  240  of the support frame  200  also aid in stirring, tumbling and agitating the plant matter mixture during the separation process, preventing clumping that would lower extraction efficiency and yield. Depending on the nature of the plant matter, and the size of the separation device  1000 , the number and shape of the support posts  240  may be varied to further minimize the potential for such clumping. For example, the support posts  240  also may have axially radiating planar fins, cylinder and related protuberances beyond the primary envelope of the post&#39;s circular or non-circular shaft diameter to better facility agitation, mixing, tumbling and mechanical disintegration of plant matter to release resin bearing trichromes 
         [0061]    The drain  113  can also have an external screw thread to accept a removable internally threaded cap  113   c,  and this cap  113   c  can be replaced with a hose via a threaded hose coupling to direct the flow of product to different containers or control the output flow rate via valves, such as to match the input rate of rinse water or other fluid. 
         [0062]    It should also be appreciated that the outer housing  110  and cover  120  can deviate from the generally cylindrical shape support the inventive filter support assembly  120  that is rotated therein. For example the housing  110  and cover  120  can be an elongated member with any shape linear and curvilinear cross section, including rectangular and square. 
         [0063]    The inventive device can also be used to produce compost tea by a least partially filing the chamber portion  12  with water and filing the filter enclosure  300  with composted materials. After sufficient brewing of the compost with agitation by rotating the filter  300  the composted tea is drawn out of the lower exit portal or drain  1131 , which during the soaking process, is closed with a valve, cap or plug  113   c.    
         [0064]    The strap or tightened belt member  601  can be used with the other embodiments of the filter  300 , and beneficially reduce stress on the primary or side zipper  310 , in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 d , 5 b  and 8 c   , which depending on the size filter can minimize or eliminate the needs for the circumferential cord  323 . 
         [0065]    The second zipper  329  of  FIG. 9  facilities loading and unloading of plant material, as it avoids the strain on the filter bag  300 , which would occur if the primary zipper  310  is opened when the separate sides at zipper halves  310   a  and  310   b  are pushed away. Further, it facilitates creating a larger opening, as the area circumscribed by the zipper arc  328  opens as a flap. 
         [0066]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an internal filter bag  701  whereas  FIG. 10B and 10C  illustrate in a cut-away and cross-sectional view respectively how the bag  701  is mounted within the frame  200  with hooks  705  to be surround by the larger filter  300  that fits over the frame support  200 . Bag  701  is a mesh filter with a zipper closure  710 . When the outer filter  300  has a finer mesh than the bag  701 , the resulting resin particles of a given size are containing within the filter  300 , and the bags  701  are repeatedly filled with plant matter until the resin in the filter  300  is ready for removal from the separator  1000 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  is a partial cut away elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the drive motor  400  that is a multi process capable motor with wide speed and torque range and motor cooling features. By multi-process we mean capable of carrying out the aforementioned separation processes either dry or wet using an added fluid (generally water, but also ice water slurries) or with the assistance of gas, including adiabatic expansion of carbon dioxide gas to form “dry ice” crystals. The motor&#39;s rotor  1103  and stator  1102  are cooled to prevent over heating during use by the fan blades  1101  that coupled to the motor drive shaft, with the fan blades adjacent to intake apertures  1005  formed in the motor housing  1106 . The drive shaft that supports the rotor  1103  is connected to the filter support coupling via a gear box  1109 . Arrows  1150  show the direction of air flow around the rotor  1003  and between the stator  1102  from the lower intake apertures  1005  to exit at the upper apertures  1007 . The forced air cooling is important for providing a single motor that can accommodate the range of speeds and torques needed in the potential separation processes noted above. 
         [0068]    The inventive apparatus can be used to separate a wide range and type of materials. Many plant and herb species have the highest concentrations of terpene and cyclic terpene bearing aromatic and medicinal resins in the flowering portions of the plant, and in particular in glandular or secreting trichomes. The flowers typically form at the tips of growing shoots. The flowers, flower buds and leaves have hair like outgrowths that are referred to as trichomes. The glandular trichomes secrete plant resins as a small bulb or head at the end of a stalk like hair. 
         [0069]    A range of methods have been developed in attempts to efficiently and economically process Cannabaccae plant matter to extract glandular trichome to yield high concentrations of the resin by separating the plant matter acquired in the harvesting of the flowers, flower buds and leaves from cannabis plants. Some prior art sieving method use water as a medium to suspend the plant matter, while other methods sieve the plant matter without water, while others do so in the dry state. Generally speaking, such wet or water based sieving extraction processes for Cannabaceae trichomes yield an inseparable mix of desirable trichomes and undesirable plant debris, based on size as well as the duration and intensity of agitation. Such a process is generally disclosed in the International Patent Application with publication no. WO 2014/00919A2 (to J. P. Love, which published (Jan. 2014), and is incorporated herein by reference. Another prior art separation method is disclosed in issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,877 (Pastorius, Feb. 4, 2014) for a pollen separator, which is incorporated herein by reference. Various raw plant materials are processed via such a water and ice agitation method. It further suggests that small diameter mixtures of plant pollen and plant debris are separated by eight sieves, having progressively smaller holes from 220, 190, 160, 120, 90, 73, 45 to 25 microns. However, the patent is silent on separating the desired pollen or other components from plant debris of the same size, other than by solvent extraction. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,771 (Miyata , et al., Oct. 4, 1977), which is also incorporated herein by reference discloses an apparatus for obtaining lupulin-rich products from hops, in which lupulin glands or trichomes are extracted by a combination of crushing and dry sieving in a frozen state. 
         [0070]    The inventive apparatus can be used to separate the trichomes from various plant and herb species. The method of using the apparatus, and variants on the apparatus that might be already known to one of ordinary skill in the art can be adapted to improve the separation rate and efficiency for a particular plan species of separation objective. For example, the inventive apparatus can be used in different ways to obtain either the isolated trichomes, or plant matter having the highest concentration of trichomes. The tips of growing plans that are beginning the flowering process may have multiple flower buds or flower interspersed with fine leaves. These fine leaves are known as bracts and bracteoles. In the case of cannabis and related species, such as hops, the flower region contain multiple buds, also known as calyx&#39;s, as well as pistils, seeds, bracts and bracteoles. The bracts and bracteoles in Cannabis are referred to as sugar leaves. While the sugar leaves have higher concentrations of trichomes and the desirable resins than larger or bigger leaves, often referred to as palm leaves, which are lower down the shoots from the flower region, the highest density of trichomes and hence concentration of resins are in the calyx&#39;s and pistils of the flowers and buds. Thus, it is desirable in processing Cannabis plants to isolate the flowers from plants, but remove the seeds, if any, and sugar leaves. These sugar leaves, when removed or “trimmed” are frequently referred to as “trim”. Another aspect of the invention is a method of rapidly removing the “trim” or “trimming” while leaving the other desirable portions of the plant, which is the flower and buds largely intact. 
         [0071]    Another aspect of the invention is further processing the “trim” to extract and isolate the trichomes there from. In such a process it is also desirable to minimize the extraction of cellulosic debris from the trim, as well as leaf cells components, such as chlorophyll. 
         [0072]    It is a common practice in harvesting Cannabis to cut growing shoot or stalks having palm leaves and flowers, and then dry these shoots or stalk. The palm leaves can be removed, such as by cutting or manual pulling, before or after drying. The sugar leaves are typically removed after drying. 
         [0073]    Another aspect of the invention is a method for trimming sugar leaves, other leaves and other undesirable plant matter the entire plant without drying. Avoiding drying saves space and time, as well as manual labor. It can also produce a Cannabis extract that retains essentially all the Cannabidiol (CBD) produced by the plants. CBD is one of at least  113  active cannabinoids identified in cannabis and can account for up to 40% of extracted plant resin. However it deteriorates rapidly with further processing, such as drying of the plants. CBD does not have any intoxicating effects and is component of several drugs under development or undergoing regulatory approval. Further, since such a Cannabis extract will also contain the A form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is not psychoactive (in contrast to the Δ 9  form of THC) it can be used for medicinal purposes without the need to separate the THC. The A form of THC converts to the Δ 9  form rapidly as freshly cut Cannabis plant matter starts to dry. 
         [0074]    The preferred modes of conducting these processes are described below with respect to versions of the inventive apparatus in which the filter  300  as supported on the support frame  200  has an internal capacity or volume of about 5-20 gallons, which respectively can be used to contain and process about 3-15 lbs. of plant matter, in the case of Cannabis, as well as any other plant species in which the glandular trichome produce resin that is desirable to separate for further processing or direct use. To accommodate such loads of materials and sizes support frames the motor can have a speed range of about 10 to 40 RPM. A preferred apparatus has 3 discrete speeds of 15, 25 and 35 rpm, and deploys a motor is capable of providing the same torque at these speed to accommodate partially filling the chamber with water or another liquid, that is up to about 5-15 gallons, as well as the above weights of plant matter. More preferably the motor is capable being selectively operative to spin in opposite directions, and not in just a single direction. 
         [0075]    It has been discovered that for the above capacity ranges, rotation speeds lower than about 10-15 rpm are not effective, while speed higher than about 35-40 rpm apply excessive centrifugal force. This excessive centrifugal urges the plant material toward the filter member  300  where it is retained. It is desirable to deploy a speed range in which the plant matter mixes and tumbles with each rotation of the filter member  300 . 
         [0076]    The mixing and tumbling are beneficially enhanced by several means. One such means is the spacing of the posts  240  of the support frame  200  as described above. Another means to improve agitation, mixing and tumbling is to add discrete pieces of non-plant matter that is inert and durable. Golf ball sizes spheres with a diameter of 0.5 to 2 inches are effective. In particular ordinary golf balls have both the desired size and density, which is mass, as well as inertness to be used in the various separation processes disclosed herein. It has been discovered that about 3 to 6 golf balls or similar size tumbling agent are effective in a 5 gallon chamber, while about 6-9 are effective in a 20 gallon chamber. The tumbling aids should not be so hard and/or massive that at the desired speed they would damage the material that forms the filter  300 . The balls or tumbling agents aid not only in breaking up material but also liberates any buildup of trichomes on the mesh or screen. 
         [0077]    In a preferred trimming process while the plant matter is tumbling within the closed space of the filter  300  an inert freezing agent, such as one of liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen, is introduced therein in a quantity, rate and volume sufficient to rapidly reduce the temperature to about zero ° F. When an inert gas such as liquid carbon dioxide is introduced at a temperature of about −100 to −110° F. this temperature drop occurs in about 20 seconds to 2 minutes. The rapid temperate drop from injecting liquid CO 2  is believed to both purge oxygen and rapidly freeze residual moisture in the one or more of the leaves, bracts and bracteoles causing the fragmentation thereof to separate it from the desirable portions of the plant matter, which are the buds and flowers. When the filter  300  has mesh opening of about ¼ in. to ½ in, this fragmented plant matter on continued tumbling then traverses the mesh opening of the filter while the filter  300  retains a residual portion of the flowers. 
         [0078]    The use of liquid freezing agents also removes surface molds and fungus, and is believed to kills  E. Coli  bacteria. The expanding gas also purges oxygen, preventing degradation of the cannabinoids during processing, and in the case of freshly cut cannabis, that is uncured plant matter, also prevents the conversion of the A form of THC to Δ 9  THC, as well as the loss of the desirable CBD and potentially other cannabinoids of medicinal value. 
         [0079]    It been discovered that after such trimming to remove sugar leaves, the residual flowers can then be processed again by changing the filter  300  to one having a smaller mesh size of less than about 25 to 200 microns to separate the trichome glands that are swollen the large resin content from the cellulosic plant matter in the buds and flower. The mesh is selected in accordance with the trichomes or other plant matter size that is intended to be separated from the other plant matter, which can be larger or smaller depending on the plant species and state of maturity, as well as if the intent is to separate other plant materials, such as pollens or seeds. 
         [0080]    In the case of processing the flower and buds that have been trimmed form Cannabis plants, the inert freezing agent is preferably introduced at a quantity, rate and volume sufficient to rapidly reduce the temperature to about −60° F. When an inert gas such as liquid carbon dioxide is introduced at a temperature of about −1100 to −110° F. this temperature drop occurs in about 2-3 minutes. The rapid temperate drop from injecting liquid CO 2  rapidly freezes the flowers and bud such that the resin filled trichomes break free and separate, and also become harden and less sticky as the viscous resins therein solidify. This process can be completed in additional 5-15 minutes of turning or rotating the container  311 , after the initial 2-3 of turning or rotating the container  311  during the phase of cooling about −60° F. More specifically it generally requires about 1-3 minutes of additional turning or rotating per lb. of material. The process generates a resin, or at least a resin rich concentrate, commonly known as kief for Cannabis resin extracts. The prior trimming process of the uncured leaves takes only about 30 seconds to a minute of additional turning or rotating per lb. When desired, dry or cured plant matter can also be trimmed or sugar and palm leaves by the first step as described above for green or uncured plant matter. 
         [0081]    It should be noted that an unexpected result of using a liquid freezing agent is the discovery of temperature ranges that can selectively fracture sugar and palm leaves, for removal, without significantly disintegrating the flower and buds, while a lower temperature is effective in disintegrating the flower and buds to the extent necessary to liberate the resin bearing trichomes. This enables full processing of Cannabis and other plant species immediately after harvest when in the uncured state to extract useful materials, such as CDB and THC-A without degradation. 
         [0082]    Liquid CO 2  can be used or metered from compressed gas tanks with the manually opening of the main gas valve, which is preferably connect to an insulated high pressure rated hose line leading to the chamber  100 , and more preferred fed to the chamber via a coupling or portal in the chamber  100 , the support frame  200 , but preferably directly into the container  311  of the plan matter. 
         [0083]    Sufficient freezing rates to reduce the environment of the plant matter to about −60° F. can be obtained with about 15 lbs of plant matter in a 20 gallon capacity chamber in about 3 minutes from a tank of liquid CO 2  compressed to about 800 psi, utilizing about 25 lbs. of the CO 2 . Such tanks can be used even when the pressure drops to about 250 psi from prior process use. An adequate flow rate of liquid CO 2  can be obtained by measuring the tank weight loss, which for the above parameters is about 8 lbs./minute. Alternatively, or additionally the temperature can be monitored inside the chamber. Approximately about 5-8 lbs. of liquid CO 2  would be sufficient for “trimming” about 3 lbs. of plant matter in a 5 gallon capacity chamber. Alternatively, about 8-15 lbs. of liquid CO 2  can be used for trimming about 5 to 10 lbs. of plant matter in a 20 gallon capacity chamber. Trimming separation vs. the production of trichome resin glands, kief, from the separated flower and bud, requires about 70-75 percent less liquid CO 2    
         [0084]    Thus, it is likely that about 1.5 to 4 lbs. of liquid CO 2  are required per pound of plant matter. It should be appreciated as a smaller capacity chamber has a larger surface area to volume ratio, the higher consumption of liquid CO 2  may be due to heat losses. It is expected that the consumption of the CO 2  could be reduced to improve efficiency at lower environmental chamber, but more preferably with thermal insulation of the chamber and/or using larger chambers. Colder inert liquids, such as liquid nitrogen may also require less inert freezing agent relative to the consumption of CO 2  reported above. Preferred rates of temperature drop and liquid freezing agent consumption can be readily developed using the above ranges as general guidelines. Liquid nitrogen and liquid CO 2  are examples of preferred liquid freezing agents, being compressed gases, they disperse on heating toward room temperature, and readily available. Other compressed gases can be used to provide liquid freezing agents, such as argon, helium, neon and the like. It should be appreciated that if a gasket is used to seal the chamber, it should either be configures to slowly vent the expanding gas, or more preferably a safety pressure release valve should be deployed on the chamber  100 . 
         [0085]    In another embodiment of the invention, an inert freezing agent may be solid CO 2 , commonly known as dry ice. However, it is less desirable because it does not provide the rapid chilling that causes fragmentation of the sugar leaves, which enables the novel trimming process discussed above. Dry ice can be used in the inventive apparatus to the extent one is processing material that is already trimmed, or using trimmed sugar and/or palm or big leaves to further extract the trichome that a represent at a lower density, The various embodiments of the inventive apparatus can be used with dry ice, which for most forms of plant matter in which it is desirable to have cold processing, are preferably in the form of pellets or chips up to about a 0.5 in. in the maximum dimension, as well as with larger circa 0.5 to 2 inch square size cubes or comparable or larger sized balls. Smaller pellets or chips are more effective in chilling material rapidly, such as to solidify and harden viscous or sticky resin components, such as the product of the glandular trichomes which remain attached thereto, while larger ball or cubes are helpful agitating agents. Small pellets and larger cubes or balls of dry ice can be used together. Balls and other agitation means also adding in precluding a gradual build up of the resin on the exterior of the mesh or filter, as more trichome resin particles pass through the holes therein. Having made these discoveries, it will now be appreciated that other agitation means can also accomplish this goal, such as vibration and/or impact with balls or other instruments on the exterior of the filter mesh where the buildup can occur. 
         [0086]    Further, any of the above methods of using solid or liquid freezing agents can be uses to fracture plant matter and harden trichome resin before adding water and other fluids to enhance the tumbling and mixing of material in the rotating chamber that improves the sieving efficiency. 
         [0087]    Another preferred aspect of any of the above processes is process and apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in which first and second extractor are connected for use in series. As a non-limiting example of such use, fragmented leaves, bracts and bracteoles, which may be primary sugar leaves of Cannabis, separated in a first rotary extractor  1001  undergoes further processing in a second rotary separator  1002  to extract the trichomes there from. In such an embodiment it is also preferred that the separation method deploy a first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, each having a chamber  100  or  100 ′ having an inlet port  10013  or  10023  at the side and an outlet or drainage port  113  and  113 ′ at the bottom, a rotating filter support frame  200  adapted to rotate about a cylindrical axis  201  thereof to provide a cylindrical cavity defined by a connected upper and lower cylindrical base, a filter member  300  or  301 ′ adapted to form an enclosed space or container  311  over the filter support frame  200  and  200 ′ a rotary drive means adapted to turn or rotate the rotating filter support frame  200  and  200 ′ about a primary axis  201  thereof that is disposed in a horizontal plane. 
         [0088]    The rotary drive means in any embodiment can be a separate motor on each apparatus, or one motor connected by gears, chains, pulleys and/or direct to both chambers, such as but not limited or embodiment in  FIG. 1-11 . 
         [0089]    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. The inlet port is through a side wall for admitting effluent, namely fracture “trim” into the second enclosed space of the second cylindrical cavity. 
         [0090]    In using this configuration of apparatus  2000 , A method of plant matter separation may comprise the steps of admitting plant matter to the enclosed space or container  311  of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, rotating the rotating filter support frame of the first and second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus and collecting a purified effluent from the outlet  113 ′ at the bottom of the chamber  100 ′ of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus  1002 . 
         [0091]    In this method and apparatus, the filter member  300  of the first horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus  1001  has a larger opening size than the filter member  300 ′ of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus  1002 , such as to enable the release of fractured trim. Water or another fluid is used to flush fragmented matter into the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus, via a connecting conduit  1500 . The conduit  1500  can connect to the side entry portal  10023  to directly feed material separated in chamber  100  the container  311 ′ of chamber  100 ′. Alternatively the conduit can be configured as  1500 ′ to add fluid or gas to the cavity  1001 ′ of chamber  100 ′, such as via the lid. Similarly fluid or gas can be added to chamber  100  via portal  10013 , directly to container  311 , or via an upper portal  10014 . Chamber  100 ′ is shown with an optional upper penetration  10014 ′ for the same purpose, as well as to optionally connect conduit  1500 ′.The filter member  300 ′ of the second horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus may have a circa 25 to 200 micron mesh opening size to retrain the fractured trim, but allow the passage through the mesh of the smaller glandular trichomes that were on the sugar and/or palm leaves (or some small fraction that may have been released from the flowers and bud in the trimming process) and had been released there form by the combination of additional agitation and or fragmentation in the tumbling process such as from inert balls and/or dry ice. 
         [0092]    Any combination of dry tumbling, tumbling with mixtures of water or other fluid and agitation balls or dry ice, liquid CO 2  or liquid nitrogen can be used in either the first or second chamber, and can be introduced at any inlet port or via the open bag. 
         [0093]    The configuration of  FIG. 12  can also be used when it is desired to separate plant or other matter into materials of 2 or 3 size ranges, such as when the objective of the separation process is to separate trichomes by size range, or separate trichomes from “trim” or extract additional trichomes from “trim” or larger leaves. The filters  300  and  300 ′ are selected to provide the desired size of the opening in the mesh thereof. 
         [0094]    It should also be understood it is not essential to dry the plant matter before the “trimming” process. A potential advantage of not drying or using so called “green”, “wet” or uncured plant matter, is that the inventive process avoid the loss of CBD and the decarboxylation of A type THC, which converts it to more psychoactive form; trans-Δ 9 THC. Avoiding this decarboxylation results in product that is richer in non-psychoactive cyclic terpenes, such a CBD, which have other medicinal properties being mimetic of endocannabinoids and their activity with cannabinoids receptors. 
         [0095]    The use of liquid CO 2  in various embodiments of the extraction process yielded unexpected improvements. First, when trimming at the preferred temperatures, the sugar leaves would fragment without damaging the plant buds and flowers. Hence, using mesh screen with opening in the range form about ¼ inch (6 mm) to about ½ inch (12 mm) these plant fragments would exit the container, while the buds and flower that are rich in trichomes would remain in the chamber defined by the mesh screen. While some trichomes are released in the process and separate out of the container  311  with the fragmented leaves, this material can be processed again using smaller mesh screens of about 25 to 200 microns holes to separate out the solid trichome resin glands. As different plants and stages of growth result in different size and shape trichome, the size of the holes in the mesh is selected according the size of the desired product to maximize speed, yet minimize and transfer of undesirable material. 
         [0096]    The liquid CO 2  or liquid freezing agent process also significantly reduces the process times, compared with a comparable manual dry trimming process, which might run for 2 to 24 hours to achieve the desired separation. With the liquid CO 2  or other liquid freezing agent process, equivalent yields from the same plant material are achieved in 15 minutes. It should be appreciated that while the liquid CO 2  or other liquid freezing agent process has the greatest advantage in trimming green (uncured) or cured (dry) plant matter, it can be used in any other separation method. For example, the flowers and buds can be further processed in the same type apparatus in a manner that deliberately release trichome resin beads from this material, where the undesired plant material remains in the drum, but the small free glandular trichomes exit the chamber through a screen having a mesh size of about 25 microns to about 200 microns. 
         [0097]    The inventive apparatus can also be used to remove the remaining trichomes on the “trim” material produced by manual, that is hand trimming or the inventive liquid freezing agent process. Manual or such processed trimmed leaves, that is sugar and/or the bigger palm leaves of can be reprocessed with the above liquid freezing agent method. Further water, dry ice, tumbling balls can also be used as a medium to release the trichome beads that are resin rich from any type of plant matter. 
         [0098]    Another surprising improvement with the inventive apparatus compared with liquid wet sieving with bags is the faster speed of draining water through a fine mesh bag can take 30 minutes to about 12 hours, while in the inventive apparatus the flush an equivalent amount of water in 5 to 10 minutes for an about 6 to ×24 advantage in speed. 
         [0099]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.