Patent Publication Number: US-10758940-B1

Title: Mobile sieving apparatus and method for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 62/637,140, filed Mar. 1, 2018 and entitled MOBILE CANNABIS POLLEN AND TRICHOMES RECOVERY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF HARVESTING POLLEN AND TRICHOMES, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a mobile sieving apparatus and method for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes. More so, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for harvesting pollen and trichomes that separates flowers, trimmings, pollen, and trichomes of a cannabis plant with sequential sieving through a stacked arrangement of graduated sieved panels arranged by graduated separation, and a harvesting panel that collects the pollen and trichomes that pass through all the sieved panels; and further carries the panels in a harvesting vehicle that is lightweight to enhance agitation and mobility. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     Typically, cannabis plants grow in a bush configuration, which often includes intertwined stems with leaves and buds. The stems of the cannabis plant do not contain the consumable portion of the cannabis plant. Therefore, when harvesting the cannabis plant, the leaves and buds are separated from the undesirable stems. Conventional manual processes for the separating step include holding the stem with one hand while simultaneously pulling off the leaves and buds with the opposite hand or cutting the buds from the stem with scissors. 
     Generally, cannabis plants can be harvested and processed to obtain numerous kinds of chemical compounds used in medical products. The compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be extracted from cannabis plants. In particular, THC can be obtained by refining micron-sized outgrowths on the cannabis plant called trichomes. Trichomes may vary in size (e.g., between 60 to 200 microns). 
     Generally, the pollen and trichomes harvested from cannabis plant is a fine to coarse powder containing the micro gametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen and trichomes grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement between the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the female cone of coniferous plants. When pollen and trichomes lands on a compatible pistil of flowering plants, it germinates and produces a pollen and trichomes tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule of a receptive ovary. 
     Consequently, the individual pollen and trichomes grains are small enough to require magnification to see detail. For cannabis pollen and trichomes, once the male cannabis plants begin to flower, the pollen and trichomes can be harvested. If the female plant is feminizing its seeds, the pollen and trichomes can also be harvested. For example, as soon as the pollen and trichomes sacs begin cracking on the marijuana plant as if to open, the pollen and trichomes is ready for harvesting 
     Other proposals have involved systems for harvesting cannabis plants. The problem with these harvesting systems is that they are not easy to manually agitate or carry to the cannabis plant or field. Also, the sieves are not stacked in a graduated arrangement, so as to optimize space in the harvesting vehicle carrying the sieve panels. Even though the above cited systems for harvesting cannabis plants meet some of the needs of the market, a mobile sieving apparatus and method for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes that separates flowers, trimmings, pollen, and trichomes of a cannabis plant with sequential sieving through a stacked arrangement of graduated sieved panels arranged by graduated separation, and a harvesting panel that collects the pollen and trichomes that pass through all the sieved panels; and further carries the panels in a harvesting vehicle that is lightweight to enhance agitation and mobility, is still desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a mobile sieving apparatus and method for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes. In some embodiments, the sieving apparatus and method is configured to separate the flowers of a cannabis plant prior to trimming. The mobile sieving apparatus provides sequential sieving of the cannabis plant through a stacked, graduated arrangement of sieve panels. A large sieve panel, a medium sieve panel, a small sieve panel, and a silk screen panel are arranged by a graduated separation that accommodates the different sizes of cannabis plant portions falling through the sieve panels. 
     The sieved panels have different sized openings to enable passage of corresponding portions of the cannabis plant. Thus, the flowers, trimmings, leaves, pollen, and trichomes of the cannabis plant pass through a correspondingly sized hole in each sieve panel. The sieve panels are defined by a graduated separation, in which the distance between panels correlates to the size of the flower, trimming, leaf, pollen, or trichomes passing through the holes. A harvesting panel having a solid, flat surface positions below the other panels to catch the smallest pollens and trichomes that fall through the sieve openings. 
     In some embodiments, the panels are stacked in an elongated harvesting vehicle. The harvesting vehicle is defined by sidewalls having a series of spaced-apart docking rails that slidably receive the edges of the panels to enable efficient assemblage, replacement, and interchangeability of panels in the stacked arrangement. The harvesting vehicle is sufficiently lightweight to facilitate agitating the harvesting vehicle to create the separation on the panels. The harvesting vehicle also facilitates carrying, pulling, and pushing the harvesting vehicle while carrying the sieved panels after the cannabis plant has been cut and dried and the flowers removed from the stems. 
     In another aspect, the distance between the large sieve panel and the medium sieve panel is about 4″. 
     In another aspect, the distance between the medium sieve panel and the small sieve panel is about 4″. 
     In another aspect, the distance between the small sieve panel and the silk screen sieve panel is about 3″. 
     In another aspect, the distance between the silk screen panel and the harvesting panel is about 1″. 
     In another aspect, the panels have dimensions about 32⅛″ long and a 16″ wide. 
     In another aspect, the elongated harvesting vehicle has dimensions of about 17¼″ in height, and a width of about 32⅝″. 
     In another aspect, the sieved panels are fabricated from a rigid polymer. 
     In another aspect, the elongated harvesting vehicle is fabricated from a rigid polymer. 
     In another aspect, the sieve panels are fabricated from a rigid polymer, wood, and a lightweight metal, or combinations thereof. 
     One objective of the present invention is to sieve a cannabis plant through a graduated series of sieved panels, so as to harvest pollen and trichomes from the flowers/trimmings of the cannabis plant. 
     Another objective is to provide four differently sized sieve openings that separate the cannabis plant for harvesting the pollen and trichomes. 
     Yet another objective is to allow for easy sliding in and out of the sieve panels through docking rails, so as to enable interchangeability and easy access for repairing and replacing the sieve panels. 
     Yet another objective is to provide the sieve panels with edges that easily slide, or snap into the docking rails of the harvesting vehicle. 
     Yet another objective is to fabricate the elongated harvesting vehicle from a lightweight material, so as to facilitate manual agitation of the harvesting vehicle, and thereby separation of the cannabis plant through the sieve panels. 
     Yet another objective is to fabricate the elongated harvesting vehicle from a lightweight material, so as to enable an operator to drag, push, or carry the harvesting vehicle and contained panels after the cannabis plant has been cut and dried and the flowers removed from the stems, such that the harvesting vehicle is not actually carried to the actual standing cannabis plant. 
     Yet another objective is to fabricate the harvesting panel from a lightweight material, so as to enable facilitated collection of the pollen and trichomes. 
     Yet another objective is to provide an easy to operate sieving apparatus for harvesting pollen and trichomes from the cannabis flower. 
     Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a sectioned side view of an exemplary mobile sieving apparatus for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of an exemplary large sieve panel, showing the large sieve openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an exemplary medium sieve panel, showing the medium sieve openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an exemplary small sieve panel, showing the small sieve openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an exemplary silk screen panel, showing the micro-sized sieve openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an exemplary harvesting panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a flowchart of an exemplary method for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     A mobile sieving apparatus  100  and method  700  for harvesting cannabis pollen and trichomes is referenced in  FIGS. 1-7B . The mobile sieving apparatus  100 , hereafter “apparatus  100 ”, is configured to provide a lightweight, mobile cannabis pollen and trichomes harvester that separates the flowers of a cannabis plant prior to trimming for the purpose of characterizing the size distribution of the flowers by separating the flowers into large, medium, and small sizes, to enable harvesting the pollen and trichomes from the smallest flowers of the cannabis plant. 
     Specifically, the apparatus  100  processes the flowers from a cannabis plant with sequential filtration through a graduated, stacked arrangement of sieve panels. The sieved panels have different sized openings to enable passage of corresponding portions of the cannabis plant; whereby the flowers, trimmings, leaves, pollen, and trichomes of the cannabis plant pass through a correspondingly sized hole in each sieve panel. The sieve panels  102 ,  106 ,  110  and the silk screen panel  114  are defined by a graduated separation  122 , in which the distance between panels correlates to the size of the flower, trimming, leaf, pollen, or trichomes passing through the holes. 
     A harvesting panel is defined by a solid, flat surface. The harvesting panel positions below the sieve panels to catch the smallest pollens and trichomes that fall through the sieve openings. A harvesting vehicle slidably receives and retains the panels in the stacked, graduated spaced-apart arrangement. The lightweight configuration of the harvesting vehicle facilitates agitating the panels for sieving, and carrying the panels to and from the cannabis plant. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that pollen and trichomes is a fine to coarse powder containing the micro gametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen and trichomes grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement between the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the female cone of coniferous plants. When pollen and trichomes lands on a compatible pistil of flowering plants, it germinates and produces a pollen and trichomes tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule of a receptive ovary. 
     Consequently, the individual pollen and trichomes grains are small enough to require magnification to see detail. For cannabis pollen and trichomes, once the male cannabis plants begin to flower, the pollen and trichomes can be harvested. If the female plant is feminizing its seeds, the pollen and trichomes can also be harvested. For example, as soon as the pollen and trichomes sacs begin cracking on the marijuana plant as if to open, the pollen and trichomes is ready for harvesting. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 1 , the sieving apparatus  100  is configured to separate the flowers of a cannabis plant prior to trimming through use of a stacked arrangement of graduated sieve panels having large, medium, and small sieve openings  400 ; and a silk screen panel  114  having micro-sized sieve openings  500  to catch all but the smallest pollen and trichomes. A harvesting panel  118  beneath the silk screen panel  114  catches the pollen and trichomes, and is sufficiently lightweight, so as to enable facilitated removal for collecting the pollen and trichomes. A lightweight harvesting vehicle  124  is used to carry and agitate the panels. The harvesting vehicle  124  has a series of longitudinally spaced-apart docking rails  128   a - e  that slidably receive the panels in the stacked arrangement. In this manner, panels are interchangeable, replaceable, and easily carried to and from cannabis plants. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the topmost panel in the stacked arrangement is a large sieve panel  102 . The large sieve panel  102  is defined by a pair of large edges  104   a ,  104   b  and multiple large sieve openings  200 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the large sieve panel  102  has dimensions of about 32⅛″ long and 16″ wide, forming a rectangular shape. The large edges  104   a - b  may have a slick, flat surface, or may have rollers or perpendicular flanges for slidably engaging docking rails  128   a  in a harvesting vehicle  124 , as discussed below. 
     The large sieve panel  102  is configured to capture the largest flowers and trimmings thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment, the large sieve openings  200  are about 1.5″ in diameter. The large sieve openings  200  may have circular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or an irregular shape. In another non-limiting embodiment, the large sieve panel  102  is fabricated from a rigid polymer. Though in other embodiments, the large sieve panel  102  may be fabricated from other lightweight materials, including wood, bamboo, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, and fiberglass. 
     Beneath the large sieve panel  102  in the stacked arrangement is a medium sieve panel  106  defined by a pair of medium edges  108   a ,  108   b  and a plurality of medium sieve openings  300  ( FIG. 3 ). The medium sieve panel  106  is configured to capture medium-sized flowers and trimmings that fall through the large sieve openings  200  from above. The distance between the medium sieve panel  106  and the large sieve panel  102  is about 4″. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the medium sieve panel  106  has dimensions of about 32⅛″ long and 16″ wide, forming a rectangular shape. The medium sieve openings  300  are about ¾″ in diameter. In some embodiments, the medium sieve openings  300  may have circular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or an irregular shape. In another non-limiting embodiment, the medium sieve panel  106  is fabricated from a rigid polymer. Though in other embodiments, the medium sieve panel  106  may be fabricated from other lightweight materials, including wood, bamboo, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, and fiberglass. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the sieving apparatus  100  also provides a small sieve panel  110  that can be positioned beneath the medium sieve panel  106  in the stacked arrangement. The small sieve panel  110  is defined by a pair of small edges  112   a ,  112   b  and multiple small sieve openings  400 . The small sieve panel  110  is configured to capture small-sized flowers and trimmings that fall through the medium sieve openings  300  from above. In one non-limiting embodiment, the distance between the small sieve panel  110  and the medium sieve panel  106  is about 4″. In another non-limiting embodiment, the small sieve panel  110  has dimensions of about 32⅛″ long and 16″ wide. 
     Looking again at  FIG. 4 , the small sieve openings  400  are about ⅓″ in diameter, which is sufficient top enable passage of smaller trimmings from the cannabis plant. The small sieve openings  400  may have circular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or an irregular shape. In another non-limiting embodiment, the small sieve panel  110  is fabricated from a rigid polymer. Though in other embodiments, the small sieve panel  110  may be fabricated from other lightweight materials, including wood, bamboo, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, and fiberglass. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 5 , the sieving apparatus  100  also provides a silk screen panel  114  that enables passage of all but the smallest components of the cannabis plant. The silk screen panel  114  generally positions beneath the small sieve panel  110  in the stacked arrangement. The silk screen panel  114  is defined by a pair of screen edges  116   a ,  116   b.    
     The silk screen panel  114  is also defined by multiple micro-sized openings  500  that are substantially smaller than the small sieve openings  400  above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that pollen can be 6 micrometers in size. The silk screen panel  114  is configured to capture the smallest sized flowers and trimmings that fall through the small sieve openings  400 ; while also enabling passage of substantially all of the pollen and trichomes. Thus, the silk screen panel  114  is sized and dimensioned to enable at least partial passage of pollen and trichomes from the cannabis plant that is being harvested. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the silk screen panel  114  has dimensions of about 32⅛″ long and 16″ wide. The micro-sized openings  500  are substantially smaller than ⅓″ in diameter. The silk screen sieve openings may have circular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or an irregular shape. In another non-limiting embodiment, the silk screen panel  114  is fabricated from a rigid polymer. Though in other embodiments, the silk screen panel  114  may be fabricated from other lightweight materials, including wood, bamboo, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, and fiberglass. 
     The distance between the silk screen panel  114  and the small sieve panel  110  is about 3″. As discussed above, the sieve panels  102 ,  106 ,  110  and the silk screen panel  114  are defined by a graduated separation  122 , in which the distance between panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114  correlate to the size of the flower, trimming, leaf, pollen, or trichomes passing through the holes. The graduated separation  122  creates more space between panels  102 ,  106  that enable passage of larger components of the cannabis plant, i.e., leaf, trimmings; while reducing space between panels  110 ,  114  that allow for smaller components, i.e., pollen, trichomes. This creates more efficient spacing inside the harvesting vehicle  124 , so as to minimize size and weight. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , beneath the silk screen panel  114  in the stacked arrangement is a harvesting panel  118 . The harvesting panel  118  is defined by a pair of harvesting edges  120   a ,  120   b  and a generally flat surface  600  that does not contain openings. The harvesting panel  118  is configured to catch the pollen and trichomes that falls through the silk screen panel  114 . The harvesting panel  118  is lightweight and can operate independently for facilitated carrying of the harvested pollen and trichomes. The distance between the silk screen panel  114  and the harvesting panel  118  is about 1″. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the harvesting panel  118  is fabricated from a rigid polymer. Though in other embodiments, the harvesting panel  118  may be fabricated from other lightweight materials, including wood, bamboo, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, and fiberglass. 
     In one possible embodiment, the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114  are arrangeable in a stacked configuration with the large sieve panel  102  at the top end  130   a  of the harvesting vehicle  124 . The medium sieve panel  106  is fixedly attached about 4″ below the large sieve panel  102 . The small sieve panel  110  is fixedly attached about 4″ below the medium sieve panel  106 . The silk screen panel  114  is fixedly attached about 3″ below the small sieve panel  110 . The harvesting panel  118  is fixedly attached about 1″ below the silk screen panel  114 . Each sieve opening is larger than the one below it, with the harvesting panel  118  having no openings, so as to capture the fine pollen and trichomes granules. 
     In another embodiment, the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114  are detachably attached at their edges  104   a - b ,  108   a - b ,  112   a - b ,  116   a - b ,  120   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 , so that any one panel can be removed/added/replaced in the stacked arrangement. This creates greater flexibility in selecting the size and position of sieve openings in the stacked arrangement. For example, the small sieve panel  110  can be removed, so that the silk screen panel  118  receives pollens and plant residue directly sieved through the medium sieve panel  106 . 
     The detachable attachment to the harvesting vehicle  124  is through at least one panel fastener  136   a - e , disposed between the edges of the panels. A first panel fastener  136   a  detachably couples the large sieve panel  102  at one or more edges  104   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 . A second panel fastener  136   b  detachably couples the medium sieve panel  106  at one or more edges  108   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 . A third panel fastener  136   c  detachably couples the small sieve panel  110  at one or more edges  112   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 . 
     Continuing, a fourth panel fastener  136   d  detachably couples the silk screen panel  114  at one or more edges  116   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 . A fifth panel fastener  136   e  detachably couples harvesting panel  118  at one or more edges  120   a - b  to the harvesting vehicle  124 . The panel fastener  136   a - e  may include, without limitation, a block fastener, a clasp fastener, a panel lock, a bolt, a draw bolt locking mechanism, a magnet, a screw, and a friction-fit mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, gravity and an agitating force applied to the harvesting vehicle and panels carries the flowers, trimmings, and pollen and trichomes through the various sieve panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 , and  114 . In other embodiments, a shaking motion or other form of agitation may be used to help break up the trimmings and flowers into smaller pieces, and force the flowers through the sieve openings. In yet other embodiments, a motor, or simple manual force by the hands may be used to create the shaking motion for agitating and breaking up the flowers and trimmings. In any case, the lightweight configuration of the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  and the harvesting vehicle  124  facilitate the agitating motion necessary to sieve the cannabis plant. 
     Looking back at  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  further comprises an elongated harvesting vehicle  124  that retains the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  in the stacked, graduated arrangement described above. The harvesting vehicle  124  is defined by a lightweight material. The harvesting vehicle  124  has sidewalls  126  and a base  132 . In one embodiment, the harvesting vehicle  124  has a generally upright, rectangular shape, with the sidewalls  126  forming an inner volume. 
     The harvesting vehicle  124  has a top end  130   a  and a bottom end  130   b , with the top end  130   a  oriented above the bottom end  130   b  when the harvesting vehicle  124  is erected for operation. In one non-limiting embodiment, the elongated harvesting vehicle  124  is about 17¼″ in height, 32⅛″ in length, and 16″ in width. Though other sizes and shapes for the harvesting vehicle  124  may be used. 
     In some embodiments, a series of spaced-apart docking rails  128   a - e  are disposed longitudinally along the sidewalls  126  of the harvesting vehicle  124 . The docking rails  128   a - e  are spaced longitudinally along the inner side of the sidewalls  126  to retain the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  in a graduated, stacked arrangement. The stacked arrangement of panels, as described above, may include the large sieve panel  102  being at the top end  130   a  of a harvesting vehicle  124 , and the harvesting panel  118  being at a bottom end  130  of the harvesting vehicle  124 . The inner volume of the harvesting vehicle  124  is sized to receive the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  in the stacked arrangement, and also allow for easy viewing and removal of panels from inside the harvesting vehicle  124 . 
     In some embodiments, the edges  104   a - b ,  108   a - b ,  112   a - b ,  116   a - b ,  120   a - b  of the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118 , and the docking rails  128   a - e  in the harvesting vehicle  124  may engage through a sliding relationship in which the edges, include wheels or corresponding rails that slide or roll along the docking rails  128   a - e . In other embodiments, the edges of the panels and the docking rails  128   a - e  may engage through a snap-fit relationship in which the rails and edges are friction fit to attach and detach. In either case, the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  to a respective dock rail, so as to quickly and easily attach and detach without the use of tools, external fasteners, or specialized skill sets. 
     Thus, the relationship between the docking rails  128   a - e  and the edges  104   a - b ,  108   a - b ,  112   a - b ,  120   a - b , enables efficient assemblage of panels into the stacked arrangement, and interchangeability of panels. This allows for quick changing of sieve panels, for example to increase or decrease the sieve opening diameter. This also allows the harvesting panel  118  to be removed when full and replaced with an empty harvesting panel  118 . 
     In one embodiment, a top docking rail  128   a  slidably engages the pair of large edges  104   a ,  104   b  of the large sieve panel  102 . The top docking rail  128   a  is proximal to the top end of the harvesting vehicle.  124  The next lower docking rails  128   b  slidably engage the pair of medium edges  108   a ,  108   b  of the medium sieve panel  106 . The next lower docking rails  128   c  slidably engage the pair of small edges  112   a ,  112   b  of the small sieve panel  110 . 
     Continuing with the slidable relationships, the next lower docking rails  128   d  slidably engage the pair of screen edges  116   a ,  116   b  of the silk screen panel  114 . The lowest docking rails  128   e  slidably engage the pair of harvesting edges  120   a ,  120   b  of the harvesting panel  118 . The harvesting panel  118  also rests on the base  132  of the harvesting vehicle  124 . The harvesting panel  118  is proximal to the bottom end  130   b  of the harvesting vehicle  124 . 
     In one embodiment, the elongated harvesting vehicle  124  is fabricated from a rigid polymer that is lightweight. The lightweight material configuration of the elongated harvesting vehicle  124  enables facilitated mobility of the panels after the cannabis plant has been cut and dried and the flowers removed from the stems. Thus, the harvesting vehicle  124  is not actually carried to the actual standing cannabis plant. 
     In some embodiments, the harvesting vehicle  124  may include a handle  134  or cable/rope for pulling and carrying the harvesting vehicle  124  and internal panels. The handle  134  and lightweight configuration of the harvesting vehicle  124  allows the panels to be carried to a field/greenhouse of cannabis plants for harvesting of the pollen and trichomes. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a flowchart of an exemplary method  700  for harvesting pollen and trichomes. The method  700  may include an initial Step  702  of providing an elongated harvesting vehicle, the harvesting vehicle defined by a lightweight material, the harvesting vehicle comprising sidewalls having multiple spaced-apart docking rails disposed longitudinally along the sidewalls, the harvesting vehicle further comprising a base. The harvesting vehicle  124  that retains the panels  102 ,  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  118  in the stacked, graduated arrangement described above. The lightweight material of the harvesting vehicle  124  allows for facilitated mobility and agitation of the panels for sieving. 
     The method  700  may further comprise a Step  704  of slidably urging a large sieve panel along a top docking rail, the large sieve panel defined by multiple large sieve openings having a diameter of about 1½″. A Step  706  includes slidably urging a medium sieve panel along a docking rail below the large sieve panel, the medium sieve panel defined by multiple medium sieve openings having a diameter of about ¾″. 
     In some embodiments, a Step  708  comprises slidably urging a small sieve panel along the docking rail below the medium sieve panel, the small sieve panel defined by multiple small sieve openings having a diameter of about ⅓″. A Step  710  includes slidably urging a silk screen panel along a bottom docking rail, the silk screen panel defined by multiple micro-sized sieve openings having a diameter substantially smaller than ⅓″. 
     In some embodiments, a Step  712  may include slidably urging a flat, solid harvesting panel along the base of the harvesting vehicle, the harvesting panel disposed below the silk screen panel. A Step  714  comprises carrying, inside the harvesting vehicle, the panels to a cannabis plant, the cannabis plant comprising flowers, trimmings, pollen, and trichomes, whereby the lightweight material of the harvesting vehicle facilitates mobility of the harvesting vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the method  700  may further include a Step  716  of placing at least a portion of the cannabis plant on the large sieve panel. A Step  718  includes applying an agitating force to the harvesting vehicle, whereby the lightweight material of the harvesting vehicle facilitates agitating the harvesting vehicle. The agitating force can be manual, or through automated mechanical means known in the art of sieving. 
     The method  700  also includes a Step  720  of separating, as a result of the agitating force, the flowers, the trimmings, the pollen, and the trichomes through the sieve openings of the panels, whereby a substantial amount of the pollen and the trichomes fall through the sieve openings to the harvest panel. Another Step  722  includes slidably urging the harvesting panel outside of the harvesting vehicle. A Step  724  may include collecting the pollen and the trichomes from the harvesting panel. The harvesting panel  118  can be slid out of the docking rail  128   e  and the base  132  to enable access to the pollen and trichomes. A final Step  726  comprises collecting the flowers and trimmings from the large panel, the medium panel, the small panel, and the silk screen panel. 
     Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process. 
     Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.