Patent ID: 11957158

Abstract:
A modular centrifuge apparatus for use in preparing and packing ready-made smokable products is disclosed including a drive assembly with a motor and a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the motor, the drive shaft defining a vertical direction, an axial direction, and a radial direction. The drive shaft extends along the vertical direction out of the motor. A sandwich hub having a notched portion is coupled to the drive shaft. The initiation of the motor rotates the drive shaft assembly along the axial direction. Each of a plurality of dynamic positioning talon assemblies includes a talon frame member and a binary linkage. Each talon frame member is fixedly attached to the sandwich hub using the notched portion and an upper plate, and extends outwardly therefrom along the radial direction. Each talon frame member includes at least one guide slot and at least one alignment post. The binary linkage is slidably coupled to the at least one guide slot of the talon frame member. The binary linkage is configured to move from a first position to a second position along a path defined by the at least one guide slot wherein said path extends greater than 90 degrees to the drive shaft. A plurality of pod assemblies, each including a pod that holds a plurality of zoning funnels, and is configured to move from the first position to the second position along the path defined by the vertical guide slot in response to rotational movement by the drive assembly in the axial direction.