Patent ID: 12188719

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Throughout this disclosure, a reference numeral followed by an alphabetical character refers to a specific instance of an element and the reference numeral alone refers to the element generically or collectively. Thus, as an example (not shown in the drawings), widget “la” refers to an instance of a widget class, which may be referred to collectively as widgets “1” and any one of which may be referred to generically as a widget “1”. In the figures and the description, like numerals are intended to represent like elements.

The terms “couple” or “couples,” as used herein, are intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect electrical connection or a shaft coupling via other devices and connections.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for a botanical processing module. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for physically altering a deposited sample of designated material through an automated process with the botanical processing module.

FIG.1illustrates a botanical processing module100. The botanical processing module100may be configured to change the physical state of a designated material deposited therein. In certain embodiments, the botanical processing module100may further be configured to change the chemical state of the designated material. In certain embodiments, the botanical processing module100may operate automatically once given user input. Without limitations, the botanical processing module100may be any suitable size, height, and/or shape. As illustrated, the botanical processing module100may comprise a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In embodiments, the dimensions, such as height, width, and/or length may be any suitable value. The botanical processing module100may comprise any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metals, nonmetals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and/or combinations thereof.

The botanical processing module100may comprise a housing105. In embodiments, the housing105may comprise a plurality of surfaces110. In particular embodiments, for a given surface, the adjacent surfaces may be orthogonal to said given surface. In other embodiments, for a given surface, the adjacent surfaces may be disposed at an angle relative to said given surface. The housing105may comprise one or more openings extending through the thickness of a surface110of the housing105. The one or more openings may be functional as either an inlet or an outlet. These one or more openings may be coupled to external equipment through piping and/or conduit. In certain embodiments, there may be a first inlet115disposed about a top surface110aof the housing105. The first inlet115may be any suitable size and/or shape. The first inlet115may be configured to allow a material to pass from the exterior of the housing105of the botanical processing module100to the interior of the housing105. As illustrated, a funnel120may be disposed about the first inlet115. In embodiments, the funnel120may be disposed at least partially through or may be coupled to the first inlet115. In alternate embodiments, the funnel120may be disposed at a distance from the first inlet115and coupled to the first inlet115via conduit. The funnel120may be configured to contain a designated material and to allow said designated material to travel downwards from a top end125to a bottom end130of the funnel120via gravity. In embodiments, the designated material may be any suitable material Without limitations, the designated material may be a portion of plant matter belonging to the Cannabaceae family. Both the top end125and the bottom end130may be actuable to open or close, thereby sealing the interior of the funnel120from the external environment.

In embodiments, there may be a first outlet135disposed on a first side surface110bof the housing105. While illustrated on first side surface110b, first outlet135may be disposed about any of the plurality of surfaces110. The first outlet135may be any suitable size and/or shape. The first outlet135may be capable of allowing material to pass from the interior of the housing105to the exterior of the housing105. As illustrated, the first outlet135may be coupled to external equipment and/or tooling via conduit140a.

In embodiments, there may be a second inlet145disposed on the first side surface110bof the housing105. While illustrated on first side surface110b, second inlet145may be disposed about any of the plurality of surfaces110. The second inlet145may be any suitable size and/or shape. The second inlet145may be capable of allowing material to pass from the exterior of the housing105to the interior of the housing105. As illustrated, the second inlet145may be coupled to external equipment and/or tooling via conduit140b.

In embodiments, there may be a second outlet150disposed on a second side surface110cof the housing105. In embodiments, the second side surface110cmay be orthogonal to both the top surface110aand the first side surface110b. While illustrated on second side surface110c, second outlet150may be disposed about any of the plurality of surfaces110. The second outlet150may be any suitable size and/or shape. The second outlet150may be capable of allowing material to pass from the interior of the housing105to the exterior of the housing105. As illustrated, the second outlet150may comprise an internal ledge155. During operations, material may be deposited from the interior of the housing105to the internal ledge155to be accessible by an operator.

In embodiments, there may be a third inlet160disposed on the second side surface110cof the housing105. While illustrated on second side surface110c, third inlet160may be disposed about any of the plurality of surfaces110. The third inlet160may be any suitable size and/or shape. The third inlet160may be capable of allowing material to pass from the exterior of the housing105to the interior of the housing105. In embodiments, the third inlet160may be configured to function like a printer tray and receive wrap paper, or a similar paper product. The third inlet160may receive and contain any suitable amount of wrap paper. During operations, the botanical processing module100may manipulate the wrap paper within the housing105through such means as rolling, folding, bending, and any combination thereof.

In embodiments, there may be a third outlet165disposed on the top surface110aof the housing105. While illustrated on top surface110a, third outlet165may be disposed about any of the plurality of surfaces110. The third outlet165may be any suitable size and/or shape. The third outlet165may be configured to vent fumes and/or gases from the interior of the housing105to the external environment. During operations, the third outlet165may be actuated to either open or close in order to vent potential fumes and/or gases by a controller170. The controller170may be disposed within and/or communicatively coupled to the botanical processing module100.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example controller170, according to aspects of the present disclosure. A processor or central processing unit (CPU)201of the controller170is communicatively coupled to a memory controller hub or north bridge202. The processor201may include, for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. Processor201may be configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions or other data retrieved and stored in any memory such as memory203or hard drive207. Program instructions or other data may constitute portions of a software or application for carrying out one or more methods described herein. Memory203may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), solid state memory, or disk-based memory. Each memory module may include any system, device or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable non-transitory media). For example, instructions from a software or application may be retrieved and stored in memory203for execution by processor201.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made toFIG.2without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,FIG.2shows a particular configuration of components of controller170. However, any suitable configurations of components may be used. For example, components of controller170may be implemented either as physical or logical components. Furthermore, in some embodiments, functionality associated with components of controller170may be implemented in special purpose circuits or components. In other embodiments, functionality associated with components of controller170may be implemented in configurable general-purpose circuit or components. For example, components of controller170may be implemented by configured computer program instructions.

Memory controller hub (MCH)202may include a memory controller for directing information to or from various system memory components within the controller170, such as memory203, storage element206, and hard drive207. The memory controller hub202may be coupled to memory203and a graphics processing unit (GPU)204. Memory controller hub202may also be coupled to an I/O controller hub (ICH) or south bridge205. I/O controller hub205is coupled to storage elements of the controller170, including a storage element206, which may comprise a flash ROM that includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer system. I/O controller hub205is also coupled to the hard drive207of the controller170. I/O controller hub205may also be coupled to a Super I/O chip208, which is itself coupled to several of the I/O ports of the computer system, including keyboard209and mouse210.

In certain embodiments, the controller170may contain a set of instructions that when executed cause the processor201to perform certain actions. In any embodiment, the controller may include anon-transitory computer readable medium that stores one or more instructions where the one or more instructions when executed cause the processor to perform certain actions. As used herein, an controller may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, a controller may be a computer terminal, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The controller may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, read only memory (ROM), and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the controller may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communication with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. In embodiments, an operator may operate the controller170via a display disposed on the second side surface110c(referring toFIG.1). The controller170may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. In embodiments, the botanical processing module100may comprise a power supply. In alternate embodiments, the botanical processing module100may be coupled to an external power supply by any suitable means.

FIG.3illustrates a cross-sectional view of the botanical processing module100. The housing105of the botanical processing module100may define an internal cavity300between the plurality of surfaces110. In embodiments, there may be any suitable equipment disposed within the housing105in the internal cavity300configured to physically and/or chemically change a designated material Without limitations, such equipment may include funnels, pathways, piping, conduit, grinders, screens, filters, rollers, cutters, blades, pulleys, belts, plates, teeth and/or protrusions, and/or combinations thereof. The equipment may be coupled together by any suitable means and/or any suitable fasteners. In embodiments, there may be a motor disposed within the housing105, wherein operation of the motor actuates at least some of the equipment.

In one or more embodiments, there may be means for physically altering the state of the designated material entering into the botanical processing module100. Such means may include a grinder305. In alternate embodiments, the grinder305may be replaced with or work concurrently with a shredder, cutters, blades, and any combination thereof. As illustrated, the grinder305may be disposed adjacent to or near the first inlet115. In embodiments, the grinder305may be positioned so that the designated material that may pass through the first inlet115may be deposited into or onto the grinder305. In alternate embodiments, the designated material may travel through conduit coupling the first inlet115to the grinder305. The grinder305may be configured to reduce the designated material into smaller portions through shearing said designated material once actuated.

As illustrated, the grinder305may be coupled to a first heating chamber310and a means for packing315. In embodiments, the first heating chamber310may be any suitable size and/or shape. The first heating chamber310may be coupled to the grinder305directly or through conduit. In embodiments, the first heating chamber310may be configured to apply heat to the reduced designated material. Without limitations, the first heating chamber310may comprise a heating element configured to raise the temperature within the first heating chamber310to about 350° C. In embodiments, the first heating chamber310may be sealable in relation to the internal cavity300.

The first heating chamber310may be coupled to a first containment chamber335. The first heating chamber310may be coupled to the first containment chamber335directly or through conduit. In embodiments, the first containment chamber335may be configured to introduce a fluid from external to the botanical processing module100to interact with the heated, reduced designated material In embodiments, the second inlet145may be coupled to the first containment chamber335. The second inlet145may be configured to provide liquid carbon dioxide to flow into the first containment chamber335. In embodiments, the liquid carbon dioxide may be in a supercritical state. In embodiments, the first containment chamber335may be capable of being pressurized to a designated pressure. Without limitations, during operations, the first containment chamber335may be pressurized so as to allow the liquid carbon dioxide to maintain its state of matter.

As illustrated, the first containment chamber335may be coupled to a separator340. In embodiments, the separator340may be a pressure vessel configured to separate a fluid into gaseous and liquid components. The first containment chamber335may be coupled to the separator340directly or through conduit. As illustrated, the first outlet135may be coupled to the separator340. In embodiments, as the separator340operates, the products of the operation of the separator340may be transported out of the botanical processing module100through the first outlet135.

In one or more embodiments, the first heating chamber310may be coupled to a second containment chamber345. The first heating chamber310may be coupled to the second containment chamber345directly or through conduit. In embodiments, the second containment chamber345may be configured to introduce a fluid from external to the botanical processing module100to interact with the heated, reduced designated material In embodiments, the second inlet145may be coupled to the second containment chamber345. The second inlet145may be configured to provide a fluid to flow into the second containment chamber345. Without limitations, the fluid may be ethanol, butane, pentane, hexane, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or any other hydrocarbon/alcohol solvent.

As illustrated, the second containment chamber345may be coupled to a second heating chamber350. The second containment chamber345may be coupled to the second heating chamber350directly or through conduit. As illustrated, the first outlet135may be coupled to the second heating chamber. In embodiments, the product of the operation of the second heating chamber350may be transported out of the botanical processing module100through the first outlet135. In embodiments, the second heating chamber350may be any suitable size and/or shape. In embodiments, the second heating chamber350may be configured to apply heat to the mixture of the reduced designated material and the fluid provided through the second inlet145. Without limitations, the second heating chamber350may comprise a heating element configured to raise the temperature within the second heating chamber350to any suitable value. Without limitations, such a temperature may be to about 200° C., about 250° C., about 300° C., about 350° C., or about 400° C. The second heating chamber350may increase the temperature in order to cause a portion of the fluid present in the mixture to evaporate. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the second heating chamber350may be configured to increase the temperature to the point of vaporization for the designated fluid introduced through the second inlet145. In embodiments, the evaporated fumes or gases may exit the botanical processing module100through the first outlet135along with the remaining fluid from the mixture.

With reference back to the grinder305, the grinder305may be coupled to the means for packing315. In embodiments, the means for packing315may comprise a conveyor belt320, a secondary funnel325, and one or more rollers330. In one or more embodiments, the secondary funnel325may be coupled to the grinder305via conduit. The conveyor belt320may be disposed within the internal cavity300so as to connect the third inlet160(referring toFIG.1) to the second outlet150(referring toFIG.1). The one or more rollers330may be disposed along a portion of the conveyor belt320between the secondary funnel325and the second outlet150. In embodiments, the conveyor belt320may be configured to transport the wrap paper from the third inlet160to the second outlet150. The secondary funnel325may be configured to dispense reduced designated material from the grinder305onto at least a portion of each unit of wrap paper as it is transported on the conveyor belt320. The one or more rollers330may be configured to roll each one of the wrap papers with reduced designated material disposed thereon into generally cylindrical shapes. In embodiments, the conveyor belt320may deposit individually rolled wrap papers containing reduced designated material onto the internal ledge155(referring toFIG.1) of the second outlet150.

FIG.4illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the botanical processing module100. The embodiment illustrated inFIG.4may comprise each component previously described inFIG.3with differences present in the means for packing315. In the present embodiment, the means for packing315may comprise a packer container400, a packing rod405, and the conveyor belt320. In this embodiment, the packer container400may be coupled to the grinder305via conduit. The packer container400may be configured to contain the reduced designated material for a period of time. The packer container400may be actuated to dispense a portion of the reduced designated material disposed within the packer container400. The packer rod405may be disposed adjacent to the packer container400and aligned so that the dispensed portion of reduced designated material is within the path of motion of the packer rod405. The conveyor belt320may be disposed within the internal cavity300so as to connect the third inlet160(referring toFIG.1) to the second outlet150(referring toFIG.1). The conveyor320may be similarly configured to transport materials from the third inlet160to the second outlet150. In the present embodiment, the third inlet160may receive and contain pre-rolled wrap papers, wherein the pre-rolled wrap papers are in a cylindrical shape. The conveyor320may comprise partitions (not shown) so as to orient the pre-rolled wrap papers in a certain configuration. In embodiments, the packer rod405may be actuated to move linearly and force the dispensed portion of reduced designated material into one of the pre-rolled wrap papers once the one of the pre-rolled wrap papers is in-line with the path of motion of the packer rod405. In embodiments, the conveyor belt320may deposit each pre-rolled wrap paper containing reduced designated material onto the internal ledge155(referring toFIG.1) of the second outlet150.

During operations, with reference to the figures, an operator may dispose designated material into the botanical processing module100through the first inlet115. Any suitable amount or volume of designated material may be disposed into the botanical processing module100. Once the operator disposes the designated material into the botanical processing module100, the operator may choose any suitable operation to be performed via the controller170. In embodiments, the controller170may instruct the botanical processing module100to prepare rolled wrap papers comprising a portion of reduced designated material and/or produce a desired by-product to be collected from the first outlet135. In certain embodiments, the controller170may control the dispensation of reduced designated material from the grinder305into individual wrap papers and/or pre-rolled wrap papers. In these embodiments, the controller170may control the speed of the conveyor belt320and the timing and location of wrap papers disposed on the conveyor belt320in relation to either the secondary funnel325or the packing rod405. In embodiments, the controller170may instruct the first heating chamber310to increase the temperature to a designated value for a period of time. Without limitations, such a period of time may be anywhere from about 5 minutes to about 5 hours. In similar embodiments, the controller170may instruct the second heating chamber350to increase the temperature to a designated value for a period of time, wherein the period of time may be similar to the period of time used for the first heating chamber310.

In embodiments, the botanical processing module100may apply a solvent and/or liquid carbon dioxide to the designated material through the second inlet145. This may occur after the process of grinding and/or shredding the designated material with the grinder305. The solvent and/or liquid carbon dioxide may surround, encompass, pass through, and/or combinations thereof the reduced designated material for a suitable amount of time to produce a mixture. In these embodiments, the mixture may undergo a further process through either the separator340or the second heating chamber350then may flow out of the botanical processing module100through the first outlet135. In embodiments, the mixture may be disposed in an external container for further processing.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The disclosure illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces.