Synergistic drying system for plant products with moisture-regulating housing, vertical air extraction, fully air-enclosed supports and modular expandability

Abstract

(Main claim - Synergetic drying system): Drying system (1) for plant products, comprising a housing (10) made of moisture-regulating material, an air distribution system with at least one fan (2) arranged in the area of ​​an upper outlet opening (5), which generates a substantially vertical airflow (6), and holders (3) for receiving the products, which are spaced apart from the housing walls and designed to allow 360° airflow around the products without air pockets, characterized in that the housing, fan and holders work synergistically together to provide uniform air circulation throughout the interior and to create a stable drying microclimate that prevents mold growth, preserves active ingredients and aromas of the plant parts and enables homogeneous, aroma-preserving drying.

Description

2.1 Technical Area

[0001] The present invention relates to a synergistic drying system (1) for plant products which combines several functional elements in a novel way to enable uniform and gentle drying.

[0002] The system includes a moisture-regulating housing (10) for the removal of excess moisture, a vertical air outlet with at least one fan (2) and fully air-enclosed supports (3) that ensure homogeneous drying without air pockets.

[0003] The design is modular: Several housings (10) can be stacked and connected, with a coupling fan (2a) forming a continuous vertical air duct and increasing the drying capacity. Optionally, a filter unit (7), sensor elements (9), and humidity regulators (11) can be integrated to further stabilize the microclimate.

[0004] The novelty of the invention lies in the synergistic combination of these elements, which creates a controlled microclimate that prevents mold growth, preserves active ingredients and aromas, and at the same time enables modular scalability. 2.2 State of the art

[0005] Previously known methods and equipment for drying plant products have significant limitations: • Uncontrolled air drying: Moisture removal is not targeted, which can impair valuable aroma compounds and bioactive ingredients. Uneven drying promotes microbial growth and mold formation, especially in plant parts with high initial moisture content. • Temporary support systems and containers: Net frames, plastic bags, or tent structures do not allow for targeted regulation of airflow and humidity. This leads to local dead zones, condensation, and an increased risk of mold. Furthermore, these systems are often space-inefficient. • Conventional dehydrators and technical solutions: Airflow is often uneven, leading to partial over- or under-drying. Devices are usually not modular or stackable, limiting capacity and flexibility. Furthermore, actively driven systems consume a comparatively large amount of energy without ensuring uniform drying.

[0006] Analysis of the state of the art shows that existing processes and equipment cannot guarantee uniform, aroma-preserving, energy-efficient and microbiologically controlled drying. 2.3 Object of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a drying system that: • enables even and aroma-preserving drying of plant products, • reliably prevents mold growth • is scalable and modularly expandable, • operates energy-efficiently, • and keeps the relative humidity constant through targeted microclimate control in order to optimally preserve active ingredients and flavorings. 2.4 Solution to the task

[0008] The invention solves this problem through the synergy of the following features: 1. Humidity-regulating housing (10) ◯ Made from moisture-permeable fiber composite material (e.g. cardboard / hemp) ◯ Effectively directs excess moisture to the outside and reliably prevents mold growth. ◯ Front flap (12): Enables controlled filling, emptying and targeted compensation of temperature and humidity in the interior. 2. Vertical air extraction by fan (2) ◯ A fan (2) generates a vertical, gentle airflow (6) which is directed vertically through the housing upwards over the outlet opening (5). ◯ Fresh air flows in in a controlled manner through the humidity-regulating housing (10) and optionally through the provided inlet opening (4). ◯ The combination of active circulation and material porosity ensures even drying without air pockets. 3. Fully flow-enclosed mounts (3) ◯ The supports (3) are spaced away from the housing walls and designed to allow air to circulate freely around the plant parts. ◯ This arrangement prevents air pockets and, in combination with the vertical airflow (6), ensures even drying of all plant parts. 4. Stackable module extension (8) with coupling fan (2a) ◯ Multiple housings (10) stackable and connected together. ◯ The coupling fan (2a) in the area of ​​the lower inlet opening (4) serves as a mechanical connecting element and to enhance the airflow (6). ◯ Forms a continuous vertical air duct across multiple enclosures, thereby maintaining airflow (6) and ensuring continuous air exhaust. 5. Integrated humidity regulators (11) (optional) ◯ Keep the relative humidity inside the enclosure constant at a preset value, regardless of the ambient air. ◯ The number, size and capacity can be adjusted to the harvest quantity to ensure a stable microclimate. ◯ Enhance aroma protection and prevent mold growth in addition to vertical air extraction. 6. Optional Extensions ◯ Filter unit (7): Activated carbon filter in the area of ​​the fan (2) to reduce escaping odors so that the air circulates without polluting the environment. ◯ Sensors (9): Hygrometer and / or thermometer for displaying or automatically controlling the microclimate inside the housing, in particular temperature and relative humidity. 2.5 Advantages of the invention • Uniform and aroma-preserving drying: Fully enclosed supports and vertical air extraction ensure uniform air circulation and optimal preservation conditions for terpenes and active ingredients. • Protection against mold growth: Controlled airflow and humidity regulators reliably prevent moisture build-up and mold growth. • Modularity and scalability: Stackable housings allow for flexible capacity expansion, with coupling fans serving as a connecting element and ensuring continuous airflow even across multiple modules. • Energy efficiency: The combination of moisture-regulating material and optional active fan support ensures minimal energy consumption with maximum effectiveness. • Monitoring and control: Sensors (temperature, hygrometer) enable display or automatic adjustment of the microclimate. • Synergistic effect: Only through the combination of all features - housing material, front flap, brackets, air guidance, stackability and optional humidity / sensor extensions - is a constant microclimate and efficient drying effect created. 4. Drawings 4.1 Description of the drawings Fig. 1 - Isometric View Isometric view of the drying system (1). Shown are the upper outlet opening (5) with fan (2) and optional filter unit (7), laterally arranged holders (3) for plant products, the schematic airflow (6), the lockable front flap (12) and optional sensor elements (9). The interaction of the elements ensures uniform air circulation and efficient moisture removal, while the front flap (12) facilitates the loading and unloading of plant parts and can additionally influence the airflow if necessary. Fig. 2 - Vertical Cross-Section Cross-section through the drying system (1) with vertical air discharge. Shown are the upper outlet opening (5) with fan (2) and optional filter unit (7), the lower inlet opening (4), the supports (3) with a circumferential gap to the housing walls, the schematic airflow (6), and the humidity regulator (11). The illustration demonstrates the 360° airflow around the supports (3) by the vertical airflow (6), the targeted removal of excess moisture, and the uniform drying of all plant parts. Fig.3 - Stackable Modules Several housings (10) are stacked together, forming a continuous vertical air duct. Shown are the upper outlet opening (5) with fan (2) and optional filter unit (7), mounting brackets (3), airflow direction (6), and humidity regulators (11). For modular expansion, a coupling fan (2a) is arranged in the lower inlet opening (4) of each housing (10) above it. This increases the airflow (6) and ensures that the flow remains uniform across all connected modules. 4.2 List of reference symbols 1 drying system in total 2 fans (top, suction, outlet opening) 2a Coupling fan (bottom, for module coupling / airflow amplification) 3 holders for plant products 4 Inlet opening (bottom) 5 Outlet opening (top) 6 Airflow direction (schematic, arrows) 7 Filter unit (activated carbon, optional) 8 Stackable Module Expansion 9 sensors (hygrometer / thermometer, optional) 10 Housings (humidity-regulating) 11 Humidity regulator (optional) 12 Front flap 5. Summary

[0009] The invention relates to a drying system (1) for plant products, in particular herbs and flowers, which ensures uniform, aroma-preserving and active ingredient-preserving drying.

[0010] The system comprises a humidity-regulating housing (10) with a lockable front flap (12) that effectively drains excess moisture to the outside and allows for targeted filling as well as regulation of temperature and humidity. A fan (2) in the upper outlet opening (5) generates a vertical airflow (6) that completely surrounds the supports (3) spaced from the housing walls in a 360° manner, prevents air pockets, and ensures homogeneous drying of all plant parts.

[0011] Several housings (10) can be connected in a modular, stackable manner; a coupling fan (2a) in the lower section creates a vertical air duct across several housings, ensuring a continuous and uniform airflow. Optionally, filter units (7), sensors (9), and humidity regulators (11) can be integrated to maintain a stable microclimate, reduce odors, and monitor relative humidity and temperature.

[0012] The simultaneous synergy of all features creates a constant microclimate, prevents mold growth, protects aroma and active ingredients, minimizes energy consumption and enables reproducible, scalable drying results.

Claims

[1] (Main claim - Synergetic drying system): Drying system (1) for plant products, comprising a housing (10) made of moisture-regulating material, an air distribution system with at least one fan (2) arranged in the area of ​​an upper outlet opening (5) which generates a substantially vertical airflow (6), and supports (3) for receiving the products, which are spaced apart from the housing walls and designed to allow 360° airflow around the products without air pockets, characterized by that the housing, fan and brackets work synergistically to provide even air circulation throughout the interior and create a stable drying microclimate that prevents mold growth, preserves active ingredients and aromas of the plant parts and enables homogeneous, aroma-preserving drying. [2] (Microclimate through material): Drying system according to claim 1, characterized by, that the housing material wicks away excess moisture to the outside, thereby maintaining a constant microclimate inside. [3] (Fan at top): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fan (2) is operated in a suction manner and is located in the upper outlet opening (5) so that excess moisture is continuously discharged to the outside. [4] (Coupling fan): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an additional fan (2a) is provided in the area of ​​a lower inlet opening (4), which, in the case of a modular arrangement, serves as a coupling element between two housings (10) or is used to increase the air circulation. [5] (Stackability): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that several housings (10) can be stacked and connected together, such that the upper outlet opening (5) of a lower housing is coupled to the lower inlet opening (4) of a housing above it. [6] (Continuous air duct with coupling fan): Drying system according to claim 5, characterized by , that a coupling fan (2a) is arranged in the upper outlet opening of a lower housing (10) to convey the air into the housing (10) above it, while the fan (2) arranged in the upper outlet opening (5) of each housing (10) discharges the air to the outside, so that a continuous vertical air duct with continuous airflow (6) is formed across the stacking. [7] (Filter unit): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the fan (2) located in the area of ​​the outlet opening (5) is equipped with a filter unit (7) which reduces released volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor emissions. [8] (Sensors): Drying system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one hygrometer and / or thermometer (9) is provided for displaying and / or controlling the microclimate. [9] (Integrated humidity regulators): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one humidity regulator (11) is provided in the housing (10) which keeps the relative humidity constant, regardless of the ambient humidity. [10] (Front flap): Drying system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the housing (10) is provided at the front with at least one lockable front flap (12) which allows access to the plant parts and at the same time allows targeted control of airflow, temperature and relative humidity in the housing.

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