Chain-Ball Grinder Design for Consistent Cannabis Particle Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannabis grinding methods, whether manual or electric, often result in uneven distribution and stickiness, leading to inconsistent burning and manual handling issues due to the sticky nature of raw cannabis.
Innovation Solution
A grinder device featuring a chain with multiple balls that rotates or reciprocates within an inner chamber, powered by a motor, which is designed to break down materials into consistent sizes and shapes without manual contact, ensuring even distribution and minimizing stickiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual grinding is used to break down cannabis, then the process is simple and requires no additional devices, but the resulting product is lumpy and causes uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical grinding with an electric motor-driven blade system. The motor rotates blades at controlled speeds to cut and grind cannabis material, providing consistent mechanical force that produces uniform particles rather than lumpy results from hand grinding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces controllable rotation speed as a parameter to optimize grinding performance. The motor can operate at different speeds (e.g., high speed for fine grinding, low speed for coarse grinding), allowing adjustment of particle size and uniformity based on desired output characteristics.
2Productivity
If electric grinders with rotating blades are used, then grinding efficiency is improved, but cannabis sticks to the housing and blades due to sticky nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ground cannabis product from the grinding chamber through a collection mechanism. The housing includes a removable container or chamber that separates the ground material from the blades, allowing easy disposal of residue without cleaning the entire housing and blade assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or angled blade surfaces that prevent material from adhering flat against the housing. The spherical or rounded edges of blades reduce surface area contact with sticky material, minimizing adhesion and making residue removal easier.
3Device complexity
If manual handling is used to process cannabis, then no additional equipment is needed, but substantial amounts of cannabis stick to fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual finger handling with an automated electric grinding system. The motor-driven blades perform all cutting and grinding operations, eliminating the need for users to touch the sticky cannabis material, thus preventing loss to fingers and improving hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinding system is designed to contain and process all cannabis material within the housing chamber. The blades cut material that is fed into the chamber, and the ground product collects in a container, creating a self-contained process that minimizes user contact with the material throughout operation.
4Reliability
If traditional electric grinders with sealed housings are used, then containment is improved, but cleaning and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into separable components: a removable collection container, blade assembly, and main housing body. Each component can be detached and cleaned independently, with the container being easily rinsed and the blade assembly accessible for wiping or soaking, maintaining containment during operation while enabling thorough cleaning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively grinds cannabis into a consistent, evenly distributed product that burns more uniformly, reducing manual handling issues and stickiness, thereby improving usability and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is configured to cause rotational or reciprocal motion of the chain within the inner chamber
Implementation Method 2
The balls are positioned to cut materials within the chamber at multiple points and multiple sizes while the motor is activated
Data Source
AI summary
A grinder includes a body having a first end, a second end defining an opening, and an interior surface defining an inner chamber extending from the opening at least partially towards the first end. The grinder also includes a chain positioned within the inner chamber. The chain includes a plurality of balls. The grinder further includes a motor coupled to the chain. The motor is configured to cause rotational or reciprocal motion of the chain within the inner chamber.