Flexible Loop Stripping Device for Cannabis Stalks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting devices for leaves and flowers often cause damage by tearing them off the stalk, and require skilled operation and precise stalk alignment for effective use.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a loop formed from flexurally elastic or slack loop means with tensile strength, which adapts to the stalk's shape and thickness, allowing for easy and direct stripping of leaves and flowers by pulling the stalk through the loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rake-like harvesting devices with tine-like elements are used to strip leaves and flowers from stalks, then the harvesting process can be performed with simple device structure, but the leaves and flowers are torn off the stalk causing severe damage and substantial loss of usable harvest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible loop (comprising a cord, rope, or band) that wraps around the stalk to strip leaves and flowers. This flexible loop adapts to the stalk's shape and thickness, distributing the stripping force evenly along the contact surface rather than concentrating it at discrete points. This prevents tearing damage while maintaining simple device structure, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and minimizing damage to harvested material.
2Productivity
If stripping devices with stripping openings are used to remove leaves, flowers and fruits from stalks, then the harvesting efficiency can be improved, but insertion of stalks into the stripping opening requires a relatively high degree of skill and additional selection according to stalk thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible loop's key parameter is its adjustability in circumference size. The loop can be expanded or contracted to match different stalk thicknesses, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size stripping openings. This parameter change enables the same device to handle varying stalk dimensions without requiring operator skill for selection or adjustment, thereby improving both productivity and ease of operation simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a loop formed from flexurally elastic or slack loop means is used to strip leaves and flowers by pulling the stalk through, then the adaptability to varying stalk sizes is improved and skill requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for loop formation and tensioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible loop is designed to be self-adjusting through its inherent elasticity and slack. When wrapped around a stalk of any size, the loop automatically conforms to the stalk's dimensions without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The loop's own physical properties (flexural elasticity and tensile strength) enable it to maintain appropriate tension during the stripping process, eliminating the need for complex tensioning or sizing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maximizing adaptability.
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 solution enables more efficient, faster, and less damaging harvesting of leaves and flowers, with improved adaptability to varying stalk sizes and reduced skill requirements for operation.
Implementation Method 1
the loop is formed entirely or at least in a predominant area from flexurally elastic or flexurally slack loop means which have tensile strength in the direction of the loop, such that it can adapt to the particular shape and thickness of the stalk
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for stripping leaves and/or flowers from a stalk (1), in particular for stripping cannabis leaves and/or cannabis flowers from a stalk (1). Thereby, a loop (2) is formed around the stalk (1) to be stripped, which is formed at least in a partial area from flexurally elastic or flexurally slack loop means (3, 3a, 3b) which have tensile strength in the direction of the loop. The stalk (1) is then pulled through the loop (2) in the longitudinal direction of the stalk, with the leaves and/or flowers being stripped from the stalk (1). The invention makes it possible to strip the leaves or flowers, respectively, more easily and directly from the surface of the stalk (1), such that they can be substantially harvested better, faster and with less damage. Less preparatory work is also required.