Low-Temperature Plant Material Milling for Flowable Vaping Powder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods struggle to produce a flowable powder with a sufficiently small particle size from sticky and/or viscous plant materials like Cannabis-derived flower material suitable for pressing and vaping applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving controlled temperature and humidity conditions, specifically maintaining temperatures below +32 F and humidity below 40% RH for at least 1 hour, followed by milling to achieve plant material fragments with an average diameter of 300-1500 μm, resulting in a flowable composition suitable for pressing into pucks or tablets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional milling methods are used on sticky plant material, then the material can be processed, but the particle size is insufficiently small and the powder is not flowable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature and humidity during the milling process. Specifically, the plant material is maintained at temperatures below +32°F and humidity below 40% RH, which transforms the physical properties of the sticky plant material, enabling it to be milled into a flowable powder with sufficiently small particle size for vaping applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-conditioning the plant material through controlled temperature and humidity exposure before milling. This preliminary treatment reduces the stickiness and viscosity of the material, making it amenable to conventional milling and producing a flowable powder without requiring specialized equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If temperature and humidity are controlled during processing, then particle size and flowability are improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by establishing specific temperature (<+32°F) and humidity (<40% RH) conditions that enable effective milling within a reasonable time frame. These controlled parameters transform the plant material's physical state, allowing the milling process to achieve the desired particle size and flowability without excessive processing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If plant material is milled to small particle size, then it is suitable for vaping, but the oil content and terpene profile may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining controlled temperature and humidity conditions during milling. This approach achieves the desired small particle size for vaping applications while preserving the oil content and terpene profile, as the controlled environment prevents degradation of these sensitive compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces aggressive mechanical milling with a gentler process enabled by temperature and humidity control. This substitution allows the material to be processed into fine particles without the high shear forces and heat generation that would otherwise compromise the terpene profile and oil content.
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 method effectively produces a flowable powder with controlled particle size, enabling the creation of pucks or tablets suitable for vaping, while reducing water content by up to 90% and preserving terpene profiles.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the first plurality of plant material fragments to a second temperature not in excess of −25 F and a humidity not in excess of 40% RH for at least 1 hour
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of modifying a plant material, a product produced by the method, and a system to implement the method.