Modular Hermetic Curing Device for Cannabis Terpene Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannabis curing methods are inefficient due to susceptibility to degradation by light, oxygen, and biological contamination, and lack of hermetic sealing, especially in mass production settings, requiring either low-cost manual methods or expensive environmental control systems with limitations.
Innovation Solution
A modular, hermetically sealed multi-zone curing device capable of sustaining vacuum conditions, integrated with standard industry hardware and a control system for precise environmental control, including UV light for decontamination and condensation for terpene collection and reintroduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-cost sealed container is used for curing, then cost is reduced, but manual agitation and environment renewal are required which increases time consumption and operational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automated environmental control that performs agitation and environment renewal without manual intervention. The control system automatically manages gas circulation, humidity control, and temperature regulation, allowing the curing process to serve itself rather than requiring continuous human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical agitation is replaced with automated gas circulation systems and controlled environment parameters. The system uses electronic control mechanisms rather than manual physical manipulation to achieve the same curing objectives, reducing both time and labor requirements.
2Reliability
If standard environmental control containers are used, then environmental control is improved, but hermetic sealing and vacuum sustainability are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and maintains an inert atmosphere within hermetically sealed chambers, using controlled gas compositions (including nitrogen and carbon dioxide) to displace oxygen and prevent oxidative degradation. This inert environment protects plant material from degradation by oxygen while maintaining reliable environmental control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing system is divided into multiple independent hermetically sealed zones or chambers, each capable of maintaining its own environmental parameters and vacuum conditions. This segmentation allows for better control and isolation, preventing contamination between zones and enabling independent optimization of each curing environment.
3Reliability
If available controlled environment options are used, then environmental parameters are controlled, but the systems are not hermetic and are limited to flowing cover gases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts environmental parameters including pressure, temperature, humidity, and gas composition in real-time during the curing process. The control system can transition between different pressure conditions (positive, negative, and vacuum) and gas compositions to optimize curing at different stages, providing both reliable control and operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs controlled changes in physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, and gas composition to achieve different curing objectives. By systematically varying these parameters throughout the curing process, the system maintains reliable environmental control while adapting to different plant material requirements and curing stages.
4Adaptability or versatility
If niche product line systems are used, then specific product requirements are met, but mass production capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The curing system is designed as multiple independent zones or modules that can be configured and operated separately. Each zone can be optimized for specific product requirements while the overall system maintains high throughput capability for mass production. This modular segmentation allows simultaneous processing of different product lines at scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with universal components and standardized interfaces that allow a single platform to handle multiple product lines and curing requirements. The modular architecture enables the same hardware infrastructure to serve both specialized niche products and high-volume mass production needs, maximizing productivity across diverse applications.
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
This solution reduces curing time, maintains natural terpenes, minimizes contamination, and allows for cost-effective expansion, enhancing the potency and efficiency of cannabis flower production.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of the zones includes an Ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted such that plant material disposed with the one or more zones can be biologically decontaminated during the drying and curing process
Implementation Method 2
Decontaminating agents such as Ozone and Reactive Oxygen are introduced to decontaminate the plant matter and remove mold
Implementation Method 3
an air circulation loop configured to carry air from one or more of the plurality of modular plant curing zones through the condenser so that terpenes and water are collected from the one or more of the plurality of modular plant curing zones and condensed in the condenser
Implementation Method 4
pre-dried air is constantly purged through the cure zone during the drying phase in order to rapidly remove plant material moisture
Data Source
AI summary
A plant drying and curing device comprises a plurality of plant curing zones. A control system is configured to control one or more environmental conditions in each of the plurality of plant curing zones, and a receiver is configured to receive input data and process data according to a prescribed algorithm to control the one or more environmental variables.