Reciprocating Sheet Blade Trimmer for Cannabis Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual removal of buds from stems and unwanted leafy structures from harvested marijuana plants is labor-intensive and inefficient, especially with the increasing demand for high-quality, uniformly processed cannabis products.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical trimming device with reciprocating sheet blades, featuring a blade head with first and second sheet blades configured for shearing action, and a stem chopper for efficient separation of buds from stems, utilizing food-grade stainless steel and an electric motor for controlled motion, along with an enclosure for collecting trimmed material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual shearing of leaves and stems is used, then product quality can be controlled, but productivity is extremely low and labor costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The trimming device divides the processing task into multiple stages using different blade configurations. The first blade set performs initial trimming while the second blade set performs final shaping, allowing each blade to be optimized for its specific function and collectively achieving high-speed automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical shearing with an automated reciprocating blade mechanism driven by an electric motor. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining precise control over the trimming action through mechanical reciprocation rather than continuous rotation.
2Productivity
If automated trimming devices are used, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blade system uses reciprocating motion rather than continuous rotation, allowing the blades to pause at extreme positions where trimming occurs. This dynamic motion pattern ensures consistent cutting action at each stroke while maintaining high overall processing speed, achieving both productivity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs two different blade configurations: a first blade set for initial trimming and a second blade set for final shaping. Each blade is locally optimized for its specific trimming stage, with the second blade having a curved surface specifically designed for creating uniform rounded edges on the processed material.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple blade configurations are used, then trimming quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple trimming functions into a single integrated device. Both blade sets are mounted on the same reciprocating mechanism and share common drive components, allowing multiple trimming operations to be performed simultaneously or sequentially without requiring separate machines, thus managing complexity while maintaining precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If reciprocating motion is used, then trimming precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating blade mechanism operates with periodic motion, moving rapidly to the trimming position, performing the cutting action, and then returning. This periodic action concentrates energy consumption during the brief trimming phases rather than continuous operation, improving precision while managing overall energy usage through efficient motion cycles.
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 significantly expedites the process of removing stems and leafy structures, improving efficiency and product uniformity, reducing manual labor and enhancing the quality of processed cannabis by ensuring consistent trimming and separation.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical shear... shearing the leafy plant structure projecting from the flower
Data Source
AI summary
A device for trimming stems and the leafy plant structure projecting from a flower of a plant, for example a harvested flower of a marijuana plant. The device includes a blade head for supporting a pair of sheet blades, each sheet blade having a contact surface, the contact surface of the first sheet blade configured for reciprocating motion against the contact surface of the second. The first sheet blade and the second sheet blade are formed having numerous trimming apertures such that as the first sheet blade reciprocates against the second sheet blade, the plurality of first sheet blade trimming apertures and the plurality of second sheet aperture alternately, and at last partially, align and close creating a shearing action between the edges defining each of the plurality of first sheet blade trimming apertures and an edge defining each of the plurality of second sheet blade trimming apertures.