Resin Washer Tub Agitation and Filtration for Cleaner Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for harvesting resin from cannabis plant glandular trichomes are inefficient, labor-intensive, and produce low-quality products due to plant material contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A botanical washer tub with a motorized impeller, temperature control, and a fluid circulation loop for separating plant material in an aqueous solution, followed by filtration through multiple filters with progressively smaller pores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual harvesting methods are used to collect resin from plant material, then labor intensity is reduced, but product quality deteriorates due to plant material contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical harvesting with an automated mechanical system consisting of a washing machine with agitating elements, fluid circulation loops, and temperature control. This automated system mechanically separates resin from plant material through controlled washing and filtration processes, eliminating manual labor while maintaining high product quality through precise control of washing parameters and multiple filtration stages.
2Device complexity
If simple washing methods are used to separate resin from plant material, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated washing machine system: agitating elements for mechanical separation, fluid circulation loops for continuous washing, temperature control for optimizing resin extraction, and multiple filtration stages. This merged system achieves high productivity through coordinated operation of all components, processing plant material efficiently while maintaining manageable device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circulation loop continuously circulates washing fluid through the plant material and through filtration systems, maintaining continuous separation action. The agitating elements continuously agitate the mixture, and the system operates in continuous batches, eliminating idle time and maximizing resin separation productivity throughout the washing cycle.
3Use of energy by moving object
If temperature control is not implemented during resin extraction, then energy consumption is reduced, but resin quality deteriorates due to temperature-related contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature control by adjusting the temperature parameter of the washing fluid and environment during resin extraction. The system includes heating and cooling capabilities to maintain optimal temperature ranges that maximize resin quality while minimizing plant material contamination. This controlled parameter approach ensures high-quality resin extraction with manageable energy consumption through efficient temperature regulation.
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 system effectively separates resin from plant material while maintaining temperature control, reducing contamination, and enhancing product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid circulation loop disposed in the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall
Implementation Method 2
an impeller centrally disposed above the sloped floor; an electric motor mechanically coupled with the impeller for rotating the impeller
Implementation Method 3
a filter material disposed beneath the first drain and the second drain for filtering plant material from a wash liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for making resin solutions includes a washer tub having an inner wall, an outer wall aligned parallel with the inner wall and spaced apart from the inner wall by a gap, and a sloped floor disposed within the inner wall. The inner wall, the outer wall and the sloped floor form a basin including a square cross-sectional shape with four rounded corners. A fluid circulation loop is located in the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall and wraps around the inner wall more than once for controlling a temperature of the washer tub. An impeller is centrally located above the sloped floor, an electric motor rotates the impeller under control of a controller, and a user interface receives instructions for various operating cycles of the impeller.