Process for Separating Trichomes from Non-Trichome Materials

Abstract

A process for separating trichomes from non-trichome materials, and more particularly to a process for separating trichomes that utilizes an aeration step, trichomes produced therefrom, and fibrous structures produced using such trichomes are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for extracting trichomes from non-trichome materials, the process comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a mixture of trichomes and non-trichome materials;   b. adding water to the mixture to form a slurry;   c. physically separating the trichomes from the non-trichome material by one or more of the following steps: i. aerating the slurry and ii. screening the slurry such that the trichomes physically separate from the non-trichome materials; and   d. removing at least a portion of the trichomes from the slurry.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the process further comprises the step of adding one or more surfactants to the slurry. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the surfactants is present in the water. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 4  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7  wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl ethoxy sulfate. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 7  wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 7  wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfonate. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises an amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises an amine oxide. 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the surfactants comprises a nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13  wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an alcohol alkoxylate. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 2  wherein process comprise the step of adding two or more surfactants to the slurry. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the surfactants is an anionic surfactant and at least one of the surfactants is an amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 16  wherein the anionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant are present at a weight ratio of from about 1:1 to about 8.5:1. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the trichomes are physically separated from the non-trichome materials by floating the trichomes within the slurry. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the trichomes are physically separated from the non-trichome materials by passing the slurry through one or more sieves. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 19  wherein the sieve opening size is reduced from step to step.