Device, system and methods for separation and purification of organic compounds from botanical material

Abstract

The botanical extraction and purification device described in this patent provide the ability to extract and purify botanical compounds from a diverse plant species through specially crafted process sequences that effectively reach the desired botanical component despite differences in botanical material types and unique differences in organic chemical characteristics. The technological package consists of two main processing centers; each is a combination of process features that can be personalized to effectively address unique extraction requirements. When combined, the extraction processes deliver capabilities in product throughput speed and product purity not available using previously available separation methods. The first component of this package is a CUP that transfers chemical compounds from botanical material into a solvent. The second component is an AISP. This device separates unwanted botanical compounds from the solvent, resulting in a relatively pure plant extract.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A device for botanical extraction, the device comprising:
 a centrifuge utility platform (CUP) comprising:
 a CUP vessel having an axis, an open vessel end with a sealable lid, a wall and a bottom with a drain; 
 a perforated basket located inside the CUP vessel, the perforated basket is rotatable relative to the CUP vessel, the perforated basket has an open basket end and a perforated wall, and a bottom opposite the open basket end, and the perforated basket is configured to drain solvent and retain plant matter after operation of the device; 
 an agitation device including a plurality of raised elements coupled to the bottom of the perforated basket; and 
 a motor coupled to the perforated basket, wherein the motor is configured to bi-directionally rotate the perforated basket and centrifuge plant matter inside the perforated basket. 
   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the CUP is configured to rotate the perforated basket at a predetermined rate and for a defined duration. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the CUP is configured to intermittently drain solvent followed by spin cycles. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the CUP is configured to remove imbedded solvent from the plant matter by centripetal force of varying intensities and durations prior to applying more solvent for additional processing of the plant matter. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising a refrigeration module coupled to the CUP for cooling the material within the CUP vessel. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the agitation device has an axial length that is less than an axial length of a shaft of the motor, and the agitation device has an outer diameter than is less than an inner diameter of the perforated basket. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the perforated basket is cylindrical and configured to support a removable cartridge that can be installed in and removed from the perforated basket with plant matter inside the removable cartridge. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a mesh enclosure that is shaped like and smaller in size than the perforated basket. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising an additional filter membrane surrounding an interior of the perforated basket, and the additional filter membrane is smaller in size than the perforated basket. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising a filter assembly configured to be coupled to the CUP downstream of the CUP. 
     
     
         30 . A system for botanical extraction, the system comprising:
 a centrifuge utility platform (CUP) comprising:   a CUP vessel having an axis, an open vessel end with a sealable lid, a wall and a bottom with a drain;   a perforated basket located inside the CUP vessel, the perforated basket rotates relative to the CUP vessel, the perforated basket has an open basket end and a perforated wall;   an agitation device affixed to the perforated basket; and   a motor configured to bi-directionally rotate the perforated basket and to centrifuge plant matter inside the perforated basket; and   wherein the agitation device has an axial length that is less than an axial length of a shaft of the motor, and the agitation device has an outer diameter than is less than an inner diameter of the perforated basket.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the CUP rotates the perforated basket at a predetermined rate and for a defined duration. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the CUP intermittently drains solvent followed by spin cycles. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the CUP removes imbedded solvent from the plant matter by centripetal force of varying intensities and durations prior to applying more solvent for additional processing of the plant matter. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a refrigeration module coupled to the CUP for cooling the material within the CUP vessel. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a mesh enclosure that is shaped like and smaller in size than the perforated basket and configured to be disposed within the perforated basket and to retain the plant matter therein. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising an additional filter membrane surrounding an interior of the perforated basket, and the additional filter membrane is smaller in size than the perforated basket. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a filter assembly coupled to the CUP downstream of the CUP. 
     
     
         39 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the solvent comprises an alcohol. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the solvent alcohol comprises methanol. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the mesh enclosure includes a fixed first end and a second end that is removable for adding or removing the plant matter therefrom. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the mesh enclosure includes a fixed first end and a second end that is removable for adding or removing the plant matter therefrom. 
     
     
         49 . A system for botanical extraction, the system comprising:
 a centrifuge utility platform (CUP) comprising:
 a CUP vessel having an axis, an open vessel end with a sealable lid comprising an orifice, a wall and a bottom with a drain; 
 a perforated basket located inside the CUP vessel, the perforated basket rotatable relative to the CUP vessel, the perforated basket having an open basket end and a perforated wall; 
 a removable cartridge configured to fit within the perforated basket for holding plant matter therein, the removable cartridge including a fixed first end and a second end that is removable for adding or removing the plant matter therefrom; and 
 a motor coupled to the perforated basket and configured to bi-directionally rotate the perforated basket to centrifuge the plant matter inside the perforated basket. 
   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , further comprising: a thermal jacket disposed around the CUP vessel and configured to circulate a fluid to cool material within the CUP vessel; and
 a refrigeration module in fluid communication with the thermal jacket and configured to cool the fluid.