CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/400,666 filed August 24, 2022 entitled BOTANICAL TRAY, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into the Detailed Description herein below.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Example embodiments relate to a botanical tray, method of use, and system for carrying or processing plant material.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Botanical material may be processed for a variety of reasons, including gardening purposes, hydroponics, and for extraction of compounds from the botanical material.

[0004] For example, botanical oils may be extracted from plant materials (botanical materials) in general through the use of pressing or through some form of liquid solvent to dissolve and mobilize the oils to liberate them from the plant material. The solvents are later removed from the oils by evaporation or vacuum distillation techniques. Traces of some solvents may remain as a contaminant in the oil or compound, which may be detrimental or may restrict applications of the extracted oils or compounds, particularly if the oil or compound is intended for consumption such as for medicinal purposes, ingestion purposes, cosmetic purposes or recreational purposes.

[0005] In many of these solvent type processes, a broad spectrum mixture often results which may require birther separation or fractionation processing to remove or segregate the various oils and compounds for different purposes applications or effects.

[0006] An example of such botanical extraction may be performed on cannabis botanical material. Solvent methods of liberating oils and other compounds from the cannabis botanical material tend to dissolve any and all oils and other compounds within the plant material, and the resulting broad spectrum product generally requires further fractional distillation processing to separate undesirable oils or compounds and solvent from the desired products before the extract can be used for its intended purpose. Different oils and compounds found in the same plant material may have widely differing and varying uses once separated. Some compounds may be considered toxic under certain conditions potentially limiting the applicability of certain extracts.

[0007] It may be advantageous to provide improved and efficient systems and devices for processing botanical materials with fluids, including for the harvesting of specific botanical oils and compounds from plant materials.

[0008] It may also be advantageous to provide improved and efficient systems and devices for processing botanical materials, and for the harvesting of the specific botanical oils and compounds from plant materials, at larger scales.

[0009] Additional difficulties with existing systems may be appreciated in view of the Detailed Description of Example Embodiments, herein below.

SUMMARY

[0010] Example embodiments relate to a botanical tray (also referred to as a tray), a tray stack, and a cartridge assembly for use with a botanical system for processing botanical material with a fluid (which can be liquid or gas). The tray includes an impermeable base; an upper mesh positioned over and spaced apart from one side of the base for holding the botanical material thereon; the base and the upper mesh each having a respective central aperture aligned to form a central opening; an inner sidewall surrounding the central opening, connecting the base and the upper mesh, and extending past the upper mesh to an outer end, the inner sidewall having one or more inlet apertures positioned between the base and the upper mesh; and an outer sidewall surrounding a perimeter of, and connecting, the base and the upper mesh, the outer sidewall extending past the upper mesh to an upper end. Fluid injected into the central opening flows through the one or more inlet apertures, past the upper mesh, and through the botanical material for collection.

[0011] Example embodiments relate to a tray that further has a lower mesh positioned below, and spaced apart from, an opposed side of the base, the lower mesh having an central mesh aperture aligned with the respective central aperture of the base and the upper mesh to collectively form the central opening; where the inner sidewall extend past the base to the lower mesh; and where the outer sidewall extends past the base to the lower mesh, the outer sidewall having one or more outlet apertures positioned between the base and the lower mesh. Fluid flowing from another tray stacked below the tray flows past the lower mesh of the tray and through the one or more outlet apertures in the outer sidewall for collection.

[0012] Example embodiments relate a tray, a tray stack, and a cartridge assembly for use with a botanical system for extracting one or more compounds from the botanical material, wherein the fluid injected into the tray, the tray stack, and/or the cartridge assembly is gas that evaporates one or more compounds from the botanical material as the gas flows through the botanical material.

[0013] Example embodiments relate to a tray stack comprising: a first tray and a second tray positioned over the first tray, the inner sidewall of the second tray being coupled to the inner sidewall of the first tray, bringing the central openings of the first and second trays into fluid communication. Fluid injected into the central openings flows through the one or more inlet apertures of the first and second trays, past the upper meshes, through the botanical material therein, the fluid from the first tray flows past the lower mesh of the second tray and flows along the base of the second tray to flow through the one or more outlet apertures of the second tray for collection.

[0014] Example embodiments relate to a tray stack further comprising a third tray coupled to, and positioned over, the second tray, the inner sidewall of the third tray being coupled to the inner sidewall of the second tray, wherein the central openings of the first, second, and third trays are in fluid communication. Fluid from the second tray flows past the lower mesh of the third tray and flows along the base of the third tray to flow through the one or more outlet apertures of the third tray for collection.

[0015] Example embodiments relate to a tray stack further comprising a fourth tray coupled to, and positioned over, the third tray, the inner sidewall of the fourth tray being coupled to the inner sidewall of the third tray, wherein the central openings of the first, second, third, and fourth trays are in fluid communication. Fluid from the third tray flows past the lower mesh of the fourth tray and is flows along the base of the fourth tray to flow through the one or more outlet apertures of the fourth tray for collection.

[0016] Example embodiments relate to a cartridge assembly comprising a tray stack and a basket having basket sidewalls, the basket dimensioned to receive the tray stack therein, the outer sidewalls of the trays being spaced apart from the basket sidewalls to form a collection flow area therebetween. Fluid flowing through the one or more outlet apertures flow into the collection flow area.

[0017] Example embodiments relate to a tray, a tray stack, and a cartridge assembly for the extraction and separation of botanical oils and other compounds from botanical material, for example for the purpose of extracting and separating multiple and various oils and other compounds from cannabis botanical material without the use of solvents or a conventional fractional distillation technique on a large scale.

[0018] An example embodiment is a method of use of the tray, the tray stack, and the cartridge assembly for extracting and separating botanical oils and other compounds from botanical material. The method includes processing botanical material with a fluid by injecting the fluid into the central opening, the fluid flowing through the one or more inlet apertures, past the upper mesh, and through the botanical material held thereon, and collecting the fluid after flowing through the botanical material. The method can also be useful with other broad-spectrum compounds where practical, where it may be more convenient than conventional fractional distillation techniques.

[0019] An example embodiment is a botanical system for extracting and separating botanical oils and other compounds from botanical material comprising several oil or other compound types. The botanical system includes a vaporizing section having the cartridge assembly as described above, and a precipitator section fluidly coupled to the vaporizing section. The botanical system can also be useful with other broad-spectrum compounds where practical, where it may be more convenient than conventional fractional distillation techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments, and in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray for use with an industrial botanical device according an example embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the tray of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tray along line A- A of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion B of Figure 3 with arrows indicating movement of fluid.

[0025] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of four trays of Figure 1 in a basket system without a cap.

[0026] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the basket system of Figure 5 comprising the trays, a basket a carrier frame, and the cap.

[0027] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the basket and the carrier frame of Figure 6.

[0028] Figure 8 is a rotated, cross-sectional view of the basket system along line C-C of Figure 5.

[0029] Figure 9 is a schematic of the basket system of Figure 8 with further details in use with heaters, the arrows indicating movement of fluid.

[0030] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an example botanical system in use with the basket system of Figure 9.

[0031] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0032] Example embodiments relate to a botanical tray (also called a tray), a tray stack, and a cartridge assembly for use with a botanical system for processing botanical material. The botanical system may be configured to extract one or more compounds from the botanical material, wherein the fluid injected into the tray, the tray stack, and/or the cartridge assembly is gas that evaporates the one or more compounds from the botanical material as the gas flows through the botanical material as directed by the tray, the tray stack, and the cartridge assembly.

[0033] Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.

[0034] Figures 1 to 4 illustrates a tray 200 for use with a botanical system for processing botanical material with a fluid. The tray 200 generally includes an impermeable base 202, an upper mesh 204, an inner sidewall 206, and an outer sidewall 208. In some example embodiments, such as the one depicted, the tray 200 may further include a lower mesh 210.

[0035] The base 202 is made from an impermeable material and has a central aperture 212. In the example embodiment shown, the base 202 has an annular shape and the central aperture 212 is circular and positioned at the centre of the base 202. Of course, in other applications, the base 202 and/or the central aperture 212 may have a different shape, and the central aperture 212 may be situated in a different (non-centre) position in the base 202.

[0036] The upper mesh 204 is positioned over, and spaced apart from, one side of the base 202. The upper mesh 204 is permeable to fluid but sized and configured to hold the botanical material thereon above the base 202. As noted above, the botanical material may include milled botanical material, such as cannabis botanical material. The upper mesh 204 also has a central aperture 214. In the embodiment shown, similar to the base 202, the upper mesh 204 has an annular shape and the central aperture 214 is circular and positioned at the centre of the upper mesh 204. Of course, in other applications, the upper mesh 204 and/or the central aperture 214 may have a different shape, and the central aperture 214 may be situated in a different (non-centre) position in the upper mesh 204. In the present example, the central aperture 212 of the base 202 and the central aperture 214 the upper mesh 204 are aligned to form a central opening 216. A bottom end of the central opening 216 may be referred to as a fluid or gas inlet 2.

[0037] The inner sidewall 206 is made from an impermeable material, surrounds the central opening 216, and connects the base 202 with the upper mesh 204. The inner sidewall 206 further extends past the upper mesh 204 to an outer end 218. In particular, the inner sidewall 206 has one or more inlet apertures 220 positioned between the base 202 and the upper mesh 204. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the inner sidewall 206 has multiple inlet apertures 220 arranged around the central opening 216, specifically six inlet apertures 220. The inlet apertures 220 are each depicted as rectangular cut-outs in the inner sidewall 206 positioned between the base 202 and the upper mesh 204. In other applications, the number of inlet apertures 220 may be more or less than six, and may take on other shapes, so long as they are positioned between the base 202 and the upper mesh 204.

[0038] The outer sidewall 208 is also made from an impermeable material and surrounds a perimeter of the base 202 and the upper mesh 204, connecting the base 202 with the upper mesh 204. The outer sidewall 208 further extends past the upper mesh 204 to an upper end 222.

[0039] Given this configuration, in use, when fluid is injected into the central opening 216 within the inner sidewall 206 via the fluid inlet 2, the fluid can flow through the one or more inlet apertures 220 in the inner sidewall 206. The impermeable base 202 directs the gas upwards past the upper mesh 204, and the fluid flows around and/or through the botanical material held by the upper mesh 204. See Figure 4. The fluid may subsequently be collected for further processing, an example will be described in greater detail below.

[0040] To assist in directing the fluid through the one or more inlet apertures 220 in the inner sidewall 206, the inner sidewall 206 may further include a cap 224 secured to the outer end 218 that covers the central opening 216.

[0041] If the tray 200 is to be coupled to, or stacked with, other trays, rather than the cap 224, the outer end 218 of the inner sidewall 206 may have a coupling mechanism 232 configured to engage with the bottom end of an inner sidewall of another tray when stacked together. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the coupling mechanism 232 is a tapered portion 234 that is dimensioned to fit within the bottom end of an inner sidewall of another tray when stacked together. In other application, a different coupling mechanism may be used.

[0042] The tray 200 may further include one or more inlet spacers 226. The inlet spacers 226 extend between the base 202 and the upper mesh 204 in order to provide structural support to the upper mesh 204 and to maintain the upper mesh 204 in spaced relation with the base 202. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the inlet spacers 226 extend radially away from the central opening 216, between the inner sidewall 206 and the outer sidewall 208. The depicted inlet spacers 226 further have a height of 0.75 inches. In this manner, the upper mesh 204 may be maintained or positioned 0.75 inches above the base 202. The position of the upper mesh 204 above the base 202 may be modified to be greater than less than 0.75 inches by changing the height of the inlet spacers 226.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the tray 200 may further include the lower mesh 210, which is positioned below, and spaced apart from, an opposed side of the base 202. Similar to the base 202 and the upper mesh 204, the lower mesh 210 also has a central mesh aperture 228 that is aligned with the central aperture 212 of the base 202 and the central aperture 214 of the upper mesh 204. The central mesh aperture 228, the central aperture 212 and the central aperture 214 collectively form the central opening 216. Thus, in the present example embodiment, the inner sidewall 206 extends past the base 202 to connect with the lower mesh 210, and the outer sidewall 208 also extends past the base 202 to the lower mesh 210 to connect with the lower mesh 210. In particular, the outer sidewall 208 has one or more outlet apertures 230 that are positioned between the base 202 and the lower mesh 210.

[0044] Given this configuration, when stacked on top of another tray 200, when the fluid from the other tray flows upwards past the lower mesh 210, the impermeable base 202 directs the fluid through the one or more outlet apertures 230 in the outer sidewall 208. The fluid flows along the bottom side of the impermeable base 202 to the one or more outlet apertures 230 in the outer sidewall 208. See Figure 4. The fluid flowing through the outlet apertures 230 may subsequently be collected for further processing as will be further described below. [0045] In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the outer sidewall 208 has multiple outlet apertures 230 arranged around the perimeter, specifically twelve. The outlet apertures 230 are each depicted as rectangular cut-outs in the outer sidewall 208 positioned between the base 202 and the lower mesh 210. In other applications, the number of outlet apertures 230 may be more or less than twelve, and may take on other shapes, so long as they are positioned between the base 202 and the lower mesh 210.

[0046] The tray 200 may further include one or more outlet spacers 236. The outlet spacers 236 extend between the lower mesh 210 and the base 202 in order to provide structural support to the base 202 and to maintain the base 202 in spaced relation with the lower mesh 210. In the depicted example embodiment of Figure 2, the outlet spacers 236 extend radially away from the central opening 216, between the inner sidewall 206 and the outer sidewall 208. The depicted outlet spacers 236 further have a height of 0.5 inches. In this manner, the base 202 may be maintained or positioned 0.5 inches above the lower mesh 210. The position of the base 202 above the lower mesh 210 may be modified to be greater or less than 0.5 inches by changing the height of the outlet spacers 236.

[0047] While the dimensions of the tray 200 may vary based on the desired application and the botanical system, the diameter of the base 202, the upper mesh 204, and the lower mesh 210 may be between 50 and 55 inches. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the diameter of the base 202, the upper mesh 204, and the lower mesh 210 is 53.5 inches. As well, the diameter of the central opening may be between 18 and 22 inches and, in the depicted example embodiment, is 20 inches.

[0048] Turning to Figures 5 to 9, multiple trays 200 may be stacked and used together as a tray stack 152. The tray stack 152 may comprise multiple trays 200, each as described above. The multiple trays 200 may be different or the same from one another. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 5, 6, and 8, the tray stack 152 is made up for four trays 200. In particular, the shown tray stack 152 includes a first tray 200a, positioned at the bottom of the stack, that has the base 202 and upper mesh 204, but not the lower mesh 210. The tray stack 152 as illustrated further includes a second tray 200b positioned/ stacked on top of the first tray 200a. Unlike the first tray 200a, the second tray 200b includes the base 202, upper mesh 204, and the lower mesh 210. In the present implementation, the inner sidewall 206 of the second tray 200b is coupled to the inner sidewall 206 of the first tray 200a, bringing the central openings 216 of the first and second trays 200a, 200b into fluid communication. In the present case, the central openings 216 of the first and second trays 200a, 200b are also aligned to collectively form a centre column 238 extending between the trays. A bottom end of the centre column 238 may act as the fluid inlet 2. In the present case, the first tray 200a is different from the second tray 200b.

[0049] In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 5, 6, and 8, the outer end 218 of the inner sidewall 206 of the first tray 200a has a coupling mechanism 232, or the tapered portion 234, configured to engage with the bottom end of the inner sidewall 206 of the tray 200b when stacked together. In this manner, the second tray 200b may be releasably securable to the first tray 200a.

[0050] The tray stack 152 may fiirther includes a third tray 200c positioned/stacked on top of the second tray 200b. Similar to the second tray 200b, the third tray 200c may include the base 202, upper mesh 204, and the lower mesh 210. In the present implementation, the inner sidewall 206 of the third tray 200c is coupled to the inner sidewall 206 of the second tray 200b, bringing the central openings 216 of the first, second, and third trays 200a, 200b, 200c into fluid communication. In the present case, the central openings 216 of the first, second, and third trays 200a, 200b, 200c may also be aligned to collectively form the centre column 238 extending between the trays.

[0051] The tray stack 152 may fiirther includes a fourth tray 200d positioned/stacked on top of the third tray 200c. Similar to the second and third trays 200b, 200c, the fourth tray 200d includes the base 202, upper mesh 204, and the lower mesh 210. In the present implementation, the inner sidewall 206 of the fourth tray 200d is coupled to the inner sidewall 206 of the third tray 200c, bringing the central openings 216 of the first, second, third, and fourth trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d into fluid communication. In the present case, the central openings 216 of the first, second, third, and fourth trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d are also aligned to collectively form the centre column 238 extending between the trays.

[0052] The second, third, and/or fourth trays 200b, 200c, 200d may also have a coupling mechanism, allowing them to be releasably securable to the adjacent trays. [0053] The tray stack 152 may farther comprise the cap 224 secured to a top end of the tray stack 152 in order to cover the centre column 238. In that regard, the present example embodiment of Figures 6 and 8 depicts the fourth tray 200d includes the cap 224 covering the outer end 218 of its inner sidewall 206.

[0054] As best seen in Figures 9, when fluid is injected into the central opening of the first tray 200a via the fluid inlet 2, the fluid flows up the centre column 238 and flows through the inlet apertures 220 of the first, second, third, and fourth trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. There, the fluid is directed by the respective bases 202 to flow up past the upper meshes 204, and to flow through the botanical material therein. The fluid from the first, second, and third trays 200a, 200b, 200c flows past the lower mesh 210 of the adjacent second, third, and fourth trays 200b, 200c, 200d (respectively) and is directed by the base 202 of the corresponding second, third, and fourth trays 200b, 200c, 200d to flow through the outlet apertures 230 of the respective second, third, and fourth trays 200b, 200c, 200d for collection and fiirther processing. The fluid from the fourth tray 200d may simply flow upwards for collection and processing.

[0055] The tray stack 152 may be part of a basket system or cartridge assembly 150. As best seen in Figures 5 to 8, the cartridge assembly 150 generally includes the tray stack 152, which is made up of one or more trays 200 contained within a basket 154. The one or more trays 200 contained within the basket 154 may be held and supported by a carrier frame 156 for storage and/or transportation. In the depicted example embodiment of Figures 5 to 8, the tray stack 152 includes four trays 200 stacked on top of one another. In other example embodiments, not shown here, the tray stack 152 may have fewer or a greater number of trays 200.

[0056] The cartridge assembly 150 is fiirther shown to include the basket 154 that is dimensioned to hold or receive the tray stack 152. The basket 154 has basket sidewalls 158 and a basket bottom 160. The basket 154 may be shaped to correspond with that of the tray stack 152. Given the circular and cylindrical shape of the depicted tray stack 152, the depicted basket 154 is also cylindrically shaped to correspond with the tray stack 152. The basket sidewalls 158 may also have a height that matches or is greater than a height of the tray stack 152. The basket bottom 160 is shown to have a basket inlet 162 that is positioned to align with the bottom end of the centre column 238 of the tray stack 152. The basket inlet 162 may operate as the fluid inlet 2.

[0057] Further, the dimensions of the basket sidewalls 158 are shown to be larger than the outer sidewalls 208 of the tray stack 152. In particular, the diameter of the basket sidewalls 158 may be greater than the diameter of the tray stack 152. In that manner, when the tray stack 152 is received within the basket 154, the basket sidewalls 158 are spaced apart from the outer sidewalls 208 of the trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. A collection flow area 164 is thus formed between the basket sidewalls 158 and the outer sidewalls 208 of the tray stack 152. The basket 154 is shown to further have a basket outlet 166 that is in fluid communication with the collection flow area 164.

[0058] In this manner, as best seen in Figure 9, when the fluid flows through the outlet apertures 230 from the tray stack 152, the fluid flows into the collection flow area 164. The basket sidewalls 158 then help to direct the fluid upwards to flow through the basket outlet 166 to be collected for further processing. The fluid from the fourth tray 200d may simply flow upwards for collection and processing. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the cartridge assembly 150 further has additional electrical surface heating elements 168, which may be used to pre-heat the cartridge assembly 150. In that manner, the basket sidewalls 158 may further be controllably heated to prevent condensation of oil vapours thereon.

[0059] Optionally, the cartridge assembly 150 may further include a vent, such as an adjustable vent (not shown) positioned at the cap 224 (as a replacement to the cap 224). The adjustable vent can allow venting of some of the hot gas from the centre column 238 into the collection area where all the tray flows from the collection flow area 164 combine. The heat from the hot gas from the centre column 238 may provide additional heat to the fluid vapour in the collection area and may also allow for dilution of the fluid vapour should it be required/desired. In that manner, the adjustable vent forms a bypass, allowing hot inert gas past the tray stack 152 directly to the collection area of all trays. In another example, the vent is a fixed vent. In another example, the adjustable vent includes a pressure-activated valve which opens at a particular pressure, similar to that of a pressure cooker. [0060] The stacked nature, and stack-ability, of the first, second, third, and fourth trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d may help to increase the surface area and throughput of the processing of the botanical material contained within over a given period of time.

[0061] The tray 200, the tray stack 152, and the cartridge assembly 150 may be used in a number of applications, for example, gardening applications, hydroponics, and compound extraction.

[0062] In the case of compound extraction, each tray 200 may be a vaporization botanical tray and the botanical system may be an industrial botanical system that is configured to extract one or more compounds from the botanical material in the vaporization botanical trays. The fluid injected into the central opening 216 may be a gas that evaporates the one or more compounds from the botanical material as the fluid flows through the botanical material contained on the upper mesh 204. In such an application, the botanical material may include milled botanical material, such as cannabis botanical material.

[0063] As noted above, the stacked nature, and stack-ability, of the trays may help to increase the surface area and throughput of the processing of the botanical material contained within over a given period of time. In the case of compound extraction, the process of evaporating the compound(s) from the botanical material is dependant on the vapour pressure of the compound in the carrier gas itself and on the contact surface area between the gas and the source of the vapours. The difference between the vapour pressure of the compound in the botanical material and the vapour pressure in the carrier gas limits the evaporation rate for any given surface area of contact. While finely grinding the botanical material would increase the surface area of exposure, it will not necessarily improve the vaporization rate unless the flow area is also increased to get around the carrier gas saturation effect. The present system/arrangement provides fresh carrier gas into each layer of botanical material with essentially zero compound vapour pressure. This helps to significantly accelerate the evaporation process, as compared to evaporation of just one thick layer of the same weight of botanical material.

[0064] In one example embodiment of an industrial botanical device (not shown), the cartridge assembly 150, with wheels, may slide into the industrial botanical device and be sealed at atop surface of the basket 154 with an expanding silicon inflatable sealing arrangement mounted on a mating surface. The hot gas entry aperture/basket inlet 162 on the basket bottom 160 of the cartridge assembly 150 may also have a similar silicon inflatable seal. Such an arrangement may help to facilitate easy loading of the cartridge assembly 150 into the industrial botanical device. A spent cartridge assembly 150 may be easily removed following extraction, and may be replaced with a fresh loaded cartridge assembly 150. The industrial botanical device may include two cartridge assembly receiving areas, which may be alternately used.

[0065] Additionally, the cartridge assembly 150 may be operated separately from the industrial botanical device if desired. The cartridge assembly 150 may be warmed up and/or flooded with inert gas prior to insertion into the industrial botanical device.

[0066] Figure 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a botanical system 100 for extracting one or more compounds from botanical material 1 without the use of liquid solvents or solvent chemicals using the tray 200, the tray stack 152, and the cartridge assembly 150 as described above. The botanical system 100 may be configured to extract and separate botanical oils and compounds from botanical material, the botanical system 100 comprising a vaporizing section 59 which is further coupled to a precipitator section 26 for collection and segregation. The vaporizing section 59 receives the botanical material via the tray 200, the tray stack 152, and the cartridge assembly 150 through which a temperature- controlled inert gas is passed to evaporate specific vaporization temperature oils or compounds from the botanical material. The extracted vapor passes to the precipitator section 26 where the oil or compound is reduced back to the liquid state and is collected and segregated. The oils having the lowest vaporization temperature are collected first and the remaining oils are collected afterwards by specific and progressive vapor temperature control. Selected vaporized compounds are exhausted as vapor by bypassing the precipitator section 26 at specific known vaporization temperatures, thereby eliminating potentially toxic or undesirable oils or compounds from being collected.

[0067] An example botanical material 1 is cannabis botanical material. The botanical material 1 can include a multiplicity of oils and other compounds. For example, a few of the many compounds cannabis botanical materials include at least some of the following which have different vaporization temperatures, at 0.05 mmHg (0.006666119 kPA): Cannabigerol (CBG, 52 Degrees C), Toluene (110.6 Degrees C), Beta-Caryophyllene (119 Degrees C), Beta-Siteosterol (134 Degrees C), Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, 157 Degrees C), Cannabidiol (CBD, 160-180 Degrees C). There are many other known compounds some of which are desirable compounds and others, which are classified as toxins, have well defined vaporization temperatures greater than 180 Degrees C and extending to above 230 Degrees C. In addition to compounds, in some examples, separation can be performed to extract specified compositions and specified elements, as applicable. Any of the described vaporizing temperatures presume 0.05 mmHg unless otherwise noted, and can be adjusted for changes in pressure, as applicable. For example, adjustment may be applied either by monitoring the pressure and compensating the temperatures or by controlling the operating pressure.

[0068] In other examples, the botanical oils are ingestible, such as vegetable glycerine (VG), MCT oil or other oils. Other organic oils can that can be used include meat-based oils, tallow, lard, and the like.

[0069] In some examples, pressure can be increased by introducing an inert gas such, as Nitrogen or Argon gas, thereby increasing the required respective vaporizing temperatures. In some examples, pressure can be reduced which reduces the vaporization temperature of the compounds in the botanical material 1, for example using a vacuum, controllable valve, pressure relief valve, pressure chamber, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the environmental operating pressure may be adjusted by the process controller 18 when it is desired to alter the vaporization temperatures. For example, reducing the pressure lowers the required respective vaporization temperature, which is useful for compounds that may be damaged at higher temperatures, e.g. in some other pharmaceutical, chemical, cellular, or organic applications.

[0070] In general terms, in an example, the botanical system 100 is configured to receive botanical material 1 containing a number of compounds having different vaporization temperatures within the cartridge assembly 150. The material is heated by flowing heated regulated Nitrogen gas 3 from the fluid or gas inlet 2 over the botanical material in a similarly heated enclosure having an environment of inert heated regulated Nitrogen gas 3 from the gas inlet 2 to specific temperature values for specific time durations, the process starting at the lowest vaporization temperatures to vaporize the most volatile compounds first having lower vaporization temperatures (e.g. lower than 52 Degrees C), followed by subsequently higher temperatures in order to vaporize the higher vaporization temperature compounds last in order to individually vaporize specific compounds. A centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60 is used to individually precipitate each respective specific compound that is vaporized at each specific temperature value, for collection.

[0071] Due to the inert Nitrogen gas 3 from the gas inlet 2, the heating to specific temperature values for specific time durations is performed without oxidation, as no oxygen or gas contaminants are present in the environment of Nitrogen gas 3. As well, solvents (solvent chemicals, liquid solvents or otherwise) are not required for the heating during the vaporization and precipitation of any of the compounds of the botanical material 1.

[0072] The botanical system 100 can be controlled by one or more controllers, for example process controller 18. The process controller 18 is used to detect and control the overall components and fiinctions of the botanical system 100. The process controller 18 can output a respective control signal 13 to control the various components. The process controller 18 can receive signals from various sensors and detectors of the botanical system 100. Another controller can receive a control signal from the process controller 18 and can output one or more control signals to enable and disable electrostatic precipitation and aerosolization. The control signal can include heater control 43. In some examples, each of the controllers can include a processor that executes instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium. The controllers can be combined in a single controller in some examples, or can each have their fiinctions performed by a plurality of controllers in some examples. In some examples, the controllers can be hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0073] An inert gas, such as Nitrogen or Argon gas, may be used in example embodiments. Nitrogen gas may be provided by Nitrogen supply 20 as high pressure Nitrogen gas 4 and then pressure regulated through Nitrogen pressure regulator 21, to output regulated Nitrogen gas 3.

[0074] The inert gas, such as Nitrogen or Argon gas, is used to reduce the potential of oxidation processes during the vaporization stage and to prevent combustion of potentially combustible materials that may be a part of the botanical oil containing materials. The use of an inert gas in conjunction with an electrostatic precipitation stage also minimizes the potential of Ozone (O3) production as well as Nitrous Oxide (N2O) production eliminating other chemical reactions that may occur due to ionization effects that can happen with air in electrostatic precipitators.

[0075] The botanical system 100 can include a housing that defines one or more sections, including a vaporization section 59 and a precipitator section 26. The specified temperature values can be pre-programmed in a sequence into the process controller 18, based on a time sequence in some examples, or based on sensor detection to proceed to the next compound in the sequence in some other examples. The vapor produced in the vaporization section 59 (having a semi-sealed oven enclosure 42) is continuously passed on to the mixer section 24, wherein at specific predefined temperature values, Nitrogen gas 5 is introduced using an associated gas inlet and mixed with the hotter vapor, in order to reduce its temperature to cause the vapor to revert to an aerosol state of suspended condensed droplets of the previously vaporized compound. The output from the mixer section 24 is aerosolized oil or other compound and Nitrogen 7.

[0076] In an example, the Nitrogen gas 5 is unheated. In an example, the Nitrogen gas 5 is heated by the associated gas inlet (or by another heat source). By adjusting the temperature of Nitrogen gas 5, the closer the temperature gets to the vapour temperature of the vaporized compound, the smaller the majority of particles captured become. This may improve the biological absorption of the compounds suspended in the collection fluid, and may also help to maintain these particles in suspension in the carrier fluid.

[0077] A precipitator section 26 houses the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60. At the same instant the Nitrogen gas 5 is activated using the solenoid valve 23 to flow throw the associated gas inlet, the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60 is also activated in order to start the precipitation process, which coalesces the evaporated compound onto a rotatable precipitator electrode 38 that is rotating using a motor 28 having a rotor, and the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 includes a generally cylindrical frame made of metal. The metal forms the electrostatic precipitator ground electrode which facilitates the centrifiigally generated flow of the electrostatically precipitated / coalesced liquid on the inner surface of the metal. In an example, the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is grounded to ground or Earth ground, or controlled to be zero volts by an electrostatic power supply 11 or a suitable switch, for attracting of charged particles. In other examples, the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is controlled by the electrostatic power supply 11 to be a controlled voltage that is different than the charge of the charged particles. The coalesced liquid is centrifiigally ejected from the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 (when rotating) at one end of the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 and collected by example collection systems as further described herein. In an example, the used Nitrogen gas 22 is exhausted out of the precipitator section 26 via a gas path exhaust conduit 8, which also carries un-precipitated vapor present when the aerosolization-precipitation process is not activated, resulting in the exhausting and expelling of undesired vaporized compounds. The exhaust may be birther processed in a separate system (not shown) as required. The rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is rotated at a fixed high speed by the motor 28, such as 4000 revolutions per minute. In some examples, the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is controlled to be rotated at variable speeds (e.g. partial speed, periodic modulating speed or sinusoidal modulating speed) rather than a fixed maximal speed. In other examples, other actuators or drivers can be used instead of the motor 28.

[0078] In an example embodiment, the vaporization section 59 is configured to receive botanical material 1 that is milled and contained in the cartridge assembly 150 as described above. The botanical material 1 includes a multiplicity of compounds having different vaporizing temperatures. The cartridge assembly 150 containing the botanical material 1 is then inserted into the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42, which is in the vaporization section 59 that is generally used to receive the botanical material 1 and for controlled vaporization of the botanical material 1. In some examples, the cartridge assembly 150 is removable, and after processing and extraction, the cartridge assembly 150 is removed and the next cartridge assembly 150 containing the next botanical material 1 is inserted into the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42. The cartridge assembly 150 can also be refilled with the next botanical material 1.

[0079] At the beginning of the process following the installation of the botanically loaded cartridge assembly 150, the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 is initially flooded with a pre-set flow of ambient temperature Nitrogen gas 3 from the gas inlet 2 to substantially remove any oxygen from the enclosure environment of the vaporization section 59 and the precipitator section 26, and also to some degree from the enclosure of the loaded cartridge assembly 150 and the botanical material 1 contained within. In some examples, at the same time as the initial flooding with the Nitrogen gas 3 from the gas inlet 2, a vacuum suction is used to partially or fully evacuate the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42, the mixer section 24, and the precipitator section 26, to initially remove oxygen and other ambient gases via the gas path exhaust conduit 8.

[0080] The cartridge assembly 150 and the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 are arranged such that Nitrogen gas 3 from the fluid or gas inlet 2 is forced to flow through the vaporization botanical trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the cartridge assembly 150 through the milled botanical material 1 and out through the basket outlet 166 of the cartridge assembly 150 as oven exit vapor 6. Some examples include recirculated Nitrogen gas 22 from the gas path exhaust conduit 8 in addition to or in place of Nitrogen gas 3 from the Nitrogen gas supply 20. In some examples, an initial injection of Nitrogen gas 3 is provided by the Nitrogen gas supply 20, followed by recirculation of any of the used Nitrogen gas 3 to the extent possible.

[0081] The flowing Nitrogen gas 3 and the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 are gradually heated at a controlled rate by a heat source 19 (heater) to a first specified vapor temperature value that corresponds to a desirable compound vaporizing temperature of one or more of the compounds within the milled botanical material 1. In an example, the heat source 19 can generally surround the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 and the fluid or gas inlet 2. The temperature 14 of the oven exit vapor 6 of the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 is detected by one or more respective temperature sensors 64, and the temperature 14 is received, monitored and controlled by the process controller 18, by using the heat source 19 to controllably heat both the Nitrogen gas inlet 2 and a wall temperature of the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42, simultaneously. In some examples, the heat source 19 can have the desired specified temperature regulated using feedback from the temperature 14 of the exit vapor 6 (by one or more temperature sensors 64). In some other examples, the heat source 19 is self-regulated and/or calibrated to provide the desired temperature 14 of the exit vapor 6.

[0082] In some examples, the temperature that the Nitrogen gas 3 is heated through the gas inlet 2 into the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 before it encounters the milled botanical material 1 is higher than (greater than) the specific vapor temperature being targeted. The higher temperature by the heat source 19 is used prior to entry to the semisealed oven enclosure 42 because, in an example, the measured temperature of the exit vapor 6 from the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 is used for the control feedback for the controlling of the heat by the heat source 19 being input to the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42. The actual temperature of the Nitrogen gas 3 will cool by some amount as the particular compounds of the milled botanical material 1 are absorbing energy when being vaporized (heat of vaporization is supplied by the energy in the Nitrogen gas to the milled botanical material 1). In some examples, one or more temperature sensors 64 detects the temperature of the exit vapor 6 immediately as the vapor is formed, and the temperature is used as a control or process value that is measured and fed back to the heater power control input though the process controller 18. The power to the heat source 19 is controlled by the process controller 18 to maintain the vapor on vaporization to a specific temperature, not to control the temperature of the gas being supplied to the vaporizer (this is how the energy reaches the material), which is used to vaporize the compound. The vapor temperature upon evaporation of the exit vapor 6 will be at the vaporization temperature of the compound (this is measured right at the exit of the basket outlet 166 since it could become heated or cooled farther downstream of this location). If the gas flow rate varies, the input gas temperature will vary by control from the process controller 18 to compensate and hold the vapor temperature fixed at the controlled value by the feedback loop controlling the power to the heat source 19.

[0083] Since the compound vapor temperatures are defined by the chemistry of the compound (at any given pressure), the vaporization temperature identifies the specific compound. By controlling the vapor temperature at vaporization by adjusting the power (heat input) supplied by the heat source 19 to the (un-defined) gas flow, the process controller 18 automatically controls the actual heat of vaporization, input to the (un-defined amount of) compound from the milled botanical material 1 for any specific compound having a given vaporization temperature.

[0084] In some examples, the process controller 18 detects the completion of vaporization at any given control temperature (compound or group of compounds) by the impedance characteristic (e.g., using an electrical energy sensor such as a voltage sensor and/or current sensor) within the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60, thus determining when a specific vapor is partially or completely evaporated and collected (or removed). The particular variable impedance characteristic can be detected by one or more sensors, or calculated from sensor information from those one or more sensors. The detection of a breakdown voltage of a spark gap can be used in some examples in place of the impendence sensor to determine that a specific vapor is completely evaporated and collected (or removed), or is below a threshold. The sensor information to determine the impedance characteristic can be used by the process controller 18 for vaporizing of the next one or more compounds from the milled botanical material 1 having the next higher respective vaporizing temperature.

[0085] After flowing the Nitrogen gas 3 via fluid or gas inlet 2 through the botanical material 1, the vaporized compounds mixed with Nitrogen as exit vapor 6 flows into a mixer section 24, wherein at the first specified temperature value the vapor is mixed with a separate controlled flow of Nitrogen gas 5 as the process controller 18 activates flow of the Nitrogen gas 5 via a solenoid valve 23 at said first specified temperature value.

[0086] Once the first specified temperature value has been attained, compounds of that specific vaporization temperature will begin to vaporize rapidly from the botanical material 1 and will be transported as hot exit vapor 6 from the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 into the mixer section 24 where the bypass to bypass duct 53 has been deactivated and the regulated Nitrogen gas 5 is activated as the first specified temperature value is reached, and the charge of the centrifiigal electrostatic precipitator 60 is activated and rotation action using the motor 28 is activated to rotate the centrifiigal electrostatic precipitator 60 around an axis of rotation. The vaporization temperature of each respective compound tends to be over a range of temperatures around a specific temperature. The range itself is affected by local gas velocity, pressure and rate of change of temperature where the specific temperature depends on the compound characteristics and local vapour pressure, taking into account the present pressure conditions of the carrier gas. The present pressure can be controlled in some examples.

[0087] In an example, the system includes a plurality (e.g. several layers) of glass beads (not shown here) above the tray stack 152, through which the vapours are required to pass, primarily to effect a reflux region. The glass beads can improve the separation of closely grouped compound vaporization temperatures. The glass beads may also assist to prevent dust particles from passing onto the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60.

[0088] In examples, the glass beads also help in holding on to higher temperature condensates that collect onto the glass beads, in which the condensates can then be cleaned off during periodic high temperature (e.g., 250 Degrees C) cleaning cycles, which can be performed periodically (e.g. daily).

[0089] The hot exit vapor 6 can be mixed with Nitrogen gas 5 (heated or unheated) and as a result will cool to a temperature below the vaporization temperature, causing the vaporized compound to begin to condense into an aerosol of suspended microscopic droplets, which becomes exposed to the now activated generated ions from the corona electrodes 36, resulting in electrostatic charging of the suspended droplets, and the subsequent electrostatic attraction to the (now rotating) rotatable precipitator electrode 38. The rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is conductive due to the metal. In some examples, the precipitator electrode 38 is grounded, forming a grounded plate electrode of the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60.

[0090] The electrostatic action results in the microscopic droplets and possibly remaining vapors to coalesce as a liquid into the rotating rotatable precipitator electrode 38. As the droplets collect on the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 and coalesce into larger liquid droplets, the centrifugal forces that build up as the droplet mass increases with size, causes the larger droplets to be ejected free from the rotating rotatable precipitator electrode 38 in a tangential direction, at an end of the rotatable precipitator electrode 38, to be captured by one of several different possible collecting systems to be described in more detail below. The remaining Nitrogen gas and any potentially un-precipitated vapor pass out of the precipitator section 26 via the gas path exhaust conduit 8 or in some examples are recirculated for re-use (the recirculation is explained in greater detail herein).

[0091] After a predetermined period of time or specified precipitator impedance characteristic or discharge detected signal 54 at the specific temperature value, the process controller 18 disables the aerosolization and electrostatic precipitation action by deactivating flow of the Nitrogen gas 5 and the corona electrodes 36, reactivating the bypass flow, deactivating the electrostatic power supply 11 (when used) and slowing or stopping the motor 28.

[0092] The process controller 18 then begins to increase the temperature of the semisealed oven enclosure 42 and Nitrogen gas 3 through gas inlet 2 flow to achieve the next specified vaporization temperature, in a controlled ramping upwards of the temperature 14 of the exit vapor 6 of the semi-sealed oven enclosure 42 in precisely the same way as was done for the first specified temperature, whereby this identical process is repeated for any number of respective predetermined specific temperature values where the vapor temperature of desired compounds are known.

[0093] In some cases, there are compounds which are not desired to be collected and have known vapor temperatures, for example at 0.05 mmHg: Toluene at 110.6 Degrees C, or Benzene at 200 Degrees C or Naphthalene at 218 Degrees C, which are all listed as toxic compounds. Some of these particular compounds can have vapor temperatures below some desirable compounds (e.g. lower than 52 Degrees C) and above others (e.g. greater than 180 Degrees C), and can be evaporated and disposed of from the milled botanical material 1 by attaining the specific vaporization temperature values for a specific period of time but without activating the precipitator section 26, and/or selectively bypassing the vapors around the precipitator section 26 such to exhaust these undesirable compounds as un-precipitated vapor, preventing any specifically selected compounds of specific vaporization temperatures from being collected and potentially mixed with other more desirable compounds. The exhausted vapors may undergo further treatment or processing in a separate system in some examples (not shown).

[0094] The liquid oil droplets 12 are precipitated compounds by the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60 and are ejected from the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60, which are then collected in one of several possible different collection systems which range from very basic arrangements of lower cost to more sophisticated arrangements which allow for the separate collection of each compound of a specific vapor temperature.

[0095] In the example embodiment as depicted by Figure 10, the collection system includes a rotatable sleeve 47, which is attached to, and rotating with the rotor of the motor 28 that controls the rotatable precipitator electrode 38. The collection system further includes a small flow of distilled water or other fluid from a controlled source of fluid supply 31 (e.g. reservoir or tank) into the motor end of the rotatable sleeve 47. The distilled water or other fluid is only fed to the rotatable sleeve 47 while the centrifugal electrostatic precipitator 60 is active, by utilizing the solenoid controlled pressure of the Nitrogen gas 5 to pressurize the fluid supply 31, to cause distilled water or other fluid to flow through the conduit 50, when pressurized. The distilled water or other fluid introduced to the rotatable sleeve 47 is constrained by centrifugal force to form an axially flowing distilled water or other fluid film 48 along the inside surface of the rotatable sleeve 47 and flows in an axial direction towards the open end of the rotatable sleeve 47, collecting compound ejected from the rotating rotatable precipitator electrode 38, where the water or other fluid plus compound is ejected in a tangential direction from the open end of the rotatable sleeve 47 either from the edge of the rotatable sleeve 47, or from a series of radial holes (not shown) in the rotatable sleeve 47. In examples, the distilled water or other fluid is not considered a solvent here because it does not dissolve the collected compound, but rather supports motility of the collected compound. The distilled water or other fluid compound 49 is ejected from the rotatable sleeve 47 and is captured in an annular fluid conduit 32, which is further connected to a tangentially directed drain conduit (not shown here). In examples, some fluids such as vegetable glycerine (VG), MCT oil or other oils are the compounds to be collected, and can be used in an immediate botanical compound infused product suitable for direct consumption or as ointments for immediate application with no further processing.

[0096] In some examples (not shown), the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is partially conical rather than cylindrical, with the smaller radius at the end facing the distilled water or other fluid supply conduit 50 and the larger radius facing the annular fluid conduit 32. This generally conical shape facilitates flow of the water or other fluid plus compound towards the annular fluid conduit 32 when the rotatable precipitator electrode 38 is rotating. The generally conical rotatable precipitator electrode 38 can be rotated along its central longitudinal axis, and generally operate in a similar manner as the cylindrical example described herein.

[0097] In example embodiments, it can be appreciated that two or more types of compounds from the botanical material 1 can be processed and collected at one time, within one iteration of the process performed by the botanical system 100. For example, in some applications it may be desired to collectively collect both THC and CBD at one time, for example into one collection vessel. In such examples, the specified vaporizing temperature can be controlled via the heat source 19 to be in a range of temperatures between the vaporization temperatures of the two or more types of compounds from the botanical material 1 (THC and CBD in this example), or alternatively can be increased to and maintained at the higher vaporization temperature of the desired two or more compounds (CBD requires the higher vaporization temperature in this example). [0098] The controller is used to sense and control the various components of the botanical system 100, including the various sensors, solenoid valve 23, the electrostatic power supply 11, the power supply 25 and the motor drive control 27, in order to enable or disable various aspects of the vaporization, electrostatic precipitation and aerosolization.

[0099] As noted above, the stacked nature, and stack-ability, of the first, second, third, and fourth trays 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d may help to increase the surface area and throughput of the processing of the botanical material contained within over a given period of time. The shallow nature of the trays further reduces the temperature difference between the input side and the output side of a given layer, allowing better selectivity on the compounds evaporated at any given time.

[00100] In some examples, the botanical system 100 is at a small scale as a home kitchen type appliance or can be scaled up to any larger size for industrial production or processing. In some examples, the botanical system 100 is not necessarily limited to the application described and could be applied to other botanical materials or other oil fractionation applications. The oil may be contained by materials other than botanical materials, which can be provided to the system for solvent-less vaporization, extraction, and fractionation of the oils or compounds in the same way as described above for botanical materials. Other gases besides Nitrogen may be used for the same or different purposes.

[00101] Other suitable liquids may be substituted for the distilled water as required or for different or additional purposes.

[00102] The exhaust gases may be further processed or filtered in a separate similar or different system for recycling or for any other purpose or reason.

[00103] In some example embodiments, the described botanical system 100 and processes can be implemented to collect the respective one or more compounds in a batch process, for example using the cartridge assembly 150 for each batch. In other examples, example embodiments of the described botanical system 100 and processes can be implemented in a continuous batch process. [00104] In an example embodiment, any one of the specified temperature values comprises any one of, at 0.05 mmHg:

52 Degrees C for vaporizing Cannabigerol (CBG), or

119 Degrees C for vaporizingg Beta-Caryophyllene, or

134 Degrees C for vaporizing Beta-Siteosterol, or

157 Degrees C for vaporizingg Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or anywhere in a range of 160-180 Degrees C for vaporizing Cannabidiol (CBD); or wherein any one of the specified temperature values comprises any of the above specified temperature values at 0.05 mmHg adjusted for present pressure as compared to 0.05 mmHg.

[00105] In an example embodiment, the specified temperature values comprise the following at 0.05 mmHg, or adjusted for present pressure as compared to 0.05 mmHg, in sequence for the sequentially vaporizing:

52 Degrees C for vaporizing Cannabigerol (CBG),

119 Degrees C for vaporizing Beta-Caryophyllene,

134 Degrees C for vaporizing Beta-Siteosterol,

157 Degrees C for vaporizing Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and anywhere in a range of 160-180 Degrees C for vaporizing Cannabidiol (CBD).

[00106] In some examples, the tray 200 can be used to hold botanicals or botanical materials for growing, drying or storage purposes.

[00107] In example embodiments, the one or more controllers can be implemented by or executed by, for example, one or more of the following systems: Personal Computer (PC), Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), microprocessor, cloud computing, server (local or remote), mobile phone or mobile communication device.

[00108] The term "computer readable medium" as used herein includes any medium which can store instructions, program steps, or the like, for use by or execution by a computer or other computing device including, but not limited to: magnetic media, such as a diskette, a disk drive, a magnetic drum, a magneto -optical disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic core memory, or the like; electronic storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) of any type including static RAM, dynamic RAM, synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable-read-only memory of any type including PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, EAROM, a so-called "solid state disk", other electronic storage of any type including a charge-coupled device (CCD), or magnetic bubble memory, a portable electronic data-carrying card of any type including COMPACT FLASH, SECURE DIGITAL (SD-CARD), MEMORY STICK, and the like; and optical media such as a Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or BLU-RAY (RTM) Disc.

[00109] Variations may be made to some example embodiments, which may include combinations and sub-combinations of any of the above. The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are in no way meant to limit the scope of example embodiments. Variations of the innovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of the example embodiments. In particular, features from one or more of the above-described example embodiments may be selected to create alternative embodiments comprised of a subcombination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The subject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

[00110] Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive.