Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11530963-B2
Application number	US-202016993178-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 13, 2020
Priority date	Aug 26, 2004
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

An automated method for sampling seeds generally includes removing material from a seed at an automated sampling station and then, after removing the material from the seed, detecting, by at least one sensor, movement of the seed out of the automated sampling station. The automated method may also include, after removing the material from the seed, transferring the seed from the automated sampling station to a seed container and transferring the material removed from the seed from the automated sampling station to a sample container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated method for sampling seeds, the automated method comprising:
removing material from a seed at an automated sampling station; and
after removing the material from the seed, detecting, by at least one sensor, movement of the seed out of the automated sampling station.

2. The automated method of claim 1 , further comprising, after removing the material from the seed, transferring the seed from the automated sampling station to a seed container.

3. The automated method of claim 2 , further comprising transferring the material removed from the seed from the automated sampling station to a sample container.

4. The automated method of claim 2 , further comprising detecting, by the at least one sensor, the transfer of the seed to the seed container.

5. The automated method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor;
wherein detecting the movement of the seed out of the automated sampling station includes detecting, by the first sensor, receipt of the seed from the automated sampling station by a conveyor; and
wherein detecting the transfer of the seed from the automated sampling station to the seed container includes detecting, by the second sensor, removal of the seed from the conveyor to the seed container.

6. The automated method of claim 5 , wherein the conveyor includes a tube disposed generally between the automated sampling station and the seed container; and
wherein transferring the seed from the automated sampling station to the seed container includes inducing an air flow in the tube to thereby draw the seed into the tube from the automated sampling station and move the seed through the tube to the seed container.

7. The automated method of claim 6 , further comprising adjusting the air flow in the tube based on the detected receipt of the seed in the tube by the first sensor and/or the detected removal of the seed from the tube by the second sensor.

8. The automated method of claim 5 , wherein the first sensor and/or the second sensor includes an optical sensor.

9. The automated method of claim 5 , wherein the seed container includes a tray comprising multiple wells; and
wherein the method further comprises directing, by the conveyor, the seed to one of the multiple wells of the tray.

10. The automated method of claim 2 , wherein detecting the movement of the seed out of the automated sampling station includes detecting, by the at least one sensor, the transfer of the seed from the automated sampling station to the seed container.

11. The automated method of claim 1 , further comprising transferring the material removed from the seed to a sample container.

12. The automated method of claim 11 , wherein the sample container includes a tray comprising multiple wells; and
wherein transferring the material removed from the seed to the sample container includes directing, by a sample conveyor, the material removed from the seed to one of the multiple wells of the tray.

13. The automated method of claim 11 , wherein removing material from the seed at the automated sampling station includes removing the material from the seed while protecting germination viability of the seed.

14. The automated method of claim 13 , further comprising analyzing the material removed from the seed for one or more characteristics, and then selecting the seed based on presence or absence of the one or more characteristics in the material.

15. The automated method of claim 14 , wherein the seed is a corn seed.

16. The automated method of claim 14 , wherein the seed is a soybean seed.

Assignees

• Monsanto Technology Llc

Inventors

• Deppermann Kevin L
• Petersen Michael W

Classifications

• A01C1/00

  Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots, or the like, prior to sowing or planting · CPC title

• A01C1/025

  Testing seeds for determining their viability or germination capacity · CPC title

• A01H4/003

  Cutting apparatus specially adapted for tissue culture · CPC title

• C12Q1/6895

  for plants, fungi or algae · CPC title

• B07C2501/009

  Sorting of fruit · CPC title