US 10,820,479 B2 · Seed ablation

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for seed ablation. In accordance with the method of seed ablation, the apparatus is adapted to expose a heat source to a plurality of seeds while the seeds are in motion. Exposing of the heat source to the moving seed allows ablation of the seeds for de-awning and removing of the appendages of the seeds. In a particular arrangement the seeds are exposed to rotational movement within a centrifugal drum to form a rotating stream of seeds. A torch which reaches into the drum provides a flame directed to the stream of seeds for exposing the seeds to the flame. This allows the ablation of the seed awns and appendages over time as seeds enter into contact with the flame.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for ablating awns, hairs and appendages of seeds located within a drum adapted to expose the seeds to rotational movement for generating within the drum a stream of seeds rotating one or more times about a longitudinal axis of the drum, the method comprising:

rotating at least a portion of the drum for exposing the seeds to rotational movement generating the stream of seeds rotating within the drum about the longitudinal axis of the drum;
and
exposing at least one particular location of the stream of seeds to at least one flame,
wherein the stream of seeds rotates about the longitudinal axis of the drum a plurality of times for periodically exposing the particular location of the stream of seeds to the flame.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seed ablation

Life of this patent

Seed ablation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20