# US 11,304,380 B2 · Method and apparatus for airborne dissemination and implantation of seeds > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,380 B2 - Document ID: US11304380B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/030,680 - Filed: 2018-07-09 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-20 - Assignees: Brett Evan Patrick - Applicants: Brett Evan Patrick - Inventors: Brett Evan Patrick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304380B2 ## CPC - A01G 9/0291: {Planting receptacles specially adapted for remaining in the soil after planting} - A01C 21/00: Methods of fertilising {, sowing or planting} - B64D 1/08: the articles being load-carrying devices - G05D 1/0204: {to counteract a sudden perturbation, e.g. cross-wind, gust} - B64U 2101/40: for agriculture or forestry operations - B64U 2201/10: autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS] - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the airborne dissemination and implantation of seeds utilizing an aerodynamic seed delivery apparatus with built-in nutrients, anti-pest, and anti-fungal properties that can be disseminated rapidly from an airborne platform. The velocity of impact and depth of penetration into specific soil types by the delivery apparatus can be controlled up to a terminal velocity kinetic energy by exploiting a specified drag coefficient, mass, and altitude of release. The seeds are delivered and imbedded into the soil at the optimal depth and orientation to maximize germination rates, since seed orientation has a pronounced effect on germination and sprout mortality rates. Flight paths for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) utilized for dissemination can be automated to adjust coordinates based on wind vectors, terrain elevation data, and soil permeability data to efficiently achieve a desired penetration depth across a specified geographic area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus to deliver and implant a seed, comprising: a head having a hem i-ellipsoid shape, the head includes first and second segments, wherein the first segment has the hem i-ellipsoid shape with a first maximum diameter and a first height, where the first height is not less than the first maximum diameter, and the second segment has a frustoconical shape with a second maximum diameter and second height, where the second height is not less than the first maximum diameter, and the head has a nose performance coefficient for a predetermined depth of penetration for a seed; a tail having a conical shape with a base, a tail diameter, a tail height, and a tip, the tail height is not less than the first maximum diameter; and a body having a cylindrical shape and a body diameter, the body is disposed between and attached to the head and the tail, wherein said head and tail are at opposing ends, with the entirety of the cylindrical body positioned between said head and tail, the base of the tail is adjacent to the body and the tip is opposite to the base, wherein the tail diameter is equal to or less than the body diameter; at least one of the head or body is configured to encapsulate at least one seed; wherein the apparatus has a center of mass that is adjacent the head and spaced from the tail such that the apparatus falls headfirst to the ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate component disposed between the body and the tail, the intermediate component having a frustoconical shape with opposed first and second ends, the first end having a first diameter and the second end having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, the second end being adjacent to the body and spaced from the tail, the first end being adjacent to the tail and spaced from the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tail diameter is equal to the first diameter of the intermediate component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an external surface of at least one of the head, body, or tail is coated with at least one nutrient supplementation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the head, body, or tail is made of one or more materials with at least one nutrient supplementation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an external surface of at least one of the head, body, or tail is coated with at least one antifungal supplementation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the head, body, or tail is made of one or more materials with at least one antifungal supplementation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an external surface of at least one of the head, body, or tail is coated with at least one anti-pest supplementation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the head, body, or tail is made of one or more materials with at least one anti-pest supplementation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the head, body and tail is solid and molded from an organic medium. ### Claim 11 An apparatus to deliver and implant a seed, comprising: a head having an aerodynamic hem i-ellipsoid shape for a predetermined soil penetrability, the head includes first and second segments, wherein the first segment has the hemi-ellipsoid shape with a first maximum diameter and a first height, where the first height is not less than the first maximum diameter, and the second segment has a frustoconical shape with a second maximum diameter and a second height, where the second height is not less than the first maximum diameter, and the head has a nose performance coefficient for a predetermined depth of penetration for a seed; a tail having a conical shape with a base, a tip, a tail height, and a tail diameter, the tail height is not less than the first maximum diameter; a body having a cylindrical shape and a body diameter, the body is disposed between and attached to the head and the tail, wherein said head and tail are at opposing ends, with the entirety of the cylindrical body positioned between said head and tail, the base of the tail is adjacent to the body and the tip is opposite to the base, where the head and tail are aligned along one axis, wherein the tail diameter is equal to or less than the body diameter; and at least one seed encapsulated in at least one of the head or the cylindrical body, wherein the apparatus has a center of mass that is adjacent the head and spaced from the tail such that the apparatus falls headfirst to the ground. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein orientation of the at least one seed encapsulated within the at least one of the head or the cylindrical body is predetermined to optimize germination and sprout survival rate.