US 12,298,252 B2 · Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods

Abstract

A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A seed sampling system comprising:

an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds, the seed loading assembly comprising multiple laterally spaced elevator units, each of the elevator units operable to actuate one of the singulated seeds into a position above the elevator unit;
an automated seed sampling assembly comprising multiple laterally spaced sampling modules, each of the sampling modules operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds;
and
an automated seed transport assembly comprising multiple laterally spaced retention members operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the elevator units of the seed loading assembly to the sampling modules of the seed sampling assembly;
wherein the lateral spacing between the elevator units of the seed loading assembly, the lateral spacing between the sampling modules of the automated seed sampling assembly, and the lateral spacing between the retention members of the automated seed transport assembly are the same.

2 more elements

An automated method for removing tissue samples from seeds, the method comprising:

singulating a seed from a plurality of seeds;
engaging the singulated seed with a retention member of an automated seed transport assembly;
orienting the seed at the retention member by rotating an end portion of the retention member to thereby change a position of the seed on the retention member;
moving the oriented seed to a sampling module of an automated seed sampling assembly;
and
removing a tissue sample from the singulated seed at the sampling module.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods

Life of this patent

Automated systems for removing tissue samples from seeds, and related methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16