Method and device for delivering viable microorganisms in seed lubricant to seed supply
AssigneeMeristem Crop Performance Group, LLC
InventorMitchell Eviston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32, and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12, the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.
Claims20
A package comprising:
- a main body storing a seed additive;
- a lid removably coupled to the main body, the lid defining an opening and at least one chamber disposed within the opening, the chamber retaining microorganisms in a viable state;
- a dividing member separating the main body and the chamber;
- and
- a disrupting mechanism that disrupts the dividing member such that the seed additive and the microorganisms form a mixture thereof.
A package for delivering viable microorganisms to a seeder and/or planter, the package comprising:
- a body portion comprising a first chamber storing a seed additive;
- a lid portion coupled to the body portion, the lid portion defining an opening;
- a capsule comprising a second chamber, the capsule positionable at least partially within the opening of the lid portion, wherein the second chamber contains microorganisms in a viable state;
- a dividing member separating the microorganisms in the second chamber from the seed additive in the first chamber;
- and
- a deployment mechanism that disrupts the dividing member such that the microorganisms are released from the second chamber of the capsule and into the first chamber of the body portion, wherein the microorganisms are mixed into the seed additive forming a mixture thereof.
A method of delivering viable microorganisms to a seeder and/or a planter, the method comprising:
- providing a lid defining an opening, a capsule positionable in the opening, wherein the capsule comprises microorganisms within a first chamber at least partially defined by a disruptable dividing member;
- attaching the lid to a container defining a second chamber, the container storing a medium to be delivered to the seeder and/or the planter, wherein the disruptable dividing member separates the microorganisms from the medium;
- disrupting the disruptable dividing member via a disrupting mechanism to release the microorganisms from the capsule and into the medium stored within the container to form a mixture thereof, and
- applying the mixture of microorganisms and medium to seeds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.