Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
AssigneeMonsanto Technology LLC
InventorKevin L. Deppermann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated seed sampler includes a sampling station; a sampler for removing material from a seed in the sampling station; a seed conveyer for conveying the seed from the sampling station to a compartment in a seed tray; and a conveyor for conveying the material removed from the seed to a corresponding compartment in a sample tray. The method of the present invention comprises feeding seeds individually to a sampling station, removing a sample from the seed in the sampling station; conveying the sample to a compartment in a sample tray, and conveying the seed to a corresponding compartment in a seed tray. The samples can be tested, and the seeds can be sorted according to the results of the testing of their corresponding samples.
Claims21
An automated seed sampler system, comprising:
- an automated sampling station;
- a sampler for removing material from a seed in the automated sampling station;
- an automated seed conveyor for conveying the seed from the automated sampling station to a compartment in a seed tray;
- an automated sample conveyor for conveying the material removed from the seed to a corresponding compartment in a sample tray.
An automated seed sampler system, comprising:
- an automated sampler configured to remove material from a seed;
- a seed tray configured to receive from the automated sampler the seed from which the material is removed;
- a sample tray;
- and
- an automated sample delivery system configured to deliver the material removed from the seed to the sample tray.
An automated seed sampler system, comprising:
- an automated sampling station;
- a support configured to hold a seed in the automated sampling station;
- a sampler configured to remove material from the seed held by the support in the automated sampling station;
- a seed tray configured to receive the seed from the support after the sampler removes the material from the seed;
- and
- a sample tray configured to receive the material removed from the seed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.