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US 7,694,457 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for preparation of genetically transformable plant tissue
AssigneeMonsanto Technology LLC
InventorsBrian J. Martinell, Beth Jo Calabotta, Richard J. Heinzen, Richard F. Klemm, Dennis E. McCabe, Gail A. Roberts, Lori Ann Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process of mechanical separation of embryos from seeds for genetic transplantation employs counter-rotating cylinders together with one or more culling, hydration, separation, and viability testing steps to provide high-throughput of viable, transplantable tissue.
Claims26
An apparatus for bulk preparation of transformable plant tissue comprising:
- (a) a hopper for receiving plant seeds;
- (b) an excisor providing spaced apart moving surfaces applying a force to the seeds exiting from the hopper so as to divide the seeds into a separate cotyledon, seed coat and embryo, wherein the moving surfaces comprise rollers comprising one or more of:
- a serpentine roller face;
- an outer frictional surface;
- or an outer elastomeric surface;
- and
- (c) a separator separating the embryo from the seed coat and cotyledons.
4 more elements
An apparatus for bulk preparation of transformable plant tissue comprising:
- (a) a seed hydrator comprising a container into which the seeds are held prior to being received by a hopper, the container having an outlet and an inlet, the inlet communicating with the first rinse liquid reservoir and a second soak liquid reservoir different from the rinse liquid reservoir and including valve means positioned between the inlet and the rinse liquid reservoir and the inlet and the soak liquid reservoir and the outlet and a drain, the valve means communicating with an electronic timer for automatically controlling a flow of liquids to the container from the first rinse liquid reservoir and the soak liquid reservoir and to the drain from the container;
- (b) a hopper for receiving plant seeds from the seed hydrator;
- (c) an excisor providing spaced apart moving surfaces applying a force to the seeds exiting from the hopper so as to divide the seeds into a separate cotyledon, seed coat and embryo;
- and
- (d) a separator separating the embryo from the seed coat and cotyledons.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.