BRPI0913771A2 - machine for automatically moving part or all of the contents of a first container to a second container, a process for reconfiguring part or all of the contents of a first container in a second container, and an automatic system for reconfiguring part or all of the seed in one or more more primary containers in a second container - Google Patents

Abstract

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT OF PART OR ALL OF THE CONTENTS OF A FIRST CONTAINER TO A SECOND CONTAINER, PROCESS TO RECONFIGURE PART OR ALL OF THE CONTENT OF A FIRST CONTAINER IN A SECOND CONTAINER, AND AUTOMATIC SYSTEM FOR RECONFIGURING ANY PART OF THE OUAR OUTE OUTE PARTE OUAR MORE PRIMARY CONTAINERS IN A SECOND CONTAINER. Apparatus, methods and systems for reconfiguring part or all of the content of one or more primary containers in a second container are provided. In one example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a dispensing system, having a dispenser for dispensing the contents of one container in another, and a transfer system, adapted to reconfigure the dispensed contents of one container in another container. In another example, a process includes dispensing selected content from one container, and reconfiguring dispensed content from one container to another. In another example, the system includes a controller, a machine controlled by the controller, where the machine has a pair of container handlers, a container dispenser, and a content transfer system. The controller is adapted to control the machine using a selection criterion to operate the content dispenser, to dispense selected content from one container, to move the transfer system to another container.

Description

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT OF PART OR ALL CONTENT FROM A FIRST CONTAINER FOR A SECOND CONTAINER, PROCESS TO RECONFIGURE PART OR ANY CONTENT ON A SECOND CONTAINER, AND AUTOMATIC SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY RECONIENT OR PARTY PRIMARY CONTAINERS IN A SECOND CONTAINER

RECIPROCED REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. ≤ 119 of a provisional Serial Patent application 61 / 075,818 filed June 26, 2008, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reconfiguring seed of one or more containers in another container in an efficient and high productivity manner.

BACKGROUND

There is a wide range of applications where seed does not need to be stored, where it can be protected and preserved, and sometime later easily, efficiently, accurately identified and / or possibly individually selected, recovered or discharged from one or more containers, for reconfiguration into another container, based on the presence or absence of at least one advantageous property associated with the seed.

A striking example of this can be found in research and development aimed at identifying and perpetuating the beneficial properties of seeds. For example, plant researchers often group seeds into specific groups. In the case of seeds, parts of seeds (eg a seed portion, a sample or a seed chip) may be removed from them for testing, which remains viable seeds, which may be stored collectively or individually for protection against degradation or damage. damage and maintenance of viability. Information from seed part testing can indicate whether the remaining viable part of a given seed has the desired beneficial properties as a result of a biological trait, a genetic trait, a phenotypic trait, a morphological trait, or a pedigree. In addition, information taken from seed portion testing can be linked to the individual seeds from which it originates (viable seed part) using an indexing system to correlate the two seed parts. Thus, by comparing a seed selection criterion with known seed information, the remaining viable portion of the seed can be precisely identified, recovered, dispensed from its container and reconfigured to another container for storage with other viable portions of the seed. satisfying the same or other seed selection criteria.

A need has therefore been identified in the art for a more efficient and high throughput apparatus, process and system for reconfiguring any seed, seed portion or seed portion, whether viable or not, from one or more containers having has been identified with the desired qualities, beneficial properties or genetics, in another container to provide a single seed container having the desired qualities, beneficial properties and / or genetics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus, processes and systems which enable the reconfiguration of part or all of seeds from one or more containers to another container in an efficient and high productivity manner.

The apparatus includes a container handling system, a seed dispensing system and a seed transfer system. The seed handling system holds one or more containers. The seed dispensing system dispenses seeds from one or more containers, and the seed transfer system reconfigures seeds dispensed from one or more containers into another container.

Methods include dispensing selected seeds from one or more containers and reconfiguring seeds dispensed into another container based on seed selection criteria.

Systems for reconfiguring part or all seeds from one or more containers into another container are also provided. The system may include a computer and a computer operated machine. The machine may have a pair of container handlers, a seed dispensing system and a seed transfer system. The computer is adapted to control the machine using a seed selection criterion to operate the seed dispensing system, to dispense selected seeds from one or more containers, to reconfigure with the seed transfer system into another container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1 in perspective.

Figure 3A is a perspective view of the machine without the support tooling and the cabinet.

Figure 3B is a front view of the machine shown in Figure 3A in perspective. Figure 4A is a perspective view of the dispensing system shown in Figure 3A.

Figure 4B is a side elevational view of the seed dispensing system shown in Figure 4A.

Figure 5A is a perspective overview of the seed transfer system shown in Figure 3A.

Figure 5B is a side elevation overview of the seed transfer system shown in Figure 5A.

Figure 6A is a perspective view of the lower half of the seed transfer system shown in Figure 5A.

Figure 6B is a front elevational view of the lower half of the seed transfer system shown in Figure 6A.

Figure 7A is a sectional view taken along line 7A - 7A in Figure 3A, showing seed re-singulation in a compartment layer.

Figure 7B is a sectional view taken along line 7B - 7B in Figure 3A, showing the seed mass in another container. Figure 8 is an overview of an exemplary system of the present invention.

Figure 9A illustrates a section of a flowchart for the electrical operating system in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention.

Figure 9B illustrates another section of the flowchart for the electrical operating system shown in Figure 9A.

Figure 9C illustrates another section of the flowchart for the electrical operating system shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

Figure 10A illustrates a section of a flowchart for the operability system in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention.

Figure 10B illustrates another section of the flowchart for the operability system shown in Figure 10A.

Figure 10C illustrates another section of the flowchart for the operability system shown in Figure IOB.

Figure 10D illustrates another section of the flowchart for the operability system shown in Figure 10C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present description, application or uses. For a better understanding of the invention, several exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below. Reference will be made from time to time to the accompanying drawings. Reference numbers will be used to indicate certain parts or locations in the drawings. The same reference numerals will indicate the same parts or locations throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated.

Device

In one aspect, the apparatuses of the present invention reconfigure part or all of the contents or articles of one container into another container in an efficient and high productivity manner. Articles may include, but are not limited to, seeds, parts of seeds, parts of plants, parts, ingredients, compounds, medication or the like. In another aspect, the apparatuses of the present invention reconfigure selected plant seeds from one or more containers in another container to combine seeds into one container, wherein the selected seeds have at least one property meeting a seed selection criterion. Seeds may include, but are not limited to, corn, canola, soybean, rice or any other seed of interest. Typically, the seeds will be within size limits that are readily amenable to manipulation, such as the sizes exemplified by the seeds listed above, although embodiments include modifications of any or more of the various container components, dispensing and transfer systems, to facilitate handling of any seed or other items falling outside typical size ranges.

Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of seed reconfiguration machine 10 in front and side perspective views. Machine 10 operates within cabinet 12. In a preferred form, machine 10 has two primary operating systems, that is, a dispensing system 100 and a transfer system 200. The dispensing system 100 and the transfer system 200 are supported and positioned relative to each other in cabinet 12 using mounting tool 24. Like traditional machine enclosures, cabinet 12 may be enclosed by opaque or translucent panels 18, and include a door 14 to provide access to the interior . Cabinet base 12 may include adjustable or rigid feet 16 to support and control the orientation of cabinet 12 relative to a support surface. It should be considered that machine 10 need not operate within enclosure 12. Those skilled in the art may consider that machine 10 may operate within a confined area or not, providing unrestricted access and a free flow of containers in and out. from machine 10. Cabinet 12 can be stationary or mobile. For example, cabinet 12 may include casters (not shown) rather than feet 16 to move cabinet 12 in the immediate vicinity. Machine 10 may also include a control box 20 located relative to cabinet 12 to provide isolation for hardware, software, cables, electronics or the like for operation of machine 10. Machine 10 may also include an on / off switch read-out control devices 22, such as a dial, pivot, or button for cutting and powering the machine 10. Control box 20 wires are routed through cabinet 12 and terminated in wire harnesses 42 connected to the dispensing system. 100, and the wire harness 44 connected to the transfer system 200.

Within cabinet 12 and relatively positioned for dispensing system 100 is a hardware-containing container 28. The hardware-containing container 28 is adapted to secure a container placed in cabinet 12, such as a compartment layer 26. A person skilled in the art You will find that the Container Contains Hardware 28 may be configured to hold various types and shapes of containers, including a bag, an envelope, a blister tray, a reusable compartment tray, a breeder tray, a capsule tray, a seed ribbon, a rehearsal tray, or any of the like. The hardware-containing container may include a slot, such as slot 28 shown in Figure 1. Slot 46 is configured to receive housing layer 26 and provide a parking space for holding a housing layer 26 in a fixed, relative position. to the container containing the hardware 28. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes the parking space for the compartment layer 26 being introduced to secure the compartment layer 26 in a fixed position. The present invention provides that the hardware containing container 28 may also have one or more supports, one or more clamps, a glove, a recess, a conveyor, a carousel, a mechanical armature, an overhead crane, a conveyor in combination with a crane, a multi-axis shuttle, a slot, or any container retaining structure, the geometry, the apparatus, or the device. In sum, these aspects will provide a retention means for securing the housing layer 26 in a fixed position relative to the slot 46.

The hardware containing container 32 is provided within cabinet 12 to secure one or more containers inserted into cabinet 12, such as a compartment layer 30, in a fixed position. The hardware containing container 32 is configured to hold the compartment layer 30 in a fixed position, and possibly in combination with an optional device 40. Device 40 may also be provided as a backing layer configured to retain and provide some rigidity to compartment layer 30 to assist in handling and retaining both of them within enclosure 12. For example, device 40 may include a cable 56 to assist in the handling, movement and positioning of device 40 in the hardware-containing container 32. Device 40 may also include one or more passive position indicators to indicate when device 40 is properly positioned within the hardware 32 container. For example, device 40 may include one or more small openings (not shown), which cooperate and join columns (not shown), associated with the container containing hardware 32, to indicate when device 40 is properly secured or positioned within. of container containing hardware 32. Transfer system 200 is adapted to reconfigure individual items in another container, such as compartment layer 30, or reconfiguring the articles collectively in another container, such as an envelope 34. In the case where the container is envelope 34, envelope 34 may be supported at one end within the enclosure. 12 by an envelope retainer 36, as best illustrated in Figure 2, and at the opposite end of the feeder tube 38. Thereby multiple containers, such as envelopes 34 or compartment layer 26 or 30, may be positioned and supported within. or with respect to cabinet 12. In one aspect of the present invention, a scanner 58 may be positioned within cabinet 12 relative to a container containing hardware 28 such that it scans the surface of the compartment layer 26 having a scanner reading. an identifier, such as a UPC or other readable marker, to read the identifier and gain access to compartment layer information 26, and / or each seed 52 within the comp layer. Those skilled in the art may consider that a scanner-like sorting or reading device 58 may also be positioned relative to the container containing hardware 32. Figures 3A and 3B show side and front views of the machine 10 in perspective; with hardware bracket and enclosure removed from illustration, to better show dispensing system 100 and transfer system 200.

Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective and one side elevational view of the dispensing system 100 shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In one aspect of the present invention, dispensing system 100 is configured to move a dispenser 120 to the selected seed storage location within compartment layer 26 and to dispense selected seed from compartment layer 26 for subsequent handling by the system. In another aspect, dispensing system 100 includes a multi-axis shuttle 132 for positioning dispenser 120 relative to one of the deposits 48 in compartment layer 26 having a selected seed. A movement axis of the multi-axle shuttle 126 is provided by the sprocket 102. The sprocket 102 is a ring, which is rotatable by use of the motor 104. The sprocket 102 may include teeth 128 at its outer periphery or other surface, necessary case. The teeth 128 on the sprocket 102 engage the gear 108, attached to the shaft 106, powered by the motor 104. Thereby, rotation can be imparted to the sprocket 102 by operating the motor 104 to perform rotary movement of the pulley. 110. The timing belt pulley 110 is fixed and positioned relative to the timing gear 102, so that as the motor 104 rotates the timing gear 102, the timing belt pulley 110 rotates with the timing gear 102. Toothed belt pulley 110 includes a pair of toothed pulley wheels 114 spaced apart by the slide rail 118. The two toothed pulley wheels 114 are connected by the toothed belt 112. One of the toothed belt wheels 114 may be a gear wheel. while the other toothed pulley wheel 114 may be a drive wheel, connected to motor shaft 116. Slidly connected to slide rail 118 and securely connected to toothed belt 112 is a dispenser. 120. Rotation of timing belt 112 using motor 116 causes dispenser 120 to move back and forth on slide rail 118.

The combination of movement of the sprocket 102 and the dispenser 120 provides dual axis movement of the dispenser 120. Thus, by rotating the sprocket 102, which rotates the belt pulley 110 in combination with the sliding of the dispenser 120. forward and backward along the slide rail 118, the dispenser 120 may be positioned relative to any desired deposit 48 in the compartment layer 26 to dispense the seeds contained therein. The present invention contemplates other positioning means for positioning the dispenser 120 relative to the housing layer 26. For example, the dispenser 120 may be moved along multiple axes using a conveyor, a carousel, an overhead crane, a mechanical armature. , a conveyor in combination with an overhead crane, a multi-axis shuttle, or any similar device. Dispenser 120 uses a piston 122, having an upward and downward movable tip 124 relative to dispenser 120, to couple a deposit 48 into compartment layer 26 to dispense the seeds therein. The piston 122 may include an internal or external spring to propel the piston 122 in a preferred direction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that plunger 122 may be actuated or actuated to couple deposits 48 in compartment layer 26 to dispense seeds from compartment layer 26 using various drive means. For example, piston 122 may be pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically driven. Figures 1 and 2 show, in one aspect of the present invention, a throttle assembly 60 mounted to the control box 20 for pneumatically controlling the movement of the plunger 122 relative to the dispenser 120. The tip 124 attached to the plunger 122 may be a plastic, rubber, metal, felt, elastomer or other suitable material having sufficient elasticity and rigidity to compress the deposit 48 without damaging the seeds 52 being dispensed from the deposit 48. Although the dispenser 120 is shown with a single plunger 122 , the present invention considers that the dispenser 120 may include multiple plungers, in fact the same number of plungers for each deposit 48 in compartment layer 26, whereby the plungers on the one or more deposits 48 with the desired seeds. , would be activated to dispense seeds with any other plungers, in an efficient and high productivity manner, to dispense seeds from the enclosure layer 26. In another aspect of the present invention, the tip 124 may be formed in the shape of the deposit 48, to facilitate seed dispensing outside the compartment layer 26.

The present description is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments comprising dispenser 120. The present invention considers that dispenser 120 can be any device that provides a light mechanical force, a pneumatic force, a hydraulic force, a hydrostatic force, a force linear, a positive pressure, a negative pressure, a fluid shear pressure, a laminar fluid pressure, or a liquid jet pressure to dispense the seeds. Dispenser 120 may be configured to cut, penetrate, puncture and / or apply uniform pressure across multiple deposits 48 with a device such as a roll for dispensing seeds from desired deposits 48 in compartment layer 26.

Similarly, in addition to driving the piston 122 with a solenoid motor, the piston 122 may be operated using an electromechanical actuator or an actuator actuated by any of the forces mentioned above. Those skilled in the art may find that tip 124 and the force / pressure at which tip 124 engages each deposit 48 to dispense seeds from compartment layer 26 can be adjusted to protect seeds from damage while being dispensed and ensure that seeds are dispensed each time and not trapped in the compartment layer 26. Figures 5A - B and 6A - B provide perspective views and front elevation views respectively of the transfer system 200 shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, transfer system 200 provides structure for collecting seeds dispensed from compartment layer 26 by dispensing system 100, shown in Figures 4A and 4B, and reconfiguring seeds from compartment layer 26 in another container. . The transfer system 200 of the present invention includes as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a collector 202 located below compartment layer 26. Collector 202 captures the dispensed seeds from compartment layer 26. Collector 202 may include vertical retaining walls 236, to retain the dispensed seeds to prevent them from escaping from the transfer system 200. The vertical retaining walls 236 of the collector 202 may be high enough to reduce the gap between the compartment layer 26 and the collector 202 to eliminate the seeds escaping from the transfer system 200 by shifting and popping out of the collector 202. The seeds dispensed from the compartment layer 26 are gravity-driven by the collector 202, connected to the tube 206 by the union 204. The union 204 allows the tube 206 rotates multiaxially with respect to manifold 202. Tube 206 is connected to union 208, which is attached to nozzle 210. Like union 204, au No. 208 allows tube 206 to rotate multiaxially with respect to nozzle 210. Joints 204 and 208 provide the necessary degrees of freedom or multiaxial movement for nozzle 210 for movement despite the fixed position of manifold 202. Although manifold 2 02 is in a fixed position with respect to cabinet 12, those skilled in the art may consider that the collector 02 may be configured to move relative to the dispenser 120 or collector 202; Moreover, the dispenser 120 and the collector 202 can move simultaneously with each other to decrease the time required to launch one by launching both 202 and 120 at the same time. The seeds dispensed from the compartment layer 26 gravity move through the tube 266 to the nozzle 210. In one aspect, the tube 206 is elastic or sufficiently flexible to allow the nozzle 210 to rotate and move linearly with respect to the position of the nozzle 210. manifold 202 so that tube 206 is unlikely to become entangled or clogged. The present invention contemplates the inclusion of an optical or different sensor for monitoring seed progression by collector 202, union 204, tube 206, union 208 and nozzle 210 to detect when seeds may be retained, housed or trapped during reconfiguring a container, such as compartment layer 26, to other containers, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a large number of commercial and special demand materials available for tube 206, which has these attributes due to the flexibility of the material itself, or due to the design or manufacture of the article, such as the use of pleated, corrugated or spiral regions, or due to the combination of material and design. For example, tube 206 may be constructed of materials, including, but not limited to, latex, rubbers, plastics such as PVC, or silicon, which are optionally reinforced with fiber or wire to provide the necessary flexibility to move one end of the tube. 206 relative to the other end. In some embodiments, the tube 266 may be sufficiently transparent so that item dispensing can be observed visually. Although tube 266 is shown connecting collector 202 with nozzle 210, the present invention contemplates other transfer means for communicating or transferring articles from collector 202 to nozzle 210. For example, the present invention considers other transfer means , such as a conveyor, conduit, glove, multiple bypass, carousel, funnel, tube, route, chute, tunnel, or other similar transfer medium.

Similar to the operation of dispenser 120, shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the transfer system 200, best shown in Figures 5A - 5B, includes a multi-axis shuttle 234, having a nozzle 210 that moves back and forth along the slide rail. 232, using a toothed pulley 222. The toothed pulley 222 includes a pair of toothed pulley wheels 226 spaced apart by the slide rail 232. The two toothed pulley wheels 226 are connected by the toothed belt 224. One of the wheels of idler pulleys 226 may be an idle wheel, while the other idler pulley 226 may be a drive wheel, connected to motor shaft 228. Slidly connected to slide rail 232 and securely connected to toothed belt 224 is a 210. Rotation of timing belt 224 using motor 228 causes nozzle 210 to move back and forth on slide rail 232. In addition to the linear movement of the mouthpiece As shown in Figure 11A by toothed belt pulley 222, the toothed wheel 212, as best illustrated in Figure 5A, rotates the nozzle 210. Like the toothed wheel 102 shown in Figure 4A, the toothed wheel 212 includes the teeth 214 which they engage with gear 220 attached to shaft 218 driven by motor 216. Thus, motor 216 rotates sprocket 212, whose toothed belt pulley 222 and nipple 210 are secured therein. The combined movement of the sprocket 212 and the toothed belt pulley 222 allows the nozzle 210 to be positioned on top of any desired deposit 50 within the housing layer 30 to reconfigure the seeds therein. Alternatively, the housing layer 30, together with the device 40, may be removed from the container containing hardware 32, so that the nozzle 210 may be aligned with one of the feeder tubes 38 to pile the seeds of one or more layers of feed. compartment 26 in envelope 34. The present invention contemplates other positioning means for positioning the nozzle 210 relative to the compartment layer 30. For example, the nozzle 210 may be moved along multiple axes using a conveyor, a carousel, a bridge an overhead crane, mechanical armor, a conveyor in combination with an overhead crane, a multi-axis shuttle, or any other similar device.

Apparatus of the present invention consider and estimate the advantages of tracking and indexing the location, trait (s), and characteristics, and other specific information for each reconfigured seed or seed group in another container, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. For example, information specific to each seed or seed group may be cataloged, recorded and / or stored electronically or otherwise for tracking and indexing of seeds or seed groups after being reconfigured in another container.

Process

Figure 7A illustrates a process of the present invention in which part or all of the contents, such as seed 52, in one or more compartment layers 26 is reconfigured in compartment layer 30. Similarly, Figure 7B illustrates a process of the present invention in which part or all of the contents, such as seed 51, in one or more compartment layers 26, is reconfigured by stacking in another container. According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a container, such as compartment layer 26, is moved to cabinet 12. Those skilled in the art may consider that containers of the present invention are not limited to compartment layer 26, illustrated in Figure 5A. The present invention contemplates other containers such as, but not limited to, a bag, an envelope, a tray including, but not limited to, a blister tray, a reusable compartment tray, a breeder tray, a capsule tray. , a seed ribbon, or any other similar tray or container.

Containers, such as compartment layers 26 and 40, and envelopes 34 may be moved to cabinet 12 and the container containing hardware 28 or 32 by manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic means, conveyor, a carousel, a bridge. crane, mechanical armor, a conveyor in combination with an overhead crane, a multi-axis shuttle, a robotic device or any other similar container handling and moving devices. These same devices may function as a container containing hardware 28 or 32. Other hardware for holding the containers may include one or more brackets, one or more staples, a glove, a recess, a groove, a keyed stop location, or other tooling. similar.

Before or after the housing layer 26 is positioned within the container containing the hardware 28, specific information may be obtained regarding the contents. For example, in the case of storing seeds 52 in compartments 48 of compartment layer 26, the information obtained about each test seed 52 is stored in a data store, a manual data record, a computer aided data record, or intelligent control can be recovered. Information stored about seed 52 in compartment layer 26 can be consulted by including an identifier in compartment layer 26.

The identifier may include, but shall not be limited to, a bar code, an RFID indicator, a label, an adhesive tag, an inscription, an optical character or other markers that may be scanned or scanned. The identifier in the compartment layer 26 may be recognized by scanning, reading or manual identification. In addition, the identifier may be recognized by use of optical character recognition (OCR) or some order based identification system. In one aspect of the present invention, a scanner 58 is positioned within the cabinet 12 relative to the container containing the hardware 28 so that the scanner scans read the surface of the compartment layer 26 having the handle to read the handle and have access to compartment layer information 26 and / or each seed 52 within compartment layer 26. Those skilled in the art may consider that a scanner or scanner-like readers 58 may also be positioned relative to the container containing the hardware 32. The retrieved information corresponding to each seed 52 can be used to determine which seed 52 fits the desired seed selection criteria. For example, the seed selection criteria may be based on the desire to select seed 52 having at least one biological trait, at least one phenotypic trait, some morphological trait, or any of the traits mentioned above to facilitate field planting arrangements. , a desired pollination between plants grown from seed 52, or any desired pedigree. Using the above selection criteria and seed information 52, seed 52, meeting the selection criteria requirements, can be dispensed from compartment layer 26 and reconfigured into another container, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. Thus, for example, if it is desirable to fill compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 with all seeds 52 having characteristic X, containers having seeds 52 with characteristic X can be identified by access. to a data store having known seed information 52, including the identifier recognition retrievable X information in compartment layer 26. The selected seed 52 will then be dispensed from its location in container 26 to be reconfigured in the deposit 50 in compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 having only seed 52 having characteristic X. Thus, reconfiguration of the seed 52 of compartment layer 26 is done as motors 104 and 126, which may be computer-controlled servo motors 54 (shown in Figure 8), an intelligent control, a programmable logic controller ( PLC), a semimanual control or a fully manual control, move the dispenser 120 higher than the deposit 48, the selected seed 52 or seed 52 meeting the desired selection criteria. Using any of the controls mentioned above, dispenser 120 can be activated so that plunger 122 pushes tip 124 down into tank 48 so that seed 52 is forced out of tank 48 to dispense the seed. selected from compartment layer 26, to reconfigure into compartment layer 30, or to pile into envelope 34. Before or while seed 52 is being dispensed from compartment layer 26, nozzle 210 may be positioned above a specific deposit 50 within compartment layer 30, envelope 34 or some other container. The present invention further considers that more than one envelope may be filled at a time, so that if the selection criterion is for trait X, Y & Z, traits of trait "X" are specifically selected and dispensed in envelope Z, the seeds of characteristic "Y" in the envelope Y, the seeds of characteristic "Z" in the envelope Ζ. Seed 52 descends by gravity after being dispensed from compartment layer 26 and is collected by collector 202. It should be considered that seed descent may be made differently than by gravity. For example, seed descent and even loading into another nozzle container 210 may be by use of pneumatic action such as drafts or back pressure introduced into manifold 202. Seed 52 continues its descent through manifold 202 to tube 206, through the nozzle 210 and to the desired storage point, if the tank 50 within the compartment layer 30, the envelope 34 or some other container. Dispensing system 100, nozzle 210 of transfer system 200, is positioned relative to desired deposit 50 within compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 by toothed belt pulley 222 and toothed wheel 212. Operation of motors 228 and 216 allow the nozzle to be rotated radially and laterally traversed so that it is positioned at a desired point above compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. While the present invention describes dispenser 120 and nozzle 210 being moved to containers 26, 30 and 34, it should be appreciated that the present system may be configured to move containers 26, 30 or 34 relative to dispenser 120 and nozzle 210. According to one embodiment of the process of the present invention, the machine, or by operation of an intelligent control, such as computer 54, may select seed 52 having a desirable advantageous feature of one or more compartment layers 26 and reconfiguring Set the selected seed 52 into compartment layer 30 for subsequent experiments, planting, or the like. Other benefits may be derived from seed reconfiguration. For example, releasing unwanted seeds to reduce storage needs, cost, etc. can be done. Seeds can also be stored as a combination, another seed as a single seed, or freshly separated seed in different containers, based on a certain selection criteria. Seeds can also be reconfigured in different containers for subsequent testing. The processes of the present invention may also be used to identify seed 52 having characteristics X, Y and Z, dispensing seed 52 having characteristics X, Y and Z of one or more compartment layers 26 in a desired layer configuration. 30, to facilitate subsequent experiments, storage, planting, pollination and the like. The present invention also contemplates the methods of applying an identifier to a compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 to index the final location of the reconfigured seeds from compartment layer 26 to compartment 30 and to trace the origin of the reconfigured seeds in the container layer. compartment 30 or envelope 34. Other embodiments of the present invention include: providing a seed treatment tooling operating in cooperation with the dispensing system 100 and / or the transfer system 200, to treat the reconfigured seeds in the deposit 50 within the seed layer. compartment 30 or envelope 34. Those skilled in the art may consider that the treatment process, such as treatment with an antifungal, may occur during the dispensing or reconfiguration process. For example, the treatment may be incorporated into the destination tank 50, after the seed has been dispensed and collected therein, but prior to resealing the compartment layer 30. In another aspect, the dispensed seed passing through tube 266 may be treated. it is passed through a treatment liquid spray route in cooperation with tube 206 so that the seed is received in the hopper 50 or envelope 34 and has been treated.

The processes of the present invention consider and estimate the advantages of site tracking and indexing, trait (s) and other specific information for each seed or seed group reconfigured in another container, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. For example , information specific to each seed or seed group may be cataloged, recorded and / or stored electronically or otherwise for tracking and indexing of the seed or seed group before and after being reconfigured in another container.

System

Figure 8 is an illustration of an exemplary system of the present invention. The system of the present invention considers semi-automatic and fully automatic operation in addition to manual operation of machine 10. For example, machine 10 can be computer controlled and operated 54 or any intelligent control, programmable logic controller (PLC), semimanual control , or a fully manual control. Computer 54 may have a data store for storing seed information 52 in compartment layer 26. Seed specific information 52, including, but not limited to, seed 52 pedigree-based information from experimental treatments seed 52 or parent plant information, non-destructive test information from seed 52 or parent plant, pollination information for the parent plant and previous generations, transformation information such as transgene (s) (s) of interest, event and similar information, or any combination of information, may be queried from the data store by reading an identifier associated with, or physically located in, a compartment layer 26. The identifier associated with each compartment layer 26 may be read manually or by use of a scanner 58 associated with machine 10, or some external device. Machine 10, such as a scanner, reader, optical character recognition (OCR) system, order-based system, or any device adapted to read an identifier associated with each compartment layer 26. In another aspect of the present invention, compartment layer 26, identified as having seed 52 meeting the selection criteria, can be identified using computer 54, manually or robotically selected from multiple compartment layers 26, and loaded manually or automatically on machine 10, to dispense and reconfigure the selected seed 52 from compartment layer 26 in another container, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34, as desired. In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a container handling device 56 such as a conveyor, an overhead crane, a mechanical armature, a conveyor in combination with the overhead crane, a multi-axis shuttle, an order-based system, a automatic forklift based system or any other similar container handling device may be used to automate container handling such as compartment layers 26 and / or 30 if by inserting the containers into or removing them from the machine 10. The present invention contemplates the multiple container handling devices for identifying compartment layer 26 and its specific content which can be obtained before or after compartment layer 26 is inserted into machine 10. For example, if the selection criterion is searching for seed 52 with characteristic X, a barcode, an RFID marker, a label, an inscript An optical character or some other marker or identifier that can be scanned or read in compartment layer 26 can be used to query stored information about seed 52 to identify whether or not any seed 52 in compartment layer 26 has the characteristic X; therefore, the housing layer 26 having the characteristic X seed 52 can be processed manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically by insertion into the container containing the hardware 28 within the machine 10. Since the housing layer 26 is inserted into the machine 10, the compartment layer 26 may be moved around using a conveyor, a carousel, an overhead crane, a mechanical armature, a conveyor in combination with an overhead crane, a multi-axis shuttle, or some other automated device. or robotic. Compartment layer 30 and / or envelope 34 may be moved back and forth within machine 10 and moved into and out of machine 10 using similar container handling means. Once seeds 52 are reconfigured in the compartment layer 30 or envelope 34, some identification means, such as a bar code, RFID marker, label, inscription, optical character or some other marker or identifier that may be scanned or read from the compartment layer 30 for indexing the origin and reconfiguration of seeds 52 contained in compartment layer 30, envelope 34 or other similar container. Thus, by reading the identifier in compartment layer 30 or envelope 34, it may be possible at some future time, after retrieval of compartment compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 from storage, to identify the seeds, their origin, knowledge of the their characteristics, parentage, beneficial properties, or the like. The system of the present invention may also include a container closure system, inside or without the machine 10, adapted to close and seal the reconfigured seeds 52 within the compartment layer 30, envelope 34 or any other sealable container.

The systems of the present invention consider and estimate the advantages of site tracking and indexing, trait (s), and other information specific to each reconfigured seed or seed group in another container, such as compartment layer 30 or envelope 34. For example, information specific to each seed or seed group may be cataloged, recorded and / or stored electronically or otherwise for tracking and indexing of the seed or seed group before and after being reconfigured in another container.

With further reference to Figure 8 and the various embodiments, the machine 10 may be a manually or automatically operated system including at least one computer 54, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), suitable for performing all functions as provided. as dispensing, transferring or identifying seeds associated with machine 10 to manually, automatically or robotically control the operation of machine 10 as described in this specification. Those skilled in the art may consider that the PLC may include any computer-based system, such as those including an electronic storage device, with one or more readable media, such as one or more local or remote electronic data storage devices, to store, operate and execute relevant software programs, including spreadsheets, databases, files, algorithms and any other storable information. Those skilled in the art may further consider that the PLC may be configured to access, read and execute information and data stored on a portable electronic storage device, such as thumb drive, zip disk, compact disk, or other storage devices. peripheral or external memory. The present invention considers that the machine 10 can be controlled locally or remotely. For example, computer 54 may be connected to a computer network for network transfer and loading information relating to machine operation 10.

For example, the present invention assumes that machine 10 may be accessed by a computer network to enable operation of machine 10 using operating software 62 (shown in Figures 10A-10B) to program, execute and operate machine 10. In one embodiment of the present invention, users can remotely register on machine 10 by connecting using a computer network to gain access to databases and other seed type information on each compartment layer 30, compartment layer location 30 with the seed type having the desired characteristic, and operational information, algorithms or any other types of information required to process each service.

According to another aspect of the present invention, machine 10 may be controlled by operating software 62 stored in a storage device such as a computer 54 and executed by computer 54 using operational controls such as associated inputs, sensors and other manual or automatic machine components 10 which are shown and can be controlled by the electrical operational schematic representation 80 shown in Figures 9A-9C. According to an exemplary enclosure layer, operating software 62 may be activated or started manually or even automatically by moving a desired enclosure layer 26 into the container containing hardware 28 within machine 10. Those skilled in the art may consider that operating software 62 may be opened and the program started, as shown in 64, by using a wired or wireless network, or simply powering up computer 54 or machine 10 via the power switch 84 connected to ac power ( AC) 82, to supply power to power supply unit 92 (shown in Figure 9B). With operating software 62 having been opened and then running, a starting way to select a service, as shown at 66 in Figure 10A, is presented providing information ranging from existing services or services currently listed in the services directory, as well as newly created services by displaying a list of services from which one or more services can be selected and / or a tray list displayed for each of the selected services, of which one or more of the trays (such as the bin layer 26) may be confirmed or selected to be part of the specific service. For example, each compartment layer 26 or 30 and the envelope 36 carry with them corresponding identifying information, accessible in exemplary embodiments by scanning a barcode, to inform the seed characteristics of the seed contained in each and / or traits, such as color, composition, weight, genetic trait, quality, size, shape or other biological or morphological trait, which may be useful in distinguishing one seed from another or one compartmental layer or envelope from another to identify by so that seed is contained within each deposit 48 or 50 within compartment layer 28 or 30. Depending on the specific service, any of the available compartment layers or trays can be selected to dispense seed from it, and the compartment 30 or envelope 34 may be selected to collect the seed dispensed according to Operating software 62. Once the desired services have been selected, a form of process service 68 (shown in Figure 10B) is provided on a display associated with computer 54. The process service form 68 includes the display of the current state of the machine 10, including the confirmed trays or bin layers that are part of the to-do list, the updated tray completed or bin layer list information, bin layers status indicators compartment, complete tasks or services, planned tasks or services, or any other relevant or similar status indicators. Additional displays may include dispensed deposits not 48 in each compartment layer 26, as well as a display for occupied deposits and not 50 in compartment layer 30. With the door latch disengaged and the door open and motors turned off by For safety reasons, the desired tray layer or tray 26, indicated in the tray list, can be manually or automatically selected, such as robotically, and inserted into the container containing hardware 28 within the machine 10. Those skilled in the art may consider the following: various means for safely monitoring and operating machine 10. For example, a safety guard monitor 88 may monitor a magnetic door sensor 86 (shown in Figure 9B) on door 14 of machine 10 to ensure that power is off until door 14 is confirmed closed and the closing of door 90 being actuated. As illustrated in Figures 9A-9C, sensor information, such as security protection monitor 88 or power supply unit 92, may be relayed to a data acquisition device (DAQ) 94 associated with computer 54 .

As illustrated in both Figures 9A and 10B, scanner 58 can be used to autodetect when compartment layer 26 is properly inserted, positioned, or loaded into hardware-containing container 28 by the barcode scanner communication information 58. to computer 54. For example, by reading an identifier, such as a bar code located on compartment layer 26, to confirm that compartment layers 26 and 30 or envelope 34 have been properly loaded into the container containing the hardware 28 and 32 or envelope retainer 36 on machine 10. With compartment layers 26 and 30 or envelope 34 properly loaded within machine 10, power to motors 104 and 126 associated with dispensing system 100, and motors 216 and 228, associated with transfer system 300, shown in Figure 9A, can be turned on by closing door 14. Desired deposits 48, ad Dispensing from the compartment layer 26 may be selected, and the desired deposits 50 in the desired compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 to receive the dispensed seed may be selected. With the seed to be dispensed and compartment layer 30 or envelope 34 selected to receive the dispensed seed, operating software 62 is ready to pierce a tray as shown in 70 (Figure 10C). To dispense seed from compartment layer 26, plunger 122 is moved to the correct position using motors 104 and 126, and nozzle 210 is moved to the correct position using motors 216 and 228. Operating software 62 confirms the position of the dispensing system 100 motors 104 and 126 and the transfer system 200 motors 216 and 228. Upon confirmation of the correct position of the dispensing system 100 and the transfer system 200, operating software 62 operates the dispenser 120 to cause the plunger 122 to descend to the desired deposit 48 within the compartment layer 26 to dispense with its seed. If there are multiple deposits 48 to punch their seeds, the dispense system 100 and the transfer system 200 are consequently realigned by the operating software 62, to dispense the desired seed and receive the seed dispensed into the desired deposit 50 within compartment layer 30 or If the seed does not fall as shown in 72, several steps can be taken to diagnose machine 10. For example, if a seed is not dispensed but the dispenser 120 has been actuated, or the seed is dispensed and not counted within the destination depot 50 within compartment layer 30 or within envelope 34, operating software 62 displays diagnostic operations at 70 and 72. As previously taught, tube 206 may include a detector, such as a seed monitoring light beam or fiber optic detector 98 in communication with a seed drop sensor as shown in Figure 9C. The sensor is triggered when a seed is not recorded as having triggered the sensor, to indicate when the seed has been properly dispensed and moved from dispensing system 100 by transfer system 200, and to target deposit 50 within compartment layer 30 , or within the envelope 34. In the event that there is no positive seed identification being dispensed and transported from the dispensing system 100 by the tube 266 and to one or more of the compartment layers 30 or envelopes 34, the acquisition device Data 94 communicates with computer 54 and the malfunction is displayed. Machine door 10 can be uncoupled and opened and allow diagnostics to identify the location of what was not considered for the seed. Once the non-seed consideration has been found and placed in the proper position, an increment counter that counts each seed dispensing event, as discussed in 72, can be adjusted accordingly to allow operating software 62 to consider the seed.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and in the specification, and although specific terms have been employed, they are used only in the generally descriptive sense and are not used for purposes of limitation. Variations in the proportions of the parts, as well as in the substitution of equivalents, are considered as the circumstances, may suggest or are made convenient without departing from the scope and scope of the invention, as further details in the following claims.

Any references in the descriptive report are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (20)

Machine for automatically moving part or all of the contents of a first container to a second container, characterized in that it comprises: * a container retention system for securing said first and second containers; a dispensing system having a dispenser adapted to release confined content within said first container; and * a transfer system comprising a positionable guide having an inlet and an outlet in communication with each other, the inlet positioned next to the first container and the movable outlet relative to a desired deposition location in said second container to reconfigure the contents of the second container. said first container to said second container. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an identification system for recognizing an identifier in said first and second containers, the identifier comprising a readable or manual identification machine. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises an indexing system adapted to use said identifier to track and update locations stored in an electronic or manual data store for content moved from said identifier. first container for said second container. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said dispenser comprises a device adapted to separate the contents of said first container by applying mechanical force employed in said first container to release the contents of the containment within the container. said first Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said content comprises: a. a corn seed; B. a canola seed; ç. a soybean seed; or d. A rice seed. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the reconfiguration of one or more seeds from said primary containers to said second container is based on a selection criterion, wherein said selection criterion considers one or more of the following: a. at least one biological characteristic; B. at least one genetic trait; ç. at least one phenotypic characteristic; d. morphological characteristics; and. field layout; or f. pedigree Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a. a first multi-axis shuttle for positioning said dispenser relative to said first container; and b. a second multi-axis shuttle for positioning a nozzle at said outlet of said transfer system relative to said second container. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and second multi-axis shuttles further comprise one or more servo motors for rotating and translating said dispenser relative to said first container, and said outlet of said positionable guide. relative to said second container. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said dispenser further comprises a piston adapted to dispense seed from said first container, said piston operated by an electromechanical actuator in communication with a controller. Method for reconfiguring part or all of the contents of a first container into a second container with an automatic machine, characterized in that it comprises: * provision of container fasteners, and a dispenser and content handler configured to operate cooperatively with each other; releasing the selected containment content into said first container using said dispenser; and reconfiguring the released content of said first container into said second container using said content handler located between and in communication with said first and second containers. A method according to claim 10, further comprising identifying the locations of the selected seed in said first container, and indexing the location of the selected seed when moved from said second container using a readable identifier machine or a manual , associated with said first container and said second container. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises releasing the contents of said first container with an associated mechanical force with said dispensing attitude in said first container. A method according to claim 10, further comprising moving an outlet of said content handler to a position relative to said second container for moving the seed of said first container through an inlet of said content handler. and for said outlet, for depositing in said second container, for reconfiguring the contents of said first container for said second container. The method of claim 10, further comprising basing the rupture of the selected content of said first container on a predefined selection criterion, wherein said predefined selection criterion is based on: a. at least one biological characteristic; B. at least one genetic trait; ç. at least one phenotypic characteristic; d. morphological characteristics; and. field layout; or f. pedigree Process according to Claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: a. providing said automatic machine having first and second container handlers, a dispensing system having said dispenser, and a seed transfer system having said content handler; B. positioning said dispenser relative to said first container being retained by said first container handler; ç. positioning an outlet of said content handler at a desired seed deposition location in said second container being retained by said second container handler; d. selecting the seed to dispense from said first container and moving to said desired seed deposition site in said second container, based on a seed selection criteria; and. selected seed release from confinement within said first container; and f. passing the seed from said rupture step to said content handler to reconfigure the seed dispensed in said second container. 16. An automatic system for reconfiguring part or all of the seed in one or more primary containers into a second container using a predefined seed selection criterion, said system comprising: * intelligent control in communication with a controller; a seed reconfiguration machine operable by said controller receiving instructions from said intelligent control based on the predefined seed selection criteria; and said controller adapted to use known seed information in said first container to select and release seed from confinement within said first container to be moved to said second container according to said selection criteria seed Automated system according to claim-16, characterized in that the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a first holding position adapted to hold a first container and a second holding position adapted to hold a second container. container. Automated system according to claim 17, characterized in that the seed reconfiguration machine further comprises a dispensing system, having a dispenser operating in relation to said first holding position, said movable dispenser having with respect to said first holding position, for dispensing the selected seed from said first container, based on said seed selection criteria. Automated system according to claim 18, characterized in that the seed reconfiguration machine comprises a transfer system, having a guide with a collector in an inlet of said guide, said input in communication with a nozzle. at one outlet of said guide, said outlet in communication with said second container at said second holding position, said movable nozzle with respect to said second container, for reconfiguring the seed of said first container into said second container. Automated system according to claim -19, characterized in that the seed reconfiguration machine comprises a first multi-axis shuttle for positioning said dispenser relative to said first container, and a second multi-axis shuttle for positioning said nozzle relative to said second container.