AU2019200321A1 - Mobile Seed Cleaning Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An apparatus is provided for cleaning and sorting seed, the apparatus comprising: a feeder into which seed-containing material to be cleaned is deposited, the feeder comprising an exit means through which the material 5 can exit the feeder in at least one stream of material into a sorting chamber; the sorting chamber comprising a fan means to create air flow in a direction on an upward incline through a portion of the stream of material as it falls on a course by gravity through the sorting chamber from the exit means; the sorting chamber comprising at least two collection means into which cleaned material 10 can be collected; wherein the air flow through the portion of the stream of material forces each particle of material in the stream a certain distance off the course according to the weight and size of the particle, causing each particle to fall into one of the at least two collection means depending on the distance off the course the particle has been forced; and wherein the air flow after 15 passing through the stream of material exits the sorting chamber through an exhaust means above the apparatus. Fig. 2 Figure 2 310, 0 110 30308.* 304

Description

Mobile Seed Cleaning Apparatus

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile seed cleaning apparatus utilising cross-flow fan technology for use in cleaning and sorting commercially 5 grown seeds and grain.

Background Art [0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was 10 part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Harvested grain or seed contains various impurities that need to be removed before it can be sold. Impurities can include weeds, husks, dirt, and seeds of other types, amongst other impurities. This process of removing the impurities is commonly referred to as ‘cleaning’ the seed. For the purposes of 15 describing the invention, ‘cleaning seed’ (or a variation, for example, ‘clean the seed’, amongst other examples) referred to herein also includes cleaning and/or separating grain and/or seed. In addition, reference herein to ‘seed’ can also refer to grain.

[0004] For as long as seed has been harvested, people have employed a wide 20 variety of different means to clean the seed, from basic manual sifting using sieves through to the technologically advanced methods of the past fifty years or so. In this respect, there has been and continues to be a constant drive to develop techniques and equipment which (i) improves the quality of the ‘clean’ and the resultant cleaned seed product, set against minimising the (ii) time, (iii) 25 effort, and (iv) costs involved in the process. This is why many technologically advanced methods and apparatus have been developed, yet many fail to be adopted as while one or more of (i) to (iv) may be found more favourable, the

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 other factors often make it less worthwhile or desirable to change from current methods.

[0005] Some examples of these technologically advanced methods and apparatus include: filters and hand screens and separators; spiral separators which are used to separate free flowing seed material to be cleaned based on seed or particle shape; gravity separators to pneumatically and mechanically clean seed on the basis of specific densities; indent separators which separate seed according to length; aspirators which separates material of different terminal velocities by lifting lighter materials out of heavier materials; fans to 10 blow material through filters; and cross-flow fan technology where air is blown across a flow of uncleaned seed causing the seed to separate from the other materials by weight, allowing the separate flow of isolated cleaned seed to be collected.

[0006] Cross-flow fan technology has been developed over many years and is 15 currently used for cleaning seed within various apparatus. Examples of seed cleaning apparatus utilising cross-flow fans have included: customised harvesters which attempt to clean seed as it is harvested, mobile apparatus on trailers for convenient use on the farm, and within permanent seed cleaning operations in sheds and other buildings usually run by private companies in 20 nearby towns or within crop farming regions.

[0007] However, there is much scope for error with the use of cross-flow fan technology which can lead to poor quality cleaning leaving unacceptable levels of non-seed materials in the ‘cleaned’ seed. One of the common reasons for poor quality cleaning is due to the susceptibility of cross-flow fan technology to 25 wind and other surrounding environmental conditions which can affect the strength and direction of the airflow within the apparatus. Another reason is due to the creation of vortices within the apparatus which disrupt the air flow and therefore the correct separation of materials by weight.

[0008] Hence, to date, the higher quality of seed cleans using cross-flow fan 30 technology are generally produced by the permanent seed cleaning operations which are housed within sheds and other closed structures, where wind and

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 other environmental conditions can be largely controlled to minimise the effect on air flows from the fans within, and as the air exits the apparatus. Unfortunately, the disadvantage for farmers cleaning seed at these permanent operations is the need to transport the seed material to and from the site of the 5 operation which involves the associated transport costs, scheduling of trucks, and time incurred, particularly if the site is some distance from their farm. In addition, harvesting is usually carried out at a similar time by farmers in a crop farming region meaning it is not necessarily possible to schedule in a convenient cleaning of seed, that also aligns with transport schedules to and from the site, 10 and then to market.

[0009] Thus, a mobile seed cleaning apparatus that could provide a consistently high-quality seed clean in a convenient location on the farm and/or close to where the seed is harvested would be an ideal solution for many crop farmers.

[0010] The present invention attempts to overcome, at least in part, the above described disadvantages with existing mobile seed cleaning apparatus utilising cross-flow fan technology.

Summary of the Invention [0011] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for 20 cleaning and sorting seed, the apparatus comprising:

a feeder into which seed-containing material to be cleaned is deposited, the feeder comprising an exit means through which the material can exit the feeder in at least one stream of material into a sorting chamber;

the sorting chamber comprising a fan means to create airflow in a direction on an upward incline through a portion of the stream of material as it falls on a course by gravity through the sorting chamber from the exit means;

the sorting chamber comprising at least two collection means into which cleaned material can be collected;

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 wherein the air flow through the portion of the stream of material forces each particle of material in the stream a certain distance off the course according to the weight and size of the particle, causing each particle to fall into one of the at least two collection means depending on the distance off the course the particle has been forced; and wherein the airflow after passing through the stream of material exits the sorting chamber through an exhaust means above the apparatus.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the upward incline is preferably a direction between approximately 30 and 60 degrees above the horizontal. The upward incline is more preferably a direction between approximately 40 and 50 degrees above the horizontal. Most preferably, the upward incline is a direction approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal.

[0013] The fan means preferably draws air from outside the apparatus, and preferably the air is relatively clean air free from biological materials.

[0014] The fan means preferably creates a substantially constant and consistent air flow into the sorting chamber. More preferably, the air flow is substantially constant and consistent across the width of the at least one stream of material falling through the sorting chamber from the exit means.

[0015] The flow of air from the fan means is preferably sufficiently wide to pass through the full width of the stream of seed containing material falling from the exit means into the sorting chamber. The flow of air from the fan means preferably contacts the seed-containing material shortly after the material exits the exit means. The height of the flow of air from the fan means which will contact the stream of seed-containing material is preferably between approximately 1 cm and 100 cm, and more preferably between approximately 10 cm and 50 cm. Thus, the height of the air flow is preferably sufficient to provide opportunity for all the particles in the stream of material to be forced their full potential distance off their original course by the airflow.

[0016] The fan means preferably comprises an adjustable portion for 30 modifying the direction of the air flow emanating from the fan means. Preferably

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 the adjustable portion is an adjustable fin or plate that can be adjusted by manual or electronically means from outside the apparatus.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the fan means is a fan, and more preferably a cross-flow fan. The fan is preferably powered by one or more batteries or by 5 electricity, for example, from a generator or external power supply. Preferably, the fan is driven by at least one hydraulic pump. More preferably, the fan is driven by two hydraulic pumps. The at least one hydraulic pump comprises flow control valves to adjust the speed of the airflow required according to the grain being cleaned. Preferably, at least a portion of the fan is removable from the 10 apparatus for ease of repair, servicing, or replacement.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the exhaust means comprises an opening at the top of the apparatus to enable the air flow to exit above the apparatus. The exhaust means is preferably an exhaust vent, for example a chimney. The opening at the top of the apparatus is preferably at least the width of the air flow 15 created from the fan means.

[0019] The exhaust means may comprise additional structures and/or a configuration to minimise the effect of the surrounding wind and other environmental conditions on: the flow of air exiting the exhaust means, or air from outside the apparatus being forced down into the sorting chamber through 20 the exhaust means.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the feeder comprises a trough or a hopper. The exit means preferably comprises a closable aperture. The seed-containing material to be cleaned preferably exits the feeder when the aperture has been opened in at least one substantially consistent stream of material. Preferably, 25 the at least one substantially consistent stream comprises at least one thin curtain of material. A thin curtain of material is beneficial in that the air flow contacting the thin curtain can act on each particle with minimal disruption from adjacent particles, allowing the air flow to force the particle off its original course, preferably to its full potential distance off the original course based on its weight 30 and size.

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 [0021] The at least one stream of material is preferably substantially consistent in thickness across the width of each stream. To assist in obtaining this consistency and reduce, for example, issues with clumping materials and pressure from materials in the feeder causing blockages at the exit means, the 5 feeder preferably comprises a cover or other structure immediately above the exit means to reduce the pressure build up from materials above and enable materials to consistently exit the exit means.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two collection means are at or adjacent the base of the sorting chamber. Preferably, material can exit a 10 collection means outside of the apparatus. The collection means preferably comprise chutes, shafts, and/or funnels. More preferably, at least one of the collection means comprises a shaft driven auger. Preferably, the shat-driven auger is driven by the at least one hydraulic pump. In one preferred embodiment, there are three collection means. The apparatus preferably 15 comprises one or more adjustable doors at the top of at least one collection means for controlling or preventing material from entering one or more collection means.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a mobile apparatus. The apparatus is preferably attached to, or comprises, a wheeled chassis. 20 Preferably, the apparatus is situated on a trailer which can be moved, i.e.

relocated, by a truck, tractor or other vehicle when hitched up to the towing vehicle. This provides more options for the user to place the mobile apparatus where it best suits them to carry out the seed cleaning process, and return, for example, a hired mobile apparatus, or store it in a suitable location if they own 25 it. In addition, the mobile apparatus can be suitable positioned by a user so that trucks or trailers can be driven up to an auger or chute of the mobile seed cleaning apparatus to collect seed. Other trucks or trailers can be used to collect impurities exiting other chutes. Alternatively, the mobile seed cleaning apparatus can be relocated next to seed storage bins or trucks to deliver seed 30 cleaned in the device.

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 [0024] The invention further provides a process of using an apparatus as described herein to clean and/or sort seed containing material.

[0025] The invention further provides a method as described herein for using an apparatus as described herein to clean and/or sort seed containing material.

The method preferably comprises the steps of depositing seed-containing material to be cleaned into the feeder of the apparatus; opening the closable aperture of the exit means to enable material to exit the feeder; wherein the fan is operating and particles within the seed-containing material are forced off their original gravity-driven course falling through the sorting chamber by the airflow 10 from the fan and enter one of at least two collecting means from which they are collected.

[0026] Manufacture of the Invention [0027] The present invention further provides a process of manufacturing a seed cleaning apparatus as described herein. The apparatus may comprise a 15 variety of different materials. Preferably, the apparatus comprises metal. The flat and curved surfaces of the apparatus preferably comprise sheet metal. Structural metal beams and poles are preferably used for the frame of the apparatus and support beams and legs, in addition to the ladder. Joins between metal parts of the apparatus may comprise welds, rivets, and/or screws and 20 nuts and bolts. The chassis preferably comprises metal commonly used to manufacture trailers, and the wheels and tires preferably are those common to use on trailers.

[0028] The fan is preferably a separate component which can be attached to the apparatus for use, but can be removed from the apparatus for servicing, 25 repair, and replacement.

[0029] The shaft driven auger attached to a collection chute is preferably a commonly used shaft-driven auger for delivery of grain and seed into trailers and other containers for storage and transport which can be folded for storage and transport.

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Brief Description of Drawings [0030] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1. is an illustration of a perspective view of a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2. is an illustration of a vertical cross-section through a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3. is an illustration of (A) a partial vertical cross-section; and (B) a 10 perspective view of a vertical cross-section, through a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4. is an illustration of (A) a left side view; and (B) a right side view, of a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5. is an illustration of a front view of a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6. is an illustration of (A) a top view; and (B) a top perspective view, of a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7. is a photo of a seed cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8. is a photo of a portion of a seed cleaning apparatus in use cleaning grain, according to a preferred embodiment of the 25 invention.

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Description of Preferred Embodiments [0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations 5 and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

[0032] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific 10 embodiments described herein, which are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0033] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be 15 understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0034] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same 20 meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0035] Features of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following preferred embodiments.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mobile seed cleaning 25 apparatus 100 is shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0037] The apparatus 100 is attached to a wheeled chassis 102 comprising a trailer hitch 104 for towing the apparatus 100 behind a truck, vehicle or tractor, including on public roads.

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 [0038] The apparatus comprises a top 110, sides 112, and a base 116 comprising collection chutes. A shaft driven auger 118 emanating from the centre collection chute is used to deposit seed collected in the centre collection chute into a trailer, silo or other type of container for storage or for transport to another location. The apparatus 100 is attached to the wheeled chassis 102 by metal structural supports 120 at each corner of the device supporting the weight of the apparatus. This prevents the weight of the apparatus 100 having to be supported by the collection chutes.

[0039] The shaft driven auger 11 can be folded at a lever portion 119 to assist 10 with storage and during transport of the apparatus 100.

[0040] Support legs 160 can be lowered to provide support to the wheeled chassis 102 when the apparatus 100 is in use and additional weight is added into the apparatus in the form of seed material to be cleaned.

[0041] A vertical cross section through the apparatus 100 in Figure 2 shows 15 the feeder trough 200 into which seed material to be cleaned is deposited through the opening in the top 110 of the apparatus 100. The base of the feeder trough 200 comprises an adjustable feeder door 202 for the seed material to exit the feeder trough 200. When the adjustable feeder door 202 is opened, a stream of seed material in the form of a thin curtain is released from the feeder 20 trough 200 to fall by gravity on a course down into the sorting chamber 300. The adjustable feeder door may be adjusted to control the amount of seed material exiting the feeder trough 200 into the sorting chamber 300.

[0042] Above the adjustable feeder door 202 is an elongated roofed ribbed cover 204 also shown in Figure 3A. The elongated roofed ribbed cover 204 25 reduces the compacting of material immediately above the adjustable feeder door 202 which could lead to blockages, or at least reduce the consistency of the stream of material exiting the adjustable feeder door 202.

[0043] A fan 301 powered by two hydraulic pumps, draws air from outside the apparatus 100 through an elongated air intake vent 302 and forces air out of an 30 elongated air outlet 304 in a controlled and consistent flow. The hydraulic pumps

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 comprise flow control valves for adjusting the speed of the air flow as required for optimal separation according to the type, size and weight of the grain being cleaned. The direction of the air flow from the air outlet 304 is on an upward incline. An adjustable fin 306 in the air outlet 304 provides a degree of 5 adjustability of the direction of the flow of air on the upward incline from the air outlet 304. The adjustable fin 306 also assists to control the even flow of air across the width of the air outlet 304 so it maintains a wide but even flow of air emanating from the air outlet 304 and through the thin curtain of material exiting the feeder door 202. This wide flow of air from the wide air outlet 304 across the 10 thin curtain of material falling into the sorting chamber 300 assists to reduce the effects of any inconsistency of air flow on the curtain of material. For example, even small ‘clumps’ of material that fall from the adjustable feeder door 202 disrupting the otherwise consistent stream of materials can be sufficiently separate over the course of falling through the wide flow of air that would not be 15 expected to occur through a thinner cross-flow of air.

[0044] After passing through the thin curtain of materials falling from the adjustable feeder door 202 on an upward incline trajectory, the air continues to flow up through a chimney 308 in the sorting chamber 300 to exit the sorting chamber 300 from an exhaust vent 310 in the top 110 of the apparatus 100.

[0045] The inventor identified an important advantage in the location of the exhaust vent 310 in the top 110 of the apparatus 100. This advantage is that there is a considerable reduction in wind or other environmental conditions forcing air back down the exhaust vent 310, or preventing air from exiting the exhaust vent 310, which would affect the consistency of the air flow through the 25 sorting chamber 300 from the fan 301, through to the exhaust vent 310.

Problems common to cross-flow fan separation commonly involves disruption or inconsistency of air flows because of wind or other environmental conditions forcing air back down exhaust vents, blocking air exiting the apparatus, and/or the creation of air vortices within the sorting chamber.

[0046] Similarly, air flow from fans in collaboration with the configuration of the sorting chamber can also result in disrupting air vortices within the sorting

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 chamber that affect the consistency of the air flow across seed material resulting in lower quality cleans.

[0047] The configuration of the fan 301, width of the air outlet 304 with adjustment fin 306, sorting chamber 300 and exhaust vent 308 directing air up 5 and out of the top 110 of the apparatus 100, all serve to reduce the effect of wind and other environmental conditions, and reduce the creation of air vortices in the sorting chamber, to maintain a controlled, direct, and consistent airflow across the curtain of material falling through the sorting chamber 300 with the present apparatus 100 of the invention.

[0048] The effect of the flow of air emanating from the fan 301 as it passes through the seed curtain of material forces particles of material, including seed, off the original gravity driven course directly towards the base of the sorting chamber. Instead, the effect of the air flow is to force each particle on a new course by gravity towards the base of the sorting chamber 300. The new course 15 of each particle of material is determined largely by the weight (and to some degree, size) of the particle. That is, the airflow will have less effect on a heavier (and/or smaller) particle than a lighter (and/or larger) particle. Thus, the lighter (and/or larger) particle which will be blown further off the original course than the larger (and/or heavier) particle. Cross-flow fan technology uses this effect 20 to separate the heavier particles such as seed from the lighter dust, chaff, husks, weeds, and other impurities the seeds are to be separated from.

[0049] At the base 116 of the sorting chamber 300 are three collection means in the form of chutes for collecting separated particles of different weights. A first collection chute 400 comprising a relatively wide opening below the original 25 course of the material (falling by gravity from the adjustable feeder door 202) is for collecting the heaviest particles which are least affected by the air flow from the fan 301 and not moved far off their original course, if at all. These heaviest particles comprise the seed that has now been ‘cleaned’ by the separation process provided by the apparatus utilising the cross-flow fan technology. The 30 second collection chute 402 is an optional collection means for collecting seed of a different weight and size to that collected in the first collection chute 400.

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That is, if lighter seed is to be separated off from heavier seed, a first adjustable wall portion 404 and second adjustable wall portion 405 at the top of the walls of the second collection chute 402 can be adjusted to modify the size of the opening to the second collection chute 402 to capture falling seed of a desired size, for example smaller and lighter seed, into the second collection chute 402.

[0050] Particles of the lightest (and often largest) material is affected most by the airflow provided by the fan 301 and forced furthest off the original course to the opposite wall 312 of the sorting chamber 300 to fall into the third collection chute 406. The material that is aimed to be collected in this third collection chute 10 406 is the ‘impurities’ that the seed to be cleaned is separated from and can include, dust, husks, chaff, weeds, other seeds of weeds and other plants, amongst other impurities.

[0051] The second adjustable wall portion 405 can be adjusted to increase or reduce the size of the opening to the third collection chute 406, and therefore, 15 adjust the weight (and size) range of material that will be light enough to be collected in the third collection chute 406.

[0052] A viewing window 320 in a side of the sorting chamber 300 enables the user to view: the curtain of material falling from the adjustable feeder door 202, the effect of the air flow from the fan 301 on the curtain of material, and the 20 types of particles being collected in each of the collection chutes (also from examining the material exiting each chute). This can assist the user to determine what adjustments need to be made to: the adjustable feeder door

202 to ensure a thin and consistent curtain of material is exiting the feeder 200; the speed of the fan 301 and subsequent air flow and effect of the curtain of 25 material falling through the sorting chamber; and the first adjustable wall portion

404 and second adjustable wall portion 405 to collect the desired materials in each chute.

[0053] Material collected in the chutes can be deposited into containers for storage or transport. For example, the heaviest cleaned seed collected in the 30 first collection chute can be deposited into a truck for transport for sale, or stored in a local silo or other container. Smaller seed may be separated into the second

2019200321 17 Jan 2019 collection chute 402 for use, for example as stock feed, and the second collection chute 402 shown in Figures 1 and 2 ends at the start of a shaft driven auger 118 which can deposit the seed in a transport trailer, or storage container.

[0054] The impurities collected in the third collection chute 406 may be allowed to exit and be blown away by the wind or left on the ground, or alternatively, these impurities may be collected in a trailer or another container and taken elsewhere, for example, to be dumped and/or burnt.

[0055] The width of the adjustable feeder door is approximately 2 m though it may be longer or shorter according to the mobile apparatus that can fit on a 10 towable trailer.

[0056] The adjustable doors and wall portions may be manually adjustable from, for example, levers extending from the sides of the sorting chamber 300, or they may be automatic and controlled by computer means.

[0057] The fan 301 may be removed from the side of the apparatus 100 for 15 ease of repair or replacement, and the two hydraulic pumps and battery means

130 to operate and control the fan 301 and shaft-driven auger 118 are located at the base of the apparatus on the wheeled chassis 102. A bonnet 140 at the front of the wheeled chassis assists to protect the engine and deflects the wind from passing through the base of the apparatus 100 as it is towed to reduce 20 wind resistance and associated additional fuel costs.

[0058] A ladder 150 at the rear of the apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1, enables a user ease of viewing and access into the exhaust vent 308 and feeder 200 for cleaning, identifying any blockages, amounts of material remaining in the feeder 200, amongst other purposes.

[0059] Figure 7 shows a photograph of a mobile seed-cleaning apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0060] The photograph of Figure 8 shows the viewing window 320 in the side of the sorting chamber and a viewing window into the feeder trough of a mobile seed-cleaning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus is in use cleaning grain and the grain can be seen falling past the viewing window as it falls through the sorting chamber and is separated by the air flow from the fan.

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Claims (31)

1. The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

   1. An apparatus for cleaning and sorting seed, the apparatus comprising:

   a feeder into which seed-containing material to be cleaned is deposited, the feeder comprising an exit means through which the material can

   5 exit the feeder in at least one stream of material into a sorting chamber;

   the sorting chamber comprising a fan means to create airflow in a direction on an upward incline through a portion of the stream of material as it falls on a course by gravity through the sorting chamber from the exit means;

   10 the sorting chamber comprising at least two collection means into which cleaned material can be collected;

   wherein the air flow through the portion of the stream of material forces each particle of material in the stream a certain distance off the course according to the weight and size of the particle, causing each particle to

   15 fall into one of the at least two collection means depending on the distance off the course the particle has been forced; and wherein the airflow after passing through the stream of material exits the sorting chamber through an exhaust means above the apparatus.
2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan means draws air

   20 from outside the apparatus.
3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fan means creates a substantially constant and consistent airflow.
4. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the air flow is substantially constant and consistent across the width of the at least one stream of

   25 material falling through the sorting chamber from the exit means.

   2019200321 17 Jan 2019
5. 5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the air flow from the fan means is between approximately 1 cm and 100 cm.
6. 6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

   5 the height of the air flow from the fan means is between approximately

   10 cm and 50 cm.
7. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan means comprises an adjustable fin for modifying the direction of the airflow.

   10
8. 8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward incline is a direction between approximately 30 and 60 degrees above the horizontal.
9. 9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward incline is a direction between approximately 40 and 50

   15 degrees above the horizontal.
10. 10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward incline is a direction approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal.
11. 11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

    20 the exhaust means is an exhaust vent.
12. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the exhaust vent comprises an opening at the top of the apparatus.
13. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the opening at the top of the apparatus is at least the width of the air flow from the fan means.

    25
14. 14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan means is a fan.

    2019200321 17 Jan 2019
15. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fan is an electric or battery powered fan or is driven by at least one hydraulic pump.
16. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the fan is removable from the apparatus.

    5
17. 17. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeder comprises a trough or a hopper.
18. 18. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exit means comprises a closable aperture.
19. 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the seed-containing

    10 material to be cleaned exits the feeder when the aperture has been opened in at least one substantially consistent stream of material.
20. 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one substantially consistent stream comprises at least one thin curtain of material.

    15
21. 21. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection means comprise chutes, shafts, and/or funnels.
22. 22. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the collection means comprises a shaft driven auger.
23. 23. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

    20 the at least two collection means are at or adjacent the base of the sorting chamber.
24. 24. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are three collection means.
25. 25. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

    25 one or more adjustable doors at the top of a collection means can control or prevent material from entering the collection means.

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26. 26. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein material can exit the collection means outside of the apparatus.
27. 27. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a mobile apparatus.

    5
28. 28. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is attached to a wheeled chassis.
29. 29. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is situated on a trailer which can be moved by a truck, tractor or other vehicle.

    10
30. 30. A process of manufacturing an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 29.
31. 31. A process of using an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 29 to clean and/or sort seed containing material.