GB952674A - Apparatus for handling seeds in predetermined quantities - Google Patents

Abstract

952,674. Suction lifting appliances. C. W. MAHY. Oct. 24, 1962 [Dec. 1, 1961], No. 42987/61. Heading B8H. Seeds, pills, pellets or other small objects are lifted by suction heads 18, Fig. 1, and deposited when needle valves 29 are lowered into the suction heads to cut off the suction. The suction is produced by a fan 5 driven by an electric motor 3. The device is held by handles 2 and the needle-valves 29, which are urged into a closed position by springs 28, are raised by handles 27. A cover 32 adjustably covers a hole in the chamber 12 so that the reduction in pressure within may be controlled. The suction heads 18 are screwed into the base-plate 15 and the complete base plate may be removed so that different arrangements of suction heads may be used. The needle valves 29, Fig. 4, may be sufficiently long to abut and dislodge the seeds when they are lowered to the " off " position. The ends of the heads 18 may comprise replaceable nipples of different sizes and closure caps may be provided. In a second embodiment a slide-valve between the fan and the suction heads may replace the valves 29. The tray from which the seeds are picked up may have shallow depressions which align with the suction heads to facilitate picking up the last few seeds. The tray may be releasably attached to the lifting device to provide protection for the lifting heads when not in use.