US20110120060A1 - Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method - Google Patents

Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110120060A1
US20110120060A1 US12/935,197 US93519709A US2011120060A1 US 20110120060 A1 US20110120060 A1 US 20110120060A1 US 93519709 A US93519709 A US 93519709A US 2011120060 A1 US2011120060 A1 US 2011120060A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
seeds
support
capsules
supports
seed
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Abandoned
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US12/935,197
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English (en)
Inventor
Johan Gaston Marie Van Asbrouck
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RHINO RESEARCH EUROPE BV
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ADP International BV
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Publication date
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Priority to US12/935,197 priority Critical patent/US20110120060A1/en
Assigned to ADP INTERNATIONAL B.V. reassignment ADP INTERNATIONAL B.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: van Asbrouck, Johan Gaston Marie
Publication of US20110120060A1 publication Critical patent/US20110120060A1/en
Assigned to RHINO RESEARCH EUROPE B.V. reassignment RHINO RESEARCH EUROPE B.V. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ADP INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C1/00—Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots, or the like, prior to sowing or planting
    • A01C1/06—Coating or dressing seed

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for encapsulating seeds.
  • the pelletization process does not provide a similar result for all treated seeds, i.e. the quantity of material with which the seeds are coated varies from seed to seed which is not desired from an agricultural point of view. Further, the coated seeds substantially vary in shape and size thereby enlarging a risk of damaging seeds during handling thereof. In addition, for performing the pelletization process substantial amounts of water are required, thereby rendering the process more and more expensive and consuming natural resources. As the coated seeds are hydrophilic, particular care is required regarding storage conditions of the seeds, especially to counteract disintegration of the seeds and/or the damage by micro-organisms.
  • the invention aims at obtaining a device for preparing seeds wherein the resulting seeds have a more uniform shape and size.
  • the invention provides a device for encapsulating seeds.
  • the device comprises a transport unit provided with a sequence of supports positioned along a transport path, each support being arranged for supporting a multiple number of capsules at predefined locations, the transport unit being arranged for intermittently transporting the supports in a transport direction along the transport path to a loading position, respectively, wherein the device further comprises a filling unit provided with a multiple number of seed releasing modules for, in a loading position of a support, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds above corresponding capsule locations on a particular support.
  • a seed encapsulating device By intermittently transporting the supports in the transport direction along the transport path to a loading position and by substantially simultaneously releasing seeds above corresponding capsule locations, a seed encapsulating device is obtained wherein capsules are filled with optionally treated seeds. Since capsules having substantially equal shape and size can be used, also the optionally treated seeds being encapsulated in the corresponding capsules have advantageously a uniform exterior shape and dimensions.
  • multiple capsules positioned on a single support can receive a seed, respectively, substantially simultaneously, so that in a single step a set of multiple capsules can be filled.
  • a next set of multiple capsules can be filled.
  • the structure of the seed encapsulating device allows a relatively high filling rate.
  • a capacity of 3.6 million capsules per hour can be obtained. Such a million capsule capacity might meet agricultural seed quantity needs.
  • Such a capsule filling device generally comprises a platform that can be swivelled with respect to a central vertical axis for aligning subsequent angular sections of the platform just below a device that periodically drops a predefined amount of pharmaceutical material into an open capsule positioned at said angular section of the platform.
  • a packaging step is performed for preparing the capsules for logistical processing.
  • the capacity of such a device for filling capsules ranges from approximately 100 capsules per hour to approximately 20.000 capsules per hour which is acceptable for meeting capacity requirements in the pharmaceutical field.
  • the device further comprises a multiple number of filling units for substantially simultaneously releasing material above corresponding capsule locations on at least two supports.
  • the capsules can be filled, apart from the seed, with additional material, such as powder, liquid, micro capsules, etc, without deteriorating the throughput of the device.
  • additional material such as powder, liquid, micro capsules, etc
  • the corresponding capsules can receive, in predetermined order, the seed and additional material.
  • the device can also be provided with a single filling unit, e.g. if the capsules are arranged for being filled merely with seeds.
  • the invention relates also to a method of encapsulating seeds.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the transport unit of the device shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of device 1 for encapsulating seeds according to the invention.
  • the device 1 comprises a transport unit 2 and two filling units 6 a, 6 b.
  • the transport unit 2 is provided with a sequence of supports 3 a - 3 d that are positioned along a transport path 5 .
  • the supports 3 a - 3 d are arranged for supporting a multiple number of capsules 4 at predefined locations.
  • the supports 3 a - 3 d comprise a tray (not shown) for receiving the capsules 4 .
  • other techniques can be used for supporting the capsules 4 at the predefined locations, e.g. by using a grid.
  • the transport unit 2 intermittently transports the supports 3 a - 3 d in a transport direction T along the transport path 5 to a loading position, respectively.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the transport unit 2 of the device 1 for encapsulating seeds according to the invention.
  • the filling units 6 a, 6 b of the device 1 are each provided with a multiple number of material releasing modules 7 for, in a loading position of a support 3 a - 3 d, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds or other material above corresponding capsule locations on a particular support 3 a - 3 d.
  • a first filling unit 6 a comprises a plate having a number of cavities for receiving material. In each cavity a nozzle is arranged for pneumatically keeping material in the cavity. The cavity and the nozzle form the material releasing module 7 .
  • the material By striking a material hopper filled with the material along the plate being oriented in a substantial vertical direction and by applying an under pressure at the nozzles, the material will be sucked to the cavities. Material between the cavities is then removed, e.g. by means of a wiping movement. Then, the plate is pivoting from a substantial vertical orientation in a pivoting direction P towards a substantial horizontal direction wherein the cavities 7 a are positioned just above the capsules 4 at the corresponding locations on the support in the 3 c in the loading position. By removing the underpressure, the material is released from the cavities, so that the material drops by gravity along a gravity drop direction D into the capsules 4 .
  • a particular support 3 c is positioned in a first loading position below a first filling unit 6 a for receiving a first material in capsules 4 positioned on the support.
  • said support 3 c is positioned in a second loading position below a second filling unit 6 b where in FIG. 1 the previous support 3 d is depicted, for receiving a second material in the capsules 4 positioned on the support.
  • the construction of the second filling unit 6 b differs from the first filling unit 6 a .
  • the first and second material can be different or can be similar.
  • the first material is formed by seeds, such that in each capsule 4 one seed is dropped, while the second material is composed of a vitamin.
  • the material released by a releasing module 7 might comprise one or more seeds or seed related material as described below, and in addition to that biological and/or chemical supplements such as agricultural or horticultural compounds, micro organisms, biological control agents such as bacterial or fungus, nutrients, optionally in the form of manure, etc.
  • Chemical supplements might comprise pharmaceutical compounds, vitamins, powders, liquids, micro capsules, fertilizer, etc.
  • seed is to be understood as including seed related material, and materials comprising seed material, such as fruits or nuts. Also the seed may be a treated seed, such as a pelleted seed comprising a seed coating.
  • seed also covers other forms of plant propagation material, such as roots, shoots, tubers, bulbs, callus, nuts, fruits, embryos, plant tissue, and plant cells.
  • the device according to the invention might also be provided with three or more filling units for substantially simultaneously releasing material above corresponding capsule locations on the corresponding supports.
  • three or more filling units for substantially simultaneously releasing material above corresponding capsule locations on the corresponding supports.
  • the device according to the invention can also be provided with a single filling unit for substantially simultaneously releasing material above corresponding capsule locations on the corresponding support.
  • the filling unit is therefore arranged for releasing seeds.
  • the filling unit can also be arranged for releasing other materials, as described above.
  • a device for encapsulating seeds, comprising a transport unit provided with a sequence of supports positioned along a transport path, each support being arranged for supporting a multiple number of capsules at predefined locations, the transport unit being arranged for intermittently transporting the supports in a transport direction along the transport path to a loading position, respectively, the device further comprising a filling unit provided with a multiple number of material releasing modules for, in a loading position of a support, substantially simultaneously releasing material above corresponding capsule locations on a particular support.
  • seeds can be adapted for improving seed conditions.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the device 1 .
  • a method of encapsulating capsules 4 comprises the steps of providing a sequence of supports 3 a - 3 h positioned along a transport path 5 , providing a multiple number of capsules 4 at predefined locations on a support 3 b, intermittently transporting the supports 3 a - 3 h in a transport direction T along the transport path 5 to a loading position, respectively, and, in a loading position of a support 3 c - 3 g, substantially simultaneously releasing seeds or other material above corresponding capsule locations.
  • the process may comprise a step of arranging capsule bottom parts on a support 3 b, as described above, dropping one or more materials in the capsule 4 by means of one or more filling units, dropping a seed in the capsule by a filling unit 6 b, dropping one or more materials in the capsule by means of one or more further filling units 6 c , and closing each capsule on the support 3 h with a corresponding capsule top element. Then, the capsules can be taken away from the support 3 h.
  • the filling unit is arranged for filling a number of capsules each with a single seed. As such, the filling unit may release individual seeds above corresponding capsule locations. Alternatively, a multiple number of seeds is inserted in a single capsule.
  • a RF tag is added to the capsule for identification purposes.
  • the capsule bottom parts are disposed on a tray 8 by means of a capsule bottom part provider 6 a .
  • seeds 9 are brought into the capsules 4 by a seed filling unit 6 b.
  • other materials are supplemented to the capsules 4 , such as chemical material, bacteria, liquid and/or powder material.
  • the capsules on a support 3 h are closed by a capsule closing module 6 g.
  • the filled and closed capsules 10 are removed from the support 3 i.
  • the transport unit 2 comprises a multiple number of supports arranged on an endless transport belt, so that the process can continue. It is noted that the supports can also be arranged otherwise, e.g. on a transport element having a limited length.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention.
  • the endless transport belt 11 is explicitly shown.
  • a multiple number of filling units 6 b - 6 j are provided for filling the capsules with a wide variety of materials. It is noted that the number of material releasing modules can be chosen otherwise, e.g. more than 9 modules, such as 10-12, or less than 9 modules, such as e.g. 7 modules.
  • the device 1 is provided with a capsule guiding system 12 for collecting the filled capsules 10 .
  • the multiple number of material releasing modules 7 is arranged as a two-dimensional array in mutually transverse directions A 1 , A 2 .
  • the modules 7 can also be arranged otherwise, e.g. as a linear or curved one-dimensional array.
  • the area of the plate and the corresponding support 3 is optimally occupied by material releasing modules and capsules, respectively, thereby increasing the capacity of the device 1 .
  • the encapsulated seeds obtained by the device 1 according to the invention are suitable for a variety of purposes, e.g. in the field of agricultural or horticultural applications.
  • the encapsulated seeds allow ideal storage and protection in readiness for the appropriate sowing period using seeding machinery and in readiness for germination.
  • the capsule material from which the capsules are prepared preferably comprises biologically degradable polymers e.g. lactic acid and applied by e.g. injection moulding, deep draw, sheath application or a combination of these methods in one or more layers.
  • the capsule can be made of a mixture or compound that is permeable to water and/or air but is impermeable to soil, soil organisms, including microbes and their survival stages. The capsule may then last until the seed has germinated and the developing plant has reached the seedling stage.
  • the capsule might optionally incorporate hygroscopic agents e.g. silica gel, clay and calcium chloride.
  • the capsule as used in aspects of the present invention may function as a seed coating, for instance, the capsule material may comprise a matrix polymer as a binder, loaded or coated with conventional seed coating agents, such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other beneficial chemicals.
  • the capsules comprising the seed may optionally comprise additional substances, in dry, semi-dry or liquid form, such as growth promoting substances.
  • the material releasing module can also be implemented otherwise, e.g. using a valve system, an oscillating plate system, a needle system and/or a vacuum system.
  • a valve system e.g. an oscillating plate system
  • a needle system e.g. a needle system
  • a vacuum system e.g. a vacuum system.
  • Such systems are e.g. known from the field of seeders, i.e. devices that are arranged for implanting seeds in earth beds.
  • the mechanisms that are implemented in seeders such as nozzle seeders, dust type seeders, drum seeders, mechanical plate seeders, dibbling units,
  • the device according to the invention might comprise different types of material releasing modules.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)
US12/935,197 2008-03-28 2009-03-27 Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method Abandoned US20110120060A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/935,197 US20110120060A1 (en) 2008-03-28 2009-03-27 Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4037108P 2008-03-28 2008-03-28
EP08153535A EP2105045A1 (de) 2008-03-28 2008-03-28 Vorrichtung zur Einkapselung von Samen und entsprechendes Verfahren
EP08153535.3 2008-03-28
PCT/NL2009/050158 WO2009120084A1 (en) 2008-03-28 2009-03-27 A device for encapsulating seeds and a method
US12/935,197 US20110120060A1 (en) 2008-03-28 2009-03-27 Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110120060A1 true US20110120060A1 (en) 2011-05-26

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US12/935,197 Abandoned US20110120060A1 (en) 2008-03-28 2009-03-27 Device for Encapsulating Seeds and a Method

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US (1) US20110120060A1 (de)
EP (2) EP2105045A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2009120084A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010031680A1 (de) * 2010-07-22 2012-01-26 Robert Bosch Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Herstellen von mit Saatgut, Dünger o.ä. Füllgut befüllten Umverpackungen für die Agrarwirtschaft
RU2710721C1 (ru) * 2019-01-10 2020-01-10 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Воронежский государственный лесотехнический университет имени Г.Ф. Морозова" Способ капсулирования семян для аэросева

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3243638A (en) * 1962-10-31 1966-03-29 Gen Electric Dispenser cathode
US3387746A (en) * 1966-11-28 1968-06-11 Robert F Ashley Selective seed planter
US3555730A (en) * 1969-02-06 1971-01-19 Fmc Corp Seed capsule and method of making same
US3561159A (en) * 1968-05-01 1971-02-09 Fmc Corp Seed capsule and method of making same
US3616573A (en) * 1969-01-22 1971-11-02 Fmc Corp Seed capsule
US4466554A (en) * 1982-04-01 1984-08-21 Bud Antle, Inc. Singulating seeder for high density plug trays
US4703704A (en) * 1985-02-01 1987-11-03 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg. Apparatus for transporting seeds to locales of germination
US4923706A (en) * 1988-01-14 1990-05-08 Thomas J. Lipton, Inc. Process of and apparatus for shaping extrudable material
US5660630A (en) * 1994-03-31 1997-08-26 Yazaki Corporation Seedlike substance making apparatus
US5902398A (en) * 1995-10-03 1999-05-11 Yazaki Corporation Artificial seed manufacturing apparatus
US6024034A (en) * 1998-04-27 2000-02-15 Howell; Kirk David Manual hand-sowing press for the preparation of seed sowing
US20060123701A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-15 James Lilly Method for attaching seeds in an automated seeding system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3242638A (en) * 1962-12-04 1966-03-29 Hoffmann La Roche Apparatus for capsule filling
GB0128134D0 (en) * 2001-11-23 2002-01-16 Syngenta Participations Ag A product for use in agriculture or horticulture

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3243638A (en) * 1962-10-31 1966-03-29 Gen Electric Dispenser cathode
US3387746A (en) * 1966-11-28 1968-06-11 Robert F Ashley Selective seed planter
US3561159A (en) * 1968-05-01 1971-02-09 Fmc Corp Seed capsule and method of making same
US3616573A (en) * 1969-01-22 1971-11-02 Fmc Corp Seed capsule
US3555730A (en) * 1969-02-06 1971-01-19 Fmc Corp Seed capsule and method of making same
US4466554A (en) * 1982-04-01 1984-08-21 Bud Antle, Inc. Singulating seeder for high density plug trays
US4703704A (en) * 1985-02-01 1987-11-03 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg. Apparatus for transporting seeds to locales of germination
US4923706A (en) * 1988-01-14 1990-05-08 Thomas J. Lipton, Inc. Process of and apparatus for shaping extrudable material
US5660630A (en) * 1994-03-31 1997-08-26 Yazaki Corporation Seedlike substance making apparatus
US5902398A (en) * 1995-10-03 1999-05-11 Yazaki Corporation Artificial seed manufacturing apparatus
US6024034A (en) * 1998-04-27 2000-02-15 Howell; Kirk David Manual hand-sowing press for the preparation of seed sowing
US20060123701A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-15 James Lilly Method for attaching seeds in an automated seeding system

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Publication number Publication date
EP2105045A1 (de) 2009-09-30
WO2009120084A1 (en) 2009-10-01
EP2282626A1 (de) 2011-02-16

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AS Assignment

Owner name: ADP INTERNATIONAL B.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VAN ASBROUCK, JOHAN GASTON MARIE;REEL/FRAME:025360/0638

Effective date: 20101028

AS Assignment

Owner name: RHINO RESEARCH EUROPE B.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ADP INTERNATIONAL B.V.;REEL/FRAME:027175/0779

Effective date: 20110322

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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