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WO2008016368A1 - Appareil et procédé de traitement des semences - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de traitement des semences Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008016368A1
WO2008016368A1 PCT/US2006/033358 US2006033358W WO2008016368A1 WO 2008016368 A1 WO2008016368 A1 WO 2008016368A1 US 2006033358 W US2006033358 W US 2006033358W WO 2008016368 A1 WO2008016368 A1 WO 2008016368A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ingredient
treatment
seed
collection tank
seeds
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/033358
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark Miller
James Renyer
Original Assignee
Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Syngenta Participations Ag filed Critical Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority to CA002659393A priority Critical patent/CA2659393A1/fr
Publication of WO2008016368A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008016368A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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 present invention broadly relates to an apparatus for use in applying a treatment to particles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a seed treatment apparatus for use in applying a chemical treatment to seeds as well as methodologies incorporating the same.
  • Farming practices have evolved significantly over time, enabling farmers to improve crop yields and crop profitability.
  • the evolution of both agricultural equipment and pest management have greatly improved crop yields while making efficient use of both time and land.
  • pest management research has led to the continuing discovery of new pest control products and methods of application that not only lessen their environmental impact, but improve the safety for the consumers and applicators.
  • seed treatment is understood to mean the use and application of biological, physical and chemical agents and techniques used to protect seeds and growing crops from disease and insects during germination and emergence of the young plant and early growth of the crop. Seeds need protection because the seeds themselves, as well as the soil they are planted in, can harbor pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which subject them to damage or destruction by insects and other pests. For example, fungi and bacteria can cause seed rot and decay, seedling blights, and smuts. Soil insects, such as seed corn maggots and wire worms can attack the seed after it is planted, and birds and rodents can eat the planted seed and young seedlings. Effective seed treatment can reduce, control, and repel disease organisms, insects, or other pests that attack seed or seedlings, thereby increasing crop yields.
  • Seed treatment is commonly used on a variety of seeds, including corn, soybeans, and cotton, to name a few.
  • the selected treatment must first be harmless to the seed itself, and stable long enough for the seed to be planted. This is because, typically, the treated seed is stored for a period of time prior to the time to being planted. Additionally, an effective seed treatment should evenly coat the seed and adhere well to the seed while not impairing the seed flow in planting equipment.
  • Seed treatment is typically applied to the seeds with a seed treatment apparatus or "seed treater".
  • seed treaters are used to apply measured quantities of a chemical to a particular volume or weight of seed.
  • these seed treaters are highly specialized, complex apparatuses designed to treat large volumes of seeds at designated facilities in a continuous or batchwise processes.
  • the operator is responsible for ensuring that the seeds flow through the treater at an optimal rate for proper treatment. If the rate of seed flow is too slow, the seeds receive too much treatment, which leads to waste of the chemical treatment, and if the rate of seed flow is too fast, the seeds do not receive enough treatment to be fully effective.
  • the rate of seed flow can be dependent upon many factors, such as the size and weight of the seed, the volume of seed to be treated, and the chemical that is selected to treat the seed, all of which need to be taken into account by the operator. Simple miscalculations can lead to wasted seed treatment products, money, time, and, ultimately have adverse affects on crop yield.
  • the chemical used to treat the seed is manually measured and transferred in open, calibrated vessels, such as a pitcher, from the chemical container in which it is packaged to a mixer. Accordingly, not only is there an opportunity for errors to be made in measuring the chemical treatment, but the operator is exposed to the chemical.
  • the apparatus disclosed herein is adapted to treat a selected particle with a treatment solution that contains a plurality of treatment ingredients.
  • the apparatus may particularly be a seed treatment and generally includes a plurality of collection tanks adapted to receive a selected ingredient from a respective ingredient source.
  • the collection tanks provided are in fluid communication with a manifold having a plurality of inlets, and communicate therewith via a plurality of fluid pathways, which may be in the form of hoses.
  • a mixer such as a static mixer in fluid communication with the manifold is operative to receive and mix the plurality of ingredients thereby to form the treatment solution to be applied to the particle or seed.
  • a collection tank may be placed in fluid communication with the source of the ingredient itself.
  • the ingredient may be transported directly from the ingredient source to a respective collection tank by way of, for example, a transfer pump.
  • Each ingredient may then be pumped from a respective collection tank thereby to be received by a respective inlet formed in the manifold before mixed by the mixer.
  • a plurality of valves may be associated with the fluid pathways and configurable into a plurality of valve states thereby to achieve a selected flow of the ingredient through its designated fluid pathway.
  • a first valve state the treatment ingredient circulates from the collection tank, through the associated valve, and back through the collection tank.
  • the valve may be configured into a second valve state whereby the treatment ingredient is permitted to flow from the collection tank to the manifold.
  • the treatment solution may then flow to a treatment application device in fluid communication therewith.
  • the treatment application device may be in the form of an atomizer.
  • the treated seeds may enter into a mixing drum and exit therefrom into a receiving bin or a plurality of receiving bins.
  • the receiving bins may further be associated with a scale operative to weigh the amount of treated seeds received therein after treatment.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure is a carriage assembly that is adapted to support a seed treatment device, such as an atomizer associated with a seed treatment apparatus.
  • the carriage assembly comprises a framework having first and second sidewalls and a bottom wall extending therebetween.
  • a moveable treatment device support member is associated therewith and moveable between a first position wherein the seed treatement device is operative to apply the treatment solution to the seeds and a second position wherein the seed treatment device is inoperative to apply the treatment solution.
  • the treatment device support member may be in the form of a pair of rails each located proximate to a respective sidewall of the framework. The rails may be moved simultaneously between the first and second positions.
  • the carriage assembly may further be provided with first and second carriage support arms that are secured to a respective rail and adapted to move the respective rail between the first and second positions.
  • the carriage support arms may be adjustable in length.
  • the atomizer or selected seed treatment device is adapted to be moveably disposed on the first and second support rails such that when in the disengaged state, the atomizer is moveable therealong.
  • the atomizer may slide along the length of the rails. When the rails are returned to the first position, the atomizer is in confronting relation with the bottom surface of the bottom wall.
  • the carriage assembly may be associated with four spaced apart carriage support arms each being adjustable in length and adapted to simultaneously move the rails between the first and second positions.
  • the method comprises providing a first collection tank sized and adapted to receive a first ingredient of the treatment solution and a second collection tank sized and adapted to receive a second ingredient.
  • the method includes placing the first collection tank in fluid communication with a source of the first ingredient so that the first ingredient can be transported into the tank.
  • the first ingredient may be pumped from the first ingredient source and into the first collection tank.
  • a treatment solution containing the first and second ingredients is formed and thereafter transporting to a treatment device operative to apply the treatment solution to a selected quantity of seeds.
  • the first ingredient may be an active ingredient while the second ingredient may be a diluent.
  • the method may further include the step of placing the second collection tank in fluid communication with a source of said second ingredient whereby the second ingredient is transported or pumped into the second collection tank.
  • the first and second ingredients may be recirculated between the first and second collection tanks and respective sources thereof.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view in elevation of a conventional seed treater
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the seed treater according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation of the seed treater shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary flow path of both an active ingredient and diluent
  • Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the carriage assembly that is associated with the atomizer in the first position
  • Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the carriage assembly in the second position and the atomizer exposed for routine maintenance
  • Fig. 6a is a side view in elevation of the carriage assembly in the second position with atomizer exposed;
  • Fig. 6b is a side view in elevation of the carriage assembly again returned to the first position
  • Fig. 7a is a side view in elevation of the rotating drum in the start position
  • Fig. 7b is a side view in elevation of the rotating drum in the run position.
  • Fig. 7c is a side view in elevation of the rotating drum in the cleanout position.
  • the present invention is directed to an apparatus for treating particles, and is particularly suitable for the treatment of seeds.
  • the present seed treatment apparatus it is perhaps first useful to describe the features of a conventional seed treatment apparatus.
  • a conventional seed treatment apparatus, or seed treater 10 is shown, which can be used to treat a variety of seeds such as corn, cotton, and soybeans.
  • Seed treater 10 is operative to treat a selected quantity of seeds with a treatment solution that can contain or be formed from apply a variety of substances including pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
  • seed treater 10 has three primary components, mix tank 12, a seed treatment device for the application of the treatment solution, such as atomizer 14, and mixing chamber in the form of drum 16, each of which is shown here to be supported by support frame 11. Similar to may commercially available seed treatment apparatuses, seed treater 10 can be described as having both a seed flow and a liquid flow.
  • the seed flow begins by transferring a quantity of untreated seed, which is usually received in pre-measured bags, onto supply conveyor 18, which transfers the seed to atomizer 14 at a metered rate.
  • Atomizer 14 for example, is described in more detail in both U.S. Patent Nos. 6,551 ,402 B1 , which issued on April 22, 2003 and 6,783,082 B2, which issued on August 31 , 2004, both to Renyer et al. and both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
  • the seed flows through atomizer 14, it is sprayed with a treatment solution, such as a selected liquid mixture. Thereafter the treated seed flows into the entrance drum 16 via chute 20, which is located at front portion 15 thereof.
  • Drum 16 rotates at a selected speed, turning and thereby mixing the seeds inside to ideally achieve a seed that is uniformly treated.
  • the seeds exit back portion 19 of drum 16 via seed outlets (not shown) and are transferred into receiving vessel 22 disposed on receiving conveyor 24 where the seed is then collected for use.
  • the liquid flow associated with seed treater 10 begins by transporting the selected liquid or liquids from a liquid source into mix tank 12.
  • pesticide manufacturers package various seed treatment ingredients, such as liquid active ingredients, in conventional totes or tanks. These ingredients are typically mixed with a diluent or diluting agent such as water and polar or suitable non polar solvents as well as formulation auxiliaries, such as polymers, surfactants, anti- foaming agents, and carrier materials to name a few.
  • a diluent or diluting agent such as water and polar or suitable non polar solvents
  • formulation auxiliaries such as polymers, surfactants, anti- foaming agents, and carrier materials to name a few.
  • the operator must accurately measure the requisite amounts of the active ingredient and diluent and transfer those measured amounts into mix tank 12. Once received therein, the liquids are mixed to form a treatment solution in the form of a homogenous mixture that flows directly to atomizer 14 and sprayed on the seeds.
  • seed treatment apparatus or seed treater 110 can now be described.
  • seed treater 10 discussed above and seed treater 110 shown here is its size and particularly, the inclusion of raised portion or upstairs portion 112 and lower portion or downstairs portion 114 connected by staircase 116.
  • the components of the seed treater disclosed herein are not limited to having an upstairs and downstairs configuration. Rather, it is contemplated that the assembly of components can be arranged in any suitable manner in effort to accommodate space availability, while still providing an apparatus capable of treating seeds.
  • seed treater 110 can be generally separated into three stations - a seed and liquid treatment receiving station 120, a seed treatment or treatment application station 140, and a treated seed exit station 190. Similar to seed treater 10 discussed above, seed treater 110 has a seed flow and a liquid treatment solution flow. Beginning first with the seed flow, seed is received at seed station 120 where seed is unloaded into seed hopper 122. Hopper 122 can be any conventional hopper suitable for receiving seed. Seed flows from hopper 122 into elevator 124 and transported upstairs 112 to seed treatment application station 140. As shown here, seed from hopper 122 is first received in lower portion 126 of elevator 124 and then transported upstairs via mid section 128 to upper section 130 to seed treatment application station 140. Elevator 124 can be any suitable seed or particle elevator such as those made commercially available by Deamco Corp. of 6520 East Washington Blvd., City of Commerce, CA 90040-1822.
  • Belt 134 can be any suitable belt capable of moving the seeds from funnel 132 to seed treatment application device, shown here in the form of atomizer 146, but could particularly be a weigh belt capable of monitoring the seed flow being transported based on pounds/minute and total pounds such as the weigh belt made commercially available by Universal Seed Care located at 2320 124 th Road, Sabetha, Kansas 66534. Use of a weigh belt such as provided by Universal Seed Care helps ensure that the seed flows at an optimum rate for the application of the seed treatment. In the event that a weigh belt is used, the atomizer need not also include a choke chamber, as described in the Renyer et al. US patents.
  • the seed is carried on belt 134 to seed treatment application station where seed treatment is applied to the seed.
  • the seed flows through seed receiving funnel 142 and into atomizer 146, as perhaps best shown in Fig. 3.
  • Atomizer 146 is more thoroughly described in both the US Patents to Reyner et al. identified above.
  • any suitable seed treatment application device can be used without departing from the inventive concepts herein.
  • Rotating drum 150 can be any conventional drum, such as described in the US Patents to Reyner et al.
  • rotating drum 150 could have additional features, which are more fully described below in reference to Figs.
  • the seeds are rotated for a select period of time sufficient to provide uniform coverage to the entire seed.
  • the treated seeds exit drum 150 from back end 154 and flow through one or both chutes 192 and 194 where they are received by awaiting bins (not shown).
  • the bins may be disposed on scales 196 and 198, which weigh the bins such that when the bin reaches a specified weight, treated seed dispensed from the respective chute can be stopped and the bin removed.
  • the seed treatment solution that is applied to the untreated seeds is often a homogenous mixture of one or more active ingredients, which are hazardous materials, and one or more other ingredients in the form of a suitable diluent. Various other ingredients may also be used to form the seed treatment solution.
  • the active ingredients are typically packaged by the pesticide manufacturers in suitable containers, which are ultimately shipped to the site of the seed treatment apparatus. With respect to conventional seed treaters, as discussed above, the active ingredients are measured and manually transferred to a tank associated with the treater, exposing the operator to the hazardous material. This transfer of chemical material is commonly referred to as an open system.
  • the liquid transfer of active ingredients in the present seed treatment apparauts operates in a closed system.
  • Various active ingredients are packaged in containers provided with suitable fittings adapted to be connected to a transfer pump, allowing the active ingredient to be pumped from the container.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. having an office located at 410 Swing Rd., Greensboro, NC 27409 and assignee to this application, packages certain active ingredients in such a container.
  • one of the seed treater disclosed herein is its ability to be used in conjunction with this type of packaging so as to reduce the amount of human exposure to these hazardous materials.
  • seed treater 110 includes a first collection tank shown here in the form of use tank 164 located at the seed and liquid receiving station 120.
  • First use tank 164 is shown here as a cone bottom tank that is adapted to receive a first selected ingredient for forming the seed treatment in a closed system.
  • a second collection tank in the form of an identical use tank 164' for receiving a second ingredient for forming the seed treatment.
  • a third collection tank shown here in the form of a mix tank 168 which is adapted for collecting a selected ingredient, such as a nonhazardous diluent, in an open system.
  • Seed treater 110 can be associated with any suitable number of collection tanks, such as use tanks and mix tanks, as appropriate and in whatever configuration and shape suitable for forming the seed treatment solution that is ultimately applied to the untreated seeds. From first and second use tanks 164, 164' and mix tank 168, the ingredients are mixed into a homogenous seed treatment solution prior to entering into the atomizer, which is discussed in more detail with reference to Fig. 4.
  • the respective ingredients may be collected by the collection and thereafter flow separately from one another upstairs 112 to a location adjacent to atomizer 146 where the ingredients are then combined, mixed, and sent to the atomizer via a plurality of fluid pathways.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary fluid pathway of both an active ingredient in a closed system and a diluent in an open system. First, the source of the first ingredient, or active ingredient, is received from the manufacturer within container 158.
  • Container 158 is provided with conventional dry lock fittings (not shown) that are adapted to connect with hoses (not shown) such that container 158 and use tank 164 are in fluid communication with one another and having a plurality of fluid pathways therebetween and a plurality of valves that are configurable into a plurality of valve states such that there can be described both a transfer scheme and a recirculation scheme.
  • the transfer scheme the active ingredient can be transferred from container 158 to use tank 164, where it is made available for use by the seed treatment apparatus.
  • the active ingredient is drawn from container 158 through a conduit which can be in the form of hose 160 via pump 113, which can be a conventional transfer pump.
  • the active ingredient continues to flow into 3-way valve 115 and into pump 113 connected by another conduit which may be in the form of hose 162. From pump 113, the active ingredient flows through conduit or hose 163, into second 3-way valve 117 and into use tank 164 via conduit or hose 163'.
  • the active ingredient can be transferred from use tank 164 back into container 158.
  • active ingredient is drawn from use tank 164 through conduit or hose 161 via pump 113.
  • the active ingredient flows to 3-way valve 115 and into pump 113 via conduit or hose 162.
  • the active ingredient continues through hose 163, into second 3- way valve 117 and into container 158 via hose 165.
  • a recirculation scheme also exists whereby the 3-way valves are configured into a first valve state to permit the recirculation of active ingredient in a loop that can be either from the use tank and back into the use tank or from the container and back into the container. The recirculation loops help keep the active ingredient from settling out.
  • the active ingredient is in use tank 164, it can then be used for seed treatment, which is also associated with a plurality of fluid pathways and valves that are configurable into a plurality of valve states.
  • the active ingredient is drawn from use tank 164 and into conduit or hose 167 via metering pump 118 to mass flow meter 119.
  • Mass flow meter 119 can be any conventional mass flow meter, and particularly measures the number of pounds of active ingredient passing through the meter each minute.
  • the weigh belt discussed above in reference to Fig. 3 is associated with both pump 118 and meter 119 whereby once the weight of untreated seed on the weigh belt is known, meter 119 communicates to pump 118 the optimal speed in which the active ingredient needs to flow from use tank 164.
  • valve 121 is configured into a first valve state wherein the active ingredient flows from use tank 164, through valve 121 and back to use tank 164 via conduit or hose 169.
  • 3-way valve 121 can be configured into a second valve state whereby the active ingredient flows from use tank 164 and into an inlet in manifold, or coupling tube 170 via conduit or hose 168. It is in coupling tube 170 where the active ingredient is first commingled with the various other ingredients of the seed treatment solution before flowing into static mixer 172.
  • Static mixer 172 mixes the ingredients entering from coupling tube 170 into a homogenized mixture suitable for the treatment of seeds.
  • manifold, or coupling tube 170 may have a plurality of inlets associated with several other 3-way valves 121' and 121", each of which may be associated with a respective use tank containing another ingredient to the seed treatment and each having a plurality of valve states identical to that of valve 121 described above. It should be appreciated that the ingredient would be transferred to the use tank, and from there into the coupling tube in the same manner described above with respect to use tank 164. In this way, the ingredients drawn from the separate use tanks remain separate until they reach coupling tube 170, and then subsequently mixed by mixer 172.
  • the homogenized liquid seed treatment thereby formed and containing the ingredients transported via the conduits from the respective use tanks flows from static mixer 172 to atomizer 146, where it is received in atomizer 146 via an outlet (not shown), which is described in more detail in the two US patents to Reyner et al.
  • Mix tank is also in fluid communication with manifold coupling tube 170 and associated with a plurality of fluid pathways and a 3-way valve similar to that described above.
  • supply diluent 166 is drawn from mix tank 168 via metering pump 109 and then through mass flow meter 127 to 3-way valve 129.
  • valve 129 When valve 129 is configured into a first valve state, it permits flow of diluent from mix tank 168, through valve 129, and back to mix tank.
  • valve 129 is configured into a second valve state, diluent is permitted to proceed from mix tank 168 and into coupling tube 170 via conduit 107.
  • Carriage assembly 180 includes framework or support frame 179 that is generally square in configuration and includes first and second opposing side walls 182 and 184 in spaced relation to one another, as well as and bottom wall 178 having an upper surface and opposing bottom surface. Bottom wall 178 separates atomizer 146 from spreader chamber 144, which is disposed on the upper surface thereof. Chamber 144 assists in evenly distributing the seeds fed by the supply funnel before they flow into the atomizer.
  • atomizer 146 includes feed tube 177, which receives the seed treatment from the static mixer.
  • Carriage assembly 180 further includes two identical pairs of carriage support arms.
  • the first pair of carriage support arms is associated with first sidewall 182 and shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, and includes front carriage support arm 175 in spaced relation to back carriage support arm 176.
  • the second pair of carriage support arms is associated with second sidewall 184 and shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, and includes front carriage support arm 175' and 176'. In this way, each carriage support arm is generally located at one corner of support frame 179.
  • carriage support arms 175 and 176 extend between first fasteners 159 and second fasteners 189.
  • First fasteners 159 secure carriage arms 175 and 176 to front rotatable member 186 and back rotatable member 187, both of which are rotabtable relative to first sidewall 182.
  • Front rotatable member 186 may extend to second sidewall 184, joining the front fasteners associated with both pairs of carriage support members so as to form one continuous handle 174.
  • front rotatable member 186 is coupled to or joined with back rotatable member 187 by cross arm 155.
  • Second fasteners 189 extend through front opening 156 and back opening 157, fastening carriage arms 175, 176 to treatment device support member, shown here as first guide rail 181.
  • carriage assembly 180 is further associated a moveable treatment device support member in the form of a first and second rails 181 and 183, which are disposed adjacent to first sidewall 182 and second sidewall 184, respectively.
  • First and second rails 181 and 183 extend parallel to one another in spaced relation beyond the respective sidewalls 182 and 184, and terminating in respective first and second end stops 185 and 135.
  • Atomizer 146 which is provided with platform 147, is slidingly disposed on rails 181 and 183 such that atomizer 146 is adapted to be moved in either direction of arrows "A" or "B".
  • Platform 147 may further be provided with stoppers (not shown) extending downwardly thereform and adapted to stop further movement of platform 147 in the direction of arrow "B".
  • first and second rails 181 and 183 are in the first position, shown in both Figs. 5a and 6b, atomizer 146 is in the seed treatment position and operative to apply treatment solution to untreated seeds. Rails 181 and 183 can then be moved into a second position, shown in Figs 5b and 6a, whereby atomizer 146 is disengaged from the seed treater and inoperative to treat seeds, thereby permitting it to be selectively moved along rails 181 and 183 in the direction of arrows "A" and "B".
  • the ability to expose atomizer 146 permits the routine maintenance of the equipment.
  • handle 174 is moved in an appropriate direction to cause front rotatable member 186 and back rotatable member 187 to simultaneously rotate in the direction of arrow "C".
  • carriage support arms 175 and 176 move in respective openings 156 and 157 in the general direction of arrow "D", thereby increasing the distance between guide rails 181 , 183 and bottom wall 178 of support frame 179.
  • atomizer 146 may be pulled via handle 151 in the direction of arrow "B" and out from under bottom wall 178.
  • Carriage support arms may be, for example, in the form of adjustable ball joints. In this way, the length of each carriage support arm can be separately adjusted so that platform 147 uniformly confronts bottom wall 178.
  • carriage assembly may further be provided with cone 193 (shown in phantom).
  • Cone 193 is disposed on bottom wall 178, within chamber 144, and is adapted to facilitate the alignment of tube 195 (shown in phantom), through which the seed treatment mixture flows to atomizer 146.
  • the seed treater according to the present invention includes rotating drum 150, which may be a conventional drum, or one having the features adapted to retain therein the first bag or batch of seeds treated by the seed treater.
  • the first 40 to 50 pounds of seeds are usually not coated with the seed treatment as well as the treated seeds that follow. For this reason, it is desirable for the drum to retain the initial 40 to 50 pounds of seeds while permitting the subsequent treated seeds to flow into and out of the drum. Retaining just the initial seeds and rotating them within the drum allows them to become more uniformly coated.
  • drum 150 is shown in three different positions.
  • Fig. 7a shows the drum in the start position
  • Fig. 7b shows the drum in the run position
  • Fig. 7c shows the drum in the cleanout position.
  • Drum 150 is movable among these three positions by piston 136, which can be any suitable piston such as an electric screw driven piston.
  • Piston 136 is operative to selectively extend or retract shaft 138 associated therewith, which is secured to drum platform 151.
  • Front portion 152 of drum platform 151 is pivotably secured to bearing 139 so that as shaft 138 extends or retracts, drum platform 151 changes the angular position of drum 150.
  • Bearing 139 may be, for example, a pillow bearing or other suitable bearing known in the art.
  • drum 150 is preferably between a position wherein drum platform 151 is generally parallel to the support surface and a position wherein drum platform 151 is at a positive angle of about 2° to 3°.
  • drum 150 can be moved into the run position wherein drum platform 151 is generally parallel to the support surface.
  • drum 150 can be moved into the cleanout position, which is angle between about -3° and -10°.
  • the seed treater shown and described above may optionally include a controller, such as a PLC controller, that is adapted to control both the seed flow and liquid flow to deliver a predetermined amount of seed to the atomizer.
  • the PLC controller may receive sensings from the load cells associated with the weigh belt, which transfers the seeds from the elevator to the atomizer.
  • the weigh belt can communicate the number of seeds received per second, allowing the PLC controller to make any appropriate adjustments to the amount of seed treatment dispensed in the atomizer.
  • the PLC controller may also be used to control the angular position of the rotating drum, and opens or closes the chutes through which seeds exit the drum based upon the weight of the receiving bin as determined by the scales. It is further contemplated that the PLC controller can be pre-programmed for a particular seed treatment such when the operator enters the number seeds per pound, the controller calibrates the seed treater.
  • a method according to the present invention includes a first step calibrating the seed treater so that the seed flow and liquid flow are set for the optimal treatment of seeds.
  • the method may further include the step of unloading a select number of pounds of seeds, whereby the seeds are first disposed on a weigh belt adapted to count the number of seeds traveling per second before the seeds reach the atomizer.
  • the method may further include retaining a select number of treated seeds in a rotating drum for a select period of time before permitting them to exit the drum and into an awaiting bin.
  • the method can also method can include any step that is inherent in the above-described structure.
  • the method then includes the step of mechanically moving a handle thereby moving the atomizer from its seed treatment position.
  • the method may particularly include the step of lowering atomizer and then exposing the atomizer by pulling it away from the seed treater.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil et un procédé permettant l'application d'une solution de traitement à une particule telle qu'une semence. L'appareil de traitement comprend d'une manière générale une pluralité de réservoirs collecteurs adaptés pour recevoir chacun un ingrédient parmi une pluralité d'ingrédients. Les réservoirs collecteurs sont en communication fluidique avec un distributeur muni d'une pluralité d'entrées, au moyen de quoi une pluralité de voies fluidiques interconnectent les réservoirs collecteurs et les entrées du distributeur. Un mélangeur en communication fluidique avec le distributeur fonctionne pour mélanger les ingrédients reçus par celui-ci pour former la solution de traitement qui est ensuite appliquée à la particule ou à la semence par un dispositif d'application de traitement tel qu'un atomiseur. Un réservoir collecteur ou une pluralité de réservoirs collecteurs peut en outre être en communication avec une source d'ingrédient respective. L'invention concerne également un chariot adapté pour soutenir de façon mobile un dispositif d'application de traitement.
PCT/US2006/033358 2006-08-01 2006-08-23 Appareil et procédé de traitement des semences WO2008016368A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002659393A CA2659393A1 (fr) 2006-08-01 2006-08-23 Appareil et procede de traitement des semences

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US82104106P 2006-08-01 2006-08-01
US60/821,041 2006-08-01
US82164006P 2006-08-07 2006-08-07
US60/821,640 2006-08-07
US82171106P 2006-08-08 2006-08-08
US60/821,711 2006-08-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008016368A1 true WO2008016368A1 (fr) 2008-02-07

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Country Status (3)

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AR (1) AR055147A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2659393A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008016368A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012078918A2 (fr) 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Bayer Cropscience Lp Structures de traitement des graines, procédés et appareil associés
EP2760266A1 (fr) * 2011-09-29 2014-08-06 Rhino Research Europe B.V. Système pour traiter des graines, procédé et produit de programme informatique
EP2649583A4 (fr) * 2010-12-08 2015-10-14 Bayer Cropscience Lp Systèmes de traitement des graines au point de détail et procédés associés
US9959511B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-05-01 Bayer Cropscience Lp Retail point seed treatment systems and methods
CN113692806A (zh) * 2021-09-09 2021-11-26 广东天之源农业科技有限公司 一种用于玉米种子的萌发状态实时监控观察装置
US11252855B2 (en) 2017-08-23 2022-02-22 KSi Conveyor, Inc. Agricultural seed treatment control system for liquid agrochemicals

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US9918425B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-03-20 Bayer Cropscience, Lp Seed treatment facilities, methods, and apparatus
EP2649583A4 (fr) * 2010-12-08 2015-10-14 Bayer Cropscience Lp Systèmes de traitement des graines au point de détail et procédés associés
EP2649584A4 (fr) * 2010-12-08 2015-10-14 Bayer Cropscience Lp Structures de traitement des graines, procédés et appareil associés
US9861027B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-01-09 Bayer Cropscience, Lp Seed treatment systems and methods
US9877424B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-01-30 Bayer Cropscience, Lp Seed treatment facilities, methods and apparatus
WO2012078918A2 (fr) 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Bayer Cropscience Lp Structures de traitement des graines, procédés et appareil associés
US9959511B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-05-01 Bayer Cropscience Lp Retail point seed treatment systems and methods
US10212877B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2019-02-26 Bayer Cropscience Lp Seed treatment facilities, methods, and apparatus
US10235644B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2019-03-19 Bayer Cropscience Lp Retail point seed treatment systems and methods
EP2760266A1 (fr) * 2011-09-29 2014-08-06 Rhino Research Europe B.V. Système pour traiter des graines, procédé et produit de programme informatique
US11252855B2 (en) 2017-08-23 2022-02-22 KSi Conveyor, Inc. Agricultural seed treatment control system for liquid agrochemicals
CN113692806A (zh) * 2021-09-09 2021-11-26 广东天之源农业科技有限公司 一种用于玉米种子的萌发状态实时监控观察装置
CN113692806B (zh) * 2021-09-09 2022-09-20 广东天之源农业科技有限公司 一种用于玉米种子的萌发状态实时监控观察装置

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