Method and means for harvesting and packaging seeds
US5664402A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D41/1277
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The seed packaging machine of this invention is mounted on a conventional plot combine. The harvested seed is blown to a receiving compartment where the seed is weighed and tested for moisture. A bag roll comprising a plurality of bag portions is fed through power rolls to a seed deposit station. A blower blows open the endmost bag and the seed is deposited in the bag portion. A sealing pressure bar is pivoted toward a thermal bar with the top of the bag portion therebetween to seal the bag. The bag is then released to drop into a storage bin. Bar codes are imposed on the bags and are scanned as they approach the deposit station. A computer is connected to all operating components to coordinate the sequential operation thereof. The range and row numbers of the harvested field are imposed on the computer memory, and the computer associates each bag containing harvested seed with the range and row from which the seed was harvested. The bags are perforated to facilitate subsequent drying of the seed. The computer will discard seed that does not meet predetermined weight and moisture parameters so that unwanted seed will not have to be packaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.