Automated high-throughput seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

US8028469B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Monsanto Technology LLC · US

Inventors

• Kevin L. Deppermann · Chesterfield, US
• Lee Yannakakis · Chesterfield, US
• Andrew M. Singleton · Manchester, US
• Angela Ranae Koestel · Chesterfield, US
• David W. Finley · Kirkwood, US
• Brian J. Forinash · Chesterfield, US
• Allen N. Ondes · Chesterfield, US
• Sam Eathington · Ames, US
• Heather M. Forbes · Ankeny, US
• Bruce Schnicker · Wildwood, US
• Jason Bull · Chesterfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 28, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 4, 2011
• Expiry date: Jun 9, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/1497
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.