U.S. patent application number 13/865303 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for container for segregating and blending multiple seed types.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dow AgroSciences LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC. Invention is credited to William D. Bush, Jeffrey A. Housman, Damon M. Palmer.
Application Number | 20130228592 13/865303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43429489 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130228592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palmer; Damon M. ; et
al. |
September 5, 2013 |
CONTAINER FOR SEGREGATING AND BLENDING MULTIPLE SEED TYPES
Abstract
A container is disclosed which segregates at least two types of
seed during storage and blends the at least two types of seed
together when emptied from the container. A method is disclosed for
blending at least two types of seed together.
Inventors: |
Palmer; Damon M.;
(Pittsboro, IN) ; Bush; William D.; (Carmel,
IN) ; Housman; Jeffrey A.; (De Witt, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dow AgroSciences LLC
Indianapolis
IN
|
Family ID: |
43429489 |
Appl. No.: |
13/865303 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13379400 |
Dec 20, 2011 |
8464911 |
|
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PCT/US2010/040776 |
Jul 1, 2010 |
|
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13865303 |
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61224043 |
Jul 8, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/129 ;
222/145.1; 222/185.1; 222/460; 222/561 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 5/244 20130101;
A01C 1/00 20130101; B01F 5/245 20130101; B65D 81/3227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/129 ;
222/145.1; 222/561; 222/460; 222/185.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding and delivering seed, the apparatus
including: a container having a first compartment and a second
compartment, the first compartment storing a first type of seed and
the second compartment storing a second type of seed; and a gate
moveably coupled to the container, the gate being readily moveable
back and forth between: a first closed position preventing the
first type of seed from emptying from the first compartment and
preventing the second type of see from emptying from the second
compartment; and a first open position permitting the first type of
seed to empty from the first compartment and at the same time
permitting the second type of seed to empty from the second
compartment, the first compartment and the second compartment
segregating the first type of seed from the second type of seed
until the first type of seed and the second type of seed are
emptied from the first compartment and the second compartment,
respectively.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second container,
the second container being removably coupled to the container and
including the second compartment such that the second compartment
is removable relative to the first compartment.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second container includes
an upper portion, the upper portion of the second container located
relative to the first container with a plurality of support bars,
the support bars coupling the upper portion of the second container
to the first container.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a lid, the lid
configured to be coupled to the upper portion of the second
container in order to limit access to the second compartment, the
lid including identifying indicia of the second type of seed.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the identifying indicia is a
color of the lid.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lid permits visual
inspection of the second seed in the second compartment from an
exterior of the second container.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first type of seed exits
the first compartment through a lower portion of the first
compartment and the second type of seed exits the second
compartment through a lower portion of the second compartment.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first type of seed exits
the first compartment and the second type of seed exits the second
compartment in a generally constant ratio.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the generally constant ratio
is about 95 to 5.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a
region for receiving a tool for moving the apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gate is in contact with
both the first type of seed in the first compartment and the second
type of seed in the second compartment when the gate is in a closed
position.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gate translates relative
to the container to move to the first open position from a closed
position.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gate is moveable to a
second open position, a first ratio of the first type of seed being
emptied from the first compartment to the second type of seed being
emptied from the second compartment when the gate is in the first
open position is generally equal to a second ratio of the first
type of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second
type of seed being emptied from the second compartment when the
gate is in the second open position.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the ratio of the first type
of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second type
of seed being emptied from the second compartment when the gate is
generally constant at all positions of the gate between the first
open position and the second open position.
15. An apparatus for holding and delivering seed, the apparatus
including: a container having a first compartment and a second
compartment, the first compartment storing a first type of seed and
the second compartment storing a second type of seed; and a gate
moveably coupled to the container, the gate being non-destructively
moveable to: a first closed position preventing the first type of
seed to empty from the first compartment and preventing the second
type of seed to empty from second compartment; and a first open
position permitting the first type of seed to empty from the first
compartment and at the same time permitting the second type of seed
to empty from the second compartment, the first compartment and the
second compartment segregating the first type of seed from the
second type of seed until the first type of seed and the second
type of seed are emptied from the first compartment and the second
compartment, respectively.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the respective seed types
for each of the multiple compartments empty through at least one
opening in a lower portion of the respective compartment.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one opening for
each of the multiple compartments defines a cross sectional area
for the respective compartment, a ratio of the cross-sectional
areas of the multiple compartments are defined in order to release
a predetermined ratio of the types of seeds.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the generally constant ratio
is a ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed and
the generally constant ratio is 95:5.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus includes a
region for receiving a tool for moving the apparatus.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the gate is in contact with
both the first type of seed in the first compartment and the second
type of seed in the second compartment when the gate is in the
first closed position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/379,400, entitled "CONTAINER FOR
SEGREGATING AND BLENDING MULTIPLE SEED TYPES " filed Dec. 20, 2011,
which is a National Stage filing of International Application
Serial No. PCT/US2010/40776, entitled "CONTAINER FOR SEGREGATING
AND BLENDING MULTIPLE SEED TYPES" filed Jul. 1, 2010, which claims
the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/224,043, filed Jul. 8, 2009, the disclosures of
which are expressly incorporated herein by reference
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for
blending multiple components of a mixture and in particular to the
blending of multiple seeds in a seed mixture.
BACKGROUND
[0003] GMO ("genetically modified organism") seeds have been
developed which produce plants that are resistant to at least one
of a particular type or family of pests or pesticides such as
insects, fungi, insecticides, and herbicides. GMO seeds are often
planted as part of a mixture including refuge seed. The refuge seed
has not been genetically modified in the same way as the GMO seed
and does not produce a resistant plant.
[0004] In some situations, the mixture of GMO seed and refuge seed
is planted in an effort to prevent the insect population from
becoming resistant to a particular type of plant produced by the
GMO seed. Regulatory bodies such as the EPA help determine and
regulate the ratio of refuge seed to GMO seed that must be planted
to preserve the usefulness of the GMO seed. Growers may plant
refuge seed separately from GMO seed or acquire premixed GMO and
refuge seed from seed suppliers.
SUMMARY
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
container is provided which segregates at least two types of seed
during storage and blends the at least two types of seed together
when emptied from the container. In another exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, a method is provided for blending at least
two types of seed together.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
an apparatus for holding and delivering seed is provided. The
apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a
second compartment, the first compartment storing a first type of
seed and the second compartment storing a second type of seed; and
a gate moveably coupled to the container. The gate being moveable
to a first open position permitting the first type of seed to empty
from the first compartment and at the same time permitting the
second type of seed to empty from the second compartment. The first
compartment and the second compartment segregating the first type
of seed from the second type of seed until the first type of seed
and the second type of seed are emptied from the first compartment
and the second compartment, respectively. In one example, the first
compartment generally surrounds the second compartment. In another
example, the apparatus further comprises a second container. The
second container being removably coupled to the container and
including the second compartment such that the second compartment
is removable relative to the first compartment. In one variation,
the second container includes an upper portion, the upper portion
of the second container located relative to the first container
with a plurality of support bars. The support bars coupling the
upper portion of the second container to the first container. In
another variation, the second container includes a lower portion.
The lower portion of the second container being located by at least
one supporting element of the first container. In yet another
variation, the apparatus further comprises a lid. The lid
configured to be coupled to the upper portion of the second
container in order to limit access to the second compartment. The
lid may be locked relative to the second container. The lid may
include identifying indicia of the second type of seed. The
identifying indicia may be a color of the lid. The lid may permit
visual inspection of the second seed in the second compartment from
an exterior of the second container. In another example, the first
type of seed exits the first compartment through a lower portion of
the first compartment and the second type of seed exits the second
compartment through a lower portion of the second compartment. In a
variation thereof, the first type of seed exits the first
compartment and the second type of seed exits the second
compartment in a generally constant ratio. The generally constant
ratio may be about 95 to 5. In yet another example, the second
compartment is contained by the first compartment. In a further
example, the apparatus includes a region for receiving a tool for
moving the apparatus. In a variation thereof, the apparatus further
comprises a plurality of spaced apart feet which define the region
for receiving the tool for moving the apparatus. In yet a further
example, the gate is in contact with both the first type of seed in
the first compartment and the second type of seed in the second
compartment when the gate is in a closed position. In still a
further example, the gate translates relative to the container to
move to the first open position from a closed position. In a
variation thereof, the gate translates in a single direction to
move to the first open position from the closed position. The
apparatus may further comprise spaced apart channel members which
receive the gate and constrain a movement of the gate relative to
the container. In still yet another example, the apparatus further
comprises spaced apart channel members which receive the gate and
constrain a movement of the gate relative to the container. In
still a further example, the gate is moveable to a second open
position, a first ratio of the first type of seed being emptied
from the first compartment to the second type of seed being emptied
from the second compartment when the gate is in the first open
position is generally equal to a second ratio of the first type of
seed being emptied from the first compartment to the second type of
seed being emptied from the second compartment when the gate is in
the second open position. In a variation thereof, the ratio of the
first type of seed being emptied from the first compartment to the
second type of seed being emptied from the second compartment when
the gate is generally constant at all positions of the gate between
the first open position and the second open position.
[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, an apparatus for holding and delivering seed is
provided. The apparatus including a container having multiple
compartments, each compartment holding a respective type of seed;
and a gate for controlling the emptying of the respective types of
seed from the container, the container and the gate cooperating to
empty the respective types of seed in a generally constant ratio
independent of a flow rate of the respective types of seed. In one
example, the respective seed types for each of the multiple
compartments empty through at least one opening in a lower portion
of the respective compartment. In a variation thereof, the at least
one opening for each of the multiple compartments defines a cross
sectional area for the respective compartment, a ratio of the
cross-sectional areas of the multiple compartments are defined in
order to release a predetermined ratio of the types of seeds. The
multiple compartments may include a first compartment holding a
first type of seed and a second compartment holding a second type
of seed, the first compartment including a plurality of openings in
the lower portion of the first compartment through which the first
type of seed is emptied. An opening in the lower portion of the
second compartment may be positioned between a first opening of the
plurality of openings in the lower portion of the first compartment
and a second opening of the plurality of openings in the lower
portion of the first compartment. The first compartment may have
angled walls which direct the first type of seed towards the second
type of seed upon exiting the container. The angled walls may
extend to an upper portion of container. The angled walls may
intersect with generally straight walls in a portion of the
container between a lower portion of the container and an upper
portion of the container. In another variation, he multiple
compartments include a first compartment holding a first type of
seed and a second compartment holding a second type of seed, the at
least one opening of the first compartment being positioned around
a plurality of sides of an opening in the lower portion of the
second compartment. The plurality of sides may include opposite
sides. The opening in the lower portion of the second compartment
may be positioned between a first opening of the plurality of
openings in the lower portion of the first compartment and a second
opening of the plurality of openings in the lower portion of the
first compartment. The first opening of the first compartment and
the opening of the lower portion of the second compartment may be
generally coextensive along a first direction. The first opening of
the first compartment and the opening of the lower portion of the
second compartment may be quadrilaterals. In another example, the
generally constant ratio is a ratio of the first type of seed to
the second type of seed and the generally constant ratio is
95:5.
[0008] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method for delivering a mixture of seed is provided.
The method comprising the steps of: holding a first type of seed in
a first compartment; holding a second type of seed in a second
compartment; and emptying the first type of seed from the first
compartment and the second type of seed from the second compartment
at a generally constant ratio independent of a flow rate of the
first type of seed and the second type of seed. In one example, the
second type of seed is segregated from the first type of seed until
the second type of seed and the first type of seed exit the first
compartment and the second compartment, respectively. In a
variation thereof, the first compartment and the second compartment
are provided within an interior of a container. The first type of
seed and the second type of seed may be emptied from the first
compartment and the second compartment simultaneously. In another
example, the generally constant ratio is a ratio of the first type
of seed to the second type of seed and the generally constant ratio
is 95:5.
[0009] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method for delivering a mixture of seed is provided.
The method comprising the steps of: holding a first type of seed in
a first compartment in an interior of a container; holding a second
type of seed in a second compartment which is provided within the
interior of the container; and emptying the first type of seed from
the first compartment and the second type of seed from the second
compartment at a generally constant ratio. In one example, the
method further comprises the step of locking the second compartment
to limit access to the second compartment. In another example, the
step of emptying the first type of seed from the first compartment
and the second type of seed from the second compartment includes
the step of simultaneously opening a lower portion of the first
compartment and a lower portion of the second compartment. In a
variation thereof, the step of simultaneously opening the lower
portion of the first compartment and the lower portion of the
second compartment includes the step of moving a gate relative to
the container, the gate and the container cooperating to close the
lower portion of the first compartment and the lower portion of the
second compartment when the gate is in a first position relative to
the container. In a further example, the second compartment is
provided in a second container positioned within the interior of
the container. In still a further example, the generally constant
ratio is a ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of
seed and the generally constant ratio is 95:5. In yet still a
further example, the method further comprises the step of blending
the first type of seed and the second type of seed upon exiting the
first compartment and the second compartment, respectively.
[0010] The above mentioned and other features of the invention, and
the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the
invention itself will be better understood by reference to the
following description of embodiments of the invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These features can be
used without exclusion in any combination or permutation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container having
an interior thereof separated into multiple compartments;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the container
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the container
of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the container of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1
and a gate covering the respective openings of the multiple
compartments of the container of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments
of the container when the gate is closed;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments
of the container when the gate is opened a first amount;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating the respective openings of the multiple compartments
of the container when the gate is opened a second amount;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates the relative size of the multiple
compartments of the container along lines 9-9 in FIG. 4; and
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates the relative size of the multiple
compartments of the container along lines 10-10 in FIG. 4
[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed
in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are
chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize
their teachings. While the present disclosure is primarily directed
to the blending of seeds which are stored in multiple compartments
of a container, it should be understood that the features disclosed
herein may have application to the blending of other components
stored in multiple compartments of a container.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 100 is shown. Container 100
includes a front upstanding wall 102, a rear upstanding wall 104, a
first side upstanding wall 106 and a second side upstanding wall
108. Walls 102-108 cooperate to define an interior 110 of container
100. Although container 100 is shown as being a four sided
container, container 100 may have any number of sides, be generally
cylindrical, be generally elliptical, or any other suitable shape.
In one embodiment, container 100 is made of polyethylene. In one
embodiment, container 100 is a collapsible container, such as the
Center Flow Bulk Container available from Buckhorn located at 55
West TechneCenter Drive in Milford, Ohio 45150.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, container 100 also includes
walls 112, 114, 116, and 118 which are angled inward from an upper
portion 120 of container 100 to a lower portion 122 of container
100. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in the illustrated embodiment,
walls 112-118 are angled inward along their whole extend. In one
embodiment, walls 112-118 are angled inward only for a portion
proximate to lower portion 122 and generally straight for the
remainder of walls 112-114. In one embodiment, walls 112-118
intersect with walls 102-108 not at upper portion 120, but rather
in a middle portion of walls 102-108. In either of these two cases
the volume of interior 110 is increased. The angling of walls
112-118 assist in directing the seed in interior 110 towards an
opening 140 (see FIG. 5) of container 100 in a bottom wall 124.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a bottom wall 124 of container 100 is
shown. Bottom wall 124 supports a gate 130 which is moveably
coupled to bottom wall 124. In the illustrated embodiment, gate 130
is slideably coupled to bottom wall 124 to permit gate 130 to move
in direction 132 and direction 134. An operator may grasp a handle
138 to aid in moving gate 130 in direction 132 and direction
134.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, container 100
includes channel members 136 which support gate 130 and permit the
movement of gate 130 in directions 132 and 134. Channel members
136, in one embodiment, are coupled to bottom wall 124. Channel
members 136, in one embodiment, are integrally formed as part of
bottom wall 124.
[0027] Returning to FIG. 5, an opening 140 is formed in bottom wall
124. Material, such as seeds, being held in interior 110 passes
through opening 140 when gate 130 is moved in direction 132.
Opening 140 is bounded by lower edges 142-148 of walls 112-118,
respectively.
[0028] Returning to FIG. 1, interior 110 is divided into a first
compartment 150 and a second compartment 152. Second compartment
152 is separate from first compartment 150, such that seeds stored
in first compartment 150 remain segregated from seeds stored in
second compartment 152 while being stored in container 100.
[0029] Second compartment 152 is formed by a container 160. In the
illustrated embodiment, container 160 is formed of walls 162-168.
Each of walls 162-168 are shown as angling inward from upper
portion 120 to lower portion 122. The angling of walls 162-168
assist in directing the seed in second compartment 152 towards an
opening 170 (see FIG. 5) of container 100 in a bottom wall 124.
Material, such as seeds, being held in interior 110 passes through
opening 170 when gate 130 is moved in direction 132. Opening 170 is
bounded by lower edges 172-178 of walls 162-168, respectively. In
one embodiment, lower edges 172-178 are generally coplanar with
lower edges 142-148.
[0030] Container 160, in the illustrated embodiment, is spaced
apart from walls 112-118 at upper portion 120 of container 100. The
upper portion 180 of container 160 is generally secured in place
with support bars 182-188. In one embodiment, support bars 182-188
are releasably coupled to one of interior 110 and container 160 to
allow the removal of container 160 from interior 110 of container
100 or the positioning of container 160 in interior 110 of
container 100 prior to seed being introduced into interior 110 of
container 100. In an alternative embodiment, container 160 rests
against at least one of walls 112-118. Although container 160 is
shown as being removable relative to container 100, in one
embodiment, container 160 is rigidly coupled to container 100 or
integrally formed as part of interior 110.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, container 160 includes a lid 190 which
may be secured to upper portion 180 of container 160. Lid 190
includes cutouts 192 which receive supports 182-188. In one
embodiment, lid 190 is a tamper proof lid which may be locked
relative to container 160 to limit access to second compartment
152. In one embodiment, lid 190 is color-coded to indicate the type
of seed being carried in second compartment 152. In one embodiment,
lid 190 is made of a material which allows visual inspection of the
contents of second compartment 152 from an exterior of container
160.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, supports 200 are coupled to wall 112
and wall 114. Supports 200 define channels 202 which receive and
locate the end of container 160 corresponding to opening 170. As
shown in FIG. 5, supports 200 locate container 160 such that lower
edge 172 generally coincides with lower edge 142 and lower edge 174
generally coincides with lower edge 144. This is illustrated in
FIG. 9, wherein opening 170 of second compartment 152 is shown to
be generally coextensive with opening 140 of first compartment 150.
In contrast, along the orthogonal direction, as shown in FIG. 10,
opening 170 of second compartment 152 is not coextensive with
opening 140 of first compartment 150.
[0033] Returning to FIG. 5, as discussed above, the lengths of
opening 140 and opening 170 are generally the same and the widths
of opening 140 and opening 170 differ. By having the lengths the
same, a ratio of the area of opening 170 to the area of opening 140
exposed by gate 130 when gate 130 is moved in direction 132 remains
generally constant independent of the position of gate 130.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, gate 130 is shown in a closed position
(FIG. 6), a first open position (FIG. 7), and a second open
position (FIG. 8). By opening gate 130 further in direction 132 a
flow rate of the seed from first compartment 150 and second
compartment 152 is increased.
[0034] The generally constant ratio of opening 170 to opening 140
being exposed results in the mixture of the seed being emptied from
container 100 maintaining a generally constant ratio regardless of
the position of gate 130. In one embodiment, the ratio of seed from
second compartment 152 to the seed from first compartment 150 being
emptied from container 100 is about 5 to 95. Of course the relative
sizes of opening 140 and opening 170 may be adjusted to alter the
ratio of the mixture of seed being emptied from container 100.
[0035] Returning to FIG. 1, container 100 includes a plurality of
spaced apart feet 210. Feet 210 are spaced apart to allow the arms
of a forklift to be able to pass between feet 210 and to elevate
container 100.
[0036] Container 100 may be coupled to a planting device such that
seed exiting container 100 is planted in the ground by the planting
device. Exemplary planting devices include pull-behind planters,
drills, and other suitable planting devices. In one embodiment,
since the ratio of the first type of seed exiting a first
compartment of the container 100 and a second type of seed exiting
the second compartment of the container is generally constant, the
ratio of the first type of seed to the second type of seed planted
by the planting device is generally constant.
[0037] While this invention has been described as relative to
exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains.
* * * * *