U.S. patent number RE29,393 [Application Number 05/437,179] was granted by the patent office on 1977-09-13 for apparatus for separating and/or counting individual elements of a plurality.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Reinhard Becker.
United States Patent |
RE29,393 |
Becker |
September 13, 1977 |
Apparatus for separating and/or counting individual elements of a
plurality
Abstract
Apparatus for separating and/or counting individual ones of a
plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles, elements,
grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and
including a hollow rotating drum, constructed to have plural,
inwardly tapering indentations, terminating in a bore open to the
interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation
dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot
traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles
at the surface of the drum, the indentation dimensioned to hold at
least one particle each. A nozzle directs an air jet towards the
drum at direction and position so that the air strikes along the
leading wall portion of the closest indentation as the drum
rotates. Particles are fed towards the drum, so that at least one
particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet.
Inventors: |
Becker; Reinhard (Gieselwerder,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Deere & Company (Moline,
IL)
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Family
ID: |
27183083 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/437,179 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
206282 |
Dec 9, 1971 |
03715057 |
Feb 6, 1973 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 29, 1970 [DT] |
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2064336 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/211; 111/77;
111/136; 111/179; 111/927; 221/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
7/044 (20130101); B65G 65/4881 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01C
7/04 (20060101); A01C 7/00 (20060101); B65G
65/00 (20060101); B65G 65/48 (20060101); A01C
007/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;221/185,211,278,160
;111/77 ;214/1BS |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Handren; Frederick R.
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a
plurality of substantially similar shaped particles, elements,
grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and
including a rotating drum, feeder means for the particles and a
housing for the drum, the improvement comprising:
the drum being hollow and .[.constructed to have plural.].
.Iadd.having in its outer surface a plurality of .Iaddend.inwardly
tapering indentations, .Iadd.each indentation .Iaddend.terminating
in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom
of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that
the particles cannot traverse the bore, the .[.indentations.].
.Iadd.indentation .Iaddend.being wider than the particles at the
surface of the drum, the indentation dimensioned to hold .[.at
least.]. .Iadd.therein more than .Iaddend.one particle each;
means including a nozzle for directing .[.an.]. .Iadd.a defined
.Iaddend.air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that
the air jet is directed towards and into .[.an indentation.].
.Iadd.successive indentations .Iaddend.striking along the leading
wall .[.portion.]. .Iadd.portions .Iaddend.thereof as the drum
rotates; and
the feeder means constructed to feed particles towards the drum, so
that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the
jet.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, the indentations having conical
configuration, the apex angle being between 40.degree. and
90.degree..
3. Apparatus as in claim 2, the bore merging in the conical
indentation being cylindrical.
4. Apparatus as in claim 2, the apex angle being 45.degree. to
60.degree..
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, the drum disposed in a cylindrical
housing covering the drum for .[.most.]. .Iadd.part .Iaddend.of its
circumference, the feeder means opening the housing along .[.the
remaining.]. .Iadd.another .Iaddend.part of the circumference, the
nozzle arranged at the one end of the opening .[.where, in
direction of rotation,.]. .Iadd.so that .Iaddend.the drum surface
enters .Iadd.under the .Iaddend.cover .[.by.]. .Iadd.of
.Iaddend.the housing .Iadd.after passing the jet. .Iaddend.
6. Apparatus as in claim 5, the opening providing to expose about
three indentations to the feeder means.
7. Apparatus as in claim 5, the feeder means being arranged in the
upper portion along the ascending path of the rotating drum, the
housing having an outlet at the bottom. .[.8. Apparatus as in claim
1, the nozzle having
menixcus-like cross section..]. 9. Apparatus as in claim 1, the
drum
including an ejector means. .Iadd.10. Apparatus for separating and
counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar
shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of
seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for
the particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement
comprising: the drum being hollow and having a plurality of
indentations extending inwardly from its outer surface, each of
said indentations terminating in a bore open to the interior of the
drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller
than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore,
the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of
the drum, the indentations dimensioned to hold at least one
particle each; means including a nozzle for directing a defined air
jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air jet
is directed successively towards and into an indentation as the
drum successively passes the indentations by the jet to blow
particles in excess of one from the respective indentation while
urging the remaining particle to seat in the indentation; and the
feeder means constructed to feed particles towards the drum, so
that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the
jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. Apparatus for separating and counting
individual ones of a plurality of substantially similarly shaped
particles comprising: a rotating drum having angularly spaced
surface indentations, each indentation being sufficiently large to
retain at least one particle therein and terminating in a bore
opening to the atmosphere, the respective bores being smaller than
the particles so that the particles cannot pass therethrough; means
including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet successively
into each indentation as the drum successively passes the
indentations by said jet to blow particles in excess of one from
the respective indentation while urging the remaining particle to
seat in the indentation; means adjacent to the drum and for feeding
particles into the indentations prior to their passing in the path
of said jet; and retaining means next to the drum for retaining
particles in the indentations after the indentations pass the air
jet. .Iadd.12. The invention defined in claim 11 in which each
indentation is tapered from a large end larger than the particles
to a small end at its respective bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The
invention defined in claim 12 characterized by each indentation
being of conical configuration which has its main axis on a radius
of the drum. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The invention defined in claim 11
in which the indentations face outwardly and the bores open
inwardly of the drum, the means for feeding particles into the
indentation is a chamber holding said particles that is positioned
on the upper side and is in communication with the drum, and is
further positioned so that air from said jet is deflected from the
indentations into the interior of the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.
A seed separating and individual counting apparatus comprising: a
rotating seed conveying drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and
having in its outer surface outwardly opening seed holding
indentations terminating in bores smaller than the seeds opening
internally of the drum; a seed chamber opening downwardly and in
communication with the indentations; a seed discharge structure for
receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations; a housing
formed about the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations
between the chamber and discharge structure; a single means for
pressurizing the chamber including a nozzle for directing a defined
jet of air successively into each of the indentations as the drum
rotates for removing excess seed from each indentation and for
urging a remaining single seed to seat in the respective
indentation, and so that air leaving the nozzle moves first into
the indentations and from there into the chamber. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. A seed separating and individual counting apparatus
comprising: a rotating seed conveying drum rotatable about a
horizontal axis and having in its outer surface outwardly opening
seed holding indentations terminating in bores smaller than the
seeds opening internally of the drum, the dimensions of said
indentations being such that each indentation may hold a plurality
of seeds; a seed chamber opening downwardly and in communication
with the indentations; a seed discharge structure for receiving and
discharging seeds from the indentations; a housing formed about the
drum for retaining seeds in the indentations between the chamber
and discharge structure; and an air nozzle for moving pressurized
air into the chamber and directing a defined jet of air
successively at each indentation as the drum rotates so that air
leaving the nozzle moves and blows back into the chamber all but
one seed and urges the remaining one seed to seat in the respective
indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A seed separating and individual
counting apparatus comprising: a rotating seed conveying drum
having seed holding indentations formed on its outer surface; the
indentations terminating in bores smaller than the seeds; a seed
chamber in communication with the indentations and for depositing
seed therein as the drum rotates; a seed discharge structure for
receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations; means
cooperative with the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations
between the chamber and discharge structure; and an air nozzle for
moving pressurized air into the chamber and directing a defined jet
of air successively at each indentation as the drum rotates so that
air leaving the nozzle moves and blows back into the chamber all
but one seed and urges the remaining one seed to seat in the
respective indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A seed separating and
individual seed counting apparatus comprising: a moving seed
conveying member having a surface and seed carrying indentations in
the surface with bores at their bases; a seed chamber disposed
alongside the member and having a discharge in simultaneous
communication with a plurality of said indentations as said member
moves the indentations through the chamber; and a pressurized air
nozzle discharging into the chamber for pressurizing the latter and
directing a defined air jet successively toward and into each of
said plurality of said indentations as they pass the nozzle for
blowing all but one seed from the respective indentation and urging
said one seed to seat in said indentation at its bore immediately
prior to the respective indentation leaving the chamber. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The invention defined in claim 18 in which said member is
carried around an axis and said indentations lie in at least one
row and as said member moves the row continuously traverses the
discharge of said chamber and said indentations in the row
consecutively receive seed from the discharge and consecutively
pass through said jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The invention defined in
claim 18 in which the indentations are tapered with the wide ends
of the indentations opening to the discharge and the small ends of
the indentations being at the bores. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The
invention defined in claim 18 in which the indentations are tapered
and as the member moves, it moves the indentations by the air jet
so that the jet strikes the leading wall portion of each
indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The invention defined in claim 21
in which the moving member is a rotating drum with a peripheral row
of indentations and said indentations pass successively through the
discharge and by the air jet just prior to leaving the discharge of
said chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A seed separating apparatus
comprising: a seed chamber opening downwardly at its base; a
movable member closing at least a portion of the chamber base and
having at least one row of surface indentations that pass under the
chamber as the member moves and open upwardly to receive seeds from
the chamber, said indentations having bores therein smaller than
the seed for passing air through the indentations; and an air
nozzle opening into the chamber for pressurizing the latter and
directing a defined air jet toward and into successive indentations
as they pass the nozzle and just prior to each respective
indentation leaving the chamber for blowing excess seeds back into
the chamber while urging a remaining single seed to seat in the
respective indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The invention defined
in claim 23 further characterized by a cooperating surface member
for retaining seeds in the respective indentations after they leave
the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A seed separating apparatus
comprising: a seed chamber opening downwardly at its base; a
rotating member having at least one row of tapered surface
indentations that pass under the chamber as the member rotates to
receive seeds from the chamber, said indentations having bores
therein smaller than the seed for passing air through the
indentations; an air nozzle opening into the chamber for
pressurizing the latter and directing a defined air jet toward and
into successive indentations as they pass the nozzle and just prior
to each respective indentation leaving the chamber for blowing
excess seeds from the indentation back into the chamber while
urging a remaining single seed to seat in the respective
indentation; a housing formed about the rotating member for
retaining seed in the indentations after leaving the chamber; and
discharge means permitting discharge of the seeds from the
indentations. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The invention defined in claim 25
in which there are a plurality of indentations in each row
simultaneously within the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. Apparatus
for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of
substantially similar shaped particles, elements, grains, or the
like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating
drum, feeder means for the particles and a housing for the drum,
the improvement comprising: the drum being hollow and having in its
outer surface a plurality of indentations, each indentation
terminating in a bottom bore open to the interior of the drum and
having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the
particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the
indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the
drum, each indentation dimensioned to hold a plurality of
particles; means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet
towards the surface of the drum at direction and position so that
the air jet is directed successively towards and into the
respective indentations as the drum rotates; and the feeder means
constructed to feed particles toward the outer surface of the drum
so that normally a plurality of particles gravitate into each
indentation prior to its passing the jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.
Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a
plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles comprising: a
rotating drum having angularly spaced surface indentations, each
indentation being sufficiently large to retain a plurality of
particles therein and terminating in a bore opening to the
atmosphere, the respective bores being smaller than the particles
so that the particles cannot pass therethrough; means including a
nozzle for directing a defined air jet at each indentation as the
drum successively passes the indentations by said jet; and means
adjacent to the drum and for gravitationally feeding normally more
than one particle into each indentation prior to its passing in the
path of said jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A seed separating and
individual counting apparatus comprising: a rotating seed conveying
drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having outwardly opening
seed holding indentations, each being formed in its outer surface,
each indentation being capable of holding a plurality of seed, said
indentations terminating in bores opening internally of the drum,
said bores being smaller than the seeds; a seed chamber opening
downwardly to a top quarter-side portion of the drum and in
communication with the indentations; a seed discharge structure for
receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations; a housing
formed about the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations
between the chamber and discharge structure; means producing a
defined air jet for moving pressurized air into the chamber and
directed at and into successive indentations at a top portion of
the drum as the drum rotates so that air leaving the jet moves
first into the indentations and from there into the chamber; and
means for rotating the drum so that the respective indentations are
filled with seed from the chamber prior to their passing under the
jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. Apparatus for separating and counting
individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar shaped
particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed,
pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for the
particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement comprising:
the drum being hollow and having on its outer surface a plurality
of inwardly tapering indentations, each indentation terminating in
a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of
the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the
particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider
than the particles at the surface of the drum, each indentation
dimensioned to hold at least one particle each; means including a
nozzle for directing a defined air jet towards the drum at
direction and position so that the air jet is directed towards and
into each successive indentation as the drum rotates and striking
the respective indentation along the leading wall portion thereof
as the drum rotates, said nozzle having a meniscus-like cross
section; and the feeder means constructed to feed particles towards
the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as
it passes the jet..Iaddend.
Description
The present invention relates to apparatus for separating and/or
counting individual elements taken or to be taken from a quantity
of approximately similarly shaped elements such as seed, pills,
plastic particles or the like. More particularly, the invention
relates to improvements in counting or separating apparatus which
includes a housing, a bucket wheel or drum, journalled in the
housing, a storage bin or the like and a feeder arrangement
extending from bin to drum.
The separation and/or counting of at least approximately similarly
shaped elements is an objective that may arise on various occasions
and for a variety of reasons. So-called single seed sowing machines
or pill dispensing or bottling apparatus, though quite unrelated
have this objective in common; in both cases some kind of metering
process for the individual elements is needed.
Sowing or seeding machines with single seed dispensing mechanism
use a bucket wheel wherein the individual compartments are usually
dimensioned so as to receive, possibly, only one seed grain. That
seed is ejected upon continued turning of the wheel, and at a
different location, if possible, into a prepared furrow. These
machines pose the problem that each compartment should contain only
one grain of seed, not two, and it should also not remain empty,
otherwise growth retardation and/or a gap in the row of expected
plants is inevitable.
In order to cope with that problem, it has been suggested to
provide the bucket wheel with bores as cells or compartments for
the individual seeds, and in the interior of the drum low pressure
is maintained, so that the seed grains are sucked into the bores
and maintained therein. Upon restoring normal pressure, the grains
are free to drop from their respective compartments.
Such a machine operates quite satisfactorily, but it was found that
in reality plural grains in one compartment or empty ones are not
completely avoided, even if a mechanical stripper or wiper is used
to remove excess protruding particles. Moreover, gauging of the
seed is not avoidable with these machines, which is an expensive
requirement. The crux of these machines lies in the attempt to
match the compartment size to the grain size, but irregularities in
shape and size make accurate single particle dispensing a matter of
higher or lower probability.
The apparatus in accordance with the present invention avoids the
several deficiencies and drawbacks as outlined above. In accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is
suggested to provide indentations in a drum which taper in inward
direction, e.g., by having conical configuration. These
indentations may be located either along periphery of the drum or
on axial end faces thereof. The .[.apeces.]. .Iadd.apexes
.Iaddend.are not fully developed, i.e., the cones are actually
.[.trunkated.]. .Iadd.truncated. .Iaddend.The smallest diameter in
each indentation is smaller than the diameter of the smallest
particle or element to be separated.
The housing in which this drum is journalled is equipped with a
blower having a nozzle that directs a jet towards the drum not
quite tangentially to the wall of the indentation underneath, but
at a slight angle particularly in relation to one portion of the
inner wall of a tapering indentation. The apex angle of each cone
should be from within the range from 40.degree. to 90.degree.,
preferably about 45.degree. to 60.degree.. The drum itself is
preferably exchangeably and displaceably disposed in housing
journals.
As will be explained by way of a specific example (but having
relevancy beyond that example) the conical indentations or bores
are somewhat overdimensioned to receive at least one particle,
element, grain etc. with certainty, but possibly more than one.
Through aerodynamic effects, the jet will cause the one lowest
particle in each bore to be sucked against the bottom wall portion
of the bore, while the superfluous particles are flushed out.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing
out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as
the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and
features of the invention and further objects, features and
advantages thereof will be better understood from the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a seeder machine in which the invention
can be practiced;
FIG. 2 illustrates side view, partially as section view, of an
arrangement in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention, including incorporating feature for employment in a
seeder machine;
FIG. 3 shows section view along line III--III of FIG. 2; and
FIGS. 4 and 4a are respectively section view and top view into a
bore that receives an element to be dispensed, counted, etc.
.[.Preceding.]. .Iadd.Proceeding .Iaddend.now to the detailed
description of the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a tubular carrier 1
that extends from a tractor. A clamp 2 is secured to carrier 1 as
holder for a parallel construction and guide frame 3. The holder
journals the two parallel arms .[.3a and 3b.]. and the fourth side
is established by the frame 4 of the seeder machine, holding a
seeder blade 5, a seeding apparatus proper 6 with feeder 7, and an
air intake (outlet of a blower) 8. A stripper 9 and a roller 10 for
closing the furrow are likewise connected to the frame part 4a.
Roller 10 is .[.pivotable.]. .Iadd.pivotably .Iaddend.linked to the
frame as is known per se. Adjusting means 11 permit angular
adjustment and elevation adjustment of the roller.
After having described the background, I now turn to the
improvement of this invention and here I refer to FIG. 2, showing
relevant details. A bucket wheel or drum 12 is disposed, i.e.,
journalled in a housing 17 of the seeder apparatus 6. The drum 12
is driven in a manner known per se. A plurality of radially
inwardly directed bores or indentations 13 of conical
configuration, traverse the drum which is hollow in the interior.
Actually, the conical indentations each merge with cylindrical
bores 13a. Each bore or indentation 13, thus provides for a
tapering container or compartment with perforated bottom.
FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively show section and top view (radially
inward) of such a bore.
The housing 17 of the feeder is constructed to accommodate a feeder
chamber whose bottom 14a is inclined to the horizontal, so that
grain (seeds) can slide down, and towards the drum 12. Grain enters
chamber 14 through a chute or other suitable feeder input 7. The
opening of the storage and feeder facility 14 towards the drum is
selected to span about three indentations or bores 13, so that each
will be filled with certainty with one or even several grains of
seed. The volume of each conical bore is selected so that each can
receive more than one grain.
A portion of the upper wall of chamber 14 is provided as air intake
8 terminating in a nozzle 15 of meniscus-like cross section (see
FIG. 3). That nozzle is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the
periphery of drum 12. The meniscus-shaped nozzle 15 has
configuration that matches the contour of the upper (outer) edge or
rim of each bore 13 (see FIG. 3), for a drum with a single
peripheral row of bores. In particular, the nozzle has
configuration so that the radius of curvature of the convex arc of
the nozzle is approximately similar to the radius of curvature of
the upper (outer) rim of the bore 13.
The wall of housing 17 encloses most of the drum 12 to retain the
particles in the bores. The bottom has a seed ejection opening 16.
It may be of advantage to provide a reciprocating ejector in the
interior of the drum. The ejection may be positioned
.[.excentrically.]. .Iadd.eccentrically .Iaddend.in the drum but
rotating therewith. The spokes may enter the bores 13a and 13 when
in lower position to push the grains out of the bores. Care must be
taken that a grain is not squeezed against the bottom wall of
housing 17 before the compartment reaches opening 16 pursuant to
the rotation.
Upon operation, the drum 12 rotates counterclockwise. Each bore 13a
is filled with at least one, possibly more than one grain of seed.
As a filled bore passes nozzle 15, the following transpires. The
jet hits the leading wall of the particular conical bore 13
underneath as passing; the jet continues around the grain or grains
through opening 13a towards the interior of the drum. As the cross
section of the "duct" 13-13a reduces towards bore 13a, each bore
actually accelerates the air jet. This acceleration is significant,
even if a bore is empty. It is even more so when grains are in the
respective bore, so that most of the air is actually deflected and
returns along the trailing wall portion of bore 13, into the
interior of feeder chamber 14.
It is assumed now that there is at least one, possibly two or more
grains in such a blown at bore. The grain at the bottom, right next
to the bottom bore 13a, is circumcirculated by air, particularly by
the air that will continue through bore 13a. As a consequence, low
pressure develops in bore 13a and sucks the grain against the lower
taper and bottom of cone 13. All other elements in this bore 13
will be flushed out into bin 14. This will occur just before the
particular bore is covered by the rim 17a of housing 17.
It can readily be seen that the flushing or blowing of superfluous
grains from each bore has the advantage that they will not be
damaged. The pressure used for blowing air into each bore passing
nozzle 15 is selected in accordance with the approximately similar
weight for the grain elements. Also, the size of the bore (which is
determined by the size of the grain) and the estimated flow
throttling resistance for air in a partially filled bore are
parameters for the jet pressure. Actually, that pressure is simply
adjusted experimentally, even on location. It will vary with the
grain size.
As the air flow and, therefor, the low sucking pressure that
develops in bore 13a and holds the bottom grain, acts only during
passage of a bore under nozzle 15, no suction is effective
thereafter, and the grain will readily drop out by gravity once the
bore passes opening 16. Also, any air that has been blown into the
drum will flow out again through the bore that registers with
opening 16, aiding in the removal of the grain should it be stuck
in the conical bore. That may occur if the cone is too pointed.
.Iadd.Since pressurized air leaving the jet 8 will eventually find
its way into the chamber 14 by way of the indentations 13, the
chamber itself becomes pressurized. The feeder 7 will be filled
with seed particles and the chamber 14 will be partially filled
with the particles. Thus the chamber 14 is sufficiently closed to
retain pressure therein. This is important since the bores or
openings 13a passing adjacent the chamber 14 open internally of the
drum. This helps the seed to enter into the indentations and to
seat in the base of the indentations 13 prior to the air jet coming
from the outlet 8 contacting the seed. It is therefore apparent
that the pressurized air jet leaving the outlet 8 serves to
eliminate all but one seed in the indentations 13 and also serves
to pressurize the chamber 14 which forces the seed to seat properly
at the base of the indentations 13 prior to the indentations
passing under the outlet.
Plural such arrangements in axially aligned relation can be
provided for a single machine, the axial distance being the
distance between adjacent furrows. This distance will essentially
be adjusted by the clamping holders 2 as arranged on carrier tube,
extending transverse to the furrows. The spacing between the
individual grains of the seed along a furrow is essentially
determined by the adjusted relation between the rotational speed of
the drum 12 and the running speed of the tractor. The blower for
feeding air towards nozzle 15 is likewise driven by the
tractor.
If the seeder machine is used, for example, for sowing corn, it is
not necessary to gauge or otherwise sort or classify the corn
kernels, and still it is ensured that there will be one kernel (nor
more, not less) in a bore 13.
It can readily be seen that the basic components can be used in
substantially similar arrangements and even in similar
configuration for counting or separating other types of particles.
Possibly needed modifications may include a closing means for the
ejection opening 16. After having a particular number of particles
deposited into the compartments-indentations (which is determined
by a particular angular displacement path or a number of
revolutions of the drum), opening 16 is temporarily closed until
the container underneath has been replaced by an empty one. In lieu
of a compartmentized drum (bucket wheel) one can use a belt with
compartments having configuration as outlined above. Only drive and
feeder equipment have to be adapted accordingly.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but
all changes and modifications thereof not constituting departures
from the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be
included.
* * * * *