Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING SEEDS
BACKGROUND
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 appiying a chemical treatment to seeds as well
as
methodologies incorporating the same.
Farming practices have evolved significantiy over time, enabling farmers to
improve crop yields and crop profitability. Particularly, the evolution of
both
agricultural equipment and pest management have greatly improved crop yields
while making efficient use of both time and land. With respect to 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. Primarily, there are two
fundamental
pest management techniques, the treatment of the crops or surrounding area,
and
the treatment of the seed itself. Of these two techniques, seed treatment is
increasingly becoming a valuable tool in modern agriculture not only due to
its
increasing effectiveness for controlling pests and diseases, but also because
of its
reduced impact on the environment.
Generally, the term "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. To be effective, the selected treatment
must
first be harmless to the seed itself, and stable long enough for the seed to
be planted.
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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". Generally, seed treaters are used to apply
measured
quantities of a chemical to a particular volume or weight of seed. There are a
variety
of seed treaters in use today, and generally, these seed treaters are highly
specialized, complex apparatuses designed to treat large volumes of seeds at
designated facilities in a continuous or batchwise processes. In conventional
seed
treaters, 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.
In addition, with respect to conventional seed treaters, 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.
Various other factors related to some commercially available seed treaters
also affect the quality of seed treatment, such as the maintenance of the
equipment.
For example, atomizers need to be routinely cleaned. Also, typically the first
batch
or bag of seeds to run through the treater do not receive an optimal amount of
treatment, causing a significant of seeds to used that are not properly
coated.
While commercially available seed treaters have successfully protected seeds
from disease, insects, and other animals, there is still a need for improved
treaters
that are self-calibrating to reduce the instances of miscalculations and other
related
human errors, while greatly reducing human exposure to seed treatment
products.
There is a further need for an improved seed treater that includes features
that
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simplify the routine maintenance of the equipment and further, that increases
the
number of seeds with the proper amount and coating of the seed treatment. The
present invention is directed to meeting these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus disclosed herein is adapted to treat a selected particle with a
treatment solution that contains a pluraiity 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, or plurality of collection tanks, may be placed in fluid
communication with the source of the ingredient itself. In this way, 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. In 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.
After the ingredients that form the treatment solution are mixed, 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.
Thereafter, 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.
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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. Particularly, 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.
Further disclosed herein is a method of treating seeds with a treatment
solution containing a plurality of ingredients. 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. Particularly, 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
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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.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily
appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments when taken together with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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;
and
Fig. 7c is a side view in elevation of the rotating drum in the cleanout
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Generally, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for treating
particles, and is particularly suitable for the treatment of seeds. To fuliy
appreciate
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the various features of the present seed treatment apparatus, it is perhaps
first
useful to describe the features of a conventional seed treatment apparatus.
Turning first to Fig. 1, 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. As with many
commercially available seed treaters, 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. Here, 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.
As 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. By way of
example,
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. To achieve the correct
mixture
for the seed treatment, the operator must accurately measure the requisite
amounts
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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.
With the foregoing in mind, and turning to Figs. 2 and 3, an exemplary
embodiment of seed treatment apparatus or seed treater 110 according to the
present invention can now be described. At the outset, perhaps the most
noticeable
difference between 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. As may
be
more fully appreciated in the following description, 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.
For discussion purposes, 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.
From upper section 130 of elevator 124, seed flows from the elevator, through
seed supply funnel 132 and onto belt 134, which transports the seeds to
treatment
station 140. 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
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commercially available by Universal Seed Care located at 2320 124th 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.
With continued reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the seed is carried on belt 134 to
seed treatment application station where seed treatment is applied to the
seed.
Particularly, 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. However, as should be
understood,
any suitable seed treatment application device can be used without departing
from
the inventive concepts herein. Once the liquid treatment is applied to the
seeds,
they are fed into front end 152 of rotating drum 150 via chute 148. Rotating
drum
150 can be any conventional drum, such as described in the US Patents to
Reyner
et al. However, rotating drum 150 could have additional features, which are
more
fully described below in reference to Figs. 7a-7c. Once in drum 150, 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.
Generally, 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, however, operates in a closed system. Various active ingredients
are
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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.
By
way of example, 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. As will be appreciated from
the
following discussion, 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.
With reference then to Fig. 3, 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. On one side of use tank 164 is a second collection tank in the form of
an
identical use tank 164' for receiving a second ingredient for forming the seed
treatment. On the other side of first use tank 164 is 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.
By way of an example, 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
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states such that there can be described both a transfer scheme and a
recirculation
scheme. With respect to 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. Particularly, following the direction of the
fluid
pathway arrows, 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'.
Additionally, with respect to the transfer scheme, the active ingredient can
be
transferred from use tank 164 back into container 158. In this way, 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.
From pump 113, the active ingredient continues through hose 163, into second 3-
way valve 117 and into container 158 via hose 165. As should be appreciated, 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.
Once 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. As contemplated, however, 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. Until this optimal setting is determined, 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. However, when the untreated
seeds are ready to enter into the atomizer, 3-way valve 121 can be configured
into a
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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.
As shown, 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. Here, 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. 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. When 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.
Now that the general features of seed treater 110 have been discussed in
reference to both the seed flow and liquid flow, various other features of the
seed
treater can be described in more detail. Turning then to Figs. 5a-6b, atomizer
146,
which was generally introduced above, is movably supported relative to the
seed
treater by carriage assembly 180. 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
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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. As
shown
here also, 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.
Since both pairs of carriage support arms are identical, only the features of
one pair, 175, 176 shown in Figs. 5a and 5b will be discussed in detail. As
shown,
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. Additionally, 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. As shown, 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
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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".
As may now be appreciated, when 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.
To move rails 181 and 183 from the first position to the second position,
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".
As these members rotate, 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.
Once in the second position, atomizer 146 may be pulled via handle 151 in the
direction of arrow "B" and out from under bottom wall 178.
Once atomizer 146 is returned beneath bottom wall 178 by sliding it in the
direction of arrow "B", rails 181 and 183 may be returned to the first
position as
shown in Figs. 6a and 6b. Handle 174 is moved thereby to cause rotatable
members 186 and 187 to rotate in the direction of arrow "E" and carriage
support
arms 175, 176' to move in the direction of arrow "F" in respective openings
156' and
157' thereby causing movement of the rails. Once rails 181 and 183 are back in
the
first position, and platform 147 is in confronting relation with the bottom
surface of
bottom wall 178, seed treatment can be resumed. 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.
As shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, 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 fiows to atomizer 146.
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As discussed above, 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. As with conventional seed treaters, 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.
With reference then to Figs. 7a - 7c, 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, and 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.
In the start position, 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 . Once the initial batch
of seeds
has been retained in the drum for a select period of time, drum 150 can be
moved
into the run position wherein drum platform 151 is generally parallel to the
support
surface. Finally, once seed treatment is complete, drum 150 can be moved into
the
cleanout position, which is angle between about -3 and -10 .
In addition to the foregoing, it should be appreciated that 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.
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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.
From the foregoing it should also be appreciated that both the atomizer and
associated carriage assembly described in Figs. 5a-6b, as well as the drum
described in reference to Figs. 7a -7c can be used in connection with
conventional
seed treaters. Similarly, the closed system for the liquid flow path that was
described above in reference to Fig. 4 is not limited to being used with the
seed
treater of the present invention, but can be adapted for use with conventional
seed
treaters.
The present invention is directed to a method of seed treatment. To this end,
it should be explicitly understood that the method can include any step that
is
inherent in the above-described structure. Generally, 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.
There is also contemplated a method of disengaging an atomizer from the
seed treater for the purpose of routine maintenance of thereof. 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.
Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of
particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
It
should be appreciated, though, that modifications or changes may be made to
the
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exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the
inventive concepts contained herein.
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