Patent ID: 6776108
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of operating a seed planter apparatus comprising:providing a housing assembly including a cover releasably connected to a shell, the housing assembly including at least one opening in the housing assembly adjacent a seed discharge area, a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly, the disc dividing an interior of the housing assembly to provide a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber, the disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc, wherein the seed disc openings are grouped in a plurality of clusters of openings, each cluster of openings including a plurality of communicating openings which communicate with the vacuum chamber, allowing seeds to be held by differential pressure within the seed disc openings; rotating the disc to rotate the clusters of openings into and out of communication with the vacuum chamber; holding seeds in the seed disc openings while the seed disc openings is rotated into communication with the vacuum chamber; releasing the seeds from the seed disc openings as the seed disc openings are rotated out of communication with the vacuum chamber, wherein releasing the seeds includes exposing at least one cluster of openings to atmospheric pressure; flowing air through the opening in the housing assembly to promote the release of seeds from the disc; and releasing seeds from a given cluster of openings substantially simultaneously.