Patent ID: 7290665
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: A01C,A01H,B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of automated seed conditioning of a plurality of sets of previously harvested seed in batches through two or more operations upon the seed between an input and an output, comprising: (a) providing, prior to the input, a unique identifier for each set of seed, wherein said each set comprises a plurality of seed separated from its plant; (b) conveying each set of seed, segregated from other sets of seed, from the input to the output; (c) automatically sequentially performing said two or more operations on each set of seed between the input and output while tracking of and progression of each set of seed through said operations is controlled and while maintaining segregation of each set of seed from other sets of seed, the operations comprising cleaning the seed and sorting the seed, and the tracking comprising monitoring of one or more of (1) state of said conveying, (2) time, and (3) a said operation relative to each said set of seed, the operations being programmable dependent upon selected parameters, the parameters being related to differences between different types of seed or differences between conditions of the same type of seed; (d) conveying each set of seed to the output wherein said tracking provides information used to verify which set of seed is at the output; (e) automatically accumulating at the output an end product plurality of seed from each set of seed after performing said operations and storing information about the end product plurality of seed correlated to the identifier; (f) separating undesired non-seed or seed from the end product plurality of seed; (g) maintaining segregation of each said end product plurality of seed from each set of seed from end product plurality of seed of other sets of seed; so that identity and progression of each set of seed between input and output is known and co-mingling of seed from different sets of seed is avoided.