Patent ID: 6706989
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: A01C,A01H,B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically processing a set of seed having unique, machine-readable identification data associated with the set of seed, the set of seed derived from an experimental plot for use in a plant breeding program, comprising: (a) a reader along a conveyance path to read the machine-readable identification data associated with the set of seed; (b) a first station along the conveyance path including a component for sorting seed based on a sensed characteristics of the seed; (c) a second station along the conveyance path for storing seed from the set in a package or container: (d) a programmable controller; (e) a conveyance system operatively connected to the first station and between the first station and the second station; (f) an actuator associated with each of said stations operable to, in a first state, allow conveyance of seed from the set along the conveyance path and to, in a second state, disallow conveyance along the conveyance path: (g) a sensor associated with each actuator to sense the state of the actuator; (h) the actuator controlled by the programmable controller based on the information from the sensor to control conveyance of seed from the to and from stations while tracking and maintaining segregation of seed from the set through the apparatus so that identity and integrity of seed from the set is preserved through the apparatus.