Patent GB-1030657-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the treatment of seeds
IPC: A01C1/02
Filed: 1963-07-25
Abstract: 1,030,657. Feed tapes. F. O. BRANDT. July 25, 1963 [Aug. 16, 1962], No. 29605/63. Heading B8C. [Also in Division A2] In testing the germination of seeds, particularly sugarbeet seeds, seeds 101 are deposited, from a replaceable magazine 44, through the funnel-shaped aperture 91 of a depositing device 68, Figs. 1 and 2, into recesses 76 in a seedreceiving band 75, Figs. 4 and 5, made of supple plastics material such as polyethylene, passing over a setting-table G, as it is unwound from a spool 69. The band 75 is also provided with recesses 78 corresponding to the recesses 76 and with transverse, ventilating corrugations 77. The recesses 76 or 78 guide the band and actuate, through a light-barrier 100 comprising a photo-electric cell, a synchronizing device 74, which controls the magazine and the depositing device, so that the magazine executes a to-andfro motion across the band 75 and a stepwise motion along it, and a single seed is deposited, from each cell of transverse rows of cells of the magazine, into each recess 76. A moistureholding band 104 of absorbent cellulose or filter paper is unwound from a spool 70 and pressed, as by a roller 107, on to the band 75 to cover the seeds. Water, e.g. containing a disinfectant or an agent which promotes germination and/or a protective agent, drips from a nozzle 108 on to the band 104. A cover band 112, e.g. made smooth, supple plastics material such as polyethylene, may be unwound from a spool 71, and laid, as by a roller 114, on the moistened band 104. The band 75 and the band 104 and, if desired, the band 112 constitute a multiple band, which is wound on to a spool 72, rotated on a spindle 115 by belt or chain transmission 118 from an electric motor 119. The spools 69, 70 and 71 may be braked to maintain uniform tension in the respective bands. A device comprising a light-barrier (not shown) for switching off the motor 119 when a filled multiple band has been wound on to the spool 72, may be provided. The motor may be switched on manually. A valve 111, in a pipe 110 supplying water to the nozzle 108, may be opened or closed automatically when the motor 119 is switched on or off. Fully wound spools 72 are placed, with their filled recesses 76 uppermost, on vertical mandrels on a removable frame within a germination chamber or pot H, Fig. 1, which is then sealed from light and the atmosphere and kept at a desired humidity and germinating temperature, e.g. 25 C., for a desired germination period, e.g. 5 to 10 days. The spools 69, 70, 71 and 72 are similar. Each spool comprises a central hub 79, Fig. 4, having thin guiding spokes 80 at each end, preferably connected by thin peripheral rings 81, so that roots can grow downwards and shoots can grow upwardly. A germinated spool 72, e.g. comprising bands 75, 104 and 112 is transferred by hand or conveyer (not shown) on to a spindle on an arm 131 projecting from one end of a counting table K, Figs. 1 and 6. The multiple band having band 75 uppermost and band 112 lowermost, is passed between rollers 132 and then over the table. The band 75 is separated from the multiple band and passes a lightbarrier 142 and is then wound on to a spool 69, which is rotated by an electric motor 138 through a transmission 139 and clutch 140. The light-barrier 142 responds to the recesses 76 or 78 and transmits electric pulses to a counter 143, which records the number of seeds tested. The remaining bands 112 and 104 carry the germinated seeds 101 beneath a lightbarrier 144, which transmits electric pulses to a counter 145 recording the total number of shoots. Any small shoots eluding the light-barrier 144 are seen by an operator, who manipulates keys 147 and transmits corresponding electric pulses to the counter 145 or to a co-operating counter 148. The counters 143, 145 and 148 are provided with printing mechanisms, which record their data on test certificates, in the form of cards or strips. A pre-set counter 149 may be provided to switch off the other counters when a predetermined number of seeds have been tested. The bands 112 and 104 pass over a roller 135 and are scraped by a scraper 136, which removes the band and the germinated seeds and deposits them in a waste bucket 137. The cleaned cover-band 112 is then wound on to a spool 71<SP>1</SP>, which is rotated by transmission 141 from the motor 138. If the tests are to be carried out in daylight, the filled and fully wound spools 72 are placed under glass, after commencement of germination, so that the seeds continue to germinate in diffused daylight. Each fully wound spool 72 may constitute a package for seeds and may be used for the cultivation of plants by hydroculture, peat culture or soil culture.